Evaluation of QSAR and ligand enzyme docking for the identification of ABCB1 substrates

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an efflux pump that belongs to ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family embedded in the membrane bilayer. P-gp is a polyspecific protein that has demonstrated its function as a transporter of hydrophobic drugs as well as transporting lipids, steroids and metabolic products. Its role in multidrug resistance (MDR) and pharmacokinetic profile of clinically important drug molecules has been widely recognised. In this study, QSAR and enzyme-ligand docking methods were explored in order to classify substrates and non-substrates of P-glycoprotein. A set of 123 compounds designated as substrates (54) or non-substrates (69) by Matsson et al., 2009 was used for the investigation. For QSAR studies, molecular descriptors were calculated using ACD labs/LogD Suite and MOE (CCG Inc.). P-glycoprotein structures available in the Protein data bank were used for docking studies and determination of binding scores using MOE software. Binding sites were defined using co-crystallised ligand structures. Three classification algorithms which included classification and regression trees, boosted trees and support vector machine were examined. Models were developed using a training set of 98 compounds and were validated using the remaining compounds as the external test set. A model generated using BT was identified as the best of three models, with a prediction accuracy of 88%, Mathews correlation coefficient of 0.77 and Youden’s J index of 0.80 for the test set. Inclusion of various docking scores for different binding sites improved the models only marginally

The Efficacy Of Remedial Education Program On Houstons At Rick Youth

There is universal agreement that a good education for all our citizens is the harbinger of future personal success, a high standard of living, and a flourishing economy and improved global competitiveness. Actions that contradict that postulate must therefore be challenged, exposed and corrected. Remedial academic programs have effectively supplemented our core educational systems and elevated many minority sectors of our nation to productive contributions. A realignment of priorities influenced by political interests and budget constraints is threatening the continuity of these programs despite significant returns on investment. This paper explores the demographics of Houston’s minority education, the effectiveness of remedial initiatives on at risk youth graduation outcomes and collaborative solutions to replicate and preserve the progress achieved

The Impact Of Human Interaction On The Development Of Virtual Teams

Virtual teams have revolutionized the ways in which organizations are able to improve business efficiency and productivity in the new era of globalization and information technology. Despite constant advancements in computer technology, virtual teams success continues to depend heavily on the ability of their members to communicate well and trust each other. This paper presents elements of successful virtual teams and accentuates the need for improved human interaction skills

Supplication Leader Impression Management Strategy and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour of Tertiary Institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This is an expository study on leader impression management strategy and organizational citizenship behaviour of tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The purpose is to investigate the relationship between supplication leader impression management strategy and organizational citizenship behaviour. The objective is to determine how supplication as a dimension of leader impression management strategy influences the measures of organizational citizenship behaviour of tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The research design adopted for the study was cross-sectional survey. The population is composed of a total of 4000 non-academic staff of 4 tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt. The sampling procedure and sample size determination formula used for the study is the Krejcie & Morgan table. The validity was obtained through peer to peer and professional vetting, while the reliability test was based on the Cronbach alpha reliability test. The Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient was the statistical tool; aided by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that leader impression management strategy significantly contributes to the achievement of organizational citizenship behaviour in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt. The study recommends that the use of supplication strategy by leaders should be such that appeals to the interest and benefits of the subordinates and not as reveals the leader as weak or incapable. Keywords: Impression Management, Supplication, Organizational Citizenship Behaviour. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-32-09 Publication date: November 30th 201

Effective Doses and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risks from Absorbed Dose Rates Measured in Facilities of Two Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

This study was aimed at examining the radiation absorbed dose rate, annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risks of halls of residence, Radiotherapy Unit and Radiology Department of UI, UCH and UNIMEDTH respectively. Results of measurements show that the mean absorbed dose rate for male and female hall are 0.33 ± 0.05476 and 0.17 ± 0.05074 µSv h-1 respectively. The mean overall absorbed dose rates calculated for facilities studied are 0.269 ± 0.0992 µSv h-1, 0.121 ± 0.036 µSv h-1 and 0.123 ± 0.00931 µSv h-1 in UI, UCH and UNIMEDTH respectively. The mean annual effective doses recorded in both male and female halls in University of Ibadan ranges between 0.71 mSv y-1 and 2.67 mSv y-1. The mean annual effective doses obtained from the facility of University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo (UNIMEDTH) ranges between 0.17 and 0.44 mSv y-1. In addition, the mean annual effective doses calculated from the measured absorbed dose rate in Radiotherapy Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan ranges between 0.20 and 1.22 mSv y-1. As regards ELCRs, the mean values  determined in various facilities examined are 6.07 x 10-3 (Male Halls, UI), 3.27 x 10-3 (Female Halls, UI), 0.57 x 10-3 (UNIMEDTH- NE), 0.99 x 10-3 (UNIMEDTH- EX), 0.65 x x 10-3 (Teletherapy, UCH) and 0.57 x 10-3 (Brachytherapy, UCH).The mean ELCRs of both halls examined are higher than the world average of 1.45 x 10-3 and the standard value of 0.29 x 10-3 by at least a factor of 1.97 units

A meditation on boredom: Re-appraising its value through introspective phenomenology

Boredom is almost universally regarded as a dysphoric mental state, characterised by features such as disengagement and low arousal. However, in certain quarters (e.g., Zen Buddhism), boredom is seen as potentially having great value and even importance. The current study sought to explore boredom through a case study involving introspective phenomenology. The author created conditions in which he would experience boredom for an hour, and recorded his experience in real-time using a variant of the Experiencing Sampling Method. The data were analysed using an adaptation of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The results indicated that the state of boredom contained three main sources of value: (a) altered perception of time; (b) awakened curiosity about the environment; and (c) exploration of self. Consequently, the paper offers a re-appraisal of boredom, suggesting that rather than necessarily being a negative state, if engaged with, boredom has the potential to be a positive and rewarding experience

Cellulase production by Proteus spp. JC402 from plantain fruits stalk biomass using submerged fermentation

Biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass into a variety of value - added products (monomeric sugars) by the action of cellulolytic enzymes has recorded a significant value for industrial processes. This present work aimed at isolating and screening bacteria of soil origin capable of producing extracellular cellulase, and investigated hydrolysis of plantain fruit stalk biomass (PFSB) using submerged fermentation. Alkaline pretreated and untreated PFSB substrates were used for the cellulase production. Enzyme extract was assayed using carboxyl methyl cellulose assay method. Out of eight bacteria species screened for cellulase producing potential, four showed positive on screening medium indicated by clear or halo zone around growing microbial colonies. Proteus spp. JC402 was selected based on highest zone of inhibition (23 mm) on screening medium and 100% hydrolysis efficiency. Cellulase activity of pretreated PFSB 7.5% (w/v) substrates has the highest activity 3.2 ± 0.14 Uml-1 and untreated PFSB 2 % (w/v) has 2.76 ± 0.31 Uml-1 at 48 h. Cheap, unexploited, renewable and readily available agricultural cellulosic biomass has been effectively utilized for the production of a thermo stable enzyme as criteria for industrial application and environmental implications

Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils of Physalis Angulata. L

The need for a reduction in drug resistance led to the investigation of Argemone Mexicana L. as an agent against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida stellatoidea and Candida torulopsis, using well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations methods. The sensitivity of Bacillus Subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oils of both the aerial and root parts were determined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to the essential oil from both the aerial and root part of the plant. C. torulopsis, C. stellatoidea and C. albicans were susceptible to the essential oils from the aerial and root part of the plant. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 3.75mg/ml and 4.0mg/ml were recorded for Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae by the aerial and the root extracts, but P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were not susceptible to the aerial and root extracts. The observed inhibition of selected bacteria and fungi by oils of Physalis angulata makes it a promising antimicrobial agent. This study justifies its uses for treatment of sores, cuts, intestinal and digestive problems and some skin-diseases often reported in folkloric medicine

A review on mobile SMS spam filtering techniques

Under short messaging service (SMS) spam is understood the unsolicited or undesired messages received on mobile phones. These SMS spams constitute a veritable nuisance to the mobile subscribers. This marketing practice also worries service providers in view of the fact that it upsets their clients or even causes them lose subscribers. By way of mitigating this practice, researchers have proposed several solutions for the detection and filtering of SMS spams. In this paper, we present a review of the currently available methods, challenges, and future research directions on spam detection techniques, filtering, and mitigation of mobile SMS spams. The existing research literature is critically reviewed and analyzed. The most popular techniques for SMS spam detection, filtering, and mitigation are compared, including the used data sets, their findings, and limitations, and the future research directions are discussed. This review is designed to assist expert researchers to identify open areas that need further improvement