bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression and Potential Role of MMP-9 in Intrauterine Adhesion
Authors: Li Congqing , Cong Lin , Xu Youjiang , Wang Wenyan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Intrauterine adhesions will affect the amount of menstrual and fertility, endometrial fibrosis is the last manifestation of the IUA. MMP-9 is closely related to fibrosis. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of MMP-9 in intrauterine adhesion (IUA) rats and patients.Methods:40 female rats and 24 patients were enrolled in this study. We used immunohistochemistry to detect the MMP-9 expression in rats and human endometrial tissues, as well as detected their protein levels with western blot. In addition, we detected their mRNA expression levels with qRT-PCR.Results: The expression of MMP-9 in the IUA rats was reduced compared with the Sham group and Ctrl group (P< 0.05), and the expression of MMP-9 was also reduced in the IUA patients compared with the Ctrl group (P< 0.05). The mRNA levels of MMP-9 in endometrium were presenting similar results (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggests that MMP-9 may play an important role in fibrosis of the IUA. It may provide a new reference for the treatment of IUA in the future.
An Epidemiological Study of Cervical and Breast Screening in India: District-Level Analysis
Authors: Monica Monica , Mishra Raman 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer and cervical cancer, the most common forms of cancer in women worldwide, are on a fast and steady rise, accounting for more deaths in women than any other cancer in the developing world. Cancer screening tests are an important tool to combat cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The World Health Assembly, in its agenda for cancer prevention and control in the context of an integrated approach, urges governments and the WHO to accelerate action to achieve Goal 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.4) in order to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases including cancer by one-third by 2030 (WHO, 2016). Methods: Until recently, there was no evidence pertaining to screening for cervical and breast cancers at the national level. The National Family Health Survey, 2015-16 (NFHS-4), for the first time in the NFHS series, collected information on examination of the breast and the cervix from over 699,000 women in the age group 15-49 years. For the present study, the data was aggregated for all 640 districts in India. Moran’s Index was calculated to check for spatial autocorrelation. Univariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) maps were plotted to look for spatial dependence associated with the uptake of screening practices. The spatial error model was employed to check for spatial magnitude and direction.Results: The factors associated with uptake of cervical and breast screening at the district level were: belonging to a general caste, residing in rural areas, being currently married, and being well-off economically. The study provides spatial inference by showing geographical disparities in screening, this study highlights the importance of ensuring a region-specific and organ-specific approach toward control and prevention of cancer.Conclusions: As part of the National Health Mission, the Indian government for the first time has launched population-based prevention, screening, and control programs for cancers of the cervix and the breast. The spatial analysis presented here may add essential information in policy-making. By showing geographical disparities in screening, this study highlights the importance of ensuring a region-specific and organ specific approach toward control and prevention of cancer.
Stringency in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) criteria and application in clinical study
Authors: Schneider Catherine , Huddleston Heather , Masharani Umesh , Mason Ashley E. , Frassetto Lynda 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: In this manuscript, we review the various criteria used to diagnosis PCOS, and discuss how the specific diagnostic criteria used can impact recruitment for PCOS studies. PCOS is a common diagnosis, but with a number of differing definitions. We were interested in addressing these differing stringencies and application in clinical trial, such as our group’s PCOS diet study. Methods: For our study on the effects of diets to alter insulin resistance, we adopted the one using more stringent criteria, consisting of biochemical abnormalities, menstrual abnormalities, insulin resistance and abnormal ovarian size and structure. Our study actively recruits from PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We reported number of women successfully recruited using our PCOS diagnosis stringency, and how these numbers differ from women referred to PCOS clinics in the Bay Area. We also report the reasons patients did not fit our diagnosis criteria to shed insight into how diagnosis differ between healthcare professionals. Results: To our surprise, the vast majority of subjects seen in the tertiary referral PCOS center at UCSF did not qualify for the study. Conclusion: The definition of PCOS may be important in study design, and can impact the ability to recruit for the study.
Is caffeine intake a risk factor leading to infertility? -An epidemiological systematic review of controlled clinical studies
Authors: Fanlong Bu , Feng Xue , Yang Xiao-Ying , Ren Jun , Cao Hui-juan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous studies showed that high dose of caffeine intake may induce some specific human reproductive system diseases, even lead to infertility. This review is aimed to systematically review the evidence from all controlled clinical studies of caffeine intake for infertility. Methods: Relevant randomized/quasi-randomized controlled trials, non-randomized clinical studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies were included. Participants were either those without a history of infertility who are willing to have a baby (for prospective studies) or infertile patients with confirmed diagnosis (for retrospective studies). Caffeine or caffeine-containing beverage was observed as the exposure factor. The key outcome was the diagnosis of infertility. Results: Four studies (one cohort study and three case-control studies) involving 12912 participants were included. According NOS, the average score of case-control studies was 6, and the cohort study achieved 9. Meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted. The results showed that low (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.78-1.16), medium (OR 1.14, 95%CI 0.69-1.86) and high doses (OR 1.86, 95%CI 0.28-12.22) of caffeine intake may not increase the risk of infertility. The GRADE method was used to assess the certainty of the evidence and the results showed that the quality of the three evidence bodies were all low. Conclusion: Our study provides low quality evidence that regardless of low, medium and high doses of caffeine intake do not appear increase the risk of infertility. But the conclusion should be treated with caution. We suggest high-risk population of infertility may consider to control the dose of caffeine intake (less than 200mg/d). Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42015015714
Impact of maternal periodontitis on preterm birth and low birth weight in babies: results of a scoping review
Authors: UWAMBAYE Peace , MUNYANSHONGORE Cyprien , RULISA Stephen , SHIAU Harlan J , NUHU Assuman , KERR Michael S 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : World wide, numerous studies have shown a significant association between periodontitis and prematurity and/ or low birth weight particularly in developing countries. Periodontitis has been documented as public health concern but its association with preterm and /or low birth weight remains uncertain, thus the objective of this scoping review is to summarize the most recent published evidence related to the effect of periodontitis on preterm birth and low birth weight. Methods Hinari, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched to acquire the published literature. The retrieved studies included cross-sectional, case control studies and randomized controlled trials with available full text published in English from 2008 to 2019. The key words used to identify relevant articles for review included the following: periodontitis, periodontal disease, pregnancy, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Results : 333 articles were identified initially after combining all the key words, with only 133 eligible articles published from 2008 to 2019. After review of the available 50 full text articles, duplicates were removed and 15 studies fully met the inclusion criteria. 13 articles supported the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm and/ or low birth weight while 2 found no evidence to support the association. Although we did not appraise methodological quality or risk of bias of the selected studies, as per the guidelines for scoping reviews, good quality and up to date studies were selected. However, there were some inconsistencies in the findings due to differed case definitions, study settings and sample. Conclusion : The results of this scoping review are consistent with a previous review of case-control studies only, thereby contributing to an increasing body of evidence to support the hypothesis that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight. More rigorous studies with larger prospective cohorts are needed to provide more conclusive frameworks for testing the suspected clinical association between maternal periodontitis and perinatal outcomes.
A qualitative study on the implementation of Family Health Team: the perspectives of providers and patients
Authors: Hanafiah Ainul Nadziha Mohd , Johari Mohammad Zabri , Azam Syafinas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Malaysia has committed to the global call to achieve universal health coverage, and with the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals, is further strengthening the health system through the primary health care services, particularly the family doctor concept (FDC). The Enhanced Primary Health Care (EnPHC) initiative was implemented to address the worrying upward trend of NCD prevalence, and incorporates the Family Health Team (FHT) concept. The aim of this paper is to describe the implementation of the FHT as part of the EnPHC intervention. Methods: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with the intervention design team, healthcare providers and patients in two rounds during the implementation period. We explored their views on the design and plans for the intervention, the process, acceptance, adoption, feasibility and sustainability of the intervention, as well as patients’ awareness and understanding of the FHT implementation. Results: Themes that emerged from the data were around the process of FHT implementation and the advantages of the FHT, which included continuity of health care and improved quality of care. Patients and health care providers were receptive to the FHT concept, and took the effort to adapt the concept in the local settings. Conclusions: The FHT concept implemented at 20 public primary health clinics has benefits appreciated by HCPs and patients. Addressing the viable shortcomings would better prepare the current primary healthcare system to scale up the FHT concept nationwide and enhance its feasibility and sustainability. Trial registration: The study is registered with the National Medical Research Register, Ministry of Health Malaysia (NMRR-17-295-34771).
First report of southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, infecting pomegranate, Punica granatum, in Peru
Authors: Vega-Callo Ricardo Andreé , Mendoza-Lima María Yaquelin , Mamani-Mendoza Nataly Ruth , Lozada-Villanueva Leslie Sharon , Tamo-Zegarra Juan José , Casa-Ruiz Teodocia Gloria , Bellé Cristiano 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Punica granatum plants showing symptoms caused by root-knot nematodes were detected in the municipality of Majes, Arequipa, Peru. Based on the morphological, esterase phenotypes, and molecular analyses of the mitochondrial DNA region between the cytochome oxidase subunit II and 16 S rRNA genes (mtDNA) and species-specific sequence characterized amplified region, the causal agent of the observed symptoms was identified as Meloidogyne incognita. Pathogenicity was confirmed by fulfilling a modified version of Koch’s postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. incognita infecting P. granatum in Peru.
Influences of stormwater concentration infiltration on the heavy metal contents of soil in rain gardens
Authors: Guo Chao , Li Jiake , Li Huaien , Li Yajiao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Many studies have been conducted on water volume reduction and pollutants purification of rain gardens. However, the pollutant variations in rain gardens are rarely explored. Seven soil sampling events were conducted from April 2017 to February 2019 to investigate the influences of stormwater concentration infiltration on soil heavy metals in two rain gardens. The results show that: (1) Cu, Zn, and Cd contents in rain garden soil are greater than those of the control soil. They vary with seasons and are trapped in the top layer of 0–30 cm; (2) Cu, Zn, and Pb exist as iron–manganese oxide combined form (S3), organic bound (S4) and residual forms (S5). However, Cd exists in exchangeable (S1) and carbonate bound (S2) forms, whereas Cr is in the S2, S3, and S4 forms. (3) According to the Soil Environmental Quality Standard in China, rain gardens, running for 8–9 years, are relatively clean and, within level II. However, compared with the background content of Shaanxi Province and the world, they are moderately or even heavily polluted by Cd and Zn and slightly polluted by Cu. It indicates that rain gardens have the risk of heavy metal pollution from stormwater concentration infiltration.
Effective degradation of tetracycline by magnetic palygorskite synthesized with different dosages of NaOH
Authors: Lian Jintao , Yi Yunqiang , Zhang Nuanqin , Fang Zhanqiang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In the process of preparing magnetic palygorskite from waste pickling liquor of the steel industry, the dosage of NaOH will affect the properties of the magnetic palygorskite. The experimental results showed that magnetic palygorskite can be effectively prepared when NaOH dosage is between 255 and 330 g/L. Vibration sample magnetometry proved that different NaOH dosages can affect the saturation magnetization of magnetic palygorskite. The catalytic performance of five catalysts synthesized with different NaOH dosages hardly changed after five cycles of Fenton-like catalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The magnetic palygorskite prepared by this method had good catalytic performance even when the catalyst preparation conditions were magnified ten times, which can provide a reference for large-scale preparation of magnetic palygorskite.
Activated carbon embedded alginate beads for removing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen from wastewater: equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, desorption, and reusability
Authors: Ozcan Nazli , Saloglu Didem 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In the present study, activated carbon/alginate (AC/ALG) beads were successfully synthesized with different AC:ALG ratios of 1.0–3.0 (w/v) and used for the adsorption of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen from wastewater. The beads were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and adsorbent dosage, initial pH, initial naproxen concentration, and contact time in removal efficiency were investigated. Maximum naproxen removal percentage was achieved using 350 mg of AC/ALG beads with a ratio of 3.0% (w/v) within six hours and naproxen removal performance was determined to be 98.0%. Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were fitted to the equilibrium data better than the Langmuir model. According to kinetics results, the equilibrium time for the AC/ALG beads was reached in four hours and the kinetic model was determined by the pseudo-second-order equation. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated and enthalpy of naproxen adsorption was found to be positive for all AC/ALG beads. After the adsorption process the beads can easily be regenerated by ethanol and reused within seven cycles.
Zidovudine Glycosylation by Filamentous Fungi Leads to a Better Redox Stability and Improved Cytotoxicity in B16F10 Murine Melanoma Cells
Authors: Arruda Evilanna L. , Japiassu Kamila B. , de Melo Souza Paula L. , Araújo Kelly C.F. , Thomaz Douglas V. , Cortez Alane P. , Garcia Luane F. , Valadares Marize C. , de Souza Gil Eric , de Oliveira Valéria 
Published: April 2020

Background:
The strategic development of therapeutic agents, capable of being targeted at their
active sites, has been a major goal in treatment of cancer. The delivery of drugs for tumors has as its main challenge
the development of safe and effective drugs, since the goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate the tumor
completely without affecting healthy cells. The aim of present study was to investigate the antioxidant, anticancer
activities of zidovudine and its α-O-glycosylated derivative obtained by biosynthesis of a filamentous fungi,
Cunninghamela echinulata.

Methods:
An evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of zidovudine and its α-O-glycosylated was performed in
fibroblasts and melanoma cells by the tetrazolium reduction method (MTT) and the antioxidant activity of this
derivative was observed.

Results:
The antioxidant activity of zidovudine demonstrated an electrochemical oxidation potential of 0.91V,
while the α-O-glycosylated derivative did not exhibit any antioxidant activity. The zidovudine exhibited low
cytotoxicity for melanoma and fibroblast cells, while the α-O-glycosylated derivative presented better cytotoxicity
on melanoma cells at a concentration of 10mg. mL-1.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the specific cytotoxicity of the glycoconjugate and suggests that glycosylation
by biosynthesis can be a useful strategy for obtaining new anticancer compounds.
Isovitexin Inhibits Stemness and Induces Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma SK-Hep-1 Spheroids by Upregulating miR-34a Expression
Authors: Xu Chang , Cao Xiaocheng , Cao XiaoZheng , Liu Lihua , Qiu Yebei , Li Xiang , Zhou Lingli , Ning Yingxia , Ren Kaiqun , Cao Jianguo 
Published: April 2020

Background:
We previously demonstrated that isovitexin (apigenin-6-C-glucoside, ISOV) suppressed
the stemness of human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, the mechanism of its action
remains to be deciphered.

Objective:
The current study was to examine whether ISOV regulates the miR-34a expression and hence suppresses
the stemness of HCC SK-Hep-1 cells.

Methods:
After identification of the stemness, apoptosis resistance and decreased miR-34a expression of
spheres from SK-Hep-1 cells (SK-SC), we utilized transfection of a miR-34a mimic or inhibitor to investigate
the effects of ISOV on miR-34a, Bcl-2, Bax and Mcl-1 expression in order to understand the mechanism underlying
ISOV-mediated repression of stemness and promotion of apoptosis.

Results:
Our results demonstrated that SK-SC displayed higher stemness and resistance to apoptosis, as well as
reduced miR-34a levels compared to SK-Hep-1 cells. ISOV suppressed sphere and colony formation, and decreased
CD44+ cell populations. In addition, ABCG2, ALDH1, and NANOG mRNA levels were decreased, while
there was a concomitant increase in miR-34a levels. With regards to apoptosis-related proteins, ISOV increased
Bax protein levels, and reduced Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 protein levels in SK-SC. Importantly, there was a cooperative
effect when miR-34a was overexpressed in the presence of ISOV in SK-SC, and down-regulation of miR-34a
attenuated the effects of ISOV in SK-Hep-1 cells.

Conclusion:
We suggest that ISOV-mediated miR-34a upregulation induces apoptosis and suppresses the
stemness of SK-SC. Our data indicate that ISOV exhibits therapeutic potential for the treatment of HCC.
Synthesis, In Vitro Antitumor Activity and Molecular Mechanism of Novel Furan Derivatives and their Precursors
Authors: Lu Dan , Zhou Ya , Li Qin , Luo Juan , Jiang Qihua , He Baicheng , Tang Qiang 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Compounds featuring furan nucleus exhibit diverse biological properties. Lots of furan
derivatives have been explored as pharmaceutical compounds. Hence it is of great interest to explore furan derivatives
and their precursors as antitumor agents.

Objective:
A series of novel furan derivatives and their precursors (1-36) were synthesized from α-haloketones
and β-dicarbonyl compounds.

Methods:
The reactions between β-dicarbonyl compounds and α-haloketones under basic conditions produced
tricarbonyls or dihydrofurans, which were then condensed into their corresponding furan products. Their
potential antiproliferative activity in vitro against two human tumor cell lines-cervical (HeLa) and colorectal
(SW620) was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Compounds 1 and 24 were selected for Western blot analysis.

Results:
Pronounced anti-proliferative effect in the micromolar level was observed for compounds (1, 4, 17, 20,
21, 24, 27, 31 and 32) in HeLa cells, with their IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 8.79μM. Additionally, furan
compounds (24, 26, 32 and 35) had moderate to potent anti-proliferative activity against the SW620 cell line.
Furthermore, the possible targets of these compounds were explored by Western blot analysis. The results indicated
that the candidates (compounds 1 and 24) exhibited excellent antiproliferative activity, which may be
mediated by promoting the activity of PTEN to suppress PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Conclusion:
Most of the furan derivatives and their precursors reported herein exhibited moderate to excellent
anti-proliferative activity against HeLa cell line and/or SW620 cell line. Compounds 1 and 24, as well as their
analogues may be developed as promising anti-cancer agents.
UBE2L6 is Involved in Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating the Transcription of ABCB6
Authors: Murakami Midori , Izumi Hiroto , Kurita Tomoko , Koi Chiho , Morimoto Yasuo , Yoshino Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Cisplatin is an important anticancer agent in cancer chemotherapy, but when resistant
cells appear, treatment becomes difficult, and the prognosis is poor.

Objective:
In this study, we investigated the gene expression profile in cisplatin sensitive and resistant cells, and
identified the genes involved in cisplatin resistance.

Methods:
Comparison of gene expression profiles revealed that UBE2L6 mRNA is highly expressed in resistant
cells. To elucidate whether UBE2L6 is involved in the acquisition of cisplatin resistance, UBE2L6-
overexpressing cells established from cisplatin-sensitive cells and UBE2L6-silenced cells developed from cisplatin-
resistant cells were generated, and the sensitivity of cisplatin was examined.

Results:
The sensitivity of the UBE2L6-overexpressing cells did not change compared with the control cells, but
the UBE2L6-silenced cells were sensitized to cisplatin. To elucidate the mechanism of UBE2L6 in cisplatin
resistance, we compared the gene expression profiles of UBE2L6-silenced cells and control cells and found that
the level of ABCB6 mRNA involved in cisplatin resistance was decreased. Moreover, ABCB6 promoter activity
was partially suppressed in UBE2L6-silenced cells.

Conclusion:
These results suggest that cisplatin-resistant cells have upregulated UBE2L6 expression and contribute
to cisplatin resistance by regulating ABCB6 expression at the transcriptional level. UBE2L6 might be a
molecular target that overcomes cisplatin resistance.