bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ascertainment of In vivo Antidiarrheal and In vitro Thrombolytic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Amomum dealbatum
Authors: Islam Md. Azimul , Sayeed Mohammed Aktar , Barek Md. Abdul , Shetu Enama Nabi , Faisal Md. Nurul 
Published: May 2019

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate antidiarrheal and thrombolytic effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of A. dealbatum in mice.
Study design: Antidiarrheal effect was evaluated by castor oil-induced diarrhea method at two different concentrations in mice and in vitro thrombolytic activity was analyzed with clot lysis assay of human blood.
Place and duration of study: Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Kumira, Chittagong-4318, Bangladesh, between December 2018 and February 2019.
Methodology: The male Swiss mice’s were divided into four groups (n = 5). First group was orally treated with 1% Tween-80 (10 ml/kg) and second group was orally treated with loperamide (5 mg/kg). Third and fourth group were orally treated with ethanolic extract of leaves of A. dealbatum at 200 and 400 mg/kg accordingly. Human RBCs were collected for conducting thrombolytic assay. During this study, 1.5 ml of venous blood was drawn from healthy volunteers (n = 10) and Streptokinase was employed as positive control and distilled water was employed as negative control.
Results: In castor oil induced diarrhea model, ethanolic extract of leaves of A. dealbatum at 200, 400 mg/kg and loperamide (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of feces and increase percent of inhibition of defecations compared to negative control. The extract showed percent of inhibition of defecation of 16.67 and 37.50 for 200 and 400 mg/ml respectively where the positive control loperamide showed 66.67%. Percentage of clot disruptions were 4.51 (p<.001), 75.69 (p<.001) and 26.07 (p<.001) for water, streptokinase and 10 mg/ml extract respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the results from in vivo and in vitro activities, the leaves of A. dealbatum were found to be a potential source of new antidiarrheal and thrombolytic agents.
Uptake and Distribution of Natural Radionuclides in Cassava Crops from Nigerian Government Farms
Authors: Ononugbo C. P. , Azikiwe O. , Avwiri G. O. 
Published: May 2019

Radioactivity distribution and transfer factor (TF) in plants are crucial parameters used to assess radioactive contamination in the environment, impact of soil radioactivity on agricultural crops and its risks to humans. The root crop cassava (Manihot esculenta) provides about 50 percent of the calories consumed in Nigeria. Gamma - ray spectroscopy was used to measure activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in cassava root and soil. The average activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in cassava was 565.31± 13.17, 21.89±5.94 and 817.28±2.52 Bqkg-1 respectively. The mean activity concentration 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in soil range from 92.07±35.08 to 689.28±14.35 Bqkg-1with a mean value of 413.64±21.22 Bqkg-1, 5.37 ± 8.90 to 64.93 ± 7.23 Bqkg-1 with a mean value of 54.43 ± 3.22 and BDL to 928.15 ± 2.36 Bqkg-1 with a mean value of 561.67 ± 2.21 Bqkg-1. The transfer values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were in the range of 0 to 1.81, 0 to 3.41 and 0.68 to 4.5 respectively. The high value of transfer factor for 40k may be due to its importance in plant growth, fertilization and adaptability of plant to environmental pressures. It may have also been enhanced by the application of NPK fertilizers in those farms. Thorium showed the highest mean transfer factor which may be due to its higher accumulation in soil and higher uptake by plants (Figure 3). The average transfer factors of 226Ra (0.99) < 40K (1.55) < 232Th (1.66) show that although activity concentration of the natural radioisotopes in the area under study are high, the rate at which they are transferred to cassava are still moderate. The average values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose rate (AEDE), internal hazard index and excess life cancer risk (ELCR) are 1009.27 Bqk-1, 346.50 nGyh-1, 1.51 mSvy-1, 2.78 and 3.92 x 10-3 for respectively. These values were higher than their corresponding permissible values of 370Bqk-1, 55nGyh-1, 1.0 mSvy-1, 1.0 and 0.29 x 10-3 respectively. The mean values of Hex and Hin are greater than unity and may, therefore, constitute a significant radiological health risk. The mean annual gonad dose estimated value of 2943.90 mSvy-1 was above the world acceptable value of 300 mSvy-1 and the annual effective dose in all the samples except in few locations as shown in Figure 2, exceeded the safe value of 1.0 mSvy-1. The use of soil from these farms and the crops may constitute a threat to the bone marrow and general health conditions of the inhabitants.
Feasibility study on mental health‐care effects of plant installations in office spaces
Authors: Genjo Kahori , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Ogata Nobuaki , Nakano Takaoki 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOffices may have different indoor environmental quality related problems, such as space, indoor air quality, office workers’ thermal comfort, productivity, and mental stress. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of indoor plants on physiological/psychological responses and productivity, and to examine the mental healthcare status of office workers. To clarify the effect of indoor plants, we conducted a demonstration experiment in two rooms of an office. The experiment was performed in two office spaces (Office A and Office B) located in Kyoto, Japan. Office A was a call center and Office B was a general office. Subjects were office workers working in one of the above two office spaces. In the experiment, nine cycles were conducted while changing the type of plants including vegetables and foliage plants. A preliminary experiment without plants was conducted as a reference case. Results indicated that plant installations in office spaces have certain mental health‐care effects, namely, relaxation of visual fatigue and the feelings of drowsiness of five groups of work‐related fatigue feelings, and the effects by installations of plants depend on the type of plant and industry, although this study had some limitations because of the demonstration experiment.
Predicting long‐term clinical stability in amyloid‐positive subjects by FDG‐PET
Authors: Iaccarino Leonardo , Sala Arianna , Perani Daniela ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2019

AbstractImaging biomarkers can be used to screen participants for Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. To test the predictive values in clinical progression of neuropathology change (amyloid‐PET) or brain metabolism as neurodegeneration biomarker ([18F]FDG‐PET), we evaluated data from N = 268 healthy controls and N = 519 mild cognitive impairment subjects. Despite being a significant risk factor, amyloid positivity was not associated with clinical progression in the majority (≥60%) of subjects. Notably, a negative [18F]FDG‐PET scan at baseline strongly predicted clinical stability with high negative predictive values (>0.80) for both groups. We suggest [18F]FDG‐PET brain metabolism or other neurodegeneration measures should be coupled to amyloid‐PET to exclude clinically stable individuals from clinical trials.
Peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment associated with a novel monoallelic HARS variant
Authors: Royer‐Bertrand Béryl , Tsouni Pinelopi , Mullen Patrick , Campos Xavier Belinda , Mittaz Crettol Lauréane , Lobrinus Alexander J. , Ghika Joseph , Baumgartner Matthias R. , Rivolta Carlo , Superti‐Furga Andrea , Kuntzer Thierry , Francklyn Christopher , Tran Christel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundA 49‐year‐old male presented with late‐onset demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar atrophy, and cognitive deficit. Nerve biopsy revealed intra‐axonal inclusions suggestive of polyglucosan bodies, raising the suspicion of adult polyglucosan bodies disease (OMIM 263570).Methods and ResultsWhile known genes associated with polyglucosan bodies storage were negative, whole‐exome sequencing identified an unreported monoallelic variant, c.397G>T (p.Val133Phe), in the histidyl‐tRNA synthetase (HARS) gene. While we did not identify mutations in genes known to be associated with polygucosan body disease, whole‐exome sequencing revealed an unreported monoallelic variant, c.397G>T in the histidyl‐tRNA synthetase (HARS) gene, encoding a substitution (Val133Phe) in the catalytic domain. Expression of this variant in patient cells resulted in reduced aminoacylation activity in extracts obtained from dermal fibroblasts, without compromising overall protein synthesis.InterpretationGenetic variants in the genes coding for the different aminoacyl‐tRNA synthases are associated with various clinical conditions. To date, a number of HARS variant have been associated with peripheral neuropathy, but not cognitive deficits. Further studies are needed to explore why HARS mutations confer a neuronal‐specific phenotype.
Predicting Incident Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis in Middle‐Aged Women Within Four Years: The Importance of Knee‐Level Prognostic Factors
Authors: Garriga Cesar , Sánchez‐Santos Maria T. , Judge Andrew , Hart Deborah , Spector Tim , Cooper Cyrus , Arden Nigel K. 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo develop and internally validate risk models and a clinical risk score tool to predict incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis (RKOA) in middle‐aged women.MethodsWe analyzed 649 women in the Chingford 1,000 Women study. The outcome was incident RKOA, defined as Kellgren/Lawrence grade 0–1 at baseline and ≥2 at year 5. We estimated predictors’ effects on the outcome using logistic regression models. Two models were generated. The clinical model considered patient characteristics, medication, biomarkers, and knee symptoms. The radiographic model considered the same factors, plus radiographic factors (e.g., angle between the acetabular roof and the ilium's vertical cortex [hip α‐angle]). The models were internally validated. Model performance was assessed using calibration and discrimination (area under the receiver characteristic curve [AUC]).ResultsThe clinical model contained age, quadriceps circumference, and a cartilage degradation marker (C‐terminal telopeptide of type II collagen) as predictors (AUC = 0.692). The radiographic model contained older age, greater quadriceps circumference, knee pain, knee baseline Kellgren/Lawrence grade 1 (versus 0), greater hip α‐angle, greater spinal bone mineral density, and contralateral RKOA at baseline as predictors (AUC = 0.797). Calibration tests showed good agreement between the observed and predicted incident RKOA. A clinical risk score tool was developed from the clinical model.ConclusionTwo models predicting incident RKOA within 4 years were developed, including radiographic variables that improved model performance. First‐time predictor hip α‐angle and contralateral RKOA suggest OA origins beyond the knee. The clinical tool has the potential to help physicians identify patients at risk of RKOA in routine practice, but the tool should be externally validated.
Living Atomically Dispersed Cu Ultrathin TiO2 Nanosheet CO2 Reduction Photocatalyst
Authors: Jiang Zaiyong , Sun Wei , Miao Wenkang , Yuan Zhimin , Yang Guihua , Kong Fangong , Yan Tingjiang , Chen Jiachuan , Huang Baibiao , An Changhua , Ozin Geoffrey A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSupported atomically dispersed metals are proving to be efficacious photocatalysts for CO2 reduction to solar fuels. While being atom efficient, they suffer from being noble, rare, and costly (Pt, Pd, Au, Ag, Rh) and lacking in long‐term stability. Herein, all of these problems are solved with the discovery that atomically dispersed Cu supported on ultrathin TiO2 nanosheets can photocatalytically reduce an aqueous solution of CO2 to CO. The atomically dispersed Cu can be recycled in a straightforward procedure when they become oxidatively deactivated. This advance bodes well for the development of a solar fuels technology founded on abundant, low‐cost, nontoxic, atomically dispersed metal photocatalysts.
Prediction of DNA Integrity from Morphological Parameters Using a Single‐Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index Assay
Authors: Wang Yihe , Riordon Jason , Kong Tian , Xu Yi , Nguyen Brian , Zhong Junjie , You Jae Bem , Lagunov Alexander , Hannam Thomas G. , Jarvi Keith , Sinton David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntracytoplasmic sperm injection is a popular form of in vitro fertilization, where single sperm are selected by a clinician and injected into an egg. Whereas clinicians employ general morphology‐based guidelines to select the healthiest‐looking sperm, it remains unclear to what extent an individual sperm's physical parameters correlate with the quality of internal DNA cargo—a measurement that cannot be obtained without first damaging the sperm. Herein, a single‐cell DNA fragmentation index (DFI) assay is demonstrated, which combines the single‐cell nature of the acridine orange test with the quantitative aspect of the sperm chromatin structure assay, to create a database of DFI‐scored brightfield images. Two regression predictive models, linear and nonlinear regression, are used to quantify the correlations between individual sperm morphological parameters and DFI score (with model test r at 0.558 and 0.620 for linear and nonlinear regression models, respectively). The sample is also split into two categories of either relatively good or bad DFIs and a classification predictive model based on logistic regression is used to categorize sperm, resulting in a test accuracy of 0.827. Here, the first systematic study is presented on the correlation and prediction of sperm DNA integrity from morphological parameters at the single‐cell level.
Core Content for Pediatric Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Fellowship Training: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study
Authors: Constantine Erika , Levine Marla , Abo Alyssa , Arroyo Alex , Ng Lorraine , Kwan Charisse , Baird Janette , Shefrin Allan E. ,   the P2 Network Point‐of‐care Ultrasound Fellowship Delphi Group
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPediatric emergency medicine (PEM) point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) fellowships exist to provide learners with expertise in ultrasound (US) education, administration, and research oversight. Currently, there are no standardized goals or objectives for these programs, resulting in considerable variability in PEM POCUS fellowship training.MethodsA modified Delphi survey of PEM and general emergency medicine (EM) POCUS experts in Canada and the United States was conducted to obtain consensus regarding the most important curricular components of a PEM POCUS fellowship training program. Participants were solicited from the P2 Network mailing list and from PEM and EM POCUS fellowship directors listed on the Society of Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships and the Canadian Society of POCUS‐EM Fellowships websites. Curricular components considered as part of the survey included US skills, educational skills, administrative skills, and research requirements. Consensus was considered to have been reached when ≥80% of respondents agreed to either include or exclude the component in fellowship training.ResultsRound 1 of the survey was sent to 311 participants. A total of 118 (37.9%) completed eligibility for the survey, and 92 (78.0%) met eligibility criteria. Of those, 80 (67.8% of eligible participants) completed the first round of the survey. Round 2 of the survey was sent to those who completed part 1, and 64 (80.0%) completed that round. During Round 1, consensus was achieved for 15 of 75 US applications, seven of seven educational skills, nine of 11 administrative skills, and four of six research requirements. In Round 2 of the survey, consensus was reached on two additional US skills, but no additional administrative skills or research requirements.ConclusionsWith a consensus‐building process, the core content for PEM POCUS fellowship training was defined. This can help POCUS educators formulate standardized curricula to create consistent training in POCUS fellowship graduates.
Serum 24‐hydroxycholesterol in probable Alzheimer's dementia: Reexploring the significance of a tentative Alzheimer's disease biomarker
Authors: Roy Debashree , Chakrabarti Sankha Shubhra , Banerjee Anindita , Sharma Pallav , Biswas Atanu , Chakrabarti Sasanka 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study measured and analyzed the serum levels of 24‐hydroxycholesterol in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age‐/sex‐matched controls.MethodsA case‐control study involving 40 AD patients and 40 controls was performed at a tertiary neurological teaching hospital in eastern India. Blood and serum samples were collected for APOE genotyping and 24‐hydroxycholesterol levels, respectively.ResultsSerum 24‐hydroxycholesterol was significantly lower in AD patients compared to controls (median concentration: controls, 47.14 ng/mL (interquartile range, 16.34); AD patients, 32.93 ng/mL (interquartile range, 9.45); P < 0.001) but showed no significant correlation with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in AD cases (r = −0.169, P = 0.298) or in controls (r = 0.18, P = 0.26). No statistically significant difference was observed between serum 24‐hydroxycholesterol levels of the APOE4‐positive and ‐negative subgroups in AD patients (P = 0.79). Findings were consistent and unchanged even when the ratio of serum 24‐hydroxycholesterol to serum total cholesterol was considered.ConclusionThe decreased 24‐hydroxycholesterol level in peripheral circulation in AD cases observed in the present study may suggest its role in AD pathogenesis. The lack of a clear correlation between serum levels of 24‐hydroxycholesterol and MMSE score—a surrogate marker of AD severity—raises the question as to whether 24‐hydroxycholesterol level declines with decreasing neuronal mass or whether the steroid continues to play a protective role.
A Bipolar and Self‐Polymerized Phthalocyanine Complex for Fast and Tunable Energy Storage in Dual‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Heng‐guo , Wang Haidong , Si Zhenjun , Li Qiang , Wu Qiong , Shao Qi , Wu Lanlan , Liu Yu , Wang Yinghui , Song Shuyan , Zhang Hongjie 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBipolar redox organics have attracted interest as electrode materials for energy storage owing to their flexibility, sustainability and environmental friendliness. However, an understanding of their application in all‐organic batteries, let alone dual‐ion batteries (DIBs), is in its infancy. Herein, we propose a strategy to screen a variety of phthalocyanine‐based bipolar organics. The self‐polymerizable bipolar Cu tetraaminephthalocyanine (CuTAPc) shows multifunctional applications in various energy storage systems, including lithium‐based DIBs using CuTAPc as the cathode material, graphite‐based DIBs using CuTAPc as the anode material and symmetric DIBs using CuTAPc as both the cathode and anode materials. Notably, in lithium‐based DIBs, the use of CuTAPc as the cathode material results in a high discharge capacity of 236 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and a high reversible capacity of 74.3 mAh g−1 after 4000 cycles at 4 A g−1. Most importantly, a high energy density of 239 Wh kg−1 and power density of 11.5 kW kg−1 can be obtained in all‐organic symmetric DIBs.
An LC–MS/MS method for quantification of HR011303, a novel highly selective urate transporter 1 inhibitor in beagle dogs and the application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wang Ju , Yao Wei , Fan Di , Qiu Zhenjun , Song Jieqiong , Pan Kai , Hang Taijun 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHR011303 is a novel and highly selective urate transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor. In this study, a sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for quantification of HR011303 in beagle dog plasma. Plasma samples were pretreated with protein‐precipitation extraction by acetonitrile and added with a trifluoromethyl substituted analog of HR011303 as internal standard. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Shiseido C18 column (100 × 4.6 mm, i.d., 5 μm) by mobile phases consisting of 5 mm ammonium–formic acid (100:0.1) and acetonitrile–formic acid (100:0.1) solutions in gradient elution. The MS detection was conducted in electrospray positive ionization with multiple reactions monitoring at m/z 338 → 240 for HR011303 and m/z 328 → 230 for the internal standard using 25 eV argon gas collision induced dissociation. The established LC–MS/MS method showed good selectivity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy. The plasma pharmacokinetics of HR011303 in beagle dogs following both oral and intravenous administration were then successfully evaluated using this LC–MS/MS method.
Prognostic factor of lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real‐world conditions—Multicenter analysis
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Kumada Takashi , Atsukawa Masanori , Hirooka Masashi , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Takaguchi Koichi , Kariyama Kazuya , Itobayashi Ei , Tajiri Kazuto , Shimada Noritomo , Shibata Hiroshi , Ochi Hironori , Tada Toshifumi , Toyoda Hidenori , Nouso Kazuhiro , Tsutsui Akemi , Nagano Takuya , Itokawa Norio , Hayama Korenobu , Imai Michitaka , Joko Kouji , Koizumi Yohei , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro , Kudo Masatoshi ,   the Real‐life Practice Experts for HCC (RELPEC) Study Group, HCC 48 Group (hepatocellular carcinoma experts from 48 clinics in Japan)
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground/aimWe assessed suitable factors indicating newly developed lenvatinib (LEN) treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u‐HCC) by investigating real‐world clinical features of patients.Materials/methodsOne hundred fifty two u‐HCC patients, who receive LEN treatment from March to December 2018, were enrolled. (Child‐Pugh score [CPS] 5/6/7/8 = 76/61/13/2, modified albumin‐bilirubin grade [mALBI] 1/2a/2b/3 = 53/35/60/4). Clinical features were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsOverall‐response rate (ORR)/disease control rate (DCR) at 1 month after starting LEN were 38.7%/86.0%, respectively. Estimated median time to progression (TTP) was 7.0 months, while median survival time was not reached within the observation period. CPS (≥7) and past history of tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor (TKI) were not significant prognostic factors. mALBI ≥2b was an only significant prognostic factor (HR 4.632, 95%CI 1.649‐13.02, P = 0.004) in Cox‐hazard multivariate analysis. In patients with Child‐Pugh A, c‐index/Akaike's information criterion (AIC) of prognostic predictive value of mALBI were superior to CPS (0.682/135.6 vs 0.652/138.7), while those of stopping LEN also showed that mALBI was better (0.575/447.3 vs 0.562/447.8). Additional analysis of patients with good mALBI (1/2a) revealed that time to stopping LEN was significantly shorter in those with the adverse event (AE) of appetite loss (any grade) than those without (P = 0.006) and body mass index (BMI) was also lower in patients with that AE (20.3 ± 3.0 vs 23.6 ± 4.0kg/m2, P < 0.001), while patients with a hand‐foot skin reaction (any grade) showed good ORR/DCR (59.1%/86.4%) and longer TTP as compared to patients without (P = 0.007).ConclusionGood hepatic function (mALBI 1/2a) is the best indication for LEN, while potential appetite loss in association with low BMI should be kept in mind in such cases.