Analysis of Downhole Logs, Leg 57, Deep Sea Drilling Project

All sites drilled on Leg 57 were logged as weather conditions permitted. The logging was done by the Singapore office of Schlumberger, and because of short notice the special logging tools required to pass through the Challenger drill pipe were not available. The standard centralizer, excentralizer, and caliper tools were not appropriate, and those modified aboard ship were not completely satisfactory. In addition, we suspected that vertical motion from the ship's heave degraded the quality of logs. Both the sonic and neutron density tools were operated beyond their normal working ranges. Despite these operational difficulties, the logs from different runs in a hole, both repeat sections and runs with different tools, show generally the same features. Over intervals of 5 to 10 meters the field logs seem to be good indicators of the physical character of the section penetrated (Carson and Bruns, this volume). The recovery of continuous core as well as logs differs from normal industrial drilling practice, in which a major purpose of logging is to establish lithology. Since lithology is best established by direct examination, the log analysis focused less on identifying a specific lithology than on continuous measurement of in situ physical properties, especially at Sites 438, 439, and 440, where recovery was good. However, the logs were used to establish the lithology of missing intervals, especially at Site 441, where recovery was poor. Lithology and physical properties aspects of the log analysis are covered in the individual site chapters and in a comparative analysis of laboratory measurements of physical properties and logged physical parameters (Carson and Bruns, this volume). In the present chapter we concentrate on log precision, correlation of key horizons in seismic records and core lithology, and on fracturing as indicated by the logs. We do this by using the results of a study of corrected logs and the derivative products from computer programs developed by the Scientific Software Corporation (SSC) and Technology Research Center and of corrected logs from Schlumberger (available from DSDP)

Toward a noncytotoxic glioblastoma therapy: blocking MCP-1 with the MTZ Regimen

To improve the prognosis of glioblastoma, we developed an adjuvant treatment directed to a neglected aspect of glioblastoma growth, the contribution of nonmalignant monocyte lineage cells (MLCs) (monocyte, macrophage, microglia, dendritic cells) that infiltrated a main tumor mass. These nonmalignant cells contribute to glioblastoma growth and tumor homeostasis. MLCs comprise of approximately 10%-30% of glioblastoma by volume. After integration into the tumor mass, these become polarized toward an M2 immunosuppressive, pro-angiogenic phenotype that promotes continued tumor growth. Glioblastoma cells initiate and promote this process by synthesizing 13 kDa MCP-1 that attracts circulating monocytes to the tumor. Infiltrating monocytes, after polarizing toward an M2 phenotype, synthesize more MCP-1, forming an amplification loop. Three noncytotoxic drugs, an antibiotic - minocycline, an antihypertensive drug - telmisartan, and a bisphosphonate - zoledronic acid, have ancillary attributes of MCP-1 synthesis inhibition and could be re-purposed, singly or in combination, to inhibit or reverse MLC-mediated immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and other growth-enhancing aspects. Minocycline, telmisartan, and zoledronic acid - the MTZ Regimen - have low-toxicity profiles and could be added to standard radiotherapy and temozolomide. Re-purposing older drugs has advantages of established safety and low drug cost. Four core observations support this approach: 1) malignant glioblastoma cells require a reciprocal trophic relationship with nonmalignant macrophages or microglia to thrive;2) glioblastoma cells secrete MCP-1 to start the cycle, attracting MLCs, which subsequently also secrete MCP-1 perpetuating the recruitment cycle;3) increasing cytokine levels in the tumor environment generate further immunosuppression and tumor growth;and 4) MTZ regimen may impede MCP-1-driven processes, thereby interfering with glioblastoma growth

Volatile Composition and Outgassing in C/2018 Y1 (IWAMOTO): Extending Detection Limits for High-Resolution IR Cometary Spectroscopy at the NASA-IRTF

We used iSHELL, the powerful high-resolution ( /~ 40,000) cross-dispersed IR spectrograph at the NASA-IRTF to measure the native ice composition and outgassing of moderately bright, long-period comet C/2018 Y1 (Iwamoto) (hereafter Y1) within weeks of its discovery. We measured production rates for H2O, and production rates and abundance ratios relative to H2O for eight trace molecules, including the most complete measure of cometary CH4 achieved to date. Compared with mean abundances measured among comets, our study revealed enriched CH3OH and C2H6 yet depleted CO and C2H2, perhaps indicating highly efficient H- atom addition on interstellar grains prior to their incorporation into the nucleus. The combined high spectral resolving power and broad spectral coverage of iSHELL allowed characterizing cometary composition using only three instrument settings, and its long-slit coverage allowed comparing the spatial distributions of molecular emissions and dust continuum

Mini-Exon Genotyping of Leishmania Species in Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran

Background: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease cause by Leishmania genus. Anthroponotic and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis by mini-exon gene in five regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. Methods: From 2007 to 2008 in this cross-sectional study, cutaneous samples were collected from patients referred to Health Centers and Hospitals of the Khuzestan Province for cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis and cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) and RPMI 1640. The propagated promastigotes were harvested and Leishmania species of cutaneous leishmaniasis were identified by RFLP and DNA sequencing of the PCR generated fragments. Results: L. major and L. tropica were the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis by predominantly of L. major species. The alignment of the mini-exon sequencing isolates with reported sequencing of L. major and L. tropica revealed 92-99 identity. Conclusion: Our study showed that mini-exon PCR-RFLP was useful method to identify the causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Management of tuberculosis of the uterine cervix in the University Hospital Center of Treichville

Genital tuberculosis is a rare entity which is classically presented with nonspecific signs posing diagnostic problems. We report the case of a young patient in genital activity, supported in our hospital for tuberculosis of the uterine cervix. She initially consulted for contact metrorrhagia and speculum examination had found an ulcerative budding cervix making suggest a cervical cancer. Finally, the histology of cervical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cervical tuberculosis and the patient was treated with anti-bacillary antibiotics. The evolution was favourable marked by declared healing after 6 months of treatment. The objective of this observation is to discuss the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of this affection

Long-range antiferromagnetic order in the S=1 chain compound LiVGe2O6

The phase transition in the compound LiVGe2O6 has been proposed as a unique example of a spin-Peierls transition in an S=1 antiferromagnetic chain. We report neutron and x-ray diffraction measurements of LiVGe2O6 above and below the phase transition at T=24 K. No evidence is seen for any structural distortion associated with the transition. The neutron results indicate that the low temperature state is antiferromagnetic, driven by ferromagnetic interchain couplings.Comment: 4 pages, 4 ps figures, REVTEX, submitted to PR

Detection of Intercellular Adhesion (ica) Genes Involved in Biofilm and Slime Formation in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus Aureus Harboring mecA Gene

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains is one of the most important health care problems and life-threatening in worldwide. The methicillin resistant S. aureus strains producing biofilm and slime have potential to colonize and transmit. The present study was conducted to detect intercellular adhesion (ica) genes involved in biofilm and slime formation in clinical isolates of methicillin resistant S. aureus harboring mecA gene. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 85 bacterial isolates suspected to S. aureus were prepared from clinical samples. The antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria to the penicillin, gentamicin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and vancomycin was carried out based on disk diffusion agar method. Biofilm and slime formation of bacteria were examined by tissue culture polystyrene plate (TCP) and Congo red agar (CRA). The presence and frequency of ¬icaA, icaD and mecA genes were detected by multiplex PCR. FINDINGS: 45 out of 85 (52.94%) S. aureus isolates were resistant to the methicillin. All of methicillin resistant S. aureus were able to produce biofilm and slime. Consumedly surface hydrophobicity was seen in 55.55% and 100% of strains producing strong biofilm and slime, respectively. The ¬icaA, icaD and mecA genes were present in all biofilm and slime producing isolates. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the all methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates with some abilities, including polysaccharide intercellular adhesion, bacterial attachment, biofilm and slime production were positive for icaA and icaD genes

Seroepidemiology of human cystic echinococcosis among nomads of lorestan province, Iran

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the major zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by the larval stages of parasite Echinococcus granulosus. This is an endemic disease in a number of regions in Iran, such as Lorestan province, and is considered as a health problem. Objectives: Due to the close contact of nomadic people with sheep dog, this research aimed at studying the seroepidemiology of CE among in-migration and out-migration nomads of Lorestan province, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, among 5920 residents of nomadic areas, 315 people were randomly selected and serum samples were obtained from these individuals. IgG antibodies against CE were evaluated using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Demographic data of all subjects were collected by a questionnaire, and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS V.20 and STATA12. Results: According to the results, the seroepidemiology of CE among the nomads was 18 (5.7); 13 (72.22) were male and five (27.77) were female yet the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence (7.79) was in the age group of 20 to 30 years old, yet no significant difference was observed between various age groups. In terms of education, more seropositive cases were found amongst subjects with low education, yet no significant difference was observed between educational level and seropositivity of CE. It should also be noted that all the participants were not aware of proper washing of vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: This study was conducted for the first time in Lorestan province, Iran, and showed that the seroprevalence among the nomadic population of Aligoudarz and Sepiddasht was considerable. In order to prevent zoonotic disease, increased awareness of nomads in understanding the transmission ways of disease is suggested through health education programs according to the educational level of the target population, the majority of whom are illiterate. Active surveillance is also recommended in these areas. © 2018, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

A tenuis relationship: traditional taxonomy obscures systematics and biogeography of the ‘Acropora tenuis’ (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) species complex

Molecular phylogenetics has fundamentally altered our understanding of the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of corals. Recently developed phylogenomic techniques have started to resolve species-level relationships in the diverse and ecologically important genus Acropora, providing a path to resolve the taxonomy of this notoriously problematic group. We used a targeted capture dataset (2032 loci) to investigate systematic relationships within an Acropora clade containing the putatively widespread species Acropora tenuis and its relatives. Using maximum likelihood phylogenies and genetic clustering of single nucleotide polymorphisms from specimens, including topotypes, collected across the Indo-Pacific, we show ≥ 11 distinct lineages in the clade, only four of which correspond to currently accepted species. Based on molecular, morphological and geographical evidence, we describe two new species; Acropora rongoi n. sp. and Acropora tenuissima n. sp. and remove five additional nominal species from synonymy. Systematic relationships revealed by our molecular phylogeny are incongruent with traditional morphological taxonomy and demonstrate that characters traditionally used to delineate species boundaries and infer evolutionary history are homoplasies. Furthermore, we show that species within this clade have much smaller geographical ranges and, consequently, population sizes than currently thought, a finding with profound implications for conservation and management of reef corals

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in China: critical community size and spatial vaccination strategies

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) constitutes a considerable burden for health care systems across China. Yet this burden displays important geographic heterogeneity that directly affects the local persistence and the dynamics of the disease, and thus the ability to control it through vaccination campaigns. Here, we use detailed geographic surveillance data and epidemic models to estimate the critical community size (CCS) of HFMD associated enterovirus serotypes CV-A16 and EV-A71 and we explore what spatial vaccination strategies may best reduce the burden of HFMD. We found CCS ranging from 336,979 (±225,866) to 722,372 (±150,562) with the lowest estimates associated with EV-A71 in the southern region of China where multiple transmission seasons have previously been identified. Our results suggest the existence of a regional immigration-recolonization dynamic driven by urban centers. If EV-A71 vaccines doses are limited, these would be optimally deployed in highly populated urban centers and in high-prevalence areas. If HFMD vaccines are included in China's National Immunization Program in order to achieve high coverage rates (>85%), routine vaccination of newborns largely outperforms strategies in which the equivalent number of doses is equally divided between routine vaccination of newborns and pulse vaccination of the community at large