bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studies of the comparative efficacy of alcoholic extracts of Bironja, Turmeric, and Veranda leaves with that of patent drug Nilzan against Nematodiasis in sheep
Authors: Begum Tahmina , Rahman Bayzer , Saha Sukumar , Mostofa Mahbub , Awal Md Abdul 
Published: May 2023

The objectives of this study was to determine the comparative efficacy of some indigenous plants (Bironja, Turmeric and Verenda leaves) with that of patent drug Nilzan against Nematodiasis in sheep. Out of 85 sheep of indigenous breed 75 sheep which were suspected to be suffering from nematode, aged 2- 3 years and weighing about 10-12 kg were used for this study. The sheep were divided into 15 equal groups (Group A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N and O). The collected Bironja, Turmeric and Verenda leaves were cut into small pieces and sun dried for 7 days followed by drying separately in a hot air woven at 45°C for 6 hours. Then alcoholic extracts of selected medicinal plants were prepared by mixing 100 gm of each grinded powdered sample with 250 ml of alcohol and kept in separate air tight bottle and labeled for further study. Administration of three different doses of powdered Bironja (3, 6 & 9 ml /kg body wt), Turmeric (2, 4 & 6 ml /kg body wt) and Verenda leaves (2, 4 & 6 ml /kg body wt) showed 13-40% , 11-15% and 4-7% efficacy respectively against nematodes in sheep. Administration of Nilzan (30 mg/kg body wt) orally was highly effective (73-89%) against all the species of nematodes in sheep. Among medicinal plants Bironja was found to be most effective followed by turmeric. Veranda leaves were found to be totally ineffective against nematodes in sheep. No significant change was observed following treatment with Bironja seeds, Turmeric, Verenda leaves and Nilzan on serum glucose and SGPT in sheep. Haematological parameters were not significantly altered following any of the doses of three medicinal plants and Nilzan in sheep.
Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2017, 2 (1), 29-36
Present status of traditional fish drying activities and women participation in Chalan Beel area of Natore and Pabna district in Bangladesh
Authors: Rhaman Mahbuba , Hossain Md Rayhan , Flowra Fawzia Adib , Dey Shishir Kumar , Sultana Sayeeda 
Published: May 2023

This study focuses mainly on the traditional fish drying activities and role of women in fish drying sector in Chalanbeel area of northern part of Bangladesh. The study covers three different drying spots of Natore and Pabna districts. A total of 13 dried fish producer, 18 male worker and 27 female workers were selected for the study. The study was conducted over a period of six month from September to February 2014. In these study areas, sun drying of fish is generally carried out on bamboo made rack. Total 21 species were gradually used for drying selected from the local fish market and directly from the fishermen of Chalanbeel. The amount of salt used in fish drying ranges 2-4kg/40 kg fish. The dried fishes were bagged into a plastic and jute bags. The dried fish producers usually sell their products weekly from their storage. The lowest price of dried fish is 300-400 Tk./ kg for Punti and highest is 800 Tk./kg for Boal. The monthly production of the study areas ranges 1.8-4.00 mt. However, women play a significant role in dry fish processing. The paper points out that the sample women are involved in different income generating activities like drying, sorting and grading, cleaning and salting and monthly income derived from those activities vary in peak and lean season. The paper also identifies that the highest 51.85% women were found in 25-40 years age groups and the lowest 7.41% was found in 50-70 years age group and also 40.74% was found in 10-25 years age group which were (children) involved in drying activities instead of spending time in school. In the study areas 55.56% women were married, 40.74% were unmarried and 3.70% were widow. The highest percentage of family type (59.26%) was found as nuclear and the joint family was 40.74%. The educational status of women in drying point was 40.74% illiterate, 37.04% had education up to primary level 11.11% capable of sign only and 11.11% reach up to secondary level. Most of the respondents live in kacha house.59.26% of housing condition were kacha, 22.22% were semi-pucca and 18.52% were pucca. 33.33% people used own-tube well and 59.26% people used others-tube well for drinking water and household purposes while 7.41% used kua. From the study, it was found that 70.37% respondents had electricity connection and 29.63% had no electricity connection. In study areas, 59.26% respondents use defected semipucca, 29.63% respondents use kacha and 11.11% respondents use pucca sanitary latrine. In both study area, 100% of interviewed respondents were Muslim with no other religious person.
Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2017, 2 (1), 89-99
Attitude of farmers towards Pangas farming for their livelihood improvement
Authors: Razeim Md Abu , Farouque Md Golam , Sarker Md Asaduzzaman , Abdulla-Al-Asif - , Ahmed Meraz 
Published: May 2023

The present study was conducted in the selected Malotipur village of Muktagachha upazila under Mymensingh district during 13 to 28 April, 2014. The sample size of the study was 90 fish farmers (43 percent of population) and it was drown from a population of 209 using simple random sampling technique. Eight (8) selected characteristics of farmers viz.: age, level of education, family size, farm size, annual income, credit received, training experience and cosmopoliteness were considered as the independent variables, while the attitude of the farmers towards Pangas farming was the dependent variable of the study. The focus variable i.e. attitude of farmers towards Pangas farming was measured with a 5 point likert scale such as ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘undecided’, ‘disagree’ and ‘strongly disagree’ in Pangas farming and the corresponding scores were 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. The findings indicated that the majority (50 percent) of the Pangas farmers had moderately favorable attitude towards Pangas farming compared to 31.1 percent having highly favorable and only 18.9 percent had slightly favorable attitude. The finding on problem faced by the farmers related to Pangas farming revealed that about two-third (65.6 percent) of the farmers had high problem followed by 20 percent low problems. Among eight selected characteristics of Pangas farmers five characteristics such as age, level of education; annual income, training experience and cosmopoliteness had significant positive relationships with their attitude towards Pangas farming. On the other hand, the other two characteristics of pangas farmers such as family size and farm size had positive but no significant relationships with their attitude towards Pangas farming.
Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2017, 2 (1), 106-119
An immunoregulator nanomedicine approach for the treatment of tuberculosis
Authors: Yang Luona , Chaves Lee , Kutscher Hilliard L. , Karki Shanta , Tamblin Maria , Kenney Patrick , Reynolds Jessica L. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: A nanoparticle composed of a poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core and a chitosan (CS) shell with surface-adsorbed 1,3 β-glucan (β-glucan) was synthesized. The exposure response of CS-PLGA nanoparticles (0.1 mg/mL) with surface-bound β-glucan at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 ng or free β-glucan at 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 ng/mL in macrophage in vitro and in vivo was investigated.Results:In vitro studies demonstrate that gene expression for IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα increased at 10 and 15 ng surface-bound β-glucan on CS-PLGA nanoparticles (0.1 mg/mL) and at 20 and 25 ng/mL of free β-glucan both at 24 h and 48 h. Secretion of TNFα protein and ROS production increased at 5, 10, 15, and 20 ng surface-bound β-glucan on CS-PLGA nanoparticles and at 20 and 25 ng/mL of free β-glucan at 24 h. Laminarin, a Dectin-1 antagonist, prevented the increase in cytokine gene expression induced by CS-PLGA nanoparticles with surface-bound β-glucan at 10 and 15 ng, indicating a Dectin-1 receptor mechanism. Efficacy studies showed a significant reduction in intracellular accumulation of mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) incubated with on CS-PLGA (0.1 mg/ml) nanoparticles with 5, 10, and 15 ng surface-bound β-glucan or with 10 and 15 ng/mL of free β-glucan. β-glucan-CS-PLGA nanoparticles inhibited intracellular Mtb growth more than free β-glucan alone supporting the role of β-glucan-CS-PLGA nanoparticles as stronger adjuvants than free β-glucan. In vivo studies demonstrate that oropharyngeal aspiration (OPA) of CS-PLGA nanoparticles with nanogram concentrations of surface-bound β-glucan or free β-glucan increased TNFα gene expression in alveolar macrophages and TNFα protein secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage supernatants.Discussion: Data also demonstrate no damage to the alveolar epithelium or changes in the murine sepsis score following exposure to β-glucan-CS-PLGA nanoparticles only, indicating safety and feasibility of this nanoparticle adjuvant platform to mice by OPA.
Is the reversed congruency effect unique to the eye-gaze? Investigating the effects of finger pointing, eye-gaze and arrows stimuli on spatial interference
Authors: Bonventre Sofia , Marotta Andrea 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionSpatial interference tasks have been recently used to investigate the supposed uniqueness of gaze processing and attention. For instance, it has been observed that gaze stimuli elicited faster responses when their direction was incongruent with their position (“reversed spatial congruency effect”, RCE), whereas arrows produced faster reaction times (RT) when it was congruent (“standard spatial congruency effect”, SCE). In the present study, we tested whether the RCE is unique to eye-gaze stimuli or can be observed in response to other important social stimuli such as pointing fingers.MethodTo this aim, congruency effects elicited by eye gaze, arrows, and pointing fingers were compared in a spatial interference task.ResultsThe RCE was only observed in response to eye-gaze stimuli while pointing fingers and arrows elicited the SCE.DiscussionThis suggests that the RCE reversed congruency effect is specific to gaze stimuli and cannot be generalized to finger-pointing stimuli.
Outpatient intravenous diuresis in a rural setting: safety, efficacy, and outcomes
Authors: Pathangey Girish , D’Anna Susan P , Moudgal Rohitha A. , Min David B. , Manning Katharine A. , Taub Cynthia C. , Gilstrap Lauren G. 
Published: May 2023

PurposeTo evaluate the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of outpatient intravenous diuresis in a rural setting and compare it to urban outcomes.MethodsA single-center study was conducted on 60 patients (131 visits) at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) from 1/2021–12/2022. Demographics, visit data, and outcomes were collected and compared to urban outpatient IV centers, and inpatient HF hospitalizations from DHMC FY21 and national means. Descriptive statistics, T-tests and chi-squares were used.ResultsThe mean age was 70 ± 13 years, 58% were male, and 83% were NYHA III-IV. Post-diuresis, 5% had mild-moderate hypokalemia, 16% had mild worsening of renal function, and 3% had severe worsening of renal function. No hospitalizations occurred due to adverse events. The mean infusion-visit urine output was 761 ± 521 ml, and post-visit weight loss was −3.9 ± 5.0 kg. No significant differences were observed between HFpEF and HFrEF groups. 30-day readmissions were similar to urban outpatient IV centers, DHMC FY21, and the national mean (23.3% vs. 23.5% vs. 22.2% vs. 22.6%, respectively; p = 0.949). 30-day mortality was similar to urban outpatient IV centers but lower than DHMC FY21 and the national means (1.7% vs. 2.5% vs. 12.3% vs. 10.7%, respectively; p &lt; 0.001). At 60 days, 42% of patients had ≥1 clinic revisit, 41% had ≥1 infusion revisit, 33% were readmitted to the hospital, and two deaths occurred. The clinic avoided 21 hospitalizations, resulting in estimated cost savings of $426,111.ConclusionOP IV diuresis appears safe and effective for rural HF patients, potentially decreasing mortality rates and healthcare expenses while mitigating rural-urban disparities.
Utilization of commercial collagens for preparing well-differentiated human beta cells for confocal microscopy
Authors: Brennecke Brianna R. , Yang USeong , Liu Siming , Ilerisoy Fatma S. , Ilerisoy Beyza N. , Joglekar Aditya , Kim Lucy B. , Peachee Spencer J. , Richtsmeier Syreine L. , Stephens Samuel B. , Sander Edward A. , Strack Stefan , Moninger Thomas O. , Ankrum James A. , Imai Yumi 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionWith technical advances, confocal and super-resolution microscopy have become powerful tools to dissect cellular pathophysiology. Cell attachment to glass surfaces compatible with advanced imaging is critical prerequisite but remains a considerable challenge for human beta cells. Recently, Phelps et al. reported that human beta cells plated on type IV collagen (Col IV) and cultured in neuronal medium preserve beta cell characteristics.MethodsWe examined human islet cells plated on two commercial sources of Col IV (C6745 and C5533) and type V collagen (Col V) for differences in cell morphology by confocal microscopy and secretory function by glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Collagens were authenticated by mass spectrometry and fluorescent collagen-binding adhesion protein CNA35. ResultsAll three preparations allowed attachment of beta cells with high nuclear localization of NKX6.1, indicating a well-differentiated status. All collagen preparations supported robust GSIS. However, the morphology of islet cells differed between the 3 preparations. C5533 showed preferable features as an imaging platform with the greatest cell spread and limited stacking of cells followed by Col V and C6745. A significant difference in attachment behavior of C6745 was attributed to the low collagen contents of this preparation indicating importance of authentication of coating material. Human islet cells plated on C5533 showed dynamic changes in mitochondria and lipid droplets (LDs) in response to an uncoupling agent 2-[2-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]hydrazinylidene]-propanedinitrile (FCCP) or high glucose + oleic acid. DiscussionAn authenticated preparation of Col IV provides a simple platform to apply advanced imaging for studies of human islet cell function and morphology.
Causal relationship between circulating immune cells and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Jin , Niu Qingmin , Wu Aiwei , Zhang Yuchu , Hong Liquan , Wang Hu 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesThough type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been known as a metabolic disease caused by multiple factors, the etiology remains insufficiently understood. Here, we aimed to figure out whether circulating immune cell profiles causally impact T2D liability.MethodsWe applied one genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of blood traits in 563,085 participants from the Blood Cell Consortium and another GWAS of flow cytometric profile of lymphocyte subsets comprising 3,757 Sardinians to identify genetically predicted blood immune cells. We also obtained GWAS summary statistics in 898,130 individuals from the DIAGRAM Consortium to evaluate genetically predicted T2D. We primarily used inverse variance weighted (IVW) and weighted median methods to perform Mendelian randomization analyses and sensitivity analyses to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy.ResultsFor circulating blood leukocyte and its subpopulations, the increase of genetically predicted circulating monocyte count was causally correlated with a higher risk of T2D [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.10, p = 0.0048]. For lymphocyte subsets, CD8+ T cell and CD4+ CD8dim T cell count were identified with causal effect on T2D susceptibility (CD8+ T cell: OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.03–1.17, p = 0.0053; CD4+ CD8dim T cell: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08, p = 0.0070). No pleiotropy was determined.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrated that higher circulating monocyte and T-lymphocyte subpopulation predicted increased T2D susceptibility, which confirmed the immunity predisposition for T2D. Our results may have the potential to provide new therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of T2D.
Molecular biomarkers of progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Taylor Luke , Alastal Hani Naeem , Rasheed Ashraf 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionBarrett’s esophagus (BO) is a pre-malignant condition for esophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), the incidence rate of which has risen dramatically over the last four decades in the Western world. The 5-year survival rate of OAC is poor, and one of the ways to improve it would be by focusing on identifying high-risk Barrett’s patients through a surveillance program. Currently, histologic dysplasia is the only recognized marker of progression to OAC. Molecular biomarkers found in tissue samples that predict which patients have a higher risk of progression to OAC may act as a reliable tool for the stratification of patients with BO.AimTo determine whether molecular biomarkers have a potential use in predicting which patients with BO have a higher risk of progression to OAC.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed on 25 tissue samples obtained from the endoscopic biopsies of 19 patients with confirmed BO. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining was used to confirm the presence of BO and dysplasia. Staining was performed in an external independent laboratory. Statistical analysis using the Mann–Whitney U test was performed using R Studio® statistical software.ResultsOf the 19 patients sampled, three had low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and all had confirmed metaplasia diagnostic of BO. Expression of cyclin D1 was noted to be elevated in patients with LGD compared with those with metaplasia only (p = 0.042). Expression of Sox2 was elevated in metaplastic BO cells compared with normal squamous cells within the same stain (p = 0.046). Of all eight biomarkers tested, β-catenin had the greatest overall expression (p &lt; 0.004).ConclusionsIsolating elevated cyclin D1 in patients with LGD highlights its potential use as a biomarker in identifying BO patients at risk of developing dysplasia, and, in turn, their possible progression to OAC. Elevated levels of both Sox2 and β-catenin may also serve as markers for disease progression when overexpressed in BO patients. Both conclusions, however, would need long-term follow-up to fully establish their prognostic usefulness, as at the time of writing no patients in this study had gone on to develop OAC. Although only a small sample size was present for this study, and follow-up was limited, it serves as a strong pilot for further research into the use of novel biomarkers in predicting which BO patients are at high risk of developing dysplasia and progressing to OAC.
On-treatment lung immune prognostic index is predictive for first-line PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xiong Anning , Xu Jianlin , Wang Shuyuan , Zhong Runbo , Lu Jun , Chu Tianqing , Zhang Wei , Li Ying , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Han Baohui , Nie Wei , Zhong Hua , Zhang Xueyan 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundInflammation is a factor that promotes tumor progression and immunosuppression. Lung immune prognostic index (LIPI) is a non-invasive and easily calculated indicator of inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether continuous assessment of LIPI has predictive value for chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving first-line programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor plus chemotherapy. In addition, the predictive value of LIPI in patients with the negative or low programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) expression level was also explored.MethodsTotally, 146 stage IIIB to IV or recurrent NSCLC patients who received first-line PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. The LIPI scores were calculated at baseline (PRE-LIPI) and after two cycles of the combined administration (POST-LIPI). This study analyzed the relationship between good/intermediate/poor PRE (POST)-LIPI and objective response rate (ORR), as well as progression-free survival (PFS) using logistic and Cox regression models. In addition, the predictive value of LIPI in patients with the negative or low PD-L1 expression level was explored. To further assess the potential predictive value of continuous assessment of LIPI, the association of sum (LIPI) [sum(LIPI) = PRE-LIPI + POST-LIPI] and PFS was analyzed in the 146 patients.ResultsCompared with good POST-LIPI group, significantly lower ORRs were found in intermediate POST-LIPI (P = 0.005) and poor POST-LIPI (P = 0.018) groups. Moreover, intermediate POST-LIPI (P =0.003) and poor POST-LIPI (P &lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with a shorter PFS than good POST-LIPI. Additionally, a higher POST-LIPI score was still significantly associated with poorer treatment efficacy in patients with the negative or low PD-L1 expression level. Moreover, a higher sum (LIPI) score was significantly correlated with a shorter PFS (P = 0.001).ConclusionContinuous assessment of LIPI might be an effective method for predicting the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. In addition, in patients with the negative or low PD-L1 expression level, it might also have a potential predictive value for therapeutic efficacy to continuously assess LIPI during the treatment.
The effectiveness of calcium electroporation combined with gene electrotransfer of a plasmid encoding IL-12 is tumor type-dependent
Authors: Lisec Barbara , Markelc Bostjan , Ursic Valentinuzzi Katja , Sersa Gregor , Cemazar Maja 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionIn calcium electroporation (CaEP), electroporation enables the cellular uptake of supraphysiological concentrations of Ca2+, causing the induction of cell death. The effectiveness of CaEP has already been evaluated in clinical trials; however, confirmatory preclinical studies are still needed to further elucidate its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms. Here, we tested and compared its efficiency on two different tumor models to electrochemotherapy (ECT) and in combination with gene electrotransfer (GET) of a plasmid encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12). We hypothesized that IL-12 potentiates the antitumor effect of local ablative therapies as CaEP and ECT.MethodsThe effect of CaEP was tested in vitro as well as in vivo in murine melanoma B16-F10 and murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 in comparison to ECT with bleomycin. Specifically, the treatment efficacy of CaEP with increasing calcium concentrations alone or in combination with IL-12 GET in different treatment protocols was investigated. We closely examined the tumor microenvironment by immunofluorescence staining of immune cells, as well as blood vessels and proliferating cells.ResultsIn vitro, CaEP and ECT with bleomycin reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. We observed no differences in sensitivity between the two cell lines. A dose-dependent response was also observed in vivo; however, the efficacy was better in 4T1 tumors than in B16-F10 tumors. In 4T1 tumors, CaEP with 250 mM Ca resulted in more than 30 days of growth delay, which was comparable to ECT with bleomycin. In contrast, adjuvant peritumoral application of IL-12 GET after CaEP prolonged the survival of B16-F10, but not 4T1-bearing mice. Moreover, CaEP with peritumoral IL-12 GET modified tumor immune cell populations and tumor vasculature.ConclusionsMice bearing 4T1 tumors responded better to CaEP in vivo than mice bearing B16-F10 tumors, even though a similar response was observed in vitro. Namely, one of the most important factors might be involvement of the immune system. This was confirmed by the combination of CaEP or ECT with IL-12 GET, which further enhanced antitumor effectiveness. However, the potentiation of CaEP effectiveness was also highly dependent on tumor type; it was more pronounced in poorly immunogenic B16-F10 tumors compared to moderately immunogenic 4T1 tumors.