Hybrid shrinking projection method for a generalized equilibrium problem, a maximal monotone operator and a countable family of relatively nonexpansive mappings

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to introduce and consider a hybrid shrinking projection method for finding a common element of the set EP of solutions of a generalized equilibrium problem, the set ⋂n=0∞F(Sn) of common fixed points of a countable family of relatively nonexpansive mappings {Sn}n=0∞ and the set T−10 of zeros of a maximal monotone operator T in a uniformly smooth and uniformly convex Banach space. It is proven that under appropriate conditions, the sequence generated by the hybrid shrinking projection method, converges strongly to some point in EP∩T−10∩(⋂n=0∞F(Sn)). This new result represents the improvement, complement and development of the previously known ones in the literature

Flavour components and antioxidant properties of several cultivated mushrooms

[[abstract]]Three mushrooms, Clitocybe maxima, Pleurotus ferulae and Pleurotus ostreatus grey strain were used to study their flavour components and antioxidant properties. The volatile flavour components found comprised of six eight-membered carbon compounds and two aromatic compounds. The content total of soluble sugars and polyols was 125-270 mg/g. The content of monosoclium glutamate-like components was 1.76-8.89 mg/g. The contents of flavour 5'-nucleoticles ranged from 1.89 to 7.59 mg/g. Based on the results obtained, three mushrooms possessed highly intense umami taste. Ethanolic extracts were more effective in the inhibition of conjugated diene and scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, whereas hot water extracts were more effective in the scavenging ability of hydroxyl radicals. EC50 values were less than 14 and 30 mg/ml for ethanolic and hot water extracts, respectively, indicating that the three mushrooms were relatively effective as they exhibited antioxidant properties, despite having scavenging abilities for hydroxyl radicals. Phenols were the major antioxidant components and the total contents were 5.10-11.1 mg gallic acid equivalents/g. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Caractérisation hydrochimique des aquifères fissurés de la région de San- Pedro (Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire)

La région de San-Pedro est située dans le Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire. Son substratum est constitué de roches cristallines et métamorphiques fracturées. L’objectif de la présente étude est de mieux connaître lespropriétés hydrochimiques et les mécanismes d’acquisition de la minéralisation des eaux souterraines de la région de San-Pedro. La base de données comporte les données des analyses physico-chimiques des eaux souterraines des aquifères fissurés et des fiches techniques des forages. L’approche hydrochimique et l’Analyse en Composantes Principales Normées ont été utilisées pour le traitement de ces données. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que les eaux souterraines de San-Pedro sont caractérisées par une faible minéralisation. Elles se subdivisent en deux principaux hydrofaciès : les eaux bicarbonatées et les eaux chlorurées. D’après le système calco-carbonique, on distingue trois familles d’eau dans la zone d’étude en fonction des indices de saturation vis-à-vis des carbonates : les eaux à circulation très lente, les eaux à circulation lente et les eaux à circulation rapide. L’ACPN a permis de mettre en évidence trois phénomènes principaux gouvernant la minéralisation des eaux souterraines : le temps de séjour de l’eau dans la roche aquifère, les apports superficiels et l’hydrolyse acide. Les eaux souterraines de la région de San-Pedro sont potables pour la consommation des populations humaines d’une manière générale. Ces résultats concourent à une meilleure connaissance des propriétés hydrochimiques des ressources en eaux souterraines du socle cristallin de Côte d’Ivoire

Characterization of novel transforming growth factor-beta type I receptors found in malignant pleural effusion tumor cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tumors expressing a transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor (TβRI) mutant with sequence deletions in a nine-alanine (9A) stretch of the signal peptide are reported to be highly associated with disease progression. Expression of this mutant could interfere with endogenous TGFβ signaling in the cell. However, little is known about the importance of the remaining part of the signal peptide on the cellular function of TβRI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We cloned and identified four new in-frame deletion variants of TβRI, designated DM1 to DM4, in pleural effusion-derived tumor cells. Intriguingly, DM1 and DM2, with a small region truncated in the putative signal peptide of TβRI, had a serious defect in their protein expression compared with that of the wild-type receptor. Using serial deletion mutagenesis, we characterized a region encoded by nucleotides 16–51 as a key element controlling TβRI protein expression. Consistently, both DM1 and DM2 have this peptide deleted. Experiments using cycloheximde and MG132 further confirmed its indispensable role for the protein stability of TβRI. In contrast, truncation of the 9A-stretch itself or a region downstream to the stretch barely affected TβRI expression. However, variants lacking a region C-terminal to the stretch completely lost their capability to conduct TGFβ-induced transcriptional activation. Intriguingly, expression of DM3 in a cell sensitive to TGFβ made it significantly refractory to TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition. The effect of DM3 was to ablate the apoptotic event induced by TGFβ.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We identified four new transcript variants of TβRI in malignant effusion tumor cells and characterized two key elements controlling its protein stability and transcriptional activation. Expression of one of variants bestowed cancer cells with a growth advantage in the presence of TGFβ. These results highlight the potential roles of some naturally occurring TβRI variants on the promotion of tumor malignancy.</p

Giant schwannoma of thoracic vertebra: A case report

BACKGROUND,It is relatively rare for schwannomas to invade bone, but it is very rare for a large,mass to form concurrently in the paravertebral region. Surgical resection is the,only effective treatment. Because of the extensive tumor involvement and the,many important surrounding structures, the tumor needs to be fully exposed.,Most of the tumors are completely removed by posterior combined open-heart,surgery to relieve spinal cord compression, restore the stability of the spine and,maximize the recovery of nerve and spinal cord function. The main objective of,this article is to present a schwannoma that had invaded the T5 and T6 vertebral,bodies and formed a large paravertebral mass with simultaneous invasion of the,spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord.,CASE SUMMARY,A 40-year-old female suffered from intermittent chest and back pain for 8 years.,Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a,paravertebral tumor of approximately 86 mm × 109 mm × 116 mm, where the,adjacent T5 and T6 vertebral bodies were invaded by the tumor, the right intervertebral,foramen was enlarged, and the tumor had invaded the spinal canal to,compress the thoracic medulla. The preoperative puncture biopsy diagnosed a,benign schwannoma. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved by a two-step,operation. In the first step, the thoracic surgeon adopted a lateral approach to,separate the thoracic tumor from the lung. In the second step, a spine surgeon,performed a posterior midline approach to dissect the tumor from the vertebral,junction through removal of the tumor from the posterior side and further,resection of the entire T5 and T6 vertebral bodies. The large bone defect was,reconstructed with titanium mesh, and the posterior root arch was nail-fixed. Due,to the large amount of intraoperative bleeding, we performed tumor angioembolization,before surgery to reduce and avoid large intraoperative bleeding. The,postoperative diagnosis of benign schwannoma was confirmed by histochemical,examination. There was no sign of tumor recurrence or spinal instability during,the 2-year follow-up.,CONCLUSION,Giant schwannoma is uncommon. In this case, a complete surgical resection of a,giant thoracic nerve sheath tumor that invaded part of the vertebral body and,compressed the spinal cord was safe and effective

5-Hy­droxy-3,4′,6,7-tetra­meth­oxy­flavone

The title compound, C19H18O7 [systematic name 5-hy­droxy-3,6,7-tri­meth­­oxy-2-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one], is a flavonoid which was isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Laggera alata. The benzene ring of the benzopyran­one unit forms dihedral angles of 1.72 (3) and 37.39 (5)° with the pyran ring and the substituent benzene ring, respectively. The mol­ecular conformation is stabilized by an intra­molecular phenol O—H⋯Oketone hydrogen bond

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in BCG-vaccinated healthcare workers by using an interferon-gamma release assay and the tuberculin skin test in an intermediate tuberculosis burden country

BackgroundThe risk of healthcare workers (HCWs) acquiring tuberculosis (TB) infection is high. We determined the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) in HCWs with a high Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine coverage in an intermediate TB burden country by using an interferon-gamma release assay [QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G)] and by using the tuberculin skin test (TST). Risk factors associated with a positive test were determined.MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study enrolled HCWs from a medical center in Taiwan. Participants were grouped into workers without exposure (Group 1) and workers who self-reported a history of TB exposure (Group 2). All participants completed a questionnaire to collect demographic information and risk factors for acquiring TB. The QFT-G test and the TST were administered and risk factors for a positive test were analyzed.ResultsWe recruited 193 HCWs [149 (77.2%) female workers] with a mean age of 35.6 years. All were BCG-vaccinated. The prevalence of LTBI was 88.8% (based on the TST) and 14.5% (based on the QFT-G test). There was no difference between HCWs with and without known exposure to TB. Agreement between the tests was poor (i.e., the kappa value was less than 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that only the QFT-G test was associated with age (35 years or greater) (adjusted OR, 2.53; p = 0.03).ConclusionBy using the QFT-G test or TST, this study found a similar prevalence of LTBI in HCWs with and without known exposure to TB. This suggests that in intermediate TB burden countries exposure to TB may occur within the hospital and within the community. Compared to the TST, the QFT-G test was correlated better with age, which is a known risk factor for latent TB infection

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in persons with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection using two interferon-gamma release assays and tuberculin skin test in a low human immunodeficiency virus prevalence, intermediate tuberculosis-burden country

BackgroundThe risk of tuberculosis (TB) is higher in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and intravenous drug users (IDUs). We determined the prevalence and risk factors of latent TB infection (LTBI) in individuals with or without HIV infection, including IDUs, in a country with a low HIV prevalence, an intermediate TB burden, and a high Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine coverage using two interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) and the tuberculin skin test (TST).MethodsFor this prospective, cross-sectional study, HIV-infected and -uninfected patients from a regional hospital and medical center in Taiwan were enrolled. Results of the two IGRAs [QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT)] and the TST were compared. Risk factors for positivity were analyzed.ResultsWe recruited 233 patients [198 (85%) men; mean age, 39.4 years]. Most patients (74%) were BCG vaccinated. The prevalence of LTBI was estimated to be 22.8% by TST, 15.9% by QFT-G, and 20.6% by QFT-GIT. HIV-infected individuals had fewer positive QFT-GIT [7.0% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.28, p = 0.05] and TST results, and more indeterminate QFT-G responses (9.3% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.002). Concordance between IGRAs and TST was very poor in HIV-infected patients (κ < 0.05). Independent risk factors for IGRA positivity were increasing age (QFT-G: aOR = 1.98, p = 0.03; QFT-GIT: aOR = 2.00, p = 0.01) and IDUs (aOR = 4.33, p = 0.05 by QFT-G).ConclusionHIV-infected persons had a significantly lower response to both IGRAs and TST. High discordance was found between the two generations of IGRAs and between IGRAs and TST. Increasing age, a known risk factor for LTBI, was significantly associated with IGRAs, but not with TST