bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on toxic metalloproteinases-mediated skin damage induced by Scyphozoan jellyfish envenomation
Authors: Hwang Du Hyeon , Lee Hyunkyoung , Choudhary Indu , Kang Changkeun , Chae Jinho , Kim Euikyung 
Published: October 2020

AbstractJellyfish stingings are currently raising serious public health concerns around the world. Hence, the search for an effective first aid reagent for the envenomation has been the goal of many investigators in the field. There have been a few previous reports of in vivo as well as in vivo studies suggesting the metalloproteinase activity of scyphozoan jellyfish venom, such as N. nomurai venom (NnV), plays a major role in the pathogenesis. These results have inspired us to develop a metalloproteinase inhibitor as a candidate for the treatment of Scyphozoan jellyfish envenomation. It has been previously demonstrated that the major polyphenol component in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), can inhibit metalloproteinase activity of snake venoms. In fact, plant polyphenols as potential therapeutics have been shown to exert positive effects on neutralizing snake venoms and toxins. In the present study, we found that EGCG significantly inhibits the toxic proteases of NnV in a concentration-dependent manner. Human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell culture studies showed that EGCG treatment can protect the cells from NnV-induced cytotoxicity which has been accompanied by the down-regulation of human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9. Simulated rat NnV envenomation study disclosed that topical treatments with EGCG considerably ameliorated the progression of the dermonecrotic lesions caused by NnV. EGCG also reduced the activitions of tissue MMP-2 and MMP-9, which seem to be crucial players in the dermal toxic responses induced by NnV. Therefore, we propose that EGCG might be an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of cutaneoous jellyfish symptoms.
Development and preclinical evaluation of cixutumumab drug conjugates in a model of insulin growth factor receptor I (IGF-1R) positive cancer
Authors: Solomon Viswas Raja , Alizadeh Elahe , Bernhard Wendy , Makhlouf Amal , Hartimath Siddesh V. , Hill Wayne , El-Sayed Ayman , Barreto Kris , Geyer Clarence Ronald , Fonge Humphrey 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOverexpression of insulin growth factor receptor type 1 (IGF-1R) is observed in many cancers. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with PEGylated maytansine (PEG6-DM1) show promise in vitro. We developed PEG6-DM1 ADCs with low and high drug to antibody ratios (DAR) using an anti-IGF-1R antibody cixutumumab (IMC-A12). Conjugates with low (cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-Low) and high (cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-High) DAR as 3.4 and 7.2, respectively, were generated. QC was performed by UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, bioanalyzer, and biolayer-interferometry. We compared the in vitro binding and internalization rates of the ADCs in IGF-1R-positive MCF-7/Her18 cells. We radiolabeled the ADCs with 111In and used microSPECT/CT imaging and ex vivo biodistribution to understand their in vivo behavior in MCF-7/Her18 xenograft mice. The therapeutic potential of the ADC was studied in vitro and in mouse xenograft. Internalization rates of all ADCs was high and increased over 48 h and EC50 was in the low nanomolar range. MicroSPECT/CT imaging and ex vivo biodistribution showed significantly lower tumor uptake of 111In-cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-High compared to 111In-cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-Low and 111In-cixutumumab. Cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-Low significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing MCF-7/Her18 xenograft compared with cixutumumab, cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-High, or the PBS control group. Cixutumumab-PEG6-DM1-Low ADC was more effective. The study highlights the potential utility of cixutumumab-ADCs as theranostics against IGF-1R positive cancers.
Material properties and structure of natural graphite sheet
Authors: Cermak Martin , Perez Nicolas , Collins Michael , Bahrami Majid 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNatural graphite sheet (NGS) is compressible, porous, electrically and thermally conductive material that shows a potential to be used in fuel cells, flow batteries, electronics cooling systems, supercapacitors, adsorption air conditioning, and heat exchangers. We report the results of an extensive material characterization study that focuses on thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, electrical conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), compression strain, and emissivity. All the properties are density-dependent and highly anisotropic. Increasing the compression from 100 to 1080 kPa causes the through-plane thermal and electrical conductivities to increase by up to 116% and 263%, respectively. The properties are independent of the sheet thickness. Thermal and electrical contact resistance between stacked NGS is negligible at pressures 100 to 1080 kPa. In the in-plane direction, NGS follows the Wiedemann-Franz law with Lorenz number 6.6 $$\times $$
×
10$$^{-6}$$

-
6

W $$\Omega $$
Ω
K$$^{-2}$$

-
2

. The in-plane CTE is low and negative (shrinkage with increasing temperature), while the through-plane CTE is high, increases with density, and reaches 33 $$\times $$
×
10$$^{-6}$$

-
6

K$$^{-1}$$

-
1

. Microscope images are used to study the structure and relate it to material properties. An easy-to-use graphical summary of the forming process and NGS properties are provided in Appendices A and B.
Serum S100B protein as a marker of severity in Covid-19 patients
Authors: Aceti Antonio , Margarucci Lory Marika , Scaramucci Elena , Orsini Massimiliano , Salerno Gerardo , Di Sante Gabriele , Gianfranceschi Gianluca , Di Liddo Rosa , Valeriani Federica , Ria Francesco , Simmaco Maurizio , Parnigotto Pier Paolo , Vitali Matteo , Romano Spica Vincenzo , Michetti Fabrizio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 infection shows a wide-ranging clinical severity, requiring prognostic markers. We focused on S100B, a calcium-binding protein present in biological fluids, being a reliable biomarker in disorders having inflammatory processes as common basis and RAGE as main receptor. Since Covid-19 is characterized by a potent inflammatory response also involving RAGE, we tested if S100B serum levels were related to disease severity. Serum samples (n = 74) were collected from hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to Covid center. Illness severity was established by admission clinical criteria and Covid risk score. Treatment protocols followed WHO guidelines available at the time. Circulating S100B was determined by ELISA assay. Statistical analysis used Pearson’s χ2 test, t-Test, and ANOVA, ANCOVA, Linear Regression. S100B was detected in serum from Covid-19 patients, significantly correlating with disease severity as shown both by the level of intensity of care (p < 0.006) as well by the value of Covid score (Multiple R-squared: 0.3751); the correlation between Covid-Score and S100B was 0.61 (p < 0.01). S100B concentration was associated with inflammation markers (Ferritin, C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin), and organ damage markers (Alanine Aminotransferase, Creatinine). Serum S100B plays a role in Covid-19 and can represent a marker of clinical severity in Sars-CoV-2 infected patients.
High molecular weight adiponectin levels are inversely associated with adiposity in pediatric brain tumor survivors
Authors: Ronsley Rebecca , Rassekh Shahrad Rod , Fleming Adam , Empringham Brianna , Jennings William , Portwine Carol , Burrow Sarah , Zelcer Shayna , Johnston Donna L. , Thabane Lehana , Samaan M. Constantine 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhile children with brain tumors are surviving at record rates, survivors are at risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus; these conditions may be driven by excess body fat. Adiponectin in an adipokine that is inversely associated with the fat mass, and has been linked to cardiometabolic risk stratification in the general population. However, adiponectin’s profile and determinants in SCBT have not been established. We tested the hypothesis that high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels, the more biologically active form of adiponectin, were associated with adiposity in SCBT similarly to non-cancer controls. Seventy-four SCBT (n = 32 female) and 126 controls (n = 59 female) who were 5–17 years old were included. Partial correlations and multivariable regression analyses assessed the relationship between HMW adiponectin and adiposity. HMW adiponectin was inversely associated with total and central adiposity (FM%: β − 0.21, 95% CI − 0.15, − 0.08; p value < 0.0001; WHR: β − 0.14, 95% CI − 0.02, − 0.01; p value < 0.0001 ;WHtR: β − 0.21, 95% CI − 0.05, − 0.03; p value < 0.0001). In conclusion, HMW adiponectin is inversely correlated with adiposity in SCBT. Adiponectin may serve as a biomarker of cardiometabolic risk and response to interventions to prevent and manage obesity and its comorbidities in SCBT.
Variability at the 3′ untranslated region of the HLA-G gene: a study on patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinochoroiditis
Authors: Vicente Luciana de Morais , Castelli Erick C. , Veronese Rodrigues Maria de Lourdes , Deghaide Neifi Hassan Saloum , Mendes-Junior Celso Teixeira , Furtado João M. , Donadi Eduardo Antonio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCytomegalovirus retinochoroiditis (CMV-R) is the primary cause of blindness among AIDS patients. Since HLA-G is associated with the modulation of the immune response, we hypothesized that variability at the 3′ untraslated region (3′UTR) of the gene could be implicated on the predisposition to CMV-R. We evaluated whether HLA-G 3′UTR influences CMV-R development in Brazilian AIDS patients. Peripheral blood DNA was obtained from two groups of patients: (1) AIDS exhibiting CMV-R (n = 40) and (2) AIDS without CMV-R (n = 147). HLA-G 3′UTR typing was performed using sequencing analysis. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test accompanied by the calculation of the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The etiologic (EF) and preventive fractions were also estimated. Compared to AIDS patients without CMV-R, AIDS patients with CMV-R showed increased frequencies of the: (1) + 3001T allele, (2) the + 3001C/T genotype and (3) the UTR-17 (InsTTCCGTGACG) haplotype (EFs = 0.02–0.04). The UTR-3 (DelTCCGCGACG) haplotype was associated with protection against CMV-R development. Although the risk for developing CMR-V at the population level was relatively low (EF), the identification of HLA-G 3′UTR variation sites may help to further evaluate the role of post-transcriptional factors that may contribute to the existent immunosuppresion caused by HIV per se.
Estimating money laundering flows with a gravity model-based simulation
Authors: Ferwerda Joras , van Saase Alexander , Unger Brigitte , Getzner Michael 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIt is important to understand the amounts and types of money laundering flows, since they have very different effects and, therefore, need different enforcement strategies. Countries that mainly deal with criminals laundering their proceeds locally, need other measures than countries that mainly deal with foreign illegal investments or dirty money just flowing through the country. This paper has two main contributions. First, we unveil the country preferences of money launderers empirically in a systematic way. Former money laundering estimates used assumptions on which country characteristics money launderers are looking for when deciding where to send their ill-gotten gains. Thanks to a unique dataset of transactions suspicious of money laundering, provided by the Dutch Institute infobox Criminal and Unexplained Wealth (iCOV), we can empirically test these assumptions with an econometric gravity model estimation. We use this information for our second contribution: iteratively simulating all money laundering flows around the world. This allows us, for the first time, to provide estimates that distinguish between three different policy challenges: the laundering of domestic crime proceeds, international investment of dirty money and money just flowing through a country.
IL-4/IL-13 remodeling pathway of COVID-19 lung injury
Authors: Vaz de Paula Caroline Busatta , de Azevedo Marina Luise Viola , Nagashima Seigo , Martins Ana Paula Camargo , Malaquias Mineia Alessandra Scaranello , Miggiolaro Anna Flavia Ribeiro dos Santos , da Silva Motta Júnior Jarbas , Avelino Gibran , do Carmo Leticia Arianne Panini , Carstens Lucas Baena , de Noronha Lucia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 fatality rate is high when compared to the H1N1pdm09 (pandemic Influenza A virus H1N1 subtype) rate, and although both cause an aggravated inflammatory response, the differences in the mechanisms of both pandemic pneumonias need clarification. Thus, our goal was to analyze tissue expression of interleukins 4, 13, (IL-4, IL-13), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and the number of M2 macrophages (Sphingosine-1) in patients who died by COVID-19, comparing with cases of severe pneumopathy caused by H1N1pdm09, and a control group without lung injury. Six lung biopsy samples of patients who died of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 group) were used and compared with ten lung samples of adults who died from a severe infection of H1N1pdm09 (H1N1 group) and eleven samples of patients who died from different causes without lung injury (CONTROL group). The expression of IL-4, IL-13, TGF-β, and M2 macrophages score (Sphingosine-1) were identified through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Significantly higher IL-4 tissue expression and Sphingosine-1 in M2 macrophages were observed in the COVID-19 group compared to both the H1N1 and the CONTROL groups. A different mechanism of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) in SARS-CoV-2 compared to H1N1pdm09 infections were observed. IL-4 expression and lung remodeling are phenomena observed in both SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1pdm09. However, SARS-CoV-2 seems to promote lung damage through different mechanisms, such as the scarce participation Th1/Th17 response and the higher participation of the Th2. Understanding and managing the aggravated and ineffective immune response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 merits further clarification to improve treatments propose.
Seascape connectivity of European anchovy in the Central Mediterranean Sea revealed by weighted Lagrangian backtracking and bio-energetic modelling
Authors: Falcini Federico , Corrado Raffaele , Torri Marco , Mangano Maria Cristina , Zarrad Rafik , Di Cintio Antonio , Palatella Luigi , Jarboui Othman , Missaoui Hechmi , Cuttitta Angela , Patti Bernardo , Santoleri Rosalia , Sarà Gianluca , Lacorata Guglielmo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEcological connectivity is one of the most important processes that shape marine populations and ecosystems, determining their distribution, persistence, and productivity. Here we use the synergy of Lagrangian back-trajectories, otolith-derived ages of larvae, and satellite-based chlorophyll-a to identify spawning areas of European anchovy from ichthyoplanktonic data, collected in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea), i.e., the crucial channel in between the European and African continents. We obtain new evidence of ecosystem connectivity between North Africa and recruitment regions off the southern European coasts. We assess this result by using bio-energetic modeling, which predicts species-specific responses to environmental changes by producing quantitative information on functional traits. Our work gives support to a collaborative and harmonized use of Geographical Sub-Areas, currently identified by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. It also confirms the need to incorporate climate and environmental variability effects into future marine resources management plans, strategies, and directives.
QTL detection and putative candidate gene prediction for leaf rolling under moisture stress condition in wheat
Authors: Verma Aakriti , Niranjana M. , Jha S. K. , Mallick Niharika , Agarwal Priyanka , Vinod  
Published: October 2020

AbstractLeaf rolling is an important mechanism to mitigate the effects of moisture stress in several plant species. In the present study, a set of 92 wheat recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross between NI5439 × HD2012 were used to identify QTLs associated with leaf rolling under moisture stress condition. Linkage map was constructed using Axiom 35 K Breeder’s SNP Array and microsatellite (SSR) markers. A linkage map with 3661 markers comprising 3589 SNP and 72 SSR markers spanning 22,275.01 cM in length across 21 wheat chromosomes was constructed. QTL analysis for leaf rolling trait under moisture stress condition revealed 12 QTLs on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5D, and 6B. A stable QTLQlr.nhv-5D.2was identified on 5D chromosome flanked by SNP marker intervalAX-94892575–AX-95124447(5D:338665301–5D:410952987). Genetic and physical map integration in the confidence intervals ofQlr.nhv-5D.2revealed 14 putative candidate genes for drought tolerance which was narrowed down to six genes based on in-silico analysis. Comparative study of leaf rolling genes in rice viz.,NRL1,OsZHD1,Roc5, andOsHB3on wheat genome revealed five genes on chromosome 5D. Out of the identified genes,TraesCS5D02G253100falls exactly in the QTLQlr.nhv-5D.2interval and showed 96.9% identity withOsZHD1. Two genes similar toOsHB3viz. TraesCS5D02G052300andTraesCS5D02G385300exhibiting 85.6% and 91.8% identity; one geneTraesCS5D02G320600having 83.9% identity withRoc5gene; and one geneTraesCS5D02G102600showing 100% identity withNRL1gene were also identified, however, these genes are located outsideQlr.nhv-5D.2interval. Hence,TraesCS5D02G253100could be the best potential candidate gene for leaf rolling and can be utilized for improving drought tolerance in wheat.
Relationship betweenMEG3gene polymorphism and risk of gastric cancer in Chinese population with high incidence of gastric cancer
Authors: Kong Xiaoling , Yang Sheng , Liu Caiping , Tang Hanqing , Chen Yingan , Zhang Xiaomei , Zhou Yun , Liang Geyu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjective: Gastric cancer is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy in China and results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) materally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of gastric cancer and to construct a genetic-environmental risk assessment model. Methods: A case–control study was conducted to include 474 patients with gastric cancer diagnosed by clinical and pathological examination and 543 healthy physical examination subjects. Blood samples, general demographic data and behavioral lifestyle of the subjects were collected. The TaqMan real-time PCR method was used for testing the genotypes of MEG3 rs7158663 and rs10132552. Results: The A allele at the rs7158663 loci of MEG3 was found to be risk factor for gastric cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.14–1.74, P=0.002). Yet, no significant association between rs10132552 polymorphisms and gastric cancer was observed. Drinking, tea drinking and preserved food eating were risk factors for gastric cancer (P&lt;0.05). A genetic–environmental risk assessment model was established by using the logistic regression model to include MEG3 rs7158663, drinking, tea drinking, and preserved food eating. With the increase in risk score (RS), the risk of gastric cancer increased substantially (P&lt;0.05). And the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.745, which indicates a high diagnostic value. Conclusions:MEG3 rs7158663 might be associated with the risk of gastric cancer; the diagnostic ability of genetic–environmental risk assessment model for gastric cancer is better.
Improving accuracy of wireless sensor networks localisation based on communication ranging
Authors: Alkhatib Ahmad A.A. , Elbes Mohammed W. , Abu Maria Eman M. 
Published: October 2020

Localisation is one of the most important services in sensor networks. The impact of the used localisation technique used reflects on wireless sensor network services such as coverage or event detection. Accuracy is considered to be one of the factors that is related to successful network performance in most sensor network applications. Communication ranging is one of the practical applicable technique for localisation on short‐range communication nodes with no additional components. This study proposes an enhanced communication ranging localisation technique with high accuracy. The authors evaluated and validated the proposed technique in a forest environment using 20 Waspmote Nodes and Meshlium router (Spanish product). The novelty of the proposed localisation technique is based on controlling communication range by manipulating the XBee transmitter power changing ability on four rounds to provide the best‐predicted location. The results demonstrated the locations of nodes were found with error range between 0 and 22 m. The network location error decreased starting with 30 m in round 1 down to 8 m in round 4. The technique can be applied to different types of networks and technologies as long as the transmission power can be set to different values and the communication range is known or can be measured manually.
Common and Rare Variants in Genes Associated with von Willebrand Factor Level Variation: No Accumulation of Rare Variants in Swedish von Willebrand Disease Patients
Authors: Manderstedt Eric , Lind-Halldén Christina , Lethagen Stefan , Halldén Christer 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified genes that affect plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels. ABO showed a strong effect, whereas smaller effects were seen for VWF, STXBP5, STAB2, SCARA5, STX2, TC2N, and CLEC4M. This study screened comprehensively for both common and rare variants in these eight genes by resequencing their coding sequences in 104 Swedish von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients. The common variants previously associated with the VWF level were all accumulated in the VWD patients compared to three control populations. The strongest effect was detected for blood group O coded for by the ABO gene (71 vs. 38% of genotypes). The other seven VWF level associated alleles were enriched in the VWD population compared to control populations, but the differences were small and not significant. The sequencing detected a total of 146 variants in the eight genes. Excluding 70 variants in VWF, 76 variants remained. Of the 76 variants, 54 had allele frequencies > 0.5% and have therefore been investigated for their association with the VWF level in previous GWAS. The remaining 22 variants with frequencies < 0.5% are less likely to have been evaluated previously. PolyPhen2 classified 3 out of the 22 variants as probably or possibly damaging (two in STAB2 and one in STX2); the others were either synonymous or benign. No accumulation of low frequency (0.05–0.5%) or rare variants (<0.05%) in the VWD population compared to the gnomAD (Genome Aggregation Database) population was detected. Thus, rare variants in these genes do not contribute to the low VWF levels observed in VWD patients.
Two-step crystallization and solid–solid transitions in binary colloidal mixtures
Authors: Fang Huang , Hagan Michael F. , Rogers W. Benjamin 
Published: October 2020

Significance
Crystallization—the spontaneous formation of an ordered solid from a disordered fluid—has fascinated humankind for centuries. Contrary to longstanding theories, which predict that crystals form by a single nucleation event, recent experiments have shown that crystallization can traverse multiple intermediate states. In this paper, we observe a two-step crystallization pathway, in which a metastable crystal forms first and later transforms into another crystal with a different crystallographic symmetry. This transformation is diffusionless: The particles undergo coherent, local rearrangements. Using complementary computer simulations, we show that the two-step crystallization pathway is driven by competing thermodynamic forces and, thus, could be common to many physical systems.