bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of patients with End Stage Kidney Disease on dialysis with COVID-19. From PCR to Antibody.
Authors: Ahmed Wasim , Obaidli Ali Abdul Kareem Al , Joseph Princy , Smith Edward , Khan Ayaz Ahmad , Anwar Siddiq , Chandrasekar Thangavelu , Madani Ayman Kamal Al , Dastoor Hormazdiar Dara , Zahid Imran , Costales Freddie Agbayani , Boobes Yousef Abdul Rahim , Kindi Fatima Al , Issa Salah Eldin Khalil , Hassan Mohammed Hassan , George Abraham , Holt Stephen G 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: End stage kidney disease patients on maintenance dialysis are vulnerable to contract COVID-19 infection and variable degrees of disease severity have been reported. SEHA Kidney Care (SKC) is the largest provider of dialysis services in the United Arab Emirates providing dialysis services to ~1180 patients, including ~80 patients on peritoneal dialysis. Mortality of COVID-19 among patients with ESKD on dialysis is high and ranges from 14 to 31% in different published series. Not much is known about antibody response to COVID-19 in this group of patients. Patient population demographics in the UAE are dissimilar to many other countries. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients and clinical staff who developed COVID-19 RT-PCR positivity and assess antibody response to COVID-19.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to characterize features of COVID-19 in our adult dialysis population. In addition, IgG antibody serology was also performed to assess response to COVID-19. Results: The incidence of COVID-19 infection in our population was 13%. 81% of the patients were males, average age was 53.2 ± 12​ years, and 95% were on in-center haemodialysis. The majority of patients (68%) developed mild disease while 13% required critical care. Combinations of drugs including Hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir, Lopinavir, Ritonavir, Camostat, Tocilizumab and steroids were used based on local guidelines. The median time to viral clearance was 15 days [IQR 6-26]. Overall mortality in our cohort was 9.2%.We performed COVID-19 IgG antibody serology in a subset (n=87) of RT-PCR positive patients. Interestingly, 23 (26%) patients did not develop any antibody response. We successfully implemented a regular screening strategy for patients and staff to identify asymptomatic carriers with an aim to isolate them from the rest of the cohort.Conclusions: Our study has highlighted an important finding of lack of antibody response in a quarter of patients with ESKD. This may have significant implications for this group of patients while efforts are underway to develop an effective vaccine against COVID-19. With regular screening of all dialysis patients and staff, asymptomatic carriers can be identified and prevent spread of COVID-19 within the dialysis units.
Determining 5HT7R’s involvement in modifying the antihyperalgesic effects of&nbsp;electroacupuncture on rats with recurrent migraine
Authors: Liu Lu , Xu Xiaobai , Qu Zhengyang , Zhao Luopeng , Zhang Claire Shuiqing , Li Zhijuan , Lyu Tianli , Wang Xuefei , Jing Xianghong , Li Bin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely used in clinical practice to relieve migraine pain. 5-HT7 receptor (5-HT7R) has been reported to play an excitatory role in neuronal systems and regulate hyperalgesic pain and neurogenic inflammation. 5-HT7R could influence Phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA)- or Extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated signaling pathways, which mediate sensitization of nociceptive neurons via interacting with cyclic Adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In this study, we evaluated the role of 5-HT7R in the antihyperalgesic effects of EA and the underlying mechanism through regulation of PKA and ERK1/2 in trigeminal ganglion (TG) and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Methods: Hyperalgesia was induced in rats with dural injection of inflammatory soup (IS) to cause meningeal neurogenic inflammatory pain. Electroacupuncture was applied for 15 minutes every other day before IS injection. Von Frey filaments, tail-flick, hot-plate, and cold-plated tests were used to evaluate the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Neuronal hyperexcitability in TNC was studied by an electrophysiological technique. The 5-HT7R antagonist (SB269970) or 5-HT7R agonist (AS19) was administered intrathecally before each IS application at 2-days intervals during the 7-days injection protocol. The changes in 5-HT7R and 5-HT7R-mediated signaling pathway were examined by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses.Results: When compared with IS group, mechanical and thermal pain thresholds of the IS+EA group were significantly increased. Furthermore, EA prevented the enhancement of both spontaneous activity and evoked responses of second-order trigeminovascular neurons in TNC. Remarkable decreases in 5-HT7R mRNA expression and protein levels were detected in the IS+EA group. More importantly, 5-HT7R agonist AS19 impaired the antihyperalgesic effects of EA on p-PKA and p-ERK1/2. Injecting 5-HT7R antagonist SB-269970 into the intrathecal space of IS rats mimicked the effects of EA antihyperalgesia and inhibited p-PKA and p-ERK1/2. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that 5-HT7R mediates the antihyperalgesic effects of EA on IS-induced migraine pain by regulating PKA and ERK1/2 in TG and TNC.
The Effects of Public Health Emergencies on Altruistic Behaviors: Empirical Research on the COVID-19 Pandemic in China
Authors: Jin Xiaotong , Huang Ershuai , Song Wei , Zhao Taiyang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic constitutes a public health emergency that threatens all of society. During this time, it is important for people to help each other by providing support related to the viral components of the pandemic while also assisting with difficulties experienced at the social level. However, the nature of the infection itself puts everyone at risk, which may prevent altruistic behaviors. In other words, the pandemic has created a dilemma in which individuals may need to choose between their personal safety and continuing to help others. As such, this study explored how public health emergencies affect altruistic behaviors in the context of COVID-19.Methods: Questionnaire surveys were distributed to 1508 residents from 31 provinces across China in February 2020 during the outbreak of COVID-19. Structural equation models were then implemented to test multiple research hypotheses using the obtained data.Results: Findings showed that the severity of the pandemic had both positive and negative effects on altruistic behaviors. Empathy mediated the positive relationship between the severity of the pandemic and altruistic behavior, while the sense of control mediated the negative effect between the severity of the pandemic and altruistic behavior.Conclusions: In the context of public emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, altruistic behaviors can be enhanced by strengthening the factors of empathy and sense of control. These findings are useful for a government’s altruistic behavior promotion and disaster risk management.
The Use of Molecular Docking and Spectroscopic Methods for Investigation of The Interaction Between Regorafenib with Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and Calf Thymus DNA (Ct-DNA) In The Presence Of Different Site Markers
Authors: Tanzadehpanah Hamid , Mahaki Hanie , Moradi Mohammadreza , Afshar Saeid , Moghadam Neda Hosseinpour , Salehzadeh Sadegh , Najafi Rezvan , Amini Razieh , Saidijam Massoud 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Interactions of drugs with DNA and proteins may modify their biological
activities and conformations, which effect transport and biological metabolism of drugs.

Objective:
In this study the interaction of anticancer drug regorafenib (REG) with calf thymus-DNA
(ct-DNA) and human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated

Methods:
Hence, for the first time, it was discovered interaction between REG with DNA and
HSA using multi-spectroscopic, zeta potential measurements and molecular docking method.

Results and Discussion:
DNA displacement studies showed that REG does not have any effect on
acridine orange and methylene blue bound DNA, though it was substantiated by displacement
studies with Hoechst (as groove binder). Furthermore, the different concentrations of REG induce
slight changes in the viscosity of ct-DNA. Zeta potential parameters indicated that hydrophobic interaction
plays a major role in the DNA-REG complex. Results obtained from molecular docking
demonstrate that the REG prefers to bind on the minor groove of DNAs than that of the major
groove. Binding properties of HSA reveal that intrinsic fluorescence of HSA could be quenched by
REG in a static mode. The competitive experiments in the presence of warfarin and ibuprofen (as
site markers) suggested that the binding site of REG to HSA was most probably located in the subdomain
IIA. Measurements of the zeta potential indicated that REG bound to HSA mainly by both
electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. It was found on docking procedures that REG could fit
well into HSA subdomain IIA, which confirmed the experimental results.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, REG can be delivered by HSA in a circulatory system and affect DNA
as potential target.
In-silico Studies and Biological Activity of Potential BACE-1 Inhibitors
Authors: Arya Richa , Paliwal Sarvesh , Gupta Satya P. , Sharma Swapnil , Madan Kirtika , Mishra Achal , Verma Kanika , Chauhan Neha 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Alzheimer’s disease is neurological condition causing cognitive inability and dementia. The pathological lesions and neuronal damage in brain is caused by self-aggregated fragments of mutated Amyloidal precursor protein (APP).

Objective: :
The controlled APP processing by inhibition of secretase is the strategy to reduce Aβ load to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Method:
A QSAR study was performed on 55 Pyrrolidine based ligands as BACE-1 inhibitors with activity magnitude of greater than 4.of compounds.

Results:
In an advent to design new BACE-1 inhibitors, the pharmacophore model with correlation (r = 0.90) and root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.87 was developed and validated. Further, the hits retrieved by in-silico approach were evaluated by docking interactions.

Conclusion:
Two structurally diverse compounds exhibited Asp32 and Thr232 binding with the BACE-1 receptor. The aryl substituted carbamate compound exhibited highest fit value and docking score. The biological activity evaluation by in-vitro assay was found to be >0.1µM.
Current Treatment Options for HCC: From Pharmacokinetics to Efficacy and Adverse Events in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Galati Giovanni , Massimo Vainieri Antonio Fabio , Maria Fulgenzi Claudia Angela , Di Donato Stefano , Silletta Marianna , Gallo Paolo , Onorato Angelo , Vespasiani-Gentilucci Umberto , Picardi Antonio 
Published: October 2020

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the world’s most common cancers. For over ten years, the only medical treatment for it has been the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib. Currently, however, other first or second-line therapeutic options have also shown efficacy against HCC, such as multikinase inhibitors (Regorafenib, Lenvatinib, and Cabozantinib), a monoclonal antibody against the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (Ramucirumab), and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, Ipilimumab).Aim:The aim of this paper is to review the metabolic pathways of drugs that have been tested for the treatment of HCC and the potential influence of liver failure over those pathways.Methods:The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s and European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s datasheets, results from clinical trials and observational studies have been reviewed.Results:This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding targets, metabolic pathways, drug interactions, and adverse events of medical treatments for HCC in cirrhotic patients.Conclusions:The new scenario of systemic HCC therapy includes more active drugs with different metabolic pathways and different liver adverse events. Clinical and pharmacological studies providing more data on the safety of these molecules are urgently needed.
Identification of WDFY3 Neoantigens as Prognostic Markers in Longterm Survivors of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Yingyi , Jin Bao , Zhou Na , Sun Zhao , Li Jiayi , Chen Qiao , Wu Xiangan , Zhou Yi , Shi Yue , Lu Xin , Sang Xinting , Mao Yilei , Du Shunda , Wang Wenze , Bai Chunmei 
Published: October 2020

Background:Neoantigens are newly formed antigens that have not been previously recognized by the immune system. They may arise from altered tumor proteins that form as a result of mutations. Although neoantigens have recently been linked to antitumor immunity in long-term survivors of cancers, such as melanoma and colorectal cancer, their prognostic and immune-modulatory role in many cancer types remains undefined.Objective:The purpose of this study is to identify prognostic markers for long-term extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) survival.Methods:We investigated neoantigens in EHCC, a rare, aggressive cancer with a 5-year overall survival rate lower than 10%, using a combination of whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), computational biophysics, and immunohistochemistry.Results:Our analysis revealed a decreased neutrophil infiltration-related trend of high-quality neoantigen load with IC50 <500 nM (r=-0.445, P=0.043). Among 24 EHCC patients examined, we identified four long-term survivors with WDFY3 neoantigens and none with WDFY3 neoantigens in the short-term survivors. The WDFY3 neoantigens are associated with a lower infiltration of neutrophils (p=0.013), lower expression of CCL5 (p=0.025), CXCL9 (p=0.036) and TIGIT (p=0.016), and less favorable prognosis (p=0.030). In contrast, the prognosis was not significantly associated with tumor mutation burden, neoantigen load, or immune cell infiltration.Conclusion:We suggest that the WDFY3 neoantigens may affect prognosis by regulating antitumor immunity and that the WDFY3 neoantigens may be harnessed as potential targets for immunotherapy of EHCC.
Diagnosis of Renal Diseases Based on Machine Learning Methods Using Ultrasound Images
Authors: Li Guanghan , Liu Jian , Wu Jingping , Tian Yan , Ma Liyong , Liu Yuejun , Zhang Bo , Mou Shan , Zheng Min 
Published: October 2020

Background:
The incidence rate of renal disease is high, which can cause end-stage renal
disease. Ultrasound is a commonly used imaging method, including conventional ultrasound,
color ultrasound, elastography, etc. Machine learning is a potential method which has been widely
used in clinical practices.

Objective:
To compare the diagnostic performance of different ultrasonic image measurement parameters
for kidney diseases, and to compare different machine learning methods with the human-
reading method.

Methods:
Ninety-four patients with pathologically diagnosed renal diseases and 109 normal controls
were included in this study. The patients were examined by conventional ultrasound, color ultrasound
and shear wave elasticity, respectively. Ultrasonic data were analyzed by Support vector
machine (SVM), random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and artificial neural network (ANN),
respectively, and compared with the human-reading method.

Results:
Only ultrasound elastography data have a diagnostic value for renal diseases. The accuracy
of SVM, RF, KNN and ANN methods is 80.98%, 80.32%, 78.03% and 79.67%, respectively,
while the accuracy of human-reading is 78.33%. In the data of machine learning ultrasound elastography,
the elastic hardness parameters of the renal cortex are most important.

Conclusion:
Ultrasound elastography is of the highest diagnostic value in machine learning for
nephropathy, the diagnostic efficiency of the machine learning method is slightly higher than that
of the human-reading method, and the diagnostic ability of the SVM method is higher than other
methods.
Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of SGLT2 Inhibitors
Authors: Fernandez Cornelius James , Nevins Abisha Graciano , Nawaz Shasta , Nazir Tahir , Hanna Fahmy W.F. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract::
Patients with diabetes continued to exhibit a high risk for cardiovascular and renal
events despite achieving satisfactory glycemic, blood pressure and lipid targets. Studies evaluating
new diabetes medications focused on cardiovascular events, largely overlooking heart failure (HF).
The latter has recently been recognised as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with
diabetes mellitus. There had been an unmet need for drugs with cardiovascular (including HF) and
renal protection, with an expectation that an ideal diabetic drug should improve these endpoints.
Moreover, an ideal drug should have weight reducing benefits. Recently published outcome trials
have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
agonists (GLP-1RAs) can reduce cardiovascular and renal events, together with statistically
significant weight reduction. As a result, many recently published international guidelines have recommended
SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs in patients with diabetes and pre-existing cardiovascular
disease (CVD). In this review, we will critically analyse the efficacy and cardiovascular (CV)
safety of SGLT2 inhibitors, based on the available literature to help position them in the clinical decision
process.
Maternal Sodium Valproate Exposure Alters Neuroendocrine-Cytokines and Oxido-inflammatory Axes in Neonatal Albino Rats
Authors: A-G Neama , AM El-bakry , EH Rasha , Ahmed RG 
Published: October 2020

Objective:
The aim of the study was to determine the influence of maternal sodium valproate
(SVP) on neonatal neuroendocrine (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; HPA)-cytokines and
oxido-inflammatory axes.

Methods:
Pregnant rats (Rattus norvegicus) were orally administered (by gavage) SVP (50 mg/kg)
from gestation day (GD) 8 to lactation day (LD) 21.

Results:
The elevation in serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), corticosterone, and
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels was highly significant at postnatal days (PNDs) 14
and 21 in both dams and neonates of the maternal SVP-treated group relative to those in the control
group. However, hypercortisolism (cortisolemia) was highly significant in neonates at both PNDs
14 and 21, while in dams, it was not significantly increased at LD 14 but was at LD 21. This disruption
caused adverse effects on maternal food consumption and maternal/neonatal body weight. The
maternal SVP treatment resulted in higher levels of neonatal serum adrenaline, noradrenaline, neuropeptide
Y (NPY), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), leptin, interleukins (IL-1β, IL-17, IL-4,
IL-6 & IL-2), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and lower
levels of neonatal serum growth hormone (GH), insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and adiponectin at
both PNDs. This administration also induced the oxidative stress in neonatal cerebrum and cerebellum
at both tested PNDs via the production of free radicals (malondialdehyde; MDA & nitric
oxide; NO) and reduction of antioxidant parameters (glutathione; GSH, superoxide dismutase;
SOD & catalase; CAT).

Conclusion:
Maternal SVP treatment stimulated the neonatal stress-brain (HPA) axis, resulted in
an oxido-inflammatory state, and disrupted the neuroendocrine-cytokines axis, and generally neonatal
health.
Investigation of Structural and Thermoelectric Properties of Bismuth Selenide Thin Films
Authors: Sharma Harsha , Sharma Yogesh Chandra 
Published: October 2020

Background:
Thermoelectric material with high performance and low cost is
the basic need of today. Bismuth selenide is a thermoelectric material. A set of bismuth
selenide thin films having different stoichiometry ratios varying Bi/Se ratio from 0.123 to
0.309 have been prepared.

Objective:
The present work deals with the synthesis and characterization of various thin
films of bismuth selenide. The thermoelectric properties of thin films were also investigated.
The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of composition ratio on the structural
and thermoelectric properties and to find out the best stoichiometry ratio of bismuth selenide
thin films that can be used in the application of thermoelectric devices.

Methods::
A set of bismuth selenide thin films having different elemental compositions
were prepared by employing the thermal evaporation technique. The crystal structure and
elemental composition of thin films were investigated by XRD and EDAX, respectively.
The roughness of films was analyzed by AFM. The thermoelectric properties of various
thin films were also measured.

Results:
XRD spectrum confirms the formation of phases formed in thin films which
slightly matched with standard data. AFM results indicated that the surface of films was
smooth and nanoparticles were generated on the surface. AFM results indicated that the
surfaces of annealed thin films were smoother than as-deposited thin films. Seebeck coefficient
was found negative throughout the temperature range. The power factor was also
calculated by the Seebeck coefficient and results revealed the effect of composition ratio
on Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and power factor. Thin films having a
composition ratio of 0.182 exhibited the highest power factor.

Conclusion:
This study provides relevant basic information on the thermoelectric property
of thin films, as well as presents the effect of compositional variation on thermoelectric
measurements. From the application point of view in the thermoelectric devices, the best
stoichiometric thin films out of four prepared thin films have been presented.