LD

Nanotechnology, which deals with features as small as a 1 billionth of a meter, began to enter into mainstream physical sciences and engineering some 20 years ago. Recent applications of nanoscience include the use of nanoscale materials in electronics, catalysis, and biomedical research. Among these applications, strong interest has been shown to biological processes such as blood coagulation control and multimodal bioimaging, which has brought about a new and exciting research field called nanobiotechnology. Biotechnology, which itself also dates back ∼30 years, involves the manipulation of macroscopic biological systems such as cells and mice in order to understand why and how molecular level mechanisms affect specific biological functions, e.g., the role of APP (amyloid precursor protein) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This review aims (1) to introduce key concepts and materials from nanotechnology to a non-physical sciences community; (2) to introduce several state-of-the-art examples of current nanotechnology that were either constructed for use in biological systems or that can, in time, be utilized for biomedical research; (3) to provide recent excerpts in nanotoxicology and multifunctional nanoparticle systems (MFNPSs); and (4) to propose areas in neuroscience that may benefit from research at the interface of neurobiologically important systems and nanostructured materials.

In the last two decades, networks had been changed according to the rapid changing in its requirements. The current Data Center Networks have large number of hosts (tens or thousands) with special needs of bandwidth as the cloud network and the multimedia content computing is increased. The conventional Data Center Networks (DCNs) are highlighted by the increased number of users and bandwidth requirements which in turn have many implementation limitations. The current networking devices with its control and forwarding planes coupling result in network architectures are not suitable for dynamic computing and storage needs. Software Defined networking (SDN) is introduced to change this notion of traditional networks by decoupling control and forwarding planes. So, due to the rapid increase in the number of applications, websites, storage space, and some of the network resources are being underutilized due to static routing mechanisms. To overcome these limitations, a Software Defined Network based Openflow Data Center network architecture is used to obtain better performance parameters and implementing traffic load balancing function. The load balancing distributes the traffic requests over the connected servers, to diminish network congestions, and reduce underutilization problem of servers. As a result, SDN is developed to afford more effective configuration, enhanced performance, and more flexibility to deal with huge network designs.

Title: Dosis Letal Media (DL50) de algunos aceites esenciales y biocidas efectivos para el control de Ascosphaera apis en Apis mellifera L.-Median Lethal Dose (LD50) of some essential oils and biocides effective for the control of Ascosphaera apis on Apis ...

Many efforts aim at solving the serious problems encountered with immunotherapy against scorpion envenoming. The most attractive approach consists in generating single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) as their pharmaco-kinetic properties should match closely those of the scorpion toxins. Although high affinity scFv reagents have been generated in the past, their production level, stability, and toxin neutralizing capacity remain disappointingly poor. In the current study, we identified one Nanobody (Nb), a single-domain antigen-binding fragment of a dromedary Heavy-chain antibody (HCAb) that recognizes specifically the Androctonus australis hector AahI′ toxin. This Nb has excellent production, stability and solubility characteristics. With this Nb we further manufactured a tandem linked bivalent construct and assembled a HCAb with improved antigen binding due to avidity effects. All these constructs were shown in mouse models to possess a scorpion toxin neutralization capacity that exceeds by far all previous attempts with scFv-based materials, even when used at lower doses. It is therefore clear that in the near future Nanobodies will be at the core of novel serotherapeutics as they combine multiple benefits over other reagents to treat scorpion envenomed patients.

Croton membranaceus root and leaf extracts are used in the Bahamas to aromatize tobacco, in Nigeria to improve digestion, and in Ghana, for benign prostate hyperplasia. Despite claims of success there is paucity of information on its toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine if Croton membranaceus has acute toxicity properties.Roots were air-dried in a solar dryer for one week before milling. The powder was extracted with 96% ethanol, freeze-dried and re-extracted with distilled water and freeze-dried. 15 male Sprague–Dawley rats (180–200 g) were divided equally into 2 treatment groups [low dose (LD) and high dose (HD)], plus a control group (C). LD and HD received 1500 and 3000 mg/kg b.wt. Croton membranaceus aqueous extract, respectively, one time and observed for 14 days. Haematological [Full Blood Count and haemoglobin (Hb)], biochemical [bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatise (ALP), γ-glutamyltranspetidase (GGT), urea, creatinine, creatinine kinase – Muscle and Brain (CK-MB), creatinine kinase – Total (CK-R)] examinations were performed.Control group's CK-MB (5444 ± 534 U/L) and LD group CK-MB (4014 ± 1016 U/L) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Control and the HD group CK-MB (3955 ± 1135 U/L) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Both LD and HD CK-R levels (697 ± 197 U/L and 732 ± 203 U/L, respectively), were lower than the control (1139 ± 220 U/L) at 48 h and 14 days (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). γ-GT levels of the HD group was 4.8 ± 0.4 U/L compared to the Control group value of 0.9 ± 0.2 U/L (p < 0.05).Taking all factors into consideration, Croton membranaceus ingestion does not produce general acute toxicity. However, its creatinine kinase lowering ability could be explored.

Mortality due to snake envenomation is not a major problem in the United States with approximately 8–12 deaths per year, but envenomation is a serious problem that can result in functional disability, loss of extremities, and a costly recovery. Physicians encounter different clinical situations with each new snakebite victim because of the geographical variations in snake venoms. The best and most acceptable form of treatment is the use of antivenom; however, it must be administered as soon as possible since it is not so effective at reducing local signs of envenomation such as necrosis. The antivenom in the United States is in short supply, expensive and may not even be the most effective for neutralizing all North American snake venoms. In this study, we tested two antivenoms. The first was a Crotalidae Polyvalent Fab fragment with Ovine origin (FabO) manufactured in London, and the second was Antivipmyn, a Mexican manufactured antivenom that is F(ab′)2 fragment produced in horse (Fab2H). The efficacy of the two antivenoms was tested with 15 different snake venoms found in North America. Three different assays were used to test the efficacy of the antivenoms, the in vivo serum protection test (ED50), antihemorrhagic and anticoagulant. The Fab2H antivenom was most effective in neutralizing the hemorrhagic activity of 78% of the hemorrhagic venoms used in this study. In the ED50 assay, the Fab2H antivenom was effective in neutralizing all venoms used in this study, while FabO neutralized all but C. m. molossus venom. However, in most cases, FabO required less antivenom than Fab2H antivenom to neutralize three LD50.

In short:

New concepts and terminology were introduced in the paper: ecological tax; ecological repair of water quality. Opinion paper. Also, a review paper.
              Title: Some aspects of water filtering activity of filter-feeders.
Author(s): Ostroumov S.A.
Source: HYDROBIOLOGIA,  2005, Volume: 542,  Pages: 275-286,  DOI: 10.1007/s10750-004-1875-1;  Published: JUL 1 2005,
Text online free, in English: www.scribd.com/doc/44105992/
http://www.econf.rae.ru/article/6964
**
Key words: filter-feeders, water purification, bivalves, pollution, filtering activity,
filter-feeders, filtration, suspension feeders, benthos, ecology, aquatic, marine, water purification, bivalves, pollution, filtering activity, AFDW, ash-free dry weight, LD, liquid detergent, SD, synthetic detergent, laundry detergent, SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate, TDTMA, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, ecological tax; ecological repair, water quality, reliability, stability, functioning, ecosystem, role, habitat heterogeneity, migration of chemical elements,

**

Abbreviations: AFDW - ash-free dry weight; LD - liquid detergent; SD - synthetic detergent (laundry
detergent in the form of powder); SDS - sodium dodecyl sulphate; TDTMA
-tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide
**
in more detail:
Abstract
On the basis of the previous publications, our new data and the existing scientific literature, we have
formulated some fundamental principles that characterize the pivotal roles of the biodiversity of filterfeeders
in ecosystems. Among those roles are: (1) the role of ecological repair of water quality, (2) the
role of contributing to reliability and stability of the functioning of the ecosystem, (3) the role of
contributing to creation of habitat heterogeneity, (4) the role of contributing to acceleration of migration
of chemical elements. It is an important feature of the biomachinery of filter-feeders that it removes from
water various particles of a very broad range of sizes. Another important principle is that the amount of
the organic matter filtered out of water is larger than the amount assimilated so that a significant part of
the removed material serves no useful function to the organism of the filter-feeder, but serves a beneficial
function to some other species and to the ecosystem as a whole. The new experiments by the author
additionally demonstrated a vulnerability of the filtration activity of filter feeders (e.g. bivalves and
rotifers) to some xenobiotics (tetradecyltrymethylammonium bromide, heavy metals and some others).
Some of new blogs with additional relevant publications:
publications authored and coathored by S.A.Ostroumov are available online free:
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sergei_Ostroumov/blog/5152_TextsOnlineFree;
Examples of some citations of S.A.Ostroumov's papers:
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sergei_Ostroumov/blog/3380_Ecology_biology_life_sciences_Bibliography ;
Book: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sergei_Ostroumov/blog/4528_EcotoxicologyDetergents;
FAQ (Frequently asked questions) : how to use the book and relevant papers;

https://www.academia.edu/1893508/;