Sharif Digital Repository

Diabetes affects a large population of the world. Lifestyle, obesity, dietary habits, and genetic factors contribute to this metabolic disease. A target pathway to control diabetes is the 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. AMPK is a heterotrimeric protein with α, β, and γ subunits. In several studies, AMPK activation enhanced glucose uptake into cells and inhibited intracellular glucose production. Impairment of AMPK activity is present in diabetes, according to some studies. Drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, such as metformin, are also known to act through regulation of AMPK. Thus, drugs that activate and regulate AMPK are potential... 

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical biscyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [Pt(ptpy)2], 1, and [Pt(ptpy)(bppy)], 2, in which ptpy = deprotonated 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine and bppy = deprotonated 2-(3-bromophenyl)pyridine, have been prepared from the reaction between tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C6F5)3 and 1 equiv of monocyclometalated complexes [PtMe(ptpy)(ptpyH)], B, and [PtMe(ptpy)(bppyH)], C, respectively. The solid-state structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The reaction of 1 with 1 equiv of TlPF6 or [Au(PPh3)]OTF resulted in the production of heteronuclear complexes [Pt(ptpy)2Tl]PF6, 3 and {Pt(ptpy)2[Au(PPh3)]}OTF, 4, respectively. X-ray diffraction data showed... 

The corresponding author, Mohammad Hosein Farzaei, affiliation is Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. The correct spelling of the 7th author surname is Iranpanah. © 2018, Springer Nature Switzerland AG  

Graphene oxide flakes are considered as potential inhibitors for different pathogenic bacteria. However, the efficacy of inhibition changes for different types and strains of bacteria. In this work, we examine Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, two common hospital-acquired infections, which react quite differently to graphene oxide flakes. The minimum inhibitory tests yield two distinct outcomes: stopped proliferation for S. aureus versus almost no effect for P. aeruginosa. Integrating our experimental evidence with molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the molecular machinery involved, explaining the behavior we see in scanning electron microscopy images. According to... 

Sulfur Mustard (SM) is a potent alkylating agent and its effects on cells and tissues are varied and complex. Due to limitations in the diagnostics of sulfur mustard exposed individuals (SMEIs) by noninvasive approaches, there is a great necessity to develop novel techniques and biomarkers for this condition. We present here the first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolic profiling of serum from and healthy controls to identify novel biomarkers in blood serum for better diagnostics. Of note, SMEIs were exposed to SM 30 years ago and that differences between two groups could still be found. Pathways in which differences between SMEIs and... 

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which is classified into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are among chronic gastrointestinal diseases with unknown pathogenesis. Diverse strategies have been applied for the treatment of this chronic disease. However, selective and site-specific routes of drug delivery to the inflamed location of the colon remain of high importance. Consequently, the application and effects of natural products in the form of nanoformulation and stimuli responsive nanoparticles as a novel strategy for the treatment of IBD are discussed in this review article. This approach may potentially overcome some complications that are associated with conventional means of colon... 

Objective(s): This study aims to evaluate combined proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolic profiling approaches, for discriminating between mustard airway diseases (MADs) and healthy controls and for providing biochemical information on this disease. Materials and Methods: In the present study, analysis of serum samples collected from 17 MAD subjects and 12 healthy controls was performed using NMR. Of these subjects, 14 (8 patients and 6 controls) were analyzed by GC-MS. Then, their spectral profiles were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares regression discriminant... 

The controlled growth of metal oxide nanostructures within hierarchically porous conductive carbon-based frameworks is critically important to achieving high volumetric performance and appropriate channel size for energy storage applications. Herein, we grow cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoflakes, using a sequential-electrodeposition process, into spherically porous sponge-like few-layer partially reduced graphene oxide (SrGO) synthesized by template-directed ordered assembly. Maximum specific/volumetric capacitances of 1112 F gCo3O4-1 (at 3.3 A gCo3O4-1), 178 F cm-3 (at 2.6 A cm-2), and 406 F gtotal-1 (at 1 A gtotal-1) and sensible rate capability (80% retention by increasing the charge/discharge... 

This paper proposes a model for a financial assessment of construction companies. This model is derived from the combination of data envelopment analysis (DEA), entropy method (EM), and TOPSIS. In the first step of the model, the financial ratios are calculated based on balance sheets and income statements. In the next step, the 15 ratios are categorized and classified utilizing a combination of TOPSIS and EM methods. Finally, they are aggregated in six indicators. Then, the BCC model of DEA with the type of output-oriented is used for these six indicators to calculate companies' relative efficiency. In the paper's conclusion, the model is examined in 20 construction companies that obtained...