bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Croton Zabensicus and Vernonia amygdalina Leaves as an Antihyperglycemic Agent in an Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats
Authors: Hassan I. A. , Abdulraheem I. , Emun H. O. , Lawal D. M. 
Published: April 2019

Aims: This study was aimed at investigating the antihyperglycemic effect of a combined extract of Vernonia amygdalina and croton zabensicus compare with a hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide.
Methodology: Twenty 20 experimental animals were used (albino rats); the rats were divided equally into four groups of five rats each; namely A (control), B (glibenclamide 10 mg/kg body weight), C (synergetic treatment 1000 mg/kg body weight), D (synergetic treatment 500 mg/kg of body weight). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneal using Alloxan Monohydrate to all the animals and their blood glucose rise above 200 mg/dl.
Results: It was observed that group B and group C treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg body weight) and synergetic aqueous extract (1000 mg/kg body weight) show significant decrease in the blood glucose level from 451.75 mg/dl to 64.50 mg/dl and 339.50 mg/dl to 182.50 mg/dl respectively compared with group D with 278.25 mg/dl to 194.75 mg/dl. However, a change was also observed in the body weight of the groups; Group A (Normal control) showed a continuous increase in the body weight, Group B, C and D were observed to have decreased in body weight from induction period, but a steady increase was observed as treatment commences.
Conclusion: Hence this combined extract can be used as antihyperglycemic; only that it is slower in remediation compared with the glibenclamide; but without side effect, as may be in the case of most standard drug.
Assessment of Wood Ash Application on Yield Advantage Indices of Maize and Lima Beans in an Intercrop
Authors: Ajala R. O. , Awodun M. A. , Adeyemo A. J. , Dada B. F. 
Published: April 2019

Alternate planting combinations of maize (Zea mays L.) with lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) using wood ash as soil amendments were compared with the sole planting of each crop during the late 2014 and early 2015 planting seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The experiment in each season adopted three patterns of intercropping using ash as a soil amendment and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment comprised 10 treatments: Sole planting of maize amended, sole planting of maize unamended, sole planting of lima beans amended and sole planting of lima beans unamended. Others were; 75:25 maize-lima beans amended, 75:25 maize-lima beans unamended, 50:50 maize-lima beans amended, 50:50 maize-lima beans unamended, 25:75 maize-lima beans amended and 25:75 maize-lima beans unamended. Wood ash was applied two weeks after planting at the rate of 2.4 kg (4 tons per hectare) to each plot. The combined yield advantage in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER) indices was greatest (1.95) in the case of 3 rows of maize and 1row of lima beans intercropping arrangements. Competition indices (CR) for all crops in all intercropping arrangements were more than 0.1 indicating that both crops were equally competitive. However, crop aggressivity (A) showed that maize was more dominant than lima beans due to plant population. Costs and returns analysis revealed that maize and lima beans intercropping at all proportions were more profitable than their corresponding monocrops.
Occupational Stress and Job Satisfaction among Nurse Educators in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Authors: Taiye Bello Hussainat , Kehinde Bello Hassanat , Abdul Maimuna. , Mustapha Hadiza B. 
Published: April 2019

Aims: This research was carried out on occupational stress and job satisfaction among nurse educators in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with the aim of identifying the type of stress nurse educators encounter in their work, determining the influence of level of education on the stress encountered, identifying the satisfaction nurse educators derive from their job.
Study Design: The study population includes nurse educators. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used with a sample size of 185 respondents. A multistage sampling and simple random sampling technique were used where nurse educators were stratified based on their ranks.
Results and Discussion: The result of the findings showed that majority of nurse educators the stress of insufficient teaching facilities i.e 42.62% (104), the influence of level of education on stress encountered is that of positive influence i.e 90% (144), respect and recognition for a job is the commonest factor that enhances the respondent's job satisfaction 28.71% (960) and the satisfaction derived by respondents is that of impaction of knowledge on junior/student nurses.
Conclusion: Occupational stress is high among nurse educators due to insufficient teaching facilities thus negatively affect their satisfaction. Therefore it is recommended that teaching facilities should be provided as well as working holidays so as to reduce job stress and thus enhance satisfaction.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1A) regulates transcription of O‐GlcNAc transferase in a negative feedback mechanism
Authors: Zhang Chuanhui , Xie Fei , Li Ling , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Yong , Ying Wantao , Liu Li , Yan Xuli , Yin Futao , Zhang Lianwen 
Published: April 2019

O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT)‐catalyzed protein O‐GlcNAcylation is implicated in diverse cellular events. In the present study, we report the regulation of ogt transcription by the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homologue A (HNF1A) in HEK293T cells. We first identified a core ogt promoter (−150 to +200 bp) and confirmed its binding to the transcription factor HNF1A. We found that HNF1A regulates ogt transcription in a time‐dependent manner and that O‐GlcNAcylation of HNF1A represses ogt transcription. Electron‐transfer dissociation based tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed 14 O‐GlcNAc sites on HNF1A, six of which are predominantly modified, including Ser303/304, Ser471, Ser560 and Thr563/564. We further found that loss of O‐GlcNAcylation at Ser303/304 or Thr563/564 significantly elevates ogt transcription. These findings highlight a negative feedback mechanism for ogt transcription, which partially explains the homeostasis of cellular O‐GlcNAcylation.
Patient‐Reported Outcome Data From an Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial: Opportunities for Broadening the Scope of Treating to Target
Authors: Van der Elst Kristien , Verschueren Patrick , Stouten Veerle , Pazmino Sofia , De Groef An , De Cock Diederik , Joly Johan , Moons Philip , Westhovens René 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTreating early, intensively, and to target leads to rapid disease control, preventing joint damage and loss of function in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report the effect of such an approach on patient‐reported outcomes and explore the contribution of rapid and persistent disease control to well‐being after 1 year of treatment.MethodsThis study is part of the Care in EarlyRAtrial, a prospective, 2‐year, investigator‐initiated, randomized controlled trial rooted in daily practice and implementing the treat‐to‐target principle. Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey and Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ‐R) data were collected prospectively. We defined 4 clinical response profiles based on speed and consistency of the treatment response within the first year, defined as the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C‐reactive protein level <2.6. Linear regression analyses including these response profiles and treatment type were constructed to predict theSF‐36 dimensions of vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health, and theIPQ‐R illness perception subscales of consequences, treatment control, and illness coherence at year 1.ResultsA total of 333 patients were available for the main analyses, including 140 early persistent responders. Variation in each of the psychosocial outcomes at year 1 was explained mostly by baseline values, followed by the clinical response profiles. Patients with an early persistent response reported significantly higher vitality, more positive beliefs about disease consequences and treatment effect. Treatment type did not matter.ConclusionRapid and persistent disease control and not treatment type were associated with favorable patient‐reported health and illness perceptions at year 1, but baseline psychosocial variables mattered most. Our data indicate opportunities to broaden the scope of the treat‐to‐target principle in earlyRA.
Implantable Vascularized Liver Chip for Cross‐Validation of Disease Treatment with Animal Model
Authors: Lee Jung Bok , Park Jeong Su , Shin Young Min , Lee Da Hyun , Yoon Jeong‐Kee , Kim Dae‐Hyun , Ko Ung Hyun , Kim YongTae , Bae Soo Han , Sung Hak‐Joon 
Published: April 2019

AbstractArtificial liver models have been extensively developed for pathological modeling and toxicological studies. However, the prediction of existing in vitro liver models rarely corresponds to what is consequently observed in vivo owing to the structural and functional complexity of the liver. Here, a new liver model designed to enable the implantation and maintenance of liver buds in perfusable 3D hydrogels where a microvascular network develops within a 200 µm diffusion limit is developed. This system replicates inflammation, lipid accumulation, and fibrosis during the progressive processes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, in which this model predicted the results from a mouse model. This model reveals that a hepatic steatosis‐reducing drug restored mitochondrial activities with significant reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation. This liver model is not only highly predictive but also scalable and easy to apply to high‐throughput drug screening and implantation studies, suggesting a promising alternative to animal models.
Ferroelectric, Photoelectric, and Photovoltaic Performance of Silver Niobate Ceramics
Authors: He Xiang , Chen Chen , Li Chunbo , Zeng Huarong , Yi Zhiguo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFerroelectrics coupled with solar energy conversion are receiving intensive research interest. However, most ferroelectrics with a large remnant polarization can only harvest ultraviolet light in the solar spectrum. Herein, high‐quality silver niobate (AgNbO3) ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering is reported with a bandgap of ≈2.75 eV and a long tail absorption until 800 nm, leading to outstanding photoelectric properties featured by the visible‐light response over 550 nm. Instantaneous photoresponse measurement using a 355 nm nanosecond pulse laser shows a fast response speed in nanoseconds. Moreover, the ceramic exhibits an intriguing photovoltaic effect under either electric poling or mechanical polishing. Both approaches have switchable characteristics and produce a stable photovoltage as well as photocurrent, while temperature dependence behavior reveals distinctions between ferroelectric polarization and ferroelastic strains in determining the photovoltaic properties. Piezoelectric force microscopy characterization further confirms distinctions between the underlying mechanisms. The electric poling induced photovoltaic effect stems from the aligned polarization involving the ferroelectric component, whereas the mechanical polishing induced photovoltaic effect is associated with the flexoelectricity induced by strain gradients. These results not only show AgNbO3 to be a promising material for photoelectric application but also deepen the understanding of the mechanism underlying ferroelectric photovoltaics.
Anti‐Oxygen Leaking LiCoO2
Authors: Sharifi‐Asl Soroosh , Soto Fernando A. , Foroozan Tara , Asadi Mohammad , Yuan Yifei , Deivanayagam Ramasubramonian , Rojaee Ramin , Song Boao , Bi Xuanxuan , Amine Khalil , Lu Jun , Salehi‐khojin Amin , Balbuena Perla B. , Shahbazian‐Yassar Reza 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLiCoO2 is a prime example of widely used cathodes that suffer from the structural/thermal instability issues that lead to the release of their lattice oxygen under nonequilibrium conditions and safety concerns in Li‐ion batteries. Here, it is shown that an atomically thin layer of reduced graphene oxide can suppress oxygen release from LixCoO2 particles and improve their structural stability. Electrochemical cycling, differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and in situ heating transmission electron microscopy are performed to characterize the effectiveness of the graphene‐coating on the abusive tolerance of LixCoO2. Electrochemical cycling mass spectroscopy results suggest that oxygen release is hindered at high cutoff voltage cycling when the cathode is coated with reduced graphene oxide. Thermal analysis, in situ heating transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy results show that the reduction of Co species from the graphene‐coated samples is delayed when compared with bare cathodes. Finally, density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics calculations show that the rGO layers could suppress O2 formation more effectively due to the strong COcathode bond formation at the interface of rGO/LCO where low coordination oxygens exist. This investigation uncovers a reliable approach for hindering the oxygen release reaction and improving the thermal stability of battery cathodes.
Polymers with Side Chain Porosity for Ultrapermeable and Plasticization Resistant Materials for Gas Separations
Authors: He Yuan , Benedetti Francesco M. , Lin Sharon , Liu Chao , Zhao Yanchuan , Ye Hong‐Zhou , Van Voorhis Troy , De Angelis M. Grazia , Swager Timothy M. , Smith Zachary P. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPolymer membranes with ultrahigh CO2 permeabilities and high selectivities are needed to address some of the critical separation challenges related to energy and the environment, especially in natural gas purification and postcombustion carbon capture. However, very few solution‐processable, linear polymers are known today that access these types of characteristics, and all of the known structures achieve their separation performance through the design of rigid backbone chemistries that concomitantly increase chain stiffness and interchain spacing, thereby resulting in ultramicroporosity in solid‐state chain‐entangled films. Herein, the separation performance of a porous polymer obtained via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization is reported, which possesses a flexible backbone with rigid, fluorinated side chains. This polymer exhibits ultrahigh CO2 permeability (>21 000 Barrer) and exceptional plasticization resistance (CO2 plasticization pressure > 51 bar). Compared to traditional polymers of intrinsic microporosity, the rate of physical aging is slower, especially for gases with small effective diameters (i.e., He, H2, and O2). This structural design strategy, coupled with studies on fluorination, demonstrates a generalizable approach to create new polymers with flexible backbones and pore‐forming side chains that have unexplored promise for small‐molecule separations.
Anisotropic Plasmonic Metal Heterostructures as Theranostic Nanosystems for Near Infrared Light‐Activated Fluorescence Amplification and Phototherapy
Authors: Chang Yun , Feng Yanlin , Cheng Yan , Zheng Runxiao , Wu Xiaqing , Jian Hui , Zhang Dawei , Tang Zhaohui , Wang Zhenxin , Hao Jiaming , Zhang Haiyuan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe development of sophisticated theranostic systems for simultaneous near infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and phototherapy is of particular interest. Herein, anisotropic plasmonic metal heterostructures, Pt end‐deposited Au nanorods (PEA NRs), are developed to efficiently produce hot electrons under 808 nm laser irradiation, exhibiting the strong electric density. These hot electrons can release the heat through electron‐phonon relaxation and form reactive oxygen species through chemical transformation, as a result of potent photothermal and photodynamic performance. Simultaneously, the confined electromagnetic field of PEA NRs can transfer energy to adjacent polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐linked NIR fluorophores (CF) based on their energy overlap mechanism, leading to remarkable NIR fluorescence amplification in CF‐PEA NRs. Various PEG linkers (1, 3.4, 5.0, and 10 kD) are employed to regulate the distance between CF and PEA NRs of CF‐PEA NRs, and the maximum fluorescence intensity is achieved in CF5k‐PEA NRs. After further attachment with i‐motif DNA/Nrf2 siRNA chimera to simultaneously suppress both cellular antioxidant defense and hyperthermia resistance effects, the final biocompatible CF5k‐bPEA@siRNA NRs present promising NIR fluorescence imaging ability and 808 nm laser‐activated photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic effect in MCF7 cells and tumor‐bearing mice, holding great potential for cancer therapy.
Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Electrical Conductors: Fabrication, Optimization, and Applications
Authors: Zhang Songlin , Nguyen Nam , Leonhardt Branden , Jolowsky Claire , Hao Ayou , Park Jin Gyu , Liang Richard 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe lack of progress to obtain commercially available large‐scale production of continuous carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers has provided the motivation for researchers to develop high‐performance bulk CNT assemblies that could more effectively transfer the superb mechanical, electrical, and other excellent properties of individual CNTs. These wire‐like bulk assemblies of CNTs have demonstrated the potential for being used as electrical conductors to replace conventional conductive materials, such as copper and aluminum. CNT conductors are extremely lightweight, corrosive‐resistive, and mechanically strong while being potentially cost‐effective when compared to other conventional conductive materials. However, great technical challenges still exist in transferring the superior properties of individual CNTs to highly conductive bulk CNT assemblies, such as continuous wires, cables, and sheets. This paper gives an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art advances in CNT‐based conductors in terms of fabrication methods, characterization, conduction mechanisms, and applications. In addition, future research directions and possible attempts to improve performance are analyzed. The opportunities and challenges for related nonmetal competitive conductors are also discussed.
Carboxylic‐Acid‐Activated Olefins in Decarboxylative Reactions
Authors: Bojanowski Jan , Albrecht Anna 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis Minireview summarizes the application of carboxylic‐acid‐activated olefins in organic synthesis. The ability of carboxylic acid moiety to increase the electrophilic character of alkenes combined with the possibility to remove it under mild reaction conditions via decarboxylation process allows for the development of new reactivity patterns. These strategies involve mainly cascade reactions consisting of either Michael addition followed by decarboxylation or cycloaddition followed by decarboxylation. New synthetic possibilities provided by these approaches are summarized and discussed within this review article.
Heteropaternity of twins in ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)
Authors: Parga Joyce A. , Nansen Shira C. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis project investigated paternity among 14 sets of twins born into a colony of ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) on St. Catherines Island, GA. Female L. catta commonly mate with >1 male, and twins of different sexes confirm that dizygotic twinning can occur in this species. However, no study has previously evaluated twins using genetic data to measure the proportion of mono versus dizygotic twinning in L. catta, and no study has tested for heteropaternity (sirehood by two different males) in this species. We predicted that L. catta would show a predominance of dizygosity and evidence for heteropaternity.Materials and methodsPaternity was determined for 28 infants (14 sets of twins) via paternity exclusion analyses using 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers, and data were collected on sexual behavior across four mating seasons during the first cycle of mating in each year, which overlapped with the conceptive periods of these infants.ResultsAll twins were found to be dizygotic, as evidenced by dissimilar multilocus genotypes between the two infants of each twin pair. Heteropaternity was found in 3 of 14 (21% of) twin pairs, whereas the remaining 11 pairs of twins (79%) shared the same sire. In one case of heteropaternity, one sire was a resident male, and one sire was an extra‐group male. An extra‐group male also sired one of the same‐sire twin pairs. All other sires of twins were group residents.DiscussionFemale multiple mating, which is common to many primates including L. catta, can be viewed as an adaptive reproductive strategy whose function—in addition to fertility assurance or stimulating sperm competition—may be to increase the genetic diversity of a female's offspring, even among infants born in the same birth event. Therefore, during the course of primate evolution, the adaptive benefits of heteropaternity would be expected to have contributed to positive selection for female promiscuity.
Animal models of acute gastric mucosal injury: Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation
Authors: Simões Sandra , Lopes Rui , Campos Maria Celeste Dias , Marruz Maria João , da Cruz Maria Eugénia Meirinhos , Corvo Luísa 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAcute gastric mucosal injury is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract and the search for new therapeutics is ongoing. The aim of this study is to update and expand the information related to the most widely used rat models of acute gastric ulcer, the ethanol‐induced ulcer and the indomethacin‐induced ulcer. These two models are compared in terms of macroscopic and microscopic features. Experimentally, ethanol was given orally in a single dose and indomethacin was subcutaneously injected into male Wistar rats. After ulcerative challenges, the stomachs were removed and visually inspected. Anti‐ulcerative drugs were used to validate the models. Histological analysis of the stomachs determined the microscopic score. The methodology used for model evaluation applied to macroscopic and microscopic gastric lesions. With these methods it was possible to induce lesions in the gastric mucosa. Microscopic evaluation permitted assessment of the inflammatory and apoptotic impact in the mucosa not observable by macroscopic evaluation. Groups of animals were treated with two standard drugs: sulcralfate suspension or lansoprazole solution. Both drugs reduced macroscopic and microscopic lesions, particularly the hemorrhagic ones. Both models induced acute gastric mucosal injury and no single evaluation method can address all the aspects of the pathology of gastric lesions. As a complement to macroscopic evaluation, microscopy appears to be a relevant tool to selectively identify specific aspects of the development of mucosal injury, quantify the extent of lesions, and contribute to an appropriate interpretation of results. The score systems established here offer a reliable method for testing antiulcer drugs.