Biodynamics model for operator head injury in stand-up lift trucks

Biodynamics and injury potential of operators in stand-up rider lift truck accidents have been investigated with a special focus on head injury. An anthropomorphic test device (ATD) model was used as an operator surrogate in computer simulations of off-the-dock (OTD) and tip-over (TO) accidents. The biomechanical model representing the ATD was developed based on rigid body segments, and then combined with a rigid body truck model in the accident simulations. The operator compartment of the truck model was enclosed with a rear door. The computed kinematics are in agreement with the results of previous experimental testing. A 2D finite element model of the head was created to compute head impact decelerations in the sagittal plane. Values of the head injury criterion for the TO cases were computed from the model and shown to compare favourably with experimental values. The results advance the state of knowledge concerning injury potential in TO and OTD accidents and simulation models for such accidents.     

Sensitivity of lumbar spine response to follower load and flexion moment: finite element study

The follower load (FL) combined with moments is commonly used to approximate flexed/extended posture of the lumbar spine in absence of muscles in biomechanical studies. There is a lack of consensus as to what magnitudes simulate better the physiological conditions. Considering the in-vivo measured values of the intradiscal pressure (IDP), intervertebral rotations (IVRs) and the disc loads, sensitivity of these spinal responses to different FL and flexion moment magnitudes was investigated using a 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) model of ligamentous lumbosacral spine. Optimal magnitudes of FL and moment that minimize deviation of the model predictions from in-vivo data were determined. Results revealed that the spinal parameters i.e. the IVRs, disc moment, and the increase in disc force and moment from neutral to flexed posture were more sensitive to moment magnitude than FL magnitude in case of flexion. The disc force and IDP were more sensitive to the FL magnitude than moment magnitude. The optimal ranges of FL and flexion moment magnitudes were 900–1100 N and 9.9–11.2 Nm, respectively. The FL magnitude had reverse effect on the IDP and disc force. Thus, magnitude for FL or flexion that minimizes the deviation of all the spinal parameters together from the in-vivo data can vary. To obtain reasonable compromise between the IDP and disc force, our findings recommend that FL of low magnitude must be combined with flexion moment of high intensity and vice versa.     

MNPs-IHSPN nanoparticles in multi-application with absorption of bio drugs in vitro

The aim of this project is to investigate the method of using a common buffer to determine the degree of stabilization and secretion of two drug molecules that have been analyzed in vitro. First, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and their structure was identified by instruments such as XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the stabilization and release of methotrexate on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. The two temperatures were 37 and 25°, respectively. After reaction with the biomolecules, the adsorption rate for both drug molecules was about 60–80. PBS buffer was also used for diffusion of biomolecules and the results were analyzed by spectrophotometer analysis. With these results, the adsorption of cysteine and MTX was more than 60% and its release rate in MNPS-IHSPN was up to 90%, which means that high-strength stabilization and release by magnetic nanoparticles under external magnetic field and in vitro confirmed. The result of this project for the exchange of drugs by the surface of magnetic nanoparticles to repair damaged cells in the body of living organisms can be generalized.     

Hydrothermal time analysis of watermelon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrullus vulgaris</Emphasis> cv. ‘Crimson sweet’) seed germination

This study evaluated the ability of a hydrothermal time model (HTT) to describe the kinetics of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris cv. ‘Crimson sweet’) seed germination under different temperatures (T) and water potentials (ψ) and also to determine the cardinal temperatures of watermelon. Results indicated that ψ influenced germination rate and germination percentage. For this seed lot, cardinal temperatures were 10 °C for T _b, 28.34 °C for T _o and 40.8 °C for T _c in the control (0 MPa) treatment. There was a decrease in hydrotime constant (θ _H) when T was increased to T _o and then remained constant at supra-optimal temperatures (30 MPah^?1). Also, at temperatures above T _o, ψ _b(50) values increased linearly with T. The k _T value (the slope of the relationship between ψ _b(50) and T exceeds T _o) of this seed lot was calculated as 0.076 MPa°Ch^?1. Results this study show that when the HTT model is applied, it can accurately describe ψ _b(g) and the course of germination around Ts (R ² = 0.82). Moreover, the ψ _b(50) was estimated to be ?0.96 MPa based on this model. Consequently, the germination response of watermelon for all Ts and ψs can be adequately described by the HTT model and enabling it to be used as a predictive tool in watermelon seed germination simulation models.     

SSRs for Marker-Assisted Selection for Blast Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating diseases of rice in nearly all rice growing areas of the world including Malaysia. To develop cultivars with resistance against different races of M. oryzae, availability of molecular markers along with marker-assisted selection strategies are essential. In this study, 11 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers with good fit of 1:2:1 ratio for single gene model in F₂ population derived from the cross of Pongsu seribu 2 (Resistant) and Mahsuri (Susceptible) rice cultivars were analysed in 296 F₃ families derived from individual F₂ plants to investigate association with Pi gene conferring resistance to M. oryzae pathotype. Parents and progeny were grouped into two phenotypic classes based on their blast reactions. Chi-square test for the segregation of resistance and susceptibility in F₃ generation fitted a ratio of approximately 3:1. Association of SSR markers with phenotypic trait in F₃ families was identified by statistical analysis. Four SSR markers (RM413, RM5961, RM1233 and RM8225) were significantly associated with blast resistance to pathotype 7.2 of M. oryzae in rice (p ≤ 0.01). These four markers accounted for about 20% of total phenotypic variation. So, these markers were confirmed as suitable markers for use in marker-assisted selection and confirmation of blast resistance genes to develop rice cultivars with durable blast resistance in Malaysian rice breeding programmes.     

Effect of Organic Zinc,Manganese, Copper,and Selenium Chelates on Colostrum Production and Reproductive and Lameness Indices in Adequately Supplemented Holstein Cows

The current study aimed to investigate if different sources of supplemental zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) fed to dry and lactating dairy cows affect reproductive performance, lameness status, and colostrum production. The experiment was carried out on 60 multiparous non-lactating Holstein cows in a commercial dairy herd. The cows received randomly mineral mixtures in three treatment groups containing inorganic, 25% organic–75% inorganic, or 50% organic–50% inorganic forms of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Se starting from approximately 3 weeks prior to calving up to 90 days postpartum. Supplements were included in rations and fed twice a day. Reproductive parameters including days to first service, days to first estrus, service per conception, and conception rate were investigated. After parturition, colostrum production, composition, and immunoglobulin G₁ concentration were determined. Lameness, as an indicator of trace minerals deficiency, was evaluated in a five-score scale. The source of mineral supplement only numerically improved the assessed parameters excluding colostrum fat, protein, and ash percent. The organic form of supplements did not significantly affect reproductive performance, lameness score, or colostrum production.     

Improvement of cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone and daunorubicin by candidone,tephrosin, and bavachinin

Molecular Biology Reports - Flavonoids have been demonstrated to have the ability of sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy and inverse multidrug resistance via various mechanisms, such as...     

Downregulation of Stemness Genes and Induction of Necrosis in Rat LA7 Cancer Stem Cells Induced Tumors Treated with Starved Fibroblasts Culture Supernatant

Background:Stem cell differentiation therapy is a promising strategy in cancer treatment. we show that protein cocktail prepared from serum starved fibroblasts has therapeutic potential based on this strategy. Methods:The condition medium was prepared from foreskin isolated fibroblasts and analyzed by Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). LA7 mammary gland cancer stem cells originated tumors were induced in Sprague Dawley rats. The rats treated subcutaneously with DMEM (group A), condition medium (group B), or normal saline (group C) once daily for 7 days. Then the tumors were removed and divided into the two parts, one part was used to quantify gene expression by stem-loop RT-qPCR assay and the other part was used for Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E), Giemsa, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.Results:All induced tumors appeared as sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC). Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed this conclusion by recognizing the tumor as Ki67⁺, cytokeratin⁺, vimentine⁺, and estrogen receptor negative SC. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that Oct4-, Sox-2, Nanog- gene expression was much reduced in the condition medium treated tumors versus proper controls (p< 0.05). Tissue necrosis was more prevalent in this group while tumors volume was diminished almost by 40%. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis unrevealed the stemness reducing and the cell death inducing proteins such as, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), insulin like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) and -7 (IGFBP-7) in the condition medium.Conclusion:This study showed that the substances released from starved human fibroblasts were able to down-regulate the stemness-related genes and induce necrosis in LA7 derived tumors.Key Words: Breast cancer, Cancer Stem cells, Cell differentiation, Fibroblasts, Gene expression     

Sequential metronidazole-furazolidone or clarithromycin-furazolidone compared to clarithromycin-based quadruple regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background: Furazolidone is a much cheaper drug with a very low resistance against Helicobacter pylori compared to clarithromycin. We aim to evaluate safety and efficacy of a sequential furazolidone‐based regimen versus clarithromycin‐based therapy in H. pylori eradication for ulcer disease. Materials: Patients with proven peptic ulcer or duodenitis were randomized into three groups: OAB‐M‐F; metronidazole (M) (500 mg bid) for the first 5 days, followed by furazolidone (F) (200 mg bid) for the second 5 days; OAC‐P; clarithromycin (C) (500 mg bid) for 10 days; and OAB‐C‐F; clarithromycin (500 mg bid) for the first 5 days and furazolidone (200 mg bid) for the second 5 days. All groups received omeprazole (O) (20 mg bid) and amoxicillin (A) (1 g bid). Groups OAB‐M‐F and OAB‐C‐F were also given bismuth subcitrate (B) (240 mg bid), whereas a placebo (P) was given to group OAC‐P. Adverse events were scored and recorded. Two months after treatment, a C¹³‐urea breath test was performed. Results: Three hundred and ten patients were enrolled and 92 (OAB‐M‐F), 95 (OAC‐P), and 98 (OAB‐C‐F) completed the study. The intention‐to‐treat eradication rates were 78.5% (95% CI = 69–85), 81.1% (95% CI = 73–88), and 82% (95% CI = 74–89), and per‐protocol eradication rates were 91.3% (95% CI = 83–96), 90.4% (95% CI = 82–95), and 88.7% (95% CI = 81–94), for group OAB‐M‐F, OAC‐P, and OAB‐C‐F, respectively. Eradication rate differences did not reach statistical significance. The most common adverse event, bad taste, occurred in all groups, but more frequently in groups OAC‐P (34%) and OAB‐C‐F (32%), than OAB‐M‐F (14%) (p < .05). Adverse symptoms score were 0.88 ± 2.05 in group OAB‐M‐F, 1.15 ± 1.40 in group OAC‐P, and 1.87 ± 1.62 in group OAB‐C‐F. Conclusion: Furazolidone can replace clarithromycin in H. pylori eradication regimens because of lack of development of resistance and very low cost.