7,640 research outputs found
Towards a sterile insect technique field release of <it>Anopheles arabiensis </it>mosquitoes in Sudan: Irradiation, transportation, and field cage experimentation
No full textAbstract Background The work described in this article forms part of a study to suppress a population of the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in Northern State, Sudan, with the Sterile Insect Technique. No data have previously been collected on the irradiation and transportation of anopheline mosquitoes in Africa, and the first series of attempts to do this in Sudan are reported here. In addition, experiments in a large field cage under near-natural conditions are described. Methods Mosquitoes were irradiated in Khartoum and transported as adults by air to the field site earmarked for future releases (400 km from the laboratory). The field cage was prepared for experiments by creating resting sites with favourable conditions. The mating and survival of (irradiated) laboratory males and field-collected males was studied in the field cage, and two small-scale competition experiments were performed. Results Minor problems were experienced with the irradiation of insects, mostly associated with the absence of a rearing facility in close proximity to the irradiation source. The small-scale transportation of adult mosquitoes to the release site resulted in minimal mortality ( Conclusion It is concluded that although conditions are challenging, there are no major obstacles associated with the small-scale irradiation and transportation of insects in the current setting. The field cage is suitable for experiments and studies to test the competitiveness of irradiated males can be pursued. The scaling up of procedures to accommodate much larger numbers of insects needed for a release is the next challenge and recommendations to further implementation of this genetic control strategy are presented.</p
Conservation in an Islamic context a case study of Makkah
No full textThe Holy Qu’ rān contains many injunctions for Muslims to respect and conserve the natural environment but few address the built environment. Habitat at the time of the Prophet (PBOH) was in the vernacular and relatively impermanent. The first habitat was the cave, the second the tent and then simple flat roofed buildings of post and lintel construction made of mud and rubble. Later buildings were not indigenous but reflected the architectural styles and techniques of Muslim pilgrims from beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Permanent exotic buildings were later erected as reminders of holy places and events. This work advances a case to restore and preserve historic and religious sites in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Makkah is the destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims who annually pay homage to Allah during the occasions of Hajj, Ramadan and Umra. The tranquillity and peaceful ambience that one associates with the holiest of Islamic experiences have, over the years, given way to jostling crowds of people who must be expediently housed, fed, transported, and protected. Due to the lack of planning and the insensitive but profitable development of the city, Makkah is in grave danger of becoming a bustling metropolis instead of a sanctuary where pilgrims gather to perform their religious rites and reaffirm their dedication to Allah. The author calls for professional planning and international cooperation to guide future development for this expanding and sensitive area. The author's ideas are grounded in practical and aesthetic study, therefore, the political, environmental and economic issues are examined in relationship to religious, historic and artistic values. The author makes proposals for a future Makkah that would provide pilgrims with the physical comforts, security, and serene environment they deserve—without destroying the city they came to visit. The author discusses preservation and conservation in the western world and the need for their acceptance in Muslim countries, the former being an aesthetic and intellectual concept sustained by law and the latter being the prescribed free expression of the individual unhindered by material considerations. Both worlds are rapidly being overwhelmed by materialism, but body, mind and spirit combine in making us aware of our surroundings and the way in what we see around us has come into being
Siles, S.S., Letter to Mary Knight, September 20, 1863
No full textStiles, S.S., Letter to Mary Knight, September 20, 1863. MS/52 William Knight Civil War Letters, Box 1, Folder 3. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections. 1 PDF and 2 scans. Includes transcript.The letter, dated September 20, 1863, is from Camp Lee and addressed to Mary. The author, identified as S.S. Siles, expresses relief that William has returned home and hopes for his quick recovery. Siles mentions the difficulties faced by women who visit camps to bring their sick husbands home, noting that officers rarely pay them any attention.
Siles laments the poor condition of the tents, which are old and worn, failing to provide adequate shelter from rain. He mentions that the Quarter Master tried but failed to secure new tents in Savannah. The letter also touches on the precarious state of the Confederate army, suggesting that its future may hinge on an upcoming battle in Northern Georgia. Siles fears that a defeat could lead to mass desertions.
The letter describes the men as being very sickly, attributing this to their poor diet of only beef and cornmeal. Siles himself is not in good health, suffering from chest pains and fevers, but continues to perform his duties as an acting Orderly Sergeant. He urges Mary to tell William to write to him and to keep him updated with news
Regulation of matrix-metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in glomerular mesangial cells
No full textRemodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important physiologic feature of normal growth and development. In addition to this critical function in physiology many diseases have been associated with an imbalance of ECM synthesis and degradation. In the kidney, dysregulation of ECM turnover can lead to interstitial fibrosis, and glomerulosclerosis. The major physiologic regulators of ECM degradation in the glomerulus are the large family of zinc-dependent proteases, collectively refered to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The tight regulation of most of these proteases is accomplished by different mechanisms, including the regulation of MMP gene expression, the processing and conversion of the inactive zymogen by other proteases such as serine proteases and finally the inhibition of active MMPs by endogenous inhibitors of MMPs, denoted as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Namely, the MMP-9 has been shown to be critically involved in the dysregulation of ECM turnover associated with severe pathologic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibrosis of lung, skin and kidney. In the present work I searched for a possible modulation of MMP-9 expression and/or activity in glomerular mesangial cells which are thought as key players of many inflammatory and non-inflammatory glomerular diseases. I found that various structurally different PPARalpha agonists such as WY-14,643, LY-171883 and fibrates potently suppress the cytokine-induced MMP-9 expression in renal MC. Furthermore, I demonstrate that the inhibition of MMP-9 expression by PPARalpha agonists was paralleled by a strong increase of cytokine-induced iNOS expression and subsequent NO formation, suggesting that PPARalpha-dependent effects on MMP-9 expression level primarily result from alterations in NO production which in turn reduces the MMP-9 mRNA half-life. Searching for the detailed mechanism of NO-dependent effects on MMP-9 mRNA stability, I found that NO either given from exogenous sources or endogenously produced increases the MMP-9 mRNA degradation by decreasing the expression of the mRNA stabilizing factor HuR. Furthermore, I demonstrate a reduction in the RNA-binding capacity of HuR containing complexes to MMP-9 ARE motifs in cells treated with NO. Since the reduction of HuR expression can be mimicked by the cGMP analog 8-Bromo-cGMP, I suggest that NO reduces in a cGMP-dependent manner the expression of HuR. Finally, I elucidated the modulatory effect of extracellular nucleotides, mainly ATP, on cytokine-triggered MMP-9 expression. Interestingly, I found that in contrast to NO, gamma-S-ATP the stable analog of ATP potently amplifies the IL-beta mediated MMP-9 expression. The increase in mRNA stability was paralleled by an increase in the nuclear-cytosolic shuttling of the mRNA stabilizing factor HuR. Furthermore, I demonstrate an increase in the RNA-binding capacity of HuR containing complexes to the 3'-UTR of MMP-9 by ATP. In summary, the data presented here may help to find new targets (posttranscriptional regulation) that could be used to manipulate or modulate the expression of not only MMP-9 but also other genes regulated on the level of mRNA stability.Umbauprozesse der Extrazellulären Matrix (ECM) spielen eine wichtige Rolle für normale Wachstums- und Entwicklungsprozesse. In der Niere kann der fehlerhafte Umsatz von ECM beispielsweise zur interstitiellen Fibrose und Glomerulosklerose führen. Zu den wichtigsten physiologischen Regulatoren des Abbaus von ECM im Glomerulus zählen die Zink-abhängigen Proteasen, die zur Familie der Matrixmetalloproteasen (MMPs) zusammengefasst werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit untersuchte ich schwerpunktmässig nach Möglichkeiten die MMP-9 Expression und/oder MMP-Aktivität in glomerulären Mesangiumzellen zu verändern. Mesangiumzellen gelten als Hauptakteure von glomerulären Erkrankungen mit entzündlichen- als auch nicht entzündlichen Genese. Wie ich gezeigt habe, sind unterschiedliche PPARalpha Agonisten wie beispielsweise WY-14,643, LY-171883 und Fibrate in der Lage, die Zytokin-induzierte MMP-9 Expression in Mesangiumzellen potent zu hemmen. Weiterhin konnte von mir gezeigt werden, dass die Hemmung der MMP-9 Expression durch PPARalpha Aktivatoren mit einer Steigerung der iNOS Expression und der unmittelbaren Steigerung der NO Freisetzung einhergeht. Interessanterweise konvertieren die hemmenden Effekte der PPARalpha Aktivatoren in der Gegenwart eines iNOS Hemmstoffes zu einer massiven Verstärkung der Zytokin-induzierten MMP-9 Expression was darauf hinweist, dass die PPARalpha-vermittelten Effekte in erster Linie durch Veränderungen der NO Synthese hervorgerufen werden. Auf der Suche nach dem Mechanismus der NO-vermittelten Effekte auf die MMP-9 Expression konnte ich zeigen, dass sowohl exogen zugeführtes NO als auch über eine Induktion der iNOS entstandenes NO, in der Lage ist, den Abbau von MMP-9 mRNA durch eine Expressionshemmung des mRNA Stabilitätsfaktor HuR zu beschleunigen. In einem weiteren Projekt untersuchte ich, ob extrazellulären Nukleotide in der Lage sind, einen modulierenden Einfluss auf die Zytokin-induzierte MMP-9 Expression auszuüben. Ich konnte zeigen, dass das chemisch stabilisierte ATP-Analog gamma-S ATP im Unterschied zu NO in der Lage ist, den IL- 1beta vermittelten Anstieg der MMP-9 in potenter Weise zu verstärken. Der Anstieg der mRNA Stabilität korreliert mit einer Zunahme des Transports von HuR aus dem Zellkern in das Zytoplasma. Der verstärkte Export von HuR aus dem Zellkern war verbunden mit der verstärkten RNA Bindungsaffinität von HuR-haltigen Komplexen an AU-reiche Sequenzen innerhalb des 3'-untranslatierten Bereichs (3'-UTRs) des MMP-9 Gens. Zusammenfassend könnten die vorliegende Arbeit helfen, neue (posttranskriptionellen) Ansätzen zu finden, die eine spezifische Manipulation von MMP-9 und anderen auf Ebene der mRNA Stabilität regulierten Genen, ermöglichen
Alcohol and illegal drug use behaviors and prescription opioids use: How do nonmedical and medical users compare, and does motive to use really matter?
No full textBackground-Aims: This study compares illegal drug and alcohol use behaviors between medical and nonmedical users of prescription opioids (PO) and nonmedical users with distinct motives to use. Method: An ethically approved cross-sectional study (2010) was conducted on a representative sample of private university students (n = 570), using a self-filled anonymous questionnaire. Results: About 25percent reported using PO only medically and 15percent nonmedically. The prevalence of alcohol and illegal drug use was consistently higher among nonmedical than medical PO users. Adjusting for age and gender, lifetime medical users of PO were more likely to use marijuana only (OR = 1.8, 95percent CI: 1.1, 2.8), while nonmedical users were at higher odds of using marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine-crack, and alcohol problematically. Compared to nonusers, students who took PO nonmedically for nontherapeutic reasons were more likely to use various illegal drugs, but nonmedical users who took PO to relieve pain-help in sleep were only more likely to use marijuana (OR = 2.5, 95percent CI: 1.1, 5.4) and alcohol (e.g. alcohol abuse; OR = 3.8, 95percent CI: = 1.4, 10.1). Conclusion: Youth who use PO nonmedically to self-treat have a different alcohol and illegal drug-using profile than those who take it for nontherapeutic reasons. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.[Anonymous], 2007, MEAS TRANSP IMPR GOO; Becker WC, 2008, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V94, P38, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2007.09.018; Blanco C, 2007, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V90, P252, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2007.04.005; Boyd CJ, 2006, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V81, P37, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2005.05.017; Boyd CJ, 2009, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V45, P543, DOI 10.1016-j.jadohealth.2009.03.023; Brands B, 2010, CAN FAM PHYSICIAN, V56, P256; Catalano RF, 2010, ADDICT BEHAV, V36, P79; Compton WM, 2006, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V81, P103, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2005.05.009; Cone EJ, 2004, J ANAL TOXICOL, V28, P616; Fischer B, 2010, CAN J PSYCHIAT, V55, P606; Fredheim OMS, 2010, PEDIATR ANESTH, V20, P537, DOI 10.1111-j.1460-9592.2010.03310.x; Garnier LM, 2009, AM J DRUG ALCOHOL AB, V35, P334, DOI 10.1080-00952990903075059; Ghandour LA, 2011, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V121, P101; Gilson AM, 2004, J PAIN SYMPTOM MANAG, V28, P176, DOI 10.1016-j.jpainsymman.2004.01.003; Hamunen K, 2009, EUR J PAIN, V13, P954, DOI 10.1016-j.ejpain.2008.11.006; Harrison L., 1997, VALIDITY SELF REPORT, V167, P17; Haydon E, 2005, CAN J PUBLIC HEALTH, V96, P459; International Narcotics Control Board, 2010, REP INT NARC CONTR B; Jessor R., 1987, ALCOHOL DRUGS DRIVIN, V3, P1; Johnston L. D., 2010, MONITORING FUTURE NA, VII; Karam Elie G, 2010, J Med Liban, V58, P76; Karam EG, 2003, SUBSTANCE USE MISUSE; Kendler KS, 2003, ARCH GEN PSYCHIAT, V60, P929, DOI 10.1001-archpsyc.60.9.929; Khantzian EJ, 1997, HARVARD REV PSYCHIAT, V4, P231, DOI 10.3109-10673229709030550; Kroutil LA, 2006, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V84, P135, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2005.12.011; Martins SS, 2009, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V103, P16, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2009.01.019; Martins SS, 2012, PSYCHOL MED, V42, P1261, DOI 10.1017-S0033291711002145; McCabe SE, 2011, ARCH PEDIAT ADOL MED, V165, P729, DOI 10.1001-archpediatrics.2011.114; McCabe SE, 2006, J PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS, V38, P43; McCabe SE, 2009, ARCH PEDIAT ADOL MED, V163, P739, DOI 10.1001-archpediatrics.2009.120; McCabe SE, 2005, ADDICT BEHAV, V30, P1342, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2005.01.012; McCabe SE, 2009, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V102, P63, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2009.01.007; McCabe SE, 2005, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V77, P37, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2004.07.005; McCabe SE, 2005, ADDICT BEHAV, V30, P789, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2004.08.024; McCabe SE, 2007, ADDICT BEHAV, V32, P562, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2006.05.022; McCabe SE, 2006, J AM COLL HEALTH, V54, P269, DOI 10.3200-JACH.54.5.269-278; Solberg KE, 2008, LANCET, V372, P1137, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(08)61463-4; Sung HE, 2005, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V37, P44, DOI 10.1016-j.jadohealth.2005.02.013; Zacny J, 2003, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V69, P215, DOI 10.1016-S0376-8716(03)00003-6; Zacny JP, 2008, J PAIN, V9, P473, DOI 10.1016-j.jpain.2007.12.008; Zarocostas J, 2007, BRIT MED J, V334, P444, DOI 10.1136-bmj.39140.394410.DB24
Field Evaluation Of Temephos And Agnique MMF Against Immature Stages Of Anopheles Arabiensis Patton (Diptera : Culicidae) The Vector Of Malaria In Khartoum, Sudan [RA644.M2 A286 2007 f rb].
No full textDua kajian lapangan telah dilakukan dalam kolam terstimulasi di Skim Pertanian Al-sielate Bahary, Khartoum, Sudan, selama 13 minggu (percubaan 1) dan 9 minggu (percubaan ke-2).
Two field experiments on mosquitoes were conducted in stimulated ponds at Al-sielate Agricultural Scheme of Bahary locality, Khartoum, Sudan, for a period 13 weeks (1st trial) and 9 weeks (2nd trial)
Declaration of Intention for Orazio Colletto
No full textDeclaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States, as filled out and signed by Orazio Colletto. Applicant lists himself as a 58 year old farmer residing in Hammonton, New Jersey, born in Bordenaro, Italy on 17 January 1857, who sailed on the US bound vessel S.S. Prince. Declaration submitted and sworn June 3, 1915
Prevalence and patterns of commonly abused psychoactive prescription drugs in a sample of university students from Lebanon: An opportunity for cross-cultural comparisons
No full textBackground: Concerns about psychoactive prescription drug abuse among youth are growing worldwide, but the majority of published studies remain from the US and Canada impeding cross-cultural comparisons. This study examines the prevalence, sources, motivations and substance-use correlates of commonly abused medications among youth from Lebanon. Methods: An IRB-approved cross-sectional study was conducted (May 2010) at the American University of Beirut. Proportionate cluster sampling was used to generate a representative sample of AUB students (n=570). A self-filled anonymous questionnaire was administered. Results: Lifetime medical and nonmedical prevalence of medications were (respectively): pain (36.9percent, 15.1percent), anxiety (8.3percent, 4.6percent), sleeping (6.5percent, 5.8percent) and stimulants (2.6percent, 3.5percent). Gender differences were not observed. Lebanese were least likely to report non-medical use. Nonmedical users mostly used the drugs for their intended purpose (e.g., sleeping to help in sleep, stimulants to increase alertness). Parents and pharmacists (without a doctor's prescription) were the top two sources of all medications, except for stimulants (friends predominated). Diversion was observed in about 20percent of the medical users. Lifetime marijuana users and past year alcohol abusers were three times as likely to use any prescription drug nonmedically. Conclusions: In Lebanon, as in Western cultures, a considerable proportion of youth may be self-medicating. The absence of medical supervision coupled with motivations such as to get high renders this issue a high priority on the national youth agenda. Besides larger more comprehensive surveys, the findings signal the immediate need to reinforce relevant policies, and raise awareness among youth, parents, health professionals and other stakeholders. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.[Anonymous], 2007, MEAS TRANSP IMPR GOO; Blanco C, 2007, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V90, P252, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2007.04.005; Boyd CJ, 2007, ARCH PEDIAT ADOL MED, V161, P276, DOI 10.1001-archpedi.161.3.276; Boyd CJ, 2009, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V45, P543, DOI 10.1016-j.jadohealth.2009.03.023; Brands B, 2010, CAN FAM PHYSICIAN, V56, P256; Catalano RF, 2010, ADDICT BEHAV, V36, P79; Compton WM, 2006, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V81, P103, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2005.05.009; Cotto JH, 2010, GENDER MED, V7, P402, DOI 10.1016-j.genm.2010.09.004; Dib JG, 2004, AM J HEALTH-SYST PH, V61, P794; El-Aneed A, 2009, J SUBST USE, V14, P75, DOI 10.1080-14659890802446087; Figueiras A, 2000, EUR J EPIDEMIOL, V16, P19, DOI 10.1023-A:1007608702063; Fischer B, 2008, J PAIN, V9, P490, DOI 10.1016-j.jpain.2008.03.002; Friedman RA, 2006, NEW ENGL J MED, V354, P1448, DOI 10.1056-NEJMp068010; Garnier LM, 2009, AM J DRUG ALCOHOL AB, V35, P334, DOI 10.1080-00952990903075059; Goldsworthy RC, 2008, AM J PUBLIC HEALTH, V98, P1115, DOI 10.2105-AJPH.2007.123257; Harrison L, 1997, NIDA Res Monogr, V167, P17; Haydon E, 2005, CAN J PUBLIC HEALTH, V96, P459; Hurwitz W, 2005, PAIN MED, V6, P152, DOI 10.1111-j.1526-4637.2005.05024.x; Johnston L.D., 2008, MONITORING FUTURE NA, P77; Johnston LD, 2009, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V45, P539, DOI 10.1016-j.jadohealth.2009.09.004; Johnston L D, 1997, NIDA Res Monogr, V167, P59; Karam E, 2000, EUR ADDICT RES, V6, P189, DOI 10.1159-000052045; Karam EG, 2003, SUBSTANCE USE MISUSE; Kheir N, 2008, AM J PHARM EDUC, V72; Kroutil LA, 2006, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V84, P135, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2005.12.011; Kuehn BM, 2007, JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC, V297, P1306, DOI 10.1001-jama.297.12.1306; Kuehn BM, 2006, JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC, V295, P612, DOI 10.1001-jama.295.6.612; Levine SB, 2009, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V44, P407, DOI 10.1016-j.jadohealth.2008.08.010; McCabe SE, 2009, ARCH PEDIAT ADOL MED, V163, P739, DOI 10.1001-archpediatrics.2009.120; McCabe SE, 2005, ADDICT BEHAV, V30, P1342, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2005.01.012; McCabe SE, 2005, DRUG ALCOHOL DEPEN, V77, P37, DOI 10.1016-j.drugalcdep.2004.07.005; McCabe SE, 2005, ADDICT BEHAV, V30, P789, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2004.08.024; McCabe SE, 2007, ADDICT BEHAV, V32, P562, DOI 10.1016-j.addbeh.2006.05.022; McCabe SE, 2006, J AM COLL HEALTH, V54, P269, DOI 10.3200-JACH.54.5.269-278; McCauley JL, 2010, J CHILD PSYCHOL PSYC, V51, P84, DOI 10.1111-j.1469-7610.2009.02134.x; Nassar N T, 1973, J Med Liban, V26, P215; Simoni-Wastila L, 2008, J ADDICT MED, V2, P31, DOI 10.1097-ADM.0b013e31815b5590; Solberg KE, 2008, LANCET, V372, P1137, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(08)61463-4; Volkow N. D., 2005, NIH PUB; Zarocostas J, 2007, BRIT MED J, V334, P444, DOI 10.1136-bmj.39140.394410.DB7111
Torulinium odoratum (L.) S.S. Hooper
No full textUPTC_14420FloraBoyacáReserva el MalmoTorulinium odoratum (L.) S.S. HooperPlantaeLiliopsidaCyperalesCyperaceaeToruliniumodoratum Tunj
Encíclica LAUDATO SI' “ALABADO SEAS”
No full textSobre el cuidado de casa común, carta enciclica de S.S. Francisc
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