New approach for solving intuitionistic fuzzy multi-objective transportation problem

Multi-objective transportation problem (MOTP) under intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) environment is analysed in this paper. Due to the fluctuation of market scenario, we assume that the transportation cost, the supply and the demand parameters are not always precise. Hence, the parameters are imprecise, i.e., they are IF numbers. Considering the specific cut interval, the IF transportation cost matrix is converted to interval cost matrix in our proposed problem. Again, using the same concept, the IF supply and the IF demand of the MOTP are reduced to the interval form. Then the proposed MOTP is changed into the deterministic MOTP, which includes interval form of the objective functions. Two approaches, namely intuitionistic fuzzy programming and goal programming, are used to derive the optimal solutions of our proposed problem, and then the optimal solutions are compared. A numerical example is included to illustrate the feasibility and the applicability of the proposed problem. Finally, we present the conclusions with the future scopes of our study.     

EFFECTS OF PLANT EXTRACTS ON ARYL HYDROCARBON HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY AND 3H-BENZO(a)PYRENE BINDING TO DNA

Eight plant species belonging to different families were extracted and fractionated by organic solvents and their total extracts were tested against aryl hyrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity and ³H-benzo(a)pyrene binding to DNA in vitro. The n-butanol extract was more effective than the extracts of chloroform and petroleum-ether, respectively. None of the aqueous extracts showed any inhibitory effects on both AHH activity and ³H-benzo(a)pyrene binding to DNA. The extracts obtained from Cypressus sempevirens L., Anchusa strigosa L., Myrtus communis L., and Crataegus monogyna L. were more effective than the extracts from Achillea santolina L. and Thuja occidentalis L. However, extracts obtained from Adiantum capillus-veneris L. and Salsola rosamarinus L. exhibited no effects. The results suggest that the inhibitory effects of these plant extracts on AHH activity and ³H-benzo(a)pyrene binding to DNA might have similar effect in vivo and there might be used in the prevention of cancer .     

A Microbiological Study of Sudanese Date Wines

Procedures followed in the home fermentations of three date wines were investigated. Two wines, 'sherbote', and‘nabit’prepared from date sirup, are produced by a relatively quick fermentation taking about 36-48 hr. The fermentation of the third wine;‘dakkai', prepared from whole date fruits, is a slow process taking about 96 hr. The samll amounts of spices and sorghum malt used as additives in the preparation of 'sherbote’and‘nabit', respectively, contribute to the inoculum. In‘dakkai’fermentation of the inoculum comes from the natural flora of the data fruit itself. Changes in the production of ethanol, acetic and lactic acids and pH as well as in microbial populations were followed during fermentation of each wine. The most important genera of yeast, acetic and lactic acid bacteria were identified.     

Comparison of Rapid Methods for isolation and Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in Meat

Three strains of Clostridium pefringens, ATCC 12924, ATCC 12917, and ATCC 14809, were inoculated separately into thioglycollate broth and ground beef samples and enumerated by Fung's Double Tube (FDT), Oxyrase Enzyme (OE), Gas Pak Anaerobic System (GPAS), and Anaerobic Petri Dish (APD) methods. Recovery of the three strains by FDT was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that by the other three methods from both thioglycollate broth and ground beef, with OE second highest. FDT gave better recovery (84%) in less time (8–10 hr) at 42°C compared with the OE method (61%). FDT was also least costly.     

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of <i>Tegillarca granosa</i> flesh body extract against potassium bromide toxicity via targeting the histomorphometry,chromosomal and expressions of TGF-β1, VEGF and COX-2 genes in rats

The hepatotoxic effect of potassium bromide (KBr) on rat liver tissues were determined, as well as the potential protective effect of Tegillaraca granosa (T. granosa) flesh body extract. Twenty adult male albino rats were equally distributed into four groups; Group (I) treated with physiological saline (control group), Group (II) was orally gavaged by 200 mg/kg of T. granosa body extract day after day, Group (III) was intoxicated by KBr (150 mg/kg bwt day after day orally) and finally, Group (IV) was given a combination of T. granosa flesh body extract plus KBr with similar doses in the second and third groups. At the end of one month, blood, liver tissue and bone marrow samples were collected to be used for the required laboratory examinations. In response to KBr toxicity, there was a significant increase in serum antioxidant biomarkers, which was accompanied by a significant change in hepatocyte ultrastructure and a significant change in carbohydrate and protein levels within the liver organ. In addition, KBr intoxication resulted in a substantial increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations such as holes, splits, deletions, fragments, ploidy, and ring chromosomes, as well as significant upregulation of TGF-1, VEGF, and COX-2 gene expression. The hepatotoxic effect of KBr was counteracted by treatment with T. granosa flesh body extract. T. granosa flesh body extract has a curative antioxidant and numerous protective effects against KBr hepatotoxicity.     

DNA damage-induced by sodium flouride (NaF) and the effect of cholicalciferol

It is known that the high electronegativity of fluorine affects various soft tissues, especially the bone structure inorganisms. Of these tissues are the kidneys, which play an important role in the excretion of fluoride from the body.Fluoride affects many cellular mechanisms. One of these effects is DNA damage. Our study aimed to investigate thelikely protective effect of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) on genomic DNA damage-induced NaF depending onconcentration and time. The IC25 and IC50 values of NaF for 3, 12 and 24 h and optimum dose of increase inproliferation to vitamin D₃ through MTT assay in NRK-52E kidney cells were determined. DNA damage wassignificantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control group in all groups except for vitamin D₃. It wasdetermined that treatment with NaF together with vitamin D₃ decreased the DNA damage compared to NaF treatedgroups for 3 and 12 h. NaF combined with vitamin D3 was determined statistically to decrease (p < 0.05) DNAdamage compared to NaF treated groups for 24 h. As a result, it was determined that the treatment with cytotoxicconcentration NaF depending on the time significantly increased (p < 0.05) the genomic DNA damage, but NaFtreatment together with vitamin D₃ decreased the DNA damage in renal cells depending on the time. It wasconcluded that vitamin D₃ may be useful in preventing DNA damage caused by NaF.     

Polymorphic information and genetic diversity in <i>Brassica</i> species revealed by RAPD markers

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a tremendously convenient approach used to discriminatebetween Brassica species owing to its accuracy and speed. RAPD primers generate adequate genetic information that canbe used in the primer-marker system. In this work, twenty RAPD-PCR based markers were executed to generatepolymorphic data, like polymorphic information content (PIC), mean resolving power (MRP), resolving power (RP),effective multiplex ratio (EMR), and marker index (MI) for the first time and genetic distance among and between sixBrassica species were calculated. Our results indicated that 20 primers produced a total of 231 scored band andgenerated 87% polymorphic bands. Average PIC, MRP, RP, MI, and EMR values were 0.088, 0.65, 6.7, 0.78, and 8.9,respectively. PIC showed an overall negative correlation with MRP, RP, MI, and EMR, whereas MRP, RP, and EMR,were positively correlated with each other. Genetic identities ranged from 41.99% (between Brassica napus andBrassica oleracea) to 68.83% (between Brassica campestris and Brassica oleracea). Dendrogram results showed noclustering between species except between Brassica campestris and Brassica nigra. Nevertheless, these results will behelpful to acquire useful information about the markers and their use to determine the genomic structures of Brassicaspecies. Further, based on genetic distance and polymorphic information, new hybrids can be developed for effectiveoilseed production.     

建筑结构缝的设置要求及施工质量控制

根据国家现行规范和标准的要求，结合工程应用实际，就沉降缝、伸缩缝和抗震缝的作用及设置规定进行了论述，提出了减少建筑物裂缝的技术措施。     

Identification of potential inhibitors for Sterol C-24 reductase of <i>Leishmania donovani</i> through virtual screening of natural compounds

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease caused by a group of about 30 differentspecies of the genus Leishmania. It is transmitted by the bite of female phlebotomies sand fly. Three main clinicalmanifestations of leishmaniasis include cutaneous, visceral, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis(VL) caused by Leishmania donovani, is an infection of reticuloendothelial system and fatal if untreated. Cholesterol,a sterol that is prominent in the mammalian cell membranes whereas stigmasterol and ergosterol are more prevalentin plants, yeast, and protozoa, respectively. Ergosterols which is absent in human being, is an important constituent ofparasite membrane. Sterol C-24 reductase (LdSR) enzyme catalyzes the final step in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway.The inhibition of biosynthesis of ergosterol may lead to decreased cell viability and growth. Here, we performed themolecular docking-based virtual screening of a library of natural ligands against LdSR to identify a potential inhibitor tofight leishmaniasis. Capsaicin, prenyletin, flavan-3-ol, resveratrol, and gingerol showed the top binding affinity towardsLdSR. Based upon ADME properties and bioactivity score, gingerol showed the best lead-likeness and drug-likenessproperties. Hence, we further annotated its leishmanicidal properties. We found that gingerol inhibited the growth andproliferation of promastigotes as well as intra-macrophagic amastigotes. Gingerol exerted its antileishmanial actionthrough the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in concentration-dependent manner. Gingerol induced ROS ledto apoptosis. Overall, this study described that gingerol would act as possible inhibitor to LdSR.