Induction of apoptosis and cell proliferation inhibition by paclitaxel in FM3A cell cultures

In this study, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of paclitaxel, which is itself an antichemotherapeutic agent, to FM3A cell line originated from Mouse mammary carcinoma at 7 different doses were examined. Seven different doses of paclitaxel (P1 = 3 nM, P2 = 7.5 nM, P3 = 15 nM, P4 = 30 nM, P5 = 60 nM, P6 = 120 nM, P7 = 240 nM) were administered to cells for 24 and 48 h. Growth rate measurements showed that living cell number decreased and number of dead cells increased (

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity interactions between epirubicin and daunorubicin in HeLa cell cultures

Epirubicin and Daunorubicin, antibiotics which are derivative of anthracyclines, are used on cancer chemotherapy. In this study, Epirubicin and Daunorubicin effects on cell kinetics parameters wereexamined both single and in combination on HeLa cell culture that was taken from human servical carcinoma. The experiments tested by using IC90 doses of Epirubicin and Daunorubicin (0.5 g/ml and0.1 g/ml, respectively) were applied for 24 and 48 h. Cell kinetics parameters such as growth rate (WST-1 colorimetric assay), mitotic and apoptotic index were applied to identify cytotoxicity that wasformed by drugs. In addition, DNA degradation was examined in agarose gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxic effect of drugs appeared significant decline of growth rate and mitotic index, and significant increase of apoptotic index of HeLa cell line (

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity interactions between epirubicin and daunorubicin in HeLa cell cultures

Epirubicin and Daunorubicin, antibiotics which are derivative of anthracyclines, are used on cancer chemotherapy. In this study, Epirubicin and Daunorubicin effects on cell kinetics parameters wereexamined both single and in combination on HeLa cell culture that was taken from human servical carcinoma. The experiments tested by using IC90 doses of Epirubicin and Daunorubicin (0.5 g/ml and0.1 g/ml, respectively) were applied for 24 and 48 h. Cell kinetics parameters such as growth rate (WST-1 colorimetric assay), mitotic and apoptotic index were applied to identify cytotoxicity that wasformed by drugs. In addition, DNA degradation was examined in agarose gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxic effect of drugs appeared significant decline of growth rate and mitotic index, and significantincrease of apoptotic index of HeLa cell line (

Modifiable socio-behavioural factors associated with overweight and hypertension among persons aged 35 to 60 years in eastern Uganda. PLoS One 2012

Abstract Background: Few studies have examined the behavioural correlates of non-communicable, chronic disease risk in lowincome countries. The objective of this study was to identify socio-behavioural characteristics associated with being overweight or being hypertensive in a low-income setting, so as to highlight possible interventions and target groups

From complex spatial dynamics to simple Markov chain models: do predators and prey leave footprints?

In this paper we present a concept for using presenceÁabsence data to recover information on the population dynamics of predatorÁprey systems. We use a highly complex and spatially explicit simulation model of a predatorÁprey mite system to generate simple presenceÁabsence data: the number of patches with both prey and predators, with prey only, with predators only, and with neither species, along with the number of patches that change from one state to another in each time step. The average number of patches in the four states, as well as the average transition probabilities from one state to another, are then depicted in a state transition diagram, constituting the ''footprints'' of the underlying population dynamics. We investigate to what extent changes in the population processes modeled in the complex simulation (i.e. the predator's functional response and the dispersal rates of both species) are reflected by different footprints. The transition probabilities can be used to forecast the expected fate of a system given its current state. However, the transition probabilities in the modeled system depend on the number of patches in each state. We develop a model for the dependence of transition probabilities on state variables, and combine this information in a Markov chain transition matrix model. Finally, we use this extended model to predict the long-term dynamics of the system and to reveal its asymptotic steady state properties. The simplest models of predatorÁprey systems, such as the Lotka-Volterra model (cf. Lotka 1925), describe population dynamics by means of only two variables: the mean densities of prey and predators. Changes in the density of one species are linked to changes in the other through the functional response (Solomon 1949), which predicts how many prey individuals a predator consumes per time unit at a given mean prey density. However, if prey and predators are not evenly distributed in space, mean densities alone are likely to be poor predictors of predation rates, because they provide no information about the actual degree of spatial overlap between the species Spatially explicit population models (Gurney et al. 1998), on the other hand, apply information about the numbers of prey and predators occupying every spatial unit (called patches) within a system. The changes in population sizes within each patch due to births, deaths, immigrations and emigrations can then be computed for each small time step. These models are powerful strategic tools for understanding predatorÁprey dynamics, because they generate detailed predictions of the system's trajectory through time. However, spatially explicit models need to be fed by high resolution data about the current distributions of the species, which limits their practical application for e.g. pest management or conservation. A solution in these cases is to develop spatially implicit models that only need low resolution data easily obtainable from field samples, as e.g. proportion of plants or leaves with or without prey and predators, but still retain enough complexity to generate realistic predictions. In this paper, we model the dynamics of an acarine predatorÁprey system consisting of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and its phytoseiid predator Phytoseiulus persimilis. The spider mite is a serious pest in many crops, including greenhouse cucumbers. The predator species is known as a very efficient predator of T. urticae and therefore widely used as a biocontrol agent against it We use a spatially explicit stochastic simulation model of the above system to produce spatio-temporal patterns of prey and predators. The output of these simulations forms the basis for developing a spatially implicit matrix model. The advantage of using model-simulated data instead of field-collected data is that we are in control of the processes that produce the observed predatorÁprey dynamics. This means that we can test the hypothesis that these underlying processes are revealed by the parameters of the matrix model. Specifically, we address the hypothesis that the transition probabilities reflect the dispersal ability of both species and the efficacy of the predators. If this hypothesis is confirmed, transition probabilities and steady state distributions, which can be combined and depicted graphically as

EFNS guideline on the management of status epilepticus in adults

The objective of the current article was to review the literature and discuss the degree of evidence for various treatment strategies for status epilepticus (SE) in adults. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant literature from 1966 to January 2005 and in the current updated version all pertinent publications from January 2005 to January 2009. Furthermore, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was sought. Recommendations are based on this literature and on our judgement of the relevance of the references to the subject. Recommendations were reached by informative consensus approach. Where there was a lack of evidence but consensus was clear, we have stated our opinion as good practice points. The preferred treatment pathway for generalised convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is intravenous (i.v.) administration of 4-8 mg lorazepam or 10 mg diazepam directly followed by 18 mg/kg phenytoin. If seizures continue more than 10 min after first injection, another 4 mg lorazepam or 10 mg diazepam is recommended. Refractory GCSE is treated by anaesthetic doses of barbiturates, midazolam or propofol; the anaesthetics are titrated against an electroencephalogram burst suppression pattern for at least 24 h. The initial therapy of non-convulsive SE depends on type and cause. Complex partial SE is initially treated in the same manner as GCSE. However, if it turns out to be refractory, further non-anaesthetising i.v. substances such levetiracetam, phenobarbital or valproic acid should be given instead of anaesthetics. In subtle SE, in most patients, i.v. anaesthesia is required

Structure and optical properties of Ge/Si superlattice grown at Si substrate by MBE at different temperatures

Abstract Multilayer structures in silicon containing submonolayers of Ge in the matrix were grown by MBE on Si substrates at different temperatures. An additional peak at 1.068 eV was observed in photoluminescence spectra (PL) from the samples grown at T=600, 650 and 700°C, whereas it was absent in specimens grown at 750°C. Electron microscopy structure investigations showed a high density of spherical, coherent Ge inclusions in samples grown at 650°C, whereas they were not generated at higher growth temperature, such as at 750°C. This fact indicates that the observed PL peak is unambiguously related to the Ge inclusions. High temperature growth at 750°C results in formation of modulated structure where the composition sinusoidally changes with periodicities between 1.2 and 0.44 nm along 113 and 112 directions, respectively. This results in a distortion of the cubic symmetry and in a relaxation of the misfit stress causing changes in the electronic properties