Sand or grease? Corruption-institutional trust nexus in post-Soviet countries

Nazim Habibov,Elvin Afandi,Alex Cheung 한양대학교 아태지역연구센터 2017 Journal of Eurasian Studies Vol.8 No.2

This paper empirically tests several hypotheses about the nexus of corruption-institutional trust in Post-Soviet transitional countries of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia. We use two different indices of institutional trust to check the robustness of our analysis and estimate OLS and instrumental variable models with and without interaction terms. All things considered, our findings reject “greases the wheels” and “trust begets an honest political system” hypotheses. Instead, our findings support the “sand the wheels” hypothesis. Furthermore, a multiplicative interaction model suggests that the negative marginal effects of experienced corruption are higher in the environments where satisfaction with services is low. In addition, we found that increases in corruption erode trust at all levels of the societal institutions including political parties, government and financial institutions, international investors, non-profit organizations, and trade unions. This finding is important since it highlights the negative consequences of corruption on the development of broader level economic institutions and on civil society.

Autophagy flux inhibition mediated by celastrol sensitized lung cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via regulation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reactive oxygen species

Nazim, Uddin Md,Yin, Honghua,Park, Sang-Youel D.A. Spandidos 2019 MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS Vol.19 No.2

<P>Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is well known as a transmembrane cytokine and has been proposed as one of the most effective anti-cancer therapeutic agents, owing to its efficiency to selectively induce cell death in a variety of tumor cells. Suppression of autophagy flux has been increasingly acknowledged as an effective and novel therapeutic intervention for cancer. The present study demonstrated that the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drug celastrol, through its anti-metastatic properties, may initiate TRAIL-mediated apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells. This sensitization was negatively affected by <I>N</I>-acetyl-l-cysteine, which restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Notably, treatment with celastrol caused an increase in microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B-II and p62 levels, whereas co-treatment of celastrol and TRAIL increased active caspase 3 and 8 levels compared with the control, confirming inhibited autophagy flux. The combined use of TRAIL with celastrol may serve as a safe and adequate therapeutic technique for the treatment of TRAIL-resistant lung cancer, suggesting that celastrol-mediated autophagy flux inhibition sensitized TRAIL-initiated apoptosis via regulation of ROS and ΔΨm.</P>

Attenuation of autophagy flux by 6-shogaol sensitizes human liver cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via p53 and ROS

Nazim, Uddin MD.,Park, Sang-Youel UNKNOWN 2019 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE Vol.43 No.2

<P>Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily and is an antitumor drug that induces apoptosis in tumor cells with minimal or no effects on normal cells. Here, it is demonstrated that 6-shogaol (6-sho), a bioactive component of ginger, exerted anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, attenuated tumor cell propagation and induced TRAIL-mediated cell death in liver cancer cells. The current study identified a potential pathway by revealing that TRAIL and 6-sho or chloroquine acted together to trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, to upregulate tumor-suppressor protein 53 (p53) expression and to change the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP). Treatment with <I>N</I>-acetyl-L-cysteine reversed these effects, restoring the MTP and attenuated ROS production and p53 expression. Interestingly, treatment with 6-sho increased p62 and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B-II levels, indicating an inhibited autophagy flux. In conclusion, attenuation of 6-sho-induced autophagy flux sensitized cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via p53 and ROS, suggesting that the administration of TRAIL in combination with 6-sho may be a suitable therapeutic method for the treatment of TRAIL-resistant Huh7 liver cells.</P>

Novel thiazolothiazole based linear chromophore for small molecule organic solar cells

Nazim, M.,Ameen, S.,Akhtar, M.S.,Lee, Y.S.,Shin, H.S. North Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2013 Chemical physics letters Vol.574 No.-

Novel π-conjugated linear organic chromophore (RTzR) based on thiazolothiazole-core (acceptor-unit) and terminal alkylated-thiophenes (donor-unit) was designed as an active material for organic solar cells. Terminal alkyl units at both ends of chromophore significantly improved its solubility and also induced liquid crystalline property which was responsible for the self-assembly behavior of the chromophore. The fabricated bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell showed reasonable power conversion efficiency of ~1.57% with high photocurrent density of ~7.85mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP>.

Efficient spirobifluorene-core electron-donor material for application in solution-processed organic solar cells

Nazim, M.,Ameen, S.,Akhtar, M.S.,Shin, H.S. North Holland 2016 Chemical physics letters Vol.663 No.-

<P>Efficient spirobifluorene-based organic small molecule (RTh-Sp-CF3) was synthesized in a simple manner via Suzuki coupling reaction containing an alkyl bithiophene as donor and 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl) benzene as acceptor unit. The spirobifluorene-based small molecule was utilized as an electron-donor materials with well-known electron-acceptor material, phenyl-C-61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) in the solution-processed small molecule organic solar cells (SMOSCs). The incorporation of 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl) benzene unit as electron-acceptor has significantly tuned the energy levels of small molecule and obtained the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of 5.35 eV and 3.92 eV, respectively. SMOSCs fabricated with RTh-Sp-CF3 accomplished an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of similar to 2.12% with short circuit current (Jsc) of similar to 8.42 mA/cm(2) and the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of similar to 0.66 V. The reasonable Jsc and Voc of devices might be attributed to the presence of strong electron-withdrawing fluorine units in RThSp-CF3, which resulted from the improved absorption and electrochemical properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Asymmetric, efficient π-conjugated organic semiconducting chromophore for bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaics

Nazim, M.,Ameen, Sadia,Shaheer Akhtar, M.,Shin, Hyung Shik Elsevier 2018 Dyes and pigments Vol.149 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A novel, asymmetric benzothiadiazole-core π-conjugated organic semiconducting chromophore (CF-BTz-ThR) containing an alkyl bithiophene donor and 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl) benzene as acceptor unit was synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling in a relatively cost-effective way. The synthesized chromophore was applied as an acceptor material in the solution-processed fabrication of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaics (OPVs). The presence of terminal hexyl chain in CF-BTz-ThR induced its solubility in common organic solvents. The energy levels of CF-BTz-ThR were calculated as −5.22 eV and −3.19 eV for HOMO and LUMO, respectively. The fabricated devices attained power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼3.52% for CF-BTz-ThR: PC<SUB>61</SUB>BM (1:3, w/w) ratio with the short circuit current (J<SUB>SC</SUB>) of ∼10.38 mA/cm<SUP>2</SUP> and the open-circuit voltage (V<SUB>OC</SUB>) of ∼0.68 V. The reasonable J<SUB>SC</SUB> and V<SUB>OC</SUB> of the devices might be attributed to strong absorption and emission properties as well as the electrochemical properties due to the presence of strong electron-withdrawing benzothiadiazole as well as –CF<SUB>3</SUB> unit as electron-acceptor.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> An asymmetric benzothiadiazole-core π-conjugated organic (CF-BTz-ThR) semiconducting chromophore. </LI> <LI> It is applied as an electron-donor material in the solution-processed organic solar cells. </LI> <LI> CF-BTz-ThR presents the good HOMO (−5.22 eV) and LUMO (−3.19 eV) values. </LI> <LI> Device with CF-BTz-ThR:PC<SUB>61</SUB>BM (1:3, w/w) ratio attains reasonable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼3.52%. </LI> </UL> </P>

The Radiation Dose Absorbed by Healthy Parenchyma Is a Predictor for the Rate of Contralateral Hypertrophy After Unilobar Radioembolization of the Right Liver

Nazim Coskun 대한핵의학회 2022 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.56 No.6

Purpose To investigate the predictors of contralateral hypertrophy in patients treated with unilobar transarterial radioembolization(TARE) with yttrium-90-loaded resin microspheres due to unresectable right-liver tumors. Methods Patients who underwent right unilobar TARE with resin microspheres between May 2019 and September 2021were screened retrospectively. Contralateral hypertrophy was evaluated by calculating the kinetic growth rate (KGR) in 8–10weeks after TARE. The predictors of increased KGR were determined with linear regression analysis. Results A total of 24 patients (16 with primary and 8 with metastatic liver tumors) were included in the study. After right unilobarTARE, mean volume of the left lobe increased from 368.26 to 436.16 mL, while the mean volume of the right lobe decreased from1576.22 to 1477.89 mL. The median KGR of the left lobe was 0.28% per week. The radiation dose absorbed by the healthy parenchymaof the right lobe was significantly higher in patients with increased KGR (31.62 vs. 18.78 Gy, p = 0.037). Linear regression analysisshowed that the dose absorbed by healthy parenchyma was significantly associated with increased KGR (b = 0.014, p = 0.043). Conclusion Patients who received right unilobar TARE for liver malignancies could develop a substantial contralateralhypertrophy, and the radiation dose absorbed by the healthy parenchyma of the right lobe was significantly associated withincreased KGR in the left lobe. TARE could have a role for inducing contralateral hypertrophy as it offers the advantage ofconcurrent local tumor control along with its hypertrophic effect.

PPARγ activation of anti-diabetic agent, troglitazone enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis via autophagy flux

Nazim Uddin,Rasheduzzaman,Ji Hong Moon,Ju Hee Lee,You Jin Lee,Jae Won Seol,Sang Youel Park 대한수의학회 2016 대한수의학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2016 No.-

Investigation of antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activity of Caesalpinia digyna (Rottl.) leaves by experimental and computational approaches

Nazim Uddin Emon,Israt Jahan,Mohammed Aktar Sayeed 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2020 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.20 No.3

The study aimed to report in vitro thrombolytic and in vivo anti-nociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Caesalpinia digyna (MECD) followed by in silico PASS prediction, ADME analysis with toxicity and molecular docking study of antinociception (Cox-1, Cox-2) and thrombolytic (Tissue plasminogen activator). The clot lysis of human blood for thrombolytic study, acetic acid induced writing and formalin-induced licking in mice at several doses (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.; p.o.) of MECD for anti-inflammatory and antinoceptive activities were performed. In thrombolytic study, a significant 32.78% (P < 0.001) of the blood clot lysis revealed by MECD, while 70.32% (P < 0.001) and 3.84% were yields for positive control (streptokinase) and negative control (saline water), respectively. MECD developed a significant dose-dependent antinociception in acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing experiment while the 400 mg/kg exhibited maximum inhibition (59.27%; P < 0.001). Similarly at comparable dose concentrations, MECD produced significant (P < 0.001) dose-dependent activity in both neurogenic and inflammatory which was generated by intraplantar injections of formalin (2.5%, 20 μL/paw). In PASS prediction, isolated compounds caesalpinine A and caesalpinine C exhibited potential thrombolytic and antinociceptive activity followed by Lipinski rule for drug—like property where the compounds found to be effective in molecular docking study. The current finding suggesting MECD have potential thrombolytic and anti-nociceptive activity.

Meat Quality and Texture Profile Comparison Between Fresh and Frozen/Thawed Pork loin M. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum.

( Nazim Uddin ),( Inho Hwang ) 전북대학교 농업과학기술연구소 2016 농업생명과학연구 Vol.47 No.2

A comparison of the meat quality traits and texture profile attributes between fresh and frozen pork loins (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum) muscle was investigated. Three muscles were collected and distributed into two groups: fresh and frozen/thawed. Frozen vacuum-packed samples were kept at - 80°C refrigerator 24 hours and at 4°C 48 hours for thawing. The fresh sample had higher pH (p<0.05), cooking loss, CIE L^* (Lightness) (p<0.005), CIE a^* (Redness), Warner Braztler Shear force (WBSF) values (p<0.05) myosin heavy chain and actin activity and calpain activity than the frozen meat sample. The frozen meat sample had a greater tensile maximum force and tensile breaking load. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value and hardness as a texture profile analysis (TPA) attribute of frozen meat were significantly higher than the fresh meat. Therefore, the result in this comparison study could be used to explore the physicochemical trait alteration and texture profile analysis of fresh and frozen pork meat.