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PubMed2004

Effect of Powerdental on caries-inducing properties of Streptococcus mutans and TNF-alpha secretion from HMC-1 cells.

We studied the inhibitory effect of Powerdental on the growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans as well as secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The growth of Streptococcus mutans was reduced by the presence of the Powerdental (1 mg/ml) and NaCl (1 mg/ml) significantly, and the positive control group (1% NaF) also exhibited a significant antibacterial activity. The decrease of pH was significantly inhibited in the presence of Powerdental (1 mg/ml) compared to the control group. The decrease in pH was also inhibited in the presence of positive control (1% NaF), but the bamboo salt alone did not show inhibitory activity. We also found that Powerdental (0.01 mg/ml) inhibited significantly the secretion of TNF-alpha with 46.5+/-0.2% from human mast cells. Our results suggest that Powerdental contributes to the prevention or treatment of periodontitis and other oral diseases or inflammatory diseases.

Acids↗

PubMed2006

Removal of iron from groundwater by ash: a systematic study of a traditional method.

A traditional method for removal of iron from ground water by using ash has been systematically investigated. Ashes from five different sources, viz., banana rind, banana pseudostem, banana leaf, rice husk and bamboo has been studied. The principle applied is enhanced precipitation of iron at high pH caused by ash. The study included laboratory analysis of some relevant chemical parameters of the ashes and the efficiency of the ashes in removing iron from prefabricated water with respect to quantity of ash and corresponding increase in pH of water. The ash of banana pseudostem has been found to be most suitable for removal of iron. A low-cost and easily made iron removal system for household use has been designed and tested in the laboratory. The ash of banana pseudostem has been found to remove iron to below 0.3ppm without increasing the pH above the acceptable limit. The optimum values of the different parameters for removal of iron are 200-300mgl(-1) ash, 1.0lh(-1) flow rate and 1h of contact time with ash for groundwater having [Fe] of about 2.20ppm. The amount of ash can be increased for groundwater having higher [Fe] and can be decreased gradually during continuous use of the system. Acceptability of the method has been examined based on chemical analysis of the treated water. Increase in the essential minerals such as Ca, K has been observed in the water after treatment. The designed iron removing system is expected to be suitable for household use.

Bambusa↗

PubMed2005

Acute pancreatitis in a young girl with the Netherton syndrome.

Acute pancreatitis is uncommon in children younger than 15 years. We present the first report on the association of acute pancreatitis with the Netherton syndrome. The Netherton syndrome is an inherited skin disease characterized by ichthyosiform erythroderma, a pathognomonic hair shaft defect ("bamboo hair"), and atopic features. A 14-year-old girl with symptoms and signs of severe acute pancreatitis was admitted to our department. A diagnostic workup could not reveal any common known cause of pancreatitis, and the cause of pancreatitis would most likely be considered idiopathic. However, based on recent reports regarding various pathophysiological mechanisms for both acute pancreatitis and the Netherton syndrome (eg, shearing the 5q locus for the respective gene-associated defects in SPINK1 and SPINK5), we speculate if a possible association may exist. Investigations on pancreatitis and the Netherton syndrome may disclose factors closely involved in the pathomechanisms of both. This notion may be of clinical importance as it adds to the number of potential life-threatening events to patients with the Netherton syndrome.

Abdomen, Acute↗

PubMed2006

Prevalence and relative risk of dysphonia in rheumatoid arthritis.

SUMMARY: Laryngeal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis is not uncommon and may include cricoarytenoid arthritis or vocal fold lesions such as vocal fold rheumatoid nodules or bamboo nodes. Dysphonia or voicing problems can be the result of such laryngeal involvement. This cohort study investigates the prevalence and the relative risk of dysphonia when suffering from rheumatoid arthritis compared to that of healthy subjects. One hundred and sixty-six subjects with rheumatic arthritis and 148 healthy control subjects completed two quality-of-life questionnaires: the Voice Handicap Index and a three-item outcome scale. Both instruments measure the quality of the voice itself and the extent of impairment resulting from dysphonia as experienced by the patient in social and occupational settings. Patients proved to have statistically significant higher prevalence and relative risk of dysphonia. Depending on the questionnaire being used, prevalence data of dysphonia in patients varied between 12% and 27%, whereas the healthy subjects showed prevalence data varying from about 3% to 8%. A patient's relative risk varied from about 3 to 4 when compared to healthy subjects. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis have a clearly higher risk of dysphonia compared to healthy subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

TEM investigation on the growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes synthesized by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using hot-filament chemical vapor deposition on Ni film-coated Si substrate. The CNTs were well-aligned perpendicular to the substrate. The as-grown CNTs were bamboo-like in their morphology, and were investigated using SEM and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The SEM and HRTEM studies show that the both ends of a CNT contain metallic catalytic particles, which is different from results previously reported. Our analysis results provide strong evidence that the metallic catalyst remains in a liquid state during nanotube growth. The upward-growth pulling force of the CNT layer elongates the liquid nanoparticles, which are finally broken into two parts. One part remains at the substrate surface (base of the CNTs) and is responsible for the catalytic growth of the CNTs. The other part is enclosed at the tip of the CNTs and is inactive during CNT growth.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Poverty and violence, frustration and inventiveness: hospital ward life in Bangladesh.

An ethnographic exploration was done in an orthopaedic ward of a government teaching hospital in Bangladesh to understand the nature of hospital culture in the context of Bangladeshi society at large. Life and work in the ward result in a culture that is simultaneously created by its inhabitants and the conditions in which they are situated. The study shows that biomedicine is a product of particular social conditions and that the hospital reflects features of its society. Behind the injuries and broken limbs in the ward are stories of violence, crime, and intolerance occurring in a society where masses of people fight over limited resources. In the ward people interact in an extremely hierarchical manner. The patients, who are mainly from poor economic backgrounds, remain at the bottom of the hierarchy. Doctors and other staff members are often professionally frustrated. Strikes related to hospital staff's various professional demands hamper the regular flow of work in the ward. Family members are engaged in nursing and provide various kinds of support to their hospitalized relatives. Patients give small bribes to ward boys and cleaners to obtain their day-to-day necessities. Patients joke with each other and mock senior doctors. Thus, they neutralize their powerlessness and drive away the monotony of their stay. Doctors develop 'indigenous' solutions to orthopaedic problems. Instead of using high-tech devices, they employ instruments made of bamboo, bricks, and razor blades. This study shows how medical practice takes shape in an understaffed, under-resourced and poorly financed hospital operating in a low-income country.

Anthropology, Cultural↗

PubMed2005

The epidemiology of animal trichinellosis in China.

The epidemiology of animal trichinellosis in China based mainly upon original Chinese literature published between 1937 and 2004 is reviewed. The seroprevalence of Trichinella infection in herbivores was 0.7% (2/300) in cattle and 0.8% (4/500) in sheep. The prevalence of trichinellosis in naturally infected cattle was 1.2% (2/163). Trichinella larvae were detected in 1.4% (3/215) of sheep and in 2.1% (1/47) of beef cattle sold at markets. Canine trichinellosis was recorded in 13 Provinces, Autonomous Regions or Municipalities (P/A/M) and the average prevalence of the infection in dogs slaughtered in abattoirs was 16.2% (5654/34,983) ranging from 1.2% to 44.8%, with the highest prevalence located in northeast China. The prevalence in dog meat sold at markets was 3.5% (988/27,898) in 5 P/A. Feline Trichinella infection was reported in 10 P/A/M. The prevalence of Trichinella infection in rats varied from 1.1% (51/459) to 15.1% (50/332). Trichinella larvae were detected in 1.5% (9/587) of house rats (Rattus norvegicus) as well as in 0.8% (3/369) of wild rats (Apodemus chevrieri), and the infection was recorded also in other wildlife (foxes, bears, wild boar, weasels, raccoon dogs, muntjak and bamboo rats). Trichinella larvae were detected in 2.6% (4/156) of weasels (Mustela sibirica), 1.5% (2/135) of shrews (Tupaia belangeri) and 7.7% (1/13) of moles (Parascapter leucurus). All Trichinella isolates from domestic pigs were identified as T. spiralis. Some Trichinella isolates from dogs in north-eastern China were identified as T. nativa, which has muscle larvae that are highly resistant to freezing. Twenty-seven outbreaks of human trichinellosis associated with mutton, dog and game meat occurred in China between 1964 and 2004, but the quarantine of Trichinella larvae in such meat is not mandatory in China at present.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Molecular diversity of coronaviruses in bats.

The existence of coronaviruses in bats is unknown until the recent discovery of bat-SARS-CoV in Chinese horseshoe bats and a novel group 1 coronavirus in other bat species. Among 309 bats of 13 species captured from 20 different locations in rural areas of Hong Kong over a 16-month period, coronaviruses were amplified from anal swabs of 37 (12%) bats by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase (pol) and helicase genes revealed six novel coronaviruses from six different bat species, in addition to the two previously described coronaviruses. Among the six novel coronaviruses, four were group 1 coronaviruses (bat-CoV HKU2 from Chinese horseshoe bat, bat-CoV HKU6 from rickett's big-footed bat, bat-CoV HKU7 from greater bent-winged bat and bat-CoV HKU8 from lesser bent-winged bat) and two were group 2 coronaviruses (bat-CoV HKU4 from lesser bamboo bats and bat-CoV HKU5 from Japanese pipistrelles). An astonishing diversity of coronaviruses was observed in bats.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Sensitivities to juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid in the diapause larvae of Omphisa fuscidentalis based on the hemolymph trehalose dynamics index.

The final instar larva of the bamboo borer, Omphisa fuscidentalis, is in diapause for 9 months from September to the following June. Trehalose and ecdysteroid concentrations in hemolymph were measured through the larval diapause period and in the pupal stage. The ecdysteroid concentration remained low until November, followed by a gradual increase to about 30 ng/ml in May. The trehalose concentration remained at levels ranging between 40-50 mM until May, and decreased to an almost undetectable level after pupation. Since a juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), methoprene, is capable of terminating diapause by stimulating larval prothoracic glands, we examined its effects on ecdysteroid and trehalose concentrations in larvae in December and February. The hemolymph ecdysteroid increased more quickly in February than in December, indicating that the sensitivity of the prothoracic glands to JHA increased towards the end of diapause termination. Similarly, hemolymph trehalose in February decreased within a few days after JHA application, while in December the decrease occurred in the third week. Exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) caused a decrease in trehalose concentration in a dose-dependent manner. The effective dose of 20E, however, did not change from January until April, implying that the sensitivity of tissue(s) to 20E may not change until the end of diapause. Taken together, our results suggest that the sensitivities of tissues to JH and 20E do not increase simultaneously with the progress of diapause development and that termination of larval diapause is not associated simply with the restoration of hormone deficiencies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

The influence of storage practices on aflatoxin contamination in maize in four agroecological zones of Benin, west Africa.

Aflatoxin level in 300 farmers' stores in four agro-ecological zones in Benin, a west African coastal country, were determined over a period of 2 years. At sampling a questionnaire was used to evaluate maize storage practices. Farmers were asked what storage structure they used, their storage form, storage period, pest problems in storage and what was done against them. Beninese farmers often changed their storage structures during the storage period, transfering the maize from a drying or temporary store to a more durable one. Most of the farmers complained about insects damaging stored maize. Often, storage or cotton insecticides were utilized against these pests. Regression analysis identified those factors that were associated with increased or reduced aflatoxin.Maize samples in the southern Guinea and Sudan savannas were associated with higher aflatoxin levels and the forest/savanna mosaic was related to lower toxin levels. Factors associated with higher aflatoxin were: storage for 3-5 months, insect damage and use of Khaya senegalensis-bark or other local plants as storage protectants. Depending on the agroecological zone, storage structures that had a higher risk of aflatoxin development were the "Ago", the "Secco", the "Zingo" or storing under or on top of the roof of the house. Lower aflatoxin levels were related to the use of storage or cotton insecticides, mechanical means or smoke to protect against pests or cleaning of stores before loading them with the new harvest. Fewer aflatoxins were found when maize was stored in the "Ago" made from bamboo or when bags were used as secondary storage containers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Microbial population of spruce soil in Tatachia mountain of Taiwan.

To investigate the role of microorganisms in the ecology and the nutrient transformation of forest soil, soil property, microbial population, biomass and organic acid content of Spruce soil in Tatachia mountain were determined during January 1997 to November 1999. Soil temperatures were between 5.5 and 15.6 degrees C and soil pH ranged from 3.6 to 5.0. Total organic carbon and nitrogen contents ranged from 5.83% to 34.35% and from 0.90% to 3.19%, respectively. C/N ratio was between 7.07 and 18.24. Each gram of dry soil contained microbial biomass carbon 308-870 microg, microbial biomass nitrogen 107-240 microg, malic acid 74-211 nM and succinic acid 32-175 nM. In addition, each gram of dry organic layer contained microbial biomass carbon 216-653 microg, microbial biomass nitrogen 10.3-33.8 microg, formic acid 256-421 nM, acetic acid 301-435 nM, malic acid 795-1027 nM and succinic acid 204-670 nM. About 45.5-90.9% of topsoil samples had higher microbial population than those of subsoil especially in actinomycetes, cellulolytic and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. Although rhizosphere of Spruce had higher total organic carbon and total nitrogen content than non-rhizosphere and dwarf bamboo areas, the microbial population had no significant difference among them.

Acids, Acyclic↗

PubMed2004

Conch shell structure and its effect on mechanical behaviors.

The shell of pink conch is a kind of natural well-designed composite with excellent mechanical properties, which provides us information for material design. In this paper the microstructures of pink conch shell are characterized by using SEM and TEM. The microscopic analysis indicates that the pink conch shell is with crossed-lamellar microstructure and the angle between two second-order lamellae is 70-90 degrees. The cracking and fracture morphologies indicate that the crack deflection, bridge and fiber pullout are the main toughening mechanisms. Bamboo lamellae are employed to make the simple bio-mimetic model materials. In the model material the rotated angle between the fibers of each glued lamella varies from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Three-point-bending is employed to test the properties of models material, such as the elastic modulus, the flexural strength and the fracture strain energy density. It is found that the fracture strain energy density of the specimens with the rotated angle between the fibers of the layers about 60 degrees exhibits the maximum value, which is close to the angle of the two second-order lamellae of the conch shell.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Confocal microscopy after implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments.

OBJECTIVE: Confocal in vivo real-time microscopy was used to study the corneal morphologic features in eyes after Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (ICRS; now called KeraVision INTACS, KeraVision, Inc., Fremont, CA) implantation. DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: The authors performed confocal real-time microscopy on a total of 21 eyes from 11 patients. Seventeen eyes from 10 patients (five female, five male; mean age 32.3 years; range 22-42 years) underwent uncomplicated ICRS surgery to correct myopia and were examined after surgery (average 8.6 months; range 2-15 months). Three patients had the ICRS implanted into only one eye, and those eyes were compared with the untreated fellow eyes. One eye of another patient was examined 1 and 6 months after ICRS removal. INTERVENTION: Flying slit-confocal microscopy was performed with water immersion objectives in the corneal center and near the nasal or temporal ICRS. Corneal optical sections were recorded in real time without further digital processing and were reviewed frame by frame. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Video frames selected from all corneal layers were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: In the central cornea, we found normal morphologic features at all layers. In peripheral sections, epithelial cells with highly reflective nuclei in the basal cell layer were observed in six of 17 eyes (35%) implanted with ICRS. We found an intact corneal nerve plexus and undisturbed corneal endothelium immediately underneath the ICRS. Around the ICRS, moderate fibrosis was seen. In one eye, linear structures in bamboo-like orientation were detected after ICRS removal in the last keratocyte layer underneath the collapsed tunnel. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the central corneal zone appears unchanged, the corneal stroma adjacent to the ICRS displays a slight, but distinct, activation of wound healing. Epithelial cells with highly reflective nuclei in this region may be an indicator for an increased biologic stress caused by the device.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Micropropagation of Dev-ringal

An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of Thamnocalamus spathiflorus (Trin.) Munro, an evergreen temperate bamboo, through multiple shoot formation from zygotic embryos excised from germinating seeds, as well as from nodal explants taken from a 2-year-old plant has been developed. Multiple shoot formation was standardized in both the cases on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.0 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1.0 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Clumps of three to four microshoots when transferred to plant growth regulator-free medium following 14 days' initial culture on medium supplemented with 150.0 µM IBA, resulted in 100% rooting with five to 12 roots per rooted plant. Then, 18 months following the transfer of in vitro propagated plants into earthen pots containing soil and growth under outdoor conditions, gas and water vapour exchange rates were measured at different light levels (0, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 µmol(-2) s(-1)), and compared with seedlings of the same age. Light optima for photosynthesis were recorded approximately 1000 µmol m(-2) s(-1) in in vitro propagated plants as well as seedlings. Water use efficiency increased with increase in the light intensity up to 1000 µmol m(-2) s(-1) and then decreased subsequently at higher light intensities. Stomatal conductance and transpiration also increased with the increase in light intensity up to 2000 µmol(-2) s(-1). Intercellular CO(2) concentration (C(i)) and the ratio of intercellular CO(2) concentration to ambient CO(2) (C(i)/C(a)) decreased with the increase in light intensity up to 500 µmol(-2) s(-1) and then reached nearly constant levels at higher light intensities. The results show that in vitro propagated and hardened plants of T. spathiflorus are morphologically as well as functionally comparable to seed raised plants of the same age, within the limits of this study.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

[Gamna Gandy bodies: Features mimicking a mycotic disease. Two cases in the spleen].

We report the clinical and histopathological features of 2 cases of Gamna-Gandy bodies located in the spleen. The diagnosis was made by the presence of circumscribed nodules containing dark brown rod-shaped and "bamboo-shaped" fibrotic structures. These structures were positive with Perls and von Kossa staining. Differential diagnosis includes filamentous mycoses such as mucormycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. Gamna-Gandy nodules can be isolated or these bodies can be observed associated with another lesion, particularly, a tumor.

Coloring Agents↗

PubMed2006

Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among several species of Gramineae using ACGM markers.

To study the transferability of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genome data, we used amplified consensus genetic markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationships among several species and genera in Gramineae. Ten accessions representing five grass genera (Oryza, Zea, Setaria, Triticum, and Phyllostachys) were used. According to the genetic distances, a cluster tree was constructed. The relationships among the five genera could be simply described as ((Oryza + (Zea +Setaria)) +Triticum) +Phyllostachys. The results suggest that the genetic distance between rice and maize (Z. mays L.) or rice and millet (Setaria italica L.) is closer than that between rice and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) or rice and bamboo.

DNA Primers↗

PubMed2003

Penetrating neck injuries involving wooden foreign bodies: the role of MRI and the misinterpretation of CT images.

A 12-year-old, boy fell in the bush and suffered a penetrating neck wound. Computed tomography(CT-scan) was performed, but no foreign body was detected inside the wound. The patient returned home after ordinary wound care. About 6 months after the accident, the patient visited hospital, because of inflammatory neck pain. A CT-scan was performed and the foreign body appeared as a high density. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of a large foreign body. Under general anesthesia the wooden (bamboo) foreign body was removed. This case highlights the needs to be aware of the potential for misinterpretation of CT images, especially in acute wooden penetration injury. Its also demonstrates that MRI is a useful adjust to CT in the detection of non-metallic foreign bodies.

Artifacts↗

PubMed1996

A case report of occult thyroglossal duct carcinoma.

A 50-year-old male had an occult thyroglossal duct carcinoma in the thyroglossal duct remnant attached to the upper pole of a thyroglossal duct cyst which was noticed due to extravasation of the cyst. After the patient had been struck into the thyroid cartilage with the tip of a bamboo sword while practicing Japanese fencing. The authors emphasize again that the important matter in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts is the removal of the whole thyroglossal duct remnant with the central portion of the hyoid bone according to Sistrunk's method in order to prevent not only recurrence of the thyroglossal duct cyst but also not to overlook any microcarcinoma.

Carcinoma↗