bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The distributive and structural characteristics of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus)
Authors: He Wanhong , Zhang Wangdong , Cheng Cuicui , Li Jianfei , Wu Xiuping , Li Min , Chen Zhihua , Wang Wenhui 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundBronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), distributed in the bronchial mucosa, plays a critical role in maintaining the mucosal immune homeostasis of the lower respiratory tract. The bronchial tree is a functional structure for gas exchange with the outside environment and maintains basic lung morphology.MethodsTo explore the structural and distributive characteristics of BALT in Bactrian camels, twelve healthy adult Bactrian camels were divided into two groups (six in each group). The lungs, bronchial tree and BALT were observed and analysed systematically through anatomical and histological methods.ResultsThe results showed that Bactrian camel lungs were constituted by the left cranial lobe, left caudal lobe, right cranial lobe, right caudal lobe and accessory lobe, but lacked the middle lobe. The cranial lobe was narrow and small, the caudal lobe was extremely developed (almost four times the cranial lobe in size), and the accessory lobe was smaller than the cranial lobe; the bronchial tree, an unequal dichotomy with a tracheobronchial branch, was composed of dorsal, ventral, lateral and medial bronchiole systems. Isolated lymphoid follicles (the chief type) and aggregates of lymphoid follicles revealed two types of BALT, and germinal centres, follicle-associated epithelium and high endothelial venules could be observed in some well-developed BALT. Additionally, BALT was scattered along the bronchial tree in the entire lung, and the density increased from the trachea to the lower graded branches (densest in the bronchioles) and then decreased, with the occasional location around respiratory bronchioles or among the pulmonary mesenchyme. In the conducting portion, BALT was primarily located in the mucosa lamina propria but was also found in the submucosa, under the muscular layer, and around the submucosal glands and cartilage.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that the lung morphology of Bactrian camels was similar to that of horses, but the bronchial branches were more closely related to those of ruminants. These characteristics were in accordance with the morphological and structural variation regularity of lungs with species evolution. BALT was mainly scattered in the conducting portion, and bronchioles, as the final “checkpoint” in the surveillance, capture and recognition of antigens before pulmonary exchange, were the pivotal locational position of BALT. However, BALT at different depths of the bronchial wall of the conducting portion might be at different developmental stages. Our study provided evidence for further insight into the mucosal immunomodulatory mechanism of BALT in the respiratory system of Bactrian camels.
Government Health Insurance Schemes for Differently Abled – A Swot Analysis
Authors: Krishnan Lakshmi , Madankumar P. D. 
Published: March 2019

Background: Health schemes and policies are not a post independence phenomena, they have been in our Indian histories since 1946. Despite advancements in health care systems, India still faces the problem of health inequality seen commonly among the underserved population. One such population which suffers the agony of both health and oral health problems are the disabled population.
Methodology: SWOT analysis done.
Results: Only two government health schemes are available for differently abled population, among these two, only one (Niramaya Scheme) offers insurance for oral health.
Conclusion: There is an urgent need to evaluate these two schemes and bring about an appropriate integrated health scheme for the differently abled.
Annona muricata Linn leaves or Curcuma longa Linn Rhizomes Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Associated with Hypertension in Uninephrectomized Wistar Rats Daily Loaded with Sodium Chloride
Authors: Oridupa Olayinka A. , Falade Folusho B. , Oyagbemi Ademola A. , Abegunde Bukola A. , Ekwem Precious C. , Badmus Adedoyin , Omobowale Temidayo O. 
Published: March 2019

Aims: Oxidative stress sequel to hypertension exacerbates the clinical condition and accelerates associated organopathies, therefore prevention is important. Traditionally in Nigeria, hypertension is treated with Annona muricata L. leaves or Curcuma longa L. rhizomes, two medicinal plants with antioxidant properties.
Study Design: This study assessed the effect of these plants on hypertension-induced oxidative stress in uninephrectomized Wistar rats daily loaded with 1% sodium chloride.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Experimental Animal House, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between August and November 2017.
Methodology: Hypertensive rats were treated with methanol extracts of the plants for 42days. Two other groups of hypertensive rats were treated with lisinopril or chlorothiazide. Blood pressure was monitored by non-invasive tail plethysmography using an electro-sphygmomanometer. Oxidative stress markers were determined in blood and tissue (heart, kidney and liver); GPX, GST, GSH, SOD, MDA and NO.
Results: Treatment of uninephrectomized rats with A. muricata or C. longa significantly (p<0.0001) decreased blood pressure and MDA, while elevating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms of GST, GSH, GPx and SOD, comparable to normotensive rats. NO, the ubiquitous molecule required for basal vascular tone, myocardial contractility regulation and platelet adhesion prevention, was restored in the extract-treated rats. However, hypertensive untreated rats showed evidence of oxidative damages with significant increase in MDA, especially in the heart and liver, with decreases in the antioxidant defense system.
Conclusion: Results of this study justified the traditional use of A. muricata or C. longa for management of hypertension in Nigeria and showed that the extracts ameliorated oxidative damage that accompanied hypertension, thus also preventing complications of hypertension.
C677T Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Homozygosis and Vitamin Supplement in Migraineur Children
Authors: Tozzi Elisabetta , Onofri Agnese , Iapadre Giulia , Mazzilli Martina , Necozione Stefano 
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variant C677T has been associated with an increased genetic risk in migraine susceptibility. Individuals with the homozygous genotype show higher levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) [1,2,3].
Methods: Open-label study evaluating clinical trial was performed on 148 children migraineurs among 236 children suffering from headache, admitted to the Headache Regional Centre in l’Aquila (Italy)-Neuropsychiatric clinic, recruited and observed sequentially during the years 2015-2017. 31 patients (16,6% of all the sample) MTHFR homozygous were selected and underwent clinical evaluation of migraine characteristics (frequency, severity of pain and use of acute treatment) at baseline and after a 12 month-period of daily supplement of vitamins B9(2 mg), B6(25 mg), B12(400 mcg). In 20 patients with hyper Hcy (>95° percentile for age) the second collection of blood sample was obtained for Hcy assessment. Diagnosis of headache according to ICHD-III criteria. Statistical analysis is made by Wilcoxon test.
Results: 20 children suffer from Migraine without aura (MwoA) and 11 from Migraine with aura (MA). 86% of children aged >10 years had significantly higher Hcy values compared with controls (p<0.0001). 21 patients (70%), 14 F and 7 M (13 MwoA and 8 MA), have Hcy values > 95°percentile. In all the sample the vitamin supplementation was effective in producing significant reduction in Hcy levels (p=0.0001) and a significant improvement of migraine disability of frequency (p<0.0001), severity of pain (p<0.0003) and use of acute treatment (p<0.0001).
Conclusions: The study results are encouraging and emphasize the importance of a comprehensive therapy in paediatric migraines.
Relationship between Different Anthropometric Measurements and Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-17, Interleukin-27 and Interleukin-35 Levels for Iraqi Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Hantoosh Sundus Fadhil , Zageer Dheaa Shamikh , Al-Jumaili Farah T. O. 
Published: March 2019

Aims: The study aimed to study impact of type and amount of body fat distribution on interleukin-1β, interleukin-17, interleukin-27, and interleukin-35 levels and on immunologic infertility.
Study Design: The study was carried on infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome women.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed with study subjects attended consultant clinic of Higher Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies at AL-Nahrain University in Baghdad/Iraq during the period from February 2016 to April 2016.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-six infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome women were enrolled in this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) measurements were calculated to all cases. Serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-27 (IL-27), and interleukin-35 (IL-35) concentrations were measured on cycle day 2.
Results: Significant difference in distribution according to BMI, WC, and WHR (P=0.0001, P=0.0001, P=0.04, respectively). Significant difference in IL-1β concentrations according to WHR (P=0.04). Significant difference in IL-17 concentrations according to BMI, WC, and WHR (P=0.02, P=0.03, P=0.008, respectively). Significant difference in IL-27 concentrations according to WC (P=0.03). Significant difference in IL-35 concentrations according to BMI and WC (P=0.0001, P=0.0001, respectively).
Conclusions: Amount and type of body fat distribution considerably affected and altered IL-1β, IL-17, IL-27, and IL-35 concentrations and consequently had a role in immunologic infertility.
A Study on Biochemical Properties and Effects of Different Vegetable Oils on Blood Indices in Wistar Rats
Authors: Rahman Md. Tohidur , . Meherunnahar , Ali Muhammad , Rahman Shaikh Shahinur , Rana A. Y. K. M. Masud , Yeasmin Kumkum , Rahman Md. Hafizur 
Published: March 2019

Mustard oil is popular edible oil in Bangladesh. It contains about more than fifty percent erucic acid which is toxic to human beings. This study evaluated the determination of biochemical properties (acid value, iodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter %) of mustard oil, virgin coconut and sesame oil and toxicity determination of these oils through blood indices targeting of these oil by mixing with normal diet as a dietary supplementation. This study found acid value of mustard, sesame and virgin coconut oil was 0.92, 0.312, 0.52 respectively. Iodine value of mustard, sesame and virgin coconut oil were 110.2, 105.2, and 11 respectively. Saponification value of wild mustard, sesame and virgin coconut oil was 171.1, 187.2 and 240 respectively and unsaponifiable matter % of mustard, sesame and virgin coconut oil was 1.19, 0.31 and 0.92 respectively. Also in vivo experiment we divided wistar male rats were 4 groups such as normal diet 12 g/day/rat, mustard oil (MO) 0.6 g/day/rat, virgin coconut oil (VCO) 0.6g/day/rat and sesame oil (SO) 0.6 g/day/rat. In this study the vegetable oil causes the effect on average body weight gain, Food Efficiency Ratio (FER), and lipid profiles [Total cholesterol (Tch), HDL- Cholesterol LDL - Cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG)] and serum enzymes [SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT)] of different groups of rat also been estimated. The study found that mustard oil significantly (p<0.05) increase lipid profile and enzymes SGOT, SGPT level in blood serum which is an indication of heart and liver disorder. The study found that coconut and sesame oil consumption in rat significantly (p<0.05) decrease of these parameters.
Evaluation of Patients’ Responses to Oral Hypoglycemic Agents at a University Health Centre
Authors: Ajulo Olugbenga Matthew , Ajulo Oluwatoyin Hephzibah 
Published: March 2019

Background: There were 1.5 million deaths caused by diabetes in 2012, of which more than 80% of diabetes deaths occurred in developing countries. WHO estimated diabetes would be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030.
Aim: The study aimed at evaluating type 2 diabetes mellitus patients’ clinical responses after use of oral hypoglycaemic agents.
Study Design: The study was a retrospective observational study.
Place and duration of Study: The study was undertaken at Primary healthcare facility, University Health Centre. The study monitored case notes of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who attended the endocrinology clinic within the ten years of review.
Methods: After ethical approval was given, a retrospective evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients’ folders was done for one hundred and nineteen patients who attended the endocrinology clinic. Relevant information obtained from patients’ folders were collated and analysed.
Results: Out of one hundred and nineteen participants who received oral hypoglycaemic agents, seventy-six (63.8%) participants were in the age range of 45-55 years, followed by twenty-four (20.2%) participants with age range of greater than 55 years. Sixty-eight (57.1%) participants were females while fifty-one (42.9%) were males. Forty two (35.3%) participants had a controlled plasma glucose level of <110 mg/dl while seventy-seven (64.7%) participants had plasma glucose level of >110 mg/dl. Efficacy index was highest for Daonil+Glycomet followed by Diabinese+Glucophage and Glucovance respectively.
Conclusion: The study indicated that fewer type 2 diabetes mellitus patients’ plasma glucose levels were controlled by two drugs combination therapy involving metformin.
Bacteriological Quality of Kunu Drink Sold in Bayelsa State Nigeria and the Pathogenic Potential of Some Isolates
Authors: . Amala , Enoch Smart , Omeremu Daw, Mercy 
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Kunu or kunun-zaki is a beverage drink made from grains such as millet, sorghum and maize or other combinations. It is a non-alcoholic beverage marketed in public places such as offices, markets, schools, motor parks and used in festivities such as weddings, birthday celebration, naming ceremonies etc. The high bacterial content of kunu calls for investigation.
Aim: The aim of this research is to isolate, identify bacterial contaminants in kunu and determine enterotoxin producing abilities of some isolates.
Methodology: A total of 150 bottles of kunu were purchased, 50 each from Yenagoa, Sagbama and Ogbia respectively. Each bottle of kunu was properly mixed by gentle inversion several times and 1 mL of the kunu was pipetted and added to 9mL sterile peptone water. Subsequent serial dilution was made to 105. Then 0.1 mL was placed on agar media in duplicate. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours and examined for growth.
Results: The bacteria isolated from Kunu were Staphylococcus aureus 150 (27.8%), Escherichia coli 150 (27.8%), Bacillus sp. 150 (27.8%) and Staphylococci sp. 90 (16.7%) respectively. Out of the S. aureus isolated, 25 (16.6%) produced enterotoxin and E. coli isolated, 19 (13%) produced enterotoxin respectively.
Conclusion: The contamination of kunu occurs during processing, packaging and by vendors. Improved personal hygiene of the producers, environment and proper preservation methods will reduces bacterial proliferation and spoilage of kunu. The consumption of kunu is of public health interest.
Superassembled Biocatalytic Porous Framework Micromotors with Reversible and Sensitive pH‐Speed Regulation at Ultralow Physiological H2O2 Concentration
Authors: Gao Song , Hou Jingwei , Zeng Jie , Richardson Joseph J. , Gu Zi , Gao Xiang , Li Dongwei , Gao Meng , Wang Da‐Wei , Chen Pu , Chen Vicki , Liang Kang , Zhao Dongyuan , Kong Biao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSynthetic nano/micromotors are a burgeoning class of materials with vast promise for applications ranging from environmental remediation to nanomedicine. The motility of these motors is generally controlled by the concentration of accessible fuel, and therefore, engineering speed‐regulation mechanisms, particularly using biological triggers, remains a continuing challenge. Here, control over the movement of superassembled porous framework micromotors via a reversible, biological‐relevant pH‐responsive regulatory mechanism is demonstrated. Succinylated β‐lactoglobulin and catalase are superassembled in porous framework particles, where the β‐lactoglobulin is permeable at neutral pH. This permeability allows the fuel (H2O2) to access catalase, leading to autonomous movement of the micromotors. However, at mild acidic pH, succinylated β‐lactoglobulin undergoes a reversible gelation process, preventing the access of fuel into the micromotors where the catalase resides. To one's knowledge, this study represents the first example of chemically driven motors with rapid, reversible pH‐responsive motility. Furthermore, the porous framework significantly enhances the biocatalytic activity of catalase, allowing ultralow H2O2 concentrations to be exploited at physiological conditions. It is envisioned that the simultaneous exploitation of pH and chemical potential of such nanosystems could have potential applications as stimulus‐responsive drug delivery vehicles that benefit from the complex biological environment.
A Dual‐Bioresponsive Drug‐Delivery Depot for Combination of Epigenetic Modulation and Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Ruan Huitong , Hu Quanyin , Wen Di , Chen Qian , Chen Guojun , Lu Yifei , Wang Jinqiang , Cheng Hao , Lu Weiyue , Gu Zhen 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPatients with advanced melanoma that is of low tumor‐associated antigen (TAA) expression often respond poorly to PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapy. Epigenetic modulators, such as hypomethylation agents (HMAs), can enhance the antitumor immune response by inducing TAA expression. Here, a dual bioresponsive gel depot that can respond to the acidic pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for codelivery of anti‐PD1 antibody (aPD1) and Zebularine (Zeb), an HMA, is engineered. aPD1 is first loaded into pH‐sensitive calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3 NPs), which are then encapsulated in the ROS‐responsive hydrogel together with Zeb (Zeb‐aPD1‐NPs‐Gel). It is demonstrated that this combination therapy increases the immunogenicity of cancer cells, and also plays roles in reversing immunosuppressive TME, which contributes to inhibiting the tumor growth and prolonging the survival time of B16F10‐melanoma‐bearing mice.
Structure‐Guided Evolution of Aryl Alcohol Oxidase from Pleurotus eryngii for the Selective Oxidation of Secondary Benzyl Alcohols
Authors: Viña‐Gonzalez Javier , Jimenez‐Lalana Diego , Sancho Ferran , Serrano Ana , Martinez Angel T. , Guallar Victor , Alcalde Miguel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAryl alcohol oxidase (AAO) is a fungal flavoenzyme capable of oxidizing aromatic primary alcohols into their correspondent aldehydes through a stereoselective hydride abstraction. Unfortunately, this enzyme does not act on secondary benzyl alcohols in racemic mixtures due to the strict control of substrate diffusion and positioning at the active site restricted to primary benzyl alcohols. Here we describe the engineering of AAO from Pleurotus eryngii to oxidize chiral benzyl alcohols with high enantioselectivity. The secondary benzyl alcohol oxidase was remodeled at the active site through four cycles of structure‐guided evolution, including a final step of in vivo site‐directed recombination to address the positive epistatic interactions between mutations. The final variant, with five substitutions and a renovated active site, was characterized at biochemical and computational level. The mutational sculpting helped position the bulkier (S)‐1‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐ethanol, improving the mutant's catalytic efficiency by three orders of magnitude relative to the native enzyme while showing a high enantioselectivity (ee >99%). As a promising candidate for racemic resolution, this evolved secondary benzyl alcohol oxidase maintained its natural stereoselective mechanism while displaying activity on several secondary benzyl alcohols.magnified image
White Photoluminescent Ti3C2 MXene Quantum Dots with Two‐Photon Fluorescence
Authors: Lu Siyu , Sui Laizhi , Liu Yuan , Yong Xue , Xiao Guanjun , Yuan Kaijun , Liu Zhongyi , Liu Baozhong , Zou Bo , Yang Bai 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA recently created class of inorganic 2D materials, MXenes, has become a subject of intensive research. Reducing their dimensionality from 2D to 0D quantum dots (QDs) could result in extremely useful properties and functions. However, this type of research is scarce, and the reported Ti3C2 MXene QDs (MQDs) have only shown blue fluorescence emission. This work demonstrates a facile, high‐output method for preparing bright white emitting Ti3C2 MQDs. The resulting product is two layers thick with a lateral dimension of 13.1 nm. Importantly, the as prepared Ti3C2 MQDs present strong two‐photon white fluorescence. Their fluorescence under high pressure is also investigated and it is found that the white emission is very stable and the pressure makes it possible to change from cool white emission to warm white emission. Hybrid nanocomposites are then fabricated by polymerizing Ti3C2 MQDs in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution, and the bright white emitting hybrid materials in white light‐emitting diodes are used. This work provides a facile and general approach to modulate various nanoscale MXene materials, and could further aid the wide development of applications for MXene materials in various optical‐related fields.
Polymorphism rs2395655 affects LEDGF/p75 binding activity and p21WAF1/CIP1 gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Guo Rong , Ma Yunan , Zhao Min , Zhang Wenlong , An Guo , Chen Baojun , Song Yiping , Xu Hui , Li Yong 
Published: March 2019

Abstractp21WAF1/CIP1 (p21) plays critical roles in cell‐cycle regulation and DNA repair and is transcriptionally regulated through p53‐dependent or ‐independent pathways. Bioinformatic analysis predicated one stress‐response element (STRE) implicated in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2395655 of the p21 promoter. Here, we investigated the transcriptional regulatory function of rs2395655 variant genotype and analyzed its associations with the p21 expression and clinical outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Luciferase assay results showed significantly increased transcriptional activity of the rs2395655 G allele‐containing p21 promoter compared with rs2395655 A allele‐containing counterpart, especially in ESCC cells with ectopic LEDGF/p75 expression. Furthermore electrophoretic mobility shift assay using the rs2395655 G or A allele‐containing probe and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay with specific anti‐LEDGF/p75 antibody indicated the potential binding activity of LEDGF/p75 with the STRE element implicated in rs2395655 G allele of the p21 promoter. Subsequent specific RNA interference‐mediated depletion or ectopic expression of LEDGF/p75 caused obviously down‐ or up‐regulated expression of p21 mRNA in ESCC cells harboring rs2395655 GG genotype but not cells with rs2395655 AA genotype. Furthermore, rs2395655 GG genotype carriers showed significantly elevated p21 protein expression and conferred survival advantage in both univariate and multivariate analyses in total 218 ESCC patients. Our findings suggest that LEDGF/p75 regulates the p21 expression in ESCC cells through interacting with STRE element implicated in polymorphism rs2395655 and the elevated p21 protein expression and rs2395655 GG genotype may serve as positive prognostic factors for ESCC patients.