bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of an emergency physician–led frailty unit for the living-alone elderly: A pilot retrospective cohort study
Authors: Leung Tsz-Hang , Leung Sai-Choi , Wong Chi-Keung Gordon 
Published: March 2019

Background: We are facing an ageing population in Hong Kong. In response to the surge in service demand resulted from Silver Tsunami, a six-bed frailty unit was established in the Emergency Medicine Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in December 2015. Frailty unit offers a bundle of multi-disciplinary approach for geriatric patients with an aim for early supported discharge. Objective: To evaluate whether this novel frailty care pathway, compared to the conventional general care pathway, would improve the outcome of the local elderly who were living alone. Method: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who were admitted from 1 September 2015 to 31 October 2017 were included in this study. Data were retrieved from the electronic patient record (ePR) of Hospital Authority. The outcome measurements are lengths of stay in acute and convalescent hospitals, transferral rate to a convalescent hospital and 28-day re-attendance rate. Results: A total of 190 patients were recruited (150 frailty vs 40 general). Baseline characteristics, including age, gender distribution, vital signs, laboratory results, use of mobility aids, Morse fall risk scale, Norton ulcer scale and Barthel Index were similar in both groups; except a higher diastolic blood pressure in novel frailty-care pathway. The length of stay in the acute hospital is significantly shortened (2.38 vs 3.27 days, p = 0.00018). The transferral rate to a convalescent hospital was less in frailty group (21.3% vs 42.5%, p = 0.00655). There was no significant difference in terms of total (7.10 vs 10.99 days, p = 0.09638) and convalescent (22.09 vs 18.16 days, p = 0.48183) length of stay between frailty group and general group, respectively; while the 28-day re-attendance rate was similar (26.7% vs 15.0%, p = 0.12589). Conclusion: This is a pilot study to first report a novel frailty-care model for the local geriatric population. It has shown a reduction in length of stay in acute hospital and transferral rate to convalescent hospitals, while introducing a non-significant reduction in total hospital stay, maintaining 28-day re-attendance rate and at an expense of a probable increase in the convalescent stay.
Selective inversion recovery quantitative magnetization transfer imaging: Toward a 3 T clinical application in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bagnato Francesca , Franco Giulia , Ye Fei , Fan Run , Commiskey Patricia , Smith Seth A , Xu Junzhong , Dortch Richard 
Published: March 2019

Background: Assessing the degree of myelin injury in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging due to the lack of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods specific to myelin quantity. By measuring distinct tissue parameters from a two-pool model of the magnetization transfer (MT) effect, quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) may yield these indices. However, due to long scan times, qMT has not been translated clinically. Objectives: We aim to assess the clinical feasibility of a recently optimized selective inversion recovery (SIR) qMT and to test the hypothesis that SIR-qMT-derived metrics are informative of radiological and clinical disease-related changes in MS. Methods: A total of 18 MS patients and 9 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent a 3.0 Tesla (3 T) brain MRI, including clinical scans and an optimized SIR-qMT protocol. Four subjects were re-scanned at a 2-week interval to determine inter-scan variability. Results: SIR-qMT measures differed between lesional and non-lesional tissue ( p < 0.0001) and between normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of patients with more advanced disability and normal white matter (WM) of HCs ( p < 0.05). SIR-qMT measures were associated with lesion volumes, disease duration, and disability scores ( p ⩽ 0.002). Conclusion: SIR-qMT at 3 T is clinically feasible and predicts both radiological and clinical disease severity in MS.
Identifying human and murine M cellsin vitro
Authors: Klisuric Ana , Thierry Benjamin , Delon Ludivine , Prestidge Clive A , Gibson Rachel J 
Published: March 2019

M cells are an epithelial cell population found in the follicle-associated epithelium overlying gut-associated lymphoid tissues. They are specialized in the transcytosis of luminal antigens. Their transcytotic capacity and location in an immunocompetent environment has prompted the study of these cells as possible targets for oral drug delivery systems. Currently, the models most commonly used to study M cells are restricted to in vivo experiments conducted in mice, and in vitro studies conducted in models comprised either of primary epithelial cells or established cell lines of murine or human origin. In vitro models of the follicle-associated epithelium can be constructed in several ways. Small intestinal Lgr5+ stem cells can be cultured into a 3D organoid structure where M cells are induced with RANKL administration. Additionally, in vitro models containing an “M cell-like” population can be obtained through co-culturing intestinal epithelial cells with cells of lymphocytic origin to induce the M cell phenotype. The evaluation of the efficiency of the variations of these models and their relevance to the in vivo human system is hampered by the lack of a universal M cell marker. This issue has also hindered the advancement of M cell-specific targeting approaches aimed at improving the bioavailability of orally administered compounds. This critical review discusses the different approaches utilized in the literature to identify M cells, their efficiency, reliability and relevance, in the context of commonly used models of the follicle-associated epithelium. The outcome of this review is a clearly defined and universally recognized criteria for the assessment of the relevance of models of the follicle-associated models currently used.Impact statementThe study of M cells, a specialized epithelial cell type found in the follicle-associated epithelium, is hampered by the lack of a universal M cell marker. As such, many studies lack reliable and universally recognized methods to identify M cells in their proposed models. As a result of this it is difficult to ascertain whether the effects observed are due to the presence of M cells or an unaccounted variable. The outcome of this review is the thorough evaluation of the many M cell markers that have been used in the literature thus far and a proposed criterion for the identification of M cells for future publications. This will hopefully lead to an improvement in the quality of future publications in this field.
Chemical Composition, Olfactory Evaluation and Antimicrobial Activities of Jasminum grandiflorum L. Absolute from India
Authors: Jirovetz Leopold , Buchbauer Gerhard , Schweiger Thomas , Denkova Zapriana , Slavchev Alexander , Stoyanova Albena , Schmidt Erich , Geissler Margit 
Published: March 2019

The chemical composition of a sample of Jasminum grandiflorum L. absolute from India was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major compounds identified were benzyl acetate (23.7%), benzyl benzoate (20.7%), phytol (10.9%), linalool (8.2%), isophytol (5.5%), geranyl linalool (3.0%), methyl linoleate (2.8%) and eugenol (2.5%). The odor of this absolute sample was olfactorically evaluated as intense and heavy floral-flowery, with penetrant-animalic and fruity side-notes. Some main and minor compounds were found to be responsible for the aroma impression of this sample. The antimicrobial activities of the J. grandiflorum sample and of some of its main and minor compounds were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as against the yeast Candida albicans, using agar dilution and agar diffusion methods. The jasmine absolute showed medium to high activity (reference compounds: eugenol and three synthetic antibiotics) against the Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella sp., as well as against the yeast Candida albicans. A comparison of these biological data with those of some constituents of the jasmine absolute is also given.
Effect of Acylation of Flavones with Hydroxycinnamic Acids on their Spectral Characteristics
Authors: Stochmal Anna , Oleszek Wieslaw 
Published: March 2019

The absorption spectra of twenty-one flavones including glycosides of apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol and tricin, nonacylated or acylated with coumaric, ferulic or sinapic acids, were examined to document the influence of acylation on their spectral characteristics. Acylation did not shift the absorption maximum of band II, but the molar absorption coefficients of this band increased 1.3–2.0 fold. Acylation of apigenin and chrysoeriol glycosides did not shift the absorption maximum of band I and the absorption maxima of nonacylated and acylated compounds were at 319–334 nm, but this increased their molar absorption coefficients 1.7–3.0 fold. For luteolin and tricin glycosides, nonacylated compound maxima of absorption of band I were in the range of 342–349 nm. Acylation shifted band I absorption maxima to 329–340 nm and increased their molar absorption coefficient 1.6–1.8 fold. These data document that acylation of flavones leads to significant increase of their absorption in the 280–320 nm region and can be an effective mechanism of protecting plants against UV-B radiation.
Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis of Authentic and Commercial Essential Oils of Lemon Balm
Authors: Wagner Susanne , Vreca Polona , Leis Albrecht , Boechzelt Herbert 
Published: March 2019

Several commercial and authentic essential oils of lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis L.) were investigated for the carbon isotope ratio of their main compounds (citral as its enantiomers geranial and neral, citronellal, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D and caryophyllene oxide) by GC-C(ombustion)-IRMS. Authentic samples of lemon balm were distilled in 2003, 2004 and 2007. In addition, commercially available samples of the individual main compounds of the oil with proclaimed synthetic and natural origins were investigated for their carbon isotopic composition by GC-C-IRMS and EA-C-IRMS in order to compare the investigated carbon isotopic values. All oils were analyzed via GC-MS and GC-FID to enable the identification of the compounds in the GC-C-IRMS chromatograms and to investigate the quantity of the single essential oil compounds. Data were interpreted regarding suitability for authenticity assessment of the analyzed essential oil samples. Synthetic citral showed δ13CPDB values of −28.68 and −29.00±, whereas the natural labelled standard showed a value of −26.89±. For the authentic oils, δ13CPDB values between −29.36 and −24.54± were determined. The commercial lemon balm oil samples indicated δ13CPDB values between −27.72 to −24.04± for citral. The synthetic citronellal standard showed a δ13CPDB value of −28.77 and the natural standard −12.91±. The value of −12.91± of the natural citronellal standard indicates, that it was possibly produced by the distillation of a C4 plant (e.g. citronella), because the δ13CPDB value is more positive than usual for C3 plants (lemon balm). The same applies to four commercial lemon balm oils with δ13CPDB values for citronellal of −15.04 to −12.24±. Authentic samples of lemon balm oils presented δ13CPDB values of −32.15 and −30.59± for citronellal. For the three minor compounds, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D and caryophyllene oxide, no clear differentiation could be made due to the lack of standards and the minor concentration of the compounds. The determination of the isotopic ratio of the stable carbon isotopes by GC-C-IRMS is a very powerful tool in authenticity assessment of essential oils for differentiation between C3 and C4 plants. Four of the investigated 19 lemon balm oils could be identified as oils of C4 plants (e.g. citronella oils), although they were labelled as lemon balm oils.
Honokiol and Magnolol Production by in vitro Micropropagated Plants of Magnolia dealbata, an Endangered Endemic Mexican Species
Authors: Domínguez Fabiola , Chávez Marco , Garduño-Ramírez María Luisa , Chávez-Avila Víctor M. , Mata Martín , Cruz-Sosa Francisco 
Published: March 2019

An efficient protocol for the in vitro propagation of Magnolia dealbata Zucc., an important medicinal plant that is the source of the anxiolytic and anticancer compounds honokiol and magnolol, was established. This plant is wild-crafted, and conservationists have expressed concerns with regard to the sustainability of production. In the present work, two factors were found to be of importance for the regeneration of M. dealbata and the production of honokiol and magnolol. These factors were the type of explants and the combination and concentration of plant-growth regulators. Green, compact, nodular organogenic callus was obtained from leaf explants in a medium fortified with Murashige and Skoog salts and supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.5 mg/L kinetin. Shoot multiplication from callus cultures was achieved in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.5 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ). Phenol secretion was controlled by the addition of 250 mg/L of activated charcoal. For rooting, shoots were transferred to MS medium supplemented with several auxins. After root induction, the plants were hardened in earthen pots containing sand, soil, and vermiculite. The contents of honokiol (HK) and magnolol (MG) were determined in different plant materials by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection techniques. This analysis revealed that the honokiol and magnolol content in aerial and underground parts of micropropagated M. dealbata were higher than that observed in wild plants (both 6 months old). Our results suggest that conservation of M. dealbata is possible by means of in vitro multiplication of leaf-derived callus. The usefulness of M. dealbata regeneration and production of HK and MG may be attributed to the proper selection of explant sourcing and identification of the correct growth medium to support adequate growth. This careful selection of explants and growth medium leads to a very useful source of plant material for pharmacological and phytomedicinal screening applications and, above all, would safeguard this plant species from the threat of extinction.
Evaluation of Antiviral Activities of Curcumin Derivatives against HSV-1 in Vero Cell Line
Authors: Zandi Keivan , Ramedani Elissa , Mohammadi Khosro , Tajbakhsh Saeed , Deilami Iman , Rastian Zahra , Fouladvand Moradali , Yousefi Forough , Farshadpour Fatemeh 
Published: March 2019

Antiviral drug resistance is one of the most common problems in medicine, and, therefore, finding new antiviral agents, especially from natural resources, seems to be necessary. This study was designed to assay the antiviral activity of curcumin and its new derivatives like gallium-curcumin and Cu-curcumin on replication of HSV-1 in cell culture. The research was performed as an in vitro study in which the antiviral activity of different concentrations of three substances including curcumin, Gallium-curcumin and Cu-curcumin were tested on HSV-1. The cytotoxicity of the tested compounds was also evaluated on the Vero cell line. The CC50 values for curcumin, gallium-curcumin and Cu-curcumin were 484.2 μg/mL, 255.8 μg/mL and 326.6 μg/mL, respectively, and the respective IC50 values 33.0 μg/mL, 13.9 μg/mL and 23.1 μg/mL. The calculated SI values were 14.6, 18.4 and 14.1, respectively. The results showed that curcumin and its new derivatives have remarkable antiviral effects on HSV-1 in cell culture.
Phytochemical Profiles of Volatile Constituents from Centaurea ragusina Leaves and Flowers and their Antimicrobial Effects
Authors: Politeo Olivera , Skocibusic Mirjana , Carev Ivana , Burcul Franko , Jerkovic Igor , Sarolic Mladenka , Milos Mladen 
Published: March 2019

The volatile oils obtained from the leaves and flowers of the Croatian endemic plant Centaurea ragusina L. were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The chemical compositions, determined by GC and GC-MS, were complex, with sesquiterpenes the most abundant class of compound. Nonterpene hydrocarbons were also identified in high quantities, while acids and ketones were found in high quantities only in the leaf volatile oil. Aldehydes, alcohols, esters and other compounds were identified in lower quantities. Antimicrobial effects of the volatile samples were investigated by using the disc diffusion and microdilution assays. They were found to inhibit a wide range of bacteria and fungi, causing in vitro growth inhibition at a concentration of 250 μg/mL. The volatile oils displayed great antibacterial potential with MIC values ranging from 16 to 128 μg/mL against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, and lesser activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as fungal strains (MIC= 32–128 μg/mL).
Essential Oil Characterization of Two Azorean Cryptomeria japonica Populations and Their Biological Evaluations
Authors: Moiteiro Cristina , Esteves Teresa , Ramalho Luís , Rojas Rosario , Alvarez Sandra , Zacchino Susana , Bragança Helena 
Published: March 2019

Essential oils from foliage, bark and heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don from Azores Archipelago (Portugal) were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Two populations, of black and reddish heartwood color, were studied. The main compounds found in the foliage of both populations were α-pinene (9.6–29.5%), (+)-phyllocladene (3.5–26.5%), ent-kaur-16-ene (0.2–20.6%), sabinene (0.5–19.9%) and limonene (1.4–11.5%), with a large variation in individual compounds from each population. Heartwood oils were characterized by a high content of cubebol (2.8–39.9%) and epi-cubebol (4.1–26.9%) isomers, which were absent in the foliage. Elemol and eudesmol isomers were found in the foliage and heartwood oils, while (+)-phyllocladene was absent in heartwood. Black and reddish bark oils were composed of the diterpenes dehydroferruginol (1.9–5.1%) and ferruginol (2.6–11.5%), along with the sesquiterpenes δ-cadinene (10.4–15.9%), α-muurolene (3.3–5.4%), epi-zonarene (4.0–5.0%), cubenol (9.3–14.0%), τ-muurolol (4.8–10.7%), β-eudesmol (3.0–9.9%), γ-eudesmol (1.9–7.0%) and hedycariol (1.4–6.2%). Azorean C. japonica oils exhibited significant chemical differences compared with native plants from Asia. The essential oils showed moderate antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and human pathogenic bacteria (especially against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils may be attributed to compounds such as ent-kaur-16-ene, (+)-phyllocladene, ferruginol and elemol, which are present in different proportions within the complex oil mixture. These results suggest a potential use for C. japonica oils obtained from wood industry leftovers.
Synthesis of Analogues of (+)-Gomphoside, a Potent HIF-1 Inhibitor and Cardenolide
Authors: Cuny Eckehard 
Published: March 2019

The milkweed bush Gomphocarpus fruticosus R.Br. found in Australia contains the steroidal glycoside (+)-gomphoside, its derivatives (-)-3'-dehydrogomphoside and (+)-3'- epi-gomphoside, as well as other glycoside compounds. The key structural features of these unique herbal agents are bislinked steroid to sugar linkages. (+)-Gomphoside is an extremely potent cardenolide and highly effective Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)-1 inhibitor. In addition, (+)-gomphoside exhibits strong cytotoxicity on human breast cancer cell lines. The syntheses of (+)-gomphoside analogues with modified steroidal D rings are described here. The syntheses started with glycosylation of (+)-(2α,3β,5α)-2,3-cholestanediol with benzoylated 2-keto sugar bromides, promoted by silver carbonate. Two regioisomeric glycosides with bent up and bent down ring anellation geometry were obtained, because of the two hydroxyl groups in the diol. Modification of the sugar ring of these glycosides by base-induced elimination of benzoic acid yielded (-)-3'-dehydrogomphoside analogues. The analogues of (+)-gomphoside and (+)-3'- epi-gomphoside were then obtained by stereoselective reduction of the 3'-carbonyl function. Compared to natural (+)-gomphoside, these analogues have the following unique structural features: a steroidal D ring with C8H17-alkyl chain instead of an exocyclic butenolide moiety, a different configuration at bridgehead carbon-14, and lack of a hydroxyl group at this position. The resulting altered chemical properties make them interesting structures for pharmacological evaluation and they are potentially suitable candidates for the development of new inhibitors in cancer therapy.
Rescue treatment in patients with poorly responsive Guillain–Barre syndrome
Authors: Alboudi Ayman Mahmoud , Sarathchandran Pournamy , Geblawi Samar Sameer , Kayed Deeb Maxwell , Inshasi Jihad , Purayil Sadhik Puthan , Almadani Abu Baker , Katirji Bashar 
Published: March 2019

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of rescue treatment (intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange) in patients with Guillain–Barre syndrome who did not respond or deteriorated after the initial management with intravenous immunoglobulin. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who responded poorly or did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. The disability parameters of those who received second-line treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange (20 patients) were compared with those who did not receive second-line treatment (19 patients). Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in disability scores at 1 month in the patients who received the rescue treatment (p = 0.033). However, there was no significant difference in the disability scores at 3 and 6 months, or in length of intensive care unit stay. Conclusion: Our study showed that a second course of treatment to carefully selected patients may be beneficial
Predictive risk factors towards liver fluke infection among the people in Kamalasai District, Kalasin Province, Thailand
Authors: Wichaiyo Woragon , Parnsila Wirat , Chaveepojnkamjorn Wisit , Sripa Banchob 
Published: March 2019

Background: Liver fluke disease caused by Opisthorchis viverrini remains a major public health problem with its crucial risk factors caused by some individual habits or false beliefs among the people in northeastern Thailand concerning the consumption of raw fish meat dishes. Objectives: This study explores the predictive risk factors for the infection of liver fluke disease. Methods: The sample consisted of 400 people aged 30 years and above in Thanya sub-district, Kamalasai district, Kalasin province. A cross-sectional analytic study, using the χ2 test, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, was used to find the influence of each variable, along with the use of multiple logistic regression (p = 0.05). A questionnaire form was used as the research instrument. Results: Factors found in the results are as follows: households with a cat were 7.00 times more at risk than households without a cat; eating raw fish dishes prepared by themselves increases the risk of infection by 2.58 times; eating raw fish dishes prepared by family members increases the risk by 4.74 times; and raw fish dishes bought from a community market increases the risk by 2.33 times. Conclusion: A campaign should be launched to educate people not to eat raw or undercooked fish dishes, but to fully cook fish dishes before eating, as the food is still delicious, but also safe, healthy, and free from liver fluke infection.