Entire Observation Research Articles

Long-Term Data Preservation Data Lifecycle, Standardisation Process, Implementation and Lessons Learned

Science and Earth Observation data represent today a unique and valuable asset for humankind that should be preserved without time constraints and kept accessible and exploitable by current and future generations. In Earth Science, knowledge of the past and tracking of the evolution are at the basis of our capability to effectively respond to the global changes that are putting increasing pressure on the environment, and on human society. This can only be achieved if long time series of data are properly preserved and made accessible to support international initiatives. Within ESA Member States and beyond, Earth Science data holders are increasingly coordinating data preservation efforts to ensure that the valuable data are safeguarded against loss and kept accessible and useable for current and future generations. This task becomes increasingly challenging in view of the existing 40 years’ worth of Earth Science data stored in archives around the world and the massive increase of data volumes expected over the next years from e.g., the European Copernicus Sentinel missions. Long Term Data Preservation (LTDP) aims at maintaining information discoverable and accessible in an independent and understandable way, with supporting information, which helps ensuring authenticity, over the long term. A focal aspect of LTDP is data Curation. Data Curation refers to the management of data throughout its life cycle. Data Curation activities enable data discovery and retrieval, maintain its quality, add value, and allow data re-use over time. It includes all the processes that involve data management, such as pre-ingest initiatives, ingest functions, archival storage and preservation, dissemination, and provision of access for a designated community.
 The paper presents specific aspects, of importance during the entire Earth observation data lifecycle, with respect to evolving data volumes and application scenarios. These particular issues are introduced in the section on 'Big Data' and LTDP. The Data Stewardship Reference lifecycle section describes how the data stewardship activities can be efficiently organised, while the following section addresses the overall preservation workflow and shows the technical steps to be taken during Data Curation. Earth Science Data Curation and preservation should be addressed during all mission stages - from the initial mission planning, throughout the entire mission lifetime, and during the post- mission phase. The Data Stewardship Reference Lifecycle gives a high-level overview of the steps useful for implementing Curation and preservation rules on mission data sets from initial conceptualisation or receipt through the iterative Curation cycle.

Effect of Salinomycin on Expression Pattern of Genes Associated with Apoptosis in Endometrial Cancer Cell Line.

Background Salinomycin is part of a group of ionophore antibiotics characterized by an activity towards tumor cells. To this day, the mechanism through which salinomycin induces their apoptosis is not fully known yet. The goal of this study was to assess the expression pattern of genes and the proteins coded by them connected with the process of programmed cell death in an endometrial cancer cell Ishikawa culture exposed to salinomycin and compared to the control.Materials and Methods Analysis of the effect of salinomycin on Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells (ECACC 99040201) included a cytotoxicity MTT test (with a concentration range of 0.1-100 µM), assessment of the induction of apoptosis and necrosis by salinomycin at a concentration of 1 µM as well the assessment of the expression of the genes chosen in the microarray experiment (microarray HG-U 133A_2) and the proteins coded by them connected with apoptosis (RTqPCR, ELISA assay). The statistical significance level for all analyses carried out as part of this study was p<0.05.Results It was observed that salinomycin causes the death of about 50% of cells treated by it (50.74±0.80% of all cells) at a concentration of 1µM. The decrease in the number of living cells was determined directly after treatment of the cells with the drug (time 0). The average percent of late apoptotic cells was 1.65±0.24% and 0.57±0.01% for necrotic cells throughout the entire observation period.Discussion Microarray analysis indicated the following number of mRNA differentiating the culture depending on the time of incubation with the drug: H_12 vs C = 114 mRNA, H_8 vs C = 84 mRNA, H_48 vs. C = 27 mRNA, whereas 5 mRNAs were expressed differently at all times. During the whole incubation period of the cells with the drug, the following dependence of the expression profile of the analyzed transcripts was observed: Bax>p53>FASL>BIRC5>BCL2L.Conclusion The analysis carried out indicated that salinomycin, at a concentration of 1 µM, stopped the proliferation of 50% of endometrial cancer cells, mainly by inducing the apoptotic process of the cells. The molecular exponent of the induction of programmed cell death was an observed increase in the transcriptional activity of pro-apoptotic genes: Bax;p53;FASL and a decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic genes: BCL2L2; BIRC5.

Anesthesia of laboratory animals in manufacturing of diagnostic and preventive biomedicines

Preparations such as XilaVet, Zoletil 100 as well as Aeranne (Isoflurane) are successfully applied for animal anesthesia in veterinary practice. We assessed a possibility of using parenteral narcosis with Zoletil 100 in combination with muscle relaxant Xila for producer-rabbits involved in manufacturing of natural rabbit serum subsequently deployed for production of diagnostic serum and immunoglobulin preparations. Administration of preparations into auricular vein is easy to do, while animals are sedated immediately allowing for safe fixation on restraining table and causing no additional stress for biomodels. This type of narcosis provides for expected depth of anesthesia and its maintenance until the end of blood-letting procedure. Parameters characterizing the state of cardiovascular system due to anesthetic products remained within the permitted limits. These preparations do not reduce heart beat rate allowing for collecting sufficient blood volumes. Application of inhalation anesthesia with Aeranne in laboratory animals provides for the specified depth of anesthesia and its maintenance until the end of the whole procedure. However, it requires specialized equipment and highly trained personnel with appropriate skills. Usage of Xila as a mono narcosis is not recommended as exhibits weak analgesic effects and strong hypotensive activity by decreasing quantity of collected blood volume. It was found that anesthetics such as Xila, Zoletil 100, Aeranne did not affect specific activity of immune sera in case of total dehematizing procedure. Moreover, antibody titers were not declined throughout entire observation (12 months) period and complied with the requirements of regulatory documentation. In addition, a feasibility of replacing old-fashioned anesthesia method with diethyl ether for a combination of safer contemporary preparations of Zoletil 100 and Xila was demonstrated while manufacturing tableted chemical cholera vaccine in experimental series with suckling rabbits used at diverse stages of raw material verification during surgical interventions. Xila, Zoletil 100, and Aeranne examined by us had no impact on the amount of blood obtained from donor-animals, immunological properties of the sera and ready-to-use diagnostic preparations. Such drugs were safe for all-age animals that comply with the requirements to anesthesia of animal biomodels and producer-animals in manufacturing of immunobiological preparations. Thus, our study allowed to conduct experiments with laboratory animals in a more humane manner.

Long-term safety and efficacy of adalimumab in psoriasis: a multicentric study focused on infections (connecting study).

IntroductionThis Italian multicenter retrospective study evaluated safety and efficacy of the anti-TNF drug, adalimumab, in a cohort of patients affected by tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease affecting around 3% of the Italian population and associated with several comorbidities, including arthritis, cardio-metabolic diseases and depression. In its moderate-to-severe form, psoriasis profoundly impairs quality of life of patients.AimTherefore, these patients deserve systemic treatments including conventional DMARDS (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) and biologics. Management of moderate and severe psoriasis patients affected by relevant infections such as TB, HBV, HCV and HIV may be difficult because of the toxicity of the conventional systemic treatment.Material and methodsThe CONNECTING study analysed 28 moderate to severe psoriasis patients infected by TB, HBV, HCV and HIV who were treated with adalimumab for up to 96 weeks together with respective prophylactic treatment.ResultsWe observed a rapid decrease in PASI (psoriasis area severity index) reaching a 75% improvement in 91% of patients. Some of these patients (n = 9) were also affected by arthritic comorbidity. The patients experienced a rapid decrease in pain, measured by pain VAS (visual analogic scale) that reached 0 in all of them. Monitoring of the respective infection did not show any worsening or reactivation of infection or any severe adverse events during the entire observation period.ConclusionsAdalimumab is effective and safe in patients affected by these important infections.

ANALYSIS OF THE CLINICAL EFFICIENCY OF RESTORATIVE FILLING MATERIALS

Aim. To conduct a clinical assessment of short- and long-term surface sealing in patients having a different hygienic status of the oral cavity.Materials and methods. For clinical trials, a group of 250 male and female patients aged 25–45 years old and diagnosed with Black’s class III and V carious lesions was selected. All patients were divided into three groups depending on the state of oral hygiene and the applied methods of aesthetic restoration: control group — defect restoration by Filtek Z-250 microhybrid composite (3M ESPE); comparison group — Filtek Z-250 restoration (3M ESPE) + Easy Glaze (Voco) surface sealing on the day of restoration; and the main group with three subgroups: 2α subgroup — Restavrin restoration + Easy Glaze sealant on the day of treatment; 2β subgroup — Restavrin restoration + Easy Glaze sealant on the day of treatment and re-sealing with a frequency of 1 time per year; 2γ subgroup — Restavrin restoration + Easy Glaze sealant on the day of treatment and re-sealing with a frequency of 1 time per 6 months. The quality of caries cavities was assessed by USPHS criteria, including anatomical shape (AS), marginal pigmentation (MP), marginal adaptation (MA), the presence of secondary caries (SC) and sensitivity (S). The evaluation was conducted on the day of the visit and following 6, 12 and 24 months.Results. A comparison of the clinical evaluation of photocomposite restorations by the Filtek Z-250 (3M ESPE) microhybrid composite in the control group of patients, in comparison group and in the main Restavrin (Technodent) group showed that the Easy Glaze (Voco) surface sealing of the Restavrin composite restorations carried out in the 2α subgroup of the main group onе time on the day of restoration, in the 2β subgroup with re-sealing after 12 months, and in the 2γ subgroup with sealing every 6 months had allowed the maximum number of restorations to be corresponded to the “satisfactory” value according to the AS, MP, MA, SC, S evaluation criteria throughout the entire observation period.Conclusion. The Restavrin (Technodent, Russia) polymeric nanohybrid fi lling material is shown to produce the most effective and durable restorations compared to other materials under study. The applicatiyon of Restavrin followed by the Easy Glaze (Voco) sealing protective system with a frequency dependent on the hygienic status of the oral cavity allows therapeutic methods for dentin caries treatment to be optimized.

SUN-055 Reduction of Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in Men with Hypogonadism Treated with Long-Term Testosterone Therapy (TTh) with Testosterone Undecanoate Injections (TU): 10-Year Data from a Registry Study in a Urological Setting

Background: 3 studies reported an increased cardiovascular risk with TTh while hundreds of studies have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits of TTh in men with hypogonadism. Material and Methods: A prospective, cumulative registry study to investigate long-term effectiveness and safety of depot TU to treat hypogonadism was established in 2004 in a urological setting. Of 805 hypogonadal men, 412 received parenteral TU 1000 mg/12 weeks following an initial 6-week interval (T-group) for up to 12 years. 393 men opted against TTh and served as controls (CTRL). Mean changes over time between groups were compared by mixed effects model for repeated measures with random effect for intercept and fixed effects for time, group and their interaction and adjusted for age, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood pressure and lipids to account for baseline differences between groups. Results: Baseline age: 57.7±7.4 (T-group), 63.7±4.8 years (CTRL) (p<0.001). Total follow-up time comprised approximately 6.500 patient-years. Testosterone levels at baseline were 9.7 nmol/L in both groups (p=0.841). Anthropometry: 66.3% (T-group) and 48% (CTRL) were obese. Waist circumference decreased by 9.9 cm (T-group) and increased by 4.4 cm (CTRL). Weight decreased by 16.6% (T-group) and increased by 4.6% (CTRL). Glycemic control: 34.2% (T-group) and 43.3% (CTRL) had type 2 diabetes. HbA1c decreased by 2.1% (T-group) and increased by 2.1% (CTRL). Lipids: HDL increased by 1.5 mmol/L (T-group) and by 0.9 mmol/L (CTRL). LDL decreased by 1.6 mmol/L (T-group) and increased by 0.9 mmol/L (CTRL). Non-HDL decreased by 4.1 mmol/L (T-group) and increased by 3.3 mmol/L (CTRL). Blood pressure (BP): systolic BP decreased by 21.2 mmHg (T-group) and increased by 9 mmHg (CTRL), diastolic BP decreased by 11.3 mmHg (T-group) and increased by 5.2 mmHg (CTRL). In the T-group, 45 patients (10.9%) had had a previous myocardial infarction (MI), in CTRL, 43 patients (10.9%) (p=0.993). 162 men (39.3%) had been smokers at baseline, 145 (36.9%) in CTRL (p=0.359). The mean baseline Framingham risk score was 15.5 in the T-group and 15.8 in CTRL (p<0.05). The mean 10-year risk was 22.7% in the T-group and 23.5% in CTRL (p=0.11). The risk declined in the T-group to 17% after 1 year and 13% after 2 years and remained stable thereafter. In CTRL, risk remained unchanged during the first 4 years and then increased to 29% for the remaining observation period. During the entire observation, there were 16 deaths (3.9%) in the T-group. In CTRL, there were 74 deaths (18.8%), 70 MIs (17.8%) and 59 strokes (15%). The reduction of cardiovascular events by TTh after applying a linear mixed effect model was 24.7% and 15.5% after applying a random effect longitudinal model. Medication adherence in the T-group was 100 per cent as all TU-injections were performed in the office and documented. Conclusions: In hypogonadal men, long-term TTh reduces MACE and mortality.

Harnessing longitudinal information to identify genetic variation in tolerance of pigs to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus infection

BackgroundHigh resistance (the ability of the host to reduce pathogen load) and tolerance (the ability to maintain high performance at a given pathogen load) are two desirable host traits for producing animals that are resilient to infections. For Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), one of the most devastating swine diseases worldwide, studies have identified substantial genetic variation in resistance of pigs, but evidence for genetic variation in tolerance has so far been inconclusive. Resistance and tolerance are usually considered as static traits. In this study, we used longitudinal viremia measurements of PRRS virus infected pigs to define discrete stages of infection based on viremia profile characteristics. These were used to investigate host genetic effects on viral load (VL) and growth at different stages of infection, to quantify genetic variation in tolerance at these stages and throughout the entire 42-day observation period, and to assess whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) WUR10000125 (WUR) with known large effects on resistance confers significant differences in tolerance.ResultsGenetic correlations between resistance and growth changed considerably over time. Individuals that expressed high genetic resistance early in infection tended to grow slower during that time-period, but were more likely to experience lower VL and recovery in growth by the later stage. The WUR genotype was most strongly associated with VL at early- to mid-stages of infection, and with growth at mid- to late-stages of infection. Both, single-stage and repeated measurements random regression models identified significant genetic variation in tolerance. The WUR SNP was significantly associated only with the overall tolerance slope fitted through all stages of infection, with the genetically more resistant AB pigs for the WUR SNP being also more tolerant to PRRS.ConclusionsThe results suggest that genetic selection for improved tolerance of pigs to PRRS is possible in principle, but may be feasible only with genomic selection, requiring intense recording schemes that involve repeated measurements to reliably estimate genetic effects. In the absence of such records, consideration of the WUR genotype in current selection schemes appears to be a promising strategy to improve simultaneously resistance and tolerance of growing pigs to PRRS.

“Placement Budgets” for Supported Employment—Impact on Quality of Life in a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Employment is an important aspect of psychiatric rehabilitation. The objective of this analysis was to explore how quality of life (QoL) may affect the outcome of supported employment and vice versa.Methods: A total of 116 participants with severe mental disorders were randomly assigned to either 25, 40, or 55 h placement budgets, which comprises job coaches' time resources to support a client in finding a job. The intervention followed the individual placement and support model and lasted up to 36 months. Primary outcome was employment in the first labor market for at least 3 months. QoL was assessed 7 times over the entire 36-months observation period using the WHO QoL Bref, which comprises the dimensions physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environment.Results: The three placement budgets did not differentially relate to QoL, but QoL environment showed a significant increase over time across all three groups. Baseline QoL environment weakly predicted subsequent obtainment of employment (F = 4.08, df = 1, p = 0.046, Cohen's d = 0.39). Controlling for baseline QoL, those participants who obtained a job, as compared to those who did not, showed persistent increases in QoL physical health (b = 0.39, p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 0.50) and QoL psychological (b = 0.40, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.47).Conclusion: Obtaining employment in the first labor market improves patients' QoL. Supported employment is a valuable intervention that may benefit patients with severe mental disorder.

TeV γ-ray emission from Mrk 421 observed with TACTIC during December 2014–February 2015

We observed the TeV blazar Mrk421 in the very high energy (VHE) region with TACTIC from 21 December, 2014 to 21 February, 2015. The VHE γ-ray signal is detected from the source at a statistical significance of ∼ 9σ with 648 ± 74 γ-ray like events using a total observation time of 65.6 h of clean data. To denote the active period of the source, the entire observation has been divided into two spells: Spell I (21–30 December, 2014; MJD: 57012–57021) and Spell II (15 January-21 February, 2015; MJD: 57037–57074). The Spell I corresponds to relatively higher activity state wherein 337 ± 47 γ-rays are detected at a statistical significance of 7.39σ in 21.7 h. During Spell II, 311 ± 57 γ-ray events have been detected in ∼ 44c at a statistical significance of 5.6σ. The analysis of high energy (HE) γ-ray data from Fermi-LAT has been carried out for the period of TACTIC observations. In addition, near simultaneous multi-wavelength data from Swift-BAT and MAXI in the X-ray region, SPOL in optical V-band and OVRO at 15 GHz radio band have also been considered. The HE γ-ray and optical observations indicate variability during both the spells whereas hard X-ray observations are consistent with the average emission through out the TACTIC observations. The broad-band spectral energy distributions of the source are reproduced by single zone homogeneous synchrotron self Compton process for the two spells. The model parameters estimated for the two spells are similar except for the particle energy density which is obtained to be slightly higher during Spell I.

Hydrological model parameter (in)stability – “crash testing” the HBV model under contrasting flood seasonality conditions

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the transferability of calibrated HBV model parameters under stable and contrasting conditions in terms of flood seasonality and flood generating processes (FGP) in five Norwegian catchments with mixed snowmelt/rainfall regimes. We apply a series of generalized (differential) split-sample tests using a 6-year moving window over (i) the entire runoff observation periods, and (ii) two subsets of runoff observations distinguished by the seasonal occurrence of annual maximum floods during either spring or autumn. The results indicate a general model performance loss due to the transfer of calibrated parameters to independent validation periods of −5 to −17%, on average. However, there is no indication that contrasting flood seasonality exacerbates performance losses, which contradicts the assumption that optimized parameter sets for snowmelt-dominated floods (during spring) perform particularly poorly on validation periods with rainfall-dominated floods (during autumn) and vice versa.

Bandage keratoplasty therapeutic-optical in treatment of progressing pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (a preliminary report)

To provide preliminary estimation of the effectiveness of bandage therapeutic-optical keratoplasty (BTOK; previously called inralamellar bandage keratoplasty) in patients with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (PMD). The study included 7 patients (8 eyes) with PMD aged 35 to 55 years operated with intralamellar bandage keratoplasty, the follow-up period comprised 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery. All patients with PMD operated with intralamellar bandage keratoplasty showed increase in visual acuity to an average of 0.55±0.35 a year after the surgery; by that time, the maximum refractive power of the cornea decreased to an average of -44.5±3.0 D. The area of stromal thinning was thickened by donor corneal flap. No signs of rejection were detected over the entire observation period. Intralamellar bandage keratoplasty may be the method of choice to stop further progression of PMD with improvement of optical properties of the cornea.

Novel remote electronic medication supply model for opioid-dependent outpatients with polypharmacy\u2013\u2013first long-term case study

BackgroundPatients with substance use disorders grow older thanks to effective treatments. Together with a high prevalence of comorbidities, psychological problems, and low social support, these patients are at high risk for medication non-adherence. Established treatment facilities face challenges to accommodate these complex patients within their setting. Electronic medication management aids (e-MMAs) might be appropriate to simultaneously monitor and improve adherence for these patients.Case presentationWe report the first long-term experiences with a novel remote electronic medication supply model for two opioid-dependent patients with HIV. John (beginning dementia, 52 years, 6 tablets daily at 12 am) and Mary (frequent drug holidays, 48 years, 5–6 tablets daily at 8 pm) suffered from disease progression due to non-adherence. We electronically monitored adherence and clinical outcomes during 659 (John) and 953 (Mary) days between July 2013 and April 2016. Both patients retrieved over 90% of the pouches within 75 min of the scheduled time. Technical problems occurred in 4% (John) and 7.2% (Mary) of retrievals, but on-site support was seldom required. Viral loads fell below detection limits during the entire observation period.ConclusionsContinuous medication supply and persistence with treatment of over 1.7 years, timing adherence of more than 90%, and suppressed HIV viral load are first results supporting the feasibility of the novel supply model for patients on opioid-assisted treatment and polypharmacy.

Head Injuries and Changes in Delinquency from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Objectives: The current study examines whether head injuries suffered earlier in the life course are associated with subsequent changes in self-control and delinquency. Methods: Latent growth curve models and path analysis are used to analyze the developmental trajectories of self-control and delinquency as well as the potential associations between head injury, self-control, and delinquency among a sample of youth offenders from the pathways to desistance study. Results: The results revealed significant associations between head injuries and short-term changes in self-control and subsequent increases in aggressive delinquency. Indirect pathway models revealed that lower levels of self-control significantly mediated the association between head injuries and starting levels in aggressive delinquency. The association between head injuries and changes in aggressive delinquency was also significantly mediated by self-control, but the association was negative, indicating that youth who previously suffered head injuries desisted from aggressive delinquency at a slightly faster rate than their noninjured peers. Additional analyses revealed that, despite accelerated rates of decline, injured youth engaged in significantly higher levels of aggressive delinquency throughout the entire observation period. Conclusion: Head injuries represent one environmental factor that may influence delinquent behaviors through their influence on biological and developmental processes.

Hip fracture, mortality risk, and cause of death over two decades

Men and women with hip fracture have higher short-term mortality. This study investigated mortality risk over two decades post-fracture; excess mortality remained high in women up to 10years and in men up to 20years. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and pneumonia were leading causes of death with a long-term doubling of risk. Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality, particularly short term. In this study with a two-decade follow-up, we examined mortality and cause of death compared to the background population. We followed 1013 hip fracture patients and 2026 matched community controls for 22years. Mortality, excess mortality, and cause of death were analyzed and stratified for age and sex. Hazard ratio (HR) was estimated by Cox regression. A competing risk model was fitted to estimate HR for common causes of death (CVD, cancer, pneumonia) in the short and long term (>1year). For both sexes and at all ages, mortality was higher in hip fracture patients across the observation period with men losing most life years (p < 0.001). Mortality risk was higher for up to 15years (women (risk ratio (RR) 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-2.1]); men (RR 2.8 [2.2-3.5])) and until end of follow-up ((RR 1.8 [1.6-2.0]); (RR 2.7 [2.1-3.3])). Excess mortality by time intervals, censored for the first year, was evident in women (<80years, up to 10years; >80years, for 5years) and in men <80years throughout. CVD and pneumonia were predominant causes of death in men and women with an associated higher risk in all age groups. Pneumonia caused excess mortality in men over the entire observation period. In a remaining lifetime perspective, all-cause and excess mortality after hip fracture was higher even over two decades of follow-up. CVD and pneumonia reduce life expectancy for the remaining lifetime and highlights the need to further improve post-fracture management.

Predictors and clinical consequences of starting androgen therapy in men with low testosterone: results from the SIAMO-NOI registry.

Management of late onset hypogonadism (LOH) is not homogenous. The aim of the study is to observe the management of patients with low testosterone (T) in highly specialized Italian centres. The SIAMO-NOI is an observational longitudinal disease registry for the evaluation of the clinical management of patients with low T levels (total T<12nmol/L, calculated free T<225pmol/l or already in treatment) in 15 Italian centers members of the Italian Society for Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS). Clinical and biochemical data were collected for four visits during 12months of observation. 432 patients (mean age 50.9±14.9years) were enrolled. Of them, 247 men were receiving androgen therapy, whereas 145 were naive. After the first visit (V0), 80 men started androgen therapy, whereas 55 remained untreated during the entire observation. Younger age [odds ratio (OR) 0.57 (0.35-0.92)], total T<8nmol/l [OR 4.69 (1.59-13.81)], complaining at least one sexual symptom [OR 11.55 (2.01-66.35)] and reporting more severe lower urinary tract symptoms [OR 1.27 (1.01-1.60)] predicted starting an androgen therapy. Sixty-four men started therapy immediately after V0 and maintained it until the observation end. When compared to V0, they reported an increase in all the domains of the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15), in the sexual and physical subdomains of the Aging Male Scale as well as in the International Prostate Symptom Score. Conversely, the untreated group reported a significant improvement, although lower than the treated group, only in the erectile function domain of the IIEF-15. Management of LOH in SIAMS centres is in line with the international guidelines and the newest knowledge about the role of T on prostate health. Androgen therapy is associated with an improvement in all the aspects of sexual life and in the perception of physical strength.

Microwave dielectric properties of 0.7(SryCa1−y)TiO3–0.3(SmxNd1−x)AlO3 ceramics with near-zero temperature coefficient

The microstructures and the microwave dielectric properties of 0.7(SryCa1−y)TiO3–0.3(SmxNd1−x)AlO3 (7SCT–3SNA) ceramics system prepared by conventional solid-state route were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction results showed solid solutions with the perovskite structure were completely formed within the entire observation x range, and the unit cell volume of 0.7CaTiO3–0.3(SmxNd1−x)AlO3 (7CT–3SNA) ceramics decreased with increasing x value. The substitution of Nd3+ by Sm3+ could enhance the densification of 7CT–3SNA ceramics, and consequently improve the dielectric properties of the ceramics. When x = 0.75, specimens exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties with er ~ 44.52, Q × f value ~40,110 and τf value ~−1 ppm/°C. For further improving the microwave dielectric properties of the samples, Ca2+ in 0.7CaTiO3–0.3(SmxNd1−x)AlO3 were partially substituted by Sr2+. The results showed that the replacement of Ca2+ by Sr2+ effectively enhanced the densification of specimens. By optimizing the composition, the ceramics with y = 0.01 in 0.7(SryCa1−y)TiO3–0.3(Sm0.75Nd0.25)AlO3 (7SCT–3SNA) showed high relative density and dense and uniform microstructures as well as well-developed grain growth with superior microwave dielectric properties: er ~ 45.38, Q × f value ~41,730 and τf value ~−0.2 ppm/°C.

Influence of Postharvest Treatment on Physical Characteristics and Mineral Content of Mango (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Mangifera Indica&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L) Fruit in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

The trial was carried out to explore the influence of packaging material and storage period on physical characteristics and mineral content of mango fruit at cool chamber and open air.The experimental treatments were comprised storage conditions (open air and pusa zero energy cool chamber), packaging materials (plastic and wooden crate) and storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 & 12 days) which were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Highly significant effect of storage temperature, packages and storage period on weight loss, soft rot and firmness of mango fruit were observed during storage at probability level of (p<0.05) while Ca and Mg content of fruit were not affected significantly. Maximum weight loss (33.24%) and soft rot percent (100%) of mango fruit were observed at open air for 9th day of storage, except firmness (6.10) was obtained at cool chamber during harvested day. Whereas the minimum weight loss (3.74%), soft rot percent (1.11%) and firmness (0.52N) of mango fruit were observed at cool chamber for lowest day of storage. It can be concluded that, the results of physiological weight loss and soft rot incidence were increased significantly as increased storage period at the entire observation whereas firmness, calcium and magnesium content of fruit were decreased as increased storage periods. Mango fruits stored in pusa zero energy cool chamber was exhibited lower weight loss and soft rot incidence while firmness, Ca and Mg contents were exhibited higher as compared to open air storage condition. Based on the present study the combinations of cool chamber + plastic crate + storage up to 12th days were recommended for mango fruit under Arba Minch condition.

Broad-band spectroscopy of the eclipsing high-mass X-ray binary 4U 1700-37 with Suzaku

We present the results obtained from broadband spectroscopy of the high mass X-ray binary 4U 1700-37 using data from a Suzaku observation in 2006 September 13-14 covering 0.29-0.72 orbital phase range. The light curves showed significant and rapid variation in source flux during entire observation. We did not find any signature of pulsations in the light curves. However, a quasi-periodic oscillation at ~20 mHz was detected in the power density spectrum of the source. The 1-70 keV spectrum was fitted with various continuum models. However, we found that the partially absorbed high energy cutoff power-law and Negative and Positive power-law with Exponential cutoff (NPEX) models described the source spectrum well. Iron emission lines at 6.4 keV and 7.1 keV were detected in the source spectrum. An absorption like feature at ~39 keV was detected in the residuals while fitting the data with NPEX model. Considering the feature as cyclotron absorption line, the surface magnetic field of the neutron star was estimated to be ~3.4 times 10^12 Gauss. To understand the cause of rapid variation in the source flux, time-resolved spectroscopy was carried out by dividing the observation into 20 narrow segments. The results obtained from the time-resolved spectroscopy are interpreted as the accretion of inhomogeneously distributed matter in the stellar wind of the supergiant companion star as the cause of observed flux variation in 4U 1700-37. A sharp increase in column density after ~0.63 orbital phase indicates the presence of an accretion wake that blocks the continuum and produces the eclipse like low-flux segment.

Studies on luciferin-luciferase ATP assay in plants (etiolated wheat germs, and bean leaves)

For ATP determination by the method of bioluminescence apparatus of home production was adapted from the equipment available in any isotope laboratory. The measurement error did not exceed 1.5 per cent. Methodical experiments concerned the choice of the extraction, fixation and storage methods of plant material for determination at the given moment of the amount of ATP in the tissues, unchanged by the analytical procedure. The highest ATP amounts were recovered by extraction with perchloric acid at high (25%) concentrations of the tissue in the homogenate. The best way of fixation of the material for later analyses was found to be freezing of ready extracts. Lyophilization and freezing of the plant material caused a several-fold decrease of the ATP level in the tissues. These results suggest the necessity of working in conditions of low temperature during the entire analytical procedure and strict observation of time limitation.

Ecological Diversity and Abundance of Earthworms in Sylhet Metropolitan Area of Bangladesh

In this study, ecological diversity and species richness of earthworms were examined in different habitats of Sylhet Metropolitan area of Bangladesh. A total of eight earthworm species such as Eisenia fetida, Amynthus aspergillum, Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea longa, Lumbricus castaneus, Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricus rubellus and Octolasion cyaneum were morphologically identified from this study. The diversity and distribution of earthworm species related to species abundance was also investigated. Highest earthworm abundance was recorded in Kazitula while it was the minimal in case of Baluchor locality. The species E. fetida dominated in all the habitats. The relative density and species diversity index showed the species inhabiting particular habitat. The entire observation clearly indicated that the richness of earthworm biodiversity in that study location was high.