A hybrid GA and PSO optimized approach for heart-disease prediction based on random forest

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Nowadays, heart diseases are significantly contributing to deaths all over the world. Thus, heart-disease prediction has garnered considerable attention in the...     

Mangiferin Inhibits Apoptosis in Doxorubicin-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cells via the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Doxorubicin increases endothelial permeability, hence increasing cardiomyocytes’ exposure to doxorubicin (DOX) and exposing myocytes to more immediate damage. Reactive oxygen species are major effector molecules of doxorubicin’s activity. Mangiferin (MGN) is a xanthone derivative that consists of C-glucosylxanthone with additional antioxidant properties. This particular study assessed the effects of MGN on DOX-induced cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells’ (HUVECs’) signaling networks. Mechanistically, MGN dramatically elevated Nrf2 expression at both the messenger RNA and protein levels through the upregulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, leading to an increase in Nrf2-downstream genes. Cell apoptosis was assessed with a caspase-3 activity assay, transferase-mediated dUTP-fluorescein nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to assess DNA fragmentation, and protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. DOX markedly increased the generation of reactive oxygen species, PARP, caspase-3, and TUNEL-positive cell numbers, but reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and antioxidants’ intracellular concentrations. These were effectively antagonized with MGN (20 μM), which led to HUVECs being protected against DOX-induced apoptosis, partly through the PI3K/AKT-mediated NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway, which could theoretically protect the vessels from severe DOX toxicity.     

Structural,Optical and Magnetic Properties of Zn1−xCdxO Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors Nanoparticles

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - Zn1?xCdxO (x?=?0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1) nanoparticles were prepared using polyol technique. The prepared nanoparticles...     

The effect of epoxidized vegetable oil and phthalic anhydride as compatibilizers on properties of rubber seed shell/polypropylene composites

Iranian Polymer Journal - Numerous adverse effects are reported from excessive usage of synthetic polyolefins including major environmental concerns. Since then, the development of natural-based...     

Advances in Lupus Nephritis Pathogenesis: From Bench to Bedside

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototype of autoimmune disorders caused by a loss of tolerance to endogenous nuclear antigens triggering an aberrant autoimmune response targeting various tissues. Lupus nephritis (LN), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE, affects up to 60% of patients. The recent insights into the genetic and molecular basis of SLE and LN paved the way for newer therapies to be developed for these patients. Apart from the traditional B-cell-centered view of this disease pathogenesis, acknowledging that multiple extrarenal and intrarenal pathways contribute to kidney-specific autoimmunity and injury may help refine the individual therapeutic and prognostic characterization of such patients. Accordingly, the formerly induction-maintenance treatment strategy was recently challenged with the exciting results obtained from the trials that evaluated add-on therapy with voclosporin, belimumab, or Obinutuzumab. The scope of this review is to provide an insight into the current knowledge of LN pathogenesis and future therapeutic strategies.     

Characterization of Dog Glutathione Transferase P1-1, an Enzyme Relevant to Veterinary Medicine

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) form a family of detoxication enzymes instrumental in the inactivation and elimination of electrophilic mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. The Pi class GST P1-1 is present in most tissues and is commonly overexpressed in neoplastic cells. GST P1-1 in the dog, Canis lupus familiaris, has merits as a marker for tumors and as a target for enzyme-activated prodrugs. We produced the canine enzyme CluGST P1-1 by heterologous bacterial expression and verified its cross-reactivity with antihuman-GST P1-1 antibodies. The catalytic activity with alternative substrates of biological significance was determined, and the most active substrate found was benzyl isothiocyanate. Among established GST inhibitors, Cibacron Blue showed positive cooperativity with an IC₅₀ value of 43 nM. Dog GST P1-1 catalyzes activation of the prodrug Telcyta, but the activity is significantly lower than that of the human homolog.     

Study of Corrosion Behavior and In Vitro Bioactivity of Single NbSi2 and Duplex NbSi2/Nb5Si3 Coatings on Nb Substrates for Biomedical Applications

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Single NbSi2 and duplex NbSi2/Nb5Si3 coatings were successfully applied on Nb substrates using halide activated pack cementation (HAPC)...     

Refinement of primary carbides in AISI DC 53 cold work tool steel by thin section copper permanent mould casting and water atomization

In this study, as alternative methods to conventional production methods involving thin section copper permanent mould casting (fast solidification) and water atomization (rapid solidification) of AISI DC 53 cold work tool steel have been investigated. Thin slabs obtained by copper mould casting was homogenized at 1150 °C for one hour and then hot rolling was be applied. After hot rolling, conventional heat treatment have been applied to thin slabs. The same heat treatment procedure have been performed for a commercially available AISI DC 53 which is manufactured by thick section ingot casting and rolling. In order to investigate also the effect of rapid solidification on AISI DC 53 tool steel, steel powder was produced by water atomization technique. Experiments have revealed that thin steel slabs in permanent copper mould and rapidly solidified tool steel powder by water atomization have a more refined primary M₇C₃ carbides than commercially available steel.