Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In situ gel loaded with curcumin-based fluvastatin nanostructured carrier effective against squamous tongue carcinoma

The aim of the study was to devise a novel Fluvastatin (FT) based curcumin (CR) nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) loaded into an in situ gelling system (ISG) for localized and prolonged chemotherapy in the treatment of aggressive tongue carcinoma. FT-CR NLC was prepared using the solvent evaporation method, characterized, and optimized. FT-CR NLC was loaded in a Poloxamer 407 and polyvinyl alcohol-based ISG, further characterized and evaluated. The percentage of cellular viability and caspase-3 enzyme levels were evaluated for the optimized FT-CRNLC, and loaded ISG formulations were applied to HCS-3 cancer cell lines. Stability studies were performed. The optimized FT-CR NLC was spherical with an indicated particle size of 107 ± 4.5 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.38 ± 0.6, surface charge of -31.1 ± 1.8 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 98.4% ± 0.81%. The optimized ISG had an optimum sol-gel transition temperature. The FT IC50 was decreased by half for FT-CR NLC–loaded ISG in comparison to plain FT and FT-CR NLC. The studies indicated that CR’s synergistic anti-oxidant effect in the FT NLC formulation led to a higher inhibition against HCS-3 cancer cell lines. FT-CR NLC–loaded ISG had a prolonged release that can be significant in localized therapy as an alternative to surgery, especially in the treatment of aggressive tongue squamous cell carcinoma.
Therapeutic Role of Deep Eutectic Solvents Based on Menthol and Saturated Fatty Acids on Wound Healing

The breakthroughs achieved in green solvents promote the emergence of therapeutic deep eutectic solvents (THEDES), which possess intriguing possible applications in the biomedical field. Herein, the main aim was to unravel the biomedical potential of hydrophobic THEDES based in menthol and saturated fatty acids with different chain lengths (e.g., stearic acid (SA), myristic acid (MA), and lauric acid (LA)). Our comprehensive strategy resulted in the thermophysical characterization of different formulations, which allow one to identify the most suitable molar ratio, as well as the intermolecular interactions behind the successful formation of THEDES. The evaluation of their biological performance was also performed toward bacteria and HaCaT cells. Among the different formulations of THEDES, the one based on menthol and SA establishes stronger hydrogen bonding interactions, being also the most promising formulation because it did not elicit any relevant cytotoxicity, and potentiated wound healing, while presenting antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus strains, some of which were methicillin resistant. This work provides clues on the future use of THEDES based on menthol:SA in wound dressings.
Immobilized Metal Affinity Sequential Injection Chromatography for the Separation of Proteins

Abstract This paper describes for the first time the automation of immobilized metal affinity chromatography by sequential injection analysis. A generic poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith was synthesized by thermal free radical polymerization inside a 2.1 mm inner diameter activated fused silica-lined stainless steel tubing and then modified with iminodiacetate (IDA) onto which Cu(II) was immobilized. The retention mechanism controlled by metal ion affinity was verified for proteins such as ovalbumin and myoglobin. These proteins were unretained in the monolith modified only with IDA using a mobile phase composed of 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 0.50 M NaCl. On the other hand, ovalbumin and myoglobin were retained in the monolith to which Cu(II) was immobilized and elution was achieved only following the addition of imidazole to the mobile phase. The sequential injection strategy created a fast gradient by mutual dispersion of three mobile phases containing imidazole at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 mM, which enabled the efficient separation of cytochrome C, ribonuclease A, and myoglobin. The proposed methodology may be useful to isolate proteins from complex matrices as demonstrated by the separation of ovalbumin and lysozyme from unretained compounds in an egg-white sample.
Cultural beliefs and thermal care of infants : protecting South Asian and white British infants in Bradford from heat and cold

Maintaining an adequate body temperature is essential for human survival, yet infants are born with significant thermal challenges. Thermoregulation of infants is achieved through both physiological processes and through the thermal care behaviour of their caregivers. Little attention has been paid to infant thermal care beliefs and how thermal care is provided in practice. Thermal care beliefs vary across the world. Humoral beliefs that prescribe thermal balance to maintain health are extremely common globally, but less so in the UK. Methods This study primarily employed a mixed methods approach, using semi-structured and structured questions in interviews to explore ethnic differences in infant thermal care beliefs and practices of white British and South Asian mothers in the Bradford District, West Yorkshire, England. Results White British mothers were found to use significantly more bedding in winter for their infants than South Asian mothers (Man Whitney U p=<0.001). White British and South Asian infants were found to sleep in different environmental conditions. Mothers used several physical and behavioural cues to identify thermal stress in their infants and reported 24 different infant health problems caused by heat stress and 21 by cold stress. White British mothers were significantly more likely to be concerned about their infant getting too hot than too cold and South Asian mothers about both (Pearson Chi squared p=<0.001). Conclusions This thesis has demonstrated that thermoregulation of infants is achieved through internal physiological processes but also cannot be removed from the thermal care behaviour and beliefs of their caregivers. By exploring health beliefs and practices in other cultures, bias in the choice and focus of clinical research in the UK can be understood and addressed. Implications This thesis provides evidence to inform future directions for research, and policy on infant thermal care and manufacture of infant bedding in the UK.
Effect of aqueous extract of olive leaves on some biochemical changes induced by carbon tetrachloride in male rats

Olive tree leaves have been widely used in traditional remedies in European and Mediterranean countries and in the human diet as extracts, herbal teas, and powder, which contain several potential bioactive compounds that may have antihypertensive, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of olive leaves extracts (OLE) in ameliorating the metabolic changes in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Forty-eight male rats were classified into six groups; the first group was the control which received 1 ml distilled water, the second group was treated daily with oral dose of cold OLE (1 ml/kg) for one month, the third group was treated daily with oral dose of boiled OLE (1 ml/kg) for one month, the fourth group was treated daily with oral dose of CCl4 (1 ml/kg) for one month, the fifth group was treated with both cold OLE and CCl4 (1 ml/kg for each) for one month and the sixth group was treated with both boiled OLE and CCl4 (1 ml/kg for each) for one month. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, creatinine, insulin and glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), albumin, total protein, free triiodothyronine (FT3) , free thyroxin (FT4) were measured in serum. Histological examination of hepatic tissue was examined. The results showed that administration of CCl4 to rats induced significant increase (P<0.05) in serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma- glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, creatinine, insulin and significant decrease (P<0.05) in glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), albumin, total protein, free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxin (FT4). The histological examination of hepatic tissue showed some degenerative changes while significant improvement in biochemical and histological changes was observed either in CCl4 + cold OLE or CCl4 + boiled OLE groups. It could be concluded that the protective effect of olive leaves extract either cold or boiling may be attributed to its antioxidant properties. The obtained results indicated that both cold and boiled olive leaves extract has potent effect to restore the antioxidant status, hepato-renal function, insulin and thyroid hormones near to the control levels.
Nitrate Leaching from Continuous Corn, Perennial Grasses, and Poplar in the US Midwest

Leaching from annual corn (Zea mays L.) crops is a primary source of nitrate (NO3−) pollution of ground and surface waters. Here, we compare NO3− losses from no‐till corn with losses from various alternative perennial cropping systems (switchgrass [Panicum virgatum L.], miscanthus [Miscanthus ×giganteus J.M. Greef & Deuter ex Hodkinson & Renvoiz], a native grass mixture, and restored prairie), as well as hybrid poplar (Populus nigra L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry ‘NM6’), all grown on a well‐drained soil in Michigan. Soil water was sampled from below the root zone using suction cup samplers during nonfrozen periods (March–November) between 2009 and 2016. Leaching was estimated from NO3− concentrations in soil water and modeled drainage (percolation) rates. Drainage rates were not significantly different among crops, constituting ∼30% of total annual precipitation. Aboveground net primary production (Mg ha−1 yr−1) averaged across the 7 yr was highest in poplar (30.8 ± 1.9 [SE]) followed by miscanthus (23.9 ± 2.4) and corn (20.4 ± 0.9). Volume‐weighted mean NO3− concentrations (mg N L−1) and NO3− leaching (kg ha−1 yr−1) averaged across the 7 yr were 9.2 and 34.1, 2.3 and 5.9, and 3.0 and 7.2, respectively, for corn, perennial grasses and poplar. Approximately 10 to 32% of applied N was lost as NO3− from these crops, with the highest percent losses from poplar (32%) followed by corn (20%). Perennial cropping systems leached considerably more NO3− in first few years after planting, but over 7 yr they lost much less NO3− than corn. Perennial crops may therefore help ameliorate NO3− pollution in agricultural landscapes even if they receive modest N fertilization.
CARDIORESPIRATORY RESPONSES IN HEALTHY-WEIGHT AND OBESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN

OF DISSERTATION CARDIORESPIRATORY RESPONSES IN HEALTHY-WEIGHT AND OBESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN A criterion method to evaluate cardiorespiratory health is measuring peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) from a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). While VO2 peak is a valuable measure, heart rate recovery (HRRec) and endothelial function (EF) also describe cardiorespiratory health and fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differences exist in VO2 peak, HRRec, and EF between healthy-weight (HW) and obese (OB) women and children and to determine if there were significant correlations among these variables. A total of 60 women and children participated in this study. Anthropometric, body composition, resting heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were measured. EF was evaluated to determine the reactive hyperemia index (RHI). Finally, each subject performed a graded exercise test (GXT) to determine VO2 peak. Following the GXT, the subjects’ recovery responses were monitored for 5 minutes. A factorial MANOVA was used to evaluate differences between obesity status and age in relative VO2 peak and relative HRRec. The MANOVA resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) main effect for obesity status and age, but there was no interaction effect. HW individuals had a greater relative VO2 peak compared to OB individuals. Children had a greater relative VO2 peak and HRRec compared to adults. Absolute VO2 peak and absolute HRRec were examined using univariate ANOVAs. Women had greater absolute VO2 peak values compared to children (p<0.027) and children had greater absolute HRRec compared to women (p<0.001). Finally, an independent t-test was used to compare group means in RHI between HW and OB women. There were no differences in RHI between HW and OB women (p=0.128). For the total group, there were significant correlations between absolute VO2 peak and absolute HRRec, relative HRRec, and RHI. Relative VO2 peak was significantly correlated to RHI. Absolute HRRec was correlated with relative HRRec and RHI. Relative HRRec was correlated with RHI. Lack of significant differences in HRRec and EF across adiposity levels were likely due to the obese, but otherwise healthy population recruited for this study. Age affected the response to all variables included in this study.
Severe winter haze days in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region from 1985 to 2017 and the roles of anthropogenic emissions and meteorology

Abstract. We applied a global 3-D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to examine the variations in the frequency and intensity in severe winter haze days (SWHDs) in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) from 1985 to 2017 and quantified the roles of changes in anthropogenic emissions and/or meteorological parameters. Observed SWHDs were defined as the days with daily mean PM2.5 concentration exceeding 150 µg m−3, and simulated SWHDs were identified by using the same threshold but with adjustment on the basis of simulation biases. Comparisons between the simulated SWHDs and those obtained from the observed PM2.5 concentrations and atmospheric visibility showed that the model can capture the spatial and temporal variations in SWHDs in China; the correlation coefficient between the simulated and observed SWHDs is 0.98 at 161 grids in China. From 1985 to 2017, with changes in both anthropogenic emissions and meteorological parameters, the simulated frequency (total severe haze days in winter) and intensity (PM2.5 concentration averaged over severe haze days in winter) of SWHDs in BTH showed increasing trends of 4.5 d per decade and 13.5 µg m−3 per decade, respectively. The simulated frequency exhibited fluctuations from 1985 to 2017, with a sudden decrease from 1992 to 2001 (29 to 10 d) and a rapid growth from 2003 to 2012 (16 to 47 d). The sensitivity simulations indicated that variations in meteorological parameters played a dominant role during 1992–2001, while variations in both emissions and meteorological parameters were important for the simulated frequency trend during 2003–2012 (simulated trends were 27.3 and 12.5 d per decade owing to changes in emissions alone and changes in meteorology alone, respectively). The simulated intensity showed a steady increase from 1985 to 2017, which was driven by changes in both emissions and meteorology. Process analysis on all SWHDs during 1985–2017 indicated that transport was the most important process for the formation of SWHDs in BTH with a relative contribution of 65.3 %, followed by chemistry (17.6 %), cloud processes (−7.5 %), dry deposition (−6.4 %), and planetary boundary layer (PBL) mixing (3.2 %). Further examination showed that SWHDs exhibited large interannual variations in frequency and intensity, which were mainly driven by changes in meteorology. The results of this study have important implications for the control of SWHDs in BTH.
Exploring key working: parents' perceptions of key workers in Clare Early Intervention Service (CEIS) / [thesis] by Brigid Mullins for Masters in Health Science (Primary Care)

Research has shown that parents of disabled children face a constant battle to negotiate access to services across different agencies. In order to overcome their difficulties key workers have provided a single point of contact service in the form of a named person. The key worker helps the family navigate through the maze of agencies from therapy services to counselling, family support to respite services. This study aims to explore parents’ perceptions of key workers in Clare Early Intervention Service (CEIS), in order to inform decisions taken on the development of a key worker service for school age children and young people aged 6 to 18 years. A review of the literature was conducted and issues identified for exploration. A primarily quantitative postal questionnaire was sent to 100 parents of children with a disability on the CEIS data base who were identified as having a key worker. A second shorter version of the questionnaire was sent to 60 other parents of children who were identified as not having a key worker from the data base. A 65% response rate was achieved. The results in general support previous studies. The level of provision of key workers was higher than that of other studies (72%). Levels of satisfaction with the key worker service were high (88.4%) and the role was valued greatly by the parents for whom key working was going well. However, the open ended qualitative questions revealed issues of importance to parents such as isolation, confusion and at times lack of consistency in relation to the role of a key worker. The study concluded that key working is a worthwhile service to provide to parents of children with a disability. However, if key working is to be successful it should be a clearly defined role not just an ‘add on’ role to the other professional job. The key worker role needs to be incorporated into the job description, with time allocated for the role and with agreed protocols/standards. A service manager is required to ensure best practice is achieved and sustained, and to provide training for the role.
Potential Effects of Alkaloid vindolicine Substances in Tapak Dara Leafs (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) in Reducing Blood Glucose Levels

Diabetes mellitus is a degenerative disease that commonly found and related to an unhealthy lifestyle and genetic factors. Current management of diabetes mellitus includes control of blood sugar levels and prevention of complications. Recent studies found that many phytochemicals have the potential to control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Alkaloid substances from leaves of Tapak Dara have an effect on decreasing blood glucose. This review article aims to describe the potential effects of the Alkaloid vindolicine from Tapak Dara leaves (Catharanthus Roseus L.) in reducing blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The activity of vindolicine alkaloid against ? cells in previous studies has shown to improve ? cells activity and induce insulin secretion thus preventing further hyperglycemia. In addition, the vindolicine alkaloid also has a role in activating pancreatic ? -TC6 cells and carrying out an immediate reaction in blood vessels. As conclusion, further research is needed to prove the maximum effect of the utilization of tread leaf extract as well as the toxicity test to determine the toxic effects of the alkaloid substances in the tread leaf. Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Vindolicine Alkaloid, Tapak Dara, blood glucoselevels
Comprehensive Studies on Third Phase Formation: Application to U(VI)/Th(IV) Mixtures Extracted by TBP in N-dodecane

ABSTRACT Phase splitting of tributylphosphate (TBP)/n-dodecane organic phases resulting from the extraction of UO2(NO3)2, Th(NO3)4 and mixtures of both actinides from aqueous nitrate solutions has been investigated. Limiting organic concentrations (LOC) and metals distribution beyond third phase formation have been determined, with comparison between the cases of single metal-systems and metals mixtures. Simultaneous quantification of TBP and both metals was achieved through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. LOC studies reveal that thorium (IV) drives the third phase formation as it is the most destabilizing element in the solvent. After organic phase splitting, studies of the distributions of metals between the heavy organic phase (HOP) and the diluted organic phase (DOP) in the case of U(VI)/Th(IV) mixtures revealed that they are similar to those observed when both metals are alone in the solvent: Thorium (IV) has a strong affinity for the HOP, whereas uranium (VI) distributes both in HOP and in DOP. A supersaturation coefficient (NLOC) is proposed as a new tool to account for the data obtained in the present study. Furthermore, the approach was successfully applied to analyse available data in the literature regarding thorium (IV) distribution studies after phase splitting in various TBP-alkane solvents. Such a study beyond third phase formation paves the way for studying the mechanism involved in third phase formation, as the metal is clearly identified as the key parameter.
Detection of human IgM and IgG antibodies by means of galactofuranose-coated and rhamnose-coated gold nanoparticles

Many infectious diseases lack cheap, fast, and reliable serodiagnostic tools. Recently, glycans coupled to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have shown potential to fill this void by utilizing them as a coating in ELISA experiments. In this study, we used GNPs functionalized either with galactofuranose (Galf), rhamnose (Rhap) or a mixture of these monosaccharides to detect the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against these non-human carbohydrates in sera obtained from tuberculosis patients and control groups. Our findings confirm the wide abundance of anti-Rhap antibodies in humans and show for the first time the presence of anti-Galf antibodies in human sera. This study supports further investigation of using GNP-ELISA with microbe-specific carbohydrates for serodiagnosis of infectious diseases.
Variation of the donor and acceptor in D–A–π–A based cyanopyridine dyes and its effect on dye sensitized solar cells

Two organic D–A–π–A dyes (TPCTh and TPCRh), having 3-cyanopyridine as auxiliary acceptor with triphenylamine donor and cyanoacetic acid/rhodanine-3-acetic acid anchoring group, were synthesized and utilized as sensitizers in the fabrication of DSSC.
Structural properties of sH hydrate: a DFT study of anisotropy and equation of state

ABSTRACT Structure-H (sH) hydrate is one of the canonical gas hydrates with significant potential applications and scarce characterised material properties despite the wide knowledge available on other gas hydrates. In this work we characterise some of the important physical properties of this hydrate at the atomistic level using Density Functional Theory. Two exchange-correlation functionals (revPBE and DRSLL) were used to simulate six sH hydrate systems encapsulating neohexane and different help gas molecules. The important role of dispersion forces is quantified. The density and isothermal bulk modulus of sH hydrate are higher when dispersion interactions are considered. The presence of those interactions imposes a direct relationship between the hydrate density and its bulk modulus, while their absence reveals the bulk modulus dependency on hydrogen bond density. Anisotropy is a distinguishing feature of this hydrate in distinction to nearly isotropic sI and sII hydrates. Structure-H hydrate experiences a compressional anisotropy in which the a-lattice and the c-lattice constants respond differently to applied pressure showing less compressibility along the c-axis. This compressional anisotropy was found dependant on the chemistry of help gas molecules. Taken together, these property characterisation results and analysis are a significant and novel contribution to the material physics of sH hydrates.