bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnobotanical Survey and In vitro Antisickling Effect of Some Selected Medicinal Plants
Authors: Sani Ibrahim , Ukwuani-Kwaja Angela Nnenna , Haruna Maimuna 
Published: August 2021

Background: Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder in which an individual inherits the sickle cell allele from both parents. The modern disease modifying therapies are quite expensive and often come with side effects, hence, there is need to search for natural alternatives from medicinal plants. This research was aimed at evaluating the antisickling effects of some selected medicinal plants.
Materials and Methods: Ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the medicinal plants used in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria for the treatment/management of sickle cell disease. Five (5) most cited plants; Carica papaya leaf, Prosopis africana stem-bark, Guiera senegalensis leaf, Syzygium aromaticum seed and Boswellia dalzielli stem bark were selected and their methanol extracts were subjected to in vitro antisickling activity using sodium metabisulphite. Phytochemical screening on the most active plant extracts was conducted using standard methods.
Results: The plant extracts and their combinations exhibited antisickling activities with varying degrees of efficacy. C. papaya leaf extract, P. africana stem bark extract and G. senegalensis leaf extract were the most potent that caused reduction in the percentage sickling to 3.87±2.73, 8.38±1.06 and 28.35±2.07% respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids and Tannins in all the three (3) plant extracts. Anthraquinones and glycosides were present only C. papaya and G. senegalensis leaf extracts, while Flavonoids and Saponins were only present in G. senegalensis leaf extract and P. africana stem bark extracts. Phenols were present in C. papaya leaf extract and P. africana stem bark extracts, while phlobatannins was only in C. papaya leaf extract.
Conclusion: The medicinal plant extracts were able to reduce the percentage of sickled cells. This may be due to the presence of some of the phytochemicals. Hence, these medicinal plants may be used as alternative to hydroxyurea in ameliorating the sickling in human HbS containing RBCs.
Histological Evaluation of Brain Tissue in Dyslipidemic Rats Treated with Dietary Supplements Based on Amazonian Fruits
Authors: Carneiro Matheus Vinícius de Souza , Freitas Ricardo de Queiroz , Rodrigues Lucas Baltar , Figueiredo Wenberger Lanza Daniel de , Lourenço Geane Antiques , Barcellos José Fernando Marques , Salomão-Oliveira Adele , Carvalho Rosany Piccolotto 
Published: August 2021

Aims: By using histological analysis, the study aims to evaluate the effect of a nutraceutical based on the Amazonian fruits of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) Mc Vaugh), acai (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) and guarana (Paullinia cupana) on the brain tissue (hippocampus) of dyslipidemic rats.
Methodology: Preclinical trials were conducted using male and female rats (n=30) of the Wistar strain (Rattus norvegicus) that were randomly divided into five groups (G) (n=6). G1 was control, G2 was induced to obesity with consumption of experimental feed (hypercaloric and hyperlipidic), G3 was induced to obesity with consumption of experimental feed and treated with simvastatin (50 mg/kg/day), and G4 and G5, which were induced to obesity with the consumption of experimental feed and supplemented with 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of the formulation, respectively. The study period was 72 days, and, for 37 days, induction to obesity was performed with the experimental feed (hypercaloric and hyperlipidic). During the following weeks, for 35 days, after division of the groups, certain groups received, in parallel, treatment with simvastatin (G3) or supplementation with the nutraceutical (G4 and G5). Subsequently, histological slides of the brain tissue stained with violet cresyl were elaborated, photographed and analyzed.
Results: No significant differences were observed between the mean of intact neurons among the experimental groups induced to obesity. The neurotoxic effect, evidenced by the significant difference between the mean of intact neurons between the control group and obesity-induced groups, corroborates the findings of neuronal damage and degenerative processes reported in the literature.
Conclusion: The nutraceutical based on Amazonian fruits was not able to prevent the neurotoxic effect arising from the hyperlipidic and hypercaloric diet, and therefore did not present a neuroprotective effect in Wistar rats under the conditions established in the experiment.
Carriage Rate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Workers in Critical Care Units of a Tertiary Hospital in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Oyekale Oluwalana T. , Olajide Adewale T. , Ojo Bola O. , Babalola Tosin O. , Oyekale Oluwatoyin I. 
Published: August 2021

Background: Carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among Healthcare workers (HCWs) who serves as agent of pathogen transmission in hospital settings portends danger to critical care patients.
Aim: To determine the carriage rate of MRSA among HCWs in the critical care units of the hospital, to identify the factors associated with carriage, and to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of isolates.
Study Design: A cross sectional descriptive study.
Materials and Methods: A total of 135 randomly selected consenting HCWs from critical care units were studied. Data on demographic characteristics and infection control practices were obtained from participants with the aid of questionnaire. Swabs of the anterior nares and hands of participants were cultured on oxacillin-containing mannitol salt agar (MSA), S. aureus was identified using convectional criteria and MRSA was identified by cefoxitin disc diffusion technique. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out on all isolated MRSA.
Results: Carriage rate of MRSA was high (26.7%). Poor handwashing practices (P=.008) and presence of wound or skin infection (P=.003) were associated with higher isolation rate. None of the age, gender, profession and duration of unit stay of workers was associated with carriage rate of MRSA. Isolation rate was higher from the nose (18.5%) than the hands (8.1%). Isolates demonstrated high resistance to antibiotics: penicillin (100%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (66.7%), cefuroxime (61.1%), ceftriaxone (63.9%), erythromycin (55.6%). All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin.
Conclusion: Carriage rate of MRSA among critical care unit staff was high in this study. There is urgent need for formulation of infection control policies and enforcement, to prevent MRSA spread among critical care patients.
Role of Haridradi Avaleha in the Management of Tamaka Shwasa (Childhood Bronchial Asthma) – A Single Case Study
Authors: Majumder Rimpi , Patil Aboli , Swapnil C. R. 
Published: August 2021

The word Shwasa is derived from the root ‘Shwasa Prinane’– which actually means difficulty in the entry of prana in the pranavaha srotas. Shwasa word indicates both physiological and pathological state of respiration. Tamaka Shwasa is one of the five types of disease shwasa. It is a disease of mainly pranavaha srotas. The sign and Symptoms and etiopathogenesis of Tamaka Shwasa explained in Ayurvedic literature have lot of similarities with the disease entity Bronchial Asthma. The goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of the formulation, Haridradi Avaleha in reducing the sign and symptoms of Childhood asthma. A 13 years old boy male Hindu patient from Limda village, Vadodara presented in the OPD of Kaumarbhritya department, Parul Ayurved Hospital, Parul University who presented clinical features of Tamaka Shwasa was treated by internal Ayurvedic formulation, Haridradi Avaleha showed marked improvement in the subjective parameters like breathlessness, cough, corzya, awakening in night etc and in objective parameters like ACT(Asthma Control Test), PEFR(Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) some hematological parameters viz. AEC (Absolute Eosinophil Count), ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), WBC Lymphocyte, Neutrophil, discussed here. All subjective and objective parameters were examined during 60 days of follow up-visits, and no instances of the above complaints were reported.
Hierarchical Oriented Metal–Organic Frameworks Assemblies for Water‐Evaporation Induced Electricity Generation
Authors: Wang Zhengyun , Wu Yule , Xu Kunqi , Jiang Lipei , Sun Jiankang , Cai Guangyi , Li Guangfang , Xia Bao Yu , Liu Hongfang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAdvances in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are stimulating interest in water‐evaporation induced electricity generation. Establishing design principles for desirable MOFs and revealing the structure‐activity relationship is essential to development of this field. Around this key issue, herein the concept of “hierarchical oriented MOFs” is proposed and the Cu(BDC‐OH) MOFs are organized into hierarchical oriented assemblies by successively using methods of hydrolysis, anion exchange reaction, and heteroepitaxy growth. It is discovered that this hierarchical oriented Cu(BDC‐OH) assemblies‐based generator containing long‐ranged ordered microporous channels exhibits a voltage of 0.6 V and electricity output of 1.56 nW cm–2 in the natural state of water evaporation. Finite element analysis and density functional calculation elucidate that hierarchical oriented structure of Cu(BDC‐OH) MOFs with certain surface charge density have an “aggregation effect,” dominating the final output voltages. This work not only offers valuable theoretical guidance for exploring self‐assembly of MOFs superstructures and water‐evaporation induced electricity generation, but also may open interesting perspectives for understanding some fundamental questions about structure‐activity relationship in MOFs materials science.
Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials for Neuroengineering: Recent Advances and Future Prospective
Authors: Kumar Raj , Rauti Rossana , Scaini Denis , Antman‐Passig Merav , Meshulam Ohad , Naveh Doron , Ballerini Laura , Shefi Orit 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGraphene unique physicochemical properties made it prominent among other allotropic forms of carbon, in many areas of research and technological applications. Interestingly, in recent years, many studies exploited the use of graphene family nanomaterials (GNMs) for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, diagnostics, bioimaging, and tissue engineering research. GNMs are successfully used for the design of scaffolds for controlled induction of cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. Critically, it is important to identify the more appropriate nano/bio material interface sustaining cells differentiation and tissue regeneration enhancement. Specifically, this review is focussed on graphene‐based scaffolds that endow physiochemical and biological properties suitable for a specific tissue, the nervous system, that links tightly morphological and electrical properties. Different strategies are reviewed to exploit GNMs for neuronal engineering and regeneration, material toxicity, and biocompatibility. Specifically, the potentiality for neuronal stem cells differentiation and subsequent neuronal network growth as well as the impact of electrical stimulation through GNM on cells is presented. The use of field effect transistor (FET) based on graphene for neuronal regeneration is described. This review concludes the important aspects to be controlled to make graphene a promising candidate for further advanced application in neuronal tissue engineering and biomedical use.
Ten Years of Progress in the Synthesis and Development of MXenes
Authors: Naguib Michael , Barsoum Michel W. , Gogotsi Yury 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSince their discovery in 2011, the number of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) has steadily increased. Currently more than 40 MXene compositions exist. The ultimate number is far greater and in time they may develop into the largest family of 2D materials known. MXenes’ unique properties, such as their metal‐like electrical conductivity reaching ≈20 000 S cm−1, render them quite useful in a large number of applications, including energy storage, optoelectronic, biomedical, communications, and environmental. The number of MXene papers and patents published has been growing quickly. The first MXene generation is synthesized using selective etching of metal layers from the MAX phases, layered transition metal carbides and carbonitrides using hydrofluoric acid. Since then, multiple synthesis approaches have been developed, including selective etching in a mixture of fluoride salts and various acids, non‐aqueous etchants, halogens, and molten salts, allowing for the synthesis of new MXenes with better control over their surface chemistries. Herein, a brief historical overview of the first 10 years of MXene research and a perspective on their synthesis and future development are provided. The fact that their production is readily scalable in aqueous environments, with high yields bodes well for their commercialization.
Engineering Endogenous Tumor‐Associated Macrophage‐Targeted Biomimetic Nano‐RBC to Reprogram Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment for Enhanced Chemo‐Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Yupeng , Yu Jie , Luo Zhijian , Shi Qiankun , Liu Guanglong , Wu Fan , Wang Zhizhang , Huang Yubin , Zhou Dongfang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractImmunotherapy has shown encouraging results in various cancers, but the response rates are relatively low due to the complex tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The presence of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor hypoxia correlates significantly with potent immunosuppressive activity. Here, a hemoglobin–poly(ε‐caprolactone) (Hb–PCL) conjugate self‐assembled biomimetic nano red blood cell (nano‐RBC) system (V(Hb)) is engineered to deliver chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) and oxygen for reprogramming TIME. The Hb moiety of V(Hb)@DOX can bind to endogenous plasma haptoglobin (Hp) and specifically target the M2‐type TAMs via the CD163 surface receptor, and effectively kill the cells. In addition, the O2 released by the Hb alleviates tumor hypoxia, which further augments the antitumor immune response by recruiting fewer M2‐type macrophages. TAM‐targeting depletion and hypoxia alleviation synergistically reprogram the TIME, which concurrently downregulate PD‐L1 expression of tumor cells, decrease the levels of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL‐10 and TGF‐β, elevate the immunostimulatory IFN‐γ, enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and boost a strong memory response. The ensuing TAM‐targeted chemo‐immunotherapeutic effects markedly inhibit tumor metastasis and recurrence. Taken together, the engineered endogenous TAM‐targeted biomimetic nano‐RBC system is a highly promising tool to reprogram TIME for cancer chemo‐immunotherapy.
Evaporation‐Induced rGO Coatings for Highly Sensitive and Non‐Invasive Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in the PSA Gray Zone
Authors: Wang Binshuai , Zhang Shudong , Meng Jingxin , Min Li , Luo Jing , Zhu Zhongpeng , Bao Han , Zang Ruhua , Deng Shaohui , Zhang Fan , Ma Lulin , Wang Shutao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) has been widely used for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer during routine check‐ups. However, the low sensitivity of regular PSA tests in the PSA gray zone often means that patients are required to undergo further invasive needle biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, which may lead to potential overdiagnosis and overtreatment. In this study, a circulating tumor cell (CTC)‐chip based on an evaporation‐induced reduced graphene oxide (rGO) coating is presented, which enables a highly specific and non‐invasive diagnosis of prostate cancer in the PSA gray zone. During the evaporation process of the rGO dispersion, the Marangoni effect induces the self‐assembly of a hierarchical micro/nanowrinkled rGO coating, which can capture CTCs after subsequent surface modification of capture agents. Compared to the low diagnostic sensitivity (58.3%) of regular PSA tests, a combination of CTC detection and PSA‐based hematological tests via machine‐learning analysis can greatly upgrade the diagnostic sensitivity of this disease to 91.7% in clinical trial. Therefore, this study provides a non‐invasive alternative with high sensitivity for the diagnosis of prostate cancer in the PSA gray zone.
Detection of Off‐Resonance Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Enormous Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Zhang Daqi , Xia Chenmaya , Li Sheng , Liu Haoming , Ding Li , Liu Xiyan , Lyu Min , Li Ruoming , Ju Jing , Yang Juan , Li Yan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe resonant Raman spectroscopy can only detect on‐resonance single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) within the laser resonance window. In principle, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy can expand the resonance window. However, detection of off‐resonance SWNTs by SERS remains challenging due to the difficulties in locating the SWNTs exactly at the hot spots with enormous SERS enhancements. Here, polyhedral gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) are in situ prepared on SWNTs for SERS detection via a facile ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method. The fact that the edges of the AuNCs attach to the SWNTs ensures the location of SWNTs perfectly at the SERS hot spots. Consequently, the enormous SERS enhancement enables a maximum enhancement factor of (3.4 ± 0.6) × 104 for an individual SWNT, which is about two orders of magnitude higher than the maximum reported in literatures. The detection ratio of SWNTs is also dramatically increased from 33% without SERS to 76% with SERS. The existence of the polyhedral AuNCs suppresses the antenna effects of the SWNTs and allows effective enhancements of the SWNTs under various polarization conditions. The enormous enhancements also enable the detection of several new Raman bands of the SWNTs.
Large‐Area Tellurium/Germanium Heterojunction Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy for High‐Performance Self‐Powered Photodetector
Authors: Zheng Beining , Wu Zehan , Guo Feng , Ding Ran , Mao Jianfeng , Xie Maohai , Lau Shu Ping , Hao Jianhua 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAs an attractive elemental semiconductor material, p‐type tellurium (Te) with a narrow bandgap provides high carrier mobility, strong light–matter interactions in a wide spectral range, and good chemical stability, which enlightens the potential in optoelectronic devices. However, the applications are impeded by weak carrier separation and vague potential in scaling‐up. In this work, the integration of Te and conventional semiconductor germanium (Ge) is designed. Through molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) method, large‐area and uniform Te films with high crystallinity are directly deposited on the Ge substrates. The difference in work function between Te and Ge layer leads to a built‐in electric field, which can effectively enhance the carrier separation. As a result, a self‐powered splendid photovoltaic performance is observed in the MBE grown Te/Ge vertical heterojunction with current on/off ratio over 103, responsivity (R) 523 mA W−1, and specific detectivity (D*) 9.50 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W−1 when illuminated by near‐infrared light (980 nm, 2.15 µW cm−2). Furthermore, excellent stability and high response speed of the ultrathin heterostructure offer a significant application value for multipurpose photoelectric devices.
Two‐Step Continuous‐Flow Synthesis of Fungicide Metalaxyl through Catalytic C−N Bond‐Formation Processes
Authors: Ishitani Haruro , Yu Zhibo , Ichitsuka Tomohiro , Koumura Nagatoshi , Onozawa Shun‐ya , Sato Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Shū 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMetalaxyl, an acylalanine fungicide, was synthesized through catalytic continuous sequential‐flow reactions. Commonly used syntheses of this compound use batch systems and suffer from problems such as coproduction of halogen‐containing by‐products derived from acyl and alkyl halides in the substitution reactions of 2,6‐dimethylaniline. To minimize waste and enhance efficiency, a halide‐free approach including two continuous‐flow catalytic processes, heterogeneous Pt‐catalyzed reductive alkylation and homogeneous acid‐catalyzed amidation with an acid anhydride, was developed. Systematic examination of the two reactions in flow mode enabled a high‐yielding, two‐step sequential continuous‐flow process to be achieved.magnified image
Novel Cu and Leaf Nanostructure‐Based Photothermal Biomaterial for Efficient Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Pham Tien Thanh , Dao Trung Duc , Nguyen Thi An Hang , Pham Dinh Dat , Kajikawa Kotaro , Nguyen Duc Cuong , Do Danh Bich , Nguyen Hoai Viet 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSolar steam generation (SSG) is promising for clean water production owing to low cost, simple operation, and green technology. This work investigates the fabrication of bioinspired photothermal (BIPT) material by sputtering a copper layer on Phanera purpurea (PP) leaf for application in SSG systems. It is observed that the light absorbance of the BIPT material exceeds 92% in the wavelength region of 300–2500 nm. This is due to the light trapping effect caused by multi‐internal reflection inside the Cu‐coated leaf nanostructure. The BIPT material exhibits a low thermal conductivity and easy cleaning properties as a result of PP leaf surface features. A novel strategy in this work is the design of the BIPT material‐based SSG system to recycle the radiative heat loss for evaporation. The developed SSG system results in a solar steam efficiency of 83.7% and a water evaporation rate of 1.45 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun. It is also applied in seawater desalination and the produced water satisfies the WHO standards for ion concentrations in clean water. Because of the simple procedure and low cost, the sputtering Cu on the PP leaf can be potentially used in the mass production of BIPT material for seawater desalination.
Destruction of DNA‐Binding Proteins by Programmable Oligonucleotide PROTAC (O'PROTAC): Effective Targeting of LEF1 and ERG
Authors: Shao Jingwei , Yan Yuqian , Ding Donglin , Wang Dejie , He Yundong , Pan Yunqian , Yan Wei , Kharbanda Anupreet , Li Hong‐yu , Huang Haojie 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDNA‐binding proteins, including transcription factors (TFs), play essential roles in various cellular processes and pathogenesis of diseases, deeming to be potential therapeutic targets. However, these proteins are generally considered undruggable as they lack an enzymatic catalytic site or a ligand‐binding pocket. Proteolysis‐targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has been developed by engineering a bifunctional molecule chimera to bring a protein of interest (POI) to the proximity of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, thus inducing the ubiquitination of POI and further degradation through the proteasome pathway. Here, the development of oligonucleotide‐based PROTAC (O'PROTACs), a class of noncanonical PROTACs in which a TF‐recognizing double‐stranded oligonucleotide is incorporated as a binding moiety of POI is reported. It is demonstrated that O'PROTACs of lymphoid enhancer‐binding factor 1 (LEF1) and ETS‐related gene (ERG), two highly cancer‐related transcription factors, successfully promote degradation of these proteins, impede their transcriptional activity, and inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. The programmable nature of O'PROTACs indicates that this approach is also applicable to destruct other TFs. O'PROTACs not only can serve as a research tool but also can be harnessed as a therapeutic arsenal to target DNA binding proteins for effective treatment of diseases such as cancer.