bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Data-driven prediction of diamond-like infrared nonlinear optical crystals with targeting performances
Authors: Wang Rui , Liang Fei , Lin Zheshuai 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCombining high-throughput screening and machine learning models is a rapidly developed direction for the exploration of novel optoelectronic functional materials. Here, we employ random forests regression (RFR) model to investigate the second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients of nonlinear optical crystals with distinct diamond-like (DL) structures. 61 DL structures in Inorganic Crystallographic Structure Database (ICSD) are selected, and four distinctive descriptors, including band gap, electronegativity, group volume and bond flexibility, are used to model and predict second-order nonlinearity. It is demonstrated that the RFR model has reached the first-principles calculation accuracy, and gives validated predictions for a variety of representative DL crystals. Additionally, this model shows promising applications to explore new crystal materials of quaternary DL system with superior mid-IR NLO performances. Two new potential NLO crystals, Li2CuPS4 with ultrawide bandgap and Cu2CdSnTe4 with giant SHG response, are identified by this model.
Cyclic Digestion and Ligation-Mediated PCR Used for Flanking Sequence Walking
Authors: Yu Dong , Zhou Tianshun , Sun Xuewu , Sun Zhizhong , Sheng Xiabing , Tan Yanning , Liu Ling , Ouyang Ning , Xu Ke , Shi Kaibing , Yuan Guilong , Ding Jia , Duan Meijuan , Yuan Dingyang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractLigation-mediated PCR (LM-PCR) is a classical method for isolating flanking sequences; however, it has a common limitation of reduced success rate owing to the circularization or multimerization of target restriction fragments including the known sequence. To address this limitation, we developed a novel LM-PCR method, termed Cyclic Digestion and Ligation-Mediated PCR (CDL-PCR). The novelty of this approach involves the design of new adapters that cannot be digested after being ligated with the restriction fragment, and cyclic digestion and ligation may be manipulated to block the circularization or multimerization of the target restriction fragments. Moreover, to improve the generality and flexibility of CDL-PCR, an adapter precursor sequence was designed, which could be digested to prepare 12 different adapters at low cost. Using this method, the flanking sequences of T-DNA insertions were obtained from transgenic rice and Arabidopsis thaliana. The experimental results demonstrated that CDL-PCR is an efficient and flexible method for identifying the flanking sequences in transgenic rice and Arabidopsis thaliana.
Graphene quantum dots as cysteine protease nanocarriers against stored grain insect pests
Authors: Batool Muazzama , Hussain Dilshad , Akrem Ahmed , Najam-ul-Haq Muhammad , Saeed Shafqat , Zaka Syed Muhammad , Nawaz Muhammad Shoib , Buck Friedrich , Saeed Qamar 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStoring grains remain vulnerable to insect pest attack. The present study developed a biopesticide using biomolecules and their encapsulation in nanoparticles. A 25 kDa cysteine protease extracted from seeds of Albizia procera (ApCP) was encapsulated in graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The insecticidal activity of ApCP, with or without GQDs, against two stored grain insect pests, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) was explored. Insects were exposed to three concentrations 7.0, 3.5 and 1.7 mg of ApCP per a gram of wheat flour and grains. The insecticidal activity of ApCP encapsulated with GQDs was improved compared to that of ApCP without GQDs for both insect pests. The number of eggs and larvae of T. castaneum was reduced by 49% and 86%, respectively. Larval mortality was increased to 72%, and adult eclosion of T. castaneum was reduced by 98% at a 7.0 mg/g concentration of ApCP with GQDs compared to that of ApCP without GQDs. Exposure to 7.0 mg/g ApCP with GQDs, the number of R. dominica eggs and larvae was reduced by 72% and 92% respectively, larval mortality was increased by 90%, and eclosion was reduced by 97%. The extraction, purification, characterization, quantification and encapsulation of ApCP with GQDs were also studied. Cysteine protease nanocarriers have the potential to control stored grain insect pests.
Leishmania donovani infection induce differential miRNA expression in CD4+ T cells
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Das Sushmita , Kumar Ajay , Tiwari Neeraj , Kumar Ashish , Abhishek Kumar , Mandal Abhishek , Kumar Manjay , Shafi Taj , Bamra Tanvir , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Vijayakumar Saravanan , Sen Abhik , Das Pradeep 
Published: February 2020

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis is characterized by mixed production of Th1/2 cytokines and the disease is established by an enhanced level of Th2 cytokine. CD4+ T cells are main cell type which produces Th1/2 cytokine in the host uponLeishmaniainfection. However, the regulatory mechanism for Th1/2 production is not well understood. In this study, we co-cultured mice CD4+ T cells withLeishmania donovaniinfected and uninfected macrophage for the identification of dysregulated miRNAs in CD4+ T cells by next-generation sequencing. Here, we identified 604 and 613 known miRNAs in CD4+ T cells in control and infected samples respectively and a total of only 503 miRNAs were common in both groups. The expression analysis revealed that 112 miRNAs were up and 96 were down-regulated in infected groups, compared to uninfected control. Nineteen up-regulated and 17 down-regulated miRNAs were statistically significant (p < 0.05), which were validated by qPCR. Further, usinginsilcoapproach, we identified the gene targets of significant miRNAs on the basis of CD4+ T cell biology. Eleven up-regulated miRNAs and 9 down-regulated miRNAs were associated with the cellular immune responses and Th1/2 dichotomy uponLeishmania donovaniinfection. The up-regulated miRNAs targeted transcription factors that promote differentiation of CD4+ T cells towards Th1 phenotype. While down-regulated miRNAs targeted the transcription factors that facilitate differentiation of CD4+ T cells towards Th2 populations. The GO and pathway enrichment analysis also showed that the identified miRNAs target the pathway and genes related to CD4+ T cell biology which plays important role inLeishmania donovaniinfection.
Association between MIR499A rs3746444 polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Shing Cheng , Lim Poh Ying , Fang Jie , Mokhtar Mira Farzana Mohamad , Hanif Ezanee Azlina Mohamad , Jamal Rahman 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNumerous studies have investigated the association of MIR499A rs3746444 polymorphism with breast cancer susceptibility, but the results have been inconsistent. In this work, we performed a meta-analysis to obtain a more reliable estimate of the association between the polymorphism and susceptibility to breast cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP and Wanfang databases up to January 2020. A total of 14 studies involving 6,797 cases and 8,534 controls were included for analysis under five genetic models: homozygous (GG vs. AA), heterozygous (AG vs. AA), dominant (AG + GG vs. AA), recessive (GG vs. AA + AG) and allele (G vs. A). A statistically significant association was observed between the polymorphism and an increased breast cancer susceptibility under all genetic models (homozygous, OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.03–1.71, P = 0.03; heterozygous, OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00–1.16, P = 0.04; dominant, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.02–1.30; P = 0.03; recessive, OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.06–1.72, P = 0.01; allele, OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00–1.26, P = 0.04). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity suggested that significant association was present only among Asians, but not Caucasians. In conclusion, MIR499A rs3746444 polymorphism was significantly associated with breast cancer susceptibility among Asians, suggesting its potential use as a genetic risk marker in this population.
Improving emulsion stability based on ovalbumin-carboxymethyl cellulose complexes with thermal treatment near ovalbumin isoelectric point
Authors: Li Zhenshun , Kuang Hairui , Yang Jinchu , Hu Jie , Ding Baomiao , Sun Weiqing , Luo Yangchao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOvalbumin (OVA) is an important protein emulsifier. However, it is unstable near the isoelectric point pH, which limits its applications in the food industry. Polysaccharides may be explored to tackle this challenge by improving its pH-dependent instability. In this work, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was used as a model polysaccharide to mix with OVA near its isoelectric point (pH 4.7) with subsequent mild heating at 60 °C for 30 min. The molecular interactions between OVA and CMC were comprehensively studied via a series of characterizations, including turbidity, zeta potential, intrinsic fluorescence, surface hydrophobicity, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The droplet sizes of the emulsions prepared by OVA-CMC were measured to analyze emulsifying property and stability. The results indicated that free OVA was easily aggregated due to loss of surface charges, while complexing with CMC significantly inhibited OVA aggregation before and after heating owing to the strong electrostatic repulsion. In addition, OVA exposed more hydrophobic clusters after heating, which resulted in the growth of surface hydrophobicity. Altogether, the heated OVA-CMC complexes presented the best emulsifying property and stability. Our study demonstrated that complexing OVA with CMC not only greatly improved its physicochemical properties but also significantly enhanced its functionality as a food-grade emulsifying agent, expanding its applications in the food industry, as development of emulsion-based acidic food products.
Detection of mutations associated with artemisinin resistance at k13-propeller gene and a near complete return of chloroquine susceptible falciparum malaria in Southeast of Tanzania
Authors: Bwire George M. , Ngasala Billy , Mikomangwa Wigilya P. , Kilonzi Manase , Kamuhabwa Appolinary A. R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn Tanzania, chloroquine was replaced by sulphadoxine- pyrimethamine (SP) as a first-line for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Due to high resistance in malaria parasites, SP lasted for only 5 years and by the end of 2006 it was replaced with the current artemisinin combination therapy. We therefore, set a study to determine the current genotypic mutations associated with Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin, partner drugs and chloroquine. Parasites DNA were extracted from dried blood spots collected by finger-prick from Tanzanian malaria infected patients. DNA were sequenced using MiSeq then genotypes were translated into drug resistance haplotypes at Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK. About 422 samples were successful sequenced for K13 gene (marker for artemisinin resistance), the wild type (WT) was found in 391 samples (92.7%) whereby 31 samples (7.3%) had mutations in K13 gene. Of 31 samples with mutations, one sample had R561H, a mutation that has been associated with delayed parasite clearance in Southeast Asia, another sample had A578S, a mutation not associated with artemisinin whilst 29 samples had K13 novel mutations. There were no mutations in PGB, EXO, P23_BP and PfMDR1 at position 86 and 1246 (markers for resistance in artemisinin partner drugs) but 270 samples (60.4%) had mutations at PfMDR1 Y184F. Additionally, genotyped PfCRT at positions 72–76 (major predictors for chroquine resistance), found WT gene in 443 out of 444 samples (99.8%). In conclusion, this study found mutations in K13-propeller gene and high prevalence of chloroquine susceptible P. falciparum in Southeast of Tanzania.
Liver function monitoring: a prospective nested case-control study of Salvia miltiorrhiza polyphenol injection
Authors: Cheng Jin-quan , Shi Qing-ping , Ding Feng , Kong Ling-ti , Yu Mei-ling , Wang Can 
Published: February 2020

AbstractInstructions for Salvia miltiorrhiza polyphenol injections indicate abnormal liver function as an occasional adverse reaction, but the incidence of this adverse drug reaction (ADR) has increased in recent years. We assessed S. miltiorrhiza polyphenol ADRs by performing a nested case-control study(NCCS) and meta-analysis. In the NCCS, 2633 patients receiving this treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College were enrolled. Logistic regression models found that in 58 (2.2%) patients experiencing abnormal liver function, the risk for liver dysfunction was associated with sulfa drug allergy (OR = 7.874, 95%CI (1.280, 48.447), P = 0.026), payment methods (OR = 0.106, 95%CI (0.012, 0.934), P = 0.043), duration of administration (OR = 0.922, 95%CI (0.862, 0.986), P = 0.017), cefathiamidine (OR = 0.441, 95%CI (0.216, 0.900), P = 0.025), human serum albumin (OR = 1.958, 95%CI (1.011, 3.789), P = 0.046), Dazhu Rhodiola injection (OR = 2.599, 95%CI (1.112, 6.070), P = 0.027), or reduced glutathione (OR = 0.394, 95%CI (0.188, 0.826), P = 0.014). Meta-analysis of reports on S. miltiorrhiza polyphenol ADRs in controlled trials and other observational studies included 676 patients, of which 17 (2.17%; 95%CI (0.0105, 0.0358)) presented with liver dysfunction; associated ADR risk factors included co-administration of other drugs. Our NCCS and meta-analysis had similar ADR incidence rates, which were higher than the rate in the drug instructions. This study provides guidance for assessing liver dysfunction risks associated with S. miltiorrhiza polyphenol injections.
Development and validation of UPLC-MS/MS method for studying the pharmacokinetic interaction of dasabuvir and tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen in Wistar rats
Authors: Almomen Aliyah , Maher Hadir M. , Alzoman Nourah Z. , Shehata Shereen M. , Al-taweel Shorog M. , Alanazi Ashwaq A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of chronic hepatitis and probably liver cirrhosis. Dasabuvir (DSV) is a direct-acting antiviral agent with efficiency in managing HCV. The anti-viral activity of the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen (TAM) suggested the synergistic effect of DSV and TAM for blocking the replication of HCV. However, being substrates and inhibitors of efflux transporters (TAM inhibits P-gp, DSV inhibits P-gp and BCRP), there is a possibility for a pharmacokinetic (PK) drug-drug interaction. In this work, a new UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of TAM, its active metabolite 4-hydroxy tamoxifen (TOH), and DSV in rat plasma. The method was applied to investigate the PK interaction between DSV and TAM/TOH following the co-administration of DSV and TAM to Wistar rats. Chromatographic analysis was performed on Waters BEHTM C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/water containing 0.1% formic acid (80: 20, v/v). The method allowed the determination of concentration ranges 20–1000, 0.1–500, 0.5–500 ng/mL for DSV, TAM, and TOH, respectively. Unexpectedly, results revealed the absence of PK interactions between DSV and TAM/TOH, compared with their single administration, suggesting the safety of co-administering DSV/TAM as an anti-viral combination without the need of dosage adjustment.
Energy metabolism of the equine cumulus oocyte complex during in vitro maturation
Authors: Lewis N. , Hinrichs K. , Leese H. J. , McG. Argo C. , Brison D. R. , Sturmey R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHorses are one of the few species, beside humans, in which assisted reproductive technology has important clinical applications. Furthermore, the horse can serve as a valuable model for the study of comparative reproductive biology. Here we present the first comprehensive characterisation of energy metabolism and mitochondrial efficiency in equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation (IVM), as determined using a combination of non-invasive consumption and release assays and mitochondrial function analysis. These data reveal notable species-specific differences in the rate and kinetics of glucose consumption and glycolysis throughout IVM. Approximately 95% of glucose consumed was accounted for by lactate production; however, high concurrent oxygen consumption indicated a comparatively increased role for non-glycolytic oxidative phosphorylation. Up to 38% of equine COC oxygen consumption could be attributed to non-mitochondrial activities and there was a significant loss of spare respiratory capacity over the course of IVM. Notably, our data also revealed that current IVM protocols may be failing to satisfy the metabolic demands of the equine COC. Our findings constitute the first report on mitochondrial efficiency in the equine COC and provide new insight into comparative gamete biology as well as metabolism of the COC during in vitro maturation.
High-flow nasal cannula therapy as apneic oxygenation during endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jhou Hong-Jie , Chen Po-Huang , Lin Chin , Yang Li-Yu , Lee Cho-Hao , Peng Chung-Kan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the clinical efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy as apneic oxygenation in critically ill patients who require endotracheal intubation in the intensive care unit (ICU). This systematic review and meta-analysis included six randomized controlled trials and a prospective study identified in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science until August 18, 2019. In this meta-analysis including 956 participants, HFNC was noninferior to standard of care during endotracheal intubation regarding incidence of severe hypoxemia, mean lowest oxygen saturation, and in-hospital mortality. HFNC significantly shortened the ICU stay by a mean of 1.8 days. In linear meta-regression interaction analysis, the risk ratio of severe hypoxemia decreased with increasing baseline partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio. In subgroup analysis, HFNC significantly reduced the incidence of severe hypoxemia during endotracheal intubation in patients with mild hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2> 200 mmHg; risk difference, −0.06; 95% confidence interval, −0.12 to −0.01; number needed to treat = 16.7). In conclusion, HFNC was noninferior to standard of care for oxygen delivery during endotracheal intubation and was associated with a significantly shorter ICU stay. The beneficial effect of HFNC in reducing the incidence of severe hypoxemia was observed in patients with mild hypoxemia.
Selenium deficiency exacerbates LPS-induced necroptosis by regulating miR-16-5p targeting PI3K in chicken tracheal tissue
Authors: Wang Lanqiao , Shi Xu , Zheng Shufang , Xu Shiwen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Multiple tissue necrosis is one of the morphological features of selenium deficiency-mediated injury. MicroRNA (miRNA) participates in the occurrence and development of necroptosis by regulating target genes. Necroptosis is a programmed form of necrosis, and it is closely related to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury. Our aim was to investigate whether Se deficiency can promote tracheal injury caused by LPS through miRNA-induced necroptosis. By establishing models of tracheal injury in Se-deficient chickens, we verified the targeting relationship between chicken-derived miR-16-5p and PI3K through bioinformatics, qRT-PCR and WB analyses, and we measured the changes in the expression of genes related to the PI3K/AKT pathway, RIP3/MLKL pathway and MAPK pathway and of heat shock proteins. Under the condition of Se deficiency, the following results were observed: PI3K/AKT expression decreased with the upregulation of miR-16-5p, the expression of necroptosis-related factors (TNF-α, RIP1, FADD, RIP3 and MLKL) increased, and the expression of Caspase 8 significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05). Light microscopy observations indicated that cell necrosis was the main pathological change due to Se deficiency injury in the tracheal epithelium. The MAPK pathway was activated, and HSP expression was upregulated, indicating that the MAPK pathway and HSPs are both involved in Se deficiency-mediated necroptosis. In addition, Se deficiency promoted the expression of necroptosis-related genes in LPS-treated chickens (p &lt; 0.05), and the pathological changes of cell necrosis were more obvious. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Se deficiency regulates the miR-16-5p-PI3K/AKT pathway and exacerbates LPS-induced necroptosis in chicken tracheal epithelial cells by activating necroptosis-related genes.
Predicting Intelligibility Deficits in Parkinson's Disease With Perceptual Speech Ratings
Authors: Chiu Yi-Fang , Neel Amy 
Published: February 2020

Purpose
This study investigated whether perceptual ratings of speech parameters were predictive of transcription intelligibility in quiet and in noise for speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method
Ten speakers with PD and five healthy controls read 56 sentences. One group of 60 listeners orthographically transcribed the sentences in quiet, and another group of 60 listeners transcribed in noise. An additional 23 listeners judged a variety of speech parameters, including articulation, prosody, resonance, voice quality, and ease of understanding on a visual analog scale. Scores of the visual analog scale ratings were regressed against transcription intelligibility in quiet and in noise.

Results
Perceptual ratings of all the speech parameters were lower for speakers with PD. Global speech understanding, indexed by ease of understanding ratings, was associated with transcription intelligibility in quiet and in noise with a stronger effect in noise. Among the rated speech parameters, ease of understanding and voice quality ratings were significant predictors of speech intelligibility in noise.

Conclusions
Speech in individuals with PD was more difficult for listeners to understand and was characterized by deficits in articulation, prosody, resonance, and voice quality compared to normal speech produced by healthy older adults. Ease of understanding ratings, even when performed in quiet, predicted intelligibility in noise. Poor voice quality ratings in PD, a sign of phonatory deficit, had a negative impact on intelligibility in noise for speakers with PD.