bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intranasal cerium oxide nanoparticles improves locomotor activity and reduces oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in haloperidol-induced parkinsonism in rats
Authors: Mohammad  , Khan Urooj Ahmed , Warsi Musarrat Husain , Alkreathy Huda Mohammed , Karim Shahid , Jain Gaurav Kumar , Ali Asgar 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to their potent and regenerative antioxidant activity. In the present study, CONPs were used to ameliorate the oxidative stress caused by free radicals in haloperidol-induced PD in rats following intranasal administration.Method: The antioxidant potential of the CONPs was evaluated in vitro using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The penetration and local toxicity of the CONPs was evaluated ex-vivo using goat nasal mucosa. The acute local toxicity of intranasal CONPs was also studied in rat. Gamma scintigraphy was used to assess the targeted brain delivery of CONPs. Acute toxicity studies were performed in rats to demonstrate safety of intranasal CONPs. Further, open field test, pole test, biochemical estimations and brain histopathology was performed to evaluate efficacy of intranasal CONPs in haloperidol-induced PD rat model.Results: The FRAP assay revealed highest antioxidant activity of prepared CONPs at a concentration of 25 μg/mL. Confocal microscopy showed deep and homogenous distribution of CONPs in the goat nasal mucus layers. No signs of irritation or injury were seen in goat nasal membrane when treated with optimized CONPs. Scintigraphy studies in rats showed targeted brain delivery of intranasal CONPs and acute toxicity study demonstrated safety. The results of open field and pole test showed highly significant (p &lt; 0.001) improvement in locomotor activity of rats treated with intranasal CONPs compared to untreated rats. Further, brain histopathology of treatment group rats showed reduced neurodegeneration with presence of more live cells. The amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was reduced significantly, whereas the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and GSH were increased significantly, while amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) showed significant reduction after intranasal administration of CONPs. Also, the intranasal CONPs, significantly high (p &lt; 0.001) dopamine concentration (13.93 ± 0.85 ng/mg protein) as compared to haloperidol-induced control rats (5.76 ± 0.70 ng/mg protein).Conclusion: The overall results concluded that the intranasal CONPs could be safe and effective therapeutics for the management of PD.
Evaluating the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on the multiplication of several Babesia species and Theileria equi on in vitro cultures, and Babesia microti in mice
Authors: El-Sayed Shimaa Abd El-Salam , El-Alfy El-Sayed , Sayed-Ahmed Mohamed Z. , Mohanta Uday Kumar , Alqahtani Saad S. , Alam Nawazish , Ahmad Sarfaraz , Ali Md Sajid , Igarashi Ikuo , Rizk Mohamed Abdo 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Histone post-translational modification is one of the most studied factors influencing epigenetic regulation of protozoan parasite gene expression, which is mediated by histone deacetylases (KDACs) and acetyltransferases (KATs).Objective and methods: The present study investigated the role of resveratrol (RVT) as an activator of histone deacetylases in the control of various pathogenic Babesia sp. and Theileria equi in vitro, as well as B. microti infected mice in vivo using fluorescence assay. Its role in mitigating the side effects associated with the widely used antibabesial drugs diminazene aceturate (DA) and azithromycin (AZM) has also been investigated.Results: The in vitro growth of B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi and Theileria equi (T. equi) was significantly inhibited (P &lt; 0.05) by RVT treatments. The estimated IC50 values revealed that RVT has the greatest inhibitory effects on B. bovis growth in vitro, with an IC50 value of 29.51 ± 2.46 µM. Reverse transcription PCR assay showed that such inhibitory activity might be attributed to resveratrol’s stimulatory effect on B. bovis KDAC3 (BbKADC3) as well as its inhibitory effect on BbKATS. RVT causes a significant decrease (P &lt; 0.05) in cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels in heart tissue of B. microti- infected mice, thereby indicating that RVT may play a part in reducing the cardiotoxic effects of AZM. Resveratrol showed an additive effect with imidocarb dipropionate in vivo. Treatment of B. microti-infected mice with a combined 5 mg/kg RVT and 8.5 mg/kg ID resulted in an 81.55% inhibition at day 10 postinoculation (peak of parasitemia).Conclusion: Our data show that RVT is a promising antibabesial pharmacological candidate with therapeutic activities that could overcome the side effects of the currently used anti-Babesia medications.
Piezo1 channels mediate vasorelaxation of uterine arteries from pseudopregnant rats
Authors: Arishe Olufunke O. , McKenzie Jaine , Dela Justina Vanessa , Dos Anjos Moraes Raiana , Webb R. Clinton , Priviero Fernanda 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: There is a great increase in uterine arterial blood flow during normal pregnancy, which is a result of the cardiovascular changes that occur in pregnancy to adapt the maternal vascular system to meet the increased metabolic needs of both the mother and the fetus. The cardiovascular changes include an increase in cardiac output and more importantly, dilation of the maternal uterine arteries. However, the exact mechanism for the vasodilation is not fully known. Piezo1 mechanosensitive channels are highly expressed in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells of small-diameter arteries and play a role in structural remodeling. In this study, we hypothesize that the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel plays a role in the dilation of the uterine artery (UA) during pregnancy.Methods: For this, 14-week-old pseudopregnant and virgin Sprague Dawley rats were used. In isolated segments of UA and mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) mounted in a wire myograph, we investigated the effects of chemical activation of Piezo1, using Yoda 1. The mechanism of Yoda 1 induced relaxation was assessed by incubating the vessels with either vehicle or some inhibitors or in the presence of a potassium-free physiological salt solution (K+-free PSS).Results: Our results show that concentration-dependent relaxation responses to Yoda 1 are greater in the UA of the pseudo-pregnant rats than in those from the virgin rats while no differences between groups were observed in the MRAs. In both vascular beds, either in virgin or in pseudopregnant, relaxation to Yoda 1 was at least in part nitric oxide dependent.Discussion: Piezo1 channel mediates nitric oxide dependent relaxation, and this channel seems to contribute to the greater dilation that occurs in the uterine arteries of pseudo-pregnant rats.
Calculating sample entropy from isometric torque signals: methodological considerations and recommendations
Authors: Raffalt Peter C. , Yentes Jennifer M. , Freitas Sandro R. , Vaz João R. 
Published: June 2023

We investigated the effect of different sampling frequencies, input parameters and observation times for sample entropy (SaEn) calculated on torque data recorded from a submaximal isometric contraction. Forty-six participants performed sustained isometric knee flexion at 20% of their maximal contraction level and torque data was sampled at 1,000 Hz for 180 s. Power spectral analysis was used to determine the appropriate sampling frequency. The time series were downsampled to 750, 500, 250, 100, 50, and 25 Hz to investigate the effect of different sampling frequency. Relative parameter consistency was investigated using combinations of vector lengths of two and three and tolerance limits of 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, and 0.4, and data lengths between 500 and 18,000 data points. The effect of different observations times was evaluated using Bland-Altman plot for observations times between 5 and 90 s. SaEn increased at sampling frequencies below 100 Hz and was unaltered above 250 Hz. In agreement with the power spectral analysis, this advocates for a sampling frequency between 100 and 250 Hz. Relative consistency was observed across the tested parameters and at least 30 s of observation time was required for a valid calculation of SaEn from torque data.
Clinical value of fecal calprotectin for evaluating disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Li Junrong , Xu Mingyang , Qian Wei , Ling Fangmei , Chen Yidong , Li Shuang , Cheng Yiyu , Zhu Liangru 
Published: June 2023

Objective: To explore the clinical value of fecal calprotectin (FC) for evaluating disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and its relationship with disease location.Methods: Patients with CD were enrolled retrospectively, and clinical data, including FC levels, were collected. Clinical activity was assessed using the Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI). Endoscopic activity was assessed using a simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease (SES-CD). The partial SES-CD (pSES-CD) was scored for the size of ulcers in each segment as defined by the SES-CD and was calculated as the sum of segmental ulcer scores.Results: This study included 273 CD patients. The FC level was significantly positively correlated with the CDAI and SES-CD, with correlation coefficients of 0.666 and 0.674, respectively. The median FC levels in patients with clinical remission and mildly active and moderately–severely active disease were 41.01, 164.20, and 444.45 μg/g. These values were 26.94, 66.77, and 327.22 μg/g during endoscopic remission and mildly and moderately–severely active stages, respectively. Compared with c-reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and other biomarker parameters, FC was better at predicting disease activity for CD patients. For an FC &lt;74.52 μg/g, the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting clinical remission was 0.86, with a sensitivity of 89.47% and a specificity of 71.70%. Moreover, endoscopic remission was predicted with a sensitivity of 68.02% and a specificity of 85.53%. The AUC was 0.83, and the cutoff value was 80.84 μg/g. In patients with ileal and (ileo) colonic CD, FC was significantly correlated with the CDAI, SES-CD, and pSES-CD. The correlation coefficients were 0.711 (CDAI), 0.473 (SES-CD), and 0.369 (pSES-CD) in patients with ileal CD and 0.687, 0.745, and 0.714 in patients with (ileo) colonic CD, respectively. For patients in remission, those in the active stage, and those with large or very large ulcers, differences in FC levels were not significant between patients with ileal and (ileo) colonic CD.Conclusion: FC is a reliable predictor of disease activity in patients with CD, including those with ileal CD. FC is thus recommended for the routine follow-up of patients with CD.
Adjustments in the motor unit discharge behavior following neuromuscular electrical stimulation compared to voluntary contractions
Authors: Borzuola Riccardo , Nuccio Stefano , Scalia Martina , Parrella Martina , Del Vecchio Alessandro , Bazzucchi Ilenia , Felici Francesco , Macaluso Andrea 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed on voluntary muscle contractions (NMES+) has demonstrated a considerable potential to enhance or restore muscle function in both healthy and individuals with neurological or orthopedic disorders. Improvements in muscle strength and power have been commonly associated with specific neural adaptations. In this study, we investigated changes in the discharge characteristics of the tibialis anterior motor units, following three acute exercises consisting of NMES+, passive NMES and voluntary isometric contractions alone.Methods: Seventeen young participants participated in the study. High-density surface electromyography was used to record myoelectric activity in the tibialis anterior muscle during trapezoidal force trajectories involving isometric contractions of ankle dorsi flexors with target forces set at 35, 50% and 70% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). From decomposition of the electromyographic signal, motor unit discharge rate, recruitment and derecruitment thresholds were extracted and the input-output gain of the motoneuron pool was estimated.Results: Global discharge rate increased following the isometric condition compared to baseline at 35% MVIC while it increased after all experimental conditions at 50% MVIC target force. Interestingly, at 70% MVIC target force, only NMES + led to greater discharge rate compared to baseline. Recruitment threshold decreased after the isometric condition, although only at 50% MVIC. Input-output gain of the motoneurons of the tibialis anterior muscle was unaltered after the experimental conditions.Discussion: These results indicated that acute exercise involving NMES + induces an increase in motor unit discharge rate, particularly when higher forces are required. This reflects an enhanced neural drive to the muscle and might be strongly related to the distinctive motor fiber recruitment characterizing NMES+.
Mental healthcare services satisfaction and its associated factors among patients with mental disorders on follow-up in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Melkam Mamaru , Kassew Tilahun 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundPatient mental healthcare services satisfaction is a crucial component in evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical service delivery. It can be explained as the client’s reaction to various aspects of the services they receive and their subjective assessment of the healthcare facilities and healthcare givers. Despite the importance of measuring mental healthcare services satisfaction, few studies have been conducted in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental healthcare services satisfaction among patients with mental disorders who were on follow-up at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2022 to July 21, 2022. All the study participants were interviewed on the follow-up visit consecutively. The Mental Healthcare Services Satisfaction Scale tool was used to measure patient satisfaction, and the Oslo-3 Social Support Scale and other questionnaires, such as environmental factors and clinical factors, were also screened. The data were checked for completeness, entered and coded using Epi-data version 4.6, and exported to Stata version 14 software for analysis. Bivariable logistic and multivariable regression analyses were employed to identify the factors significantly associated with satisfaction. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the result at a p-value of &lt;0.05.ResultsA total of 402 study participants were included in this study, with a response rate of 99.7%. The proportions of male and female participants who were satisfied with the mental healthcare services were 59.29 and 40.70%, respectively. The overall mental healthcare services satisfaction was 65.46% with a 95% CI of 59.90, 70.62. Not being admitted to psychiatry [AOR: 4.94; 95% CI (1.30, 8.76)], getting their drugs in the hospital [AOR: 1.34; 95% CI (3.58, 8.74)], and having strong social support [AOR: 6.40; 95% CI (2.64, 8.28)] were significantly associated with satisfaction.ConclusionThe prevalence of mental healthcare services satisfaction is very low; therefore, more is expected to be done to enhance the satisfaction of the patients who access these services via psychiatry clinics. Enhancing the social support of clients, making drugs available in the hospital, and improving the service received by the admitted client are necessary to increase the healthcare service satisfaction of clients on the whole. The services delivered in psychiatry units must be improved to achieve good patient satisfaction, which might be helpful for the improvement of the disorders.
Effect of family-centered interventions for perinatal depression: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: He Liping , Soh Kim Lam , Yu Jiaxiang , Chen Aixiang , Dong Xiujuan 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate and conclude the quality of critically systematic reviews (SRs) of the efficacy of family-centered interventions on perinatal depression.MethodsSRs of the efficacy of family-centered interventions on perinatal depression were systematically searched in nine databases. The retrieval period was from the inception of the database to December 31, 2022. In addition, two reviewers conducted an independent evaluation of the quality of reporting, bias risk, methodologies, and evidence using ROBIS (an instrument for evaluating the bias risk of SRs), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), AMSTAR 2 (an assessment tool for SRs), and grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE).ResultsA total of eight papers satisfied the inclusion criteria. In particular, AMSTAR 2 rated five SRs as extremely low quality and three SRs as low quality. ROBIS graded four out of eight SRs as “low risk.” Regarding PRISMA, four of the eight SRs were rated over 50%. Based on the GRADE tool, two out of six SRs rated maternal depressive symptoms as “moderate;” one out of five SRs rated paternal depressive symptoms as “moderate;” one out of six SRs estimated family functioning as “moderate,” and the other evidence was rated as “very low” or “low.” Of the eight SRs, six (75%) reported that maternal depressive symptoms were significantly reduced, and two SRs (25%) were not reported.ConclusionFamily-centered interventions may improve maternal depressive symptoms and family function, but not paternal depressive symptoms. However, the quality of methodologies, evidence, reporting, and bias of risk in the included SRs of family-centered interventions for perinatal depression was not satisfactory. The above-mentioned demerits may negatively affect SRs and then cause inconsistent outcomes. Therefore, SRs with a low risk of bias, high-quality evidence, standard reporting, and strict methodology are necessary to provide evidence of the efficacy of family-centered interventions for perinatal depression.
Psychological status on informal carers for stroke survivors at various phases: a cohort study in China
Authors: Huang Neng , Tang Yidan , Zeng Peng , Guo Xingtong , Liu Zuoyan 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundIn China, the risk of stroke is higher than that in developed countries such as Europe and North America. Informal caregivers play a major role in providing support to stroke survivors. Currently, only limited studies on changes in psychological state of the caregivers at different stages of stroke have been published.PurposeTo investigate the stress and psychological state of informal caregivers of stroke patients in different periods and to explore the factors that affect their states.Methods202 informal caregivers of stroke patients were selected in a 3a-grade hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan. Follow-up was conducted by face-to-face interviews, telephone calls, or home visits on days 3, 2 months, and 1 year after onset. We investigated the basic information about the caregivers, including their anxiety, depression and social support conditions. We analyzed the pressure and psychological conditions of informal caregivers at different stages of stroke and analyzed its influencing factors. The data were displayed by the number and percentage of the cases; the continuous variables were described by means and standard deviation. In addition, the data were compared by Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results(1) Within 3 days after the onset of stroke, the informal caregivers had the highest stress, the most severe anxiety and depression, the heaviest burden, and the lowest score of medical-social support. Over time, the pressure and burden of the caregivers are gradually decreasing, anxiety and depression are increasing, and social support is also increasing. (2) The stress and psychological status of informal stroke caregivers are affected by multiple factors, including the caregiver’s age, relationship with the patient, patient’s age, and patient’s physical conditions.ConclusionThe stress and psychological status of informal caregivers varied in the different stages of stroke, and they were affected by several factors. Medical staff should pay attention to informal caregivers while providing care for patients. Relevant interventions may be developed based on the results to improve the health of informal caregivers and thus to promote the health of patients.
Association between depression and HIV infection vulnerable populations in United States adults: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES from 1999 to 2018
Authors: Xu Yan , Huang Yuexin , Peng Jie , Tang Ruiti , Luo Bin , Xia Zhiwei 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAlthough the government has made a commitment to advance education on HIV disclosure, depression continues to play a significant role in whether people living with HIV (PLWH) choose to disclose their HIV status to families or friends. Vulnerable populations who are at risk of contracting HIV may also be more susceptible to mental illness. However, there is a limited understanding of the association between depression and vulnerable populations affects by HIV among United States adults. We aimed to explore the incidence of depression in the HIV infection vulnerable populations and assessed the association between the HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression.MethodsWe analyzed the most current statistics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that included 16,584 participants aged 18 years or older between 1999 and 2018. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate symptoms of depressive disorder. Demographic characteristics were compared between the HIV infection vulnerable groups and HIV infection low-risk groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was also carried out to evaluate the odds rate and association between the HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression.ResultsBased on the most recent statistics from NHANES, HIV infection vulnerable populations were male, younger, less married or living together, non-Hispanic White people, lower income, and lower body mass index (BMI), with higher levels of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, a higher prevalence of depression, lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM; p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, individuals with severe depression had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, DM, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and a higher proportion of HIV infection vulnerable populations and less married or living together (p &lt; 0.01). Finally, the odds of depression from the logistic regression were significantly increased in HIV infection vulnerable groups (p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionDepression might be associated with HIV infection vulnerable populations in the United States adults. More research is needed to evaluate the association between HIV infection vulnerable populations and depression and explore their causal associations. In addition, prevention efforts focusing on HIV disclosure and HIV infection vulnerable populations in the United States should address common co-prevalent depression to reduce new HIV infections.