bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Krill Lecithin as Surfactant for Preparation of Oil/Water Nanoemulsions as Curcumin Carriers
Authors: Velasco‐Rodríguez Luz del C. , Rascón Martha P. , Calvo Maria V. , Montalvo Rita M. , Fontecha Javier , García Hugo S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCurcumin is a component in Curcuma longa L. with documented bioactive properties but has low bioavailability. To overcome this problem, curcumin nanoemulsions are prepared employing omega‐3‐rich phospholipids from krill oil as a surfactant and serve as curcumin carrying systems. The phospholipids are obtained through aqueous (LAD) and ethanolic (LED) degumming processes. The data obtained shows that LAD has a recovery of 70.7 ± 0.51% (w/w) phospholipids, being more efficient than LED with 45.97 ± 1.27% (w/w). Also, a higher content of omega‐3 fatty acids is found in LAD with 36 ± 2.14% (w/w). From the critical micellar concentration (CMC) as an assessment of emulsifying capability, it is found that the krill oil (KO), LAD, and LED has a CMC in the range 0.666–0.700 g L−1. Two formulations with different surfactant levels are developed: experiment A with 9.5% and experiment B with 4.75% (w/w) of krill lecithin are obtained by aqueous degumming. In the formulation of nanoemulsions average particle sizes of 139 ± 2.5 and 142 ± 5.3 nm are produced for experiments A and B, respectively. These results indicate that krill lecithin is an omega‐3 rich good surfactant which can be employed to encapsulate curcumin.Practical applications: An interest has emerged in the food industry to develop surfactants with nutritional value. Phospholipids are natural emulsifiers that are widely used to form nanoemulsions because of their elevated interfacial activity. Krill oil has been reported to be an important source of phospholipids and omega‐3 fatty acids, which are mainly esterified to phospholipid moieties. Because of these properties, krill oil phospholipids could form micelles and function as carrier systems for bioactive compounds, thus increasing their permeability in the intestine. Consequently, the present work focused on obtaining a nanostructure using a natural surfactant that possesses fatty acids with nutritional value such as omega‐3 fatty acids. This will provide an added value to the product obtained, as well as improve the bioavailability of non‐polar bioactive compounds. The results obtained could justify the use of krill oil as a useful functional food additive.
Addressing the Target Identification and Accelerating the Repositioning of Anti‐Inflammatory/Anti‐Cancer Organic Compounds by Computational Approaches
Authors: Chini Maria Giovanna , Lauro Gianluigi , Bifulco Giuseppe 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe use of computational chemistry techniques has led to notable advances in the structural and pharmacological investigation of organic compounds. The combination of quantum mechanical (QM) approaches with experimental methods (e. g., NMR spectroscopy) has contributed to the configurational and conformational structural assignment of the investigated items. Once this information has been obtained, in silico tools have been employed for assessing the pharmacological features of natural and synthetic molecules, especially those lacking precise information about their interacting macromolecules. With this aim, we have developed and implemented the Inverse Virtual Screening (IVS) computational methodology for addressing the target identification task. This minireview focuses on the key technical information and on successful examples about the convenient and fast use of such computational methods in the frame of the drug repositioning and the discovery of anti‐inflammatory/anti‐cancer agents.
HfO2‐CoO nanoparticles for electrochemical dopamine sensing
Authors: Butt Abdul Samad , Baig Nadeem , Khan Munezza , Ul‐Hamid Anwar , Sher Muhammad , Altaf Muhammad , Sohail Manzar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter that plays a pivotal role in the brain's proper functioning and several other physiological processes. Herein, we demonstrate the miniaturized electrochemical sensor for detecting DA using hafnium metal‐organic framework (Hf‐MOF) derived new nanocomposite of hafnium and cobalt oxides (HfO2‐CoO). Calcination of Hf‐MOF coated with cobalt acetylacetonate complex [(Co(acac)2] yield HfO2‐CoO nanoparticles supported over in situ generated graphitic carbon. The excellent adsorption capabilities of HfO2 and highly catalytic CoO activity make this bimetallic HfO2‐CoO nanocomposite to display a stable response over a wide linear concentration range when used as electrode material in the electrochemical DA sensing process. Moreover, the computational study also proves that CoO improves the chemisorption properties of HfO2 for DA. Electrochemical studies are performed through cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). For the case of LSV, the HfO2‐CoO nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (HfO2‐CoO/GCE) exhibit a linear response to DA concentration ranging from 0.25 to 3.15 mM. However, with DPV HfO2‐CoO/GCE electrode has displayed a linear range of 10–190 μM and a detection limit of 1.8 μM is achieved. The electrode has also shown excellent stability, and only 19 % loss in its initial current response is observed over 150 days of specific interval testing. The HfO2‐CoO/GCE nanocomposite electrode, due to its unique feature of stability, selectivity, and sensitivity, has a good potential for use as an analytical tool for non‐enzymatic sensing of DA and other neurotransmitters in the human fluid.
Multifaceted ethylenediamine and hydrothermal assisted optimum reduced GO‐nanosulfur composite as high capacity cathode for lithium‐sulfur batteries
Authors: Tiwari Rupesh K. , Singh Shishir K. , Gupta Himani , Srivastava Nitin , Meghnani Dipika , Mishra Raghvendra , Patel Anupam , Tiwari Anurag , Tiwari Vimal K. , Singh Rajendra K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA high specific capacity conducting reduced graphene oxide nanosulfur nanocomposite (RGOSNC) cathode is synthesized via deposition of nanosulfur on graphene oxide (GO) through the hydrothermal treatment in the presence of multifaceted ethylenediamine (EDA) for improving the performance of lithium‐sulfur battery (LiSB). The maximum utilization of active material (sulfur) is facilitated by the attachment of nanosulfur to GO via EDA, and further, optimum reduction of GO into conducting, porous and interconnected RGO is performed via hydrothermal treatment in the available solution having residual EDA. Therefore, GO is reduced in highly conducting RGO without the use of any external reducing agent; minimizing the chance of impurity in the synthesized RGOSNC. A three‐dimensional interconnected porous conducting architecture with nitrogen (heteroatom) doping in RGO of RGOSNC with conductivity ∼1.83 S/cm assists easy electron transportation through conducting RGO network and stabilizes intermediate polysulfide to prevent loss of active material during the electrochemical performance. The synthesized RGOSNC cathode material delivers high initial specific capacities 1448 and 1040 mAh/g at 0.1 and 0.5 C, respectively. Prepared LiSB maintains ∼741 mAh/g retention over 100 cycles at 0.5 C with excellent Coulombic efficiency (∼99%).
A novel intrinsic flame‐retardant waterborne poly(urethane) copolymers containing phosphorus‐nitrogen
Authors: Cui Jianguang , Liu Shujun , Li Qiuxia , Chen Jiaqi , Tang Xingsan , Li Shanqing , Zhong Shiqiang , Feng Wei 
Published: May 2021

SummaryIn order to improve the flame retardancy of polyurethane waterborne coatings, a reactive phosphorus and nitrogen containing monomer, designated as HO2‐N2P4, was synthesized and characterized, and then incorporated at various levels into polyurethane via copolymerization. The monomers and poly(urethane) copolymers were characterized and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and cone calorimetry. Even at low levels of HO2‐N2P4 incorporation, all the copolymers exhibit reduced thermal degradation rate and reduced flammability compared to the same properties for polyurethane containing no comonomer. Furthermore, it was observed that the flame retardant effect for the copolymers was positively correlated with the HO2‐N2P4 content.
Accumulating evidence to support the safe and efficacious use of a proprietary blend of capsaicinoids in mediating risk factors for obesity
Authors: Mariwala Javahar Kohli , Rai Deshanie , Padigaru Muralidhara , Ashok Morde Abhijeet , Maddox Ewa , Maalouf Samar , Smith Kayla , Vanden Heuvel John P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObesity is a significant public health concern, and finding safe and effective means for combating this condition is needed. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of supplementation of a blend of capsaicinoids on weight gain, fat mass, and blood chemistry in a high‐fat diet (HFD) model of obesity in mice and on adipocyte differentiation and gene expression in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. High‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice were treated with a proprietary capsaicinoid concentrate (Capsimax®; OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd., India) and compared to orlistat (ORL) and normal chow‐fed mice (NC). Mice fed a high‐fat diet showed significantly lower weight gain upon Capsimax® (CAP) administration than their HFD counterparts and similar to that observed with ORL animals. In addition, CAP decreased the high‐fat diet‐induced increases in adipose tissue and epididymal fat pad mass and hypertrophy after 52 days of treatment. Both the CAP and ORL groups had increased plasma concentrations of leptin. CAP extracts decreased triacylglycerol content in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and decreased markers of adipogenesis including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR‐ɣ) and fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (FABP4). Expression of genes involved in lipogenesis such as stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) and fatty acid synthase (FSN) was decreased by CAP in a dose‐dependent manner. Thermogenic genes and markers of brown adipose tissue including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and PR domain‐containing 16 (Prdm16) were induced by CAP in the preadipocyte cells. These in vivo and in vitro data support that this proprietary capsaicinoid concentrate reduces weight gain and adiposity at least in part through decreasing lipogenesis and increasing thermogenesis.
Protective effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate on foam cell formation by combined treatment of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein and lipopolysaccharide in THP‐1 macrophage
Authors: Im Young‐Sun , Gwon Min‐Hee , Yun Jung‐Mi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAccumulation of cholesterol‐laden macrophage foam cells characteristic of early stage atherosclerotic lesions. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables that has reported a variety of activities including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the protective effect of PEITC on foam cell formation and its precise mechanism is not yet clear. Therefore, we investigated whether PEITC suppresses foam cell formation and regulates the expression of genes related to lipid accumulation, cholesterol efflux, and inflammation in THP‐1 derived‐macrophages. We exposed THP‐1 derived‐macrophages to oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) (20 μg/mL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (500 ng/ml) to mimic foam cell formation. Here, PEITC downregulated the expression of lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), scavenger receptor A1 (SR‐A1), and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), while upregulated ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1)/liver‐X‐receptor α (LXR‐α)/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression compared to co‐treated with ox‐LDL and LPS. Taken together, PEITC, at least in part, inhibits foam cell formation and reduces lipid accumulation in foam cells. Therefore, we suggest that PEITC may be a potential candidate for the treatment and prevention of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Neural processing of vision and language in kindergarten is associated with prereading skills and predicts future literacy
Authors: Liebig Johanna , Froehlich Eva , Sylvester Teresa , Braun Mario , Heekeren Hauke R. , Ziegler Johannes C. , Jacobs Arthur M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe main objective of this longitudinal study was to investigate the neural predictors of reading acquisition. For this purpose, we followed a sample of 54 children from the end of kindergarten to the end of second grade. Preliterate children were tested for visual symbol (checkerboards, houses, faces, written words) and auditory language processing (spoken words) using a passive functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm. To examine brain–behavior relationships, we also tested cognitive–linguistic prereading skills at kindergarten age and reading performance of 48 of the same children 2 years later. Face‐selective response in the bilateral fusiform gyrus was positively associated with rapid automatized naming (RAN). Response to both spoken and written words at preliterate age was negatively associated with RAN in the dorsal temporo‐parietal language system. Longitudinally, neural response to faces in the ventral stream predicted future reading fluency. Here, stronger neural activity in inferior and middle temporal gyri at kindergarten age was associated with higher reading performance. Our results suggest that interindividual differences in the neural system of language and reading affect literacy acquisition and thus might serve as a marker for successful reading acquisition in preliterate children.
Using causal forests to assess heterogeneity in cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Bonander Carl , Svensson Mikael 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe develop a method for data‐driven estimation and analysis of heterogeneity in cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEA) with experimental or observational individual‐level data. Our implementation uses causal forests and cross‐fitted augmented inverse probability weighted learning to estimate heterogeneity in incremental outcomes, costs and net monetary benefits, as well as other parameters relevant to CEA. We also show how the results can be visualized in relevant ways for the analysis of heterogeneity in CEA, such as using individual‐level cost effectiveness planes. Using a simulated dataset and an R package implementing our methods, we show how the approach can be used to estimate the average cost‐effectiveness in the entire sample or in subpopulations, explore and analyze the heterogeneity in incremental outcomes, costs and net monetary benefits (and their determinants), and learn policy rules from the data.
‘There's the end of an auld sang’: Farewell to the NHS market
Authors: Paton Calum 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe new White Paper, Integration and Innovation, prefiguring a Health and Social Care Bill for England, means that the NHS structure in England will have come full circle in the last 32 years, since the Thatcher government began in 1989 to implement the reforms announced that year in the White Paper, Working for Patients (incidentally without waiting for parliamentary approval, which came in 1990). This will be denied by some, who will depict the ‘new’ integration as only being possible as a result of learning during the various phases of reform over the last 30 years. This is a fallacious teleology. It is argued here that, while the ‘old’ NHS of the 1980s (of course) required improvement, the persistent ‘reforms’ of the last 30 years or so have been based on political fads which have been both hugely expensive and, in the end, transitory and self‐defeating.
Donor Treg expansion by liposomal α‐galactosylceramide modulates Tfh cells and prevents sclerodermatous chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Sugiura Hiroyuki , Matsuoka Ken‐ichi , Fukumi Takuya , Sumii Yuichi , Kondo Takumi , Ikegawa Shuntaro , Meguri Yusuke , Iwamoto Miki , Sando Yasuhisa , Nakamura Makoto , Toji Tomohiro , Ishii Yasuyuki , Maeda Yoshinobu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and AimChronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) is a major cause of nonrelapse morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). α‐Galactosylceramide (α‐GC) is a synthetic glycolipid that is recognized by the invariant T‐cell receptor of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in a CD1d‐restricted manner. Stimulation of iNKT cells by α‐GC leads to the production of not only immune‐stimulatory cytokines but also immune‐regulatory cytokines followed by regulatory T‐cell (Treg) expansion in vivo.MethodsWe investigated the effect of iNKT stimulation by liposomal α‐GC just after transplant on the subsequent immune reconstitution and the development of sclerodermatous cGVHD.ResultsOur study showed that multiple administrations of liposomal α‐GC modulated both host‐ and donor‐derived iNKT cell homeostasis and induced an early expansion of donor Tregs. We also demonstrated that the immune modulation of the acute phase was followed by the decreased levels of CXCL13 in plasma and follicular helper T cells in lymph nodes, which inhibited germinal center formation, resulting in the efficient prevention of sclerodermatous cGVHD.ConclusionsThese data demonstrated an important coordination of T‐ and B‐cell immunity in the pathogenesis of cGVHD and may provide a novel clinical strategy for the induction of immune tolerance after allogeneic HSCT.
Selecting and imagining rewarding activities during the COVID‐19 lockdown: Effects on mood and what moderates them
Authors: Hoyer Jürgen , Dechmann Janina Charlotte Gabriela , Stender Tanja , Čolić Jasmin 
Published: May 2021

The COVID‐19 outbreak strongly restricted daily activities, creating a risk factor for negative affect and depression. This study assessed the immediate effects of a behavioural activation (BA) intervention on positive (PA) and negative (NA) state affect. We expected depression and anxiety to function as moderators reducing the intervention effects. In a quasi‐experimental online study, 3624 German‐speaking participants evaluated a list of rewarding activities between 9 April and 26 April 2020. A subsample of 2561 (71%) additionally engaged in an imagination task. Depression, anxiety, socioeconomic variables and COVID‐19 related burdens were assessed as moderators. There was an increase in PA (total sample d = .13; subsample: d = .27) and a decrease in NA (total sample d = −0.68; subsample: d = −0.71; all p < .001). The effects rose with higher levels of depression and anxiety (all p < .001). Furthermore, living with family enhanced the effects on NA, while additionally having to take care of children reduced them. An easy‐to‐use intervention prompting BA could improve state mood during lockdown. Participants with higher depression and anxiety benefit more. Implications for the prevention of mental health problems during a pandemic are discussed.
SLICACO: An automated novel hybrid approach for dermatoscopic melanocytic skin lesion segmentation
Authors: Singh Lokesh , Janghel Rekh Ram , Sahu Satya Prakash 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLow contrast images and blurriness pose challenge in the over‐segmentation of image, which increases model complexities. In this work, a novel hybrid dermoscopic skin‐lesion segmentation method, namely SLICACO, is proposed incorporating the simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) and ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms. The working of proposed method is multifold. First, over‐segmentation of preprocessed image is generated using SLIC super‐pixel technique. Second, clusters of super‐pixels generated by SLIC are used by ACO with the pixels of similar intensity for edge detection and seek for the optimum pathway in a strained zone. Third, lesion area is segmented using the Convex Hull and Thresholding. Fourth, Erosion Filtering is used to obtain the final segmented image. The performance of SLICACO is assessed on five benchmark dermatoscopic datasets and compared with deep learning models to test its generalizing behavior. Promising results are obtained on the PH2 archive data set with an accuracy of 95.9%.
Enabling the thermal stability of solid electrolyte interphase in Li‐ion battery
Authors: Zu Chenxi , Yu Huigen , Li Hong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) provide power for a variety of applications from the portable electronics to electric vehicles, and now they are supporting the smart grid. Safety of LIBs is of paramount importance in these scenarios. Specifically, thermal safety arouses increasing attention with the piling‐up of LIBs. Heat generation can be significant. Hazardous incidents happen when thermal runaway occurs in a single cell level and drives the battery pack failure. Moreover, thermal runaway of LIBs is believed to originate from the exothermic reactions starting from the breakdown of the solid/cathode electrolyte interphase (SEI/CEI). To mitigate this challenge for a safe operation of LIBs, one straightforward and low‐cost method is to build thermally stable SEI/CEI. This review gives an overview on the thermal behaviors of SEI/CEI as the first step in thermal runaway. We analyzed the electrolyte composition and the formation process of SEI/CEI that enable SEI/CEI of high thermal stability. It is identified that the stable lithium salts coupled with solvents of high boiling point is one way to enhance thermal stability of the battery system. In addition, the unsaturated bonds, halogen, phosphorus, sulfur, phenol, organic borate, borane, and silane are functional components to facilitate the formation of a thermally stable SEI/CEI, which is the immediate solution to boost thermal stability of high capacity electrodes. Moreover, in‐situ polymerization/solidification is effective in enhancing simultaneously the electrochemical, chemical, and thermal stability. Finally, we revealed that only by constructing a stable SEI/CEI simultaneously could we harvest a battery system of high thermal stability.image
Eprosartan: A closer insight into its neuroprotective activity in rats with focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Saad Muhammad A. E. , Fahmy Mohamed I. M. , Sayed Rabab H. , El‐Yamany Muhammad F. , El‐Naggar Reham , Hegazy Ahmed A. E. , Al‐Shorbagy Muhammad 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEprosartan (EPRO), an angiotensin receptor type‐1 (AT‐1) blocker, exhibited neuroprotective activities in ischemic stroke resulting from focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The current study aimed to clarify the neuroprotective role of EPRO in middle carotid artery occlusion (MCAO)‐induced ischemic stroke in rats. Fifty‐six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 14 per group): sham‐operated group, sham receiving EPRO (60 mg/kg/day, po) group, ischemia–reperfusion (IR) group, and IR receiving EPRO (60 mg/kg/day, po) group. MCAO led to a remarkable impairment in motor function together with stimulation of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus of rats. After MCAO, the AT1 receptor in the brain was stimulated, resulting in activation of Janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 signaling generating more neuroinflammatory milieu and destructive actions on the hippocampus. Augmentation of caspase‐3 level by MCAO enhanced neuronal apoptosis synchronized with neurodegenerative effects of oxidative stress biomarkers. Pretreatment with EPRO opposed motor impairment and decreased oxidative and apoptotic mediators in the hippocampus of rats. The anti‐inflammatory activity of EPRO was revealed by downregulation of nuclear factor‐kappa B and tumor necrosis factor‐β levels and (C–X–C motif) ligand 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Moreover, the study confirmed the role of EPRO against a unique pathway of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and its subsequent inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, upregulation of caveolin‐1 mRNA level was also observed along with decreased oxidative stress marker levels and brain edema. Therefore, EPRO showed neuroprotective effects in MCAO‐induced cerebral ischemia in rats via attenuation of oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory pathways.