Do Probiotics Provide Adequate Relief From Overall Symptoms, Including Abdominal Pain and Bloating, in Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics provide adequate relief from overall symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including abdominal pain and bloating in adults with irritable bowel syndrome. Study Design: Review of three published randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials were used for this review. The articles were found on PubMed and EBSCOhost web, and were selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective. Outcomes Measured: The outcomes were measured by a 10-point visual analog scale for each symptom, or daily dairy entries addressing overall symptom relief, and a questionnaire at the beginning and end of the trial for overall quality of life. Results: The Ki Cha, et al. study proved a statistically significant improvement in the adequate relief of symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain and bloating, however the Roberts, et al. and the Cappello, et al. studies did not show a statistically significant improvement of symptoms in the probiotic group as compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: Based on the three randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials the efficacy of treating irritable bowel syndrome with probiotics is inconclusive. Future studies should focus on the efficacy of probiotics in a specific subtype of IBS, for example only focus on constipation predominate irritable bowel syndrome, to help determine if probiotics are a reasonable intervention for a specific subtype of irritable bowel syndrome

Reference manual for the Thermal Analyst's Help Desk Expert System

This document provides technical information and programming guidance for the maintenance and future development of the Thermal Analyst's Help Desk. Help Desk is an expert system that operates within the EXSYSTM expert system shell, and is used to determine first approximations of thermal capacity for spacecraft and instruments. The five analyses supported in Help Desk are: (1) surface area required for a radiating surface, (2) equilibrium temperature of a surface, (3) enclosure temperature and heat loads for a defined position in orbit, (4) enclosure temperature and heat loads over a complete orbit and, (5) selection of appropriate surface properties. The two geometries supported by Help Desk are a single flat plate and a rectangular box enclosure. The technical information includes the mathematical approach and analytical derivations used in the analyses such as: radiation heat balance, view factor calculation, and orbit determination with coordinate transformation. The programming guide for developers describes techniques for enhancement of Help Desk. Examples are provided showing the addition of new features, user interface development and enhancement, and external program interfaces

User's guide for the thermal analyst's help desk expert system

A guide for users of the Thermal Analyst's Help Desk is provided. Help Desk is an expert system that runs on a DOS based personal computer and operates within the EXSYS expert system shell. Help Desk is an analysis tool designed to provide users having various degrees of experience with the capability to determine first approximations of thermal capacity for spacecraft and instruments. The five analyses supported in Help Desk are: surface area required for a radiating surface, equilibrium temperature of a surface, enclosure temperature and heat loads for a defined position in orbit, enclosure temperature and heat loads over a complete orbit, and selection of appropriate surface properties. The two geometries supported by Help Desk are a single flat plate and a rectangular box enclosure

Pili multigemini of the eye: unusual and rare presentation

Pili Multigemini (PM) is an uncommon, pilar dysplasia characterized by clusters of hair shafts emerging from a single follicle. We present a rare and unique case of PM involving the eye. A 43 year old Caucasian male, presented with a prolonged history of a recurrent lesion at the right upper eyelid, present for two years. Clinical examination revealed a subcutaneous cyst with a prominent follicular pore with a differential diagnosis of epidermoid cyst, nevus and pili bifurcati. Excisional biopsy was performed and microscopy showed a benign malformed hair follicle containing multiple different hair shafts enclosed in a common outer root sheath; consistent with the diagnosis of Pilli Multigemini. Pili Multigemini was first described by Flemming in 1883 and is frequently found in the beard of adults and scalp of children. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Pilli Multigemini involving the eye. its noteworthy to consider during diagnostic workup; as well as to exclude other follicular and inflammatory abnormalities involving the eye

Sacred forests of India: a strong tradition of community-based natural resource management

Sacred forests represent an important long-held tradition of conserving specific land areas that have cultural, and often religious, significance. India, with its diversity of cultures and traditions, has over 100 000 sacred forests. Many of these groves are forest fragments in agricultural landscapes. In most cases, community members are at least aware of these fragments, if not actively involved in their protection and management. This review focuses on the Western Ghats in southern India and Meghalaya state in northeastern India, both international biodiversity hotspots. In addition to the cultural significance of sacred forests, a number of studies have suggested that they are important refuges for conservation of biological diversity, including medicinal plants, within highly anthropogenic landscapes. Whilst sacred groves have been successful conservation areas, current threats to these forests are numerous, ranging from pressures for use of timber and other forest products to clearing for agriculture or general changes in cultural traditions. A variety of arrangements exist for ownership and management of sacred forests, making it necessary to identify solutions on a case-by-case basis. Support for the continued practice of the tradition of sacred forest protection is needed in order to provide a culturally sensitive model for community-based natural resource management

MODIS information, data and control system (MIDACS) operations concepts

The MODIS Information, Data, and Control System (MIDACS) Operations Concepts Document provides a basis for the mutual understanding between the users and the designers of the MIDACS, including the requirements, operating environment, external interfaces, and development plan. In defining the concepts and scope of the system, how the MIDACS will operate as an element of the Earth Observing System (EOS) within the EosDIS environment is described. This version follows an earlier release of a preliminary draft version. The individual operations concepts for planning and scheduling, control and monitoring, data acquisition and processing, calibration and validation, data archive and distribution, and user access do not yet fully represent the requirements of the data system needed to achieve the scientific objectives of the MODIS instruments and science teams. The teams are not yet formed; however, it is possible to develop the operations concepts based on the present concept of EosDIS, the level 1 and level 2 Functional Requirements Documents, and through interviews and meetings with key members of the scientific community. The operations concepts were exercised through the application of representative scenarios

MODIS-HIRIS ground data systems commonality report

The High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Data Systems Working Group was formed in September 1988 with representatives of the MODIS Data System Study Group and the HIRIS Project Data System Design Group to collaborate in the development of requirements on the EosDIS necessary to meet the science objectives of the two facility instruments. A major objective was to identify and promote commonality between the HIRIS and MODIS data systems, especially from the science users' point of view. A goal was to provide a base set of joint requirements and specifications which could easily be expanded to a Phase-B representation of the needs of the science users of all EOS instruments. This document describes the points of commonality and difference between the Level-II Requirements, Operations Concepts, and Systems Specifications for the ground data systems for the MODIS and HIRIS instruments at their present state of development