bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INHIBITORY POTENCY OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA EXTRACTS AGAINST DPP-4: AN IN VITRO EVALUATION
Authors: Kempegowda Praveen Kumar , Zameer Farhan , Narasimashetty Chethan Kumar , Kollur Shiva Prasad , Murari Satish Kumar 
Published: December 2017

Background: Pharmacologic treatments for type 2 diabetes are based upon increasing insulin availability and improving sensitivity to insulin. Nowadays, glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies aims at glucose control through DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belongs to prolyl oligopeptidase family, with the specificity of removing X-Pro or X-Ala dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides. GLP-1 effect by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release from the pancreatic islets, inhibit inappropriate post-meal glucagon release and slow gastric emptying promoting leaky gut. The current study investigated DPP-4 inhibitory activity of catechin, isolated from Withania somnifera (WS), for ethnopharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes and aimed to increase availability of GLP-1and sensitivity to insulin.
Materials and Methods: Young and matured fresh roots, leaves, and fruits of WS plant extract were considered and were systematically evaluated for DPP-4 inhibitory activity using in vitro method, enzyme kinetics, phytochemical analysis, RP-HPLC, LCMS and 1H and 13C NMR method and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
Results: In this study, methanol (100% and 80%) extracts of WS matured root exhibited maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity when compared to other extracts. The maximum DPP-4 inhibitory activity was found in 100% methanol extract of matured root. Phytobioactive was purified by RP-HPLC. The compound purified was found to be flavonoid and was characterized (LCMS, 1H and 13C NMR studies), identified as catechin. Auxiliary, molecular docking was performed using Ligand Fit method using PatchDock package. The study revealed the binding affinity of catechin with DPP-4 to be -6.601 kcal/mol with 13 hydrogen interactions with the receptor and was very similar to the standard potent blockers withaferin A and others (cuscohygrine, scopoletin, sitoindoside IV, tropine), further confirming its hyperglycemic potency.
Conclusion: The study reveals that, 100% methanol extract of WS matured roots contains the compound- catechin, which exhibits DPP-4 inhibitory activity resulting in increased level of bioactive GLP-1 and GIP. In this background, we concluded that the WS will be a better source for further development as new antidiabetic drugs.
Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social por meio de Investimentos em Infraestrutura: O Caso da BR-163
Authors: Rocha Fernando Vinícius da , Saes Maria Sylvia Macchione 
Published: December 2017

<p>A infraestrutura logística é essencial para o desenvolvimento econômico. Diversos trabalhos evidenciam os problemas de infraestrutura existente no Brasil, devido ao baixo nível de investimento por parte do Estado e do setor privado, que geram ineficiências em diversos setores produtivos da economia. Inserido nessa temática este artigo analisa o desenvolvimento econômico e social como consequências dos investimentos em infraestrutura de transporte. Especificamente, o artigo analisa os efeitos da rodovia BR-163 no Índice de Desenvolvimento Econômico (IDH) dos municípios nos estados do Mato Grosso (MT) e Pará (PA). Em termos metodológicos, o <em>Propensity Score Matching</em> (PSM) foi a técnica estatística utilizada, a qual, através de comparativos entre os municípios, estima o efeito médio da presença da rodovia. Os resultados alcançados mostram efeito positivo dos investimentos em infraestrutura logística no desenvolvimento econômico e social. Os municípios mato-grossenses e paraenses localizados no entorno dessa rodovia apresenta IDH superior em relação aos demais municípios comparáveis. As conclusões destacam a importância do aperfeiçoamento das políticas públicas que visam promover o desenvolvimento econômico a partir de investimentos em infraestrutura no Brasil.</p>
Comparison of three types of anaerobic granular sludge for treating pharmaceutical wastewater
Authors: Wang Yibo , Feng Minquan , Liu Yonghong , Li Yaozhong , Zhang Bofei 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Three types of anaerobic granular sludge for treating chemical synthesis-based pharmaceutical wastewater were compared: (1) an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) filled with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel beads (UASB-PVA); (2) a UASB filled with traditional anaerobic granular sludge; and (3) a UASB filled with traditional anaerobic granular sludge and granular active carbon (UASB-GAC). The domestication times for the UASB-PVA, UASB, and UASB-GAC reactors were 30, 47, and 47 days, respectively. When the organic loading rate (OLR) was up to 7 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3·d), the COD efficiency of the UASB-PVA, UASB, and UASB-GAC stayed in the range of 69% to 75% (deviation 1.8%), 46% to 69% (deviation 8.6%), and 61% to 73% (deviation 4.0%), respectively. The highest OLRs reached for the UASB-PVA, UASB, and UASB-GAC were 12, 7, and 8 kg COD/(m3·d), respectively. The performance of the UASB-PVA was the best of the three, the UASB-GAC was second, and the UASB was the worst. High-throughput pyrosequencing analysis showed that Levilinea, Syntrophorhabdus, Desulfovibrio and Acetobacterium were the dominant bacteria in the UASB-PVA, UASB, and UASB-GAC reactors’ granular sludge. The abundance and diversity of the microbial community in the UASB-PVA sludge were higher than for the UASB and UASB-GAC granular sludge.
Enhanced adsorption of ciprofloxacin by KOH modified biochar derived from potato stems and leaves
Authors: Li Ruining , Wang Zhaowei , Guo Jialei , Li Yan , Zhang Hanyu , Zhu Junmin , Xie Xiaoyun 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Potato stems and leaves biochar (PB) was prepared by pyrolysis at a temperature of 500°C under anoxic conditions. In order to strengthen the adsorption capacity, biochar was modified with alkaline solution (alkali modified biochar, APB). Two kinds of biochars were adopted as adsorbents to remove ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior of CIP onto biochar before and after alkali modified including adsorption kinetics and isotherms were investigated. The effects of different factors (equilibrium time, pH, temperature and initial concentration) during the adsorption process were also investigated. Biochar samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. The results showed that the alkali treated biochar possessed more mesopores than raw biochar, and accordingly exhibited a more excellent adsorption performance (23.36 mg·g−1) than raw biochar. Hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen-bonding interaction, electrostatic interaction, and π − π interaction were the adsorption mechanisms for CIP uptake onto the two adsorbents.
Micropollutant removal from black water and grey water sludge in a UASB-GAC reactor
Authors: Butkovskyi A. , Sevenou L. , Meulepas R. J. W. , Hernandez Leal L. , Zeeman G. , Rijnaarts H. H. M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The effect of granular activated carbon (GAC) addition on the removal of diclofenac, ibuprofen, metoprolol, galaxolide and triclosan in a up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor was studied. Prior to the reactor studies, batch experiments indicated that addition of activated carbon to UASB sludge can decrease micropollutant concentrations in both liquid phase and sludge. In continuous experiments, two UASB reactors were operated for 260 days at an HRT of 20 days, using a mixture of source separated black water and sludge from aerobic grey water treatment as influent. GAC (5.7 g per liter of reactor volume) was added to one of the reactors on day 138. No significant difference in COD removal and biogas production between reactors with and without GAC addition was observed. In the presence of GAC, fewer micropollutants were washed out with the effluent and a lower accumulation of micropollutants in sludge and particulate organic matter occurred, which is an advantage in micropollutant emission reduction from wastewater. However, the removal of micropollutants by adding GAC to a UASB reactor would require more activated carbon compared to effluent post-treatment. Additional research is needed to estimate the effect of bioregeneration on the lifetime of activated carbon in a UASB-GAC reactor.
Removal of antibiotic resistant E. coli in two Norwegian wastewater treatment plants and by nano- and ultra-filtration processes
Authors: Schwermer Carsten Ulrich , Krzeminski Pawel , Wennberg Aina Charlotte , Vogelsang Christian , Uhl Wolfgang 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The effectivity of different treatment stages at two large wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in Oslo, Norway, to remove antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli from municipal wastewater was investigated. The WWTPs were effective in reducing the total cultivable E. coli. The E. coli in WWTP samples were mainly resistant to ampicillin (6–27%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (5–24%), and, to a lesser extent, tetracycline (3–14%) and ciprofloxacin (0–7%). In the first WWTP, a clear decrease in the percentage of E. coli resistant to these antibiotics was found, with the main removal occurring during physical/chemical treatment. In the second WWTP, the percentage of cultivable resistant E. coli did not display a considerable change. During laboratory-scale membrane filtration of WWTP effluents using ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes, all E. coli, including those resistant to antibiotics, were removed completely. The results imply that UF and NF processes are potent measures to remove antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) during post-treatment of WWTP effluents, thus reducing the potential spread of antibiotic resistance in the receiving aquatic environment.
Drug-Coated Balloons Applications in Interventional Cardiology
Authors: Rigatelli Gianluca , Zuin Marco 
Published: December 2017

Backgrounds: Drug coated balloons (DCBs) are new on stented-based anti-proliferative drug delivery
systems, recently introduced in interventional cardiology. Their primary aim is to transfer an anti-proliferative
drug to reduce the subsequent neo-intima hyperplasia and to maintain the normal vessel diameter and function.

Methods:
A review of the most recent influential studies about DCBs in all the fields of interventional cardiology
has been performed.

Results:
As demonstrated by different studies, DCBs have different theoretical advantages over Drug Eluting
Stents (DESs), especially for the treatment of some endovascular lesions, as In-Stent Restenosis (ISR), coronary
bifurcations, small vessels disease and peripheral artery disease at femoropopliteal and below the knee sites.

Conclusion:
Despite the need of further studies are needed to elucidate the optimal use of DCBs their current use
in interventional cardiology appears promising.
Glucose-lowering Strategies in Diabetes: Pharmacological Development of New Antidiabetic Drugs
Authors: Schwartsburd Polina 
Published: December 2017

Background:
Insulin increases glucose uptake in muscles and fat and inhibits hepatic glucose production,
thus serving as the primary regulator of the blood glucose level. In type 2 diabetes, insufficient insulin release
and suppressed insulin action [named insulin resistance] lead to increased glucose production in liver and
decreased glucose uptake by muscles and fat tissues, resulting in elevated blood glucose concentration which is
dangerous to human health. Therefore, the anti-diabetic therapies are aimed at inhibiting excess blood glucose.

Methods:
A comparative analysis of two distinct glucose-lowering modes was used to develop a new feedback
model for the purpose of identification of pharmacological targets in diabetes treatment.

Results:
The current brief opinion proposes an original feedback control of glucose-lowering regulation and its
models which allow comparing two distinct strategies of glucose level correction, i.e., one of them allows reducing
the increased threshold of insulin resistance, whereas the other allows overcoming this threshold/barrier using
exogenous insulin treatment. Also, this analytic research presents selected examples comparing the influence of
the two analyzed strategies on the normalization of glucose metabolism, their therapeutic potential and side effects
associated with additional weight gain. These models show the pathological mechanism by which exogenous
insulin provokes formation of a «vicious cycle» by its side effects associated with additional weight gain.

Conclusion:
The presented model and findings can contribute to the development of new anti-diabetic targets and
drugs with minimal side effects.
Onset of Hypertension in Leflunamide Treated Low Socioeconomic Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: An Unseen Iceberg
Authors: Ishaq Muhammad , Razzaque Salma , Shohail Fadieleh , Kumar Ajeet , Muhammad Jibran Sualeh 
Published: December 2017

Objective:
To determine the frequency of new-onset hypertension in patients with
Rheumatoid arthritis taking leflunomide, in comparison with methotrexate in Asian setting.

Material and Methods:
Perspective case-control study was conducted in 2014 in a tertiary care
hospital located in Karachi, Pakistan. Adult patients, having rheumatoid arthritis were randomly
prescribed leflunomide or methotrexate. Patients having chronic hypertension, proteinuria and
chronic kidney disease were excluded. Patients were monthly followed for blood pressure and heart
rate measurements. Hypertension was defined using JNC 7 criteria.

Results:
Out of 144 patients enrolled, 80 patients received Leflunomide while 64 were started on
methotrexate. Mean systolic blood pressure in leflunomide group at the start and at the end of study
was 108.5 and 135.4mmHg, respectively while in methotrexate group, mean systolic BP was 109.8
and 110.5 mmhg, respectively. After one year follow up, 33 out of 80 (41%) patients were receiving
leflunomide had pre-hypertension or hypertension, while only 3 out of 64 patients (4.7%) were
receiving methotrexate had hypertension.

Conclusion:
Risk of developing hypertension in patient receiving Leflunomide is much higher in
Asian population like Pakistan as compared to western population.
Genetic Susceptibility in Family Members of Egyptian Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients: Role of Interleukin-12 B Gene Polymorphism
Authors: Elwan Nadia , Elwan Nadia , Assal Fathia , Assal Fathia , Elfert Asem , Elfert Asem , AboAli Lobna , AboAli Lobna , Soliman Shaimaa , Soliman Shaimaa , Soliman Samah , Soliman Samah , Elkhalawany Walaa , Elkhalawany Walaa , Badawy Rehab , Badawy Rehab , Effat Laila , Effat Laila , Sayed Khalda , Sayed Khalda , Shalaby Safinaz , Shalaby Safinaz , Shehab Marwa , Shehab Marwa , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed , Abd-Elsalam Sherief , Abd-Elsalam Sherief 
Published: December 2017

Aim:
The research was conducted to study 1188 AC polymorphism of Interleukin
(IL)-12B gene for C/C, A/C and A/A genotypes in families of Hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infected patients in Egypt.

Methods:
Three hundreds HCV patients, 860 family members and 100 healthy subjects
were studied. All family members were screened for HCV antibodies by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive cases were examined using Real-Time polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) to confirm the presence of HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and detect
the viral load. Molecular study of IL-12B gene was carried out on all patients, family
members and controls using PCR and restriction enzyme analysis.

Results:
HCV infection was confirmed in 10.6% of family members. The distribution of
IL-12B gene polymorphism in patients was 2.3%, 45.7% and 52% for C/C, A/C and A/A
genotypes respectively, in infected family members was 3.3%, 41.7%, 55%, in noninfected
family members was 4.5%, 43.5% and 52% for C/C, A/C and A/A genotypes respectively
and in control was 5%, 36% and 59% for C/C, A/C and A/A genotypes respectively.
The frequency of the C/C, A/C and A/A genotype was not significantly different
between the studied groups.

Conclusion:
IL-12B gene polymorphism has no role in intrafamilial susceptibility of
HCV transmission. The distribution of the functional 1188 AC polymorphism of Interleukin
(IL)-12B gene for C/C, A/C and A/A genotypes was not significantly different
among the studied groups.
Pengaruh Sistem Lantai dan Tingkat Kepadatan Kandang Terhadap Performance Produksi Ayam Arab Jantan Periode Grower
Authors: Putri Ajeng Megawati , Muharlien Muharlien , Nursita Ita Wahju 
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of litter system and interaction of both different level of cage density grower arab chicken. The material used were 48 arabic chicken at grower period which the age 2 months and the average weight 701.7Â±94.37 gÂ and the value SD 13.45%. The method used in this study was experimented with completely randomized design (CRD) factorial patterns. First factor was litter systemÂ danÂ second factor was the level of cage density. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) , if there was different followed by duncan multiple range test. The results showed that litter system of cage was not showed any significant effect (P>0.05) on feed consumption, weight growth andÂ feed conversion. The level of cage density was gave significant different (P<0.01) on feed consumption, weight growth and feed conversion. Interaction between litter system and different level of cage density were not gave significant effect (P>0.05). The conclusion of this study there was not interaction between factor litter system and the level of cage density.
Actividad física en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y relación con características sociodemográficas, clínicas y antropométricas
Authors: Paternina-de la Osa Aura , Villaquirán-Hurtado Andres , Jácome-Velasco Sandra , Galvis-Fernández Brigid , Granados-Vidal Yenny Alexandra 
Published: December 2017

Introducción: La Diabetes Mellitus (DM) tipo 2 ha incrementado su prevalencia a nivel mundial, nacional y local, convirtiéndose en una de las principales causas de morbi-mortalidad. Su etiología es múltiple, pero está fuertemente asociada a los hábitos de vida inadecuados tales como los bajos niveles de actividad física y consumo excesivo de azúcares procesados. Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de actividad física en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en la ciudad de Popayán. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional - descriptivo de 107 participantes, mediante aplicación del cuestionario internacional de actividad física IPAQ y toma de medidas antropométricas como índice cintura-cadera y pliegues cutáneos. Resultados: El 52,3% de los participantes tenía sobrepeso, el 82,3% presentó riesgo de comorbilidad y un 36,4% realizaba actividad física moderada. Se calculó la relación entre las variables índice de masa corporal – cHDL (p=0,029), índice cintura cadera (ICC) – presión arterial (p= 0,266), densidad corporal - triglicéridos (p= 0,278), edad e IPAQ (p= 0,000). Conclusión: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 está asociada a las características antropométricas ligadas al sobrepeso y obesidad, y la falta de actividad física.
Tingkat Kemandirian Mahasiswa Pendidikan Sains Pada Konsep Diagram Gaya
Authors: Maduretno Tri Wahyuni 
Published: December 2017

<p>Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui tingkat kemandirian mahasiswa Pendidikan Sains pada mata kuliah Mekanika dengan konsep Diagram Gaya. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian kualitatif dengan subjek penelitian mahasiswa Pendidikan Sains semester III Tahun Akademik 2016/2017 secara <em>purposive sampling</em>. Pengumpulan data menggunakan metode tes tertulis untuk mengetahui kemandirian mahasiswa saat mengerjakan konsep diagram gaya dan angket untuk mengetahui tingkat kemadirian mahasiswa serta wawancara untuk menguatkan jawaban yang diproleh dari hasil tes tertulis dan angket.. Hasil penelitian tingkat kemandirian mahasiswa Pendidikan Sains menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa memiliki rasa percaya diri, inisiatif sendiri dan disiplin atas ketepatan waktu mengerjakan. Akan tetapi, mahasiswa kurang mampu mengontrol diri dan saling menggantungkan satu sama lain serta kurang memiliki rasa tanggungjawab terhadap penyelasaian tugas karena mereka kurang memiliki keinginan untuk mendapatkan hasil yang memuaskan.</p>
Analisis Sifat Lasing Bahan Optical Amplifier untuk Sistem Komunikasi Optik Menggunakan Aplikasi Berbasis MATLAB
Authors: Susanto Rudi , Hasanah Herliyani 
Published: December 2017

<p class="E-JOURNALAbstractBody"><span lang="IN">Artikel ini berisi tahapan pembuatan aplikasi dengan GUI </span>M<span lang="IN">atlab yang digunakan untuk menganalis sifat lasing kaca tellurite yang didadah ion erbium dengan teori Judd Ofelt. Tahapan pembuatan aplikasi terdiri dari 1) analisis kebutuhan fungsional, 2) melakukan kajian formulasi model matematis judd ofelt, 3) membuat aplikasi perhitungan parameter judd ofelt dengan Matlab dan 4) Pengujian. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan rata rata error terbesar adalah 5,79% pada komposisi x=1,0 sedangkan rata rata error terkecil adalah 0,17% dari hasil ini aplikasi yang dibuat dapat digunakan untuk menganalis sifat lasing. Berdasarkan analisis parameter Judd Ofelt memiliki trend Ω<sub>2</sub>&gt; Ω<sub>6</sub>&gt; Ω<sub>4</sub> yang bersesuaian dengan komposisi lain yaitu TBZNbEr10, SALSFEr, LBTAFEr, TZN dan PKBAEr. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, kaca memiliki potensi untuk dikembangkan sebagai penguat optik dalam sistem komunikasi optik . </span></p>
Leszek Wisłocki, Jeleniogórska sonata na cztery lata
Authors: Szajda Marek , Wisłocki Leszek 
Published: December 2017

Leszek Wisłocki is a famous music theorist and composer. For many years he has been a Professor at the Academy of Music in Wrocław. However, before he started working for the Academy, he spent some time living in Jelenia Góra, where for 4 years he attended the Stefan Żeromski Co-educational Gymnasium and Grammar School. These school years are the subject of Wisłocki’s account.
It is a detailed description of Professor’s pre-war life, as well as his and his family’s war experience, and in particular of his father’s military service. Wisłocki clearly explains the reasons for his family coming to Lower Silesia and settling in Jelenia Góra. Equally clearly Wisłocki recalls his teachers, school friends and important events which influenced the school life as well as the life of the local society, such as existence of the underground independence movement in 1949. He tells anecdotes about excursions to the mountains or his first performances as a musician staged at school. Wisłocki underlines the importance of this first, post-war period – not only for him, but also for his friends who later, having graduated from grammar school, went on to become professors or achieved other socially significant posts.
Finally, Professors pays a lot of attention to returns and school relations – still vivid and close after more than seven decades. Annual school reunions and extensive correspondence exchanged by the ex-pupils serves as a proof that the short period of education, which lasted only 4 years, had a great impact on the life of this generation.