bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metallization of Carbon Fibers by Double and Triple Copper Composition
Authors: Sirenko H.O. , Skladanyuk M.B. , Soltys L.M. 
Published: March 2016

The theoretical foundations of physics and chemistry and application technology of single- and double-layer coating based on Cu0+Cu2O, Ni0+P, Pb0 on the surface of carbonated fibers have been reviewed. The changes of surface layers crystal structure of carbon fibres in the course of copper-plating have been investigated. The metallic coating process using modified formaldehyde and zinc technology was realized. It is established that copper content in copper – copper oxide increases when using two-layer alternately modified formaldehyde and zinc methods.
Clima psicológico como preditor da saúde e do bem-estar de profissionais de saúde em contexto hospitalar
Authors: Carvalho Isabel Silva 
Published: March 2016

O clima psicológico , enquanto representação psicológica do ambiente de trabalho, ou seja, das estruturas, processos e acontecimentos proximais (Rousseau, 188) e reflexo dos processos de atribuição de sentido às experiências de trabalho (Weick, 1995), tem sido considerado como uma variável explicativa importante do comportamento, saúde e bem-estar dos indivíduos nas organizações (Parker, Baltes, Young, Huff, Altmann, Lacoste & Roberts, 2003). Este estudo, com uma amostra de 375 profissionais de saúde hospitalar, tem como objectivo a análise da relação entre o clima psicológico a saúde e o bem-estar. Tem como nível de análise o indivíduo (Reichers e Schneider, 1990), e como referencial teórico o modelo de Jones & James (1979). A saúde e o bem-estar estão avaliados através da percepção da saúde física e psicológica, vitalidade e funcionamento cognitivo e social. Os resultados aplicam para o papel do clima psicológico enquanto preditor da saúde e bem-estar, bem como para o papel de mediação da satisfação com o trabalho nesta relação. São discutidas as implicações nas intervenções de saúde ocupacional cujo objectivo seja a melhoria da qualidade de vida no trabalho.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v21i1.355
Estou mais seguro na minha cidade do que os outros: identidade com o lugar e optimismo comparativo na percepção de riscos urbanos
Authors: Lima Maria Luísa , Marques Sibila , Batel Susana , Carvalho Sandra , Haldon Juana , Pornin Stephanie 
Published: March 2016

Esta pesquisa pretendeu estudar o optimismo comparativo face aos riscos urbanos e explorar o papel que a identificação com a cidade de residência tem neste processo. O estudo foi realizado através de um inquérito a 156 estudantes universitários, residentes em Lisboa, Huelva e Lyon. Os resultados revelaram a existência de optimismo comparativo face a todos os riscos urbanos considerados (carteirismo, assalto da casa, terrorismo e queda de avião): os riscos para o próprio foram sempre considerados inferiores em relação aos riscos para os outros. No entanto,, os residentes consideraram-se menos vulneráveis do que os residentes de outras cidades (comparação exo-grupal) em particular no caso dos riscos graves e incontroláveis (terrorismo e queda de avião), sendo menos optimistas relativamente aos riscos menos graves e controláveis (assalto e carteirismo). Verificou-se que, no caso dos riscos urbanos incontroláveis, os inquiridos mais identificados com a sua cidade de residência revelam maior optimismo comparativo face aos residentes de outras cidades.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v21i2.366
Factores ambientais e psicossossiais da avaliação do risco de furto por carteirista: o caso de dois locais em Lisboa
Authors: Sautkina Elena , António Clara , Caseira Hugo , Correia Filipe , Dimitriou Dimitris , Grijó Cláudia , Loureiro Ana , Morais Rita 
Published: March 2016

É do conhecimento comum que o furto por carteirista é um tipo de crime que se encontra em ambiente urbano. Baseada em factores ambientais e psicossociais de representações espaciais de segurança/insegurança, previamente identificados, e presente investigação pretendeu explorar como este tipo de factores podem afectar as avaliações das pessoas, no que se refere ao risco de serem assaltadas por carteirista. Neste sentido, foram considerados dois locais em Lisboa, diferindo principalmente nas suas características ambientais, físicas e sociais. Os resultados mostram que fortes ligações sociais num local podem revelar-se muito importantes para a avaliação do risco de furto por carteirista, afastando e tornando menos importante as características ambientais físicas, enquanto que, nos locais de maior heterogeneidade social, onde as ligações sociais são fracas, o ambiente físico torna-se consequentemente mais importante para as percepções de segurança.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v21i2.368
(Re)pensar os conflitos intragrupais: desempenho e níveis de desenvolvimento
Authors: Dinas Isabel Cristina Dórdio , Lourenço Paulo Renato , Miguez José 
Published: March 2016

Contrariando as abordagens tradicionais do conflito intragrupal, que consideram este fenómeno negativo para o desempenho, as perspectivas mais recentes sublinham as suas potencialidades ao nível da inovação e da criatividade das equipas de trabalho. Os estudos empíricos desenvolvidos têm, no entanto, encontrado poucas evidências para a funcionalidade do conflito. O presente artigo procura contribuir para uma melhor compreensão das relações entre o conflito, as estratégias de gestão de conflitos e o desempenho grupal, por um lado, bem como da forma como os conflitos são vividos e geridos ao longo do desenvolvimento grupal, por outro. Participaram no nosso estudo 68 equipas de trabalho do departamento de produção de 8 organizações do sector industrial que desempenhavam tarefas com um baixo nível de complexidade. Os resultados revelaram que o conflito centrado no desenvolvimento de tarefas se relaciona negativamente com o desempenho e que a utilização de estratégias integrativas se assume como a única abordagem aos conflitos é diferente, ao longo do desenvolvimento grupal. Para testar o padrão de resultados encontrado, importa realizar novos estudos com equipas cujas tarefas requeiram uma elevada coordenação de esforços e remetam para resultados caracterizados por uma elevada imprevisibilidade.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v21i2.373
Application of Caco-2 Cell Line in Herb-Drug Interaction Studies: Current Approaches and Challenges
Authors: Awortwe Charles , Fasinu P.S. , Rosenkranz B. 
Published: March 2016

The Caco-2 model is employed in pre-clinical investigations to predict the likely gastrointestinal permeability of drugs because it expresses cytochrome P450 enzymes, transporters, microvilli and enterocytes of identical characteristics to the human small intestine. The FDA recommends this model as integral component of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). Most dedicated laboratories use the Caco-2 cell line to screen new chemical entities through prediction of its solubility, bioavailability and the possibility of drug-drug or herb-drug interactions in the gut lumen. However, challenges in the inherent characteristics of Caco-2 cell and inter-laboratory protocol variations have resulted to generation of irreproducible data. These limitations affect the extrapolation of data from pre-clinical research to clinical studies involving drug-drug and herb-drug interactions. This review addresses some of these caveats and enumerates the plausible current and future approaches to reduce the anomalies associated with Caco-2 cell line investigations focusing on its application in herb-drug interactions. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Rheological Investigation of Self-emulsification Process
Authors: Biradar Shailesh V , Dhumal Ravindra S , Paradkar Anant 
Published: March 2016

PURPOSE
Aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of self-emulsification through rheological analysis of intermediate liquid crystalline (LC) phase formed during self-emulsification process.

METHODS
Binary system of tween 80 (T80) and imwitor 742 (I742) was used and different SES were prepared with I742 at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% w/w concentration levels. Self-emulsification was monitored by visual observations and droplet size measurement. Mesophases obtained by 50% v/v hydration of SES were utilized for polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and rheological studies.

RESULTS
Good emulsification with nano sized droplets was observed for SES 30% as compared to micron sized droplets for other SES. In polarizing microscopy, formation of intermediate LC phase was observed in all SES. Lamellar phase was evident in 30% SES while other SES exhibited micellar cubic phase. Presence of high level of structurally bound water in thermal analysis confirmed mesophase formation in all SES. In frequency sweep, decrease in elastic modulus, and an increase in phase degree and loss tangent was observed for 30% SES. Exactly opposite trend was seen in other SES. Thus, rheological studies concluded presence of weak and fragile mesophase structure in 30% SES while LC phase structure with little structural buildup was observed in other SES. This weak mesosphere structure in SES 30% presented no or very little resistance against strain induced deformation. Therefore, during emulsification, weak mesophase in SES 30% ruptured with ease and released jet of nanosize droplets compared to coarse droplets for other SES.

CONCLUSION
This study signifies the effect of viscoelastic properties of intermediate LC phase on self-emulsification performance.
Statins Use and Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence and Death: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Mansourian Marjan , Haghjooy-Javanmard Shaghayegh , Eshraghi Azadeh , Vaseghi Golnaz , Hayatshahi Alireza , Thomas Jean 
Published: March 2016

Purpose. Statins are widely prescribed drugs for lowering cholesterol. Some studies have suggested that statins can prevent breast cancer recurrence and reduce mortality rate. However they are not conclusive. Present systematic review and meta-analysis of published cohort studies was conducted to determine the effects of statins intake and risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality rate. Methods. Online databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO and Cochrane Collaboration) were searched through October 2014. Pooled relative risks and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated with random-effects. Results. A total of 8 cohort studies (4 for recurrence 2 for mortality and 2 for both) involving 124669 participants with breast cancer were eligible. Our results suggest a significant reduction in recurrence (OR= 0.79. I2= 38%) and death (OR = 0.84, I2 = 8.58 %) among statin users. Conclusion. Our meta-analysis suggests that breast cancer patients will benefit from statin intake, however from these cohorts we are unable to differentiate between various statins in terms of effectiveness and duration of use. We highly propose conducting randomized clinical trials. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors as Adjunct Treatment for Triple-Negative Breast Cancers. An Introductory Study
Authors: Goh Wayne , Sleptsova-Freidrich Inna , Petrovic Nenad 
Published: March 2016

PURPOSE: Triple negative breast cancers (estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptor-negative) are among the most aggressive forms of cancers with limited treatment options. Doxorubicin is one of the agents found in many of the current cancer treatment protocols, although its use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. This work investigates one of the ways to suppress cancer growth by inhibiting tumor cell ability to remove acid accumulated during its metabolism by proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole (a drug with extensive clinical use) which could serve as an addition to doxorubicin therapy. METHODS: In this work, we have investigated growth suppression of triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-468 by esomeprazole and doxorubicin by trypan blue exclusion assay. Measurement of acidification of treated cancer cells was performed using intracellular pH-sensitive probe, BCECF-AM. Finally, expression of gastric type proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase, a target for esomeprazole) on MDA-MB-468 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. RESULTS: We have found that esomeprazole suppresses growth of triple-negative breast cancer cell in vitro in a dose-dependent manner through increase in their intracellular acidification. In contrast, esomeprazole did not have significant effect on non-cancerous breast epithelial MCF-10A cells. Esomeprazole increases doxorubicin effects suggesting that dual treatments might be possible. In addition, response of MDA-MB-468 cells to esomeprazole could be mediated by gastric type proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase) in cancer cells contrary to previous beliefs that this proton pump expression is restricted to parietal cells of the stomach epithelia. CONCLUSION: This study provides first evidence that adjunct use of esomeprazole in breast cancer treatment might be a possible to combat adverse effects of doxorubicin and increase its effectiveness. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Influence of Oleic Acid on the Rheology and in Vitro Release of Lumiracoxib from Poloxamer Gels
Authors: Moreira Tailane Sant´Anna , De Sousa Valéria Pereira , Pierre Maria Bernadete Riemma 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
PURPOSE: Transdermal delivery of anti-inflammatory lumiracoxib (LM) could be an interesting strategy to avoid the side effects associated with systemic delivery, but it is ineffective due to the drug poor skin penetration. We have investigated the effects of oleic acid (OA), a lipid penetration enhancer, on the in vitro release of LM from poloxamer-based delivery systems (PBDS). The rheological behavior (shear rate dependent viscosity) and gelation temperature through measurements of optimal sol-gel transition temperatures (Tsol-gel) were also carried out in these systems. METHODS: In vitro release studies of LM from PBDS were performed using cellulose acetate as artificial membrane mounted in a diffusion system. The amount of LM released was divided by exposition area (µg/cm2) and these values were plotted as function of the time (h). The flux of the drug across the membrane (J) was calculated from the slope of the linear portion of the plot and expressed as µg/cm2. h -1. The determination of viscosity was carried out at different shear rates (γ) between 0.1- 1000 S-1 using a parallel plate rheometer. Oscillatory measurements using a cone-plate geometry rheometer surrounded by a double jacket with temperature varying 4-40°C, was used in order to determine Tsol-gel. RESULTS: Increase of both polymer and OA concentrations increases the viscosity of the gels and consequently reduces the in vitro LM release from the PBDS, mainly for gels containing OA at 10.0% compared to other concentrations of the penetration enhancer. Tsol-gel transition temperature was decreased by increasing viscosity; in some cases the formulation was already a gel at room temperature. Rheological studies showed a pseudoplastic behavior, which facilitates the flow and improves the spreading characteristics of the formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results showed that poloxamer gels are good potential delivery systems for LM, leading to a sustained release, and also have appropriate rheological characteristics.

Novelty of the work: A transdermal delivery of non-steroidal antinflammatory drugs like lumiracoxib (LM) can be an interesting alternative to the oral route of this drug, since it was recently withdraw of the market due to the liver damage when systemically administered in tablets as dosage form. There are no transdermal formulations of LM and it could be an alternative to treat inflammation caused by arthritis or arthrosis. Then, an adequate delivery system to LM is necessary in order to release the drug properly from the PBDS as well as have good characteristics related to semi-solid preparations for transdermal application, which were evaluated through in vitro release studies and rheological behavior in this paper, respectively.
Examining the Role of Metabolites in Bioequivalence Assessment
Authors: Karalis Vangelis , Macheras Panos 
Published: March 2016

PURPOSE. Investigate the role of metabolites in bioequivalence (BE) assessment.
METHODS. Sets of ordinary differential equations are used to generate concentration - time data for both parent drug (P) and metabolite (M). The calculations include 24 subjects, two different formulations (Test, Reference), and a range of Test/Reference ratios for the fraction of dose absorbed and the rate of absorption. A summarized view of these results is made through the construction of three dimensional power curves. The criteria for the choice of the preferred analyte (P or M) are based on a sensitivity analysis of the bioequivalence measure (AUC, Cmax). The latter depends on the relative ability of P and M to reflect better the changes of the pharmacokinetic parameters and variability.
RESULTS. The different sensitivity properties of P and M were reflected on the power curves. For AUC, the performance of metabolite is very similar to that of the parent drug for all scenarios and models examined. A more complex behaviour is evident for Cmax. In most of these cases, metabolite data show higher permissiveness in the percentages of acceptance. This attribute is more evident when P exhibits high elimination rate and/or the formation of M occurs rapidly. When the Test and Reference products have similar absorption profiles, metabolite data are preferable for the determination of bioequivalence. Parent drug has the advantage for detecting better the differences in the absorption rate of two drugs. The latter is counterbalanced by the increased sensitivity of P data to the variability of the data.
CONCLUSIONS. Both parent drug and metabolite share the same ability to declare BE when AUC is used as a bioequivalence measure. In case of Cmax, metabolite data exhibit better performance when the T and R products are truly bioequivalent or the two formulations differ in their extent of absorption. Parent drug data are more sensitive to detect differences in the rate of absorption. However, in such cases, their information is much influenced by the increased variability.
Light-to-Moderate Ethanol Feeding Augments AMPK-α Phosphorylation and Attenuates SREBP-1 Expression in the Liver of Rats
Authors: Nammi Srinivas , Roufogalis Basil D 
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Fatty liver disease, a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, is one of the major causes of chronic liver diseases. Epidemiological studies suggest that regular light-to-moderate ethanol consumption lowers the risk of developing metabolic disorders including dislipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. However, the mechanism(s) of the protective effect of light-to-moderate ethanol consumption on the liver remains unknown. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the effects of light (6%, 0.94 g/kg/day) and moderate (12%, 1.88 g/kg/day) ethanol feeding in rats for 3 weeks on the circulating and hepatic biochemical profiles and on the hepatic protein expression and phosphorylation status of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α (AMPK-α) and other down-stream targets of this enzyme including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). Results: Despite no significant difference in food-intake among the groups, light ethanol treatment significantly increased the body weight compared to control rats. Serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different among the groups. However, serum free fatty acids were significantly reduced with light ethanol treatment. Both light and moderate ethanol treatment significantly increased the hepatic levels of phosphorylated AMPK-α protein and this was associated with significant reduction of SREBP-1 protein expression, suggesting an enhanced fatty acid oxidation. In addition, light ethanol treatment significantly decreased the SCAP protein expression in the liver. However, liver HMG-CoA protein expression was not significantly different with ethanol consumption. Conclusion: Chronic light-to-moderate ethanol consumption increased AMPK activation which was associated with decreased expression of SREBP-1 and SCAP in the liver. Thus, our studies provide mechanistic evidence for the earlier epidemiological studies that indicate light-to-moderate ethanol intake lowers the risk of development of fatty liver disease and other metabolic disorders. Our studies demonstrate that the protective effects of light-to-moderate ethanol arise at least in part by increased phosphorylation of AMPK-α and decreased SREBP-1 expression in the liver. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of light-to-moderate ethanol on intracellular up-stream and down-stream targets of AMPK and also on the implications of light-to-moderate ethanol in protecting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Development of dissolution tests for the quality control of complementary/alternate and traditional medicines: Application to African potato products
Authors: Nair Vipin Devi Prasad , Kanfer Isadore 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT - Purpose: Unlike orthodox medicines, specific guidelines for dissolution testing of complementary/alternate (CAMs) and traditional medicines (TMs) have not been developed nor is dissolution testing a requirement for the quality control of such products. In this report, the dissolution of African Potato (AP) products, an African traditional medicine (ATM) which has been ingested by man for a diversity of ailments, has been investigated. A norlignan glycoside namely hypoxoside and a sterol, ?-sitosterol (BSS) are purported to be the most important phytochemicals in marketed products of AP. Dissolution testing of AP products containing labelled content of sterols and those containing only hypoxoside is proposed whereby BSS and hypoxoside are monitored as markers for the release of the contents of the abovementioned products, respectively. Methods: The FDA dissolution guidance for industry was used to study the best dissolution condition for several formulations of AP. Buffers in the range of pH 1.2 to 7.5 were used to investigate the dissolution of AP products containing hypoxoside as a marker compound. Similarly, biorelevant dissolution media such as fasted state simulation fluid (FaSSIF) and fed state simulation fluid (FeSSIF) at different pH were used to investigate the release of BSS in AP formulations labelled to contain sterols which exhibited poor water solubility. Results: Dissolution testing of AP products containing hypoxoside, conducted at pH 1.2 using USP Apparatus 1 indicated that more than 75% of hypoxoside was released within 1 hr. Dissolution testing of products containing sterols, conducted in FeSSIF at a pH of 5.0 resulted in a release of at least 75% of BSS after 1 hr for all but one of the products tested. Conclusions: Dissolution testing conditions have been developed for AP products containing two different marker compounds where one of the components, hypoxoside, is water soluble, whereas another component, BSS is poorly water soluble. This necessitated the use of different dissolution media and pHs in order to monitor the respective release of hypoxoside and BSS from AP products.
The results of this study indicate the necessity and possibility of developing appropriate dissolution testing procedures for use in the quality control of CAMs/TMs.