AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN SEDIAAN NANOPARTIKEL KITOSAN EKSTRAK ETANOL KELOPAK ROSELA (Hibiscus sabdariffa L) PADA TIKUS HIPERKOLESTEROL : PENGUKURAN KADAR MALONDIALDEHID (MDA)

Hypercholesterolemia can induce oxidative stress and are associated with atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular disorders. Administration of a preparation of chitosan nanoparticles roselle extract (NKER) can prevent oxidative stress because it contains flavonoids which have an effect as an antioxidant anthocyanin. Decreased oxidative stress can be determined by measuring the levels of malondealdehid (MDA) produced by the reaction of lipid peroxidation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of administration of a preparation of chitosan nanoparticles roselle calyx ethanol extract of antioxidant activity by measuring the levels of MDA. This study used 25 adult rats of Sprague Dawley strain were divided into 5 groups. The first group was given a standard feed diet as baseline, group II was induced with pure cholesterol. Group III, IV and V induced pure cholesterol as well as the dosage given NKER with successive doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/KgBB. The treatment was done for 30 days. On day - 31 each rat blood taken for measurement of total cholesterol, as well as the measurement of MDA using thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The results showed an increase in levels of MDA in mice induced pure cholesterol (group II) with a mean concentration of 7.13 ± 0.22 nmol / ml significantly different to the baseline with a mean concentration of 0.87 ± 0.77 nmol / ml (p≤0,05). The mean levels of MDA in group III, IV and V respectively was 5.49 ± 0.18 nmol / ml; 4.18 ± 0.37 nmol / ml; and 2.18 ± 0.15 nmol / ml,significantly different when compared with the baseline group and the group II (p≤0,05). Decreased levels of MDA in mice given dosage NKER hypercholesterolemia showed that nker preparations have antioxidant activity, which is owned by the highest antioxidant activity NKER dosage dose 100mg/KgBB. Keywords : Antioxidant, Nanoparticles, Roselle, malondialdehyd

Learning in Hybrid-Project Systems: The Effects of Project Performance on Repeated Collaboration

This study advances contingency theories of performance-outcome learning in hybrid-project systems, in which both project participants and superordinate organizations influence the formation of project ventures. We propose that performance-outcome learning depends on the perceived relevance of prior performance and on organizational control over project participants. We examine this framework using data on 239 U.S. movie projects from the years 1931-40. In keeping with our theory, higher project performance led to future collaborations with the same partners, contingent on prior collaborations, project similarity, and organizational control. Our findings imply distinct patterns of network evolution and unfolding adaptation of hybrid-project systems through slow-moving, local adjustments

Association of Ghrelin Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Ghrelin Levels with the Risk of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Diseases in a Chinese Population

<div><p>Background</p><p>The functions of ghrelin (GHRL) include anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of the fibrogenic response, protection of liver tissue, and regulation of cell proliferation. Genetic variations in the GHRL gene may play an important role in the development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we investigated whether GHRL gene polymorphisms and its serum levels are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases risk in a Chinese population.</p><p>Methods</p><p>176 patients with CHB, 106 patients with HBV-related LC, 151 patients with HBV-related HCC, and 167 healthy controls were recruited in the study. Genotyping of GHRL rs26311, rs27647, rs696217, and rs34911341 polymorphisms were determined with the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and DNA sequencing. The serum GHRL concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p>Results</p><p>Binary logistic regression analyses adjusting for gender and age revealed that a significant increased risk of LC was found in the GHRL rs26311 GC genotype and combined GC+CC genotypes when compared with the GG genotype (GC vs. GG: OR = 1.671, 95% CI = 1.013–2.757, <i>P</i> = 0.044; GC+CC vs. GG: OR = 1.674, 95% CI = 1.040–2.696, <i>P</i> = 0.034). In subgroup analysis by gender, binary logistic regression analyses adjusting for age showed that the GHRL rs26311 C allele and combined GC+CC genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk to LC in males (C vs. G OR = 1.416, 95% CI = 1.017–1.972, <i>P</i> = 0.040; GC+CC vs. GG: OR = 1.729, 95% CI = 1.019–2.933, <i>P</i> = 0.042). In addition, we found significant decreased serum GHRL levels in LC patients compared with the healthy controls. However, there was no significant association of the GHRL rs26311 polymorphism with serum GHRL levels in LC patients.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>These observations suggest that the GHRL rs26311 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk to HBV-related LC, especially in men. We also found an inverse association of serum GHRL levels with LC.</p></div

Haplotype distribution in LC patients and healthy controls.

<p>LC, liver cirrhosis; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.</p

DataSheet1_A cascading-response fluorescent probe for real-time pH monitoring during cysteine-depletion process in pancreatic cancer cells.docx

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest human malignancies, and exploring the complex molecular mechanisms behind cell death will greatly promote the clinical treatment of PC. Here, we reported a cascading-response fluorescent-imaging probe, Cy-Cys-pH, for the sequential detection of cysteine (Cys) and pH in pancreatic cancer cells. In the presence of Cys, Cys-mediated cleavage of the acrylate group caused Cy-Cys-pH to be transformed into Cy-Cys-O, which induced intense fluorescence enhancement at 725 nm. Then, Cy-Cys-O was protonated to obtain Cy-Cys-OH and the fluorescence emission shifted to 682 nm, showing a ratiometric pH response. Furthermore, Cy-Cys-pH can monitor the intracellular pH during the therapeutic process with anticancer drugs and evaluated the ability of three anticancer drugs to kill Panc-1 cells, proving that associating Cys and pH is in part an effective anticancer strategy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Significantly, Cy-Cys-pH is able to monitor and image pH changes during Cys depletion in real-time, which further reveals the molecular mechanism of Cys-depleted pancreatic cancer cell death, providing a powerful molecular tool for the precise treatment of PC.</p

Association of GHRL rs26311 polymorphism with serum GHRL levels (median±IQR, μg/L) in LC patients and healthy controls.

<p>*Kruskal-Wallis <i>H</i> test, comparing the difference of serum GHRL levels among three different genotypes in the same group</p><p>**Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test, comparing the difference of serum GHRL levels in two groups among the individuals with the same genotype.</p><p>GHRL, ghrelin; LC, liver cirrhosis; IQR, interquartile range;</p

Demographic and laboratory characteristics of all subjects.

<p>CHB, chronic hepatitis B; LC, liver cirrhosis; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; SD, standard deviation; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; AFP, alpha-fetoprotein.</p

Association analysis of GHRL polymorphisms between HBV-related patients and healthy controls.

<p>HBV, hepatitis B virus; SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms; CHB, chronic hepatitis B; LC, liver cirrhosis; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; HWE, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.</p

Decorating Lithium Titanium-Phosphate Carbon Layers with Mo₂C as Efficient Li-Ion Storage Electrode

Rapid charging technology is increasingly needed, especially in the case of continuous energy consumption. Na superionic conductor (NASICON)-type materials are considered one of the most attractive candidates for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their multiple ionic channels and efficient kinetics. LiTi2(PO4)3 as a representative of the NASICON-type has been widely studied because of its own advantages. LiTi2(PO4)3’s own poor electronic conductivity restricts its further development. Herein, Mo2C was used to decorate the external carbon layer of the LiTi2(PO4)3 to alleviate this problem. The excellent conductivity of Mo2C can enhance the concentration of electrons in the carbon layer and improve the Li+/e– conversion efficiency of electrodes. Therefore, the LiTi2(PO4)3/C@Mo2C composites displayed outstanding capacity retention of 86.8% after 4000 cycles under a high current density of 10 C, showing excellent and stable electrochemical performance. This work provides a fungible and convenient route for the hybrid of NASICON-type and carbon-layer materials as high-performance electrodes for Li-ion batteries

PCR-RFLP assay for analyzing the rs26311, rs27647, rs696217, and rs34911341 polymorphisms in GHRL gene.

<p>(a) rs26311—lane M shows DNA marker; lane 1 shows GG genotype; lanes 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10 show GC genotype; lanes 3, 4, 7, and 8 show CC genotype. (b) rs27647—lane M shows DNA marker; lanes 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 show TT genotype; lane 4 shows TC genotype; lane 1 shows CC genotype. (c) rs696217—lane M shows DNA marker; lanes 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 show GG genotype; lanes 3 and 4 show GT genotype. (d) rs34911341—lane M shows DNA marker; lanes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 show CC genotype; lane 2 show CT genotype.</p