Dally is not essential for Dpp spreading or internalization but for Dpp stability by antagonizing Tkv-mediated Dpp internalization

Dpp/BMP acts as a morphogen to provide positional information in the Drosophila wing disc. Key cell-surface molecules to control Dpp morphogen gradient and signaling are heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). In the wing discs, two HSPGs, the glypicans Division abnormally delayed (Dally) and Dally-like (Dlp) have been suggested to act redundantly to control these processes through direct interaction of their heparan sulfate (HS) chains with Dpp. Based on this assumption, a number of models on how glypicans control Dpp gradient formation and signaling have been proposed, including facilitating or hindering Dpp spreading, stabilizing Dpp on the cell surface, or recycling Dpp. However, how distinct HSPGs act remains largely unknown. Here we generate genome-engineering platforms for the two HSPGs and find that only Dally is critical for Dpp gradient formation and signaling through interaction of its core protein with Dpp. However, we find that this interaction is not sufficient and the HS chains of Dally are essential for Dpp gradient formation and signaling, but surprisingly, largely without interacting with Dpp. We provide evidence that the HS chains of Dally are not essential for spreading or recycling of Dpp but for stabilizing Dpp on the cell surface by antagonizing Dpp internalization through Tkv. These results provide new insights into how distinct HSPGs control morphogen gradient formation and signaling during development

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following resectoscopic septum division with and without intrauterine balloon stenting: A randomized pilot study

BackgrounD AND OBJECTIVES: Although uterine stenting is performed routinely following hysteroscopic metroplasty, we were unable to find any evidence documenting its value with regards to septum reformation and/or obstetrical performance. To evaluate the benefits of intrauterine Foley catheter/balloon splinting after resectoscopic septum division on septum reformation, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Design AND SETTING: Prospective, randomized controlled pilot study (Canadian Task Force Classification I) conducted in university affiliated teaching hospital. Patients AND METHODS: Twenty-eight women with infertility and/or adverse pregnancy outcomes diagnosed with intrauterine septum were randomized into having a No. 14 pediatric Foley catheter/balloon for 5 days (n=13) vs. no balloon (n=15) following resectoscopic septum division. None of the patients received preoperative endometrial thinning, antibiotic prophylaxis or adjuvant postoperative hormone therapy. All uterine septa were divided under general anaesthesia using a 26 F (9 mm) resectoscope with a monopolar electrical knife using glycine irrigant solution (1.5%) and 120 watts of power of low voltage (cut) waveform. Results: The median age (range) was 29 years (23-38) and 32 years (22-40), respectively (P=.59). The groups were comparable by age, past obstetrical performance and comorbidities including endometriosis stage I-IV in 3 and 4 women, in the catheter/balloon and balloon group, respectively, and one in each group of polycystic ovarian syndrome and Crohn disease and one case of tubal obstruction in the balloon group. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. At 3 months, a hysterosalpingogram was done in 10 (77%) and 13 (87%) women, respectively, the results of which were normal. At 12-18 months, 1 woman in the balloon and 3 in the control group were not trying to conceive and 1 in each group had not conceived. Of the remaining women, 11 (92%) in each group had conceived and pregnancy outcomes included spontaneous abortion 3 (25%) and 4 (33.3%), ectopic pregnancy 0 and 1, second trimester loss 1 (8.3%) and 0 and term pregnancy 8 (66.6%) in both groups. Conception through assisted reproductive technology occurred in 2 and 1 woman, respectively. Conclusions: Following resectoscopic septum division with monopolar knife electrode, splinting the uterine cavity with Foley catheter provided no advantage in septum reformation, clinical pregnancy rate, and pregnancy outcomes

A Comparison of Some Robust Bicariate Control Charts for Individual Observations

This paper proposed and considered some bivariate control charts to monitor individual observations from a statistical process control. Usual control charts which use mean and variance-covariance estimators are sensitive to outliers. We consider the following robust alternatives to the classical Hoteling’s T2: T2MedMAD, T2MCD, T2MVE A simulation study has been conducted to compare the performance of these control charts. Two real life data are analyzed to illustrate the application of these robust alternatives

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN THE CONTEXT OF KNOWLEDGE SOCIETIES AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

A society properly rooted in indigenous knowledge system can easily pave way for sustainable development. Indigenous knowledge is a local knowledge that is peculiar to a particular society. It is referred to as folk knowledge, people\u27s knowledge, traditional science or traditional wisdom. Over time, indigenous knowledge is usually generated and transmitted by communities, in an attempt to solve their own societal challenges such as ecological and socio-economic problems. Indigenous knowledge is passed from generation to generation, usually by word of mouth and cultural rituals, and has been the basis for agriculture, food preparation and conservation, health care, education, and the wide range of other activities that sustain a society and its environment in different parts of the world for many centuries. This realization that true development cannot take place without member of the society being able to have equal access to knowledge gave birth to the idea of the knowledge society for a sustainable development. Sustainable development emphasized the development in all aspects of human life affecting sustenance. It means resolving the conflict between the various competing goals and the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity with progress as the major objective. The paper also identified the challenges of indigenous knowledge to include funding, time requirement, labour requirement, ICTs etc. Finally, the paper highlighted the strategies to mitigate these challenges; Nigeria libraries should make effort to persuade traditional institutions and elderly who are resource persons in local communities to share their indigenous knowledge with librarians for proper documentation, preservation and accessibility; Libraries should as a matter of urgency repackage the documented indigenous knowledge in different languages for easy access

INFORMATION NEEDS AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITIES IN BENUE STATE

The study investigated the information needs and research activities of postgraduates in universities in Benue State. Two specific objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 3821 postgraduate students in the three universities in Benue State (Benue State University, University of Agriculture, Makurdi and University of Mkar, Mkar). The sample size of 362 postgraduates from the three universities under study was selected using proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. Data collected was analyzed using Frequency Counts, Percentages, Means and Standard Deviation. Findings of the study revealed the research activities of postgraduate students in universities in Benue State to include: academic information, employment information, entertainment information, jobs update and global information, information for personal development and political information among others. The findings also revealed the methods used by library staff in meeting the information needs of postgraduate students in university libraries in Benue State. The methods used are: internet; conference; library; Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI); Current Awareness Services (CAS). It was concluded that Library information resources are vital ingredients in academic libraries for meeting the information needs of postgraduate students. The study recommended that the University management should ensure adequate funding of university libraries to enhance the availability of information resources; University libraries should provide programmes that could train their students in up-to-date 21st century skills of information retrieval; University Library management should ensure that its staff develop positive attitudes towards users for effective dissemination of information on new trends in the library

The effect of variable operating parameters for hydrocarbon fuel formation from CO2 by molten salts electrolysis

The emission of CO2 has been increasing day by day by growing world population, which resulted in the atmospheric and environmental destruction. Conventionally different strategies; including nuclear power and geothermal energy have been adopted to convert atmospheric CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels. However, these methods are very complicated due to large amount of radioactive waste from the reprocessing plant. The present study investigated the effect of various parameters like temperature (200–500 oC), applied voltage (1.5–3.0 V), and feed gas (CO2/H2O) composition of 1, 9.2, and 15.6 in hydrocarbon fuel formation in molten carbonate (Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3; 43.5:31.5:25 mol%) and hydroxide (LiOH-NaOH; 27:73 and KOH-NaOH; 50:50 mol%) salts. The GC results reported that CH4 was the predominant hydrocarbon product with a lower CO2/H2O ratio (9.2) at 275 oC under 3 V in molten hydroxide (LiOH-NaOH). The results also showed that by increasing electrolysis temperature from 425 to 500 oC, the number of carbon atoms in hydrocarbon species rose to 7 (C7H16) with a production rate of 1.5 μmol/h cm2 at CO2/H2O ratio of 9.2. Moreover, the electrolysis to produce hydrocarbons in molten carbonates was more feasible at 1.5 V than 2 V due to the prospective carbon formation. While in molten hydroxide, the CH4 production rate (0.80–20.40 µmol/h cm2) increased by increasing the applied voltage from 2.0–3.0 V despite the reduced current efficiencies (2.30 to 0.05%). The maximum current efficiency (99.5%) was achieved for H2 as a by-product in molten hydroxide (LiOH-NaOH; 27:73 mol%) at 275 oC, under 2 V and CO2/H2O ratio of 1. Resultantly, the practice of molten salts could be a promising and encouraging technology for further fundamental investigation for hydrocarbon fuel formation due to its fast-electrolytic conversion rate and no utilization of catalyst

Impact of class III obesity on outcomes and complications of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pickup

Objective: To assess the impact of class III obesity on outcomes and complications of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pickup (OPU). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Hospital-based fertility clinic. Patient(s): All women undergoing OPU procedures during autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) and oocyte banking cycles, grouped by patient body mass index (BMI: \u3c25, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9, ≥40 kg/m2). Intervention(s): Transvaginal OPU under conscious sedation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sedation and procedure-related parameters and complications. Result(s): A total of 2,141 OPU procedures in 1,579 patients were analyzed, including 121 OPU procedures in 94 patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. There was a statistically significant increase in total fentanyl and midazolam doses and procedure duration as BMI increased. Compared with patients with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2, those with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 were more likely to require additional sedation during the procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–3.49). The rate of difficult access was 28.9% for procedures with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 compared with 5.2% with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2 (aOR 7.57; 95% CI, 4.66–12.29). The OPU was incomplete due to inaccessible follicles through a transvaginal approach in 18.2% of procedures with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 compared with 1.3% with BMI \u3c25 kg/m2 (aOR 16.94; 95% CI, 8.24–34.84). The rates of sedation and procedure-related complications were low, and none occurred in patients with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Conclusion(s): There was no increased risk of complications for women with class III obesity undergoing OPU with conscious sedation. However, the operator was more likely to encounter difficult access and to incompletely aspirate follicles through a transvaginal approach

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

A 19-year-old patient presented with intractable uterine bleeding, 11 weeks post-abortion. A pelvic ultrasound with Doppler and color imaging suggested a uterine arteriovenous malformation. Failing conservative therapies, the patient consented to uterine artery embolization (UAE). Two months later, she conceived and had an uneventful normal vaginal delivery at term. Since this is an extremely rare condition, allowing limited clinical exposure and experience, there may be an underlying reluctance by general practitioners to treat these cases with uterine artery embolization for fear of compromising future fertility and pregnancies. However, data from the 20 pregnancies embolized for uterine AVM cited in the present report and data from embolization for uterine fibroids indicate that such fears may be unfounded since pregnancy rates and outcomes may not be compromised after UAE. © 2009 Springer-Verlag

Serum soluble transferrin receptor concentration as a biomarker of erythropoietic activity: surrogate marker of adequate transfusion in adult Beta-thalassaemia intermedia patients

Management of Beta (β)-thalassaemia intermedia in contrast to β-thalassaemia major patients has no clear guidelines as to indicators of adequate transfusion. Regular blood transfusion suppresses bone marrow erythropoietic activity. Serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration is a marker for erythropoietic activity, with increased sTfR being associated with functional iron deficiency and increased erythropoietic activity. This study aimed to determine the use of sTfR as an indicator of adequate transfusion in adult β-thalassaemia intermedia patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hospital Ampang, Malaysia, for six months. Patient group included six β-thalassaemia intermedia and 34 HbE-β-thalassaemia transfused patients. None of the patients were on regular monthly blood transfusions as in β-thalassaemia major. The control group comprised of 16 healthy subjects with normal haematological parameters. Haemoglobin (Hb) analysis, sTfR and ferritin assays were performed. Hb and HbA percentages (%) were found to be significantly lower in patients compared to the controls, while HbE%, HbF%, sTfR and ferritin were significantly higher in patients. An inverse relationship was found in the controls between HbF% with Hb (r = -0.515, p < 0.05) and HbA% (r = -0.534, p < 0.05). In patients, sTfR showed an inverse relationship with HbA% (r = -0.618, p = 0.000) and a positive correlation with HbE% (r = 0.418, p = 0.007) and HbF% (r = 0.469, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that HbA% (r = 2.875, p = 0.048), HbE% (r = 2.872, p = 0.020) and HbF% (r = 2.436, p = 0.013) best predicted sTfR independently in patients. Thus, sTfR is a useful marker for erythropoiesis. The elevate sTfR in these patients indicate that the transfusion regimen used was inadequate to suppress ineffective erythropoiesis. Hb levels may not be the best target for monitoring transfusion treatment in β-thalassaemia intermedia patients, but the use of sTfR is helpful in individualising transfusion regimens