bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of a brief intervention for intensive care unit patients with hazardous alcohol use: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nissilä Eliisa , Hynninen Marja , Jalkanen Ville , Kuitunen Anne , Bäcklund Minna , Inkinen Outi , Hästbacka Johanna
Published: May 2024

Background

Screening for hazardous alcohol use and performing brief interventions (BIs) are recommended to reduce alcohol-related negative health consequences. We aimed to compare the effectiveness (defined as an at least 10% absolute difference) of BI with usual care in reducing alcohol intake in intensive care unit survivors with history of hazardous alcohol use.

Methods

We used Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) score to assess history of alcohol use.

Patients: Emergency admitted adult ICU patients in three Finnish university hospitals, with an AUDIT-C score > 5 (women), or > 6 (men). We randomized consenting eligible patients to receive a BI or treatment as usual (TAU).

Intervention: BI was delivered by the time of ICU discharge or shortly thereafter in the hospital ward.

Controls: Control patients received TAU.

Outcome: The primary outcome was self-reported alcohol consumption during the preceding week 6 and 12 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes were the change in AUDIT-C scores from baseline to 6 and 12 months, health-related quality of life, and mortality. The trial was terminated early due to slow recruitment during the pandemic.

Results

We randomized 234 patients to receive BI (N = 117) or TAU (N = 117). At 6 months, the median alcohol intake in the BI and TAU groups were 6.5 g (interquartile range [IQR] 0–141) and 0 g (0–72), respectively (p = 0.544). At 12 months, it was 24 g (0–146) and 0 g (0–96) in the BI and TAU groups, respectively (p = 0.157). Median change in AUDIT-C from baseline to 6 months was − 1 (− 4 to 0) and 2 (− 6 to 0), (p = 0.144) in the BI and TAU groups, and to 12 months − 3 (− 5 to − 1) and − 4 (− 7 to − 1), respectively (p = 0.187). In total, 4% (n = 5) of patients in the BI group and 11% (n = 13) of patients in the TAU group were abstinent at 6 months, and 10% (n = 12) and 15% (n = 17), respectively, at 12 months. No between-groups difference in mortality emerged.

Conclusion

As underpowered, our study cannot reject or confirm the hypothesis that a single BI early after critical illness is effective in reducing the amount of alcohol consumed compared to TAU. However, a considerable number in both groups reduced their alcohol consumption.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03047577).
NANOG controls testicular germ cell tumour stemness through regulation of MIR9-2
Authors: Cardenas Ryan P , Zyoud Ahmad , McIntyre Alan , Alberio Ramiro , Mongan Nigel P , Allegrucci Cinzia
Published: May 2024

Background

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) represent a clinical challenge; they are most prevalent in young individuals and are triggered by molecular mechanisms that are not fully understood. The origin of TGCTs can be traced back to primordial germ cells that fail to mature during embryonic development. These cells express high levels of pluripotency factors, including the transcription factor NANOG which is highly expressed in TGCTs. Gain or amplification of the NANOG locus is common in advanced tumours, suggesting a key role for this master regulator of pluripotency in TGCT stemness and malignancy.

Methods

In this study, we analysed the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) that are regulated by NANOG in TGCTs via integrated bioinformatic analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and NANOG chromatin immunoprecipitation in human embryonic stem cells. Through gain-of-function experiments, MIR9-2 was further investigated as a novel tumour suppressor regulated by NANOG. After transfection with MIR9-2 mimics, TGCT cells were analysed for cell proliferation, invasion, sensitivity to cisplatin, and gene expression signatures by RNA sequencing.

Results

For the first time, we identified 86 miRNAs regulated by NANOG in TGCTs. Among these, 37 miRNAs were differentially expressed in NANOG-high tumours, and they clustered TGCTs according to their subtypes. Binding of NANOG within 2 kb upstream of the MIR9-2 locus was associated with a negative regulation. Low expression of MIR9-2 was associated with tumour progression and MIR9-2-5p was found to play a role in the control of tumour stemness. A gain of function of MIR9-2-5p was associated with reduced proliferation, invasion, and sensitivity to cisplatin in both embryonal carcinoma and seminoma tumours. MIR9-2-5p expression in TGCT cells significantly reduced the expression of genes regulating pluripotency and cell division, consistent with its functional effect on reducing cancer stemness.

Conclusions

This study provides new molecular insights into the role of NANOG as a key determinant of pluripotency in TGCTs through the regulation of MIR9-2-5p, a novel epigenetic modulator of cancer stemness. Our data also highlight the potential negative feedback mediated by MIR9-2-5p on NANOG expression, which could be exploited as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TGCTs.
MSCs promote the efferocytosis of large peritoneal macrophages to eliminate ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages in the injured endometria
Authors: Wang Jiali , Li Jingman , Yin Lijie , Wang Xiuzhu , Dong Yue , Zhao Guangfeng , Shen Sunan , Hou Yayi
Published: May 2024

Background

Endometria are one of the important components of the uterus, which is located in the peritoneal cavity. Endometrial injury usually leads to intrauterine adhesions (IUA), accompanied by inflammation and cell death. We previously reported that both the endometrial ferroptosis was increased and monocytes/macrophages were involved in endometrial injury of IUA. Large peritoneal macrophages (LPMs) are recently reported to migrate into the injured tissues and phagocytose dead cells to repair the tissues. We previously demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) had made excellent progress in the repair of endometrial injury. However, it is unclear whether MSCs regulate the LPM efferocytosis against ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages in the injured endometria.

Methods

Here, endometrial injury in IUA mouse model was conducted by uterine curettage and LPS injection surgery and the samples were collected at different times to detect the changes of LPMs and ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages. We conducted LPMs depletion assay in vivo and LPMs and Erastin-induced ferroptotic THP-1 cells coculture systems in vitro to detect the LPM efferocytosis against ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages. The IUA model was treated with MSCs, and their effects on LPMs and endometrial repair were analyzed. Flow cytometry, western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA, and RNA-sequencing were performed.

Results

We found that LPMs migrated to the injured uteri in response to the damage in early phase (3 h), and sustained to a later stage (7 days). Astonishingly, we found that ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages were significantly increased in the injured uteri since 12 h after injury. Moreover, LPMs cocultured with Erastin-induced ferroptotic THP-1 cells in vitro, efferocytosis of LPMs against ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages was emerged. The mRNA expression profiles revealed that LPM efferocytosis against ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages was an induction of glycolysis program and depended on the PPARγ-HK2 pathway. Importantly, we validated that MSCs promoted the efferocytic capability and migration of LPMs to the injured uteri via secreting stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1).

Conclusion

The data collectively demonstrated first the roles of LPMs via removal of ferroptotic monocytes/macrophages and provided a novel mechanism of MSCs in repairing the endometrial injury.

Graphical Abstract
From papers to RDF-based integration of physicochemical data and adverse outcome pathways for nanomaterials
Authors: van Rijn Jeaphianne P. M. , Martens Marvin , Ammar Ammar , Cimpan Mihaela Roxana , Fessard Valerie , Hoet Peter , Jeliazkova Nina , Murugadoss Sivakumar , Vinković Vrček Ivana , Willighagen Egon L.
Published: May 2024

Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) have been proposed to facilitate mechanistic understanding of interactions of chemicals/materials with biological systems. Each AOP starts with a molecular initiating event (MIE) and possibly ends with adverse outcome(s) (AOs) via a series of key events (KEs). So far, the interaction of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) with biomolecules, biomembranes, cells, and biological structures, in general, is not yet fully elucidated. There is also a huge lack of information on which AOPs are ENMs-relevant or -specific, despite numerous published data on toxicological endpoints they trigger, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. We propose to integrate related data and knowledge recently collected. Our approach combines the annotation of nanomaterials and their MIEs with ontology annotation to demonstrate how we can then query AOPs and biological pathway information for these materials. We conclude that a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) representation of the ENM-MIE knowledge simplifies integration with other knowledge.

Scientific contribution

This study introduces a new database linking nanomaterial stressors to the first known MIE or KE. Second, it presents a reproducible workflow to analyze and summarize this
knowledge. Third, this work extends the use of semantic web technologies to the field of nanoinformatics and nanosafety.
Exploring the status of argumentative essay writing strategies and problems of Iranian EFL learners
Authors: Mallahi Omid
Published: May 2024

The present study explores the status of argumentative essay writing strategy use and identifies the problems a convenient sample of Iranian EFL learners face while writing argumentative essays in English. Adopting a complementary process-genre approach and a mixed-methods research design, the researcher designed a genre-specific argumentative essay-writing strategy use questionnaire and pilot-tested it in an essay-writing course. The necessary data were collected using the designed questionnaire, students' argumentative texts written in the classes and their responses to the open-ended survey and semi-structured interviews. The results indicated a rather low status of strategy use in the sample since the students mostly depended on their previous writing competencies rather than following the conventions of working on this new genre of writing. The results of the open-ended survey, semi-structured interviews, and the analyses of students' argumentative texts indicated significant problems in the students' essay writing performance, categorized as cognitive, linguistic and discourse, and psychological problems, which were further attributed to the newness and complexities imposed by this genre of writing, students’ inadequate linguistic and discourse competence and their inefficient use of writing strategies. Finally, it was suggested that to assist the students in writing better argumentative texts, writing instructors must ensure students have a fundamental understanding of what an argument is, including the components like claims, evidence, warrants and counterarguments, and encourage critical thinking by teaching students how to evaluate evidence, find logical fallacies and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments. They also need to share well-written argumentative essays as models for students to analyze and learn from, incorporate strategy instruction in their practices, offer further opportunities for writing and practicing in this genre of writing, and provide appropriate scaffolding and timely feedback on the students’ argumentative writing performance.
Evaluation of audiovestibular functions in patients with posterior circulation cerebrovascular stroke
Authors: Koura Rabab Ahmed , El-Badry Mohamed Mohamed , Hussein Mona , Ali Faten Mohamed , Radwan Manar Abdelrahman Ahmed , Youssef Ragaey
Published: May 2024

Background

It has been found that 25% of posterior circulation stroke patients experience vertigo. Sudden hearing loss due to a vascular source is typically caused by infarction in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery territory. However, it is uncommon in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory infarction.

Aim of the work

The objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the function of the auditory and vestibular system in patients with posterior circulation cerebrovascular stroke.

Methods

Fifty patients with posterior circulation stroke, diagnosed by MRI at least 3 months after onset, were included. The controls consisted of fifty healthy people. The average age in cases was 58.68 ± 8.60 years, while in controls, it was 55.44 ± 11.72. The Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to conduct clinical assessments. All study groups were investigated using pure tone audiometry, auditory brain stem-evoked potential (ABR), videonystagmography (VNG), and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP).

Results

MRI findings revealed that pontine infarction was the most frequent lesion in 36 (72%) patients. The latencies of ABR waves I, III, V, 1–III, I–V, and III–V were all considerably longer in cases than controls. Cervical VEMP P1 latency was considerably delayed in cases compared to controls, as the amplitude was lower. VNG data found abnormalities in all test parameters, indicating central disease.

Conclusion

Posterior circulation stroke causes acute sensorineural hearing loss with varying degrees. Videonystagmography is an accurate assessment of oculomotor function that can be combined with vestibular-evoked myogenic potential to objectively assess posterior circulation stroke patients.
Artificial intelligence-based adaptive anomaly detection technology for IaaS cloud virtual machines
Authors: Jiang Guoming
Published: May 2024

As infrastructure-as-a-service clouds quickly grow, an increasing number of businesses and people are moving their application development to the cloud. The purpose of the research is to solve the problem of identifying memory anomalies in cloud virtual machines and improve the accuracy of the model in detecting abnormal situations. This paper presents a model for detecting virtual machine anomalies in IaaS cloud platform. The model considers the unique properties of monitoring metrics as time-series data and proposes an approach based on four important virtual machine monitoring metrics. The study also develops an adaptive anomaly detection system based on deep Q-network algorithms and migration learning principles for the variety of VM monitoring data in the cloud. The testing findings reveal that utilizing a Zoom layer with a 2-kernel size can increase detection accuracy to 96.7%. This demonstrates that a portion of the experimental data can extract the temporal features using the Zoom layer and different kernel sizes. The research model for anomaly detection had a classification accuracy of 99.8%. The deep Q-network model’s final anomaly detection accuracy varies from 96.7 to 98.6%. The outcomes of the research improved the system’s security and dependability, showed the worth of the overall framework design, and significantly decreased the number of resources needed for system operation and maintenance.
Plasma Lipidomic Profiling Identifies Elevated Triglycerides as Potential Risk Factor in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Yeung Nicole , Li Tiffany , Lin Hui-Ming , Timmins Hannah C. , Goldstein David , Harrison Michelle , Friedlander Michael , Mahon Kate L. , Giles Corey , Meikle Peter J. , Park Susanna B. , Horvath Lisa G.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting side effect of cytotoxic cancer treatment, often necessitating dose reduction (DR) or chemotherapy discontinuation (CD). Studies on peripheral neuropathy related to chemotherapy, obesity, and diabetes have implicated lipid metabolism. This study examined the association between circulating lipids and CIPN.

METHODS

Lipidomic analysis was performed on plasma samples from 137 patients receiving taxane-based treatment. CIPN was graded using Total Neuropathy Score-clinical version (TNSc) and patient-reported outcome measure European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20).

RESULTS

A significant proportion of elevated baseline lipids were associated with high-grade CIPN defined by TNSc and EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20 including triacylglycerols (TGs). Multivariable Cox regression on lipid species, adjusting for BMI, age, and diabetes, showed several elevated baseline TG associated with shorter time to DR/CD. Latent class analysis identified two baseline lipid profiles with differences in risk of CIPN (hazard ratio, 2.80 [95% CI, 1.50 to 5.23]; P = .0013). The higher risk lipid profile had several elevated TG species and was independently associated with DR/CD when modeled with other clinical factors (diabetes, age, BMI, or prior numbness/tingling).

CONCLUSION

Elevated baseline plasma TG is associated with an increased risk of CIPN development and warrants further validation in other cohorts. Ultimately, this may enable therapeutic intervention.
Do Family Policies Reduce Gender Inequality? Evidence from 60 Years of Policy Experimentation
Authors: Kleven Henrik , Landais Camille , Posch Johanna , Steinhauer Andreas , Zweimüller Josef
Published: May 2024

Do family policies reduce gender inequality in the labor market? We contribute to this debate by investigating the joint impact of parental leave and childcare, using administrative data covering Austrian workers over more than half a century. We start by quasi-experimentally identifying the causal effects of all family policy reforms since the 1950s on the full dynamics of male and female earnings. We then map these causal estimates into a decomposition framework to compute counterfactual gender inequality series. Our results show that the enormous expansions of parental leave and childcare have had virtually no impact on gender convergence. (JEL D63, J13, J16, J31, J32)
Opposing Firm-Level Responses to the China Shock: Output Competition versus Input Supply
Authors: Aghion Philippe , Bergeaud Antonin , Lequien Matthieu , Melitz Marc J. , Zuber Thomas
Published: May 2024

We decompose the “China shock” into two components that induce different adjustments for firms exposed to Chinese exports: an output shock affecting firms selling goods that compete with similar imported Chinese goods, and an input supply shock affecting firms using inputs similar to the imported Chinese goods. Combining French accounting, customs, and patent information at the firm level, we show that the output shock is detrimental to firms’ sales, employment, and innovation. Moreover, this negative impact is concentrated in low-productivity firms. On the other hand, the impact of the input supply shock is reversed. (JEL D22, D24, F14, J23, L25, O31, O34)
Public Pensions and Private Savings
Authors: García-Miralles Esteban , Leganza Jonathan M.
Published: May 2024

How does the provision of public pension benefits impact private savings? We answer this question in the context of a Danish reform that increased social security eligibility ages. Using administrative data and a regression discontinuity design, we identify the causal effects of the policy on savings throughout the financial portfolio. We find increases in contributions to personal and employer-sponsored retirement accounts when delayed benefit eligibility induces extended employment. We argue that inertia—the continuation of previous savings behaviors—is a key mechanism, and we highlight how firm default contribution rate policies can mediate savings responses to social security reform. (JEL G51, H55, J22, J26, J32)
Refugee Benefit Cuts
Authors: Dustmann Christian , Landersø Rasmus , Andersen Lars Højsgaard
Published: May 2024

This paper analyzes the effects of Denmark’s Start Aid welfare reform that targets refugees. Implemented in 2002, it enables us to study not only the reform’s immediate effects but also its longer-term consequences and its repeal a decade later. The reform-induced large transfer cuts led to an increase in employment rates, but only in the short run. Overall, the reform increased poverty rates and led to a rise in subsistence crime. Moreover, local demand conditions generate substantial heterogeneity in the reform’s effects on immediate and longer-term employment. (JEL I32, I38, J15, J22, J64, K42)
Saving Lives with Indexed Disaster Funds: Evidence from Mexico
Authors: del Valle Alejandro
Published: May 2024

Developing economies are not disproportionately exposed to natural disasters, but they experience significantly more deaths. Exploiting a discontinuity in the eligibility rules for Mexico’s indexed disaster fund (Fonden), I show that the accelerated reconstruction of public infrastructure can significantly mitigate the mortality impacts of disasters. Fonden’s impact is concentrated in areas with medical infrastructure and among conditions responsive to basic and freely available medical care. These findings suggest that Fonden operates by restoring access to health services. I also show that Fonden is cost-effective relative to other interventions and that its benefit–cost ratio is at least 3.2. (JEL D61, H12, H54, H84, I18, O13, Q54)
OLD ENGLISH LEXEME BEORN IN THE GLOSSARIES AND THE TEXT OF THE POEM BEOWULF
Authors: Krupina Ekaterina A.
Published: May 2024

Background. The Old English poem Beowulf known to us in the manuscript of the X-XI centuries embodies the epic world picture of the Anglo-Saxons, idealized past time. With the changing of scientific paradigms, the methods of analyzing the text of Beowulf have also been modified in different fields of science particularly in linguistics. Semantic units description has been held with the considering of etymological reconstruction as well as development of lexical systems. The article of J.R.R. Tolkien (1936) started to form the trend towards literary interpretation of the text. Lexicographical works can also be a valuable source of information on semantic scope of lexical units.
Purpose. The article considers the semantic scope and the shades of meaning of the Old English lexeme beorn.
Materials and methods. The research material comprises the text of the Old English poem Beowulf, glossaries by J. Kemble (1837), B. Thorpe (1855), W.J. Sedgefield (1913), F. Klaeber (1950), A. Wyatt (1898), the glossaries to online projects Beowulf on Steorarume, Gutenberg, online etymological dictionary by D. Harper, University of Glasgow online Thesaurus of Old English, J.R. Clark Hall amended Anglo-Saxon dictionary (1916). The continuous sampling, contextual analysis, dictionary criticism methods were used.
Results. The article considers the etymology of the Old English lexeme beorn, and its etymological parallels. With the help of continuous sampling the lines with the noun were found in the text of the poem. On this basis the meanings of the noun and the shades of its meaning were determined, i.e. “man”, “warrior”, “hero”, “noble man”. The analysis of the dictionary entries proves the extension of their interpretation from 19th to 21st centuries, the scope of the meaning of the noun and its shades.
Practical implications. The results of the research can be used in teaching students history of the English language. The findings can be used to enlarge the dictionaries to the Old English poem Beowulf.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE VALUE FOUNDATIONS OF CULTURE INFORMATION NETWORK SOCIETY
Authors: Isachenko Nadezhda N.
Published: May 2024

In Russian humanitarian thought, the problems of preserving and further developing the spiritual, value component of human activity in the context of a developing information and network society are widely discussed. Informatization, digitalization, expanding the boundaries of the information and network space, constructively transforms human existence. Screen, network culture demonstrates qualitatively new approaches to understanding the phenomena of "culture", "values", "norms". The ideas propagated by virtual countercultures and subcultures aimed at the formation of utilitarian, hedonistic attitudes contribute to the leveling of ethical, moral principles, and the de-formation of a value system. This indicates that the dynamics of value bases is shifting from the highest to the lowest pole: from spiritual to material, from traditional to universal, from socially significant to individual values. The focus of this problem is to create a humanistically oriented environment filled with ethical imperatives and fundamental values.
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTIVITY OF VARIOUS GRAIN CROPS
Authors: Egorova Olga , Sabirova Razina , Vafin Il'shat , Safin Radik
Published: May 2024

The purpose of the research was to assess the productivity and feed value (grain content and protein yield) of various grain feed crops. The objectives of the research were to identify types and varieties of grain forage crops that provide the maximum yield of vegetable protein from 1 hectare of crops. The objects of research were spring two-row barley, spring multi-row chaffy barley, spring multi-row hulless barley, and spring triticale. The research was carried out in 2023 on well-cultivated, gray forest soil of medium loamy composition under conditions of periodically dry conditions. Standard technologies for cultivating grain forage crops were used. Among spring grain feed barley, the highest indicators for yield, protein content and its collection per 1 ha were for the multi-row chaffy barley variety Tevkech. No significant differences in yield between varieties of two-row chaffy barley (Raushan, Orlan) have been established. The maximum protein content in grain (6.7% higher than the standard) among the barley varieties was in the multi-row hulless barley variety Ergeninsky holozerny, due to which the protein collection in this variant was at the level of two-row barley varieties and was slightly inferior to the indicators for multi-row chaffy barley Tevkech varieties. The spring triticale varieties UKRO and Timur were inferior in grain protein content to all variants with spring barley. The Orden variety stood out significantly among other spring triticale varieties in terms of protein content, and due to its high yield, its use resulted in the maximum amount (0.77 t) of vegetable protein being obtained from 1 hectare of crops. Thus, among the studied grain forage crops in the conditions of 2023, spring triticale of the Orden variety had an advantage.
THE INFLUENCE OF SULFUR BENTONITE ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SUNFLOWER
Authors: Suleymanov Salavat , Safiollin Faik , Suleymanov Ruzal' , Tahaviev Il'shat
Published: May 2024

The research was carried out in order to study the effectiveness of the use of various new sulfur-containing fertilizers on sunflower crops in the soil and climatic conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan. Field experiments were conducted in 2023 on the basis of Agrobiotechnopark LLC (Narmonka village, Laishevsky Municipal District of the Republic of Tatarstan), laboratory analyses were carried out at the Center for Agroecological Research of the Kazan State Agrarian University. According to the research results, it was found that the introduction of 150 kg/ha of sulfur bentonite in the studied hybrids provides the growth capacity of cotyledonous leaflets by 26.3 and 29.4 %, respectively, compared with the control version of the experiment. When sulfur bentonite is applied at a dose of 150 kg/ha, the plant height of the studied Anthemis and Terramis hybrids increases by 4 and 7 cm (+3 and 5.6 %) compared with the control variant, and plant safety increases by 1.4 and 0.7 %, respectively. But the maximum values in terms of height and plant safety were obtained using the ammonium sulfate application option of 100 kg / ha, which is explained by the greater need for sunflower nitrogen than sulfur. The mass of productive seeds from one basket, depending on the hybrids studied and the fertilizers applied, ranged from 69 g in the control to 98 g in the last version of the experiment, which is 43% higher compared with the option without adding sulfur bentonite.
Electro-organic Reactions: Direct and Indirect Electrolysis
Authors: Sharma Sulekha
Published: May 2024

Electro-organic synthesis is a new methodology for synthesizing organic molecules, which helped overcome the use of toxic oxidants and expensive catalysts and make the reaction greener. The fundamental concepts of electrochemistry involve simple oxidation and reduction reactions, where electrons act as the greener oxidant and reductant. This review discusses electrochemical principles and basic terminologies that find their roots in physical organic chemistry to influence a spectrum of organic and inorganic reactions. This review also discusses the different modes of electrolysis, i.e., direct and indirect. Finally, the review highlights the importance of direct and indirect electrolysis for various reactions.
A Review Emphasis on Imbalance of Th1/Th2 Cytokines in The Progression of Diabetes to Diabetic Related Complications
Authors: Govindasamy Chandramohan
Published: May 2024

This review describes the imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines during the onset and late complications of diabetes. Systemic inflammation at low-grade is well-known as the basal factor for the onset of diabetes. Several studies have been reported that cytokines have tremendous role in inflammation in type 1 diabetes (T1DM ) as well as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In general, cellular-mediated immunity is stimulated by Th1 cells whereas Th2 stimulates B cell proliferation and antibody production. It is necessary to understand the role of immune cells secreting chemokines and cytokines, their involvement during the onset and the progression of diabetes particularly diabetic retinopathy/nephropathy. There is clear evidence that type 1 diabetes/autoimmune diabetes is caused by Th1/Th2 cell attacking the beta cells of the pancreas. Numerous cytokines and chemokines contribute to the inflammatory cascade, which may lead to β-cell damage . Th1 cells are the central source of interferon-γ while Th2 cells release interleukins (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13). Other than diabetes, chronic low-grade inflammation has now stated as a risk factor of various chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. In pre-diabetic conditions, the interplay of the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines has been well understood. However, the association of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines secreted by Th1/Th2 cells in the cause and progression of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood. So, we summarize the results of the blood levels of Th1-Th2 cytokines from the different studies, and whether these cytokine/chemokines can be reported as risk factors for diabetes and their complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR)/diabetic nephropathy(DN).
Recent Progress in Copper Based Photocatalysts: (A-Review)
Authors: Mondal Chanchal
Published: May 2024

Cu is extremely cheaper and more easily recyclable than Au, Ag. Additionally, Cu nanomaterials induced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) has been found to be tuned from visible to the near infrared spectrum by changing their shape and size and it provides Schottky junction when it is combined with other semiconductor material. It has many other remarkable features. For that reason, Cu based photocatalysis has become a research hotspot in view of its enormous practical applications in dye degradation, catalysis, photocatalytic H2 production, photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and other topics. Herein, we review the latest advances in copper-based photocatalysts in many fields and their improved activity due to LSPR, Schottky barier etc. The outstanding characteristics of Cu, principle of LSPR of copper combined with different nanomaterials during photocatalysis are also discussed in detail.
Extraction with 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde Thiosemicarbazone of Cu(II) in Butyl Acetate and Its Spectrophotometric Study
Authors: Rodrigues Priyanka Melwin , Chaudhary Sunetra Rajendra
Published: May 2024

The highly reactive 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (CSTSC) has been employed as an extractive reagent to create a simple and precise spectrophotometric technique for detecting Cu(II) spontaneously. The complex of 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and Cu(II) has been quantitatively extracted in butyl acetate in the pH range of 5.4–6.4 after equilibrating for 60 sec. Up to 5.0 μg mL-1 concentration of Cu(II), the complex of 5-Chlorosalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone with Cu(II) in butyl acetate follows Beer’s law, with its maximum absorbance occurring at 380 nm. By employing the Jobs continuous variation method, the composition 1:1 has been determined for the Cu(II)-CSTSC complex, and this finding is further supported by the mole ratio method. The extracted complex remained stable for 72 hours. 5.47 x 10-3 μg cm-2 was determined to be Sandell's sensitivity, whereas 1.16 x 104 L mol-1 cm-1 was the molar absorptivity. Commercial and synthetic samples have been effectively analysed using this method.
In-vitro Anti-urolithiasis Activity Evaluation of Acalypha rhomboidea Leaf Extract
Authors: Bandla Jahnavi , Gorja Ashok , Syed Mobeen , Kappala Swetha
Published: May 2024

The present study explored the in-vitro evaluation of the anti-urolithiasis activity of Acalypha rhomboidea leaf extract. The powdered plant material was extracted using the maceration technique with water as solvent. After the extraction, the extract was subjected to preliminary qualitative analysis to identify the presence of phytochemicals. The phytoconstituents present in the extract are reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, etc. Later aqueous extract was evaluated for anti-urolithiasis activity using the titrimetry method and percentage dissolution was calculated. In this method, neeri was used as a standard drug. The plant extract showed 82% percentage dissolution of calcium oxalate crystals indicating that the plant was more efficient in dissolving calcium oxalate when compared to standard drug.
Green Mechanochemistry: Synthesis of Highly Efficient Meso-Substituted Tetra Phenyl Porphyrin Sensitizers for Emerging Organic Photovoltaics Technology
Authors: Bhagat Yatreek G. , Patle Manoj R.
Published: May 2024

The present work deals with the preparation of porphyrin derivatives using the green synthesis method. Here the focus is on reducing the steps of the reaction scheme and using a mechanochemical C-C bonding method that minimizes the use of a solvent and makes the reaction environmentally friendly. This work is about the synthesis of meso-substituted tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP). Step I of the scheme deals with the mechanochemical synthesis of oxidizable porphyrin intermediates. In Step II, these oxidizable porphyrin intermediates are treated with effective oxidizing agents to convert them into the product. Product purity is checked primarily by UV-visible spectrophotometry and confirmed by IR, H1-NMR, C13, and MALDI-TOF instrumentation techniques. The synthesized porphyrins sensitizers can also generate current without any external load. Hence, they have photovoltaic importance in emerging organic photovoltaic technology-based Solar Cells.
A Review on Harnessing the Potential of Coconut Shell Activated Carbon and Nitrogen-Doped Activated Carbon - Catalysts for Sustainable Power Generation
Authors: R Sakthivel , Arfayeen R Mohamed , R Aruna , Fathima G Tabassum , R Rizwana , S Abinaya
Published: May 2024

The rising demand for sustainable energy solutions has spurred intensive exploration into novel materials for energy storage and conversion. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of two synergistic materials, Coconut Shell Activated Carbon (CSAC) and Coconut Shell Nitrogen-Doped Activated Carbon (CS-NAC), illustrating their potential in advancing power generation, energy storage, and environmental remediation. CSAC emerges as a versatile material renowned for its high surface area, porosity, and conductivity. Its application in fuel cell batteries showcases enhanced electrode performance and overall fuel cell efficiency. Additionally, CSAC displays promising characteristics in Lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors, positively impacting energy density, power density, and cycling stability. Tailoring CSAC through synthesis and modification techniques addresses challenges related to cost and scalability, aligning seamlessly with sustainable practices. Environmental assessments underscore its eco-friendly nature, aligning with green energy initiatives. Future directions emphasize optimization strategies and innovative applications, highlighting CSAC's potential in advancing sustainable power generation technologies. On the other hand, CS-NAC, a nitrogen-doped variant derived from coconut shells, demonstrates remarkable performance in energy storage applications. Enhanced through nitrogen doping, it exhibits superior capacitance, prolonged cycle life, and improved charge-discharge kinetics, making it invaluable in cutting-edge energy storage systems. Its versatility extends to catalytic applications, especially in oxygen reduction reactions and environmental remediation, showcasing efficiency in adsorbing pollutants and heavy metals. Despite challenges in synthesis and scalability, CS-NAC's eco-friendly nature aligns with global initiatives for clean energy technologies. Future research directions focus on synthesis optimization, fundamental mechanism understanding, and innovative applications, positioning CS-NAC as a sustainable material addressing contemporary challenges in energy storage and environmental remediation. This combined potential underscores the pivotal role of these materials in shaping the future of energy science and environmental engineering.
An Eco-friendly Corrosion Inhibitor: Neolamarckia cadamba Leaves Extracts for SS 304 in 1 M HCl Solution
Authors: Patel Jeeni , Patel Dhara D.
Published: May 2024

Neolamarckia Cadamba leaf extract as a green and environment-friendly inhibitor for the protection of stainless steel (SS) 304 from corrosion in 1 M HCl solution. The inhibition effect of NC inhibitor was measured by different electrochemical methods for example Weight loss measurement, SEM-scanning electron microscopy, PDP-potentiodynamic polarization, and EIS-electrochemical impedance spectroscopy used for the inhibition effects studies. Using Langmuir adsorption isotherm, we studied the adsorption of the extracts of leaves. All of the methods used indicate a productive result on inhibition efficiency with a concentration of natural inhibitor increasing.
Herbal Remedies in Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Review of Plants and Non-Clinical Applications
Authors: Goyal Gauri , Kumar Vinay , Tyagi Himani , Varshney Priyanshi , Mishra Shardendu Kumar , Chauhan Sanjeev
Published: May 2024

The phenomenon of wound healing encompasses a coordinated sequence of cellular and biochemical phases collaborating synergistically to promote the restoration of the injured tissue. Tissue repair is complex, posing challenges in wound management. Healing involves three phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. Treatments include antibiotics, antiseptics, and extracts, but synthetic drugs have limitations. There is growing interest in plant-based formulations for effective wound treatment. Medicinal plants are increasingly recognized for their wound healing potential with lower side effects, particularly in diabetic, infected, or open wounds, supported by studies highlighting various identified mechanisms for improved healing. Medicinal plants such as Allium sativum, Boerhavia diffusa, Calendula officinalis, Crocus sativus, Curcuma longa L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Melaleuca alternifolia, Woodfordia fruticosa, etc. have demonstrated wound healing properties and have proven effective in treating wounds. This review highlights medicinal plants in wound healing, emphasizing in-vivo models, specifically examining their effectiveness in excision and incision wound healing.
Development and Utilization of Newly Synthesized Tamarind-6-Amino Hexanoic Acid (TAMHA) Resin for Removal of Toxic Heavy Metals Ions from Industrial Effluents
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Choudhary Ganesh Kumar , Chowdhary Vimla
Published: May 2024

Tamarind Kernel Powder (TKP) and its biosorbents that went through chemical modification are crucial for removing heavy metals from industrial effluents including Fe2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+. TKP is a natural polymer that is fully non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable and belongs to the group of natural gums. It has a matrix made of hydrophilic polysaccharides, which has been utilized for the generating chelating resins. The chelating resin, based on tamarind kernel powder and containing a 6-Amino hexanoic acid, has been created in the current work. FTIR, TGA, SEM, ion exchange capacity and other physicochemical characteristics were used to characterize the TAMHA resin. At different pH the preferences, the "Kd" values of these dangerous metal ions were also computed.
Solvent Free Green Synthesis f 4-Substituted Thiocarbamido- Naphthols
Authors: Jumde Kiran P. , Padhen Sanghapal S. , E. Quazi Saifuddin. , Shaikh Ruqquaiya , Khan Saleem. R.
Published: May 2024

Recently in this laboratory we developed new solvent free green synthetic methods for the synthesis of 4-phenylthiocarbamido-1-naphthol, 4-(p-chloro)phenylthiocarbamido-1-naphthol, 4-(o-methyl)phenylthiocarbamido-1-naphthol, 4-(p-methyl)phenylthiocarbamido-1-naphthol, and 4-(m-methyl)phenylthiocarbamido-1-naphthol by interacting 4-amino-1-naphthol with p-chlorophenylisothiocynate, p-tolylisothiocynate, o-tolylisothiocynate and m-tolylisothiocynate in presence of sweet lemon juice, lemon and orange juice respectively which are hither to unknown. Yet such attempts were not carried out by any researcher for 4-amino-1-naphthol. Previous researchers carried out such type of synthesis for different molecules in organic solvents as medium, which are hazardous and make pollution of environment. Newly synthesized substituted thiocarbamidonapthols was characterized by elemental analysis, chemical characteristics and spectral studies.
Incidence and clinical outcome of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury after periacetabular osteotomy
Authors: Fujita Jun , Doi Nobunao , Kinoshita Koichi , Seo Hajime , Doi Kenichiro , Yamamoto Takuaki
Published: May 2024

Aims

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury is a complication after periacetabular osteo-tomy (PAO) using an anterior approach, which might adversely affect the outcome. However, no prospective study has assessed the incidence and severity of this injury and its effect on the clinical outcomes over a period of time for longer than one year after PAO. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and severity of the symptoms of LFCN injury for ≥ three years after PAO and report its effect on clinical outcomes.

Methods

A total of 40 hips in 40 consecutive patients who underwent PAO between May 2016 and July 2018 were included in the study, as further follow-up of the same patients from a previous study. We prospectively evaluated the incidence, severity, and area of symptoms following LFCN injury. We also recorded the clinical scores at one year and ≥ three years postoperatively using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) scores.

Results

A total of 20 patients (50%) had symptoms of a LFCN injury at one year after PAO. At ≥ three years postoperatively, the symptoms had completely resolved in seven of these patients and 13 (33%) had persistent symptoms. The severity and area of symptoms did not significantly differ between one and ≥ three years postoperatively. The JHEQ showed significant differences in the patient satisfaction and mental scores between those with and those without sypmtoms of LFCN injury at ≥ three years postoperatively, while there was no significant difference in the mean SF-36 scores.

Conclusion

The incidence of LFCN injury after PAO using an anterior approach is high. The outcome of PAO, ≥ three years postoperatively, is poorer in patients with persistent symptoms from a perioperative LFCN injury, in that patient satisfaction and mental health scores are adversely affected.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(5 Supple B):11–16.
Long-term outcomes of revision total hip arthroplasty with the Zimmer Modular Revision hip system
Authors: Hickie Kirsten L. , Neufeld Michael E. , Howard Lisa C. , Greidanus Nelson V. , Masri Bassam A. , Garbuz Donald S.
Published: May 2024

Aims

There are limited long-term studies reporting on outcomes of the Zimmer Modular Revision (ZMR) stem, and concerns remain regarding failure. Our primary aim was to determine long-term survival free from all-cause revision and stem-related failure for this modular revision stem in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Secondary aims included evaluating radiological and functional outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients in our institutional database who underwent revision THA using the ZMR system from January 2000 to December 2007. We included 106 patients (108 hips) with a mean follow-up of 14.5 years (2.3 to 22.3). Mean patient age was 69.2 years (37.0 to 89.4), and 51.9% were female (n = 55). Indications for index revision included aseptic loosening (73.1%), infection (16.7%), fracture (9.3%), and stem fracture (0.9%). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the all-cause and stem-related failure revision-free survival. At most recent follow-up, Oxford Hip Scores (OHS) were collected, and radiological stem stability was determined using the Engh classification.

Results

A total of 17 hips (15.7%) underwent re-revision of any component. Indications for re-revision were stem failure (35.3%; n = 6), infection (29.4%; n = 5), instability (29.4%; n = 5), and acetabular aseptic loosening (5.9%; n = 1). The five- and 15-year all-cause survival was 89.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 86.7 to 92.7) and 83.3% (95% CI 79.6 to 87.0), respectively. There were six re-revisions (5.6%) for stem failure; five for stem fracture and one for aseptic loosening. The five- and 15-year survival free from stem-related failure was 97.2% (95% CI 95.6 to 98.8) and 94.0% (95% CI 91.6 to 96.4), respectively. At final follow-up, the mean OHS was 36.9 (8.0 to 48.0) and 95.7% (n = 66) of surviving modular revision stems were well-fixed in available radiographs.

Conclusion

Femoral revision with the ZMR offers satisfactory long-term all-cause revision-free survival, good survival free of stem-related failure, and favourable clinical outcomes. Stem fracture was the most common reason for stem-related failure and occurred both early and late. This highlights the importance of both early and long-term surveillance for stem-related failure.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(5 Supple B):112–117.