ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the impact of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, spending on Research and Development (R&D), number of universities, and Indexed Scientific Journals on total number of research documents (papers), citations per document and Hirsch index (H-index) in various science and social science subjects among Asian countries.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 40 Asian countries were included. The information regarding Asian countries, their GDP per capita, spending on R&D, total number of universities and indexed scientific journals were collected. We recorded the bibliometric indicators, including total number of research documents, citations per document and H-index in various science and social sciences subjects during the period 1996–2011. The main sources for information were World Bank, SCI-mago/Scopus and Web of Science; Thomson Reuters.ResultsThe mean per capita GDP for all the Asian countries is 14448.31±2854.40 US$, yearly per capita spending on R&D 0.64±0.16 US$, number of universities 72.37±18.32 and mean number of ISI indexed journal per country is 17.97±7.35. The mean of research documents published in various science and social science subjects among all the Asian countries during the period 1996–2011 is 158086.92±69204.09; citations per document 8.67±0.48; and H-index 122.8±19.21. Spending on R&D, number of universities and indexed journals have a positive correlation with number of published documents, citations per document and H-index in various science and social science subjects. However, there was no association between the per capita GDP and research outcomes.ConclusionThe Asian countries who spend more on R&D have a large number of universities and scientific indexed journals produced more in research outcomes including total number of research publication, citations per documents and H-index in various science and social science subjects.

Prolonged mechanical unloading (UN) of the heart is associated with detrimental changes to the structure and function of cardiomyocytes. The mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown. In this study, we report the influence of UN on excitationcontraction coupling, Ca 2؉ -induced Ca 2؉ release (CICR) in particular, and transverse (t)-tubule structure. UN was induced in male Lewis rat hearts by heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation. Left ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from the transplanted hearts after 4 wk and studied using whole-cell patch clamping, confocal microscopy, and scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). Recipient hearts were used as control (C). UN reduced the volume of cardiomyocytes by 56.5% compared with C (UN, n‫;09؍‬ C, n‫;95؍‬ P<0.001). The variance of time-to-peak of the Ca 2؉ transients was significantly increased in unloaded cardiomyocytes (UN 227.4؎24.9 ms 2 , n‫24؍‬ vs.

This study aimed to determine the effect of long term exposure to cement dust on lung function in non-smoking cement mill workers. This is a cross-sectional study of respiratory functions. Spirometry was performed in 100 apparently healthy volunteers; 50 non-smoking cement mill workers and 50 non-smoking un-exposed subjects. Based on the duration of exposure, cement mill workers were divided into three groups, less than 5, 5–10 and greater than 10 years. All subjects were individually matched for age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximal Voluntary Ventilation in cement mill workers who had been working in the cement industry for more than 10 years compared to their matched un-exposed group. Lung functions in cement mill workers were significantly impaired and results show a long term duration response effect of years of exposure to cement dust on lung functions.

A study on chemical, morphology, and thermal analysis of cultivated pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) were carried out. The chemical compositions were determined by using Technical Association Pulp and Paper Industries standards. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy analysis of PALF detect sharp band at 1,733 cm -1 , due to the absorption of carbonyl stretching of ester and carboxyl groups which is most abundant in pineapple leaf hemicelluloses. Cell wall ultra structure of PALF was studied by using Transmission electron microscopy. Transmission electron micrograph confirmed that cell wall structure of PALF consists of middle lamella, primary wall and secondary wall including S 1 , S 2 and S 3 layers. X-Ray Diffraction indicated that PALF have crystalline nature. Thermal analysis of PALF shows that T 10% and T 50% weight loss occurred at temperature of 212 and 306°C respectively. Differential Scanning Calorimetry of PALF showed the broad endothermic peak at a temperature of 80°C. The relationships between these properties were discussed and relate it with industrial application of pineapple leaf fibers.

Peroxiredoxins, a group of antioxidant protein enzymes (PRDX1 to 6), are reported as antiatherogenic factors in animals; however, human studies are lacking. The present work aims to provide baseline data regarding the phenotype of PRDX1, 2, 4, and 6 in diabetic patients with peripheral atherosclerosis disease (PAD) and their relation to endothelial dysfunction (ED) and disease severity. Plasma levels of PRDX1, 2, 4, and 6 and markers of endothelial dysfunction (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were measured using ELISA in 55 type 2 diabetic patients having PAD and 25 healthy subjects. Anklebrachial index (ABI), body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, HbA1c, and insulin resistance (HOMA IR) were measured. PRDX1, 2, 4, and 6 levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (PRDX1 21.9±5.71 vs 16.8±3.9 ng/ml, P<0.001, PRDX2 36.5±14.83 vs 20.4±8.61 ng/ml, P<0.001, PRDX4 3,840±1,440 vs 2,696±1,972 pg/ml, P<0.005, PRDX6 311±110 vs 287.9±-114 pg/ml, P<0.05). PRDX1 and PRDX4 correlated negatively with ABI (r=−0.273, P<0.05 and r=−0.28, P<0.05, respectively), while PRDX1 and PRDX2 correlated positively with HOMA/IR and TG (r=0.276, P<0.01 and r=0.295, P<0.01, respectively). ICAM-1 was associated with PRDX2 and log PRDX6 (r=0.345, P=0.0037 and r=0.344, P=0.0038). Our results provide strong links among PRDXs, ED, and severity of PAD in diabetic patients which warrants further evaluation to clarify whether high circulating levels of PRDXs are a consequence of chronic atherosclerotic disease or a predisposing factor for later cardiovascular events.