A quasi-dimensional spark ignition (SI) engine cycle model is used to predict the cycle, performance and exhaust emissions of an automotive engine for the cases of using gasoline and LPG. Governing ...equations of the mathematical model mainly consist of first order ordinary differential equations derived for cylinder pressure and temperature. Combustion is simulated as a turbulent flame propagation process and during this process, two different thermodynamic regions consisting of unburned gases and burned gases that are separated by the flame front are considered. A computer code for the cycle model has been prepared to perform numerical calculations over a range of engine speeds and fuel–air equivalence ratios. In the computations performed at different engine speeds, the same fuel–air equivalence ratios are selected for each fuel to make realistic comparisons from the fuel economy and fuel consumption points of view. Comparisons show that if LPG fueled SI engines are operated at the same conditions with those of gasoline fueled SI engines, significant improvements in exhaust emissions can be achieved. However, variations in various engine performance parameters and the effects on the engine structural elements are not promising.
In the present study, Erkence olive fruits were examined during two harvest periods and in two orchards close to the sea at low altitude (A) and far from the sea at higher altitude (B). Olives from ...the sea-facing northeast (NE) and land-facing southwest (SW) orientations of the trees were analyzed in terms of maturity index, total phenol content, phenolic compounds, β-glucosidase enzyme activity, total protein content and specific enzyme activity. Climate data were collected from the trees and from the meteorology station. The maturity index, β-glucosidase enzyme activity, total protein content and specific enzyme activity of the olives increased during the ripening period. On the other hand, the total phenol content, oleuropein and other phenolic compound contents in the olives decreased. The altitude and location of the fruits on the tree affected the ripening process. Lower altitude and sea-facing side of the tree resulted in an increased enzyme activity, thus aiding in the ripening process.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance (IR), increased risk of glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes. Family studies have indicated a genetic ...susceptibility to PCOS. The aims of this study were 1) to assess glucose tolerance status, gonadotropins, and androgens in first degree relatives of patients with PCOS; and 2) to assess IR in normal glucose tolerant (NGT) family members. One hundred two family members of 52 patients with PCOS MothersPCOS (n = 34; mean age, 46.5 yr; mean body mass index (BMI), 28.8 kg/m2), FathersPCOS (n = 24; mean age, 50.4 yr; mean BMI, 27.5 kg/m2), SistersPCOS (n = 19; mean age, 25.1 yr; mean BMI, 22.9 kg/m2), and BrothersPCOS (n = 25; mean age, 23.7 yr; mean BMI, 22.5 kg/m2) and 82 unrelated healthy control subjects without a family history of diabetes or PCOS (4 age- and weight-matched subgroups, i.e. ControlMothersPCOS, ControlFathersPCOS, ControlSistersPCOS, and ControlBrothersPCOS) were studied. Glucose and insulin (at baseline and during a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test) were measured. IR was assessed by fasting insulin (FI), fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGI), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA IR), and area under the curve for insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test (AUCinsulin) in NGT MothersPCOS, FathersPCOS, SistersPCOS, BrothersPCOS, and matched control subgroups. Including the prestudy-diagnosed 3 mothers and 2 fathers with diabetes, diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were noted in 16% and 30% of MothersPCOS and 27% and 31% of FathersPCOS, respectively. There was no diabetes in SistersPCOS and BrothersPCOS. IGT was found in 5% of SistersPCOS. Impaired fasting glucose was found in 3% of MothersPCOS and 4% of BrothersPCOS. The analysis of NGT family members showed that MothersPCOS had higher FI (P < 0.05), HOMA IR (P < 0.05), and AUCinsulin (P < 0.01) and lower FGI (P < 0.05) than ControlMothersPCOS, whereas all IR parameters were comparable between FathersPCOS and their matched control subgroup. SistersPCOS had higher FI (P < 0.05), HOMA IR (P < 0.01), and AUCinsulin (P < 0.05) and lower FGI (P < 0.01), and BrothersPCOS had higher AUCinsulin (P < 0.01) than their matched control subgroups, respectively. MothersPCOS had higher testosterone levels than ControlMothersPCOS (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively). SistersPCOS had higher LH (P < 0.01), testosterone (P < 0.001), androstenedione (P < 0.01), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P < 0.05) levels than ControlSistersPCOS. There was no difference in gonadotropin and androgen levels in FathersPCOS compared with ControlFathersPCOS or in BrothersPCOS compared with ControlBrothersPCOS.
Our results suggest that 1) first degree relatives of patients with PCOS may be at high risk for diabetes and glucose intolerance; 2) NGT female family members have insulin resistance; and 3) mothers and sisters of PCOS patients have higher androgen levels than control subjects. We propose that the high risks of these impairments warrant screening in first degree relatives of patients with PCOS.
ABSTRACT
The emergence of new infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) variants can threaten poultry health and production all over the world causing significant economic losses. Therefore, this study ...was performed to determine IBDV molecular epidemilogy, VP2 gene variation, and corresponding pathological lesions in IBDV infected chickens in Turkey. For this, 1855 bursa of Fabricius samples were collected from 371 vaccinated broiler flocks. Atrophia and haemorrhages were seen in the bursa Fabricius of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) infected chickens. Partial VP2 gene was sequenced and phylogenetic, recombination, and evolutionary analyses were performed. 1548 (83.5%) out of 1855 of bursa of Fabricius samples were IBDV positive and 1525 of those could be sequenced. The recombination analysis did not detect occurrence of any recombination event among the Turkish strains. Among 1525 sequenced samples, 1380 of them were found to be classical strains. Among 1380 classical strains, 1317 were similar to IBDV 2512, 11 to Faragher 52/70, 40 to 228 E, and 12 to Lukert strain. Out of 1525 reverse transcriptase ploymerase chain reaction positive samples, 144 of them were found to be similar to vvIBDV-VP2 gene reported to GenBank previously. The phylogenetic tree performed on a broad sequence dataset demonstrated grouping of vvIBDV Turkish strains in three different clusters, including sequences collected also from Iraq and Kuwait (Cluster 1), Indian (Cluster 2), and a distinct Turkish-only cluster (Cluster 3). The evolutionary rate estimation on branches/clades including Turkish strain mirrored the expected one for RNA viruses and no significant differences were found among different considered branches. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that vvIBDV strains similar to those circulating in various countries in the Middle East are present and undergoing evolution in chickens from Turkish broiler flocks. This point needs to be taken into account in planning adequate control strategies.
To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the ACI-7000 intracorneal inlay in increasing the depth of field in emmetropic presbyopic patients.
Beyoglu Eye Research and Education Hospital, ...Istanbul, Turkey.
This prospective unmasked study comprised 39 presbyopic patients; 12 were naturally emmetropic and 27 had emmetropia resulting from previous hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis. The intracorneal inlay was placed over the pupil in the patient's nondominant eye after flap lift or creation of a conventional flap using a microkeratome. The inlay was centered on the visual axis. Postoperative follow-up was 1 year.
Of the 39 inlays implanted, 3 were explanted during the study. At 1 year, the mean uncorrected near visual acuity improved from J6 (preoperatively) to J1+. All eyes with an inlay had an uncorrected near acuity of J3 or better and 85.3%, of J1 or better. Binocularly, the mean uncorrected near acuity remained J1 or better throughout the study. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity in eyes with an inlay did not change significantly from preoperatively and remained 20/20 throughout the study period. All 3 eyes with inlay explantation returned to within +/-1.00 diopter of the preoperative refractive state for near and distance vision, with no loss of best corrected distance visual acuity.
The ACI-7000 intracorneal inlay showed the potential to provide safe, effective, and reversible treatment of presbyopia.
In recent years, functional fabrics possessing antimicrobial activity have drawn significant interest because antibiotic resistance is becoming widespread among pathogenic micro‐organisms. The aim of ...this study was to produce microcapsules incorporating ozonated red pepper seed oil (ORPSO) with antimicrobial properties and apply them to nonwoven fabrics to prepare functional textiles. Red pepper seed oil (RPSO) was ozonated and micro‐encapsulated via a complex coacervation method using gelatin (GE) and gum arabic (GA) as wall materials. While micro‐encapsulation yield and oil loading decreased with increases in the amount of surfactant, the mean particle size increased. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested via the disc diffusion method. The microcapsules were also tested using the agar well method. While RPSO had no effect on the test micro‐organisms, the ORPSO and microcapsules containing ORPSO were found to be active against the test micro‐organisms. The microcapsules were then applied to nonwoven fabric using the padding method to produce a disposable functional textile. The microcapsule‐impregnated functional fabrics provided a 5 log decrease in 1 h. It is therefore possible to functionalize nonwoven fabrics to have antimicrobial activity against antibiotic‐resistant micro‐organisms, using microcapsules containing ORPSO.
Significance and Impact of the Study
This is the first report on the antimicrobial action of RPSO after ozonation process. These findings suggest that ozonated red pepper seed oil (ORPSO) may be a useful and effective antimicrobial agent against the micro‐organisms with antibiotic resistance. Therefore, as a natural product, RPSO represents a sustainable alternative to the use of synthetic antimicrobial agents. To our knowledge, this is also the first time that ORPSO has been micro‐encapsulated for the preparation of functional textile material with significant antimicrobial activity.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report on the antimicrobial action of RPSO after ozonation process. These findings suggest that ozonated red pepper seed oil (ORPSO) may be a useful and effective antimicrobial agent against the micro‐organisms with antibiotic resistance. Therefore, as a natural product, RPSO represents a sustainable alternative to the use of synthetic antimicrobial agents. To our knowledge, this is also the first time that ORPSO has been micro‐encapsulated for the preparation of functional textile material with significant antimicrobial activity.
Sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) overexpression and elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels have been correlated with many disease states from cancer to inflammatory diseases to diabetes. Even though ...SK1 inhibitors are of consideberable interest as effective chemotherapeutic agents, poor potency, lack of selectivity and poor pharmacokinetic properties have been major problems in the first generation SK1 inhibitors.
There is an urgent need for the discovery of novel in vivo, stable selective SK1 inhibitors with improved potency. The primary object of this study was to identify potential novel leads for orthosteric inhibition of SK1.
We propose a series of compounds from different chemotypes as potential selective SK1 inhibitors via virtual screening of the ZINC database using ligand-based and structure-based pharmacophore models, molecular docking, substructure search, selectivity calculations. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed key insights into the binding mode and the stability of the SK1-ligand complex.
Ten ligands were proposed as potential SK1 inhibitors based on the high induced fit docking scores, BEI, LLE and %HOA. Ligands 2, 3, 5 and 9 were found to be selective toward SK1 with favorable binding free energy of - 95 ± 5 kcal/mol. MD simulation of ligand 5 showed that the ligand-SK1 complex reached equilibrium with favorable hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. The four selective compounds have less than 0.24 similarity with previously discovered potent inhibitors.
The proposed compounds may serve as potential novel leads for orthosteric inhibition of SK1.
Abstract
The standard treatment of glioblastoma, which is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, includes combined radiotherapy (IR) and chemotherapy (temozolomide (TMZ)) after surgery. ...The basic working principle behind radiotherapy is to induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which is the most lethal form of DNA damage and the primary cause of cell death, and to finally kill cancer cells. Additionally, exposure to IR induces the activation of a multicomponent signal transduction network of DNA damage response (DDR). In this study, we developed a new CRISPR/Cas9-based tool to investigate the role of DDR mechanisms and identify novel genes affecting radiotherapy response in glioblastoma. We generated a focused sgRNA library termed DDRKOL (DNA Damage Response Knock Out Library) targeting the DDR pathway to identify novel modulators of TMZ and radiotherapy response with CRISPR/Cas9 screening in vitro. DDRKOL includes a total of 9000 sgRNAs targeting 888 genes (10 sgRNA/gene) containing all DNA damage-related pathways, curated from Gene Ontology Consortium, 35 sgRNA positive controls targeting cell essential genes, 90 non-targeting control sgRNAs, and 35 internal control genes. The composition and coverage of the library were validated, and DDRKOL was utilized to investigate modulators of TMZ response in U87MG cells. Our future work will involve characterizing different effects of DDRKOL members in radiotherapy response, in different subtypes of gliomas with different genetic
BACKGROUND
s. Cell response to radiation is important, therefore optimization experiments were performed with different radiation doses in A172, U373, and U373-60Gy cell lines to choose the optimal dose suitable for screening. Accordingly, 2 Gy radiation was chosen for large-scale screens. DDRKOL will serve as an important tool to study not only glioblastoma but also many other diseases that threaten global health. Discovering novel genes that affect the therapy response will be stimulating because it will help understand how to overcome therapy resistance and develop new strategies to design effective therapeutic strategies, which can ultimately translate into clinics.This study is supported by TUBITAK 1001 program (#221S439).
In COVID-19 patients, besides changes in leucocyte count, morphological abnormalities of circulating blood cells have been reported.
This study aims to investigate the relationship between the ...morphological and functional properties of leucocytes and the severity of the disease in COVID-19 patients.
Blood samples were collected from COVID-19 patients (n = 130) at the time of admission. The patients were stratified according to the comorbidity, age, LDH, lymhocyte count score as mild, moderate, and severe. Complete blood count and the cell population data were analyzed by the Volume, conductivity, scatter (VCS) technology on Beckman Coulter LH-780 hematology analyzer. Kruskal-Wal'lis test was used to assess the differences between the groups with subsequent Bonferroni correction.
Neutrophil count was increased, and lymphocyte count was decreased in severe patients compared to mild patients. The increase in the percent of neutrophils and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the severe patient group was significant in comparison to both the moderate and the mild group. The dispersion of the neutrophil volume and conductivity showed significant changes depending on the severity of the disease. The lymphocyte volume, lymphocyte-volume-SD and lymphocyte-conductivity as well as the monocyte-volume and monocyte-volume-SD were significantly increased in severe patients in comparison to mild patients. The increase of lymphocyte and monocyte volume in severe patients was also significant in comparison to moderate patients.
COVID-19 infection leads to important changes in cell population data of leucocytes. The volumetric changes in lymphocytes and monocytes are related to the severity of the disease.
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