Synthetic Triterpenoids Can Protect Against Toxicity Without Reducing the Efficacy of Treatment with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Experimental Lung Cancer

Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids are multifunctional drugs being developed for the prevention and treatment of a variety of chronic diseases driven by inflammation and oxidative stress. Low nanomolar concentrations of triterpenoids inhibit the induction of inflammatory cytokines, and these drugs are potent activators of the Nrf2 cytoprotective pathway. In contrast, low micromolar concentrations of triterpenoids increased the production of ROS and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in malignant MCF10 CA1a breast cancer cells. Because cancer cells respond differently to ROS than normal cells, it should be possible to exploit these differences therapeutically. In an experimental model of lung cancer, the triterpenoids activated the Nrf2 pathway, as seen by induction of the cytoprotective enzyme NQO1, and reduced the toxicity of carboplatin and paclitaxel. The induction of the Nrf2 pathway in the lung did not suppress the efficacy of treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel, as the average tumor burden in the group treated with the combination of CDDO-Me and carboplatin/paclitaxel decreased by 90% (P \u3c 0.05 vs. the controls and both single treatment groups). Understanding the dose response of triterpenoids and related drugs will help provide the proper context for optimizing their potential clinical utility

Low-Power Tracking Image Sensor Based on Biological Models of Attention

This paper presents implementation of a low-power tracking CMOS image sensor based on biological models of attention. The presented imager allows tracking of up to N salient targets in the field of view. Employing "smart" image sensor architecture, where all image processing is implemented on the sensor focal plane, the proposed imager allows reduction of the amount of data transmitted from the sensor array to external processing units and thus provides real time operation. The imager operation and architecture are based on the models taken from biological systems, where data sensed by many millions of receptors should be transmitted and processed in real time. The imager architecture is optimized to achieve low-power dissipation both in acquisition and tracking modes of operation. The tracking concept is presented, the system architecture is shown and the circuits description is discussed

TINGKAT KESEJAHTERAAN KELUARGA PETANI PADI SAWAH DAN JAGUNG DI DESA MATANI, KECAMATAN TUMPAAN, KABUPATEN MINAHASA SELATAN

This study aims to compare the level of welfare of farmers who seek in the field of wetland rice and corn farmers in the Village Matani Tumpaan District in South Minahasa. The study lasted from July to September 2017. The data used are primary data collected throught interviews with farmers by purposive sampling taken 15 corn farmers and 15 rice field farmers.The study on farmers’ welfare level is seen from the form of economic and non economic variables enjoyed by respondents based on the criteria of BKKBN covering 5 stages of family welfare indicators. Secondary data is obtained throught documents and research results and library, data and information in village, sub-district and district offices. The result of this research concludes that rice farmers are more prosperous than corn farmers in Matani Village. Tumpaan Subdistrict of South Minahasa Regency. Wet land paddy farmers are included in the stages of the Prosperous Family II (KS II) and Prosperous Family III (KS III) while corn farmers are included in the stage of the Prosperous Family I (KS I)

Avkastning og risiko for Private Equity fond : måleproblemer, empiri og simulering

Jeg skal i denne utredningen gjøre en analyse av prestasjonsmåling for investeringer i Private Equity (PE) fond, samt ta for meg en rekke empiriske studier rundt samme tema. Målemetodene som brukes, data og resultater som fremstilles i PE bransjen er unøyaktige, noe som kan medføre at investorer får for høye forventninger til risikojustert avkastning fra PE fond versus andre aktiva. Kun ved helhetlig forståelse av valgt målemetode kan man tolke prestasjonsberegninger fra PE fond og bransjen generelt på en fornuftig måte. I tillegg vil jeg ved hjelp av Monte Carlo simulering verdsette de ulike rettighetene til investorer og partnere i et PE (buyout) fond. Formålet er å få et estimat på forventede verdier av de ulike rettighetene i fondet, og en bedre innsikt i hvordan de fordeles

Especies de aves focales : una alternativa para la conservación de la Reserva Forestal Protectora El Malmo

ilustraciones, tablas, figuras.Spa: El trabajo presenta un estudio del reconocimiento de especies focales como medio de planteamiento de reflexiones educativas guiadas hacia la conservación de la Reserva Forestal Protectora en El Malmo.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 114-126.PregradoLicenciado en Ciencias Naturales y Educación Ambienta

CDDO-Me Redirects Activation of Breast Tumor Associated Macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages can account for up to 50% of the tumor mass in breast cancer patients and high TAM density is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Because TAMs enhance tumor growth, development, and metastatic potential, redirection of TAM activation may have significant therapeutic benefit. Our studies in primary human macrophages and murine breast TAMs suggest that the synthetic oleanane triterpenoid CDDO-methyl ester (CDDO-Me) reprograms the activation profile of TAMs from tumor-promoting to tumor-inhibiting. We show that CDDO-Me treatment inhibits expression of IL-10 and VEGF in stimulated human M2 macrophages and TAMs but increases expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Surface expression of CD206 and CD163, which are characteristic of M2 activation, is significantly attenuated by CDDO-Me. In contrast, CDDO-Me up-regulates surface expression of HLA-DR and CD80, which are markers of M1 activation, and importantly potentiates macrophage activation of autologous T cells but inhibits endothelial cell vascularization. These results show for the first time that CDDO-Me redirects activation of M2 macrophages and TAMs from immune-suppressive to immune-stimulatory, and implicate a role for CDDO-Me as an immunotherapeutic in the treatment of breast and potentially other types of cancer

Forming low-cost, high quality carbon tows for automotive application.

Carbon fiber reinforced composites are widely used in many industries due to their high performance. Its application in the aerospace industry has increased significantly, however, in mass produced automobile sector it is still limited. The current production of carbon fiber tow is slow and capital intensive. Thus, carbon manufactures produce higher tow counts to increase production rate to reduce its cost. In order to offset the higher cost of carbon fiber composite, an innovative and unique approach has been developed. The higher tow count carbon spools are split into smaller tow counts. Due to the delicate nature of carbon fiber, it is important to control the filamentation during that process. Different splitting process line strategies have been developed in this research work for understanding the process limitations and challenges involved. The process was made feasible for production by developing a fully automated process line with a laser feedback system. The system splits a 12K spool into two 6K tows. The quality of the 6K split tows has been determined statistically by recording real time data from the laser during the splitting process. It was demonstrated that the proposed process effectively controls filamentation and produces consistent tow quality.Company research funding by Bentley Motors Limite

El juego como estrategia para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la evolución biológica en estudiantes de noveno grado

La evolución biológica es un tema global de las Ciencias Naturales por lo que se hacenecesaria su enseñanza, debido a esto se han desencadenado grandes debates a travésde la historia identificando diferentes teorías evolucionistas; es por ello que este estudioinvestigativo tiene como fin implementar la estrategia del juego en la enseñanza y elaprendizaje de la evolución biológica en estudiantes de noveno grado en las institucioneseducativas Valentin Garcia del Municipio de Granada-Meta y el Gimnasio Villa Fontana dela ciudad de Tunja-Boyacá, esto con el fin de intentar disminuir los obstáculos que suelenpresentarse. Dicho estudio será desarrollado desde el enfoque cualitativo y se llevará acabo utilizando el método de Investigación-Acción, pues Lewin (1946) afirma que elmanejo racional de los problemas sociales se da de una forma cíclica la cual estáconstituida por etapas, en donde cada una de estas se compone de un proceso deplaneación, acción, y obtención de información sobre el resultado de la acción. De estamanera en el diagnóstico se aplicarán encuestas tanto a estudiantes como a los docentesde ciencias; en el diseño se desarrollarán dos juegos didácticos ya propuestos porRamírez (2016) los cuales son: Evolución y Evolucionar o perecer; además sediseñarán y se implementarán dos juegos más propuestos por las autoras, finalmente enla evaluación se aplicará una encuesta a los estudiantes. El análisis de datos se va arealizar teniendo en cuenta categorías inductivas y deductivas producto de las actividadesrealizadas