Regeneration of Sudanese maize inbred lines and open pollinated varieties

Eight maize inbred lines and three open pollinated varieties from Sudan were evaluated for their response to tissue culture. Immature embryos obtained 16 days after pollination were used as explants for callus induction. Calli were induced on LS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Callus induction capacity was highest in inbred lines IL3, IL15 and IL1. The Varieties Hudiba-2 and Hudiba-1 were not statistically different (p >0.05) in callus induction. Thecapacity for embryogenic callus formation was highest in inbred line IL3 followed by IL1 and IL38 and in varieties Hudiba-2 and Hudiba-1. Inbred lines IL16, IL42, IL43 and IL28 had the lowest embryogeniccallus formation capacity. Plant regenerating genotypes were IL3, IL38, IL15, IL1, Hudiba-2 and Mojtamaa-45. Inbred line IL3 was the most regenerable genotype with a shoot formation frequency of 76% averaging 6 shoots per callus. The highest regenerating variety was Mojtamaa-45, which averaged 5 shoots per callus

HER2 Over Expression in Malignant Palpable Breast Lumps of Pre and Postmenopausal Women Attending RICK.

Back ground: Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) over expression in breast cancer is associated with poor outcome and decrease disease free survival (DFS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the over expression of HER2/neu among premenopausal and postmenopausalfemales presented with malignant palpable breast lumps to Radio Isotope Center Khartoum (RICK).Methods: The study was a case-control conducted among patients attending Radiation Isotopes Centre Khartoum (RICK). A total of 328 women were randomly selected. Data were collected by a pre coded, pre tested questionnaire. Tissue biopsies of breast lumps had been analyzed using immunohistochemical techniques for HERR-2/neu over expression and its relation to other prognostic factors was evaluated.Results: HER-2/neu + vein first pregnancy at . 23 years, were 32 (41%) in the cases, 6 (35%) in the controls of premenopausal women, and 21(44%) in the cases, 5 (38%) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu + veexpression in relation to age at menarche . 12 years was39 (51%) in the cases, 7(39%) in the controls of premenopausal women, and 36 (56%) in the cases, 7 (45%) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ vein relation to Body Mass Index > 29 kg/m2 showed 7 (37%) in the cases, 2 (33%) in the controls of premenopausal women(x2=0.024), and 8(38%) in the cases, 2(40%) in the controls of postmenopausal women (x2=0.006). HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to history of abortion or miscarriage (ever) was found to be 21 (39%) in the cases, 4 (33%) in the controls of premenopausal women, and 18 (44%) in the cases, 3 (33%) in the controls among postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the history of breast cancer in a first degree relatives was 3 (25%) in the cases, 1(50%) in thecontrols of premenopausal women, and 4 (22%) in the cases, 2 (28%) in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the use of oral contraceptives was 3 (37%) in the cases, 1(50%) in the controls among premenopausal women, and 3 (27%) in thecases, 1 (50%) in the controls of postmenopausal women.Conclusion: The study confirmed an etiological association between HER2/neu+ve and HER2/neu . ve and age at first pregnancy . 23 years, age of menarche at . 12 years, abortion or miscarriage in premenopausal and postmenopausal Sudanese women, while an etiological association was confirmed between HER2/neu+ve and HER2/neu .ve, and BMI in premenopausal women, and the family history of cancer in pos menopausal women.Keywords: Human Epidermal, Growth factor, Recepto

The Economic Impact of Blindness in Europe

Purpose: To estimate the annual loss of productivity from blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) in the population aged >50 years in the European Union (EU). Methods: We estimated the cost of lost productivity using three simple models reported in the literature based on (1) minimum wage (MW), (2) gross national income (GNI), and (3) purchasing power parity-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP-PPP) losses. In the first two models, assumptions included that all individuals worked until 65 years of age, and that half of all visual impairment cases in the >50-year age group would be in those aged between 50 and 65 years. Loss of productivity was estimated to be 100% for blind individuals and 30% for those with MSVI. None of these models included direct medical costs related to visual impairment. Results: The estimated number of blind people in the EU population aged >50 years is ~1.28 million, with a further 9.99 million living with MSVI. Based on the three models, the estimated cost of blindness is €7.81 billion, €6.29 billion and €17.29 billion and that of MSVI €18.02 billion, €24.80 billion and €39.23 billion, with their combined costs €25.83 billion, €31.09 billion and €56.52 billion, respectively. The estimates from the MW and adjusted GDP-PPP models were generally comparable, whereas the GNI model estimates were higher, probably reflecting the lack of adjustment for unemployment. Conclusion: The cost of blindness and MSVI in the EU is substantial. Wider use of available cost-effective treatment and prevention strategies may reduce the burden significantly

Ascaroside Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans Is Strongly Dependent on Diet and Developmental Stage

Background: The ascarosides form a family of small molecules that have been isolated from cultures of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. They are often referred to as “dauer pheromones” because most of them induce formation of long-lived and highly stress resistant dauer larvae. More recent studies have shown that ascarosides serve additional functions as social signals and mating pheromones. Thus, ascarosides have multiple functions. Until now, it has been generally assumed that ascarosides are constitutively expressed during nematode development. Methodology/Principal Findings: Cultures of C. elegans were developmentally synchronized on controlled diets. Ascarosides released into the media, as well as stored internally, were quantified by LC/MS. We found that ascaroside biosynthesis and release were strongly dependent on developmental stage and diet. The male attracting pheromone was verified to be a blend of at least four ascarosides, and peak production of the two most potent mating pheromone components, ascr#3 and asc#8 immediately preceded or coincided with the temporal window for mating. The concentration of ascr#2 increased under starvation conditions and peaked during dauer formation, strongly supporting ascr#2 as the main population density signal (dauer pheromone). After dauer formation, ascaroside production largely ceased and dauer larvae did not release any ascarosides. These findings show that both total ascaroside production and the relative proportions of individual ascarosides strongly correlate with these compounds' stage-specific biological functions. Conclusions/Significance: Ascaroside expression changes with development and environmental conditions. This is consistent with multiple functions of these signaling molecules. Knowledge of such differential regulation will make it possible to associate ascaroside production to gene expression profiles (transcript, protein or enzyme activity) and help to determine genetic pathways that control ascaroside biosynthesis. In conjunction with findings from previous studies, our results show that the pheromone system of C. elegans mimics that of insects in many ways, suggesting that pheromone signaling in C. elegans may exhibit functional homology also at the sensory level. In addition, our results provide a strong foundation for future behavioral modeling studies

Permanent biventricular ICD-implantation in a heart failure second re-do-CABG patient: a case report

Biventricular pacing has been suggested in end-stage heart failure. We present a 59-year-old patient undergoing second re-do CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) and carotid artery endarterectomy. Ejection fraction was 15%, QRS-width 175 ms. Following the carotid and CABG procedure, an implanted single-chamber ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) was upgraded to permanent biventricular DDD pacing by implantation of one epicardial left ventricular and one epicardial atrial electrode. At follow-up two months postoperatively ejection fraction had significantly improved to 45%, the patient underwent stress test with adequate load and reported a good quality of life

Plasmodium falciparum transmission and aridity: a Kenyan experience from the dry lands of Baringo and its implications for Anopheles arabiensis control

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ecology of malaria vectors particularly in semi-arid areas of Africa is poorly understood. Accurate knowledge on this subject will boost current efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to describe the dynamics of malaria transmission in two model semi-arid sites (Kamarimar and Tirion) in Baringo in Kenya.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult mosquitoes were collected indoors by pyrethrum spray collections (PSC) and outdoors by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps and identified to species by morphological characteristics. Sibling species of <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>complex were further characterized by rDNA. PCR and enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA) were used to test for <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>circumsporozoite proteins and host blood meal sources respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Anopheles arabiensis </it>was not only the most dominant mosquito species in both study sites but also the only sibling species of <it>An. gambiae s.l. </it>present in the area. Other species identified in the study area were <it>Anopheles funestus</it>, <it>Anopheles pharoensis </it>and <it>Anopheles coustani</it>. For Kamarimar but not Tirion, the human blood index (HBI) for light trap samples was significantly higher than for PSC samples (Kamarimar, 0.63 and 0.11, Tirion, 0.48 and 0.43). The HBI for light trap samples was significantly higher in Kamarimar than in Tirion while that of PSC samples was significantly higher in Tirion than in Kamarimar. Entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were only detected for one month in Kamarimar and 3 months in Tirion. The number of houses in a homestead, number of people sleeping in the house, quality of the house, presence or absence of domestic animals, and distance to the animal shelter and the nearest larval habitat were significant predictors of <it>An. arabiensis </it>occurrence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Malaria transmission in the study area is seasonal with <it>An. arabiensis </it>as the dominant vector. The fact this species feeds readily on humans and domestic animals suggest that zooprophylaxis may be a plausible malaria control strategy in semi-arid areas of Africa. The results also suggest that certain household characteristics may increase the risk of malaria transmission.</p

Beyond the Insider—Outsider Perspective: The Study of Religion as a Study of Discourse Construction

This essay reflects on contemporary theorizing of religion which embodies an explicit critique of the imperial project, seeing that by most common consent the scholarly disciplinary field of religious studies (history of religion, phenomenology of religion, Religionswissenschaft) is a late nineteenth century invention that coincides with the emergence of anthropology and ethnography as epiphenomena of the colonial project (whether as Orientalism or as exoticism the Other is rendered manageable subjects). The scholarly study of religion is, therefore, simultaneously a study of the history of theory and concept formation, and the social, cultural, and political work performed by such study and theorizing. The metatheory of the study of religion is a main focus of the essay. Alongside that, the essay focuses more pointedly on the concept of discourse, and considers the extraordinary situation where the same methodological vocabulary that functions in religious studies also functions in critical theological studies, which relativizes the division of ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ perspectives. Yet both are conventionally practised either in isolation from each other as distinct theoretical and disciplinary bounded/defined study fields, or—the other and almost direct opposite—religious studies being performed in the context of theological study, situated in and offered by theological faculties. An overview of recent debates in the field of religious studies serves to highlight the continued struggle to demarcate the boundaries between the study of religion and the study of theology—in some of the recent, very strident debates mainstream religious studies is labelled as nothing more than theology. This contribution, then, aims at a kind of metatheoretical reflection on the study of religion and theology both as discourses that serve mythmaking, identity formation, culturally strategic purposes. That is, from the discourse perspective that is proposed here, it is possible to move beyond the definitional divide between religious studies and theology—even beyond ‘religion’ itself—to focus on the mundanely material practices that constitute that which is called religion. In the way in which the terms are used it is clear that the terminologies themselves bear the imprint of historical social discourses that occasioned the rise of their use. This essay, then, is something of a metacritique of the language of the study of religion—beyond religion, and beyond the study of religion and theology

Comparison of two different models for pile thermal response test interpretation

Thermal response tests (TRTs) are regularly used to characterise the thermal resistance of borehole heat exchangers and to assess the thermal conductivity of the surrounding ground. It is becoming common to apply the same in situ testing technique to pile heat exchangers, despite international guidance suggesting that TRTs should be limited to hole diameters of 152 mm (6 in.). This size restriction arises from the increased thermal inertia of larger diameter heat exchangers, which invalidates the assumption of a steady state within the concrete needed to interpret the test data by traditional line source analysis techniques. However, new methods of analysis for pile heat exchangers have recently been developed that take account of the transient behaviour of the pile concrete. This paper applies these new methods to data from a multi-stage TRT conducted on a small diameter test pile. The thermal conductivity and thermal resistance determined using this method are then compared with those from traditional analytical approaches based on a line source analysis. Differences between the approaches are discussed, along with the observation that the thermal resistance may not be constant over the different test stages

A Cross-Sectional Study of HPV Vaccine Acceptability in Gaborone, Botswana

Background Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Botswana and elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to examine whether HPV vaccine is acceptable among parents in Botswana, which recently licensed the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Methods and Findings We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2009, around the time the vaccine was first licensed, with adults recruited in general medicine and HIV clinics in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. Although only 9% (32/376) of respondents had heard of HPV vaccine prior to the survey, 88% (329/376) said they definitely will have their adolescent daughters receive HPV vaccine. Most respondents would get the vaccine for their daughters at a public or community clinic (42%) or a gynecology or obstetrician\u27s office (39%), and 74% would get it for a daughter if it were available at her school. Respondents were more likely to say that they definitely will get HPV vaccine for their daughters if they had less education (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07–0.58) or lived more than 30 kilometers from the capital, Gaborone (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.06–4.93). Other correlates of acceptability were expecting to be involved in the decision to get HPV vaccine, thinking the vaccine would be hard to obtain, and perceiving greater severity of HPV-related diseases. Conclusions HPV vaccination of adolescent girls would be highly acceptable if the vaccine became widely available to the daughters of healthcare seeking parents in Gaborone, Botswana. Potential HPV vaccination campaigns should provide more information about HPV and the vaccine as well as work to minimize barriers