bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FZD2 Promotes TGF-β-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer via Activating Notch Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tuluhong Dilihumaer , Chen Tao , Wang Jingjie , Zeng Huijuan , Li Hanjun , Dunzhu Wangmu , Li Qiurong , Wang Shaohua 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the commonest female cancers, which is characterized with high incidence. Although treatments have been improved, the prognosis of BC patients in advanced stages remains unsatisfactory. Thus, exploration of the molecular mechanisms underneath BC progression is necessary to find novel therapeutic methods. Frizzled class receptor (FZD2) belongs to Frizzled family, which has been proven to promote cell growth and invasion in various human cancers. The purpose of our study was to detect the functions of FZD2 and explore its mechanism in BC.
Methods
The level of FZD2 was measured in BC tissues by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC) respectively. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), standard colony formation, transwell aasays, wound healing and flow cytometry experiments were adopted separately to test cell viability, invasion, migration, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarker were determined by using Immunofluorescence assay. Xenograft tumorigenicity assay was performed to assess the effect of FZD2 on tumor growth in vivo.
Results
We determined that FZD2 mRNA and protein expression was abundant in BC tissues. Moreover, high level of FZD2 had significant correlation with poor prognosis. In vitro functional assays revealed that silencing of FZD2 had suppressive effects on BC cell growth, migration and invasion. Animal study further demonstrated that FZD2 silencing inhibited BC cell growth in vivo. In addition, FZD2 induced EMT in BC cells in a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-dependent manner. Mechanistically, knockdown of FZD2 led to the inactivation of Notch signaling pathway.
Conclusion
Based on all these data, we concluded that FZD2 facilitates BC progression and promotes TGF-β1-inudced EMT process through activating Notch signaling pathway.
ZBTB7A, A Potential Biomarker for Prognosis and Immune Infiltrates, Inhibits Progression of Endometrial Cancer Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experiments
Authors: Geng Rong , Zheng Yuhua , Zhou Donghua , Li Qingdong , Li Ruiman , Guo Xiaoling 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Backgroud: ZBTB protein is an important member of the C2H2 zinc finger protein family. As a transcription factor, it is widely involved in the transcriptional regulation of genes, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the role of ZBTB7A in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is unclear.Methods: In our work, we assessed the importance of ZBTB 7A in UCEC. Firstly, Using Oncomine and Tumor Immunoassay Resource (TIMER) databases to evaluate the expression of ZBTB7A. Secondly, we explored the co expression network of ZBTB7A through the cBioPortal online tool, Metascape, and LinkedOmics. TIMER was also used to explore the relationship between ZB TB7A and tumor immu ne invasion, and to detect the correlation between the ZBTB7A and the marker genes related to immune infiltration. Finally, CKK8,migration, ChIP assays were introduced to partly validate ZBTB7A function in endometrialcancer cells.Results: We found t he ZBTB7A expression in TIMER was associated with various cancers, especially UCEC. The decreased expre ssion of ZBTB7A was markedly related to the stage and prognosis of UCEC. Furthermore, ZBTB7A was also related to the expression of various immune markers s uch as Neutrophils, Dendritic cell, T cell (general), Th1, Th2, and Finally, we verified that ZBTB7 A repressed E2F4 transcription and inhibited cell s proliferation and migration . These results indicate that ZBTB7A may play a vital role in regulating immune cellinfiltration in UCEC, and is a valuable prognostic marker.Conclusions:In summary, we demonstrate that ZBTB7A is notably downregulated in UCEC, play s a vital role in regu lating immune cell infiltration, possesses diagnostic and pr ognostic values and attenuated E2F4 transcription and cell proliferation , migration in vitro.
Effect of irrigation efficiency enhancement on water demand of date palms in a Tunisian oasis under climate change
Authors: Haj-Amor Zied , Acharjee Tapos Kumar 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Consideration of future change in water salinity is important for estimating irrigation demand in salinity-prone arid regions. Further, it is important to evaluate the contribution of irrigation efficiency enhancement to climate change resilience. Based on field measurements in 2019, a simulation approach from 2019 to 2050 was carried out in this study to investigate the impact of climate change and its consequences (i.e., change in water salinity) on the future gross irrigation demand of date palms and possible applied dose of water in a Tunisian oasis considering different irrigation efficiency enhancements. The estimation was done under very high (RCP 8.5), medium (RCP 6.0), and low (RCP 4.5) emission scenarios using the CROPWAT model. Results first showed an increase in gross irrigation requirement under inefficient surface irrigation (37% efficiency) from 3,340 mm year−1 in 2019 to 3,588–3,642 mm year−1 in 2050 for different climate change scenarios. This significant increase is mainly attributed to a significant change in climate variables and a high increase in water salinity. Second, considerable water savings (up to 1,980 mm) can be achieved if surface irrigation efficiency increases from the current value of 37–70%. Finally, much water can be saved only by reducing the overdose amount of water.
Impact of natural organic matter characteristics and inorganic anions on the performance of ion exchange resins in natural waters
Authors: Dixit Fuhar , Barbeau Benoit , Mohseni Madjid 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Ion exchange (IX) process is increasingly used as a cost-effective treatment for the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from drinking water. However, fundamental studies under the influence of variable NOM characteristics and inorganic anions have often been overlooked. This is important given NOM characteristics (such as charge density and molecular weight) and inorganic anions concentrations are geographically and seasonally variable. We examined the performance of a strongly basic IX resin for the simultaneous removal of NOM, inorganic ions and micropollutants (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and algal toxins), from different surface and recycled waters. The results indicated &gt;70% removal of NOM for ∼20,000 Bed Volumes (BV) with an uptake of NOM fractions following the order of their respective charge densities. IX pore blockage and consequent site reduction was observed in the presence of higher molecular weight NOM fractions (breakthrough ∼7,000 BV). Moreover, NOM and inorganic ions breakthrough corresponded to ∼85–90% site occupancy (in meq) in the absence of pore blocking compounds. IX also provided simultaneous removal of inorganic ions (&gt;90%) and charged micropollutants. Complete removals of Microcystin-LR and multiple long- and short-chained PFAS were achieved at environmentally relevant concentrations with dosages of 1,000 mg/L (or 4.5 mL/L) or higher.
Estimating the future hydric needs of Baja California, Mexico. Assessment of scenarios to stop being a region with water scarcity
Authors: Cortés-Ruiz A. , Azuz-Adeath I. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This paper shows the actual conditions of freshwater availability in Baja California (BC), Mexico. It aims to estimate the water needs by 2030, and propose scenarios to move out of the scarce water region classification defined by international organizations. A population of 4.1 million people was defined for year 2030 as a target to provide at least 1,000 m3 of water per capita. As agriculture is the main water consumer in the region, empirical decomposition and optimization methods were used to define the trend line of the principal crops production and to establish the optimum conditions for planted surface reduction and water gain. The results show that by 2030, BC will need a total of 4,105 hm3 of water to be classified as a non-water scarcity region; in 2018, BC had 3,045 hm3 of renewable water per year, therefore 1,060 m3 will be needed. The best option in economic terms to attain this goal was the reduction of croplands in Mexicali with a cost of around 82 million US dollars. Although this option is the best quantitatively, the political and social implications of it are enormous; however, the correct management of the resource in critical conditions will require difficult decisions.
Impact of commonly used Ag-Cu ion doses on Desulfovibrio sp.: growth and microbiologically induced corrosion against stainless steel
Authors: Arkan-Ozdemir S. , Cansever N. , Ilhan-Sungur E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAg-Cu ions in cooling water may inhibit the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria and therefore provide solutions to microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) problems, mainly caused by Desulfovibrio sp. To investigate this, the MIC behavior of Desulfovibrio sp. on 316L stainless steel in terms of growth and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production was investigated in the presence of Ag-Cu ions. Laboratory-scale systems were set up with final concentrations of 0.13 ppm Ag and 0.3 ppm Cu ions, as they are the frequently used doses for cooling waters, and operated over 720 hours. The corrosion rate was evaluated by gravimetric assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The growth of Desulfovibrio sp. was assessed by bacterial counting and EPS production. Ag-Cu ions in the biofilm were assessed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and EDS-elemental mapping analyses. It was concluded that the ion concentrations used caused an increase in EPS production, especially of protein. The corrosion rate of the metal by Desulfovibrio sp. in the presence of ions was detected as being 29 times higher than that in the sterile medium with the ions after 720 hours. The results suggested that Desulfovibrio sp. exhibited more corrosive behavior in the presence of non-toxic concentrations of Ag-Cu ions.
Design, simulation, and laboratory test of a single sludge drainage pipe for wastewater treatment sedimentation tank
Authors: Feilin Hao , Mingwei Shen 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This study develops a novel design scheme based on engineering fluid mechanics for the single-pipe-type sludge drainage mechanism of sedimentation tanks in the wastewater treatment industry. A laboratory-scale clarifier is fabricated for experimental verification. Sludge drainage ratio and suspended solids (SS) of inflow are selected as two factors for laboratory experiments, and SS values are measured to evaluate the performance of the sludge drainage pipe. Experiment data show that the designed single sludge drainage pipe can successfully achieve the supposed task with a coefficient of variation (CV) of SS less than 8.5%. The variation scope of CV from 1.5% to 8.3% suggests that the sludge drainage performance is relatively steady. Nine sets of 3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations, which is based on the inhomogeneous Eulerian–Eulerian multiphase model, were conducted for a comprehensive exploration and assessment. Results reveal noticeable deviations of the characteristics of the fluid in the outermost orifice of the sludge drainage pipe from the designed value. Although the fluid velocity through each orifice is matched with the designed values, the mass flowrate differs with a maximum of four times the designed value and a standard deviation of 0.4 of hole among the nine simulations. This study also suggests some considerations in the design process and routine operation of the single-pipe-type sludge drainage system.
Biological Properties of Yeast-based Mannoprotein for Prospective Biomedical Applications
Authors: Hosseini Motaharesadat , Sharifan Anoosheh 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Natural products constitute more than half of all biomolecules lately being
used in clinical settings. Mannoprotein derived from the yeast cell wall has found full biotechnological
applications.

Objective:
This study was intended to investigate antioxidant, anticancer, and toxicological properties of Kluyveromyces marxianus mannoprotein (KM).

Methods:
The KM extract was obtained through a sequence of operations, including centrifugation for cell isolation, precipi-tation with potassium citrate/ sodium metabisulfite, and recovery and purification. Its antioxidant, growth inhibition, macro-phage mitogenic, and toxic activities were evaluated for its future use in the biomedical field.

Results:
Significantly inhibitory effects of KM were obtained on reactive species. It showed antiproliferative activity against HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer) cell lines with no toxic effects on HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). The in vitro model of CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary) cell lines did not show the cytotoxic and genotoxic of KM. Also, it enhanced macrophage activity in terms of nitric oxide (NO) production and viabil-ity. No sign of acute toxicity was found in BALB/c mice, and body weight remained unchanged in guinea pigs over three months.

Conclusion:
Comprehensive biological evaluations in this study are expected to expand the potential of KM as a natural material.
Protective Effects of Astragalus Membranaceus and Ligustrazine on Rat Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Injury after Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/ Reoxygenation by Suppressing the PKCδ/MARCKS Pathway
Authors: Tang Xialin , Wang Huajun , Chen Huihuan , Sun Shuangxi , Chen Hongxia , Pan Ruihuan 
Published: August 2020

Aim and Objective:
Cell death is a main pathological change in brain ischemia. Astragalus
membranaceus (Ast) and ligustrazine (Lig), as traditional Chinese herbs, have a protective effect
against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We aim to find whether the underlying protective mechanism
of Astragalus membranaceus and ligustrazine against Oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation
(OGD/R) -induced injury in RBMECs is related to PKCδ/MARCKS pathway.

Materials and Methods:
OGD/R preconditioning was instituted in rat brain microvascular endothelial
cells (RBMECs). The survival and apoptosis of RBMECs were detected by a Cell Counting
Kit-8 and TUNEL staining; PKCδ/MARCKS and MMP9 expression were examined by immunofluorescence,
western blot and quantitative real-time PCR.

Results:
OGD/R stimulation significantly increased RBMEC apoptosis, whereas Ast+Lig, Rottlerin
or Ast+Lig+Rottlerin treatment evidently reduced cellular apoptosis and increased cell viability
(P <0.05). Furthermore, Ast+Lig, Rottlerin or Ast+Lig+Rottlerin treatment significantly reduced
mRNA expression levels of PKCδ/MARCKS and MMP9 (P <0.05), compared to OGD/R control
group. Moreover, Ast+Lig, Rottlerin or Ast+Lig+Rottlerin treatment evidently reduced protein expression
levels of PKCδ, MMP9, and MARCKS (P <0.05), compared to OGD/R control group, detected
by western blotting or immunofluorescence.

Conclusions:
The administration of Astragalus membranaceus and ligustrazine protected RBMECs
against OGD/R-induced apoptosis. PKCδ/MARCKS and MMP9 expression were significantly increased
after OGD/R stimulation, while Astragalus membranaceus and ligustrazine treatment evidently
suppressed. Collectively, Astragalus membranaceus and ligustrazine play protective effects
against OGD/R-induced injury in RBMECs through regulating PKCδ/MARCKS pathway to inhibit
MMP9 activation.
CFD Modeling of Methanol to Light Olefins in a Sodalite Membrane Reactor using SAPO-34 Catalyst with In Situ Steam Removal
Authors: Aghaeinejad-Meybodi Abbas , Mousavi Seyed Mahdi , Shahabi Ali Asghar , Kakroudi Mohammad Rostampour 
Published: August 2020

Aims and Objective:
In this work, the performance of a sodalite membrane reactor
(MR) in the conversion of methanol to olefins (MTO process) was evaluated for ethylene and
propylene production with in situ steam removal using 3-dimensional CFD (computational fluid
dynamic) technique.

Methods:
Numerical simulation was performed using the commercial CFD package COMSOL
Multiphysics 5.3. The finite element method was used to solve the governing equations in the 3-
dimensional CFD model for the present work. In the sodalite MR model, a commercial SAPO-34
catalyst in the reaction zone was considered. The influence of key operation parameters, including
pressure and temperature on methanol conversion, water recovery, and yields of ethylene,
propylene, and water was studied to evaluate the performance of sodalite MR.

Results:
The local information of component concentration for methanol, ethylene, propylene, and
water was obtained by the proposed CFD model. Literature data were applied to validate model
results, and a good agreement was attained between the experimental data and predicted results using
CFD model. Permeation flux through the sodalite membrane was increased by an increase of reaction
temperature, which led to the enhancement of water stream recovered in the permeate side.

Conclusion:
The CFD modeling results showed that the sodalite MR in the MTO process had
higher performance in methanol conversion compared to the fixed-bed reactor (methanol
conversion of 97% and 89% at 733 K for sodalite MR and fixed-bed reactor, respectively).
Computational Modeling of Environmental Co-exposure on Oil-Derived Hydrocarbon Overload by Using Substrate-Specific Transport Protein (TodX) with Graphene Nanostructures
Authors: de Oliveira Patrícia Viera , Goulart Luiza , dos Santos Cláudia Lange , Rossato Jussane , Fagan Solange Binotto , Zanella Ivana , Cordeiro M. Natália D.S. , Ruso Juan M. , González-Durruthy Michael 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundBioremediation is a biotechnology field that uses living organisms to remove contaminants from soil and water; therefore, they could be used to treat oil spills from the environment.MethodsHerein, we present a new mechanistic approach combining Molecular Docking Simulation and Density Functional Theory to modeling the bioremediation-based nanointeractions of a heterogeneous mixture of oil-derived hydrocarbons by using pristine and oxidized graphene nanostructures and the substrate-specific transport protein (TodX) from Pseudomonas putida.ResultsThe theoretical evidences pointing that the binding interactions are mainly based on noncovalent bonds characteristic of physical adsorption mechanism mimicking the “Trojan-horse effect”.ConclusionThese results open new horizons to improve bioremediation strategies in over-saturation conditions against oil-spills and expanding the use of nanotechnologies in the context of environmental modeling health and safety.
Structure-Activity Relationship Study of an Alkynylphosphonate and Vynilphosphonate Analogues of Calcitriol
Authors: Grioli Silvina M. , Alonso Eliana N. , Mascaró Evangelina , Stabile Santiago A. , Ferronato María J. , Quevedo Mario A. , Radivoy Gabriel , Facchinetti María M. , Vitale Cristian A. , Curino Alejandro C. 
Published: August 2020

Background:1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (calcitriol) shows potent growth-inhibitory properties on different cancer cell lines, but its hypercalcemic effects have severely hampered its therapeutic application. Therefore, it is important to develop synthetic calcitriol analogues that retain or even increase its antitumoral effects and lack hypercalcemic activity. Based on previous evidence of the potent antitumor effects of the synthetic alkynylphosphonate EM1 analogue, we have now synthesized a derivative called SG.Objective:The aim of the present work is to evaluate the calcemic activity and the antitumor effect of SG, comparing these effects with those exerted by calcitriol and with those previously published for EM1. In addition, we propose to analyze by in silico studies, the chemical structure-biological function relationship of these molecules.Methods:We performed the synthesis of vinylphosphonate SG analogue; in vitro assays on different cancer cell lines; in vivo assays on mice; and in silico assays applying computational molecular modeling.Results:The SG compound lacks hypercalcemic activity, similar to the parent compound EM1. However, the antitumor activity was blunted, as no antiproliferative or anti-migratory effects were observed. By in silico assays, we demonstrated that SG analogue has a lower affinity for the VDRligand- binding domain than the EM1 compound due to lack of interaction with the important residues His305 and His397.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that the chemical modification in the lateral side chain of the SG analogue affects the antitumoral activity observed previously for EM1 but does not affect the calcemic activity. These results contribute to the rational design and synthesis of novel calcitriol analogues.
Ononis natrix L. Lowers the Blood Glucose Concentration in Wistar Rats with Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Al-Mubideen Baker F. , Al-Serhan Ala-Aldeen Ahmad , Amarin Justin Z. , Al-Dweikat Arwa , Al-Muhaisen Ra'ad Z. , Shreikh Yusra Abu , Suradi Haya H. , Al-Ameer Hamzeh J. , Zihlif Malek A. 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Practitioners of traditional medicine use the decoction of Ononis natrix L.
to treat hyperglycemia. The literature offers no evidence to support the use.

Objective:
To investigate the effect of the decoction of Ononis natrix L. on the blood glucose concentration in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Methods:
We obtained 35 Wistar rats from the animal colony of The University of Jordan School
of Medicine. We induced diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg
body weight) and 23 rats (66%) survived to allocation. We randomly assigned the rats to one of
four groups: negative control (1% Tween 80 in distilled water), positive control (100 mg/kg metformin),
high-dose treatment (7.5 mL of the decoction), and low-dose treatment (3.5 mL of the decoction).
We administered the doses twice daily by oral gavage for two weeks and measured the tailblood
glucose concentration twice daily, once before the first dose and another time after the second
dose. We used linear mixed-effects regression to model the change in blood glucose concentration
as a function of the experimentation groups, with adjustments for pseudoreplication and temporal
variation.

Results:
The estimated mean change was 1 mmol/L (−30 to 31 mmol/L) for the negative control group, −26 mmol/L (−56 to 5 mmol/L) for the positive control group, −75 mmol/L (−108 to −42) for the low-dose treatment group, and −82 mmol/L (−111 to −53 mmol/L) for the high-dose treatment group.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, we demonstrate, for the first time, the hypoglycemic effect of Ononis natrix L. in an animal model of diabetes.