Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics Combined with Quantitative Analysis of the Microalgal Diatom ().

Although many metabolomics studies of higher land plant species have been conducted, similar studies of lower nonland plant species, which include microalgae, are still developing. The present study represents an attempt to characterize the metabolic profile of a microalgal diatom , by applying high-resolution mass spectrometry detection, via Q-ExactiveTM Plus Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The results showed that 54 metabolites of various classes were tentatively identified.

A quality improvement programme to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

Background: At Heart Hospital in Doha, Qatar (HH), 127 pressure injuries (PI) were identified in 2014, corresponding to an incidence of 6.1/1000 patient-days in first 4 months of 2014. Hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) is one of the most common preventable complications of hospitalisation.

Exploring Metabolic Signature of Protein Energy Wasting in Hemodialysis Patients.

End-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) are vulnerable to the protein energy wasting (PEW) syndrome. Identification and diagnosis of PEW relies on clinical processes of judgment dependent on fulfilling multiple criteria drawn from serum biochemistry, weight status, predictive muscle mass, dietary energy and protein intakes. Therefore, we sought to explore the biomarkers' signature with plasma metabolites of PEW by using H-nuclear magnetic resonance for an untargeted metabolomics approach in the HD population, to understand metabolic alteration of PEW.

FGFR3 Mutation Status and FGFR3 Expression in a Large Bladder Cancer Cohort Treated by Radical Cystectomy: Implications for Anti-FGFR3 Treatment?.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is an actionable target in bladder cancer (BC). FGFR3 mutations are common in noninvasive BC and associated with favorable BC prognosis. Overexpression was reported in up to 40% of FGFR3 wild-type muscle-invasive BC.

Metabolite Profiles of Red and Yellow Watermelon () Cultivars Using a H-NMR Metabolomics Approach.

Watermelon, a widely commercialized fruit, is famous for its thirst-quenching property. The broad range of cultivars, which give rise to distinct color and taste, can be attributed to the differences in their chemical profile, especially that of the carotenoids and volatile compounds. In order to understand this distribution properly, water extracts of red and yellow watermelon pulps with predominantly polar metabolites were subjected to proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) analysis.

Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Liposome-Encapsulated 2,4,6-Trihydroxygeranylacetophenone in Rats Using High-Resolution Orbitrap Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.

2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranylacetophenone (tHGA) is a bioactive compound that shows excellent anti-inflammatory properties. However, its pharmacokinetics and metabolism have yet to be evaluated. In this study, a sensitive LC-HRMS method was developed and validated to quantify tHGA in rat plasma.

Biological Activities of Selected Plants and Detection of Bioactive Compounds from Using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

Plants and plant-based products have been used for a long time for medicinal purposes. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant and anti-α-glucosidase activities of eight selected underutilized plants in Malaysia: , and This study showed that the 70% ethanolic extract of all plants exhibited total phenolic content (TPC) ranging from 51 to 344 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight. showed strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activities, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) values of 2.

The effect of co-morbid anxiety on remission from depression for people participating in a randomised controlled trial of the Friendship Bench intervention in Zimbabwe.

Background: There is a lack of data from low- and middle-income countries on whether anxiety independently predicts a more chronic course for depression.

Methods: We undertook secondary data analysis of a cluster randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe which had tested the effectiveness of the Friendship Bench intervention for common mental disorders compared to enhanced usual care. Inclusion for the current study was participants from the trial who had probable major depression at baseline, defined as scoring => 11 on the locally validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9).

Influence of Cu Ions on the Corrosion Resistance of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy with Microarc Oxidation.

The objectives of this study were to reduce the corrosion rate and increase the cytocompatibility of AZ31 Mg alloy. Two coatings were considered. One coating contained MgO (MAO/AZ31).

Comparison of inflammation biomarkers among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease groups: A cross sectional study.

Background: The Global Initiative classification (GOLD) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which relies on the practical issues of treatment of this complex and heterogeneous disease, may not be reliable in predicting disease severity and prognosis as the term of inflammation is excluded from the definition.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine systemic inflammatory markers in GOLD ABCD groups and to compare these parameters according to clinical and functional features.

Methods: The study included 60 COPD patients and 59 healthy subjects.

Changes in 3-, 2-Monochloropropandiol and Glycidyl Esters during a Conventional Baking System with Addition of Antioxidants.

Shortening derived from palm oil is widely used in baking applications. However, palm oil and the related products are reported to contain high levels of monochloropropandiol (MCPD) ester and glycidyl ester (GE). MCPD and glycidol are known as process contaminants, which are carcinogenic and genotoxic compounds, respectively.

Vitamin D supplementation for sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic chronic haemolytic and pro-inflammatory disorder. With increased catabolism and deficits in energy and nutrient intake, individuals with SCD suffer multiple macro- and micro-nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D deficiency. This is an update of a previous review.

Screening tools for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders among adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.

: People living with HIV are at risk of developing HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) which adversely affects their quality of life. Routine screening of HAND in HIV care is recommended to identify clinically important changes in cognitive functioning and allow for early interventions. However, HAND detection in routine clinical practice has never been reported in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), partly due to a lack of adequately standardized screening tools.

Mental health research capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa: the African Mental Health Research Initiative.

Mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders are a leading, but neglected, cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment gap for MNS is vast with only 10% of people with MNS disorders in low-income countries accessing evidence-based treatments. Reasons for this include low awareness of the burden of MNS disorders and limited evidence to support development, adaptation and implementation of effective and feasible treatments.

Vanadium-Oxide-Based Thin Films with Ultra-High Thermo-Optic Coefficients at 1550 nm and 2000 nm Wavelengths.

In this paper, the temperature-dependent dielectric properties of vanadium-sesquioxide-based thin films are studied to assess their suitability for thermally tunable filters at optical communication wavelengths. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is utilized to measure the optical constants of vanadium oxide thin films at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 65 °C. High thermo-optic coefficients (/s) were observed.

Building Career Development Skills for Researchers: A Qualitative Study Across Four African Countries.

Background: Career development skills are widely advocated as part of research capacity building and strengthening efforts. However, there is a gap in knowledge on their acceptability in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: This study aimed to examine how a group of 16 early-career researchers in sub-Saharan Africa experienced a career development skills course and how they perceived the utility of the course.

Phase-mismatch dependence of the four-wave mixing effect in semiconductor optical amplifiers.

The phase-mismatch effect due to polarization-dependent mode confinement factor has been shown to be not a crucial problem in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and is usually not accounted for. The phase-mismatch four-wave mixing (FWM) process in SOA devices is experimentally reported. The results reveal a sinc-like behavior in the intensity of FWM conjugate as a function of wavelength separation between transverse electric (TE)/transverse magnetic (TM) pumps due to induced confinement factors difference.

Phase II mixed methods' feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a novel community-based enhanced care intervention to improve person-centred outcomes for people living with HIV in Ghana.

Person-centred care (PCC) for people living with HIV (PLWH) is a global goal for WHO and the UNAIDS strategy. We aimed to develop a novel person-centred intervention for community providers, test the feasibility of participant recruitment and retention, intervention delivery and to establish acceptability. Findings from qualitative interviews with PLWH and healthcare professionals were mapped onto a PCC theory in an expert intervention development workshop.

Antioxidant, α-Glucosidase, and Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Activities of Six Algerian Traditional Medicinal Plant Extracts and H-NMR-Based Metabolomics Study of the Active Extract.

Claims of effective therapy against diabetes using plants including L., L., , and in Algerian empirical medicine prompted our interest in evaluating their antidiabetic activity by screening their free radical scavenging (DPPH), α-glucosidase, and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities as well as the total phenolic content (TPC).

A Task-Shifting Problem-Solving Therapy Intervention for Depression and Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence for People Living With HIV in Zimbabwe: Case Series.

HIV is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, and depression frequently co-occurs. Depression is one of the most important predictors of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Little has been done to develop integrated interventions that are feasible and appropriate for task-shifting to nonspecialists that seek to address both depression and barriers to ART adherence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

H NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach in Investigating the Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Gynura procumbens and Cleome gynandra.

Gynura procumbens and Cleome gynandra are two herbs commonly used in Malaysia to treat various ailments and are also consumed as salads (ulam) and vegetables. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between the chemical compositions of both herbs and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics approach, which is being reported for the first time. Different ethanolic extracts of both herbs were tested for DPPH scavenging and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) via RAW 264.

Bicyclic α-Iminophosphonates as High Affinity Imidazoline I Receptor Ligands for Alzheimer's Disease.

Imidazoline I receptors (I-IR), widely distributed in the CNS and altered in patients that suffer from neurodegenerative disorders, are orphans from a structural point of view, and new I-IR ligands are urgently required for improving their pharmacological characterization. We report the synthesis and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies of a new family of bicyclic α-iminophosphonates endowed with relevant affinities for human brain I-IR. Acute treatment in mice with a selected compound significantly decreased Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) in the hippocampus, a key signaling mediator of neuroprotective actions.

Sulfonamide-Based Azaheterocyclic Schiff Base Derivatives as Potential Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Kinetics.

A series of sulfonamide-bearing azaheterocyclic Schiff base derivatives were synthesized as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The substituted benzene sulfonyl chlorides were reacted with NH to get aromatic sulfonyl hydrazides . The intermediate hydrazides were treated with substituted aldehydes to afford azaheterocyclic sulfonamide Schiff bases .

Mechanism of Anti-Cancer Activity of Curcumin on Androgen-Dependent and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease and ranked as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males worldwide. The global burden of PCa keeps rising regardless of the emerging cutting-edge technologies for treatment and drug designation. There are a number of treatment options which are effectively treating localised and androgen-dependent PCa (ADPC) through hormonal and surgery treatments.

Synthesis and in-vitro anti-cancer evaluations of multi-methoxylated asymmetrical diarylpentanoids as intrinsic apoptosis inducer against colorectal cancer.

In the present study, a series of nine stable 3,4,5-methoxylphenyl-containing asymmetrical diarylpentanoids, derivatives of curcuminoids, have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their in-vitro anti-cancer potential against a panel of BRAF- and KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer cell lines including T84, LoVo and SW620, HT29, RKO and NCI-H508, respectively. Structure-activity relationship study on cytotoxicity of tested compounds suggested that the presence of meta-hydroxyl and adjacent dimethoxyl groups are crucial for enhanced cytotoxicity of diarylpentanoids. Among the evaluated analogs, 8 has been identified as the lead compound due to its highest chemotherapeutic index of 9.