An integrated genomic analysis of human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of brain cancer. To identify the genetic alterations in GBMs, we sequenced 20,661 protein coding genes, determined the presence of amplifications and deletions using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, and performed gene expression analyses using next-generation sequencing technologies in 22 human tumor samples. This comprehensive analysis led to the discovery of a variety of genes that were not known to be altered in GBMs. Most notably, we found recurrent mutations in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in 12% of GBM patients. Mutations in IDH1 occurred in a large fraction of young patients and in most patients with secondary GBMs and were associated with an increase in overall survival. These studies demonstrate the value of unbiased genomic analyses in the characterization of human brain cancer and identify a potentially useful genetic alteration for the classification and targeted therapy of GBMs.     

Comparison of regression and adaptive neuro-fuzzy models for predicting the compressed air consumption in air-jet weaving

The aim of this study was to compare the response surface regression and adaptive neuro-fuzzy models for predicting the compressed air consumption in air jet weaving. The prediction models are based on the experimental data of 100 samples comprising weft yarn count, fabric width, loom speed and reed count as input variables and compressed air consumption as output/response variable. The models quantitatively characterize the linear and quadratic relationships as well as interactions between the input and output variables exhibiting very good prediction ability and accuracy, with ANFIS model being slightly better in performance than the regression model. The models could be used for estimating the compressed air consumption, identifying air leakages and production planning in a weaving mill.     

Statistical optimization of wool dyeing with Alizarin Red S as a natural dye via central composite design

Recently a revival interest in the use of natural dyes in textile coloration has been growing. The major parts of natural dyes are anthraquinones. Depending on substituents, anthraquinone compounds are dyes, as represented by Alizarin Red S (ARS) which is a major constituent of the natural colorant madder. In this study, colorization of wool fiber by ARS as a natural dye was studied. The progress of the colorization process was followed spectrophotometrically at 500 nm as λ _max. The effective factors on the process were investigated using one factor at a time (OFT) method. Then, the central composite design (CCD) method was applied to design experiments for the evaluation of the interactive effects of the four most important operating variables. The values of the optimized factors for OFT and CCD methods in wool dyeing with ARS were respectively as follow: temperature 70 °C and 55 °C, L/R: 40/1 and 40/2, pH 5.0 and 2.5 and time 60.0 min and 42.0 min. The predicted results by CCD had significantly higher exhaustion percentages and relatively better fastness properties than OFT and were found to be in a good agreement (R²=0.9908) with those obtained by performing experiments. Finally, the obtained results were shown a good wash fastness for dyed wool with ARS.     

A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Comparative Study of The Effects of Matcha Tea on Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Pilot Observational Study

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Matcha tea has been used as an adjunct in weight loss programs. The weight loss effects of matcha tea were evaluated in a prospective non-randomized open-label...     

Correction to: Improved model for studying hydrological process in the field-to-field irrigation system

Paddy and Water Environment -     

Determining nitrogen deficiencies for maize using various remote sensing indices

Precision Agriculture - Determining a precise nitrogen fertilizer requirement for maize in a particular field and year has proven to be a challenge due to the complexity of the nitrogen inputs,...     

Mice lacking the gene for inducible or endothelial nitric oxide are resistant to sporocyst induced Sarcocystis neurona infections.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurologic syndrome in horses from the Americas and is usually caused by infection with the apicomplexan parasite, Sarcocystis neurona. Little is known about the role of immunobiological mediators to this parasite. Nitric oxide (NO) is important in resistance to many intracellular parasites. We, therefore, investigated the role of inducible and endothelial NO in resistance to clinical disease caused by S. neurona in mice. Groups of interferon-gamma gene knockout (IFN-gamma-KO) mice, inducible nitric oxide synthase gene knockout (iNOS-KO) mice, endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene knockout (eNOS-KO) and appropriate genetic background mice (BALB/c or C57BL/6) were orally fed sporocysts or Hanks balanced salt solution. Mice were observed for signs of clinical disease and examined at necropsy. Clinical disease and deaths occurred only in the IFN-gamma-KO mice. Microscopic lesions were seen only in the brains of IFN-gamma-KO mice. Results of this study indicate that iNOS and eNOS are not major mediators of resistance to S. neurona infections. Results of this study suggest that IFN-gamma mediated immunity to S. neurona may be mediated by non-NO-dependent mechanisms.     

Resurrection of Soil Surveys: a case study of the acid sulphate soils of The Gambia.

Abstract. Statistical techniques are used to test and re-interpret archival data from soil surveys of the tidal floodplain of the River Gambia. Key soil attributes include salinity, ripeness and the acid sulphate hazard. Soil taxonomic units derived by cluster analysis of all the validated data do not correspond with the intuitively-defined soil series of the original surveys. However they do correspond with practical soil mapping units, and distinguish areas of quite different geotechnical behaviour, kinds and degrees of salinity and acid sulphate hazard.     

Is Rainwater Harvesting an Option for Designing Sustainable Cropping Patterns for Rainfed Agriculture?

Rainwater harvesting in small dams has good potential to provide supplementary agricultural irrigation during critical crop growth stages. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate cropping patterns: fallow–wheat (FW), mash–wheat (MaW), sorghum–wheat (SW), maize (grain)–wheat (MW), maize (grain)–gram (MG) and mung–canola (MuC); under two conditions: irrigated (Command area of Pira Fatehial small dam) and rainfed (Un‐command area) on sandy loam soil during three years (2009 to 2011). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design, three factor factorial (cropping patterns, irrigated/non‐irrigated conditions and years) using four replications. The highest grain yield of wheat (5.6 Mg ha⁻¹) was obtained from the MaW cropping pattern as compared to those from MW, FW and SW cropping patterns. Summer crops (sorghum fodder, maize grain and mash) performed excellent under irrigated conditions. Water use efficiency of wheat (14.3 kg ha⁻¹mm⁻¹) following mash under both the conditions exhibited higher values than when compared with those from SW, FW and MW cropping patterns. However, nutrient use efficiency in SW cropping pattern surpassed the others. Performance of all crops remained better under the irrigated condition during both all seasons and years, as rainfall deficiency was compensated by supplementary irrigations. Hence, this study concluded that farmers having water resources for supplemental irrigation should adopt the MW cropping pattern, based on grain yield, efficient utilization of available supplemental water and better utilization of nutrients. Similarly, based on improved nutrient utilization and monitory outputs, the MaW sequence should be followed in rain‐fed areas for better resource management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.