At least two real-time PCRs for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis have been described, evaluated and validated. However, at least one other report suggested adaptation and modification of primers ...and probes used in these assays since additional Leptospira species have been described and the primers and probe in use possess a serious mismatch to corresponding target sequence. In this study we developed a real-time PCR for detection of pathogenic Leptospira based on the lipL32 gene. The present method consists of generic primers and probes based on target sequence of 10 pathogenic Leptospira species including Leptospira interrogans. The hybridization, annealing and extension temperature (60°C) were optimized as the optimal temperature of the DNA polymerase enzyme which is used in the amplification reaction. The present assay has a high analytical sensitivity and specificity; the calculated diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 93.0% and 98.3% respectively. Moreover, the present method includes an internal control which enables easy detection of false negative results and an optional extraction control which enables the estimation of the DNA extraction efficiency.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Geodetic networks are important for most engineering projects. Generally, a geodetic network is designed according to precision, reliability, and cost criteria. This paper provides a new criterion ...considering the distances between the Net Points (NPs) and the Project Border (PB) in terms of Neighboring (N). Optimization based on the N criterion seeks to relocate the NPs as close as possible to PB, which leads to creating shorter distances between NPs or those distances linking NPs with Target Points (TPs) to be measured inside PB. These short distances can improve the precision of NPs and increase the accuracy of observations and transportation costs between NPs themselves or between NPs and TPs (in real applications). Three normalized N objective functions based on L1, L2, and L∞‒norms were formulated to build the corresponding N optimization models, NL1; NL2; and NL∞ and to determine the best solution. Each model is subjected to safety, precision, reliability, and cost constraints. The feasibility of the N criterion is demonstrated by a simulated example. The results showed the ability of NL∞ to determine the safest positions for the NPs near PB. These new positions led to improving the precision of the network and preserving the initial reliability and observations cost, due to contradiction problems. Also, N results created by all N models demonstrate their theoretical feasibility in improving the accuracy of the observations and transportation cost between points. It is recommended to use multi-objective optimization models to overcome the contradiction problem and consider the real application to generalize the benefits of N models in designing the networks.
This study evaluates the impact of dietary supplementation of the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 nanoparticles (AN) on the growth performance, whole-body biochemical compositions, ...blood biochemistry, steroid hormonal, and fry production efficiency of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) broodstock, during the spawning season. After a 21-day preparation period to equip the females and ensure that their ovaries were filled with eggs, mating between the mature females and males took place in a 3:1 ratio during a 14-day spawning cycle. A total of 384 tilapia broodstock 288 females and 96 males with an initial body weight of 450.53±0.75, were divided into four groups; AN 0 : a basal diet as a control group with no supplementation of Arthrospira platensis , and the other three groups (AN 2 , AN 4 , and AN 6 ) were diets supplemented with nanoparticles of A . platensis at levels of 2, 4, and 6 g kg ─1 diet, respectively. The results found that fish-fed group AN 6 showed the highest significant differences in weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed efficiency ratio (FER). Females fed the AN 6 diet showed the highest significant fat content. Compared to the AN 0 group, fish fed on the supplemented diets showed significant improvement ( p < 0 . 05 ) in triglyceride, glucose, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A gradual increase in AN inclusion level resulted in a gradual increase in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, progesterone, and prolactin. The rates (%) of increase in fry production for females fed supplemented diets were 10.5, 18.6, and 32.2% for AN 2 , AN 4 , and AN 6 , respectively, compared to the control group. This work concluded that the inclusion levels of 6 g kg ─1 of A . platensis nanoparticles in the diet of Nile tilapia broodstock significantly improved the growth performances, steroid hormone concentrations, and increased the fry production efficiency by 32.2%, respectively. These findings revealed that A . platensis nanoparticles resulted in a significantly enhanced female’ reproductive productivity of Nile tilapia broodstock.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aerobic rice cultivation represents an innovative approach to reduce water consumption and enhance water use efficiency compared to traditional transplanting methods. Simultaneously, cultivating ...drought-tolerant rice genotypes becomes crucial to ensure their sustainable production under abrupt climate fluctuations. Hence, this study aimed to explore the physiological, agronomic, and grain quality responses of ten diverse rice genotypes to various irrigation levels under aerobic cultivation conditions. A field experiment was performed for two summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 in an arid Mediterranean climate. The irrigation regimes were well watered (13,998 m
/ha), mild drought (10,446 m
/ha), moderate drought (7125 m
/ha), and severe drought (5657 m
/ha). The results revealed considerable variations among rice genotypes under tested irrigation regimes in all physiological, agronomic, and quality traits. According to drought response indices, rice genotypes were classified into three groups (A-C), varying from tolerant to sensitive genotypes. The identified drought-tolerant genotypes (Giza-179, Hybrid-1, Giza-178, and Line-9399) recorded higher yields and crop water productivity with reduced water usage compared to drought-sensitive genotypes. Thus, these genotypes are highly recommended for cultivation in water-scarce environments. Furthermore, their characteristics could be valuable in breeding programs to improve drought tolerance in rice, particularly under aerobic cultivation conditions. The PCA biplot, heatmap, and hierarchical clustering highlighted specific physiological parameters such as relative water content, chlorophyll content, proline content, peroxidase content, and catalase content exhibited robust associations with yield traits under water deficit conditions. These parameters offer valuable insights and could serve as rapid indicators for assessing drought tolerance in rice breeding programs in arid environments.
Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized by a chemical method, while polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers were fabricated by an electrospinning approach; we also synthesized Zn-Al ...LDH/cefotaxime (cefotax), Zn-Al LDH@PVA, and Zn-Al LDH/cefotax@PVA (LCP). Characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis techniques, dynamic light scattering, X ray-florescence, and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) analyses. The adsorption isotherm of cefotax and its entrapment percentage, release, and kinetics were also investigated. The results confirmed the elemental constituents of the mentioned formulas, which exhibited different degrees of crystallinity and different morphologies. Besides, these formulas were tested
in vitro
as antimicrobial agents and applied
in vivo
against second-degree wound burns induced in rats' skin. The adsorption of cefotax occurred chemically, and the experimental data were fitted with different isotherm models, where the Freundlich and Toth models gave the best fits. The entrapment percentage in LDH/cefotax was 77.41% and in LDH/cefotax@PVA, it was 67.83%. The sustained release of cefotax from LDH and LCP was attainable; the release percentages were 89.31% and 81.55% in up to 12 h, respectively. The release kinetics of cefotax from LDH fitted well with first-order kinetics, while that for LCP was parabolic. The formulas showed uneven antimicrobial effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; the best effect was exhibited by Zn-Al LDH/cefotax@PVA due to its sustained release. Finally, investigating the possibility of using these formulas in the clinical setting should be considered.
This study succeeded to formulate, characterize, and investigate cefotax release and kinetics, and to compare cetofax with other known antibacterial agents.
This paper introduces a comprehensive examination of vector-controlled- (VC-) based techniques intended for induction motor (IM) drives. In addition, the evaluation and critique of modern control ...techniques that improve the performance of IM drives are discussed by considering a systematic literature survey. Detailed research on variable-speed drive control, for instance, VC and scalar control (SCC), was conducted. The SCC-based systems’ speed and V/f control purposes are clarified in closed and open loops of IM drives. The operations, benefits, and drawbacks of the direct and indirect field-oriented control systems are illustrated. Furthermore, the direct torque control (DTC) method for IMs is reviewed. Numerous VC methods established along with microprocessor/digital control, model reference adaptive control (MRAC), sliding mode control (SMC), and intelligent control (in terms of fuzzy logic (FL) and artificial neural networks (ANNs)) are described and examined. Uncertainties in the IM parameter are a considerable problem in VC drives. Therefore, this problem is addressed, and some studies that attempted to provide solutions are listed. Magnetic saturation and core loss impact are mentioned, as they are important issues in IM drives. Toward demonstrating the strengths and limitations of various VC configurations, a few experiments were simulated via MATLAB® and Simulink® that show the influence of machine parameter variation. Efforts are made to supply powerful guidelines for practicing engineers and researchers in AC drives.
The effect of microstructure and chemistry on the kinetics of passive layer growth and passivity breakdown of some Ti-based alloys, namely Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb and TC21 alloys, was studied. The rate ...of pitting corrosion was evaluated using cyclic polarization measurements. Chronoamperometry was applied to assess the passive layer growth kinetics and breakdown. Microstructure influence on the uniform corrosion rate of these alloys was also investigated employing dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). Corrosion studies were performed in 0.9% NaCl solution at 37 °C, and the obtained results were compared with ultrapure Ti (99.99%). The different phases of the microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical composition and chemistry of the corroded surfaces were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. For all studied alloys, the microstructure consisted of α matrix, which was strengthened by β phase. The highest and the lowest values of the β phase's volume fraction were recorded for TC21 and Ti-Al-Nb alloys, respectively. The susceptibility of the investigated alloys toward pitting corrosion was enhanced following the sequence: Ti-6Al-7Nb < Ti-6Al-4V << TC21. Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy recorded the lowest pitting corrosion resistance (
) among studied alloys, approaching that of pure Ti. The obvious changes in the microstructure of these alloys, together with XPS findings, were adopted to interpret the pronounced variation in the corrosion behavior of these materials.
Nanotechnology holds great promise for the development of treatments for deadly human diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we compared the hepatoprotective effects ...of naringin-dextrin nanoparticles (NDNPs) against HCC in male Wistar rats with those of pure naringin and investigated the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. HCC was induced by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) per week) for two weeks, followed by oral administration of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF, 20 mg/kg b.w.) four times per week for three weeks. DEN/2AAF-administered rats were divided into three groups that respectively received 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (as vehicle), 10 mg/kg b.w. naringin, or 10 mg/kg b.w. NDNP every other day by oral gavage for 24 weeks. Both naringin and NDNP significantly attenuated the harmful effects of DEN on liver function. Both compounds also suppressed tumorigenesis as indicated by the reduced serum concentrations of liver tumor markers, and this antitumor effect was confirmed by histopathological evaluation. Additionally, naringin and NDNP prevented DEN-induced changes in hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant activities. In addition, naringin and NDNP suppressed inflammation induced by DEN. Moreover, naringin and NDNP significantly reduced the hepatic expression of Bcl-2 and increased Bax, p53, and PDCD5 expressions. Naringin and NDNP also reduced expression of IQGAP1, IQGAP3, Ras signaling, and Ki-67 while increasing expression of IQGAP2. Notably, NDNP more effectively mitigated oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling than free naringin and demonstrated improved antitumor efficacy, suggesting that this nanoformulation improves bioavailability within nascent tumor sites.
Polydatin (PD) has a broad range of pharmacological activities; however, its effects on diabetic liver damage are poorly studies. This work is aimed to explore possible protective effects of ...polydatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PD-CSNPs) or PD against liver damage associated with diabetes. Diabetes was induced in rats using nicotinamide/streptozotocin treatment. Diabetic rats were then divided into six groups: normal control rats, diabetic control rats, and rats orally treated with PD, PD-CSNPs, equivalent unloaded CSNPs, or metformin daily for 4 weeks. Treatment with PD and PD-CSNPs significantly reduced the blood glucose content, lipid peroxidation in the liver, and activities of serum transaminases and carbohydrate metabolism enzymes (including succinate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase); by contrast, liver glycogen content, glutathione concentration, and activities of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) were markedly increased compared with the control diabetic rats. Furthermore, expression of the tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β mRNAs was significantly downregulated, while expression of glucose transporter 2 and glucokinase mRNAs was strongly upregulated vs. control diabetic rats. We concluded that PD-CSNPs and PD ameliorate diabetic liver damage by modulating glucose transporter 2 expression, affecting the activity of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, and suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, PD-CSNPs being more efficient than PD, probably due to higher bioavailability and prolonged release.
A multicomponent synthesis was empolyed for the synthesis of ethyl 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo
thiophene-3-carboxylate
. An interesting cyclization was obtained when the amino-ester
reacted with ...ethyl isothiocyanate to give the benzo4,5thieno2,3-
1,3thiazin-4-one
. Acylation of the amino-ester
with chloroacetyl chloride in DCM and Et
N afforded the acylated ester
. The amino-ester
was cyclized to benzo4,5thieno2,3-
pyrimidin-4(3
)-one
which was reacted with some alkylating agents leading to alkylation at nitrogen
. Hydrazide
was utilized as a synthon for the synthesis of the derivatives
-
. Chloro-thieno2,3-
pyrimidine
was synthesized and reacted with the hydrazine hydrate to afford the hydrazino derivative
which was used as a scaffold for getting the derivatives
-
. Nucleophilic substitution reactions were used for getting the compounds
-
from chloro-thieno2,3-
pyrimidine
. In the way of anticancer therapeutics development, the requisite compounds were assessed for their cytotoxicity in vitro against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cancer cell lines. Twelve compounds showed an interesting antiproliferative potential with IC
from 23.2 to 95.9 µM. The flow cytometric analysis results showed that hit
induces the apoptosis in MCF-7 cells with a significant 26.86% reduction in cell viability. The
study revealed a significant decrease in the solid tumor mass (26.6%) upon treatment with compound
. Moreover,
study as an agonist for inhibitors of JAK2 and prediction study determined their binding energies and predicted their physicochemical properties and drug-likeness scores.
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