bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intensive diagnostic management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in academic settings in Japan: challenge and future
Authors: Hoshina Tokio , Aonuma Hiroka , Ote Manabu , Sakurai Tatsuya , Saiki Erisha , Kinjo Yuki , Kondo Kazuhiro , Okabe Masataka , Kanuka Hirotaka
Published: October 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first emerged in Wuhan, China, and has spread globally to most countries. In Japan, the first COVID-19 patient was identified on January 15, 2020. By June 30, the total number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 reached 18,000. The impact of molecular detection of pathogens is significant in acute-care settings where rapid and accurate diagnostic measures are critical for decisions in patient treatment and outcomes of infectious diseases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, such as quantitative PCR (qPCR), are the most established gene amplification tools and have a comprehensive range of clinical applications, including detecting a variety of pathogens, even novel agents causing emerging infections. Because SARS-CoV-2 contains a single-stranded RNA genome, reverse-transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR) has been broadly employed for rapid and sensitive quantitative measurements of viral RNA copy numbers. The RT-qPCR method, however, still requires time-consuming reactions with two different enzymes in addition to isolation of RNA from patient samples, limiting the numbers of testing institutions for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Japan is known to have performed a relatively small number of PCR tests as well as confirmed cases among developed nations; as of June 30, 2020, approximately 390,000 people in Japan had undergone PCR tests. Given the devastating impact on medical services and the scale of demand for diagnostic testing of COVID-19, it has been proposed that academic settings such as basic research departments in university/college can be engaged in diagnosing, especially in university hospitals or academic medical centers. In collaboration with established diagnostic laboratories, academic facilities can divert their function to detecting virus from patients with suspected COVID-19, adopting existing specialized expertise in virus handling, molecular work, and data analysis. This in-house testing strategy facilitates the rapid diagnosing of thousands of samples per day and reduces sample turnaround time from 1 week to less than 24 h. This review provides an overview of the general principles, diagnostic value, and limitations of COVID-19 diagnosis platforms in Japan, in particular in-house testing at academic settings.
Bio-aviation fuel via catalytic hydrocracking of waste cooking oils
Authors: El-Araby R. , Abdelkader E. , El Diwani G. , Hawash S. I.
Published: October 2020

Background

Biomass fuels (bio-jet fuel) have recently attracted considerable attention as alternatives to conventional jet fuel. They have become the focus of aircraft manufacturers, engines, oil companies, governments and researchers alike. This study is concerned with the production of biojet fuel using waste cooking oil (WCO). Batch reactor is used for running the experimental study. The catalytic cracking products are investigated by GC mass spectra. Final products from different reaction conditions are subjected to fractional distillation. The (Bio kerosene) fraction was compared with the conventional jet A-1 and showed that it met the basic jet fuel specifications. Optimum reaction conditions are obtained at (450 °C), pressure of (120 bars), catalyst dose (2.5% w/v), reaction time (60 min) and hydrogen pressure 4 atmosphere. The aim of this study is to produce bio aviation fuel according to specifications and with a low freezing point from waste cooking oil in one step using a laboratory prepared catalyst and with a low percentage of hydrogen to complete the process of cracking and deoxygenation in one reactor, which is naturally reflected positively on the price of the final product of bio aviation fuel.

Results

The results indicated that the product obtained from WCO shows promising potential bio aviation fuels, having a low freezing point (− 55 °C) and that all bio kerosene’s specifications obtained at these conditions follow the international standard specifications of aviation turbine fuel.

Conclusion

Biojet fuel obtained from WCO has fairly acceptable physico-chemical properties compared to those of petroleum-based fuel. Adjustment of the hydro catalytic cracking reaction conditions was used to control quantities and characteristics of produced bio aviation fuel. Taking into consideration the economic evaluation WCO is preferable as raw material for bio aviation fuel production due to its low cost and its contribution in environmental pollution abatement. Blend of 5% bio aviation with jet A-1 (by volume) can be used in the engine without any modifications and a successful test of blended aviation fuel with 10% bio aviation has been achieved on Jet-Cat 80/120 engine.
Systematic design of separation process for bioethanol production from corn stover
Authors: Amornraksa Suksun , Subsaipin Ittipat , Simasatitkul Lida , Assabumrungrat Suttichai
Published: October 2020

Separation process is very crucial in bioethanol production as it consumes the highest energy in the process. Unlike other works, this research systematically designed a suitable separation process for bioethanol production from corn stover by using thermodynamic insight. Two separation processes, i.e., extractive distillation (case 2) and pervaporation (case 3), were developed and compared with conventional molecular sieve (case 1). Process design and simulation were done by using Aspen Plus program. The process evaluation was done not only in terms of energy consumption and process economics but also in terms of environmental impacts. It was revealed that pervaporation is the best process in all aspects. Its energy consumption and carbon footprint are 60.8 and 68.34% lower than case 1, respectively. Its capital and production costs are also the lowest, 37.0 and 9.88% lower than case 1.
Autoantibodies spectrum in lupus nephritis in a cohort of Egyptian patients: relation to disease activity and prognostic value
Authors: Elsayed Sahar A. , Mohafez Omar M M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Specific autoantibodies are considered as an important marker in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and are of great value for the diagnosis and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. A total of eighteen autoantibodies were analyzed for their positivity in SLE patients and we evaluated the clinical relevance of the five most frequent autoantibodies: anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, anti-histone, anti-Ro60, and anti-Ro52 on disease activity and renal affection in SLE Egyptian patients.

Results

Immunological profile and correlation of the five autoantibodies with disease activity and histopathological pattern of renal involvement were analyzed for 190 SLE patients. Lupus nephritis (LN) patients showed much worse constitutional and mucocutaneous manifestations than patients without nephritis. Autoantibody profile showed a significant increased frequency of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, anti-histone, anti-Ro-60, and anti-Ro52 antibodies in LN patients. The impact of the co-positivity of the autoantibodies on the renal function was obvious. Moreover, the disease activity increased by the increased frequency of autoantibodies positivity in LN patients. ROC curve analysis showed that anti-nucleosome had the highest sensitivity; 93% followed by anti-dsDNA 83.3% then anti-histone 73.8%, but anti-Ro60 and anti-Ro52 showed a humble sensitivity. Furthermore, the highest frequency of positivity for the five autoantibodies was found in class-III and class-IV LN patients.

Conclusion

Detection of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome, anti-histone, and anti-Ro60 in SLE patients may be important for predicting disease progression and kidney affection. Moreover, anti-nucleosome and anti-dsDNA show high sensitivity and specificity for lupus nephritis, thus patients with four to five positive autoantibody panels should be kept under close monitoring as they may warrant considering aggressive therapy to control their disease and prevent renal damage.
Poroacoustoelasticity for rocks with a dual-pore structure
Authors: Ling Wenchang , Ba Jing , Carcione José M. , Zhang Lin
Published: October 2020

Acoustoelasticity describes the interaction of acoustic waves with nonlinear elastic deformations, particularly the change of wave velocity due to initial stresses or strains in a predeformed body. The theory extends the strain energy to cubic terms (third-order elasticity) and allows for finite strains to model deformations at high confining pressures. However, the theory considers equant (stiff) pores but neglects the effects of soft (compliant) pores, such as microfractures, cracks, and grain contacts. Our main contribution is to include these effects. Application of the novel poroacoustoelasticity theory to ultrasonic measurements on carbonate samples at varying confining pressures provides a better fit for the measured data of pressure dependence of wave velocity. We have quantified the contribution of the compliant pores to the nonlinear behavior of the wave velocity and determined the relation between the threshold pressure (beyond which the theories with and without compliant pores yield the same velocity) and porosity and permeability. The extension of poroacoustoelasticity theory by incorporating a dual-pore structure provides better description for stress dependence of wave velocity in fluid-saturated heterogeneous rocks, which can be applicable in further field studies regarding reservoir characterization and in situ stress estimation.
The Prison and the Postcolony: Contested Memory and the Museumification of Sŏdaemun Hyŏngmuso
Authors: Burge Russell
Published: October 2020

Seoul’s Sŏdaemun Prison is famous in South Korea today as a site of heroic resistance where Korean anticolonial activists were martyred at the hands of Japanese colonial officials. This narrative is complicated, however, by the fact that the prison continued to be used after the fall of the Japanese Empire as a tool to suppress political dissent, right up until its final decommissioning in 1987. This study inquires into the political context surrounding Sŏdaemun Prison’s decommissioning and finds that the decision was made by the Chun Doo Hwan administration in the run-up to the Seoul Olympics and was more concerned with the erasure of contemporaneous political excesses than the preservation of colonial memory. Sŏdaemun Prison’s transformation into a site of colonial tourism in the following decade was carried out as part of a larger move in urban planning to overwrite the memory of the postcolonial authoritarian past, a process that reveals much about the limitations and contradictions of South Korean democratization.
Destination Hong Kong: The Geopolitics of South Korean Espionage Films in the 1960s
Authors: Lee Sangjoon
Published: October 2020

As the apparent progeny of Cold War politics in the West, espionage films witnessed unprecedented popularity around the globe in the 1960s. With the success of Dr. No (1962) and Goldfinger (1964)—along with French, Italian, and German copycats—in Asia, film industries in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea recognized the market potential and embarked on churning out their own James Bond-mimetic espionage films in the late 1960s. Since the regional political sphere has always been multifaceted, however, each country approached genre conventions with its own interpretation. In the US-driven Cold War political, ideological, and economic sphere, developmental states in the region, particularly South Korea and Taiwan, vigorously adopted anti-communist doctrine to guard and uphold their militant dictatorships. Under this political atmosphere in the regional sphere, cultural sectors in each nation-state, including cinema, voluntarily or compulsorily served as an apparatus to strengthen the state’s ideological principles. While the Cold War politics that drive the narrative in the American and European films is conspicuously absent in Hong Kong espionage films, South Korea and Taiwan, on the other hand, explicitly promulgated the ideological principles of their apparent enemies, North Korea and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in their representative espionage films. This article casts a critical eye over South Korea–initiated inter-Asian coproduction of espionage films produced during the time, with particular reference to South Korea–Hong Kong coproduction of SOS Hong Kong (SOS Hongk’ong) and Special Agent X-7 (Sun’gan ŭn yŏngwŏnhi), both produced and released in 1966.
Doubled Over 007: “Aryu Pondŭ” and Genre-Mixing Comedy in Korea
Authors: Shih Evelyn
Published: October 2020

This paper contends that genre mixing in comedy films of the 1960s in South Korea had the potential to interrupt filmic codes, which were increasingly propagandistic following the tightening of film law. The advent of the James Bond films as a global cultural phenomenon stimulated local production of spy films, where the villain was typically North Korean. These films were welcomed by cultural regimes of the time due to their anticommunist orientation, but a small hybrid genre, the “spy comedy,” undermined their absolutism. Based in the vernacular comedy traditions of slapstick film performance, stage comedy, and radio, these “spy comedies” spoofed aspects of both the James Bond franchise and the local action thrillers that imitated Bond. This was often accomplished by overlaying the narrative of a rustic with that of a spy. The comedies reveal a synchronicity between development and urbanization, which displaced large numbers of people, and the othering of North Koreans, which led to spy paranoia about those who were out of place. This paper argues that global genres played a particular role for South Korean comedy in the 1960s: they enabled oblique treatments of sensitive social issues through play. Generic heterogeneity defined comedic films of this era.
ZFP423 regulates early patterning and multiciliogenesis in the hindbrain choroid plexus
Authors: Casoni Filippo , Croci Laura , Vincenti Francesca , Podini Paola , Riba Michela , Massimino Luca , Cremona Ottavio , Consalez G. Giacomo
Published: October 2020

The choroid plexus (ChP) is a secretory tissue that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secreted into the ventricular system. It is a monolayer of secretory, multiciliated epithelial cells derived from neuroepithelial progenitors and overlying a stroma of mesenchymal cells of mesodermal origin. Zfp423, encoding a Kruppel-type zinc finger transcription factor essential for cerebellar development and mutated in rare cases of cerebellar vermis hypoplasia / Joubert syndrome and other ciliopathies, is expressed in the hindbrain roof plate (RP), from which the IV ventricle ChP arises, and, later, in mesenchymal cells giving rise to the stroma and leptomeninges. Zfp423 mutants display a marked reduction of the hindbrain ChP (hChP), which 1) fails to express established markers of its secretory function and genes implicated in its development and maintenance (Lmx1a, Otx2); 2) shows a perturbed expression of signaling pathways previously unexplored in hChP patterning (Wnt3); 3) displays a lack of multiciliated epithelial cells and a profound dysregulation of master genes of multiciliogenesis (Gmnc). Our results propose Zfp423 as a master gene and one of the earliest known determinants of hChP development.
Fgf8 genetic labeling reveals the early specification of vestibular hair cell type in mouse utricle
Authors: Ratzan Evan M. , Moon Anne M. , Deans Michael R.
Published: October 2020

FGF8 signaling plays diverse roles in inner ear development, acting at multiple stages from otic placode induction to cellular differentiation in the organ of Corti. As a secreted morphogen with diverse functions, Fgf8 expression is likely to be spatially restricted and temporally dynamic throughout inner ear development. We evaluated these characteristics using genetic labeling mediated by Fgf8mcm gene-targeted mice and determined that Fgf8 expression is a specific and early marker of Type-I vestibular hair cell identity. Fgf8mcm expression initiates at E11.5 in the future striolar region of the utricle, labeling hair cells following EdU birthdating, and demonstrates that sub-type identity is determined shortly after terminal mitosis. This early fate specification is not apparent using markers or morphological criteria that are not present before birth in the mouse. While analyses of Fgf8 conditional knockout mice did not reveal developmental phenotypes, the restricted pattern of Fgf8 expression suggests that functionally redundant FGF ligands may contribute to vestibular hair cell differentiation and supports a developmental model in which Type-I and Type-II hair cells develop in parallel rather than from an intermediate precursor.
The formation of the atrioventricular conduction axis is linked in development to ventricular septation
Authors: Kvasilova Alena , Olejnickova Veronika , Jensen Bjarke , Christoffels Vincent M. , Kolesova Hana , Sedmera David , Gregorovicova Martina
Published: October 2020

During development, the ventricles of mammals and birds acquire a specialized pattern of electrical activation with the formation of the atrioventricular conduction system (AVCS), which coincides with the completion of ventricular septation. We investigated whether AVCS formation coincides with ventricular septation in developing Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis). Comparisons were made with Amazon toadhead turtle (Mesoclemmys heliostemma) with a partial septum only and no AVCS (negative control) and with chicken (Gallus gallus) (septum and AVCS, positive control). Optical mapping of the electrical impulse in the crocodile and chicken showed a similar developmental specialization that coincided with full ventricular septation, whereas in the turtle the ventricular activation remained primitive. Co-localization of neural marker human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) and cardiomyocyte marker anti-myosin heavy chain (MF20) identified the AVCS on top of the ventricular septum in the crocodile and chicken only. AVCS formation is correlated with ventricular septation in both evolution and development.
Spin State Modulation in Cobalt(II) Terpyridine Complexes by Co-Crystallization with 1,3,5-Triiodo-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene
Authors: Kobayashi Fumiya , Iwaya Kyoko , Zenno Hikaru , Nakamura Masaaki , Li Feng , Hayami Shinya
Published: October 2020

Reversible water molecule-induced spin state inter-conversion for the mononuclear cobalt(II) complex [Co(terpy)2]I2·2H2O (1, terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) is reported along with its co-crystallization with 1,3,5-triiodo-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene (TITFB) to yield three types of halogen bonded frameworks, [Co(terpy)2][(TITFB)I2] (2), [Co(terpy)2][(TITFB)2I2] (3) and [Co(terpy)2][(TITFB)4(MeOH)I2] (4) (TITFB = 1,3,5-triiodo-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene). The magnetic properties of 1–4 have been investigated. While 1 exhibits gradual spin crossover (SCO) behavior, de-solvated [Co(terpy)2]I2 (1′) exhibits abrupt SCO behavior (T1/2 = 120 K) attributed to a change in its intermolecular interactions on dehydration. The crystal structures as well as the magnetic properties of 1 and 1′ can be switched reversibly via single-crystal to single-crystal (SCSC) transformations via hydration/dehydration processes. Co-crystallization of [Co(terpy)2]I2 with TITFB resulted in three types of halogen-bonded frameworks (2–4). While 2 exhibits incomplete abrupt spin transition (T1/2 = 56 K), 3 and 4 show incomplete gradual SCO behavior (attributed to stabilization of the LS state). The observed SCO behaviors are in accord with the structural distortions occurring in the respective [Co(terpy)2]2+ cations and resulting from their intermolecular interactions with the surrounding frameworks. These results illustrate the manner by which co-crystallization leading to halogen-bonded co-crystals in the present study can result in spin state modulation in SCO complexes.
New evidence on the relationships between Hypnophila Bourguignat, 1859 and Gomphroa Westerlund, 1902 (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Azecidae)
Authors: Manganelli Giuseppe , Pieńkowska Joanna , Kosicka Ewa , Barbato Debora , Benocci Andrea , Lesicki Andrzej , Giusti Folco
Published: October 2020

Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea) and Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller) are among the most invasive aquatic molluscs found in Europe. Both species were recorded in the Adriatic part of Croatia for the first time in 2019 although in the Danubian Croatia they were more common. An abundant population of S. woodiana was found in an oxbow of the Cetina River; mussels with shell length of ca. 12–17 cm dominated. A population of C. fluminea was recorded in the freshwater section of the Zrmanja River above the Jankovića Buk waterfall which forms the border between the brackish and the freshwater sections of the river. Possible pathways of their introduction and reasons for their rare occurrence in contrast to the Danubian Croatia are discussed.
The use of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Garry Fran , Murphy Tighe Sylvia , MacFarlane Anne , Phelan Helen
Published: October 2020

There is increasing recognition that people’s lived experience needs to be incorporated into health decision-making. This has led to rising imperatives for involving the public in health processes, including research. While there have been significant advances in the field, patterns of exclusion still exist in some areas, including migrant participation in health research. Migration and mobility create challenges around social inclusion and this extends to social and cultural practices used in research. There is an emerging body of literature about improving meaningful, participatory spaces for migrants’ involvement in health research using creative tools and techniques that are attuned to cultural diversity. These include the use of arts-based research methods. There is strong evidence for the use of music, particularly singing, as an effective arts-based participatory tool. The goal of this scoping review is to investigate the evidence for the use of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research. Developed by an interdisciplinary team specialising in public and patient involvement; nursing and midwifery; primary health care; and the performing arts, it aims to analyse existing evidence across disciplines that are not usually studied together, identify gaps in current knowledge and use these as a foundation to build effective strategies towards increasing access to and knowledge of participatory, arts-based methods using music in migrant health research.

Methods: The protocol for this scoping review follows the guidelines and stages set out in the JBI Reviewer’s Manual (Peters et al., 2017), and by Levac et al, (2010), which build on the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). This incorporates six stages: 1) Identifying the research question; 2) Identifying relevant studies; 3) Study selection; 4) Charting the data; 5) Collating, summarising, and reporting results; and 6) Consultation.
Good Days, Bad Days: Stock Market Fluctuation and Taxi Tipping Decisions
Authors: Tan Weiqiang , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2020

Using taxicab tipping records in New York City (NYC), we develop a novel measure of real-time utility and quantitatively assess the impact of wealth change on the well-being of individuals based on the core tenet of prospect theory. The baseline estimate suggests that a one-standard-deviation increase in the stock market index is associated with a 0.3% increase in the daily average tipping ratio, which translates to an elasticity estimate of 0.3. The impact is short-lived and in line with the wealth effect interpretation. Consistent with loss aversion, we find that the impact is primarily driven by wealth loss rather than gain. We exploit Global Positioning System and timestamp information and design two difference-in-differences tests to establish causal inference. Exploitation of the characteristics of individual stocks suggests that the effect of wealth change on real-time utility is more pronounced in the stocks of firms with large market capitalization. Finally, our aggregate estimate suggests that annual tip revenue in the NYC taxi industry is associated with stock market fluctuations, ranging from −$17.5 million to $12.9 million.

This paper was accepted by Tyler Shumway, finance.
Visible light indoor positioning via an iterative algorithm based on an M5 model tree
Authors: Han Wei , Wang Jianping , Lu Huimin , Chen Danyang
Published: October 2020

In this work, a novel iterative algorithm based on an M5 model tree (M5Tree) is proposed to realize indoor positioning using a single LED and multiple photodetectors. A visible light positioning system was implemented to evaluate the algorithm performance, including the effect of the maximum depth of the tree and the number of iterations on positioning accuracy. Finally, in the same single LED positioning system, the traditional machine-learning algorithms, being k-nearest neighbor and support vector regression, were compared with the M5Tree algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has good positioning performance on a single LED positioning system.
Application of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine in axillary brachial plexus block in children and its effect on inflammatory factors
Authors: Yang Haikou , Fan Wei , Yang Yong , Zhou Jing , Zhang Hao , Sun Jian , Wang Bo
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine on inflammatory factors in children with axillary brachial plexus block. Ninety patients who underwent upper limb surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled and divided into groups A and B. Group A (n=40) was treated with ropivacaine as a local anesthetic, and group B (n= 50) was treated with dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine as a local anesthetic during surgery. Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale was employed to evaluate the pain behavior of the children. Intravenous blood (3 ml) was taken before surgery (T0), 30 min (T1) and 3 hours after surgery (T2) respectively to detect serum TNF-Î± (tumor necrosis factor-Î±), IL-6 (interleukin-6) and IL-1Î² (interleukin-1Î²) levels using ELISA. The adverse reactions in the two groups were observed, and the MAP (mean arterial pressure) and HR (heart rate) were compared before anesthesia, 30 min and 1 hour after block. The FLACC score of both groups showed a marked upward trend (p< 0.001), with that of group B being significantly lower than group A (p< 0.001). Group B presented a remarkably shorter onset time than group A, and the analgesic time was significantly longer (p< 0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions in group B was significantly lower than that in group A (p< 0.05). MAP and HR dropped significantly 30 min and 1 h after block (p< 0.05). MAP and HR were significantly lower in group B than those in group A 30 min and 60 min after block (p< 0.05). As to serum levels of TNF-Î±, IL-6, and IL-1Î², both groups presented notably increased ones after block (p< 0.05). The application of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine in upper limb surgery has a faster onset time and longer duration than ropivacaine alone, which is of certain clinical effect.
Effects of rhEPO on Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in rats with acute kidney injury and its protective effects on kidney
Authors: Zhang Kunying , Sun Wenkui , Wang Zhanzhao , Ma Wenming , Qin Lili
Published: October 2020

If the kidney suddenly loses its ability to remove waste, acute kidney injury (AKI) will occur that dangerous levels of waste may accumulate, and the chemical composition of the blood may become unbalanced. AKI usually develops rapidly within a few days and is very common in hospitalized patients, especially those in urgent need of intensive care. AKI can be fatal and requires serious treatment. However, it can be reversible. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nuclear factor E2, Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase (HO-1) in rats AKI and its protective effects on the kidney. For this purpose, 40 SD rats were averagely and randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, sham operation group, model group, and rhEPO group. The rhEPO group was injected with 5% glucose mixed with rhEPO to form 3000 IU/ (kg/d) rhEPO. Except for the rhEPO group, three groups were injected with 5% glucose at the same dose level as the rhEPO group respectively. Before the third administration, the renal pedicle was clamped for 60 min and then perfused for 24 hours. Changes of Serum creatinine (Scr) and Urea nitrogen (BUN) of rats in each group were detected before and after modeling. Twenty-four hours after modeling, renal tissues of rats in each group were taken, and expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in renal tissues were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot methods. There were no significant differences in Scr and BUN contents in the four groups before modeling (p> 0.05). There were no significant differences in Scr and BUN contents in the control group and sham operation group after modeling compared with those before modeling (p> 0.05). Expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the rhEPO group were higher than those in the model group, the sham operation group and the control group (p< 0.05), while expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in model group were higher than those in sham operation group and control group (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences in expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 between the sham operation group and the control group (p> 0.05). rhEPO can induce expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in AKI rats. RhEPO has a protective effect on the kidney, which may be related to expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1.
Resveratrol inhibits skin squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration and invasion through up-regulating miR-126
Authors: Zhang Bo , Lari Najafi Moslem
Published: October 2020

The current experiment was performed to explore the effect and possible mechanism of resveratrol on the proliferation, migration and invasion of skin squamous cell carcinoma cells (HSC-5). Tetramethyl azozo blue (MTT) method, Transwell experiment and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the effects of resveratrol intervention on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells and the expression of miR-126. The miR-126 mimics and inhibitors were transfected into HSC-5 cells, and the effects of up-regulation or down-regulation of HSC-5 expression on the proliferation, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were detected. The miR-126 inhibitor was transfected into HSC-5 cells, and the effects of resveratrol intervention on HSC-5 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and Î²-catenin protein expression were detected. After resveratrol intervention, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly reduced, miR-126 expression was significantly increased, and Î²-catenin protein expression was significantly reduced (p<0.05). After up-regulating the expression of miR-126, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly reduced (p<0.05). After down-regulating the expression of miR-126, the growth rate, migration and invasion of HSC-5 cells were significantly increased (p<0.05). Down-regulation of miR-126 expression could reverse the effects of resveratrol intervention on HSC-5 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and Î²-catenin protein expression (p<0.05). Resveratrol could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of skin squamous cell carcinoma cells, which may be related to the up-regulation of miR-126 to inhibit the Wnt / Î²-catenin signaling pathway.
Effect of HIF-1Î±siRNA-linked AuNRs on radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Xu Gang , Zhang Haosheng , Li Zhibin , Wu Shihai , Quan Rencui , Mao Kun , Sheng Yang , Li Xianming
Published: October 2020

The radiation sensitivity of tumor cells is closely related to tumor cell hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1Î± (HIF-1Î±) is considered a key transcription factor which regulates the sensitivity of hypoxic tumor cells to radiotherapy. On the other hand, some studies have shown that gold nanomaterials improve radiation sensitivity. However, studies on the effect of gold nanomaterials carrying HIF-1Î±siRNA on tumor radiotherapy, and the underlying mechanisms are limited. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of gold nanocomposites (AuNRs) carrying HIF-1Î±siRNA (AuNRs-HIF-1Î±siRNA) on the radiation sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) hypoxia cells. The effect of AuNRs-HIF-1Î±siRNA on radiation sensitivity of hypoxic NPC cells was determined under X-ray irradiation. The results showed that Au-HIF-1Î±siRNA improved the radio-sensitivity of NPC tumor. Thus, this study has demonstrated that gold nanomaterials carrying HIF-1Î±siRNA effectively increased the radio-sensitivity of hypoxic tumor, thereby improving the effect of radiotherapy on NPC cells.
Influence of acupuncture on the expression of VIP, SP, NKA and NKB, cAMP/cGMP and HE content and treatment of bronchial asthma in rats
Authors: Chen Yujuan , Gao Yanlu , Lu Wenwen , Gao Wei
Published: October 2020

This research was set up to explore the neural mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of bronchial asthma in rats by detecting the content of substance P(SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neurokinin A(NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate ratio (cAMP/cGMP) and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining for the pathological changes of lung tissue, in order to Institute Certain Experimental and Theoretical Foundation for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Bronchial Asthma. For this purpose, fifty healthy adult Wistar male rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group A, asthma control group B, asthma acupuncture group C, adrenalectomy (ADX)-asthma  group D, adrenalectomy (ADX)-asthma acupuncture group E. Group A was raised with other groups at the same period; Group B was induced asthma by ovalbumin; Group C was induced asthma as Group B and then acupunctured five acupoints (bilateral Feishu, bilateral Fengmen, and Dazhui); Group D was induced asthma after adrenalectomy; group E was treated with acupuncture on the basis of group D. HE staining was performed in the lung tissue of rats from each group, and histopathologic changes were observed. SP, VIP, NKA, NKB in each rat lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. cAMP/cGMP was measured with ELISA to speculate the neural mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of bronchial asthma. The results were as: decrease of cAMP/cGMP and VIP and increase of SP, NKA, NKB in the lung tissue are the neural mechanisms of an asthma attack. The increase of cAMP/cGMP and decrease of NKA, NKB, SP and VIP in the lung tissue of group C indicated the improvement of bronchial asthma symptoms. It is possible that the decrease of NKA and NKB, increase of cAMP/cGMP and a slight change of SP and VIP in group E were related to the reduction of glucocorticoid after ADX which influenced the effect of acupuncture. The neural regulation mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of bronchial asthma were related to bronchiectasis caused by stimulation of adrenergic nerve and inhibition of the vagus nerve function by acupuncture, and related to the release of inflammatory mediators.
Effect and mechanism of rapamycin on proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer cells
Authors: Cao Wenning , Ma Lan
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RAPA on the proliferation and the expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in cultured human small cell lung cancer (NCI-H446) cells, and to explore the possible mechanism of RAPA-treated NCI-H446 cells with different concentrations of RAPA-treated NCI-H446 cells. The proliferation of NCI-H446 cells in all groups was assayed by the CCK-8 method. FITC-Annexin V/PI double staining method was used to determine the apoptosis of NCI-H446 cells. The immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax. Expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that, after 48h treatment, the proliferation of NCI-H446 cells treated with 5ng/mL, 10ng/mL and 15ng/mL RAPA decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and the proliferation inhibition rate increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the control group, and the proliferation inhibition rate had a dose-dependent relationship with RAPA. Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rate of NCI-H446 cells treated with 5ng/mL, 10ng/mL and 15ng/mL RAPA increased significantly (P < 0.05), and there was a dose-dependent relationship between the apoptosis rate and RAPA. The expression of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA was higher in the control group, while the expression of p53 and Bax protein and mRNA was lower. The expression of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA decreased and the expression of p53 and Bax protein and mRNA increased gradually with the increase of concentration and the prolongation of action time in 5ng/mL, 10ng/mL and 15ng/mL RAPA groups. In the control group, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was constant, and there was no significant change with time; while in the 5ng / mL, 10ng / mL, and 15ng / mL RAPA group, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the RAPA group increased significantly after 12 h of administration (P <0.05); After that, with the prolonged action time of the medicine, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the 5ng / mL, 10ng / mL, and 15ng / mL RAPA group decreased, but at 72h, the effect was 5ng / mL, 10ng / mL, and 15ng / mL RAPA. The intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity in the group was still significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.05). In conclusion, RAPA can induce apoptosis of NCI-H446 cells by down-regulating Bcl-2 gene expression, up-regulating P53 and Bax gene expression, and increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration and its apoptosis induction effect have timeliness and dose-effect.
Lowered Cyclin E levels increase the efficiency and the specificity of capsaicin against cancerous cells of mesothelium
Authors: Cömertpay Sabahattin , Gül í–zçelik Demirbanka Fatma
Published: October 2020

Capsaicin is one of the most extensively studied phytochemicals and its cytotoxicity on various types of cancer has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The evaluation of its effect on mesothelioma, however, has remained quite limited. In this study, we investigated the anti-mesothelioma potential of capsaicin by observing its cytotoxicity on healthy, immortalized and cancerous cells of mesothelium in vitro and how this potential be affected by lowered Cyclin E levels, a key regulator of G1/S transition of cell cycle. For this purpose, we determined and compared the IC50 values of capsaicin in both FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) containing and FBS-deprived medium of each cell population studied. Additionally, we examined the changes in both protein and mRNA levels of caspase-3 upon capsaicin exposure as well as conducted a series of experiments through which the relatively long term effect of capsaicin on the growth rate of the cells was assessed. As a result, the reduced Cyclin E obtained through the absence of FBS in growth medium was found not only to decrease IC50 values for all cell types dramatically (p<0.05) but also to cause a considerable difference between the values determined for cancerous and non-cancerous populations (p<0.05), which had not been observed in regular medium. Moreover, along with the fact that capsaicin exposure did not have an impact on the cell growth in long term in most cases, caspase-3 levels also remained the same when exposed to capsaicin, suggesting a mechanism of cell death independent of caspases.
MiR-381-3p/RAB2A axis activates cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis in bladder cancer
Authors: Sun Xiaolu , Hu Xiufang , Wang Xiangtao , Jiang Xianzhou
Published: October 2020

Acting as a really common cancer in the world, bladder cancer has taken many people's life away. MiRNAs and mRNA have been reported can regulate the expression of cancers. In this study, the role of RAB2A and miR-381-3p was fully studied in bladder cancer. qRT-PCR assay probe the expression of RAB2A and miR-381-3p in bladder cancer cells. Meanwhile, colony formation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry analysis, JC-1 assay and western blot assay were implemented to detect the progression of bladder cancer cells. Silenced RAB2A could reduce the cell proliferation of bladder cancer, and activate the apoptosis. Meanwhile, miR-381-3p could bind to RAB2A in bladder cancer cells and overexpressed miR-381-3p could inhibit the progression of bladder cancer cells. MiR-381-3p/RAB2A axis activates cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis in bladder cancer.
PDGFRB as a potential therapeutic target of ankylosing spondylitis: validation following bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Feng Xinzhe , Zhu Shanbang , Yan Zijun , Wang Chen , Tong Wenwen , Xu Weidong
Published: October 2020

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, progressive, and inflammatory disease that mainly affects the central axis joint. Although this disease has already been well documented and studied, its pathogenesis is still not well understood. This study aimed to screen and identify key candidate genes involved in the progression of AS. For this purpose, expression profiles of GSE39340 and GSE41038 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus and displayed in the form of volcano plots and heatmaps. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the Limma package in R and functional enrichment analyses were performed. Moreover, STRING and Cytoscape were utilized to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and screen significant modules. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue chips of AS and normal human synovial tissues was performed to confirm the major proteins associated with its development. Western blotting (WB) and alizarin red staining were applied to validate the expression level of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) and function during osteogenesis differentiation of fibroblasts in AS. A total of 256 DEGs were screened, including 191 up-regulated genes and 65 down-regulated genes. The enriched functions of these identified genes mainly included adherens junction, focal adhesion, and cell-substrate adherens junction. The pathways most highly associated with the progression of AS were TGF-Î² signaling pathway, the Hippo signaling pathway, and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. In addition, IHC showed that mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and PDGFRB were highly expressed in AS. PDGFRB was found upregulated during osteogenesis of fibroblasts and stimulates osteogenesis in AS. These findings may improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling AS. Pharmacological targeting of PDGFRB may initiate a possible suppression of bone formation in AS.
Piceatannol mediated regulation of deregulated signaling pathways in different cancers: Tumbling of the ninepins of molecular oncology
Authors: Nayyab Sawera , Naureen Humaira , Maryam Areesha , Attar Rukset , Sabitaliyevich Uteuliyev Yerzhan , Konysbayevna Konysbayeva Kenzhekul , Farooqi Ammad Ahmad
Published: October 2020

With the recent technological advancements, a new golden era of natural products drug discovery has dawned. Increasingly it is being realized that structural modularity of many pharmacologically active products derived natural sources allows a building-block approach which can be exploited for analysis of regulation of deregulated oncogenic protein networks in different cancers. Piceatannol has been shown to effectively modulate JAK/STAT, Wnt/Î²-catenin, mTOR pathway in different cancers. In addition, certain hints have emerged which shed light on the regulation of microRNAs by piceatannol in some cancers. Regulation of deregulated oncogenic pathways by Piceatannol is gradually capturing attention and might be helpful in the multi-targeting of deregulated oncogenic networks in cancers.
Tuling Wendan Decoction combined with flunarizine in the treatment of migraine patients and the effect of intervention on serum cyclooxygenase-2, endothelin-1 and nitric oxide
Authors: Xie Xiayang , Shang Kai , Li Xuejing
Published: October 2020

This experiment aimed to explore the curative effect of Tuling Wendan Decoction combined with flunarizine on migraine patients and the intervention effect on serum cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide(NO) levels. For this purpose, from January 2019 to January 2020, 96 patients with migraine in our hospital were selected as the research object. Using a simple randomization method, patients who meet the criteria were assigned 1:1, and each patient was assigned a random number, of which the number 1 to 48 were the observation group, and the number 49 to 96 were the control group. The control group was treated with flunarizine, and the observation group was treated with Tuling Wendan Decoction combined with flunarizine. Comparing the efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions, the incidence of headache, cerebral blood flow rate [basal artery (BA), vertebral artery (VA), middle cerebral artery (MCA)], vascular endothelial function (serum COX-2, ET-1, NO levels), neurological function [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)] before treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment between the two groups. The results for efficacy showed that after 8 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group (93.75%) was higher than that of the control group (77.08%, P<0.05). In regards to the situation of headache attack, the number of headache attacks, duration, pain degree and accompanying symptom scores of the observation group after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Results of cerebral blood flow velocity showed that the blood flow velocity of BA, VA, MCA in the observation group was lower than that in the control group after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). Vascular endothelial function results indicated that the serum COX-2 and ET-1 levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, and the serum NO levels were higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The serum BDNF and CGRP levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, and the serum 5-HT levels were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). It was concluded that Tuling Wendan Decoction combined with flunarizine is the first treatment for migraine, with definite curative effect and can effectively improve the onset of headache, reduce the speed of cerebral blood flow, regulate vascular endothelial function and nerve function, and ensure safety.
The Ethical, Political and Economic Challenges of Effective Altruism
Authors: Kucz Mateusz , Rosół Piotr
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a critical evaluation of ethical and philosophical concerns about the effective altruism as an ethical position. Effective altruists claim that one of our important ethical obligations is to do the most good possible, with the biggest possible positive impact. This impact should be measured with rational tools and by evaluating the effectiveness of our actions. At first glance, this might seem as a consensus building position, a good starting point for building a community of people wanting to change the world for the better. In our paper, we present some difficulties which are connected with such a way of thinking about charity and an ethical obligation to donate. We discuss the problem of the commercialization of ethical values, understanding effectiveness, agreeing about goals, as well as the political consequences of effective altruism understood as an ethical position.