bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Green Synthesis of ZnO and CuO Nanoparticles Using Macadamia Nut Shell Extracts: Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Tangjaideborisu Yodchai , Yugala Prema , Phanawansombat Choowin , Shanmugam Paramasivam , Boonyuen Supakorn , Nakorn Pariya Na 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Green synthesis methods have garnered significant attention as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical approaches, which often involve hazardous substances. In this study, macadamia nut shell extract was used as a natural stabilizing and capping agent for the sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). The natural compounds present in the macadamia nut shell extract facilitate the formation of these nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO and CuO NPs were confirmed by various types of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. XRD analysis confirmed that ZnO NPs exhibit a hexagonal wurtzite structure, while CuO NPs display a face-centered cubic lattice structure. The green-synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the photocatalytic efficiency of the nanoparticles was assessed by examining the degradation of tetracycline, with ZnO demonstrating superior performance compared to CuO. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO and CuO NPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (strain 902), Escherichia coli (strain 443), Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans, showing promising results. Furthermore, both ZnO and CuO NPs exhibited synergistic effects when combined with antibiotics. The newly developed green-synthesized ZnO and CuO NPs proved to be simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, and utilized for various applications, including food packaging, biosensors, and catalysis in pharmaceutical reactions.
The Role of CD38 in Predicting Outcomes for Non-M3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Gholami Nasrin , Dolatkhah Roya , Akbari Ali Akbar Movasaghour , Fathalizadeh Arezoo 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare but aggressive type of cancer with different survival rates around the world. While factors such as age, cytogenetic, and molecular abnormalities play an important role that impacts the prognosis of AML patients, we investigated the correlation between CD38 and other hematologic markers and the survival of AML patients for therapy initiation.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we relied on flow cytometry to examine CD38 expression on AML blasts and evaluated its correlation with overall survival (OS) and one-year survival in newly diagnosed AML patients at the Hematology-Oncology Research Center, Iran, Tabriz.
Results
Seventy-two newly diagnosed non M3-AML patients were followed in this study. The results showed there was a significant relationship between overall survival and one year survival CD38 levels. Besides, Increasing of CD38 level by 1% increased the hazard of mortality by 1 percent (HR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.01).
Conclusion
The expression of certain membrane molecules like CD38 on leukemic cells can provide valuable information about the prognosis of AML patients and their treatment options.
Semaglutide reduces cardiomyocyte damage caused by high-fat through HSDL2
Authors: Yang Lin , Pan Xiaoyu , Pan Zhenyu , Gao Haina , Ban Jiangli , Chen Shuchun 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The expression of inflammation and oxidative stress caused by obesity is high, which has a certain degree of damage to myocardial cells. is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, which has a hypoglycemic and weight loss effect. Similarly, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like protein 2 (HSDL2) can also regulate lipid metabolism. However, it is not clear whether smegroupide reduces obesity-related cardiomyocyte damage through HSDL2. In this study, the oxidative stress index of the serum of mouse cardiomyocytes and obese mice in a high-fat environment and the expression of HSDL2 were detected to reveal the mechanism of obesity-induced cardiomyocyte injury and the effect of semaglutide in reducing cardiomyocyte injury regulated by HSDL2.
Methods
In this study, animal models of mice in the obesity group and the micetigrupide intervention group, the cardiomyocyte model of palmitic acid cultured mice in ordinary and knockout HSDL2, and the cell model of the miceglupeptide intervention were established. The levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reactive oxygen (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse serum and mouse cardiomyocytes were also detected. Then, the expression of HSDL2 of normal mouse cardiomyocytes cultured with high fat culture and mouse cardiomyocytes that knocked HSDL2, as well as the oxidative stress and autophagy levels of cells, were measured, and the effect of semaglutide regulation by HSDL2 on cardiomyocyte damage caused by high fat was evaluated.
Conclusion
Obesity increased the oxidative stress level of mouse cardiomyocytes and mouse serum, while semaglutide can reduce the increased oxidative stress level caused by obesity. At the same time, semaglutide also significantly reduced the weight of obese mice. The myocardial tissue and myocardial cells of mice in the obese group showed an upward expression of HSDL2, but after the intervention of semaglutide. After knocking out HSDL2, the level of ROS and autophagy of mouse cardiomyocytes decreased significantly. Semaglutide may reduce cardiomyocyte damage caused by high fat by regulating the expression of HSDL2. These findings are expected to reveal the new molecular mechanism of semaglutide to regulate obesity-related cardiomyocyte injury through HSDL2, providing a new target for clinical treatment.
Has tourism impacted the ‘gentoofication’ of the Antarctic peninsula over the past two decades?
Authors: Humphries Grant R.W. , Bogaard Laura , Naveen Ron , Lynnes Amanda 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The seaborne tourism industry in the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) has been growing rapidly in the past two decades. Simultaneously, the WAP has been experiencing a ‘gentoofication’ where gentoo penguin populations have been expanding rapidly. Subsequently, there have been growing concerns for impacts of tourism on population dynamics as the number of tourist landings at penguin colonies increase. The goal of this study was to examine how or if increases in tourism activities impact gentoo penguin populations dynamics in the region. Of 28 selected colonies, 17 show positive linear trends in the number of counted nests suggesting population growth, and 11 colonies show negative linear trends in the number of counted nests suggesting decline. Gentoo penguin population growth trends at visited sites were 57% lower than those at non-visited sites, yet the mechanism for this has yet to be identified. A predictive analysis found that the model could only account for 32.51% of the variability in nest counts with the most important variables being season and location (in degrees latitude), followed by the standardised median number of passengers, total number of passengers and number of landings. Finally, a time-lag analysis suggested that tourism parameters from both three- and five-years prior were a not a significant predictor of nest counts in the current year. Despite these results, continued monitoring of these relationships will be critical to managing Antarctic penguin populations during the current era characterised by increasing tourist traffic and pressures from climate change.
Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Tirzepatide in Alleviating Metabolic Dysfunction- Associated Fatty Liver in Mice through Integration of Metabolomics, Lipidomics, and Proteomics
Authors: Liang Jinliang , Liu Huanyi , Lv Guo , Chen Xiaotong , Yang Zhaoshou , Hu Kunhua , Sun Hongyan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Clinical studies have suggested that tirzepatide may also possess hepatoprotective effects; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. In our study, we performed biochemical analyses of serum and histopathological examinations of liver tissue in mice. To preliminarily explore the molecular mechanisms of tirzepatide on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed for comprehensive metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analyses in MAFLD mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The results demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly reduced serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), as well as hepatic triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), indicating its efficacy in treating MAFLD. Further findings revealed that tirzepatide reduced fatty acid uptake by downregulating Cd36 and Fabp2/4, as well as enhance the mitochondrial-lysosomal function by upregulating Lamp1/2. In addition, tirzepatide promoted cholesterol efflux and reduced cholesterol reabsorption by upregulating the expression of Hnf4a, Abcg5, and Abcg8. These results suggest that tirzepatide exerts its therapeutic effects on MAFLD by reducing fatty acid uptake, promoting cholesterol excretion, and enhancing mitochondrial-lysosomal function, providing a theoretical basis for a comprehensive understanding of tirzepatide.
Experimental Evaluation of Improved Biogas Injera Baking Stove
Authors: Abdella Taha , Alemu Demiss , Dino Kamil 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Baking and cooking are the daily human activity that needs energy. The main sources of energy for baking injera are biomass and electricity. Wood is the dominating energy source in Ethiopia for baking injera. The existing three stone biomass based clay baking pan results in a loss of a major portion of the supplied energy and the baking process also results in significant amounts of indoor air pollution and emission of greenhouse gas (GHG). There are several attempts to improve heat distribution of biogas injera stove. However, still there is need to improve performance of baking pan. Thus this study aims to design, manufacture biogas injera baking stove and improve heat distribution of the baking pan to bake culturally accepted injera. The stove is manufactured in the metal workshop from mild steel of 1.5mm thickness. A clay baking pan of 460mm in diameter and 15mm thick is used for this specific study to improve heat distribution and baking performance. The designed biogas injera baking stove is with new burner with better thermal combustion efficiency and has been tested experimentally using a small household biogas plant of 10m3, located, in Ethiopia and Sebeta town. The result indicates that this injera baking biogas stove improved heat distribution throughout the baking pan and can bake injera of 400mm diameter.
Factors associated with age related hearing loss
Authors: Shaar Ola Ahmad Bashar , Muhanna Rabeea Mohsen , Nahas Loui Darjazini 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is a multifaceted degenerative condition in older adults. Since various factors contribute to the development of ARHI, it is crucial to identify the key influencing elements to better understand and prevent its progression.Methods A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was carried out with 100 patients. Demographic information was collected during the first visit. Additionally, personal medical history and lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, were assessed through a structured questionnaire. The patients' histories of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular conditions were recorded, along with any medications they were taking. Furthermore, they were asked about related symptoms, including tinnitus and vertigo.Results The study sample consisted of 100 patients, with a mean age of 73.44 years and a standard deviation of 4.52 years. An analysis of the medical histories revealed that 25 patients had hypertension (25%), while 13 patients had diabetes (13%). Among the auricular symptoms reported, tinnitus emerged as the most common, affecting 45 patients (45%). When asked about previously diagnosed ear conditions, 15 patients reported a diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation (15%). In terms of genetic background, 16 patients (16%) had a family history of hearing loss. Regarding medication usage, beta-blockers were the most frequently prescribed, with 38 patients currently taking this medication.Conclusion The occurrence of age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is common among older adults, and various factors may interact throughout its progression. The results of this study can be instrumental in counseling high-risk individuals regarding the significance of regular audiological evaluations.
Anemia in children aged 6 to 59 months: inequalities across the 45 provinces and 342 communes of Burkina Faso
Authors: Bassinga Hervé , Ouedraogo Mady , Ouattara Karim , Labité Maté Alonyenyo , Coulibaly Moussa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background: Burkina Faso is said to have the highest prevalence of childhood anemia in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2021, approximately seven out of ten children aged 6–59 months (72%) suffered from anemia, with 29% in the mild form, 40% in the moderate form, and 2% in the severe form. Knowing the administrative units at extremely fine levels most affected by this health challenge will optimize intervention strategies. This study therefore aims to analyze geographic inequalities in the prevalence of anemia across the country's 45 provinces and 342 municipalities.
Methods: Two main data sources are used in this study: the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey (EDS) and the 2019 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH 2019). The analysis focused on 5,723 children aged 6 to 59 months from the DHS and 293,715 children aged less than 6 to 59 months from the census. The Elbers Langjouw and Langjouw (ELL) approach is used to estimate the prevalence of anemia. The geospatial inequality analysis is based on the Moran index to identify autocorrelation between entities and the LISA method to detect clusters of municipalities and provinces.
Results: Out of 342 municipalities, 89 have a prevalence greater than 80% and 160 a prevalence higher than the national average (72.8, 95% CI: 68.6 - 77.0). These municipalities are mainly from the Sahel region, which is also the least rained region in the country. Following these municipalities, come municipalities from the East, Center-East and North regions. The prevalence of anemia varies from a minimum of 60.7% for the commune of Ouagadougou (95% CI 56.1 – 65.3) to a maximum of 84.2% (95% CI 79.6 – 88.9) for the communes of Markoye and Diguel.
Conclusion and contributions: This study helps improve targeting actions for programs to combat malnutrition in Burkina Faso by highlighting the communes that need the most support. However, the majority of communes remain at a critical prevalence level.
Blood MAIT cells phenotype in patients with Opisthorchis felineus invasion depending on the severity of liver fibrosis
Authors: Tsukanov V. V. , Veselova N. E. , Vasyutin A. V. , Savchenko A. , Tonkikh J. L. , Borisov A. G. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. MAIT cells are a new subpopulation of T cells that protect mucous barriers against penetration of foreign substances. There are practically no studies devoted to the participation of these cells in the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases.Aim. To study the phenotype of blood MAIT cells in patients with Opisthorchis felineus (O. felineus) invasion depending on the severity of liver fibrosis.Materials and methods. A total of 78 patients with O. felineus invasion (42 men and 36 women) and 26 control group individuals (14 men and 12 women) were examined. Opisthorchiasis was diagnosed using coproovoscopy and duodenal contents microscopy. All patients underwent liver elastometry using Aixplorer (France) or Siemens Acuson S2000 (Germany) systems with determination of the liver fibrosis degree according to METAVIR. The phenotype composition of lymphocytes was investigated using a Navios flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter, USA). T cells, T helpers, and T cytotoxic lymphocytes were isolated and the presence of NCR Va7.2 and CD161 on the surface of these cells was assessed.Results. The content of MAIT T-helpers was decreased in patients with O. felineus invasion compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). In MAIT T-cytotoxic cells, a similar pattern was not detected (p = 0.5). In patients with liver fibrosis F2 according to METAVIR compared to individuals with F0 according to METAVIR, a decrease in the total number of T-cells, T-helpers and T-cytotoxic cells, as well as MAIT T-helpers and MAIT T-cytotoxic cells was observed. Thus, the content of CD161+ NCR Va7.2+ T-helpers was 0.020% [0.004–0.042%] in patients with opisthorchiasis with F0 according to METAVIR and 0.0% [0.0–0.003%] in individuals with liver fibrosis F2 according to METAVIR (p = 0.001). For CD161+ NCR Va7.2+ T-cytotoxic cells, these indicators were, respectively, 1.47% [0.41–2.49%] and 0.12% [0.07–0.31%] (p < 0.001).Conclusion. Further study of MAIT cells in patients with liver pathology has undoubted prospects for the creation of new therapeutic and diagnostic technologies.
The diagnostic value of leptin for the detection of liver steatosis in postmenopausal obese women
Authors: Bulatova I. A. , Shevlyukova T. P. , Gulyaeva I. L. , Sobol A. A. , Sheludko V. S. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. More than half of post-reproductive age women are overweight and obese, which puts them at high risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the abdominal type of obesity, adipose tissue dysfunction and impaired leptin secretion develop.Aim. To evaluate the possibilities and diagnostic characteristics of leptin for the determination of liver steatosis in pre-obese and obese women in the early postmenopausal period.Materials and methods. 76 women in the early postmenopausal period were examined, including 63 patients with NAFLD and overweight and obesity with an average age of 50.50 ± 2.16 years and 13 practically healthy women with an average age of 49.29 ± 2.64 years, who underwent an ultrasound examination of the liver, calculation of the HSI index (Hepatic Steatosis Index) and determination of the level of leptin in the blood.Results. Abdominal type of obesity was detected in 84% of patients, the gynoid type was 16%, and the body mass index averaged 33.5 ± 1.3 kg/m2. According to the ultrasound examination and the HSI index, all patients had liver steatosis. Their leptin levels significantly exceeded the control data (p < 0.001) and directly correlated with the severity of steatosis according to the HSI index (r = 0.321; p = 0.010). The threshold value of the serum leptin level in patients with NAFLD was 13 ng/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion. Leptin is a highly informative marker of NAFLD in women with pre-obesity and obesity in the early postmenopausal period, the value of which is higher or equal to 13 ng/ml allows to verify steatosis, less than this value – to exclude it in this category of persons with high diagnostic effectiveness.
Upper limb SMI for sarcopenia diagnosis in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Ostrovskaya A. S. , Maevskaya M. V. , Loban K. M. , Zharkova M. S. , Shapka M. P. , Nadinskaia M. Yu. , Gulyaeva K. A. , Vasiltsova E. A. , Chvileva Yu. O. , Ivashkin V. T. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The muscle mass in sarcopenia is assessed in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) using skeletal muscle indices (SMI) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the results of which are distorted due to lower limb edema. This requires the development of upper limb SMI (UL SMI) to ensure more accurate assessment of muscle mass in patients with LC and ascitice-dematous syndrome.Aim. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of standard MSI and UL SMI, and develop criteria for the reference range of UL SMI in patients with decompensated LC of various origin and sarcopenia, taking into account the lower limb edema in comparable age groups.Materials and methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted. The treatment group included patients with decompensated LC and lower limb edema of various origin; the control group included healthy volunteers matched to patients by gender and age to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the technique and calculate the criteria for the reference ranges in UP SMI. All patients underwent measurements of muscle mass by DXA.Results. A total of 59 patients were examined: 39 patients with LC and 20 healthy volunteers. Based on the results of the ROC analysis, it was determined that the cut-off values for UL SMI are 1.91 kg/m2 for men (sensitivity = 62.5%, specificity = 85.71%) and 1.47 kg/m2 for women (sensitivity = 86.96%, specificity = 69.23%) as compared to the cut-off values for the standard SMI of 7.78 kg/m2 for men (sensitivity = 75% and specificity = 57.14%), and SMI of 6.05 kg/m2 for women (sensitivity = 56.52% and specificity = 69.23%). UL SMI is a more accurate marker of sarcopenia in patients with LC and lower limb edema than the standard SMI.Conclusion. The advantages of UL SMI over classical SMI for sarcopenia diagnosis in patients with cirrhosis and lower extremity edema were demonstrated. The UL SMI criteria for the reference range in patients with decompensated LC and sarcopenia were developed.
Focused Insights into Liposomal Nanotherapeutics for Antimicrobial Treatment
Authors: Jani Kiran , Mehta Swapnil , Patel Riya , Prajapati Bhupendra , Patel Gayatri 
Published: October 2024

Abstract:
Addressing infectious conditions presents a formidable challenge, primarily
due to the escalating issue of bacterial resistance. This, coupled with limited financial resources
and stagnant antibiotic research, compounds the antibiotic crisis. Innovative
strategies, including novel antibiotic development and alternative solutions, are crucial
to combat microbial resistance. Nanotherapeutics offers a promising approach to enhance
drug delivery systems. Integration into lipid-based nanoscale delivery systems,
particularly through therapeutic substance encapsulation in liposomal carriers, significantly
prolongs drug presence at infection sites. This not only reduces toxicity but also
shields antibiotics from degradation. Lipidic carriers, particularly liposomes, exhibit remarkable
specificity in targeting infectious cells. This holds great promise in combating
antimicrobial resistance and potentially transforming treatment for multi-drug resistant
infections. Leveraging liposomal carriers may lead to breakthroughs in addressing drugresistant
bacterial infections. This review emphasizes the potential of antimicrobial-loaded
liposomes as a novel delivery system for bacterial infections. Encapsulating antimicrobial
agents within liposomes enhances treatment efficiency. Moreover, liposomal systems
counteract challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, offering hope in managing
persistent multidrug-resistant infections. In the battle against bacterial resistance and the
antibiotics crisis, the use of antimicrobial-loaded liposomes as delivery vehicles shows
great promise. This innovative approach not only extends drug effectiveness and reduces
toxicity but also provides a path to address highly resistant infectious conditions.
As research advances, liposomal nanotherapeutics may emerge as a transformative solution
in the fight against bacterial infections.