89 research outputs found
Nutrients’ distribution and their impact on Pangani River Basin’s ecosystem – Tanzania
Research Articles published by Taylor & Francis GroupSurface and groundwater from Pangani River Basin (PRB) were sampled in dry and wet seasons,
analysed for dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients (N, P, Si and Urea). There was spatial and
seasonal nutrients’ variability, with enrichment of dissolved inorganic fractions accumulated from
natural and anthropogenic sources. Silicates increased in dry season, whereas nitrate,
ammonium, phosphate and urea increased in wet season; except for phosphate, other nutrients
increased from upstream to the river mouth. High rate of chemical weathering possibly due to
tropical climate and volcanic rocks has caused PRB to have higher concentration of silicates than
average freshwater African Rivers. Contribution of PRB to the coast of Indian Ocean was 2.6, 39.0,
45.2, 67.4 and 5444.8 (mol/km2/yr) for nitrite, phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and silicates,
respectively, which were lower than most of the tropical rivers in the world. Levels of nitrate and
phosphate for most of the stations were higher than recommended levels for aquatic ecosystem
health. Furthermore, observed hypoxia condition in some stations threatens aquatic life. This
study recommends the efficient use of fertilizers to reduce nutrients’ uptake into the lakes and
rivers so as to meet the recommended level for aquatic and human health
Suitability of selected vegetable tannins traditionally used in leather making in Tanzania
This research article published by Elsevier Ltd., 2020The use of chromium salt has dominated in tanning industry worldwide due to its high versatility in quality leather production. However, Environmental concerns of chromium have shifted the interest of current research to chrome-free and greener chemical processing options. Vegetable tannins, especially when used in combination with some benign metals, have been proven to be environmentally safe and manageable, while producing good quality leather with similar shrinkage temperature as that of chromium tanned. As such, shortage of vegetable tannin supply necessitates characterization of non-commercialized sources locally available to feed cottage tanneries. In the present work, extracts from Acacia mearnsii, Acacia xanthophloea, Euclea divinorum and Euclea racemosa, leached by simple technique at 30–80 °C temperature range were characterized for extract yield, tannin, total flavonoid and phenolic contents, crosslinking ability as well as properties of tanned leather. Results indicate that at 50 °C extraction temperature, A. xanthophloea bark gave extract with properties similar to that of A. mearnsii (commercialized source of tannin). Extract from E. divinorum bark contain fairly less extract yield, tannin, total flavonoid and phenolic contents than that of A. mearnsii, but had good crosslinking ability and tanning performance similar to that of A. mearnsii when used in combination with Aluminium Sulphate [Al2(SO4)3]. The 2% Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) equivalent was established to be optimal dose of Al2(SO4)3 for extract pre-treatment. E. racemosa barks have high extract yield, but very low crosslinking ability, making it not suitable as a tannin source. This work provides useful information on the potential source of tannins for cottage leather industries in Tanzanian and beyond
Seasonal water chemistry variability in the Pangani River basin, Tanzania
Research Article published by SpringerThe stable isotopes of δ18O, δ2H, and 87Sr/86Sr and
dissolved major ions were used to assess spatial and seasonal
water chemistry variability, chemical weathering, and hydrological
cycle in the Pangani River Basin (PRB), Tanzania.
Water in PRB was NaHCO3 type dominated by carbonate
weathering with moderate total dissolved solids. Major ions
varied greatly, increasing from upstream to downstream. In
some stations, content of fluoride and sodium was higher than
the recommended drinking water standards. Natural and anthropogenic
factors contributed to the lowering rate of
chemical weathering; the rate was lower than most of tropical
rivers. The rate of weathering was higher in Precambrian than
volcanic rocks. 87Sr/86Sr was lower than global average
whereas concentration of strontium was higher than global
average with mean annual flux of 0.13 × 106 mol year−1.
Evaporation and altitude effects have caused enrichment of
δ18O and δ2H in dry season and downstream of the river.
Higher d-excess value than global average suggests that most
of the stations were supplied by recycled moisture. Rainfall and groundwater were the major sources of surface flowing
water in PRB; nevertheless, glacier from Mt. Kilimanjaro has
insignificant contribution to the surface water.We recommend
measures to be taken to reduce the level of fluoride and sodium
before domestic use
Ошибки диагностики и лечения астматического статуса
An asthmatic status is one of the most severe complications of bronchial asthma. According to literary data, 10 to 15% of bronchial asthmatic patients’ admissions to hospitals are connected with asthmatic status appearance which causes the mortality of 7 to 16%. Due to the actuality of the problem of timely diagnostics and adequate treatment of asthmatic status seventy two histories of asthmatic patients were analyzed. Those patients were admitted to 4 hospitals of Saratov city in 1995— 1998.The high frequency of asthmatic statuses hyper-diagnosed before hospitalization and late asthmatic statuses’ diagnosing in the hospitals were found. It was revealed that different hospitals have different approaches to intensive care for asthmatic status patients. When principles of asthmatic status treatment are not performed it leads to long-time intravenous perfusion therapy as well as to the patients’ staying in hospitals for longer period. We have paid attention for different assessment of equal clinical situations that evidences the absence of well-defined AC diagnostic criteria in a physician’s mind. It leads both to hypo- and hyper-diagnosing of this condition and, thus, sometimes to inadequate therapy.Астматический статус (АС) является одним из наиболее грозных осложнений бронхиальной астмы (БА). По данным литературы, около 10— 15% госпитализаций пациентов с БА связано именно с развитием АС, летальность от которого составляет от 7 до 16%. В связи с актуальностью проблемы своевременной диагностики АС и адекватности лечебных мероприятий был проведен анализ 72 историй болезни пациентов .с БА, поступивших в состоянии статуса в четыре стационара г. Саратова в период с 1995 по 1998 г.Выявлены высокая частота гиподиагностики АС на догоспитальном этапе, поздняя диагностика АС в стационаре. Установлено, что в различных стационарах существуют неодинаковые подходы к интенсивной терапии АС. Несоблюдение принципов купирования АС приводит к увеличению сроков инфузионной терапии, длительности пребывания больного в стационаре. Отмечены разночтения сходных клинических ситуаций, свидетельствующие об отсутствии в арсенале врача четких критериев АС, что обусловливает как гипо-, так и гипердиагностику этого состояния, а следовательно, и не всегда адекватную терапию
PG545, a dual heparanase and angiogenesis inhibitor, induces potent anti-tumour and anti-metastatic efficacy in preclinical models
BACKGROUND: PG545 is a heparan sulfate (HS) mimetic that inhibits tumour angiogenesis by sequestering angiogenic growth factors in the extracellular matrix (ECM), thus limiting subsequent binding to receptors. Importantly, PG545 also inhibits heparanase, the only endoglycosidase which cleaves HS chains in the ECM. The aim of the study was to assess PG545 in various solid tumour and metastasis models
Small RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of heparanase abolishes the invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer cells
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heparanase facilitates the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, and is over-expressed in many kinds of malignancies. Our studies indicated that heparanase was frequently expressed in advanced gastric cancers. The aim of this study is to determine whether silencing of heparanase expression can abolish the malignant characteristics of gastric cancer cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three heparanase-specific small interfering RNA (siRNAs) were designed, synthesized, and transfected into cultured gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. Heparanase expression was measured by RT-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT colorimetry and colony formation assay. The <it>in vitro </it>invasion and metastasis of cancer cells were measured by cell adhesion assay, scratch assay and matrigel invasion assay. The angiogenesis capabilities of cancer cells were measured by tube formation of endothelial cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transfection of siRNA against 1496-1514 bp of encoding regions resulted in reduced expression of heparanase, which started at 24 hrs and lasted for 120 hrs post-transfection. The siRNA-mediated silencing of heparanase suppressed the cellular proliferation of SGC-7901 cells. In addition, the <it>in vitro </it>invasion and metastasis of cancer cells were attenuated after knock-down of heparanase. Moreover, transfection of heparanase-specific siRNA attenuated the <it>in vitro </it>angiogenesis of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results demonstrated that gene silencing of heparanase can efficiently abolish the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of human gastric cancer cells <it>in vitro</it>, suggesting that heparanase-specific siRNA is of potential values as a novel therapeutic agent for human gastric cancer.</p
Development of a core set of outcome measures for OAB treatment
© 2017, The Author(s). Introduction and hypothesis: Standardized measures enable the comparison of outcomes across providers and treatments giving valuable information for improving care quality and efficacy. The aim of this project was to define a minimum standard set of outcome measures and case-mix factors for evaluating the care of patients with overactive bladder (OAB). Methods: The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) convened an international working group (WG) of leading clinicians and patients to engage in a structured method for developing a core outcome set. Consensus was determined by a modified Delphi process, and discussions were supported by both literature review and patient input. Results: The standard set measures outcomes of care for adults seeking treatment for OAB, excluding residents of long-term care facilities. The WG focused on treatment outcomes identified as most important key outcome domains to patients: symptom burden and bother, physical functioning, emotional health, impact of symptoms and treatment on quality of life, and success of treatment. Demographic information and case-mix factors that may affect these outcomes were also included. Conclusions: The standardized outcome set for evaluating clinical care is appropriate for use by all health providers caring for patients with OAB, regardless of specialty or geographic location, and provides key data for quality improvement activities and research
The Gravity Collective: A Search for the Electromagnetic Counterpart to the Neutron Star-Black Hole Merger GW190814
We present optical follow-up imaging obtained with the Katzman Automatic
Imaging Telescope, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, Nickel
Telescope, Swope Telescope, and Thacher Telescope of the LIGO/Virgo
gravitational wave (GW) signal from the neutron star-black hole (NSBH) merger
GW190814. We searched the GW190814 localization region (19 deg for the
90th percentile best localization), covering a total of 51 deg and 94.6%
of the two-dimensional localization region. Analyzing the properties of 189
transients that we consider as candidate counterparts to the NSBH merger,
including their localizations, discovery times from merger, optical spectra,
likely host-galaxy redshifts, and photometric evolution, we conclude that none
of these objects are likely to be associated with GW190814. Based on this
finding, we consider the likely optical properties of an electromagnetic
counterpart to GW190814, including possible kilonovae and short gamma-ray burst
afterglows. Using the joint limits from our follow-up imaging, we conclude that
a counterpart with an -band decline rate of 0.68 mag day, similar to
the kilonova AT 2017gfo, could peak at an absolute magnitude of at most
mag (50% confidence). Our data are not constraining for ''red'' kilonovae and
rule out ''blue'' kilonovae with (30% confidence). We
strongly rule out all known types of short gamma-ray burst afterglows with
viewing angles 17 assuming an initial jet opening angle of
and explosion energies and circumburst densities similar to
afterglows explored in the literature. Finally, we explore the possibility that
GW190814 merged in the disk of an active galactic nucleus, of which we find
four in the localization region, but we do not find any candidate counterparts
among these sources.Comment: 86 pages, 9 figure
Different contribution of BRINP3 gene in chronic periodontitis and peri-implantitis: A cross-sectional study
Background: Peri-implantitis is a chronic inflammation, resulting in loss of supporting bone around implants. Chronic periodontitis is a risk indicator for implant failure. Both diseases have a common etiology regarding inflammatory destructive response. BRINP3 gene is associated with aggressive periodontitis. However, is still unclear if chronic periodontitis and peri-implantitis have the same genetic background. The aim of this work was to investigate the association between BRINP3 genetic variation (rs1342913 and rs1935881) and expression and susceptibility to both diseases. Methods: Periodontal and peri-implant examinations were performed in 215 subjects, divided into: healthy (without chronic periodontitis and peri-implantitis, n = 93); diseased (with chronic periodontitis and peri-implantitis, n = 52); chronic periodontitis only (n = 36), and peri-implantitis only (n = 34). A replication sample of 92 subjects who lost implants and 185 subjects successfully treated with implants were tested. DNA was extracted from buccal cells. Two genetic markers of BRINP3 (rs1342913 and rs1935881) were genotyped using TaqMan chemistry. Chi-square (p<0.05) compared genotype and allele frequency between groups. A subset of subjects (n = 31) had gingival biopsies harvested. The BRINP3 mRNA levels were studied by CT method (2δδCT). Mann-Whitney test correlated the levels of BRINP3 in each group (p<0.05). Results: Statistically significant association between BRINP3 rs1342913 and peri-implantitis was found in both studied groups (p<0.04). The levels of BRINP3 mRNA were significantly higher in diseased subjects compared to healthy individuals (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the BRINP3 polymorphic variant rs1342913 and low level of BRINP3 expression are associated with peri-implantitis, independently from the presence of chronic periodontitis
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