Sperm metabolism is altered during storage by female insects: evidence from two-photon autofluorescence lifetime measurements in bedbugs

We explore the possibility of characterizing sperm cells without the need to stain them using spectral and fluorescence lifetime analyses after multi-photon excitation in an insect model. The autofluorescence emission spectrum of sperm of the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, was consistent with the presence of flavins and NAD(P)H. The mean fluorescence lifetimes showed smaller variation in sperm extracted from the male (tau m, τ_m = 1.54–1.84 ns) than in that extracted from the female sperm storage organ (tau m, τ_m = 1.26–2.00 ns). The fluorescence lifetime histograms revealed four peaks. These peaks (0.18, 0.92, 2.50 and 3.80 ns) suggest the presence of NAD(P)H and flavins and show that sperm metabolism can be characterized using fluorescence lifetime imaging. The difference in fluorescence lifetime variation between the sexes is consistent with the notion that female animals alter the metabolism of sperm cells during storage. It is not consistent, however, with the idea that sperm metabolism represents a sexually selected character that provides females with information about the male genotype.     

Germany''s health care system: it''s not the American way

The microflora of the large intestine in patients with odontogenic phlegmons of different localization were studied. 80.8% of such patients were found to have microecological disturbances, characterized by a decrease in the number of bacteria belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Bacteroides and by an increase in the number of opportunistic microorganisms.     

IL-1 in gingival crevicular fluid following closed root planing and papillary flap debridement

Interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and beta are cytokines which can mediate inflammatory, bone resorbing, and reparative effects in the periodontium, but few longitudinal data exist exploring their role following periodontal therapy. This study examined gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) concentrations of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta at sites with shallow sulci (SS) or inflamed moderate/advanced pockets (M/AP) before and 6 months after treatment with closed scaling/root planing (SC/RP) or papillary flap debridement (PFD), all in the same subject (n = 14 patients). No significant differences were noted in IL-1 alpha or beta concentrations (determined with two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) between SS and M/AP sites at baseline. While both therapies improved clinical parameters of periodontal disease, IL-1 alpha concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) in M/AP-PFD sites 6 months after treatment, but were unchanged in other groups. IL-1 beta concentrations were numerically lower after therapy, except for a significant increase (p < 0.05) in M/AP-PFD sites. These data suggest that surgical wound healing in an inflamed, plaque-infected site (M/AP-PFD) results in prolonged production of IL-1, which may be a reflection of the extent of tissue trauma and delayed wound healing. In spite of increased IL-1 levels, these sites demonstrated significant short-term improvement in clinical attachment level (+ 1.8 mm, p < or = 0.001) postoperatively.     

Memory leak detection in Plumbr

Platforms with automatic memory management, such as the JVM, are usually considered free of memory leaks. However, memory leaks can happen in such environments, as the garbage collector cannot free objects, which are not used by the application anymore, but are still referenced. Such unused objects can eventually fill up the heap and crash the application. Although this problem has been studied extensively, nevertheless, there are still many rooms for improvement in this area. This paper describes the statistical approach for memory leak detection, as an alternative, along with a commercial tool, Plumbr, which is based on the method. The tool is later analyzed with three case studies of real applications and in the process also analyzes strengths and weaknesses of the statistical approach for memory leak detection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by petals extract of Rosa indica L., its formulation as nail paint and evaluation of antifungal activity against fungi causing onychomycosis

Aim: The authors report the biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) from the petals extract of Rosa indica L. (rose). Its efficacy was evaluated against two dermatophytes: namely: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis which cause onychomycosis. The activity of antibiotics against the tested dermatophytes was enhanced, when evaluated in combination with ZnO‐NPs. Methods and results: The synthesised ZnO‐NPs were preliminary detected by using ultraviolet UV visible spectroscopy, which showed specific absorbance. The ZnO‐NPs were further characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction and Zetasizer. Moreover, nanoparticles containing nail paint (nanopaint) was formulated and its antifungal activity was also assessed against T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. ZnO‐NPs and formulated nanopaint containing ZnO‐NPs, both showed significant antifungal activity. The maximum activity was noted against M. canis and lesser against T. mentagrophytes. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO‐NPs was also determined against the dermatophytes causing onychomycosis infection. Conclusion: ZnO‐NPs can be utilised as a potential antifungal agent for the treatment of onychomycosis after more experimental trials.Inspec keywords: diseases, zinc compounds, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, antibacterial activity, microorganisms, nanomedicine, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, biomedical materials, patient treatmentOther keywords: zinc oxide nanoparticle biosynthesis, Rosa indica L petals extract, nail paint, antifungal activity evaluation, dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, antibiotics activity, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, zetasizer, antifungal agent, onychomycosis treatment     

About the influence of the content and composition of the aggregates on the rheological behaviour of self-compacting concrete

Within the scope of a parameter study the influence of the mixture composition of different self-compacting concretes on the fresh concrete properties was investigated. For this purpose the standard test methods as well as the fresh concrete rheometer “BTRHEOM” were used. The concrete was modelled as a two-phase system, consisting of the fluid phase paste and the solid phase aggregates. The consistency control parameters paste volume, mortar volume and the coarse aggregate volume could be transferred into the model parameter thickness of excess paste. By means of this model parameter the characteristic values of the standard test methods like slump flow test and V-funnel test as well as the fundamental rheological parameters yield stress and the plastic viscosity could be described. A comparative study showed that the yield stress and the plastic viscosity of self-compacting concrete can be estimated based on the characteristic values of the slump flow test.