| 1. |
- Aad, G, et al.
(författare)
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- 2015
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Thomas, HS, et al.
(författare)
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- 2019
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 4. |
- Tabiri, S, et al.
(författare)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 5. |
- Bravo, L, et al.
(författare)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Drake, TM, et al.
(författare)
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Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ global health. - : BMJ. - 2059-7908. ; 5:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings.MethodsA multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).ResultsOf 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45·1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34·2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20·6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12·8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24·7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI.ConclusionThe odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.
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| 9. |
- Cossarizza, A., et al.
(författare)
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Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (second edition)
- 2019
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Ingår i: European Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0014-2980 .- 1521-4141. ; 49:10, s. 1457-1973
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- These guidelines are a consensus work of a considerable number of members of the immunology and flow cytometry community. They provide the theory and key practical aspects of flow cytometry enabling immunologists to avoid the common errors that often undermine immunological data. Notably, there are comprehensive sections of all major immune cell types with helpful Tables detailing phenotypes in murine and human cells. The latest flow cytometry techniques and applications are also described, featuring examples of the data that can be generated and, importantly, how the data can be analysed. Furthermore, there are sections detailing tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid, all written and peer-reviewed by leading experts in the field, making this an essential research companion.
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| 10. |
- Adam, A, et al.
(författare)
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Abstracts from Hydrocephalus 2016.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Fluids and Barriers of the CNS. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-8118. ; 14:Suppl 1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Ademuyiwa, Adesoji O., et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2059-7908. ; 1:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.Methods: Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.Results: This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.Conclusions: Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Godoy, Patricio, et al.
(författare)
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Recent advances in 2D and 3D in vitro systems using primary hepatocytes, alternative hepatocyte sources and non-parenchymal liver cells and their use in investigating mechanisms of hepatotoxicity, cell signaling and ADME
- 2013
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Ingår i: Archives of Toxicology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-5761 .- 1432-0738. ; 87:8, s. 1315-1530
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- This review encompasses the most important advances in liver functions and hepatotoxicity and analyzes which mechanisms can be studied in vitro. In a complex architecture of nested, zonated lobules, the liver consists of approximately 80 % hepatocytes and 20 % non-parenchymal cells, the latter being involved in a secondary phase that may dramatically aggravate the initial damage. Hepatotoxicity, as well as hepatic metabolism, is controlled by a set of nuclear receptors (including PXR, CAR, HNF-4 alpha, FXR, LXR, SHP, VDR and PPAR) and signaling pathways. When isolating liver cells, some pathways are activated, e.g., the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, whereas others are silenced (e.g. HNF-4 alpha), resulting in up- and downregulation of hundreds of genes. An understanding of these changes is crucial for a correct interpretation of in vitro data. The possibilities and limitations of the most useful liver in vitro systems are summarized, including three-dimensional culture techniques, co-cultures with non-parenchymal cells, hepatospheres, precision cut liver slices and the isolated perfused liver. Also discussed is how closely hepatoma, stem cell and iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like-cells resemble real hepatocytes. Finally, a summary is given of the state of the art of liver in vitro and mathematical modeling systems that are currently used in the pharmaceutical industry with an emphasis on drug metabolism, prediction of clearance, drug interaction, transporter studies and hepatotoxicity. One key message is that despite our enthusiasm for in vitro systems, we must never lose sight of the in vivo situation. Although hepatocytes have been isolated for decades, the hunt for relevant alternative systems has only just begun.
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| 17. |
- Abbas, Ghazanfar, et al.
(författare)
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Electrochemical investigation of mixed metal oxide nanocomposite electrode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Modern Physics B. - : WORLD SCIENTIFIC PUBL CO PTE LTD. - 0217-9792. ; 31:27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Zinc-based nanostructured nickel (Ni) free metal oxide electrode material Zn-0.60/CU0.20Mn0.20 oxide (CMZO) was synthesized by solid state reaction and investigated for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LTSOFC) applications. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the synthesized electrode material were examined by XRD and SEM techniques respectively. The particle size of ZnO phase estimated by Scherer's equation was 31.50 nm. The maximum electrical conductivity was found to be 12.567 S/cm and 5.846 S/cm in hydrogen and air atmosphere, respectively at 600 degrees C. The activation energy of the CMZO material was also calculated from the DC conductivity data using Arrhenius plots and it was found to be 0.060 and 0.075 eV in hydrogen and air atmosphere, respectively. The CMZO electrode-based fuel cell was tested using carbonated samarium doped ceria composite (NSDC) electrolyte. The three layers 13 mm in diameter and 1 mm thickness of the symmetric fuel cell were fabricated by dry pressing. The maximum power density of 728.86 mW/cm(2) was measured at 550 degrees C.
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| 18. |
- Alimena, Juliette, et al.
(författare)
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Searching for long-lived particles beyond the Standard Model at the Large Hadron Collider
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Physics G. - : IOP Publishing. - 0954-3899 .- 1361-6471. ; 47:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Particles beyond the Standard Model (SM) can generically have lifetimes that are long compared to SM particles at the weak scale. When produced at experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, these long-lived particles (LLPs) can decay far from the interaction vertex of the primary proton-proton collision. Such LLP signatures are distinct from those of promptly decaying particles that are targeted by the majority of searches for new physics at the LHC, often requiring customized techniques to identify, for example, significantly displaced decay vertices, tracks with atypical properties, and short track segments. Given their non-standard nature, a comprehensive overview of LLP signatures at the LHC is beneficial to ensure that possible avenues of the discovery of new physics are not overlooked. Here we report on the joint work of a community of theorists and experimentalists with the ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb experiments-as well as those working on dedicated experiments such as MoEDAL, milliQan, MATHUSLA, CODEX-b, and FASER-to survey the current state of LLP searches at the LHC, and to chart a path for the development of LLP searches into the future, both in the upcoming Run 3 and at the high-luminosity LHC. The work is organized around the current and future potential capabilities of LHC experiments to generally discover new LLPs, and takes a signature-based approach to surveying classes of models that give rise to LLPs rather than emphasizing any particular theory motivation. We develop a set of simplified models; assess the coverage of current searches; document known, often unexpected backgrounds; explore the capabilities of proposed detector upgrades; provide recommendations for the presentation of search results; and look towards the newest frontiers, namely high-multiplicity 'dark showers', highlighting opportunities for expanding the LHC reach for these signals.
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| 19. |
- Akhtar, Muneeba, et al.
(författare)
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Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach to formulate and optimize the bilayer combination tablet of Tamsulosin and Finasteride
- 2024
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Ingår i: Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. - : Elsevier. - 1319-0164 .- 2213-7475. ; 32:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An orally administered bilayer tablet with Tamsulosin (TAM) as the sustained release (SR) and Finasteride (FIN) as immediate release (IR) was manufactured. A response surface methodology was employed to formulate bilayer tablets with individual release layers, i.e., sustained and immediate release (SR and IR). Independent variables selected in both cases comprise hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as SR polymer, and avicel PH102 in the inner layer while Triacetin and talc in the outer layer, respectively. Tablets were prepared by direct compression, a total of 11 formulations were prepared for inner layer TAM, and 9 formulations for outer layer FIN were designed; these formulations were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, %drug content, and %drug release. A central composite design was employed in response surface methodology to design and optimize the formulation. The percentage of drug released was evaluated by in-vitro USP dissolution method of optimized formulation for 0.5, 2, and 6 hrs, and results were 24.63, 52.96, and 97.68 %, respectively. Drug release data was plotted in various kinetic models using a D.D solver, where drug release was first order that is concentration dependent and was best explained by Korsmeyer–Peppa kinetics, as the highest linearity was observed (R2 = 0.9693). However, a very close relationship was also noted with Higuchi kinetics (R2 = 0.9358). The mechanism of drug release was determined through the Korsmeyer model, and exponent "n" was found to be 0.4, indicative of an anomalous diffusion mechanism or diffusion coupled with erosion.
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| 20. |
- Hammad, Yasser A., et al.
(författare)
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Quality improvement can decrease blood delivery turnaround time : Evidence from a single tertiary-care academic medical center
- 2018
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Ingår i: Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology. - : American University of Beirut. - 0544-0440. ; 25:3, s. 273-281
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Blood transfusion services are critical to any hospitals’ functioning, and timely blood/ component therapy resuscitation is lifesaving. Yet, few blood delivery turnaround time (TAT) studies have been undertaken. Aims: We assessed blood delivery TAT at our institution before and after implementing an intervention. Settings and Design: This before-after study assessed blood delivery TAT at our institution at baseline (first audit, December 2015 - February 2016); analyzed the causes of any delays and implemented a multipronged organizational, educational and operational remedial actions for risk mitigation for 3 months, aiming to shorten the blood delivery TAT; and then 9 months later assessed the blood delivery TAT again (second audit, November 2017 - December 2017). Methods and Material: For each of the two audits, we assessed three indices that comprise TAT: Response time (time from doctor’s request until blood is ready for collection, T1); processing time (time from the arrival of technician to blood bank and start of paperwork processing at the blood bank’s front desk until actual collection of the blood, T2); and, Transport time (time from blood bank to arrival to operating theatre, T3). Statistical analysis used: The observed proportions for categorical variables were reported as percentage and compared using Chi square test. Results: After implementing the remedial actions, the second audit confirmed considerable improvements across all three components that comprise the blood TAT. The transport time significantly decreased from an initial majority of > 15 mins duration, to a majority of < 15 mins transport time after the second audit; there was a 50% improvement in 30 mins response time; and the percentage of requests processed in < 10 mins were significantly higher after the second audit. Conclusions: Our program and its findings in terms of much improved blood delivery TAT after implementing this quality improvement approach represent an appropriate and effective solution to the challenge of making blood available fast enough to meet true hemorrhagic emergencies.
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| 21. |
- Siddique, Waqar, et al.
(författare)
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The Development of Eletriptan Hydrobromide Immediate Release Buccal Films Using Central Composite Rotatable Design : An In Vivo and In Vitro Approach
- 2022
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI. - 2073-4360. ; 14:19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective is to develop immediate release buccal films of Eletriptan Hydrobromide (EHBR) using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) E5. The buccal films have the ability to disintegrate rapidly and provide both systemic and local effects. The solvent casting method was employed to prepare the films and the central composite rotatable design (CCRD) model was used for film optimization. All the formulated films were characterized for physicochemical evaluation (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo drug release. The fabricated films were transparent, colorless, and evenly distributed. The FTIR spectra showed no chemical interaction between the drug and excipients. In in-vitro analysis, the film has the highest% drug release (102.61 +/- 1.13), while a maximum of 92.87 +/- 0.87% drug was diffused across the cellulose membrane having a pore size of 0.45 mu m. In the ex-vivo study, drug diffusion across the goat mucosa was performed and 80.9% of the drug was released in 30 min. In-vivo results depict a mean half-life (t1/2) of 4.54 +/- 0.18 h and a C-max of 128 +/- 0.87 (ng/mL); T-max was achieved in 1 h. Furthermore, instability and histopathological studies buccal films were proven to be safe and act as an effective dosage form. In a nutshell, optimized and safe instant release EHBR buccal films were prepared that have the tendency to provide effect effectively.
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| 22. |
- Akel Hasan, A., et al.
(författare)
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A review of solar thermal cooling technologies in selected Middle East and North African countries
- 2022
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Ingår i: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 2213-1388 .- 2213-1396. ; 54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cooling loads are a substantial part of the total electricity demands of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Fortunately, because of its warm and sunny climate, the MENA region is naturally suited to solar cooling technologies. This article summarizes the most recent research and developments in solar thermal cooling technologies. The working principles and a general literature survey of solar thermal cooling technologies including absorption, adsorption, and desiccant is presented. This is followed by a summary of the literature specific to the MENA region, along with a survey of the prototypes and commercial installation of solar cooling across the MENA region. Based on this review, pilot solar cooling projects in the region are around 1180 kWc, which are split between space conditioning and industrial refrigeration applications. Most of the pilot projects are of absorption cooling type using an ammonia–water binary cycle and parabolic trough solar collectors. However, a few adsorption cooling systems are employed with a water–silica working pair and flat plate collectors. Finally, desiccant cooling systems are still in their infancy, as research and experimental systems in educational institutes.
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| 23. |
- Bakoush, Omran, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of diabetes mellitus on the recovery of changes in renal functions and glomerular permeability following reversible 24-hour unilateral ureteral obstruction
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Diabetes. - : Wiley. - 1753-0393 .- 1753-0407.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Following reversal of short periods of ureteral obstruction (UO), glomerular and tubular renal dysfunction recovers with time. Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects glomerular function; thus, the ability of diabetic kidneys to recover from UO may be impaired. This study investigated the effects of long-term DM on the recovery of glomerular and tubular function, as well as permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB), after unilateral UO (UUO) reversal. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal streptozotocin. All diabetic and age-matched control rats underwent reversible 24-hour left UUO. The renal function of both kidneys was measured using clearance techniques 3 hours and 7 and 30 days after UUO reversal. Glomerular permeability was assessed by measuring the glomerular sieving coefficients for fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Ficoll (molecular radius: 20-90 Å). Results: Unilateral UO induced transient changes in the size selectivity of GFB small pores. However, the size selectivity function of large pores had not returned to baseline even 30 days after UUO reversal. Diabetes mellitus caused exaggerated early alterations in glomerular hemodynamic and tubular function, as well as size selectivity dysfunction of both small and large pores. At 30 days after UUO reversal, despite glomerular hemodynamic and tubular function and the size selectivity of small pores returning to normal in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats, the residual size selectivity dysfunction of large pores was more severe in diabetic rats. Conclusion: Unilateral UO caused long-term dysfunction in the size selectivity of large pores of the GFB. In addition, DM significantly exaggerated this dysfunction, indicating a more ominous outcome in diabetic kidneys following UUO.
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| 24. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham, et al.
(författare)
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Insights into the Role of Natural Products in the Control of the Honey Bee Gut Parasite (Nosema spp.)
- 2022
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 12:21
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The honey bee is an important economic insect due to its role in pollinating many agricultural plants. Unfortunately, bees are susceptible to many pathogens, including pests, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, most of which exert a destructive impact on thousands of colonies. The occurrence of resistance to the therapeutic substances used against these organisms is rising, and the residue from these chemicals may accumulate in honey bee products, subsequently affecting the human health. There is current advice to avoid the use of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and other drugs in bees, and therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of bee diseases. In this context, the impact of nosema diseases (nosemosis) on bee health and the negative insults of existing drugs are discussed. Moreover, attempts to combat nosema through the use of alternative compounds, including essential oils, plant extracts, and microbes in vitro and in vivo, are documented.
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| 25. |
- Elsayed, Mohamed Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Conjugated Polymer Dots as Binary Photocatalysts for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution through Forster Resonance Energy Transfer
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 13:47, s. 56554-56565
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Organic semiconducting polymers exhibited promising photocatalytic behavior for hydrogen (H-2) evolution, especially when prepared in the form of polymer dots (Pdots). However, the Pdot structures were formed using common nonconjugated amphiphilic polymers, which have a negative effect on charge transfer between photocatalysts and reactants and are unable to participate in the photocatalytic reaction. This study presents a new strategy for constructing binary Pdot photocatalysts by replacing the nonconjugated amphiphilic polymer typically employed in the preparation of polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) with a low-molecular-weight conjugated polyelectrolyte. The as-prepared polyelectrolyte/hydrophobic polymer-based binary Pdots truly enhance the electron transfer between the Pt cocatalyst and the polymer photocatalyst with good water dispersibility. Moreover, unlike the nonconjugated amphiphilic polymer, the photophysics and mechanism of this photocatalytic system through time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) and transient absorption (TA) measurements confirmed the Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the polyelectrolyte as a donor and the hydrophobic polymer as an acceptor. As a result, the designated binary Pdot photocatalysts significantly enhanced the hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 43 900 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) (63.5 mu mol h(-1), at 420 nm) for PTTPA/PFTBTA Pdots under visible-light irradiation.
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| 26. |
- Elsayed, Mohamed Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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Overcoming small-bandgap charge recombination in visible and NIR-light-driven hydrogen evolution by engineering the polymer photocatalyst structure
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - 2041-1723. ; 15:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Designing an organic polymer photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution with visible and near-infrared (NIR) light activity is still a major challenge. Unlike the common behavior of gradually increasing the charge recombination while shrinking the bandgap, we present here a series of polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) based on ITIC and BTIC units with different π-linkers between the acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) repeated moieties of the polymer. These polymers act as an efficient single polymer photocatalyst for H2 evolution under both visible and NIR light, without combining or hybridizing with other materials. Importantly, the difluorothiophene (ThF) π-linker facilitates the charge transfer between acceptors of different repeated moieties (A-D-A-(π-Linker)-A-D-A), leading to the enhancement of charge separation between D and A. As a result, the PITIC-ThF Pdots exhibit superior hydrogen evolution rates of 279 µmol/h and 20.5 µmol/h with visible (>420 nm) and NIR (>780 nm) light irradiation, respectively. Furthermore, PITIC-ThF Pdots exhibit a promising apparent quantum yield (AQY) at 700 nm (4.76%).
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| 27. |
- Elsayed, Mohamed Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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Visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution using nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot-implanted polymer dots as metal-free photocatalysts
- 2021
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Ingår i: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. - : Elsevier BV. - 0926-3373. ; 283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Given the photocatalytic properties of semiconducting polymers and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), we report a new structure for a metal-free photocatalytic system with a promising efficiency for hydrogen production through the combination of an organic semiconducting polymer (PFTBTA) and N-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) covered by PS-PEGCOOH to produce heterostructured photocatalysts in the form of polymer dots (Pdots). This design could provide strong interactions between the two materials owing to the space confinement effect in nanometer-sized Pdots. Small particle size NCQDs are easy to insert inside the Pdot, which leads to an increase in the stability of the Pdot structure and enhances the hydrogen evolution rate by approximately 5-fold over that of pure PFTBTA Pdots. The photophysics and the mechanism behind the catalytic activity of our design are investigated by transient absorption measurement, demonstrating the role of NCQDs to enhance the charge separation and the photocatalytic efficiency of the PFTBTA Pdot.
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| 28. |
- Hammad, A., et al.
(författare)
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Multi-scale cross-attention transformer encoder for event classification
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of High Energy Physics (JHEP). - : Springer. - 1126-6708 .- 1029-8479. ; 2024:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We deploy an advanced Machine Learning (ML) environment, leveraging a multi-scale cross-attention encoder for event classification, towards the identification of the gg -> H -> hh -> b b b b process at the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), where h is the discovered Standard Model (SM)-like Higgs boson and H a heavier version of it (with m( H) > 2m (h) ). In the ensuing boosted Higgs regime, the final state consists of two fat jets. Our multi-modal network can extract information from the jet substructure and the kinematics of the final state particles through self-attention transformer layers. The diverse learned information is subsequently integrated to improve classification performance using an additional transformer encoder with cross-attention heads. We showcase that our approach surpasses current alternative methods used to establish sensitivity to this process in performance, whether solely based on kinematic analysis or combining this with mainstream ML approaches. Then, we employ various interpretive methods to evaluate the network results, including attention map analysis and visual representation of Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM). Finally, we note that the proposed network is generic and can be applied to analyse any process carrying information at different scales. Our code is publicly available for generic use.
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| 29. |
- Hammad, Yassert A., et al.
(författare)
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Quality, safety and efficiency in practice : Risk assessment and standardisation of anesthesia equipment and supplies in operating theaters of high-volume tertiary-care academic medical center
- 2019
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Ingår i: Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology. - : American University of Beirut. - 0544-0440. ; 26:1, s. 3-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Operating theatres (OTs) are valuable and costly resources that need to be appropriately designed and stocked for efficient, quality and safe patient care. We assessed the logistic inefficiency including the availability and location layout of necessary supplies across OTs of a high-volume tertiary-care academic medical center. Methods: A blinded observer (anesthesia technologist) was allocated to 10 OTs. For each OT, the availability, quantity and time spent to locate and obtain a set of required items were recorded (baseline values). We then developed an OT mapping plan to determine the specific item/s to be stocked in specific locations, and one OT was standardized to this configuration map. A blinded observer was then allocated to this standardized OT and time spent to obtain the same set of items was again recorded. Six of our regular OTs were then standardized to the same configuration, and the time to obtain the items by a blinded observer were again recorded for each OT. T tests compared the time required to locate items in the standardized OT vs. regular OTs; paired t tests compared the time required in each OT vs. itself before and after standardization. Results: The observer required significantly more time in each of the 10 regular OTs compared to the standardized OT. The time spent by the observer to obtain the required items significantly and considerably decreased in each of 6 OTs after their standardization, compared to the time required before their standardization. Conclusion: This quality improvement project successfully reduced the time required to identify and locate different supplies, which impacts on the efficiency and quality of patient care. For anesthesia staff moving from one anesthetizing location to another within the institution, consistencies in location and number of anesthesia equipment and supplies create higher levels of safety and professionalism.
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| 30. |
- Lin, Wei Cheng, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of energy bandgap and sacrificial agents of cyclopentadithiophene-based polymers for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
- 2021
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Ingår i: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. - : Elsevier BV. - 0926-3373. ; 298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A library of donor-acceptor system consisting of cyclopentadithiophene-based polymer photocatalysts have been designed and synthesized. Among all photocatalysts, the active PCPDTBSO achieved hydrogen evolution rates of 24.6 mmol h–1 g–1 with apparent quantum yields of 8.7 % at 500 nm. More importantly, combined the results of photocatalytic efficiency, apparent quantum yield, the time-resolved fluorescence decay spectra, the steady-state photoluminescence spectra, and the transient absorption spectroscopy, and the oxidation potentials of sacrificial donors and protons reduction potentials in different pH values, we confirmed the concept that ascorbic acid is a suitable sacrificial donor for narrow bandgap polymers and triethylamine is a suitable sacrificial donor for wide bandgap polymers owing to the existence of the optimal thermodynamic driving force. We believed this study would be advantageous for the selection of photocatalysts and sacrificial donors for hydrogen production.
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| 31. |
- Lubbad, Loay, et al.
(författare)
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Reduced glomerular size selectivity in late streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: application of a distributed two-pore model.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Physiological Reports. - : Wiley. - 2051-817X. ; 3:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microalbuminuria is an early manifestation of diabetic nephropathy. Potential contributors to this condition are reduced glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) size- and charge selectivity, and impaired tubular reabsorption of filtered proteins. However, it was recently reported that no significant alterations in charge selectivity of the GFB occur in early experimental diabetic nephropathy. We here aimed at investigating the functional changes in the GFB in long-term type-1 diabetes in rats, applying a novel distributed two-pore model. We examined glomerular permeability in 15 male Wistar rats with at least 3 months of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (blood glucose ∼20 mmol/L) and in age-matched control rats. The changes in glomerular permeability were assessed by determining the glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) for FITC-Ficoll (molecular radius 20-90 Å) using size exclusion HPLC. The values of θ for FITC-Ficoll of radius >50 Å were significantly increased in STZ-diabetic rats compared to age-matched controls (θ for 50-69 Å = 0.001 vs. 0.0002, and θ for 70-90 Å = 0.0007 vs. 0.00006, P < 0.001), while θ for FITC-Ficoll <50 Å tended to be lower in diabetic rats than in controls (θ for 36-49 Å = 0.013 vs. 0.016, ns). According to the distributed two-pore model, there was primarily an increase in macromolecular transport through large pores in the glomerular filter of diabetic rats associated with a loss of small-pore area. Deterioration in the glomerular size selectivity due to an increase in the number and size-spread of large pores, with no changes in the permeability of the small-pore system, represent the major functional changes observed after 3 months of induced experimental diabetes.
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| 32. |
- Reif, Raymond, et al.
(författare)
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Bile canalicular dynamics in hepatocyte sandwich cultures
- 2015
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Ingår i: Archives of Toxicology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0738 .- 0340-5761. ; 89:10, s. 1861-1870
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many substances are hepatotoxic due to their ability to cause intrahepatic cholestasis. Therefore, there is a high demand for in vitro systems for the identification of cholestatic properties of new compounds. Primary hepatocytes cultivated in collagen sandwich cultures are known to establish bile canaliculi which enclose secreted biliary components. Cholestatic compounds are mainly known to inhibit bile excretion dynamics, but may also alter canalicular volume, or hepatocellular morphology. So far, techniques to assess time-resolved morphological changes of bile canaliculi in sandwich cultures are not available. In this study, we developed an automated system that quantifies dynamics of bile canaliculi recorded in conventional time-lapse image sequences. We validated the hepatocyte sandwich culture system as an appropriate model to study bile canaliculi in vitro by showing structural similarity measured as bile canaliculi length per hepatocyte to that observed in vivo. Moreover, bile canalicular excretion kinetics of CMFDA (5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate) in sandwich cultures resembled closely the kinetics observed in vivo. The developed quantification technique enabled the quantification of dynamic changes in individual bile canaliculi. With this technique, we were able to clearly distinguish between sandwich cultures supplemented with dexamethasone and insulin from control cultures. In conclusion, the automated quantification system offers the possibility to systematically study the causal relationship between disturbed bile canalicular dynamics and cholestasis.
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| 33. |
- Salman, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of Conspiracy Beliefs, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Willingness to Pay towards COVID-19 Vaccines in Six Countries from Asian and African Regions : A Large Multinational Analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Vaccines. - : MDPI. - 2076-393X. ; 10:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vaccination protects people from serious illness and associated complications. Conspiracy theories and misinformation on vaccines have been rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic and are considered significant drivers of vaccine hesitancy. Since vaccine hesitancy can undermine efforts to immunize the population against COVID-19 and interferes with the vaccination rate, this study aimed to ascertain the COVID-19-vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs, vaccine hesitancy, views regarding vaccine mandates, and willingness to pay for vaccines among the general population. A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted (April-August 2021) among the adult population in six countries (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, Sudan, and Egypt). Participants were recruited using an exponential, non-discriminate snowball sampling method. A validated self-completed electronic questionnaire was used for the data collection. All the participants responded to questions on various domains of the study instrument, including conspiracy beliefs, vaccine hesitancy, and willingness to pay. The responses were scored according to predefined criteria and stratified into various groups. All data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. A total of 2481 responses were included in the study (Pakistan 24.1%, Saudi Arabia 19.5%, India 11.6%, Malaysia 8.1%, Sudan 19.3%, and Egypt 17.3%). There was a preponderance of participants <= 40 years old (18-25 years: 55.8%, 26-40 years: 28.5%) and females (57.1%). The average score of the COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy belief scale (C19V-CBS) was 2.30 +/- 2.12 (median 2; range 0-7). Our analysis showed that 30% of the respondents were found to achieve the ideal score of zero, indicating no conspiracy belief. The mean score of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale (C19V-HS) was 25.93 +/- 8.11 (range: 10-50). The majority (45.7%) had C19V-HA scores of 21-30 and nearly 28% achieved a score greater than 30, indicating a higher degree of hesitancy. There was a significant positive correlation between conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy (Spearman's rho = 0.547, p < 0.001). Half of the study population were against the vaccine mandate. Respondents in favor of governmental enforcement of COVID-19 vaccines had significantly (p < 0.001) lower scores on the C19V-CBS and C19V-HS scale. Nearly 52% reported that they would only take vaccine if it were free, and only 24% were willing to pay for COVID-19 vaccines. A high prevalence of conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy was observed in the targeted countries. Our findings highlight the dire need for aggressive measures to counter the conspiracy beliefs and factors underlying this vaccine hesitancy.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Ullah, Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy of a food supplement based on S-adenosyl methionine and probiotic strains in subjects with subthreshold depression and mild-to-moderate depression : A monocentric, randomized, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- 2022
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Ingår i: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0753-3322 .- 1950-6007. ; 156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Depression is one of the most serious chronic psychiatric disorders affecting people worldwide. Subthreshold depression (SD) is a form of subclinical depression with increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD). Patients diagnosed with SD may not be eligible for antidepressant drugs and, particularly in the case of MDD, these antidepressants may have adverse effects which outweigh their therapeutic effects, leading to discontinuation of therapy. Food supplements could provide an alternative strategy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of a food supplement based on a combination of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe, 200 mg/day) and probiotics (Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®−52, Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®−175, 3 ×109 CFU/day) in reducing depression symptoms in a monocentric, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial. 80 Subjects were recruited and offered the food supplement or placebo daily for three months, according to a cross-over clinical trial design, followed by a six-week follow-up period. The efficacy of the food supplement was measured by means of the “Hamilton Depression Rating Scale” (HAM-D) and "Patient Health Questionnaire-9" (PHQ-9), using a mixed analysis of variance model, with random intercept, for statistical analysis. The food supplement showed a significant decrease of PHQ-9 and HAM-D scores resulting in reduced SD and MDD symptoms as compared to placebo. In conclusion, the daily intake of the food supplement based on SAMe and probiotic strains for a period of three months is effective in improving the quality of life of SD subjects who are not eligible for antidepressant therapies, and patients suffering from mild-to-moderate depression who are not sensitive or cannot tolerate conventional drugs.
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| 37. |
- Ullah, Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties and Bioaccessibility after Oral Digestion of Chemically Characterized Extracts Obtained from Cistus × incanus L., Scutellaria lateriflora L., and Their Combination
- 2023
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Ingår i: Foods. - : MDPI. - 2304-8158. ; 12:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Periodontal diseases are oral inflammatory diseases ranging from gingivitis to chronic periodontitis. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the major pathogens responsible for severe and chronic periodontitis. Plant extracts with antimicrobial activity could be considered possible alternatives to chlorhexidine, an antiseptic substance used in oral hygiene thatcan cause bacteria resistance. Here, two commercial extracts obtained from Cistus × incanus L. and Scutellaria lateriflora L. were chemically characterized usingUltra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer. The extracts were studied for their bioaccessibility after simulated in vitro oral digestion, their antimicrobial activity against P. gingivalis, their protective effects against cellular invasion by P. gingivalis, and their antibiofilm activity. The extracts were found to contain very complex mixtures of polyphenols, which were quite stable after in vitro simulated oral digestion and demonstrated mild, dose-dependent inhibitory activity against P. gingivalis growth. This activity increased with the combination of the two extracts. Moreover, the combination of the extracts induced a reduction in P. gingivalis HaCaT invasiveness, and the reduction in biofilm came to around 80%. In conclusion, a combination of C. incanus and S. lateriflora showed promising effects useful in the treatment of gingivitis.
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| 38. |
- Ullah, Hammad, et al.
(författare)
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In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Chemically Characterized Allium cepa L. Extract Rich in Quercetin Derivatives Optimized by the Design of Experiments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Molecules. - : MDPI AG. - 1431-5157 .- 1420-3049. ; 27:24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Allium cepa L. is a highly consumed garden crop rich in biologically active phenolic and organosulfur compounds. This study aimed to assess the in vitro bioaccessibility and anti-inflammatory effect of a chemically characterized A. cepa extract rich in quercetin and its derivatives. Different varieties of A. cepa were studied; based on the highest total phenolic content, the “Golden” variety was selected. Its extracts, obtained from the tunicate bulb, tunic, and bulb, were subjected to determination of quercetin and its derivatives with LC-MS analysis and based on the highest total quercetin content, the tunic extract was utilized for further experiments. The extraction method was optimized through a design of experiment (DoE) method via full factorial design, which showed that 40% ethanol and 1 g tunic/20 mL solvent are the best extraction conditions. HPLC analysis of the optimized tunic extract identified 14 flavonols, including 10 quercetin derivatives. As far as in vitro bioaccessibility was concerned, the increases in some quercetin derivatives following the gastro-duodenal digestion process support the bioaccessibility of these bioactive compounds. Moreover, the extract significantly inhibited the production of PGE2 in stimulated J774 cell lines, while no effects of the tunic extract were observed against the release of IL-1β, TNF-α, and nitrites. The study provided insights into the optimized extraction conditions to obtain an A. cepa tunic extract rich in bioavailable quercetin derivatives with significant anti-inflammatory effects against PGE2.
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