Heighten Science Publications Inc., USA
Not a member yet
2548 research outputs found
Sort by
Three-phase partitioning for isolating peroxidase from lemon peels
No full textBackground and objective: Peroxidase is an oxidoreductase that uses different compounds as substrates and thus can be utilized for different applications. The goal of this work is to isolate peroxidase from lemon peels using Three-Phase Portioning (TPP). Methods: TPP was set by adding varying amounts of salts and alcohol and the enzyme activity recovery was measured for each variable. Different parameters were optimized successively in order to achieve the highest enzyme activity recovery including salt type, salt concentration, pH, alcohol/crude extract ratio and type of alcohol and then, combining all optimized conditions together.Results: Salt that gave maximal recovery was sodium potassium tartrate, optimal salt concentration was 15%, optimal pH was 8, optimal alcohol/crude extract ratio was 1 and t-butanol was preferred to 1-butanol. Efficiently, upon combining all optimized factors, an activity recovery of 175% was obtained.Conclusion: This protocol provides an easy, feasible method to efficiently isolate peroxidase from lemon peels using TPP
Economic feasibility of using agricultural wastes for catalyst development
No full textResource recovery provides an opportunity to transform limited and abundant materials in form of waste into biobased products. In the production system, this technique could offer an economic means to utilize wastes to generate valuable products which are fundamental to a sustainable economy
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Psychotherapy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Description of a Case Report to Shed Light on this Understudied Condition
No full textBackground: Although there is minimal information on the role of stress in PCOS, it is well-known that it may trigger the exacerbation and maintenance of the disease. Despite there being only a few studies in the literature, many researchers highlighted situations of autonomic hyperactivation characterizing PCOS. In light of these assumptions, the purpose of this study is to report on a patient who underwent psychological intervention to enhance stress management skills.Case: A 30-year-old woman was referred by the endocrinologist. From a clinical-psychological point of view, the condition of the patient was characterized by a modest psychophysiological activation. Interpersonal difficulties did not allow the patient to benefit from the social support of her loved ones, further favoring the maintenance of the excessive arousal generated by stressful life events. The patient was treated with HRV-Biofeedback integrated within cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy.Discussion: The multidimensional intervention brought benefits to the patient, teaching her better stress management strategies (i.e., reduction of psychological symptoms and improvement of hormonal tests). Keeping in mind the interplay between physiological, psychological, and interpersonal factors is fundamental in all psycho-somatic and somato-psychic disorders and is crucial to enhance the use of specific treatments to restore psychophysical well-being
Significance and Prospect of Brf1 Overexpression
No full textBrf1 (TFIIB-related factor 1) is a transcription factor, which specifically modulates the transcription of RNA polymerase III-dependent genes (RNA Pol III genes), such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA. The products of tRNAs and 5S rRNA transcription will be changed with the alteration of Brf1 expression. Whereas deregulation of Brf1 and RNA Pol III genes are tightly associated with cell proliferation and transformation, and tumorigenesis. In recent years, emerging studies indicate that Brf1 expression is increased in patients with cancers. In this review, we summarize the progress of the abnormal expression of Brf1 in different human cancers to explore an underlying mechanism and its clinical implication, as well as to prompt its application prospect. With the depth of the Brf1 study and the progress of biotechnology, the status of Brf1 expression may be used as a universal indicator of the early detection and prognosis observation of human cancers
Prospective Coronavirus Liver Effects: Available Knowledge
No full textThe global pandemic COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, affected millions of people. COVID-19 is known for its respiratory symptoms, but new research reveals it may also affect other organ systems, including the liver. This abstract reviews COVID-19 and liver function. The virus enters host cells through liver-expressed angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Thus, viral infection and replication may target the liver. Virus-induced inflammation and cytokine production may also harm the liver. ALT and AST elevations are the most prevalent liver abnormalities in COVID-19 patients. Liver function test abnormalities frequently indicate serious illness and poor clinical outcomes. COVID-19 may worsen pre-existing liver diseases such as NAFLD and chronic viral hepatitis. Drug-induced liver damage (DILI) from COVID-19 therapies including antivirals and corticosteroids complicates liver complications care. Recent investigations have also shown that COVID-19 may cause long-term liver damage. In conclusion, COVID-19 infection, immune-mediated damage, and treatment problems may severely compromise liver function. Optimizing patient treatment and discovering targeted medicines requires understanding COVID-19's liver role. To reduce the effects of COVID-19 on liver function, further study is required to understand the mechanisms and long-term effects
Causal Link between Human Blood Metabolites and Asthma: An Investigation Using Mendelian Randomization
No full textBackground: Asthma, a chronic inflammatory respiratory ailment, is characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial reactivity. Despite therapeutic advancements, a comprehensive comprehension of its underlying metabolic mechanisms remains elusive. Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to investigating the complex connections between serum metabolites and disease pathogenesis. However, exploring the causal relationship between serum metabolites and asthma susceptibility demands meticulous examination to unveil potential therapeutic targets.Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was explored to investigate the potential causal associations between serum metabolites and asthma risk. The main analysis employed the inverse variance weighted method, supported by supplementary approaches such as MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and sample mode. To enhance the strength and credibility of our results, we conducted sensitivity analyses encompassing heterogeneity testing, assessment of horizontal pleiotropy, and leave-one-out analysis. Additionally, pathway enrichment analysis was performed to further elucidate the results.Results: We identified 18 known and 12 unknown metabolites with potential associations with asthma risk. Among known metabolites, seven exhibited protective effects (e.g., 4-acetamidobutanoate, allantoin, kynurenine, oxidized bilirubin*), while eleven were considered risk factors (e.g., ornithine, N-acetylornithine, alanine). Through the integration of four additional MR models and sensitivity analyses, we revealed a connection between 4-acetamidobutanoate and approximately 6% lower asthma risk (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98).Conclusions: Our MR analysis uncovered protective and risk-associated metabolites, alongside 12 unknown metabolites linked to asthma. Notably, 4-acetamidobutanoate demonstrated a nominal 6% reduction in asthma risk, highlighting its potential significance
Myosteatosis and Frailty Factors associated with the occurrence of Complications in Cirrhotic patients: MYOFACC study
No full textBackground and aim: Cirrhosis leads to sarcopenia and to life-threatening complications in decompensated stages. The objective of this study is to show the impact of the loss of muscle mass and function on hepatic decompensations. Methods: Our study compares a group of cirrhotic patients with controls matched with the same sex and age. A questionnaire was created to collect demographic, anthropometric, and cirrhosis characteristics. Several CT scan sections were analyzed and the average measurements have been grouped into tertiles to estimate the impact on cirrhotic complications.Results: Our study included 33 controls and 33 cirrhotic patients of which 59.4% had NASH. Anthropometric characteristics were similar in cirrhotics men and women. Grip strength was significantly lower in cirrhotic men. Using the skeletal muscle index we found 39.39% of cirrhotic patients were sarcopenic mostly men 84.61%. In Cirrhotic men, the density of the psoas and paravertebral muscles was lower than in controls. In women psoas and paravertebral muscle areas were comparable and the total muscle surface in cirrhotic patients was higher. There was a negative correlation between this surface and the density of the psoas (r = -0.293 p = 0.017) indicating the presence of myosteatosis in women. Analysing tertile groups showed a significantly higher incidence of complications related to liver disease and liver failure in patients with the psoas and paravertebral muscle density in the lowest tertile and in the frail population according to the frailty index.Conclusion: Cirrhotic patients have myosteatosis and sarcopenia associated with a higher incidence of complications related to hepatic failure
Ethno-Medicinal Plants from the North-Central Western Ghats of India for Alternative Health Care
No full textEthnomedicine, synonymous with traditional medicine, is a crucial healthcare system practiced by various ethnic groups worldwide, especially among those with limited access to modern Western medicine. This study explores the rich bio-cultural diversity of the North Central Western Ghats in Karnataka, India, which harbors diverse ethnomedicinal practices. The region's tropical forests are home to an extensive array of plant species, with over 600 endemic to southern India and 95 exclusively endemic to Karnataka. The research focuses on documenting and analyzing the traditional knowledge of local communities regarding the use of plants for treating various human diseases. However, this task presents significant challenges and requires collaborative efforts from the government, NGOs, and Herbal Drug Companies. Over the last decade, ethnomedicinal studies have seen a rise, but there is still limited understanding of ethnomedicine's role in the traditional healthcare system in India. The forests of North Central Western Ghats, including Agumbe, Arbail Ghat, Chorla Betta, and others, exhibit a combination of deciduous and evergreen vegetation. These forests hold a variety of medicinal plants, adding to the region's bio-cultural richness. Scientific validation of the locally used ethnomedicinal plants further supports the development of herbal drug formulations with the support of the Ministry of Ayush, enabling the conservation and sustainable utilization of threatened and endangered species. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional healers' knowledge and promoting collaboration for the preservation of ethnomedicinal practices in the region
Potential Use of Essential Oils and Their Individual Components in Cosmeceuticals: A Review
No full textThe cosmetic industry is searching for new active ingredients from renewable natural sources to make more environmentally friendly and safe products. Botanical extract is a nearly limitless source of these new actives due to the current consumer demands as well as international regulations. Due to both their fragrant nature for the creation of fragrances and perfumes and the numerous advantageous properties of their individual components (EOCs), such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, essential oils (EOs) emerge as a very common natural ingredient in cosmetics and toiletries. Additionally, nowadays, the cosmetic industry includes EOs or different mixtures of their individual components (EOCs), either as active ingredients or as preservatives, in various product ranges (e.g., moisturizers, lotions, and cleansers in skin care cosmetics; conditioners, masks or anti-dandruff products in hair care products; lipsticks, or fragrances in perfumery). However, because each essential oil’s distinct chemical profile is linked to a different set of advantages, it is challenging to generalize about how they might be used in cosmetics and toiletries. Formulators frequently spend time looking for appropriate combinations of EOs or EOCs to achieve particular advantages in the finished products. The literature on the most recent developments in the use of EOs and EOCs in the production of cosmetic products is updated in this work’s review of the literature. Additionally, certain particular issues pertaining to the security of EOs and EOCs in cosmetics will be covered. It is expected that the information contained in this comprehensive review can be exploited by formulators in the design and optimization of cosmetic formulations containing EOs
Analysis of Microbial Diversity and Community Structure in the Rhizosphere of Cigar Tobacco in Different Agroecological Zones
No full textTo reveal the influence of ecological zones on the structure of microbial communities in cigar rhizosphere soils, Yunnan's cigar tobacco production region was first divided into three ecological zones. Soil samples were collected at maturity and the community structure of fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere soil was analyzed using 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing techniques. The results showed that the dominant fungi were Ascomycota, Mortrellomycota, and Basidiomycota, and the dominant bacteria were Ascomycota and Proteobacteria. The dominant genera and relative abundances of fungi and bacteria differ at the genus level. Ecoregions may affect the community structure and distribution of fungal and bacterial diversity in the rhizospheric soil of cigars at maturity, which may provide a theoretical basis for the selection of high-quality cigar-producing regions in the future