Transcriptomic Analysis of Peritoneal Cells in a Mouse Model of Sepsis: Confirmatory and Novel Results in Early and Late Sepsis.

Background The events leading to sepsis start with an invasive infection of a primary organ of the body followed by an overwhelming systemic response. Intra-abdominal infections are the second most common cause of sepsis. Peritoneal fluid is the primary site of infection in these cases. A microarray-based approach was used to study the temporal changes in cells from the peritoneal cavity of septic mice and to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this subset of sepsis patients. Results We conducted microarray analysis of the peritoneal cells of mice infected with a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Differentially expressed genes were identified at two early (1 h, 2 h) and one late time point (18 h). A multiplexed bead array analysis was used to confirm protein expression for several cytokines which showed differential expression at different time points based on the microarray data. Gene Ontology based hypothesis testing identified a positive bias of differentially expressed genes associated with cellular development and cell death at 2 h and 18 h respectively. Most differentially expressed genes common to all 3 time points had an immune response related function, consistent with the observation that a few bacteria are still present at 18 h. Conclusions Transcriptional regulators like PLAGL2, EBF1, TCF7, KLF10 and SBNO2, previously not described in sepsis, are differentially expressed at early and late time points. Expression pattern for key biomarkers in this study is similar to that reported in human sepsis, indicating the suitability of this model for future studies of sepsis, and the observed differences in gene expression suggest species differences or differences in the response of blood leukocytes and peritoneal leukocytes

Enrichment of antioxidant capacity and vitamin E in pita made from barley

This study aimed to enhance total antioxidant and vitamin E content of pita bread, by replacing 50% of the standard baker's flour with flours milled from covered (WI2585 and Harrington) or hulless (Finniss) barley genotypes, previously shown to have high antioxidant and vitamin E levels at harvest. Pita breads were made from either 100% baker's flour (control) or 50% malt flour, whole-grain flour, or flour from barley grains pearled at 10%, 15%, and 20% grain weight. Antioxidant capacity and vitamin E content of flours and pitas were determined by their ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The physical and sensory properties of the pitas were also assessed. All pitas made from either whole grain or pearled barley flour had a higher antioxidant capacity and most also had higher vitamin E content than standard pita. The antioxidant and vitamin E levels were reduced in pearled compared to whole grains, however the extent of that reduction varied among genotypes. The greatest antioxidant and vitamin E levels were found in pita made from malt flour or Finniss whole grain flour. Furthermore, sensory analysis suggested these pitas were acceptable to consumers and retained similar physical and sensory properties to those in the control pita.Thi Thu Dung Do, Beverly Muhlhausler, Amanda Box and Amanda J. Abl

Towards a greater dialogue on disability between Muslims and Christians

Attitudes to disability and disabled people by Muslims – focusing on attitudes in the Middle East and North Africa - and Christians – focusing on the West (here taken to mean Europe, North America and Australasia) - were examined through a grounded theory literature search, with the study being divided into three phases of reading and analysis. The aims of study were to develop a dialogue on disability between the two cultures, to inform an understanding of the attitudes to disability in the two cultures, and to inform cultural practice in promoting support and equality in both cultures. The study finds that Islam and Christianity have much in common and are a force for good in promoting and developing disability equality in both Muslim and Christian cultures

Imaging of Flames in Cement Kilns To Study the Influence of Different Fuel Types

The cement industry aims to use an increased amount of alternative fuels to reduce production costs and CO₂ emissions. In this study three cement plants firing different kinds and percentages of alternative fuel were studied. A specially developed camera setup was used to monitor the flames in the three cement kilns and assess the effect of alternative fuels on the flame. It was found that cofiring with solid recovered fuel (SRF) would delay the ignition point by about 2 m and lower the intensity and temperature of the kiln flame compared to a fossil fuel flame. This is related to a larger particle size and moisture content of the alternative fuels, which lowers the conversion rate compared to fossil fuels. The consequences can be a lower kiln temperature and cement quality. The longer conversion time may also lead to the possibility of localized reducing conditions in the cement kiln, which can have a negative impact on the clinker quality and process stability. The burner design may alleviate some of the issues encountered with SRF cofiring. At one of the test plants the burner was changed from a design with an annular channel for axial air to a jet design. This proved to be beneficial for an early ignition and improved dispersion of the fuel and led to an increase in cement quality and higher use of SRF

An agricultural geography of some semi-arid parts of the Mediterranean region in relation to the agricultural problems of West Punjab

This study has been divided into four principal parts. In the first part the physical background has been described. The chapter on structure and relief purports to give only an outline in the context of which the other physical and cultural factors may be considered. Detailed descriptions of areas studied closely in the field or from large-scale maps has been given under agricultural regions. The account of climate, hydrography, vegetation and soil similarly treats only of essentials in relation to agriculture and its problems. The factor of variabil¬ ity of rainfall in Barbary has been given.special attention and some correlations have been established, i.e. between autumn rainfall and the total area sown and between spring rainfall and the yields.The second part treats of the cultural background. In this section, two aspects have been studied in special detail. European colonization in Barbary and its impact on the native cultivators of Barbary has been discussed in relation to its history and development. The modes of life and settlement in Barbary have been described regionally after a detailed examination of physical, cultural and economic factors.In the third part a number of outstanding agricultural problems have been examined in considerable detail with special reference to recent developments. The account of irrigation embraces the traditional and modern systems, their influence on crops and on the cultivators. Settlement of newly irrigated regions has also been examined in some detail. For Barbary the problem has been documented by studies in the field. Thereafter, water¬ logging and saline soils, soil erosion and dry-farming are treated rather generally mainly on the basis of documentary material. Attention has however been drawn to the most pressing problems to be faced today and the types of solutions that have been attempted.The final part includes first an account of land-use and agricultural methods.followed by a brief description of the product¬ ion and distribution of principal crops. Then, in the chapters on agricultural regions, all the factors described earlier have been integrated. Most of the micro-geographical studies made in the field and from 1:50,000 maps are incorporated into these chapters. The division of Barbary into agricultural regions and their detailed description with the help of sample regional and farm studies thus constitutes the principal result of this study.A brief account of present attempts towards modernisation is followed by the Conclusion in which several constructive suggestions have been made in relation to the population problem and the low standard of living.Throughout the study, the emphasis has been placed on Barbary which was the region studied in the field and on which a large proportion of documentary research war carried out. West Punjab stands, as it were, in the background. A fuller understanding of the agricultural landscape and of the problems of agriculture which has followed the study of Barbary may later lead on to an attempt at a closer survey of West Punjab on the basis of field work

Tuberculous Pyonephrosis Involving Duplex Kidney: First Reported Case

We report a case of tuberculosis (TB) involving duplex kidney that has not been reported in the literature so far. Conservative surgery was done, which was effective in our case