Recent results of Standard Model physics using 7 and 8 TeV data recorded by the CMS detector are reviewed. This overview includes studies of vector boson production, results on V+jets production with ...light and heavy flavours, multiboson measurements and anomalous couplings searches and also the latest results on jet production and properties. The most recent 13 TeV results are presented as well. The outlined results are compared to the prediction of the Standard Model.
The influence of fermentation by two types of microorganisms (lactic acid bacteria
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on antioxidant activities and total phenolics of 4 ...cereals, namely buckwheat, wheat germ, barley and rye, was determined and compared with those of their unfermented counterparts. The total phenolic content (TPC), determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, increased upon fermentation. Antioxidant activities (AOA) were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. The presence of those microorganisms was more or less important for enhanced levels of antioxidant activity. Thus fermentation offers a tool to further increase the bioactive potential of cereal products.
Display omitted
This work aimed to deepen the lately acquired knowledge about parenteral nanoemulsions as carriers for brain delivery of risperidone, a poorly water-soluble antipsychotic drug, ...through establishing the prospective relationship between their physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and behavioral performances. For this purpose, two optimized risperidone-loaded nanoemulsions, stabilized by lecithin or lecithin/polysorbate 80 mixture, and costabilized by sodium oleate, were produced by high-pressure homogenization. The characterization revealed the favorable droplet size, narrow size distribution, high surface charge, with proven stability to autoclaving and long-term stability for at least one year at 25±2°C. Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution results demonstrated improved plasma, liver, and brain pharmacokinetic parameters, resulting in 1.2–1.5-fold increased relative bioavailability, 1.1–1.8-fold decreased liver distribution, and about 1.3-fold improved brain uptake of risperidone active moiety following intraperitoneal administration of nanoemulsions relative to solution in rats. In behavioral study, investigated nanoemulsions showed pronounced reduction in basal and, more pertinently, amphetamine-induced locomotor activity in rats, with an early onset of antipsychotic action, and this effect lasted at least 90min after drug injection. Together, these findings corroborate the applicability of parenteral nanoemulsions as carriers for enhanced brain delivery of risperidone, further suggesting their promise in acute psychosis treatment or other emergency situations.
Display omitted
•Persistent oxidative stress leads to the development of diabetic complications.•Centaurium erythraea extract (CEE) reduced protein glycosylation in diabetic liver and kidney.•CEE ...reduced lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and protein glutathionylation in diabetic liver and kidney.•CEE improved liver and kidney function by boosting the endogenous antioxidant system.
The use of medicinal herbs can mitigate oxidative stress-induced diabetic complications and organ failure. This study investigated hepato- and reno-protective effects of methanol extract of Centaurium erythraea Rafn (CEE) in STZ-diabetic rats pre-treated (2 weeks) and/or post-treated (4 weeks) with CEE (orally, 100 mg/kg/day). Both CEE treatments markedly improved liver and kidney functionality in diabetic rats observed as reduced aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities and decreased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. CEE pre-treatment reduced the level of glycosylated proteins in diabetic liver more efficiently than post-treatment. Lowered levels of lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and protein glutathionylation, elevated ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione, and mitigated disturbance of antioxidant enzyme activities reflected the antioxidant effect of CEE in diabetic liver and kidney. Although CEE pre-treatment was more effective, the obtained results indicate that both treatments protect the liver and kidney from oxidative damage by boosting the endogenous antioxidant defense system.
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Crataegus oxyacantha L.; sin. Crataegus laevigata (Poiret) DC., Rosaceae leaves, flowers, and berries are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of ...chronic heart failure, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and various digestive ailments, as well as geriatric and antiarteriosclerosis remedies. According to European Pharmacopoeia 6.0, hawthorn berries consist of the dried false fruits of these two species or their mixture. The present study was carried out to test free-radical-scavenging, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and antimicrobial activities of hawthorn berries ethanol extract. Phenolic compounds represented 3.54%, expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Determination of total flavonoid aglycones content yielded 0.18%. The percentage of hyperoside, as the main flavonol component, was 0.14%. With respect to procyanidins content, the obtained value was 0.44%. DPPH radical-scavenging capacity of the extract was concentration-dependent, with EC50 value of 52.04 μg/mL (calculation based on the total phenolic compounds content in the extract). Oral administration of investigated extract caused dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in a model of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The obtained anti-inflammatory effect was 20.8, 23.0, and 36.3% for the extract doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. In comparison to indomethacin, given in a dose producing 50% reduction of rat paw edema, the extract given in the highest tested dose (200 mg/kg) showed 72.4% of its activity. Gastroprotective activity of the extract was investigated using an ethanol-induced acute stress ulcer in rats with ranitidine as a reference drug. Hawthorn extract produced dose-dependent gastroprotective activity (3.8 ± 2.1, 1.9 ± 1.7, and 0.7 ± 0.5 for doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively), with the efficacy comparable to that of the reference drug. Antimicrobial testing of the extract revealed its moderate bactericidal activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, and Lysteria monocytogenes, with no effect on Candida albicans. All active components identified in the extract might be responsible for activities observed.
Four Artemisia species from Serbia were selected for the study: A. annua L., A. absinthium L., A. vulgaris L. and A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. because of the proven excellent action in treating ...certain medical conditions and diseases. A. absinthium L., A. vulgaris L., A. annua L. and A. scoparia Waldst. et Kit. collected from different habitats across Serbia (48 samples in total) were studied from the statistical aspect considering the phenolic and flavonoid contents, compositions, and antioxidant activities of methanol extracts in correlation with the soil type. The components were identified using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), while antioxidant activities were determined by seven assays (TP (Total phenolic content), TF (Total flavonoid content), DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical‐based, ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)) radical cation‐based, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), TRP (Total Reducing Power), and CUPRAC (Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity). The results were processed using five statistical methods (PCA (Principal Component Analysis), ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), MANOVA (Multivariate analysis of variance), DA (Discriminant analysis), and AHC (Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering)). Principal component analysis enabled very well separation of the analyzed Artemisia species based on the content of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and the values obtained from antioxidant tests, but not on the individual compounds identified and quantified by HPLC. The MANOVA analyses showed that for A. scoparia and A. annua there was a significant effect of soil type on the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant tests. In contrast, for A. vulgaris and A. absinthium, that effect was not significant. Additional MANOVA analyses showed a significant effect of soil type on phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the case of A. vulgaris, A. annua, and A. absinthium. The overall correct classification rate of all samples of four investigated Artemisia species by the discriminant analysis was 81.25 % using the training sample and 72.92 % the cross‐validation results based on TP, TF, and antioxidant tests, but a much lower based on selected compounds identified and quantified by HPLC. MANOVA analyses based on particular Artemisia species show that soil is a significant factor affecting the measurable variables.
Public understanding of climate and climate change is of broad societal importance. However, misconceptions regarding reasons for the seasons abound amongst students, teachers, and the public, many ...of whom believe that seasonality is caused by large variations in Earth's distance from the Sun. Misconceptions may be reinforced by textbook illustrations that exaggerate eccentricity or show an inclined view of Earth's near-circular orbit. Textbook explanations that omit multiple factors influencing seasons, that do not mesh with students' experiences, or that are erroneous, hinder scientifically valid reasoning. Studies show that many teachers share their students' misconceptions, and even when they understand basic concepts, teachers may fail to appreciate the range of factors contributing to seasonal change, or their relative importance. We have therefore developed a learning resource using Google Earth, a virtual globe with other useful, weather- and climate-related visualizations. A classroom test of 27 undergraduates in a public research university showed that 15 improved their test scores after the Google Earth-based laboratory class, whereas 5 disimproved. Mean correct answers rose from 4.7/10 to 6/10, giving a paired t-test value of 0.21. After using Google Earth, students are helped to segue to a heliocentric view.
The interaction between charge carriers and phonons is the primary mechanism through which charge carriers exchange energy with the crystal lattice. A proper understanding of the electron-phonon ...interaction is of great importance. We conducted a comprehensive investigation to examine the electron-phonon interaction in semiconductor crystals of Zn1-xCdxGeAs2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). For this objective, X-ray diffraction, far-infrared reflection, and Raman scattering studies were employed. In addition to the two primary phases, namely ZnGeAs2 and CdGeAs2, four component phases were also identified: ZnAs2, CdAs2, GeAs, and GeAs2. A spatially inhomogeneous distribution of charge carriers was detected, with the highest concentration in the vicinity of the formed GeAs. Analysis of the Far-infrared reflection spectrum of ZnGeAs2 (x = 0) revealed that plasmon-4 phonon interaction occurs, while in CdGeAs2 (x = 1), there is a plasmon-3 phonon interaction. All other samples have both of these interactions, according to their percentage in the composition. Raman measurements revealed that due to the influence of free charge carriers, there is an increase in the intensity of phonon modes, their displacement, or their splitting into two modes. The intensity and the way the electron-phonon interaction vary depending on the local concentration of free carriers, and it is the strongest in the areas around the formed GeAs.
The obtained results and performed analyses revealed the existence of different phases in the material, inhomogeneous charge distribution, and electron-phonon interaction, which are essential properties of thermoelectric materials.
Display omitted
Background and purpose: To investigate survival rates, prognostic factors, and causes of death in Wilson disease (WD).
Methods: In the years 1980–2007, a cohort of 142 patients with WD was ...prospectively registered (54 presented with neurologic symptoms, 49 with hepatic symptoms, 33 had mixed form, and data were missing for six patients). The duration of follow‐up for patients alive was 11.1 ± 8.8 years.
Results: After initiation of treatment (d‐penicillamine and zinc salts), 79% of patients had a stable or improved course of disease. Despite early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, 15 patients still had a relentlessly progressive course. Thirty patients died. The cumulative probability of survival in a 15‐year period for the whole group was 76.7 ± 4.9%. Better prognosis of WD was associated with male sex, younger age at onset, neurologic form of the disease, and treatment continuity. Causes of death were predominantly related to hepatic failure (16 patients), but also suicide (four patients) and cancer (three patients).
Conclusion: Despite the relatively early diagnosis and treatment of our patients with WD, mortality was still considerably high.
PDF
