Rotavirus in drinking water : molecular methods for measurement of infectivity

Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay is widely used for the detection of RNA viruses in environmental water samples. However, a major limitation of using RT-qPCR assay to quantify virus titers is its inability to discriminate between infectious and non-infectious viruses, resulting in overestimation of viral infectivity. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a reliable molecular method for rotavirus detection with information on viral infectivity, and which may contribute to the development of molecular detection methods for correct estimation of infectivity of non-cultivable viruses. In experimental work, the potential of using propidium monoazide (PMA) or RNase treatment prior to RT-qPCR assay was evaluated to measure the infectivity of human rotavirus. In brief, original human rotavirus (HRV) stock was produced by propagating viruses in MA-104 cells. The virus stocks (including HRV stock A and B) were thermally treated at 80 °C at different time points. The virus titer was measured by (1) cell culture-based infectivity assay, (2) RT-qPCR assay, and (3) RT-qPCR assay with PMA or RNase pretreatment. The result of cell culture-based infectivity assay showed that heat exposure for 5 min at 80 °C was sufficient to inactivate the HRV, while RT-qPCR assay alone overestimated the viral infectivity. The results of RT-qPCR assay with pre-treatments showed that, for thermally-inactivated HRV stock A, similar level of false-positive results was reduced with PMA treatment regardless of inactivation time (ranges from 1.04 to 1.18 log10 PCR-units), while higher reduction level was observed with RNase treatment (ranges from 2.64 to 2.89 log10 PCR-units). On the other hand, the effects of both pre-treatments on thermally-inactivated HRV stock B were negligible. In conclusion, both PMA and RNase pre-treatments eliminated the false-positive results of RT-qPCR assay to some extent in defined conditions, while the discrepancy between the infectivity assay and RT-qPCR assay even with PMA or RNase treatment was observed. In order to confirm the potential of using RT-qPCR assay combined with pre-treatments to measure the infectivity of rotavirus, further studies on optimization of PMA and RNase treatments and production of optimal virus stock would be necessary

Study of Trace Elements in Southern Nevada Spring Waters and Lakes

Comprehending the natural water resource is imperative for the entire state of Nevada and of particular significance for Southern Nevada, where rapid population growth and climate change are placing significant strain on supplies. This research underscores the significance of water chemistry in identifying potential water source areas through trace elements. For the first time, the study proposed measuring the compositions of the entire suite of metal elements, ranging from Li to U, in over 40 springs in the Moapa Valley and its upper gradient valleys, utilizing the iCAP Qc ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) at UNLV. The research evaluated correlations between various water samples collected throughout Southern Nevada, focusing on WRFS and many trace element compositions. Various inter-element correlations were observed and will be used to constrain the spring pathways by comparing the spring water metal compositions to those of local bedrock units. The principal component analysis (PCA) was primarily utilized to characterize the spring water sources. The trace element composition may be associated with aquifer material that could be helpful to identify groundwater movement. Additionally, the statistical analysis of the element concentrations revealed any relationship between the element concentrations and the host rock of the study area

Effective method for drug injection into subcutaneous tissue

Subcutaneous injection of drug solution is widely used for continuous and low dose drug treatment. Although the drug injections have been administered for a long time, challenges in the design of injection devices are still needed to minimize the variability, pain, or skin disorder by repeated drug injections. To avoid these adverse effects, systematic study on the effects of injection conditions should be conducted to improve the predictability of drug effect. Here, the effects of injection conditions on the drug permeation in tissues were investigated using X-ray imaging technique which provides realtime images of drug permeation with high spatial resolution. The shape and concentration distribution of the injected drug solution in the porcine subcutaneous and muscle tissues are visualized. Dynamic movements of the wetting front (WF) and temporal variations of water contents in the two tissues are quantitatively analyzed. Based on the quantitative analysis of the experimental data, the permeability of drug solution through the tissues are estimated according to permeation direction, injection speed, and tissue. The present results would be helpful for improving the performance of drug injection devices and for predicting the drug efficacy in tissues using biomedical simulation.112Ysciescopu

Unveiling revised North Korean English textbooks: language, ideology, and internationalisation

This study examines the visual and textual representations of three revised national junior middle English textbooks as part of Kim Jong Un’s educational reform and aims to answer three questions: To what extent have the revised English textbooks i) fulfilled their proposed goal of improving North Koreans’ practical English skills? ii) remained ideologically driven propaganda tools and iii) how the internationalisation of English is presented in these textbooks. The results indicate that these textbooks powerfully reinforce the notion of the superiority of North Korea and promote the cult system of the Kims. The textbooks are highly localised and absent of international content. This study highlights that North Korean English textbooks are not designed to teach international communication in English but to equip students with certainty about the superior status of North Korea. Although this study focuses on North Korea, it can prompt a critical re-examination of the biases contained in international English textbooks, which sensationalise a “bright” view of Western societies

Simple and convenient method for adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells serum-free medium development

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Hydraulic Strategy of Cactus Trichome for Absorption and Storage of Water under Arid Environment

Being an essential component in various metabolic activities, water is important for the survival of plants and animals. Cacti grown in arid areas have developed intrinsic water management systems, such as water collection through spines, water absorption through trichome, and water storage using mucilage. The water collection method of cactus is well-documented, but its water absorption and storage strategies remain to be elucidated. Thus, this study analyzed the morphology and wettability of cactus trichomes by using advanced bio-imaging techniques and by performing in vitro experiments on an artificial system mimicking these structures, respectively. In addition, the in situ water absorption process through the trichome cluster was quantitatively visualized. This paper proposes a new bio-inspired technique for dew collection based on information about the water management strategies of cactus. This study discusses the underlying water absorption and storage strategies of cactus and provides the experimental database required to develop a biomimetic water management device.114Ysciescopu

The use of Facebook in a multi-course collaborative project within a cross-cultural context

Facebook is the most popular social network site worldwide with over one billion active users every month (Facebook, 2012) and most university students are already using it. Therefore, implementing it into the classroom provides a familiar environment for students. The benefits of Facebook use, such as interaction, communication, social relationship, and participation, have been found to affect student motivation in learning (Lam, 2012). However, the role of Facebook use in student attitude and intention toward the project has not been examined in a multi-course, multi-cultural context

Original Article

99 cases were operated while we could not use antibiotics. The author traced X-ray photos on paper and measured areas of the peeled cavities with a planimeter. Results were as follows. 1) 66 cases had increasing stage and the rates were more than 30 %. 2) Cases with good developments showed larger original areas (50〜100cm^2) and smaller increasing rates (less than 30 %). 3) Also their X-ray photos showed coinciding or almost coinciding lines of the apices of lungs and the bases of cavities, but we had to take precautions against suppuration when they showed a horizontal line several days after operation. 4) Most of too high degree of adhesion or thickning of pleura did not show good results. When we found a cord which we must manage with some procedures by pneumolysis we must attend to suppuration too. 5)We ought to resect 4th or 5th rib more than 20 cm and 5th or 4th several cm supplementary. 6) As a method of constriction we commend the INVAGI.NATION method. 7) The author noticed in a considerable number of cases that the areas of cavities increased again after they kept long balanced stages

Atherosclerosis V, Proceeding of the Fifth International Symposium, A.M. Gotto, L.C. Smith, B. Allen, Spring Verlag, 1979(BOOK REVIEW)

Antiviral effect of micafungin on three strains of human rhinoviruses. H1HeLa cells were infected with human rhinovirus type 14 (A), 21 (B), or 71 (C) (100 CCID50) and immediately treated with indicated concentrations of micafungin. Three days after compound treatment antiviral activity was determined by the reduction of cytopathic effect using MTT assay. Cell viability of DMSO-treated cells was set to 0 % and that of uninfected cells was set to 100 %. (TIF 100 kb