speciesLink: rich data and novel tools for digital assessments of biodiversity / speciesLink: dados valiosos e ferramentas inovadoras para avaliações digitais da biodiversidade

Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA's involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.

Resumo speciesLink é um portal de informações em larga escala sobre biodiversidade, que existe graças a uma ampla rede colaborativa de pessoas e instituições. O envolvimento do CRIA com a comunidade científica do Brasil e de outros países é responsável pelos resultados expressivos alcançados, atingindo atualmente mais de 15 milhões de registros de dados primários de biodiversidade, sendo 95% associados a espécimes preservados e cerca de 25% a imagens digitais de alta qualidade. A rede fornece dados sobre mais de 200.000 espécies, das quais mais de 110.000 ocorrem no Brasil. Este artigo descreve as redes temáticas do speciesLink, bem como algumas das ferramentas mais úteis desenvolvidas. A importância e as contribuições do speciesLink são destacadas, assim como as preocupações em garantir um apoio financeiro estável para e-infraestruturas de dados sobre biodiversidade. Aqui revisamos o valor do speciesLink como uma das principais fontes de informação sobre biodiversidade para pesquisa, educação, tomada de decisão, desenvolvimento de políticas e bioeconomia.

Accuracy of Demirjian's and Indian-specific formulae in age estimation using eight-teeth method in Kanyakumari population

Background: Most of the scientific formulae for age estimation in forensic odontology were tested among western population and hence cannot be applied to the Indian population consistently. Therefore, it was in this context that Dr. Ashith B. Acharya had carried out a study using the modified Demirjian's method in Indian population and found out that the study gave inferior results for age estimation. So he developed Indian-specific regression analysis and worked out a formula. Aim: This study was done to validate age using Demirjian's eight-teeth method and to compare the effectiveness of Demirjian's formula and Indian-specific formula in Kanyakumari population. Material and Methods: Digital orthopantomographs of 150 patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age group of 8–24 years were used in the study. The third quadrant in the radiograph was assessed visually from mandibular central incisor to the third molar using Demirjian's modified criteria chart. Calculation of the dental age was done using Demirjian's formula and Ashith B. Acharya's Indian-specific formula. The difference between chronological age and dental age was calculated, and the mean absolute error (MAE) was obtained. Results: The MAE was 0.20 years for the whole of Kanyakumari population, and for males it was 0.10 years and for females 0.29 years with Indian-specific formula, whereas the MAE was 2.66, 1.86, and 3.51 years, respectively, for the whole of Kanyakumari population, males, and females using Demirjian's formula. Conclusion: The observations from this study suggest that the MAE was less between chronological age and estimated dental age which was calculated using Indian-specific formula, compared with the values obtained using Demirjian's formula. Thereby we conclude that Indian-specific formula is more reliable in age estimation of Kanyakumari population.

Isolation and characterization of sulphur oxidizing bacteria (Halothiobacillus sp.) from aquaculture farm soil

Aim: Isolation and characterization of Halothiobacillus sp. from the shrimp aquaculture farm soil and their sulphur oxidation ability and utilization of H2S in in-vitro model. Methodology: Starkeys mineral salt medium was used to screen autotrophic sulphur oxidizing bacteria. For the qualitative screening, bacterial isolates were inoculated in mineral salt medium containing bromo phenol blue indicator to monitor change in pH. The isolates were studied further for their sulphate ion production, sulphur oxidase enzyme production and utilization of Na2S. Identification was carried out by conventional biochemical and molecular methods. Results: Fifty isolates showed distinct sulphur oxidizing ability on the mineral salt medium. The pH reduction test revealed that out of fifty isolates six could efficiently reduce the pH of the medium to 3.0 from an initial pH of 7 within 96 hr of incubation at 30oC. Maximum sulphate ion (12.65 mg ml-1) and sulphur oxidase enzyme (16.64 mM sulphate hr-1 ml-1) was produced by a bacterial isolate, Halothiobacillus sp. strain rk3. All the six isolates efficiently utilized Na2S in in-vitro conditions. Conventional and molecular identification (16S rRNA sequence analysis) revealed that the sulphur oxidizing bacterial isolates belonged to Halothiobacillus spp. Furthermore, sequencing similarity calculation showed an average nucleotide identity (ANI) values higher than 99% which suggests that the isolates were not genetically different. Interpretation: The present investigation revealed the presence of Halothiobacillus sp. as natural microflora of farm soils in shrimp aquaculture.

Major Predisposing Factors Influencing the Suicide by Hanging: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Kerala State, South India

Introdcution: A variable incidence of hanging is found assecond major group among the total number of autopsiesdone in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt. MedicalCollege, Calicut, Kerala state, South India. The incidences arefound to be varying according to the social and economic statusof the society. This retrospective study was done in a tertiarycare Government Hospital to find the major predisposingfactors influencing the suicide by hanging.Material and Methods: Case history were taken in detailfrom questionnaires to the relations of the deceased and fromPolice. The results were analyzed on the basis of history,postmortem findings and results of laboratory investigations.Results: The age group 16-25 was found to be the mostprevalent (75%) for suicidal hanging. Among the religion,Hindu religion showed the highest (80%) number. Morecases were found among the manual labourers and lowermiddle class people. People without children were moreprone to suicide by hanging. Among the precipitating factors,mental illness was the highest factor. Fracture of hyoid bonewas found during autopsy in majority of cases of completehanging.Conclusion: Psychological upset and educational statusplayed an important role in suicidal hanging. The highestincidence was seen among those with lower educational status.Hence, proper identification of such people and presentingthem to effective counselling may reduce the incident rate.

DPPH antiradical scavenging, anthelmintic and phytochemical studies of Cissus poulnea rhizomes

Objective:To investigate the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and anthelmintic activities of the crude methanol extract of Cissus populnea (C. populnea) rhizomes.Methods:Phytochemical screening was performed using standard protocols, and column chromatography of silica gel was used for the compounds isolation. DPPH antiradical scavenging assay was performed in order to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Total phenolic content was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. The anthelmintic activity was screened on the bovine adult male forms of parasitic nematode Onchocerca ochengi, by the in vitro evaluation of the inhibition of adult worm motility and mortality. Worms were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of the plant extract and effects on survival were monitored after 24 and 48 h.Results:The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Bergenin and a mixture of phytosterol, β -sitosterol and stigmasterol were isolated from this extract and were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and by comparison with published data. The crude methanol extract of C. populnea rhizomes showed a strong DPPH antiradical activity with a good amount of total phenolic content ((20.69±2.13) g gallic acid equivalent/100 g of extract) and significant anthelmintic activity comparable to the standard drug ivermectin. Bergenin was found to be inactive even after 72 h of incubation.Conclusions:This study constitutes the first report on the anthelmintic activity of this plant and supports the traditional use of C. populnea as a natural antioxidant and anthelmintic.

Acute appendicitis caused by the migration of the prosthetic mesh used for open indirect inguinal hernia repair into the peritoneal cavity

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">This is an unusual case of a 55 year old male with appendicitis caused by the incarceration of the appendix in an area of tissue reaction from a prosthetic mesh used for open inguinal hernia repair which migrated transanatomically from the right inguinal area into the right lower peritoneal cavity. Isolated appendicitis caused by such phenomenon has never been reported in current literature.</p>

Dual surrogate markers for rapid prediction of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status in advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung: A novel approach in resource‑limited setting.

INTRODUCTION: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic lung cancer in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Amplified refractory mutation system (ARMS)‑reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR), the current standard for detecting EGFR mutation status is time‑consuming and highly expensive. Consequently any surrogate test which are cheaper, faster and as accurate as the PCR method will help in early diagnosis and management of patients with lung cancer, especially in resource‑limited settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty‑five patients, all of South Indian origin, with adenocarcinoma of lung, registered between October 2009 and January 2013, were evaluated for EGFR mutation status by using scorpion probe based ARMS RT‑PCR method. Immunohistochemical (IHC) was performed using the phosphorylated AKT (P‑AKT) and thyroid transcription factor‑1 (TTF‑1) on above patient’s sample, and the results were compared with EGFR mutation tests. RESULTS: EGFR mutation was positive in 34 of 85 patients (40%). P‑AKT and TTF‑1 were positive in 50 (58.8%) and 68 (80%) patients respectively. Both P‑AKT and TTF‑1 had statistically significant correlation with EGFR mutation status. Positive and negative predictive value of P‑AKT in diagnosing EGFR mutation was 58% and 85.5% and that for TTF‑1 was 48.5% and 94.1%, respectively. The problem of low positive predictive value can partly be overcome by testing P‑AKT and TTF‑1 simultaneously. CONCLUSION: P‑AKT and TTF‑1 using IHC had statistically significant correlation with EGFR mutation with high negative predictive value. In the case of urgency of starting treatment, EGFR mutation testing may be avoided in those patients who are negative for these IHC markers and can be started on chemotherapy.

Effect of Intensity of Unconditional Stimulus on Reconsolidation of Contextual Fear Memory

Memory reconsolidation is ubiquitous across species and various memory tasks. It is a dynamic process in which memory is modified and/or updated. In experimental conditions, memory reconsolidation is usually characterized by the fact that the consolidated memory is disrupted by a combination of memory reactivation and inhibition of protein synthesis. However, under some experimental conditions, the reactivated memory is not disrupted by inhibition of protein synthesis. This so called "boundary condition" of reconsolidation may be related to memory strength. In Pavlovian fear conditioning, the intensity of unconditional stimulus (US) determines the strength of the fear memory. In this study, we examined the effect of the intensity of US on the reconsolidation of contextual fear memory. Strong contextual fear memory, which is conditioned with strong US, is not disrupted by inhibition of protein synthesis after its reactivation; however, a weak fear memory is often disrupted. This suggests that a US of strong intensity can inhibit reconsolidation of contextual fear memory.

Relief of renal colic using tramadol, tramadol/hyoscine-N-butylbromide or tramadol/alfuzosine combination therapy

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of Tramadol, Tramadol/HNBB combination and Tramadol/Alfuzosine combination in the relief of renal colic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 82 patients diagnosed with renal colic from May to October 2009 were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I (n=27) was given Tramadol (50 mg/capsule orally) only, Group II (n=28) was given Tramadol and Hyoscine-N-Butylbromide (10 mg/tablet orally) and Group III was given Tramadol and Alfuzosine (10 mg/tablet orally). Pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale pre-treatment and post-treatment. RESULTS: The Visual Analog Scale scores for all groups showed improvement after treatment. The average difference in Visual Analog Scale for Group I was 3.148, Group II was 3.444, and Group III was 3.429. A significant difference was seen in all treatment groups. ANOVA was used to compare the differences between the three treatments. All treatments had comparable results, therefore, no significant difference was seen in the effect of the three treatments. CONCLUSION: Relief of renal colic was achieved in all groups as seen in a decrease in the Visual Analog Scale Score after giving of treatment, however, the differences for each treatment group was not statistically significant.

Outcomes of oral tongue cancer: does age matter?

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This is a retrospective study aimed to analyse the outcomes of oral tongue cancer with emphasis on young people.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Patients treated radically between 1998 and 2006 were included and categorised according to treatment modalities (Group A: Surgery, Group B: Surgery and adjuvant therapy, Group C: Definitive radiotherapy) and age groups (≤ 40 and > 40 years). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 123 patients with 32%, 53% and 15% in Group A, B and C, respectively. Of these, 17 patients (14%) were ≤40 years with 6 (15%), 8 (12%) and 3 (16%) young oral tongues in Group A, B and C, respectively. Five-year OS and DFS were 69%/72%, 41%/47% and 16%/9.5% for Group A, B and C, respectively. Young patients had similar survival as the older population with 5-year OS of 83%, 75% and 33% in Group A, B and C, as compared to the older patients (66%, 36% and 13%, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Young oral tongue patients did not have worse outcomes.</p>

Oral health status of 5 years and 12 years school going children in Chennai city - An epidemiological study.

India, a developing country, faces many challenges in rendering oral health needs. The majority of Indian population resides in rural areas of which more than 40% constitute children. The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status of 5 years and 12 years school going children in Chennai city. The study population consisted of 1200 school children of both the sexes (600 private and 600 corporation school children) in 30 schools, which had been selected randomly. The survey is based on WHO, 1999 Oral Health Assessment, which has been modified by including gingival assessment, enamel opacities/ hypoplasia for 5 years. Evaluation of the oral health status of these children revealed, dental caries is the most prevalent disease affecting permanent teeth, more than primary teeth and more in corporation than in private schools, thereby, correlating with the socioeconomic status. It may be concluded that the greatest need of dental health education is at an early age including proper instruction of oral hygiene practices and school based preventive programs, which would help in improving preventive dental behaviour and attitude which is beneficial for life time.

A study of root canal morphology of human primary molars using computerised tomography: An in vitro study.

Knowledge of the size, morphology and variation of the root canals of primary teeth are useful in visualizing the pulp cavity during treatment. This study was carried out to investigate the applicability of Computed Tomography in studying the root canal morphology of the primary molars. A total of 60 primary molars.without any macroscopic root resorption were collected and divided into four groups. The samples were arranged in wax block and then scanned for evaluation in the CT Scanner both in axial and coronal plane. The results obtained from the scanned images were statistically analyzed to know the frequency, mean and standard deviation for all the groups. The images showed the complexity of the root canals of the primary molars and also several capabilities of the CT Scan in advance Endodontic research in primary teeth were observed.

A compound composite odontoma associated with unerupted permanent incisor--a case report.

Odontomas are the most common type of odontogenic tumors and generally they are asymptomatic. Frequently it may interfere with the eruption of the teeth. This is a case report of a compound composite odontoma in a 9 year old girl, which results in failure of eruption of the permanent upper right central incisor while the contralateral tooth had erupted. A calcified mass was seen in the radiograph and was provisionally diagnosed as odontoma following which the odontoma was enucleated. Routine follow up was done for more than a year and no recurrence was seen. This case report indicates that early diagnosis and management ensures better prognosis.

Comparative evaluation of glass ionomer and resin based fissure sealant using noninvasive and invasive techniques--a SEM and microleakage study.

The efficacy of using invasive and non-invasive techniques was assessed by Scanning electron microscopy, and by microleakage of Glass ionomer (GC VII, Fuji) and Resin based sealant (Helioseal-F, Ivoclar Vivadent). 100 young premolars were used for this study, and they were divided into four groups: Group I: non-invasive technique GC VII, Group II: Invasive GC VII, Group III: Non-Invasive Helioseal-F, Group IV: Invasive, Helioseal-F. 5 teeth from each group were evaluated under SEM. It was seen that the flow and adaptation of GC VII was slightly better than Helioseal F, and the invasive technique provided the best flow and adaptation. For microleakage analysis 5% methylene blue was used. It was seen that minimal microleakage was seen in Group IV (P<0.01). Considering the recent controversies using resin based sealants, it can be said that GC VII can be a viable alternative for pit and fissure sealants.

Autosomal recessive limb girdle myasthenia in two sisters.

Limb girdle myasthenic syndromes are rare genetic disorders described under the broad heterogeneous group known as congenital myasthenic syndromes and present with mixed features of myasthenia and myopathy. The familial limb girdle myasthenia has been described as one with selective weakness of pectoral and pelvic girdles, showing a positive response to edrophonium chloride. A report of two sisters affected by this disorder is presented.

Interaction of flunarizine with sodium valproate or ethosuximide in gamahydroxybutyrate induced absence seizures in rats.

Sodium valproate(VPA), ethosuximide(ESM), 200 mg/kg ip and flunarizine (FLU) 5 or 10 mg/kg ip were first administered independently to rats in order to study their effects on behavioural and EEG aspects of spike and wave discharges (SWDs) induced by y- hydroxybutyrate (GHB,100 mg/kg ip). GHB treated rats show behavioural changes and concomitant repetitive EEG episodes of 7 to 9 Hz SWDs, mimicking human absence seizures (AS), and can be used as a pharmacological model. The number and duration of SWDs were calculated for 1 hr from the EEG and were parameters for drug evaluation. VPA and ESM at 200 mg/kg, significantly reduced SWD number and duration/hr, while FLU showed significant reduction only at 10 but not at 5 mg/kg. Combination of FLU, 10 mg/kg with either VPA or ESM showed significant reduction of SWD number and duration, suggesting an additive effect of the anti-absence agents with the calcium channel blocker, FLU, on experimental absence seizures in rats.

Prevalence of short segments of specialized columnar epithelium in distal esophagus: association with gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies have reported high prevalence rates of short segments of specialized columnar epithelium (SCE) in the distal esophagus. The association of SCE with gastroesophageal reflux disease is not well established. We studied the prevalence and associations of short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus amongst Indians. METHODS: 271 patients (mean age 36 [14] y; 160 men) undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were interviewed regarding symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and history of medications, smoking or chewing tobacco and alcohol ingestion. At endoscopy, presence and grade of esophagitis and hiatus hernia were recorded. One biopsy each was taken from the squamocolumnar junction and 2 cm proximal to it. Biopsies were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff. The pathologist was blinded to the clinical and endoscopic data. RESULTS: Short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus were present in 16/271 (6%; CI 5.03-6.97) patients. Increasing age (p<0.01), and endoscopic (p<0.01) and histologic (p<0.001) esophagitis were associated with its presence, whereas symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, tobacco chewing, use of alcohol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hiatus hernia were not. One patient with SCE had dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of short segments of SCE in the distal esophagus amongst Indians is low and is usually associated with inflammation in the esophagus.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system: an ante-mortem diagnosis.

A rare case of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is reported with its clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. A 20-year-old girl presented with headache, projectile vomiting, unsteadiness of gait and urgency of micturition. She had left seventh nerve upper motor neuron type paresis, increased tone in all four limbs, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, cerebellar signs, and papilloedema. Cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytosis with elevated protein and normal glucose level. Cerebral computerised tomographic scan and MRI showed bilateral diffuse asymmetric supra- and infra-tentorial lesions (predominantly in the supratentorial and left cerebrum). On MRI, the lesions were hyperintense on T2, and proton density-weighted images and hypointense on T1-weighted images. Based on the clinical findings of raised intracranial tension and MRI features, initial diagnoses of gliomatosis cerebrii, tuberculous meningitis, primary central nervous system lymphoma and chronic viral encephalitis were considered. PACNS was not included in the initial differentials and, an open brain biopsy was advised which established the definitive diagnosis.

Comparative profiles of sodium valproate and ethosuximide on electro-behavioural correlates in gamma-hydroxybutyrate and pentylenetetrazol induced absence seizures in rats.

Sodium valproate (VPA) and ethosuximide (ESM) were compared on behavioural and EEG changes in gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) rat models of Absence Seizures (AS). Both GHB, 100 mg/kg i.p. and PTZ, 20 mg/kg i.p., produced repetitive episodes of staring and immobility with concomitant 6 to 9 Hz spike and wave discharges (SWDs) in the EEG. The parameters used for drug evaluation were the number and duration of SWDs/hour. Though the number of SWDs/hour produced by GHB and PTZ were not significantly different, the duration of SWDs was significantly longer in GHB treated rats (P < 0.001) VPA and ESM, at 200 mg/kg i.p., reduced SWD number and duration in GHB pretreated rats, whereas ESM, 50 mg/kg i.p., was four times more effective than VPA, 200 mg/kg i.p., in the PTZ model. Phenytoin (PHY) 20 and Carbamazepine (CBZ) 10 mg/kg i.p., worsened AS, a feature which has also been reported clinically. Both rat models of experimental AS can be used to defect potential anti-absence activity in new chemical entities.

Effect of sodium valproate and flunarizine administered alone and in combination on pentylenetetrazole model of absence seizures in rat.

Sodium valproate (VPA) and flunarizine (FLU) administered individually and together were examined for their effects on behavioural, and EEG changes in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced rat model of absence seizures. PTZ, 20 mg/kg, i.p., produced behavioural staring and immobility with concomitant, repetitive 7 to 9 Hz spike/wave discharges (SWDs) in EEG, monitored continuously for 1 hr and thereafter, intermittently for 4 hr, post-vehicle/drug. The number and duration (sec) of SWDs/hr were the parameters used for evaluation of vehicle vs. drug effects in normal as well as rats made epileptogenic by repeated cortical stimulation. VPA, 200 mg/kg, i.p., produced a significant reduction in the number and duration of SWDs at 20 min only in epileptogenic rats, declining to non-significant levels at 60 min, whereas FLU, 10 mg/kg i.p. had no effect on either parameter. The combination of VPA and FLU produced a highly significant reduction of the number and duration of SWDs/h for 60 min in normal and epileptogenic rats. The results provide evidence for a synergistic effect of VPA and FLU in experimental absence seizures and possible potential benefit in pharmaco resistant seizures.