bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of okra mucilage and its antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Uddin Zim A.F.M Irfan , Khatun Jannatara , Khan Mohammad Forhad , Hossain Md. Altaf , Haque Mohammad Mozibul 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a traditionally important vegetable herb used to treat numerous illnesses, including diabetes mellitus, in many rural parts of Bangladesh and the South Asian subcontinent. However, the scientific evidence for the aforementioned properties has not been adequately validated. Hence, the aim of this study was to explore the antidiabetic, antilipidemic activity of okra mucilage powder, and to compare its effectiveness with the isolated peel–seed of okra after mucilage extraction in Swiss albino mice. After extraction, both mucilage and peel–seed were made into powder. In addition, crude protein, mineral contents, and in vitro antioxidant activity of mucilage and peel–seed powder were assessed. After acute toxicity test, methanolic extracts of both powders were administered to alloxan‐induced diabetic mice for 3 weeks. Blood glucose levels were assessed weekly. Finally, blood samples were collected on day 21 to estimate blood glucose level, total protein (TP), and lipid profile levels. Okra mucilage powder showed less amount of protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and iron compared with peel–seed powder. In terms of antioxidant activity, the IC50 value and total phenolic content were found higher in okra mucilage powder in contrast to peel–seed powder. However, total flavonoid content was higher in peel–seed powder than mucilage powder. Three‐week administration of mucilage and peel–seed suspensions at a dose of 150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly (p < .05) reversed the abnormal changes of bodyweights, water consumption, feed consumption, and fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic subjects. Cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoproteins, high‐density lipoproteins, and total protein were found to be significantly (p < .05) improved after mucilage and peel–seed treatment. Thus, Okra can be recommended as a potential source of antidiabetic drug candidate for the effective management of diabetes mellitus and its complications.
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase B prevents reactive astrogliosis and scar formation in stab wound injury model
Authors: Chun Heejung , Lim Jiwoon , Park Ki Duk , Lee C. Justin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractReactive astrocytes manifest molecular, structural, and functional alterations under various pathological conditions. We have previously demonstrated that the reactive astrocytes of the stab wound injury model (STAB) display aberrant cellular gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) content and tonic GABA release, whereas the active astrocytes under enriched environment (EE) express high levels of proBDNF. However, the role of monoamine oxidase B (MAO‐B) in reactive astrogliosis and hypertrophy still remains unknown. Here, we investigate the role of MAO‐B, a GABA‐producing enzyme, in reactive astrogliosis in STAB. We observed that the genetic removal of MAO‐B significantly reduced the hypertrophy, scar formation, and GABA production of reactive astrocytes, whereas the MAO‐B overexpression under glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter enhanced the levels of GFAP and GABA. Furthermore, we found that one of the by‐products of the MAO‐B action, H2O2, but not GABA, was sufficient and necessary for the hypertrophy of reactive astrocytes. Notably, we identified two potent pharmacological tools to attenuate scar‐forming astrogliosis—the recently developed reversible MAO‐B inhibitor, KDS2010, and an H2O2 scavenger, crisdesalazine (AAD‐2004). Our results implicate that inhibiting MAO‐B activity has dual beneficial effects in preventing astrogliosis and scar‐formation under brain injury, and that the MAO‐B/H2O2 pathway can be a useful therapeutic target with a high clinical potential.
Advances in Stereoselective Iron(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Sulfilimines with N‐Mesyloxycarbamates
Authors: Lai Calvine , Lebel Hélène 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA stereoselective amination of thioethers to access sulfilimines using N‐mesyloxycarbamates in a catalytic system composed of iron chloride (II) and a pyridine oxazoline (PyOX) ligand, has been developed. The reaction proceeds with modest to good yields and selectivities (up to 86 : 14 d.r. and 72 : 28 e.r.). Selectivity was controlled by both the structure of the chiral ligand and the amination reagent.
Towards value‐based healthcare: Establishing baseline pharmacy care costs for diabetes management
Authors: Alibrahim Abdullah , Abdulsalam Yousef , Al Mutawa Salma , Behbehani Hashem , Alhuwail Dari , Al Jenaei Saud 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe prevalence of diabetes has increased by three folds over the last 20 years, and the global cost of diabetes mellitus surpassed one trillion US Dollars (USD) or 1.8% of the global GDP in 2015. Generally, prescription medication to treat complications of diabetes makes up nearly 30% of diabetes medical expenditures. To facilitate value‐based decision‐making at national and organizational levels, we analyzed the cost drivers of pharmacy services in a diabetes care institute by developing a flexible costing model that accounts for pharmaceuticals and labour costs of pharmacy processes. We calculated the direct pharmaceutical costs and the indirect labour costs at the activity level from electronic health records and observational data. On average, the cost of pharmacy services over 1 year was equivalent to 1246 USD per diabetes patient. Approximately 98% of the pharmacy costs were pharmaceutical costs, while 2% were attributable to labour. The flexible costing model and cost estimates are essential for value‐based comparisons of interventions and care redesign. The outlined costing framework and findings carry implications nationally and organizationally to accelerate the path towards value‐based healthcare delivery and provider reimbursement schemes through agile cost estimation, efficiency improvements, and higher value of care.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in liver transplant recipients in an era of routine prophylaxis
Authors: Andreasen Philip B. , Rezahosseini Omid , Møller Dina L. , Wareham Neval E. , Thomsen Magda T. , Houmami Ranya , Knudsen Andreas D. , Knudsen Jenny , Kurtzhals Jørgen A. L. , Rostved Andreas A. , Pedersen Christian R. , Rasmussen Allan , Nielsen Susanne D. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection in organ transplant recipients that may be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis. We aimed to investigate the incidence rate (IR) of PCP and the related hospitalization and mortality rates in liver transplant recipients in an era of routine prophylaxis.MethodsWe included all adult liver transplant recipients transplanted at Rigshospitalet between January 1, 2011 and October 1, 2019. Microbiology data were obtained from the Danish Microbiology Database (MiBa), a national database containing all data from all Departments of Clinical Microbiology in Denmark receiving samples from both hospitals and general practices. According to local guidelines, PCP prophylaxis was initiated 1 week posttransplantation and discontinued after 6 months or sooner in patients experiencing side effects.ResultsWe included 343 liver transplant recipients with 1153 person‐years of follow‐up (PYFU), of which 269 (78%) received PCP prophylaxis during the first 6 months posttransplantation. Seven (2%) recipients were diagnosed with PCP during follow‐up. In the first 6 months posttransplantation and in 269 transplant recipients who received prophylaxis there were zero PCP events while the IR was 32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9–148) per 1000 PYFU in 74 recipient who did not receive prophylaxis. During 7th to 12th month posttransplantation the IR was 20 (95% CI: 5.5–53) per 1000 PYFU. All seven (100%) recipients diagnosed with PCP were hospitalized, however none died.ConclusionsPCP was not detected in liver transplant recipients while on prophylaxis. Though, it worth mentioning that two out of the seven PCP patients received high‐dose prednisolone before the PCP event. All liver transplant recipients with PCP were hospitalized, but none died. Randomized clinical trials to determine the optimal duration of prophylaxis are warranted.
Viscoelastic properties' characterization of corneal stromal models using non‐contact surface acoustic wave optical coherence elastography (SAW‐OCE)
Authors: Zhang Yilong , Zhou Kanheng , Feng Zhengshuyi , Feng Kairui , Ji Yubo , Li Chunhui , Huang Zhihong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractViscoelastic characterization of the tissue‐engineered corneal stromal model is important for our understanding of the cell behaviors in the pathophysiologic altered corneal extracellular matrix (ECM). The effects of the interactions between stromal cells and different ECM characteristics on the viscoelastic properties during an 11‐day culture period were explored. Collagen‐based hydrogels seeded with keratocytes were used to replicate human corneal stroma. Keratocytes were seeded at 8 × 103 cells per hydrogel and with collagen concentrations of 3, 5 and 7 mg/ml. Air‐pulse‐based surface acoustic wave optical coherence elastography (SAW‐OCE) was employed to monitor the changes in the hydrogels' dimensions and viscoelasticity over the culture period. The results showed the elastic modulus increased by 111%, 56% and 6%, and viscosity increased by 357%, 210% and 25% in the 3, 5 and 7 mg/ml hydrogels, respectively. To explain the SAW‐OCE results, scanning electron microscope was also performed. The results confirmed the increase in elastic modulus and viscosity of the hydrogels, respectively, arose from increased fiber density and force‐dependent unbinding of bonds between collagen fibers. This study reveals the influence of cell‐matrix interactions on the viscoelastic properties of corneal stromal models and can provide quantitative guidance for mechanobiological investigations which require collagen ECM with tuneable viscoelastic properties.
HIV service delivery in the time of COVID‐19: focus group discussions with key populations in India
Authors: Pollard Rose , Gopinath Usha , Reddy Yeruva A. , Kumar Bogam R. , Mugundu Parthasarathy , Vasudevan Canjeevaram K. , Srikrishnan Aylur K. , Singh Aditya , McFall Allison M. , Mayer Kenneth H. , Mehta Shruti H. , Solomon Sunil S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionThere are limited data on the impact of COVID‐19‐associated disruptions and novel HIV service delivery strategies among key populations (KPs) in low‐ and middle‐income countries. In March 2020, in response to COVID‐19, the Government of India revised HIV service delivery policies to include community antiretroviral therapy (ART) distribution and multi‐month dispensing (MMD) of ART for all people living with HIV (PLHIV).MethodsTo assess the acceptability of these adaptations and impact of the pandemic among KPs, we conducted focus groups in November–December 2020 with purposively sampled men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs) and transgender women (TGW) in Telangana and Maharashtra. Seven discussions were conducted. Topics included HIV service access, risk behaviours, economic security and feedback to ensure service continuity. Inductive coding identified themes across topics.ResultsForty‐four individuals aged 20–49 years participated in discussions (13 MSM; 16 FSW; and 15 TGW). Twenty‐four participants self‐identified as living with HIV. People not living with HIV reported challenges in accessing HIV antibody testing at hospitals due to travel restrictions and fear of contracting COVID‐19. Participants accessed HIV antibody testing using transportation arranged by community‐based organizations after lockdowns eased. PLHIV reported uninterrupted ART refills and generally consistent adherence; however, there were experiences of delayed CD4 and HIV RNA testing. Participants shared appreciation for MMD as it saved time, money, and reduced exposure to COVID‐19. Participants expressed gratitude for home deliveries which enabled ART access, yet shared concerns about home‐based services causing confidentiality breaches with family/neighbours. Participants voiced preferences for community‐based service provision due to proximity, convenient hours, and welcoming environments compared to public hospitals. Other requests included support for income, employment, nutrient‐rich food and more accessible mental health, HIV, and other health services.ConclusionsCOVID‐19 restrictions had a greater impact on access to HIV antibody, CD4, and RNA testing services compared to ART access. High acceptance of MMD and community‐based services support the continued role of differentiated service delivery models to improve KP access to HIV antibody, CD4, RNA testing services, convenient ART retrieval, and integrated services beyond HIV, which may be critical for survival and wellbeing.
Changes in HIV treatment differentiated care uptake during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Zambia: interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Jo Youngji , Rosen Sydney , Sy Karla Therese L. , Phiri Bevis , Huber Amy N. , Mwansa Muya , Shakwelele Hilda , Haimbe Prudence , Mwenechanya Mpande M. , Lumano‐Mulenga Priscilla , Nichols Brooke E. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroductionDifferentiated service delivery (DSD) models aim to improve the access of human immunodeficiency virus treatment on clients and reduce requirements for facility visits by extending dispensing intervals. With the advent of the COVID‐19 pandemic, minimising client contact with healthcare facilities and other clients, while maintaining treatment continuity and avoiding loss to care, has become more urgent, resulting in efforts to increase DSD uptake. We assessed the extent to which DSD coverage and antiretroviral treatment (ART) dispensing intervals have changed during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Zambia.MethodsWe used client data from Zambia's electronic medical record system (SmartCare) for 737 health facilities, representing about three‐fourths of all ART clients nationally. We compared the numbers and proportional distributions of clients enrolled in DSD models in the 6 months before and 6 months after the first case of COVID‐19 was diagnosed in Zambia in March 2020. Segmented linear regression was used to determine whether the outbreak of COVID‐19 in Zambia further accelerated the increase in DSD scale‐up.Results and discussionBetween September 2019 and August 2020, 181,317 clients aged 15 or older (81,520 and 99,797 from 1 September 2019 to 1 March 2020 and from 1 March to 31 August 2020, respectively) enrolled in DSD models in Zambia. Overall participation in all DSD models increased over the study period, but uptake varied by model. The rate of acceleration increased in the second period for home ART delivery (152%), 2‐month fast‐track (143%) and 3‐month MMD (139%). There was a significant reduction in the enrolment rates for 4‐ to 6‐month fast‐track (−28%) and “other“ models (−19%).ConclusionsParticipation in DSD models for stable ART clients in Zambia increased after the advent of COVID‐19, but dispensing intervals diminished. Eliminating obstacles to longer dispensing intervals, including those related to supply chain management, should be prioritized to achieve the expected benefits of DSD models and minimize COVID‐19 risk.
Current and future treatment approaches for Barth syndrome
Authors: Thompson Reid , Jefferies John , Wang Suya , Pu William T. , Takemoto Clifford , Hornby Brittany , Heyman Andrea , Chin Michael T. , Vernon Hilary J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBarth Syndrome is an X‐linked disorder of mitochondrial cardiolipin metabolism caused by pathogenic variants in TAFAZZIN with pleiotropic effects including cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, growth delay, and skeletal myopathy. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach to the organ‐specific manifestations including specialists from cardiology, hematology, nutrition, physical therapy, genetics, and metabolism. Currently, treatment is centered on management of specific clinical features, and is not targeted toward remediating the underlying biochemical defect. However, two clinical trials have been recently undertaken which target the mitochondrial pathology of this disease: a study to examine the effects of elamipretide, a cardiolipin targeted agent, and a study to examine the effects of bezafibrate, a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) agonist. Treatments to directly target the defective TAFAZZIN pathway are under development, including enzyme and gene therapies.
Norovirus outbreak amid COVID‐19 in the United Kingdom; priorities for achieving control
Authors: Yasmin Farah , Ali Syed Hasan , Ullah Irfan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractNorovirus, an enteric virus primarily responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, is currently causing outbreaks around the United Kingdom during the COVID‐19 pandemic. With an already exhausted health care system, the significant burden norovirus can have on the National Health Service, including economic and social burdens, is immense and cannot be tolerated. Primary challenges and priorities to be focused on due to the increase in norovirus outbreaks include a further depletion of health care services, increase cases in schools, nurseries, and care facilities, underreporting of the cases, and no effective vaccine being available. Therefore, it is essential to increase awareness about norovirus and its transmission in public, take necessary precautions, and increase reporting of cases. This article discusses the impact norovirus has during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and the challenges, and recommendations to achieve control before it reaches epidemic levels.
A review of nutritional profile and processing of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Dhull Sanju Bala , Kidwai Mohd. Kashif , Noor Rashed , Chawla Prince , Rose Pawan Kumar 
Published: October 2021

AbstractFaba bean (Vicia faba L.), a nutritious leguminous cool tolerant crop, is widely cultivated throughout the world. China, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France are the main producers of faba beans. In recent years, interest has been growing in health and nutritional benefits of faba beans and developments of different foods enriched with biomolecules with improved functionality, nutrition value, and health benefits. Faba beans are rich source of lysine rich proteins, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins, and numerous bioactive compounds. It is also a good source of l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐DOPA), which is a precursor of dopamine and can be potentially utilized for Parkinson's disease treatment. The seeds of faba beans can be consumed dry, roasted, soaked, cooked, frozen, or canned. However, a number of antinutritional factors such as phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, saponins, vicin and convicine (favism‐inducing compounds), lectins, and condensed tannins negatively affect the biological value of faba beans resulting in its underutilization. For expanding the utilization of faba beans in human nutrition, the removal of these antinutrients is necessary. A number of methods including dehulling, soaking, germination, fermentation, and heat processing (cooking, boiling, extrusion, and autocalving) have been used individually or in combination to eliminate or destroy the antinutritional factors in faba beans. This comprehensive review covers global production, nutritional profile, and processing of faba beans and its utilization in various product developments.
Nonlinear Optics in Multipass Cells
Authors: Hanna Marc , Guichard Florent , Daher Nour , Bournet Quentin , Délen Xavier , Georges Patrick 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe fundamental principles and experimental implementations of multipass cells used as a platform for nonlinear optics are reviewed. Embedding a nonlinear medium in a multipass cell allows for a distribution of the nonlinearity over large interaction distances, while the beam goes through multiple foci, conferring on the beam a robustness with respect to spatio‐spectral coupling effects. Most of the research so far has been focused on temporal compression based on self‐phase modulation, with excellent performances especially in terms of energy scaling and throughput. However, other nonlinear phenomena and functions are being increasingly investigated, such as supercontinuum generation, spectral compression, or Raman scattering. Nonlinear optics experiments in multipass cells bear some similarities with the work done in optical fibers over several decades, while allowing straightforward energy scaling potential, and unlocking engineering possibilities through the design of the cell mirrors, geometry, and nonlinear medium.
A Diagnostic Test Meta‐Analysis Evaluating Imaging‐Based and Blood Biomarker–Based Assessment Tools for Fibrosis After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Ng Cheng Han , Tan Darren Jun Hao , Lim Xiong Chang , Yong Jie Ning , Syn Nicholas , Soon Gwyneth Shook Ting , Huang Daniel Q. , Xiao Jieling , Lim Grace En Hui , Lim Wen Hui , Tan Eunice Xiang Xuan , Dan Yock Young , Noureddin Mazen , Siddiqui Mohammad Shadab , Muthiah Mark D. 
Published: October 2021

Early detection of liver graft fibrosis is crucial for risk stratification to identify patients for liver biopsy and timely treatment. However, diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tests (NITs) remains unclear. Thus, this study sought to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of NITs in assessing liver allograft fibrosis and compare the differences in specificities and sensitivities among NITs. Medline and Embase databases were searched to include articles on diagnostic tests in liver transplantation (LT) patients with fibrosis. A meta‐analysis on diagnostic test accuracy was conducted in a random‐effects model. Sensitivities and specificities among the diagnostic tests were compared, and threshold values were calculated where applicable. A total of 25 articles were included. Vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE) met the minimum diagnostic accuracy requirements, yielding sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios of 0.9 (CI, 0.8‐1.0), 0.9 (CI, 0.8‐1.0), and 379.6 (CI, 45.8‐1728.7), respectively. In the threshold assessment, the optimal cutoff was 9.30 kPa with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of 0.7 (CI, 0.5‐0.9), 0.9 (CI, 0.8‐0.9), and 0.9 (CI, 0.8‐0.9), respectively. For significant fibrosis, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) was superior to FibroTest (LabCorp [Burlington, NC]) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to FibroTest in specificity. For advanced fibrosis, ARFI was superior to the Fibrosis‐4 Index (FIB‐4) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), MRE, and FIB‐4 in specificity. In cirrhosis, VCTE was superior to APRI in specificity (P = 0.004) with comparable sensitivity. This study demonstrates the potential of VCTE and ARFI as diagnostic tools for fibrosis in LT recipients compared with blood‐based NITs, which were shown to be less optimal.