bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Composition of Locally Available Browses Consumed by Matschie’s Tree Kangaroos (Dendrolagus matchiei) in Six North American Zoological Facilities
Authors: Dierenfeld Ellen S. , Bezjian Marisa , Dabek Lisa 
Published: March 2021

Locally collected browses (n=17 spp.) consumed by Matschie’s tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus matschiei) in 6 North American zoological institutions were analyzed for comparison with native plants eaten by this species in Papua New Guinea to evaluate dietary suitability. Primary nutrients including crude protein and fat, fiber, starch, non-fiber carbohydrates, and ash were determined using standard analytical methods for forages. Macrominerals calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and sulfur (S), as well as trace elements copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn) were quantified in leaf (n=18), flower (n=1), twig (n=9) and bark (n=6) samples. Tannin content was estimated through the bovine serum albumin methodology. On a dry matter basis (DMB) , foods averaged (± SD) moderate protein (12 ± 5%) and soluble carbohydrate (27 ± 12%) content, along with low starch (1 ± 1%) and crude fat (3 ± 2%) values, and moderate to high values in fiber fractions (neutral detergent fiber 49 ± 15%, acid detergent fiber 33 ± 13%, lignin 11 ± 5%). Macromineral concentrations (Ca 2.2 ± 1.6%, P 0.2 ± 0.1%, Mg 0.3 ± 0.2%, K 1.5 ± 0.6%, Na 0.03 ± 0.04%, S 1.2 ± 1%) and select trace minerals were within anticipated ranges (Cu 11 ± 5 mg/kg, Mo 1 ± 1 mg/kg and Zn 33 ± 18 mg/kg); exceptions Fe (122 ± 11 mg/kg) and Mn (51 ± 81 mg/kg) were considered on the high end of dietary adequacy for most herbivores. Leaves differed significantly from woody parts for all proximate nutrients, as well as K, S, Fe, and tannin content. Consumed in a 50:50 DMB ratio, locally available browses provide similar nutrient profiles as plants eaten by free-living tree kangaroos. Combined data provide information useful in establishing nutrient targets for dietary development, leading to improved health, welfare, and feeding management of tree kangaroo populations under human care.
Phytochemical Evaluation and Anti-Diabetic Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Petersianthus macrocarpus on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ugochukwu Aligwekwe A. , Anna Idaguko C. 
Published: March 2021

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic extracts of Petersianthus macrocarpus leaf and its phytochemical analysis using different solvents.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between March and September in 2018 in the Department of Anatomy, Madonna University, Elele. River State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Twenty five Wistar rats, weighing between 200-225g were divided into five groups of five rats. Group A (Control) while Groups B, C, D and E were induced with diabetes using streptozotocin firstly 35mg/kg b.w; and 2 weeks later 25mg/kg b.w. Group B (Diabetic control), Group C received 0.5mg/kg b.w of Glibenclamide. Groups D and E received daily 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w of ethanolic leaf extract of P. macrocarpus orally for two weeks. The fasting blood glucose levels were determined weekly for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the pancreas was removed for histological procedures.
Results: The body weights increased significantly (P<0.05) in 100 mg/kg b.w group when compared to the diabetic control rats weight at the end of the experiment. Also there was a significantly decreased (P<0.05) in blood glucose levels in P. macrocarpus (100mg/kg b.w). The histological section of the pancreas of diabetic control showed eosinophilic material in the islet, shrinkage of the islet of Langerhans while the group treated with 100 mg/kg of extract showed granulated and well prominent pancreatic islet of Langerhans. Phytochemical screening showed methanolic extract of P. macrocarpus leaf having alkaloid, saponin, tannin, phenol, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, steroids, terpenoids, anthocyanin and anthraquinone. However, cardiac glycosides and steroids were absent in ethanolic extract. Cardiac glycoside and terpenoids were also absent in hexane and acetone extract, while phenol, cardiac glycosides, steroids and anthrocyanin were absent in the water extract.
Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of P. macrocarpus ameliorate streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats.
Prescribing Pattern and Medication Related Problems in Hospitalized Diabetic Patients: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Prasad T. S. Durga , Ranganayakulu D. , Devanna N. 
Published: March 2021

Aim: To assess the drug-related problems (DRPs) and World Health Organization (WHO) core prescribing indicators among hospitalized diabetic patients.
Methodology: A prospective, observational study was made among the diabetic inpatients of the General Medicine Department of a tertiary care hospital located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. A suitable data collection form was used to collect the data pertaining to demographics, clinical variables, DRPs, and WHO prescribing indicators. Descriptive statistics like frequency, mean, and percentage were used to represent the demographics, distribution of DRPs, and prescribing indicators in the study. Inferential statistics like Chi-square test was employed to test the significant association between the demographics and occurrence of DRPs.
Results: A total of 199 diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the study participants was 55.8±11.3. The study shows the prevalence of DRPs in diabetic in-patients was 48.7%. The most commonly identified DRPs are drug interactions (53; 45.3%), adverse drug reactions (24; 20.5%), and untreated indication (21; 17.9%). Patient characteristics like, advanced age (≥60 years), presence of co-morbid condition, comprising more than 5 drugs in prescription, and stay in the hospital for more than four days are significantly associated with the development of DRPs. Findings of WHO indicators show the average number of drugs, percentage of drugs prescribed by the generic name, percentage of encounters with an antibiotic, injection, and from essential drug list have deviated from standards of WHO.
Conclusion: The prevalence of DRPs in diabetic in-patients was 48.7%. Drug interactions and adverse drug reactions are the most common DRPs found in our study. Developing the drug policy guidelines focused on factors associated with DRP and WHO prescribing indicators may reduce the burden of DRPs and improves patient outcomes.
Engineered Microglia Potentiate the Action of Drugs against Glioma Through Extracellular Vesicles and Tunneling Nanotubes
Authors: Du Yitian , Yang Zhenzhen , Sun Qi , Lin Meng , Wang Rudong , Peng Yiwei , Chen Xinyi , Qi Xianrong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGliomas remain difficult to treat because of their metastatic and recurrent nature and the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which impedes drug delivery. Microglia, the resident macrophages in the CNS, can be recruited by gliomas and can penetrate the tumor. In this study, microglia (BV2 cells) are used as transport vectors to deliver paclitaxel for the treatment of glioma. To avoid paclitaxel toxicity in microglia, liposomes are first employed to isolate the drug from BV2 cells. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine (DPPS), as an “eat me” signal, is doped into liposomes to amplify their phagocytosis by microglia. This study demonstrates that engineered microglia can cross the BBB, independently migrate toward gliomas, and transfer cargo to glioma cells. Of note, extracellular vesicles and tunneling nanotubes are found to offer unique modes of cargo transportation between microglia and glioma cells. In vivo, the engineered drug‐loaded microglia has a high ability to target the brain, penetrate glioma, and suppress tumor progression, supporting the notion that the use of engineered microglia is a potential strategy for the treatment of glioma. These findings present new opportunities for exploration into the use of microglia as transport vectors to deliver therapeutic agents through specific membrane nanotubes and vesicles.
Engineered Extracellular Vesicles for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Hongbo , Gu Jianmei , Zhang Jiayin , Shi Hui , Qian Hui , Wang Dongqing , Xu Wenrong , Pan Jianming , Santos Hélder A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a novel cell‐free strategy for the treatment of many diseases including cancer. As a result of their natural properties to mediate cell‐to‐cell communication and their high physiochemical stability and biocompatibility, EVs are considered as excellent delivery vehicles for a variety of therapeutic agents such as nucleic acids and proteins, drugs, and nanomaterials. Increasing studies have shown that EVs can be modified, engineered, or designed to improve their efficiency, specificity, and safety for cancer therapy. Herein, a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the strategies and methodologies of engineering EVs for scalable production and improved cargo‐loading and tumor‐targeting is provided. Additionally, the potential applications of engineered EVs in cancer therapy are discussed by presenting prominent examples, and the opportunities and challenges for translating engineered EVs into clinical practice are evaluated.
Homochiral MOF as Chiroptical Sensor for Determination of Absolute Configuration and Enantiomeric Ratio of Chiral Tryptophan
Authors: Zhu Yanyu , Zhou Yanan , Zhang Xu , Sun Zhengang , Jiao Chengqi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe development of a highly selective and sensitive optical method for quantitative enantioselective sensing of chiral amino acids in the presence of other amino acid interferences has remained a major challenge to date. Herein, a homochiral metal–organic framework (MOF), [Zn(L)(2,2′‐bipy)]·H2O (LNNU‐1) (H2L = HOOCC6H4CH2PO(OH)(OC2H5), 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine), is designed to interact with tryptophan via multiple noncovalent interactions. The interactions result in the emergence of a strong induced circular dichroism signal. This enables accurate determination of the absolute configuration and enantiomeric ratio of chiral tryptophan in water, mixed natural amino acids, and blood plasma components without any interference from other coexistent species. A simple device with advantageous characteristics of reusability and simple manipulation is designed for enantioselective sensing assay. The obtained results suggest that the rationally designed homochiral MOF is a promising candidate for enantioselective sensing of chiral species.
Electrochemically Decorated Iridium Electrodes with WS3−x Toward Improved Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst Stability in Acidic Electrolytes
Authors: Escalera‐López Daniel , Jensen Kim D. , Rees Neil V. , Escudero‐Escribano María 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIridium‐based oxides, currently the state‐of‐the‐art oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts in acidic electrolytes, are cost‐intensive materials which undergo significant corrosion under long‐term OER operation. Thus, numerous researchers have devoted their efforts to mitigate iridium corrosion by decoration with corrosion‐resistant metal oxides and/or supports to maximize OER catalyst durability whilst retaining high activity. Herein a one‐step, facile electrochemical route to obtain improved IrOx thin film OER stability in acid by decorating with amorphous tungsten sulphide (WS3−x) upon electrochemical decomposition of a [WS4]2− aqueous precursor is proposed. The rationale behind applying such WS3−x decoration stems from the generation of a tungsten oxide phase, a well‐known corrosion‐resistant photoactive OER catalyst. The study demonstrates the viability of the proposed WS3−x decoration, allowing the tailoring of experimental parameters responsible for WS3−x nanoparticle size and surface coverage. OER stability tests coupled by ex situ SEM and XPS corroborate the beneficial effect of WS3−x decoration, yielding improved OER specific activity metrics along with minimized Ir surface roughening, a characteristic of electrodissolution. Iridium decoration with electrodeposited, corrosion‐resistant oxides is consequently shown to be a promising route to maximize OER stabilities.
Ketone Body 3‐Hydroxybutyrate Ameliorates Atherosclerosis via Receptor Gpr109a‐Mediated Calcium Influx
Authors: Zhang Shu‐jie , Li Zi‐hua , Zhang Yu‐dian , Chen Jin , Li Yuan , Wu Fu‐qing , Wang Wei , Cui Zong Jie , Chen Guo‐Qiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause acute cardiovascular events. Activation of the NOD‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome enhances atherogenesis, which links lipid metabolism to sterile inflammation. This study examines the impact of an endogenous metabolite, namely ketone body 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3‐HB), on a mouse model of atherosclerosis. It is found that daily oral administration of 3‐HB can significantly ameliorate atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, 3‐HB is found to reduce the M1 macrophage proportion and promote cholesterol efflux by acting on macrophages through its receptor G‐protein‐coupled receptor 109a (Gpr109a). 3‐HB–Gpr109a signaling promotes extracellular calcium (Ca2+) influx. The elevation of intracellular Ca2+ level reduces the release of Ca2+ from the endothelium reticulum (ER) to mitochondria, thus inhibits ER stress triggered by ER Ca2+ store depletion. As NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by ER stress, 3‐HB can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which triggers the increase of M1 macrophage proportion and the inhibition of cholesterol efflux. It is concluded that daily nutritional supplementation of 3‐HB attenuates atherosclerosis in mice.
COVID‐19 and cardiovascular problems in elderly patients: Food for thought
Authors: Costa Raffaele , Castagna Alberto , Ruotolo Giovanni 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe global number of COVID‐19 infections, as of December 23, 2020, stood at approximately 79 million, with over 1.7 million deaths. The development of vascular inflammation may also contribute to a hypercoagulable state and endothelial dysfunction in such patients. It is known that multi‐organ damage is more likely in patients with sepsis if they develop coagulopathy and that inhibition of thrombin synthesis can have a positive impact in reducing mortality. In this review, we will focus on the protection of the most fragile groups of the population, such as the elderly. This segment of the population will be a key issue and probably of primary interest to all. Biomarkers appear to be extremely useful as an indicator of what is happening from a pathophysiological point of view in the heart, allowing us to better stratify the prognosis of our patients affected by COVID‐19, especially in the most severe cases and those with comorbidities.
Continuing the precedent: Financially disadvantaging young people in "unprecedented" COVID‐19 times
Authors: O’Keeffe Patrick , Johnson Belinda , Daley Kathryn 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic is both a health and an economic crisis. Economically, lockdowns across Australia have devastated business and industry, creating immediate spikes in under‐ and unemployment. These impacts intersect with the precarious labour market of casualised and "gig" economy work, where young workers constitute an established and substantial group. While negatively impacting upon many young people’s lives, in recent decades precarious employment has also been normalised for young people as they are encouraged to understand themselves as self‐reliant and entrepreneurial in their working lives. Yet, these workers have been largely abandoned in the government’s economic response to COVID‐19. The economic impact and government response to the pandemic substantially disadvantage young people. This article analyses the impact of new government initiatives: the "JobKeeper" wage subsidy scheme, "JobSeeker" payments and early access to superannuation, "JobMaker" economic recovery plan and the redesign of university fees. These initiatives compound preexisting youth policy of low welfare levels, youth wages and high university fees to economically burden young people. Contrasting the repeated expression of anything pandemic related as "unprecedented", we argue that the economic abandonment of young people in the immediate COVID‐19 crisis continues a decades‐long precedent in Australia of economically disadvantaging young people.
The RNA helicase DDX3 is required for ovarian development and oocyte maturation in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Wang Junxiu , Li Tingting , Deng Sufang , Ma Enbo , Zhang Jianzhen , Xing Shuping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDDX3 represents a well‐defined subfamily of DEAD‐box RNA helicase and exerts multiple functions in RNA metabolism, cell cycle, tumorigenesis, signal pathway, and fertility. Our previous study has shown that LmDDX3, the ortholog of DDX3 in Locusta migratoria, is ubiquitously expressed, and with a high abundance in testis and ovary. Knockdown of LmDDX3 results in a lethal phenotype in nymph, but it still remains unclear for its role in reproductive process. In this study, we therefore characterized LmDDX3 expression in female adult locust and analyzed its function in oocyte development. LmDDX3 was expressed in all tissues examined with significant more transcripts in ovary and hindgut. In ovary, a strong expression level was detected at the day just after adult eclosion, and a dramatic reduction then occurred during the oocyte development. LmDDX3 RNAi led to a reduced vitellogenin (Vg) expression in fat body via partially at least, the JH signaling pathway, and caused an upregulation of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in ovary, and thus blocked the ovarian development and oocyte maturation. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that LmDDX3 was closely related to termite DDX3. Taken together, these data reveal a critical role for LmDDX3 in regulating the transcription of Vg and VgR, two major factors in vitellogenesis that is a key process required for ovary development and oocyte maturation in locust, and contribute thereof a new putative target for locust biological control.
Stratification of Patients With Sjögren’s Syndrome and Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus According to Two Shared Immune Cell Signatures, With Potential Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Martin‐Gutierrez Lucia , Peng Junjie , Thompson Nicolyn L. , Robinson George A. , Naja Meena , Peckham Hannah , Wu WingHan , J’bari Hajar , Ahwireng Nyarko , Waddington Kirsty E. , Bradford Claire M. , Varnier Giulia , Gandhi Akash , Radmore Rebecca , Gupta Vivek , Isenberg David A. , Jury Elizabeth C. , Ciurtin Coziana 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveSimilarities in the clinical and laboratory features of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have led to attempts to treat patients with primary SS or SLE with similar biologic therapeutics. However, the results of many clinical trials are disappointing, and no biologic treatments are licensed for use in primary SS, while only a few biologic agents are available to treat SLE patients whose disease has remained refractory to other treatments. With the aim of improving treatment selections, this study was undertaken to identify distinct immunologic signatures in patients with primary SS and patients with SLE, using a stratification approach based on immune cell endotypes.MethodsImmunophentyping of 29 immune cell subsets was performed using flow cytometry in peripheral blood from patients with primary SS (n = 45), patients with SLE (n = 29), and patients with secondary SS associated with SLE (SLE/SS) (n = 14), all of whom were considered to have low disease activity or be in clinical remission, and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 31). Data were analyzed using supervised machine learning (balanced random forest, sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis), logistic regression, and multiple t‐tests. Patients were stratified by K‐means clustering and clinical trajectory analysis.ResultsPatients with primary SS and patients with SLE had a similar immunologic architecture despite having different clinical presentations and prognoses. Stratification of the combined primary SS, SLE, and SLE/SS patient cohorts by K‐means cluster analysis revealed 2 endotypes, characterized by distinct immune cell profiles spanning the diagnoses. A signature of 8 T cell subsets that distinctly differentiated the 2 endotypes with high accuracy (area under the curve 0.9979) was identified in logistic regression and machine learning models. In clinical trajectory analyses, the change in damage scores and disease activity levels from baseline to 5 years differed between the 2 endotypes.ConclusionThese findings identify an immune cell toolkit that may be useful for differentiating, with high accuracy, the immunologic profiles of patients with primary SS and patients with SLE as a way to achieve targeted therapeutic approaches.
Methods for the Determination of Valid Impedance Spectra in Non‐stationary Electrochemical Systems: Concepts and Techniques of Practical Importance
Authors: Szekeres Krisztina J. , Vesztergom Soma , Ujvári Maria , Láng Gyözö G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a widely used technique for characterizing electrochemical systems. The term “electrochemical impedance spectroscopy” actually has a two‐fold meaning: it is both a measurement technique to determine impedance spectra and an analysis tool for extracting information about an electrochemical system. Contrary to some opinions, the design of valid EIS measurements is not trivial in practice, as systems under test also have to meet certain requirements to ensure the validity of the measured data. One of the most serious and underestimated problems is that many electrochemical systems (including biological, reacting, and corroding systems) are intrinsically non‐stationary and are affected by time‐dependent phenomena. This study provides an overview and guidance on some of the methodologies proposed in the literature to address problems related to impedance measurements in time‐varying (non‐stationary) systems. Selected techniques for the determination of “true” impedance spectra in non‐stationary systems are briefly reviewed. To better understand the theoretical background of the different approaches, basic principles of the measuring methods and the fundamentals of data collection, validation, and correction are also discussed.
Ditch‐Structured Sulfur Cathode: Enhancing the Uniformity of Sulfur Redox Reaction in a Thick Sulfur Electrode
Authors: Lee Jinhong , Kwack Hobeom , Kyung Kim Min , Jo Wonhee , Noh Hyungjun , Kim Yun‐Jung , Chu Hyunwon , Baek Jaewon , Roh Youngil , Noh Jiwhan , Kim Hee‐Tak 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIncreasing of sulfur loading in a sulfur cathode is a direct approach to improve the energy density of lithium sulfur (Li−S) batteries. However, the inhomogeneous redox reaction in high‐sulfur loaded, thick electrodes presents a challenge. Here, we report that the sulfur utilization in thick sulfur cathodes can be enhanced by simply making ditches on the electrodes. A nanosecond‐pulse laser is used to carve the line‐ditch pattern on the surface of the sulfur cathode, without damaging the surface pore structure. The ditch structure can promote the transport of lithium ion into the deep interior of sulfur cathode, resulting in more uniform sulfur redox reaction. A ditch‐structured sulfur cathode with a sulfur loading of 7 mg ⋅ cm−2 shows seven times higher sulfur utilization at a high current of 5.2 mA ⋅ cm−2 compared with an unpatterned sulfur electrode. Simple laser patterning technology provides a platform to engineer a thick cathode of high performance.