bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Inhibition of ZEB1-AS1 confers cisplatin sensitivity in breast cancer by promoting microRNA-129-5p-dependent ZEB1 downregulation
Authors: Gao Jin , Yuan Yuan , Zhang Lili , Yu Shaorong , Lu Jianwei , Feng Jifeng , Hu Sainan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are of critical importance in tumor drug resistance. Herein, this study aims to determine the roles of lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 in drug resistance of breast cancer involving microRNA-129-5p (miR-129-5p) and ZEB1.MethodsMicroarray-based gene expression profiling of breast cancer was conducted to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs. ZEB1 expression was measured in adjacent and cancerous tissues. Next, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with a series of inhibitor, mimic or siRNA to clarify the roles of lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 and miR-129-5p in drug resistance of breast cancer. Then the target relationship of miR-129-5p with lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 and ZEB1 was verified. The expression patterns of miR-129-5p, lncRNA ZEB1-AS1,Bcl-2,MDR-1, ZEB1 and corresponding proteins were evaluated. Moreover, the apoptosis and drug resistance of MCF-7 cell were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry respectively.ResultsLncRNA ZEB1-AS1 was observed to be an upregulated lncRNA in breast cancer, and ZEB1 overexpression was noted in breast cancerous tissues. MiR-129-5p was revealed to specifically bind to both ZEB1 and lncRNA ZEB1-AS1. Moreover, the expression levels of ZEB1-AS1, ZEB1,Bcl-2,MDR-1, and corresponding proteins were decreased, but the expression of miR-129-5p was increased with transfection of miR-129-5p mimic and lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 siRNA. Besides, drug resistance to cisplatin was inhibited, and cell apoptosis was promoted in breast cancer after transfection of miR-129-5p mimic, lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 siRNA, and ZEB1 siRNA.ConclusionIn conclusion, the study provides evidence that lncRNA ZEB1-AS1 silencing protects against drug resistance in breast cancer by promoting miR-129-5p-dependent ZEB1 downregulation. It may serve as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer treatment.
The impact of food fortification on stunting in Zimbabwe: does gender of the household head matter?
Authors: Kairiza Terrence , Kembo George , Pallegedara Asankha , Macheka Lesley 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundHigh prevalence of stunting in children under 5 years poses a major threat to child development in developing countries. It is associated with micronutrient deficiency arising from poor diets fed to children under 5 years. Food fortification is amongst the interventions focused at reducing the incidence of stunting in children under 5 years.MethodsUsing a large-scale household data from Zimbabwe, we investigated the gender-based importance of household adoption of food fortification on the proportion of stunted children in the household. We employed propensity score matching to mitigate self-selection bias associated with household adoption of food fortification.ResultsWe offer three major findings. Firstly, we find statistically weak evidence that female headed households are more likely to adopt food fortification than their male counterparts. Secondly, food fortification reduces the proportion of stunted children in the household. Finally, in comparison to non-adopters, female headed households that adopt food fortification are more able to reduce the proportion of stunted children in their households than their male counterparts.ConclusionThe results highlight the need for policy makers to actively promote food fortification, as such interventions are likely to contribute to the reduction of stunting and to involve men in fortification interventions to improve on their knowledge and appreciation of fortified foods and the associated benefits.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibition attenuates white matter gliosis after systemic inflammation in preterm fetal sheep
Authors: Galinsky Robert , Dhillon Simerdeep K. , Dean Justin M. , Davidson Joanne O. , Lear Christopher A. , Wassink Guido , Nott Fraser , Kelly Sharmony B. , Fraser Mhoyra , Yuill Caroline , Bennet Laura , Gunn Alistair Jan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Increased circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are associated with greater risk of impaired neurodevelopment after preterm birth. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that systemic TNF inhibition, using the soluble TNF receptor Etanercept, would attenuate neuroinflammation in preterm fetal sheep exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods
Chronically instrumented preterm fetal sheep at 0.7 of gestation were randomly assigned to receive saline (control; n = 7), LPS infusion (100 ng/kg i.v. over 24 h then 250 ng/kg/24 h for 96 h plus 1 μg LPS boluses at 48, 72, and 96 h, to induce inflammation; n = 8) or LPS plus two i.v. infusions of Etanercept (2 doses, 5 mg/kg infused over 30 min, 48 h apart) started immediately before LPS-exposure (n = 8). Sheep were killed 10 days after starting infusions, for histology.

Results
LPS boluses were associated with increased circulating TNF, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, electroencephalogram (EEG) suppression, hypotension, tachycardia, and increased carotid artery perfusion (P < 0.05 vs. control). In the periventricular and intragyral white matter, LPS exposure increased gliosis, TNF-positive cells, total oligodendrocytes, and cell proliferation (P < 0.05 vs control), but did not affect myelin expression or numbers of neurons in the cortex and subcortical regions. Etanercept delayed the rise in circulating IL-6, prolonged the increase in IL-10 (P < 0.05 vs. LPS), and attenuated EEG suppression, hypotension, and tachycardia after LPS boluses. Histologically, Etanercept normalized LPS-induced gliosis, and increase in TNF-positive cells, proliferation, and total oligodendrocytes.

Conclusion
TNF inhibition markedly attenuated white matter gliosis but did not affect mature oligodendrocytes after prolonged systemic inflammation in preterm fetal sheep. Further studies of long-term brain maturation are now needed.
History of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in ancient China: a narrative review
Authors: Yu Yang , Liu Xiaojie , Wang Li Juan , Wang Sudena , Ao Hushan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractModern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) comprises an open airway, artificial ventilation, chest compressions and, if necessary, defibrillation. CPR has been intensively studied and tested to perfect an integrated and effective resuscitation system in the West. However, CPR efforts in China has been understudied and underreported. CPR has been performed for more than 2000 years in China. As early as the third century BC, a Chinese doctor named Zhongjing Zhang presented a detailed program to save patients from suicide by hanging in the book entitled “Synopsis of the Golden Chamber”. Dr. Zhang proposed “not only to save the body, but also to save the spirit”, which remains a guiding principle in modern resuscitation: to not only ensure cardiopulmonary recovery but also preserve the brain function. We aim to review and summarize efforts of CPR in China from a historic point of view.
Tandem CTCF sites function as insulators to balance spatial chromatin contacts and topological enhancer-promoter selection
Authors: Jia Zhilian , Li Jingwei , Ge Xiao , Wu Yonghu , Guo Ya , Wu Qiang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundCTCF is a key insulator-binding protein, and mammalian genomes contain numerous CTCF sites, many of which are organized in tandem.ResultsUsing CRISPR DNA-fragment editing, in conjunction with chromosome conformation capture, we find that CTCF sites, if located between enhancers and promoters in the protocadherin (Pcdh) andβ-globinclusters, function as an enhancer-blocking insulator by forming distinct directional chromatin loops, regardless whether enhancers contain CTCF sites or not. Moreover, computational simulation in silico and genetic deletions in vivo as well as dCas9 blocking in vitro revealed balanced promoter usage in cell populations and stochastic monoallelic expression in single cells by large arrays of tandem CTCF sites in thePcdhand immunoglobulin heavy chain (Igh) clusters. Furthermore, CTCF insulators promote, counter-intuitively, long-range chromatin interactions with distal directional CTCF sites, consistent with the cohesin “loop extrusion” model. Finally, gene expression levels are negatively correlated with CTCF insulators located between enhancers and promoters on a genome-wide scale. Thus, single CTCF insulators ensure proper enhancer insulation and promoter activation while tandem CTCF topological insulators determine balanced spatial contacts and promoter choice.ConclusionsThese findings have interesting implications on the role of topological chromatin insulators in 3D genome folding and developmental gene regulation.
Using human pluripotent stem cell models to study autism in the era of big data
Authors: Nehme Ralda , Barrett Lindy E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAdvances in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) biology coupled with protocols to generate diverse brain cell types in vitro have provided neuroscientists with opportunities to dissect basic and disease mechanisms in increasingly relevant cellular substrates. At the same time, large data collections and analyses have facilitated unprecedented insights into autism genetics, normal human genetic variation, and the molecular landscape of the developing human brain. While such insights have enabled the investigation of key mechanistic questions in autism, they also highlight important limitations associated with the use of existing hPSC models. In this review, we discuss four such issues which influence the efficacy of hPSC models for studying autism, including (i) sources of variance, (ii) scale and format of study design, (iii) divergence from the human brain in vivo, and (iv) regulatory policies and compliance governing the use of hPSCs. Moreover, we advocate for a set of immediate and long-term priorities to address these issues and to accelerate the generation and reproducibility of data in order to facilitate future fundamental as well as therapeutic discoveries.
Spinal cord hypermetabolism extends to skeletal muscle in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a computational approach to [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT images
Authors: Bauckneht Matteo , Lai Rita , Miceli Alberto , Schenone Daniela , Cossu Vanessa , Donegani Maria Isabella , Raffa Stefano , Borra Anna , Marra Stefano , Campi Cristina , Orengo Annamaria , Massone Anna Maria , Tagliafico Alberto , Caponnetto Claudia , Cabona Corrado , Cistaro Angelina , Chiò Adriano , Morbelli Silvia , Nobili Flavio , Sambuceti Gianmario , Piana Michele , Marini Cecilia 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to neuromuscular palsy and death. We propose a computational approach to [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT images to analyze the structure and metabolic pattern of skeletal muscle in ALS and its relationship with disease aggressiveness.

Materials and methods
A computational 3D method was used to extract whole psoas muscle’s volumes and average attenuation coefficient (AAC) from CT images obtained by FDG PET/CT performed in 62 ALS patients and healthy controls. Psoas average standardized uptake value (normalized on the liver, N-SUV) and its distribution heterogeneity (defined as N-SUV variation coefficient, VC-SUV) were also extracted. Spinal cord and brain motor cortex FDG uptake were also estimated.

Results
As previously described, FDG uptake was significantly higher in the spinal cord and lower in the brain motor cortex, in ALS compared to controls. While psoas AAC was similar in patients and controls, in ALS a significant reduction in psoas volume (3.6 ± 1.02 vs 4.12 ± 1.33 mL/kg; p < 0.01) and increase in psoas N-SUV (0.45 ± 0.19 vs 0.29 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) were observed. Higher heterogeneity of psoas FDG uptake was also documented in ALS (VC-SUV 8 ± 4%, vs 5 ± 2%, respectively, p < 0.001) and significantly predicted overall survival at Kaplan–Meier analysis. VC-SUV prognostic power was confirmed by univariate analysis, while the multivariate Cox regression model identified the spinal cord metabolic activation as the only independent prognostic biomarker.

Conclusion
The present data suggest the existence of a common mechanism contributing to disease progression through the metabolic impairment of both second motor neuron and its effector.
PIWI-interacting RNAs: new biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Maleki Dana Parisa , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Mirhashemi Seyyed Mehdi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCancer is one of the most important reasons of mortality in the world. However, there are several therapeutic platforms to treat patients who suffering from cancer common treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and etc. The current therapeutic approaches are related to some limitations. Hence, more understanding about molecular mechanisms that involved in cancer particularly in breast cancer pathogenesis, could contribute to provide better therapeutic platforms. Recently, non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs have attracted researchers’ attention in the field of cancer due to their functions in gene expression’s regulation and functional interactions with other molecules. Interestingly, great advances in next-generation sequencing lead to considering other roles for another non-coding RNAs subgroup called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in addition to their functions in the germline. Novel studies investigated the role of piRNAs in several cancers including lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, multiple myeloma and colorectal cancer. Hopefully, based on new findings, piRNAs may be a potential biomarker which can be used as a tool to diagnose or treat breast cancer. Thus, this review aimed to discuss the role of piRNAs in breast cancer progression and metastasis as well as its molecular mechanisms.
Set-valued Leader type contractions, periodic point and endpoint theorems, quasi-triangular spaces, Bellman and Volterra equations
Authors: Włodarczyk Kazimierz 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSet-valued contractions of Leader type in quasi-triangular spaces are constructed, conditions guaranteeing the existence of nonempty sets of periodic points, fixed points and endpoints of such contractions are established, convergence of dynamic processes of these contractions are studied, uniqueness properties are derived, and single-valued cases are considered. Investigated dynamic systems are not necessarily continuous and spaces are not necessarily sequentially complete or Hausdorff. Obtained results suggest, in particular, strategies to new studies of functional Bellman equations and variable discounted Bellman equations in metric spaces and integral Volterra equations in locally convex spaces. Results in this direction are also presented in this paper. More precisely, without continuity of Bellman and Volterra appropriate operators, the sets of solutions of these equations (which are periodic points of these operators) are studied and new and general convergence, existence and uniqueness theorems concerning such equations are proved.
Soil moisture controls the spatio-temporal pattern of soil respiration under different land use systems in a semi-arid ecosystem of Delhi, India
Authors: Meena Archana , Hanief M. , Dinakaran J. , Rao K. S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundSoil respiration (SR) is a critical process for understanding the impact of climatic conditions and land degradation on the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. We measured the SRand soil environmental factors over 1 year in four land uses with varying levels of disturbance and different vegetation types viz., mixed forest cover (MFC),Prosopis juliflora(Sw.) forest cover (PFC), agricultural field (AF), and vegetable field (VF), in a semi-arid area of Delhi, India. Our primary aim was to assess the effects of soil moisture (SM), soil temperature (ST), and soil microbial activity (SMA) on the SR.MethodsThe SRwas measured monthly using an LI-6400 with an infrared gas analyser and a soil chamber. The SMwas measured using the gravimetric method. The ST(10 cm) was measured with a probe attached to the LI-6400. The SMAwas determined by fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis.ResultsThe SRshowed seasonal variations, with the mean annual SRranging from 3.22 to 5.78 μmol m−2s−1and higher SRrates of ~ 15–55% in the cultivated fields (AF, VF) than in the forest sites (MFC, PFC). The VF had significantly higher SR(P< 0.05) than the other land uses (AF, PFC, MFC), which did not vary significantly from one another in SR(P< 0.05). The repeated measures ANOVA evaluated the significant differences (P< 0.05) in the SRfor high precipitation months (July, August, September, February). The SMas a single factor showed a strong significant relationship in all the land uses (R2= 0.67–0.91,P< 0.001). The effect of the STon the SRwas found to be weak and non-significant in the PFC, MFC, and AF (R2= 0.14–0.31;P> 0.05). Contrasting results were observed in the VF, which showed high SRduring summer (May; 11.21 μmol m−2s−1) and a significant exponential relationship with the ST(R2= 0.52;P< 0.05). The SRwas positively related to the SMA(R2= 0.44–0.5;P< 0.001). The interactive equations based on the independent variables SM, ST, and SMAexplained 91–95% of the seasonal variation in SRwith better model performance in the cultivated land use sites (AF, VF).ConclusionSMwas the key determining factor of the SRin semi-arid ecosystems and explained ~ 90% of the variation. Precipitation increased SRby optimizing the SMand microbial activity. The SMA, along with the other soil factors SMand ST, improved the correlation with SR. Furthermore, the degraded land uses will be more susceptible to temporal variations in SRunder changing climatic scenarios, which may influence the carbon balance of these ecosystems.
Salmonella Typhimurium infection disrupts but continuous feeding of Bacillus based probiotic restores gut microbiota in infected hens
Authors: Khan Samiullah , Chousalkar Kapil K. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The gut microbiota plays an important role in the colonisation resistance and invasion of pathogens. Salmonella Typhimurium has the potential to establish a niche by displacing the microbiota in the chicken gut causing continuous faecal shedding that can result in contaminated eggs or egg products. In the current study, we investigated the dynamics of gut microbiota in laying chickens during Salmonella Typhimurium infection. The optimisation of the use of an infeed probiotic supplement for restoration of gut microbial balance and reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium load was also investigated.

Results
Salmonella infection caused dysbiosis by decreasing (FDR < 0.05) the abundance of microbial genera, such as Blautia, Enorma, Faecalibacterium, Shuttleworthia, Sellimonas, Intestinimonas and Subdoligranulum and increasing the abundance of genera such as Butyricicoccus, Erysipelatoclostridium, Oscillibacter and Flavonifractor. The higher Salmonella Typhimurium load resulted in lower (P < 0.05) abundance of genera such as Lactobacillus, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, Faecalibacterium and Romboutsia suggesting Salmonella driven gut microbiota dysbiosis. Higher Salmonella load led to increased abundance of genera such as Caproiciproducens, Acetanaerobacterium, Akkermansia, Erysipelatoclostridium, Eisenbergiella, EscherichiaShigella and Flavonifractor suggesting a positive interaction of these genera with Salmonella in the displaced gut microbiota. Probiotic supplementation improved the gut microbiota by balancing the abundance of most of the genera displaced by the Salmonella challenge with clearer effects observed with continuous supplementation of the probiotic. The levels of acetate and butyrate in the faeces were not affected (P > 0.05) by Salmonella challenge and the butyrate level was increased by the continuous feeding of the probiotic. Probiotic supplementation in Salmonella challenged chickens resulted in higher level of propionate. Continuous probiotic supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the overall mean load of Salmonella in faeces and had a significant effect on Salmonella load reduction in internal organs.

Conclusions
Salmonella challenge negatively impacts the diversity and abundance of many gut microbial genera involved in important functions such as organic acid and vitamin production. Strategic feeding of a Bacillus based probiotic helps in restoring many of the microbial genera displaced by Salmonella Typhimurium challenge.
The chemotactic properties of various topical brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic preparations
Authors: Alonso Ruiz Simonato , Solari Helena Parente , de França Damasceno Eduardo , Burnier Miguel Noel Nascentes , Ventura Marcelo Palis 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
The study aimed to evaluate and compare the leukocyte chemotactic activities of various brimonidine tartrate (BT) eye drop formulations.

Methods
A 96-well dot-blot platet using a Boyden-style well was used to study the chemotactic effects of BT ophthalmic preparations. A modification was made to create blind wells where the tested agents were placed. Leukocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. As positive controls, we used diluted drugs, benzalkonium chloride solution (BAK), zymosan-activated serum, and formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine peptides. The negative control in our study was a phosphate-buffered saline solution. For each experimental condition, we measured leukocyte migration through a Millipore membrane. The differences in the mean migration distance between groups were compared using the analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results
The measured migration distances (in μm ± SD) were 62.14 ± 3.71 for BT 0.2% with BAK (Alcon Laboratories Inc.); 63.61 ± 3.81 for BT 0.2% with BAK (Allergan Inc); 40.36 ± 3.17 for BT 0.15% without BAK; and 41.02 ± 2.17 for BAK alone. The negative controls showed no chemotactic activity, while the positive controls showed the highest neutrophil migration of all experimental conditions. The differences between BT 0.15% without BAK and the other commercial formulations were statistically significant.

Conclusion
Commercial ophthalmic preparations of BT 0.2% with BAK 0.005% had higher chemotactic properties than the alternative of a lower concentration of BT and without the preservative BAK. Therefore, the latter should be considered for patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension in order to minimize iatrogenic ocular inflammation.