bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Different Molecular Forms of Astaxanthin in Inhibiting Lipogenesis and its Mechanism
Authors: Li Yanqi , Liu Yaxuan , Tian Yingying , Guo Yao , Xue Changhu , Wang Jingfeng 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Astaxanthin is a natural active substance with a plurality of biological activities,
such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. However,
there is less research on the effects of astaxanthin on obesity. Astaxanthin with different structural
forms affect the corresponding biological activity.

Objective:
The study aimed to compare Astaxanthin-octanoic acid diester (C8-AST) and Free Astaxanthin
(F-AST) to explore the effect on lipogenesis in vitro.

Methods:
3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured under astaxanthin treatment. Cell proliferation and differentiation
were evaluated by MTT assay and oil red O staining, respectively. The synthesis of metabolic
mechanism of intracellular fatty acids and triglycerides was examined by qRT-PCR and Western
blotting.

Results:
C8-AST and F-AST had no effect on adipocyte proliferation at low concentration, but inhibited
adipocyte differentiation. The treatment of astaxanthin could inhibit the expression of PPARγ,
C/EBPα and SREBP-1c in adipocytes, up-regulate the expression of Wnt10b, LRP6, FZ in Wnt/
β-catenin signaling pathway and increase the β-catenin entry into nucleus, suggesting that the activation
of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was involved in axtaxanthin-regulated lipogenesis. Notably, inhibition
effect of lipogenesis on C8-AST was better than F-AST overall.

Conclusion:
At the cellular level, both two kinds of astaxanthins inhibit the synthesis of intracellular
fatty acids and triglycerides. Notably, the inhibition effect of C8-AST is better than F-AST overall.
T2 Values for Diagnosing Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Hepatitis B Patients
Authors: Lan Lianjun , Lu Xiaofei , Shu Jian 
Published: June 2020

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of hepatic T2 imaging for
the evaluation of chronic hepatitis-B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF).

Methods:
Three groups of patients underwent liver MRI utilising m-GRASE sequence (multi-echo
gradient and spin echo): HBV-ACLF patients (n = 28), chronic hepatitis B patients (n = 11), and
healthy control patients (n = 14). A T2 image was produced using post-processing software, and the
mean T2 (relaxation time) value was calculated. Blood biochemical indices for the HBV-ACLF and
Chronic Hepatitis B were obtained within 2 days pre- or post-MR scanning. The patients’ T2 values,
and the correlation between their biochemical indices and T2 values were analysed. A receiver
operating characteristic curve was employed to evaluate the efficiency of utilising T2 values in the
diagnosis of HBV-ACLF.

Results:
There were significant variations in the T2 values (χ2
= 19.074, P < 0.001) among the 3
groups. The AUC of T2 values for diagnosing HBV-ACLF was 0.86 (P < 0.001), with a cut-off value
of 57.73 ms. A moderately positive correlation was observed between the T2 value and the international
normalised ratio, prothrombin time, and hyaluronic acid values (rs = 0.65, P < 0.001; rs =
0.67, P < 0.001; rs = 0.39, P = 0.025). A moderately negative correlation was observed between the
T2 value and the prothrombin activity, albumin, and prealbumin values (rs = -0.67, P < 0.001; rs =
-0.48, P = 0.004; rs = -0.37, P = 0.030).

Conclusion:
T2 values could accurately reflect liver function state, as they correlated well with certain
biochemical indices, illustrating good diagnostic efficiency for diagnosing HBV-ACLF.
The Applications of Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) in Drug Development for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Telkoparan-Akillilar Pelin , Cevik Dilek 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Numerous sequencing techniques have been progressed since the 1960s
with the rapid development of molecular biology studies focusing on DNA and RNA.

Methods:
A great number of articles, book chapters, websites are reviewed, and the studies covering
NGS history, technology and applications to cancer therapy are included in the present article.

Results:
High throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer many advantages
over classical Sanger sequencing with decreasing cost per base and increasing sequencing efficiency.
NGS technologies are combined with bioinformatics software to sequence genomes to be used in diagnostics,
transcriptomics, epidemiologic and clinical trials in biomedical sciences. NGS technology
has also been successfully used in drug discovery for the treatment of different cancers.

Conclusion:
This review focuses on current and potential applications of NGS in various stages of
drug discovery process, from target identification through to personalized medicine.
New Model for Couple Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain and their Caregivers: An Attempt to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Pain
Authors: Rouhi Shima , Dadkhah Payman , Firoozi Manijeh , Hashemi Masoud 
Published: June 2020

Background:

Several psychological interventions have been implemented to manage chronic pain. In this study, in addition to the patients, his/her spouses have participated in the program. Besides, this innovative therapy integrates several practical approaches into one comprehensive protocol.

Objective:
This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of couple therapy (patient/caregiver-oriented) on improving the quality of life and reducing pain among patients with chronic pain.

Methods:
The present study is a quasi-experimental and clinical trial with a control group with pretest and posttest. The authors conducted this study at LABAFINEJAD Hospital in Tehran on 30 patients with chronic pain and their spouses by having a short form of a questionnaire for quality of life and chronic pain score questionnaire to measure the effectiveness of the treatment.

Results:
The results indicated that this treatment increased two aspects of quality of life remarkably, social function and strength for continuing the performance; that help boosts interpersonal relationships as well. Regarding the results, although the couple-based treatment could improve all aspects of pain, the two primary subscales, physical health and mental health, both enhanced. Besides, the treatment reduced the intensity of pain.

Conclusion:
Couple-based intervention through increasing social support, improving the quality of sex, decentralizing of pain, and paying attention to the neglected needs of caregivers and patients with chronic pain can improve quality of life and reduce pain in patients.
Direct-Visual-Operation Support System for Unmanned Construction
Authors: Yamaguchi Shohei , Sato Yoshihiro , Funaki Shota , Kurihara Atsutoshi , Nakamura Satoru , Ueno Takao , Bao Yue 
Published: June 2020

Introduction:
Unmanned construction through direct visual operation is performed to ensure the safety of workers at construction sites. In direct visual operation, although the equipment is simple and easy to install, the work efficiency and accuracy are reduced because of the lack of view and perspective obtained from boarding a construction machine. For solving this problem, images sent from multiple cameras, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) attached to the construction equipment and the images obtained from boarding a construction machine, as well as blind spots are confirmed by displaying them on the monitor at hand. However, the working efficiency is lowered by the restrictions on the utilization range of the camera monitor, switching operation of the camera, and gaze movement between the construction machine and the monitor.

Methods:
For solving the problem of low work efficiency and accuracy of the conventional system, this paper proposes a support system for a direct visual operation that does not require monitor installation and gaze movement and enables intuitive camera switching operation by using a transmissive Head Mounted Display (HMD) and a stereo camera robot.

Results and Conclusion:
The results of the experiment conducted using a remote-controlled backhoe show that unskilled operators can perform the same quality of work as skilled operators, and work efficiency and accuracy was improved by 44.2% and 37.8%, respectively compared to the conventional system. This confirms the usefulness of the proposed system, especially for unskilled operators.
Multiple Objective Genetic Algorithms for Solving Traffic Signal Optimization Issue at a Complex Intersection: A Case Study in Taichung City, Taiwan
Authors: Do Van Manh . , Lin Liang- Tay , Liu Pei , Hai Dinh Tuan 
Published: June 2020

Background:
In optimal traffic signal timing, some researchers proposed a single objective genetic algorithm to optimize the timing plan at an isolated intersection. However, the genetic algorithm belongs to a natural selection procession. It means that a suggested model might have a local, optimal result instead of global optimization. A few researchers have tried to avoid local optimization values by making many assumptions for the suggested model, these estimations lacked comprehensive theoretical bases in the transportation field.

Objective:
The objective of this study is to contribute a comprehensive optimization solution, by applying multiple objective genetic algorithms, to minimize the effective green time and cycle length at a complex urban intersection.

Methods:
First, the fitness function was established by the minimum issues of average control delay and queue length at the complex isolated intersection. Secondly, constraint functions were identified based on a scientific basis to provide a comprehensive hypothetical model. After running the hypothetical model with single and multiple objective genetic algorithms and real traffic flow data, the results were compared between the use of multiple genetic algorithms and the use of a single-objective genetic algorithm, between an existing traffic signal timing plan and a suggested traffic signal timing plan. Then, the traffic simulation model for the complex intersection was generated to validate the effectiveness of the suggested method.

Results:
After comparison, the suggested model was found to be more efficient than the existing traffic signal timing at the complex intersection.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrated multiple objective genetic algorithms that overwhelmed the single objective genetic algorithm in optimal traffic signal timing. The multiple objective genetic algorithms could be effectively used to handle traffic optimization at a complex large-scale intersection. Furthermore, a comprehensive solution of applying multiple genetic algorithms to deal with traffic signal optimization has been generated in this research.
Nurses’ Practices During Implementation of the Nursing Process at a Selected Public Hospital of Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Pilot Study Analysis
Authors: Mutshatshi Takalani E. , Mothiba Tebogo M. 
Published: June 2020

Background:
The nursing process is a systemic approach to patient care and enables nurses in health care institutions to render comprehensive care aimed at achieving quality. During the implementation of the nursing process, nurses are faced with multiple traits that hinder effective implementation. The nursing process has been widely recommended as an approach that guides nurses towards quality nursing care, thus, non-adherence is associated with substandard patient care.

Objective:
The objective was to explore and describe the practices of nurses when implementing the nursing process at a selected public hospital in Limpopo province, South Africa.

Methods:
A qualitative, explorative-descriptive approach research method was used to collect data. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to initially select 5 professional nurses to participate in the study and later on, more data was collected from 3 unit managers. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview until data saturation, and data was analyzed using the Tesch’s open coding method of data analysis, where themes and sub-themes were developed. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were all adhered to the study.

Results:
The results explained the practices of nurses when implementing the nursing process and the challenges encountered during the implementation of the nursing process.

Conclusion:
The study findings indicated a need for continuous in-service training, provision of adequate resources and development of a formal training program.
A Cross-Sectional Study: Predicting Health Risks Among Female University Students
Authors: Muaidi Qassim I. , Ahsan Mohammad 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Good health is very important in our lives and plays a significant role. Many health risks are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. These risks are responsible for raising the risk of chronic heart diseases and other health complications. Females are not exempted from these issues.

Objective:
To identify the obesity-associated health risks of female students by using selected anthropometric measurements.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted including 300 females aged 20.82 ± 5.23 years from the college of applied medical sciences, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. The anthropometric measurements (body mass index, percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio) were taken with the help of an auto-calibrated bioelectric impedance device. The waist-height ratio was determined by dividing waist circumference with height. Cross tabulation was done to scrutinize the participant’s levels at risk and high risk. Linear regression analysis was done to see the relationship and prediction between selected anthropometric measurements.

Results:
The finding showed that BMI level was high in 55% of participants, Waist-height ratio over the average level was 46.67% and 21% of participants had a visceral fat area on risk. Linear regression analysis showed a strong association among body mass index, percentage of body fat, visceral fat area, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio,and waist-height ratio and statistically significant to each other at the 0.01 level.

Conclusion:
The selected anthropometric measurements can be used to identify health-related risks. Though, when any anthropometric measurement dichotomized as standard or high, BMI is the best measure to predict health risk.
Modeling of Random Selfish Behavior Attack Using Single-Sided Laplacian Distribution and Performance Evaluation for High Security Communications in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks
Authors: Adoni Kirti A. , Tavildar Anil S. , Warhade Krishna K. 
Published: June 2020

Background:
The performance of Mobile Ad-hoc Networks gets severely degraded due to
various attacks including the Selfish Behaviour attack. The detection of malicious nodes and avoidance
of such nodes for data forwarding is important to enhance the MANET’s performance.

Methods:
A probabilistic model based on Single-Sided Laplacian distribution for the random
ON/OFF switching time of this attack is proposed. The model is used to make appropriate
decisions regarding the assignment of trust levels to suspicious nodes. The proposed protocol,
based on this trust along with Confidence values of nodes, referred to as OLSRT-C protocol is
used to select the optimum path for data forwarding. Simulations are carried out using Network
Simulator NS-2.35.

Results:
The random behavior of the Selfish Behaviour attack is analyzed by considering all the
possible random parameters. The random deployment of mobile nodes, number of malicious
nodes, number of times the malicious nodes switch and timing instances at which these nodes
change their states are considered. From the results, it is observed that the OLSRT-C protocol
gives stable performance for Packet Delivery Ratio and Routing Overheads whereas, for OLSR
protocol, the Packet Delivery Ratio gradually reduces and Routing Overheads increase, for the
percentage of malicious nodes increases from 10% to 50%. For OLSRT-C protocol, Average
Energy Consumption per node increases marginally compared to the OLSR protocol.

Conclusion:
The proposed OLSRT-C protocol successfully mitigates the randomized Selfish
Behaviour attack with a marginal increase in the Average Energy Consumption per node. The
Protocol Efficacy for OLSRT-C protocol is much higher compared to the OLSR protocol.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial Potential of Various Plant Extracts Against Clinically Important Skin Infectious Bacterial Strains
Authors: Kazmi Syeda K. , Kauser Naheed , Aman Ayisha , Idrees Aqsa , Zohra Rashida R. , Sohail Anoosha , Komal Saima 
Published: June 2020

Background:
At present, skin problems need to be addressed seriously. Antibiotic resistance
development is very fast in skin infectious bacteria. For the prevention of all types of skin
infections, natural plant extracts can provide suitable defense lines because they contain active
compounds. Wrinkles, sunburn, itching, blackheads, whiteheads, and uneven tone of the skin are
some of the issues related to skin. Extensive use of antibiotics for skin diseases is restricted due to
the development of worse antibiotic resistance.

Objective:
In this study, the antibacterial potential of plant extracts was assessed against skin infectious
bacteria to get an alternative cure for skin diseases.

Methods:
Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains were isolated from clinical
samples and E.coli was used as a non-pathogenic control strain from the Jinnah University for
Women strain repository. Their antibacterial activity was performed against eight plant extracts
through a well diffusion method.

Results:
Among eight plant extracts, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Sandalwood
(Santalum album), Shahtara (Fumaria parviflora), Chirayata (Swertia chirayita), and
commercially available mixed Citrus peel showed good inhibition of bacterial growth.

Discussion:
Natural sources such as fruits, herbs, minerals, leaves, flowers, roots, honey, and rose
water are now becoming part of skin care and treatment products because they possess antimicrobial
activities.

Conclusion:
Skin products with herbal ingredients are now evolving as suitable solutions to the
existing skin problems.
Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is Present in Patients with CKD before Initiation of Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Gamboa Jorge L. , Roshanravan Baback , Towse Theodore , Keller Chad A. , Falck Aaron M. , Yu Chang , Frontera Walter R. , Brown Nancy J. , Ikizler T. Alp 
Published: June 2020

Background and objectivesPatients with CKD suffer from frailty and sarcopenia, which is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Skeletal muscle mitochondria are important for physical function and could be a target to prevent frailty and sarcopenia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the severity of CKD. We also evaluated the interaction between mitochondrial function and coexisting comorbidities, such as impaired physical performance, intermuscular adipose tissue infiltration, inflammation, and oxidative stress.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsSixty-three participants were studied, including controls (n=21), patients with CKD not on maintenance hemodialysis (CKD 3–5;n=20), and patients on maintenance hemodialysis (n=22). We evaluatedin vivoknee extensors mitochondrial function using31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to obtain the phosphocreatine recovery time constant, a measure of mitochondrial function. We measured physical performance using the 6-minute walk test, intermuscular adipose tissue infiltration with magnetic resonance imaging, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in plasma. In skeletal muscle biopsies from a select number of patients on maintenance hemodialysis, we also measured markers of mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission).ResultsWe found a prolonged phosphocreatine recovery constant in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (53.3 [43.4–70.1] seconds, median [interquartile range]) and patients with CKD not on maintenance hemodialysis (41.5 [35.4–49.1] seconds) compared with controls (38.9 [32.5–46.0] seconds;P=0.001 among groups). Mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with poor physical performance (r=0.62;P=0.001), greater intermuscular adipose tissue (r=0.44;P=0.001), and increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (r=0.60;P=0.001). We found mitochondrial fragmentation and increased content of dynamin-related protein 1, a marker of mitochondrial fission, in skeletal muscles from patients on maintenance hemodialysis (0.86 [0.48–1.35] arbitrary units (A.U.), median [interquartile range]) compared with controls (0.60 [0.24–0.75] A.U.).ConclusionsMitochondrial dysfunction is due to multifactorial etiologies and presents prior to the initiation of maintenance hemodialysis, including in patients with CKD stages 3–5.
The regulation of fertility in pre-industrial populations: a local study from eighteenth century Finland
Authors: Moring Beatrice 
Published: June 2020

The crude birth rate in Finland in the eighteenth century was more than 40 per thousand. At the same time there was considerable regional diversity. This study of a coastal population in southwestern Finland reveals that the fertility was well below that of the country as a whole and as low or even lower that that recorded for neighboring countries. A more detailed study of families in Houtskiir indicates that the pattern of fertility varied according to the socioeconomic standing of the family head. Differences in age at first marriage were a critical determinant of these variations but other important factors were birth spacing and the timing of the last birth. A conscious attempt was made to limit family size.
Health and social consequences: linkages between parish registers and patient records as a source in social medical history
Authors: Lundberg Anna 
Published: June 2020

Venereal diseases in the Sundsvall area in Sweden are studied in this article. By using linkages between between parish records and patient records it has been possible to find out what happened to a patient after the adission to a venereal ward. The linkage gives us enough information to form life and family biographies for these individuals. By investigating the life courses of 145 linked individuals it has been possible to give a closer presentation of the preliminary conclusions and problems of this research. The major problem has to do with their mobility. A life and family biography is truncated when the individual leaves the district of Sundsvall.
The individuals of the study were admitted to a venereal ward in the midst of their adult life. While carefully paying attention to the linked individuals’ tendency to leave the Sundsvall area, we have studied their age distribution rates for certain events in their lives and reached a few preliminary conclusions about the sample group. Even among those who stayed in the district for quite a long while, the marriage rates were quite low . Some of these individuals had up to eight children, but the average fertility among the sample group seemed to be quite low. Because more than 60 percent of the children bom within the sample group died before the age of 15, and a very high percentage of these died before their first birthday, seems to be a convincing proof that venereal disease had an important impact on the patients’ lives. The article shows that linkages between patient records and parish registrars can help medical historians and historical demographers to understand the way in which disease and medical care affected peoples’ lives in past time.