Formula Weight Research Articles

Assessment of levels of Vitamin D and Leptin in comparison of BMI among medical students

Introduction: Vitamin D is one of fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and phosphate. Deficiency of Vitamin D is unrecognized in many parts of the world. Leptin is a hormone which is derived from adipose tissue. Studies have shown that vitamin D has a negative and powerful control on leptin secretion by vitamin D by acting on the adipose tissue. Aim and Objectives: The study was done to study the relationship between Vitamin D and Leptin based on Body mass index among the medical students. Materials and methods: Vitamin D Leptin and Body mass index were the parameters measured in the study group. Individuals with an age group of 19-23 years of both sexes were included in the study. Individuals above the age of 23 years, those with renal and liver disorders, individuals with hormonal disorders, individuals on vitamin D supplementation were excluded in the study. Vitamin D was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Leptin was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. BMI is calculated by the formula weight in kilograms divided by height in metre square. Results: The results have shown that there is a decrease in vitamin D levels with increasing BMI. (pvalue≤0.001). furthermore, there is an increase in leptin levels with an increase in BMI. (pvalue≤0.001). Conclusion: The study has put forth a suggestion that leptin and vitamin D has a causal relationship between them based on Body Mass index. Adequate vitamin D levels will maximize the effect of maintaining normal leptin levels as high levels of leptin could contribute to obesity-related disorders.

Pengaruh Program Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Terhadap Prestasi Kerja Pegawai di Pusdiklat Ir. H. Djuanda PT. KAI Persero Bandung

This study entitled "The Effect of Education and Training Program Against Job Performance Employees at Pusdiklat Ir. H. Juanda PT.KAI (Persero) Bandung ". Issues examined in this study concerning the education and training programs and their influence on job performance of employees at the Training Center Ir. H. Juanda PT.KAI (Persero) Bandung with the object of study participantsTraining.Generally, this study aims to find out and get a picture of the influence of education and training programs at the Training Center Ir. H. Juanda PT.KAI (Persero) Bandung. This research uses descriptive method with quantitative approach. The data collection technique was conducted by questionnaire enclosed, with a sample of 30 participants that education and training education and training in the period from May 2016. Analysis of the calculations in this study using a support program Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS for Windows version 23.0.Based on calculations using the formula Weight Means Score (WMS), an overview of variable X (Education and Training) that are in the very good category with an average score of 4:06. While the general description of the variable Y (Job Performance) in the excellent category, with an average score of 424. Correlation variables X and Y have a significant relationship. It can be seen from the results of the correlation coefficient of 0.650 which is in a strong and significant category, with a coefficient of determination of 38% as well as the results of the regression analysis is Y = 0.518 + 75,201 that are significant and linear.Conclusion The study says education and training programs have a significant effect on the performance of employees in Pusdiklat Ir. H. Juanda PT.KAI (Persero) Bandung.

Neprilysin inhibitor from herbal compounds as the latest adjuvant treatment of chronic heart failure

Neprilysin (NEP) is an endopeptidase that metabolizes vasoactive peptides such as natriuretic peptides. Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) is an alternative therapy for chronic heart failure (CHF) which is better than angiotensin receptor antagonist therapy alone. This study aimed to identify herbal compounds as in silico NEP inhibitor for adjuvant treatment of CHF. In this study, structure of NEP was obtained from Protein Data Bank (5JMY) and sacubitril as a standard ligand was obtained from PubChem database (9811834). Indonesian herbal compounds were derived from the HerbalDB database that met criteria of Lipinski’s rule. Binding affinity and sites were determined using the AutoDock Vina software. Interaction of herbal compounds and NEP were visualized using the PyMol software. Indonesian herbal compounds with the same binding site at Arg102 dan Arg110 amino acids with sacubitril (-6.73 ± 0.06 Kcal/mol) was NSC9324 (-7.07 ± 0.05 Kcal/mol). From 517 herbal compounds, NSC93241 had similar conformation to the standard ligand. NSC93241 has similar molecular formula and molecular weight to herbal plant (Ruscus aculeatus Linn or Butcher’s broom). NSC93241 potentially becomes an NEP inhibitor in silico for adjuvant treatment of CHF. Further investigation is required for evaluation of the antagonist effect of this compound towards NEP.

Ceramic Oxides from Liquid Explosive Reaction

This investigation promotes the design of emulsion explosives and the development of detonation theory on a microscale. As the total composition of oxidizing and reducing elements of the reactants leave related to the thermochemistry of the system, the computational details of predicting the temperatures of detonation were introduced. It was found that a significant improvement was achieved in the emulsion explosives with an aquiferous system. An improvement in the detonation synthesis of nanolithium and zinc oxides is due to the formation of an activated matrix of the metal nitrates’ oxidizer with the corresponding fuel. Temperatures of detonation of emulsion explosives and explosive formulations are predicted using thermochemistry information. The methodology assumes that the heat of detonation of an explosive compound of composition CaHbNcOdLieZnf can be approximated as the difference between the heats of formation of the detonation products and that of the explosive, divided by the formula weight of the explosive. For the calculations in which the first set of decomposition products is assumed, predicted temperatures of detonation of emulsion explosives with the product H2O in the gas phase have a deviation of 413.66 K from results with the product H2O in the liquid state. Fine-particle lithium and zinc oxides have been prepared by the detonation of emulsion explosives of the metal nitrates, M (NO3) x (M = Li, Zn) as oxidizers and paraffine as fuels, at high temperature and short reaction time. The detonation products were identified from X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. XRD analysis shows that nanoparticles of lithium and zinc oxides can be produced from detonation of emulsion explosives due to fast quenching as well as appropriate detonation velocity and temperature.

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS AND ITS ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Objective: The main objectives of this study were analysis of the phytochemicals produced by two different Catharanthus roseus morphotypes, i.e., pink and white flowered and evaluate it morphologically and phytochemically in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant properties, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.
 Methods: Methanolic extracts of both morphotypes were prepared by Soxhlet apparatus. After extraction, the extracts were filtered and solvent removed by rotatory evaporator. TPC was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent method and TFC was estimated by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities were estimated by superoxide dismutase and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. GC-MS analysis was performed at Central Instrumentation Laboratory/ SAIF, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
 Results: Pink-flowered C. roseus showed highest activities in terms of TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity as compared to white-flowered C. roseus. 42 different bioactive compounds were detected in the methanolic extract of pink, while only 7 compounds were identified in white-flowered C. roseus. The identification was performed by GS-MS analysis mainly based on retention time, peak area, molecular formula, and molecular weight.
 Conclusion: The finding indicated that the pink-flowered C. roseus was phytochemically superior then the white one.

Quantitative phase analysis of amorphous components in mixtures by using the direct-derivation method

The direct-derivation (DD) method is a new technique for quantitative phase analysis (QPA) [Toraya (2016).J. Appl. Cryst.49, 1508–1516]. A simple equation, called the intensity–composition (IC) formula, is used to derive weight fractions of individual components (wk;k= 1–K) in a mixture. Two kinds of parameters are required as input data of the formula. One is the parameterSk, which is the sum of observed powder diffraction intensities for each component, measured in a wide 2θ range and corrected for the Lorentz–polarization factor. The other is the parameterak−1, defined byak−1=Mk−1∑nik2, whereMkis the chemical formula weight andnikis the number of electrons belonging to theith atom in the chemical formula unit. The parameterak−1was originally derived by using the relationship between the peak height and the integrated value of the peak at the origin of the Patterson function, implicitly assuming the presence of periodic structures like crystals. In this study, the formula has been derived theoretically from a general assemblage of atoms resembling amorphous material, and the same expression as the original formula has been obtained. The physical meaning ofak−1, which represents `the total scattering power per chemical formula weight', has been reconfirmed in the present formulation. The IC formula has been tested experimentally by using two-, three- and four-component mixtures containing SiO2or GeO2glass powder. In the whole-powder-pattern fitting (WPPF) procedure, incorporated into the DD method, a background-subtracted halo pattern is directly fitted as one of the components in the mixture, together with profile models for crystalline components. In the WPPF, an interaction was observed between the parameters of the background function (BGF) and the parameter for scaling the halo pattern, and this resulted in systematic deviations ofwkfrom weighed values. The deviations were ≤0.7% in the case of binary mixtures when the BGF was fixed at the correct background height, supporting the hypothesis that the DD method is applicable to the QPA of amorphous components.

Dental caries and body mass index: A cross-sectional study among urban schoolchildren of age between 7 and 15 years in Chennai, India

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the association between dental caries and commonly proposed risk factors such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), sugar intake, junk food consumption, and intermittent snacking habit among school-going children of upper socioeconomic status in Chennai city. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 610 children of age between 7 and 15 years studying in a private school. A preformed content-validated pro forma was used to collect the data regarding demographic details (age, gender, height, and weight), dietary pattern (sugar consumption in the past 24 h assessed through sweet score, snacking in between meals, and junk food consumption in the past 24 h), and dental chart (for the presence of decay, missing, filled, trauma, and other findings). Weight and height of the children were recorded, and BMI was calculated using the formula weight (kg)/height (m2). Results: On the whole, except for age and gender, none of the factors assessed including BMI, junk food intake, and snack intake were found to be associated with dental caries. Conclusion: With the changing dietary patterns and demography, the dynamic nature of dental caries is better assessed if approached in terms of common risk factors.

A cross sectional study of elderly widows residing in urban field practice area of S. N. Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Background: Widows are the most vulnerable segment among the elderly population in India. Elderly widows face several social, economic, emotional and cultural deprivations due to their gender, widowhood and old age. Hence, this study was done with the objective to know the socio demographic profile and morbidity of elderly widows residing in urban field practice area of S.N. Medical College, Bagalkot.Methods: This cross sectional study was done in 8 Anganwadi areas during 2016 by cluster random sampling. All the elderly widows residing in the areas were included after informed consent. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional review board. Data regarding their socio demographic profile, cause of death of husband, the number of years being a widow, health seeking behavior and their chronic morbidities were noted. Height and weight of each elderly widow was measured and body mass index calculated using the formula weight in kilogram divided by height in meter 2 and classified according to South East Asian category. Blood pressure was recorded three times with the widow in a sitting posture in an interval of 3 minutes and the least value was documented according to JNU classification.Results: Out of 140 elderly widows who were residents of the areas, majority (69.29%) were between 60 to 74 years of age followed by 27.86% between 75 to 89 years of age. It was observed that 75% of them were illiterate. The leading cause of death of husband was coronary heart disease (19.29%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12.86%) and alcoholic cirrhosis (10.71%). On examination of the non-hypertensive widows, it was observed that 36.06% were in Stage I and 22.68% were in Stage II of hypertension (JNU classification).Conclusions: Elderly widows are a vulnerable segment of the community. Their health care needs are a priority and regular health check-ups are to be planned.

Fertilizer Mixer Performance Evaluation using Chloride Titration

Mixing processes are a critical step in manufacturing blended fertilizer products. Although each stage of the production process is monitored to prevent deficiencies and ensure quality in fertilizer production, evaluation of mixing performance by regulatory agencies are the keys to assessing quality of the final product. The Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) conducted a fertilizer mixer evaluation study, which involved two main components: sample collection and lab analyses. Samples from 9 mixers were collected from 7 fertilizer manufacturing locations in Texas. Firms were selected based on the type of fertilizer components currently in use and the type of mixer(s), which included cement type, vertical, volumetric and paddle. Sample collection follows the process outlined by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). Samples are collected from the blended product and from the individual raw ingredient materials. In the laboratory, the samples from the individual raw materials and blended product stream cut samples were analyzed for size guide number (SGN), density, particle number, and nitrogen (N)-phosphorous (P)-potassium (K) levels, and Chloride (Cl-) content. The sample accuracy was calculated by comparing the actual formula weights to the expected values for the blended product. To determine mixer efficiency and reproducibility, coefficient of variations were calculated to determine the variability between various samples of the blended product. Our results indicated Cl- titration is a cost effective method to efficiently evaluate mixer performance, the mixing time of tested cement mixer may result in high variation in the N-P-K analysis, and Cl- level in blended samples. Based on our previous feed mixer study, facilities operating these cement mixers may consider to check mixer readiness and increase mixing time to achieve better homogeneity.https://doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v06n02p008 (DOI assigned 1/24/2019)

In vitro evaluation of Syzygium aromaticum L. ethanol extract as biocontrol agent against postharvest tomato and potato diseases

E thanolic extract of dried flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum L. (clove) was investigated to evaluate its antifungal activity against local fungal isolates causing postharvest infections form potato and tomato. Four fungal isolates; Geotrichum candidum, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Mucor hiemalis were identified. All fungal isolates were found to be inhibited by the extract; whereas the smallest inhibition zone) of S. aromaticum extract was 2.5% for M. hiemalis, A. alternata, G. candidum and 12.5% for F. oxysporum. Quantitative assessment of phytochemical compounds in clove plant revealed the presence of phenolic acids (20.80%); flavonoids (26.81%); tannins (4.90%), saponins (2.60%), alkaloids (1.60%), total protein (17.83%), total carbohydrate (2.23%) and total oil (0.90%). Biochemical profile was revealed by GC/MS which detect 18 different chemical compounds. The major compounds were eugenol (17.27%), trans-caryophyllene (0.50%), humulene (3.33%), anthracenedione (3.35%), cedran-diol (0.61%), citroflex A (5.45%) and lucenin 2 (8.25%). TLC technique and different solvent systems were employed to select the proper one based on its capacity to isolate the maximum number of fluorescent spots in crude extract.Chloroform-acetone-butanol (CAB) 85:15:20 could efficiently separate three bands (A, B and C). Each detected band was individually screened for its antifungal activity against the isolated fungi. Only band C showed a significant antifungal activity. Mass spectroscopy (MS) was used to investigate characteristics, purity as well as expectation of both chemical formula and molecular weight of the isolated compounds; which finally proved that glucoside β-sitosterol was the main compound represented in fraction -C.

Bioprospecting lovastatin production from a novel producer Cunninghamella blakesleeana.

Beside anti-cholesterol activity, lovastatin garners worldwide attention for therapeutical application against various diseases especially cancer. A total of 36 filamentous fungi from soil samples were isolated and screened for lovastatin production by yeast growth bioassay method. C9 strain (later identified as Cunninghamella blakesleeana) was screened as potential strain of lovastatin production. Further confirmation of the compound was made using TLC, HPTLC and HPLC in which similar Rf value, densitogram peak and chromatogram peak against the standard lovastatin were observed, respectively. The purified lovastatin subjected for IR analysis showed a lactone ring peak at 1763.63cm-1 similar to standard lovastatin. Further structural analysis including NMR and LC-MS of the purified lovastatin reassures the molecular formula and molecular weight similar to standard. In quantitative terms, C. blakesleeana, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus produced 1.4mgg-1 DWS, 0.83mgg-1 DWS and 0.3mgg-1 DWS of lovastatin, respectively, (p < 0.0001) without any optimization. Lovastatin showed significant antioxidant property with IC50: 145.9µgmL-1 (140µL), and the percentage of inhibition is maximum at 199.5µg/mL which is statistically significant (p < 0.0001).

Estimating children's weight in a Rwandan emergency centre.

IntroductionMost drugs, fluids and ventilator settings depend on the weight of a paediatric patient. However, knowledge of the weight is often unavailable as the urgency of the situation may impede measurement. The most common methods for paediatric weight estimation are based on height or age. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of various weight estimation methods and to derive a dedicated age-based tool within a Rwandan setting.MethodsThis was a retrospective study using age, weight and height data from randomly selected charts of Rwandan children, aged between one and ten years, who attended the paediatric emergency centre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali, Rwanda. Weights were estimated using four versions of the Broselow Tape and several age-based formulae. Linear regression was used to derive a new age-based weight estimation formula, the Rwanda Rule. Weight estimations were then compared with actual weight using Bland-Altman analysis, and the proportions of estimates within 10 and 20% of actual weight.ResultsThere were 327 children included in the study. The derived Rwanda Rule was: weight (kg) = [1.7 × age (years)] + 8. This formula and the original Advanced Paediatric Life Support formula (weight = [2 × age] + 8) performed similarly. Both were better than other age-based formulae (69% of estimates within 20% of actual weight). All editions of the Broselow Tape performed better than age-based rules. The 1998 version performed best with 84.8% of estimates within 20% of actual weight.DiscussionThis study is the first to compare paediatric weight estimation methods in Rwanda. Locally, and until we have evidence from further research that other methods are superior, we would advise use of the 1998 Broselow Tape in children aged one to ten years old. Where the Broselow Tape is not available, the original Advanced Paediatric Life Support formula should be used.

In Vitro Variation of Drought Tolerance in Five Actinidia Species

To select resistant germplasm resources and understand the growth and physiological responses of kiwifruit (Actinidia sp.) to drought stress, five species, Actinidia macrosperma (Acma), Actinidia longicarpa (Aclo), Actinidia deliciosa (Acde), Actinidia hemsleyana (Ache), and Actinidia valvata (Acva), were assessed under tissue culture conditions. Rootless seedlings of five species were cultured in a medium containing polyethylene glycol [PEG (formula weight 8000)] to induce drought stress (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%). After a 30-day culture, three growth indices [fresh weight (FW), plant height (PLH), and leaf number (LN)] and six physiological indices were determined, and the drought damage index (DDI) was determined. The DDIs of five species increased, and three growth indices decreased with increasing PEG concentrations. The following changes were observed under 20% PEG treatment conditions: superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased significantly in Acma, Aclo, and Ache specimens; peroxidase (POX) activities remained stable in Acde, Ache, and Acva specimens; and catalase (CAT) activities increased sharply in Acma and Acva. Furthermore, the results indicated that soluble sugar (SS) content increased slightly in Acma, Aclo, Acde, and Ache but it decreased in Acva specimens. Proline (PRO) content increased significantly in Acma and Acva, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents tended to increase under drought stress in all five species. Principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated that the order of drought tolerance in the five genotypes examined in this study under tissue culture conditions was as follows: Acma &gt; Acva &gt; Acde &gt; Aclo &gt; Ache. Therefore, we concluded that Acma and Acva are more resilient germplasm resources that represent promising kiwifruit-breeding materials. Furthermore, tolerance to drought stress in these species should be further investigated under orchard conditions.

Interdependence of body mass index with handgrip strength and endurance among apparently healthy teenagers

This study investigated the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with handgrip strength and endurance among apparently healthy Nigerian Teenagers. A total of 200 secondary school students participated in this study. Body height and body weight were measured with a wall–mounted stadiometer in meters (m) and bathroom weighing scale in kilogram (kg) respectively. Body mass index (BMI) was then calculated using the formula weight (kg)/height (m2). An electronic handgrip dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength (HGS) in kg and handgrip endurance (HGE) in seconds (s). The relationship of BMI with HGS and HGE was analyzed using Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation. Then, differences in BMI, HGS and HGE across gender categories were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. The outcome of this study showed that BMI correlated proportionately and significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) with HGS and HGE. Also, a significant difference (p &amp;lt; 0.05) exists in HGS and HGE across gender characteristics. This study therefore concluded that BMI is a determinant of HGS and HGE among apparently healthy Nigerian Teenagers and thus, could be considered as a marker of nutritional and health status, as well as physical fitness of these individuals. Also, a gender difference does influence HGS and HGE among apparently healthy Nigerian Teenagers.

Design and analysis of plastic gears in rack and pinion steering system for formula supra car

Plastic gears have positioned themselves as serious alternatives to traditional metal gears in a wide variety of applications. The use of plastic gears has expanded from low power, precision motion transmission into more demanding power transmission applications. In an automobile, the steering system is one of the most important systems which used to control the direction and stability of a vehicle. In order to have an efficient steering system, one should consider the material and properties of gears used in rack and pinion. Using plastic gears in a vehicle’s steering system has many advantages over the current traditional use of metallic gears. High performance plastics like, glass fiber reinforced nylon 66 have less weight, resistance to corrosion, noiseless running, lower coefficient of friction and ability to run without external lubrication. Moreover, plastic gears can be cut like their metal counterparts and machined for high precision with close tolerances. In formula supra vehicles, weight, simplicity and accuracy of systems have prime importance. These requirements make plastic gearing the ideal option in its systems. An effort is made in this paper for analyzing the possibility to rebuild the steering system of a formula supra car using plastic gears keeping contact stresses and bending stresses in considerations. As a conclusion the use of high strength engineering plastics in the steering system of a formula supra vehicle will make the system lighter and more efficient than traditionally used metallic gears.

Preparation and Characterization of Dual-Template Molecularly Imprinted Membrane with High Flux Based on Blending the Inorganic Nanoparticles

In this study, the dual-template molecularly imprinted composite membrane (D-MIM) was synthesized using ferulic acid and cinnamic acid as the mixed templates, α-methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as photoinitiator inducing polymerization reaction, furthermore blended nanoparticles so as to improve mechanical strength and pure water flux of membrane. This paper has researched that the effect of variety of nanoparticles and its quantity, the quantity of photoinitiator, total template–functional monomer (T/F) ratio on performance of prepared membrane. The study has founded optimum parameters of synthesis: nanoparticles 18 nm TiO2 of 1 wt%, photoinitiator of 0.3 g, T/F ratio is 1:3. Under the above conditions, D-MIM would present a high separation efficiency of template molecules (ferulic acid and cinnamic acid) and the analogues (caffeic acid and syringic acid) with the permeation rate of about 100%. However, the permeation rate of glucose which has an analogous formula weight and extremely different structure is about 60%. From the foregoing, it showed that the D-MIM has specific selectively to the template molecules and its analogues, but the substances which have obvious distinctions in structure would present low permeation rate. It can be seen that D-MIM can identify the same kind of substance with specificity. Therefore, it can be used in the enrichment and separation of some active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, the detection of toxic substances in food and so on. Finally, the scanning electron microscope and FT-IR spectrometer has been used to visualize the structure morphology of the prepared membrane and to quantity the surface characteristics.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES AND THROWING SKILL IN MALE SOFTBALL PLAYERS

The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between the anthropometric variables and throwing skill in among male softball players. Total 150 male university and national level softball players of different universities and states of India were selected thorough purposive sampling technique. The age of subjects ranged between 18 to 30 years. Body weight of the subjects was measured with a portable weighing machine. Height measurements were taken using the standard anthropometric rod. Body mass index was then calculated using the formula weight (kg)/height 2 (m). The circumferences of body parts were measured with the help of flexible steel tape. The diameters of the body parts were assessed with sliding caliper. The skinfolds thicknesses of body parts of the subjects were taken with Harpenden skinfold caliper. Percentage body fat as estimated from the sum of skinfolds was calculated using standardized equations. Throwing skill of the players was assessed as given in the AAHPERD softball skill test battery. Karl Pearson’s product moment co-efficient of correlation was computed to assess the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and throwing skill test of softball among the softball players. The result of the study shows that height (p=0.026), weight (p=0.008), total arm length (p=0.001), the upper arm length (p=0.018) and lower arm length (p=0.007) had significant relationship with the throwing skill in softball. The throwing skill was significantly associated with the upper arm circumference (r=0.265, p=0.001), biacromial (p=0.007) and bicondylar humerus (p=0.009) diameters. Lean body mass (p=0.000) was also found to be significantly associated with the throwing skill test in the male softball players. Article visualizations:

Cryptosporidium parvum vaccine candidates are incompletely modified with O-linked-N-acetylgalactosamine or contain N-terminal N-myristate and S-palmitate.

Cryptosporidium parvum (studied here) and Cryptosporidium hominis are important causes of diarrhea in infants and immunosuppressed persons. C. parvum vaccine candidates, which are on the surface of sporozoites, include glycoproteins with Ser- and Thr-rich domains (Gp15, Gp40, and Gp900) and a low complexity, acidic protein (Cp23). Here we used mass spectrometry to determine that O-linked GalNAc is present in dense arrays on a glycopeptide with consecutive Ser derived from Gp40 and on glycopeptides with consecutive Thr derived from Gp20, a novel C. parvum glycoprotein with a formula weight of ~20 kDa. In contrast, the occupied Ser or Thr residues in glycopeptides from Gp15 and Gp900 are isolated from one another. Gly at the N-terminus of Cp23 is N-myristoylated, while Cys, the second amino acid, is S-palmitoylated. In summary, C. parvum O-GalNAc transferases, which are homologs of host enzymes, densely modify arrays of Ser or Thr, as well as isolated Ser and Thr residues on C. parvum vaccine candidates. The N-terminus of an immunodominant antigen has lipid modifications similar to those of host cells and other apicomplexan parasites. Mass spectrometric demonstration here of glycopeptides with O-glycans complements previous identification C. parvum O-GalNAc transferases, lectin binding to vaccine candidates, and human and mouse antibodies binding to glycopeptides. The significance of these post-translational modifications is discussed with regards to the function of these proteins and the design of serological tests and vaccines.

Atimicrobial Bioactive Compound Isolated From Cyanobacterium Nostoc linkia

Bioactive chemical compound A1 was extracted, purified and identified from the algal culture of Nostoc linkia isolated from Basra Rivers in southern Iraq. The identification of the compound by using GC-mass was confronted. Solubility, toxicity, purity and the chemical formula and molecular weight of A1 compound were determined. The antimicrobial bioactivity of the purified compound against the bacterial strains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and the dermatophytic fungus Candida albicans was tested by using a disk diffusion agar method. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also performed. The compound A1 has shown a broader activity spectrum against all the test organisms.

Quantitative phase analysis using observed integrated intensities and chemical composition data of individual crystalline phases: quantification of materials with indefinite chemical compositions

In a previous report, a new method for quantitative phase analysis (QPA) of multi-component mixtures using a conventional X-ray powder diffractometer was proposed. The formula for deriving weight fractions of individual crystalline phases presented therein includes sets of observed integrated intensities measured in a wide 2\theta range, chemical formula weights and sums of squared numbers of electrons belonging to atoms in respective chemical formula units [Toraya (2016).J. Appl. Cryst.49, 1508–1516]. The latter two parameters required to perform QPA could be calculated from only the information of chemical formulae of individual phases. In the present study, these two parameters are replaced with a single parameter in the form new parameter = (chemical formula weight)/(sum of squared numbers of electrons). As will be expected from this definition, the parameter has nearly equal values for groups of materials consisting of similar kinds of atoms, and its value becomes identical for polytypes or polymorphs having the same chemical composition. That characteristic of this parameter makes it possible to estimate the parameter value not only directly from the chemical composition of the target material itself but also from database-stored chemical analysis data sorted on the basis of mineral or chemical composition. The parameter value is also hardly changed as a result of small compositional variations of the target component material. Therefore, the present method can be applied to QPA of materials not only of definite chemical compositions but also of indefinite chemical compositions without degrading the accuracy of the analysis. This is expected to widen the application to QPA of, for example, natural products containing many kinds of trace elements, industrial materials with complex substitutional replacement of atoms, nonstoichiometric compoundsetc. The theory and some examples of applications are presented. A procedure for quantifying unknown material is also proposed.