bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet on Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transformation Induced by TGF-β1 and down-regulating KLF4
Authors: zhao shuang , He Li , Huang Mei , Tu Meng xin , Shen Xiang chun , Zhang Yan yan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Endothelial Mesenchymal Transformation (EndMT) contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. Krüpple factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger transcription factor whose N-terminus can recruit acetyltransferase to promote histone acetylation, thereby affecting the transcription activation of downstream genes. Our previous studies have shown that EOFAZ has protective effects on HUVECs oxidative stress induced by TGF-β1. However, whether EOFAZ has a protective effect on EndMT induced by TGF-β1 and whether it is related to the regulation of downstream signals by KLF4 has not yet been elucidated.Methods: The protective effects of EOFAZ were evaluated in TGF-β1-treated EndMT in Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cell mobility was evaluated by wound-healing, transwell assays and angiogenesis experiment. Western blot analysis, Quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to determine the expression of endothelial and mesenchymal markers , KLF4, Histone 3 acetylation and Notch/Snail signaling axis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and adenovirus infection were used to determine the effciency of KLF4 inhibition and overexpression. Immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to analyze protein interactions.Results: We reported that EOFAZ has a protective effect on EndMT induced by TGF-β1. Deletion of KLF4 inhibited EndMT induced by TGF-β1 in HUVECs. EOFAZ pretreatment and KLF4 knockout reduced the migration ability of HUVECs , and increased endothelial markers accompanied by decreased mesenchymal markers, meanwhile caused the change of Notch/Snail signal axis. In addition, TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of KLF4, while the high expression of KLF4 promoted the acetylation of histone H3, and there was a protein interaction between the acetylated histone H3 and KLF4. Conclusions: These results suggest that TGF-β1 may promote the acetylation of histone H3 and activate the transduction of Notch/Snail signal axis by up-regulating the expression of KLF4, which may induce EndMT and this effect may be reversed by EOFAZ. Therefore, EOFAZ may inhibit EndMT induced by TGF-β1 by down-regulating KLF4 expression.
Mediating Role Diet Self-efficacy Plays in the Relationship Between Social Support and Diet Self-Management For Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yang Li , Li Kun , Liang Yan , Zhao Qiuli , Cui Dan , Zhu Xuemei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: It has previously been established that patients who have strong barriers to their diet self-management are more likely to have weak social support; however, the key mechanisms underlying the association between these two variables have not yet been established. This study aims to examine the potential role that diet self-efficacy plays in the relationship between social support and diet behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: 380 patients diagnosed with T2DM were recruited for this study from five community health centers. The Chronic Disease Resource Scale (CIRS), Cardiac Diet Self-efficacy Scale (CDSE), and Food Control Behavior Scale (FCBS) were used to estimate participants’ utilization of social resources, diet self-efficacy, and diet self-management, respectively. The data were analyzed utilizing structural equation modelling. Results: The results suggest that both higher levels of social support and diet self-efficacy are related to higher levels of diet self-management. The hypothesized model revealed an adequate fit to the data (χ2/df = 2.17, GFI = .93, AGFI = .91, NFI =.90, IFI =.92, IFI =.92, RMSEA =.06). The mediating effect that diet self-efficacy has on the relationship between social support and diet self-management was significant (β = .30, p < .05), explaining 55.68% of the total effect of social support on diet self-management. Conclusions: Diet self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the association between social support and diet behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Correlation Between Diagnostic Tests for Laryngeal Cancer Staging and Anatomopathological Staging: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: D'Ávila Vanessa , Daher Valéria , Oliveira José Carlos , Guimarães Valeriana , Ternes Yves Mauro 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide, which is more frequent in men mainly due to external factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking. Staging is an extremely relevant factor for better prognosis.Methods: A literature search of the Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and LILACS VHL databases will be performed for original articles and studies on the assessment of diagnostic tests and laryngeal cancer staging that used imaging methods compared to anatomopathological staging. No criteria related to language or publication date will be used. To conduct this study, two reviewers will perform a search for eligibility criteria and data extraction. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 will be used to assess the methodological quality of the studies, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations will be used as a general quality assessment tool. Discussion: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests in estimating TNM staging of laryngeal cancer compared to anatomopathological staging. This systematic review does not require approval from an ethics committee.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020155118.
Freezing resistance evaluation of rose stems during frost dehardening using electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Qian Ji , Zhou Juan , Gong Juan Rui , Liu Yang , Zhang Gang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has rarely been applied in plant science, particularly to study plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, we evaluated the freezing resistance of floribunda roses (Rosa Floribunda) during frost dehardening using the EIT technique to identify a new method for rapid and non-destructive measurement of plant freezing resistance.
Results
The current was the excitation source, the boundary voltage value was measured, and then the boundary voltage reconstructed value was formed. Using an imaging algorithm, the two-dimensional (2D) distribution of impedance or impedance variation is reconstructed. The EIT reconstructed values decreased obviously with the decline in freezing temperatures. The EIT reconstructed values of stems had the best fit to the logistic equation, and subsequently, the semi-lethal temperatures were calculated. The freezing resistance results evaluated using EIT reconstructed values were linearly correlated with the results of the traditional electrolyte leakage (EL) method (r = 0.93, P<0.01).
Conclusions
In conclusion, after freezing tests, the reconstructed values of EIT images could be used to quantitatively evaluate the freezing resistance of floribunda rose stems. The present study provides a reference for the further application of the EIT technique for non-destructive and rapid detection of plant freezing resistance.
An Independent Agreement Study of Modified Pfirrmann Grading System for Cervical Inter-vertebral Disc Degeneration in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Xu Chongqing , Yin Mengchen , Mo Wen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Neck pain, sensory disturbance and motor dysfunction in most patients suffered cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). For CSM surgery, it is necessary to evaluate preoperative inter-vertebral disc degeneration (IDD) which determines whether to adopt fusion strategy, and postoperative IDD which is one of the main reasons for reoperation. Modified Pfirrmann grading system is commonly used to evaluate IDD. The objective of this study is to evaluate its reliability and reproducibility on cervical IDD in CSM patients, and to explore its clinical application value.
Methods/Design:
All 165 patients with CSM were enrolled. 6 physicians (3 spine surgeons and 3 radiologists) who have certain clinical experience were selected. They graded cervical inter-vertebral disc according to modified Pfirrmann grading system, we used intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa (wκ) to assess the inter- and intra-observer agreement. After 12 weeks, we repeated the analysis.
Results
The inter-observer reliability of modified Pfirrmann grading system was excellent with ICC value of 0.76 and near perfect with wκ value of 0.82. The intra-observer reproducibility of modified Pfirrmann grading system was excellent with ICC values ranging from 0.80–0.91, and near perfect with wκ values ranging from 0.83–0.92.
Conclusion
Modified Pfirrmann grading system has excellent inter-observer reliability and intra-observer reproducibility on cervical IDD in CSM. In addition, it indicates a good appliance among spine surgeons and radiologists, clinical and radiological studies applying it should be deemed accurate. Thus, modified Pfirrmann grading system can be widely used as an appropriate instrument in clinical care.
Pharmacological ablation of astrocytes reduces Aβ degradation and synaptic connectivity in an ex vivo model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Davis Nicola , Mota Bibiana C. , Stead Larissa , Palmer Emily O. C. , Lombardero Laura , Rodríguez-Puertas Rafael , de Paola Vincenzo , Barnes Samuel J. , Sastre Magdalena 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Astrocytes provide vital support to neurons in normal and pathological conditions. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, reactive astrocytes have been found surrounding amyloid plaques, forming an astrocytic scar. However, their role and potential mechanisms whereby they affect neuroinflammation, amyloid pathology and synaptic density in AD remain unclear.Methods: To explore the role of astrocytes on Aβ pathology and neuroinflammatory markers, we pharmacologically ablated them in organotypic brain culture slices (OBCSs) from 5XFAD mouse model of AD and wild-type (WT) littermates with the selective astrocytic toxin L-alpha-aminoadipate (L-AAA). To examine the effects on synaptic circuitry, we measured dendritic spine number and size in OBCSs from thy-1-GFP transgenic mice incubated with synthetic Aβ42 or double transgenics thy-1-GFP/5XFAD mice treated with LAAA or vehicle for 24h. Results: Treatment of OBCSs with L-AAA resulted in an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in conditioned media of WTs and 5XFAD slices, associated with changes in microglia morphology but not in density. The profile of inflammatory markers following astrocytic loss was different in WT and transgenic cultures, showing reductions in inflammatory mediators produced in astrocytes only in WT sections. In addition, pharmacological ablation of astrocytes led to an increase in Aβ levels in homogenates of OBCS from 5XFAD mice compared with vehicle controls, with reduced enzymatic degradation of Aβ due to lower neprilysin and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) expression. Furthermore, OBSCs from wild-type mice treated with L-AAA and synthetic amyloid presented 56% higher levels of Aβ in culture media compared to sections treated with Aβ alone, concomitant with reduced expression of IDE in culture medium, suggesting that astrocytes contribute to Aβ clearance and degradation. Quantification of hippocampal dendritic spines revealed a reduction in their density following L-AAA treatment in all groups analysed. In addition, pharmacological ablation of astrocytes resulted in a decrease in spine size in 5XFAD OBCSs but not in OBCSs from WT treated with synthetic Aβ compared to vehicle control. Conclusions: Astrocytes play a protective role in AD by aiding Aβ clearance and supporting synaptic plasticity.
A novel recyclable furoic acid-assisted pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse biorefinery in co-production of xylooligosaccharides and glucose
Authors: Dai Lin , Huang Tian , Jiang Kankan , Zhou Xin , Xu Yong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Pretreatment is the key step for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass, which can extract cellulose from lignin and disrupt its recalcitrant crystalline structure to allow much more effective enzymatic hydrolysis; and organic acids pretreatment with dual benefic for generating xylooligosaccharides and boosting enzymatic hydrolysis has been widely used in adding values to lignocellulose materials. In this work, furoic acid, a novel recyclable organic acid as catalyst, was employed to pretreat sugarcane bagasse to recover the xylooligosaccharides fraction from hemicellulose and boost the subsequent cellulose saccharification. Results: The FA-assisted hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse using 3% furoic acid at 170 oC for 15 min resulted in the highest xylooligosaccharides yield of 45.6%; subsequently, 83.1 g/L of glucose was harvested by a fed-batch operation with a solid loading of 15%. Overall, a total of 120 g of xylooligosaccharides and 335 g glucose could be collected from 1000 g sugarcane bagasse starting from the furoic acid pretreatment. Furthermore, furoic acid can be easily recovered by cooling crystallization.Conclusion: This work put forward a novel furoic acid pretreatment method to convert sugarcane bagasse into xylooligosaccharides and glucose, which provides a strategy that the sugar and nutraceutical industries can be used to reduce the production cost. The developed process showed that the yields of xylooligosaccharides and byproducts were controllable by shortening the reaction time; meanwhile, the recyclability of furoic acid also can potentially reduce the pretreatment cost and potentially replace the traditional mineral acids pretreatment.
Association between AST to ALT ratio and peripheral artery disease in Chinese adults with hypertension：a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Hui , Zha Xiaoyuan , Ding Congcong , Hu Lihua , Li Minghui , Zhou Wei , Wang Tao , Zhu Lingjuan , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous studies had shown that aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT ratio) plays a role in cardiovascular disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, there are a little research on the association between the AST/ALT ratio and Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods: A total of 10, 900 hypertensive patients from the Chinese Hypertension Registry Study were included in the final analysis. The association between AST / ALT and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which was defined as ABI ≤ 0.9 in either leg, was estimated by a multivariate logistic regression model.Results: Overall, the prevalence of PAD was 3.21%. After adjusting for potential confounders, AST / ALT ratio was independently and positively associated with the risk of PAD (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.59), and a statistically significant increased risk of PAD for the third tertile (T3) of AST / ALT ratio compared to the first tertile (T1) (OR:1.49, 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.04, P-trend= 0.005) was found. Moreover, when the T1-T2 group was combined into one group and used it as a reference group, the risk of PAD increased with the increase of AST/ALT and the risk ratio was 1.52 (95% CI :1.20 to 1.95). Conclusion: A higher AST/ALT ratio (≥1.65) was associated with PAD risk in Chinese adults with hypertension. The presented results suggested that AST / ALT may help us highlight patients who are at high risk of vascular endpoints.Trial registration: CHICTR, CHiCTR1800017274. Registered 20 July 2018.
Convalescent plasma therapy as a conventional trick for treating COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis study
Authors: Keikha Masoud , Karbalaei Mohsen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) is one of the well-known therapeutic protocols for treating infectious diseases that do not have special treatment nor vaccine. In the CPT procedure, the plasma of patients which has the high titers of neutralizing antibodies is transfused to other infected patients who have been affected by the same infectious agent. Several documents confirm the clinical efficacy of this therapy for treating bacterial and viral infections. Methods: The comprehensive systematic search was conducted in several databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane library, Google scholar, medRxiv, and bioRxiv. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used for the evaluation of included studies. Using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software version 2.2 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA), the pooled data analysis was performed.Results: The statistical analysis showed that clinical improvement in the group of patients who received CP significantly increased compared to the control group. (OR: 2.23; 1.12-4.45 with 95% CIs; p value: 0.022; Q-value: 6.11; I2: 83.64; Eggers p value: 0.064; Beggs p value: 0.093). Furthermore, discharge rate of patients from hospital in the group that were received CPT had increased (OR: 2.92; 1.48-5.77 with 95% CIs; p value: 0.002; Q-Value: 4.32; I2: 53.80; Eggers p value: 0.32; Beggs p value: 0.50).Conclusions: Regarding the lack of a specific vaccine, we need to use alternative methods to complete the clinical trials. CPT is among the well-known therapeutic protocols that its clinical trials in treating the coronaviruses infections have been confirmed.
Clinicopathological Feature of Adult Small Bowel Intussusception Diagnosed and Managed by Double-Balloon Enteroscopy : A Single Centre Study
Authors: Kim Won Shik , Lee Beom Jae , Yoo Ah Young , kIM Seong Min , Kim Seung Han , Joo Moon Kyung , Kim Hyo Jung , Park Jong-Jae 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Adult small bowel intussusception usually has an aetiology that leads to small bowel obstruction. Here, we aimed to identify the clinicopathological features of adult small bowel intussusception managed with Balloon-Assisted Enterosopy (BAE) and to explore the clinical usefulness of BAE for the management of small bowel intussusception.Method: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 13 patients who were diagnosed with adult small bowel intussusception at Korea University Guro Hospital between 2010 and 2019.Results: The type of intussusception was ileoileal in eight (61.5%) patients and jejunal-jejunal in five (38.5%) patients. Eight cases of small bowel intussusception (61.5%; five idiopathic causes, two Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and one Crohn’s disease) were successfully managed with BAE. The remaining five patients underwent laparoscopic small bowel resection due to management of the primary aetiology (two diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one lipomatosis, one Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and one angiomyolipoma).Concusions: In many cases, adult small bowel intussusception had a benign and idiopathic aetiology. The diagnosis and treatment of adult small bowel intussusception with BAE may reduce the requirement for small bowel resection in selected patients.
Hydro ethanol extract of Holarrhena floribunda stem bark exhibits anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects in murine models of acute inflammation
Authors: Antwi Stephen , Oduro-Mensah Daniel , Obiri David Darko , Osafo Newman , Antwi Aaron Opoku , Ansah Helena Owusu , Ocloo Augustine , Okine Laud 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Holarrhena floribunda stem bark has anecdotal use in Ghanaian folk medicine for management of inflammatory conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the bark extract using models of acute inflammation in male Sprague Dawley rats, C57BL/6 mice and 36 ICR mice. Methods: A 70 % hydro-ethanol extract of the stem bark (HFE) was evaluated at doses of 5–500 mg/kg bw. Local anaphylaxis was modelled by the pinnal cutaneous anaphylactic test. Systemic anaphylaxis or sepsis were modeled by compound 48/80 or lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Clonidine-induced catalepsy was used to investigate effect on histamine signaling. Anti-oedematogenic effect was assessed by induction with carrageenan. Effects on mediators of biphasic acute inflammation were studied using histamine and serotonin (early phase) or prostaglandin E2 (late phase).Results: HFE demonstrated anti-inflammatory and/or anti-oedematogenic activity comparable to standard doses of aspirin and diclofenac (inhibitors of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2), chlorpheniramine (histamine H1-receptor antagonist), dexamethasone (glucocorticoid receptor agonist), granisetron (serotonin receptor antagonist) and sodium cromoglycate (inhibitor of mast cell degranulation). All observed HFE bioactivities increased with dose.Conclusions: The data provide evidence that the extract of H. floribunda stem bark has anti-anaphylactic and anti-oedematogenic effects; by interfering with signalling or metabolism of histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin E2 which mediate progression of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activities of HFE may be relevant in the context of management of COVID-19.
Therapeutics targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 for the treatment of COVID-19: A molecular modeling approach deciphering relative efficacies
Authors: Choudhury Shuvasish , Saikia Purbajyoti , Moulick Debojyoti , Mazumder Muhammed Khairujjaman 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The pandemic due to the novel coronavirus 2019, SARS-CoV-2, has led to a global health and economic crisis. The disease, named coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has already affected 3090445 and killed over 217769 people worldwide, as of April 30, 2020. So far, there is no specific effective medicine or vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Several existing and approved drugs are under clinical studies for re-purposing. However, owing to the emergent situation and thereby to avoid time needed for de novo drug discovery, drug re-purposing remains to be the best option to find an effective therapeutic against the virus. Thus, the preset study was designed to evaluate potency of 82 compound/drugs in inhibiting the main protease (3CLPro) of SARS-CoV-2, using molecular docking tool. This protease is a vital enzyme for replication of the virus, and is thus a promising drug target. The analyzed compounds include 16 known protease inhibitors, two recently suggested α-ketoamides, 24 recently reported putative inhibitors, and 40 phytochemicals. The results indicate that Ritonavir, Indinavir, Montelukast, Nelfinavir, Candoxatril, Tigecycline and Lopinavir to be very potent protease inhibitors. Further, several other drugs and compounds, including phytochemicals, have been identified / predicted to be potent in inhibiting the enzyme. In addition, we hereby report relative efficacies of these compounds in inhibiting 3CLPro. Thus, the present study is significant in the therapeutic intervention of COVID-19.