Evaluation of the hydrogen compatigility of material: A comparison with different methodologies

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Influence of cytokinins and yeast extract on growth and flavone production in hairy root cultures of Scutellaria baicalensis

Hairy roots produce various bioactive chemical compounds than wild-type roots which offer a promising in vitro approach for synthesizing important nutraceutical compounds. The purpose of this study is to increase the production of flavone compounds in hairy root cultures of Scutellaria baicalensis by the addition of elicitors such as cytokinins and yeast extract. Cytokinins such as kinetin (KIN), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and Thidiazuron (TDZ) were utilized at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L, whereas for yeast extract treatment 50, 100, and 150 mg/L concentrations were added to the ½ SH medium. Effects of elicitors were measured in terms of dry biomass and flavone contents (baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest dry weight was achieved in the control hairy root than that of all cytokinins-treated hairy root cultures. In all the cytokinin-treated hairy root cultures, as the concentration increased the dry weight of the hairy root decreased. In contrast, in all the yeast extract-treated hairy root cultures as the concentration increases the dry weight of the hairy root increased, whereas the highest dry weight was achieved in 150 mg/L of yeast extract. Moving to the flavone content, baicalin was detected highest content in all the hairy root cultures supplied with cytokinin and yeast extract. The highest total flavone content was achieved in the hairy root culture treated with 1.0 mg/L of TDZ and 50 mg/L of yeast extract. This result might help the commercial agronomic sector by facilitating the in vitro mass production of nutraceuticals using S. baicalensis hairy root cultures

Effects of demand-side financing on utilisation, experiences and outcomes of maternity care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Demand-side financing, where funds for specific services are channelled through, or to, prospective users, is now employed in health and education sectors in many low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review aimed to critically examine the evidence on application of this approach to promote maternal health in these settings. Five modes were considered: unconditional cash transfers, conditional cash transfers, short-term payments to offset costs of accessing maternity services, vouchers for maternity services, and vouchers for merit goods. We sought to assess the effects of these interventions on utilisation of maternity services and on maternal health outcomes and infant health, the situation of underprivileged women and the healthcare system

Effect of heavy metals on phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in Euonymus alatus

The productivity of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway in plants varies depending on the type of stress. In this work, we looked into how different phenylpropanoid chemicals accumulated in Euonymus alatus following exposure to different concentrations of CuCl2 (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), HgCl2 (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), and NiSO4 (10, 50, and 100 mM). We analyzed some of the individual phenolic chemicals by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In nearly all cases, rutin showed the largest concentration among the phenylpropanoid chemicals, followed by epicatechin, sinapic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. However, due to the change in the concentration of the heavy metals, the amount of phenylpropanoid changed. The highest accumulation of phenylpropanoid was documented in 0.1 mM CuCl2, whereas it was reduced in 1 mM HgCl2 exposed plants. These findings unequivocally demonstrate that the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway took part in the heavy metal tolerance process, which shielded E. alatus from the oxidative damage brought on by heavy metals. Thus, under a variety of environmental stress situations, this species with a high tolerance to heavy metals may survive

Optimizing suitable solvent for phenylpropanoid extraction and antioxidant activities in Agastache rugosa hairy roots

Agrobacterium-mediated hairy roots (HRs) can induce genetic stability, rapid growth, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds in plant roots. Agastache rugosa is otherwise called Korea Mint and several studies have reported that this plant has been used for the treatment of various diseases due to the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds. A. rugosa HRs are rich in secondary metabolites than the seedling roots, and the HRs extract might be more useful in pharmacology, especially in cosmetology. This study aimed to select the suitable solvent for the extraction of phenylpropanoid compounds, total phenolic (TP), flavonoid (TF), and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS scavenging activity, and reducing power assay). In this study, we extracted the A. rugosa HRs with three different extracts of solvent (water, MeOH, and EtOH) of A. rugosa HRs and analyzed the phenylpropanoid compounds, TP, TF, and antioxidant activities. The result showed that 70% MeOH extracts showed the highest activities in all assays, followed by the 70% EtOH, and water extracts. In addition, 70% of MeOH extracts showed the highest TP and TF (46.14±0.25 GAE mg/g DW and 65.46±1.41 QE mg/g DW, respectively) contents, which was 1.96- and 1.76- times higher than that of the water extracts. The phenylpropanoids in A. rugosa HR extracts were identified by using HPLC, and the results showed that 70% MeOH and EtOH showed the highest contents. Regarding these results, we can conclude that 70% MeOH is the optimal solvent to extract the A. rugosa HRs for the highest phenylpropanoid, TP, TF content, and antioxidant activities. This study might be useful for producing useful compounds at an industrial scale

Cost modelling rehabilitation in the home for reconditioning in the Australian context

Background: Inpatient rehabilitation services are challenged by increasing demand. Where appropriate, a shift in service models towards more community-oriented approaches may improve efficiency. We aimed to estimate the hypothetical cost of delivering a consensus-based rehabilitation in the home (RITH) model as hospital substitution for patients requiring reconditioning following medical illness, surgery or treatment for cancer, compared to the cost of inpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Data were drawn from the following sources: the results of a Delphi survey with health professionals working in the field of rehabilitation in Australia; publicly available data and reports; and the expert opinion of the project team. Delphi survey data were analysed descriptively. The costing model was developed using assumptions based on the sources described above and was restricted to the Australian National Subacute and Non-Acute Patient Classification (AN-SNAP) classes 4AR1 to 4AR4, which comprise around 73% of all reconditioning episodes in Australia. RITH cost modelling estimates were compared to the known cost of inpatient rehabilitation. Where weighted averages are provided, these were determined based on the modelled number of inpatient reconditioning episodes per annum that might be substitutable by RITH. Results: The cost modelling estimated the weighted average cost of a RITH reconditioning episode (which mirrors an inpatient reconditioning episode in intensity and duration) for AN-SNAP classes 4AR1 to 4AR4, to be A$11,371, which is 28.1$15,820). This represents hypothetical savings of A$4,449 per RITH reconditioning substituted episode of care. Conclusions: The hypothetical cost of a model of RITH which would provide patients with as comprehensive a rehabilitation service as received in inpatient rehabilitation, has been determined. Findings suggest potential cost savings to the public hospital sector. Future research should focus on trials which compare actual clinical and cost outcomes of RITH for patients in the reconditioning impairment category, to inpatient rehabilitation

Developing a model for rehabilitation in the home as hospital substitution for patients requiring reconditioning: a Delphi survey in Australia

Background: Reconditioning for patients who have experienced functional decline following medical illness, surgery or treatment for cancer accounts for approximately 26% of all reported inpatient rehabilitation episodes in Australia. Rehabilitation in the home (RITH) has the potential to offer a cost-effective, high-quality alternative for appropriate patients, helping to reduce pressure on the acute care sector. This study sought to gain consensus on a model for RITH as hospital substitution for patients requiring reconditioning. Methods: A multidisciplinary group of health professionals working in the rehabilitation field was identified from across Australia and invited to participate in a three-round online Delphi survey. Survey items followed the patient journey, and also included items on practitioner roles, clinical governance, and budgetary considerations. Survey items mostly comprised statements seeking agreement on 5-point Likert scales (strongly agree to strongly disagree). Free text boxes allowed participants to qualify item answers or make comments. Analysis of quantitative data used descriptive statistics; qualitative data informed question content in subsequent survey rounds or were used in understanding item responses. Results: One-hundred and ninety-eight health professionals received an invitation to participate. Of these, 131/198 (66%) completed round 1, 101/131 (77%) completed round 2, and 78/101 (77%) completed round 3. Consensus (defined as ≥ 70% agreement or disagreement) was achieved on over 130 statements. These related to the RITH patient journey (including patient assessment and development of the care plan, case management and program provision, and patient and program outcomes); clinical governance and budgetary considerations; and included items for initial patient screening, patient eligibility and case manager roles. A consensus-based model for RITH was developed, comprising five key steps and the actions within each. Conclusions: Strong support amongst survey participants was found for RITH as hospital substitution to be widely available for appropriate patients needing reconditioning. Supportive legislative and payment systems, mechanisms that allow for the integration of primary care, and appropriate clinical governance frameworks for RITH are required, if broad implementation is to be achieved. Studies comparing clinical outcomes and cost–benefit of RITH to inpatient rehabilitation for patients requiring reconditioning are also needed

The challenge of admitting the very elderly to intensive care

The aging of the population has increased the demand for healthcare resources. The number of patients aged 80 years and older admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) increased during the past decade, as has the intensity of care for such patients. Yet, many physicians remain reluctant to admit the oldest, arguing a "squandering" of societal resources, that ICU care could be deleterious, or that ICU care may not actually be what the patient or family wants in this instance. Other ICU physicians are strong advocates for admission of a selected elderly population. These discrepant opinions may partly be explained by the current lack of validated criteria to select accurately the patients (of any age) who will benefit most from ICU hospitalization. This review describes the epidemiology of the elderly aged 80 years and older admitted in the ICU, their long-term outcomes, and to discuss some of the solutions to cope with the burden of an aging population receiving acute care hospitalization

The Role of Medical Interpretation on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

We examined whether the impact of medical interpretation services was associated with the receipt of a mammogram, clinical breast exam, and Pap smear. We conducted a large cross-sectional study involving four Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities with high proportions of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Participants were recruited from community clinics, churches and temples, supermarkets, and other community gathering sites in Northern and Southern California. Among those that responded, 98% completed the survey rendering a total of 1,708 AAPI women. In a series of multivariate logistic regression models, it was found that women who typically used a medical interpreter had a greater odds of having received a mammogram (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21, 2.83), clinical breast exam (OR = 3.03; 95% CI = 1.82, 5.03), and a Pap smear (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.38, 3.97) than those who did not usually use an interpreter. The study provides support for increasing language access in healthcare settings. In particular, medical interpreters may help increase the utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among LEP AAPI women