bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial accessibility to healthcare facilities in coastal region of Bangladesh
Authors: Zafri Niaz Mahmud , Nurullah Md , Neema Meher Nigar , Waliullah Md 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThough equal and easy accessibility to healthcare facilities are a fundamental right, people of the coastal region often get poor accessibility to healthcare facilities. This research aimed to assess the spatial accessibility to healthcare facilities in the coastal region of Bangladesh. Patuakhali district was selected as the study area. Accessibility to three levels of healthcare facilities: Community Clinic (CC), Upazila Health Complex (UHC) and District Hospital (DH) was measured individually using Geographic Information System (GIS) adopting the simple distance measures. Finally, overall accessibility to healthcare facilities was measured by overlaying accessibility to all three levels of healthcare facilities according to their relative importance. The findings of this study showed that a significant portion (70%) of Patuakhali district had high accessibility to CC; whereas, almost 60% and 40% of the area had poor accessibility to UHC and DH, respectively. Furthermore, 40% and 28% of the area of Patuakhali district had low and high accessibility to overall healthcare facilities, respectively. Furthermore, accessibility to healthcare facilities was found very poor in rural areas, char areas, and seashore. Thereafter, it is recommended to provide an UHC in every upazila and a DH in the southern part of Galachipa upazila to ensure high spatial accessibility of healthcare facilities.
Uncovered equity returns parity in non‐euro Central European EU member countries
Authors: Orlowski Lucjan , Soper Carolyne , Sywak Monika 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper examines a nexus between euro values of local currencies and returns to equities in non‐euro Central European countries (CECs) relative to returns in a global equity market. In essence, it analyses whether the uncovered equity returns parity (UERP) condition holds in these countries. In theory, the UERP condition holds if higher returns in a local equity market relative to the global market returns are offset by the local currency depreciation. The underlying UERP model examines the relationship between local currencies in euro and CEC equity returns relative to a global market index proxied by Wilshire5000 index. We assume that the UERP relationship is country‐sensitive, time‐dependent and state‐dependent, that is, it varies among countries and depends on economic and financial market conditions. The model is tested with the Bai–Perron multiple breakpoint regressions for structural breaks, as well as the two‐state Markov switching test for state dependence, during the January 4, 1999–February 25, 2020 sample period. We find that UERP condition holds in CECs mainly at times of financial distress, including the peak and the aftermath of the 2008–2010 global financial crisis.
Whether rising tide has lifted all the boats? Effect of inter‐governmental transfers on household income inequality in Pakistan
Authors: Ain Qurat ul , Jie Yan , Ivașcu Larisa , Shah Syed Ghulam Meran , Yousaf Tahir 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThough income distribution is mainly the responsibility of the central government but the intergovernmental system can either improve or deteriorate the equity in the redistribution of resources. Income redistribution depends upon how the process of devolution is premeditated and implemented. This study reveals the empirical evidences on the effect of different types of intergovernmental transfers/grants, under NFC awards, on household income inequality using a sample of panel data of provincial units in Pakistan from 1990 to 2015. Empirical underpinnings contemplate that straight transfers and non‐development grants have taken on the greater change in reducing income inequality and thus have made the utmost attempt to guarantee the equal distribution of revenues among the federating units. On contrary, the divisible pool transfers, augment the income inequality. Remarkably, even if devolution could be attractive due to efficiency reasons, it may have uninvited consequences on the income distribution. Further development grants indicate no relation to household income inequality. These results also have obvious policy implications as the normative scheme governs intergovernmental regional transfers in case of divisible pool transfers in Pakistan which must be revised, and focus should be given on implementation, if the objective is to confer the country' greater territorial cohesion.
Pinocembrin attenuates benzo(a)pyrene‐induced CYP1A1 expression through multiple pathways: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah M. , Rajendran Peramaiyan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBenzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], which is a carcinogen, is a substance most typically known in cigarette smoke and considered as an important intermediary of lung cancer. The enzyme CYP1A1 is crucial for the metabolic conversion of B(a)P into the intermediates that induce carcinogenesis. Stimulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which is regulated by B(a)P, is thought to induce numerous signaling cascades. Interruption in the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway causes changes in cellular processes and may alter the AhR pathway. The aim of this investigation is to examine the potential ability of a flavonoid pinocembrin (PCB) to alleviate B(a)P toxicity and analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that PCB inhibited DNA adduct formation by attenuating CYP1A1 expression through the suppression of the AhR/Src/ERK pathways. PCB mitigated the B(a)P‐stimulated DNA damage, inhibited Src and ERK1/2 expression, decreased CYP1A1 expression, and reduced the B(a)P‐induced stimulation of NF‐κB and MAPK signaling in lung epithelial cells. Finally, the activity of CYP1A1 and Src in lung tissues from mice supplemented with PCB was noticeably decreased and lower than that in lung tissues from mice supplemented with B(a)P alone. Collectively, these data suggest that PCB may alleviate the toxic effects of PAHs, which are important environmental pollutants.
IL‐6/STAT3‐mediated autophagy participates in the development of age‐related glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Zhu Xinwang , Zhang Congxiao , Shi Mai , Li Huimin , Jiang Xue , Wang Lining 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe standard of age‐related glomerulosclerosis is unclear. Both signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and autophagy are involved in age‐related kidney disease. Therefore, we aimed to explore the standard, as well as the potential mechanism(s). A total of 44 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy were enrolled. Pearson analysis was performed to investigate the parameters with ages. The patients were divided into the young‐ and aged‐kidney groups. Kidney morphological changes were evaluated by histology staining, senescence was evaluated by senescence‐associated‐β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining, and autophagosome was measured by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, Western blot and/or immunohistochemistry were accomplished to assess the expression of p16, STAT3, and glycoprotein130 (GP130) and autophagy‐related proteins. Furthermore, human glomerular mesangial cells were administrated with tocilizumab (TCZ) and/or IL‐6, and then the above indexes were tested again. Sclerotic glomerular density and glomerular sclerosis rate were significantly higher in individuals more than 40 years old, and they were strongly correlated with ages. Moreover, the expression of p16, STAT3, GP130, and p62 was significantly increased, while LC3II and autophagosome were statistically decreased in the aged‐kidney. Glomeruli were hardly to stain with SA‐β‐gal. For the in vitro experiments, we observed that IL‐6 significantly increased p16, STAT3, GP130, and p62, induced higher SA‐β‐gal staining, while downregulated LC3II and autophagosome. Furthermore, TCZ statistically reversed the effects of IL‐6 on the above expression of proteins. Glomerular sclerosis rate might be one standard for natural renal aging, and IL‐6/STAT3‐mediated autophagy may participate in the development of age‐related glomerulosclerosis.
Epigallocatechin gallate and coenzyme Q10 attenuate cisplatin‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats via targeting mitochondrial stress and apoptosis
Authors: Fatima Sabiha , Suhail Nida , Alrashed May , Wasi Samina , Aljaser Feda S. , AlSubki Roua A. , Alsharidah Ashwag S. , Banu Naheed 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDespite the extensive use of cisplatin (CP) as a chemotherapeutic agent, its clinical use is often restricted by undesirable side effects, such as toxicity to normal tissues. The aim of this study was to probe the effect of a combinatorial treatment of low multiple doses of antioxidants on CP‐induced toxicity and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in hepatocytes. Animals received a single toxic dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg body weight) with or without combined multiple doses of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (15 and 5 mg/kg body weight, respectively). CP‐treated animals showed altered biochemical parameters, denoting hepatotoxicity, which was markedly improved by the multidose treatment with EGCG + CoQ10. The increased levels of oxidants found in the cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions isolated from the liver of CP‐administered rats were significantly attenuated by the combinatorial doses of antioxidants. EGCG + CoQ10 ameliorated the CP‐induced compromised antioxidant defenses, oxidative modification of macromolecules, decreased activities of respiratory chain enzymes, altered membrane depolarization, and swelling of liver mitochondria. Furthermore, EGCG + CoQ10 treatment inhibited CP‐induced apoptosis by suppressing the activation and mitochondrial accumulation of proapoptotic proteins and preventing the inhibition of antiapoptotic protein expression, cytochrome c efflux, caspase‐3 activation, and DNA fragmentation. Histological findings further confirmed the protective effects of EGCG + CoQ10 against CP‐induced cellular injury. Our findings revealed that the combination of EGCG and CoQ10, owing to their individual antioxidant properties, can be an effective remedy, which by maintaining redox hemostasis attenuate the mitochondrial stress‐mediated molecular and cellular processes involved in CP‐induced liver toxicity and cell death.
Coaction of hepatic thioredoxin and glutathione systems in iron overload‐induced oxidative stress
Authors: Sönmez Aydın Feyza , Hukkamlı Berna , Budak Harun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the present study, we demonstrate the coaction of thioredoxin and glutathione (GSH) systems in mouse liver against iron overload‐induced oxidative stress (OS). Mice were injected intraperitoneally with an iron dextran solution twice a week for 3 weeks. Iron accumulation in mouse liver was demonstrated spectroscopically. To confirm the iron overload model in the liver, the increased gene expression levels of hepcidin (Hamp), ferroportin (Fpn1), and ferritin (Fth1), which regulate iron trafficking, were observed by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In the case of iron overload, the GSH level and the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio, which represents a marker of OS, decreased significantly. An increase in the malondialdehyde level, one of the final products of the lipid peroxidation process, was observed. The gene expression of the thioredoxin system, including thioredoxin (Trx1) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1), was examined. Though TrxR1 expression decreased, no changes were observed in Trx1. The enzyme activity and semiquantitative protein expression of TRXR1 increased. The activity of GSH reductase and GSH peroxidase increased in the iron overload group. The gene and protein expressions of thioredoxininteracting protein, which is an indicator of the commitment of the cell to apoptosis, were elevated significantly. The increased protein expression of Bcl‐2‐related X protein and CASPASE‐3, which is an indicator of apoptosis, increased significantly. In conclusion, excess iron accumulation in mouse liver tissue causes OS, which affects the redox state of the thioredoxin and GSH systems, inducing cell apoptosis and also ferroptosis due to increased lipid peroxidation and the depletion of GSH level.
The transcriptional cofactor Jab1/Cops5 is crucial for BMP‐mediated mouse chondrocyte differentiation by repressing p53 activity
Authors: Mamidi Murali K. , Samsa William E. , Bashur Lindsay A. , Chen Yuqing , Chan Ricky , Lee Brendan , Zhou Guang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe previously reported that the evolutionary conserved transcriptional cofactor Jab1/Cops5 is critical for mouse chondrocyte differentiation by selectively repressing BMP signaling. In this study, we first uncovered that the endogenous Jab1 interacts with endogenous Smad1/5/8. Furthermore, although Jab1 did not directly interact with Acvr1 (Alk2), a key Type I BMP receptor, the interaction between endogenous Smad1/5/8 and Acvr1 was increased in Jab1‐null chondrocytes. Thus, Jab1 might negatively regulate BMP signaling during chondrocyte differentiation in part by sequestering Smad1/5/8 away from Acvr1. Next, to identity Jab1 downstream targets in chondrocytes, we performed RNA‐sequencing analysis of Jab1‐null chondrocytes and discovered a total of 1993 differentially expressed genes. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that key targets inhibited by Jab1 includes p53, BMP/transforming growth factor beta, and apoptosis pathways. We confirmed that endogenous Jab1 interacts with endogenous p53. There was significantly elevated p53 reporter activity, an enhanced expression of phospho‐p53, and an increased expression of a key p53 downstream target, Puma, in Jab1‐null chondrocytes. Moreover, treatments with a p53‐specific inhibitor and/or a BMP Type I receptor‐specific inhibitor reversed the elevated p53 and BMP signaling activities in Jab1‐null chondrocytes and partially restored columnar growth plate structure in E17.5 Jab1‐null mouse tibia explant cultures. Finally, we demonstrated that the chondrocyte‐specific Jab1 overexpression in mice resulted in smaller‐sized embryos with disorganized growth plates. In conclusion, our data showed that the delicate Jab1‐mediated crosstalk between BMP and p53 pathways is crucial to maintain proper chondrocyte survival and differentiation. Moreover, the appropriate Jab1 expression level is essential for proper skeletal development.
Effects and mechanism of lncRNA‐27785.1 that regulates TGF‐β1 of Sika deer on antler cell proliferation
Authors: Chen Dan‐Yang , Li Yan‐jun , Jiang Ren‐feng , Li Yu‐ting , Feng Jiang , Hu Wei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTransforming growth factor (TGF‐β) plays an important role in the development of deer antlers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA in the transcriptional regulation of TGF‐β1 and its relationship with the proliferation and differentiation of antler chondrocytes. High‐throughput sequencing was used to screen lncRNAs related to TGF‐β1. Next, the overexpression plasmid and interference sequence of target lncRNA27785.1 were constructed and transfected into chondrocytes. We found that lncRNA27785.1 inhibited the proliferation and migration of chondrocytes and delayed the transition of cells from G1 to S phase. qRT‐PCR and Western blot analysis indicated that the overexpression of lncRNA27785.1 may downregulate mRNA and protein expression of TGF‐BR2, Smad3, pSmad3, and Smad4. Our findings highlight lncRNA27785.1 as an inhibitor of chondrocytes proliferation and differentiation by negatively regulating the TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway; this implicates an important regulatory role for long noncoding RNA in the regeneration of antler.
Assessing uncertainty for decision‐making in climate adaptation and risk mitigation
Authors: Reggiani Paolo , Todini Ezio , Boyko Oleksiy , Buizza Roberto 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFuture water availability or crop yield studies, tied to statistics of river flow, precipitation, temperature or evaporation over medium to long‐term horizons, are becoming frequent in climate impact and risk analysis. During the last two decades, access to multi‐system integration of climate models has given rise to the concept of using model ensembles to issue probabilistic climatological projections. These probabilistic projections have not yet been exploited to the full extent in decision support, and are still used to mainly quantify uncertainty bands only for selected climate variables and indicators. One of the reasons of this limited use is the fact that the multi‐system ensemble dispersion is sub‐optimal and does not provide an accurate and reliable representation of the predictive probability density, which is essential for rational decision support under uncertain conditions. The aims of this paper are twofold. First, it seeks to highlight the potential benefits of using climate projections in conjunction with Bayesian paradigms towards educated decision‐making. Second, it discusses how to appropriately formulate probabilistic forecasts by coherently integrating information contained in climate projection ensembles with observations to improve the estimation of the probability density function of future climate states. The results show that the proposed Bayesian approach yields unbiased and sharper predictive distributions for temperature with respect to using the unprocessed ensemble distribution. It also yields improved predictive densities with respect to the Reliability Ensemble Averaging (REA) method.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a metric of microbial biomass in aquatic systems: new simplified protocols, laboratory validation, and a reflection on data from the literature
Authors: Bochdansky Alexander B. , Stouffer Alison N. , Washington NyJaee N. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a universal biomass indicator is built on the premise that ATP concentration tracks biomass rather than the physiological condition of cells. However, reportedly high variability in ATP in response to environmental conditions is the main reason the method has not found widespread application. To test possible sources of this variability, we used the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii as a model and manipulated its growth rate through nutrient limitation and through exposure to three different temperatures (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C). We simplified the ATP protocol with hot‐water or chemical extraction methods, modified a commercially available luciferin‐luciferase assay, and employed single‐photon counting in a scintillation counter, all of which increased sensitivity and throughput. Per‐cell ATP levels remained relatively constant despite changes in growth rates by approximately 10‐fold in the batch culture (i.e., nutrient limitation) experiments, and approximately 2‐fold in response to temperature. The re‐examination of related literature values revealed that average cellular ATP levels differed little among taxonomic groups of aquatic microbes, even at the domain level, and correlated well with bulk properties such as elemental carbon or nitrogen. Fulfilling multiple cellular functions in addition to being the universal energy currency requires ATP to be maintained in a millimolar concentration range. Consequently, ATP relates directly to live cytoplasm volume, while elemental carbon and nitrogen are constrained by an indeterminate pool of detrital material and intracellular storage compounds. The ATP‐biomass indicator is sensitive, economical, and can be readily standardized among laboratories and across environments.
Development and Characterization of PLGA‐Based Multistage Delivery System for Enhanced Payload Delivery to Targeted Vascular Endothelium
Authors: Palma‐Chavez Jorge A. , Fuentes Kevin , Applegate Brian E. , Jo Javier A. , Charoenphol Phapanin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractVascular‐targeted drug delivery remains an attractive platform for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions in human diseases. This work focuses on the development of a poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic‐acid (PLGA)‐based multistage delivery system (MDS). MDS consists of two stages: a micron‐sized PLGA outer shell and encapsulated drug‐loaded PLGA nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with average diameters of 76, 119, and 193 nm are successfully encapsulated into 3–6 µm MDS. Sustained in vitro release of nanoparticles from MDS is observed for up to 7 days. Both MDS and nanoparticles arebiocompatible with human endothelial cells. Sialyl‐Lewis‐A (sLeA) is successfully immobilized on the MDS and nanoparticle surfaces to enable specific targeting of inflamed endothelium. Functionalized MDS demonstrates a 2.7‐fold improvement in endothelial binding compared to PLGA nanoparticles from human blood laminar flow. Overall, the presented results demonstrate successful development and characterization of MDS and suggest that MDS can serve as an effective drug carrier, which can enhance the margination of nanoparticles to the targeted vascular wall.
Rating or sorting: Terminology matters
Authors: Colorni Alberto , Tsoukiàs Alexis 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this article, we argue that the term “sorting” (in MCDA), although established within a well‐defined community, is unappropriate for linguistic, scientific and pragmatic reasons. We present and discuss such reasons and we suggest the use of the term “rating”, since fitting better both the foundational part of this class of methods and the necessity to improve the visibility of our community.
The relationship between obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders and DSM‐5 dysfunctional personality domains in a nonclinical sample of Italian women
Authors: Somma Antonella , LeBeau Richard T. , Krueger Robert F. , Markon Kristian E. , Gialdi Giulia , Frau Claudia , Boscaro Linda , Liberatore Giada , Fossati Andrea 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo evaluate the usefulness of the DSM‐5 maladaptive personality domains in explaining the similarities and differences among four disorders included in the obsessive–compulsive spectrum, 428 Italian community‐dwelling women (mean age = 31.96 years, SD = 12.30 years) were administered the Obsessive–Compulsive Spectrum Disorder Scales and the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5‐Short Form as part of an ongoing online survey on women's health. Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) confirmatory bifactor analysis results showed that the OCSD general factor (i.e., obsessive–compulsive spectrum factor) was positively associated with Negative Affectivity, whereas Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Hoarding Disorder (HD), and Skin‐Picking Disorder (SPD) specific factors showed significant and substantial differential relationships with dysfunctional personality domains. Specifically, BDD was positively associated with Negative Affectivity, Detachment and Psychoticism domains; HD was associated with high Negative Affectivity and Psychoticism; and SPD was associated with Detachment. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.