bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effects of the PKR inhibitor C16 suppressing tumor proliferation and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Watanabe Takao , Ninomiya Hiroko , Saitou Takashi , Takanezawa Sota , Yamamoto Shin , Imai Yusuke , Yoshida Osamu , Kawakami Ryosuke , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Imamura Takeshi , Hiasa Yoichi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe therapeutic effects of C16, which is an inhibitor of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), on growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tumor progression in vitro and in vivo were evaluated. Huh7 cells, a human HCC cell line, were used. The effects of C16 on cell viability were evaluated with the MTT assay, and real-time RT-PCR was performed. Huh7 cells were grafted into immunodeficient mice, and the in vivo effects of C16 on tumorigenesis were examined. C16 suppressed proliferation of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Mouse models with xenograft transplantation showed that the inhibitor suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vivo. Moreover, C16 decreased angiogenesis in HCC tissue in the xenograft model. Consistent with these results in mice, transcript levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and factor-B, platelet-derived growth factor-A and factor-B, fibroblast growth factor-2, epidermal growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor, which are angiogenesis-related growth factors, were significantly decreased by C16 in vitro. In conclusion, the PKR inhibitor C16 blocked tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via a decrease in mRNA levels of several growth factors. C16 may be useful in the treatment of HCC.
Effects of exergames on heart rate variability of women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Villafaina Santos , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Domínguez-Muñoz Francisco J. , Gusi Narcis , Fuentes-Garcia Juan P. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe objective of the present manuscript was to evaluate the effects of 24-weeks exergame intervention on the heart rate variability (HRV) of women with fibromyalgia. First, 56 women with fibromyalgia were assessed for eligibility. A total of 55 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A 24-weeks of exergames were completed by the exercise group in the university facilities. It was focused on the mobility, postural control, upper and lower limbs coordination, aerobic fitness and strength. A total of 120 min per week, divided into two sessions of 60 min, was completed. A short-term 5 min record at rest was used to assess the HRV. Time (SDNN and RMSSD) and non-linear indexes (Higuchi´s Fractal Dimension, SD1, SD2, ln stress score, and SD1/SD2) of HRV were extracted. Fifty participants (achieving an 89.28% of adherence), recruited from the local fibromyalgia association completed the study. They were randomly divided into an exercise (age = 54.04[8.45]) and a control group (52.72[9.98]). Significant interaction (group*time) effects in SDNN, ln stress score, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio were found. The EG showed an increase of SDNN and a decreased ln stress score and SD2. The CG showed an increased ln stress score, SD1/SD2. In conclusion, 24-weeks of exergame intervention based on the tool VirtualEx-FM improved the autonomic control in patients with fibromyalgia. However, significant effects on Higuchi´s fractal dimension were not found. This is the first study using exergame as a therapy in women with fibromyalgia which has led to an improvement the autonomic balance in these patients.
First African thylacocephalans from the Famennian of Morocco and their role in Late Devonian food webs
Authors: Jobbins Melina , Haug Carolin , Klug Christian 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThylacocephalans are enigmatic arthropods with an erratic Palaeozoic and Mesozoic fossil record. In many of the few localities where they occur, they are quite abundant. This also holds true for the Famennian Thylacocephalan Layer in the Maider (eastern Anti-Atlas of Morocco), a small epicontinental basin hosting some strata with taphonomic properties of a conservation deposit yielding exceptionally preserved gnathostomes and non-vertebrates. In a thin argillaceous interval in the earliest middle Famennian, thylacocephalans occur in such great numbers that they became eponyms of this unit. Therein, we discovered a new taxon of thylacocephalans, Concavicaris submarinus sp. nov., which represent the oldest records of thylacocephalans from Africa. In the CT-imagery, the holotype of Concavicaris submarinus sp. nov. revealed anatomical details including its eyes, appendages and other soft parts. Sedimentary facies and faunal composition of the Thylacocephalan Layer suggest that these animals populated the water column above the low-oxygen sea floor. Thus, thylacocephalans likely represented an important component of the diet of chondrichthyans and placoderms, which are quite common as well. The abundance of thylacocephalans in other conservation deposits like the Cleveland Shale (USA) and the Gogo Formation (Australia) underline their pivotal role in Late Devonian pelagic food webs.
Interplay of negative electronic compressibility and capacitance enhancement in lightly-doped metal oxide Bi0.95La0.05FeO3 by quantum capacitance model
Authors: Nathabumroong S. , Eknapakul T. , Jaiban P. , Yotburut B. , Siriroj S. , Saisopa T. , Mo S.-K. , Supruangnet R. , Nakajima H. , Yimnirun R. , Maensiri S. , Meevasana W. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLight-sensitive capacitance variation of Bi0.95La0.05FeO3 (BLFO) ceramics has been studied under violet to UV irradiation. The reversible capacitance enhancement up to 21% under 405 nm violet laser irradiation has been observed, suggesting a possible degree of freedom to dynamically control this in high dielectric materials for light-sensitive capacitance applications. By using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), we show here that exposure of BLFO surfaces to UV light induces a counterintuitive shift of the O2p valence state to lower binding energy of up to 243 meV which is a direct signature of negative electronic compressibility (NEC). A decrease of BLFO electrical resistance agrees strongly with the UPS data suggesting the creation of a thin conductive layer on its insulating bulk under light irradiation. By exploiting the quantum capacitance model, we find that the negative quantum capacitance due to this NEC effect plays an important role in this capacitance enhancement
A critical evaluation of methods to interpret drug combinations
Authors: Twarog Nathaniel R. , Connelly Michele , Shelat Anang A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCombination therapy is increasingly central to modern medicine. Yet reliable analysis of combination studies remains an open challenge. Previous work suggests that common methods of combination analysis are too susceptible to noise to support robust scientific conclusions. In this paper, we use simulated and real-world combination datasets to demonstrate that traditional index methods are unstable and biased by pharmacological and experimental conditions, whereas response-surface approaches such as the BRAID method are more consistent and unbiased. Using a publicly-available data set, we show that BRAID more accurately captures variations in compound mechanism of action, and is therefore better able to discriminate between synergistic, antagonistic, and additive interactions. Finally, we applied BRAID analysis to identify a clear pattern of consistently enhanced AKT sensitivity in a subset of cancer cell lines, and a far richer array of PARP inhibitor combination therapies for BRCA1-deficient cancers than would be identified by traditional synergy analysis.
Rat volatiles as an attractant source for the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus
Authors: Díaz-Santiz Edvin , Rojas Julio C. , Casas-Martínez Mauricio , Cruz-López Leopoldo , Malo Edi A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAedes albopictus is a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and dirofilariasis. Volatile compounds are crucial for mosquitoes to locate their hosts. This knowledge has allowed the identification of attractants derived from human odours for highly anthropophilic mosquito species. In this study, we used rats as a experimental model to identify potential attractants for host-seeking Ae. albopictus females. Porapak Q extracts from immature female rats were more attractive to Ae. albopictus females than those from mature and pregnant females, and males. Phenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, and indole were identified compounds in male, immature, mature, and pregnant female extracts. There were quantitative differences in these compounds among the extracts that likely explain the discrepancy in their attractiveness. Ae. albopictus females were not attracted to the single compounds when was compared with the four-component blend. However, the binary blend of 4-methylphenol  + 4-ethylphenol and the tertiary blend of 4-methylphenol + 4-ethylphenol + indole were as attractive as the four-component blend. In the field trials, BGS traps baited with the tertiary or quaternary blends caught more Ae. albopictus females and males than BGS traps without lures. This is the first laboratory and field study to identify compounds that mediate the attraction of Ae. albopictus to one of its hosts.
Establishing reference values for macro- and microvascular measurements in 4-to-5 year-old children of the ENVIRONAGE prospective birth cohort
Authors: Madhloum Narjes , Luyten Leen J. , Provost Eline B. , De Boever Patrick , Dockx Yinthe , Sleurs Hanne , Plusquin Michelle , Roodt Jos op’t , Vrijens Karen , Nawrot Tim S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCardiovascular risk factors are usually better tolerated, and can therefore be perceived as less harmful, at a young age. However, over time the effects of these adverse factors may persist or accumulate and lead to excess morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases later in life. Until now, reference values for the basic cardiovascular health characteristics of 4-to-6 year-old children are lacking. Within a follow-up study of the ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGE) birth cohort we assessed various cardiovascular measurements in 288 children aged 4–5 years. For the macrovasculature, we measured their blood pressure and examined the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (CIMT), the arterial elasticity (including the pulse-wave velocity (PWV), carotid distensibility (DC) and compliance (CC) coefficients), the carotid β stiffness index (SIβ) and Young’s Elastic Modulus (YEM). Retinal microvascular traits included the Central Retinal Arteriolar Equivalent (CRAE) and Central Retinal Venular Equivalent (CRVE). Age of the study population averaged (±SD) 4.2 (±0.4 years. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 97.9 (±8.1) mmHg and 54.7(±7.6) mmHg, respectively. CIMT for the total population averaged 487.1 (±68.1) µm. The average stiffness values for DC, CC, SIβ, and PWV were 78.7 (±34.2) 10−³/kPa, 1.61 (±0.59) mm2/kPa and 4.4 (±2.4), and 3.7 m/s (±0.9) respectively. The mean determined for YEM was 163.2 kPa (±79.9). Concerning the microvasculature, the average CRAE was 180.9 (±14.2) µm and the corresponding value for CRVE was 251.0 (±19.7) µm. In contrast to the macrovasculature, a significant gender-related difference existed for the microvasculature: in boys, both the CRAE (178.8 µm vs 182.6 µm; p = 0.03) and CRVE (247.9 µm vs 254.0 µm; p = 0.01) were narrower than in girls. We have provided reference values for young children to understand changes in the early cardiovascular health trajectory. Establishing these reference values of cardiovascular phenotypes at this young age is necessary to develop targeted health promotion strategies as well as for better understanding of the life course changes of both small and large blood vessels.
Machine Learning and Feature Selection Applied to SEER Data to Reliably Assess Thyroid Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Mourad Moustafa , Moubayed Sami , Dezube Aaron , Mourad Youssef , Park Kyle , Torreblanca-Zanca Albertina , Torrecilla José S. , Cancilla John C. , Wang Jiwu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractUtilizing historical clinical datasets to guide future treatment choices is beneficial for patients and physicians. Machine learning and feature selection algorithms (namely, Fisher’s discriminant ratio, Kruskal-Wallis’ analysis, and Relief-F) have been combined in this research to analyse a SEER database containing clinical features from de-identified thyroid cancer patients. The data covered 34 unique clinical variables such as patients’ age at diagnosis or information regarding lymph nodes, which were employed to build various novel classifiers to distinguish patients that lived for over 10 years since diagnosis, from those who did not survive at least five years. By properly optimizing supervised neural networks, specifically multilayer perceptrons, using data from large groups of thyroid cancer patients (between 6,756 and 20,344 for different models), we demonstrate that unspecialized and existing medical recording can be reliably turned into power of prediction to help doctors make informed and optimized treatment decisions, as distinguishing patients in terms of prognosis has been achieved with 94.5% accuracy. We also envisage the potential of applying our machine learning strategy to other diseases and purposes such as in designing clinical trials for unmasking the maximum benefits and minimizing risks associated with new drug candidates on given populations.
A novel hot exciton blue fluorophores and white organic light-emitting diodes with simplified configuration
Authors: Jayabharathi Jayaraman , Panimozhi Sekar , Thanikachalam Venugopal 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe two efficient non-doped blue emitters with hybridized local and charge transfer state namely, NDBNPIN and DBTPIN have been synthesised and characterised. These materials are employed as a host for green and red phosphorescent OLEDs. The white device based on DBTPIN:Ir(MDQ)2(acac) (4%) exhibit maximum external quantum efficiency (ηex) −24.8%; current efficiency (ηc) −57.1 cdA−1; power efficiency (ηp) −64.8 lmW−1 with Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE:0.49, 0.40) than NDBNPIN:Ir(MDQ)2acac (4%) device [ηex − 23.1%; ηc −54.6 cd A−1; ηp− 60.0 lm W−1 with CIE (0.47, 0.42)].
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effect of intranasal instillation of Escherichia coli on apoptosis of spleen cells in diet-induced-obese mice
Authors: Ren Zhihua , Gu Xuchu , Fang Jing , Cai Dongjie , Zuo Zhicai , Liang Shuang , Cui Hengmin , Deng Junliang , Ma Xiaoping , Geng Yi , Zhang Ming , Xie Yue , Ye Gang , Gou Liping , Hu Yanchun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSplenic immune function was enhanced in diet-induced-obese (DIO) mice caused by Escherichia coli. The changes in spleen function on apoptosis were still unknown. Two hundred mice in groups Lean-E. coli and DIO-E. coli were intranasal instillation of E. coli. And another two hundred mice in groups Lean-PBS and DIO-PBS were given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Subsequently, spleen histology was analyzed. Then the rates of spleen cell (SC) apoptosis, and expression of the genes and proteins of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were quantified in each group at 0 h (uninfected), 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h postinfection. The SC apoptosis rates of the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of the DIO-PBS groups at 12, 24 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression gene and protein of the DIO-E. coli groups were higher than those of the DIO-PBS groups (p < 0.05). Gene expressions of pro-apoptotic Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 of the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of DIO-PBS groups at 12, 24 and 72 h (p < 0.05). The SC apoptosis rates of the Lean-E. coli groups were higher than those of the Lean- PBS groups at 12 h and 24 h (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the SC apoptosis rates in the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of the Lean-E. coli groups at 12 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that the DIO mice presented stronger anti-apoptotic abilities than Lean mice in non-fatal acute pneumonia induced by E. coli infection, which is more conducive to protecting the spleen and improving the immune defense ability of the body.
The possible role of Dickkopf-1, Golgi protein- 73 and Midkine as predictors of hepatocarcinogenesis: a review and an Egyptian study
Authors: N Zekri Abdel-Rahman , EL Kassas Mohamed , Salam El SayedTarekAbd El , Hassan Reem Mostafa , Mohanad Marwa , Gabr Reham Mohamed , M. Lotfy Mai , Abdel-zaher Rania A. Talaat , Bahnassy Abeer A. , Ahmed Ola S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The use of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) alone was not an accurate biomarker for HCC despite its high specificity. Therefore, we assessed the possible role of serum biomarkers that have been mentioned briefly in previous studies on Egyptian patients ion top of HCV. However these studies included small number of patients and did not assess the different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. In the current study we assessed 1) the expression levels of Golgi protein 37(GP73),Midkine (MDK) and Dickkopf-1(DKK-1) proteins separately and in combination at different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. GP73, MDK and DKK-1 proteins were assessed in 238 individuals divided into 4 groups (HCC, chronic HCV, and chronic HCV with cirrhosis and healthy subjects as a control) Serum levels of GP73, MDK, and DKK-1 were assessed in all subjects by ELISA. Serum levels of the studied markers were significantly higher in HCC compared to other groups (p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis for the studied markers showed 1) 88.5% sensitivity, 80.6% specificity, 69% PPV, 93.5% NPV and (AUC 0.91)for MDK; 2) 93.6%, 86.9%, 77.7%, 96.5% for DKK-1. 3) 91%, 85%, 74.7%, 95% (AUC 0.96) for GP73 and 4) 74.4%, 84.4%, 69.9%, 87.1% (AUC 0.81) for AFP. Serum levels of GP73, MDK, and DKK-1 are comparable to AFP as promising predictor biomarkers for HCC patients from Egypt. A two markers panel including Gp73 and DKK-1 showed the highest specificity and sensitivity among different markers combinations.
Effects of different silica intermediate layers for hydrogen diffusion enhancement of palladium membranes applied to porous stainless steel support
Authors: Katoh Masahiro , Ueshima Tomoe , Takatani Masahiro , Sugiura Hikaru , Ominami Kota , Sugiyama Shigeru 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPorous stainless steel (SUS) supports were modified with double intermediate layers, silicalite-1 and γ-alumina, to enhance the hydrogen diffusion of a thin palladium membrane. One of layers, silicalite-1, was prepared using the hydrothermal synthetic method on porous SUS supports. The differences in expansion/contraction behaviors caused by different thermal coefficients of expansion between silicalite-1 and the SUS resulted in a lowering of the durability of the membrane. Intermediates layers of mesoporous MCM-48 powders or commercial spherical non-porous silica particles were then applied to porous SUS supports via aspiration, γ-alumina was introduced by dip-coating, and the Pd membrane was subjected to electro-less plating. H2permeance of the Pd membrane (membrane thickness: 11 μm) containing spherical silica particles was around 10 × 10−6 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1at 600 °C, which was higher than that of the Pd membrane (membrane thickness: 7 μm) containing MCM-48. The durability of the Pd membrane containing spherical silica particles was higher than that of the version containing MCM-48 powders. These results suggest that commercial spherical non-porous silica particles will uniformly occupy the pores of the SUS tubes and enhance the H2permeance and durability of the Pd membrane.
Differential antitumor activity of compounds targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome machinery in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells
Authors: Rausch Jessica L. , Ali Areej A. , Lee Donna M. , Gebreyohannes Yemarshet K. , Mehalek Keith R. , Agha Aya , Patil Sneha S. , Tolstov Yanis , Wellens Jasmien , Dhillon Harbir S. , Makielski Kathleen R. , Debiec-Rychter Maria , Schöffski Patrick , Wozniak Agnieszka , Duensing Anette 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are driven by oncogenic KIT signaling and can therefore be effectively treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib mesylate. However, most GISTs develop imatinib resistance through secondary KIT mutations. The type of resistance mutation determines sensitivity to approved second-/third-line TKIs but shows high inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target KIT independently of the mutational status are intriguing. Inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome machinery with bortezomib is effective in GIST cells through a dual mechanism of KIT transcriptional downregulation and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic histone H2AX but clinically problematic due to the drug’s adverse effects. We therefore tested second-generation inhibitors of the 20S proteasome (delanzomib, carfilzomib and ixazomib) with better pharmacologic profiles as well as compounds targeting regulators of ubiquitination (b-AP15, MLN4924) for their effectiveness and mechanism of action in GIST. All three 20S proteasome inhibitors were highly effective in vitro and in vivo, including in imatinib-resistant models. In contrast, b-AP15 and MLN4924 were only effective at high concentrations or had mostly cytostatic effects, respectively. Our results confirm 20S proteasome inhibitors as promising strategy to overcome TKI resistance in GIST, while highlighting the complexity of the ubiquitin-proteasome machinery as a therapeutic target.
Thermal and Fluid Dynamics Performance of MWCNT-Water Nanofluid Based on Thermophysical Properties: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Lyu Zongjie , Asadi Amin , Alarifi Ibrahim M. , Ali Vakkar , Foong Loke K. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThere are many debates on the preparation methods and the role of ultrasonication on the stability, thermophysical properties, and heat transfer performance of nanofluids. The present study, which is the continuation of the authors previous study, the effects of ultrasonication on the thermal and fluid dynamic performance of MWCNT-water nanofluid, over a different range of temperatures and solid concentrations, based on the thermophysical properties of the nanofluid, has been investigated. The effects of ultrasonication time on the stability and thermophysical properties of the nanofluid were studied over 30 days of the samples preparation. The thermophysical properties of the nanofluid have been experimentally measured at the optimum ultrasonication time. Using the experimental data, and employing different figures-of-merit, the effects that the addition of MWCNTs had on the heat transfer effectiveness and pumping power have been studied. It was confirmed that the nanofluid is a good heat transfer fluid, with a negligible penalty in pumping power. The thermal and fluid dynamic performance of the nanofluid in a microchannel heat sink has also been studied, by comparing the enhancement ratio of the convective heat transfer coefficient and the increase in pumping power.