bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação do Plano Nacional de Prevenção, Preparação e Resposta Rápida a Emergências Ambientais no Transporte Rodoviário de Produtos Perigosos (P2R2): Estudo de Caso BR 393
Authors: Souza Alexandre Da Silva , Pereira Cristiane De Souza Siqueira Pereira , Da Silva Júnior Irineu Vieira , Pacheco Jonas Dos Santos
Published: December 2018

Os acidentes ambientais são caracterizados como eventos não planejados e indesejados que podem causar, direta ou indiretamente, danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde da população. O desenvolvimento econômico de uma sociedade conduz ao crescimento do consumo industrial de produtos químicos e perigosos e o transporte rodoviário com regulamentações e base em legislação e critérios técnicos é uma das principais atividades que possibilitam as movimentações desses materiais. Este trabalho tem o propósito de avaliar os pontos mais susceptíveis a acidentes com riscos ambientais e sociais, envolvendo o transporte rodoviário de produtos químicos e perigosos da Rodovia BR 393, denominada Rodovia Lúcio Meira. O trecho estudado correspondeu ao Km 282 (limite Municipal da cidade de Volta Redonda e da cidade de Barra do Piraí) ao Km 246 (limite Municipal da cidade de Barra do Piraí e da cidade de Vassouras). Buscou-se avaliar os pontos mais susceptíveis a acidentes com riscos ambientais, bem como a identificação, classificação e as ações de emergência das cargas transportadas. Sendo assim, podendo elaborar medidas para um plano de emergência preventivo e integrado entre os Municípios citados, evitando impactos ambientais provenientes de acidentes e as ações corretivas caso eles aconteçam.
The Plasminogen Activation System Promotes Neurorepair in the Ischemic Brain
Authors: Yepes Manuel
Published: December 2018

The plasminogen activation (PA) system was originally thought to exclusively promote the degradation of fibrin by catalyzing the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin via two serine proteinases: tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). However, experimental evidence accumulated over the last 30 years indicates that tPA and uPA are also found in the central nervous system (CNS), where they have a plethora of functions that not always require plasmin generation or fibrin degradation. For example, plasminogen-dependent and - independent effects of tPA and uPA play a central role in the pathophysiological events that underlie one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in the world: cerebral ischemia. Indeed, recent work indicates that while the rapid release of tPA from the presynaptic compartment following the onset of cerebral ischemia protects the synapse from the deleterious effects of the ischemic injury, the secretion of uPA and its binding to its receptor (uPAR) during the recovery phase promotes the repair of synapses that have been lost to the acute ischemic insult. This restorative role of uPA has high translational significance because to this date there is no effective approach to induce neurorepair in the ischemic brain. Here we will discuss recent evidence that bridges the gap between basic research in the field of the PA system and the bedside of ischemic stroke patients, indicating that uPA and uPAR are potential targets for the development of therapeutic strategies to promote neurological recovery among ischemic stroke survivors.
Review on Seawater Greenhouse: Achievements and Future Development
Authors: Bait-Suwailam Tahani K. , Al-Ismaili Abdulrahim M.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Seawater greenhouse (SWGH) is a technology established to overcome issues related to open field cultivation in arid areas like high temperatures and freshwater shortage. So far, five pilot Seawater greenhouses were built around the world; in Spain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia and Somaliland. All the patents related to the Seawater greenhouse components and designs mentioned were reviewed.

Methods::

The Seawater greenhouse adopts the humidification-dehumidification (HDH) concept where evaporated moisture from saline water source is condensed to produce freshwater within the greenhouse body. Many advancements have been made throughout the past 25 years to optimize the Seawater greenhouse by means of structural improvement, heat distribution, condenser design and material, source of feed water and the evaporator via both trial-and-error and simulation approaches. The latter included numerical, mathematical, analytical and artificial neural network simulations. Various condenser designs were adopted in order to increase freshwater production to meet the irrigation demand of the seawater greenhouse.

Results and Conclusion:

To make the Seawater greenhouse self-sufficient in terms of energy production, the use of renewable energies and nonconventional sources was also investigated like the use of geothermal, solar and wind energy to produce electricity for the greenhouse operation and for other requirements as well. The use of reverse osmosis along with reverse electro dialysis to produce freshwater and electricity in the seawater greenhouse, was also one of the ideas suggested to improve and solve the associated constraints. Direct contact dehumidification is another development suggested to improve the condensation rate. This new approach seems to be very promising as it involves low capital, operation and maintenance costs, high freshwater production, and fouling- and corrosion-free.
Spontaneous Neuronal Signaling is Inherently Musical and Mathematical: Insight into the Universal Human Affinity for Music
Authors: Shea Thomas B. , Remington Ruth
Published: December 2018

Objective:

Audio files of spontaneous signal streams generated byex vivoneuronal networks cultured on multi-electrode arrays generated an oscillating sine wave with an inherent musical quality. This was not anticipated considering that synaptic signals are “all - or – none”, and therefore digital, events.

Methods:

These findings may provide insight into why music can be perceived as pleasurable and invoke a calm mood despite that music is ultimately perceived and stored as a series of digital signals; it is speculated that music may reinforce and/or enhance this spontaneous digital stream.

Results and Conclusion:

These findings also support the relationship between music and mathematics.
Prevalence and Patterns of Antiretroviral Therapy Prescription in the United States
Authors: Tie Yunfeng , Skarbinski Jacek , Qin Gengsheng , Frazier Emma L
Published: December 2018

Background:

The use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in HIV-infected persons has proven to be effective in the reduction of risk of disease progression and prevention of HIV transmission.

Objective:

U.S. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) guidelines specify recommended initial, alternative initial, and not-recommended regimens, but data on ART prescribing practices and real-world effectiveness are sparse.

Methods:

Nationally representative annual cross sectional survey of HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the United States, 2009-2012 data cycles. Using data from 18,095 participants, we assessed percentages prescribed ART regimens based on medical record documentation and the associations between ART regimens and viral suppression (most recent viral load test <200 copies/ml in past year) and ART-related side effects.

Results:

Among HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the United States, 91.8% were prescribed ART; median time since ART initiation to interview date was 9.8 years. The percentage prescribed ART was significantly higher in 2012 compared to 2009 (92.7% vs 88.7%; p < 0.001). Of those prescribed ART, 51.6% were prescribed recommended initial regimens, 6.1% alternative initial regimens, 29.0% not-recommended as initial regimens, and 13.4% other regimens. Overall, 79.5% achieved viral suppression and 15.7% reported side effects. Of those prescribed ART and initiated ART in the past year, 80.5% were prescribed recommended initial regimens.

Conclusion:

Among persons prescribed ART, the majority were prescribed recommended initial regimens. Monitoring of ART use should be continued to provide ongoing assessments of ART effectiveness and tolerability in the United States.
Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Competitive Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Water Using Orange Biomass
Authors: Sandoval‐Flores G. , Alvarado‐Reyna S. , Elvir‐Padilla L.G. , Mendoza‐Castillo D.I. , Reynel‐Avila H.E. , Bonilla‐Petriciolet A.
Published: December 2018

Adsorption of heavy metals on modified orange biomass has been studied. This biomass was treated with NaOH and CaCl2 to improve its adsorption properties. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the adsorption of Cd2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ were performed at different operating conditions, including competitive adsorption studies with binary metallic mixtures. Results show that this adsorption process was endothermic where an ion exchange mechanism played a relevant role. Adsorbent effectiveness decreased in binary solutions, indicating a strong antagonistic adsorption behavior caused by counter‐ions. This antagonistic adsorption was highly dependent on the counter‐ion type and its concentration. Multicomponent adsorption of Cu2+ ions was not significantly affected by the presence of other metallic counter‐ions, whereas the adsorption of Ni2+ could be totally suppressed by the other ions. The modeling of binary adsorption isotherms was successful using the modified Langmuir equation, which outperformed the Ideal Absorbed Solution Theory‐Sips and modified Redlich‐Peterson models.
Sobre el reconocimiento de Passiflora hibiscifolia (Passifloraceae, sección Dysosmia)
Authors: Svoboda Harlan T.
Published: December 2018

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Passiflora sección Dysosmia es considerado uno de los grupos más complicados dentro del género de pasionaria, debido en parte a la dificultad en delimitar adecuadamente sus taxa. Uno de esos ejemplos, actualmente reconocido como Passiflora ciliata var. hibiscifolia, ha sufrido una serie de cambios nomenclaturales basados en diversas opiniones taxonómicas desde su circunscripción en 1789. Hasta el presente, pocos investigadores han estudiado objetivamente la naturaleza única de este taxon o su afinidad con otros taxa similares en la sección. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el taxon actualmente conocido como P. ciliata var. hibiscifolia y proveer evidencia para su reconocimiento taxonómico.Métodos: Se realizaron estudios morfológicos intensos de 217 especímenes de herbario, incluyendo material tipo, además de 27 observaciones en iNaturalist.Resultados clave: Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas consistentes a nivel macro y micro morfológico entre el taxon conocido como P. ciliata var. hibiscifolia y todos los demás taxa en la sección Dysosmia.Conclusiones: La entidad estudiada es suficientemente distinta para concederle el reconocimiento de especie como Passiflora hibiscifolia.
Pollen viability and germinability of putative Bursera hybrids (section Bullockia; Burseraceae) in Mexico
Authors: Rico Yessica , Reyes Estanislao Leticia
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims: The genus Bursera (~100 species) has its center of diversification and endemism in Mexico. Interspecific hybridization is a frequent phenomenon in Bursera in areas where related species coexist. Hybridization on the one hand can reinforce reproductive barriers, increase genetic variation, generate novel ecotypes and new lineages, and on the other hand, can lead to maladaptation. However, the ecological and evolutionary consequences of natural hybridization critically depend on hybrid fitness. In this study, within a putative hybrid population in the tropical dry forest of the Bajío region in Mexico and as a proxy of hybrid fitness, we investigated pollen viability among Bursera cuneata, B. bipinnata, and their putative hybrid.Methods: We used two techniques: a pollen staining test with tetrazolium chloride 1% and an in vitro germination test to observe the formation of pollen tubes. Viability percentages were calculated for each group; statistical tests were conducted with general linear models. Key results: Results demonstrated that the putative hybrid is not sterile and exhibited higher germination rates relative to the parental species. Conclusions: Our results imply that gene flow between the parental species and the putative hybrid is likely to occur. Future genetic studies should confirm the genetic identity and ploidy levels of hybrids and evaluate whether genetic introgression has occurred. Our study demonstrates that Bursera hybrids can be fertile and contributes towards understanding the role of hybridization and reproductive isolation in Mexican Bursera species.
A Web-Based Physical Activity Portal for Individuals Living With a Spinal Cord Injury: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Pancer Max , Manganaro Melissa , Pace Isabella , Marion Patrick , Gagnon Dany H , Laramée Marie-Thérèse , Messier Frédéric , Amari Fatima , Ahmed Sara
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The population with a spinal cord injury (SCI) largely remains inactive following discharge from rehabilitation despite evidence on the benefits of physical activity. These individuals need to develop skills to self-manage their condition in order to prevent secondary comorbidities and rehospitalization. A Web-based physical activity portal can address this need. Few Web-based interventions incorporate theoretical frameworks, behavior change techniques, and modes of delivery into their design.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights features of an online self-management platform that can provide individuals with an SCI the motivation and volition to engage in physical activity. These findings will inform the design of a Web-based self-management physical activity portal to increase physical activity adherence and behavior change.

METHODS

An interpretative phenomenology methodology and participatory design, along with an integrated knowledge translation approach, were used to conduct this study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit individuals with an SCI living in the community, who were either interested or already engaging in physical activity, and HCPs working with individuals with an SCI, from three city-based rehabilitation sites. Individual 1-hour sessions involving navigation of an existing website and a semistructured interview were conducted with all participants. Individuals with an SCI completed a demographics questionnaire prior to the individual sessions, while demographic information of the HCPs was collected during their interviews. Additionally, all participants were asked a question on their intention to use or recommend a portal. An in-depth thematic analysis was used to derive themes from participants’ responses.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the preferred features of a Web-based self-management physical activity portal through stakeholder engagement with individuals with a spinal cord injury and health care professionals (HCPs).

RESULTS

Thirteen individuals with an SCI and nine HCPs participated in the study. Five core themes emerged: (1) knowledge: guidance and barrier management; (2) possibility of achievement: the risks and benefits of physical activity and modelling; (3) self-regulation strategies: action planning, goal setting, tracking, rewards, and reminders; (4) interactivity: peers and professionals; and (5) format: appearance, language, and ease of use. The mean (median) ratings of the likelihood of promoting and using a Web-based portal tailored to individuals’ needs were 9.00 (8.78) and 7.75 (7.88) for HCPs and individuals with an SCI, respectively.
Correction: Reaching Those At Risk for Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Ideation: Facebook Advertisements to Recruit Military Veterans (Preprint)
Authors: R Teo Alan , Liebow Samuel BL , Chan Benjamin , Dobscha Steven K , Graham Amanda L
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Younger military veterans are at high risk for psychiatric disorders and suicide. Reaching and engaging veterans in mental health care and research is challenging. Social media platforms may be an effective channel to connect with veterans.

OBJECTIVE

This study tested the effectiveness of Facebook advertisements in reaching and recruiting Iraq and Afghanistan-era military veterans in a research study focused on mental health.

METHODS

Facebook ads requesting participation in an online health survey ran for six weeks in 2017. Ads varied imagery and headlines. Validated instruments were used to screen for psychiatric disorders and suicidality. Outcomes included impressions, click-through rate, survey completion, and cost per survey completed.

RESULTS

Advertisements produced 827,918 impressions, 9,527 clicks, and 587 survey completions. Lack of enrollment in Veteran Affairs health care (193/587, 33%) and positive screens for current mental health problems were common, including posttraumatic stress disorder (266/585, 45%), and problematic drinking (243/584, 42%), major depression (164/586, 28%), and suicidality (132/585, 23%). Approximately half of the survey participants (285/587, 49%) were recruited with just 2 of the 15 ads, which showed soldiers marching tied to an “incentive” or “sharing” headline. These 2 ads were also the most cost-effective, at US $4.88 and US $5.90 per participant, respectively. Among veterans with current suicidal ideation, the survey-taking image resulted in higher survey completion than the soldiers marching image (P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Facebook advertisements are effective in rapidly and inexpensively reaching military veterans, including those at risk for mental health problems and suicidality, and those not receiving Veteran Affairs health care. Advertisement image and headlines may help the effectiveness of advertisements for specific subgroups.
Automated Analysis of Domestic Violence Police Reports to Explore Abuse Types and Victim Injuries: Text Mining Study (Preprint)
Authors: Karystianis George , Adily Armita , Schofield Peter W , Greenberg David , Jorm Louisa , Nenadic Goran , Butler Tony
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The police attend numerous domestic violence events each year, recording details of these events as both structured (coded) data and unstructured free-text narratives. Abuse types (including physical, psychological, emotional, and financial) conducted by persons of interest (POIs) along with any injuries sustained by victims are typically recorded in long descriptive narratives.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if an automated text mining method could identify abuse types and any injuries sustained by domestic violence victims in narratives contained in a large police dataset from the New South Wales Police Force.

METHODS

We used a training set of 200 recorded domestic violence events to design a knowledge-driven approach based on syntactical patterns in the text and then applied this approach to a large set of police reports.

RESULTS

Testing our approach on an evaluation set of 100 domestic violence events provided precision values of 90.2% and 85.0% for abuse type and victim injuries, respectively. In a set of 492,393 domestic violence reports, we found 71.32% (351,178) of events with mentions of the abuse type(s) and more than one-third (177,117 events; 35.97%) contained victim injuries. “Emotional/verbal abuse” (33.46%; 117,488) was the most common abuse type, followed by “punching” (86,322 events; 24.58%) and “property damage” (22.27%; 78,203 events). “Bruising” was the most common form of injury sustained (51,455 events; 29.03%), with “cut/abrasion” (28.93%; 51,284 events) and “red marks/signs” (23.71%; 42,038 events) ranking second and third, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that text mining can automatically extract information from police-recorded domestic violence events that can support further public health research into domestic violence, such as examining the relationship of abuse types with victim injuries and of gender and abuse types with risk escalation for victims of domestic violence. Potential also exists for this extracted information to be linked to information on the mental health status.
A REVIEW OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION DISEASES, ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Paul Bolai , Adimoolam Senthil , Qureshi Mohd Javed , Ismail Nahlah Elkudssiah
Published: December 2018

Objective: The aim of the study was designed to assess the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori, affecting disease by this infection and diagnostic methods which are used to detect H. pylori.Methods: A wide literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, Cinahl, Embase, Educational Resources Information Center, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, and review of appropriate epidemiologic studies conducted from 1995 to 2017 for studies fully published investigating a contribution between H. pylori infection, antibiotic resistance, and diagnosis of H. pylori infection.Results: H. pylori infection is extremely contributed to the main symptoms and death that is currently affecting 50–75% of the people in the world. It is more affected in developing countries compared to developed countries. These infections are regarded to be the most important reasons for gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas, and gastric adenocarcinoma. About 90–100% of duodenal ulcers and 60–90% of gastric ulcers were associated with H. pylori infections. At present, antibiotic resistance is a growing problem for the eradication of H. pylori infection; it contains metronidazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin resistance. Diagnosis of H. pylori infection is a crucial part for the better treatment of those diseases. Different types of testing method for H. pylori infection are used including invasive (endoscopic image, histology, rapid urease test, and culture) and non-invasive (urea breath test, stool antigen test, and serological).Conclusion: H. pylori antibiotic resistance is the major contributor to the failure of H. pylori treatment. Appropriate diagnostic method selected in detecting H. pylori antibiotic resistance may lead to reduced treatment failures and less antibiotic resistance.
CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF A MEDICINAL MANGROVE PLANT CERIOPS DECANDRA (GRIFF.) DING HOU LEAVES ON HUMAN BREAST ADENOCARCINOMA CELL LINE MCF-7
Authors: S Sukasini , M Bhargav Iyer
Published: December 2018

Objective: Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou (Rhizophoraceae) is an evergreen mangrove tree widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Concerning the presence of anticancer molecule in C. decandra, the present investigation was carried out to study the preliminary phytochemical screening, in vitro cytotoxic effect, and apoptotic induction of methanol extract of C. decandra.Methods: The preliminary phytochemical investigations were done using standard methods. Cytotoxic activity was analyzed in terms of brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) lethality bioassay. MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to evaluate the cell viability and growth inhibition of MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cells after treatment with different doses of C. decandra extract. Cell morphological changes induced by the extract were observed using phase contrast inverted microscope. Induction of apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation assay.Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various potent phytochemicals. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC50 of the extract was found to be 12.5 μg/mL, implying a promising cytotoxic effect. The MTT assay results showed increased inhibitory activity at a concentration-dependent manner and altered the cell morphology after exposure with C. decandra extract which exhibited typical apoptotic morphological changes. Furthermore, the characteristic DNA ladder pattern of C. decandra treated cells in agarose gel electrophoresis confirms the induction of apoptosis.Conclusion: The research revealed the cytotoxic effect of C. decandra on MCF-7 cells through its nature of induction of apoptosis.
STABILITY-INDICATING REVERSED-PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF METHYLCOBALAMIN, ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID, PYRIDOXINE HCL, AND FOLIC ACID IN BULK AND COMBINED DOSAGE FORM
Authors: V Padmaja , M Prasanthi , P Mayuri
Published: December 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the research is to develop a simple, precise, economical, accurate, reproducible, and sensitive method for the estimation of methylcobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid drug product by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method.Methods: New analytical method was developed for the estimation of methylcobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid in drug product by RP-HPLC. The chromatographic separation was achieved on the Inertsil C18, 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm at ambient temperature. The separation achieved employing a mobile phase consists of buffer (added 5.05 g hexane-1-sulfonic acid is dissolved into 1000 mL of distilled water):acetonitrile in the ratio of 10:90% v/v. The flow rate was 1 mL/min and UV-visible spectrophotometer at 285 nm. The average retention time for methylcobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid was found to be 3.5, 6.7, 8.5, and 9.3, respectively.Results: The developed method was validated as per ICH guidelines. All validation parameters were within the acceptable ranges. The assay methods were found to be linear from 0 to 2130 μg/mL for methylcobalamin, 0 to 142.5 μg/mL for alpha-lipoic acid, 0–4.54 μg/mL for pyridoxine hydrochloride, and 0–2 μg/mL for folic acid. The correlation coefficient was 0.999 for all drugs, respectively. The mean percentage values for the developed method were found to be within the range of 98–100.6%. The developed method was also found to be robust.Conclusion: It is concluded that developed method was accurate, precise, linear, reproducible, robust, and sensitive.
A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF VAMANA KARMA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA
Authors: Singh Shipra , Kumar Srivastava Alok
Published: December 2018

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of Vamana karma in the management of dyslipidemia.Methods: Patients were selected from the OPD and IPD at the Department of Panchakarma, Hospital of Rishikul Campus, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Haridwar. Patients in Group A will be administered with two sittings of Vamana procedure. In Group B, 20 patients will be treated with atorvastatin for 60 days in dose of 10 mg once daily after meals with water.Results: The overall assessment of the therapy was decided on the basis of improvement in biochemical parameter (serum lipid profile) by applying statistics. Vamana karma had statistically highly significant result in all the objective parameters except high-density lipoprotein [HDL].Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that dyslipidemia is a form of Kaphavikara specifically may be Medodushti in the form of Abaddha meda. Vamana karma is highly effective in correcting serum lipid profile except HDL and very low-density lipoprotein but have better effect than the standard drug in both of them. Vamana karma can be used for the effective and safe management of dyslipidemia.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS - IRBESARTAN AND TELMISARTAN
Authors: K Punnagai , K Vijaybabu , I Glory Josephine , David Darling Chellathai
Published: December 2018

Objective: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are effective hypertensive drugs. Reduction in risk of lung cancer with ARBs was proven in clinical studies. Telmisartan and irbesartan are the second-generation ARBs. This study screens the anticancer activity of these two drugs in a dose-dependent manner using A549 cell line.Methods: Different concentrations of irbesartan and telmisartan were treated on A549 cells and the anticancer activity was evaluated through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] cytotoxicity assay. The dot plot of the cytotoxicity results was used to extrapolate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. Microscopic changes in the cells post-treatment with these drugs were also recorded at ideal concentrations.Results: A reduction in cell viability was noted in A549 cells with increasing concentration of the drug. The IC50 values for irbesartan and telmisartan were 31.1 μg and 15.6 μg, respectively. Microscopic observation of the cells shows more rounded and deformed dead cells on telmisartan- and irbesartan-treated cells when compared with the untreated control.Conclusion: The results confirm the anticancer activity of both the drugs with telmisartan being more efficient. The anticancer activity could probably be due to the role of irbesartan and telmisartan in inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase cell survival pathway and local angiogenesis.
ISOLATION OF ASTRAGALIN FROM IRAQI CHENOPODIUM ALBUM
Authors: Mehdi Anwar , Al-ani Widad M K , Raoof Ayad
Published: December 2018

Objective: Chenopodium album L is the species of the genus chenopodium. The Greek name Chenopodium means goosefoot. The plant is native to Asia and Europe. The analysis of the constituents of the Iraqi plant was performed using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques.Methods: Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance TLC chromatographic techniques were used for the detection and isolation of the active constituent found in the plant. Spectral analysis such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and UV was used to confirm the chemical structure of the compound isolated.Results: Astragalin was isolated and identified by comparison with standard kaempferol 3-O-β-glucoside (astragalin) which was detected as the major glycoside in the polar fraction of the plant. Further, identification of the compound was performed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy.Conclusion: Astragalin is the major flavonoid glycoside found in the plant.
EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA LINN. AND DIOSMETIN ON MODULATION OF SPATIAL MEMORY THROUGH ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND BRAIN‑DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN ETHANOL-INDUCED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT MODEL RATS
Authors: A Sasikumar , S Suba Malani , S Manikandan , C Ramaswamy , S Senthilkumar
Published: December 2018

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the cognitive impairment due to excessive consumption of alcohol and memory enhancement action of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (AEGGL) and diosmetin (Dm).Methods: In this study, 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into the six groups (n=6) and eight-arm radial maze, narrow beam test, and open field behavior parameters were assessed on day 1, 10, and 21. After the 21 days of experiment, animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) estimation. We have also analyzed the morphology of CA3 region of the hippocampus.Results: The results of this study suggested that AEGGL and Dm treatment could be the potential drugs for ethanol-induced cognitive impairment.Conclusion: Ethanol-induced cognitive impairment was recovered by AEGGL and Dm treatment, we suggested that this might be due to anticholinesterase activity and increased synthesis of BDNF levels in the brain. Further, researches are warranted to understand the exact mechanism of action of drugs.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF THE PROMISING THERAPEUTIC TARGET (HUMAN EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR 2/NEU) IN IRAQI PATIENTS WITH MEDULLOBLASTOMA
Authors: Al Mukhtar Zainab Khalid , Ali Al Saeg Zinah Hussein Abed , Hasan Farah Falah
Published: December 2018

Objectives: With the advent of ongoing novel modalities toward the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/NEU - positive malignancies, the serious side effects of chemoradiotherapy have been minimized. Hence, this study was conducted to identify the patterns of immunohistochemical expression of the promising therapeutic target (HER2/NEU) among Iraqi patients with medulloblastoma in an attempt to provide basic histological information’s that would help in future clinical researches.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 42 formalin - fixed paraffin - embedded tissue blocks represent cases of surgically removed medulloblastomas were retrieved from the archived materials in a specialized surgical hospital at Bagdad. The histological diagnosis had been revised, and all cases were stained by the immunohistochemical technique with HER2/NEU antibody and assessed independently by three pathologists.Results: Out of 42 cases, only two which represent 4.76% showed positive results manifested by a strong membranous staining when immunohistochemically evaluated using the same scoring system established for HER2/NEU in breast cancer. 14 cases (33.3%) showed incomplete membranous and five cases (11.9%) showed only cytoplasmic reaction patterns.Conclusion: The rate of expression of HER2/NEU in medulloblastoma among Iraqi patients is very low and found only in aggressive anaplastic histological type when immunohistochemically evaluated using the same scoring system established for HER2/NEU in breast cancer. However, a good number of negative cases showed cytoplasmic and incomplete membranous staining patterns highlighting the importance of establishing medulloblastoma - specific HER2/NEU scoring criteria and testing methods to discover the unique feature of expression of this therapeutic target in medulloblastoma.
ANALYSIS REACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM POLYPHENOLS TO THE OSTEOCALCIN, BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN-2, AND COLLAGEN TYPE-1
Authors: Burhan Edrizal , Thahar Bergman , Abidin Trimurni , Putra Deddi Prima , Gani Basri A
Published: December 2018

Objective: Punica granatum (PG) contains anthocyanins which are useful as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and prevent cancer, while also increasing bone cell proliferation and osteoblasts differentiation in bone remodeling.Methods: The reactivity of osteocalcin protein markers with PG polyphenol fractionation hydrogels observed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the degree of reactivity was determined by optical density at 550 nm.Results: PG butanol fraction has better reactivity compared to the total extract, ethyl, and hexane fraction. Based on the reactivity distribution, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and collagen Type-1 had a dominant distribution compared to osteocalcin, but the theses proteins had a strong relation (r = 0.8) with probability (P < 0.05).Conclusion: PG butanol fraction had better reactivity to osteocalcin, BMP-2, and collagen Type-1 compared with total extract, hexane, and ethyl fraction. The four PG polyphenol fractionations have dominant reactivity to BMP-2.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND TOTAL PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENT VARIATIONS OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF LAURUS NOBILIS L. FROM MOROCCO
Authors: Taroq Amal , El Kamari Fatima , Aouam Imane , El Atki Yassine , Lyoussi Badiaa , Abdellaoui Abdelfattah
Published: December 2018

Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Laurus nobilis L.Methods: Antioxidant properties were measured using three tests: Free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reduction of molybdate, and reducing (Fe3+/Fe2+) power. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu and rutin reagent, respectively.Results: The results showed that both the ethanol and water extracts had greater antioxidant activity than ethyl acetate. Aqueous extract exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging and reducing molybdate 545.83±5.89 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid/g dry extract. The strong antioxidant activity of water extract was probably due to its high content of phenols. Furthermore, ethanol and water extracts showed higher total flavonoid content with the values: 153.33±3.59 and 127.25±2.60 mg equivalent rutin/g dry extract, respectively.Conclusion: Our results suggested a potent and excellent antioxidant activity of L. nobilis L. extracts of Morocco. Further research has to be done to isolate the pure bioactive compound and could be considered as a potential source of biomolecules for pharmaceutical and food industry.
Intenções podem salvar vidas? Motivações e dificuldades de potenciais doadores de sangue à luz do Marketing Social
Authors: Coelho Cássio Canuto , De Faria Marina Dias
Published: December 2018

O cenário da doação de sangue no Brasil é marcado pela oferta abaixo dos padrões considerados ideiaspela Organização Mundial da Saúde, levando em conta que aproximadamente 1,78% da população é doadora desangue, sendo o índice ideal variando entre 3% e 5% da população. Diante do exposto, o objetivo geral destapesquisa foi identificar as principais motivações de jovens que têm intenção de doar sangue, mas que nuncadoaram. Metodologicamente, optou-se por utilizar uma pesquisa qualitativa, por meio de técnica projetiva eentrevistas individuais de roteiro semiaberto, realizadas com 19 jovens entre 18 e 29 anos. Como resultado daanálise, identificou-se que: os entrevistados justificam sua intenção como uma real possibilidade de salvar vidas;que não sentem pressão para doar por conta de pessoas próximas, apesar de alguns reconhecerem poderinfluenciar outras pessoas; e alguns são impossibilitados de doar sangue, principalmente por questões de saúde,entretanto, os outros parecem apenas não se mobilizar para doar, por questões diversas já abordadas em outrosestudos. O principal ponto de motivação identificado seria o da influência dos grupos de referência parafomentar o comportamento de doador.
Economia ambiental, ecológica e valoração dos serviços ambientais: uma revisão mais que necessária
Authors: De Camargo Pedro Luiz Teixeira , De Oliveira Júnior Arnaldo Freitas , Martins Junior Paulo Pereira
Published: December 2018

Estudos capazes de explicar, mesmo que de forma resumida, o surgimento histórico das correntesteóricas que dialogam com o meio ambiente dentro das Ciências Econômicas, assim como as principais técnicasde valoração dos serviços ambientais sempre são importantes, principalmente no momento atual em que essatemática está nas manchetes de jornais e revistas. Pensando nisso, propôs-se esse artigo, que objetiva caracterizare explanar, de maneira didática, o surgimento das duas principais áreas das Ciências Econômicas que estudam asrelações com a natureza sob um viés conservacionista: a Economia Ecológica e a Economia Ambiental. Ametodologia escolhida foi o estudo teórico e bibliográfico. Como resultado, além da explanação histórica deambas, foram apresentados os métodos e técnicas de cálculo das externalidades da natureza, as chamadasmetodologias de valoração ambiental, com destaque para as mais popularmente utilizadas: Método do Custo deViagem; Método dos Preços Hedônicos; Valor de Propriedade (com maior ênfase para a Metodologia deCostanza et al. (1997); Disposição a Aceitar pela Perda de Funções Ambientais e o Método de AvaliaçãoContingencial (MAC). Como conclusão, é possível afirmar que trabalhos teóricos de valoração ambiental sãoainda recentes na área acadêmica. Tendo em vista o seu baixo custo de aplicação prática e a capacidade deproduzir resultados aceitáveis, essas técnicas podem apresentar vantagens monetárias significativas em relação aoutras metodologias. Portanto, popularizar seu uso como ferramenta científica confiável pode ser umaimportante contribuição para a conservação da natureza.
A atuação do Ministério Público por meio da auditoria nas fundações: da conformidade dos procedimentos de controle à proteção do patrimônio
Authors: Tomazini Vanessa Fonseca , Leonardo Vera Sirlene
Published: December 2018

Uma das formas de mobilização da sociedade em prol dos fins sociais se dá por meio das atividadesdesenvolvidas por fundações privadas que devem submeter as suas atividades e a gestão dos recursos à auditoriado Ministério Público. Assim, a pesquisa aborda a ação do Ministério Público no seu papel de indutor efortalecedor do controle do patrimônio das fundações e a sua atuação de velamento e de verificação daconformidade dos procedimentos de controle dessas entidades. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar a conformidadenas prestações de contas das fundações privadas realizadas por meio de relatórios de auditoria emitidos peloÓrgão Ministerial. A pesquisa é empírico-teórica, qualitativa, estudo de caso quanto à estratégia de pesquisa, comdados levantados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e documentos oficiais, cuja unidade de análise são trêsfundações privadas localizadas no município de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. Os resultados da análiseevidenciaram que as prestações de contas das fundações não seguem fielmente os preceitos regulamentares,passam por inúmeras intervenções dos auditores até que as informações estejam em conformidade legal. As nãoconformidades atrasam o processo de prestação de contas e comprometem a veracidade das informações. Oestudo evidencia que o papel do MP vai além do simples cumprimento de um dever legal, atua como órgãoorientador de forma que o patrimônio e as atividades das entidades sejam de fato voltados para o fim social.
The reconstruction of leader’s career after the change of the corporate control: A case study in São Paulo electricity sector
Authors: Matsuda Patricia Mari , Donadone Julio Cesar
Published: December 2018

This research investigates how a company changes after the privatization process and how this change impacts its total structure. For Donadone and Sznelwar (2004), the pressures of new business owners, in this case coming out of the hands of the state to the hands of private companies, have a consequence of organizational design and the composition of power in companies. Therefore, this research focused on an exploratory study at AES Eletropaulo. This study has a central role in the Brazilian electricity sector because due to the radical changes it has been subjected since 90’s financialization. However, no research on careers construction of leaders in the Brazilian context had been made so far. As a research procedure this study combined quantitative and qualitative methods in order to analyze the careers of leaders of AES Eletropaulo, we collected the curriculum of the Board and Directors, since its emergence as a state enterprise in 1979 to the year of 2012. These curriculums were analysed with a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). In addition, this research was complemented with an interview with the former president of the company where the study was performed. As a result, we were able to observe the several changes that AES Eletropaulo went through, especially that, the leaders of this company had to find ways to rebuild their careers according to the new logic of the moment, which would have been facing financially. The capacity for reconversion is very large in these companies that the engineers end up reconverting their careers, these workers update themselves through courses and degrees, acquire new skills in the human, administrative and social areas, to become more flexible in a first moment of organizational change and reconvert themselves into engineers who work in financial areas, so they can stay in their elite positions. All this is marked and explained by the preference of hiring of engineers in the large Brazilian companies for high ranking positions.
Low-Level Insulin Content Within Abundant Non-β Islet Endocrine Cells in Long-standing Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Lam Carol J. , Chatterjee Anirudha , Shen Emily , Cox Aaron R. , Kushner Jake A.
Published: December 2018

Although most patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) continue to produce small amounts of insulin decades after disease onset, very few β-cells persist within their pancreata. Consequently, the source of persistent insulin secretion within T1D remains unclear. We hypothesized that low-level insulin content within non-β-cells could underlie persistent T1D insulin secretion. We tested for low levels of insulin (insulinlow) within a large cohort of JDRF Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors With Diabetes (nPOD) human pancreata across a wide range of ages and T1D disease durations. Long exposures, high-throughput imaging, and blinded parallel examiners allowed precise quantification of insulinlow cells. Of note, abundant islet endocrine cells with low quantities of insulin were present in most T1D pancreata. Insulinlow islet abundance and composition were not influenced by age, duration of diabetes, or age of onset. Insulinlow islets also contained β-cell markers at variable levels, including Pdx1, Nkx6.1, GLUT1, and PC1/3. Most insulinlow cells contained abundant glucagon and other α-cell markers, suggesting that α-cells drive much of the insulinlow phenotype in T1D. However, pancreatic polypeptide, somatostatin, and ghrelin cells also contributed to the insulinlow cell population. Insulinlow cells represent a potential source of persistent insulin secretion in long-standing T1D and a possible target for regenerative therapies to expand β-cell function in disease.
Extreme Adhesion Activity of Amyloid Fibrils Induces Subcutaneous Insulin Resistance
Authors: Nakamura Makoto , Misumi Yohei , Nomura Toshiya , Oka Wakana , Isoguchi Aito , Kanenawa Kyosuke , Masuda Teruaki , Yamashita Taro , Inoue Yasuteru , Ando Yukio , Ueda Mitsuharu
Published: December 2018

Insulin-derived amyloidoma, also called an insulin ball, is a skin-related complication of insulin therapy caused by repeated insulin injections at the same site, where native folded insulin changes into amyloid fibrils and forms a mass with a granulomatous reaction. Insulin-derived amyloidoma is a clinically important condition because of its association with subcutaneous insulin resistance, but the precise effect and mechanism of the insulin absorption impairment have not been clarified. We generated insulin-derived amyloidomas in mouse skin, with the amyloidomas large enough to perform insulin tolerance tests in the mass by repeated injections of highly concentrated insulin amyloid fibrils. We demonstrated that the insulin-derived amyloidomas inhibit insulin absorption. By simultaneous administration of insulin and insulin amyloid fibrils, we showed that this effect is due to the amyloid fibril itself in the absence of a granulomatous reaction. In vitro studies revealed that insulin amyloid fibrils have extremely strong adhesion to native human insulin and various insulin analogs. Furthermore, we showed that native insulin that had adhered to insulin amyloid forms amyloid fibrils at physiological pH. These results suggest that the extreme adhesion of insulin amyloid to native insulin is the main mechanism of impaired insulin absorption and amyloidoma growth.