1,720,984 research outputs found
Neuroprotective Effects of Trimetazidine against Cisplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Involvement of AMPK-Mediated PI3K/mTOR, Nrf2, and NF- κ B Signaling Axes
No full textCisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy used in cancer treatment. This study explored the neuroprotective effects of Trimetazidine (TRI) against CIPN by preserving nerve integrity, reducing neuro-oxidative stress, and alleviating neuroinflammation. Using a rat model of CIPN, we evaluated TRI's impact on motor coordination, pain sensitivity, and peripheral nerve histopathology. Also, its effects on neuro-oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory markers were assessed. The findings showed that rats with CIPN had worse motor coordination and increased sensitivity to pain but that these symptoms were alleviated by TRI therapy in a dose-dependent way. Nerve conduction velocities were normalized, and expression of genes involved in neuropathy signaling was suppressed after TRI therapy. Antioxidant benefits were also shown in TRI, with oxidative damage being reduced and the cellular energy balance being restored. By inhibiting the production of inflammatory markers, it also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Histopathological examination revealed that TRI, especially when administered at a higher dose, inhibited the degeneration and demyelination of nerve fibers. The anti-inflammatory properties of TRI in the sciatic nerves were further shown by the fact that its administration reduced iNOS expression. In conclusion, AMPK-mediated PI3K/mTOR, Nrf2, and NF-κB signaling pathways may all be involved in the therapeutic benefits of TRI for CIPN. These results indicate that TRI may be useful for reducing the side effects of CIPN and enhancing patient outcomes during cisplatin chemotherapy
β-Sitosterol Glucoside-Loaded Nanosystem Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Full text linkβ-Sitosterol glucoside (SG), isolated from Senecio petasitis (Family Asteraceae), was loaded in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) in a trial to enhance its solubility and biological effect. Various co-surfactants were tested to prepare a successful SEDDS. The selected SG-loaded SEDDS had a droplet size of 134 ± 15.2 nm with a homogenous distribution (polydispersity index 0.296 ± 0.02). It also demonstrated a significant augmentation of SG in vitro release by 4-fold compared to the free drug suspension. The in vivo insulin sensitivity and antidiabetic effect of the prepared SG-loaded SEDDS were further assessed in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. The hypoglycemic effect of SG-loaded nanosystem was evidenced by decreased serum glucose and insulin by 63.22% and 53.11%, respectively. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index demonstrated a significant reduction by 5.4-fold in the diabetic group treated by SG-loaded nanosystem and exhibited reduced glucagon level by 40.85%. In addition, treatment with SG-loaded nanosystem significantly decreased serum MDA (malondialdehyde) and increased catalase levels by 38.31% and 64.45%, respectively. Histopathological investigations also supported the protective effect of SG-loaded nanosystem on the pancreas. The promising ability of SG-loaded nanosystem to ameliorate insulin resistance, protect against oxidative stress, and restore pancreatic β-cell secretory function warrants its inclusion in further studies during diabetes progression
Exploring the impact of cold plasma treatment on the antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, phenolic profile, and bioaccessibility of fruits and fruit juices
Full text linkIn recent years, cold plasma (CP) has emerged as a promising preservation technology for fruit products. Several CP sources include dielectric barrier discharge, plasma jets, corona discharges, micro-discharges, glow discharges, and gliding arc discharges. However, the effects of these different types of CP on the chemical compounds of fruits and juices are not fully understood. In this review, we summarize (I) the current knowledge on the use of CP for the preservation and processing of fruits and juices; (II) the diverse types of CP sources and explore their applications within a scientific context; (III) the physicochemical transformations that take place in fruits and juices following CP treatment; and (IV) the changes observed in antioxidant activity, vitamin C content, phenolic compounds, and their bioaccessibility. Numerous studies have explored CP's influence on microbial contamination, shelf life, enzymes, and various physicochemical changes. This review uniquely centers its attention on the impact of CP on bioactive phenolic compounds, their bioaccessibility, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity in different types of fruits and fruit juices. Additionally, this review delves into the assessment of selected sensory properties, notably color, which is an important parameter for consumer acceptance. By focusing on these particular aspects, we aim to provide a targeted and comprehensive analysis of CP's effects on essential nutritional and quality attributes of fruits and fruit juices, distinct from the broader spectrum covered in the existing literature
Comparative Untargeted Metabolic Profiling of Different Parts of Citrus sinensis Fruits via Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Multivariate Data Analyses to Unravel Authenticity
Full text linkDifferences between seven authentic samples of Citrus sinensis var. Valencia peel (albedo and flavedo) and juices from Spain and Uruguay, in addition to a concentrate obtained from Brazil, were investigated by untargeted metabolic profiling. Sixty-six metabolites were detected by nano-liquid chromatography coupled to a high-resolution electrospray-ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (nLC-ESI-qTOF-MS) belonging to phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoid glycosides, limonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids. Eleven metabolites were detected for the first time in Citrus sinensis and identified as citroside A, sinapic acid pentoside, apigenin-C-hexosyl-O-pentoside, chrysoeriol-C-hexoside, di-hexosyl-diosmetin, perilloside A, gingerol, ionone epoxide hydroxy-sphingenine, xanthomicrol, and coumaryl alcohol-O-hexoside. Some flavonoids were completely absent from the juice, while present most prominently in the Citrus peel, conveying more industrial and economic prospects to the latter. Multivariate data analyses clarified that the differences among orange parts overweighed the geographical source. PCA analysis of ESI-(−)-mode data revealed for hydroxylinoleic acid abundance in flavedo peel from Uruguay the most distant cluster from all others. The PCA analysis of ESI-(+)-mode data provided a clear segregation of the different Citrus sinensis parts primarily due to the large diversity of flavonoids and coumarins among the studied samples
Comparative Metabolite Fingerprinting of Four Different Cinnamon Species Analyzed via UPLC–MS and GC–MS and Chemometric Tools
Full text linkThe present study aimed to assess metabolites heterogeneity among four major Cinnamomum species, including true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and less explored species (C. cassia, C. iners, and C. tamala). UPLC-MS led to the annotation of 74 secondary metabolites belonging to different classes, including phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, and lignans. A new proanthocyanidin was identified for the first time in C. tamala, along with several glycosylated flavonoid and dicarboxylic fatty acids reported for the first time in cinnamon. Multivariate data analyses revealed, for cinnamates, an abundance in C. verum versus procyandins, dihydro-coumaroylglycosides, and coumarin in C. cassia. A total of 51 primary metabolites were detected using GC-MS analysis encompassing different classes, viz. sugars, fatty acids, and sugar alcohols, with true cinnamon from Malaysia suggested as a good sugar source for diabetic patients. Glycerol in C. tamala, erythritol in C. iners, and glucose and fructose in C. verum from Malaysia were major metabolites contributing to the discrimination among species
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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