bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Effects of Annona Senegalensis Root Bark, Musa Sapientum L and Malus Pumila Peel Extracts on Xanthine Oxidase
Authors: Mlozen Madalitso , Bonya Elias , Nyanda Adam M , Mkwanda Charity , Kululanga Alinafe , Majamanda Jonathan , Taika Wilfred , Linje Linly , Kalumbi Martin , Chagwa Patrick , Chinyama Robert , Katuah Zefaniah , Kamwendo Chikondi , Katiniche Blessings , Siyano Exton 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Xanthine Oxidase activity may increase plasma urates, superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide leading to gout, arthritis and cancer. Allopurinol, a known Xanthine Oxidase inhibitor, is noted to have various adverse effects. Many laboratories are in research projects to find alternative inhibitors of XO including plant sources. Plants are known to contain therapeutically effective agents. A. senegalensis and M. sapientum L are reported to contain phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities.
Methods
Aqueous extracts of Root bark of A. senegalensis, peels of M. sapientum L and M. pumila were assayed for their inhibitory effects on Xanthine oxidase in vitro
Results
All aqueous extracts exhibited the presence of flavonoids. A. senegalensis root bark and M sapientum L and M pumila peels were investigated for their effects on Xanthine Oxidase activity. A. senegalensis root bark, M. sapientum L and M. Pumila peel extracts inhibited Xanthine Oxidase activity by 83%, 90% and 61% respectively as which are significantly different (p < 0.05) from that of the positive control, allopurinol (65%)
Conclusions
The results obtained in this study suggest that the flavonoids found in A. senegalensis root bark and M. sapientum L and M. pumila peel extracts could be potential Xanthine Oxidase activity inhibitors.
Ageing of long-term allogeneic hematopoietic cells recipients compared to their donors
Authors: Czarnogórski Michał , Sakowska Justyna , Maziewski Mateusz , Zieliński Maciej , Piekarska Agnieszka , Obuchowski Igor , Młyński Mikołaj , Dutka Magdalena , Sadowska-Klasa Alicja , Zarzycka Ewa , Bieniaszewska Maria , Trzonkowski Piotr , Witkowski Jacek , Hellmann Andrzej , Zaucha Jan Maciej 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Ageing is a complex phenomenon that leads to decreased proliferative activity, loss of function of the cells, and cellular senescence. Senescence of the immune system exacerbates individual’s immune response, both humoral and cellular but increases the frequency of infections. We hypothesized that physiological ageing of adaptive immune system occurs in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cells transplant (allo-HCT) at faster rate when compared to their respective donors since the small number of donor cells undergo immense proliferative stress restoring recipients hematopoiesis. We compared molecular characterizations of ageing between recipients and donors of allo-HCT: telomeric length, proinflammatory cytokines concentration, and immunophenotypic changes in main lymphocyte subsets – CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD56+.Results: Median telomeric length (TL) of CD8+ lymphocytes was significantly longer in donors compared to recipients (on average 2,1kb and 1,7kb respectively, p = 0,02). Similar trends were observed for CD4+ and CD19+ although the results did not reach statistical significance. We have also found trends in the immunophenotype between recipients and donors in the subpopulations of CD4+ (naïve and effector memory), CD8+ Eomes+ and B-lymphocytes (B1 and B2). When grouped according to the history of infections, there were differences between recipients in the TNF-a and Il-4 concentrations. They were higher in the recipients with lower infection number p=0,05 and p=0,003 respectively. Lower infection risk recipients had also significantly greater percentage of NK cells (22,3%) than high-risk patients (9,3%) p=0,04.Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis of accelerated ageing of the recipients lymphocytes observed mainly in CD8 subset compared to their respective donors. Quantitative changes in recipients immunophenotype in some lymphocyte subsets resemble physiological ageing-associated changes. No difference in cytokine concentrations suggests that inflammageing does not increase in allo-HCT recipients, however a lower infection numbers in HCT recipients seems to be associated with increased concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and increased percentage of NK cells. The GVHD does not affect the rate of ageing. Therefore, the differences between recipients and donors cells may result from the proliferative stress in the early period after allo-HCT and the difference between hosts and recipients microenvironments, the only other variable that may influence the identical cells originating from donor hematopoiesis.
Piezoelectric energy extraction from a cylinder undergoing vortex-induced vibration using internal resonance
Authors: Ghoshal Ritwik , Joy Annette , Joshi Vaibhav , Narendran Kumar 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
A novel concept of utilizing the kinetic energy from ocean currents/wind by means of internal resonance is proposed to address the increasing global energy demand and generate clean and sustainable power. In this work, a non-linear rotative gravity pendulum is employed to autoparametrically excite the elastically mounted cylinder for a wide range of flow velocities. This concept is adopted to increase the oscillation amplitude of the cylinder due to vortex-induced vibration (VIV) in the de-synchronized region for energy harvesting. In this regard, a VIV-based energy harvesting device is proposed that consists of a cylinder with an attached pendulum, and energy is harvested with bottom-mounted piezoelectric transducers. The cylinder undergoes VIV when it is subjected to fluid flow and this excites the coupled fluid-multibody cylinder-pendulum system autoparametrically. In the de-synchronized region, when the vortex shedding frequency becomes two times the natural frequency of the pendulum, an internal resonance occurs. This helps in achieving a higher oscillation amplitude of the cylinder which does not happen otherwise. This study is focused on one degree-of-freedom (1-DoF) system where the cylinder is free to oscillate in the transverse direction of the fluid flow. The objective of this work is to numerically investigate the effect of a non-linear rotative gravity pendulum (NRGP) on the VIV characteristics and piezoelectric efficiency of the system. The numerical model is based on the wake-oscillator model coupled with the piezoelectric constitutive equation. The influence of the frequency ratio, mass ratio, torsional damping ratio and ratio of cylinder diameter to pendulum length of the NRGP device on response characteristics due to VIV is also investigated. A detailed comparative analysis in terms of electric tension and efficiency are performed numerically for flows with wide range of reduced velocities for the cylinder with and without NRGP. A comprehensive study on the implications of internal resonance between the pendulum and cylinder on generated electric tension is also reported.
Extracellular vesicles from oviductal and uterine fluids supplementation in sequential in vitro culture improves bovine embryo quality
Authors: Leal Cláudia Lima Verde , Cañón-Beltrán Karina , Cajas Yulia N , Hamdi Meriem , Yaryes Aracelli , Blanca María Gemma Millán de la , Beltrán-Breña Paula , Mazzarella Rosane , Silveira Juliano Coelho da , Gutiérrez-Adán Alfonso , González Encina , Rizos Dimitrios 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: In vitro production of bovine embryos is a well-established technology, but the in vitro culture (IVC) system still warrants improvements, especially regarding embryo quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from oviductal (OF) and uterine fluid (UF) in sequential IVC on the development and quality of bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in SOF supplemented with either BSA or EVs-depleted fetal calf serum (dFCS) in the presence (BSA-EV and dFCS-EV) or absence of EVs from OF (D1 to D4) and UF (D5 to D8), mimicking in vivo conditions. EVs from oviducts (early luteal phase) and uterine horns (mid-luteal phase) from slaughtered heifers were isolated by Size Exclusion Chromatography. Blastocyst rate was recorded on Days 7-8 and their quality was assessed based on lipid contents, mitochondrial activity and total cell numbers, as well as survival rate after vitrification. Relative mRNA abundance for lipid metabolism related transcripts and levels of active hormone-sensitive lipase (pHSL) proteins were also determined. Additionally, the expression levels of 383 miRNA in OF- and UF-EVs were assessed by pRT-PCR. Results: Blastocyst yield was lower (p<0.05) in BSA groups compared to dFCS groups. Survival rates after vitrification/warming were improved in dFCS-EVs compared to dFCS (p<0.05). EVs increased (p<0.05) blastocysts total cell number in dFCS-EV and BSA-EV compared to dFCS and BSA groups, while lipid content was decreased and mitochondrial activity increased in dFCS-EV (p<0.05). Lipid metabolism transcripts were affected by EVs ( PPARGC1B and ACACA , p<0.05) and protein source in the medium ( CD36, PLIN2 and ATGL , p<0.05). Levels of pHSL were lower in dFCS (p<0.05). Twenty miRNA were differentially expressed between OF- and UF-EVs and only bta-miR-148b was increased in OF-EVs (p<0.05). Conclusions: Mimicking physiological conditions using EVs from OF and UF in sequential IVC does not affect embryo development but improves blastocyst quality regarding survival rate after vitrification/warming, total cell number, lipid content, mitochondrial activity and relative changes in expression of lipid metabolism transcripts and lipase activation. Besides, EVs miRNA contents may contribute to the observed effects.
Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on treatment outcomes of severe COVID-19 patients: A single-centre study.
Authors: Xiao Kun , Xiao Yongjiu , Li Binbin , Liu Chang , Huang Xiuyu , Ma Ling , Qian Zhi Rong , Zhang Xiaopeng , Zhang Qian , Li Dunqing , Cai Xiaoqing , Yan Xiangyong , Luo Shuping , Xiang Dawei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
No specific effective therapeutic drugs have been identified for COVID-19. Critically ill COVID-19 36 patients in the ICU experience high mortality. This project aims to study the effects of traditional 37 Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment on deadly outcomes caused by COVID-19. A total of 123 critically 38 ill COVID-19 patients who received close monitoring at the ICU of Vulcan Hill Hospital between 39 ICU patients received supportive management. Eighty-one patients were given additional TCM 41 treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period (up to 39 days) and the clinical outcome 42 of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. We observed that patients treated with TCM had 43 lower mortality than the non-TCM treatment group (16 of 81 vs. 31 of 42; 0.3 person/month vs. 2.9 44 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with 45 improved survival [multivariate HR, 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06–0.24; P < 0.001]. 46 Furthermore, we found that TCM treatment could partially improve the inflammation status by 47 reducing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and recovering multiple organic functions. TCM 48 treatment may decrease inflammation status by reducing the level of proinflammatory cytokines and 49 allowing the recovery of multiple organic functions, which could improve the survival rate of critically 50 ill COVID-19 patients.
Silencing Itch in human PBMCs promotes differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts
Authors: Read Oliver , Harrison David James 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Two clinical case reports of humans with mutations in Itch share distinct morphological defects such as stunted growth, macrocephaly, and dysmorphic features indicating a role for Itch in bone remodelling. Studies in mice have found that the encoded E3 ubiquitin ligase acts as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis, however no studies thus far have investigated whether this is translatable to a human model. Experimental Procedures: Human whole blood samples were separated to isolate and culture peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) in M-CSF containing media. Media was later supplemented with RANKL to promote osteoclast differentiation. Transient siRNA-mediated Itch knockdown (si-Itch) in monocytes was verified by qPCR and western blot to confirm reduction in both Itch mRNA and protein respectively. PBMCs were aliquoted onto 96-well plates where confluence and osteoclast formation were analysed using automated cytometry analysis before and after staining for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity (TRAP). Cells were also stained with Hoechst33342 to look for multinucleate cells. Results Cells treated with si-Itch showed an 80% knockdown in Itch mRNA and >75% reduction in protein. Following the 7-day differentiation period, si-Itch caused a 17% increase in numbers of large cellular bodies as well as a 47% increase in multinucleate bodies, indicating an overall increase in mature osteoclast formation. Itch knockdown had little effect cellular toxicity compared to scrambled conditions. Conclusions: Our data shows silencing Itch expression increases the potential of primary human PBMCs to differentiate into mature osteoclasts in-vitro and confirms that Itch has clinical significance in human bone remodelling.
Effect of Hydroxyapatite Coating in combination with physical modifications on Micro-shear Bond Strength of Zirconia to Resin Cement
Authors: Atri Faezeh , Rasaie Vania , Jamnani Sakineh Nikzad , Mohammadi Saba 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundZirconia has been used as a reliable core material in dental restorations for years, however, its bonding to resin cement is a matter of challenge. Physical, chemical, and a combination of these techniques have been investigated to boost the properties of zirconia surface bonding. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of hydroxyapatite coating as a chemical therapy in combination with physical modifications on micro-shear bond strength of the resin cement over zirconia.MethodsIn the present research, 60 sintered zirconia blocks (4×4×4 mm) were randomized into four groups of 15, including Al2O3 particle abrasion (group 1), HA coating (group 2), Al2O3 particle abrasion + HA coating (group 3), and Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation + HA coating (group 4). The micro-shear bond strength was determined by bonding the blocks to the resin cement. ResultsBond strength (mean ±standard deviation) of modified zirconia surfaces were 16.93±4.94 MPa, 16.14±5.4 MPa, 19.4±5.27 MPa and 16.21±3.7 MPa in the group 1 to 4, respectively. ANOVA tests results clarified no significant difference regarding bond strength values of zirconia surfaces to the resin cement between studied preparation modalities. (P>0.05) ConclusionObservations of the present study showed that HA coating can be as effective as airborne-particle abrasion technique in the improvement of bond strength to zirconia surface. Moreover, sandblasting by aluminum oxide or Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation prior to HA coating of zirconia showed no significant effect on the reinforcement of bond strength values when comparing with HA coating alone.
Protective effect of morphine-baclofen co-administration on oxidative stress in the dorsal hippocampus in an experimental model of morphine-induced polycystic ovary in rats
Authors: Jamshidi Zahra , Karami Manizheh , Khalili Mohsen , Roghani Mehrdad 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of baclofen, a GABAB agonist, against oxidative stress in the dorsal hippocampus (dH) of rats modeled as polycystic ovary (PCO) by morphine. Sixty-six female Wistar rats in the diestrus phase were randomly divided into 11 groups (n=6): the control group received only saline (1 mL/kg), the next two groups were treated with morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) once or twice, respectively. Six groups were treated with baclofen alone (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) or baclofen dose as before morphine injection. The other two groups received morphine in two different ways: one was injected morphine (0.4 μg/rat), intra-VMH, and the last group that underwent gonadectomy received morphine (5 mg/kg) i.p. after recovery. Twenty-four h after treatment, blood samples were taken from rats’ hearts under deep anesthesia for serological studies. Hippocampal specimens were then isolated on ice for histological, immunohistochemical as well as oxidative stress factors (GPX, MDA, SOD, and CAT) evaluations. Estrogen and glucocorticoid receptor levels expressed in dH tissue were also examined. The ovaries and uterus were also biometrically examined. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance (α=0.05). Ovarian follicular cysts were more common in the morphine-receiving groups than in the control group. But the gonads improved with baclofen pretreatment. Oxidative factors showed high levels in the hippocampus of morphine-treated groups that correlated with low estrogen receptors at dH. Morphine causes both PCO and oxidative stress at dH, but the use of baclofen with morphine may protect them all.
Teratoma of left lobe of liver in adolescent female: A rare case report and literature review
Authors: Liu Xiaoyi , Liang Jiale , Han Jingzhao , Wang Chuncheng , Wang Zepu , Tuo Hongfang 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Teratoma is the most common germ cell tumor, and the incidence varies greatly in different age, gender, and tissues, among which, the mature teratoma of the liver is exceedingly rare. For the present, there are fewer than 50 cases of primary hepatic teratomas reported in English literature, especially the left lobe teratoma, with a lower incidence. At present, histological examination can make a definitive diagnosis for the disease along with the assessment of maturity. Surgical resection is widely adopted as the best treatment scheme.Case presentation: A 17-year-old female complained that the liver occupied over 2 years. No obvious symptoms and special abnormalities were revealed on physical examination. She suffered from anemia and the anemia recovered after a blood transfusion. After completing tumor markers, ultrasonography (US) of abdomen, abdomen plain computed tomography (CT) scan and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor was tentatively judged as benign tumor of the liver, which was detected located in the left lobe of the liver with cystic structure. Histological examination confirmed mature teratoma. The patient recovered. Nevertheless, tendency of recurrence and deterioration were hard to evaluate due to the short follow-up. Conclusion: Mature hepatic teratomas are extremely rare. The accumulation of further cases is necessary to help recognize the histology, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.
Cooperative diffusion in body-centred cubic iron at Earth and super-Earth inner-core conditions
Authors: Ghosh Maitrayee , Zhang Shuai , Hu Suxing 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The physical chemistry of iron at inner-core conditions is key to understanding the evolution and habitability of Earth-like planets. Based on full first-principles simulations, we report cooperative diffusion along the longitudinally fast〈111〉directions of body-centred cubic (bcc) iron in temperature ranges of 2000-4000 K below the melting curve and pressures up to 3 TPa. The diffusion is due to low energy barriers in the corresponding direction and accompanied by mechanical and dynamic stability of bcc iron. With the assistance of the diffusion, bcc iron demonstrates strong elastic anisotropy and variations with temperature and pressure, which is consistent with several seismological signatures of the Earth’s inner core, particularly the positive correlation between P wave velocity and attenuation. This finding also has implications for nucleation and growth of the inner core and suggests the exotic state and properties of iron need to be considered in future geophysical and planetary models.
Material characterization and thickness measurement of iron particle reinforced polyurethane multi-layer coating for aircraft stealth applications using THz-Time Domain Spectroscopy
Authors: Latha A. Mercy , Unnikrishnakurup Sreedhar , Jain Abhinandan , Pathra M. K. , Balasubramaniam Krishnan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Particle reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMC) are widely used in the military aviation industry as a stealth coating for incident radar attenuation. These coatings are made up of many layers of different materials with varying thicknesses. In this study, we used terahertz (THz) spectral range by means of time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) to examine the thickness of iron particle reinforced polyurethane Radar Absorbing Paint (FE-PU-RAP) composite coatings non-destructively. For accurate estimation of the individual layer thickness in multi-layer coatings, precise knowledge of the material properties of the individual layers is a prerequisite. Hence, standalone samples of the individual layers have been initially employed to extract the material properties, such as the refractive index, absorption coefficient, etc. Then, the accurate thickness estimation by the time-of-flight measurement principle has been carried out using the reflected THz pulses. Further, since the individual reflected pulses from the multi-layered sample are overlapping in nature due to the optically thin coating thickness, a sparse deconvolution technique has been utilized for extracting each individual reflected time instant. The scattering from the iron particles also provides a challenge to the identification of the interface signals. This was addressed by optimizing the regularization parameter in the sparse deconvolution algorithm. With this technique, accurate estimation of each of the individual layers in the multi-layer sample has been accomplished, otherwise difficult non-destructively.
Women empowerment and Health insurance utilisation in Rwanda: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kawuki Joseph , Gatasi Ghislaine , Sserwanja Quraish 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Health insurance coverage is one of the several measures being implemented to reduce the inequity in access to quality health services among the vulnerable groups. Moreover, women empowerment has been viewed as a cost-effective strategy for the reduction of maternal and child morbidity and mortality, as it enables women tackle the barriers to accessing healthcare. Our study aims at examining the prevalence of health insurance utilisation and its association with women empowerment among Rwandan women. Methods: We used Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2020 data of 14,634 women aged 15 to 49 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants and we conducted multivariable logistic regression to establish the association between women empowerment and health insurance utilisation using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of the 14,634 women, 12095 (82.6%) (95% CI: 82.0-83.2) were using or had subscribed to health insurance, and the majority (77.2%) were covered by mutual/community organization insurance. Women empowerment indicators significantly associated with health insurance utilisation were; exposure to mass media, decision making and economic empowerment. Low decision making (AOR=1.195, 95% CI: 0.897-1.592), and low economic empowerment (AOR=1.128, 95% CI: 0.986-1.290) had a positive association with health insurance coverage, while high exposure to media had a negative association (AOR=0.664, 95% CI: 0.522-0.845). Other factors that were significant include; educational level, wealth index, residence, region, household size, and household head.Conclusions: Improving women's access to health facilities as well as media material tailored to the specific knowledge gaps could significantly increase enrolment rates of Rwandan women to health insurance.