Onthophagus species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) associated with the Hungarian lesser blind mole-rat (Nannospalax hungaricus) (Mammalia: Spalacidae)

Two rare species of Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 associated with subterranean rodents were found in a nature protection area where the Hungarian lesser blind mole-rat, Nannospalax hungaricus (Nehring, 1898) is also present. Onthophagus parmatus Reitter, 1892 is reported as new to the fauna of Hungary. Occurrence of Onthophagus kindermanni Harold, 1877 is confi rmed in Hungary. With 2 fi gures and one table

The Application Of Problem Based Learning Models Assisted By Instructional Videos To Improve Student Learning Outcomes On Science In Grade Iv Sdn 12 Palu

This study aims to describe the application of problem-based learning models assisted by instructional videos to improve student learning outcomes on science in grade IV SDN 12 Palu. The method used in this research is classroom action research which consists of 4 stages; planning, implementing, observing and reflecting, with data collection techniques using evaluation tests and observation sheets. The research subjects were 24 students. The results showed an increase in student and teacher activity. Student activity shows that the percentage of scores obtained in the first cycle is 67.5% in the sufficient category, in the second cycle it shows that the percentage score is 85% in the very good category. Teacher observation activities in the first cycle showed the percentage score of 70% in the good category, in cycle II the percentage score is 90% in very good category. On the results of the analysis of the student evaluation test cycle I showed the percentage of classical learning completeness was 58%, while in cycle II the percentage of classical learning completeness was 83%

Cryptocapsinepoxide-type Carotenoids from Red Mamey, Pouteria sapota

Three new carotenoids, cryptocapsin-5,6-epoxide, 3ʹ-deoxycapsanthin-5,6-epoxide, and cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxides, have been isolated from the ripe fruits of red mamey (Pouteria sapota). Cryptocapsin-5,6-epoxide was prepared by partial synthesis via epoxidation of cryptocapsin and the (5R,6S)- and (5S,6R)-stereoisomers were identified by HPLC-ECD analysis. Spectroscopic data of the natural (anti) and semisynthetic (syn) derivatives obtained by acid-catalyzed rearrangement of cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxide stereoisomers were compared for structural elucidation. Chiral HPLC separation of natural and semisynthetic samples of cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxides was performed and HPLC-ECD analysis allowed configurational assignment of the separated stereoisomers

Phylogeography of the marbled crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Decapoda, Grapsidae) along part of the African Mediterranean coast reveals genetic homogeneity across the Siculo-Tunisian Strait versus heterogeneity across the Gibraltar Strait

We investigate the influence of previously postulated biogeographic barriers in the Mediterranean Sea on the population genetic structure of a highly dispersive and continuously distributed coastal species. In particular, we examine nuclear and mitochondrial genetic variation in the marbled crab, Pachygrapsus marmoratus, across part of the African Mediterranean coast in order to assess the influence of the Siculo-Tunisian Strait on its population genetic structure. Four polymorphic microsatellite loci were genotyped for 110 individuals, collected from eight locations covering parts of the Algerian, Tunisian and Libyan coasts. In addition, mtDNA corresponding to the Cox1 gene was sequenced for 80 samples. The corresponding results show contrasting patterns of genetic differentiation. While mtDNA results revealed a homogeneous haplotype composition in our study area, microsatellite data depicted genetic differentiation among populations, but not associated with any geographic barrier. This pattern, already recorded for this species from different geographic regions, may hint at the involvement of a complex series of abiotic and biotic factors in determining genetic structure. Demographic history reconstruction, inferred from mtDNA data, supports demographic and spatial expansion for the North African metapopulation dating back to the Mid-Pleistocene and following an historical bottleneck. Comparison of these African mitochondrial sequences with new sequences from a Turkish population and previously published sequences revealed a weak but significant separation of Atlantic and Mediterranean populations across the Gibraltar Strait, which was not recorded in previous studies of this grapsid species

Hubungan antara Status Nutrisi dan Penggunaan Alat Bantu Nafas pada Pasien di ICU

Pendahuluan: Status nutrisi dapat mempengaruhi fungsi paru. Malnutrisi merupakan salah satu prediktor negatif terhadap fungsi paru yang dapat menimbulkan kegagalan pada fungsi pernapasan, sehingga dibutuhkan suatu pemantauan status nutrisi sehingga tidak terjadi kegagalan pernafasan.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara status nutrisi dengan penggunaan alat bantu pernapasan pada pasien di intensive care unit (ICU).Metodologi: Desain yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cohort study. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada 22 orang responden yang dirawat di ICU RSUD Arifin Achmad Pekanbaru. Analisa data yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah analisa univariat dan bivariat. Uji statistik yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah chi square untuk melihat hubungan antara status nutrisi dengan penggunaan alat bantu pernapasan pada pasien di ICU.Hasil: Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini didapatkan mayoritas responden yang dirawat di ICU RSUD Arifin Achmad berjenis kelamin laki-laki sebanyak 13 orang (59.1%), mayoritas responden berada pada rentang usia lansia sebanyak 10 orang (45,5%), dengan mayoritas responden menderita stroke sebanyak 10 orang (45,5%), mayoritas responden mengalami malnutrisi sebanyak 14 orang (63,4%), dan mayoritas responden tidak terventilator sebanyak 12 orang (54,5%). Hasil analisis Chi square didapatkan bahwa terdapat hubungan antara status nutrisi dengan penggunaan alat bantu pernapasan pada pasien di ICU dengan ρ value 0,02 (p-value <0,05).Kesimpulan:Status nutrisi memiliki hubungan yang signifikan terhadap penggunaan ventilator pada pasien yang dirawat di ICU RSUD Arifin Achmad Pekanbaru.Kata kunci: Gagal nafas, intensive care unit, malnutrisi, status nutrisi, ventilato

High-efficiency photovoltaics based on semiconductor nanostructures

The objective of this project was to exploit a variety of semiconductor nanostructures, specifically semiconductor quantum wells, quantum dots, and nanowires, to achieve high power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. In a thin-film device geometry, the objectives were to design, fabricate, and characterize quantum-well and quantum-dot solar cells in which scattering from metallic and/or dielectric nanostructures was employed to direct incident photons into lateral, optically confined paths within a thin (~1-3um or less) device structure. Fundamental issues concerning nonequilibrium carrier escape from quantum-confined structures, removal of thin-film devices from an epitaxial growth substrate, and coherent light trapping in thin-film photovoltaic devices were investigated. In a nanowire device geometry, the initial objectives were to engineer vertical nanowire arrays to optimize optical confinement within the nanowires, and to extend this approach to core-shell heterostructures to achieve broadspectrum absorption while maintaining high opencircuit voltages. Subsequent work extended this approach to include fabrication of nanowire photovoltaic structures on low-cost substrates

Identification of MicroRNAs as Potential Prognostic Markers in Ependymoma

INTRODUCTION: We have examined expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in ependymomas to identify molecular markers of value for clinical management. miRNAs are non-coding RNAs that can block mRNA translation and affect mRNA stability. Changes in the expression of miRNAs have been correlated with many human cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have utilized TaqMan Low Density Arrays to evaluate the expression of 365 miRNAs in ependymomas and normal brain tissue. We first demonstrated the similarity of expression profiles of paired frozen tissue (FT) and paraffin-embedded specimens (FFPE). We compared the miRNA expression profiles of 34 FFPE ependymoma samples with 8 microdissected normal brain tissue specimens enriched for ependymal cells. miRNA expression profiles were then correlated with tumor location, histology and other clinicopathological features. RESULTS: We have identified miRNAs that are over-expressed in ependymomas, such as miR-135a and miR-17-5p, and down-regulated, such as miR-383 and miR-485-5p. We have also uncovered associations between expression of specific miRNAs which portend a worse prognosis. For example, we have identified a cluster of miRNAs on human chromosome 14q32 that is associated with time to relapse. We also found that miR-203 is an independent marker for relapse compared to the parameters that are currently used. Additionally, we have identified three miRNAs (let-7d, miR-596 and miR-367) that strongly correlate to overall survival. CONCLUSION: We have identified miRNAs that are differentially expressed in ependymomas compared with normal ependymal tissue. We have also uncovered significant associations of miRNAs with clinical behavior. This is the first report of clinically relevant miRNAs in ependymomas

Оценка противовирусной терапии у больных с циррозом печени вирусной этиологии C и D

Summary: Study group: 49 patients, 17 (34.69%) women and 32 (65.31%) men with hepatic viral cirrhosis, Child-Pugh stage A: 24 – D viral etiology and 25 – viral C genesis. Average age: 44.41 ± 0.4 years in women and 47.59 ± 0.6 years in men. Purpose: evaluation of the antiviral treatment response at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after initiation and assessment of laboratory results during antiviral therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis C and D. In patients with liver cirrhosis HDV, treated with Peg-INF undetectable viral load was achieved at 12 weeks in 28% cases and after 24 weeks of treatment it is observed in 25% of cases. In the group of patients with liver cirrhosis HCV, treated with Peg-INF + Ribabirină – 12 weeks of treatment – 75% of patients responded positively: 48% achieved complete EVR and 24% – EVR part. Evaluation of patients at 24 weeks of treatment show a positive virologic response in 56% cases. In patients with liver cirrhosis HCV and HDV, where the virological response was absent, more severe, and early complications of antiviral therapy are observed: the blood count shows anemia, major leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.Pезюме: Группа исследования: 49 пациентов, 17 (34,69%) женщин и 32 (65,31%) мужчин с циррозом печени вирусной этиологии, стадия Child-Pugh А: 24 – вирусной этиологии D и 25 – вирусной этиологии C. Средний возраст: 44,41 ± 0,4 лет у женщин и 47,59 ± 0,6 лет у мужчин. Цель: оценка ответа на противовирусное лечение на 12-ой неделе и на 24-ой неделе после начала лечения и оценка лабораторных показателей во время противовирусной терапии у больных с циррозом печени С или D. У пациентов с циррозом печени HDV, леченных Peg-INF, была достигнута авиремия на 12-ой неделе в 28% случаев и на 24-ой неделе лечения – в 25% случаев. В группе пациентов с циррозом печени вирусной этиологии С, леченных Peg-INF + рибавирин, наблюдается на 12-ой неделе лечения положительный ответ у 75% пациентов: у 48% достигнут полный ранний вирусологический ответ, у 24% – частичный. Оценка противовирусного лечения через 24 недели после начала показала положительный вирусологический ответ в 56% случаев. У пациентов с циррозом печени вирусной этиологии С или D с отсутствием вирусологического ответа на противирусную терапию обнаруживаются осложнения более тяжелые и раньше: в анализе крови – анемия, лейкопения и тромбоцитопения

Global Demethylation of Rat Chondrosarcoma Cells after Treatment with 5-Aza-2′-Deoxycytidine Results in Increased Tumorigenicity

Abnormal patterns of DNA methylation are observed in several types of human cancer. While localized DNA methylation of CpG islands has been associated with gene silencing, the effect that genome-wide loss of methylation has on tumorigenesis is not completely known. To examine its effect on tumorigenesis, we induced DNA demethylation in a rat model of human chondrosarcoma using 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine. Rat specific pyrosequencing assays were utilized to assess the methylation levels in both LINEs and satellite DNA sequences following 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment. Loss of DNA methylation was accompanied by an increase in invasiveness of the rat chondrosarcoma cells, in vitro, as well as by an increase in tumor growth in vivo. Subsequent microarray analysis provided insight into the gene expression changes that result from 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine induced DNA demethylation. In particular, two genes that may function in tumorigenesis, sox-2 and midkine, were expressed at low levels in control cells but upon 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment these genes became overexpressed. Promoter region DNA analysis revealed that these genes were methylated in control cells but became demethylated following 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment. Following withdrawal of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, the rat chondrosarcoma cells reestablished global DNA methylation levels that were comparable to that of control cells. Concurrently, invasiveness of the rat chondrosarcoma cells, in vitro, decreased to a level indistinguishable to that of control cells. Taken together these experiments demonstrate that global DNA hypomethylation induced by 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine may promote specific aspects of tumorigenesis in rat chondrosarcoma cells

Effects of cardiovascular, resistance and combined exercise training on cardiovascular, performance and blood redox parameters in coronary artery disease patients: An 8-month training-detraining randomized intervention

© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10030409It is well-documented that chronic/regular exercise improves the cardiovascular func-tion, decreases oxidative stress and enhances the antioxidant capacity in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the chronic effects of different types of training and detraining on cardiovascular function and the levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in these patients. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating the effects of cardiovascular, resistance and combined exercise training followed by a three-month detraining period, on cardiovascular function, physical performance and blood redox status parameters in CAD patients. Sixty coronary artery disease patients were randomly assigned to either a cardiovascular training (CVT, N = 15), resistance training (RT, N = 11), combined cardiovascular and resistance training (CT, N = 16) or a control (C, N = 15) group. The training groups participated in an 8-month supervised training program (training three days/week) followed by a 3-month detraining period, while the control group participated only in measurements. Body composition, blood pressure, performance-related variables (aerobic capacity (VO2max ), muscle strength, flexibility) and blood redox status-related parameters (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), catalase activity (CAT), protein carbonyls (PC)) were assessed at the beginning of the study, after 4 and 8 months of training as well as following 1, 2 and 3 months of detraining (DT). CVT induced the most remarkable and pronounced alterations in blood pressure (~9% reduction in systolic blood pressure and ~5% in diastolic blood pressure) and redox status since it had a positive effect on all redox-related variables (ranging from 16 to 137%). RT and CT training affected positively some of the assessed (TAC, CAT and PC) redox-related variables. Performance-related variables retained the positive response of the training, whereas most of the redox status parameters, for all training groups, restored near to the pre-exercise values at the end of the DT period. These results indicate that exercise training has a significant effect on redox status of CAD. Three months of detraining is enough to abolish the exercise-induced beneficial effects on redox status, indicating that for a better antioxidant status, exercise must be a lifetime commitment.This project was funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation, EPΥNE/0506/17Published versio