Präbiotikasupplementation Schwangerer und ihre Wirkung auf die mütterliche und kindliche Darmflora sowie auf ausgewählte fetale Immunparameter - eine randomisierte, doppelblinde, placebo-kontrollierte Pilotstudie

Diese Studie ist die erste, randomisierte, doppel-blinde, placebo-kontrollierte Langzeitpilotstudie, welche die Wirkung der Präbiotika-Supplementation während der Schwangerschaft auf die Zusammensetzung der mütterlichen und kindlichen Darmmikroflora untersucht. Die Präbiotika-Supplementation im letzten Trimenon der Schwangerschaft zeigte eine gute Verträglichkeit und einen bifidogenen Effekt auf die Darmflora Schwangerer. Im Gegensatz dazu, hatte die Präbiotika-Supplementation keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Anzahl der Lactobazillen (Bakterien/mL) oder deren prozentualen Anteil an der Gesamtdarmmirkoflora. Ein Einfluss auf die mütterliche Stuhlfrequenz bzw. Konsistenz und auf die vaginalen pH-Werte war nicht nachweisbar. Die Präbiotika- und die Placebo-Supplementierten Gruppen unterschieden sich nicht bezüglich der neonatalen Entwicklung der Bifidobakterien- und Lactobazillen-Microflora sowie der untersuchten Nabelschnurparameter. Aus den vorliegenden Daten schließen wir, dass die mütterliche Präbiotika-Supplementation nicht zur Induktion eines bifidogenen Effekts in der Darmflora gestillter Kinder empfohlen werden kann. Es ist anzunehmen, dass eine Erhöhung der Bifidobakterien im Neugeborenendarm effektiver durch die direkte Supplementation der Babynahrung mit Präbioitika erreicht werden kann. Aus diesem Grund, schließen wir uns dem Konsens des ESPGHAN Komitees an und kommen angesichts des Fehlens von Daten bezüglich wichtiger klinischer Langzeit Vorteile durch Präbiotika (z.B. gastrointestinale Infektionen, allergische Erkrankungen) [121], zu dem Schluss dass „keine generelle Empfehlung der Supplementation von Babynahrung mit Präbiotika“ gegeben werden kann. Ob und in welchem Ausmaß zugefütterte Neugeborene von einer mit Bifidobakterien angereicherten mütterlichen Flora profitieren, muss noch untersucht werden. Zukünftige randomisierte multizentrische klinische Studien an einem repräsentativen Kollektiv werden, bei Berücksichtigung funktioneller sowie validierter klinischer Parameter, den Stellenwert der Präbiotika-Supplementation als prophylaktische und gegebenenfalls therapeutische Maßnahme beleuchten

Wireless Power Transfer For Biomedical Applications

In this research wireless power transfer using near-field inductive coupling is studied and investigated. The focus is on delivering power to implantable biomedical devices. The objective of this research is to optimize the size and performance of the implanted wireless biomedical sensors by: (1) proposing a hybrid multiband communication system for implantable devices that combines wireless communication link and power transfer, and (2) optimizing the wireless power delivery system. Wireless data and power links are necessary for many implanted biomedical devices such as biosensors, neural recording and stimulation devices, and drug delivery and monitoring systems. The contributions from this research work are summarized as follows: 1. Development of a combination of inductive power transfer and antenna system. 2. Design and optimization of novel microstrip antenna that may resonate at different ultra-high frequency bands including 415 MHz, 905 MHz, and 1300MHz. These antennas may be used to transfer power through radiation or send/receive data. 3. Design of high-frequency coil (13.56 MHz) to transfer power and optimization of the parameters for best efficiency. 4. Study of the performance of the hybrid antenna/coil system at various depths inside a body tissue model. 5. Minimizing the coupling effect between the coil and the antenna through addressed by optimizing their dimensions. 6. Study of the effects of lateral and angular misalignment on a hybrid compact system consisting of coil and antenna, as well as design and optimize the coilâs geometry which can provide maximum power efficiency under misalignment conditions. 7. Address the effects of receiver bending of a hybrid power transfer and communication system on the communication link budget and the transmitted power. 8. Study the wireless power transfer safety and security systems

Implicit and Implicit-Explicit Strong Stability Preserving Runge-Kutta Methods with High Linear Order

When evolving in time the solution of a hyperbolic partial differential equation, it is often desirable to use high order strong stability preserving (SSP) time discretizations. These time discretizations preserve the monotonicity properties satisfied by the spatial discretization when coupled with the first order forward Euler, under a certain time-step restriction. While the allowable time-step depends on both the spatial and temporal discretizations, the contribution of the temporal discretization can be isolated by taking the ratio of the allowable time-step of the high order method to the forward Euler time-step. This ratio is called the strong stability coefficient. The search for high order strong stability time-stepping methods with high order and large allowable time-step had been an active area of research. It is known that implicit SSP Runge-Kutta methods exist only up to sixth order. However, if we restrict ourselves to solving only linear autonomous problems, the order conditions simplify and we can find implicit SSP Runge-Kutta methods of any linear order. In the current work we aim to find very high linear order implicit SSP Runge-Kutta methods that are optimal in terms of allowable time-step. Next, we formulate an optimization problem for implicit-explicit (IMEX) SSP Runge-Kutta methods and find implicit methods with large linear stability regions that pair with known explicit SSP Runge-Kutta methods of orders plin=3,4,6 as well as optimized IMEX SSP Runge-Kutta pairs that have high linear order and nonlinear orders p=2,3,4. These methods are then tested on sample problems to verify order of convergence and to demonstrate the sharpness of the SSP coefficient and the typical behavior of these methods on test problems

Analysis and Interpretation of Ion Data Associated with Neutral Gas Releases in the Earth\u27s Ionosphere

Barium and strontium release experiments were conducted throughout 1991 from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) to study both natural and man-made disturbances in the earth\u27s ionosphere. A mass spectrometer on the spacecraft counted the Ba and Sr ions as the cloud expanded. In this study, data from the G-1 (in sunlight) and G-11b (in darkness) releases were modeled to understand the source of the ion signals. The model reproduced the Ba+ sun data well assuming photoionization (τ = 28 s) was the primary ionization mechanism. However, it was not able to account for the remaining ion data: (a) Sr has a very long photoionization time constant (τ = 1920 s) and model/data comparisons showed that the Sr ionization rate must be about 60 times greater than the photoionization rate to account for the observed signals. (b) The charge transfer ionization process between Sr/Ba and ambient O+ was not sufficient to reproduce the ionization rates for Sr sun data and Sr/Ba dark data. Processes potentially responsible for the CRRES data include charge stripping and critical velocity ionization (CW). Split peaks in the ion data were also investigated and found to be due to either an instrument sensitivity feature or a two process mechanism

The Use of Social Media in English Teaching and Learning: Exploring the Perceptions and Experiences of English as a Foreign Language Instructors

The attention on using social media for educational purposes is increasing. Research shows that social media platforms are effective teaching and learning tools. The purpose of this study was to examine foreign language teachers’ experiences in using social media in the teaching and learning of English. Research Design: A qualitative research method was used for the data collection and analysis. Data were collected through a survey and in-depth interviews with foreign language teachers. The participants included 35 English teachers (15 for the interview, 35 for the survey) representing different educational levels, including public and private schools and foreign language institutions. Data were analyzed using multiple cycles of coding and ongoing dialogic engagement. Findings: Analysis of the data revealed five different themes (the purposes of social media use, social media as a tool, perceived benefits, and the challenges of social media use) related to teachers’ experiences of using social media in English teaching and learning. The participants used social media to support their classroom instruction and to teach English culture. They also perceived social media platforms as tools that can be used to assess student learning and language development and differentiate classroom instruction. In terms of benefits, the participants indicated that social media increase student motivation and engagement, enhance teaching practices, and help to build a learning community among students. The study also identified some challenges associated with social media integration, such as a lack of support and training, low self-efficacy among teachers, and misgivings about the use of social media in the classroom. Significance and Implications: The study provides a clear picture of the current use of social media for educational purposes. It bridges the gap between policymakers’ expectations and teachers’ current technology use, and reinforces the effort to institute more fruitful education reform

SOME MARKERS OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS OF LUMBAR OSTEOCHONDROSIS

It has been established in numerous experimental and clinical studies that disc protrusion leads to a number of immunobiochemical processes and the inflammatory response of the body. It leads to a question: Aren’t the processes of herniation accompanied with endothelial dysfunction which can develop in connection with the chronic inflammatory process? The following research goal is set to address these issues: to study blood plasma for the content of some chronic inflammation markers and endothelial damage such as fibronectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in combination with the investigation of the functional state of the endothelium using Celermayer’s test in males under the age of 45 without signs of obesity and somatic or vascular pathology with various neurologic manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis. 85 male patients have been examined for neurologic manifestations of spinal osteochondrosis at the age from 19 to 45. The examined patients included 45 individuals with radiculopathy verified by neuroimaging and 40 individuals with reflex manifestations of lumbar osteochondrosis. It has been shown that the examined patients of young age with exacerbation of discogenic radiculopathy accompanied with a prolonged pain syndrome experience an increase of fibronectin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in plasma against the background of a decrease in the concentration of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 that are markers of inflammation and endothelial damage. The obtained data imply that patients with neurologic manifestations of osteochondrosis need active preventive measures of cardiovascular diseases with the mandatory inclusion of endothelial-tropic therap

Isolation and Identification of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Compounds from Garcinia Cantltyna and G. Nigrolineata

Eleven species of Garcinia (Guttiferae) from the flora of Malaysia were screened in vitro for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Disc diffusion and MTT methods were utilized to screen the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects, respectively. On the basis of the screening results and literature review of the tested plants, Garcinia cantleyana and Garcinia nigrolineata were selected for phytochemical investigations. The investigations of the chloroform extract of Garcinia cantleyana by a combination of different chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of eight new natural products: three caged tetraprenylated xanthonoids; cantlyanone A, cantlyanone B and cantlyanone C, four caged triprenylated xanthonoids; cantlyanone D, cantlyanone E, cantlyanone F and cantlyanone G, and 1,4,6,8- tetra hydroxy-5-(2-methyl but-3-en-2-yl)-9H-xanthen-9-one (cantleyanaxanthone). Six known compounds namely, glutin-5-en-3P-01, a mixture of stigmasterol and P-sitosterol, guadichaudion H, garbogiol and for the first time in Garcinia species the isolation of sesquineolignan (Macranthol). All caged-polyprenylated xanthonoids were found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines with IC9 values from 0.2-3 pM. Broth microdilution method was used to determine antibacterial activity for the isolated compounds; the results showed strong antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus ATCC 335591 for Cantleyanone F with MIC value of Sesquineolignan (Macranthol) which was isolated for the first time in this genus showed cytotoxic ICS0 values of 4.17, 3.70, 1.53, 2.53 pglml against MDA-MB- 231, MCF-7, CaOV-3 and HeLa, respectively, and antibacterial activity with an MIC value of 3.91 pglml activity against staphylococcus aureus ATCC 335591, the result of which is remarkable. From the methanolic extract of Garcinia nigrolineata leaves, three compounds were isolated, namely a mixture of stigmasterol and P-sitosterol, friedelin, and for the first time methyl putranjivate from Garcinia nigrolineata. Bioassays was carried out, but these compounds were inactive against several cell lines. The structures of all compounds were carried out with the help of chemical and modem spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, 'H NMR, I3c NMR, DEPT, 'H- "H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC)