SEARCH ENGINES, ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AMONG COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

Access to electronic information resources is believed to enhance medical students’ academic engagement, research skills, and performance. Search engines emerged to render the responsibilities. However, if accessibility is disrupted, students’ activities could be negatively altered.This study investigates the influence of search engines and accessibility of electronic information resources (EIRs) on academic activities among 585 medical students at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Employing a correlational survey design, a sample of 233 students from seven departments was selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected via a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83) with a 93% response rate and analysed using descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential (logistic regression) statistics. Findings reveal high engagement in literature reviews, research projects, and exam preparation (x̅= 1.91–1.93), but low participation in evidence-based medicine assignments and journal clubs (x̅= 1.40–1.49). EIR accessibility is low, with multimedia resources moderately used (x̅ = 1.63) compared to online journals and e-books (x̅= 1.24–1.39). YouTube is the most used search engine (x̅ = 1.84), while academic search engines like Google Scholar are underutilized (x̅ = 1.26). Logistic regression indicates significant relationships between multimedia search engines (OR = 2.48, p < 0.001), Google Scholar (OR = 1.68, p = 0.001), and EIR accessibility, and between multimedia resources (OR = 2.29, p < 0.001), e-books (OR = 1.79, p < 0.001), and academic activities. Low digital literacy and institutional barriers limit EIR use. The study concluded that search engines play significant roles in accessing EIR and enhanced academic activities depend on extent to which EIR are used through accessibility. It is recommended that mandatory workshops, promotional campaigns, and provision of digital infrastructure should be the priorities of libraries with financial support from governments.&nbsp

Tissue Microenvironments Define and Get Reinforced by Macrophage Phenotypes in Homeostasis or during Inflammation, Repair and Fibrosis

Current macrophage phenotype classifications are based on distinct in vitro culture conditions that do not adequately mirror complex tissue environments. In vivo monocyte progenitors populate all tissues for immune surveillance which supports the maintenance of homeostasis as well as regaining homeostasis after injury. Here we propose to classify macrophage phenotypes according to prototypical tissue environments, e.g. as they occur during homeostasis as well as during the different phases of (dermal) wound healing. In tissue necrosis and/or infection, damage- and/or pathogen-associated molecular patterns induce proinflammatory macrophages by Toll-like receptors or inflammasomes. Such classically activated macrophages contribute to further tissue inflammation and damage. Apoptotic cells and antiinflammatory cytokines dominate in postinflammatory tissues which induce macrophages to produce more antiinflammatory mediators. Similarly, tumor-associated macrophages also confer immunosuppression in tumor stroma. Insufficient parenchymal healing despite abundant growth factors pushes macrophages to gain a profibrotic phenotype and promote fibrocyte recruitment which both enforce tissue scarring. Ischemic scars are largely devoid of cytokines and growth factors so that fibrolytic macrophages that predominantly secrete proteases digest the excess extracellular matrix. Together, macrophages stabilize their surrounding tissue microenvironments by adapting different phenotypes as feed-forward mechanisms to maintain tissue homeostasis or regain it following injury. Furthermore, macrophage heterogeneity in healthy or injured tissues mirrors spatial and temporal differences in microenvironments during the various stages of tissue injury and repair. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

New live screening of plant-nematode interactions in the rhizosphere

Abstract Free living nematodes (FLN) are microscopic worms found in all soils. While many FLN species are beneficial to crops, some species cause significant damage by feeding on roots and vectoring viruses. With the planned legislative removal of traditionally used chemical treatments, identification of new ways to manage FLN populations has become a high priority. For this, more powerful screening systems are required to rapidly assess threats to crops and identify treatments efficiently. Here, we have developed new live assays for testing nematode responses to treatment by combining transparent soil microcosms, a new light sheet imaging technique termed Biospeckle Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (BSPIM) for fast nematode detection, and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy for high resolution imaging. We show that BSPIM increased signal to noise ratios by up to 60 fold and allowed the automatic detection of FLN in transparent soil samples of 1.5 mL. Growing plant root systems were rapidly scanned for nematode abundance and activity, and FLN feeding behaviour and responses to chemical compounds observed in soil-like conditions. This approach could be used for direct monitoring of FLN activity either to develop new compounds that target economically damaging herbivorous nematodes or ensuring that beneficial species are not negatively impacted

INFLUENCE OF DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS ON EPIDEMIC CONTROL IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF OSUN STATE

The study was to contribute to finding solutions to problems associated with disease surveillance and notification systems in relation to epidemic control in local government areas of Osun State. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was three hundred and six (306) medical and health officers in the 30 local government areas of Osun State. Total enumeration technique was used to cover all the 306 health care professionals in the 30 local government areas. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection with response rate of 93.1% and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that positive and significant relationship exists between disease surveillance and notification systems and epidemic control (Df = 283, N = 285, r = .732**, p \u3c 0.05). It implies that a unit increase in disease surveillance and notification systems will increase the tendency for epidemic control activities in the studied area. The study recommended that State government and the management of LGAs via ministry of health should ensure constant implementation of various strategies that are very essential to an effective epidemic control intervention. State and LGAs should provide logistics and materials to facilitate timely collection, processing, storage, analysis, dissemination and the use of surveillance information as well as adequate financing of its essential sub-systems and components among others

Comparative transcriptome analyses indicate molecular homology of zebrafish swimbladder and mammalian lung

10.1371/journal.pone.0024019PLoS ONE68

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Azimuthal Charged-Particle Correlations and Possible Local Strong Parity Violation

Parity-odd domains, corresponding to nontrivial topological solutions of the QCD vacuum, might be created during relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the system’s orbital momentum axis. We investigate a three-particle azimuthal correlator which is a P even observable, but directly sensitive to the charge separation effect. We report measurements of charged hadrons near center-of-mass rapidity with this observable in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at √sNN=200  GeV using the STAR detector. A signal consistent with several expectations from the theory is detected. We discuss possible contributions from other effects that are not related to parity violation

Short-Lived Trace Gases in the Surface Ocean and the Atmosphere

The two-way exchange of trace gases between the ocean and the atmosphere is important for both the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and the biogeochemistry of the oceans, including the global cycling of elements. Here we review these exchanges and their importance for a range of gases whose lifetimes are generally short compared to the main greenhouse gases and which are, in most cases, more reactive than them. Gases considered include sulphur and related compounds, organohalogens, non-methane hydrocarbons, ozone, ammonia and related compounds, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Finally, we stress the interactivity of the system, the importance of process understanding for modeling, the need for more extensive field measurements and their better seasonal coverage, the importance of inter-calibration exercises and finally the need to show the importance of air-sea exchanges for global cycling and how the field fits into the broader context of Earth System Science

First administration to man of Org 25435, an intravenous anaesthetic: A Phase 1 Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Org 25435 is a new water-soluble alpha-amino acid ester intravenous anaesthetic which proved satisfactory in animal studies. This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Org 25435 and to obtain preliminary pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data. METHODS: In the Short Infusion study 8 healthy male volunteers received a 1 minute infusion of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg (n = 2 per group); a further 10 received 3.0 mg/kg (n = 5) or 4.0 mg/kg (n = 5). Following preliminary pharmacokinetic modelling 7 subjects received a titrated 30 minute Target Controlled Infusion (TCI), total dose 5.8-20 mg/kg. RESULTS: Within the Short Infusion study, all subjects were successfully anaesthetised at 3 and 4 mg/kg. Within the TCI study 5 subjects were anaesthetised and 2 showed signs of sedation. Org 25435 caused hypotension and tachycardia at doses over 2 mg/kg. Recovery from anaesthesia after a 30 min administration of Org 25435 was slow (13.7 min). Pharmacokinetic modelling suggests that the context sensitive half-time of Org 25435 is slightly shorter than that of propofol in infusions up to 20 minutes but progressively longer thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Org 25435 is an effective intravenous anaesthetic in man at doses of 3 and 4 mg/kg given over 1 minute. Longer infusions can maintain anaesthesia but recovery is slow. Hypotension and tachycardia during anaesthesia and slow recovery of consciousness after cessation of drug administration suggest this compound has no advantages over currently available intravenous anaesthetics