bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF THE CHENOPODIUM OPULIFOLIUM TOTAL CRUDE EXTRACT IN WISTER ALBINO RATS
Authors: Tibitondwa Josephine , Ikwap Kokas , Tamale Andrew , Tamale Andrew , Tumwine Gabriel , Kateregga John , Wamala Samuel P. , Kato Charles D. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Chronic disease conditions like cancer, diabetes, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS compromise the immune system thus necessitating immune boasting. The use of medicinal herbs in immunomodulation is now common, albeit with limited evidence regarding efficacy. We therefore investigated the immunomodulatory activity of the total crude leaf and stem extract of Chenopodium opulifolium in mice.
Materials and methods: An experimental study was conducted using four groups of rats each with 6 animals with treatments administered daily for 29 days. Group one served as the positive control and received 20mg/kg of levamisole. Group 2, the negative control received 2 ml of an olive oil and normal saline mixture. Groups 3 and 4 received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg bwt of the total crude leaf and stem extract respectively. On the 15th day, whole blood was collected for complete blood count and delayed type hypersensitivity response determination, haemagglutination antibody titer assay was done on blood collected on the 29th day.
Results: Results revealed that the extract had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on haemagglutination antibody titers with the highest response observed in the extract group at 200mg/kg (30.67±1.33). The mean WBC (3.13±0.71×103/μl), neutrophil (0.93±0.48 cells/ μl) and lymphocyte (2.20±0.00 cells/ μl) counts in the 200mg/kg bwt extract group were elevated to levels comparable to the positive control.
Conclusion: The total crude extract of Chenopodium opulifolium exhibits immunomodulatory activity in a dose dependent manner. Future studies utilizing pure extracts in order to pin point to the extract mechanism responsible for Immunomodulation are required for more conclusive results.
SODIUM AESCINATE INJECTION FOR SKIN FLAP TRANSPLANTATION OF HAND OR FOOT IN CHILDREN
Authors: Liyou Wei , Zhikui Liu , Hongwei Zhang , Guoqian Wang 
Published: February 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of sodium aescinate injection for treating children suffering transplanted flap in children hand or foot.
Materials and Methods: Ninety children patients with transplanted cutaneous nerve nutrition vascular flaps in hand or foot were selected and divided into “treatment” and “control” groups randomly by computer. The treatment group was prescribed intravenous sodium aescine injection and conventional therapy. The control group was only offered conventional therapy. Seven days following treatment, cumulative wound drainage, swelling of flap and adverse reactions were recorded. One month subsequent to treatment, two-point discrimination of flap was recorded. At the outset of treatment (0-d) and 1, 3, 7-days following treatment, the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in venous blood were tested.
Results: At the outset of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of CRP and MDA (P>0.05). At 3 and 7 day intervals following treatment, the concentrations of CRP and MDA in treatment group were lower than those in control group (P
ANTIOXIDANT AND HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECTS OF WATERCRESS (NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE) EXTRACTS IN DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Fenton-Navarro B. , Martínez MV. Urquiza , Castro BB. Fiscal , Castillo OI. Medrano , López-Rodríguez M. , Padilla Arellanes S. , Vázquez Hernández A. 
Published: February 2018

Background: Watercress is a semi-aquatic plant used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as flu, cough, avitaminosis, and anorexia; it is also used as a diuretic and for hypoglycemia treatment in diabetes. In this study, we report the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity of orally administered aqueous (WAQE), acetonic (WAE), and alcoholic (WOHE) watercress extracts. The effect of subchronic administration of watercress extracts on oxidative stress was also studied.
Materials and Methods: WAQE, WAE, and WOHE were obtained and administered orally. Alloxan (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) were applied to induce hyperglycemia in male Wistar rats. Phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant activity of the extracts were measured. The acute and subchronic effects (8 weeks) of WAQE were evaluated. The activity of antioxidant enzymes levels of malondialdehyde, hepatic enzyme markers in the serum, and renal function markers, were assessed. Histopathological evaluation of the pancreas, kidney, and liver was performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.
Results: Watercress extracts have high concentrations of phenols, polyphenols, and flavonoids, in addition to a very high antioxidant effect. The hypoglycemic effect of WAQE upon acute administration was 76.6% higher than that of insulin. When administered chronically, glucose levels were normalized on the third week up to the eighth week. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzymes and biochemical parameters improved.
Conclusion: WAQE administration to diabetic rats reduced oxidative stress damage and decreased glucose levels. This study supports the use of this plant for the treatment of diabetes.
Giant Cane Vegetative Buffer for Improving Soil and Surface Water Quality
Authors: Singh Gurbir , Schoonover Jon E. , Williard Karl W. J. , Sweet Audrey L. , Stewart Jonathan 
Published: February 2018

Over the past four decades, riparian buffers have proven effective in retaining nutrients and sediment from agricultural runoff. Many grass species have been used with variable success in riparian buffers to improve the water quality of runoff. However, limited information is available on the effectiveness of giant cane [Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl] in improving surface water quality compared with grass species such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the quality of runoff leaving vegetative buffer plots planted with giant cane, Kentucky bluegrass, and orchardgrass. Additionally, a bare‐ground control and continuous corn (Zea mays L.) was also monitored for comparison of runoff with vegetative buffers. The giant cane treatment had significantly greater infiltration rates (38.18 mm h−1, p < 0.05) than bare ground (1.61 mm h−1), corn (5.75 mm h−1), Kentucky bluegrass (12.30 mm h−1), and orchardgrass (4.21 mm h−1) treatments. Dissolved reactive P in runoff was ranked as follows: corn > giant cane = Kentucky bluegrass = orchardgrass > bare ground. The total P from the corn treatment (1.70 mg L−1, p < 0.05) was significantly higher than for bare ground (1.22 mg L−1), giant cane (0.69 mg L−1), Kentucky bluegrass (0.86 mg L−1), and orchardgrass (0.54 mg L−1). Giant cane, Kentucky bluegrass, and orchardgrass significantly reduced the total P concentration more than bare ground and corn. Results from this study demonstrate the utility of giant cane as a vegetated buffer to reduce nutrient and sediment concentrations in agricultural runoff.Core Ideas
Giant cane's dense rooting system increased soil porosity and infiltration.
Water‐stable aggregates were highest under giant cane vegetative buffers.
Total suspended solids were lowest for runoff in giant cane vegetative buffers.
An empirical approach for computing surface runoff concentration time
Authors: Bao Shanshan , Wang Xiaojun , Li Hongyan , Lv Hang , Li Yuening 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This article examines data from the Shihuiyao, Nierji, Tongmeng, Jiangqiao, and Dalai hydrological stations in the Nen River basin to understand the hydrological processes occurring in the catchments. Daily precipitation and runoff data from 1955 to 1973 were combined using the smoothed minima trial method to determine the surface runoff concentration time. Then, a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the parameters and obtain an optimal empirical formula. An improved empirical formula was implemented with the genetic algorithm and optimized parameters then incorporated variable average rainfall intensity, correlation between basin area, surface runoff average concentration time, and average rainfall intensity. Finally, an optimized empirical formula (using genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters) and improved empirical formula (incorporating variable average rainfall intensity) were tested by using the daily precipitation and runoff data from the Baishan and Hongshi hydrological stations of the Second Songhua River. The results show that an optimized and improved formula can be used to more accurately estimate hydrologic conditions in the Nen River. Therefore, the improved formula is an efficient method for calculating surface runoff concentration time. Surface runoff concentration time is an important basis for differentiating source waters, which include surface runoff and underground runoff.
Taguchi optimization approach for metronidazole removal from aqueous solutions by using graphene oxide functionalized β-cyclodextrin/Ag nanocomposite
Authors: Jafarzadeh Neamatollah , Rezazadeh Hamideh , Ramezani Zahra , Jorfi Sahand , Ahmadi Mehdi , Ghariby Huria , Barzegar Gelavizh 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Metronidazole (MNZ) is a major threat to the ecosystems and human health, due to its toxicity and carcinogenic nature. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of graphene oxide functionalized β-cyclodextrin/Ag nanocomposite (GO/β-CD/Ag) for MNZ removal from aqueous solution. The effect of operational parameters such as solution pH (2–5), adsorbent dosages (0.2–1 g/L), contact time (10–80 min), initial MNZ concentrations (0.25–10 mg/L) and ionic strength (0.001–0.1 mol/L) was studied using Taguchi experimental design. The maximum removal efficiency of 93.5% was observed for optimum conditions. The optimum values of contact time, the initial MNZ concentration, the ionic strength, the adsorbent dosage and solution pH were found to be 20 min, 0.25 ppm, 0.01 mol/L, 0.4 g/L and 2, respectively. Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models were best-fitted with experimental data. Pseudo-first order and type 1 pseudo-second order kinetic models showed the maximum correlation with the experimental data. Adsorption experiments with real samples indicated that the adsorptive removal of MNZ from a hospital wastewater was 72%. Desorption studies showed maximum recovery of GO/β-CD/Ag nanocomposite during three cycles. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the application of carbon adsorbents such as GO/β-CD/Ag can be considered an efficient method for final treatment of effluents containing antibiotics.
Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Efficacy of Treatment for Male Patients and miRNA Biomarker
Authors: Wang Hsiuying 
Published: February 2018

Background:
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an
acute form of encephalitis. Treatments for the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis usually include
steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, rituximab,
cyclophosphamide and tumor resection.

Objective:
We aimed to compare the efficacy of the treatments including intravenous immunoglobulin,
plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, rituximab or cyclophosphamide for male anti-
NMDA receptor encephalitis patients without tumor and to discuss potential biomarkers for
this disease.

Method:
The Fisher exact test and the contingency table analysis were used to analyze the
treatment efficacy for 43 male and 76 female patients. In addition, a hierarchical tree method
was adopted to analyze the difference in the treatment efficacy between male and female patients.

Results:
The p-values of testing whether the efficacy rate of plasmapheresis (or plasma exchange)
for the male patient is greater than a threshold are significantly different from the pvalues
for the other two treatments. In addition, the hierarchical tree method shows that the
treatment strategy associating with early recovery is different for male and female patients.

Conclusion:
The results revealed that the efficacy rate of plasmapheresis (or plasma exchange)
is not inferior to that of intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab (or cyclophosphamide)
for male patients without tumor. In addition, B-cell attracting C-X-C motif
chemokine 13 (CXCL13) and microRNA let-7b have the potential to be the treatment response
biomarkers for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. They may not be useful prognostic
biomarkers for this encephalitis unless they are not biomarkers for other autoimmune encephalitides.
Protein Quality, Secondary Structure and Effect of Physicochemical Factors on Emulsifying Properties of Irvingia gabonensis Almonds
Authors: Mune Mune Martin A. , Bassogog Christian B. , Bayiga Pierre A. , Nyobe Carine E. , Minka Samuel R. 
Published: February 2018

Background:
There is a constant search of new plant proteins, with adequate nutritional
and functional properties, as well as bioactive properties and low-cost for utilization in various food
formulations.

Objective:
The aim of this work was to access the nutritional and functional potential of protein from
Irvingia gabonensis, for utilization as ingredient or supplement in food.

Methods:
Proximate composition and amino acid were analyzed. Nutritional parameters were calculated
from amino acid composition. Physicochemical properties and secondary structure of protein
were determined. Finally, effect of oil to water ratio (OWR), pH and concentration on emulsifying
properties was analyzed.

Results:
The flour contained 22.26% protein, 5.30% ash and 60% carbohydrates. Proteins contained
all essential amino acids, with high content of Leu, Ile, Val, Thr and sulfur-containing amino acids.
Essential amino acid index (69%), protein efficiency ratio (2.39-2.63) and biological value (79.91%)
were studied. The maximum protein solubility (61%) was noticed at pH 8, while high hydrophobicity
was observed at pH 2. A transition from an irregular secondary structure to a more ordered structure
was found from pH 2-4 to pH 6-10. pH, OWR and concentration significantly affected emulsifying
properties of Irvingia gabonensis almonds. The maximum emulsifying capacity (EC) was observed
under acidic pH and high flour concentration. EC increased with increasing OWR and concentration,
while decreased with increasing pH. High ES (25-35%) was observed at pH 4-8 and OWR of 1/3 to
1/2 (v/v), at flour concentration of 3-4% (w/v).

Conclusion:
Irvingia gabonensis showed good potential as food ingredient or supplement.
There is no Difference Between Sequences of HIV-1 Infected Patients with Stable Clinical Status and HIV-1 Reference Sequence
Authors: Nili Marzyeh , Tayeri Katayoon , Gholami Mohamad , Moallemi Samaneh , Sabahi Farzaneh , Kalhori Saber , Baesi Kazem , Hasibi Mehrdad 
Published: February 2018

Background:
The rate of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)
infection in Iran has increased dramatically in the past few years. HIV-1 genome sequences
are pivotal for large-scale studies of inter- and intra-host evolution. To understand
the molecular difference between reference HIV-1 isolate and two HIV-1
infected patients in Iran, we conducted this study to analyze some genome segments
of Iranian HIV-1 isolates.

Methods:
Two HIV-1-infected individuals who were under antiretroviral therapy
(ARV) for 8 years with stable clinical status were enrolled. The patient’s plasma
samples were used for the Gag-Pol genome sequences (4500 nt). The phylogenetic
tree and similarity plotty were obtained based on Gag-Pol sequences.

Results:
Both HIV-1-infected isolates belonged to CRF35_AD subtype even though
one of them had drug resistance. The HIV genome and protein sequences showed no
clear difference between genome and protein sequences of our samples and the
reference sequence.

Conclusions:
Our patient’s stable clinical status had no connection to genome sequence;
which could be owing to immunological factors or other patient’s mode
which are still unknown.
What Motivated Students to Choose a Career in Health Sciences? A Comparison of Rural and Urban-Origin Students in Three South African Universities
Authors: Mabuza L.H. , Ntuli B. 
Published: February 2018

Background:Globally, there is a lower ratio of healthcare worker to population in rural compared to urban areas. Scholars are motivated by a number of factors to choose a career in health sciences. Determining these factors among rural and urban-origin students could inform recruitment and retention strategies to redress this imbalance.Objectives:To determine and compare motivating factors for a career in health sciences among Rural-Origin (ROS) and Urban-Origin Students (UOS) at three South African universities.Methods:Three institutions (former University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), now Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and University of Cape Town (UCT) participated in the study 2011. Health science students completed a self-administered questionnaire. The SAS® (version 9.2) for Microsoft statistical software was used for analysis. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results:A total of 1633 health sciences students participated in the study. Parents (505; 30.9%) and personal exposure (484; 29.6%) were the main motivating factors for both ROS and UOS, with significantly more UOS than ROS motivated by these factors (p < 0.001). The contribution of role models (93; 5.7%), friends (77; 4.7%), high school teachers (77; 4.7%), mentors (36; 2.2%) and university lecturers (18; 1.1%) was minimal, with no significant difference between UOS and ROS (p > 0.05).Conclusion:There is need for the health care sector to support students’ families and encourage students’ personal exposure to health care facilities and personnel in order to motivate them towards a career in health sciences.
Central Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Rahman Mahboob , Hsu Jesse Yenchih , Desai Niraj , Hsu Chi-yuan , Anderson Amanda H. , Appel Lawrence J. , Chen Jing , Cohen Debbie L. , Drawz Paul E. , He Jiang , Qiang Pan , Ricardo Ana C. , Steigerwalt Susan , Weir Matthew R. , Wright Jackson T. , Zhang Xiaoming , Townsend Raymond R. ,   for the CRIC Study Investigators
Published: February 2018

Background and objectives
Central BP measurements provide noninvasive measurement of aortic BP; our objectives were to examine the association of central and brachial BP measurements with risk of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with CKD and to determine the role of central BP measurement in conjunction with brachial BP in estimating cardiovascular risk.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
In a prospective, longitudinal study (the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort), central BP was measured in participants with CKD using the SphygmoCorPVx System. Cox proportional hazards models were used for analyses.

Results
Mean age of the participants (n=2875) was 60 years old. After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, participants in the highest quartile of brachial systolic BP (≥138 mm Hg) were at higher risk for the composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 2.17; c statistic, 0.76) but not all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.90 to 1.80) compared with those in the lowest quartile. Participants in the highest quartile of central systolic BP were also at higher risk for the composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 2.31; c statistic, 0.76) compared with participants in the lowest quartile.

Conclusions
We show that elevated brachial and central BP measurements are both associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes in patients with CKD. Measurement of central BP does not improve the ability to predict cardiovascular disease outcomes or mortality in patients with CKD compared with brachial BP measurement.
Predicting the Effect of Fenofibrate on Cardiovascular Risk for Individual Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Koopal Charlotte , Visseren Frank L.J. , Westerink Jan , van der Graaf Yolanda , Ginsberg Henry N. , Keech Anthony C. 
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE
In clinical trials, treatment with fenofibrate did not reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events (MCVE) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, treatment effects reported by trials comprise patients who respond poorly and patients who respond well to fenofibrate. Our aim was to use statistical modeling to estimate the expected treatment effect of fenofibrate for individual patients with T2DM.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
To estimate individual risk, the FIELD risk model, with 5-year MCVE as primary outcome, was externally validated in T2DM patients from ACCORD and the SMART observational cohort. Fenofibrate treatment effect was estimated in 17,142 T2DM patients from FIELD, ACCORD, and SMART. Individual treatment effect, expressed as absolute risk reduction (ARR), is the difference between treated and untreated MCVE risk. Results were stratified for patients with and without dyslipidemia (i.e., high triglycerides and low LDL cholesterol).

RESULTS
External validation of the FIELD risk model showed good calibration and moderate discrimination in ACCORD (C-statistic 0.67 [95% CI 0.65–0.69]) and SMART (C-statistic 0.66 [95% CI 0.63–0.69]). Median 5-year MCVE risk in all three studies combined was 6.7% (interquartile range [IQR] 4.0–11.7) in patients without (N = 13,224) and 9.4% (IQR 5.4–16.1%) in patients with (N = 3,918) dyslipidemia. The median ARR was 2.15% (IQR 1.23–3.68) in patients with dyslipidemia, corresponding with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 47, and 0.22% (IQR 0.13–0.38) in patients without dyslipidemia (NNT 455).

CONCLUSIONS
In individual patients with T2DM, there is a wide range of absolute treatment effect of fenofibrate, and overall the fenofibrate treatment effect was larger in patients with dyslipidemia. The method of individualized treatment effect prediction of fenofibrate on MCVE risk reduction in T2DM can be used to guide clinical decision making.