Attenuation of the Ganglion Cell Layer in a Premature Infant Revealed with Handheld Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To report on subclinical retinal abnormalities shown through handheld spectral domain optical coherence tomography on a premature infant. Methods: Case report. Results: The initial and follow-up exams on a premature infant revealed severely attenuated ganglion cell and nerve fiber layers. There was cystoid macular edema in both eyes at the initial visits, which resolved by the 1-year follow-up. Discussion: Optical coherence tomography can reveal significant retinal abnormalities in premature infants which are not detectable through funduscopic exam. Documenting such findings may be useful for the comprehensive management of vision problems in children with a history of premature birth

Inter-Alpha-Inhibitor: A Protein Family Involved in the Inhibition of Calcium Oxalate Crystallization

Inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) is a serine protease inhibitor present in human plasma. It has a molecular weight of about 220 kDa which encompasses 3 chains including two heavy chains and one light chain. The light chain, known as bikunin, is responsible for the antitryptic activity of IαI in the inhibition of various enzymes, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin. Under physiologic or certain pathologic circumstances, several macromolecules related to IαI appear in plasma and urine. However, the physiologic role of IαI remains unclear. As far as urolithiasis is concerned, two urinary macromolecules related to IαI have been isolated and shown to be potent inhibitors of calcium oxalate formation. One of these inhibitors, uronic-acid-rich protein (UAP), has been identified and well characterized. The sequence of the first 18 amino acid residues of UAP is identical with that of bikunin. Furthermore, the immunoreaction between UAP and IαI antibody using immunoblot analysis was positive. UAP isolated from the urine of stone formers exhibited less inhibitory activity towards calcium oxalate crystallization than that derived from the urine of healthy subjects. This suggests a structural abnormality of the inhibitor obtained from stone patients. The organic matrix extracted from kidney stones contained a protein antigenically related to IαI. We conclude that UAP is a member of IαI family taking part in inhibiting calcium oxalate crystallization, and modulating the formation of stones in the urinary tract

Teaching periodontal pocket charting to dental students: a comparison of computer assisted learning and traditional tutorials

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a computer assisted learning (CAL) programme with that of traditional small group tutorials in teaching theoretical and practical aspects of periodontal pocket charting. METHOD: Sixty-one third year undergraduate dental students were randomized to either receive a tutorial or to work through the CAL programme. Students using the CAL programme completed questionnaires relating to previous computer experience and the ease of use of the programme. All students were assessed immediately after the intervention by means of a confidence log, a practical exercise and a further confidence log. They were assessed again three weeks later by means of a confidence log and a multiple-choice written test. RESULTS: There were very few significant differences between groups for any of the assessments used. However, subjective comments indicated that students occasionally felt disadvantaged if they had not received a tutorial. CONCLUSION: CAL and traditional teaching methods are equally effective in teaching periodontal pocket charting to undergraduate dental students

Hypoxia Preconditioning Increases Survival and Decreases Expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide

Pulmonary or systemic infections and hypoxemic respiratory failure are among the leading causes of admission to intensive care units, and these conditions frequently exist in sequence or in tandem. Inflammatory responses to infections are reproduced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) engaging Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Apoptosis is a hallmark of lung injury in sepsis. This study was conducted to determine whether preexposure to LPS or hypoxia modulated the survival of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). We also investigated the role TLR4 receptor expression plays in apoptosis due to these conditions. Bovine PAECs were cultured in hypoxic or normoxic environments and treated with LPS. TLR4 antagonist TAK-242 was used to probe the role played by TLR4 receptors in cell survival. Cell apoptosis and survival were measured by caspase 3 activity and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) incorporation. TLR4 expression and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production were also determined. LPS increased caspase 3 activity in a TAK-242-sensitive manner and decreased MTT incorporation. Apoptosis was decreased in PAECs preconditioned with hypoxia prior to LPS exposure. LPS increased TNF-α production, and hypoxic preconditioning blunted it. Hypoxic preconditioning reduced LPS-induced TLR4 messenger RNA and TLR4 protein. TAK-242 decreased to baseline the LPS-stimulated expression of TLR4 messenger RNA regardless of environmental conditions. In contrast, LPS followed by hypoxia substantially increased apoptosis and cell death. In conclusion, protection from LPS-stimulated PAEC apoptosis by hypoxic preconditioning is attributable in part to reduction in TLR4 expression. If these signaling pathways apply to septic patients, they may account for differing sensitivities of individuals to acute lung injury depending on oxygen tensions in PAECs in vivo

Estimation of Population Density and Food Sort of KELASI (Presbytis Rubicundamuller 1838) in Nyaru Menteng Arboretum of Palangka Raya

Nyaru Menteng Arboretum is one of Conservation area in Palangka Raya for biodiversity protection width 65,2ha and in that area have established an Orang Utan Reintroduction Center from Borneo Orangutan Save Foundation (BOSF). The aims of this research are to estimated the population density of Kelasi in this area and to know many kinds of Kelasi food and the part of trees that Kelasi put to eat. The result of this research that has found one species (young class) in January 2017, then we can find 3 species again in April 2017 there is one male, one female, and one young kelasi. Population density rate of Kelasiof 2017 is 0,06 species/ha that meaning is population density of Kelasi have a degraded experience if comparing with the same population density data on 2007 that found 15 species in the area (in 2 group)with 0,23 species/ha. Food sort of Kelasi is juvenile of : Jambu-jambu (Syzgium cerinum), Saga (Adenathera microsperma), cassava (Manihot utilisima), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), pineapple (Ananas comosus), Kelakai (Stenochlaena ralustris) dan jackfruit (Artocarpus integra), other fruits and residue of orangutan food in Reintroduction area lie pineapple and papaya

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is the term used to describe a constellation of features indicative of abnormal heart structure and function in patients with cirrhosis. These include systolic and diastolic dysfunction, electrophysiological changes, and macroscopic and microscopic structural changes. The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unknown at present, mostly because the disease is generally latent and shows itself when the patient is subjected to stress such as exercise, drugs, hemorrhage and surgery. The main clinical features of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy include baseline increased cardiac output, attenuated systolic contraction or diastolic relaxation in response to physiologic, pharmacologic and surgical stress, and electrical conductance abnormalities (prolonged QT interval). In the majority of cases, diastolic dysfunction precedes systolic dysfunction, which tends to manifest only under conditions of stress. Generally, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy with overt severe heart failure is rare. Major stresses on the cardiovascular system such as liver transplantation, infections and insertion of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunts (TIPS) can unmask the presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and thereby convert latent to overt heart failure. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may also contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome. Pathogenic mechanisms of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy are multiple and include abnormal membrane biophysical characteristics, impaired β-adrenergic receptor signal transduction and increased activity of negative-inotropic pathways mediated by cGMP. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis require a careful assessment of patient history probing for excessive alcohol, physical examination for signs of hypertension such as retinal vascular changes, and appropriate diagnostic tests such as exercise stress electrocardiography, nuclear heart scans and coronary angiography. Current management recommendations include empirical, nonspecific and mainly supportive measures. The exact prognosis remains unclear. The extent of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy generally correlates to the degree of liver insufficiency. Reversibility is possible (either pharmacological or after liver transplantation), but further studies are needed

Physical Distancing Potential Inside Buildings: What we know (and don't know) about movement and interaction patterns

The global Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to reconsider the design of the built environment. This review was produced at speed in April 2020 as a working paper to reflect on the state-of-the-art knowledge on movement and interaction inside buildings

Effect of Soil Amendments on Leaching of Thiamethoxam in Alluvial and Calcareous Soil

In this study, peat, compost and charcoal were added to reduce groundwater pollution with thiamethoxam by soil columns. Iodide has been used as a water tracer at a rate of 10 mL (0.1 M) for each soil column and that leached fast in all soil columns. The breakthrough curve of thiamethoxam was appeared from leachates of calcareous soil column and alluvial soil column with iodide. Accordingly it is considered thiamethoxam is highly mobile compound in tested soils. The addition of soil amendments reduced downward movement and significantly increased cumulative percentage of thiamethoxam from soil columns. After application; 85.21, 93.23, 98.12 and 97.84 % of applied thiamethoxam were recovered in leachates of alluvial soil, 5% peat-soil, 5% compost-soil and 5% charcoal-soil. While; 91.50, 99.30, 94.09 and 86.89 % from calcareous soil, 5% peat-soil, 5% compost-soil and 5% charcoal-soil columns. This is first study to assess, leaching of thiamethoxam and effect of soil amendments on leaching by soil columns. This information can be used to understand how alterations in agricultural practices and potential effects to groundwater