The evaluation of effective criteria on site selection for energy production units from cellulosic biomass in Iran

Both Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR) techniques were used successfully to evaluate the effective criteria on site selection for energy production unit development from cellulosic biomass in Iran. The results showed that the benefits criteria was at the first level while the initial cellulosic raw materials and opportunities with the aim of the local economy had the second position as the most important indices on site selection. In addition, third criterion has been introduced for the costs criteria (transportation cost) and social barriers by the experts. However, risks criteria which referred to instability of providing cellulosic raw materials is one of the less important effective indices on site selection to make energy production unit. The results illustrated that the economy and politics as two environmental effective factors affected on the site selection process generally

SARS-CoV-2 and pancreas: a potential pathological interaction?

The widespread extrapulmonary complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have gained momentum; the pancreas is another major target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we take a closer look into potential pathological interactions. We provide an overview of the current knowledge and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the pancreas with a special focus on pancreatic islets and propose direct, indirect, and systemic mechanisms for pancreas injury as result of the COVID-19–diabetes fatal bidirectional relationship

The liver-derived exosomes stimulate insulin gene expression in pancreatic beta cells under condition of insulin resistance

Introduction: An insufficient functional beta cell mass is a core pathological hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite the availability of several effective pharmaceuticals for diabetes management, there is an urgent need for novel medications to protect pancreatic beta cells under diabetic conditions. Integrative organ cross-communication controls the energy balance and glucose homeostasis. The liver and pancreatic islets have dynamic cross-communications where the liver can trigger a compensatory beta cell mass expansion and enhanced hormonal secretion in insulin-resistant conditions. However, the indispensable element(s) that foster beta cell proliferation and insulin secretion have yet to be completely identified. Exosomes are important extracellular vehicles (EVs) released by most cell types that transfer biological signal(s), including metabolic messengers such as miRNA and peptides, between cells and organs. Methods: We investigated whether beta cells can take up liver-derived exosomes and examined their impact on beta cell functional genes and insulin expression. Exosomes isolated from human liver HepG2 cells were characterized using various methods, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Western blot analysis of exosomal markers. Exosome labeling and cell uptake were assessed using CM-Dil dye. The effect of liver cell-derived exosomes on Min6 beta cells was determined through gene expression analyses of beta cell markers and insulin using qPCR, as well as Akt signaling using Western blotting. Results: Treatment of Min6 beta cells with exosomes isolated from human liver HepG2 cells treated with insulin receptor antagonist S961 significantly increased the expression of beta cell markers Pdx1, NeuroD1, and Ins1 compared to the exosomes isolated from untreated cells. In line with this, the activity of AKT kinase, an integral component of the insulin receptor pathway, is elevated in pancreatic beta cells, as represented by an increase in AKT’s downstream substrate, FoxO1 phosphorylation. Discussions: This study suggests that liver-derived exosomes may carry a specific molecular cargo that can affect insulin expression in pancreatic beta cells, ultimately affecting glucose homeostasis

USULAN RANCANGAN SISTEM PENGUKURAN KINERJA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PERTUMBUHAN PERUSAHAAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE BALANCE SCORECARD (STUDI KASUS : PT. PRIMARINDO ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE, TBK BANDUNG)

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini berisi tentang pengukuran kinerja yang dilakukan pada PT Primarindo Asia Infrastructure,Tbk dengan menggunakan metode balanced scorecard (BSC). PT Primarindo Asia Infrastructure,Tbk Bandung telah memiliki visi dan misi yang menjadi landasan dasar bagi perusahaan, dan dalam pengukuran kinerja ini ada empat strategis pada analisis SWOT yang di dapat dari pendekatan kualitatif dan kuantitatif yang dilihat dari perhitungan skor dan bobot sehingga mendapatkan posisi kuadran perusaaan dan dihasilkan bahwa posisi kuadran SWOT yaitu kuadran II yang artinya posisi ini tepat pada strength (kekuatan) dan threat (ancaman) menandakan sebuah organisasi yang kuat namun menghadapi tantangan yang besar. Dari posisi kuadran II ini posisi perusahan memiliki banyak ancaman dari luar tetapi perusahaan meningkatkan atau melawan ancaman tersebut dengan kekuatan yang dimiliki oleh perushaan. Balance scorecard memiliki empat perspektif yaitu perspektif finansial, perspektif pelanggan, perspektif proses bisnis internal, dan perspektif pertumbuhan dan pembelajaran dilihat dari visi, misi, kualitatif dan kuantitatif SWOT terbentuk kumpulan sasaran strategis yang akan menjadi proses pengukuran kinerja. Sasaran strategis yang sudah terpilih maka di jadikan sebuah peta strategis yang saling berhubungan dengan tercapainya tujuan perusahaan, terdapat 18 (delapan belas) sasaran strategis yang kemudian menentukan perumusan pengukuran strategis BSC dengan adanya ukuran hasil atau lag indicator dan faktor pendorong kinerja atau disebut lead indicator. Kemudian melakukan penentuan performance indicator dan penetapan key performance indicator (KPI) dari empat perspektif balance scorecard . Kata Kunci : Balanced Scorecard, Peta Strategi, Indikator Kinerja Kun

In vitro molecular study of wound healing using biosynthesized bacteria nanocelluse/silver nanocomposite assisted by bioinformatics databases

Background: In recent years, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) based nanocomposites have been developed to promote healing property and antibacterial activity of BNC wound dressing. Molecular study can help to better understanding about interaction of genes and pathways involved in healing progression. Objectives: The aim of this study was to prepare bacterial nanocellulose/silver (BNC/Ag) nanocomposite films as ecofriendly wound dressing in order to assess their physical, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties. The in vitro molecular study was performed to evaluate expression of genes involved in healing of wounds after treatment with BNC/Ag biofilms. Study design, materials, and methods: Silver nanoparticles were formed by using Citrullus colocynthis extract within new isolated bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) RM1. The nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Besides, swelling property and Ag release profile of the nanocomposites were studied. The ability of nanocomposites to promote wound healing of human dermal fibroblast cells in vitro was studied. Bioinformatics databases were used to identify genes with important healing effect. Key genes which interfered with healing were studied by quantitative real time PCR. Results: Spherical silver nanoparticles with particle size ranging from 20 to 50 nm were synthesized and impregnated within the structure of BNC. The resulting nanocomposites showed significant antibacterial activities with inhibition zones ranging from 7±0.25 to 16.24±0.09 mm against skin pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, it was compatible with human fibroblast cells (HDF) and could promote in vitro wound healing after 48h. Based on bioinformatics databases, the genes of TGF-β1, MMP2, MMP9, CTNNB1, Wnt4, hsa-miR-29b-3p and hsa-miR-29c-3p played important role in wound healing. The nanocomposites had an effect in expression of the genes in healing. Thus, the BNC/Ag nanocomposite can be used to heal wound in a short period and simple manner. Conclusion: This eco-friendly nanocomposite with excellent antibacterial activities and healing property confirming its utility as potential wound dressings

Loneliness, social anxiety, social influence and addiction that contributes to online social networking: A study among adolescent in Malaysia

The present study aimed to identify the contribution of loneliness, social anxiety, social influence and addiction on online social networking. In the study 220 students from different seven schools in Johor Bahru district of Malaysia were taken as sample. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by descriptive statistics through SPSS 17 version. Results demonstrated that social influence is an influential variable and has great contribution on online social networking. Further the study also revealed that loneliness was found to be the weakest factor in online social networking

Survey of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in southwestern Iran, with new records

Twenty-nine locations in Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province in southwestern Iran were sampled for spiders (Araneae) in 2016–17 using different sampling methods (hand collection, pitfall traps, and aspirators). A total of 196 identifiable specimens were collected which represented 49 species belonging to 38 genera and 15 families. Six species, namely Cheiracanthium elegans Thorell, 1875 (Cheiracanthiidae), Cryptodrassus helvolus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) (Gnaphosidae), Enoplognatha macrochelis Levy & Amitai, 1981 (Theridiidae), Xysticus xerodermus Strand, 1913 (Thomisidae), Zelotes babunaensis (Drensky, 1929) and Z. potanini Schenkel, 1963 (both Gnaphosidae) had not been previously reported from Iran. Also, an additional number of 35 species represent new records for the province.</p

Cervical Infection with Herpes simplex

Tragically, genital tract infections are still a major public health problem in many regions. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of cervical infection with Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among married women referring to Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE. In a retrospective cross-sectional survey, 201 female patients aged 16–80 years who referred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE, in 2010 were enrolled. The patients were categorized into three age groups: 15–30 (group I), 31–40 (group II), and ≥41 years old (group III). A cervical swab sample was collected from each woman and the prevalence of cervical infection with HSV, CT, and NG was determined by PCR method. HSV, CT, and NG were detected in 6.5%, 10.4%, and 5.5% of swab samples, respectively. Regarding age, a significant difference was noticed for prevalence of NG and HSV between groups I and III. Because of public health importance of sexual transmitted diseases (STDs), their long-lasting impact on quality of life, and their economic burden, preventing measures and education of women seem necessary