Different types and ratios of surfactant, co-surfactant, and oil phase, have a greater impact on nanoemulsion preparation. The presence of surfactants in the nanoemulsion can reduce surface tension ...and characteristic stability. In this study, four groups of oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions (NEs) with different ratios of surfactant and co-surfactant, and two oils were formulated as carriers of Rhodiola rosea. The variable optimization was investigated and then indicated as optimization group A (Opt A) with the formula of 10% of transcutol, 16.63% of tween 80, Opt B with 10% of tween 80, 29.87% of span 80, Opt C with 28.42% of transcutol, 30% of labrasol, and Opt D with 30% of transcutol, 30% of tween 80. Labrafac and soybean oil were used as the oil phase. The optimized formula using the response surface method (RSM) by design expert software showed the ideal conditions with a higher desirability score. Desirability score are 0.72% (Opt A), 0.81% (Opt B), 0.76% (Opt C) and 0.98% (Opt D), the desirability rating close to 1 indicates a high possibility that the projected values would closely match the experimental results for the optimum formula. All of the optimized formulation were also checked for the characteristics of nanoemulsion including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, viscosity, encapsulation efficiency, transmission electron microscope (TEM), antioxidant activity, skin irritation test and stability studies. Our study provides a promising combination of surfactant-co-surfactant and oil phases to produce a stable nanoemulsion that can be used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in the future.
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•Polysaccharides and phenolic derivatives as primary constituents in R. rosea extract.•The surfactant exerts a discernible influence on the physical properties of R.rosea NE.•R.rosea NE have demonstrated commendable stability throughout storage.•All of the optimization formulations exhibited notable antioxidant activity.
Background
Migraine has complex pathophysiological characteristics and episodic attacks. To decipher the cyclic neurophysiological features of migraine attacks, in this study, we compared neuronal ...excitability in the brainstem and primary somatosensory (S1) region between migraine phases for 30 consecutive days in two patients with episodic migraine.
Methods
Both patients underwent EEG recording of event-related potentials with the somatosensory and paired-pulse paradigms for 30 consecutive days. The migraine cycle was divided into the following phases: 24–48 h before headache onset (
Pre2
), within 24 h before headache onset (
Pre1
), during the migraine attack (
Ictal
), within 24 h after headache offset (
Post1
), and the interval of ˃48 h between the last and next headache phase (
Interictal
). The normalised current intensity in the brainstem and S1 and gating ratio in the S1 were recorded and examined.
Results
Six migraine cycles (three for each patient) were analysed. In both patients, the somatosensory excitability in the brainstem (peaking at 12–14 ms after stimulation) and S1 (peaking at 18–19 ms after stimulation) peaked in the
Pre1
phase. The S1 inhibitory capability was higher in the
Ictal
phase than in the
Pre1
phase.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that migraine is a cyclic excitatory disorder and that the neural substrates involved include the somatosensory system, starting in the brainstem and spanning subsequently to the S1 before the migraine occurs. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are warranted.
Objectives
To investigate the structural changes of hippocampus and amygdala and their relationships with migraine frequency and prognosis.
Methods
Hippocampus and amygdala volumes were measured by ...3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 31 controls and 122 migraine patients who were categorized into eight groups by headache frequency: group 1 (1–2 headache days/month), 2 (3–4), 3 (5–7), 4 (8–10), 5 (11–14), 6 (15–19), 7 (20–24), and 8 (25–30). Headache frequency was reassessed 2 years later and a frequency reduction ≥50% was regarded a good outcome.
Results
Hippocampus and amygdala volumes fluctuated in patient groups but did not differ from the controls. In migraine patients, the bilateral hippocampus volumes peaked in group 3. The volumes and headache frequencies correlated positively in groups 2–3 on bilateral sides (L: r = 0.44, p = 0.007; R: r = 0.35, p = 0.037), and negatively in groups 3–7 on the left side (5–24 days/month; L: r = −0.31, p = 0.004) and groups 3–8 on the right side (r = −0.31, p = 0.002). The left amygdala volume also peaked in group 3, and correlated with headache frequency in groups 1–3 (r = 0.34, p = 0.020) and groups 3–6 (r = −0.30, p = 0.012). The volumetric changes of the right amygdala with headache frequency did not reach statistical significance. At 2-year follow-up, the right hippocampus volume was positively associated with a good migraine outcome after adjustment of headache frequency (OR 4.72, p = 0.024).
Conclusions
Hippocampus and amygdala display a structural plasticity linked to both headache frequency and clinical outcome of migraine.
The benefit of using a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocker such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for patients with advanced ...chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains undetermined.
To assess the effectiveness and safety of ACEI/ARB use for advanced predialysis CKD in patients with hypertension and anemia. DESIGN Prospective cohort study.
Taiwan.
From January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2009, we selected 28 497 hypertensive adult patients with CKD. Serum creatinine levels were greater than 6 mg/dL, hematocrit levels were less than 28%, and patients were treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Users (n = 14,117) and nonusers (n = 14,380) of ACEIs/ARBs.
We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for commencement of long-term dialysis and all-cause mortality for ACRI/ARB users vs nonusers.
In a median follow-up of 7 months, 20,152 patients (70.7%) required long-term dialysis and 5696 (20.0%) died before progression to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Use of ACEIs/ARBs was associated with a lower risk for long-term dialysis (HR, 0.94 95% CI, 0.91-0.97) and the composite outcome of long-term dialysis or death (0.94 0.92-0.97). The renal benefit of ACEI/ARB use was consistent across most patient subgroups, as was that of ACEI or ARB monotherapy. Compared with nonusers, the ACEI/ARB users had a higher hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization rate, but the risk of predialysis mortality caused by hyperkalemia was not significantly increased (HR, 1.03 95% CI, 0.92-1.16; P = .30).
Patients with stable hypertension and advanced CKD who receive therapy with ACEIs/ARBs exhibit an association with lower risk for long-term dialysis or death by 6%. This benefit does not increase the risk of all-cause mortality.
Terrestrial hermit crabs play a significant role in coastal ecology. For example, as seed dispersers and debris scavengers in coastal forests, they accelerate the decomposition of organic substances. ...In the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Coenobita rugosus, C. brevimanus, and C. cavipes are the three most common species of terrestrial hermit crab. Because the mechanisms that contribute to the sympatry of these three species of crab have not been identified, this study investigated the three most likely explanations: niche differences, competition, and predation. The results showed that the three species displayed niche differences in terms of seasonal activity, habitat, utilization of shells, and food preference, suggesting that competition for resources is avoided. The habitat of terrestrial hermit crabs in Taiwan is closely associated with that of humans. Our study helps improve our understanding of the ecology of terrestrial hermit crabs and their conservation.
Background
The increase of headache frequency is associated with higher headache related disability and lower quality of life in patients with migraine. However, the pathophysiology of migraine ...progression, persistence, or remission is elusive. The purpose of this study is to identify the brain signatures that are predictive of the long-term outcomes among patients with high-frequency migraine (HFM: 10–30 headache days/month).
Methods
We prospectively enrolled patients with HFM and healthy controls and collected their baseline clinical profiles and brain-MRI data at first visit. We longitudinally followed the patients and determined their outcomes at 2-year follow-up. Good outcome was defined as ≥50% reduction of baseline headache days and poor outcome was defined as reduction < 50% or frequency increase. Voxel-based morphometry was used to study gray matter volume (GMV), and structural covariance was used to investigate structural connectivity.
Results
Among 56 patients with HFM, 37 had good outcome and 19 poor outcome. Compared to the healthy controls (
n
= 37), patients with poor outcome had decreased GMV over the left posterior cingulate gyrus, and increased GMV over the bilateral cerebellum and the right precentral gyrus. Further, patients with poor outcome had greater GMV over the right and the left cerebella compared to patients with good outcome, and the GMVs of the cerebella were correlated to 2-year headache frequencies (right: r = 0.38,
P
= 0.005; left: r = 0.35,
P
= 0.009). Structural connectivity were increased between the cerebellum and the cuneus, the calcarine cortex, and the temporal lobe, respectively, in patients with poor outcome, and was decreased between the cerebellum and the prefrontal cortex in patients with poor outcome. The structural covariance integrities between the right cerebellum and the right cuneus were correlated to 2-year headache frequencies (r = 0.36,
P
= 0.008).
Conclusions
Structural volume and connectivity changes of the cerebellum may underlie headache persistence in patients with HFM.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have undergone extensive production to meet the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions in consumer electronics, renewable energy integration, and electric ...transportation. Nonetheless, the accumulation of spent LIBs at their end-of-life stage has raised concerns regarding their environmental impact and the sustainability of manufacturing processes. To address these issues, battery recycling has emerged as a promising solution, offering both environmental safeguarding and the advancements in manufacturing sustainability. In contrast to traditional recycling methods involving high-temperature smelting and acid-leaching, direct recycling has gained prominence due to its economic viability and environmental benefits. This comprehensive review focuses on the current landscape of the direct recycling methods applied to conventional LIBs. Furthermore, this review discusses advancements in the direct recycling methods tailored explicitly for all-solid-state batteries. The exploration extends to dry manufacturing approaches, which have shown potential in the realm of direct recycling. Finally, the review presents a forward-looking perspective to outline impending challenges and avenues for research to fully realize direct recycling for LIBs/all-solid-state batteries. This trajectory ensures a more sustainable and ecologically amicable approach to battery production and waste management.
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•Direct recycling has lower environmental and cost impacts than traditional recycling methods.•Hydrothermal relithiation offers the highest product performance and the lowest cost compared to other relithiation methods.•Direct recycling of all solid-state batteries is a promising research prospect and is still in its nascent phase.•Potential opportunities to combine the dry manufacturing process with direct recycling.•To achieve industrial acceptance and adopt a universal recycling method can propel direct recycling.
Background and Aim
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) may reactivate when treating chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with direct acting antivirals (DAA). We aim to investigate the risk of HBV reactivation during DAA ...therapy.
Methods
Chronic hepatitis C patients receiving pan‐oral DAA therapy from December 2013 to August 2016 were evaluated. Fifty‐seven patients that had a past HBV infection (negative hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg and positive hepatitis B core antibody) and seven patients that had a current HBV infection (positive HBsAg) were enrolled. Serum HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers were regularly measured. The endpoints were the HCV sustained virological response (SVR) and the HBV virological/clinical reactivation.
Results
The overall SVR12 rate was 96.9%, and two patients, one with positive HBsAg, had a relapse of HCV. No episodes of HBV virological reactivation were observed among the patients with a past HBV infection. For the seven patients with a current HBV infection, HBV virological reactivation was found in four (57.1%) of the seven patients. Clinical reactivation of HBV was observed in one patient with pretreatment detectable HBV DNA and recovered after entecavir administration. For the other three patients with HBV virological reactivation, the reappearance of low level HBV DNA without clinical reactivation was observed. HBsAg levels demonstrated only small fluctuations in all the patients.
Conclusions
There was a minimal impact of hepatitis B core antibody seropositivity on HCV efficacy and safety. For CHC patients with current HBV infection, the risk of HBV reactivation was present, and monitoring the HBV DNA level during therapy is warranted.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections can cause permanent liver-related diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Low mortality and incidence of HCC have been observed in patients with chronic ...hepatitis C undergoing direct-acting antiviral therapy. Tumor suppressive let-7 family members are down-regulated in HCC. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate whether expression levels for the full spectrum of let-7 family members (let-7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7i, and miR-98) in the circulatory system are useful as surveillance biomarkers for liver-related diseases to monitor treatment efficacy during HCV infection. To this end, we measured the levels of mature circulating let-7 family members using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in 236 patients with HCV infection, and 147 age- and sex-matched controls. Using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, three clusters were obtained after measuring expression levels of let-7 family members in the patients and controls. Cluster 1 included let-7a/d/e/g, Cluster 2 comprised let-7b and let-7i, and Cluster 3 comprised let-7c/f/miR-98. Let-7b/c/g represented the three clusters and showed the best survival response to liver cancer when analyzed with respect to patient data. Therefore, considering the circulating levels of let7 b/c/g as representatives of the let-7 family may facilitate effective monitoring of liver-related disease.
The modification of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) has emerged as an important regulator of cellular physiology. Metabolic labeling ...strategies to monitor O-GlcNAcylation in cells have proven of great value for uncovering the molecular roles of O-GlcNAc. These strategies rely on two-step labeling procedures, which limits the scope of experiments that can be performed. Here, we report on the creation of fluorescent uridine 5′-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) analogues in which the N-acyl group of glucosamine is modified with a suitable linker and fluorophore. Using human OGT, we show these donor sugar substrates permit direct monitoring of OGT activity on protein substrates in vitro. We show that feeding cells with a corresponding fluorescent metabolic precursor for the last step of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) leads to its metabolic assimilation and labeling of O-GlcNAcylated proteins within live cells. This one-step metabolic feeding strategy permits labeling of O-GlcNAcylated proteins with a fluorescent glucosamine-nitrobenzoxadiazole (GlcN-NBD) conjugate that accumulates in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Because no genetic engineering of cells is required, we anticipate this strategy should be generally amenable to studying the roles of O-GlcNAc in cellular physiology as well as to gain an improved understanding of the regulation of OGT within cells. The further expansion of this one-step in-cell labeling strategy should enable performing a range of experiments including two-color pulse chase experiments and monitoring OGT activity on specific protein substrates in live cells.
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