Performance and morphology of several soybean varieties and responses to pests and diseases in South Sulawesi.

Soybeans are a commodity that is widely grown by farmers in rainfed rice fields in South Sulawesi. One of the determining factors in increasing soybean productivity in South Sulawesi is the type of variety. The aim of this research was to determine the characteristics, morphology and response to pests and diseases in several soybean varieties planted in rainfed rice fields in South Sulawesi.

Analysis of the Major Investment Object by Using a Novel Approach Based on Neutrosophic Information.

Neutrosophic set (NS) is an extensively used framework whenever the imprecision and uncertainty of an event is described based on three possible aspects. The association, neutral, and nonassociation degrees are the three unique aspects of an NS. More importantly, these degrees are independent which is a great plus point.

As good as physicians: patient perceptions of physicians and non-physician clinicians in rural primary health centers in India.

Background: Attracting physicians to rural areas has been a long-standing challenge in India. Government efforts to address the shortage of rural physicians include posting non-physician clinicians (NPCs) at primary health centers (PHCs) in select areas. Performance assessments of NPCs have typically focused on the technical quality of their care with little attention to the perspectives of patients.

Oral cancer awareness and knowledge among dental patients in South India.

Aim: To assess the 1) levels of awareness and knowledge about risk factors and early signs of oral cancer among dental patients visiting dental hospital in Hyderabad city, South India 2) and to correlate the knowledge levels according to age, gender and education levels.

Methods: The survey comprised of 16-item questionnaire which was distributed to patients attending Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences, Hyderabad. Data was collected and statistically analysis was done using SPSS software (12.

Tyrisonase inhibition and melanin reduction of human melanocytes (HEMn-MP) using Anacardium occidentale L extract.

Cashew (Anacardium occindentale L) leaves extract (CLE) has potential as tyrosinase inhibitor that can be used for therapeutic in pigmentation problem. This study investigates the real potential of CLE to inhibit tyrosinase and melanin reduction using human epidermal melanocytes. The extracts were exposed to the human melanocytes for more than 24 hours.

Antibacterials as anti-inflammatory agents: dual action agents for oral health.

Background: Inflammatory processes with a range of specialized cells and biochemical mediators form a complex network of inter-related signal transducing pathways that relay information to preserve normal functions. Advances in molecular analyses of the information relay pathways for their constituents and principal ligands along with mechanisms utilized by the host for microbial recognition have stimulated interest in therapeutic agents with dual functionalities i.e.

Effect of oxybenzone on PGE2-production in vitro and on plaque and gingivitis in vivo.

Objectives: To study the effect of oxybenzone on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in cell culture and to evaluate the effect of an oxybenzone-containing dentifrice on plaque and gingivitis in a 6-week clinical trial.

Material And Methods: Human embryo palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells were used for testing the inhibition of IL-1beta-stimulated PGE2-production in vitro by different concentrations of oxybenzone. For the in vivo study, a total of 66 individuals with a Quigley & Hein plaque index of at least 1.

The improved remineralization and fluoride uptake in vivo of triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride toothpaste vs. sodium fluoride toothpaste.

Objective: It has been shown that the twice-daily use of the triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride toothpaste can significantly reduce caries formation. The objective of this report was to review human studies comparing a triclosan/copolymer/sodium fluoride toothpaste to a placebo toothpaste (no fluoride), and a sodium fluoride toothpaste (positive control) for their ability to enhance remineralization of tooth enamel and increase the retention of fluoride by dental plaque for extended periods (up to 12 hours) after treatment.

Methodology: Two human plaque fluoride studies were conducted, measuring fluoride levels before brushing (baseline) and at two, six and twelve hours after brushing.

Antiplaque biocides and bacterial resistance: a review.

Modern dentistry emphasizes the importance of dental plaque control to improve oral health. The use of oral care formulations with antiplaque biocides plays a crucial role in patient-directed approaches for plaque control. The antiplaque efficacies of these formulations have been extensively studied in many long-term clinical studies designed in accordance with well-accepted guidelines.

Applications of polymers in dentifrices and mouthrinses.

This review highlights the specific applications of polymers in oral hygiene products. Specific examples are provided to show how polymers can be used to improve retention and release of active agents for therapeutic effects in an oral environment where the residence time of the actives is low, owing to the continuous flow of saliva which washes them away. Polymers are uniquely suited as active therapy for intraoral applications and as replacement agents for augmenting the macromolecule's deficiency (saliva) caused in the aging mouth.

Activation of monocytic cells by monoclonal antibodies to the CD11a/18 (LFA-1) complex: mediation by Fc receptor.

IgG1 antibodies reacting with several monocytic antigens form a bridge between the specific antigen and the Fc receptors also expressed on these cells. This results in calcium mobilization and generation of superoxide. Single IgG1 antibodies reacting with the CD11a/CD18 cellular adhesion molecular complex do not, however, induce monocytic activation.

Binding of monoclonal antibody to CD16 causes calcium mobilization in large granular lymphocytes but inhibits NK killing.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), CLB/FcR gran I, reactive with the CD16 Fc receptor (FcRlo/FcRIII) of human cells, leads to calcium mobilization in large granular lymphocytes (LGL) but not in granulocytes. Identical responses are obtained with F(ab')2 fragments of this antibody, indicating that the response is independent of Fc-FcR binding, and that bivalent cross-linking of this receptor is adequate for optimal calcium mobilization. The calcium response was greater in CD3- LGL compared to CD3+ LGL, although the response was augmented in the latter cells by prior rosetting with sheep red blood cells (SRBC).

Mechanism of human monocyte activation via the 40-kDa Fc receptor for IgG.

It is shown that a mAb specific for the human 40-kDa FcR (FcRII) leads to activation of human monocytic cells but that extensive cross-linking of the receptor is required. Calcium mobilization can be induced in immature monocytic cells (undifferentiated U937 cells) and peripheral blood monocytes with an intact IgG1 anti-FcRII antibody (CIKM5) but not by F(ab')2 fragments of this antibody. The intact antibody can bind in a tripartite manner by its two F(ab') sites and its Fc-binding site whereas the F(ab')2 fragments of this antibody can only bind in a divalent fashion.

The effects of pertussis toxin on human T lymphocytes.

Purified pertussis toxin (PPT) is a potent mitogen for human T lymphocytes and is shown to cause rapid calcium mobilization in resting T cells, a T-cell line and CD3- lymphocytes with natural killer (NK) activity. In resting T cells the PPT activation is associated with cytoplasmic alkalinization. A similar rise in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and cytoplasmic alkalinization is observed with activation through the antigen receptor complex.

CD2 and CD3 antigens mobilize Ca2+ independently.

Antigen-induced stimulation of T cells is mediated via the CD3 antigen receptor (Ti) complex and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reacting with CD3 and Ti result in rapid intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, followed by monocyte-dependent proliferation. Combinations of mAb to CD2, the sheep red blood cell receptor, also mobilize calcium and induce mitogenesis and purified phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates T cells predominantly by interaction with this molecule. It has been suggested that activation via CD2 requires the presence of CD3 and that the hydrophobic epsilon chain of CD3 is the T cell calcium channel.