Behavior of Acetylenic Ketones and Esters towards Aroylisothiocyanates in Polar Solvent (Part I)

Reactions of aroylisothiocyanates 2a,b with acetylenic ketones 1a-c gave a mixture of thiocyanatoprop-2-en-1-ones 3a-c, (E,Z)-3,3’-thiodi(1-aryl-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ones) 4a-c, 4-methoxybenzoylthiourea (6), 3-(4-methoxybenzamido)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one (7a) and 2-phenylacetamide (8). Treatment of 2a,b with acetylenic esters 1d,e afforded a mixture of (Z,Z)-3,3’-thiodiacrylates 5a,b, the thiourea 6, 3-(2-phenylacetamido)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate (7b) and 8. Reacting 1f with 2a yielded tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives 9 and 6. On the other hand, with 2b yielded 8

The Relationship Between Metacognition and Self-regulation in Young Children

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between theory of mind (ToM) (intention and false belief), metacognition, and self-regulation in preschool children. A related purpose was to investigate the gender and age differences. The sample of the study consisted of 87 preschool children in Southern Egypt. The instruments consisted of two theory-of-mind tasks (intention and false-belief situations), three tasks of metacognition and self- regulation (puzzle arrangement and sorting tasks). Metacognition and self-regulation tasks were evaluated using The Checklist of Independent Learning Development (CHILD, Whitebread et al., 2009). Correlations, t-test, and stepwise multiple regression analyses, using SPSS 18.0, were employed to answer the questions of the study. The results indicated no gender differences in the overall performance on the study variables. A developmental effect was found in favour of the older children in the intention task, puzzle arrangement task, and the total score of ToM. The second task predicted the false-belief task. The findings of the study are discussed and further venues for future research in this area are suggested

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO POWDER REINFORCED ETHYLENE PROPYLENE DIENE MONOMER (EPDM) COMPOSITES: EFFECT OF FILLER LOADING AND PARTICLE SIZE

Due to the light weight, high specific strength and non hazardous nature of bamboo fiber, it is preferred over synthetic fibers in composite materials for a wide range of applications such as automotive industry and including household sectors. As was noticed, little attention has been given to the effect of bamboo powder on the mechanical properties of rubber composites. Hence, an attempt has been made in this paper to the study the effect of loading and particle size of bamboo powder on the mechanical properties of EPDM composites. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to study the thermal stability of composites. Results indicated that the thermal stability of EPDM was further improved with increasing in bamboo loading and decreasing in particle size. The stress- strain curves of the composites were studied and fitted according toOgdens model. Mechanical parameters for the studied composites were improved with increasing bamboo loading. Besides, properties such as rupture stress, and internal friction were found to be maximum for composites containing certain content of bamboo powder, depending upon its particle size. Moreover, composites containing the smallest particle size of powder, at all levels of bamboo loading, showed mechanical properties superior to all other composites. From the dynamic mechanical measurements, the dynamic modulus, internal friction, and thermal diffusivity were calculated. The observed variations were explained in view of the role played by both the loading level and the particle size of bamboo powder. These findings were supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs

Effect of Kegel Exercises on The Recurrence of Lower Urinary Tract Infection in Multiparty

Context: Urinary problems are common in females, affecting approximately one-third of adult women. Multiple deliveries Reduced pelvic floor strength affects the bladder function because the bladder does not completely empty, leaving a 'pool' of urine, which can lead to recurrent urinary infections. Kegel exercises are the most widely used method for strengthening muscles in the pelvic floor. Patients can do them at any time, anywhere, while doing other work and without regular visits to hospitals. Aim: The study aims to assess the effects of Kegel Exercises on the recurrence of Lower Urinary Tract Infection in Multiparty.Methods: A convenience sample of 100 patients suffering from recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and (Multiparty) had more than three normal deliveries, assigned randomly and alternatively into two equal groups, 50 in each. The first group (control group) received standard hospital nursing care. The second group (study group) taught Kegel exercises. Outcome measurements included the use of the UTI Symptoms Assessment Questionnaire, administered pre and two months post-regular Kegel exercises, to assess the severity and bothersome of the most frequently reported symptoms of UTI.Results: Regarding the degree of symptoms for urinary tract infection in the first visit, the majority of patients in both groups had a maximum degree of symptoms. Regarding all symptoms, the patient suffering from frequency, the urgency of urination, pain or burning when passing urine, inability to empty the bladder completely, pain or uncomfortable pressure in lower abdomen/pelvic area, low back pain, and blood in urine with a non-statistically significant difference between both groups. On the other hand, in the second visit, there was a statistically significant difference between patients who received hospital care and the study group who practice Kegel exercise regarding all symptoms. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the severity of urinary tract infections. Conclusion: Women with recurrent urinary tract infection symptoms exhibit self-reported cure or improvement of urinary tract infection symptoms after the regular performance of Kegel exercises. Applying educational sessions by nurses is recommended for females after normal delivery and caesarian section delivery

Liquid chromatography-electro spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of Moexipril and its active metabolite Moexiprilat in human plasma

A selective, sensitive, and rapid liquid chromatography-electro spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and subsequently validated for the simultaneous determination of Moexipril (MOX), and its active metabolite Moexiprilat (MOXT) in spiked human plasma, using Benazepril (BENZ) as an internal standard (IS). Various modes were tried and the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode was found the most suitable one. The two analytes and Benazepril (IS) were extracted from human plasma by simple protein precipitation using acetonitrile as the precipitating solvent. The stationary phase used was a C18 Sunfire column while water and acetonitrile at 0.1% formic acid (30:70, v:v) was used as a mobile phase. The flow rate used was 0.8 mL/min. Food and Drug Administration guidelines were followed for the method validation. The linearity range was found to be 0.5-100 ng/mL for MOX and 5-200 ng/mL for MOXT and the correlation coefficient was more than 0.9980 for each analyte. Results for accuracy and precision showed satisfactory results. Also the method was compared with reported HPLC method and no significant difference was found

Modulation of GLO1 expression affects malignant properties of cells

The energy metabolism of most tumor cells relies on aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) characterized by an increased glycolytic flux that is accompanied by the increased formation of the cytotoxic metabolite methylglyoxal (MGO). Consequently, the rate of detoxification of this reactive glycolytic byproduct needs to be increased in order to prevent deleterious effects to the cells. This is brought about by an increased expression of glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) that is the rate-limiting enzyme of the MGO-detoxifying glyoxalase system. Here, we overexpressed GLO1 in HEK 293 cells and silenced it in MCF-7 cells using shRNA. Tumor-related properties of wild type and transformed cells were compared and key glycolytic enzyme activities assessed. Furthermore, the cells were subjected to hypoxic conditions to analyze the impact on cell proliferation and enzyme activities. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of GLO1 in the cancer cells significantly reduced tumor-associated properties such as migration and proliferation, whereas no functional alterations where found by overexpression of GLO1 in HEK 293 cells. In contrast, hypoxia caused inhibition of cell growth of all cells except of those overexpressing GLO1. Altogether, we conclude that GLO1 on one hand is crucial to maintaining tumor characteristics of malignant cells, and, on the other hand, supports malignant transformation of cells in a hypoxic environment when overexpressed

Phytochemical constituents, hypoglycemic and haematological effects of methanolic Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Recently, there has been more interest with antidiabetic agents commencing natural products from plants as a better treatment than currently used synthetic drugs. The high performance liquid chromatography analysis of methanolic Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract revealed occurrence of twenty one polyphenolic compounds. Catechin is the main constituent (29.91%), followed by apigenin (20.96%), then, ellagic acid, quercetin, kampferol, ferulic acid, luteolin, pyrogallol, rutin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, protocatechouic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffiene, syrigic acid, catechol and p-OH-benzoic acid in percentages of 17.54, 10.45, 7.63, 4.67, 4.61, 4.30, 3.21, 3.15, 2.10, 1.48, 1.43, 1.13, 1.09, 1.08 and 1.05%, respectively. The antidiabetic and heamatological effects of methanolic Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract (10, 20 and 40 mg/100 g body weight) in streptozotocin diabetic rats were investigated comparing with metformin HCl (50 mg/100 g body weight) for 30 days. Our results indicated that the most effective dose of methanolic Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract was 40 mg/100 g body weight, which decreased blood glucose level to about 77.37% in diabetic rats, compared with a percentage of 76.50% achieved by administration with metformin HCl. Furthermore, liver functions activity, kidney functions, lipid profile, atherogenic indices and haematological parameters were scrutinized in diabetic rats treated with methanolic Acalypha wilkesiana leaves extract. These results indicate that the methanolic leaves extract of Acalypha wilkesiana, have favorable effects in bringing down the severity of diabetes and justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and its complications

Elevated levels of MMP12 sourced from macrophages are associated with poor prognosis in urothelial bladder cancer

Biomarkers; Proteomics; Urothelial bladder cancerBiomarcadores; Proteómica; Cáncer de vejiga urotelialBiomarcadors; Proteòmica; Càncer de bufeta urotelialBackground Urothelial bladder cancer is most frequently diagnosed at the non-muscle-invasive stage (NMIBC). However, recurrences and interventions for intermediate and high-risk NMIBC patients impact the quality of life. Biomarkers for patient stratification could help to avoid unnecessary interventions whilst indicating aggressive measures when required. Methods In this study, immuno-oncology focused, multiplexed proximity extension assays were utilised to analyse plasma (n = 90) and urine (n = 40) samples from 90 newly-diagnosed and treatment-naïve bladder cancer patients. Public single-cell RNA-sequencing and microarray data from patient tumour tissues and murine OH-BBN-induced urothelial carcinomas were also explored to further corroborate the proteomic findings. Results Plasma from muscle-invasive, urothelial bladder cancer patients displayed higher levels of MMP7 (p = 0.028) and CCL23 (p = 0.03) compared to NMIBC patients, whereas urine displayed higher levels of CD27 (p = 0.044) and CD40 (p = 0.04) in the NMIBC group by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Random forest survival and multivariable regression analyses identified increased MMP12 plasma levels as an independent marker (p < 0.001) associated with shorter overall survival (HR = 1.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI:1.3–2.5); this finding was validated in an independent patient OLINK cohort, but could not be established using a transcriptomic microarray dataset. Single-cell transcriptomics analyses indicated tumour-infiltrating macrophages as a putative source of MMP12. Conclusions The measurable levels of tumour-localised, immune-cell-derived MMP12 in blood suggest MMP12 as an important biomarker that could complement histopathology-based risk stratification. As MMP12 stems from infiltrating immune cells rather than the tumor cells themselves, analyses performed on tissue biopsy material risk a biased selection of biomarkers produced by the tumour, while ignoring the surrounding microenvironment.Open access funding provided by Uppsala University. This work was supported by the Swedish Society for Medical Research (S15-0065) to S.M. and the Swedish Cancer Foundation (CAN 2017/199) to P-U. M. The funding bodies did not influence the research performed

Analyse und Optimierung von Mittelspannugsnetze mit Integration von Dezentrale Erzeugung

Within the framework of this thesis, an analysis and optimization of MV distribution networks with interconnection of DG units have been introduced. The presented work can be mainly divided into four parts. In the first part, investigations of the impacts of DG unit’s interconnection on the loadability of MV distribution networks are introduced. The loadability is evaluated based on two aspects; namely the maximum loading according to the voltage limit and the maximum loading according to the voltage stability limit. In the second part a new methodology for integration of the DG units in order to enhance the voltage limit loadability is presented. The effectiveness of the presented methodology is demonstrated in a test network with integration of different penetration levels of DG. In the third part, investigations on the implications of Distributed Wind Power Generation on voltage ranges, voltage profiles, and energy losses of a real MV distribution network are introduced. In the last part of the thesis, a new methodology for optimal reconfiguration of a typical MV network with the existence of different DG technologies is presented. The proposed methodology implementing C++ and NEPLAN software is developed for optimizing the switching state of the network where the load and generation profiles are taken into consideration. The objective function of the proposed algorithm is minimizing the energy losses. The VDEW standard load profiles for households and commercials are used in the simulation. The supplied power from the DG units is taken with constant penetration levels of 0%, 50%, and 100% in the first phase of the study. Then the generation profiles of different DG types are taken into consideration based on measurement data. The presented method yields good results in minimizing the energy losses, improving the voltage ranges, and relieving the bottlenecks in the lines.In dieser Dissertation wird eine Analyse und Optimierung der Mittelspannungsverteilungsnetze (MS) in Verbindung mit DE Einheiten durchgeführt. Die präsentierte Arbeit kann hauptsächlich in vier Teile unterteilt werden. Im ersten Teil werden Untersuchungen zu den Einflüssen der Integration von DE-Einheiten auf die Belastbarkeit von MS-Verteilungsnetzen durchgeführt. Für den zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit wird eine Methode der Optimierung dargestellt, die die Integration von dezentralen Erzeugern beschreibt, ohne die zulässigen Spannungsgrenzen zu verletzen. Im dritten Teil dieser Arbeit, werden Untersuchungen der Dezentralen Wind-Energie-Einspeisungen bezüglich der Spannungsreihen, Spannungsprofile, und Energie-Verluste eines realen MS-Verteilungsnetzes durchgeführt. Der Simulation werden Standartlastprofile für Haushalte an den Niederspannungsabgängen der MS-Station hinterlegt. Der optimierte Betrieb der MS-Netze in Verbindung mit den DE wird für typische Netze dargestellt. Die typischen Netze werden basierend auf echten Daten erstellt. Die Zielfunktion dieser Arbeit besteht darin, die Verluste zu minimieren. Aus diesem Grund werden in einem weiteren Teil dieser Arbeit Last- und Erzeugungsprofile eingeführt. Die VDEW Standardlastprofile für Haushalte, und Gewerbe werden in der Netzberechnung verwendet. Der Konfigurationsprozess der Trennstellen (Trennstellenoptimierung) der Netze wird mit Hilfe der NEPLAN-Software durchgeführt. Aufbauend darauf wird, unter Zuhilfenahme einer C++ Routine, eine Netzberechnung Software für die verschiedenen Durchdringungsgrade von 0 %, 50 % sowie 100 % vorgestellt. Weiterhin werden Erzeugungsprofile verschiedener Typen DE (z.B. Photovoltaik und Blockheizkraftwerke) basierend auf Messdaten in die Untersuchung mit einbezogen. Als Ergebnis der Untersuchung konnte eine verminderte Leistungsauslastung, eine Verbesserung der Spannungsqualität sowie eine Minimierung der Energie-Verluste erzielt werden