bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity and resistance of communities: Evaluation on the example of the influence of edaphic, vegetation and spatial factors on soil macrofauna
Authors: Zhukov O. V. , Kunah O. M. , Dubinina Y. Y.
Published: February 2018

Environmental stability is a multifaceted concept and includes properties such as asymptotic stability, robustness, persistence, variability, elasticity and resistance. Resistance reflects the ability of a community or population to remain in a substantially unaltered state under external influence. The reverse of resistance is sensitivity. This article suggests a way to assess the sensitivity of animal communities to factors of various character and explain sensitivity and resistance of the macrofauna community near the floodplain of the river Dnieper within the "Dnipro-Orelsky" Nature Reserve to the effects of edaphic and plant factors, as well as spatial variables. It is shown that the regulatory impact of environmental factors is refracted through the properties of ecological systems themselves, namely resistance and sensitivity. If an ecological system does not react to changing environmental factors, such a system is indifferent with respect to these factors. In the case of regulatory influence of factors, there may be resistance, sensitivity and the proportionality of the response of the ecological system. The ratio of the specific role of a factor in the variability of a community to the contribution of the main components of the total variability of the attributive space makes it possible to assess the resistance, sensitivity and proportionality of response the ecological system to the action of that factor. If the ratio is >1, then this indicates sensitivity: level of variability of a community is higher than the relative role of environmental factors in the changing of the attributive space. If <1, this indicates resistance: the level of variability of a community is lower than the relative role of environmental factors in the changing of the attributive space. If the ratio =1 (≈1), changes in the community are proportional to the level of the main components of variation in comparison with other components. Ecological factors (both external environmental and internal due to species interactions and which have a neutral nature) cause different levels of community response to their impact. These differences refracted through different aspects of stability of a community can be described using the categories resistance, sensitivity and proportionality. The proposed procedure for quantification of specified properties of sustainability has established that the floodplain soil macrofauna is endowed with resistance to factors that prevail on the level of its variation. However, macrofauna is highly sensitive to minor factors. The community of the soil inhabitants is sensitive to fine-scale variations, which have a neutral nature.
Proliferative activity of bone marrow cells of rats under the influence of biologically active substances of a medical leech
Authors: Aminov R. F. , Frolov A. K.
Published: February 2018

Hirudotherapy has been used in medicine since time immemorial. The advantage of this type of treatment is that the bite of a leech has a restorative effect on the entire body. The leech bites the skin and injects into the patient’s blood biologically active substances that activate blood microcirculation and promote immunity. The saliva of the leech contains more than 100 substances that contribute to the spectrum of therapeutic effects. But there are no studies on the effect of hirudotherapy on the proliferation of bone marrow cells, which is ontogenetically primary in the development of myeloid and lymphoid tissues. Therefore, it is important to study the mitotic activity of bone marrow of rats at the early stages of postembryonic development against the background of influence by the leech. Female nonlinear rats, two weeks before and two weeks after mating with males, were presented each week to one hungry medical leech weighing 400 mg. The females were examined after feeding their offspring and their offspring were likewise examined on day 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 of the experiment. The animals were kept in vivarium conditions on a standard diet in individual cages. All animals were decapitated under ether anesthesia and the number of leukocytes, the leukocyte blood count, the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and the color index were examined. After that, the femurs were quickly removed and the adjacent muscles separated with a sterile gauze. We cut the epiphyses and cut along the bone. Bone marrow from the femur was flushed with a warm (37 °C) hypotonic 0.9% sodium citrate solution into a sterile centrifuge tube using a Pasteur pipette. The resulting cell suspension was incubated in a hypotonic solution for 10 minutes at 37 °C. The resulting suspension was centrifuged for 5 minutes at 1000 rpm leaving only a small residue of sediment in the test tube. The cells were fixed in methyl alcohol with glacial acetic acid (three parts methyl alcohol and one part acetic acid). 3,000 cells were analyzed, among which we determined those that are in mitosis, and expressed their share. As a result of our studies, the immunomodulating effect of the saliva of the medical leech was revealed, which manifested itself in an increase in the proliferative activity of bone marrow cells, which led to an increase in the number of red blood cells, increased hemoglobin and increase in the number of leukocytes. The color index and the leukocyte blood count were within the normal limits.
Adhesive properties of film-forming strains of staphylococci, isolated from different compartments of the human gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Shevchenko T. M. , Hovorukha O. Y. , Voronkova Y. S. , Voronkova O. S.
Published: February 2018

Dysbiotic disorders, realized as changes in the composition of microbiota of different biotopes, are among the most difficult conditions to cure. This is due primarily to the fact that opportunistic microorganisms that actually mediate the development of such states are characterized by an increased colonization potential, which at the first stage of penetration into a biotope is realized as adhesion to the cell surface. When a microorganism successfully realises this stage it enters into a competitive relationship with the autochthonous flora and begins to inhibit its development. Such strategy becomes especially successful if the colonist has the ability to form a biofilm. It is known that the initial stage of biofilm formation is adhesion onto the surface, therefore, the study of adhesive properties of clinical strains opens the way for understanding the initial processes of development of dysbiosis and allows for the development of preventive measures. The aim of our research was to investigate the differences in the manifestation of adhesive properties of film-forming strains of staphylococci isolated from different compartments of the human gastrointestinal tract. We established that the frequency of detection of film-forming strains of staphylococci in different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract in the norm or during the development of lesions was for Staphylococcus aureus from 23.8% to 79.4%, and for S. epidermidis from 15.4% to 100%, which indicates the significant role of these microorganisms in the development of complications at the specified biotope. It was determined that the maximal manifestation of adhesive properties was typical for biofilm-forming strains of S. epidermidis and S. aureus isolated during intestinal dysbiosis. The average values of the adhesion index were 6.00 ± 1.41 and 5.88 ± 2.22 and the index of adhesion of microorganisms was 6.61 ± 1.46 and 6.64 ± 2.48 respectively. The lowest value of these indices for film-forming strains was determined for strains of staphylococci isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of patients suffering from food poisoning – 2.60 ± 1.14 and 2.86 ± 1.23 respectively. The obtained data suggest that the ability for biofilm-formation and a high level of adhesion indexes indicate with a high probability that a strain will cause long-lasting lesions, such as dysbiosis. The determination of these markers at the diagnostic stage will allow a broader study of the biological properties of the strain, which may be the basis for the development of an individual, optimal therapeutic scheme that conforms with the tasks of personalized medicine.
Resistance of nosocomial strains to antibacterial drugs and its link to biofilm formation
Authors: Sklyar T. V. , Lavrentievа K. V. , Alyonkina Y. A. , Kolomoets A. M. , Vinnikov А. І.
Published: February 2018

The problem of nosocomial infections is considered in connection with more frequent formation and wide distribution in clinical practice of new strains of hospital bacteria that have a cross-resistence to antibacterial drugs. The nosocomial agents were isolated from wounds and identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 72.0% of S. aureus strains and 61.5% of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates had the capability of forming biofilms. The sensitivity to antibiotics of all isolated strains was investigated with tne agar diffusion test. This method showed that all strains of S. aureus with the capability to form biofilms had resistence to erythromycin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The had the greatest sensitivity to klindamycin (90.3%), vancomycin (80.6%) and gatifloxacin (80.6% cultures). The strains of S. aureus with the capability to form biofilms were more resistent to antibiotics than strains of S. aureus without such properties. Only cefotaxim suppressed the growth of 75.0% of strains of staphylococci. All isolated strains of S. aureus without the capability to form biofilms were sensitive to doxycyclin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and klindamycin. All clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa with capability to form biofilms had resistence to ampicillin, gentamycin, imipenem, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. They were most sensitive (75.0%) to piperacillin and cefoperazone/sulbactam. The strains of P. aeruginosa without the capability to form biofilms kept the resistence to gentamycin, imipenem and ceftriaxone. They showed the greatest sensitivity (75.0%) to ciprofloxacin (80.0% isolates) and also to amikacin, ampicillin, meropenem, norfloxacin and cefotaxime (60.0% cultures). We investigated the minimum inhibitory concentrations of gentamycin and ciprofloxacin, which appeared higher for P. aeruginosa than for S. aureus. The most effective disinfectant against all isolated nosocomial agents without the capacity for biofilm formation was “Desactin” in a concentration 0.1% or 0.2%. For strains of staphylococci with this capability, the efficiency of “Desactin” went down by 9.7%. The best biocide effect against the strains of P. aeruginosa with the capability of forming biofilms was shown by 0.1% solution of “Neochlorine tabs”, which suppressed the growth of 75.0% of tested cultures. As a result, we detected a direct relationship between resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants and the capacities for biofilm formation among the nosocomial agents S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
The thyroid status of a conditionally healthy adult population of Prydniprovia
Authors: Arzhanov I. Y. , Buniatov M. R. , Ushakovа G. A.
Published: February 2018

Pathologies of the thyroid gland are one of the most common diseases in endocrinology today. Hormones of the thyroid gland carry out hormonal regulation of the cell cycle, the physiological and post-traumatic repair of cells. The hormones of the thyroid gland secrete and enhance the oxidative processes and control the heat production, which can affect the mental state and the ability of the body to adapt to adverse environmental factors. In the case of a lack or almost complete absence of thyroid hormones, normal development and function of any functional system in the body is not possible. In the context of an increase in the incidence of thyroid gland pathology inUkraine, this article presents an analysis of the thyroid status of the conditionally healthy population of Prydniprovia, related to age and gender. For the study, 120 patients of both sexes aged between 20 to 70 were selected. All patients were divided into 3 age groups of 40 people. Each age group was divided into 2 subgroups – male and female, with 20 people in each subgroup. Patients who, in the past and during the experiment, had no cases of thyroid gland disease were selected for accurate and reliable results. The study of thyroid status of the population showed that most of the adult and healthy population of Prydniprovia was not severely affected. All indicators were included in the age and gender limits of the norm, which are established by the preanalytical requirements of the independent laboratory Invitro (Dnipro,Ukraine). In women aged 50–70 years, there is an increased risk of hypothyroidism, which is confirmed by low levels of free thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the blood against the background of increased thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroglobulin levels. In the adult, conditionally healthy population of the Dnipro region aged between 20–70 years, the following correlation relations were observed between thyroid stimulating and thyroid hormones: at a younger age for men, the relationship between TSH and fT4 was –0.97, for TSH and fT3 –0.96, women also had a negative interdependence between these hormones (–0.95 and -0.98 respectively). The age of the men who underwent the test did not change this dependence but in women after 50 years, the Pearson correlation coefficient decreased between the studied hormones TTG and fT4 and fТ3 to –0.94 and –0.93, respectively. Indicators of total thyroxine and total triiodothyronine in the blood serum are not indicative for determining the risk of hypothyroidism.
Biochemical markers of safety of nano-particles of metals on the model of isolated subcultural fractions of eukaryotes
Authors: Roman’ko M. Y.
Published: February 2018

Unique sizes and a high level of bioavailability allow nanoparticles of metals (NPMe) to come into direct contact with biological systems, with infectious agents, toxins, as well as with different chemical compounds and separate cell structures (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids). Other biological effects, including less toxicity than in microscopic substances, require attention to be paid to the study of the potential risk of using nanoparticles of each type in a particular way, therefore scientific support is absolutely necessary in this direction. It is believed that the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials is due to genomic and mutagenic effects, but the mechanical forces of interaction of NPMе with cells, obviously, will change not only cytological but also their metabolic reactions. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the biochemical markers of safety (potential toxicity) of NPMe (Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Co, GFCo, Zn, MnO2) on the model of isolated membrane and cytosolic fractions of eukaryotic test cells of CHO-K1 and U937 lines. Under conditions of preincubation of experimental samples of NPMe at a final concentration of 1 μg/cm3 by the metal with preparations of subcellular fractions of CHO-K1 and U937 (in the final amount of protein 150–200 μg/cm3) for 3 minutes at 37 ± 1 ºС, there was determined the magnitude of membrane ATP-ase and cytosolic LDH-ase activity compared to intact cells ("control"). According to the results of the research, colloidal dispersions of NPAg average size ~30 nm, NPFe ~100 nm, NPCu ~70 nm, and NPMnO2 ~50 nm are safe and biocompatible by their membranotropic effect on subcellular fractions of eukaryotic test cells, as evidenced by an increase in the level of membrane ATPase and cytosolic LDHase of test-cells CHO-K1, and the experimental samples NPCo, NPGFCo and NPZn average size of ~100 nm are membrane-toxic, that is, dangerous. By the nature of the changes in the enzymatic activity of the test cells U937, the discrete dimensions of the membranotropic action of NPAu have been demonstrated: nanoparticles of size ~10 nm caused the inhibition of the membrane Na+,K+-ATPase, and the size of ~30 nm and ~45 nm – its induction; nanoparticles of size ~10, ~20 and ~30 nm induced cytosolic LDHase and the size of ~45 nm – its inhibition relative to the control level of enzymes, so NPAu ~10 and ~45 nm can be considered membrane toxic, and size ~30 nm – safe and biocompatible for eukaryotic cells. Based on the hypothesis about the involvement of metabolism-dependent mechanisms of contact interaction of colloidal dispersions of experimental samples of NPMe with cells through membranotropic properties, the study of their potential danger or biocompatibility in further research can be carried out by determining the intensity of oxidation of the main structural components of biomembranes of cells – lipids and proteins and indicators of their AO-regulation.
Hysto-ultrastructure of the facial nerve and mimic muscles in the norm and in the conditions of eхperimental neuropathy
Authors: Myhailiuk V. , Mykhailiuk I. , Hembarovskyi M. , Lebid O. , Duda K. , Patskan L. , Shovkova N.
Published: February 2018

We studied the structural components of the facial nerve in the norm and with cold neuropathy, indicating morphological changes in neuromuscular endings and muscle fibers at 10, 15, 30 and 60 days from the beginning of the simulation of experimental neuropathy, which was caused by local supercooling of the projection portions of the extracranial parts of the facial nerve on the background of the preliminary introduction of Freud’s complete adjuvant. We established that the pathomorphological changes in the endonevral microcirculatory bed have a phase character: the initial spasm (up to 10 days) changes in paralytic vasodilation, and its residual effects remain until the end of the experiment (60 days). Changes in hemomicrocirculation conditions lead to marked disturbances in the structure of myelinic nerve fibers, which have the character of segmental demyelination with signs of delay in axonal transport and reactive restructuring of neuromuscular endings. The change in the metric composition of myelinated nerve fibers is due to an increase in the number of nerve fibers of medium and large diameters (up to 30 days) and small diameter (after 30 days). In different periods of the experiment, a decrease in the branching area of the terminal branches of the motor axon is observed in the nerve cells, local edema of the endonevria, degenerative changes in a part of the nerve fibers develop. Due to the fine-grained decay of the final nerve branches, degeneration of the motor endings took place two weeks after the start of the experiment. Neuropathy for 30 days caused a pronounced inhibition of spotting in the peripheral parts of the motor nerve fibers. After 60 days of experiment, a large number of muscle fibers underwent destructive changes. The size of a significant part of the neuromuscular endings was reduced. In all terms of cold neuropathy, neurolematocytes reacted in the same way: cytoplasm was swollen, argyrophilic grains appeared in the nuclei, fine-grained decay of individual nuclei occurred.
Levosalbutamol as alternative to drugs on the basis of racemic salbutamol: Review of the results of pre-clinical research
Authors: Miroshnichenko A. G. , Bulgakova Y. S. , Perfiliev V. Y. , Bazarnova N. G.
Published: February 2018

The aim of the work is to conduct an analytical review of the results of preclinical studies of levosalbutamol. The review discusses the pharmacodynamic features of the R-stereoisomer of salbutamol in vitro. The chemical bases of interaction of levosalbutamol with β2-adrenoreceptors, intracellular signaling cascades associated with β2-adrenoreceptors, and structural features of clinically significant ligands of β2-adrenoreceptors are presented. Broncholytic activity, influence on the contractility of the diaphragmatic muscles, mucociliary clearance of R-salbutamol in comparison with racemic salbutamol are described. The data presented indicate that all known β2-adrenergic receptor-dependent effects of racemic salbutamol, including bronchodilation, are realized by its R-enantiomer. There is evidence that the regular inhalation administration of racemic salbutamol is accompanied by a partial decrease in the bronchoprotective effect and an increase in airway hyperreactivity in response to the action of provocative factors. It was found that the development of hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract is excluded in the case of regular inhalation of levosalbutamol. Possible mechanisms of the paradoxical bronchoconstrictor effect of the salbutamol dystomer are described. This article shows the beneficial effect of levosalbutamol on mucociliary clearance, its anti-inflammatory activity and antiallergic effect. The image data are compared between the enantiomers and the racemate of salbutamol. Special attention is paid to the pharmacokinetics of enantiomers of salbutamol. The data presented from the preclinical studies provide evidence of chiral inversion of stereoisomers of salbutamol.
Post-pyrogenic changes in vegetation cover and biological soil crust in steppe ecosystems
Authors: Shcherbyna V. V. , Maltseva I. A. , Maltsev Y. I. , Solonenko A. N.
Published: February 2018

The study of the processes of restoration of species richness and productivity of steppe ecosystems after fires is an urgent problem that affects not only the conservation of biodiversity but also the maintenance of pasture resources. This article presents the results of a study of post-pyrogenic effects in steppe ecosystems, taking into account changes in the species composition of cyanoprokaryotes and algae that are art of the biological soil crust, which performs ecologically important functions in xerophytic ecosystems. The investigations were carried out in virgin and post-pyrogenic steppe ecosystems of the “Troitsk Clough” reserve (Zaporizhia region, Ukraine). For three years, the dynamics of the projective cover and the height of the vegetation cover in virgin areas of herbs-fescue-feather-grass and fescue-feather-grass steppes was studied as well as within two ecosystems of post-pyrogenic development after fires that occurred in the spring and winter periods. We discovered that restoration of the herbs-fescue-feather-grass and fescue-feather-grass steppes after fires occurs at different rates. The cause of the slow restoration of vegetation cover can be its severe damage by fire at the beginning of the vegetation season and the development of erosion processes. The number of species of cyanoprokaryotes and algae in the biological soil crust of virgin and post-pyrogenic ecosystems is not significantly different. It varies from 35 to 49 species. The greatest diversity is noted for Cyanoprokaryota. Chlorophyta is in the second place. Among the dominants, the filamentous forms of Cyanoprokaryota prevail. Nostoc edaphicum was noted as a nitrogen fixing representative. The similarity of the species lists of cyanoprokaryotes and algae of post-pyrogenic and virgin ecosystems, according to the calculated Jaccard coefficient, varies from 49.1% to 55.3%. This indicates a strong specificity of the composition of cyanoprokaryotes and algae in post-pyrogenic biological soil crusts. Changes in their composition reflect different stages of post-pyrogenic succession. In the first year after a fire, there is a slight increase in species richness, which is a consequence of the favorable effect of increasing the amount of mineral substances in the soil after the organic matter has burned out. The “pioneer” group includes: Phormidium autumnale, Ph. dimorphum, Ph. retzii, Ph. (Leptolyngbya) henningsii, Luticola mutica, Hantzschia amphioxys. Gradually this effect is leveled and the species richness of cyanoprokaryotes and algae is stabilized at a level peculiar for this type of ecosystem.
Morphofunctional indicators demonstrated by young students resident in Russia’s Northeast
Authors: Averyanova I. V. , Maksimov A. L. , Vdovenko S. I.
Published: February 2018

The specific climatic and geographical conditions of the northern territories of Russia, the relatively small workforce, as well as intensive migration processes require a specific approach with regard to northern regions and, particularly, to the healthcare of the young generation residing in the territory. This study was aimed at exploring the body functionality of the young inhabitants of Russia’s Northeast considered as a human rescource for the future in relation to their period of residence in Magadan oblast. Based on the study of cardiovascular, biochemical, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, psychophysiological characteristics, as well as respiratory system and gas exchange parameters, a comparative examination was carried which involved 1,560 male students aged 17–21. Depending on their period of residence in Magadan oblast, the examined subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1 was presented by newcoming settlers, whites by origin (adaptants), who had migrated from the Central-European or Asian areas of Russia and lived in the northern region for at least 5 years (the zero generation). Group 2 was made up of those young males born and living in Magadan oblast (the 1st generation), whites by origin, who were children of immigrants to the area. Finally, group 3 was representatives of the 2nd generation born and living in Magadan oblast, whose parents were representatives of the 1st generation. We found that people with a longer term of residency in the north had become more optimized in cardiovascular functioning (demonstrate decrease in arterial pressure and more effective myocardial performance), less stressed in external respiration with simultaneous decrease in exhaled heat loss, had normalised lipid metabolism shown through a reduced percentage of deviations in lipidograms as well as the index of atherogenicity and higher functioning of the central nervous system. Besides, having experienced severe climatic conditions they have formed their specific region-related metabolic profile featuring lowered lipid metabolism values and high blood glucose which can be caused by changes in nutrition of city residents. It should be concluded that discovered tendency of adaptive changes demonstrated by north-born young white males enables us to consider it as formation of a new population of inhabitants of the North having the best functional abilities for optimal adaptation to the specific ecological and climatic conditions.
Metformin reduces urate nephropathy in experimental nephrolithiasis
Authors: Perfil’ev V. Y. , Zverev Y. F. , Perfil’eva D. Y. , Lysenko I. V. , Miroshnichenko A. G.
Published: February 2018

The objective of the article is to evaluate the effectiveness of metformin in the prevention and treatment of experimental urate nephropathy. About 33% of the populations of developed countries suffers from metabolic syndrome. The relationship between metabolic syndrome, especially insulin resistance, with gout and urate nephrolithiasis, is now proven. The search for a common pathophysiological link in the development of these conditions allows us to identify insulin-dependent excessive urinary acidification due to impaired education and renal ammonium transport. We suggested the use of drugs that can increase the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, and induce a decrease in the manifestations of urate nephropathy. The study was performed on 30 male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g. For the induction of urate nephropathy in rats, we used the classical model of inhibition of uricase by oxononium acid. Metformin was administered at a dose of 150 mg/kg in the treatment and prophylactic regimens. It was found that the use of metformin both in prophylactic and therapeutic regimen leads to a reliable decrease the level of uric acid in blood plasma and urine in rats with experimental urate nephrolithiasis. We found that the preventive use of metformin brought significant relief after experimental urate nephropathy, as evidenced by a shift in urine pH to the alkaline side, a decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity in urine, as well as a decrease in the processes of free radical oxidation in the blood and in the kidneys of the animals.
Gender and Feedback in Medical Education
Authors: Jones Yemisi , Murray Pamela , Strader Robin , Nyachae Joseph , Khakoo Rashida
Published: February 2018

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Background: More women are entering medical school and faculty positions, creating increased opportunities for interactions across gender during medical education. Little is known about how gender affects attitudes towards and preferences around feedback. Objective: To explore differences in giving and receiving feedback between men and women in clinical education. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to 3rd and 4th year medical students, residents, and clinical faculty at West Virginia University School of Medicine at the start of the 2014-2015 academic year. Participants were surveyed about their attitudes, expectations, and knowledge about feedback in the clinical educational setting. Responses were mostly on a 5-point Likert scale. The authors used Fisher's exact test (FET) and binary logistic regression to identify differences in responses by gender. Results: Of 762 potential respondents, 155 (20%) completed the survey. More women preferred to receive constructive feedback in written form (FET p = .05, OR = 4.18, p = .009). They also preferred to give feedback in written form (FET p = .04, OR 4.98, p = 0.003). However, a greater proportion of men preferred to give constructive feedback face-to-face (FET p = 0.003, OR NS), reported liking to give constructive feedback (OR = 4.40, p = 0.04), and felt comfortable giving constructive feedback (FET p = .03, OR = 10.21, p = 0.003). Conclusions: These findings suggest there are differences in the preferences and comfort men and women have for giving and receiving feedback. This has implications for approaches to clinical preceptor training around feedback.
A Comparative Study of the PSO and GA for the m-MDPDPTW
Authors: Ben Alaia Essia , Harbaoui Imen , Borne Pierre , Bouchriha Hanen
Published: February 2018

The m-MDPDPTW is the multi-vehicles, multi-depots pick-up and delivery problem with time windows. It is an optimization vehicles routing problem which must meet requests for transport between suppliers and customers for the purpose of satisfying precedence, capacity and time constraints. This problem is a very important class of operational research, which is part of the category of NP-hard problems. Its resolution therefore requires the use of evolutionary algorithms such as Genetic Algorithms (GA) or Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). We present, in this sense, a comparative study between two approaches based respectively on the GA and the PSO for the optimization of m-MDPDPTW. We propose, in this paper, a literature review of the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and the Pick-up and Delivery Problem with Time Windows (PDPTW), present our approaches, whose objective is to give a satisfying solution to the m-MDPDPTW minimizing the total distance travelled. The performance of both approaches is evaluated using various sets instances from [10] PDPTW benchmark data problems. From our study, in the case of m-MDPDPTW problem, the proposed GA reached to better results compared with the PSO algorithm and can be considered the most appropriate model to solve our m-MDPDPTW problem.
Elder Monitoring Workflow System for Independent Living
Authors: Jecan Sergiu , Benta Dan , Rusu Lucia Maria , Arba Raluca
Published: February 2018

This paper presents an automatic workflow framed in a gerontechnology solution, as part of the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) platform in Mobile@Old project. Our solution aims to increase or preserve cognitive functions, to track medication and coordinate physical activity through an exercising game (exergame). The exergame is customized according to each elderly person’s reactions and specificities. The workflow involves doctors, physiotherapists, the elderly person and their caregivers, in an ecosystem designed to ensure well-being and independence.
Dynamic Multi-hop Routing Protocol Based on Fuzzy-Firefly Algorithm for Data Similarity Aware Node Clustering in WSNs
Authors: Misbahuddin Misbahuddin , Putri Ratna Anak Agung , Sari Riri Fitri
Published: February 2018

In multi-hop routing, cluster heads close to the base station functionaries as intermediate nodes for father cluster heads to relay the data packet from regular nodes to base station. The cluster heads that act as relays will experience energy depletion quicker that causes hot spot problem. This paper proposes a dynamic multihop routing algorithm named Data Similarity Aware for Dynamic Multi-hop Routing Protocol (DSA-DMRP) to improve the network lifetime, and satisfy the requirement of multi-hop routing protocol for the dynamic node clustering that consider the data similarity of adjacent nodes. The DSA-DMRP uses fuzzy aggregation technique to measure their data similarity degree in order to partition the network into unequal size clusters. In this mechanism, each node can recognize and note its similar neighbor nodes. Next, K-hop Clustering Algorithm (KHOPCA) that is modified by adding a priority factor that considers residual energy and distance to the base station is used to select cluster heads and create the best routes for intra-cluster and inter-cluster transmission. The DSA-DMRP was compared against the KHOPCA to justify the performance. Simulation results show that, the DSA DMRP can improve the network lifetime longer than the KHOPCA and can satisfy the requirement of the dynamic multi-hop routing protocol.
One-dimensional compression and swelling of compacted fly ash
Authors: Zabielska-Adamska Katarzyna
Published: February 2018

The aim of the paper is to prove that the compressibility and swelling of compacted fly ash in both unsaturated and fully saturated conditions are dependent on the moisture content at the compaction and on the compaction energy, as in the case of cohesive soils. The studies have been conducted on samples compacted at various water contents in conventional oedometers and the Rowe hydraulic consolidation cell and in California bearing ratio moulds (swelling tests). The one-dimensional compressibility of saturated fly ash is much higher than that of unsaturated fly ash. Deformation of unsaturated samples increases with moisture at compaction, and the samples compacted with greater effort are less compressible. The consolidation of the saturated samples decreases with their moisture content at compaction and at the reduction of the compaction energy. The swelling of ash samples decreases as the moisture during compaction increases and when compaction energy is lower. The highest swelling was obtained for the fly ash with the highest optimum water content.
Production of pure amorphous silica from wheat straw ash
Authors: Bartůněk Vilém , Sedmidubský David , Bouša Daniel , Jankovský Ondřej
Published: February 2018

The product of a local energy facility focused on biomass, wheat straw ash waste was processed to pure amorphous silica and other phases that can be further used by thermal treatment with sodium hydroxide and subsequent leaching and acid precipitation by sulfur dioxide (SO2) or carbon dioxide (CO2). Extra-pure amorphous silica can be prepared using the sulfur dioxide-based process; the more affordable carbon dioxide precipitation process may be used for applications where ultrapure amorphous silica is not required. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. The method displays a potential to be scaled up and applied in industrial practice. In this way, not only is the valuable amorphous silica obtained, but also other phases resulting from the process can be optionally utilized. All processes are facile, environmentally friendly and oil independent, particularly when focused on the carbon dioxide route.
Skrotal Radyoterapide Curcuminin Profilaktik Kullanımı Testis Dokusunda PARP-1 İmmünreaktivitesini ve Spermatogenezi Nasıl Etkiler?
Authors: Akpolat Meryem , Kamat Bayram , Gülle Kanat , Bakkal Bekir Hakan
Published: February 2018

Fertilitede akut doz radyasyonun öldürücü etkileri iyi bilinmektedir. Kısa süreli radyasyona maruziyet germ hücrelerinin ölümü ve hasarlanması ile sonuçlanır. Son yıllarda radyoterapi, kanserli hastaların uzun süreli iyileşmesine önemli ölçüde katkı vermiştir. Ancak radyasyonun uzun dönemde üreme sistemi üzerindeki hasarlayıcı etkisi ile meydana gelen fertilizasyon kayıplarını göz ardı etmemek gerekmektedir. Bu güne kadar curcuminin antioksidan ve radyoprotektif etkisi ile ilgili birçok makale yayınlanmıştır. Bu çalışma; curcuminin X ışınlamayı takiben sıçan testisinde ortaya çıkacak germ hücre kaybı ile ilişkili infertiliteyi iyileştirebileceği düşüncesi ile planlanmıştır. Çalışmamızda biri kontrol 3’ü deney grubu olmak üzere toplam 4 grup oluşturuldu. Radyasyon hasarı oluşturmak amacıyla kontrol ve curcumin grubu dışındaki deneklerin skrotal bölgelerine tek fraksiyonda 6 Gy X ışını uygulandı. Curcumin ve radyasyon+ curcumin gruplarına; ışınlamadan 1 hafta önce başlayarak, haftada 3 kez olmak üzere 7 hafta boyunca oral yoldan 100 mg/kg curcumin, kontrol ve radyasyon gruplarına da aynı şekilde serum fizyolojik verildi. Işınlamadan 6 hafta sonra tüm denekler sakrifiye edildi ve alınan testis biyopsi materyalleri histopatolojik incelemeler için işlemlendirildi. Çalışmamızda, iyonize radyasyonun tübüllerin çoğunda germ hücre kaybına bağlı olarak, tübüler atrofiye neden olduğu görüldü. Radyasyon alan deneklerin tümünde, spermatogenezisin bozulması ile ilişkili olarak, Jhonsen skorunda kontrole göre anlamlı düzeyde (p<0,05) azalma saptandı. PARP-1 immünreaktivite skorunda da hasarının şiddeti ile ilişkili olarak, kontrole göre anlamlı düzeyde (p<0,05) artış belirlendi. Curcumin uygulamasının ise radyasyona bağlı ortaya çıkan hasarları önlemede beklenen düzeyde koruma ve iyileşme sağlamadığı tespit edildi.
Investigation and Performance Evaluation of Organic Filter for Removal of Tar and SPM
Authors: Singh R. N. , Asha D.
Published: February 2018

Producer gas obtained from biomass gasification contains organic impurities (Tar), inorganic
impurities and suspended particulate matter in addition to the main components. Tar, which is in
sticky nature, can cause severe operational problems such as fouling and blocking of the pipes
and equipment. Most applications of Producer gas require a low Tar content (less than 50 mg/
Nm3 for motive power application, less than 5 mg/Nm3 for turbine application, and even less
than 1 mg/Nm3 for fuel cell). Therefore, these contaminants must be removed before the producer
gas is used for motive power application and/or fuel cells and methanol synthesis. Several
technologies are available for Tar removal. Here an organic filter are used for Tar removal due to
easily available, cheaper than other technologies and creates less impact on environment. The
producer gas passing through different organic filter components (such as gram straw, coconut
husk and egg shell) could clean the impurity present with them. This paper provides the
performance evaluation and saturation time of different organic filter components for removal of
Tar. The saturation time of organic filter was found in the range of 9-10 hours and percentage of
tar removal was between 65 to 70%. Hence, overall Tar removal efficiency of the entire system
including modified air heat exchanger was found to be 74.84%.
A cross section study on tobacco consumption practice in school going adolescent male of Jamnagar city, Gujarat, India
Authors: Patel Alpesh Shankerlal , Damor Raman D.
Published: February 2018

Background: Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. About 5 million people die every year due to tobacco use and this figure may increase to 10 million tobacco related deaths per year by 2020. The most susceptible time for initiating tobacco use in India is during adolescence and early adulthood, ages 15-24 years.Most tobacco users start using tobacco before the age of 18 years, while some start as young as 10 years.Tobacco consumption habit in adolescents is particularly an eye opening situation for any country. Methods: School based cross section study in school going adolescent male was carried out to find out prevalence of tobacco consumption among them and to identify factors affecting it. Chi-square test was applied as test of significance and p<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of tobacco consumption in any form of tobacco in school going adolescent male was 54.25%. Prevalence of tobacco consumption was highest in age group of 17 to 19 years (55.29%). Chewing of tobacco in various forms was identified as main form of tobacco consumption by adolescent male. Family problems, social problems, economic problems, problems with friends and addiction in family members or friends were identified as main factors that affected tobacco consumption by school going adolescent male. Conclusions: It is urgent need of time to address the tobacco consumption by adolescent age group specifically adolescent male. Strengthening of various IEC activities and strict implementation of present laws related to substance abuse. Role of family and society should be identified and practiced for prevention and control of this novel epidemic.
Unforeseen consequences of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Vaishnav Radhika , Arslan Wakas , Mehta Divyesh G.
Published: February 2018

With the increasing use of immunotherapy for various cancers, it is essential that clinicians become aware of some of the unique consequences and sude effects associated with these new treatments. Ranging from pneumonitis and colitis to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, immune related adverse events have been reported. Some side effects may be confused with cancer progression and thus awareness and clinical presentation of these is critical and necessary in this fast moving field of medicine.
Tumor necrosis factor: An inflammatory microenvironment marker in primary breast cancer patients
Authors: Thriveni Karuvaje , Raju Anisha , Ramaswamy Girija , Krishnamurthy S. , Kumar Rekha V.
Published: February 2018

Aim: The present study was planned to analyze plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in invasive ductal primary breast cancer (BC) patients in a South Indian population. TNF alpha (TNF α) and TNF beta (TNF β) are produced during inflammation as proinflammatory cytokine markers. The plasma levels of TNF α and TNF β (lymphotoxin α) were correlated with clinicopathological features of BC. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients before treatment. We analyzed plasma levels of TNF α, and TNF β in 70 female BC cases and 35 age-matched healthy controls using Millipore magnetic bead kits. Results: Plasma TNF α levels in BC cases were significantly elevated (median 10.1 pg/ml) when compared to the control groups. Plasma values of TNF α and TNF β both were significantly elevated in BC patients with hormone receptor negative cases. Plasma TNF α level was elevated in lymph node metastasis and triple negative BC. Plasma values of TNF α inversely correlated with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positivity. Conclusion: The plasma levels of TNF α were more significantly overexpressed than TNF β in BC patients. Further, the patients with aggressive cancer had higher levels of inflammation markers. The present study shows that TNF levels were elevated in hormone receptor negative and triple-negative cases.
 
Clinical utility of immunohistochemistry using the novel anti-BRAF V600E antibody (clone RM8) for detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein in papillary thyroid cancers
Authors: Krishnamurthy Arvind , Ramshankar Vijayalakshmi , Murhekar Kanchan , Shyamsundar Vidyarani , Desai Pavithra B. , Parikh Purvish
Published: February 2018

Background: Molecular markers are gaining increasing importance as diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with well differentiated thyroid cancers and BRAF V600E mutation has received wide attention in this regard Aim: To evaluate the clinical value of immunohistochemistry (IHC) using anti-BRAF V600E antibody (clone RM8) for detection of the BRAF V600E mutant protein in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Patients who were managed for well differentiated thyroid cancers (n = 79) during the years 2005 and 2006 were included in the study. We evaluated the fidelity of the RM8 antibody specific for the BRAF V600E and compared its detection accuracy to real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which was taken as the gold standard. Results: Mutant BRAF V600E antibody was studied in 79 tissue sections, out of which 21 (26.5%) had staining for BRAF V600E in >20% of the tumour cells and these were considered positive. The BRAF staining was moderate in 10 (47.6%), strong in 9 (42.5%) and very strong in 2 (9.5%) of sections stained. There was a statistically significant concordance (P = 0.000) with quantitative PCR (qPCR) for BRAF mutant taken as standard. (Kappa agreement: 0.881) Further, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve showed that IHC can be used as a comparable standard to the qPCR. The highest possible sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 92.6% could be achieved by considering the cytoplasmic positivity of >20% of cells with moderate to strong intensity (AUC = 0.923) Conclusion: Our study has shown that BRAF V600E IHC can be done in a conventional manner using rabbit monoclonal antibody RM8 on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of patients with papillary thyroid carcinomas. With a comparable diagnostic accuracy to the gold standard qPCR testing and with an added advantage of being cost effective, this technology can be considered for use as a first-line method for detection of BRAF V600E mutations, especially in resource constrained settings.
THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL PERSON FUNCTIONING ON THE SCIENCE LITERACY OF TAIWAN PISA 2015
Authors: Chiang Pei-Ming , Tzou Huey-Ing
Published: February 2018

Purpose of Study: This study is an application of differential person functioning (DPF) on the data of Taiwan PISA 2015 science literacy. We use this method to understand the strength and weakness of Taiwan students in science literacy. It is also hoped that the results could be helpful in improving the content of curriculum and the remedial instruction.

Methodology: We transpose the person-item data matrix into an item-person matrix, and use Mantel-Haenszel method to analyze this matrix. The focal and reference groups change from persons to item clusters, that is, cognitive domains in the PISA science assessment.

Main Findings: Results show the proportions of DPF are very few. This implies most Taiwan students have a comprehensive science literacy. Up to 5.9% students perform differentially in three science competencies. Most DPF students perform better in the explain phenomena scientifically (EP) competency than the others no matter what proficiency level they are belong to. This may reflect the current situation of science education in Taiwan. The experts and teachers should develop more curriculums to reinforce the students’ competencies about evaluate and design scientific enquiry (ED) and interpret data and evidence scientifically (ID).

Limitations: The effect sizes of DPF are not provided, the degree of DPF is unidentified. DPF analyses only test the relative difference in two cognitive scales. Future studies can incorporate other cognitive diagnostic model to obtain more information in detail.

Importance of Study: The PISA assessments provide a favorable framework to examine students’ literacy. The results of international reports show that Taiwan students performed well in science. The application of differential person functioning can find out the weaknesses of Taiwan students in science literacy. Furthermore, we applied the DPF procedure to explore the characteristics of students in the different level of performance.