Bunium persicum or Black Zira is one of the endangered species in the land of Persia. The main purpose of this study was to investigate microtuberization of B persicumin in order to use in germplasm ...storage and commercial production. Seeds of B. persicum were used as explant. Different culture media (MS, 1/2MS and B sub(5)) along with different concentrations of jasmonic acid (JA) (0, 2 and 5) were used individually as basal media and also in combination with two different temperatures (15 and 20 degree C) to develop appropriate media for microtuberization. Moreover, propagated microtubers were then vernalized and acclimatized in order to transfer to greenhouse. The results revealed that by increasing in concentration of JA, weight and length of microtubers increased significantly. MS medium seemed to be the most effective basal medium for this plant. In contrary, this study indicated that MS medium and 5 mM JA were the most suitable combination for in vitro culture establishment and short-term maintenance of tested B. persicum. Also, 15 degree C showed significant effect on increasing the weight of microtubers.
ABSTRACT
The diffuse plasma inside clusters of galaxies has X-ray emitting temperatures of a few keV. The physical mechanisms that heat this intracluster medium (ICM) to such temperatures include the ...accretion shock at the periphery of a galaxy cluster, the shocks driven by merger events, as well as a somewhat overlooked mechanism – the dissipation of intracluster turbulent motions. We study the relative role of these heating mechanisms using galaxy clusters in Lagrangian tracer particle re-simulations of the Omega500 cosmological simulation. We adopt a novel analysis method of decomposing the temperature increase at each time-step into the contribution from dissipative heating and that from adiabatic heating. In the high-resolution spatial–temporal map of these heating rates, merger tracks are clearly visible, demonstrating the dominant role of merger events in heating the ICM. The dissipative heating contributed by each merger event is extended in time and also occurs in the rarefaction regions, suggesting the importance of heating by the dissipation of merger-induced turbulence. Quantitative analysis shows that turbulence heating, rather than direct heating at merger shocks, dominates the temperature increase of the ICM especially at inner radii r < r500c. In addition, we find that many merger shocks can propagate with almost constant velocity to very large radii r ≫ r500c, some even reach and join with the accretion shock and becoming the outer boundary of the ICM. Altogether, these results suggest that the ICM is heated more in an ‘inside–out’ fashion rather than ‘outside–in’ as depicted in the classical smooth accretion picture.
ABSTRACT
We present a per cent-level accurate model of the line-of-sight velocity distribution of galaxies around dark matter haloes as a function of projected radius and halo mass. The model is ...developed and tested using synthetic galaxy catalogues generated with the UniverseMachine run on the Multi-Dark Planck 2 N-body simulations. The model decomposes the galaxies around a cluster into three kinematically distinct classes: orbiting, infalling, and interloping galaxies. We demonstrate that: (1) we can statistically distinguish between these three types of galaxies using only projected line-of-sight velocity information; (2) the halo edge radius inferred from the line-of-sight velocity dispersion is an excellent proxy for the three-dimensional halo edge radius; and (3) we can accurately recover the full velocity dispersion profile for each of the three populations of galaxies. Importantly, the velocity dispersion profiles of the orbiting and infalling galaxies contain five independent parameters – three distinct radial scales and two velocity dispersion amplitudes – each of which is correlated with mass. Thus, the velocity dispersion profile of galaxy clusters has inherent redundancies that allow us to perform non-trivial systematics checks from a single data set. We discuss several potential applications of our new model for detecting the edge radius and constraining cosmology and astrophysics using upcoming spectroscopic surveys.
To assess variations in angle parameters using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and to investigate demographic, ocular and systemic associations of angle width.
This was a ...substudy of a population based, cross-sectional survey of 3280 (78.7% response rate) Malay people aged 40 to 80 years in Singapore. All participants underwent a standardized interview and ocular and systemic examination. AS-OCT was performed on 291 consecutive patients in standardized dark conditions. Angle opening distance (AOD-500) and trabecular-iris space area (TISA-500) 500 microm from the scleral spur were determined for the nasal and temporal angles. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was also measured.
AS-OCT measurements were analyzed in 239 (82.1%) right eyes. Mean AOD 500 was smaller in women than in men, both nasally (0.255 vs. 0.293 mm, P = 0.026) and temporally (0.245 vs. 0.286 mm, P = 0.023). Mean TISA-500 was smaller in women in the nasal quadrant only (0.104 vs. 0.117 mm, P = 0.035). Mean ACD was smaller in women than in men (2.71 vs. 2.87 mm, P = 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that axial length and ACD were significantly associated with AOD-500 and TISA-500 both nasally (adjusted R(2) = 0.34 for AOD-500 and 0.20 for TISA-500) and temporally (adjusted R(2) = 0.35 for AOD-500 and 0.24 for TISA-500). Body mass index, HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, and central corneal thickness were not significantly associated with AOD-500, TISA-500, or ACD.
In this Malay population, angle width measured by AS-OCT was smaller in women than in men, and in eyes with shorter axial length and shallower ACD.
Background: Methylnaltrexone, a novel peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, is used to treat opiate-induced constipation
in cancer patients. Its effects on the activities of ...chemotherapeutic agents, however, have not been evaluated. In this study,
the effect of methylnaltrexone on the action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was tested in three human cancer cell lines. Materials
and Methods: Treatment was for 72 h and the effects on cell proliferation were measured in human SW-480 colorectal cancer
cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells and non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro. The apoptotic effect was analyzed by using
flow cytometry. The cell cycle and expression of cyclin A were assayed after staining with propidium iodide and cyclin A-fluorescein
isothiocyanate. Results: 5-FU decreased the cancer cell growth significantly in all three cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent
manner and methylnaltrexone enhanced the actions of 5-FU. Compared to 5-FU 10 μM alone on SW-480 cells (63.5±1.1%), on MCF-7
cells (58.3±3.1%), or on non-small cell lung cancer cells (81.3±1.6%), 5-FU 10 μM plus methylnaltrexone 1.0 μM reduced cancer
cell growth in all three cell lines to 50.2±2.9% for SW-480 cells (p<0.05), 50.0±1.7% for MCF-7 cells (p<0.05) and 68.7±2.2%
for lung cancer cells (p<0.01). Methylnaltrexone alone also showed anti-proliferative activity in the three cell lines. Methylnaltrexone
at 1.0 μM, reduced SW-480 cell growth to 81.9±3.7% (p<0.01), MCF-7 cell growth to 85.9±2.4% (p<0.01) and lung cancer cell
growth to 85.5±2.2% (p<0.01). Apoptosis was not induced by treatment of SW-480 cells with 1.0 or 10 μM methylnaltrexone for
48 h. However, methylnaltrexone increased the number of cells in the G 1 -phase and decreased the expression of cyclin A. Conclusion: At its therapeutic concentrations for opioid-induced constipation,
methylnaltrexone does not attenuate and in fact may enhance the tumoricidal activity of 5-FU. Enhanced 5-FU activity may be
attributed to the distinct pathways of 5-FU and methylnaltrexone, an effect that could give methylnaltrexone a complementary
role in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapeutic agents.
Previous studies showed that both American ginseng root and American ginseng berry extracts possess hypoglycemic properties. In this study, we investigated whether American ginseng leaves also have ...similar capabilities. We first analyzed the chemical constituents of American ginseng leaf and determined the content of six major ginsenosides, i.e., Rb
1, Rb
2, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg
1, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, we evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of American ginseng leaf extract (AGLE) in diabetic
ob/
ob adult mice. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of AGLE 50, 150
mg/kg or vehicle for 12 consecutive days. Fasting blood glucose levels, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), body weight and temperature were measured. On day 5, the 150
mg/kg AGLE group had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice (223.0±13.9
mg/dl versus 258.0±14.0
mg/dl,
P<0.05), while the blood glucose levels in 50
mg/kg group did not decrease significantly. On day 12, the glucose levels in both AGLE-treated groups were reduced significantly compared to vehicle group (180.0±10.0
mg/dl and 220.2±19.3 versus 268.0±10.0
mg/dl,
P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). IPGTT data showed that both AGLE 150 and 50
mg/kg groups significantly increased the glucose disposal on day 12 compared to the vehicle group. In addition, body weight decreased in
ob/
ob mice after AGLE treatment, and these body weight changes were accompanied by significant increases in body temperature (
P<0.05). Our results suggest that AGLE possesses a significant anti-hyperglycemic and thermogenic activity and may prove to be beneficial in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.
In the past 20 years, our understanding of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) management has improved, but the worldwide incidence and current outcomes are unclear. The reported incidence is ...highly variable, and no studies specifically characterise ARDS epidemiology in Asia. This observation study aims to determine the incidence, mortality and management practices of ARDS in a high income South East Asian country.
We conducted a prospective, population based observational study in 6 public hospitals. During a one month period, we identified all ARDS patients admitted to public hospital intensive care units (ICU) in Singapore, according to the Berlin definition. Demographic information, clinical management data and ICU outcome data was collected.
A total of 904 adult patients were admitted to ICU during the study period and 15 patients met ARDS criteria. The unadjusted incidence of ARDS was 4.5 cases per 100,000 population, accounting for 1.25% of all ICU patients. Most patients were male (75%), Chinese (62%), had pneumonia (73%), and were admitted to a Medical ICU (56%). Management strategies varied across all ICUs. In-hospital mortality was 40% and median length of ICU stay was 7 days.
The incidence of ARDS in a developed S.E Asia country is comparable to reported rates in European studies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent, causes significant nausea and vomiting. It is postulated that cisplatin-induced oxidant stress may be responsible for these symptoms. We tested whether ...pretreatment with American ginseng berry extract (AGBE), an herb with potent antioxidant capacity, and one of its active antioxidant constituents, ginsenoside Re, could counter cisplatin-induced emesis using a rat pica model.
In rats, exposure to emetic stimuli such as cisplatin causes significant kaolin intake, a phenomenon called pica. We therefore measured cisplatin-induced kaolin intake as an indicator of the emetic response. Rats were pretreated with vehicle, AGBE (dose range 50-150 mg/kg, IP) or ginsenoside Re (2 and 5 mg/kg, IP). Rats were treated with cisplatin (3 mg/kg, IP) 30 min later. Kaolin intake, food intake, and body weight were measured every 24 h for 120 h. Additionally, the free radical scavenging activity of AGBE was measured in vitro using ESR spectroscopy.
A significant dose-response relationship was observed between increasing doses of pretreatment with AGBE and reduction in cisplatin-induced pica. Kaolin intake was maximally attenuated by AGBE at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Food intake also improved significantly at this dose (P<0.05). Pretreatment with ginsenoside Re (5 mg/kg) also decreased kaolin intake (P<0.05). In vitro studies demonstrated a concentration-response relationship between AGBE and its ability to scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.
Pretreatment with AGBE and its major constituent, Re, attenuated cisplatin-induced pica, and demonstrated potential for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Significant recovery of food intake further strengthens the conclusion that AGBE may exert an antinausea/antiemetic effect.
ABSTRACT
As part of the effort to meet the needs of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Dark Energy Science Collaboration (LSST DESC) for accurate, realistically complex mock galaxy catalogues, we ...have developed galsampler, an open-source python package that assists in generating large volumes of synthetic cosmological data. The key idea behind galsampler is to recast hydrodynamical simulations and semi-analytic models as physically motivated galaxy libraries. galsampler populates a new, larger volume halo catalogue with galaxies drawn from the baseline library; by using weighted sampling guided by empirical modelling techniques, galsampler inherits statistical accuracy from the empirical model and physically motivated complexity from the baseline library. We have recently used galsampler to produce the cosmoDC2 extragalactic catalogue made for the LSST DESC Data Challenge 2. Using cosmoDC2 as a guiding example, we outline how galsampler can continue to support ongoing and near-future galaxy surveys such as the Dark Energy Survey, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, WFIRST, and Euclid.
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