Journal articles: 'Test MES' – Grafiati (2024)

Abstract:

About one third of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases have embolic properties. Because of that, transcranial Doppler (TCD) test for detection of microembolic signals (MES), as the only one method for detection of microemboli, is a very important test for the evaluation of cerebral artery embolism. Cerebral emboli are particles of thrombus or atheromatous plaque, platelet aggregates, lipid or air particles in cerebral circulation, which can occlude arterioles and cause ischemic transient attack (TIA) or stroke. Most frequently, they derive from exulcerated plaques of the carotid bifurcation or the aortic arch, from the atrial thrombus, prosthetic heart valves, as well as during carotid endarterectomy, arterial stent, aortocoronary by-pass. For MES detection, bilateral monitoring of a. cerebri mediae (ACM) is performed with each probe held in place over a temporal bone. MES are represented as brightly coloured embolic tracks as they pass through the insonated arteries. A computer hard disk provides continuous recording that is replayed for counting embolic signals. Colour intensity or acoustic range indicate the size and structure of MES. MES in the range of one ACM indicate the source of embolism on the ipsilateral carotid artery, while the bilateral detection of MES suggests a cardiogenic source. Indications for TCD detection of MES are the evaluation of pathogenesis and risk for embolic stroke or TIA and assessing the source of embolism. We started applying this method at the Institute of Neurology in Belgrade 2 years ago. We have investigated 78 patients till today and detected MES in 23 patients (28.7%). The Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology, 2004, considers that TCD is probably useful for detection of cerebral MES in various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders and procedures.

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Abstract Toxic and persistent nature of hydrocarbon and its products make it a significant concern for treating oil spills. In addition, hydrocarbons such as crude oil have long and complex carbon chains, making them challenging to remove directly. Emergency response for oil spills generally conducted by spraying dispersant agent into spillage surface. However, the use of chemical dispersants is reported to have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, an environmentally friendly method for treating oil spills, utilizing biological agents such as biosurfactant or bioemulsifier, is needed. This research focuses on performance tests of more environmentally friendly surfactants as substitute for chemical surfactant which causes toxic effect when used. Surfactant performance was evaluated through three indicators: emulsifying index, dispersion effectiveness, and germination index (G.I.). Performance test was carried out for three types of surfactants: sophorolipid biosurfactant, methyl ester sulfonate (MES), and tween-80. Dispersion effectiveness test showed sophorolipid, MES, and tween-80 enhanced hydrocarbons dispersion in saline water up to 26.59, 38.65, and 48.19%, respectively. Germination index test showed the average G.I. for oil dispersed by sophorolipid, MES, and tween-80 are 153.16%, 143.94%, and 6.69 %, respectively. Research result suggests sophorolipid and MES have the properties to enhance oil dispersion under-examined laboratory conditions.

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On the background of Manufacturing Execution Systems engineering, based on Bayesian information fusion evaluation methods research system reliability growth. Exploreing MES function of test data is not easy to obtain, it used bayesian fusion method which is based on the type of conjugate prior distribution, assessment the MES reliability of each function module. Utilize Fuzzy priori information, research the MES function module failure rate of the Bayes estimate, to reveals the complex system under the condition of the cause of the problem is not easy to determine, which can be carried out system reliability growth test.

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AbstractThis review offers a cautious acceptance of the Multidimensional Ethics Scale (MES) developed by Robin, Gordon, Jordan and Reidenbach. While the contribution of the MES to future empirical research of individuals’ moral reasoning is welcomed, a number of reservations or criticisms are raised regarding theory confusion, instrument confusion, and fears arising when using the MES. I conclude that the MES is a valuable compliment to existing moral reasoning instruments — the Moral Judgment Interview and the Defining Issues Test — but not a replacement of these instruments.

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Abstract Four maternal-effect sterile genes, mes-2, mes-3, mes-4, and mes-6, are essential for germline development in Caenorhabditis elegans. hom*ozygous mes progeny from heterozygous mothers are themselves fertile but produce sterile progeny with underproliferated and degenerated germlines. All four mes genes encode chromatin-associated proteins, two of which resemble known regulators of gene expression. To identify additional components in the MES pathway, we used RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to test candidate genes for enhancement of the Mes mutant phenotype. Enhancement in this assay was induction of sterility a generation earlier, in the otherwise fertile hom*ozygous progeny of heterozygous mothers, which previous results had suggested represent a sensitized genetic background. We tested seven genes predicted to encode regulators of chromatin organization for RNAi-induced enhancement of mes-3 sterility and identified one enhancer, called set-2 after the SET domain encoded by the gene. Depletion of SET-2 also enhances the sterile phenotype of mes-4 but not of mes-2 or mes-6. set-2 encodes two alternatively spliced transcripts, set-2l and set-2s, both of which are enriched in the germline of adults. In the adult germline, SET-2L protein is localized in mitotic and mid-late-stage meiotic nuclei but is undetectable in early pachytene nuclei. SET-2L protein is localized in all nuclei of embryos. The localization of SET-2L does not depend on any of the four MES proteins, and none of the MES proteins depend on SET-2 for their normal localization. Our results suggest that SET-2 participates along with the MES proteins in promoting normal germline development.

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Metil ester sulfonat (MES) adalah salah satu jenis surfaktan yang dapat disintesis dari bahan baku minyak biji nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L) yang potensial sebagai pengganti surfaktan dari minyak bumi. Proses sulfonasi dalam pembentukan MES diduga menghasilkan produk samping berupa di-salt yang dapat mengganggu kinerja MES dan memiliki daya deterjensi 50% lebih rendah dari MES. Oleh karena itu, perlu dilakukan proses pemurnian untuk mereduksi kandungan di-salt dalam produk MES sehingga dapat memperbaiki kinerjanya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan karakteristik MES tanpa pemurnian dan MES hasil pemurnian serta mengetahui kondisi pemurnian MES yang menghasilkan karakteristik terbaik. Proses pemurnian dilakukan dengan menambahkan metanol pada konsentrasi 10, 20, 30, 40% dan waktu reaksi 30, 60, 90,120 menit. Pengaruh konsentrasi metanol (K) dan waktu reaksi (t) dikaji dalam rancangan acak lengkap dengan dua faktor yaitu konsentrasi dan waktu reaksi yang dilanjutkan dengan uji lanjut Duncan’s Multiple Range Test DMRT. Karakterisasi dilakukan terhadap MES tanpa pemurnian dan MES hasil pemurnian meliputi nilai pH, stabilitas emulsi, stabilitas busa, dan daya deterjensi. MES tanpa pemurnian setelah netralisasi memiliki nilai pH 7,819, stabilitas emulsi 33,33%, stabilitas busa 19,765% dan daya deterjensi 68,80%. MES hasil pemurnian setelah netralisasi memiliki pH 7,795, stabilitasemulsi 90,455%, stabilitasbusa 15,00%, dan daya deterjensi 85,15%.

Abstract:

Objective: In the present study, we synthesized fifteen 4, 5-disubstituted 1, 2, 4-triazol- 3-thione derivatives and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity with neurotoxicity determination. Method: The synthesized compounds were characterized using FTIR, 1H-NMR and MS. The molecular docking study was also performed to study the interactions of compounds with LYS329 residue of gamma amino butyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT) using Autodock 4.2 software. The anticonvulsant activity was assessed by maximal electroshock (MES) test and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (scPTZ) tests. The neurotoxicity was assessed by rotarod ataxia test. Results: In MES test, compounds 5a, 8a and 9a were found active at 100 mg/kg and five compounds were found active at 300 mg/kg dose after 1 hr of administration. After 4 hr of drug administration, only two compounds 8a and 9a exhibited protection at 100 mg/kg. In scPTZ test, three compounds 2a, 6a and 8a were found active at 100 mg/kg and 7a was active at 300 mg/kg after 1 hr of test drug administration. Most of the compounds were found active in MES test with 8a and 9a being the most active among all. In docking study, 2a was found to be best compound based on the binding energy of -6.5 kcal/mol and estimated inhibition constant of 17.2 µM. Conclusion: Majority of synthesized compounds were found active in MES test, whereas only few were found to possess anti scPTZ activity. Among all compounds, only 14a caused motor coordination impairment in rotarod ataxia test at 300 mg/kg 1 hr duration.

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Methyl ester sulfonate derived from mahogany (<em>Swietenia macrophylla</em> K.) oil has been characterized. The research began by synthesizing mahogany methyl ester (ME) in 4 stages: pressing, degumming, esterification, and transesterification. The next process was synthesizing methyl ester sulfonate (MES) also in four stages: sulfonation, bleaching, neutralization, and drying. The reactant for MES synthesis in this study was H₂SO₄ with a mole ratio of 1:6 and variations in the concentration of H₂SO₄ (70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90%) as well as variations in the duration of sulfonation (45, 60, 75, 70, and 105 minutes) to determine the characteristics of the synthesized MES including density, acid number, and emulsion stability. The effect of the combination of treatment variations was analyzed using the two-way ANOVA test and the least significant difference (LSD) test. This research showed that MES from mahogany seed oil from a combination of variations in treatment has a density ranging from 0.91 to 0.97 g/mL where the LSD test at α = 0.05 produces three different MES density groups due to variations in the concentration of H₂SO₄ namely A (70 % and 75%), B (80% and 85%), and C (90%). The resulting MES acid numbers ranged from 4.69 ‒ 17.74 mgKOH/g sample with three different groups of MES acid numbers due to variations in the concentration of H₂SO₄, namely A (85 and 90%), B (75% and 80%), and C (70%). The stability of mahogany oil-based MES emulsion ranged from 0.000 ‒ 0.975 and two different MES emulsion stability groups were obtained due to variations in the concentration of H₂SO₄, namely A (80% and 85%) and B (70%, 75%, and 90%). FTIR spectrophotometer showed the presence of S=O groups at wavenumber 1172 cm^-1 and S‒O groups at wavenumbers 972.12 cm^-1 and 879.54 cm^-1 proved that MES was successfully synthesized.

Abstract:

Transferred embryos carry the risk of being vehicles of organisms causing diseases. Currently, the risk of in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos is more difficult to assess than the risk of in vivo-derived embryos, since less research has been published on the former. Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is extremely sensitive to a low pH and is likely to be destroyed if embryos are exposed to a low pH for a short time. 2-(N-Morphalino)-ethanesulfonic acid (MES); an organic buffer with pKa 6.1; Sigma, South Africa, M2933) as been shown to destroy FMDV at a rate of 90% per minute at pH 6 and at a rate of 90% per second at pH 5 (Acharya et al. 1990 Vet. Microbiol. 23, 21–34; Thomson “Foot-and-mouth disease,” in Infectious Diseases of Livestock with Special Reference to Southern Africa, ed. Coetzer JAW, Thomson GR, and Tustin RC, Oxford University Press, Cape Town, 825–852). The aim of this study was to test whether exposing bovine oocytes and IVP zygotes to the organic buffer MES, buffered at pH 5.5, is detrimental to the development of bovine IVP embryos. IVM, IVF, and IVC was carried out with 1367 oocytes as described earlier [Jooste et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 443]. Oocytes were divided into three groups: 484 were used as controls (no MES exposure); 437 were in a maximal exposure group (MAX), i.e. MES treatment after washing of oocytes, after IVM and after IVF, and 446 had a minimal exposure (MIN), i.e. MES treatment after IVF only. To treat the oocytes with MES, 100 oocytes (from ten droplets) were drawn into a pipette in a maximal volume of 100 μL, and placed in 3 mL of MES, swirled around for 10 s, drawn up again in a maximal volume of 100 μL, and placed in 3 mL of culture medium. Oocytes or zygotes were then washed five times in culture medium before being processed through IVM, IVF, or IVC depending on their stage. Exposure of oocytes to MES varied from 30 to 60 s (10 s swirling and a variable time thereafter to pick up). A chi-square test was used to test for differences in cleavage and Day 7 blastocyst yield between control and treatment groups (P < 0.05). Cleavage (70%; 340/484) and blastocyst yield (32%; 156/484) in the control group were not different from those in MIN (68%; 304/446, and 29%; 131/446, respectively), but were significantly higher than for MAX (57%; 249/437, and 18%; 79/437, respectively). In MAX the MES had a harsh effect on the cumulus cells, making them granular and clumpy in appearance. Oocytes treated in MES solution adhered to the bottom of the dish, which made their handling difficult. Exposure time in MES was therefore variable and longer than initially planned. It is concluded that bovine IVP embryos can be exposed to MES without detrimental effect. Treatment with MAX still resulted in blastocysts but it did not yield good numbers. In future trials, treated dishes should be used to prevent oocyte and zygote adherence. Further research is needed to test whether FMDV can be removed from bovine IVP embryos with the described method.

Abstract:

Summary Introduction. Patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy are usually treated with two or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The search for therapeutically efficacious AED combinations is still a challenging issue for clinicians and epileptologists throughout the world. Aim. To determine the interaction profile for the combination of retigabine (RTG) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in both, the model of tonic-clonic seizures, the maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure model and chimney test (motor performance) in adult male albino Swiss mice. Methods. Isobolographic analysis (type I) was applied to characterize interactions for the combination of RTG with OXC with respect to its anticonvulsant and acute side (neurotoxic) effects, as determined in the MES and chimney tests, respectively. Results. The combination of RTG with OXC at the fixed-ratios of 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 produced additive interactions in the MES test in mice. Similarly, the combination of RTG with OXC at the fixed-ratio of 1:1 produced additive interaction with a tendency towards sub-additivity in the chimney test in mice. Measurement of total brain concentrations of both AEDs revealed that RTG did not affect total brain concentrations of OXC and inversely, OXC had no impact on RTG’s total brain concentrations, confirming pharmacodynamic interaction between the drugs. Conclusions. The additive pharmacodynamic interactions in both the MES and chimney tests in mice were observed for the combination of RTG with OXC.

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Background: Epilepsy is common chronic disorder in clinical practice and there was some studies which shows brain renin angiotensin system may be involved in upregulation of seizures hence present study was planned to investigate whether angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists possess anticonvulsant activity in experimental animals.Methods: The anticonvulsant activity of angiotensin receptor antagonists, losartan (50 mg/kg), telmisartan (30 mg/kg) and candesartan (20 mg/kg), were administered intraperitoneally to the mice and evaluated by using maximum electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol induced seizures (PTZ) seizure methods. The standard was taken as phenytoin for MES and diazepam for PTZ method. Motor impairment of performance was assessed by the inverted screen test and spontaneous motor activity with digital actophotometer.Results: Losartan demonstrated the anticonvulsant efficacy in MES and PTZ models. Telmisartan and candesartan have anticonvulsant activity in MES induced seizures, but did not show protection against pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. Losartan at dose 50 mg/kg prolonged the mean latency to convulsion (p<0.01) and mean number of convulsions also significantly reduced (p<0.05) convulsions in the mice. Telmisartan and candesartan at dose 30 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively showed significant prolongation in mean latency to convulsion (p<0.05). None of the test drugs i.e. angiotensin receptor antagonists showed significant motor impairment.Conclusions: Angiotensin receptor antagonists: losartan, telmisartan and candesartan had showed anticonvulsant activity in PTZ and MES seizure methods. The exact mechanism of action of their anticonvulsant action not precisely known and hence there is more studies need to test it in various other animal anticonvulsant models.

Abstract:

Background/Aim: To isobolographically determine the types of interactions that occur between retigabine and lacosamide (LCM; two third-generation antiepileptic drugs) with respect to their anticonvulsant activity and acute adverse effects (sedation) in the maximal electroshock-induced seizures (MES) and chimney test (motor performance) in adult male Swiss mice. Methods: Type I isobolographic analysis for nonparallel dose-response effects for the combination of retigabine with LCM (at the fixed-ratio of 1:1) in both the MES and chimney test in mice was performed. Brain concentrations of retigabine and LCM were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to characterize any pharmaco*kinetic interactions occurring when combining these drugs. Results: Linear regression analysis revealed that retigabine had its dose-response effect line nonparallel to that of LCM in both the MES and chimney tests. The type I isobolographic analysis illustrated that retigabine combined with LCM (fixed-ratio of 1:1) exerted an additive interaction in the mouse MES model and sub-additivity (antagonism) in the chimney test. With HPLC, retigabine and LCM did not mutually change their total brain concentrations, thereby confirming the pharmacodynamic nature of the interaction. Conclusion: LCM combined with retigabine possesses a beneficial preclinical profile (benefit index ranged from 2.07 to 2.50) and this 2-drug combination is worth recommending as treatment plan to patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

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SUMMARYForage sorghum is an important component of the fodder supply chain in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world because of its high productivity, ability to utilize water efficiently and adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions. Identification of high-yielding stable genotypes (G) across environments (E) is challenging because of the complex G × E interactions (GEI). In the present study, the performance of 16 forage sorghum genotypes over seven locations across the rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011 was investigated using GGE biplot analysis. Analysis of variance revealed the existence of significant GEI for fodder yield and all eight associated phenotypic traits. Location accounted for a higher proportion of the variation (0·72–0·91), while genotype contributed only 0·06–0·21 of total variation in different traits. Genotype-by-location interactions contributed 0·02–0·13 of total variation. Promising genotypes for fodder yield and each of the associated traits could be identified effectively using a graphical biplot approach. The majority of test locations were highly correlated. A ‘Which-won-where’ study partitioned the test locations into two mega-environments (MEs): ME1 was represented by five locations with COFS 29 as the best genotype, while ME2 had two locations with S 541 as the best genotype. The existence of two MEs suggested a need for location-specific breeding. Genotype-by-trait biplots indicated that improvement for forage yield could be achieved through indirect selection for plant height, leaf number and early vigour.

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Leukocyte subtypes can be used to evaluate the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we examined the relationship between the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and the Mayo endoscopic score (MES) in assessing endoscopic activity in UC. Eighty-nine samples of leukocyte subtypes and biomarkers, including fecal calprotectin (FC), the fecal immunochemical occult blood test (FIT), and C-reactive protein (CRP), from 71 patients with UC were retrospectively investigated, along with the MES. The MES was significantly correlated with the LMR, FC, the FIT, and CRP. There were significant differences in the LMR, FC, the FIT, and CRP between groups with an MES < 1 and >2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for predicting mucosal healing (MES 0 or 1), the areas under the curve (AUCs) for the LMR, FC, the FIT, and CRP, were 0.712, 0.860, 0.908, and 0.796, respectively. In the analysis of patients without immunomodulators, the correlation of the MES with the LMR and CRP was significant. The LMR can be used to assess endoscopic activity in UC, particularly in patients without immunomodulators.

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This paper aiming at the zero-failure data and uncertain-decision problems exist in the information system reliability growth process, it proposes to build the Bayesian network topology of FMEA. It adopts Leaky Noisy-OR model, and it analyses the probability that the subsystem functional module will go wrong in quantity. It solves the problem of identifying the vague and incomplete information exists in the complex system rapidly and accurately, laying the foundation for further study of the reliability growth comprehensive ability assessment of system based on the Bayesian network. In this paper, on the background of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) engineering, aimed at research on models and evaluation methods of reliability growth for MES, enclosing reliability of MES task and design target, reliability growth test and analysis methods, it proposes the goal of MES reliability growth planning.

Abstract:

2002 Background: The mesenchymal (MES) subtype of glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with worse prognosis and increased treatment resistance. Several transcription factors driving the MES phenotype have been identified, including STAT3, CEBP-β, and WWTR1/TAZ. However, the key signaling pathways driving this transcriptional program remain unknown. Methods: Expression profiling analyses was performed on multiple GBM stem cell (GSC) lines derived from individual human tumors. Three large GBM tumor gene expression datasets (TCGA, Rembrandt, Erasmus) were also used in the analyses to identify pathways activated in MES tumors and GSCs. Intracranial GSC xenograft models were used for in vivo validation. Results: We found that GSCs with a MES phenotype also demonstrated upregulation of a gene cassette associated with NFκB activation. Analysis of multiple large expression data sets also demonstrated a tight correlation between the MES phenotype and NFκB activation in human tumors. To determine the effect of NFκB activation in GSCs, we stimulated NFκB by addition of the inflammatory cytokine TNFα. This was accompanied by increased expression of the MES transcription factors (STAT3, CEBP-β, TAZ), and MES markers including CD44. Conversely, blockade of NFκB signaling in GSCs by IκB-α was sufficient to prevent TNF-induced MES transition. Investigation of potential source of NFκB activation suggested a role of microglia. Indeed, addition of supernatant from activated microglia was sufficient to activate NFκB and MES transition in GSCs that could be blocked by IκB-α. To test the role of microglia and NFκB activation on treatment resistance in vivo, treatment with minocycline, an inhibitor of microglia activation, led to a reduction of tumor grade and down-regulation of MES markers in intracranial GSC xenografts. Conclusions: NFκB appears to play an important role in induction of the MES phenotype in GBM and GSCs. Furthermore, activation of microglia is a potential source of NFκB activation in these tumors. These data suggest that blockade of NFκB and/or inhibition of microglia activation may be attractive therapeutic approaches for downregulating MES transition and overcoming treatment resistance in GBM.

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<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the antiepileptic activity of aqueous extract of <em>Centella asciatica</em> in maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods</strong><strong>: </strong>The anticonvulsant activity of leaves of <em>Centella asciatica </em>(200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) in mice was assessed using MES and PTZ induced seizure models. Abolition of tonic hind limb extension (MES and PTZ) and increase in seizure latency (PTZ) when compared to control group, were taken as a measure of protection. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test. The test was considered to be significant at p&lt;0.05.</p><p><strong>Results</strong><strong>: </strong>The aqueous extract of <em>Centella asiatica</em> at a dose of 200 mg/kg has abolished tonic hind limb extension in 1 out of 6 animals in MES while there was no anticonvulsant action in PTZ convulsions. At a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, the aqueous extract of <em>Centella asiatica</em> has shown a significant anticonvulsant effect against both MES and PTZ convulsions, where it has abolished tonic hind limb extension in 4 mice in MES method and in all 6 mices in PTZ method.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>: </strong>The aqueous extract of <em>Centella asiatica</em> showed efficacy in both MES and PTZ convulsions in mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg. Since the clinical correlates of MES seizures are tonic-clonic convulsions and correlates of PTZ seizures are absence seizures, the aqueous extract of <em>Centella asiatica</em> is likely to be useful in the treatment of tonic-clonic and absence seizures.</p>

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Background: To evaluate the anti-convulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera (Drum stick leaves) in seizure induced albino mice and to compare it with standard drug Sodium valproate.Methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing around 25-30g were randomly selected and divided into four groups of six mice each. Group 1: control- treated with gum acacia. Group 2: Standard - Valproic acid 40mg/kg body weight. Group 3: T1- ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera (150mg/kg). Group 4: T2 - ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera (300mg/kg). All drugs were administered orally one hour prior to induction of seizure. The anticonvulsant activity was screened using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model.Results: Results were analysed by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test. Abolition of Tonic hind limb extension was taken as the protective end point against MES induced seizures and prolongation of seizure latency in PTZ model.At both the doses the ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera significantly (p value <0.05) reduced the duration of hind limb extension in MES test and also significantly (p value <0.05) delayed the onset of clonic seizures in PTZ induced convulsion when compared with control group.Conclusions: On comparing the percentage protection offered by Moringa oleifera leaves against both MES and PTZ model, it possesses significant anticonvulsant activity at both doses, with more efficacy at 300mg/kg BW indicating that the test drug can prove a very promising drug for treatment of epilepsy. Further studies are required for isolation and identification of the active constituent.

Abstract:

Background: In the present study, 4, 5-disubstituted triazol-3-thione derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity along with neurotoxicity determination. Materials and Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized using FTIR, 1H-NMR and MS. The anticonvulsant activity was assessed by Maximal Electroshock (MES) test and subcutaneous Pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) tests and neurotoxicity was assessed by rotarod test. Docking was also performed to study the interactions of compounds with LYS329 residue of gamma amino butyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT) using Autodock 4.2 software. Results: The compounds 7a and 9a with significant pharmacological activity were also found to interact with LYS329 residue of GABA-AT by H-bond with a docking score of -5.92 kcal/mol (Ki = 41.99 μM) and -5.87 kcal/mol (Ki = 49.83 μM) respectively. Conclusion: Most of the compounds were found to be active in MES test but only seven showed protection in scPTZ test.

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the antiepileptic activity of ethanolic extract of Azima tetracantha root (EEATR) against Maximal electroshock (MES) and Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in mice.Methods: 48 adult male mice were used and 4 groups with six in each were allocated to each model. 4 Groups are divided into control, standard and two test groups. Control group received normal saline, standard group, Sodium valproate-200 mg/kg and the two test groups received ethanolic extract of roots of Azima tetracantha (EEATR) 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. Antiepileptic activity was assessed based on hind limb tonic extension duration, onset of convulsions and mortality. The results were compared with control and standard.Results: In MES model EEATR reduced the duration of hind limb extension (HLE) and seizure protection was 50% and 66.6% with 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. In PTZ model both the doses of EEATR delayed the onset of clonic phase and prevented death in 50% of animals in group treated with 500 mg/kg EEATR, similar to sodium valproate. Results were analyzed by ANOVA with p<0.05 considered as significant.Conclusion: EEATR has shown anticonvulsant activity in both MES and PTZ models. 500 mg/kg of EEATR has better protection than 250 mg/kg against seizure in MES model and equally efficacious as sodium valproate standard in PTZ model.

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Purpose This study aims to investigate the impacts of product modularity (PM) and multiskilled employees (MEs) on new product development (NPD) outcomes and explore the moderating effect of supply chain involvement. Design/methodology/approach The authors used data collected from 317 manufacturers to empirically examine the conceptual model and conducted hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that PM significantly improves NPD outcomes. The relationship between PM/MEs and NPD outcomes is strengthened when the level of supplier involvement is high, whereas the relationship between MEs and NPD outcomes is weakened when the level of customer involvement is high. Research limitations implications First, this study only focuses on PM and MEs as two types of modular designs. Second, the inter-relationship between modular designs and supply chain involvement might be contingent. Third, the authors use cross-sectional data that cannot reflect causal effects of modularity on NPD outcomes. Originality/value The findings contribute to the understanding of the alignment between modular designs and supply chain involvement considering NPD outcomes. This study also contributes to the concept of modularity by identifying MEs as a type of modular design.

Abstract:

The risk of transmitting foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) by in vivo-produced embryos is extremely small. In vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos carry a greater risk of transmitting FMDV. IVP Day 7 embryos, exposed to FMDV cannot be freed of the virus by washing (Marquant-LeGuienne et al. 1998 Theriogenology 50, 109–116). Similarly, IVP embryos exposed to FMDV during IVM and IVF cannot be freed of FMDV by washing (Jooste et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 443). The aim of this study was to test if bovine IVP embryos, exposed to FMDV during IVM and IVF, can be rendered free of infective FMDV by treating them with 2-(Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) at a pH of 5.5. MES is an organic buffer with pKa 6.1 (MES, Sigma, South Africa, M2933). Four groups of 300 and two groups of 320 oocytes were obtained from ovaries from a local abattoir. Oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured as described earlier (Jooste et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 443). Virus was added at a concentration of 2 × 106 TCID50 in all treatments. Treatment with MES was between 30 and 60 s in all cases. After exposure to MES, oocytes were washed 5 times in IVM, IVF, or IVC medium. In all groups, virus detection was attempted by PCR and on pig kidney cell monolayers. Group 1 was not exposed to MES and not spiked with FMDV (control). In Group 2, FMDV was added during IVM and IVF. FMDV detection was attempted after the denuded presumptive zygotes were exposed to MES. Group 3 was treated as group 2, except that presumptive zygotes in this group were cultured up to Day 7 before virus detection was attempted. In Group 4, COCs were treated with MES after IVM and viral detection attempted. Group 5 was treated as group 4, but COCs were subjected to IVF. FMDV was added again during IVF. Denuded presumptive zygotes were again treated with MES and viral detection was attempted. Group 6 was treated as group 5, except that virus detection was not attempted after denuding, but presumptive zygotes were cultured up to Day 7 before virus detection was attempted. No FMDV could be demonstrated in the control group. All denuded oocytes/embryos that were treated with MES for 30–60 s were negative for the presence of infective FMDV. FMDV could be detected in all COCs. Treatment with MES is ineffective in rendering COCs free from infective FMDV. Treatment with MES did not negatively affect the blastocyst rate (chi-square test, P < 0.05) in this trial. Blastocyst rates were 8.3% (28/300), 10.3% (31/300), and 9.3% (28/300) for Group 1 (control), Group 3, and Group 6, respectively; the low blastocyst rate was ascribed to the production of embryos in a non-designated IVF laboratory. It thus appears that FMDV is protected by the cumulus cells. It is not clear if the virus infects the cumulus cells per se or if it is protected in the intercellular spaces. It also appears that FMDV does not penetrate the zona pellucida and if the surface of the zona pellucida is exposed to an acidic environment, FMDV can be inactivated.

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En este proyecto se investigan los cambios que acontecen en el desarrollo y crecimiento de conejos hembras de la línea New Zealand (CoNZ) en sus huesos femorales. Los animales fueron mantenidas en jaulas individuales desde las 2 semanas de edad, con comida y agua ad libitum y se sacrificaron en tiempos mensualmente consecutivos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, y 6 meses. Tras la obtención de las piezas femorales, y a partir de estudios imagenológicos se determinaron los ángulos del cuello femoral (Af), la longitud total (L), la densidad mineral ósea total, del centro óseo y de la metáfisis femoral (DMOt, DMOco y DMOmf respectivamente), analizándose las variaciones intergrupales por el test Wilcoxon, y corrección de Bonferroni. Se realizaron estudios histológicos de los cortes descalcificados de las piezas femorales. Los análisis sobre los Af mostraron un incremento significativo durante el primer mes mientras que L se estabilizó a partir del 4to mes. Los valores de DMOt mostraron un plateau a partir del cuarto mes, si bien las DMOco y DMOmf ya a partir del tercer mes no mostraron incrementos significativos. Histológicamente se observó para el cuarto mes ausencia de las diferentes zonas características del cartílago de crecimiento metafisiario, con presencia únicamente de un pequeño remanente de células condrales. Desde el quinto mes se observa ausencia total de cartílago, con presencia únicamente de tejido osteoide (TO). La interpretación integrada de los resultados nos permite afirmar, que a partir del cuarto mes de desarrollo, el fémur de CoNZ adquiere características compatibles con un periodo de adultez.

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Abstract Background Evaluation of endoscopic disease severity is a key component in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, endoscopic assessment suffers from substantial intra- and interobserver variation, up to 75 %, thereby limiting the reliability of individual assessments. Our aim was to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of distinguishing active from healed mucosa as well as to differentiate different levels of endoscopic disease activity. Methods 1484 unique endoscopic images from 467 patients were extracted for classification. Two experts classified all images independent of each other according to the Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES). In case of disagreement, a third expert classified the images. Different convolutional neural network architectures were implied in the development of the AI model. Five-fold cross-validation was employed to select the best model. Unseen test data were used for evaluation. The final model was evaluated on its performance for distinguishing MES 0 from 1–3, MES 0–1 (i.e. mucosal healing) from 2–3, and distinguish between all MES. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and Cohen’s Kappa were used to evaluate the final models. Results Our final model achieved at the most difficult task (distinguishing between all 4 categories of MES) a mean accuracy of 0.82, mean AUC of 0.99, test accuracy of 0.84, a sensitivity of 0.88, and a specificity of 0.81 and a weighted Cohens Kappa of 0.83 (p&lt;0.001 compared to the experts). The results from the other tasks are shown in table 1. Conclusion We propose a new standardised way of evaluating endoscopic images from UC patients for both clinical and academic purposes. The proposed AI model demonstrated a very good capability of distinguishing between all 4 MES levels of activity. This will optimize and unify the evaluation of the disease severity measured by the Mayo endoscopic subscore across all centres and hospitals no matter the level of medical expertise.

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Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) biogas upgrading is done via reduction of carbon dioxide to methane through electroactive microbial catalysis. The baseline MES mode of operation showed about a 39% increase in the methane production rate compared to the open circuit mode of operation. MES is capable of producing acetic acid at relatively more negative potential (−0.80 to –0.90 V vs. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE)) than the potential at which it produces methane (−0.65 V vs. SHE). The optimum pH for enhancing the electroactive acetogens is found to be around 6.8–7.0 while a pH of around 7.0–7.5 enhances the electroactive methanogens performance. The biocathode adaptation test reveals that 45% of the methane was produced through the electrochemical pathway with a coulombic efficiency of 100% while maintaining heterotrophic efficiency above 99%.

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This paper studies stock price comovements in two key regions [the United States and Europe, which is represented by three major European developed countries (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom)]. Our paper uses recent high-frequency data (HFD) and investigates price comovements in the context of “normal times” and crisis periods. To this end, we applied a non-Gaussian Asymmetrical Dynamic Conditional Correlation (ADCC)-GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) model and the Marginal Expected Shortfall (MES) approach. This choice has three advantages: (i) With the development of high-frequency trading (HFT), it is more appropriate to use HFD to test price linkages for overlapping and nonoverlapping data. (ii) The ADCC-GARCH model captures further asymmetry in price comovements. (iii) The use of the MES enables to measure systemic risk contributions around the distribution tails. Accordingly, we offer two interesting findings. First, while the hypothesis of asymmetrical and time-varying stock return linkages is not rejected, the MES approach indicates that both European and US indices make a considerable contribution to each other's systemic risk, with significant input from Frankfurt to the French and US markets, especially following the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Second, we show that the propagation of systemic risk is higher during the crisis period and overlapping trading hours than during nonoverlapping hours. Thus, the MES test is recommended as an indicator to help monitor market exposure to systemic risk and to gauge expected losses for other markets.

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ABSTRACTTesting of staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) for mecA-mediated resistance is challenging. Isolates of Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus warneri were evaluated by cefoxitin and oxacillin broth microdilution (BMD), disk diffusion (DD), and PBP2a immunoassay, and the results were compared to mecA PCR results. No phenotypic susceptibility test correlated well with PCR results across all species, although the PBP2a immunoassay yielded 100% correlation. Oxacillin BMD testing by current Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) SOSA breakpoints led to 2.1% very major errors (VMEs) and 7.1% major errors (ME). Adjusting this breakpoint up by a dilution (susceptible, ≤0.5 μg/ml; resistant, ≥1.0 μg/ml) led to 2.8% VMEs and 0.3% MEs. Among species evaluated, S. haemolyticus had unacceptable VMEs with this new breakpoint (6.4%), as did S. hominis (4.0%). MEs were acceptable by this new breakpoint, ranging from 0 to 1.2%. Oxacillin DD yielded high ME rates (20.7 to 21.7%) using CLSI or European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing breakpoints. VMEs ranged from 0 to 5.3%. Cefoxitin BMD led to 4.9% VMEs and 1.6% MEs. Cefoxitin DD performed best when interpreted with the CLSI SOSA breakpoint, with 1.0% VMEs and 2.9% MEs. This study led CLSI to adjust the oxacillin MIC breakpoints for SOSA. Laboratories should be aware that no individual phenotypic test correlates well across all species of SOSA with mecA PCR results. Molecular testing for mecA or evaluation for PBP2a is the preferred approach.

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A library of 35 benzylacetamide derivatives was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity as reflected in the ED50 (mg/kg) required to suppress seizure activity in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test. Using the method of partial least-squares regression in conjunction with cross-validation, the influence of 31 topological, electronic, physico chemical, and structural properties on anticonvulsant activity was investigated. A QSAR model of the logED50 in the MES test was established (R2adj = 0.77) as a function of the following seven properties: the Wiener index on distance code (Wmean), the mean information index on atomic composition (rIac), the partial charge at the C-terminal carbonyl carbon (qCC), the sum of partial charges in the α substituent (qαtotal), the number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors in the α substituent (Hdα and Haα), and the calculated value of the squared n-octanol/water partition coefficient. Based on this model, two new amido ketone compounds — (R,S)-2-acetamido-5-phenyl-3-pentanone and cis/trans-(R,S)-2-acetamido-5-phenyl-4-penten-3-one — were synthesized and shown to have significant anticonvulsant activity in the MES test.Key words: QSAR, anticonvulsant, benzylacetamide, functionalized amino acid, amido ketones.

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IntroductionThere are manic disorders with depressive symptoms in mixed mania that do not reach the threshold for the diagnosis of mixed episode.Mania and hypomania are evaluated with scales that do not detect the depressive symptoms of patients in manic episode.ObjectivesTo determine the usefulness of HAMD-5 and MES depression scales in patients with bipolar disorder type I and II who have a manic or hypomanic episode with depressive symptoms. These scales were compared with the HAMD-21 and the MADRS scales respectively.Methods100 subjects between 18 and 65 years old were included. All patients met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for bipolar disorder with manic or hypomanic symptoms and major depression.All patients were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 4 weeks during the follow-up.ResultsAt baseline the HAMD-5 and the MES had high reliability (α = 0.88 and α = 0,74 respectively)The test-retest reliability between the 3rd and the 4th week was great for both scales (HAMD-5: r = 0,89; p < 0,001; MES: r = 0,77; p < 0,001).The convergent validity had an acceptable level for the HAMD-5 (HAMD-21/HAMD-5 = 0,73; 95% CI 0,599–0,873) and for the MES (MADRS/MES = 0,79; 95% CI 0,766–0,894)Regarding the discriminant validity, the values for the HAMD-5 and MES were higher than for the HAMD-21 and MADRS respectively (HAM-5: AUC = 0,92, 95% CI: 0,892–0,980; MES: AUC = 0,86, 95% CI: 0,786–0,934).ConclusionsBoth scales showed an adequate correlation with the HAMD-21 and MADRS and a high capacity of detection of mixed, pure and other symptoms as their remission.

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INTRODUCTION. Death certification is very important from public health perspective, in particular, referring to gathering of data for mortality statistics on local and national level. When examining the deceased, medical examiner is capable of detecting indications of violent death and report the case for further inquest. The Public Health Care Act of the Republic of Serbia defines the responsibilities of medical examiner (ME) to certify death and estimate the time and cause of death. On the territory of Belgrade, this Service is organized by Department of Public Health of the City Council. Education of doctors-medical examiners certifying death in Belgrade area was organized during 2002 and 2003. OBJECTIVE. Demonstrate the structure of the Program of continual medical education (CME) of medical examiners in Belgrade area, to look into some aspects of their professional career, and to analyze the results of their testing. METHOD. Based on the Program of CME for medical examiners, test consisting of 13 questions was prepared. These questions were related to thanatology and current legislation. The evaluation of test results as well as particular characteristics (age, duration of professional engagement, etc.) of tested doctors was carried out. RESULTS. A total of 138 participants of CME Program were subjected to test. Mean age of tested MEs was 40.27?8.06 years, while an average duration of professional engagement was 13.43?8.00 years. Almost 2/3 of tested MEs were employed as general practitioners, while the rest were specialists, mainly in internal medicine and emergency medicine. Slightly more than 1/5 of tested MEs (21.7%) failed on the test (less than 60% of maximum score). CONCLUSION. Given the fact that slightly more than 1/5 of tested MEs (21.7%), regardless of duration of their professional engagement, did not pass the test, the level of their specific knowledge of death certification was not sufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to organize periodical CME on specific topics, including practice related to death certification. Accordingly, the Institute of Forensic Medicine in cooperation with Center for CME, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, has created a specific program of CME whose realization is in progress.

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Abstract Background Endoscopic assessment is a core component of disease severity in ulcerative colitis (UC), but subjectivity threatens accuracy and reproducibility. We aimed to develop and test a fully-automated video analysis system for endoscopic disease severity in UC. Methods A developmental dataset of local high-resolution UC colonoscopy videos were generated with Mayo endoscopic scores (MES) provided by experienced local reviewers. Videos were converted into still images stacks and annotated for both sufficient image quality for scoring (informativeness) and MES grade (e.g. Mayo 0,1,2,3). Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were used to train models to predict still image informativeness and disease severity grading with 5-fold cross-validation. Whole video MES models were developed by matching reviewer MES scores with the proportion of still image predicted scores within each video using a template matching grid search. The automated whole video MES workflow was tested in a separate endoscopic video set from an international multicenter UC clinical trial (LYC-30937-EC). Cohen’s kappa coefficient with quadratic weighting was used for agreement assessment. Results The developmental set included 51 high-resolution videos (Mayo 2,3 41.2%), with the multicenter clinical trial containing 264 videos (Mayo 2,3 83.7%, p &lt; .0001) from 157 subjects. In 34,810 frames, the still image informative classifier had excellent performance with an AUC of 0.961, sensitivity of 0.902, and specificity of 0.870. In high-resolution videos, agreement between reviewers and fully-automated MES was very good with correct prediction of exact MES in 78% (40/51,κ=0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.92) of videos (Figure 1). In external clinical trial videos where dual central review was performed, reviewers agreed on exact MES in 82.8% (140/169) of videos (κ = 0.78, 95% CI 0.71–0.86). Automated MES grading of the clinical trial videos (often low resolution) correctly distinguished Mayo 0,1 vs. 2,3 in 83.7% (221/264) of videos. Agreement between automated and central reviewer on exact MES occurred in 57.1% of videos (κ=0.59, 95% CI 0.46–0.71), but improved to 69.5% when accounting for human reviewer disagreement. Automated MES was within 1-level of central scores in 93.5% of videos (247/264). Ordinal characteristics are shown for the automated process, predicting progressively increasing disease severity. TPR, true positive rate; FPR, false-positive rate. Conclusion Though premature for immediate deployment, these early results support the feasibility for artificial intelligence to approach expert-level endoscopic disease grading in UC.

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AbstractIntroductionMobile decontamination units are intended to be used at the accident site to decontaminate persons contaminated by toxic substances. A test program was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of mobile decontamination units.ObjectiveThe tests included functionality, methodology, inside environment, effects of wind direction, and decontamination efficacy.MethodsThree different types of units were tested during summer and winter conditions. Up to 15 test-persons per trial were contaminated with the imitation substances Purasolve ethyl lactate (PEL) and methyl salicylate (MES). Decontamination was carried out according to standardized procedures. During the decontamination trials, the concentrations of the substances inside the units were measured. After decontamination, substances evaporating from test-persons and blankets as well as remaining amounts in the units were measured.ResultsThe air concentrations of PEL and MES inside the units during decontamination in some cases exceeded short-term exposure limits for most toxic industrial chemicals. This was a problem, especially during harmful wind conditions, i.e., wind blowing in the same direction as persons moving through the decontamination units. Although decontamination removed a greater part of the substances from the skin, the concentrations evaporating from some test-persons occasionally were high and potentially harmful if the substances had been toxic. The study also showed that blankets placed in the units absorbed chemicals and that the units still were contaminated five hours after the end of operations.ConclusionsAfter decontamination, the imitation substances still were present and evaporating from the contaminated persons, blankets, and units. These results indicate a need for improvements in technical solutions, procedures, and training.RibordyP, RocksénD, DellgarU, PerssonS, ArnoldssonK, EkåsenH, HäggbomS, NerfO, LjungqvistA, GrythD, ClaessonO. Mobile decontamination units—room for improvement?. Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(4):1–7.

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As the petroleum industry is facing challenges to add more oil reserves in their book, greater emphasis has been placed on improving the ultimate recovery factor for oilfields. When the recovery from primary and secondary methods could not be improved further, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) generally will be sought as the last option. One of the techniques applied in EOR is known as surfactant flooding. Though surfactants are very effective for the incremental oil recovery, there are implications during the post-flooding process. EOR surfactants that derived from petrochemicals generally display negative effects towards the marine ecosystem. This initial study aims to evaluate the potential application of palm oil based methyl ester sulfonate (MES) as a possible candidate for EOR application. Three qualitative and quantitative tests were performed on MES to evaluate its properties and capabilities for application in a specific offshore field. The results obtained from the qualitative compatibility and stability tests show that this anionic surfactant has great stability and compatibility with the brine solution as there are no visible signs of precipitation formation. However, the qualitative phase behavior test results indicated that the surfactant solution although has the ability to react with the crude oil but not at the required micro-emulsion state. In addition, the quantitative interfacial tension (IFT) test results also verified and supported the phase behavior test results where the strength of the MES was not adequate as a single surfactant system to achieve the ultra-low IFT state.

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ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of Citrus maximus (EECM) leaves of maximal electroshock seizure (MES) andpentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models on albino (Wistar strain) rats and mice.Methods: Anticonvulsant activity was carried out by MES model and PTZ-induced clonic convulsions model; in each model, albino rats (Wistar strain)of either sex were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of 6 rats. One group was used as control (3% w/v gum acacia), one as standard(phenytoin), and three groups for the test drug of EECM leaves (doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) treatment. The reduction in time or abolition of tonicextensor phase of MES-convulsions was recorded for all the animals. In PTZ model, either delay or complete abolition of convulsions in rats treatedwith diazepam and EECM leaves was noted for all the animals.Result: EECM leaves reduced the extensor phase of convulsion in MES in a dose-dependent manner and decrease in the duration of convulsions in PTZmodel with increasing dose. Anticonvulsant activity was seen maximum at the dose of 200 mg/kg.Conclusions: Thus, from the above two seizure models of MES and PTZ, it can be concluded that EECM leaves have got an anticonvulsant effect in anincreasing dose-dependent manner.Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Citrus maximus, Maximal electroshock seizure, Pentylenetetrazol.

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Objective: Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anticonvulsant. The aim of the study is to assess the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models on albino (Wistar strain) rats.Methods: Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats both for MES and PTZ model. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin in MES model/diazepam in PTZ model), and three groups for the test drug (EEAC in the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). In MES model, maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 s through earlobe electrodes after 30 min of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. In PTZ model, PTZ was injected 30 min after giving the drugs and normal saline, and onset of action and severity of convulsions were noted. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett’s test.Results: EEAC dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES model, and there was increase in latency and occurrence of convulsions in PTZ model.Conclusion: EEAC has anticonvulsant activity.

Abstract:

Objective: Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anticonvulsant. The aim of the study is to assess the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models on albino (Wistar strain) rats.Methods: Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats both for MES and PTZ model. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin in MES model/diazepam in PTZ model), and three groups for the test drug (EEAC in the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). In MES model, maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 s through earlobe electrodes after 30 min of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. In PTZ model, PTZ was injected 30 min after giving the drugs and normal saline, and onset of action and severity of convulsions were noted. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett’s test.Results: EEAC dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES model, and there was increase in latency and occurrence of convulsions in PTZ model.Conclusion: EEAC has anticonvulsant activity.

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This preliminary randomized clinical trial explores the efficacy of task-oriented electromyography (EMG)-triggered multichannel functional electrical stimulation (EMG-MES) compared to single-channel cyclic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (cNMES) on regaining control of voluntary movements (CVM) and the ability to execute arm-hand-activities in subacute stroke patients with moderate arm paresis. Twelve ischemic stroke patients (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Arm Section (FMA-AS) score: 19–47) with comparable demographics were block-randomized to receive 15 sessions of cNMES or EMG-MES over three weeks additionally to a conventional neurorehabilitation program including task-oriented arm training. FMA-AS, Box-and-Block Test (BBT), and Stroke-Impact-Scale (SIS) were recorded at baseline and follow-up. All participants demonstrated significant improvement in FMA-AS and BBT. Participants treated with EMG-MES had a higher mean gain in FMA-AS than those treated with cNMES. In the SIS daily activities domain, both groups improved non-significantly; participants in the EMG-MES group had higher improvement in arm-hand use and stroke recovery. EMG-MES treatment demonstrated a higher gain of CVM and self-reported daily activities, arm-hand use, and stroke recovery compared to cNMES treatment of the wrist only. The protocol of this proof-of-concept study seems robust enough to be used in a larger trial to confirm these preliminary findings.

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Novel naphthoquinone derivatives bearing 1,2,4-triazine- (4a–b) and 1,2,4-triazole (5a–e) pharmacophores have been synthesized; their structure was confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The obtained heterocyclic compounds were estimated for their anticonvulsant activity on models of chemical- and electrical-induced seizures in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) tests, respectively. Forced swimming test was used to evaluate the antidepressant effect of the naphthoquinone derivatives under study. Compounds 4a–b and 5a–e (100 mg kg–1) demonstrated anticonvulsant action comparable with valproic acid in PTZ-test and prevented the death of 100% of mice in MES model at 3 h and 24 h after oral administration. Moreover, these derivatives showed prolonged antidepressant-like properties, significantly reducing the duration of immobility time in comparison with the reference drug amitriptyline.

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Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest and most common adult brain malignancy, is molecularly and clinically heterogeneous. The most common subtype (both primary and recurrent), mesenchymal (MES)-GBM, has the worst prognosis and highest treatment resistance. MES-GBM exhibits hyperactive transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), a Hippo tumor suppressive pathway effector whose expression in GBMs predicts short survival. Yet, how Hippo-TAZ dysregulation might drive GBM MES transition remains elusive, precluding subtype-specific treatments. Tumor evolution requires signaling dysregulation and co-opting the tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding GBM heterogeneity was recently complicated by the notion that subtypes vary in TME immune composition. The MES-GBM TME is differentially-distorted in silico, with more tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs) and neutrophils (TANs). Yet, how TAZ hyperactivity, MES transition, and GBM TME distortion interrelate and impact tumor progression remains unknown. We suspected that TME distortion facilitates immune evasion, MES transition, and tumor progression, worsening treatment responses. To test this, we devised an orthotopic xenograft mouse model phenotypically and histopathologically recapitulating human MES-GBM by expressing constitutively-active TAZ (TAZ4SA) in human GBM cells lacking MES signatures (GBM4SA). GBM4SA mice lived significantly shorter compared to mice with GBM expressing vector (GBMvector) or mutant TAZ unable to bind its effector, TEAD (GBM4SA-S51A). Moreover, more myeloid cells infiltrate the GBM4SA TME than the GBMvector or GBM4SA-S51A TMEs. While most myeloid cells infiltrating the GBMvector and GBM4SA-S51A TMEs were TAMs, most infiltrating the GBM4SA TME were TANs, suggesting TAZ hyperactivation differentially distorts the TME. Next, to delineate the roles of TANs in GBM4SA tumor progression, mice were depleted of neutrophils by administering Ly6G antibody. Serial blood smears and flow cytometry revealed effective depletion was achieved. We are currently investigating the impact of systemic neutrophil depletion on GBM mesenchymal transition and tumor progression in hopes of informing future GBM clinical management and novel TME-targeted immunotherapies.

Abstract:

Novel (benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yloxy)-N′-(4-substituted benzylidene)acetohydrazide derivatives were synthesized and their anticonvulsant activity evaluated by MES and scMET seizure models. Compound 2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yloxy)-N′-benzylideneacetohydrazide (4a) was found to be most potent in MES seizure test and showed no neurotoxicity at the highest administered dose. All the compounds showed high docking score with γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, GABAAR-β3 hom*opentamer (PDB ID: 4COF). Thus, the probable mechanism of action of benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yloxy-N′-(4-substituted benzylidene)acetohydrazide derivatives (4a-h) may be augmentation of GABAergic activity.

Abstract:

La Base de Données pour les Observatoires en Hydrologie (BDOH) est un outil de bancarisation qui permet de combiner les mesures de débit, de matières en suspension (MES) et de contaminants particulaires issues d'un même réseau de stations pour calculer des chroniques de flux instantanés et cumulés. Cette application est utilisée dans le cadre de l'Observatoire des Sédiments du Rhône (OSR) pour estimer les flux de MES et de contaminants associés (Hg, PCB,...) en transit dans le Rhône et ses principaux affluents. Cependant, avant le calcul de ces chroniques, les données mères lacunaires doivent être reconstituées. Un test de sensibilité a été mené afin d'évaluer l'impact de différentes méthodes d'estimation des chroniques de concentrations en MES et en Hg particulaire sur les calculs de flux instantanés et cumulés dans le Rhône aux deux stations principales de l'OSR (Jons et Arles). Les résultats montrent que, quelle que soit la méthode d'estimation utilisée, les flux annuels de MES et de Hg particulaire ne diffèrent pas plus de 5 %. A l'échelle mensuelle, en revanche, les différentes méthodes génèrent des variabilités plus élevées (26-51 %). En perspective, ces premiers résultats seront complétés par l'évaluation des incertitudes quantitatives sur les calculs de flux particulaires.

Abstract:

Background: The objective of this present study was to determine and evaluate the nature and types of medication errors (MEs) in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This was a prospective, observational study was conducted on medication errors in a tertiary care hospital, Kakinada during January 2019 to December 2019. MEs were categorized as prescription error (PE), transcription error (TE), dispensing error (DE), and administration error (AE). The case records and treatment charts were reviewed. The one-way ANOVA test for independent measures was done for statistical analysis.Results: A total of 5792 patients were included during the study period. Total numbers of MEs were n=353 (6.10%). The most common ME was TEs n=191 (54%) followed by AEs n=117 (33%). Nursing errors n=316 were more compared to doctors’ errors n=18. The one-way Anova test for independent measures was done for statistical analysis; the f-ratio value is 6.44654. The p-value is 0.004332. The result is significant at p<0.05.Conclusions: There is a need to establish effective ME reporting system to reduce its incidence and improve patient care and safety. Regular trainings and interdepartmental sharing of facts on medication errors should be done at regular intervals.

Abstract:

LBA2010 Background: RTOG 0825 evaluated the addition of BEV to standard CRT in the treatment of GBM and included molecular stratification that assessed the degree of mesenchymal (MES) gene enrichment. We investigated the ability of the MES signature to predict response to BEV. Methods: Sufficient FFPE tissue for molecular analysis was available for 650 registered, eligible patients. TaqMan PCR was performed prospectively using the molecular stratifier on all patients and an expanded 43 member MES set on 234 cases. A subset of specimens was subjected to whole genome expression profiling (GEP). Predictive models were evaluated for their ability to predict survival (overall, OS, and progression-free, PFS) in the training cohort of the BEV arm after adjusting for prognostic factors and treatment arm. Unsupervised clustering of GEP data was used to identify molecular subsets and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) performed to evaluate for MES enrichment. Results: We observed a significant association between increasing MES signature and worse PFS and OS in the BEV arm (p=0.036 and p=0.032, respectively). Based on the association between high MES expression and poor outcome in the BEV arm, we sought to optimize a predictor using an expanded set of MES genes. Unbiased gene selection from a total of 43 genes followed by radial basis machine modeling identified a 10-gene predictor of outcome in the BEV arm (p<0.001/HR 4.04 for OS and p<0.001/HR 2.21 for PFS). To further support the association of MES enrichment and poor outcome in the BEV arm, we performed GEP. Unsupervised clustering identified a subtype of tumors with MES enrichment associated with the 10-gene predictor survival probability (p=0.0124, t-test). Ongoing studies will determine the extent to which this represents a predictive marker for BEV. Conclusions: We developed a 10-gene predictor specific to BEV treatment and suitable for FFPE that may serve to identify subsets of patients with newly diagnosed GBM who benefit from BEV. Supported by RTOG grant U10 CA21661, CCOP grant U10 CA37422, and Brain SPORE P50 CA127001 from the NCI and Genentech. Clinical trial information: NCT00884741.

Abstract:

Most of Indonesian oil fi eld had been categorized as mature fi led in which production had been declinedfor some time. Therefore EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) technology is a must to be implemented to thesekinds of fi eld. There are several EOR technologies had been employed successfully in laboratory and alsofi eld scales, including gas, thermal, and chemical injection. Most Indonesian oil fi elds have productivelayers depths below 2200ft that will not suitable for gas injection. So that chemical injections become animportant alternative that can be implemented to more wide range of depths. These technologies coveralkaline, surfactant, and polymer injection. This paper will highlight the selection and formulation ofsurfactant formulated from MES (Methyl Ester Sulfonates) produced from Palm Oils. These palm oils areavailable very abundant in Indonesia due to plenty farm palm oil in Indonesia. Normally Surfactants areformulated from petroleum sulfonates which are generated from petroleum base. By Using Surfactant that willbe manufactured from palm oil, it will be expected that the price will be cheaper compare to the surfactantfrom petroleum. A series of researches have been done to select the sources of palm oils, producing MESby sulfonation processes, and fi nally surfactant screening for EOR. Several types of MES produced fromvaries of palm oil taken from market such as: CPO (crude palm oil), several packed palm oils of differenttrademarks have been generated. These MES, then, have been given codes to differentiate among these MESsuch as: 1. CCO-MES (A), 2. CCO ME-MES (B), 3. Oleic Acid- MES (C), 4. Natrium Bisulfi t- MES1 (D),5. ME+H2SO4-MES2 (E), 6. CPO-MES (F). These MES production, then, have been formulated to becomesurfactant formula by adding some chemicals and solvent. After that alkaline ((Na2CO3) with optimizedconcentrations were added to generate the best EOR properties. All those Surfactant-MES have been testedusing Lemigas standard laboratory EOR screening; those are compatibility tests, IFT measurements, thermalstability, adsorption, fi ltration, phase behavior, imbibitions and core fl ooding. The result of the screening ofthe MES-chemicals mixtures shows that mixture of CPO-MES (F) with chemical and solvent with the mixturecomposition denoted as FChS811 has the best performance. 1% of this mixture has the best properties forEOR after adding 0.1% of Alkaline (Na2CO3). Laboratory test results indicates that fulfi ll screening criteriasuh as good compatibility and no precipitation, low IFT, thermal stability, low adsorption, low fi ltrationratio, Winsor type-I phase behavior, high RF on imbibition and core fl ooding tests. This Surfactant-MESmixture has a potential to be implemented for a fi eld trial with Huff and Puff method.