• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.506-517
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• 2010

Objective : We investigated whether Disability Evaluation (DE) situations influence patients' neuropsychological test performances and psychopathological characteristics and which variable play a role to establish an explanation model using statistical analysis. Methods : Patients were 536 (56.6%) brain-injured persons who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, classified into the DE group (DE; n = 300, 56.0%) and the non-DE group (NDE; n = 236, 44.0%) according to the neuropsychological testing's purpose. Next, we classified DE subjects into DE cluster 1 (DEC1; 91, 17.0%), DE cluster 2 (DEC2; 125; 23.3%), and DE cluster 3 (DEC3; 84, 15.7%) via two-step cluster analysis, to specify DE characteristics. All patients completed the K-WAIS, K-MAS, K-BNT, SCL-90-R, and MMPI. Results : In comparisons between DE and NDE, the DE group showed lower intelligence quotients and more severe psychopathologic symptoms, as evaluated by the SCL-90-R and MMPI, than the NDE group did. When comparing the intelligence among the DE groups and NDE group, DEC1 group performed worst on intelligence and memory and had most severe psychopathologic symptoms than the NDE group did. The DEC2 group showed modest performance increase over the DEC1 and DEC3, similar to the NDE group. Paradoxically, the DEC3 group performed better than the NDE group did on all variables. Conclusion : The DE group showed minimal "faking bad" patterns. When we divided the DE group into three groups, the DEC1 group showed typical malingering patterns, the DEC2 group showed passive malingering patterns, and the DEC3 group suggested denial of symptoms and resistance to treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.216-222
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• 2006

In the present study, we compared six different solubilization buffers and optimized two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) conditions for human lymph node proteins. In addition, we developed a simple protocol for 2-D gel storage. Efficient solubilization was obtained with lysis buffers containing (a) 8M urea, 4% CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate), 40 mM Tris base, 65 mM DTT(dithiothreitol) and 0.2% carrier ampholytes; (b) 5M urea, 2M thiourea, 2% CHAPS, 2% SB 3-10 (N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate), 40mM Tris base, 65 mM DTT and 0.2% carrier ampholytes or (c) 7M urea, 2M thiourea, 4% CHAPS, 65 mM DTT and 0.2% carrier ampholytes. The optimal protocol for isoelectric focusing (IEF) was accumulated voltage of 16,500 Vh and 0.6% DTT in the rehydration solution. In the experiments conducted for the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), best results were obtained with a doubled concentration (50 mM Tris, 384 mM glycine, 0.2% SDS) of the SDS electrophoresis buffer in the cathodic reservoir as compared to the concentration in the anodic reservoir (25 mM Tris, 192 mM glycine, 0.1% SDS). Among the five protocols tested for gel storing, success was attained when the gels were stored in plastic bags with 50% glycerol. This is the first report describing the successful solubilization and 2D-electrophoresis of proteins from human lymph node tissue and a 2-D gel storage protocol for easy gel handling before mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a significant but neglected tropical public health issue in Latin America due to the diversity of its genotypes and pathogenic profiles. This complexity is compounded by the adverse effects of current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapeutic options that employ medicinal plant extracts without negative side effects. Our research aimed to evaluate the trypanocidal activity of Bidens pilosa fractions against epimastigote and trypomastigote stages of T. cruzi, specifically targeting the Brener and Nuevo León strains-the latter isolated from Triatoma gerstaeckeri in General Terán, Nuevo León, México. We processed the plant's aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) to obtain a methanolic extract (Bp-mOH) and fractions with varying solvent polarities. These preparations inhibited more than 90% of growth at concentrations as low as 800 ㎍/ml for both parasite stages. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for the Bp-mOH extract and its fractions were below 500 ㎍/ml. Tests for cytotoxicity using Artemia salina and Vero cells and hemolytic activity assays for the extract and its fractions yielded negative results. The methanol fraction (BPFC3MOH1) exhibited superior inhibitory activity. Its functional groups, identified as phenols, enols, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and proteins, include compounds such as 2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde (50.9%), pentadecyl prop-2-enoate (22.1%), and linalool (15.4%). Eight compounds were identified, with a match confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-MS) software through mass spectrometry analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1151-1157
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• 2015

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for one of the most frequent sexually transmitted infections. The first phylogenetic analysis was based on a LCR region fragment. Nowadays, 4 variants are known: African (Af-1, Af-2), Asian-American (AA) and European (E). However the existence of sub-lineages of the European variant havs been proposed, specific mutations in the E6 and LCR sequences being possibly related to persistent viral infections. The aim of this study was a phylogenetic study of HPV16 sequences of endocervical samples from C${\acute{o}}$rdoba, in order to detect the circulating lineages and analyze the presence of mutations that could be correlated with malignant disease. The phylogenetic analysis determined that 86% of the samples belonged to the E variant, 7% to AF-1 and the remaining 7% to AF-2. The most frequent mutation in LCR sequences was G7521A, in 80% of the analyzed samples; it affects the binding site of a transcription factor that could contribute to carcinogenesis. In the E6 sequences, the most common mutation was T350G (L83V), detected in 67% of the samples, associated with increased risk of persistent infection. The high detection rate of the European lineage correlated with patterns of human migration. This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing circulating lineages, as well as the detection of mutations associated with high-grade neoplastic lesions that could be correlated to the development of carcinogenic lesions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.576-584
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to develop a value-added product concerning technological and sensory characteristics changes of the use of mechanically deboned poultry meat (MDPM) as meat replacer in lamb and mutton emulsion-type sausages (mortadella). Methods: Sausages were produced with lamb and mutton and with different contents of MDPM. Six treatments, using lamb or mutton and 0%, 30%, and 60% of MDPM in relation to the meat batter, were produced and analyzed for pH, proximal composition, calcium and residual nitrite content, water activity, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), instrumental color and texture profile. The sensory profile of the mortadella's was also evaluated by acceptance test and check-all-that-applies (CATA) analysis. Results: The MDPM addition increased (p<0.05) fat, residual nitrite and calcium content in the all sausage formulations, but mutton sausage had (p<0.05) higher fat and lower moisture content than lamb sausage. The pH, water activity, TBARS index and color was not affected by MDPM additions, while the mutton sausages were significantly redder (higher $a^*$, $C^*$, and lower $h^{\circ}$) and darker (lower $L^*$) than lamb sausages. Adding up to 60% of MDPM reduced (p<0.05) sausages hardness and chewiness. Overall, the meat replacement by MDPM increased the sausages acceptance, but the mutton sausage with 30% of MDPM replacer were the most preferred. Consumers related that pink color, glossy appearance, poultry meat-like taste, soft texture, juicy and greasy mouth feel to all sausages contain MDPM according to CATA analysis. Conclusion: Mutton from culled ewes can be utilized for mortadella production with 30% replacement of lean mutton and fat by MDPM.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.507-511
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• 2014

Outbreaks of tick-borne disease cases in Santa Catarina, Brazil are known, but the presence of the pathogen DNA has never been determined. In this study, the first survey of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia bovis DNA on blood samples of 33 cattle from an outbreak in Ponte Alta Municipality, Santa Catarina, Brazil, has been carried out. A multiplex PCR detected 54.5% of animals were co-infected with 2 or 3 parasites, while 24.2% were infected with only 1 species. The most prevalent agent was B. bigemina (63.6%) followed by A. marginale (60.6%). This is the first report of tick-borne disease pathogens obtained by DNA analysis in Southern Brazil.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2004

The uplink capacity and the interference statistics of the sectors of the cigar-shaped W-CDMA microcells are studied. A model of 9 base station, assumed to be in a long tunnel, is used for the uplink analysis. The capacity and the interference statistics of the microcells are studied for different sector ranges, different propagation exponents, different antenna sidelobe levels, and different bend losses.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to relate personal data, socio-cultural and environmental characteristics, and the presence of symptoms/signs with the frequencies of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis among a rural population in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Of the surveyed population (350), 3.7% were infected with only Giardia spp. or 22.9% with B. hominis, and 2.3% were infected with both protozoa. The frequency of infection according to sex; 6.1% of males were infected and 1.6% of females by Giardia spp., 26.7% and 19.5% by B. hominis, and 2.4% and 2.2% by both parasites, respectively. Giardia spp. was detected in only three adults (over 14 years), but B. hominis was more frequent in adults than in children. The prevalences of these protozoa in this community are lower than those reported by other Argentinean studies, which is probably associated with the low density of the studied population ($5.95{\;}inhab/\textrm{km}^2$). Statistical analysis revealed that a male sex, flooding of the home, the use of a latrine, and an abdominal pain were correlated with the presence of these parasites, which indicate the importance of these factors in rural communities.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-177
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• 2023

This paper proposes an analytical method to investigate the free vibration behaviour of new functionally graded (FG) carbon nanotubes reinforced composite beams based on a higher-order shear deformation theory. Cosine functions represent the material gradation and material properties via the thickness. The kinematic relations of the beam are proposed according to trigonometric functions. The equilibrium equations are obtained using the virtual work principle and solved using Navier's method. A comparative evaluation of results against predictions from literature demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed analytical model. Moreover, a detailed parametric analysis checks for the sensitivity of the vibration response of FG nanobeams to nonlocal length scale, strain gradient microstructure-scale, material distribution and geometry.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2003

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary neuromuscular disease. It is inherited manifestations. In some rare cases, the disease can also be manifested in females. The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular alteration in two cases of nonrelated DMD symptomatic carriers with no previous history of DMD. Multiplex PCR is commonly used to search for deletion in the DMD gene of affected males. This method could not be used in females because the normal X chromosome masks the deletion of the mutated one. Therefor, we used a set of seven highly polymorphic dinucleotide $(CA)_n$ repeat markers that lie within the human dystrophin gene. The deletions were evidenced by hemizygosity of the loci under study. We localized a deletion in the locus 7A (intron 7) on the maternal X chromosome in one case, and a deletion in the region of introns 49 and 50 on the paternal X chromosome in the other. The use of microsatellite genotyping within the DMD gene enables the detection of the mutant allele in female carriers. It is also a useful method to provide DMD families with more accurate genetic counseling.