Study of bone turnover markers, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide and osteocalcin in healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus postmenopausal women

Background: Individuals with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of metabolic bone disease due to decrease in bone strength and quality. Several bone turnover markers like serum procollagen type I N propeptide (P1NP) and serum osteocalcin are powerful tools for studying osteoporosis and fracture risk across population to provide diagnostic and prognostic information of bone health. The aim of this study was to recognize possible correlation of levels of serum P1NP and osteocalcin in type-2 diabetic (T2DM) postmenopausal women as compared to healthy postmenopausal women.Methods: The study included 100 proven cases of type-2 diabetic postmenopausal women with age matched healthy postmenopausal women as controls. P1NP, osteocalcin, and other relevant parameters were measured. Differences between diabetics and controls were analyzed.Results: The body mass index was higher in diabetic group as compared to controls. The HbA1c% was (6.94±1.43) in diabetic group and (5.57±1.21) in non-diabetics. Low serum level of 25 (OH) D was observed both in diabetic and non-diabetic groups but significantly lower in T2DM. Procollagen type 1 N propeptide was lower in diabetic group (37.59±17.20 ng/mL) as compared to non-diabetic (52.14±24.82 ng/mL). Osteocalcin was lower (15.64±8.06 ng/ml) as compared to non-diabetic group (21.85±9.12 ng/ml). Lower osteocalcin and P1NP levels found in this study suggests slower bone metabolism with reduced bone formation in postmenopausal diabetics.Conclusions: Serum procollagen type 1 N propeptide and osteocalcin in postmenopausal diabetic women were lower as compared to non-diabetic group

NMR analysis of the dynamic exchange of the NS2B cofactor between open and closed conformations of the West Nile Virus NS2B-NS3 protease

BACKGROUND The two-component NS2B-NS3 proteases of West Nile and dengue viruses are essential for viral replication and established targets for drug development. In all crystal structures of the proteases to date, the NS2B cofactor is located far from the substrate binding site (open conformation) in the absence of inhibitor and lining the substrate binding site (closed conformation) in the presence of an inhibitor. METHODS In this work, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of isotope and spin-labeled samples of the West Nile virus protease was used to investigate the occurrence of equilibria between open and closed conformations in solution. FINDINGS In solution, the closed form of the West Nile virus protease is the predominant conformation irrespective of the presence or absence of inhibitors. Nonetheless, dissociation of the C-terminal part of the NS2B cofactor from the NS3 protease (open conformation) occurs in both the presence and the absence of inhibitors. Low-molecular-weight inhibitors can shift the conformational exchange equilibria so that over 90% of the West Nile virus protease molecules assume the closed conformation. The West Nile virus protease differs from the dengue virus protease, where the open conformation is the predominant form in the absence of inhibitors. CONCLUSION Partial dissociation of NS2B from NS3 has implications for the way in which the NS3 protease can be positioned with respect to the host cell membrane when NS2B is membrane associated via N- and C-terminal segments present in the polyprotein. In the case of the West Nile virus protease, discovery of low-molecular-weight inhibitors that act by breaking the association of the NS2B cofactor with the NS3 protease is impeded by the natural affinity of the cofactor to the NS3 protease. The same strategy can be more successful in the case of the dengue virus NS2B-NS3 protease.The project was funded by the Australian Research Council (http://www.arc.gov.au), grant DP0877540

Dilaton and Second-Rank Tensor Fields as Supersymmetric Compensators

We formulate a supersymmetric theory in which both a dilaton and a second-rank tensor play roles of compensators. The basic off-shell multiplets are a linear multiplet (B_{\mu\nu}, \chi, \phi) and a vector multiplet (A_\mu, \l; C_{\mu\nu\rho}), where \phi and B_{\m\n} are respectively a dilaton and a second-rank tensor. The third-rank tensor C_{\mu\nu\rho} in the vector multiplet is 'dual' to the conventional D-field with 0 on-shell or 1 off-shell degree of freedom. The dilaton \phi is absorbed into one longitudinal component of A_\mu, making it massive. Initially, B_{\mu\nu} has 1 on-shell or 3 off-shell degrees of freedom, but it is absorbed into the longitudinal components of C_{\mu\nu\rho}. Eventually, C_{\mu\nu\rho} with 0 on-shell or 1 off-shell degree of freedom acquires in total 1 on-shell or 4 off-shell degrees of freedom, turning into a propagating massive field. These basic multiplets are also coupled to chiral multiplets and a supersymmetric Dirac-Born-Infeld action. Some of these results are also reformulated in superspace. The proposed mechanism may well provide a solution to the long-standing puzzle of massless dilatons and second-rank tensors in supersymmetric models inspired by string theory.Comment: 15 pages, no figure

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF THRIPHALA RASAYANA IN PRIMARY HYPERLIPIDEMIA- AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: Elevated concentration of lipids in the blood is considered as the well-established and strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Primary hyperlipidaemia occurs solely due to interaction of mutated gene with unprecedented epidemiologic transitions associated with lifestyle changes and dietary patterns. Early detection and management of asymptomatic hyperlipidaemia is imperative to reduce the incidence of cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular and coronary artery diseases. Preferred screening test i.e. lipid panel test will be substantial on many levels including mortality, morbidity and staggering financial burden related with vascular endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic changes. Simple, low-cost and potential pharmacological interventions with Ayurveda drugs are highly beneficial in these preventable epidemics. The main ingredient, “Thriphala“ in the trial drug is considered as the best known rejuvenative (Rasayana) combination, which stimulate and correct the impaired inherent digestive capacity (Dhatwagni) by removing the inflammatory and obstructive causes (Srothorodha) associated with the dysfunctions in lipid metabolism. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of an Ayurveda formulation on lipid level in patients with primary Hyperlipidaemia. It also ascertains the safety of the therapeutic formulation by evaluating the variations in the blood biochemical parameters. Methods: The study design was an experimental comparative study intended to compare the effect of potentiated Thriphalarasayana with standard anti-lipidemic drug in primary hyperlipidaemia. 29 cases in study group and 15 samples in control group participated in the trial. The data was analysed by using appropriate statistical techniques. Results: In the study group the values of total cholesterol, LDL and Atherogenic index shows more significant result than the control group receiving conventional anti-lipidemic drug. Conclusion: strategies for early detection and comprehensive management with Ayurveda formulations can be highly effective in reducing the global burden of vascular dysfunction related with hyperlipidaemia

Satisfação do cliente em relação aos serviços hoteleiros: uma revisão sistemática e uma agenda de pesquisa

In the highly competitive world, the hotel industry's success depends on the quality of services they provide, which gives wow feelings and high customer satisfaction. Many researchers have tried to assess customer satisfaction towards hotel services by proposing different models. Hence, the present study attempts to identify the influencing factors for determining customer satisfaction towards hotel services by conducting a systematic literature review. During the search process, 457 articles were obtained from the Web of Science database, and after filtration, 91 articles were used for further analysis. The result revealed that the top six influential factors affecting customer satisfaction towards hotel services are empathy, assurance, reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, and green practices. If customers are satisfied, they will be motivated to revisit, spread positive word of mouth, and build loyalty. Moreover, the results identified that the USA, Malaysia, and China are the leading countries in this field. This study provides an extensive literature review, which otherwise is an unexplored area so far, which offers valuable insight for the hotel service providers to improve their services and also to the researchers and academicians to develop and propose new theories.En un mundo altamente competitivo, el éxito de la industria hotelera depende de la calidad de los servicios que brinda, lo que genera sensaciones asombrosas y una alta satisfacción del cliente. Muchos investigadores han intentado evaluar la satisfacción del cliente hacia los servicios hoteleros proponiendo diferentes modelos. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio intenta identificar los factores que influyen en la determinación de la satisfacción del cliente hacia los servicios hoteleros mediante la realización de una revisión sistemática de la literatura. Durante el proceso de búsqueda, se obtuvieron 457 artículos en la base de datos Web of Science y, después de la filtración, se utilizaron 91 artículos para un análisis posterior. El resultado reveló que los seis factores principales que influyen en la satisfacción del cliente hacia los servicios hoteleros son la empatía, la garantía, la confiabilidad, la capacidad de respuesta, la tangibilidad y las prácticas sostenibles. Si los clientes están satisfechos, se motivarán a revisitar, difundir recomendaciones positivas y construir lealtad. Además, los resultados identificaron que Estados Unidos, Malasia y China son los países líderes en este campo. Este estudio proporciona una revisión integral de la literatura, un área hasta ahora poco explorada, ofreciendo ideas valiosas para que los proveedores de servicios hoteleros mejoren sus servicios, así como para que los investigadores y académicos desarrollen y propongan nuevas teorías.Num mundo altamente competitivo, o sucesso da indústria hoteleira depende da qualidade dos serviços que presta, o que proporciona sensações surpreendentes e elevada satisfação do cliente. Muitos pesquisadores têm tentado avaliar a satisfação do cliente em relação aos serviços hoteleiros propondo diferentes modelos. Assim, o presente estudo tenta identificar os fatores que influenciam a determinação da satisfação do cliente em relação aos serviços hoteleiros, através da realização de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. Durante o processo de busca, foram obtidos 457 artigos na base de dados Web of Science e, após filtragem, 91 artigos foram utilizados para posterior análise. O resultado revelou que os seis principais fatores que influenciam a satisfação do cliente em relação aos serviços hoteleiros são empatia, garantia, confiabilidade, capacidade de resposta, tangibilidade e práticas sustentáveis. Se os clientes estiverem satisfeitos, serão motivados a revisitar, propagar recomendações positivas e construir lealdade. Além disso, os resultados identificaram que os Estados Unidos, Malásia e China são os países líderes nesse campo. Este estudo fornece uma revisão abrangente da literatura, uma área até então pouco explorada, oferecendo insights valiosos para os provedores de serviços hoteleiros melhorarem seus serviços, bem como para pesquisadores e acadêmicos desenvolverem e propor novas teorias

Effect of natural convection on oscillating flow in a pipe with cryogenic temperature difference across the ends

The effect of natural convection on the oscillatory flow in an open-ended pipe driven by a timewise sinusoidally varying pressure at one end and subjected to an ambient-to-cryogenic temperature difference across the ends, is numerically studied. Conjugate effects arising out of the interaction of oscillatory flow with heat conduction in the pipe wall are taken into account by considering a finite thickness wall with an insulated exterior surface. Two cases, namely, one with natural convection acting downwards and the other, with natural convection acting upwards, are considered. The full set of compressible flow equations with axissymmetry are solved using a pressure correction algorithm. Parametric studies are conducted with frequencies in the range 5–15 Hz for an end-to-end temperature difference of 200 and 50 K. Results are obtained for the variation of velocity, temperature, Nusselt number and the phase relationship between mass flow rate and temperature. It is found that the Rayleigh number has a minimal effect on the time averaged Nusselt number and phase angle. However, it does influence the local variation of velocity and Nusselt number over one cycle. The natural convection and pressure amplitude have influence on the energy flow through the gas and solid

Possible Prevention of COVID 19 by Using Linoleic Acid (C18) Rich Algae Oil

With the rapid spread of COVID 19, people are being isolated in countries, and more than lakhs of people have been infecting by the coronavirus. The coronavirus is an airborne organism and highly infectious at short contact distances. The use of N95 respirators masks (high-efficiency) can protect people against the COVID 19, but the protective efficiency of masks is not high enough. A method of applying oil with rich amounts of linoleic acid in nostrils can prevent the spread of the virus. Macroalgal secondary metabolites have great potential for the development of new drugs and algae derived products largely employed in assorted industries, including agricultural, biomedical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Among different chemical components isolated from algae, oil components are the most attracting more and which were subjected to a variety of studies (antiviral potential of algae in pharmaceutical research). Algal oil and their components like linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid are playing a preventive role in the virus infection. In addition, different mechanisms of action have been reported for these linoleic acid (C18H32O2) components, such as inhibiting the binding virus into the host cells or suppressing virulence activity by destabilization of the bilayer of viral envelopes. Application of in controlling the virus entry is mainly depend on the properties like low surface tension, high-boiling point, high viscosity, immiscible with water and antivirus activity. This manuscript mainly discusses the possible physical-chemical mechanisms involved in the application of algal oil and other sources of oils component's role in prevention of viral spread. Among that we listed out various oil sources and their applications in controlling the virus activity. Further confirmed experimental and clinical results for the use of oils as nasal spray may finally contribute to preventing the spread of the coronavirus as soon as possible