Consistency,comprehensiveness, and compatibility of pathway databases

Background  

It is necessary to analyze microarray experiments together with biological information to make better biological inferences. We investigate the adequacy of current biological databases to address this need.     

Biochemical heterogeneity,migration, and pre-fertilization release of mouse oocyte cortical granules

Background  

Oocyte cortical granules are important in the fertilization of numerous species including mammals. Relatively little is known about the composition, migration, and pre-fertilization release of mammalian oocyte cortical granules.     

Pharmacokinetics of phenoxodiol, a novel isoflavone, following intravenous administration to patients with advanced cancer

Background  

Phenoxodiol is a novel isoflavone currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. This study reports the pharmacokinetics of phenoxodiol in patients with cancer.     

The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p15, p16, p21, and p27 during ovarian follicle growth initiation in the mouse

Background  

Cyclins regulate the cell cycle in association with cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs are under inhibitory control of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs).     

Clinical profile of parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria

Background  

Current data on the pattern of parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Nigerians are sparse.     

The design,development, and evaluation of a prototypic,prosthetic venous valve

Background  

Chronic venous insufficiency is a serious disease for which there is no clearly successful surgical treatment. Availability of a proven prosthetic vein valve could provide such an option by reducing venous reflux while permitting normal antegrade flow.     

Cerebral infarction in diabetes: Clinical pattern,stroke subtypes,and predictors of in-hospital mortality

Background  

To compare the characteristics and prognostic features of ischemic stroke in patients with diabetes and without diabetes, and to determine the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in people with diabetes and ischemic stroke.     

Analysing Betula litwinowii encroachment and reforestation in the Kazbegi region,Greater Caucasus,Georgia

Aims

The encroachment of tree and shrub species in high mountains is an increasing worldwide phenomenon, which is expected to dramatically alter high‐mountain ecosystems and their functioning. Moreover it indicates in some cases a reforestation process, which will result in important ecological and social benefits, including carbon sequestration and protection against landslides. We therefore examined the spatial extent of forest growth and shrub encroachment mainly of birch (Betula litwinowii) in the sub‐alpine belt of the Central Greater Caucasus between 1987 and 2010 and its relation to topographic site conditions.

Location

Kazbegi district, Central Greater Caucasus, Georgia.

Methods

We analysed 155 vegetation relevés sampled in 2009, 2011 and 2015, mainly derived from the Caucasus Vegetation Database, to obtain information about topographic site conditions and structure of B. litwinowii stands. B. litwinowii forest growth was assessed by digitizing the forest outlines from aerial and space‐borne imagery (1987, 2005 and 2010). To identify areas of B. litwinowii encroachment as an indicator for different encroachment stages, we modelled the tree and shrub cover using the Random Forest algorithm.

Results

We found four types of B. litwinowii stands, characterized by different tree and shrub coverage (initial Bromus variegatus–Betula litwinowii encroachment indicating the first stage of succession, Aconitum nasutum–Betula litwinowii forest, Rubus idaeus–Betula litwinowii forest and Rhododendron caucasicum–Betula litwinowii tree line scrubs). B. litwinowii forest increased 25% compared to 1987 mainly in an uphill direction. Furthermore the modelled tree and shrub cover (R² = .69) could be related to the four vegetation types.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a recent trend towards shrub encroachment and consequently reforestation in the Kazbegi region.     

Physical function, disease activity, and health-related quality-of-life outcomes after 3 years of adalimumab treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Introduction  

We evaluated the three-year impact of adalimumab on patient-reported physical function and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).     

Effect of a single acupuncture treatment on surgical wound healing in dogs: a randomized,single blinded,controlled pilot study

Background  

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on wound healing after soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery in dogs.     

Algebraic comparison of metabolic networks, phylogenetic inference, and metabolic innovation

Background  

Comparison of metabolic networks is typically performed based on the organisms' enzyme contents. This approach disregards functional replacements as well as orthologies that are misannotated. Direct comparison of the structure of metabolic networks can circumvent these problems.     

Comparative performance of contact plates,electrostatic wipes,swabs and a novel sampling device for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus on environmental surfaces

Aims

To evaluate the performance of four sampling methods [contact plates, electrostatic wipes (wipe), swabs and a novel roller sampler] for recovery of Staphylococcus aureus from a stainless steel surface.

Methods and Results

Stainless steel test plates were inoculated with Staph. aureus, dried for 24 h and sampled using each of the four methods. Samples were either incubated directly (roller, contact plate) or processed using elution and membrane filtration (swab, wipe). Performance was assessed by calculating the apparent sampling efficiency (ASE), analytical sensitivity (Sn) and percentage of replications with positive growth. The wipe demonstrated the best performance across all inoculating concentrations (ASE_48 h = 18%; Sn_48 h = 7 CFU per 100 cm²). The swab performed well when corrected for area actually sampled (ASE_48 h = 24%; Sn_48 h = 76 CFU per 100 cm²). Of the contact‐based methods, the newly developed roller sampler outperformed the contact plate (roller: ASE_48 h = 10%; Sn_48 h = 17 CFU per 100 cm²; contact plate: ASE_48 h = 0·04%; Sn_48 h = 1412 CFU per 100 cm²); both contact samplers performed better at higher inoculating concentrations (6E3 CFU per 100 cm² for the roller and 6E6 CFU per 100 cm² for the contact plate). Overall, the electrostatic wipe produced the highest number of replications resulting in positive growth (74%_24 h, 91%_48 h).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that selection of the sampling method must be carefully considered, given that different methods have varying performance.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This is the first study assessing static wipes for sampling and one that uses a more real‐world‐relevant 24‐h drying time. The results help with infection control, and environmental health professionals choose better sampling methodologies.     

Preferences of Mexican anesthesiologists for vecuronium, rocuronium, or other neuromuscular blocking agents: a survey

Background  

Several neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are available for clinical use in anesthesia. The present study was performed in order to identify preferences and behaviors of anesthesiologists for using vecuronium, rocuronium or other NMB agents in their clinical practice.     

Akt regulates the expression of MafK,synaptotagmin I,and syntenin-1, which play roles in neuronal function

Background  

Akt regulates various cellular processes, including cell growth, survival, and metabolism. Recently, Akt's role in neurite outgrowth has also emerged. We thus aimed to identify neuronal function-related genes that are regulated by Akt.     

Fine-tuning the space, time, and host distribution of mycobacteria in wildlife

Background  

We describe the diversity of two kinds of mycobacteria isolates, environmental mycobacteria and Mycobacterium bovis collected from wild boar, fallow deer, red deer and cattle in Do?ana National Park (DNP, Spain), analyzing their association with temporal, spatial and environmental factors.     

Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain,fatigue, depression and disordered sleep in chronic post-SARS syndrome; a case-controlled study

Background  

The long term adverse effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a viral disease, are poorly understood.     

Cloning and characterization of the rat homologues of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein 1, 2, and 3 genes.

Background  

Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins are key intrinsic regulators of apoptosis induced by a variety of triggers. We isolated the rat Inhibitor of Apoptosis genes 1, 2 and 3 and characterized their tissue distribution and expression.     

Discovery of protein-protein interactions using a combination of linguistic,statistical and graphical information

Background  

The rapid publication of important research in the biomedical literature makes it increasingly difficult for researchers to keep current with significant work in their area of interest.     

Product category rules alignment workshop, October 4, 2011 in Chicago, IL, USA

Purpose  

A workshop on Product Category Rule (PCR) alignment was organized by the American Center for LCA PCR Committee. PCR alignment refers to the process of assuring that PCRs (rules for developing LCA-based claims like EPDs) developed by different parties are consistent within product categories.     

The hydrocephalus inducing gene product, Hydin, positions axonemal central pair microtubules

Background  

Impairment of cilia and flagella function underlies a growing number of human genetic diseases. Mutations in hydin in hy3 mice cause lethal communicating hydrocephalus with early onset. Hydin was recently identified as an axonemal protein; however, its function is as yet unknown.