bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of the power frequency vacuum arc shape based on 2D-PIV
Authors: Dong Wenliang , Zou Jiyan , Stephenson Dwight
Published: January 2019

Vacuumcircuit breaker (VCB) is one of the important elements in the power grid that can control and protect the system. The diagnosis of the vacuum arc images in VCBs is helpful to the study on their breaking performance. But up to now, there are few reports on the macro-particle motion trajectories in the arc. As the macro-particles in the arc are flowing, the particle image velocimetry (PIV) can be grafted into the vacuum arc image processing. In this paper, the power frequency vacuum arc (peak is 6.9kA) was used as the treatment object, geometric characteristics of the vacuum arc shape using digital image processing technology were extracted, and the two dimensional motion trajectory and velocity distribution of the arc macro particles in different arc combustion stages were obtained based on 2D-PIV technology. Three stages were analyzed. In the rapid diffusion stage, the collision of the macro-particles is very intense in the anode region, and they spray along the anode surface. In the stable combustion stage, the velocity of the particles near the anode is small, and there is a smaller shrink. And finally in the extinction stage, their motion trajectories are in a state of rotation, near the anode and cathode are in a state of contraction.
Parametric simulation analysis and reliability of escalator truss
Authors: Yin Xiaowei , Qian Wenxue , Pham Hoang
Published: January 2019

Escalators are now more and more widely used around the world. As escalator accidents occur from time to time, it is very important to analyze the structure and reliability of escalators. This paper studies the structure and reliability analysis methods of typical escalators. By applying parametric analysis methods, the efficiency and accuracy of escalator structure analysis are greatly improved. Because the failure of each structural member of the escalator truss system is dependent, this paper applies the dependent failure reliability modeling method and analyzes the reliability of the escalator truss system. The results show that the reliability analysis method of the truss system after considering the dependent failure is more reasonable. The above research work has certain reference significance for the design and analysis of escalators.
Synergy analysis of agricultural economic cycle fluctuation based on ant colony algorithm
Authors: Cheng Shen , A. López Miguel
Published: January 2019

The measurement of the agricultural economic cycle and its synergy analysis are of great significance for the formulation of agricultural macroeconomic policies. When the traditional methods are used to analyze the main factors affecting the synergy of agricultural economic cycle fluctuations, almost all of them use the correlation coefficient or the degree of agreement to express the degree of economic cycle synergy. It is impossible to accurately evaluate the degree of synergy of economic cycle fluctuations. To solve this problem, a quantitative calculation model of agricultural economic cycle synergy evaluation based on the ant colony algorithm is proposed. On the basis of the collected monthly data of agricultural economic operation indicators, a prosperity index that comprehensively reflects the development of agricultural economy is constructed. The law of economic prosperity cycle fluctuation is analyzed according to economic prosperity index, and HP filtering is utilized to decompose the trend fluctuations of the economic time series of various industries and obtain the fluctuation components. The ant colony algorithm is utilized to optimize the spearman correlation analysis method, and the correlation analysis of the wave components is carried out. The Fisher-z conversion is performed on the optimal Spearman correlation coefficient obtained by the optimization. The transformed results represent the degree of economic cycle synergy, considering the geographical distance, economic space spillover, fiscal policy synergy, regional income gap and geographical neighbors, a quantitative calculation model for agricultural economic cycle synergy evaluation is established. The results show that the agricultural economic cycle has a certain spatial correlation, and will expand the agricultural economic fluctuations and form the cycle synergy through the periodic space overflow.
AI for the Common Good?! Pitfalls, challenges, and ethics pen-testing
Authors: Berendt Bettina
Published: January 2019

Recently, many AI researchers and practitioners have embarked on research visions that involve doing AI for “Good”. This is part of a general drive towards infusing AI research and practice with ethical thinking. One frequent theme in current ethical guidelines is the requirement that AI be good for all, or: contribute to the Common Good. Butwhat is the Common Good, and is it enough to want to be good? Via four lead questions, I will illustrate challenges and pitfallswhen determining, from an AI point of view,what the Common Good is and how it can be enhanced by AI. The questions are: What is the problem / What is a problem?, Who defines the problem?, What is the role of knowledge?, and What are important side effects and dynamics? The illustration will use an example from the domain of “AI for Social Good”, more specifically “Data Science for Social Good”. Even if the importance of these questions may be known at an abstract level, they do not get asked sufficiently in practice, as shown by an exploratory study of 99 contributions to recent conferences in the field. Turning these challenges and pitfalls into a positive recommendation, as a conclusion I will draw on another characteristic of computer-science thinking and practice to make these impediments visible and attenuate them: “attacks” as a method for improving design. This results in the proposal of ethics pen-testing as a method for helping AI designs to better contribute to the Common Good.
The urgency of engaging with oddities and ambiguities: Reciprocity and cooperation visited as semio-aesthetic notions in bridging nature and culture
Authors: Chien Jui-Pi
Published: January 2019

The notion of the third culture forms the background of the study that seeks to unify humanistic and scientific approaches for a better appreciation of nature, culture, and the arts. This study draws on the kind of emotion and attitude that we may intuit and act out soon after noticing another individual demanding our help in nature and culture. Such feelings as sympathy and empathy, uncertainty and ambiguity, are perceived to be extremely useful in the context of strategy formation and action taking. These preverbal traits that are already more or less encoded in our body and mind may enable us to devise rewarding strategies emerging from the deep inside when we are coping with strange oddities in nature and culture. Such operation is seen on the one hand to save our biologically valuable time in terms of thinking and imagining, and on the other, to achieve brilliant interpretations of various art and life forms. This study reveals that we are estimated to come up with: (1) cogent and digestible propositions; (2) sharpened perceptions and refined tastes; (3) widened horizons of emulating and appreciating types of art and artifice. On top of polishing our own skills and swiftness of inventing strategies, we may also expect to forge encouraging and endearing partnerships between diverse life forms and us. All in all, this study develops the semio-aesthetic idea that we serve the community by way of developing balanced and intriguing viewpoints that may inspire individuals to regain linkages with beings and forms appearing unpleasant or unconvincing at first sight.
The Impact of CRISPR-Cas System on Antiviral Therapy
Authors: Bayat Hadi , Naderi Fatemeh , Khan Amjad Hayat , Memarnejadian Arash , Rahimpour Azam
Published: January 2019

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein nuclease (Cas) is identified as an adaptive immune system in archaea and bacteria. Type II of this system, CRISPR-Cas9, is the most versatile form that has enabled facile and efficient targeted genome editing. Viral infections have serious impacts on global health and conventional antiviral therapies have not yielded a successful solution hitherto. The CRISPR-Cas9 system represents a promising tool for eliminating viral infections. In this review, we highlight 1) the recent progress of CRISPR-Cas technology in decoding and diagnosis of viral outbreaks, 2) its applications to eliminate viral infections in both pre-integration and provirus stages, and 3) various delivery systems that are employed to introduce the platform into target cells.
Eryngium Billardieri Induces Apoptosis via Bax Gene Expression in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Roshanravan Neda , Asgharian Parina , Dariushnejad Hassan , Mesri Alamdari Naimeh , Mansoori Behzad , Mohammadi Ali , Alipour Shahriar , Barati Meisam , Ghavami Abed , Ghorbanzadeh Vajihe , Aamazadeh Fatemeh , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: January 2019

Purpose: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a high prevalence all over the world. Most of the therapeutic approaches failed as a result of tumor invasion and rapid metastasis. Several natural plants have been shown to have promising therapeutic effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic activity of Eryngium billardieri against PANC-1 cancer cell lines. Methods: Dimethylthiazole diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT assay) and ﬂow cytometry were used to assess the cytotoxicity of E. billardieri extracts against PANC-1 cancer cell lines. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was conducted to investigate the expression levels of Bcl2- associated X protein (BAX) and cyclin D1. Results: The results of the MTT assay showed that E. billardieri extracts had cytotoxic effects on PANC- 1 cancer cell lines. Moreover, the ﬁndings from the gene expression confirmed the over expression of Bax, and under expression of cyclin D1 following treatment with dichloromethane (DCM) and n-hexane (n- hex) extracts in cancer cells (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the ﬂow cytometry results showed that DCM and n- hex extracts of E. billardieri induced apoptosis in PANC- 1 cancer cell lines. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that DCM and n- hex extracts of E. billardieri significantly induce apoptosis by increasing Bax and decreasing cyclin D1 mRNA expression. Therefore, E. billardieri may be regarded as a novel approach for treatment of pancreatic cancer as a result of its promising apoptotic and cytotoxic properties.
Retraction Note: Expression of Functional Anti-p24 scFv 183-H12-5C in HEK293T and Jurkat T Cells
Authors: Omar Mohammad Tasyriq Che
Published: January 2019

The main and corresponding author, "Mohammad Tasyriq Che Omar" submitted this article to the "Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin" Journal on 20 of April 2017 and it was published after positive reviews in: Adv Pharm Bull, 2017, 7(2), 299-312, doi: 10.15171/apb.2017.036. Recently we were informed by an email that this work was carried out under direct supervision of a researcher in the "Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia" between 2013-2016. On the submitted and published manuscript "Mohammad Tasyriq Che Omar" did not include the name of his supervisor as an author, who substantially contributed to conception and design of the work. No permission was obtained from the supervisor for submission of this work. We contacted "Mohammad Tasyriq Che Omar" regarding this issue and he admitted this mistake. He requested to add his supervisor’s name on the published paper. This could not be happened as it is against the current regulations and professional ethics. Publication of this work without the knowledge, consent, and permission of the PhD supervisor and without his name is unacceptable and reflective of extremely poor professional ethics. The editors of the "Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin" Journal who act according to the COPE Code of Conduct, consider this an infringement of professional ethics and the decision has been made to retract the article published in the Journal. The editors of "Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin" Journal are sorry for any inconveniences caused to the reviewers, editorial staff and to the readers. Prof Hadi Valizadeh "Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin" Editor-in-Chief
Decentralisation and Health Services Delivery in 4 Districts in Tanzania: How and Why Does the Use of Decision Space Vary Across Districts?
Authors: Kigume Ramadhani , Maluka Stephen
Published: January 2019

Background: Decentralisation in the health sector has been promoted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for many years. Inherently, decentralisation grants decision-making space to local level authorities over different functions such as: finance, human resources, service organization, and governance. However, there is paucity of studies which have assessed the actual use of decision-making space by local government officials within the decentralised health system. The objective of this study was to analyse the exercise of decision space across 4 districts in Tanzania and explore why variations exist amongst them. Methods: The study was guided by the decision space framework and relied on interviews and documentary reviews. Interviews were conducted with the national, regional and district level officials; and data were analysed using thematic approach. Results: Decentralisation has provided moderate decision space on the Community Health Fund (CHF), accounting for supplies of medicine, motivation of health workers, additional management techniques and rewarding the formally established health committees as a more effective means of community participation and management. While some districts innovated within a moderate range of choice, others were unaware of the range of choices they could utilise. Leadership skills of key district health managers and local government officials as well as horizontal relationships at the district and local levels were the key factors that accounted for the variations in the use of the decision space across districts. Conclusion: This study concludes that more horizontal sharing of innovations among districts may contribute to more effective service delivery in the districts that did not have active leadership. Additionally, the innovations applied by the best performing districts should be incorporated in the national guidelines. Furthermore, targeted capacity building activities for the district health managers may improve decision-making abilities and in turn improve health system performance.
8-Isoprostane in chronic periodontitis and type II diabetes: Exploring the link
Authors: Koregol Arati C , Kalburgi Nagaraj B , kanniappa sadasivan Sireesha , warad shivaraj , kamat wagh Apoorva , Thomas Tivin , sinha Priya
Published: January 2019

Background. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and have a direct or indirect role in tissue damage constituting oxidative stress. ROS are also involved in impairment of β-cell function during development of diabetes, which leads to genetic ablation of KATP channels, triggering up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes. Several markers of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA damage induced by ROS can be measured. Over the last decade, isoprostanes have been considered as the best markers of lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of 8-isoprostane in healthy, chronic periodontitis and chronic periodontitis subjects with type II diabetes and to find the correlation between 8-isoprostane levels among groups and with clinical parameters like gingival index, probing depth and clinical attachment levels. Methods. Ninety subjects were selected and divided into 3 groups: healthy, chronic periodontitis and chronic periodontitis subjects with type II diabetes (n=30 each). Saliva was collected from these subjects after obtaining consent and analyzed for 8-isoprostane levels using ELISA kit. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient (P<0.001). Results. Statistically significant difference was found in the levels of 8-isoprostane between healthy, chronic periodontitis and chronic periodontitis subjects with type II diabetes and with all clinical parameters. Conclusion. 8-isoprostane can be considered as a pathophysiological marker to measure oxidative stress in periodontal diseases.
Evaluation of dimensional accuracy of dental bridges manufactured with conventional casting technique and CAD/CAM system with Ceramill Sintron blocks using CMM
Authors: Izadi Alireza , Vafaee Fariborz , Shishehian Arash , Roshanaei Ghodratollah , Fathi Afkari Behzad
Published: January 2019

Background. Recently, non-presintered chromium-cobalt (Cr-Co) blocks with the commercial name of Ceramill Sintron were introduced to the market. However, comprehensive studies on the dimensional accuracy and fit of multi-unit frameworks made of these blocks using the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) are lacking. This study aimed to assess and compare the dimensional changes and fit of conventional casting and milled frameworks using Ceramill Sintron. Methods. A metal model was designed and scanned and 5-unit frameworks were fabricated using two techniques: (I) the conventional casting method (n=20): the wax model was designed, milled in the CAD/CAM machine, flasked and invested; (II) the milling method using Ceramill Sintron blocks (n=20): the wax patterns of group 1 were used; Ceramill Sintron blocks were milled and sintered. Measurements were made on the original reference model and the fabricated frameworks using the CMM in all the three spatial dimensions, and dimensional changes were recorded in a checklist. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and the two groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). Results. The fabricated frameworks in both groups showed significant dimensional changes in all the three dimensions. Comparison of dimensional changes between the two groups revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) except for transverse changes (arch) that were significantly greater in Ceramill Sintron frameworks (P<0.05). Conclusion. The two manufacturing processes were the same regarding dimensional changes and the magnitude of marginal gaps and both processes resulted in significant dimensional changes in frameworks. Ceramill Sintron frameworks showed significantly greater transverse changes than the conventional frameworks.
Cyclic fatigue resistance of 2Shape, Twisted File and EndoSequence Xpress nickel-titanium rotary files at intracanal temperature
Authors: Uslu Gülşah , Özyürek Taha , Gündoğar Mustafa , Yılmaz Koray
Published: January 2019

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of 2Shape, Twisted File (TF) and EndoSequence Xpress (ESX) nickel-titanium rotary files at intracanal temperature (35°C). Methods. Twenty 2Shape TS1 (25/.04), 20 TF (25/.04) and 20 ESX (25/.04) files were tested for cyclic fatigue at intracanal temperature (35°C). All the instruments were rotated in artificial canals which were made of stainless steel with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm, 60° angle of curvature and a radius curvature of 5 mm until fracture occurred; the time to fracture was recorded in seconds using a digital chronometer and the number of cycles to fracture (NCF) for each file was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction was performed to statistically analyze data using SPSS 21.0. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results. NCF values revealed that the 2Shape had significantly the highest cyclic fatigue resistance, followed by TF and ESX at intracanal temperature (P<0.05). The difference was significant between the TF and ESX groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the 2Shape, TF and ESX files with respect to the lengths of the fractured file fragments (P>.05). Conclusion. Within the limitations of present study, it was concluded that the cyclic fatigue resistance of 2Shape files at the intracanal temperature is higher than that of TF and ESX files.
Esophageal Lichen Planus Stricture
Authors: Zamani Farhad , Haghighi Mehran , Roshani Mohammad , Sohrabi Masoudreza
Published: January 2019

Lichen planus is a dermatologic chronic inflammatory disease that usually involved the skin and mucosa. Esophageal lichen planus with stricture is rare presentation of this disease. It is usually associated with oral mucosal involvement and commonly presenting in middle-age female. In present case, we describe a 48-year-old woman with history of oral lichen planus who referred to us for progressive dysphagia for solid food .She had not history of other causes of dysphagia. Upper endoscopy revealed a benign stricture located in proximal of esophagus that comparable with lichen planus features. The patient underwent three sessions of wireguided bougie dilation that improved her symptoms totally. Lichen planus has to be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with dysphagia.
Amino Acid-Containing Krebs-Henseleit Buffer Protects Rat Liver in a Long-Term Organ Perfusion Model
Authors: Heidari Reza , Ommati Mohammad Mehdi , Alahyari Sanya , Azarpira Negar , Niknahad Hossein
Published: January 2019

Background: The liver is vulnerable to the toxicity induced by xenobiotics. On the other hand, it has been found that several endogenously-found amino acids have hepatoprotective properties. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of taurine, glycine, and histidine on the liver function in an ex vivo model of prolonged organ perfusion. Methods: Rat liver was isolated and perfused with a hemoglobin- and albumin-free Krebs‑Henseleit buffer (KBH). Liver injury biomarkers were monitored at scheduled time intervals. Results: The perfusate level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and the potassium ion (K+) were gradually increased in control (Only KBH) group. The histopathological evaluation also revealed significant necrosis, sinusoidal dilation, and pyknosis in control liver. Moreover, significant increase in lipid peroxidation and depletion of hepatic glutathione stores were detected in the control group. It was found that taurine (5, 10 and 20 mM) and glycine (5, 10 and 20 mM)-containing KBH buffer significantly decreased the perfusate level of liver injury biomarkers. Furthermore, lower liver tissue pathological changes, decreased lipid peroxidation, and higher glutathione content was detected in amino acid-treated groups. Histidine administration showed no significant protective effect on liver injury in the current study. On the other hand, combination amino acid administration (glycine and taurine) showed a better hepatoprotective profile. Conclusion: The data obtained from the current study might help to provide safe hepatoprotective agents against xenobiotics-induced hepatotoxicity or preserve liver functionality outside the body.
Effects of Thymoquinone on Sperm Parameters, Apoptosis, Testosterone Level, and Oxidative Stress in a Mouse Model of D-Galactose-Induced Aging
Authors: Attari Seyedeh Saleheh , Mohammadi Shabnam , Ebrahimzadeh Alireza , Hosseinzadeh Hossein , Soukhtanloo Mohammad , Rajabzadeh Aliakbar
Published: January 2019

Background: The aging process is accompanied by low secretion of sex hormones and testicular apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of thymoquinone (TQ) may prevent the effects of aging. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of different doses of TQ were investigated on sperm parameters, testosterone level, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group did not receive any injections, while the D-galactose group received an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg of D-galactose for 42 days. The TQ1-TQ3 groups received intraperitoneal injections of 5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg/kg of TQ plus D-galactose, respectively for 14 days (from the 1st to the 14th day of the experiment). The morphometric analysis, testicular apoptosis examination, and sperm analysis were performed, and testosterone level, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde level were evaluated on day 42 of the experiment. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Administration of TQ in the TQ1 group caused a significant difference in sperm parameters, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.05). The lowest amount of positive tunnel cells was related to 5 mg/kg of TQ and the highest to 2.5 mg/kg of TQ. There was no significant difference in the parameters of seminal vesicles, epididymis, prostate, and testis between the groups (P>0.05). The malondialdehyde level were decreased in the TQ1-TQ3 groups, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). On the other hand, the total antioxidant capacity was increased significantly in the TQ1 group, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 5 mg of TQ for 14 days improved sperm quality and biochemical parameters, while reducing apoptotic cells of the testes in a mouse model of aging.
Effects of Zataria multiflora Extract and Carvacrol on Doxorubicin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain
Authors: Mohebbati Reza , Jalili-Nik Mohammad , Paseban Maryam , Shafei Mohammad Naser , Khajavirad Rad Abolfazl
Published: January 2019

Background: Due to the antioxidant effects of Zataria multiflora (ZM) and Carvacrol (CAR) in various problems and the prominent role of the ROS in neurotoxicity induced by Doxorubicin (DOX), this study was designed to investigate the effects of ZM hydroalcoholic extract and CAR on DOX-induced oxidative stress in rat brain Methods: 24 male rats were randomly divided into four groups including: 1)Control ,2)Doxorubicin (DOX) that received DOX via a tail vein on the first day of the study, 3,4) ZM+DOX and CAR+DOX which received ZM and CAR by gavage for 28 consecutive days. Brain tissue removed for redox markers evaluation. Results: MDA level in the DOX group was significantly increased compared to control group while in treated groups did not show any significant changes in comparison with the DOX group. Also, Thiol content in DOX group showed significant reduction compared to control group. Thiol contents in treated groups showed no significant difference compared to DOX group. Catalase (CAT) activity, an antioxidant enzyme, in the DOX group were significantly decreased compared to control group and increased in treated rats in comparison with the DOX group. Activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, in the DOX group was significantly reduced compared to control group and increased in treated rats in comparison with the DOX group. Conclusion: The present study showed that ZM hydroalcoholic extract and CAR could inhibit DOX induced oxidative stress of the brain mainly with effect on the enzymatic antioxidant defense system.
Evaluating the Effect of Vitamin C on Myocardial Angiogenesis Under Oxidative Stress Induced by Exhaustive Exercise in Rat
Authors: Piraki Parivash , Hemmatfar Ahmad , Samavati Sharif Mohammad Ali , Behpour Naser
Published: January 2019

Background: The main purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of exhaustive swimming with the consumption of a vitamin C supplement on indices of myocardial oxidative stress and gene expression related to angiogenesis. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of normal (C), 100 and 200 mg/kg of vitamin C, (VC100 and VC200), exercise with 100 and 200 mg/kg of vitamin C (Ex+VC100 and Ex+VC200) and exercise without treatment (Ex). Finally, the serum activity of serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and heart tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters, besides gene expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B), angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT-1) and matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) was measured. Results: Significant increase in LDH level was seen in group Ex which was remarkably attenuated in group Ex+VC200 (p<0.001). The tissue oxidative stress was observed in group Ex where daily intake of vitamin C could remarkably regulate this property (p<0.01). Vitamin C could ameliorate significant upper gene expression of VEGF-B and MMP-2 remarkably (p<0.05). Conclusion: Oxidative condition in myocardial besides over expression of MMP-2, could be concluded as a detrimental condition resulting from exhaustive swimming that continued by the proteolytic release of CK and LDH from the muscle. Upper gene expression of VEGF-B and MMP-2 besides no changes of ANGPT-1 can be concluded as an early stage of angiogenesis. All these events were somehow attenuated by vitamin C which confirmed its beneficial effects as an antioxidant and the role of oxidation properties in the regulation of angiogenesis.
Quantification of Pimavanserin in Bulk and Tablet Dosage Form Using A Stability Indicating High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method
Authors: Koduri Geetha Bhavani , Bollikolla Hari Babu , Dittakavi Ramachandran , Navuluri Srinivasu
Published: January 2019

Background: Pimavanserin, an antipsychotic agent, is used to treat patients suffering with Parkinson's disease. Till now no stability indicating reverse phase HPLC method was reported for the quantification of pimavanserin in bulk and tablet dosage form. Hence in the present study, a new sensitive, precise and accurate stability indicating reverse phase HPLC method with photodiode array detector has been developed for the quantification of pimavanserin in bulk and tablet dosage form. Methods: Separation and analysis of pimavanserin was achieved on Kromasil C18 (5 µm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm) column using 0.1M NaH2PO4, methanol and acetonitrile in ratio of 55:30:15 (v/v/v) as mobile phase at 25°C. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The effluents were monitored with detector set at 239 nm. The method validation was done with regard to the guidelines by the International Conference on Harmonization. Pimavanserin was subjected to acid, alkali and neutral hydrolysis, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, thermal degradation, and photo (sunlight) degradation. Results: Linear relationship was obtained between the concentration of drug and peak area response in the range of 4.25-34.0 µg/ml. The limits of detection and quantitation were found to be 0.027 µg/ml and 0.089 µg/ml, respectively. All the validation characteristics were within the acceptance criteria. The peaks of degradation products were well resolved from the pimavanserin peak. Conclusion: The developed and validated method is able to quantify the pimavanserin in the presence of degradation products.
Cytotoxic Flavonoids from the Aerial Parts of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl
Authors: Delnavazi Mohammad-Reza , Saiyarsarai Parisa , Jafari-Nodooshan Saeedeh , Khanavi Mahnaz , Tavakoli Saeed , Hadavinia Hormoz , Yassa Narguess
Published: January 2019

Background: Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl is a herbaceous plant distributed in the west and south western Asia. Despite of the wide medicinal uses, there are some reports on toxicity potential of this plant. In present study we attempted to evaluate the toxicity and to characterize the cytotoxic principles of S. lavandulifolia. Methods: Brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT) was used to evaluate the general toxicity of the extracts and essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of S. lavandulifolia. Phytochemical constituents of the active extract were investigated using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. GC and GC-MS were also used to analyze the plant essential oil. GC and GC-MS were used to analyze the plant essential oil. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were also evaluated using MTT assay method. Results: In brine shrimp lethality test (BSLT), chloroform extract and the plant essential oil exhibited the most toxicity against Artemia salina larvae (LD50: 121.8±5.6 and 127.6±14.7 µg ml-1, respectively). GC and GC-MS analyses of essential oil led to the characterization of forty compounds of which α-bisabolol (23.85%) and thymol (17.88%) were identified as the main constituents. Nine flavonoids, Pachypodol (1), chrysosplenetin (2), kumatakenin (3), velutin (4), penduletin (5), viscosine (6), chrysoeriol (7), hydroxygenkwanin (8) and apigenin (9) were isolated from the chloroform extract of S. lavandulifolia. Among the isolated compounds, chrysosplenetin (2), a polymethoxylated flavonoid, was found as the most toxic compound toward MDA-MB-23 and HT-29 cells, with IC50 values of 88.23 and 116.50 µg ml-1, respectively. Furthermore, chrysosplenetin (2), kumatakenin (3) and viscosine (6) with selectivity indices of 2.70, 2.59 and 3.33, respectively, showed higher preferential toxicity against MDA-MB-23 cells in comparison with tamoxifen (SI:2.45). Conclusion: This study reports methoxylated flavonoids as compounds which could be involved in toxicity of S. lavandulifolia. The results of MTT assay also suggest some of these compounds as appropriate candidates for anti-cancer drug development research.
Selecting and Modifying Items from the Ministry of Health Clinical Teaching Standards for Developing a Checklist
Authors: Barzegar Mohammad , Heidari Fariba , Baradaran Binazir Maryam
Published: January 2019

Background: The assessment of clinical teaching is a considerable task. The aim of this study was to select and modify items from the ministry of Health’s clinical teaching standards to develop a checklist to assess clinical teaching. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the faculty of medicine at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Participants were clinical academic staff in the faculty of medicine who had an educational level of a master’s degree in medical education. Ten clinical teachers were identified who were eligible to be in this study. They were requested to read the checklist and provide feedback and suggest changes regarding the environment at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences to make the modified checklist fit with local practices. Results: All of the participants had consensus on keeping 11 (73%) items of the checklist the same. Four (27%) of the items were recommended to be omitted. Clinical teaching standards have three main parts: preparation, timing, and implementation of clinical teaching. The most recent version of the checklist consists of 11 items based on participant review. These 11 items consist of five items from preparation, one item from timing, and five items from implementation. Conclusion: The checklist was modified to be more usable. The most recent version of the checklist consists of 11 items based on participant review. The checklist can also be adapted to improve self-promotion among the faculty.
Identification of circular RNAs in the immature and mature rat anterior pituitary
Authors: Han Dong-Xu , Wang Chang-Jiang , Sun Xu-Lei , Liu Jian-Bo , Jiang Hao , Gao Yan , Chen Cheng-Zhen , Yuan Bao , Zhang Jia-Bao
Published: January 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of RNA that have a stable structure characterized by covalently closed circular molecules and are involved in invasive pituitary adenomas and recurrent clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. However, information on circRNAs in the normal pituitary, especially in rats, is limited. In this study, we identified 4123 circRNAs in the immature (D15) and mature (D120) rat anterior pituitary using the Illumina platform, and 32 differentially expressed circRNAs were found. A total of 150 Gene Ontology terms were significantly enriched, and 16 KEGG pathways were found to contain differentially expressed genes. Moreover, we randomly selected eight highly expressed circRNAs and detected their relative expression levels in the mature and immature rat pituitary by qPCR. In addition, we predicted 90 interactions between 53 circRNAs and 57 miRNAs using miRanda. Notably, circ_0000964 and circ_0001303 are potential miRNA sponges that may regulate theFshbgene. The expression profile of circRNAs in the immature and mature rat anterior pituitary may provide more information about the roles of circRNAs in the development and reproduction in mammals.
Risk of hypertension following perinatal adversity: IUGR and prematurity
Authors: Chatmethakul Trassanee , Roghair Robert D
Published: January 2019

Consistent with the paradigm shifting observations of David Barker and colleagues that revealed a powerful relationship between decreased weight through 2 years of age and adult disease, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth are independent risk factors for the development of subsequent hypertension. Animal models have been indispensable in defining the mechanisms responsible for these associations and the potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Among the modifiable risk factors, micronutrient deficiency, physical immobility, exaggerated stress hormone exposure and deficient trophic hormone production are leading candidates for targeted therapies. With the strong inverse relationship seen between gestational age at delivery and the risk of hypertension in adulthood trumping all other major cardiovascular risk factors, improvements in neonatal care are required. Unfortunately, therapeutic breakthroughs have not kept pace with rapidly improving perinatal survival, and groundbreaking bench-to-bedside studies are urgently needed to mitigate and ultimately prevent the tsunami of prematurity-related adult cardiovascular disease that may be on the horizon. This review highlights our current understanding of the developmental origins of hypertension and draws attention to the importance of increasing the availability of lactation consultants, nutritionists, pharmacists and physical therapists as critical allies in the battle that IUGR or premature infants are waging not just for survival but also for their future cardiometabolic health.
polyRAD: Genotype Calling with Uncertainty from Sequencing Data in Polyploids and Diploids
Authors: Clark Lindsay V , Lipka Alexander E , Sacks Erik J
Published: January 2019

Low or uneven read depth is a common limitation of genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), resulting in high missing data rates, heterozygotes miscalled as homozygotes, and uncertainty of allele copy number in heterozygous polyploids. Bayesian genotype calling can mitigate these issues, but previously has only been implemented in software that requires a reference genome or uses priors that may be inappropriate for the population. Here we present several novel Bayesian algorithms that estimate genotype posterior probabilities, all of which are implemented in a new R package, polyRAD. Appropriate priors can be specified for mapping populations, populations in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, or structured populations, and in each case can be informed by genotypes at linked markers. The polyRAD software imports read depth from several existing pipelines, and outputs continuous or discrete numerical genotypes suitable for analyses such as genome-wide association and genomic prediction.
PENDIDIKAN GENDER SEJAK USIA DINI MELALUI HYPNOPARENTING
Authors: Wulansari Betty Yulia
Published: January 2019

Kekerasan seksual yang terjadi pada anak kian meningkat. Anak perempuan lebih rentan menjadi korban keganasan para pelaku yang tidak bermoral. Anak-anak dicabuli, dinodai dan dibunuh seakan  nyawa mereka tidak berharga. Hukum perlindungan anak dari kejahatan seksual sudah diterapkan di Indonesia. Akan tetapi, masih diperlukan pencegahan yang bersumber dari dalam diri anak. Pendidikan gender menjadi salah satu upaya perlindungan anak perempuan dari kekerasan seksual. Pendidikan Gender sejak dini ini betujuan agar anak perempuan mulai bisa menjaga diri dari lawan gender mereka. Pendidikan gender dapat disampaikan orang tua kepada anak perempuanya melalui metode hynoparenting menjelang tidur malam. Metode ini memanfaatkan aspek karakteristik anak usia dini dipadu dengan pemanfaatan gelombang theta pada otak. Sugesti hypnoparenting akan bertahan di memori jangka panjang anak sehingga sesuai untuk menanamkan pendidikan gender sejak usia dini.
Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak Ekologi Keluarga Sebagai Pencegahan Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan dan Anak
Authors: Febriany Ina Salmah
Published: January 2019

Fenomena kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan anak yang telah ada jauh sebelum agama Islam lahir adalah bentuk kekejaman yang semestinya kita hentikan. Praktik perbudakan zaman Jahiliyah, sebagai bukti adanya kekerasan terhadap perempuan dan anak kini muncul kembali dalam bentuk baru; trafficking perempuan dan anak, pelecehan seksual hingga kasus yang terjadi sepanjang April 2016 ini; perkosaan sekaligus pembunuhan sadis oleh belasan lelaki (sebagian dari mereka masih berstatus pelajar), terhadap anak di bawah umur (Yuyun, 14), kasus perkosaan terhadap bayi 2,5 tahun hingga meninggal dunia oleh paman temannya sendiri saat ia bermain tanpa pengawasan juga kasus Enno (19) yang diperkosa secara bergilir oleh ketiga teman lelakinya hingga meninggal dunia dalam kondisi mengenaskan; kemaluan korban ditusuk gagang cangkul hingga tembus ke paru-paru sedalam puluhan meter. Mattensich dan Hill mengungkapkan bahwa fungsi keluarga terdiri atas pemeliharaan fisik sosialisasi dan pendidikan, akuisisi anggota keluarga baru melalui prokreasi atau adopsi, kontrol perilaku sosial dan seksual, pemeliharaan moral keluarga dan pendewasaan anggota keluarga melalui pembentukan pasangan seksual, dan melepaskan anggota keluarga dewasa. Sebab keluarga menjadi salah satu kontrol perilaku sosial dan seksual, maka sudah saatnya kita ‘kembali’ dan memulai pendidikan dari keluarga untuk pertahanan dan penguatan sosial masyarakat. Hal ini penting mengingat keluarga sebagai unit sosial-ekonomi terkecil dalam masyarakat yang merupakan landasan dasar dari semua institusi.
REKONSTRUKSI MATERI DAKWAH UNTUK PEMBERDAYAAN PEREMPUAN: PERSPEKTIF TEOLOGI FEMINISME
Authors: Sa’dan Masthuriyah
Published: January 2019

Dakwah adalah sebuah kegiatan untuk menyampaikan pesan-pesan agama yang dilakukan oleh seorang da’i. Kegiatan dakwah gencar di laksanakan, akan tetapi dakwah hanya bersifat ukhrawi-oriented, dan bukan sosial-kontekstual. Akibatnya  dakwah belum mampu menyelesaikan persoalan ummat yang terkait dengan isu-isu perempuan. Ironisnya, dakwah yang disampikan oleh para da’i justru menambah dan memperkuat beban perempuan dalam kerangkeng agama. Akibatnya perempuan terpasung dalam otoritas teks yang di dalangi oleh laki-laki. Oleh sebab itu, sebenarnya ada yang perlu dirubah dalam dakwah. Salah satunya adalah perubahan konten materi dakwah. Rekonstruksi materi dakwah dilakukan dengan menggunakan analisa teologi feminis dalam hal ini feminis muslim
KEKERASAN TERHADAP ANAK OLEH ORANG TUA YANG STRESS
Authors: Maknun Lulu'il
Published: January 2019

Kekerasan terhadap anak (child abuse) tanpa disadari kerap dilakukan oleh orang tua. Padahal orang tua mengemban tugas sebagai pelindung dan utamanya mengoptimalkan tumbuh kembang anak. Lebih menyedihkan lagi sebuah survey mengungkapkan bahwa orang tua perempuan (ibu) 60% lebih sering melakukan kekerasan terhadap anak dibanding orang tua laki-laki (ayah).  Ada beberapa faktor yang melandasi mengapa orang tua, khususnya ibu melakukan tindak kekerasan terhadap anak, di antaranya; faktor stress, trauma masa lalu dll. Akibat dari tindak kekerasan tersebut dapat berupa fisik maupun psikis bahkan kematian. Akibat yang paling berbahaya adalah trauma jangka panjang, yang dikhawatirkan berpotensi untuk mengulangi tindak kekerasan yang dialami ketika masih kecil kepada anak mereka setelah menjadi orang tua. Hukum perundang-undangan menindak tegas pelaku kekerasan yang terbukti bersalah, walaupun itu adalah orang tua kandung sendiri. Beberapa rekomendasi dimunculkan untuk menghentikan kekerasan terhadap anak.
DAMPAK DIBALIK TINDAK KEKERASAN TERHADAP PEREMPUAN DAN ANAK SERTA SOLUSINYA
Authors: Muharram Nur Ahmad
Published: January 2019

Violence against women is always connoted with gender-based violence. It is not without cause, because the reality of violence against women in any context and the domain is due to the cultural dominance of men against women. Cultural domination is what ultimately makes the lame pattern of relationships between men and women, with a pattern of inferiority and superiority. This is actually happening behind the acts of violence against women is highly implicated in the reality of society over the years.
A kortársbántalmazás (bullying) értelmezésének vizsgálata kvalitatív módszerrel – „Az iskoláskorú gyermekek egészségmagatartása” (HBSC) vizsgálat módszertanának kiegészítésére
Authors: Várnai Dóra Eszter , Jármi Éva , Arnold Petra , Demetrovics Zsolt , Németh Ágnes , Kökönyei Gyöngyi , Örkényi Ágota
Published: January 2019

Háttér és célkitűzések: Az iskolai kortársbántalmazás kvalitatív vizsgálatát egy nemzetközi egészségmagatartás- kutatás részeként azzal a céllal végeztük, hogy felmérjük, a diákok bullying meghatározása (szóhasználat, jelentés, ismeretanyag) megfelel-e a kutatásban és a szakemberek által használt kortársbántalmazás koncepciónak. Mindemellett a hazai bullyingvizsgálatok néhány módszertani kihívására is választ kerestünk.

Módszer: Az iskolai adatfelvételben 5–9. évfolyamos diákok vettek részt (129 fő). A tanulók fókuszcsoportokban válaszoltak strukturált interjú nyitott kérdéseire, és szógyűjtéseket végeztek. A diákok válaszait tematikus elemzésen alapuló kvalitatív módszerrel dolgoztuk fel.

Eredmények: A tanulók válaszai 13 fő, és további alkategóriákba rendeződtek: az elkövető és az áldozat jellemzői, az erőviszonyok egyenlőtlensége, az ismétlődés, a kortársbántalmazás okai és következményei, a cyberbullying jellemzői, a bullying formái, továbbá a bullyinghoz kapcsolódó további agresszív események, elkülönítés másfajta agressziótól, a határ bullying és játékos élcelődés között, az elkövető és áldozat közti hasonlóságok, valamint a bullying fennmaradása, krónikussá válása, terjedése.

Következtetések: A tanulók a kortársbántalmazás jellemzőiről, elkövetőiről és áldozatairól árnyaltan gondolkodnak: elméletben világosan érzékelik a bullying egyik fontos kritériumát, az erőegyenlőtlenséget. Ugyanakkor még bizonytalanok az egyes konkrét esetek megítélésében, a közbelépés mikéntjében. Olweus (1991) eddig széles körben elfogadott bullying definíciója jól használható az előfordulási gyakoriságok meghatározására, ugyanakkor érdemes az ismétlődés mellett a bántalmazás súlyosságát is figyelembe venni.
Theatrical landscape: Intersections between the reception of Wagner and Offenbach in nineteenth-century Budapest
Authors: Bozó Péter
Published: January 2019

It is strange to find Wagner and Offenbach mentioned together at the time of their reception in nineteenth-century Budapest, and measured against each other in the Hungarian press. This study seeks to interpret that juxtaposition in terms of the system of theatrical institutions in Budapest at the time. Factors identified that concern directly the way Hungarians received the two stage composers are the multinational, multicultural character of theater life, the want of distinctions between genres, and the ongoing changes in the institutional system of the theater.
Between province and metropolis. The opera repertoire of the Pressburger Stadttheater in the late nineteenth century
Authors: Laslavíková Jana
Published: January 2019

The establishment and development of the Municipal Theater in Pressburg in the period 1886–1920 was closely linked with the cultural and social development of the city in the period following the Austrian-Hungarian Compromise in 1867. The theater was built by the rising stratum of Pressburg townsmen, based on a requirement of the Hungarian government. The theater was in the possession of the town that rented it to theater directors and their German and Hungarian companies. The theater had a primacy among provincial theaters in Hungary. This was mainly due to the vicinity of Vienna and the efforts to resemble the metropolis, notably by the local patriotism of Pressburg inhabitants who wanted their locality to be regarded as a leading Hungarian town. The opera performances and their reception in the newspapers demonstrate the history of culture of the town, mentalities and collective identifications of its citizens, and last but not least the history of culture of Central Europe.