bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE SATISFACTION OF PATIENTS ON SURGICAL CLINICS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   General, Laparoscopic and Colorectal Surgery Consultant at King Fahd General Hospital Saudi Commission For Health Specialties no. 03RM19765 Specialites Of Interest Colorectal Surgery and Colonoscopy., Ahmad Al-Ghamdi Masoud , Jehad Abousada Hoda ,   KFAFH: King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jeddah, 21159, SA., Saleh Alsuwat Isa ,   Medical Intern, Taif University, KSA Formal analysis MBBS., Ibrahim Alturkustani Anan ,   Emergency Resident, Alnoor Specialist Hospital Makkah Recourses MBBS., Masoud Al Tuwayr Rakan ,   Medical Intern, Alfarabi College Of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia MBBS Methodology., Samir Ghazal Sara ,   Medical Intern, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia MBBS Methodology., Rashad Hassanein Alaa ,   Plastic Surgery Resident, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah Investigation MBBS., Abdulkarim Al Daham Munirah ,   Medical intern, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia MBBS Supervision., Ali Bakri Atyaf ,   Medical Intern, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia Supervision., Khalid Alhuzali Nouf ,   Medical Intern, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia MBBS Writing Ã¢Â€Â“ original draft., Sultan Alhammadi Khaled ,   Medical Intern, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia MBBS Data curation., Abdulaziz Nuwayim Turki ,   Medical Intern, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia MBBS Writing - review & editing., Ahmed Algarni Morooj ,   Resident, King Abdullah medical complex, Jeddah, KSA Resources.
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally to more than 62 million persons with overwhelming impact to the healthcare systems and chronic ill patients worldwide. In this study, our aim was to assess the satisfaction of surgical patients regarding their routine clinic visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured interview with questionnaire in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a sample size of 518. Descriptive analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS version 17 (Chicago: SPSS Inc.). The results showed thatmost of the participants did not visit their scheduled surgical clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic and most of the ones who visited were very dissatisfied with the services they received. Accordingly, approaches to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 and long-distance communication such as telemedicine, when properly instituted, can have a wider impact during this pandemic and in the future ones.
Los deberes y obligaciones en Derecho Constitucional
Authors: Manili Pablo Luis
Published: January 2021

En este artículo el autor analiza los deberes y obligaciones que las constituciones y los tratados internacionales de derechos humanos imponen a las personas físicas y jurídicas. Se analizan primero varias constituciones del mundo, comenzando por la Declaración de Derechos y Deberes del Hombre y del Ciudadano incluida en la constitución francesa de 1795 y clasificándolas según el tratamiento que cada una hace del tema. Luego estudia las normas del derecho internacional de los derechos humanos que también establecen deberes en cabeza de los individuos y finalmente realiza un análisis de ese arsenal normativo, clasificando los deberes de acuerdo al sujeto activo de la obligación, de acuerdo a si están consagradas en forma expresa o no y de acuerdo a si tienen prevista una sanción expresa o no.
El delito de agresiones en contra de las mujeres o integrantes del grupo familiar
Authors: Juárez Muñoz Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2021

El delito de agresiones en contra las mujeres o integrantes del grupo familiar es un tipo penal complejo y de difícil comprensión debido a la riqueza lingüística de sus términos que trata de unificar una diversidad de significados, los que no necesariamente provienen del ámbito penal, sino también, médico, psicológico y otros fundamentalmente extraídos de la «Ley para prevenir, sancionar y erradicar la violencia contra la mujer y los integrantes del grupo familiar» N° 30364, publicada el 23 de noviembre de 2017, por ello, aun sin la existencia de bibliografía nacional que los aclare desde el punto de vista netamente penal, he decidido afrontar el reto, con lo que espero colaborar con la interpretación de este dispositivo penal y, como no, colocar cada caso que se presente en su digno lugar en estricto, pues, la tipicidad y un Estado Democrático de Derecho, así lo requiere.
Perfeccionamiento de las vías procesales para la tutela judicial efectiva del derecho a un medio ambiente sano y equilibrado en Cuba
Authors: Castillo Torres Emilio , Mendoza Pérez Juan Carlos , Sugranyes Ramos Carmen
Published: January 2021

La presente investigación pretende proponer desde una perspectiva histórica, doctrinal y normativa el perfeccionamiento de los presupuestos teóricos y normativos para la implementación de un sistema de mecanismo encaminados la tutela efectiva del derecho a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado en el ordenamiento jurídico cubano. Para cumplir la pretensión del mismo se utilizaron los siguientes métodos: análisis-síntesis, la Inducción - deducción, teórico-jurídico, jurídico-comparativo y exegético. Método empírico: análisis de contenido.
Transformation of insurance technologies in the context of a pandemic
Authors: Volosovych Svitlana , Zelenitsa Iryna , Kondratenko Diana , Szymla Wojciech , Mamchur Ruslana
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different sectors of the economy, including insurance, and has become a problem and a clear catalyst for innovation. The pandemic has highlighted some inefficiencies of the traditional model of interaction between insurers and their customers and focused on insurance companies’ efforts on innovations and investments in the digital future. That is why the article aims to generalize the transformations of the institutional environment in the InsurTech ecosystem in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify prospects for its development in the post-pandemic period.The analysis of the functioning of InsurTech as an ecosystem necessitated the identification of challenges for the insurance market in the context of COVID-19. The peculiarities of the insurance market development have been identified: the blurring of boundaries between insurers, BigTech firms, and technological partners; expanding interaction with policyholders based on the principle of support and the use of social networks; changes in the structure of the implemented insurance services; an increase in insurance fraud cases; the growing demand for parametric insurance products; introduction of a digital approach to the interaction with customers and employees, modernization of technological infrastructure and expansion of data processing capabilities; remote risk identification; acceleration in the use of financial technologies by insurance market participants. There is a transformation of the insurance market under the influence of business processes digitalization because insurers are aware of the importance of InsurTech in the formation of competitive advantages. For many companies, the crisis has strengthened their innovative development strategies and accelerated the implementation of financial technology tools in their business processes against the background of modernization of technological infrastructure. Chatbots, telematics, the Internet of Things, machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, etc., are widely used. In the future, InsurTech will also play an important role in introducing digital innovations in the insurance market.
Synthesis, Hypoglycemic Effect, Antimicrobial and Molecular Docking Studies of Organotin(IV) Complexes Derived from N-Phthalimido β-Amino Acid Derivatives
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad , Riaz Nagina , Kashif Muhammad , Ashfaq Muhammad , Arshad Muhammad , Sajid Muhammad
Published: January 2021

N-Phthalimido β-amino acid derivatives, 3-phthalimido-3(2-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (P2HPA) and 3-phthalimido-3(2-nitrophenyl) propanoic acid (P2NPA) with new series of diand triorganotin(IV) complexes (1-12) have been designed and synthesized. All the ligands and organotin(IV) complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 119Sn) spectroscopy and electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS). Synthesized ligands and complexes were screened to determine the antibacterial activity and results showed that the triorganotin(IV) complexes have better activity compared to diorganotin(IV) complexes and ligands. In addition, molecular docking analysis of ligands on the catalytic pocket of sortase A (PDB ID 1T2W) showed that the ligands can bind the active amino acid residues in the pocket. The antioxidant activity was also performed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) method and complexes showed better results than ligands. The compounds were also tested in vivo to determine the hypoglycemic activities on different groups of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. The complexes (1-6) were found better hypoglycemic agents as they stabilized the glucose level to about 175-105 mg dL-1 as compared to ligand P2HPA.
Analysis of transverse vibration of wire rope in flexible hoisting system
Authors: Wu Shuiyuan , He Ping , Gong Xiansheng
Published: January 2021

Taking the flexible hoisting system as the research object, the transverse vibration mathematical model of the steel wire rope of the winding hoisting system is established, and the transverse vibration displacement, velocity and acceleration of the steel wire rope at 18 m away from one end of the wire rope under the sine excitation at other end is obtained through the comparison and verification of the results from the mathematical model, mechanical model and experiment. The results show that: for the length of the wire rope of 20 m, under the sine excitation at the end of amplitude of 0.002 m and frequency of 20 Hz, the transverse vibration displacement at 2 m from one end of the wire rope with length of 20 m is basically between –0.005 m and 0.005 m, the transverse vibration velocity at 2 m from one end of the wire rope is basically between –0.04 m/s and 0.04 m/s, and the transverse vibration acceleration of the wire rope is basically between –0.5 m/s2 and 0.5 m/s2. And the transverse vibration displacement decreases near the end, meanwhile the transverse vibration frequency increases with the reduction of length of vertical section of wire rope.
CA125: An Increasingly Promising Biomarker of Heart Failure
Authors: Pan Chunqi , Zhou Mengyun , Jian Ying , Zeng Yuanyuan , Wang Mingwei , Chen Feng
Published: January 2021

CA125 is a well-known tumor marker for diagnosis, monitoring, and risk stratification in ovarian
cancer. It is not specific for malignant tumors and may be elevated in benign disease. In the past two decades,
increasing evidence has emerged suggesting that the plasma level of CA125 can serve as a novel surrogate of
heart failure (HF). CA125 in patients with HF is synthesized by serous epithelial cells in response to both mechanical
and inflammatory stimuli. In patients with HF, regardless of etiology, CA125 levels correlate with the
severity of clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic parameters and with other biomarkers. Elevated
CA125 can identify patients at high risk of rehospitalization and mortality, whether short- or long-term. Serial
measurements and combination with different pathophysiology biomarkers can provide a more accurate prognosis
value. It also can guide treatment as a robust biomarker of fluid overload and inflammation, particularly for
diuretic dose optimization. These properties make it a very promising candidate for risk stratification and treatment
guidance of HF.
Protective Effects of Hydrogen against Irradiation
Authors: Terasaki Yasuhiro , Terasaki Mika , Shimizu Akira
Published: January 2021

Radiation-induced lung injury is characterized by an acute pneumonia phase followed by a fibrotic
phase. At the time of irradiation, a rapid, short-lived burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl
radicals (•OH) occurs, but chronic radiation-induced lung injury may occur due to excess ROS such as H2O2,
O2•−, ONOO−, and •OH. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is an efficient antioxidant that quickly diffuses cell membranes,
reduces ROS such as •OH and ONOO−, and suppresses damage caused by oxidative stress in various
organs. In 2011, through the evaluation of electron-spin resonance and fluorescent indicator signals, we had reported
that H2 can eliminate •OH and can protect against oxidative stress-related apoptotic damage induced by
irradiation of cultured lung epithelial cells. We had explored for the first time the radioprotective effects of H2
treatment on acute and chronic radiation-induced lung damage in mice by inhaled H2 gas (for acute) and imbibed
H2-enriched water (for chronic). Thus, we had proposed that H2 be considered a potential radioprotective
agent. Recent publications have shown that H2 directly neutralizes highly reactive oxidants and indirectly reduces
oxidative stress by regulating the expression of various genes. By regulating gene expression, H2 functions
as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic molecule and promotes energy metabolism. The increased evidence
obtained from cultured cells or animal experiments reveal a putative place for H2 treatment and its radioprotective
effect clinically. This review focuses on major scientific advances in the treatment of H2 as a new
class of radioprotective agents.
Synthesis of Eicosapentaenoic Acid-enriched Phosphatidylcholine and its Effect on Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression
Authors: Baek Jae Yeul , Na Eun , Lim Sun Young
Published: January 2021

Aim and Objective:

We synthesized eicosapentaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylcholine
(EPA-PC) and investigated its effect on the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-
induced cytokines in murine splenocytes.

Material and Methods:

The culture supernatants of splenocytes, which was exposed to EPA-PC
along with LPS, was harvested to determine the production of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4 , IL-5,
IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-2 and IL-12/IL-23(p40)]. Cytokines were measured using enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

The co-administration of EPA-PC with LPS resulted in a significantly lower IFN-γ
expression than that observed with LPS alone (p < 0.01). Moreover, treatment with EPA-PC and
LPS significantly decreased IL-2, IL-6 and IL-12/IL-23(p40) expression (p < 0.01). Coadministration
of EPA-PC at a concentration of 0.3 μg/mL with LPS resulted in a higher IL-5
expression after 24 hr of treatment when compared to LPS alone (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that EPA-PC is more effective in decreasing the expression of
pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12/IL-23(p40)] upon induction of
inflammation.
The Function of Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein 3 in the Transport of Bile Acids under Normal Physiological and Lithocholic Acid-induced Cholestasis Conditions
Authors: Wang Wenyu , Zeng Sijing , Hu Ming , Liu Zhongqiu , Gong Lingzhi
Published: January 2021

Background:

The role of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3) in the transport of bile
acid (BA) in drug-induced cholestasis has not been well studied.

Objective:

In this study, wild type and Mrp3 knockout (Mrp3-/-) mice under normal physiological and lithocholic
acid (LCA)-induced cholestatic conditions were employed to investigate the role of Mrp3 in BA transport.

Method:

The levels of BA in serum, liver, gallbladder, intestine, kidney, feces and urine were quantified in both
wild type and Mrp3-/- mice via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
(UHPLC-MS/MS). Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis was used to measure the expression of
genes related to the transport and synthesis of BA.

Results:

The results showed that the liver did not suffer more serious damage as a result of cholestasis when
Mrp3 was depleted. The level of some individual bile acids changed apparently in the compartments of enterohepatic
circulation (EHC) between the two control and model groups, respectively, but the level of serum total
bile acid was only slightly reduced for Mrp3-/- groups. In addition, the level of BA-related efflux transporters
and synthases increased significantly when Mrp3 was knocked out under normal physiological conditions, but a
negligible alteration appeared under cholestatic conditions.

Conclusion:

Our results indicated that Mrp3 could be responsible for the transport of some specific bile acids,
and part of the Mrp3 role could be compensated for by other transporters. Moreover, Mrp3 deficiency has a direct
effect on the expression of BA-related synthases and efflux transporters under normal physiological conditions,
but this effect could be less prominent under cholestatic conditions. This study could provide much valuable
insight into the physiological function of Mrp3 in the transport of bile acids.
Biopharmaceutical and Pharmacokinetic Activities of Oxymatrine Determined by a Sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS Method
Authors: Wang Hai-Qiao , Chen Feng-Hua , Wang Liang , Chi Li-Qun , Wang Guang-Hua
Published: January 2021

Background:

Oxymatrine is known as one of the most promising alkaloids from
Sophora flavescens for its excellent pharmacological effects.

Objective:

The aim of this research is to assess the biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic
activities of oxymatrine and clarify its mechanisms of absorption and metabolism.

Methods:

The biological characteristics of oxymatrine were systematically investigated by
UHPLC-MS/MS. The mechanisms of absorption and metabolism of oxymatrine were further
clarified through incubation in rat liver microsomes and transport across the Caco-2 monolayer
cell absorption model.

Results:

It was found that the absolute oral bioavailability of oxymatrine was 26.43%, and the
pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, Tmax, and t1/2 were 605.5 ng/mL, 0.75 h, and 4.181 h after oral
administration, indicating that oxymatrine can be absorbed quickly. The tissue distribution tests
showed that oxymatrine distributed throughout all the organs, with the small intestine
accumulating the highest level, followed by the kidney, stomach, and spleen. The Papp in Caco-2
cell line absorption model was over 1 × 10-5 and PDR 1.064, and t1/2 of oxymatrine in rat liver
microsome in vitro was 1.042 h, indicating that oxymatrine can be absorbed easily through
passive diffusion and CYP450 enzymes could be involved in its metabolism. The plasma protein
binding rate of oxymatrine was 2.78 ± 0.85%.

Conclusion:

Oxymatrine can be absorbed into blood easily through passive diffusion, mainly
distributed in the intestine, stomach, liver, and spleen in vivo, and CYP450 enzymes in the liver
could be involved in its metabolism.
Free Open Source Software for Protein and Peptide Mass Spectrometry- based Science
Authors: Rusconi Filippo
Published: January 2021

:

In the field of biology, and specifically in protein and peptide science, the power of
mass spectrometry is that it is applicable to a vast spectrum of applications. Mass spectrometry can
be applied to identify proteins and peptides in complex mixtures, to identify and locate post-translational
modifications, to characterize the structure of proteins and peptides to the most detailed level
or to detect protein-ligand non-covalent interactions. Thanks to the Free and Open Source Software
(FOSS) movement, scientists have limitless opportunities to deepen their skills in software development
to code software that solves mass spectrometric data analysis problems. After the conversion
of raw data files into open standard format files, the entire spectrum of data analysis tasks can now
be performed integrally on FOSS platforms, like GNU/Linux, and only with FOSS solutions. This
review presents a brief history of mass spectrometry open file formats and goes on with the description
of FOSS projects that are commonly used in protein and peptide mass spectrometry fields of
endeavor: identification projects that involve mostly automated pipelines, like proteomics and peptidomics,
and bio-structural characterization projects that most often involve manual scrutiny of the
mass data. Projects of the last kind usually involve software that allows the user to delve into the
mass data in an interactive graphics-oriented manner. Software projects are thus categorized on the
basis of these criteria: software libraries for software developers vs desktop-based graphical user interface,
software for the end-user and automated pipeline-based data processing vs interactive
graphics-based mass data scrutiny.
Recent Advances in Psoriasis Therapy: Trends and Future Prospects
Authors: Singh Atul , Easwari T.S.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Psoriasis is a challenging skin disorder due to its chronicity, high rate of
prevalence, disability, comorbidity and disfiguration. It is a multi-system disorder that includes
joints and metabolic syndromes. Psoriasis is a condition of pathologic interaction among immune
cells, biological signaling molecules and skin cells. Several contributing factors are responsible for
the exacerbation and onset of psoriasis, i.e. genetic factors and environmental factors such as medications,
infectious diseases and lifestyle.

Objectives:

To study the new insights in the treatment of psoriasis and future prospects.

Methods:

This review article gives an insight on the current concepts of psoriasis and deals with
discussing the initiation and development of the diseases. We described the pathogenetic pathway
for psoriasis. The article focuses on the treatment approaches for psoriasis that have arisen from the
dissection of the inflammatory psoriatic pathways.

Results:

We aimed to highlight the novel therapies and drugs used in the treatment of psoriasis, including
food and drug administration (FDA) approved drugs and drugs under clinical trials. The
treatment can be initiated for mild to the moderate diseased condition employing vitamin D3 analogues,
corticosteroids and a combination of products as first-line therapy.

Conclusion:

Psoriasis can be managed by a proper understanding of the immune function. We
have also discussed medicinal herbs used for psoriasis based on their ethnopharmacological knowledge
and reported work of researchers.
Anti-inflammatory Potential of GSK-3 Inhibitors
Authors: Kandar Chandi C. , Sen Debanjan , Maity Arindam
Published: January 2021

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a protein kinase containing threonine or serine
amino acid residues. GSK-3 was first discovered in 1980 as a regulatory protein kinase, Glycogen
synthase (GS) enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of glycogen from glucose with the
help of uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-Glu) residue. GSK-3 has two isoforms present in human
beings, namely GSK-3 α (serine residue at 21 position) and GSK-3 β (serine residue at 9 position).
GSK-3 has two terminals, namely C- terminal and N- terminal. C-terminal of GSK-3 resembles α-
helix conformation, which acts as an activator loop and is responsible for positioning residues in
ATP binding and catalysis of substrates. On the other hand, the N- terminal of GSK-3 resembles β-
strand conformation, which acts as an inhibitory loop; having a tyrosine molecule at 216 positions,
it is essential for the complete GSK-3 activity. N- terminal of GSK-3 is responsible for ATP binding
activity and exhibits various biological activities like cell signaling, gene induction following
activation of T cell receptor, apoptosis, protein translation, glycogen metabolism, and inflammatory
process. Activation of GSK-3 leads to pro-inflammatory actions, i.e. an increase in the binding
activity of NF-kB (pro-inflammatory genes), increase in the transactivation activity of NF-kB, increase
in the phosphorylation of p105, and a decrease in the transactivation activity of C/EBPβ (anti-
inflammatory genes), resulting in a large number of prevalent diseases such as diabetes, cancer,
neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric diseases, mood disorders, etc.

Glycogen synthase kinase inhibitors (GSK-3 inhibitors) are various chemotypes and have different
mechanisms of actions. They are obtained from different sources such as natural products, synthetic
ATP as well as non-ATP competitive inhibitors along with substrate-competitive inhibitors. The
inhibitors of GSK3 have proven to possess very potent anti-inflammatory action. GSK-3 inhibitors
are useful for treating different prevalent disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, including
Alzheimer's disease, hyperglycemia, cancer disease, and mood disorders like depression, etc. In
this review, we have highlighted the evidence regarding the description and types of GSK, inflammation
process, and the factors affecting inflammation, the relationship between inflammation and
GSK, GSK3 inhibitors, and finally, the impact of various natural as well as synthetic GSK3 inhibitors
having anti-inflammatory activity.
Dual Aromatase-Sulphatase Inhibitors (DASIs) for the Treatment of
Hormone Dependent Breast Cancer
Authors: Banjare Laxmi , Jain Akhlesh Kumar , Thareja Suresh
Published: January 2021

Breast cancer is the most frequent diagnosed cancer in women and the second most common form of cancer, causing death after lung cancer, all across the globe at an alarming rate. The level of estrogens, in breast cancer tissues of postmenopausal women is 10-40 folds higher than the non-carcinogenic breast tissues. As a result of this greater level of estrogen, breast tissue becomes more prone to develop breast cancer; mainly estradiol plays a significant role in the initiation and development of hormone dependent breast cancer. Androstenedione, Adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and estrone-sulfate also plays an important role of precursor for estrogen biosynthesis. Estrogens deprivation exhibits an attractive phenomena in the advancement of most ideal therapeutics for the treatment of breast cancer. Inhibition of aromatase and sulphatase emerged as attractive therapy for the treatment of hormone dependent breast cancer via deprivation of estrogen by different pathways. The cocktail of aromatase and sulphatase inhibitors known as dual aromatase-sulphatase inhibitors (DASIs) emerged as an attractive approach for the effective estrogen deprivation. The present review article focused on the journey of dual aromatase-sulphatase inhibitors from the beginning to till date (2020). Keeping in view the key observations, this review may be helpful for medicinal chemists to design and develop new and efficient dual aromatase-sulphatase inhibitors for the possible treatment of hormone-related breast cancer.
Role of DACH1 on Proliferation, Invasion, and Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Yu Junjie , Jiang Ping , Zhao Ke , Chen Zhiguo , Zuo Tao , Chen Baojun
Published: January 2021

Objective:

To investigate DACH1 protein expression in lung cancer tissue
and matched paracancerous tissue and explore its effect on proliferation, invasion, and
apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells (HLACs).

Methods:

Tumor tissue and matched paracancerous tissue were collected from 46
patients with pathologically diagnosed lung cancer. RT-PCR was performed to detect
DACH1 mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry to measured DACH1 protein
expression. To determine the effect of DACH1 on lung cancer behavior, small interfering
RNA (siRNA) was used to silence DACH1 expression in A549 cells. The impact on the
proliferation of tumor cells was then observed by MTT assay, changes in the invasion of
tumor cells were identified using transwell chamber assay, and the effects on apoptosis
in the cell line were detected using flow cytometry.

Results:

The expression of DACH1 mRNA and DACH1 protein was significantly
decreased in lung cancer tissue versus matched paracancerous control tissue. The
silencing of DACH1 expression in A549 cells significantly enhanced cell proliferation,
significantly increased cell invasion, and significantly reduced spontaneous apoptosis.

Conclusion:

DACH1 is downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissue. In vitro
assessment shows that DACH1 functions as a tumor suppressor, suggesting its
potential use as a new target for lung cancer treatment.
Challenges of Delirium Management in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Practice
Authors: Roberson Shawniqua Williams , Patel Mayur B. , Dabrowski Wojciech , Ely E. Wesley , Pakulski Cezary , Kotfis Katarzyna
Published: January 2021

:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can initiate a very complex disease of the central nervous
system (CNS), starting with the primary pathology of the inciting trauma and subsequent inflammatory
and CNS tissue response. Delirium has long been regarded as an almost inevitable consequence
of moderate to severe TBI, but more recently has been recognized as an organ dysfunction syndrome
with potentially mitigating interventions. The diagnosis of delirium is independently associated with
prolonged hospitalization, increased mortality and worse cognitive outcome across critically ill populations.
Investigation of the unique problems and management challenges of TBI patients is needed
to reduce the burden of delirium in this population.

:

In this narrative review, possible etiologic mechanisms behind post-traumatic delirium are discussed,
including primary injury to structures mediating arousal and attention and secondary injury due to
progressive inflammatory destruction of the brain parenchyma. Other potential etiologic contributors
include dysregulation of neurotransmission due to intravenous sedatives, seizures, organ failure,
sleep cycle disruption or other delirium risk factors. Delirium screening can be accomplished in TBI
patients and the presence of delirium portends worse outcomes.

:

There is evidence that multi-component care bundles including an analgesia-prioritized sedation
algorithm, regular spontaneous awakening and breathing trials, protocolized delirium assessment,
early mobility and family engagement can reduce the burden of ICU delirium. The aim of this review
is to summarize the approach to delirium in TBI patients with an emphasis on pathogenesis and management.
Emerging CNS-active drug therapies that show promise in preclinical studies are highlighted.
Resveratrol Promotes HIV-1 Tat Accumulation via AKT/FOXO1 Signaling Axis and Potentiates Vorinostat to Antagonize HIV-1 Latency
Authors: Feng Zeming , Yang Zhengrong , Gao Xiang , Xue Yuhua , Wang Xiaohui
Published: January 2021

Background:

The latent reservoir of HIV-1 is a major barrier to achieving the eradication
of HIV-1/AIDS. One strategy is termed “shock and kill”, which aims to awaken the latent
HIV-1 using latency reversing agents (LRAs) to replicate and produce HIV-1 particles. Subsequently,
the host cells containing HIV-1 can be recognized and eliminated by the immune response and
anti-retroviral therapy. Although many LRAs have been found and tested, their clinical trials were
dissatisfactory.

Objective:

To aim of the study was to investigate how resveratrol reactivates silent HIV-1 transcription
and assess if resveratrol could be a candidate drug for the “shock” phase in “shock and kill”
strategy.

Method:

We used established HIV-1 transcription cell models (HeLa-based NH1 and NH2 cells)
and HIV-1 latent cell models (J-Lat A72 and Jurkat 2D10 cells). We performed resveratrol treatment
on these cell lines and studied the mechanism of how resveratrol stimulates HIV-1 gene transcription.
We also tested resveratrol’s bioactivity on primary cells isolated from HIV-1 latent infected
patients.

Results:

Resveratrol promoted HIV-1 Tat protein levels, and resveratrol-induced Tat promotion
was found to be dependent on the AKT/FOXO1 signaling axis. Resveratrol could partially dissociate
P-TEFb (Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b) from 7SK snRNP (7SK small nuclear Ribonucleoprotein)
and promote Tat-SEC (Super Elongation Complex) interaction. Preclinical
studies showed that resveratrol potentiated Vorinostat to awaken HIV-1 latency in HIV-1 latent infected
cells isolated from patients.

Conclusion:

We found a new mechanism of resveratrol stimulating the production of HIV-1.
Resveratrol could be a promising candidate drug to eradicate HIV-1 reservoirs.
Genetic and Non-genetic Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians
Authors: Goyal Shiwali , Sanghera Dharambir K.
Published: January 2021

South Asians (SAs), people from the Indian subcontinent (e.g., India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
suffer from a greater risk of CVD-associated mortality compared to other global populations. These
problems are compounded by the alterations in lifestyles due to urbanization and changing cultural,
social, economic, and political environments. Current methods of CV risk prediction are
based on white populations that under-estimate the CVD risk in SAs. Prospective studies are required
to obtain actual CVD morbidity/mortality rates so that comparisons between predicted CVD
risk can be made with actual events. Overwhelming data support a strong influence of genetic factors.
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) serve as a starting point for future genetic and
functional studies since the mechanisms of action by which these associated loci influence CVD is
still unclear. It is difficult to predict the potential implication of these findings in clinical settings.
This review provides a systematic assessment of the risk factors, genetics, and environmental causes
of CV health disparity in SAs, and highlights progress made in clinical and genomics discoveries
in the rapidly evolving field, which has the potential to show clinical relevance in the near future.
The Role of Alpha-lipoic Acid Supplementation in the Prevention of Diabetes Complications: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Trials
Authors: Jeffrey Sarah , Samraj Punitha Isaac , Raj Behin Sundara
Published: January 2021

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a substantial antioxidant in the prevention of diabetes and diabetes
complications. It can regenerate other antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, Coenzyme
Q10 and glutathione and is often known as a universal antioxidant. Antioxidants play a role in diabetes
treatment due to hyperglycemia-induced stimulation of the polyol pathway and formation of
advanced glycation end products (AGE) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Clinical trials examining
alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiomyopathy and
erectile dysfunction display positive results, particularly in pain amelioration in neuropathy, asymmetric
dimethylarginine reductions in nephropathy and improved oscillatory potential and contrast
sensitivity in retinopathy. In diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), ALA offers protection through inhibition
of NF-kB activation, reduction of fas-ligand and decrease in matrix metalloproteinase-2.
This comprehensive review summarises and provides an understanding of the importance of alpha-
lipoic acid supplementation to prevent diabetes complications.
Electro-Acupuncture Protects Diabetic Nephropathy-Induced Inflammation Through Suppression of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Renal Macrophage
Isolation
Authors: Zhang Jieying , Yang Xiao , Zhang Xinhuan , Lu Dan , Guo Rui
Published: January 2021

Background:

With the increasing prevalence of diabetes in recent years, diabetic nephropathy (DN) has also
become a dangerous disease that greatly endangers human health. The study was designed to determine the mechanism and
effect of Electro-acupuncture (EA) in alleviating DN-induced inflammation.

Methods:

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg, S0130, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) for
five consecutive days. After 12 weeks after induction, blood glucose levels were measured (>300 mg/dL).

Results:

The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased in EA-treated DN mice, and EA protected renal injury. EA
could suppress HMGB1/NLRP3/NF-κB pathway. HMGB1 inhibition increased the anti-inflammatory effects of EA on DN
by suppressing NLRP3/NF-κB pathway. The activation of HMGB1 attenuated the anti-inflammatory effects of EA on DN
by inducing NLRP3/NF-κB pathway.

Conclusions:

These results suggested that EA protected DN-induced inflammation through suppression of NLRP3
inflammasome.
Thyroid Function and Obesity: From Mechanisms to the Benefits of Levothyroxine in Obese Patients
Authors: De Geronimo Vincenzo , Cannarella Rossella , La Vignera Sandro
Published: January 2021

Background:

Thyroid disease and obesity are very common clinical conditions in the general population. They
can occur together in the same subject, but their relationship does not seem to be exclusively stochastic.

Aim:

We critically reviewed the evidence of the literature in the attempt to provide explanation for this association, in order
to understand the possible benefits of levothyroxine therapy in euthyroid obese patients.

Results:

A low energy expenditure rate can lead to obesity. Maintaining Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the main cause of
energy expenditure for the body, which is regulated by thermogenesis. Thyroid hormone receptors (TR) play different roles
in the induction of thermogenetic mechanisms: TRα is fundamental to induce thermogenesis, TRβ triggers the expression of
uncoupling protein 1(UCP1). Despite such mechanisms, there is not currently evidence to treat subjects suffering from
obesity with thyroid hormones.

Conclusion:

Replacement therapy should be reserved to patients with obvious signs of subclinical or clinical
hypothyroidism.

Definitions:

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) or basal energy expenditure (BEE): measurement obtained under total inactivity
and controlled research conditions; resting energy expenditure (REE): measurement obtained when an individual is sitting
quietly (is mildly higher than BMR/BEE).
Statistical Study on Relationship between Structural Properties and Mesomorphic Properties of Some Ester Linkage Mesomorphic Compounds
Authors: Travadi Jwalant
Published: January 2021

:

A statistical study between ‘Mesophase Lower Transition Temperatures’
(MLTTs) and their structural properties is carried out to understand the effect of structural
behaviour on mesomorphic property.

Introduction:

To establish a “Quantitative Structure and Property Relationship (QSPR)
model” a set of randomly selected thirty-nine mesomorphic compounds is constructed. The
backward stepwise regression analysis method is used to find out the good correlation between
the “Mesophase Lower Transition Temperatures (MLTTs)” data set and “physical
descriptors” like AMR, bpol, ASP-0, DELS, SdssC, etc. Physical descriptors are selected
based on their good r2-values and p-values with respective MLTTs. The derived QSPR equation
shows a good correlation between structural properties and mesomorphic properties of
compounds.

Methods:

Validation of the derived QSPR equation is carried out on the test series of eight
compounds. The MLTTs of these compounds are predicted through the statistically derived
QSPR equation and then compared with experimentally measured MLTTs. The average percentage
error observed between predicted MLTTs and experimentally measured MLTTs is
10.95 % for all the thirty-nine compounds of the trial set and 10.64% for 8 compounds of the
test series, respectively.

Result & Discussion:

A low average percentage error suggests a reasonably acceptable
degree of accuracy of the generated QSPR model to predict MLTTs of the compounds having
a similar type of structure. In the present study, not only MLTTs are predicted, but an
effort is also made to predict “Latent Transition Temperatures” (LTTs) of some nonmesomorphic
compounds from the derived QSPR equation.

Conclusion:

This computational study gives an insight into developing new QSPR models
for the different type of liquid crystals homologous series, through which various types of
mesomorphic properties, like mesomorphic thermal stability, mesomorphic upper transition
temperature, mesophase length, phase behaviour, etc. can study and predict.
Understanding the Dynamics of COVID-19 Outbreak: Structure, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Narkhede Rohan R. , Cheke Rameshwar S. , Shinde Sachin D. , Kuchake Vitthal G. , Mahajan Nilesh M. , Patil Vaishali M.
Published: January 2021

Currently, mankind is fighting against an invisible enemy. The novel Coronavirus disease
(COVID-19) has been spreading at a rapid rate across the world, which made the World
Health Organization (WHO) to declare it as pandemic disease. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory
tract infection that was first reported in December 2019, initially presented as pneumonia of unknown
etiology in a group of patients in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China. Sometimes,
animals infected with coronavirus infect humans and spread further via human-to-human transmission
similar to the case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe
acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), previously referred to as 2019-nCoV (COVID-19). SARS--
CoV-2 is an extremely pathogenic virus and is crushing the well-equipped health systems of developed
countries. According to the WHO situation report updated on October 25, 2020 over 42 million
cases and 1.1 million deaths have been reported globally. Since the figure of cases continues to
increase, these viruses create a threat to global public health. This review summarizes an overview
of the study of the novel coronavirus, including origin, epidemiology, etiology, targets for viral entry,
and describes the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and therapeutics used in clinical settings.
Furthermore, our review focuses on the most up-to-date clinical information for the effective management,
prevention, and counseling to control COVID-19 worldwide.
Planar Microstrip UWB Bandpass Filter with Quad Notched Bands and High Selectivity
Authors: Gao Mingming , Xu Keda , Nan Jingchang , Wang Li
Published: January 2021

Background:

This study aims at solving the problems of large design size and insufficient
number of the notched band for traditional ultra-wideband (UWB) filters. A planar compact
microstrip UWB bandpass filter (BPF) with quad notched bands and good selectivity is proposed
using a modified multiple-mode resonator (MMR) and defected ground structure (DGS).

Methods:

The MMR consists of a stepped impedance stub above and two pairs of open-circuited
stubs on both sides, which can generate the passband and double notched bands of UWB filter, the
other two notched bands are obtained by DGS.

Results:

The UWB filter with quad notched bands respectively centered at 3.9 GHz, 5.7 GHz,
7.9 GHz, and 9.8 GHz is fabricated and measured.

Conclusion:

The measured results are basically consistent with the simulated results, which proves
the correctness and practicability of the UWB filter.
Exploring Host Community Perception of Panchor Town for Tourist Destination based on Social Exchange Theory
Authors: Saad Mazni , Abdullah Nur Nabilah , Rosman Siti Nur Hidayah
Published: January 2021

This paper explores the significance of a rural region, the village of Panchor, as a potential nature tourism site located in Johor district of Muar, Malaysia. The study's objectives were (1) evaluating local community funding, and (2) evaluating the participation of local government. Three overlapping topics were explored based on qualitative interpretation of an interview and open-ended answers in the questionnaire: (1) group connection, (2) economic benefits, and (3) environmental attitude. The findings revealed that river-based tourism could improve the socio-economic status and the sustainability of rural areas. It also addressed the consequences and limitations of the study in this report.
Keywords: Community Attachment; Economic Gains; Environmental Attitude; River-based Tourism
eISSN 2398-4295 ©2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers (AMER); Association of  Behavioural Researchers on Asians / Africans / Arabians (ABRA); Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies (cE-Bs), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ajbes.v5i19.191
Impact of Social Media on Health-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in Singapore: Qualitative Study
Authors: Han Madeline , Tan Xin Yi , Lee Rachael , Lee Jeong Kyu , Mahendran Rathi
Published: January 2021

Background

The worldwide spread of digitalization has led to the harnessing of technology to improve health outcomes. Paying attention to older adults’ social needs via social media is one way to promote healthy aging. Although 56% of older adults are smartphone users, little is known about their use patterns of social media.

Objective

This exploratory study aims to determine the experiences of social media apps’ use among older adults in Singapore and understand their perceptions of its impact on health-related outcomes.

Methods

This study used a qualitative research design with an interpretative approach. Using maximum variation purposive sampling, normal aging older adults (N=16) who were aged between 60 and 80 years and experienced in the use of internet-enabled technology were recruited from an existing community study. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Employing a thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for codes inductively.

Results

The following themes and subthemes were identified as key moderators of older adults’ experiences on social media apps: (1) personal attitudes: participants were encouraged to use social media due to the increased accessibility, which enabled the ease of contact, but perceptions that the quality of interactions was compromised and its associated risks reduced their use; and (2) social influences: the desire to bond with co-users and the availability of support increased use. In addition, use of social media apps was perceived to positively impact health through its ability to keep older adults cognitively engaged, improve health communication, and increase social connectedness. However, opinions remained mixed on older adults’ vulnerability to social media addiction.

Conclusions

Personal and social contexts determine older adults’ social media use. This study’s findings provide practical insights into how social media can be deployed to improve health-related outcomes in older adults.