125 research outputs found
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Wiper System Performance at High Speeds
In this study, aerodynamic forces acting on the windshield wiper system at critical wiper angles are simulated using different wiper blade geometries, i.e., wiper and spoiler modifications, to solve the wiping problem occurring at high speeds due to lifting forces. Undesired aerodynamic lift forces reach a peak at critical blade angles, thus turbulent air flow around the wiper blades at critical angles on a car model is investigated numerically in detail to solve this problem. Previous experimental studies have shown that the front windshield wiper blades can be lifted up by aerodynamic forces between wiper blade angles of 30-40°, if no geometric modifications are done to prevent this. The possible modifications which can have a positive effect on wiperâs performance include wiperâs profile (also spoilerâs curvature), wiperâs height and connection type of the rubber part to the metal part. Aerodynamic lift and drag forces acting on the wiper blade and wiper arm are calculated for both driverâs and passengerâs sides. It is revealed that for both wiper blades on the driverâs and passengerâs sides, an increased wiper height with a blunt connection type can supply most satisfactory results in terms of decreased lift forces, in other words negative lift forces. Utilizing the output of the numerical analysis, the new wiper-blade-spoiler profile is selected and then manufactured to test its wiping performance in a thermal wind tunnel by soiling tests. Numerical studies are validated by experimental tests, since the new wiper profile has been proven as a more efficient prototype in terms of wiping performance compared to the original one
Chemical characterization, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibition of Rutabaga root's pulp and peel (Brassica napus L.)
Abstract Rutabaga (Brassica napus L.) belonging to Brassicaceae family, is a rich source of polyphenols and glucosinolates. Its consumption in human diet is highly appreciated for its nutritional contribution and health benefits. Brassica napus L. is recognized as the world's most widely grown temperate oilseed crop containing erucic acid for industrial applications, plants germination, animal feed and fuel. In this work we prepared two different extracts of Rutabaga root's pulp and peel, e.g. ultrasound assisted extract (UAE) and homogenizer assisted extract (HAE). The four extracts have been analyzed by HPLC-MS to assess the phytochemical characterization and tested by antioxidant and enzyme inhibitor assays. Rutabaga pulp and peel extracts possess tyrosinase and glucosidase inhibitory activities together with a moderate antioxidant ability. Our results show a high level of glucosinolates, in particular neoglucobrassicin in the peel extract, which let us suppose a potential application as crop in industry and as supplement in human diet
Deeper Insights on Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) MĂŒll.Arg extracts: chemical profiles, biological abilities, network analysis and molecular docking
Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) MĂŒll. Arg. is a well-known African medicinal plant traditionally used for various healing purposes. In the present study, methanolic, ethyl acetate and infusion extracts of A. cordifolia leaves were studied for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents and screened for their chemical composition. Moreover, the enzyme (acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase) inhibitory and cytotoxicity activities on HepG2: human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, B16 4A5: murine melanoma cells, and S17: murine bone marrow (normal) cells of extracts were evaluated. Finally, components-targets and docking analyzes were conducted with the aim to unravel the putative mechanisms underlying the observed bio-pharmacological effects. Interestingly, the infusion and methanolic extracts showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared with the ethyl acetate extract (TPC: 120.38â213.12 mg GAE/g and TFC: 9.66â57.18 mg RE/g). Besides, the methanolic extracts followed by the infusion extracts were revealed to contain a higher number of compounds (84 and 74 compounds, respectively), while only 64 compounds were observed for the ethyl acetate extract. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, shikimic acid, rutin, quercetin, myricetin, vitexin, quercitrin, kaempferol, and naringenin were among the compounds that were commonly identified in all the studied extracts. Additionally, the methanolic and infusion extracts displayed higher antioxidant capacity than ethyl acetate extract in all assays performed. In ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, the methanol extract (500.38 mg TE/g for DPPH and 900.64 mg TE/g for ABTS) exhibited the best ability, followed by the water and ethyl acetate extracts. Furthermore, the extracts exhibited differential enzyme inhibitory profiles. In particular, the methanolic and infusion extracts showed better cytotoxic selectivity activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Overall, this study demonstrated A cordifolia to be a species worthy of further investigations, given its richness in bioactive phytochemicals and wide potentialities for antioxidants and pharmacological agents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A survey of performance enhancement of transmission control protocol (TCP) in wireless ad hoc networks
This Article is provided by the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund - Copyright @ 2011 Springer OpenTransmission control protocol (TCP), which provides reliable end-to-end data delivery, performs well in traditional wired network environments, while in wireless ad hoc networks, it does not perform well. Compared to wired networks, wireless ad hoc networks have some specific characteristics such as node mobility and a shared medium. Owing to these specific characteristics of wireless ad hoc networks, TCP faces particular problems with, for example, route failure, channel contention and high bit error rates. These factors are responsible for the performance degradation of TCP in wireless ad hoc networks. The research community has produced a wide range of proposals to improve the performance of TCP in wireless ad hoc networks. This article presents a survey of these proposals (approaches). A classification of TCP improvement proposals for wireless ad hoc networks is presented, which makes it easy to compare the proposals falling under the same category. Tables which summarize the approaches for quick overview are provided. Possible directions for further improvements in this area are suggested in the conclusions. The aim of the article is to enable the reader to quickly acquire an overview of the state of TCP in wireless ad hoc networks.This study is partly funded by Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST),
Pakistan, and the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan
Water Extract from Inflorescences of Industrial Hemp Futura 75 Variety as a Source of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Proliferative and Antimycotic Agents: Results from In Silico, In Vitro and Ex Vivo Studies
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is traditionally cultivated as a valuable source of fibers and nutrients. Multiple studies also demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-proliferative, phytotoxic and insecticide effects of the essential oil from hemp female inflorescences. On the other side, only a few studies explored the potential pharmacological application of polar extracts from inflorescences. In the present study, we investigated the water extract from inflorescences of industrial hemp Futura 75 variety, from phytochemical and pharmacological point of view. The water extract was assayed for phenolic compound content, radical scavenger/reducing, chelating and anti-tyrosinase effects. Through an ex vivo model of toxicity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on isolated rat colon and liver, we explored the extract effects on serotonin, dopamine and kynurenine pathways and the production of prostaglandin (PG)E2. Anti-proliferative effects were also evaluated against human colon cancer HCT116 cell line. Additionally, antimycotic effects were investigated against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Microsporum gypseum. Finally, in silico studies, including bioinformatics, network pharmacology and docking approaches were conducted in order to predict the putative targets underlying the observed pharmacological and microbiological effects. Futura 75 water extract was able to blunt LPS-induced reduction of serotonin and increase of dopamine and kynurenine turnover, in rat colon. Additionally, the reduction of PGE2 levels was observed in both colon and liver specimens, as well. The extract inhibited the HCT116 cell viability, the growth of T. rubrum and T. interdigitale and the activity of tyrosinase, in vitro, whereas in silico studies highlighting the inhibitions of cyclooxygenase-1 (induced by carvacrol), carbonic anhydrase IX (induced by chlorogenic acid and gallic acid) and lanosterol 14-α-demethylase (induced by rutin) further support the observed pharmacological and antimycotic effects. The present findings suggest female inflorescences from industrial hemp as high quality by-products, thus representing promising sources of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals against inflammatory and infectious diseases.Fil: Orlando, Giustino. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Recinella, Lucia. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Chiavaroli, Annalisa. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Brunetti, Luigi. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Leone, Sheila. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Carradori, Simone. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Di Simone, Simonetta. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Ciferri, Maria Chiara. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Zengin, Gokhan. Universidad de Selcuk; TurquĂaFil: Ak, Gunes. Universidad de Selcuk; TurquĂaFil: Abdullah, Hassan H.. Salahaddin University-Erbil; Iraq. Universiti Sains Malaysia; MalasiaFil: Cordisco, EstefanĂa. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias BioquĂmicas y FarmacĂ©uticas. Departamento de QuĂmica OrgĂĄnica. Ărea Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sortino, Maximiliano AndrĂ©s. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias BioquĂmicas y FarmacĂ©uticas. Departamento de QuĂmica OrgĂĄnica. Ărea Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Svetaz, Laura Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias BioquĂmicas y FarmacĂ©uticas. Departamento de QuĂmica OrgĂĄnica. Ărea Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Politi, Matteo. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Angelini, Paola. UniversitĂ di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Covino, Stefano. UniversitĂ di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Venanzoni, Roberto. UniversitĂ di Perugia; ItaliaFil: Cesa, Stefania. UniversitĂ degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza"; ItaliaFil: Menghini, Luigi. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; ItaliaFil: Ferrante, Claudio. University âG. dâAnnunzioâ. Department of Pharmacy; Itali
Effects of salinity and drought on growth, ionic relations, compatible solutes and activation of antioxidant systems in oleander (Nerium oleander L.)
[EN] Nerium
oleander
is an
ornamental
species
of high
aesthetic
value,
grown
in arid
and
semi-
arid
regions
because
of its
drought
tolerance,
which
is also
considered
as
relatively
resistant
to salt;
yet
the
biochemical
and
molecular
mechanisms
underlying
oleanderÂżs
stress
toler-
ance
remain
largely
unknown.
To
investigate
these
mechanisms,
one-year-old
oleander
seedlings
were
exposed
to 15
and
30
days
of treatment
with
increasing
salt
concentratio
ns,
up
to 800
mM
NaCl,
and
to complete
withholding
of irrigation;
growth
parameters
and
bio-
chemical
markers
characteristic
of conserved
stress-response
pathways
were
then
deter-
mined
in stressed
and
control
plants.
Strong
water
deficit
and
salt
stress
both
caused
inhibition
of growth,
degradation
of photosynthetic
pigments,
a slight
(but
statistically
signifi-
cant)
increase
in the
leaf
levels
of specific
osmolytes,
and
induction
of oxidative
stressÂżas
indicated
by
the
accumulation
of malondialdehyde
(MDA),
a reliable
oxidative
stress
marker
Âżaccompanied
by
increases
in the
levels
of total
phenolic
compounds
and
antioxidant
fla-
vonoids
and
in the
specific
activities
of ascorbate
peroxidase
(APX)
and
glutathione
reduc-
tase
(GR).
High
salinity,
in addition,
induced
accumulation
of Na
+
and
Cl
-
in roots
and
leaves
and
the
activation
of superoxide
dismutase
(SOD)
and
catalase
(CAT)
activities.
Apart
from
anatomical
adaptations
that
protect
oleander
from
leaf
dehydration
at moderate
levels
of
stress,
our
results
indicate
that
tolerance
of this
species
to salinity
and
water
deficit
is based
on
the
constitutive
accumulation
in leaves
of high
concentratio
ns
of soluble
carbohydrates
and,
to a lesser
extent,
of glycine
betaine,
and
in the
activation
of the
aforementioned
antiox-
idant
systems.
Moreover,
regarding
specifically
salt
stress,
mechanisms
efficiently
blocking
transport
of toxic
ions
from
the
roots
to the
aerial
parts
of the
plant
appear
to contribute
to a
large
extent
to tolerance
in
Nerium
oleanderThis work was financed by internal funds of the Polytechnic University of Valencia to Monica Boscaiu and Oscar Vicente. Dinesh Kumarâs stay in Valencia was financed by a NAMASTE fellowship from the European Union, and Mohamad Al Hassan was a recipient of an Erasmus Mundus pre-doctoral scholarship financed by the European Commission (Welcome Consortium).Kumar, D.; Al Hassan, M.; Naranjo Olivero, MA.; Agrawal, V.; Boscaiu, M.; Vicente, O. (2017). Effects of salinity and drought on growth, ionic relations, compatible solutes and activation of antioxidant systems in oleander (Nerium oleander L.). PLoS ONE. 12(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185017Se018501712
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of folate receptor-targeted a novel magnetic drug delivery system for ovarian cancer therapy
WOS: 000457049400086PubMed ID: 29458269Doxorubicin is widely used anticancer drug; however, use of doxorubicin is limited. Under externally applied magnetic field, magnetic agents can help to transport drug directly to tumor. Folate receptor is overexpressed in ovarian carcinomas. In this study, we aimed to develop magnetically responsive and folate receptor-targeted biomimetic drug delivery system for ovarian cancer therapy. Doxorubicin-loaded and glucose/gluconic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and erythrocyte membrane vesicles were used for coating of nanoparticles. Folate ligand was anchored to surface so as to target receptor. Hydrodynamic size of nanocarrier was found as 91.2 +/- 20.8nm. The results showed that delivery system has controlled drug release profile and biocompatible features. In folate-free medium, folate receptor-targeted nanocarrier showed 10.33-fold lower IC50 values for A2780 cells and 3.93-fold lower for OVCAR3 cells compared to non-targeted nanoparticles and demonstrated more cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, magnetically and folate receptor-targeted doxorubicin delivery system was significantly more effective for therapy of xenografted nude mice than free doxorubicin based on tumor shrinkages and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, it can be suggested that folate ligand-attached and biomimetically designed magnetic drug delivery system have advantages and potential for targeted ovarian cancer therapy.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [113Z165]; Ege University Scientific Research Project OfficeEge University [2014 BIL 006, 2015 FEN 055]The authors thank the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project ID: 113Z165) and Ege University Scientific Research Project Office (Project ID: 2014 BIL 006 and 2015 FEN 055) for their financial supports
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