Integration of Proteomics and Metabonomics in Exploring the Protecting Mechanism of Gushukang Capsule in Osteoporosis Rats

Background Gushukang (GSK) capsule is a Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). It has been widely used in clinics. However, the specific mechanism and target of GSK in the treatment of osteoporosis is not clear, which needs further study. Methods Metabolomics (GC/MS) and proteomics (TMT-LC-MC/MC) together with bioinformatics (KEGG pathway enrichment), correlation analysis (pearson correlation matrix) and joint pathway analysis (Metabo Analyst) were employed to discover the underlying mechanisms of GSK. Results The regulations of differential proteins Cant1, Gstz1, Aldh3b1, Bid and Slc1a3 in the common metabolic pathway of differential proteins and metabolites between GSK/OP and OP/SHAM were corrected in GSK group. The regulations of 12 metabolites (Tyramine、Thymidine、Deoxycytidine、Cytosine、L-Aspartate and so on) were differential in the common enrichment metabolic pathway between GSK /OVX and OVX/SHAM. Differential proteins and metabolites jointly regulate 11 metabolic pathways, such as purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, histidine metabolism, beta-Alanine metabolism and so on. Conclusion GSK may protect bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats by affecting nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism and immune system.

Assessment of trace metal contamination by geochemical normalisation in sediments of two lagoons: A comparative study of the Kpeshie and Muni lagoons, Ghana

Heavy metal contamination status of bottom sediments of two lagoons was compared by the employment of Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis for Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cupper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn) and Mercury (Hg). Kpeshie Lagoon recorded enrichment (EF ≥ 1) for Cd, Pb, Ag, Hg and Zn, whilst Muni Lagoon recorded enrichment for Cd, Mn, Ag, Hg and Zn as metals of anthropogenic influence. Kpeshie, situated in a highly urbanized area, has 75% spatial distribution of Pb enrichment. The assessment shows that Ag and Hg are the most enriched metals in the sediments of both Lagoons, reaching extremely severe levels. Only Mn showed statistically significant difference in mean concentration of metals for both Lagoons. Pearson correlation matrix indicated that Pb had a strong relation with Ag, Hg and Zn (r = 0.956; p < 0.05) which is significant in Kpeshie. It also had a strong association with Ag and Hg but not with Zn (r = 0.240) in the Muni. The study clearly delineates Pb as a pollutant that designates the urban status of Kpeshie. Its associated metals; Ag, Hg and Zn which may be coming from a common source are from industrialized zones.

The Controlling of Ownership on the relationship between Financial Performance and Capital Structure in Indonesia

The purpose of the study was to determine the determinants of the firms' capital structure concerning their maximum financial performance. To reach this aim, the data of the financial statements firms of Indonesia were used. As the first method, a Pearson correlation matrix was applied to determine a statistically significant correlation between capital structure indicator (debt-to-assets ratio) and financial performance and ownership of the firms. The analysis used the data panel multiple regression model to assess the effect of these independent and controlling variables on leverage. Some findings are that profitability has positive (ROA) and negative (ROE) effect on leverage. MBV and tangibility do not affect the capital structure, and firm size negatively impacts on it. In this panel analysis, it was confirmed that the managerial and institutional ownership impact on leverage negatively and positively, respectively. By decreasing the sales growth, the debt ratio entity rises, or they have a negative relationship. Based on these findings, it can be stated that financial performances influenced the capital structure.

Sperm morphology in relation to semen cation concentration in Yankasa rams

The morphological appearance of sperm cells is a major criterion in semen evaluation. The optimal production of semen of high biological value is influenced by numerous factors. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sperm morphological characteristics and semen cation concentrations in 62 rams of Yankasa breed of sheep. Semen samples were collected from each animal on weekly basis for 52 weeks with electro ejaculator. The sperm morphological characteristics examined were: detached mid-piece and tail (DMT), detached head (DH), mid-piece droplet (MPD, coiled and bent tail (CBT) and acrosomal abnormality (ACR). The semen cation parameters measured were: sodium + + 2+ ion (Na ), potassium ion (K ) and calcium ion (Ca ). Pearson correlation matrix of SAS was used to determine the relationships among and between the measured characteristics. The result of the study showed that correlations among the sperm morphological characteristics were low and not significant except that between DH and DMTwhich was perfect (p<0.01; r = 1.00). On the other hand, semen cation concentrations were positively correlated but not + significant among themselves except the correlation between Na and K (p<0.01; r = 0.37) which was significant. Relating the semen cation concentration with sperm morphological + characteristics, it was discovered that potassium ion (K ) measured was negatively and significantly correlated with all the morphological attributes (DMT & DH, r= -0.36 @ p<0.01; CBT & ACR, r= -0.38 @ p<0.05; MPD, r= -0.32 @ p<0.05). It was concluded that + + DH is highly associated with DMT while Na concentration was an indicator for K level in the semen as shown in the result. Also, the higher the potassium ion in semen, the lower the level of sperm morphological abnormalities and vice versa in Yankasa rams.

Challenges Faced by Petty Traders in Accessing Loans from Financial Institutions: Evidence from the Upper West Region of Ghana

Access to finance is a key determinant for business start-up, development and growth for small businesses. This paper focused on the challenges faced by petty traders in accessing loans within Wa Central in the Upper West Region of Ghana with a sample of eighty-one respondents for both the questionnaire and the interview. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation matrix and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The study showed evidence that high interest rate charged; demand for collateral and poor records keeping by petty traders were the challenges of accessing loans. The paper suggests that petty traders must keep proper records and the need for financial institutions to reconsider its stringent eligibility criteria for petty traders, Finally policy makers must create an enabling operating environment for micro enterprises to flourish.

Writing Styles of Abstracts in Occupational Therapy Journals

The readability grades of abstracts randomly selected from the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, and the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy were studied through the program Style of the Unix operating system (computer). The formulae for readability grades used were the Kincaid formula, the automated readability index, the Coleman-Liau formula, and the Flesch formula. One-way analysis of variance was found to be significant (p<0.05) between the British and Australian journals in all four formulae. Based on samples of abstracts, the results indicated that the British journal is the easiest and the Australian journal is the most difficult to read of all four journals. A Pearson correlation matrix revealed a significant positive and negative relationship between some of the 12 variables in each journal.

A Multivariate Analysis of Factors in Attitudinal Levels of Wyoming Adults Toward Music

The purpose of the study was to determine the degree of relationships among five variables in the previous musical and personal experiences of adults in Wyoming with eleven hierarchical levels of their attitudes concerning music. Multivariate analyses, including canonical correlation, stepwise multiple regression, and a full Pearson correlation matrix, were used to test these relationships in the sample. The research established a strong relationship between hierarchical levels of occupation and attitudinal levels, some evidences of relationship of background learning experience in music to criteria, but minimal relationship of age, sex, and community size to these attitudes.