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Art and culture of ancient Egypt
Covers the major aspects of this ancient civilization including daily life, rulers, entertainment, art, science and trade, and writing and literature. Religious beliefs and practices, such as the belief in gods and goddesses, the importance of death and the afterlife, and pyramid building are also discussed.
Book
Baseline status regarding compliance with neo-BFHI recommendations in South African neonatal wards: a cross-sectional survey
Background
In 2009, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund issued a revised Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) package to encourage all healthcare facilities to promote the advice of exclusive breastfeeding. The scope of the BFHI was expanded to include neonatal units by the Nordic and Quebec Working Group.
Aim
To determine the level of compliance with the recommendations outlined in the “Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for neonatal wards” (Neo-BFHI) in the South African neonatal wards.
Method
In this cross-sectional survey, the sample included neonatal wards (N = 33) from public and private hospital facilities. Using EasyTrial software, the Neo-BFHI self-assessment questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. The data was transferred to MS Excel (version 15.0.5127.1000) and analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.
Results
The South African median score for Neo-BFHI compliance was 77. Neonatal wards in public hospitals scored higher (85) than those in private hospitals (73). Neonatal wards in hospitals that were accredited Baby-friendly had higher compliance scores than those without accreditation. The country had the highest compliance scores (100, 90) on Guiding Principle 1 (respect towards mothers) and step 5 (breastfeeding support), respectively. However, it scored low (71, 58) on steps 4 (enhancing kangaroo mother care) and 7 (maternal infant “togetherness”), respectively. Level 1 and 2 care facilities scored significantly higher than level 3.
Conclusion
Although South Africa successfully implemented the Neo-BFHI recommendations, private hospitals had a smaller number of BFHI-accredited facilities and lower compliance than public hospitals. Strategies should be developed to strengthen and improve BFHI accreditation and compliance, particularly in private hospitals.
Journal Article
Tobacco Smoke and Inhaled Drugs Alter Expression and Activity of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein-1 (MRP1) in Human Distal Lung Epithelial Cells in vitro
Multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 (MRP1/
) is highly expressed in human lung tissues. Recent studies suggest that it significantly affects the pulmonary disposition of its substrates, both after pulmonary and systemic administration. To better understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we studied the expression, subcellular localization and activity of MRP1 in freshly isolated human alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) and type 1-like (AT1-like) cells in primary culture, and in the NCI-H441 cell line. Moreover, the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and a series of inhaled drugs on MRP1 abundance and activity was investigated
. MRP1 expression levels were measured by q-PCR and immunoblot in AT2 and AT1-like cells from different donors and in several passages of the NCI-H441 cell line. The subcellular localization of the transporter was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy and cell surface protein biotinylation. MRP1 activity was assessed by bidirectional transport and efflux experiments using the MRP1 substrate, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein [CF; formed intracellularly from 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein-diacetate (CFDA)] in AT1-like and NCI-H441 cell monolayers. Furthermore, the effect of CSE as well as several bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids on MRP1 abundance and CF efflux was investigated. MRP1 protein abundance increased upon differentiation from AT2 to AT1-like phenotype, however,
gene levels remained unchanged. MRP1 abundance in NCI-H441 cells were comparable to those found in AT1-like cells. The transporter was detected primarily in basolateral membranes of both cell types which was consistent with net basolateral efflux of CF. Likewise, bidirectional transport studies showed net apical-to-basolateral transport of CF which was sensitive to the MRP1 inhibitor MK-571. Budesonide, beclomethasone dipropionate, salbutamol sulfate, and CSE decreased CF efflux in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, CSE increased MRP1 abundance, whereas budesonide, beclomethasone dipropionate, salbutamol sulfate did not have such effect. CSE and inhaled drugs can reduce MRP1 activity
, which implies the transporter being a potential drug target in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover, MRP1 expression level, localization and activity were comparable in human AT1-like and NCI-H441 cells. Therefore, the cell line can be a useful alternative
model to study MRP1 in distal lung epithelium.
Journal Article
Enhancing the Annual Report: Investor Relations and the MD&A
The primary objectives of a publicly owned bank's annual report should be to clearly convey the company's appeal as an investment, to provide meaningful interpretation of prior-year financial performance, and to give insight into future earnings prospects. The part of the annual report that most frequently falls short of its intended mission is the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). Tables and graphs can be used effectively to improve the clarity of and add detail to the MD&A. Including an earnings per share table in every bank MD&A eliminates the need to reiterate dollar amounts and percent changes in long, drawn-out paragraphs. Similar tables can be used to explain changes in specific income statement items, providing a discussion framework that is easily understandable without being overly simplistic. Balance sheet items also warrant a more detailed look in the MD&A. Graphs that document specific areas of improvement provide compelling evidence of management's ability to add value to acquired banks.
Journal Article
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of 4-vinylcyclohexene-diepoxide induced ovotoxicity in rats
4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is an environmental xenobiotic formed as a by-product in the manufacture of rubber and therefore potential human exposure is likely. VCD destroys half of the small pre-antral (25-100 μm) follicles in ovaries of rats following 15 days of dosing. The overall goal of this research, was to determine the mode and earliest time for identification of follicular destruction and examine the specificity of the response for 25-100 μm follicles. The particular involvement of protein synthesis and gene expression in this ovotoxic response was also examined. After daily dosing with VCD (80 mg/kg), the rate of protein synthesis in 25-100 μm follicles was inhibited following 3, 6, and 10 hr of in vitro incubation with VCD; whereas, the inhibition in the rate of protein synthesis at 3 hr in 25-100 μm follicles from untreated animals was reversed at 6 and 10 hr. Furthermore, follicular viability was compromised to a greater extent in 25-100 μm follicles from dosed versus untreated animals. Following 10 days of daily dosing with VCD, there was an increase in random DNA fragmentation in 25-100 μm follicles; however, there was not a reduction in the numbers of primordial and primary (25-100 μm) follicles. Morphological analysis showed changes characteristic of an apoptotic-like form of cell death in oocytes and granulosa cells of primordial and primary follicles 4 hr following 10 days of daily dosing. There was an increase in levels of mRNA for bax, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) in 25-100 μm follicles following 10 days dosing with VCD, but the increase was not observed in large pre-antral (100-250 μm) follicles or liver. However, decreases in levels of mRNA for bax in liver and mEH in 100-250 μm follicles were observed. These results suggest that repeated dosing makes 25-100 μm follicles more susceptible to VCD-induced cellular changes and that VCD-induces an apoptotic-like form of cell death which is mediated through changes in levels of expression of genes associated with death of the follicular cells.
Dissertation
NEWSWIRE; NFL Suspends Williams for 2006 Season
Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams, who played at Los Angeles Crenshaw High before finishing at Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, said he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, joining teammates Josh Boone and Rudy Gay in making that decision. Texas sophomore point guard Daniel Gibson said that he would declare for the NBA draft but would not hire an agent. He joins teammates LaMarcus Aldridge and P.J. Tucker in declaring for the draft. International Boxing Federation welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr., offered $8 million by promoter Bob Arum to fight World Boxing Organization champion Antonio Margarito, has rejected the offer and instead used a $750,000 buyout option to get out of his contract with Arum.
Newspaper Article
Incidence and distribution of UroSEEK gene panel in a multi-institutional cohort of bladder urothelial carcinoma
Noninvasive approaches for early detection of bladder cancer are actively being investigated. We recently developed a urine- based molecular assay for the detection and surveillance of bladder neoplasms (UroSEEK). UroSEEK is designed to detect alterations in 11 genes that include most common genetic alterations in bladder cancer. In this study, we analyzed 527 cases, including 373 noninvasive and 154 invasive urothelial carcinomas of bladder from transurethral resections or cystectomies performed at four institutions (1991–2016). Two different mutational analysis assays of a representative tumor area were performed: first, a singleplex PCR assay for evaluation of the
TERT
promoter region (TERTSeqS) and second, a multiplex PCR assay using primers designed to amplify regions of interest of 10 (
FGFR3, PIK3CA
,
TP53
,
HRAS
,
KRAS
,
ERBB2
,
CDKN2A
,
MET
,
MLL
, and
VHL
) genes (UroSeqS). Overall, 92% of all bladder tumors were positive for at least one genetic alteration in the UroSEEK panel. We found
TERT
promoter mutations in 77% of low-grade noninvasive papillary carcinomas, with a relatively lower incidence of 65% in high-grade noninvasive papillary carcinomas and carcinomas in situ;
p
= 0.017. Seventy-two percent of pT1 and 63% of muscle-invasive bladder tumors harbored
TERT
promoter mutations with g.1295228C>T alteration being the most common in all groups.
FGFR3
and
PIK3CA
mutations were more frequent in low-grade noninvasive papillary carcinomas compared with high-grade noninvasive papillary carcinomas and carcinomas in situ (
p
< 0.0001), while the opposite was true for
TP53
(
p
< 0.0001). Significantly higher rates of
TP53
and
CDKN2A
mutation rates (
p
= 0.005 and 0.035, respectively) were encountered in muscle-invasive bladder tumors compared with those of pT1 stage. The overwhelming majority of all investigated tumors showed at least one mutation among UroSEEK assay genes, confirming the comprehensive coverage of the panel and supporting its potential utility as a noninvasive urine-based assay.
Journal Article
Genotype-by-environment interactions affecting heterosis in maize
The environment can influence heterosis, the phenomena in which the offspring of two inbred parents exhibits phenotypic performance beyond the inbred parents for specific traits. In this study we measured 25 traits in a set of 47 maize hybrids and their inbred parents grown in 16 different environments with varying levels of average productivity. By quantifying 25 vegetative and reproductive traits across the life cycle we were able to analyze interactions between the environment and multiple distinct instances of heterosis. The magnitude and rank among hybrids for better-parent heterosis (BPH) varied for the different traits and environments. Across the traits, a higher within plot variance was observed for inbred lines compared to hybrids. However, for most traits, variance across environments was not significantly different for inbred lines compared to hybrids. Further, for many traits the correlations of BPH to hybrid performance and BPH to better parent performance were of comparable magnitude. These results indicate that inbred lines and hybrids show similar trends in environmental response and both are contributing to observed genotype-by-environment interactions for heterosis. This study highlights the degree of heterosis is not an inherent trait of a specific hybrid, but varies depending on the trait measured and the environment where that trait is measured. Studies that attempt to correlate molecular processes with heterosis are hindered by the fact that heterosis is not a consistent attribute of a specific hybrid.
Journal Article