Reduction in the balanced scorecard performance measurement systems in manufacturing organizations by PCA

In this paper, we compare PCA and ordinal logistic regression in ranking the manufacturing systems. In this regard we present an integrated framework for assessment and ranking of manufacturing systems based on management and organizational performance indicators. To achieve the objectives of this study, a comprehensive study was conducted to locate all economic and technical indicators which influence organizational performance. Sixty one indicators were identified and classified in .five categories, namely, (1) financial, (2) customer satisfaction, (3) process innovation, (4) production process and (5) organizational learning and growth. These indicators are related to organizational and managerial productivity and efficiency. One actual test problem and a random sample of 12 indicators were selected to show the applicability of the integrated approach. The results of PCA and OLR showed the weak and strong points of each sector in regard to the selected indicators. Furthermore, it identifies which indicators have the major impacts on the overall performance of industrial sectors. The modeling approach of this paper could be easily utilized for managerial and organizational ranking and analysis of other sectors. The results of such studies would help top managers to have better understanding and improve existing systems with respect to managerial and organizational performance.Keywords: Productivity and competitiveness; Multivariate statistics integrated assessment, BC

A bioassay-guided fractionation scheme for characterization of new antibacterial compounds from Prosopis cineraria aerial parts

Background and Objectives:Due to the importance of finding of new antibacterial agents, the antibacterial properties of Prosopis cinerariaaerial parts were investigated using a bioassay guided fractionation scheme. Materials and Methods:The organic extract was prepared via maceration in methanol, followed by the fractionation using n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The MICs of fractions were determined against some human pathogenic bacteria using broth micro-dilution assay. The primary characterization and identification of bioactive substance(s) was based on a bio-autograph- ical method using HPTLC and flash chromatography in parallel with agar overlay assays. Finally the exact mass of effective compound(s) was determined by LC-MS. Results:The best antibacterial activities were related to the ethyl acetate fraction. The effective antibacterial compound of the plant were 2 substances with molecular weight of 348 and 184 Dalton that inhibited the growth of assessed Gram positive bacteria with MIC values lower than 125 to 62.5 µg/ml synergistically. Conclusion: Further analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance could reveal the exact structure of these two antibacterial substances. These 2 effective antibacterial compounds could be applied as lead compound for synthesis of new antibacterial agents. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Science. All Rights reserved

Early Production of IL-22 but Not IL-17 by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Exposed to live Borrelia burgdorferi: The Role of Monocytes and Interleukin-1

If insufficiently treated, Lyme borreliosis can evolve into an inflammatory disorder affecting skin, joints, and the CNS. Early innate immunity may determine host responses targeting infection. Thus, we sought to characterize the immediate cytokine storm associated with exposure of PBMC to moderate levels of live Borrelia burgdorferi. Since Th17 cytokines are connected to host defense against extracellular bacteria, we focused on interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22. Here, we report that, despite induction of inflammatory cytokines including IL-23, IL-17 remained barely detectable in response to B. burgdorferi. In contrast, T cell-dependent expression of IL-22 became evident within 10 h of exposure to the spirochetes. This dichotomy was unrelated to interferon-γ but to a large part dependent on caspase-1 and IL-1 bioactivity derived from monocytes. In fact, IL-1β as a single stimulus induced IL-22 but not IL-17. Neutrophils display antibacterial activity against B. burgdorferi, particularly when opsonized by antibodies. Since neutrophilic inflammation, indicative of IL-17 bioactivity, is scarcely observed in Erythema migrans, a manifestation of skin inflammation after infection, protective and antibacterial properties of IL-22 may close this gap and serve essential functions in the initial phase of spirochete infection

Antibacterial Components of Levisticum officinale Koch against Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: A bioassay-guided fractionation technique was used to evaluate the active constituents of the perennial plant L. officinale W.D.J. Koch (Apiaceae) against multidrug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: Column chromatography was used to isolation of compounds from L. officinale and spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) and HRMS (high resolution mass spectrometry) were used to identification of the isolated compounds. Also, to evaluate antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was carried out by broth micro-dilution method. Finally, molecular docking (MD) was performed using the Schrodinger package to evaluate interactions between the active compounds and InhA protein. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the plant roots led to isolation of bergapten (1), isogosferol (2), oxypeucedanin (3), oxypeucedanin hydrate (4), imperatorin (5), ferulic acid (6) and falcarindiol (7). Falcarindiol and oxypeucedanin indicated a moderate activity on MDR M. tuberculosis with MIC values of = 32 and 64 mu g/mL, respectively. Antibacterial activity of falcarindiol was also observed against S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains with the MIC values of 7.8 and 15.6 mu g/mL, respectively. The results of docking analysis showed a good affinity of oxypeucedanin (3) and falcarindiol (7) to InhA enzyme with docking score values of -7.764 and -7.703 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: Finally, 7 compounds were isolated from L. officinale that compounds 2-6 report for the first time from this plant. On the basis of the molecular docking (MD) study, oxypeucedanin (3) and falcarindiol (7) as active compounds against M. tuberculosis may be proposed as potential inhibitors of 2-trans-enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA), a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the mycobacterial cell wall. Moreover, antibacterial activity of falcarindiol against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was remarkable

Nanostructured monticellite for tissue engineering applications � Part II: Molecular and biological characteristics

Silicon (Si)- and magnesium (Mg)-containing bioceramics have recently gained much attention for tissue engineering applications due to their ability to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation along with their adequate microstructural and physicochemical characteristics. In this study, nanostructured monticellite (CaMgSiO4, 33.33 of Mg) was chosen as an appealing biomaterial to identify time- and dose-dependent cytocompatibility, in vitro osteogenic activity and antibacterial & anti-biofilm activity. A time- and dose-dependent MTT assay illustrated that monticellite nanoparticles promoted proliferation of bone like cell considerably more than positive and negative controls. The cell viability of the bioceramic was higher than hydroxyapatite (HA, as bone inorganic material) and control sample, demonstrating that cytocompatibility was promoted due to the increase of Mg content. The results of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity test demonstrated that the osteogenic proliferation of osteoblast-like G292 cell line enhanced more by the bioceramics extract than control and HA, corroborating when Mg content of the calcium-silicate bioceramics is increased cytocompatibility and bioactivity are significantly promoted. Moreover, further analyses revealed that the bioceramic possessed antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties due to the presence of Mg, Si and Ca elements in the structure. These findings suggest that the proposed nanostructured monticellite is a promising biomaterial for further applications in tissue engineering. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l

Nanostructured monticellite for tissue engineering applications - Part I: Microstructural and physicochemical characteristics

In this study, nanostructured monticellite (CaMgSiO4) bioceramics were prepared via sintering the sol�gel-derived monticellite powder compacts at 1200 °C. The mean of particles size distribution of the synthesized monticellite powders was approximately 90 nm. After evaluating physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized bioceramics, apatite-forming ability of the samples were examined in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time periods. The soaking effect of various time periods on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, followed by the calculations from scherrer's equation, showed that the crystallite size of the immersed monticellite ceramics in SBF for 3 and 7 days was around 88 nm. Williamson-Hall analysis was also used to calculate the lattice strain of the samples. Based on the results, by changing the soaking time, crystallite size and lattice strain have meaningfully changed. The release of Ca, Mg and Si ions from the nanostructured monticellite significantly promoted cell proliferation and growth at a certain concentration range more than that of positive and negative controls. This study could provide an in-depth understanding of the microstructural and physicochemical characteristics of this class of biomaterials. The follow-up studies should correlate the microstructural and physicochemical properties to the molecular and biological characteristics for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l