131 research outputs found
Gelasia attariana E. Hatami, Mirtadz. & Ebrahimi 2023, sp. nov.
No full text<i>Gelasia attariana</i> E. Hatami, Mirtadz. & Ebrahimi, <i>sp. nov.</i> (Figs. 1A, B, C, D, E & 2). <p> <b>Type</b>:— IRAN. Azerbaijan, southeast of Jolfa, Qeshlaq village, near the waterfall, 38°46.924′ N, 45°47.486′ E, 1940 m a.s.l., 8 Jul 2013, <i>Mirtadzadini 2294</i> (holotype MIR!; isotypes MIR!, TUH!).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis</b>:— <i>Gelasia attariana</i> is similar to <i>G. cinerea</i> and <i>G. wendelboi</i> in its caulescent perennial life form, lanceolate entire leaves with 3–7 parallel veins, tomentose indumentum of phyllaries and glabrous achenes without carpopodium. However, it differs from <i>G. cinerea</i> in its sparse (vs. tomentose) indumentum of stems and leaves, green (vs. greengrey) color of leaves, acuminate (vs. acute) leaf apex, narrowly (vs. broadly) campanulate shape of capitula and longer plant height and higher length/width ratio of leaves as compared to <i>G. cinerea</i>. Please see Table 1 for diagnostic morphological characters between <i>G. attariana</i>, <i>G. cinerea</i> and <i>G. wendelboi</i>.</p> <p>.</p> <p> <b>Description</b>:—Caulescent perennial herb. Rootstock thick, cylindrical, vertical. Root collar without or with few remnants of leaf sheaths. Stems 45–55(–60) cm, numerous, branched from the base, erect or ascending, sparsely pubescent, sulcate, leafy up to inflorescence. Leaves entire, sparsely pubescent, linear to lanceolate, reduced toward stem apex, 10–14 times as long as broad, green or yellow-green, five-nerved, upper stem leaves (6–) 8–10 cm long, lower stem leaves (12–)14–18(–22) cm long. Capitula narrowly campanulate. Phyllaries lanceolate, acute, tomentose, with membranous margin, 14–16 mm long at flowering (Fig. 1C), 21–24 mm long at fruiting (Fig. 1D). Ligules yellow. Achenes 10–12 mm long, glabrous, non-stipitate, conspicuously ribbed, smooth along ribs, cream or pale brown. Pappus 14–15 mm long, pale yellow, bristles plumose below, scabrid above (Fig. 1E).</p> <p> <b>Phenology</b>:—Flowering late June–early July, fruiting July.</p> <p> <b>Etymology</b>:—The new species name is dedicated to the eminent Iranian botanist, Dr. Farideh Attar, who conducted valuable researches on Asteraceae in Iran.</p> <p> <b>Distribution and habitat</b>:—Based on our findings, <i>G. attariana</i> was found only in its type locality, NW Iran (Fig. 3). This new species is an Irano-Turanian element, growing on rocky slopes in the subalpine zone, at elevations of 1900–1980 m a.s.l. (Figs. 1A, B).</p> <p> <b>Phylogenetic and taxonomic remarks</b>:—In this study, molecular phylogenetic analysis included representatives of all major lineages of subtribe Scorzonerinae as recognized in recent molecular phylogenetic studies (Zaika <i>et al.</i> 2020, Hatami <i>et al.</i> 2022). In total, nrITS sequences of 32 species of Scorzonerinae were included in our analysis as ingroup, of which eight sequences were newly generated, one was from the new species and the others belonged to seven <i>Gelasia</i> species (<i>G. cinerea</i>, <i>G. latifolia</i>, <i>G. persica</i>, <i>G. ramosissima</i>, <i>G. subaphylla</i>, <i>G. wendelboi</i> and <i>G. xylobasis</i>) which are morphologically similar to the new species (Appendix 1, Fig. 4). The aligned DNA matrix comprised of 32 sequences and 749 characters including 55 coded indels, 274 parsimony informative sites and 142 parsimony uninformative sites. Maximum parsimony analysis resulted in 20 most parsimonious trees with a length of 1171, a consistency index of 0.548 and a retention index of 0.690. The majority-rule consensus tree from the Bayesian analysis along with the posterior probabilities (PP) as well as jack-knife support (JK) from MP analysis and bootstrap values (BS) from ML analysis are represented in Fig. 4.</p> <p> The results obtained from our molecular analysis (Fig. 4) demonstrated that the new species (<i>Gelasia attariana</i> SC 37) falls into the strongly supported clade containing members of <i>Gelasia</i> (1 PP, 100 JK, 100 BS). The tree topology is in agreement with our morphological investigations that confirmed the treatment of the new species as a member of <i>Gelasia</i>. Within the <i>Gelasia</i> clade, the new species, <i>G. attariana,</i> was highly supported as sister to the subclade comprising a polytomy of <i>G. cinerea</i>, <i>G. wendelboi</i>, <i>G. persica</i> (Boissier & Buhse 1860: 139) Hatami <i>et al.</i> (2022: 20) and <i>G. xylobasis</i> (Rechinger 1977: 66) Hatami <i>et al.</i> (2022: 20) (1 PP, 97 JK, 99 BS). Therefore, our molecular analysis demonstrated the close relationship of <i>G. attariana</i> with the latter four species and confirmed that <i>G. attariana</i> can be recognized as a species distinct from its close relatives.</p> <p> Consistently, our morphological investigations revealed that <i>G. attariana</i> shares some morphological characters, such as lanceolate entire leaves with 3–7 parallel veins, tomentose indumentum of phyllaries and glabrous achenes without carpopodium, with <i>G. cinerea</i>, <i>G. persica</i>, <i>G. wendelboi</i> and <i>G. xylobasis</i>, members of the subclade that was resolved as sister to <i>G. attariana</i> in our molecular analysis. However, <i>G. attariana</i> is distinguishable from <i>G. cinerea</i> and <i>G. wendelboi</i> by plant height, stem and leaves indumentum type, leaves color, apex of leaves, length/width ratio of leaves, capitula shape and achene and pappus length (Table 1).</p> <p> In comparisons between <i>G. attariana</i>, <i>G. persica</i> and <i>G. xylobasis</i>, it was revealed that the differences in plant height, stem and leaves indumentum type, length/width ratio of leaves and length of achene and pappus are more obvious, since <i>G. persica</i> and <i>G. xylobasis</i> are characterized by a shorter plant height (8–15 cm), tomentose indumentum of stems and leaves, lower length/width ratio of leaves (2–5(–7) times as long as broad), and shorter length of achenes (6–9 cm) and pappus (8–12 cm).</p> <p> Through our morphological examinations of herbarium specimens, we noticed that a population of <i>G. latifolia</i> (Fischer & Meyer 1835: 30) Zaika <i>et al.</i> (2020: 75) (≡ <i>Scorzonera latifolia</i> Fischer & Meyer) collected from NW of Iran (Iran, Azerbaijan, east of Khoi, Seied Tadzadin mountain, 6 Jul 2013, <i>Mirtadzadini 2293</i>, MIR!) was morphologically similar to <i>G. attariana</i> in some vegetative characters including plant height (50–55 cm), shape and length of leaves (linear-lanceolate, 10–16 cm), length/width ratio of leaves (11–14 times as long as broad), and stem and leaves indumentum type (sparsely pubescent). Nevertheless, these two species can be easily distinguished from each other by the presence of densely lanate hairs on achenes of <i>G. latifolia</i> versus glabrous achenes in <i>G. attariana</i>. Besides the above-mentioned species, <i>G. ketzkhovelii</i> (Sosn. ex Grossheim 1934: 240) Zaika <i>et al.</i> (2020: 75) (≡ <i>Scorzonera ketzkhovelii</i> Sosn. ex Grossheim) from the Caucasus and Turkey was recognized as morphologically similar to <i>G. attariana</i> by its caulescent perennial life form, entire leaves with 3–7 parallel veins and glabrous achenes without carpopodium. However, they are different from each other since <i>G. ketzkhovelii</i> is characterized by the velutinous indumentum of stems and leaves, ovate-lanceolate leaves, and glabrous phyllaries compared to the sparse indumentum of stems and leaves, linear-lanceolate leaves and tomentose indumentum of phyllaries in <i>G. attariana</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Ebrahimi, Atefeh, Hatami, Elham, Safavi, Seyed Reza & Mirtadzadini, Mansour, 2023, Gelasia attariana (Scorzonerinae, Cichorieae, Asteraceae), a new species from NW of Iran, inferred from morphological and molecular data, pp. 165-174 in Phytotaxa 597 (2)</i> on pages 167-170, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.597.2.6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7929359">http://zenodo.org/record/7929359</a>
FIGURE 4. Bayesian 50 in Gelasia attariana (Scorzonerinae, Cichorieae, Asteraceae), a new species from NW of Iran, inferred from morphological and molecular data
No full textFIGURE 4. Bayesian 50 % majority-rule consensus tree inferred from the nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer dataset. Values above nodes indicate posterior probability (bold) and jack-knife support (italic), and values below nodes indicate bootstrap support. Tip names correspond to species names and GenBank numbers or DNA numbers for newly generated sequences; see Appendix 1 for specimen details. The star corresponds to the monophyletic Gelasia lineage. Gelasia attariana was highlighted by red color.Published as part of Ebrahimi, Atefeh, Hatami, Elham, Safavi, Seyed Reza & Mirtadzadini, Mansour, 2023, Gelasia attariana (Scorzonerinae, Cichorieae, Asteraceae), a new species from NW of Iran, inferred from morphological and molecular data, pp. 165-174 in Phytotaxa 597 (2) on page 171, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.597.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/792935
Impact of Hot and Arid Climate on Architecture (Case Study: Varzaneh Jame Mosque)
No full textAbstractGenerally, in architectural literature, scholars argue that there are lots of factors that affect on type of architecture. One of the most important factors is impact of kind of climate on architecture type. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on construction and local architecture in hot and arid regions with special focus on Varzaneh city. A Jame mosque, which is the most important building in the city, is selected for case study. According to the findings in this study, this mosque was climatically designed in accordance with the economic and social context of the region
Study of the side effects of Docetaxel as chemotherapy medicine on changing the expression of genes of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from patients with breast cancer
No full textThe present study strived to ascertain the side effects of chemotherapy on the pathogenic potential of Enterococcus faecalis (a natural microflora bacteria) isolated from patients with breast cancer. Participants included 400 female sufferers from breast cancer before and after the period of chemotherapy and 400 healthy people living with patients.After RNA extracted from the stool of all the participants, cDNA was constructed. Nineteen virulent genes (vanB, vanA, VanC-3,VanC-2, VanC-1, aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia, Tet(L), Erm(B), gelE, esp, gyrA,slyA, cylA,cylB,cylM, asa1, aggA, efaA and enlA) of E. faecalis were assessed by Real-Time qPCR. The findings revealed a statistically significant correlation between the expression level of fourteen virulence genes(vanA(p = 0.033), vanB(p = 0.003), VanC-3(p = 0.003), aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia(p = 0.005), Erm(B) (p = 0.008), gelE(p = 0.002), esp(p = 0.0005), gyrA(p = 0.003), slyA(p = 0.001), cylA(p = 0.003), cylB(p = 0.0002), asa1(p = 0.003), aggA(p = 0.003), efaA(p = 0.003))in the group of the sufferers after chemotherapy and the other two groups (P<0.05).Additionally, the observation of patient group after chemotherapy showed an outstanding association between overexpression ofantibiotic resistance genes (vanA, vanB, VanC-3, Erm(B), aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia) and observation of the antibiotic resistance (vancomycin, erythromycin, gentamicin in respectively). Interestingly, while Docetaxel seems to be a suitable medicine to treat breast cancer, it may change the balance of mRNA expression of microflora. These could trigger infections during the cancer chemotherapy
Design, Development and Evaluation of Dual Drug Nanomedicine for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
No full textResistance to conventional chemotherapy is a big challenge in the treatment of cancer including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A combination of natural chemo sensitizer agents with chemotherapy offers unique advantages over monotherapy alone. However, free unbound drugs, (in combination or as a single agent), lack tumor-targeted accumulation and therefore can be easily eliminated from the patient body. Moreover, some drugs are hydrophobic, and their organic solvents cause in vivo toxicity, thereby limiting their capability in clinical translation. Herein, dual loaded biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) using Gemcitabine (Gem)a pyrimidine nucleoside antimetabolite and Gambogic acid (GA) (a highly hydrophobic chemo sensitizer agent)- were developed on human serum albumin-tannic acid nano-platform (HTA) for targeted treatment of NSCLC.Our in vitro results demonstrate that Gem and GA combination therapy has tremendous potential due to their high efficacy on NSCLC, and GA sensitize NSCLC to Gem therapy. However, GA used in combination with Gem suffers from limited solubility which subsequently leads to a decline in therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, in order to overcome this, in the present study GA and Gem were encapsulated in human serum albumin-tannic acid nanoparticles by the solvent evaporation method. In this platform, HTA is a biocompatible nanocarrier that binds to both GA and Gem. Physico chemical characterizations studies revealed that GA and Gem are successfully encapsulated in HTA NPs with uniform spherical morphology. These nanoparticles were readily taken up by NSCLC cells (A549 and H1299) in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Apart from an increase in GA solubility, encapsulated GA and Gem subsequently manifested elevated therapeutic efficacy, which was confirmed by cell viability, colony formation, migration and invasion studies. Furthermore, in vivo and ex vivo imaging analysis demonstrated notable tumor-targeting behavior of our uniquely designed HTA NPs in mice bearing A549 xenograft tumors. These findings clearly illustrate that our dual loaded NPs can be efficiently utilized to improve cancer therapy and tumor eradication
Hybrid real-time task scheduling algorithm in overload situation for multiprocessor system
No full textReal-time systems are reactive systems which
should meet major constraints in scheduling tasks like time
limitation and resources allocation for scheduling the task
effectively when the system in overloaded condition. Failure of
system in scheduling tasks when system is overloaded can result
in catastrophic impacts. The goal of this research is to propose a
task scheduling algorithm that able to perform better than
traditional Earliest Deadline First (EDF) and minimize the
overall completion time when the system in overloaded
condition. The proposed scheduling algorithm is built based on
three new improved scheduling algorithms namely: (1) Hybrid
Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Hybrid Invasive Weed
Optimization (HPIO), (2) Enhanced Initial Swarm (EIS), and (3)
Hybrid EDF, EIS and HPIO Optimization (HEDFPIO). The
author proves that more successful tasks is scheduled by using
HPIO in multiprocessor system in over loaded situation among
PSO and ACO. The author uses EIS algorithm in order to
improve local search in HPIO and have fair load balance among
processors. Finally the author presents a new hybrid algorithm
that combines HPIO, EIS and EDF which is called HEDFPIO,
It is observed that we could achieve higher successful ratio in
task scheduling and with shorter calculation time in overloaded
situation
Abstract LB-070: Nano self-assemblies of paclitaxel for breast cancer treatment
No full textAbstract
Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Paclitaxel (Ptx) is an FDA-approved and frequently used chemotherapeutic agent against various cancers, including BC. However its adverse side effects and chemoresistance against it, limits its use in the clinic. Minimizing the toxicity issues of Ptx through nanoparticle technology (such as Ptx bound to human serum albumin nanoformulation, i.e., Abraxane®) is feasible and has displayed encouraging outcomes. With this background, we aim to generate Ptx self-assemblies (PSAs) using various biocompatible polymers and surfactants, and to evaluate its efficacy against BC cells.
Methods: PSAs composed of Ptx dispersion or a core formation with a polymer at a weight ratio of 1:50. The extent of Ptx assembly/binding efficiency was determined using a fluorescence quenching study. FT-IR spectral study was employed to confirm the presence of Ptx in PSAs. The optimal polymers for forming PSAs were identified through measurement of particle size, zeta potential and TEM. Another check point of generating a better PSAs was evaluated by its extent of cellular internalization in BC cells and through hemolytic assay. Finally, the finalized PSAs were examined for in vitro activity in BC cells using proliferation, colony formation, and immunoblotting assays.
Results: We screened 22 biocompatible polymers for PSA formation, out of which 8 were finalized due to excellent Ptx binding profiles, appropriate particle size ranges (40-300 nm), zeta potentials (-14.0 to -4.0 mV), and superior internalization in BC cells. The optimized PSAs exhibited enhanced anti-cancer capability in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 BC cells in proliferation and colony formation assays, compared to free Ptx. This was further affirmed through tubulin stabilization studies. Further, PSA treatment in BC cells demonstrates a distinct induction of the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and distinct downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins.
Conclusion: Overall this study suggests a simple and feasible Ptxl self-assembly approach for achieving superior anti-cancer activity with Ptx.
Citation Format: Prashanth Kumar Bhusetty Nagesh, Pallabita Chowdhury, Sumeeth S. Chauhan, Elham Hatami, Sheema Khan, Bilal Hafeez, Subhash C. Chauhan, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu. Nano self-assemblies of paclitaxel for breast cancer treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-070. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-070</jats:p
The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training on Hepatic Enzymes in Males With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
No full textBackground: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease associated with inactivity and obesity. Physical activity and exercise could affect the risk of NAFLD progression by improving the hepatic lipid profiles.
Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combination of aerobic and resistance training on hepatic enzymes in males with NAFLD.
Patients and Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-two untrained males with NAFLD (aged = 32.93±2.15years, weight = 86.01.51±8.40 kg) were recruited and randomly divided into equal experimental and control groups. The trained group took part in a combination aerobic and resistance training program for eight weeks (three times per week). The control group
continued their routine life. The weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), HDL/LDL, TC/HDL, aspartate aminotransferase
(AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured before and after the protocol.
Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the traininggrouphadsignificant changes in weight, BMI, TC, TG, LDL, VLDL, HDL/LDL, TC/ HDL, AST and ALT, whereas there was no significant change in HDL in NAFLD patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The results suggest that physical activity improves metabolic parameters,which interfere in the development of fatty liver and has a protective role against the development of NAFLD.
Keywords: Fatty Liver, Exercise, Lipid Profiles, Hepatic Enzyme
Happiness management through corporate volunteering in advancing CSR
No full textAbstract
Purpose:
To respond to recent calls for better understanding of the complexities related to happiness management, especially from the employees' perspective, this study examines how corporate volunteering (CV), as one form of corporate social responsibility (CSR), creates sustainable happiness in business organizations.
Design/methodology/approach:
Theoretical knowledge of CSR and CV as well as the literature on happiness management was examined to form a preliminary understanding of the phenomenon. The empirical section includes a qualitative multiple case study including two company cases of CV in Finland. The data were collected through qualitative interviews. Empirical analysis was made using thematical coding based on existing theory but also by allowing themes to emerge inductively from the data as well.
Findings:
The study found that CV enables the emergence of sustainable happiness by allowing individual employee volunteers to transition from individual and rational mindsets to collective and emotional mindsets. A third transition was also identified, a process of change in the volunteers' approach in life that the authors describe as “from actual to potential”.
Originality/value:
The study provides a theoretical contribution to the existing literature on happiness management by identifying the third dimension, from actual to potential, and depicting the way this allows employees to move from a state of being to becoming and thus the emergence of sustainable happiness. The study also contributes to existing literature on CV and CSR by revealing the way CV, as a form of practical CSR activity, generates happiness. This study concludes that companies' strategic activities that engage with society can create sustainable happiness for employees who participate. In order to achieve this, volunteering employees should have the chance to reflect on their experience and constant support from managers.Abstract
Purpose:
To respond to recent calls for better understanding of the complexities related to happiness management, especially from the employees' perspective, this study examines how corporate volunteering (CV), as one form of corporate social responsibility (CSR), creates sustainable happiness in business organizations.
Design/methodology/approach:
Theoretical knowledge of CSR and CV as well as the literature on happiness management was examined to form a preliminary understanding of the phenomenon. The empirical section includes a qualitative multiple case study including two company cases of CV in Finland. The data were collected through qualitative interviews. Empirical analysis was made using thematical coding based on existing theory but also by allowing themes to emerge inductively from the data as well.
Findings:
The study found that CV enables the emergence of sustainable happiness by allowing individual employee volunteers to transition from individual and rational mindsets to collective and emotional mindsets. A third transition was also identified, a process of change in the volunteers' approach in life that the authors describe as “from actual to potential”.
Originality/value:
The study provides a theoretical contribution to the existing literature on happiness management by identifying the third dimension, from actual to potential, and depicting the way this allows employees to move from a state of being to becoming and thus the emergence of sustainable happiness. The study also contributes to existing literature on CV and CSR by revealing the way CV, as a form of practical CSR activity, generates happiness. This study concludes that companies' strategic activities that engage with society can create sustainable happiness for employees who participate. In order to achieve this, volunteering employees should have the chance to reflect on their experience and constant support from managers
Variation of fatigue strength of parts manufactured by laser powder bed fusion
No full textThis study reports the variability of the fatigue strength of specimens manufactured by the laser powder bed fusion process with respect to their location on the build plate. Specimens from the right-hand and left-hand halves of the build plate were tested under high cycle fatigue. Comparison of the fatigue data suggests that the specimens manufactured on the right-hand half of the build plate have a higher fatigue strength than those manufactured on the left-hand half. One reason for the observed discrepancy in fatigue strength was the higher accumulation of spattered powder particles on the left-hand side as compared to the right-hand side of the build plate. These spattered particles are oxidised, and form defects such as inclusions within the specimen. © 2021 The Author(s
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