Trends of forest dynamics in tiger landscapes across Asia.

Protected areas (PAs) are cornerstones of biodiversity conservation, but small parks alone cannot support wide-ranging species, such as the tiger. Hence, forest dynamics in the surrounding landscapes of PAs are also important to tiger conservation. Tiger landscapes often support considerable human population in proximity of the PA, sometimes within the core itself, and thus are subject to various land use activities (such as agricultural expansion and road development) driving habitat loss and fragmentation.

A robust method for ventriculomegaly detection from neonatal brain ultrasound images.

Ventriculomegaly is the most commonly detected abnormality in neonatal brain. It can be defined as a condition when the human brain ventricle system becomes dilated. This in turn increases the intracranial pressure inside the skull resulting in progressive enlargement of the head.

Spatial filter based 3D resolution improvement and polarization properties of multiphoton multiple-excitation-spot-optical microscopy.

Three-dimensional (3D) resolution improvement in multi-photon multiple-excitation-spot-optical microscopy is proposed. Specially designed spatial filter is employed for improving the overall 3D resolution of the imaging system. An improvement up to a factor of 14.

Multiple generalized xanthogranuloma in adult: case report and treatment.

Xanthogranuloma is a benign, asymptomatic, and self-healing disorder of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis, affecting mostly infants, children, and rarely adults. Diagnosis is easy in typical cases but become more complex in unusual forms. We report a case of a 28-year-old male patient who presented with multiple diffuse brown-to-yellowish papulonodular eruptions over extremities, ears, face, trunk, and extensors of joints with almost bilaterally symmetrical distribution for a period of one month.

Degradation pathway, toxicity and kinetics of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol with different co-substrate by aerobic granules in SBR.

The present study deals with cultivation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) degrading aerobic granules in two SBR systems based on glucose and acetate as co-substrate. Biodegradation of TCP containing wastewater starting from 10 to 360 mg L(-1) with more than 90% efficiency was achieved. Sludge volume index decreases as the operation proceeds to stabilize at 35 and 30 mL g(-1) while MLVSS increases from 4 to 6.

Effect of surface modes on the six-dimensional molecule-surface scattering dynamics of H2-Cu(100) and D2-Cu(111) systems.

We include the phonon modes originating from the three layers of Cu(100)/Cu(111) surface atoms on the dynamics of molecular [H(2)(v,j)/D(2)(v,j)] degrees of freedom (DOFs) through a mean field approach, where the surface temperature is incorporated into the effective Hamiltonian (potential) either by considering Boltzmann probability (BP) or by including the Bose-Einstein probability (BEP) factor for the initial state distribution of the surface modes. The formulation of effective potential has been carried out by invoking the expression of transition probabilities for phonon modes known from the "stochastic" treatment of linearly forced harmonic oscillator (LFHO). We perform four-dimensional (4D⊗2D) as well as six-dimensional (6D) quantum dynamics on a parametrically time and temperature-dependent effective Hamiltonian to calculate elastic/inelastic scattering cross-section of the scattered molecule for the H(2)(v,j)-Cu(100) system, and dissociative chemisorption-physisorption for both H(2)(v,j)-Cu(100) and D(2)(v,j)-Cu(111) systems.

The genomic similarities with linguistic difference: a study among the Oraon and Munda tribes of the Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India.

Aims: The present study was conducted on two tribal communities, the Oraon and Munda, inhabiting the Ranchi district of Jharkhand state, India. The study was designed to elucidate genetic similarity, if any, shared between these tribes as they belong to the common Proto-Australoid stock but bear different linguistic affiliations. For this, a total of 98 intravenous blood samples (48 Oraon and 50 Munda) were collected from unrelated individuals of either sex up to first cousins, with their prior informed written consent.

Evaluation of TRI-726 as a drug delivery matrix.

Background: The TRI-726 polymeric drug delivery matrix is a newly-developed biocompatible hydrogel exhibiting in situ reverse-thermal gelling, mucoadhesivity, and sustained-erosion properties.

Methods: Using two model drugs, clindamycin hydrochloride and acetaminophen, we determined the gelling temperatures, in vitro release profiles, kinetics of matrix erosion, rheological properties, mucoadhesive strength, microbiological activity of released clindamycin, and biocompatibility when in contact with cells.

Results: It was demonstrated that none of the excipients contained in the TRI-726 polymer matrix caused any loss in clindamycin?s antimicrobial activity following incorporation into the polymer matrix.

Snapin mediates incretin action and augments glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

Impaired insulin secretion contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Treatment with the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) potentiates insulin secretion and improves metabolic control in humans with T2DM. GLP-1 receptor-mediated signaling leading to insulin secretion occurs via cyclic AMP stimulated protein kinase A (PKA)- as well as guanine nucleotide exchange factor-mediated pathways.

Reactivity of tris(acetylacetonato) iron(III) with tridentate [ONO] donor Schiff base as an access to newer mixed-ligand iron(III) complexes.

Two new mixed-ligand iron(III) complexes, [Fe(L(n))(acac)(C(2)H(5)OH)] incorporating coordinated ethanol from the reaction solvent were accessed from the reaction of [Fe(acac)(3)] with [ONO] donor dibasic tridentate unsymmetrical Schiff base ligands derived from condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde with 2-aminophenol (H(2)L(1)) or 2-aminobenzoic acid (H(2)L(2)). The thermal study (TGA-DTA) provided evidence for weakly bound ethanol which is readily substituted by neutral N-donor molecule imidazole, benzimidazole or pyridine to produce an array of newer complexes, [Fe(L(n))(acac)X] (n=1, 2; X=Im, Bim, Py). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV-vis, solution electrical conductivity, FAB mass, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and evaluation of 1,3 di-substituted schiff, mannich bases and spiro isatin derivatives.

Schiff bases of isatin with aminothiazole, its N-mannich bases and Spiro isatin derivatives were synthesized. Their chemical structures were confirmed by Infrared, 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance data and elemental analysis. Antimicrobial evaluation was performed by the agar diffusion method against four pathogenic bacteria and two pathogenic fungi.

Synthesis of polypyrrole nanoparticles and its grafting with silica gel for selective binding of chromium(VI).

Polypyrrole nanoparticles of desired structure have been synthesized through simple micelle technique. It is then grafted with functionalized silica gel to develop a novel organic-inorganic hybrid material. The role of dimethyl dichloro silane (coupling agent) in grafting is demonstrated.

Canine periodontal disease control using a clindamycin hydrochloride gel.

Stabilizing or reducing periodontal pocket depth can have a positive influence on the retention of teeth in dogs. A topical 2% clindamycin hydrochloride gel (CHgel) was evaluated for the treatment of periodontal disease in dogs. The CHgel formulation provides for the sustained erosion of the matrix, but also flows into the periodontal pocket as a viscous liquid, and then rapidly forms a gel that has mucoadhesive properties and also may function as a physical barrier to the introduction of bacteria.

A genomic insight into the peopling of Manipur, India.

Introduction: manipur, one of the northeastern states of India, lies on the ancient silk route and serves as a meeting point between the Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Aims: this study was conducted to understand and estimate the genomic diversity among various population groups of Manipur, with a major goal of getting an insight into the peopling of India.

Methods: seven human-specific Alu insertion/deletion polymorphisms were screened on 366 individuals belonging to eight ethnic groups of Manipur, including both tribal (Aimol, Kabui, Kom, Paite, and Thadou) and nontribal populations (Bamon, Muslims, and Meitei).

Neurofibroma of kidney: an uncommon neoplasm and diagnostic dilemma with solitary fibrous tumor.

Neurofibroma of kidney is an extremely rare tumor. To our knowledge, only five such cases have been reported worldwide till date. Here, we report a solitary neurofibroma of right kidney in a 54-year-old woman.

Identification of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor target gene TiPARP as a mediator of suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and of nicotinamide as a corrective agent for this effect.

The environmental toxin TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, dioxin) produces diverse toxic effects including a lethal wasting syndrome whose hallmark is suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis. All TCDD toxicities require activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor. Whereas the mechanism for AHR induction of target genes is well understood, it is not known how AHR activation produces any TCDD toxicity.

HIV infection awareness and willingness to participate in future HIV vaccine trials across different risk groups in Abuja, Nigeria.

The purpose of this survey is to generate baseline data on the level of HIV infection awareness and willingness to participate (WTP) in hypothetical vaccine trials, ahead of any trial conduct in Nigeria. In a cross-sectional survey, 500 respondents were interviewed, including sex workers, male motorcycle taxi drivers, students, and the general public. About 153 (30.

Multiple excitation nano-spot generation and confocal detection for far-field microscopy.

An imaging technique is developed for the controlled generation of multiple excitation nano-spots for far-field microscopy. The system point spread function (PSF) is obtained by interfering two counter-propagating extended depth-of-focus PSF (DoF-PSF), resulting in highly localized multiple excitation spots along the optical axis. The technique permits (1) simultaneous excitation of multiple planes in the specimen; (2) control of the number of spots by confocal detection; and (3) overcoming the point-by-point based excitation.

Patient retention and adherence to antiretrovirals in a large antiretroviral therapy program in Nigeria: a longitudinal analysis for risk factors.

Background: Substantial resources and patient commitment are required to successfully scale-up antiretroviral therapy (ART) and provide appropriate HIV management in resource-limited settings. We used pharmacy refill records to evaluate risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU) and non-adherence to ART in a large treatment cohort in Nigeria.

Methods And Findings: We reviewed clinic records of adult patients initiating ART between March 2005 and July 2006 at five health facilities.

Anaerobic biodegradation of triphenylmethane dyes in a hybrid UASFB reactor for wastewater remediation.

Anaerobic digestions have been proved more successful than aerobic systems for the degradation and destruction of dye-containing wastewaters. The performance of a hybrid up flow anaerobic sludge-filter bed (UASFB) reactor was tested with a synthetic wastewater containing Crystal violet (CV) as a carbon source and sodium acetate as a co-substrate. Continuous feeding of the reactor started with an initial OLR of 0.

Note: Dynamic point spread function for single and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy.

We propose and demonstrate a dynamic point spread function (PSF) for single and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. The goal is to generate a PSF whose shape and size can be maneuvered from highly localized to elongated one, thereby allowing shallow-to-depth excitation capability during active imaging. The PSF is obtained by utilizing specially designed spatial filter and dynamically altering the filter parameters.

Migratory polyarthritis in familial hypercholesterolemia (type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia).

Metabolic disorders are often encountered in clinical practice. Some of these diseases are associated with dermatological and musculoskeletal manifestations. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism characterized by elevated cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, xanthomas and early onset atherosclerosis.

Hybrid UASFB-aerobic bioreactor for biodegradation of acid yellow-36 in wastewater.

In this study, a combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment process based on mixed culture of bacteria was used to degrade azo dyes (AY-36). The experiment was integrated by exposing anaerobic granular sludge and aerobic aromatic amine degrading bacterial enrichment cultures. Under anaerobic conditions UASFB bioreactor using sodium acetate as a co-substrate, the AY-36 was reduced and resulting in a temporary accumulation of aromatic amines by the bacterial biomass.