bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The correlation between dietary fat quality indices and lipid profile with Atherogenic Index of Plasma in obese and non-obese Volunteers: a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic case-control study
Authors: javardi Maryam sadat Mousavi , Madani Zahra , Karandish Majid , Movahedi Ariyo , Abbasi Behnood 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background and aim: Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are commonly observed in patients who were obese. Alongside dyslipidemia, one of the markers in predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease is the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), which is related to dietary intake. Healthy fat quality indices, including Atherogenicity (AI) and Thrombogenicity (TI) hypo/hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H), the Cholesterol-Saturated Fat Index (CSI) and ω-3/ω-6 ratio might have an effect on AIP. The purpose of this study is to find the possible relationship between dietary fat quality, and AIP and comparison of these indices among obese and non-obese volunteers.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic case-control study with 157 normal and overweight and obese volunteers (n=71 normal vs n=86 overweight and obese) in the age range of 18-65 years. Food intake, anthropometric indices, body composition, and lipid profile were measured. Results: Based on the present results, comparable biochemical parameters including TC (P=0.580), TG (P=0.362) and LDL (P=0.687) and HDL (P=0.151) among overweight/obese volunteers as compared to normal ones were noticed. Results of dietary fat quality, including Atherogenicity (AI) and Thrombogenicity (TI) hypo/hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H), the Cholesterol-Saturated Fat Index (CSI) showed significantly higher AI (P=0.012) in the overweight/obese group as compared to the normal group. Whereas, h/H (P=0.034) and ω-6/ω-3 ratio (P=0.004) were significantly higher in normal weight volunteers. There was a positive correlation between AI, TI, CSI, SFA, MUFA, PUFA and ω-6/ω-3 ratio with AIP and negative correlation between h/H with AIP in both groups. Despite significancies of these corelations no strong relation was observed by doing multiple regression among normal and overweight/obese groups (R2=0.210, R2=0.387).Conclusions: In summary, the present study suggest a direct relationship between dietary fat quality, increased BMI, and lipid abnormalities with AIP. However, further large-scale studies are needed to have a clear conclusion in this regard.
Effects of Ninjurin 2 Polymorphisms on Susceptibility of Coronary Heart Disease&nbsp;
Authors: Yan Yuping , Du Xiaoyan , liu Xiaoxi , Li Jingjie , Xiong Zichao , Wu Jiamin , Sun Yao , Tian Gang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of NINJ2 polymorphisms on susceptibility of coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 499 CHD cases and 505 age- and sex- matched controls. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in NINJ2 (rs118050317, rs75750647, rs7307242, rs10849390 and rs11610368) were genotyped by Agena MassARRAY platform. Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression to assess the association of NINJ2 polymorphism and CHD risk adjusting for age and gender..Results: NINJ2 rs118050317 significantly increased the risk of CHD in people over 60 years old (allele: P = 0.010; heterozygote: P = 0.016; dominant: P = 0.015; additive: P = 0.021) and women (allele: P = 0.026; heterozygote: P = 0.015; dominant: P = 0.018; additive: P = 0.030). Rs118050317 and rs7307242 were closely related to the risk of hypertension in CHD patients. Additionally, rs75750647 significantly increased diabetes risk in multiple models among CHD cases (allele: P = 0.014; homozygote: P = 0.037; heterozygote: P = 0.044; dominant: P = 0.019; additive: P = 0.013), whereas rs10849390 could protect CHD patients from diabetes in allele (P = 0.035), homozygote (P = 0.047) and additive (P = 0.037) models. We also observed two block (block 1: rs118050317 and rs75750647; block 2: rs7307242, rs10849390 and rs11610368) in NINJ2.Conclusion: Our results suggested that the relationships of NINJ2 polymorphisms and CHD risk were dependent on age, sex or complications.
ANGPTL4 overexpression inhibits tumor cell adhesion and migration and predicts favorable prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Cai Yu-Chen , Yang Hang , Wang Ke-Feng , Chen Tan-Huan , Jiang Wen-Qi , Shi Yan-Xia 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients have relatively poor clinical outcomes. A marker predicting the prognosis of patients with TNBC could help guide treatment. Extensive evidence demonstrates that angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is involved in the regulation of cancer growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. Therefore, its role in TNBC is of interest.Methods: We tested the ANGPTL4 expression level in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and detected its association with the clinical features of TNBC patients. Next, the effects and mechanisms of ANGPTL4 on TNBC cell migration and adhesion were investigated.Results: We found that ANGPTL4 overexpression was associated with favorable outcomes in TNBC patients. ANGPTL4 upregulation inhibited cell adhesion, migration and invasion in vitro. Further analyses demonstrated that the possible mechanism might involve suppression of TNBC progression by interacting with extracellular matrix-related genes.Conclusions: The present findings demonstrated that enhancement of ANGPTL4 expression might inversely correlate with TNBC progression. ANGPTL4 is a promising marker of TNBC and should be evaluated in further studies. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.
Ibudilast for Alcohol Use Disorder: Study protocol for a phase II randomized clinical trial&nbsp;
Authors: Burnette Elizabeth M. , Baskerville Wave-Ananda , Grodin Erica N. , Ray Lara A. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic and relapsing condition for which current pharmacological treatments are only modestly effective. The development of efficacious medications for AUD remains a high research priority with recent emphasis on identifying novel molecular targets for AUD treatment and to efficiently screen new compounds aimed at those targets. Ibudilast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been advanced as a novel addiction pharmacotherapy that targets neurotrophin signaling and neuroimmune function. Methods This study will conduct a 12-week, double-blind, placebo controlled randomized clinical trial of ibudilast (50mg BID) for AUD treatment. We will randomize 132 treatment-seeking men and women with current AUD. We will collect a number of alcohol consumption outcomes. Primary among these is percent heavy drinking days (PHDD); secondary drinking outcomes include drinks per day, drinks per drinking day, percent days abstinent, percent subjects with no heavy drinking days, and percent subjects abstinent, as well as measures of alcohol craving and negative mood. Additionally, participants will have the option to opt-in to a neuroimaging session in which we examine the effects of ibudilast on neural activation to psychosocial stress and alcohol cues. Finally, we will also collect plasma levels of proinflammatory markers, as well as subjective and biological (salivary cortisol) markers of stress response.Discussion This study will further develop ibudilast, a safe and promising novel compound with strong preclinical and clinical safety data for AUD, and will probe biological mechanisms underlying the effects of Ibudilast on stress, neuroinflammation, and alcohol cue-reactivity and craving. If ibudilast proves superior to placebo in this study, it will set the stage for a confirmatory multi-site trial leading to FDA approval of a novel AUD treatment. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594435 “Ibudilast for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder”, registered July 20, 2018.
Faith-based Lifestyle Intervention Program Reduces Metabolic Syndrome in a High-risk Population
Authors: Davis Ronda Rose , Hwang Hyo-Jeong , Reid Easton A. , Chung Joo Youn , Scott Andrea Leah , Powell-Stoddart Helen , Jung Tae-Hwan , Han Kyoung-Sik 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a two-week lifestyle intervention on risk factors contributing to metabolic syndrome that incorporated a natural environment with spiritual motivation, plant-based nutrition, personalized physical activity, and health education. Methods: The demographic population included forty-two middle-aged and aged participants of African-American or Afro-Caribbean/Other Afro-descent, considered “high-risk” according to clinical cardiometabolic risk indicators. Results: Based on the stratified analysis, 59.5% and 40.5% were of African-American and Afro-Caribbean/Other Afro-descent respectively, with a mean age of 59.23 ± 11.24 years. The paired t-test indicated that plasma concentrations of glucose ( P = 0.043) and triglyceride ( P = 0.002) post-intervention reduced compared to pre-intervention baselines. In female participants, blood HDL cholesterol concentrations significantly ( P < 0.0001) increased compared to pre-intervention values. Conclusion: This research suggests that the Fit 4 You Retreat lifestyle intervention program significantly reduced cardiometabolic vulnerability in this high-risk middle-aged and aged population.
Pressure Release Technique Versus Placebo Applied to Cervical and Masticatory Muscles in Patients With Chronic Painful Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder. A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hernanz Gema Serrano , Angulo-Carrere Teresa , Ardizone-García Ignacio , Svensson Peter , Álvarez-Méndez Ana M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background. This study investigated whether a Pressure Release Technique (PRT) is effective for reducing pain in people with chronic myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Methods. A single-blinded randomized parallel-group trial, with 3 months follow-up was conducted. A total of seventy-two patients were randomly allocated to receive PRT or sham PRT. The primary outcome was pain assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPTs), Range of Opening of the Mouth (ROM), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) and State-Trait Depression Index (ST-DEP). All parameters were assessed at baseline, at the end of the treatment and at 3 months follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results. here were significant main effects of time, group and interaction between time and group (F ≥ 21.92; P < .001) on VAS pain. Post-hoc tests showed a significant reduction in VAS pain scores in the PRT group (≥ 31.9%; P < .001). Effect sizes were moderate in the PRT group at all follow-up periods (≥ 1.25 Cohen´s d). Also, there were significant effects of time in secondary outcomes (F ≥ 9.65; P < .001), and there were also interactions between time and group (F ≥ 3.82; P < .002) with better effects in the PRT group. Conclusions. The inclusion of PRT to conventional management with occlusal splints and self-care management appears to be effective to improve self-reported levels of pain in patients with chronic myofascial TMD pain. Retrospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03619889).
Isolation and Characterization of CD39-like Phosphodiesterase (Cc-PDE) from Cerastes cerastes Venom: Molecular Inhibitory Mechanism of Antiaggregation and Anticoagulation
Authors: Kiheli Hamida , Chérifi Fatah , Ameziani Meriem , Saoud Samah , Hariti Ghania , Laraba-Djebari Fatima 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Cerastes cerastes venom contains several bioactive proteins with inhibitory
potential of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation.

Objective:
The current study deals with purification, characterization and determination of structural
properties of Cc-PDE, the first phosphodiesterase from Cerastes cerastes venom.

Material and Methods:
The purification process consists of three successive chromatographies including
G75-Sephadex size exclusion, DEAE exchange chromatography and affinity using Sildenafil
as a main PDEs’ specific inhibitor. The amino acid sequence of purified Cc-PDE was determined
by liquid chromatography coupled off line to MALDI-TOF/TOF. Modeling and structural
features were obtained using several bioinformatics tools. In vivo and in vitro antiplatelet aggregation
and anticoagulant assays were performed.

Results:
Cc-PDE (73 506.42 Da) is a 654-residue single polypeptide with 1-22 signal peptide and
it is characterized by the presence of predominant basic amino acids suitable to alkaline pI (8.17).
Cc-PDE structure is composed of β-strands (17%) and α-helices (24%) and it shares a high identity
with homologous snake venom PDEs. Cc-PDE hydrolyzes both Bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Km
= 2.60 ± 0.95 mM, Vmax = 0.017 ± 0.002569 μmol.min-1) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Km =
7.13 mM ± 0.04490 mM, Vmax = 0.053 ±0.012 μmol.min-1). Cc-PDE prevents ADP- and ATP-induced
platelet aggregation by hydrolyzing ADP and ATP, reducing surface P-selectin expression
and attenuating platelet function. In addition, Cc-PDE inhibits coagulation factors involved in the
intrinsic pathway demonstrated by a significant prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin
time and in vivo long-lasting anticoagulation.

Conclusion:
The obtained results revealed that Cc-PDE may have a therapeutic potential and could
be a remedy for thromboembolic diseases as an alternative of anticoagulant and antiplatelet aggregation
chemical origins.
Antinociceptive Effects of VV-Hemorphin-5 Peptide Analogues Containing Amino phosphonate Moiety in Mouse Formalin Model of Pain
Authors: Assenov Borislav , Pechlivanova Daniela , Dzhambazova Elena , Peneva Petia , Todorov Petar 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Hemorphins are endogenous hemoglobin-derived peptides that belong to
the family of “atypical” opioid peptides with both affinities to opioid receptors and ability to release
other endogenous opioid peptides.

Objective:
In the present study, peptide analogues of Valorphin (VV-hemorphin-5) containing amino
phosphonate moiety synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (Fmoc-strategy) were investigated
for their potential antinociceptive activities and compared to the reference VV-H in formalin-
induced model of acute and inflammatory pain in mice.

Methods:
The hemorphin analogues were prepared by replacement of the one and/or two N-terminal
Val in VV-hemorphin5 (VV-H) with ((dimethoxy phosphoryl) methyl)-L-valine and
((dimethoxy phosphoryl) methyl)-L-leucine to obtain the compounds pVV-H, pL-H, and pLV-H.
Aiming to additionally prove the importance of amino acid valine, we introduced the ((dimethoxy
phosphoryl) methyl)-L-leucine to the N-side of VV-hemorphin-5 (pLVV-H). The experiments
were carried out on adult male ICR mice. All peptides were administered intracerebroventricularly
at three doses (50, 25 and 12,5 μg/mouse). We have studied the effects of the peptides on acute (1st
phase) and inflammatory (2nd phase) pain reaction using un experimental model with intraplantar
formalin injection.

Results:
VV-H showed a significant antinociceptive effect both in the acute and inflammatory phases
of the test. Although Valorphin hexa-, hepta-, and octapeptide analogs demonstrated a significant
antinociceptive effect, they showed substantial differences considering their effective dose and
the phase of the test as compared to the Valorphin.

Discussion:
Data showed that modified heptapeptides pVV-H and pLV-H exerted the same or better
antinociception in acute and inflammatory pain, in comparison to the reference peptide, while
pL-H and pLVV-H analogues were less effective.

Conclusion:
Our study contributes to the elucidation of the role of Valine and the number of amino
acid residues in the structure of hemorphin peptide analogs in their effectiveness in suppressing
both acute and inflammatory experimental pain.
Construction and Evaluation of Peptide-Linked Lactobacillus brevis β-Galactosidase Heterodimers
Authors: Han Yuan-Yuan , Yue Hai-Yun , Zhang Xiao-Yang , Lyu Yong-Mei , Liu Li , Voglmeir Josef 
Published: August 2020

Background:β-galactosidases are enzymes that are utilized to hydrolyze lactose into galactose and glucose, and are is widely used in the food industry.Objective:We describe the recombinant expression of an unstudied, heterodimeric β-galactosidase originating from Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 367 in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, six different constructs, in which the two protein subunits were fused with different peptide linkers, were also investigated.Methods:The heterodimeric subunits of the β-galactosidase were cloned in expressed in various expression constructs, by using either two vectors for the independent expression of each subunit, or using a single Duet vector for the co-expression of the two subunits.Results:The co-expression in two independent expression vectors only resulted in low β-galactosidase activities, whereas the co-expression in a single Duet vector of the independent and fused subunits increased the β-galactosidase activity significantly. The recombinant β-galactosidase showed comparable hydrolyzing properties towards lactose, N-acetyllactosamine, and pNP-β-D-galactoside.Conclusion:The usability of the recombinant L. brevis β-galactosidase was further demonstrated by the hydrolysis of human, bovine, and goat milk samples. The herein presented fused β-galactosidase constructs may be of interest for analytical research as well as in food- and biotechnological applications.
Biophysical Characterization of Type III Pantothenate Kinase (PanK) from Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Singla Ankita , Sharma Pradeep , Gupta Akshita , Iqbal Naseer , Rani Chitra , Singh T.P. , Sharma Sujata 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Type-III Pantothenate kinase from the multi drug resistant bacteria, Acinetobacter
baumannii (AbPanK) catalyzes the first step of the essential Coenzyme A biosynthesis
pathway. AbPanK is an attractive drug target against the bacteria since it is an essential enzyme
and its structure is significantly different from the human PanK.

Methods:
AbPanK was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized. A good quality single crystal
was used for X-ray intensity data collection. Dynamic light scattering was done for calculating the
hydrodynamic radii and its oligomeric nature in the solution. Binding studies of this protein with
its two substrates, Pantothenate and ATP were done using spectrofluorometer.

Results:
Our results indicated that AbPanK shows a strong affinity with pantothenate with dissociation
constant of 1.2 x 10-8 M and moderate affinity towards ATP of 3.7x 10-3 M. This fact was further
substantiated by the calculations of Km of both substrates using kinase assay kit. Dynamic
light scattering studies have shown that it exists as homogenous solution with hydrodynamic radii
corresponding to the molecular weight of 29.55 kDa. A low-resolution X-ray intensity data set was
collected, which shows that AbPank crystallizes in P2 space group with cell dimensions of a= 165
Å, b= 260 Å, and, c= 197 Å and α= 90.0, β= 113.60, γ= 90.0.

Discussion:
Recombinant Pantothenate kinase from Acinetobacter baumannii was purified to homogeneity
and crystallized. The enzyme exhibits very low sequence identity (28%) to other corresponding
enzymes.

Conclusion:
The recombinant enzyme was active and its binding affinities with its substrates pantothenate
and ATP have been studied. This information would be very useful while designing the
inhibitors of this enzyme in order to fight bacterial infections associated to this pathogen.
Investigation of the Role of Aromatic Residues in the Antimicrobial Peptide BuCATHL4B
Authors: Necelis Matthew R. , Santiago-Ortiz Luis E. , Caputo Gregory A. 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are an attractive alternative to traditional
small molecule antibiotics as AMPs typically target the bacterial cell membrane. A Trp-rich peptide
sequence derived from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), BuCATHL4B was previously identified
as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide.

Objective:
In this work, native Trp residues were replaced with other naturally occurring aromatic
amino acids to begin to elucidate the importance of these residues on peptide activity.

Methods:
Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) results demonstrated activity against seven
strains of bacteria. Membrane and bilayer permeabilization assays were performed to address the
role of bilayer disruption in the activity of the peptides. Lipid vesicle binding and quenching experiments
were also performed to gain an understanding of how the peptides interacted with lipid bilayers.

Results:
MIC results indicate the original, tryptophan-rich sequence, and the phenylalanine substituted
sequences exhibit strong inhibition of bacterial growth. In permeabilization assays, peptides
with phenylalanine substitutions have higher levels of membrane permeabilization than those substituted
with tyrosine. In addition, one of the two-tyrosine substituted sequence, YWY, behaves
most differently in the lowest antimicrobial activity, showing no permeabilization of bacterial membranes.
Notably the antimicrobial activity is inherently species dependent, with varying levels of activity
against different bacteria.

Conclusion:
There appears to be little correlation between membrane permeabilization and activity,
indicating these peptides may have additional mechanisms of action beyond membrane disruption.
The results also identify two sequences, denoted FFF and YYW, which retain antibacterial activity
but have markedly reduced hemolytic activity.
Characterization of β-Sitosterol for Potential Selective GR Modulation
Authors: Leng Yue , Sun Yonghai , Lv Chengyu , Li Zhuolin , Yuan Cuiping , Zhang Jie , Li Tiezhu , Wang Yongjun 
Published: August 2020

Background:Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are characterized as powerful agents to treat inflammatory afflictions, they are accompanied by metabolic side effects which limit their usage. β-Sitosterol, as a minor component found in extraction of vegetable oil, was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells.Objective:To test whether β-sitosterol has an effect to dissociate transrepression from transactivation as a selective novel GR binder, this work evaluated the dissociated characteristics of β-sitosterol.Methods:The probable binding interaction between β-sitosterol and GR was explored by molecular docking. The GR transcriptional activity of β-sitosterol was assessed in the reporter gene assay. The ability of β-sitosterol to modulate the transactivation and transrepression of GR was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR analysis.Results and Discussion:In the present study, β-sitosterol treatment cannot induce GR-mediated transactivation. β-Sitosterol exerted a potential to inhibited the expression of GR target transrepressed gene without activating the expression of GR transactivation dependent gene. Molecular docking demonstrated that β-Sitosterol was able to bind the ligand binding domain of GR but unable to induce GR activation.Conclusion:This work offers evidence that β-sitosterol may serve as a selective GR modulator.