bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH PENGGUNAN FERMENTASI TEPUNG KULIT BUAH KAKAO ( Theobroma cacao L.) DALAM PAKAN TERHADAP EFISIENSI PEMANFAATAN PAKAN DAN PERTUMBUHAN IKAN MAS ( Cyprinus carpio.)
Authors: Seravina Seravina , Subandiyono Subandiyono , Sudaryono Agung
Published: January 2020

Cacao pod husk (Theobroma cacao L.) is waste or by-products of agro-industry that was produced from cacao plants. The nutritional content of cacao pod husk consisted of 9,15% protein, 1,96 % lipid, 25,64 % crude fiber, 10,39% ash, and 52,86% nitrogen-free extract  (NFE). Crude fiber from cacao pod husk was difficult to be digested by fish.  The solution for that constraint was by applying fermentation proccess. This experiment was aimed to observe the influence of cacao pod husk flour which has been fermented first before added into the practical diets, on the feed efficiency and growth of carp (Cyprinus carpio). The trial fish used were carp (C. carpio) with an initial average body weight of 6,54 ± 0,07 g/fish. Feeding frequency applied was twice a day, i.e. at 08.00 a.m and 16.00 p.m. and by appliying an at satiation method. The fishes were cultured for 42 days with the stocking density of 1 fish/ 2L. The experimental method used was completely randomize design (RCD) with 4 treatments and 3 replicates. The treatment of A, B, C, and D were the trial diets with the concentration of cacao pod husk flour of 0, 10, 20, and 30%, respectively. The data measured were feed consumption, feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), growth (G), spesific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate (SR). The data showed that the use of fermented cacao pod husk flour in the diets resulted significant by effects (P<0,05) on the feed consumption, FE, PER,G, SGR, and SR. Treatment C resulted on the values of feed consumption i.e. 190.1±2.98g, FE i.e. 88.19±8.09%, PER i.e. 2.66±0.24%, G i.e. 7,26±0,11, SGR i.e. 1.68±0.13%, and SR i.e. 96,00±4,00%. The water quality parameters during this observe were varied between suitable range for fish life. It was concluded that the diet containing 20% of fermented cacao pod husk flour resulted on better feed efficency and growth of the carp.
PENAMBAHAN KANDIDAT PROBIOTIK Bacillus methylothrophicus SECARA BERKALA PADA MEDIA PEMELIHARAAN UNTUK PENCEGAHAN INFEKSI BAKTERI Aeromonas hydrophila PADA IKAN NILA (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Ardy Femy Musthofa , Desrina Desrina , Haditomo Alfabetian Harjuno Condro
Published: January 2020

Aeromonas hydrophila is a bacteria that causes of MAS disease (motile aeromonad septicemia) in freshwater fish cultivation and can cause mass death in a fairly short period of time in some species including tilapia. There are several alternative strategies in prevention, one of which is the use of probiotic bacteria as agents for controlling or preventing this disease. One candidate for probiotics that has been molecularly identified as 16sRNA and is known to have the ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria is B. methylotrhrophicus. The aim of this research was to study B.methylotrophicus in inhibiting  A. hydrophila in Oreochromis niloticus culture. This research consisted of in vitro and in vivo test that used experiment method with completely randomized design with 4 treatments (density of 1 fishes/l) and 3 replications. The treatment consisted of a mixture of A. hydrophila 102 CFU/mL with B. methylotrophicus 109 CFU/mL (a) without addition of B. methylotrophicus (b) Addition every 3 days, (c) Addition every 5 days, (d) Addition every 7 day. 120 fishes at average weight of 17,5±1,9 g was used as experimental animals. Based on the in vitro test, the most powerful concentration of B. methylotrophicus to inhibit A. hydrophila was 109 cfu/mL with clear zone of 24,9±4,2 mm. In vivo tests show that the addition of B. methylotrophicus periodecally does not significantly affect survival rates, but can slow the gowth of A. hydrophila. Treatment D showed the highest survival rate (13.33%), followed by treatment A (6.66%), B (3.33%), and C (3.33%). These results indicate that B.methylotrophicus can prevent the gowth of A. hydrophila in vitro, and can increase SR by 6.66% in the in vivo test.
PERFORMA EFISIENSI PEMANFAATAN PAKAN DAN PERTUMBUHAN LELE SANGKURIANG YANG DIBUDIDAYA DI DESA TAMBAKSARI, KECAMATAN ROWOSARI, KABUPATEN KENDAL MELALUI PENAMBAHAN ENZIM PAPAIN DALAM PAKAN BUATAN
Authors: Rachmawati Diana , Samidjan Istiyanto , Hutabarat Johannes , Windarto Seto , Nugroho Ristiawan Agung
Published: January 2020

Salah satu faktor penting dalam pemeliharaan lele sangkuriang (Clarias sp) adalah pakan. Biaya pakan dihitung sekitar 60-70% dari total biaya dalam satu siklus produksi. Tingginya porsi biaya pakan disebabkan oleh ketidakefisienan pakan. Salah satu solusi untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut adalah dengan menambahkan enzim papain dalam pakan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji pengaruh suplementasi enzim papain dalam pakan terhadap pertumbuhan dan tingkat kelangsungan hidup lele sangkuriang (Clarias sp) yang dipelihara di kolam, di Desa Tambaksari, Kecamatan Rowosari, Kabupaten Kendal, Provinsi Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. Bibit lele sangkuriang yang digunakan memiliki berat rata-rata 2,23 ± 0,56 g / benih. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimental dengan Rancangan Acak Lengkap. Percobaan dilakukan dalam 4 (empat) perlakuan dan setiap perlakuan memiliki 4 (empat) pengulangan. Perlakuan terdiri dari penambahan enzim papain protease ke dalam pakan dengan dosis 0 mg / kg pakan (A), 0,75 mg / kg pakan (B), 1,5 mg / kg pakan (C) dan 2 , 25 mg / kg pakan (D). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa suplemen enzim papain dalam pakan secara signifikan (P <0,01) memengaruhi Specific Growth Rate (SGR); dan tidak berpengaruh signifikan (P> 0,05) Survival Rate  (SR) lele sangkuriang (Clarias sp). Dosis terbaik penambahan enzim papain adalah pada level 1,5 mg / kg pakan (perlakuan C) yang memiliki efek optimal pada pertumbuhan ikan. Parameter kualitas air masih dalam kisaran layak untuk membudidayakan lele sangkuriang (Clarias sp).
Inwentarz przedmiotów pozostawionych przez Antoniego Malczewskiego
Authors: Dambek-Giallelis Zofia
Published: January 2020

In the article, the inventory of Antoni Malczewski’s belongings, the author of the romantic poem Maria, is published. The document was found in the archive of Jan Feliks Wilski, a nineteenth-century Varsovian notary. The only time the document was sourced was in the biography of Malczewski by Władysław Kazimierz Wójcicki in 1854 (1855). Besides presenting the document, the author collates the rediscovered list with a reading by the nineteenth-century biographer.
Pisarz w archiwum. Prace nad poznańskim Archiwum Włodzimierza Odojewskiego
Authors: Przybyszewska Alicja , Nowakowska Dagmara
Published: January 2020

The article is a collection of thoughts that transpired during the work at the Archive of Włodzimierz Odojewski. The aim of the authors was to identify and indicate the potential ways to study the life and works of the writer, and the expected result of the research is a biography of Odojewski. The research was based on the exploration of the writer’s private collection: unpublished documents, manuscripts, typescripts, personal papers, correspondence, family and estate papers and photographs. The authors focused on a number of issues. One, the biographical facts that influenced Odojewski’s output – World War II, frequent relocations, censorship and a ban on publishing in Poland, emigration, the relation with the Polish Institute in Maisons-Laffitte and working at Radio Free Europe’s editorial office. Two, the analysis of literary works including hundreds of typescripts in many variants (related to the phases of the genetic history of a literary work through the stages of Odojewski’s life) which allowed for describing Odojewski’s writing techniques. Three, ‘The writer’s map’ which points out places important for the author – Poznań, Gniezno, Kłecko, Podole,Szczecin, Warsaw, Paris, Berlin, Munich. Four, the correspondence (personal and cultural) which can be used as an important source of knowledge of the history of Polish post-war emigration. One of the most interesting parts of the collection is a collection of letters from Jerzy Giedroyć that show Polish culture outside the Iron Curtain.
Formulation and Evaluation of Eudragit RL-100 Nanoparticles Loaded In-Situ Forming Gel for Intranasal Delivery of Rivastigmine
Authors: Salatin Sara , Barar Jaleh , Barzegar-Jalali Mohammad , Adibkia Khosro , Alami-Milani Mitra , Jelvehgari Mitra
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate (RHT) is commonly used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this work was to formulate in-situ pluronic F-127 (PF-127) hydrogels containing Eudragit RL-100 (EU-RL) nanoparticles (NPs) in order to improve the therapeutic efficacy of RHT through the nasal route. Methods: The NPs were prepared using different polymer to drug ratios and evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity against lung adenocarcinoma cells (A459). PF-127 nanoformulations were prepared via cold method and analyzed in terms of physicochemical properties and drug release profiles. The nanoformulations and plain drug gel were then assessed by ex vivo permeation studies across the sheep nasal mucosa. Results: The EU-RL NPs exhibited a particle size within the range of 118 to 154 nm and positive zeta potential values of 22.5 to 30 mV with an approximately spherical shape. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) suggested no drug to polymer interaction through the preparation of nanoformulations. The RHT-loaded NPs exhibited an acceptable cytocompatibility with a time- and dose-dependent cellular internalization. Conclusion: Our results clearly indicated the potential of nanoformulations as controlled release systems to improve the therapeutic efficacy of RHT through the intranasal administration
Development and Characterization of Nanoliposomal Hydroxyurea Against BT-474 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Akbari Azam , Akbarzadeh Azim , Rafiee Tehrani Morteza , Ahangari Cohan Reza , Chiani Mohsen , Mehrabi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Hydroxyurea (HU) is a well-known chemotherapy drug with several side effects which limit its clinical application. This study was conducted to improve its therapeutic efficiency against breast cancer using liposomes as FDA-approved drug carriers. Methods: PEGylated nanoliposomes-containing HU (NL-HU) were made via a thin-film hydration method, and assessed in terms of zeta potential, size, morphology, release, stability, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity. The particle size and zeta potential of NL-HU were specified by zeta-sizer. The drug release from liposomes was assessed by dialysis diffusion method. Cellular uptake was evaluated by flow cytometry. The cytotoxicity was designated by methyl thiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results: The size and zeta value of NL-HU were gotten as 85 nm and -27 mV, respectively. NL-HU were spherical.NL-HU vesicles were detected to be stable for two months. The slow drug release and Weibull kinetic model were obtained. Liposomes considerably enhanced the uptake of HU into BT-474 human breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of NL-HU on BT-474 cells was found to be significantly more than that of free HU. Conclusion: The results confirmed these PEGylated nanoliposomes containing drug are potentially suitable against in vitro model of breast cancer.
Kinetics Analysis and Susceptibility Coefficient of the Pathogenic Bacteria by Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Alizadeh-Sani Mahmood , Hamishehkar Hamed , Khezerlou Arezou , Maleki Mohammad , Azizi-Lalabadi Maryam , Bagheri Vahid , Safaei Payam , Azimi Taher , Hashemi Mohammad , Ehsani Ali
Published: January 2020

Purpose: The increase of bacterial resistance to common antibacterial agents is one of the major problems of health care systems and hospital infection control programs. In this study, antimicrobial activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated against E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus pathogenic bacteria by determining sensitivity coefficient and kinetics of bacterial death. Methods: Antimicrobial tests were performed with ~106 CFU/mL of each bacterium at baseline. At first, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was concluded by the dilution method and then, death kinetic and susceptibility coefficient of NPs suspensions was determined at 0 to 360 min. treatment time. Results: The results of this study revealed that, the highest susceptibility was observed for L. monocytogenes (Z=0.025 mL/μg) to TiO2 NPs, whereas the lowest susceptibility was obtained in the reaction of ZnO NPs with S. enteritidis (Z=0.0033 mL/μg). The process of bacterial death in NPs suspension was assumed to follow first-degree kinetic and the survival ratio of bacteria decreased by the increase in treatment time. An increase in the concentration of NPs was seen to enhance the bactericidal action. Conclusion: Results showed that L. monocytogenes had higher sensitivity compared to S. enteritidis. The results of this study also demonstrated that TiO2 NPs have a strong antimicrobial effect in comparison with ZnO NPs and it could be employed to aid the control of pathogenic bacteria.
Emerging Effects of Sepantronium Bromide (YM155) on MOLT-4 Cell Line Apoptosis Induction and Expression of Critical Genes Involved in Apoptotic Pathways
Authors: Shojaei Moghadam Kobra , Farshdousti Hagh Majid , Alivand Mohammad Reza , Fardi Masoumeh , Movassaghpour Ali Akbar , Mohammadi Ali , Moghadasi Maryam , Solali Saeed
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Sepantronium bromide (YM155) is a Survivin inhibitor which recently advanced as an anticancer agent in phase II clinical trials. Survivin belongs to IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) gene family and is a pivotal target for treatment due to its overexpression and oncogenic function in many malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although survivin is a specific target for YM155, recent reports have shown that it has many other crucial targets that regulate its anti-apoptotic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether YM155 could have an effect on cell death-inducing genes as well as inducing apoptosis in T-ALL MOLT4- cell line. Methods: We treated MOLT-4 cells with increasing concentrations of YM155 and then cell viability was determined using MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) assay. Also, the rate of induction of apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells and the target genes expression levels were evaluated by Annexin V/PI and real-time PCR, respectively. Results: YM155 inhibited cell growth in MOLT-4 cells. This outcome is achieved by inducing apoptosis and a significant increase in the expression level of P53, MiR-9, caspase 3 and decreasing the mRNA expression levels of survivin, Sirtuin1(SIRT1), member of anti-apoptotic proteins family (Bcl-2), and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) initiating factors Snail1and Zeb2. Conclusion: The results showed that use of YM155 can be a potential drug therapy in T-ALL patients with promising effects on apoptosis induction.
Classification of Riboswitch Families Using Block Location-Based Feature Extraction (BLBFE) Method
Authors: Golabi Faegheh , Shamsi Mousa , Sedaaghi Mohammad Hosein , Barzegar Abolfazl , Hejazi Mohammad Saeid
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Riboswitches are special non-coding sequences usually located in mRNAs’ un-translated regions and regulate gene expression and consequently cellular function. Furthermore, their interaction with antibiotics has been recently implicated. This raises more interest in development of bioinformatics tools for riboswitch studies. Herein, we describe the development and employment of novel block location-based feature extraction (BLBFE) method for classification of riboswitches. Methods: We have already developed and reported a sequential block finding (SBF) algorithm which, without operating alignment methods, identifies family specific sequential blocks for riboswitch families. Herein, we employed this algorithm for 7 riboswitch families including lysine, cobalamin, glycine, SAM-alpha, SAM-IV, cyclic-di-GMP-I and SAH. Then the study was extended toward implementation of BLBFE method for feature extraction. The outcome features were applied in various classifiers including linear discriminant analysis (LDA), probabilistic neural network (PNN), decision tree and k-nearest neighbors (KNN) classifiers for classification of the riboswitch families. The performance of the classifiers was investigated according to performance measures such as correct classification rate (CCR), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and f-score. Results: As a result, average CCR for classification of riboswitches was 87.87%. Furthermore, application of BLBFE method in 4 classifiers displayed average accuracies of 93.98% to 96.1%, average sensitivities of 76.76% to 83.61%, average specificities of 96.53% to 97.69% and average f-scores of 74.9% to 81.91%. Conclusion: Our results approved that the proposed method of feature extraction; i.e. BLBFE method; can be successfully used for classification and discrimination of the riboswitch families with high CCR, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and f-score values.
Evaluation of Amikacin Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Patients with Intra-abdominal Sepsis
Authors: Shahrami Bita , Najmeddin Farhad , Rouini Mohammad Reza , Najafi Atabak , Sadeghi Kourosh , Amini Shahideh , Khezrnia Seyedeh Sana , Sharifnia Hamid Reza , Mojtahedzadeh Mojtaba
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Although the current widespread use of amikacin is in intra-abdominal sepsis treatment, its pharmacokinetic changes in the present setting are not yet well known. This study was aimed to evaluate the amikacin pharmacokinetic profile in critically ill patients with intraabdominal sepsis compared to pneumosepsis. Methods: Adult septic patients received amikacin therapy were studied. Patients with intraabdominal sepsis were enrolled in group 1 (n=16), and patients with pneumosepsis were enrolled in group 2 (n=13). The amikacin serum concentrations were evaluated in the first, second, fourth and sixth hours after initiating 30-minute infusion. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for each patient. Results: There was no significant difference in the volume of distribution between the two groups (0.33±0.08 vs. 0.28±0.10 L/kg, P=0.193). The amikacin clearance was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (58.5±21.7 vs. 83.9±37.0 mL/min, P=0.029). There was no significant correlation between amikacin clearance and creatinine clearance estimated by Cockcroft-Gault formula in all patients (P=0.206). The half-life was significantly longer in group 1 compared to group 2 (5.3±2.8 vs. 3.4±3.2 hours, P=0.015). Conclusion: Pathophysiologic changes following intra-abdominal sepsis can affect amikacin pharmacokinetics behavior. The clearance and half-life may change, but the alteration of the volume of distribution is not significantly different in comparison with pneumosepsis. Further studies are required to evaluate the pharmacokinetic variables of amikacin in critically ill patients with intra-abdominal sepsis.
Restoration of miR-193a-5p and miR-146 a-5p Expression Induces G1 Arrest in Colorectal Cancer through Targeting of MDM2/p53
Authors: Noorolyai Saeed , Baghbani Elham , Aghebati Maleki Leili , Baghbanzadeh Kojabad Amir , Shanehbansdi Dariush , Khaze Shahgoli Vahid , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad , Baradaran Behzad
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a universal and lethal cancer owing to metastatic and relapsing disease. Currently, the role of microRNAs has been checked in tumorigeneses. Numerous studies have revealed that between the tumor suppressor miRNAs, the reduced expression of miR-146a-5p and -193a-5p in several cancers including CRC tissues are related with tumor progression and poor prognosis of patients. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of miR-146 a-5p and -193 a-5p in CRC cell cycle progression. Methods: The miR-193a-5p and -146 a-5p mimics were transfected into HT-29 CRC cells via jetPEI transfection reagent and their impact was assessed on p53, cyclin B, and NF-kB gene expression. The inhibitory effect of these miRNAs on cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. The consequence of miR-193a-5p and miR-146 a-5p on the protein expression level of Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) was assessed by western blotting. Results: miR193a-5p and -146a-5p regulated the expression of MDM2 protein and p53, cyclin B, and NF-kB gene expression in CRC cells. Treatment of HT-29 cells with miRNA-146a-5p and -193a-5p induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that miR146a-5p and -193a-5p may act as a potential tumor suppressor by their influence on cell cycle progression in CRC cells. Thus, miRNA-146a-5p and -193a-5p restoration may be recommended as a potential therapeutic goal in the treatment of CRC patients.
Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Inflammatory and Antioxidant Markers, and Clinical Prognosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke (TNS Trial): A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled, Clinical Trial
Authors: Hashemilar Mazyar , Khalili Mohammad , Rezaeimanesh Nasim , Sadeghi Hokmabadi Elyar , Rasulzade Sevin , Shamshirgaran Seyed Morteza , Taheraghdam Aliakbar , Farhoudi Mehdi , Shaafi Sheyda , Shakouri Seyed Kazem , Savadi Osgouei Daryoush
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Malnutrition is extensively prevalent amongst critically ill patients afflicted by ischemic stroke (IS). This study purpose was to evaluate the protein whey effect on inflammatory and antioxidant markers and functional prognosis in acute IS patients. Methods: out of 42 patients with acute IS who were referred to Imam Reza Educational Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, 40 patients participated in the study. Twenty-one patients as control group received the hospital routine formula, and 19 patients as intervention group received 20 g/daily of whey protein through oral gavage. Inflammation and oxidative stress indicators (e.g., albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP)and clinical variables included in were evaluated using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) during admission and also 3 weeks after intervention. Results: Whey protein supplementation significantly decreased the NIHSS and mRS scores, TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP by passing 3 weeks from intervention (P<0.05). However, whey formula had no significant effect on other markers including albumin, and MDA. The hs-CRP (P = 0.02) reduction was significantly higher in whey protein group in comparison with control group. Conclusion: Whey protein supplementation reduced inflammation markers in those patients with IS. However, these changes should be studied in larger-scale trials.
Isolation of Indigenous Selenium Tolerant Yeast and Investigation of the Relationship Between Growth and Selenium Biotransformation
Authors: Hosseindokht Khujin Maryam , Zare Hamed
Published: January 2020

Purpose: Organic selenium compound such as selenomethionine plays a significant function in the response to oxidative stress. Saccharomyces cerevisiae have the ability to accumulate selenium and selenium biotransformation. Selection of indigenous selenium tolerant yeast is our goals. The relationship between cell growth and selenium biotransformation was also investigated. Methods: The screening of the yeast cell was carried out at two steps in order to select yeast with high capacity for resistance and accumulation of selenium. The isolates were selected according to produced high biomass at different concentrations of selenium. Secondly, best yeast strains from previous step were grown in presence of 25 mg/L of sodium selenite and organic selenium content was measured. Results: The S17 isolate showed had maximum organic selenium accumulation (2515 ppm) and biomass production (2.73 g/L) compared to the other isolates. The biomass production and organic selenium accumulation of the S17 during 120 hours was shown a direct relationship between growth and biotransformation. Conclusion: This increase in organic selenium content was achieved with yeast screening. It is interesting to know that organic selenium has high bioavailability and low toxicity compared with inorganic selenium. Therefore, finding yeast strains which are resistant to selenium can be very helpful in cancer prevention.
Fast Dissolving Sublingual Strips: A Novel Approach for the Delivery of Isosorbide Dinitrate
Authors: Fathei Marzieh , Alami-milani Mitra , Salatin Sara , Sattari Sharahm , Montazam Hassan , Fekrat Farhad , Jelvehgari Mitra
Published: January 2020

Background: Isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) is used for treating the angina attacks. In addition, oral ISDN is available in immediate and sustained release formulations and the bioavailability of ISDN is about 20-25% when taken orally. Further, the ISDN films are developed for sublingual drug delivery by improving drug bioavailability. The present study aimed to design and evaluate the physicochemical properties of the film formulation for sublingual delivery of ISDN. Methods: In the present study, sublingual films were prepared by the solvent casting technique using the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymers (i.e., 100, 150 and 200 mg) with a different drug to polymer ratios (i.e., 1:5, 1:7.5 and 1:10). Then, ISDN was evaluated for the film appearance, drug content, surface pH, mucoadhesion force, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in vitro drug release, and ex vivo permeability. Results: Based on the results, F3 formulation (1:10 ISDN to HPMC ratio) showed acceptable thickness (0.93 mm), weight (11.14 mg), surface pH (7.82), moisture absorption capacity (6.08%), elasticity (>200), mucoadhesion force (18.05 N/cm2), and drug content (6.22%). Furthermore, the results demonstrated that HPMC polymer improved the characteristics of the films, modified the bioadhesiveness, and finally, enhanced elasticity. However, DSC thermogram failed to show any crystalline drug substance in the films except for F1 (immediate release) and the endothermic peak of ISDN was absent in F2 and F3 films. Therefore, the drug which was entrapped into the film was in an amorphous or disturbed-crystalline phase of the molecular dispersion or dissolved in the melted polymer in the polymeric matrix. Moreover, the drug release from the films was faster compared to the tablet® (P<0.05). Conclusion: In general, the formulation of F1 was observed to be an appropriate candidate for developing the sublingual film for the remedial use.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of Acrylamide after Its Extraction from Potato Chips
Authors: Ghalebi Maryam , Hamidi Samin , Nemati Mahboob
Published: January 2020

Background: Acrylamide is a known carcinogenic product that has been found among the substances such as potato chips which to be processed under the heat-treatment. In order to extract amounts of acrylamide from fried chips in market, an ultrasound-assisted liquid– liquid extraction (UA-LLE) technique is proposed. The UA-LLE coupled LLE and ultrasonication in a single step. Methods: Chips samples were dissolved in an extracting organic solvent using ultrasonication to prompt transferring of acrylamide into the organic phase. As a result, the extraction time and process efficiency were significantly enhanced through increasing the collision power and mass transfer between grounded chips and organic phase. Results: Important parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as kind of organic solvent and its volume, re-dissolving solvent and pH were optimized. This newly proposed method has been applied to determine the trace acrylamide in potato chips samples purchased from local market. Conclusion: UA-LLE is a handy, economic and time-saving method, with high extraction yield (over 103% average recovery) and good precision (lower than 15% relative standard deviation, RSD). Most importantly, it seems this method to be an ideal pre-treatment method for the extraction of acrylamide in food matrix in food quality control laboratories.
Simultaneous Determination of Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine and Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in Plasma of Epileptic Patients
Authors: Samadi Azam , Khoubnasabjafari Maryam , Barzegar Mohammad , Sadeghvand Shahram , Shiva Shadi , Jouyban Abolghasem
Published: January 2020

Background: Quantitative analyses of antiepileptic drugs are required in clinic and to rational dosage adjustment, the clinician needs the blood levels of these drugs. A high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of some antiepileptic drugs in plasma of patients with epilepsy. Methods: A simple procedure based on deproteinization by acetonitrile was used for pre-treatment of plasma samples. Liquid chromatographic analysis was carried out on a Nova-Pak® C18 analytical column, using a ternary mixture of potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 6.0)-acetonitrile-2-propanol (63:22:15, v/v/v) as the mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1. Results: Calibration curves were linear over a range of 1–40 µg mL-1 for phenobarbital, 1–30 µg mL-1 for phenytoin, 0.3–15 µg mL-1 for carbamazepine and 0.5–6 µg mL-1 for carbamazepine epoxide. Conclusion: The simple sample pre-treatment, combined with the fast chromatographic run was used for the determination of antiepileptic drugs for a large number of patient samples.
Phytochemicals and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity from Piper caninum and Piper magnibaccum
Authors: Hashim Nur Athirah , Ahmad Farediah , Salleh Wan Mohd Nuzul Hakimi Wan , Khamis Shamsul
Published: January 2020

Background: Piper species are aromatic plants used as spices in the kitchen, but their secondary metabolites have also shown biological effects on human health. In traditional medicine, Piper species have been used worldwide to treat several diseases such as urological problems, skin, liver and stomach ailments, for wound healing, and as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents. In the present study, we attempted to isolate the phytochemicals from Piper caninum and Piper magnibaccum and evaluate their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Methods: Phytochemical constituents of the extracts were investigated using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. The structures of the isolated phytochemicals were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data, as compared to that of reported data. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was also tested on the extracts and selected compounds using mushroom tyrosinase as the enzyme. Results: Fractionation and purification of the extracts of Piper caninum and Piper magni­baccum afforded nine known compounds which were cepharanone A (1), cepharadione A (2), aristolactam AII (3), 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (4), 24-methylenecycloartan-3-one (5), β-sitosterol (6), piperumbellactam A (7), 24S-ethylcholesta-5,22,25-trien-3β-ol (8) and stigmast-3,6-dione (9). Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves of P. magnibaccum gave the highest inhibition value at 48.35%, while the tested compounds displayed weak tyrosinase activity compared to the positive control, kojic acid. Conclusion: These phytochemical results suggested that the extracts could assist as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Further research is needed in which the extract could possibly be exploited for pharmaceutical use.
Capillary Electrophoresis Methods for the Determination of Tramadol: A Review
Authors: Sarkany Anita , Hancu Gabriel , Drăguț Claudiu , Modroiu Adriana , Barabás-Hajdu Enikő
Published: January 2020

Tramadol is a widely used opioid analgesic frequently prescribed for treatment of moderate to severe, acute and chronic pain. It has a complex mechanism of action, acting both as a central opiate agonist and as a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It is a chiral substance, having two chiral centers in its structure and it is used in therapy as a racemic mixture of two of its enantiomers, (S,S)-tramadol and (R,R)-tramadol. In the last 25 years, several analytical procedures have been published in the literature for the achiral and chiral determination of tramadol from pharmaceutical formulations and biological matrices. Among these methods, capillary electrophoresis techniques have proved to be an efficient, reliable and cost-effective solution. The purpose of the present review is to provide a systematic survey to present and discuss the electrodriven methods available in the literature for the achiral and chiral analysis of tramadol.
Activity-Dependent Calcium Signaling in Neurons of the Medial Superior Olive during Late Postnatal Development
Authors: Franzen Delwen L. , Gleiss Sarah A. , Kellner Christian J. , Kladisios Nikolaos , Felmy Felix
Published: January 2020

The development of sensory circuits is partially guided by sensory experience. In the medial superior olive (MSO), these refinements generate precise coincidence detection to localize sounds in the azimuthal plane. Glycinergic inhibitory inputs to the MSO, which tune the sensitivity to interaural time differences, undergo substantial structural and functional refinements after hearing onset. Whether excitation and calcium signaling in the MSO are similarly affected by the onset of acoustic experience is unresolved. To assess the time window and mechanism of excitatory and calcium-dependent refinements during late postnatal development, we quantified EPSCs and calcium entry in MSO neurons of Mongolian gerbils of either sex raised in a normal and in an activity altered, omnidirectional white noise environment. Global dendritic calcium transients elicited by action potentials disappeared rapidly after hearing onset. Local synaptic calcium transients decreased, leaving a GluR2 lacking AMPAR-mediated influx as the only activity-dependent source in adulthood. Exposure to omnidirectional white noise accelerated the decrease in calcium entry, leaving membrane properties unaffected. Thus, sound-driven activity accelerates the excitatory refinement and shortens the period of activity-dependent calcium signaling around hearing onset. Together with earlier reports, our findings highlight that excitation, inhibition, and biophysical properties are differentially sensitive to distinct features of sensory experience.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeurons in the medial superior olive, an ultra-fast coincidence detector for sound source localization, acquire their specialized function through refinements during late postnatal development. The refinement of inhibitory inputs that convey sensitivity to relevant interaural time differences is instructed by the experience of sound localization cues. Which cues instruct the refinement of excitatory inputs, calcium signaling, and biophysical properties is unknown. Here we demonstrate a time window for activity- and calcium-dependent refinements limited to shortly after hearing onset. Exposure to omnidirectional white noise, which suppresses sound localization cues but increases overall activity, accelerates the refinement of calcium signaling and excitatory inputs without affecting biophysical membrane properties. Thus, the refinement of excitation, inhibition, and intrinsic properties is instructed by distinct cues.
Repeated Exposure to Multiple Concurrent Stresses Induce Circuit Specific Loss of Inputs to the Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Libovner Yaaqov , Fariborzi Mona , Tabba Daim , Ozgur Ali , Jafar Tamara , Lur Gyorgy
Published: January 2020

Severe loss of excitatory synapses in key brain regions is thought to be one of the major mechanisms underlying stress-induced cognitive impairment. To date, however, the identity of the affected circuits remains elusive. Here we examined the effect of exposure to repeated multiple concurrent stressors (RMS) on the connectivity of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in adolescent male mice. We found that RMS led to layer-specific elimination of excitatory synapses with the most pronounced loss observed in deeper cortical layers. Quantitative analysis of cortical projections to the PPC revealed a significant loss of sensory and retrosplenial inputs to the PPC while contralateral and frontal projections were preserved. These results were confirmed by decreased synaptic strength from sensory, but not from contralateral, projections in stress-exposed animals. Functionally, RMS disrupted visuospatial working memory performance, implicating disrupted higher-order visual processing. These effects were not observed in mice subjected to restraint-only stress for an identical period of time. The PPC is considered to be a cortical hub for multisensory integration, working memory, and perceptual decision-making. Our data suggest that sensory information streams targeting the PPC may be impacted by recurring stress, likely contributing to stress-induced cognitive impairment.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRepeated exposure to stress profoundly impairs cognitive functions like memory, attention, or decision-making. There is emerging evidence that stress not only impacts high-order regions of the brain, but may affect earlier stages of cognitive processing. Our work focuses on the posterior parietal cortex, a brain region supporting short-term memory, multisensory integration, and decision-making. We show evidence that repeated stress specifically damages sensory inputs to this region. This disruption of synaptic connectivity is linked to working memory impairment and is specific to repeated exposure to multiple stressors. Altogether, our data provide a potential alternative explanation to ailments previously attributed to downstream, cognitive brain structures.
Unique Spatial Integration in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex and Higher Visual Areas
Authors: Murgas Kevin A. , Wilson Ashley M. , Michael Valerie , Glickfeld Lindsey L.
Published: January 2020

Neurons in the visual system integrate over a wide range of spatial scales. This diversity is thought to enable both local and global computations. To understand how spatial information is encoded across the mouse visual system, we use two-photon imaging to measure receptive fields (RFs) and size-tuning in primary visual cortex (V1) and three downstream higher visual areas (HVAs: LM (lateromedial), AL (anterolateral), and PM (posteromedial)) in mice of both sexes. Neurons in PM, compared with V1 or the other HVAs, have significantly larger RF sizes and less surround suppression, independent of stimulus eccentricity or contrast. To understand how this specialization of RFs arises in the HVAs, we measured the spatial properties of V1 inputs to each area. Spatial integration of V1 axons was remarkably similar across areas and significantly different from the tuning of neurons in their target HVAs. Thus, unlike other visual features studied in this system, specialization of spatial integration in PM cannot be explained by specific projections from V1 to the HVAs. Further, the differences in RF properties could not be explained by differences in convergence of V1 inputs to the HVAs. Instead, our data suggest that distinct inputs from other areas or connectivity within PM may support the area's unique ability to encode global features of the visual scene, whereas V1, LM, and AL may be more specialized for processing local features.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSurround suppression is a common feature of visual processing whereby large stimuli are less effective at driving neuronal responses than smaller stimuli. This is thought to enhance efficiency in the population code and enable higher-order processing of visual information, such as figure-ground segregation. However, this comes at the expense of global computations. Here we find that surround suppression is not equally represented across mouse visual areas: primary visual cortex has substantially more surround suppression than higher visual areas, and one higher area has significantly less suppression than two others examined, suggesting that these areas have distinct functional roles. Thus, we have identified a novel dimension of specialization in the mouse visual cortex that may enable both local and global computations.
Pisando charcos. La pintura sin soporte en el arte contemporáneo
Authors: Fernández Fariña Almudena
Published: January 2020

El presente artículo analiza la práctica pictórica contemporánea que convierte la pintura derramada en absoluta protagonista de la obra. En un recorrido por la historia del arte se revisan las convenciones de la representación que trataron de ocultar la materialidad de la pintura, los artistas que la mostraron sin disimulo y los que, finalmente, la presentan explícitamente, sin artificios ni soportes intermediarios. Se identifican los posibles antecedentes de esta práctica, situando a la artista norteamericana Lynda Benglis como referente ineludible. El artículo pretende demostrar que el medio tradicional de la pintura no sólo sobrevive en la era digital, sino que reivindica su espacio en el arte contemporáneo presentándose en su estado más elemental.
El mercado de la pintura española en Estados Unidos en las primeras décadas del siglo XIX
Authors: Carrasco-González Guadalupe
Published: January 2020

En Estados Unidos el fenómeno del coleccionismo se desarrolló a partir de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. Fueron escasas las colecciones artísticas en las primeras décadas del siglo. En este artículo se analiza la llegada al mercado de arte estadounidense de la importante colección de Richard W. Meade, reunida durante su estancia en España entre 1804 y 1820. Buena parte de las pinturas que la componían eran de artistas barrocos españoles. A través del inventario de su patrimonio y los catálogos de las sucesivas subastas se analiza, cómo se reunió la colección y cómo contribuyó en esos años a iniciar  el mercado estadounidense de pintura europea y española en particular.
La industria artística en el entorno transmedia de las redes sociales. Primeras aproximaciones
Authors: Irala-Hortal Pilar
Published: January 2020

El presente trabajo es una primera aproximación investigadora a cómo la industria artística (producción, exhibición, difusión crítica, distribución, venta) ha encontrado un lugar natural de trabajo, colaboración, ejercicio crítico y transacción comercial en el mundo digital y, de forma muy importante, en las redes sociales. Esto ha llevado a diferentes transformaciones y adaptaciones del mundo del arte al universo digital. Las conclusiones más destacadas se concentran en uno de los cambios que podrían ser más evidentes y profundos, esto es, la influencia creciente del usuario en toda la cadena de la industria del arte. Antes de la revolución digital quien controlaba la producción (mecenas) o la información (intermediario) controlaba en gran medida el éxito de un artista, un escritor o una revolución. Pero, gracias en buena parte, a las redes sociales y a las relaciones transmedia con las que están interconectadas, esta escala ha variado y, en ocasiones, se está invirtiendo.
The tragedy in abeyance of Cándida. Emigration and assimilation in the cinema of Niní Marshall
Authors: Pérez Pereiro Marta , Roca Baamonde Silvia
Published: January 2020

In his writings about cinema, Jean Epstein poetically explained that every film contains a ‘tragedy in abeyance’ that is not explicit in the narrative. This cinematic idea guides the analysis of the films Cándida (1939) and Cándida millonaria (1941), two of three comedies that Luis Bayón Herrera directed about a Galician maid in Buenos Aires. Niní Marshall plays Cándida, a newcomer to Argentina who projects the stereotype of the female Galician immigrant. In these films Cándida faces two tragedies: that of a newcomer in an alien society and that of assimilation, which endangers the identity of the immigrant striving to fit into this new society. Drawing on Epstein’s concept of photogénie, this article explores the representation of an almost invisible ‘other’ –a female, immigrant, domestic worker who is part of an ethnic minority– and the contradictions implicit in her comic portrayal.
Huella y presencia flamenca e italiana en los conventos cordobeses de madres dominicas
Authors: Carmona Carmona Francisco Manuel
Published: January 2020

Damos a conocer en esta contribución las aportaciones de obras artísticas de naturaleza o inspiración flamenca e italiana que se han conservado en los conventos de religiosas contemplativas dominicas de Madre de Dios de Baena y Jesús Crucificado de Córdoba. Fundamentamos con documentación inédita el contexto por el que estas piezas han tenido entrada en estos cenobios, además de facilitarnos la atribución de autoría a determinadas obras que hasta el momento se han mantenido en el anonimato. Así, encontramos en ellas las paternidades de los pintores Cornelis I Schut (1597-1655), Jan I Brueghel (1568-1625), Paul Bril (1553-1626) y Domenico Fiasella (1589-1669), y de los broncistas Sebastiano Torrigiani (†1596) y Ludovico del Duca (†1603), así como del escultor Francesco Terillus (†1635).
Teachers Support of Students’ Social-Emotional and Self-Management Skills Using a Solution-Focused Skillful-Class Method
Authors: Niu Shuanghong Jenny , Niemi Hannele
Published: January 2020

Increasing importance is being attached to support students’ learning of social-emotional and self-management skills as they may experience all kinds of difficulties and problems at school. How can teachers support students to learn useful skills to overcome these problems? The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the Skillful-Class method, which teachers can use in their classrooms to support students learn social-emotional and self-management skills in a supportive and collaborative learning environment. A Skillful-Class project was conducted in 22 Finnish and 18 Chinese primary school classes. Data was collected by pre- and post-questionnaires from autumn 2018 – spring 2019. Qualitative data was collected using a post questionnaire with open-ended questions, interviews, and discussions on webpages, which were reviewed by content analysis. There is clear evidence showing that students’ skills improved significantly; further, the relationships among students, teachers, and parents also improved. The students became more supportive of and collaborative with each other. The teachers’ responses also show that their work became easier at school when students learned many social-emotional and self-management skills. Based on these findings, we can conclude that the Skillful-Class method is an effective tool for teachers to help students learn skills. Further, it improves the collaboration among teachers, students, and parents, and builds a supportive and collaborative learning community.