4,152 research outputs found
Rabbit sucrase-isomaltase is a functional intestinal receptor for Clostridium difficile toxin A.
No full textEye conditions and blindness in children: priorities for research, programs, and policy with a focus on childhood cataract.
No full textThe major causes of blindness in children encompass intrauterine and acquired infectious diseases, teratogens and developmental and molecular genetics, nutritional factors, the consequences of preterm birth, and tumors. A multidisciplinary approach is therefore needed. In terms of the major avoidable causes (i.e., those that can be prevented or treated) the available evidence shows that these vary in importance from country to country, as well as over time. This is because the underlying causes closely reflect socioeconomic development and the social determinants of health, as well as the provision of preventive and therapeutic programs and services from the community through to tertiary levels of care. The control of blindness in children therefore requires not only strategies that reflect the local epidemiology and the needs and priorities of communities, but also a well functioning, accessible health system which operates within an enabling and conducive policy environment. In this article we use cataract in children as an example and make the case for health financing systems that do not lead to 'catastrophic health expenditure' for affected families, and the integration of eye health for children into those elements of the health system that work closely with mothers and their children
Reformulating the rj-McMC Algorithm for 3D Inversion of Passive Seismic Data for Near-Surface Characterization
No full textGeophysical subsurface characterization techniques could, due to their non-invasive nature, play a crucial role in the design and subsequent construction of infrastructure in urban & industrial environ- ments. Geo-data specialist company Fugro sees potential in upgrading their current ambient-seismic- noise-tomography workflow, to make use of state-of-the-art inversion schemes with the main goal of increasing the quality and accuracy of the initial-site characterization delivered to clients. In this thesis I explore the feasibility of utilizing the reverse-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (rj-McMC) algorithm for the inversion of ambient seismic noise for characterization in urban & industrial environments. Specif- ically, testing the potential of scaling down this inversion algorithm to fit in a small scale, near-surface framework. To achieve this, I first carried out analyses to evaluate the appropriate Rayleigh wave frequency range, after which realistic noise hyperparameters, suited for this reduced scale problem, were obtained. Because of the potential exploitation of in-situ borehole measurements, I reformulated the Bayesian prior within the rj-McMC algorithm to implement these constraining shear wave velocity values appropriately. I conducted extensive synthetic experiments to gain insight into the behavior of this adapted algorithm, from which it was concluded that the inherent dynamic discretization partially prevents these constraints from being implemented to their full extent. Nevertheless, promising results lead me to conclude that the use of the rj-McMC algorithm for application in near-surface urban & industrial environments is feasible.Applied Geophysics | IDEA Leagu
Cognitive functioning after medial frontal lobe damage including the anterior cingulate cortex: A preliminary investigation
No full textTwo patients with medial frontal lobe damage involving the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) performed a range of cognitive tasks, including tests of executive function and anterior attention. Both patients lesions extended beyond the ACC, therefore caution needs to be exerted in ascribing observed deficits to the ACC alone. Patient performance was compared with age and education matched healthy controls. Both patients showed intact intellectual, memory, and language abilities. No clear-cut abnormalities were noted in visuoperceptual functions. Speed of information processing was mildly reduced only in Patient 2 (bilateral ACC lesion). The patients demonstrated weak or impaired performance only on selective executive function tests. Performance on anterior attention tasks was satisfactory. We tentatively suggest that our findings are inconsistent with anterior attention theories of ACC function based on neuroimaging findings. We propose that the data may imply that the ACC does not have a central role in cognition. We speculate that our findings may be compatible with the view that the ACC integrates cognitive processing with autonomic functioning to guide behaviour
Does HIV accelerate the aging process? An assessment of clinical, ophthalmic and serum parameters in HIV-infected individuals in South Africa
No full textHIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of age-related non-AIDS morbidity and mortality compared with HIV-uninfected persons. It is speculated that HIV-infected individuals may not only be aging chronologically, but also undergoing accelerated biological aging. This is supported by clinical reports of conditions classically associated with the normal aging process appearing at an earlier age in HIV-infected persons compared to age-matched controls.
Chronological age is an imprecise measure of biological aging due to inter-individual differences in rates of aging and therefore ‘biomarkers of aging’ may be used to assess biological age. The eye may be a uniquely useful site as a model of aging. It is easily accessible for examination and several components can be measured and assessed objectively e.g. lens density, retinal vascular calibre, corneal endothelial cell counts and the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness.
This case-control study of 504 adults recruited from one district in Cape Town, South Africa assessed whether HIV-infected individuals have more advanced ocular aging, systemic frailty and cellular senescence than an HIV-uninfected group of similar age. Accelerated biological aging was demonstrated in HIV-infected individuals compared to their uninfected counterparts. HIV infection was also associated with frailty. Ocular parameters provided evidence of greater aging within the HIV-infected group, particularly objective measurement of retinal vascular calibre and lens density. These data suggest that as well as increased biological aging at a cellular and systemic level, ocular aging occurs as part of the accelerated aging phenotype in HIV infection.
This study provides novel data about accelerated biological aging in sub-Saharan Africa and a platform for addressing future research questions relating to accelerated aging trajectories in HIV infection, the relative contributions of the infection and antiretroviral therapy, and whether biological age is dependent upon the duration of untreated disease or nadir CD4 count. As the HIV-infected population continues to age and expand, accelerated biological aging may have wideranging implications for the burden and management of HIV-related morbidity
Clowns, Fools, and Killers: An Exploration of Horror, Comedy, and Madness Through the Roles of Murderer 2 and Sir Richard Ratcliffe in William Shakespeare\u27s Richard III
No full textThis document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author RJ Magee’s artistic and scholarly process in creating the roles of Murderer 2 and Sir Richard Ratcliffe in William Shakespeare’s Richard III. The production was performed as part of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s mainstage season in October of 2022. In five chapters, this thesis chronicles the actor’s process: a preproduction analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal and performance journal, a post-production analysis, and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included
Identification of the human bA2 cristallin gene; localization of the gene on human chromosome 2 and of the homologous gene on mouse chromosome 1
No full textEstrutura populacional e reprodução de cyphocharax gilbert (Quoy & gaimard, 1824) (Osteichthyes, Curimatidae) no trecho inferior do Rio Paraíba do Sul (RJ,MG) e principais afluentes
No full textOrientador: Prof. Dr. Paulo de Tarso da Cunha ChavesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - ZoologiaInclui referências: p. 87-96Resumo: Foram analisados diversos aspectos da estrutura populacional e estratégia reprodutiva de Cyphocharax gilbert em quatro áreas no trecho inferior do rio Paraíba do Sul (RJ) e principais afluentes, entre março de 1989 e fevereiro de 1990. A espécie comportou-se de maneira diferenciada em cada área, apresentando diferentes amplitudes de comprimento e composição em tamanho. As fêmeas foram mais numerosas na área 2; no entanto, análises bimestrais mostraram predomínio de um dos sexos em épocas que precediam ou sucediam o período reprodutivo nas quatro áreas. Machos predominaram nas classes de tamanho inferior e as fêmeas, nas de tamanho superior. A relação peso/comprimento foi expressa pela equação Pt = 0,027 Cp3,05, sendo o crescimento considerado isométrico. O fator de condição apresentou diferenças quanto ao gasto energético no processo de desenvolvimento gonadal. Nas áreas 1, 2 e 3 houve pequena diferença entre machos e fêmeas quanto ao C50 e ao C100. Na área 4, os machos tornaram-se adultos com comprimentos menores que as fêmeas. A variação cíclica das gônadas sugere que, após a eliminação dos gametas, estas possam retornar à maturação ou entrar em processo de recuperação. A distribuição da frequência de estádios reprodutivos permitiu evidenciar épocas reprodutivas diferentes para as áreas com recrutamento de jovens nos períodos subsequentes. As análises histológicas indicaram que a espécie apresenta desova parcelada. A fecundidade foi considerada alta em relação ao descrito na literatura para outros curimatídeos. Pode-se sugerir sugerir que a espécie apresente deslocamentos no período reprodutivo. A atividade reprodutiva foi diferente nas quatro áreas, sendo as áreas 1, 2 e 4 consideradas áreas de reprodução e a área 3, possivelmente, área de alimentação.Abstract: Aspects of the populational structure and reproductive strategy of Cyphocharax gilbert were analised in four different areas of the Lower Rio Paraiba do Sul (RJ) and its major tributaries (22°S, 43°W), from March 1989 to February 1990. The species showed different behaviour in each area, presenting different amplitude of length and size frequency. Difference in the ratio of males and females was significant only in the Area 2, where a greater number of females was collected. Nevertheless, the bimonthly analysis showed preponderance of one of the sexes in periods precceeding or succeeding the spawning in all areas. Males prevailed in inferior and females in superior length classes. The length/weight relationship was expressed by the equation Wt=0, 027 Ls3,05, and the relative growth considered isometric. The condition factor presented differences in relation to the utilization of energy during the process of gonadal development. In Areas 1, 2 and 3 there was a small difference between males and females in relation to the length at the first maturation and the length when the population was composed only by adult fish. Males became adults before females in Area 4. The cyclic variation of the morphology of the gonads suggest that they may start a new maturation or present the process of recuperation, after spawning. The frequency distribution of reproductive stages may evidence distinct reproductive periods in areas with subsequent periods of young recruitment. The hystological studies indicated that species presents multiple spawning. The fecundity was considered high in relation to data available in the literature for other curimatids. It is possible to suggest that C. gilbert presents displacentments during the reproductive period. The reproductive activity was different in four areas. Areas 1, 2 and 4 were considered places of reproduction while Area 3, was considered a feeding place probably
Radiation-induced root surface caries restored with glass-ionomer cement placed in conventional and ART cavity preparations: Results at two years
No full textThe document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association (8th Jan 2008). An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: There are no published studies comparing the clinical performances of more-viscous glass-ionomer cement (GIC) restorations when placed using conventional and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) cavity preparation methods to restore root surface caries. Methods: One dentist used encapsulated Fuji IX GP and Ketac-Molar to restore 72 conventional and 74 ART cavity preparations for 15 patients who had received cervicofacial radiation therapy. Two assessors evaluated the restorations at six, 12, and 24 months for retention, marginal defects and surface wear, and recurrent caries. Results: After two years, the cumulative restoration successes were 65.2 per cent for the conventional and 66.2 per cent for the ART cavity preparations, without statistical or clinical significance (P>0.50). Restoration dislodgement accounted for 82.8 per cent and marginal defects for 17.2 per cent of all failures. There were no instances of unsatisfactory restoration wear or recurrent caries observed. Teeth with three or more restored cervical surfaces accounted for 79.3 per cent of all failures (P<0.0001). Conclusions: For root surface caries restored with GIC, the use of hand instruments only with the ART method was an equally effective alternative to conventional rotary instrumentation for cavity preparation. Larger restorations had higher failures, usually from dislodgement.JY Hu, XC Chen, YQ Li, RJ Smales and KH Yi
Paediatric use of melatonin (Author reply to D. J. Kennaway).
No full textComment on
Paediatric use of melatonin. [Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2015]
Current role of melatonin in pediatric neurology: clinical recommendations. [Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2015
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