bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explicit criteria for the qualitative properties of differential equations with p-Laplacian-like operator
Authors: Bazighifan Omar , Aljohani A. F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe aim of this work is to study qualitative properties of solutions for a fourth-order neutral nonlinear differential equation, driven by ap-Laplace differential operator. Some oscillation criteria for the equation under study have been obtained by comparison theory. The obtained results improve the well-known oscillation results present in the literature. Some examples are provided to show the applicability of the obtained results.
On a hybrid fractional Caputo–Hadamard boundary value problem with hybrid Hadamard integral boundary value conditions
Authors: Mohammadi Hakimeh , Rezapour Shahram , Etemad Sina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the present research article, we find some important criteria on the existence of solutions for a class of the hybrid fractional Caputo–Hadamard differential equations and its corresponding inclusion problem supplemented with hybrid Hadamard integral boundary conditions. In this direction, we utilize some theorems due to Dhage’s fixed point results in our proofs. Finally, we demonstrate two numerical examples to confirm the validity of the main obtained results.
On Hyers–Ulam Mittag-Leffler stability of discrete fractional Duffing equation with application on inverted pendulum
Authors: Selvam A. G. M. , Baleanu D. , Alzabut J. , Vignesh D. , Abbas S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA human being standing upright with his feet as the pivot is the most popular example of the stabilized inverted pendulum. Achieving stability of the inverted pendulum has become common challenge for engineers. In this paper, we consider an initial value discrete fractional Duffing equation with forcing term. We establish the existence, Hyers–Ulam stability, and Hyers–Ulam Mittag-Leffler stability of solutions for the equation. We consider the inverted pendulum modeled by Duffing equation as an example. The values are tabulated and simulated to show the consistency with theoretical findings.
Development of an in vitro macrophage screening system on the immunomodulating effects of feed components
Authors: Sivinski S. E. , Mamedova L. K. , Rusk R. A. , Elrod C. C. , Swartz T. H. , McGill J. M. , Bradford B. J. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
While feed components capable of modulating the immune system are highly sought after and marketed, often little evidence is available to support functional immune response claims. Thus, a high-throughput in vitro cell screening system was developed to test these compounds for innate immune signaling effects, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its cell wall components in addition to lauric acid and its esters as models in two separate experiments. This screening system utilized RAW 264.7 murine macrophages to assess live S. cerevisiae cells and S. cerevisiae-derived cell wall components β-glucan, mannan, and zymosan (a crude cell wall preparation containing both β-glucan and mannan). D-mannose was also evaluated as the monomer of mannan. We also examined the effect of a saturated fatty acid (C12:0, lauric acid) and its esters (methyl laurate and glycerol monolaurate) on innate immune cell activation and cellular metabolism. RAW cells were transfected with a vector that drives expression of alkaline phosphatase upon promoter activation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), a major inflammatory/immune transcription factor. RAW cells were incubated with 0.01, 0.1 or 1 mg/mL of yeast compounds alone or RAW cells were challenged with LPS and then incubated with yeast compounds. In a separate experiment, RAW cells were incubated with 0, 0.5, 2.5, 12.5, 62.5, and 312.5 μmol/L of lauric acid, methyl laurate, or glycerol monolaurate alone, or RAW cells were challenged with LPS and then incubated with fatty acid treatments.

Results
Treatment with zymosan or β-glucan alone induced NFκB activation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas treatment with D-mannose, mannan, or live S. cerevisiae cells did not. Post-treatment with mannan after an LPS challenge decreased NFκB activation, suggesting that this treatment may ameliorate LPS-induced inflammation. Slight increases in NFκB activation were found when fatty acid treatments were applied in the absence of LPS, yet substantial reductions in NFκB activation were seen when treatments were applied following an LPS challenge.

Conclusions
Overall, this cell screening system using RAW macrophages was effective, high-throughput, and sensitive to feed components combined with LPS challenges, indicating modulation of innate immune signaling in vitro.

Graphical abstract
Boswellic acid sensitizes gastric cancer cells to Cisplatin-induced apoptosis via p53-mediated pathway
Authors: Al-Bahlani Shadia , Burney Ikram A. , Al-Dhahli Buthaina , Al-Kharusi Safiya , Al-Kharousi Fakhra , Al-Kalbani Amani , Ahmed Ikhlas 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective anticancer drug for Gastric cancer (GC) that induces apoptosis by altering pro- (p53) and anti-apoptotic (Akt and NFkB) proteins; however, chemoresistance remains a big challenge. Additional compounds with promising anticancer effects such as AKBA (Acetyl-keto-beta boswellic acid) may overcome the resistance. However, its role in CDDP-induced apoptosis in GC has not been studied. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of AKBA on p53-mediated, CDDP-induced apoptosis in GC cells. AGS and NCI-N87 cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 μM) of CDDP and/or AKBA.

Methods
P53, Akt and NFkB proteins and apoptosis were assessed by Western blot and flow cytometry. The role of p53 was determined by inhibiting its function via the siRNA approach.

Results
The results revealed that CDDP and AKBA significantly increased p53 content in both cells, while Akt and NFkB were significantly decreased. Both compounds significantly induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. AKBA sensitized GC cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis by altering the protein expression. P53 downregulation affected Akt and NFkB proteins with a slight increase in apoptosis induction in the combination treated groups.

Conclusions
Altogether, our findings suggest that AKBA enhances GC cell sensitivity to CDDP-induced apoptosis via the p53 pathway.
Using peer workers with lived experience to support the treatment of borderline personality disorder: a qualitative study of consumer, carer and clinician perspectives
Authors: Barr Karlen R. , Townsend Michelle L. , Grenyer Brin F. S. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Peer support is a recovery oriented approach where consumers and carers are introduced to people with lived experience of the disorder who have recovered. Paid roles within health services for such consumer peer workers and carer peer workers (or ‘specialists’) are increasingly common. To date specific studies on such peer support for consumers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and their carers has not been conducted.

Methods
This qualitative study used interviews to explore perceptions and models of peer support for BPD from the perspectives of 12 consumers, 12 carers, and 12 mental health professionals. Participant responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within a phenomenological methodology.

Results
All groups described how consumer peer workers may provide hope, connection, and validation to a consumer’s lived experience. Offering both traditional mental health treatment plus peer support, and giving consumers choice regarding a consumer peer worker was welcomed. Differences in opinion were found regarding the consumer peer worker’s role in relation to the mental health team, including whether consumer peer workers should access medical records. Perspectives differed regarding the consumer peer worker and carer peer worker positions, highlighting potential role confusion. Carers discussed the value of receiving support from carer peer workers and consumer peer workers. Mental health professionals described how consumer peer workers can experience workplace stigma and problems with boundary setting, and acknowledged a need for peer workers to be valued by having a duty of care and confidentiality code to follow and be offered supervision.

Conclusions
Two models of peer support for BPD emerged: an integrated model where consumer peer workers work within the mental health team, and a complementary model where consumer peer workers are separate from the mental health team. Based on these findings we provide recommendations for services to help support such peer work for consumers with BPD and their carers.
Boosting methods for multi-class imbalanced data classification: an experimental review
Authors: Tanha Jafar , Abdi Yousef , Samadi Negin , Razzaghi Nazila , Asadpour Mohammad 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSince canonical machine learning algorithms assume that the dataset has equal number of samples in each class, binary classification became a very challenging task to discriminate the minority class samples efficiently in imbalanced datasets. For this reason, researchers have been paid attention and have proposed many methods to deal with this problem, which can be broadly categorized into data level and algorithm level. Besides, multi-class imbalanced learning is much harder than binary one and is still an open problem. Boosting algorithms are a class of ensemble learning methods in machine learning that improves the performance of separate base learners by combining them into a composite whole. This paper’s aim is to review the most significant published boosting techniques on multi-class imbalanced datasets. A thorough empirical comparison is conducted to analyze the performance of binary and multi-class boosting algorithms on various multi-class imbalanced datasets. In addition, based on the obtained results for performance evaluation metrics and a recently proposed criteria for comparing metrics, the selected metrics are compared to determine a suitable performance metric for multi-class imbalanced datasets. The experimental studies show that the CatBoost and LogitBoost algorithms are superior to other boosting algorithms on multi-class imbalanced conventional and big datasets, respectively. Furthermore, the MMCC is a better evaluation metric than the MAUC and G-mean in multi-class imbalanced data domains.
Flexible nanopillar-based immunoelectrochemical biosensor for noninvasive detection of Amyloid beta
Authors: Park Yoo Min , Ahn Junhyoung , Choi Young Sun , Jeong Jae-Min , Lee Seok Jae , Lee Jae Jong , Choi Bong Gill , Lee Kyoung G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe noninvasive early detection of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for the development of specific treatment strategies. This paper proposes an advanced method for fabricating highly ordered and flexible nanopillar-based electrochemical biosensors by the combination of soft/photolithography and metal evaporation. The nanopillar array (NPA) exhibits high surface area containing 1500 nm height and 500 nm diameter with 3:1 ratio. In regard with physical properties of polyurethane (PU) substrate, the developed NPA is sustainable and durable to external pressure such as bending and twisting. To manipulate the NPA surface to biocompatible, the gold was uniformly deposited on the PU substrate. The thiol chemistry which is stably modified on the gold surface as a form of self-assembled monolayer was employed for fabricating the NPA as a biocompatible chip by covalently immobilize the antibodies. The proposed nanopillar-based immunoelectrochemical biosensor exhibited good and stable electrochemical performance in β-amyloid (Aβ) detection. Moreover, we successfully confirmed the performance of the as-developed sensor using the artificial injection of Aβ in human tear, with sensitivity of 0.14 ng/mL and high reproducibility (as a standard deviation below 10%). Our findings show that the developed nanopillar-based sensor exhibits reliable electrochemical characteristics and prove its potential for application as a biosensor platform for testing at the point of care.
Automated diagnosis and staging of Fuchs’ endothelial cell corneal dystrophy using deep learning
Authors: Eleiwa Taher , Elsawy Amr , Özcan Eyüp , Abou Shousha Mohamed 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo describe the diagnostic performance of a deep learning algorithm in discriminating early-stage Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) without clinically evident corneal edema from healthy and late-stage FECD eyes using high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT).MethodsIn this observational case-control study, 104 eyes (53 FECD eyes and 51 healthy controls) received HD-OCT imaging (Envisu R2210, Bioptigen, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA) using a 6 mm radial scan pattern centered on the corneal vertex. FECD was clinically categorized into early (without corneal edema) and late-stage (with corneal edema). A total of 18,720 anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images (9180 healthy; 5400 early-stage FECD; 4140 late-stage FECD) of 104 eyes (81 patients) were used to develop and validate a deep learning classification network to differentiate early-stage FECD eyes from healthy eyes and those with clinical edema. Using 5-fold cross-validation on the dataset containing 11,340 OCT images (63 eyes), the network was trained with 80% of these images (3420 healthy; 3060 early-stage FECD; 2700 late-stage FECD), then tested with 20% (720 healthy; 720 early-stage FECD; 720 late-stage FECD). Thereafter, a final model was trained with the entire dataset consisting the 11,340 images and validated with a remaining 7380 images of unseen AS-OCT scans of 41 eyes (5040 healthy; 1620 early-stage FECD 720 late-stage FECD). Visualization of learned features was done, and area under curve (AUC), specificity, and sensitivity of the prediction outputs for healthy, early and late-stage FECD were computed.ResultsThe final model achieved an AUC of 0.997 ± 0.005 with 91% sensitivity and 97% specificity in detecting early-FECD; an AUC of 0.974 ± 0.005 with a specificity of 92% and a sensitivity up to 100% in detecting late-stage FECD; and an AUC of 0.998 ± 0.001 with a specificity 98% and a sensitivity of 99% in discriminating healthy corneas from all FECD.ConclusionDeep learning algorithm is an accurate autonomous novel diagnostic tool of FECD with very high sensitivity and specificity that can be used to grade FECD severity with high accuracy.
Development of tooth regenerative medicine strategies by controlling the number of teeth using targeted molecular therapy
Authors: Takahashi Katsu , Kiso Honoka , Murashima-Suginami Akiko , Tokita Yoshihito , Sugai Manabu , Tabata Yasuhiko , Bessho Kazuhisa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAnalysis of various genetically modified mice, with supernumerary teeth, has revealed the following two intrinsic molecular mechanisms that increase the number of teeth. One plausible explanation for supernumerary tooth formation is the rescue of tooth rudiments. Topical application of candidate molecules could lead to whole tooth formation under suitable conditions. Congenital tooth agenesis is caused by the cessation of tooth development due to the deletion of the causative gene and suppression of its function. The arrest of tooth development inRunx2knockout mice, a mouse model of congenital tooth agenesis, is rescued in double knockout mice ofRunx2andUsag-1.TheUsag-1knockout mouse is a supernumerary model mouse. Targeted molecular therapy could be used to generate teeth in patients with congenital tooth agenesis by stimulating arrested tooth germs. The third dentition begins to develop when the second successional lamina is formed from the developing permanent tooth in humans and usually regresses apoptotically. Targeted molecular therapy, therefore, seems to be a suitable approach in whole-tooth regeneration by the stimulation of the third dentition. A second mechanism of supernumerary teeth formation involves the contribution of odontogenic epithelial stem cells in adults. Cebpb has been shown to be involved in maintaining the stemness of odontogenic epithelial stem cells and suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Odontogenic epithelial stem cells are differentiated from one of the tissue stem cells, enamel epithelial stem cells, and odontogenic mesenchymal cells are formed from odontogenic epithelial cells by epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Both odontogenic epithelial cells and odontogenic mesenchymal cells required to form teeth from enamel epithelial stem cells were directly induced to form excess teeth in adults. An approach for the development of targeted therapeutics has been the local application of monoclonal neutralizing antibody/siRNA with cationic gelatin for USAG-1 or small molecule for Cebpb.
Pharmacogenetic-guided cannabis usage in the community pharmacy: evaluation of a pilot program
Authors: Papastergiou John , Li Wilson , Sterling Carly , van den Bemt Bart 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Pharmacists possess a skillset suited to provide evidence-based guidance to current and potential users of cannabis. Clinical pharmacogenomics research has made significant progress in defining which genetic variations are important for influencing inter-patient variability in response to cannabis. This study aims to evaluate the practicality and impact of pharmacogenetic testing in the community pharmacy to help guide in the safe use of cannabis.

Methods
The pilot program was designed as open-label, non-randomized, and observational. Two busy, urban community pharmacies, operating under the brand Shoppers Drug Mart, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada offered pharmacogenomic testing to cannabis users as part of their professional services program over a period of 2 months. Eligible patients received buccal swabs using a DNA cheek swab kit. De-identified, barcoded samples were then sent by regular mail to an off-site CLIA-certified laboratory for analysis in Mississauga, Canada. A pharmacogenetic testing platform from Lobo Genetics® was utilized for translation of participants’ DNA with respect to CYP2C9, AKT1 and COMT genetic polymorphisms. Following genomic data translation, personalized, evidence-based recommendations were generated. Pharmacists provided a cannabis pharmacogenetic consultation to patients via telephone or in-person.

Results
Twenty patients enrolled in the study. Pharmacogenetic screening identified 95% as having the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype (suggesting normal THC metabolism); 35 and 25% had AKT1 genotypes suggesting intermediate risk (C/T genotype) or high risk (C/C genotype), respectively, for cannabis-induced psychosis; and 45 and 10% had COMT genotypes suggesting intermediate risk (Val/Met genotype) or high risk (Val/Val genotype), respectively for cannabis-induced neurocognitive impairment.
After the pharmacogenetic consultation, 65% of patients reported an increased comfort level in choosing a specific strength/strain of cannabis for use in the future; 75% considered the consultation of high value providing information potentially vital to their health and wellbeing.

Conclusion
Although the study did not find any CYP2C9 variants associated with highly diminished THC metabolism, most of these patients do carry genetic variants that may potentially predispose them to the development of psychosis and memory impairment. Similar initiatives can potentially improve patient safety and empower individuals to make informed decisions about cannabis use and possible complications.
Fixed point theorems for self and non-self F-contractions in metric spaces endowed with a graph
Authors: Younus Awais , Azam Muhammad Umer , Asif Muhammad 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe main results obtained in this paper are fixed point theorems for self and non-self GF-contractions on metric spaces endowed with a graph. Our new results are generalization of recently fixed point theorems for self mappings on metric spaces and also fixed point theorems for non-self mappings in Banach spaces by using the concept of new type of contractive mappings namely F-contractions.
Impact of different anti-HCV regimens on platelet count during treatment in Egyptian patients
Authors: El Ghany Sara Abd , El Husseiny Noha M. , Roshdy Mohamed , Moustafa Heba , Atallah Mohamed Taha , Fathy Ahmed , El Demellawy Heba H. , Abdelhameed Asmaa M. , El Demerdash Doaa M. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Side effects of antiviral therapies for hepatitis C, especially hematologic abnormalities, may decrease both therapeutic adherence and therapeutic success rate. Adherence to therapy is essential to achieve an early viral response (EVR), and this is vital for attaining a sustained viral response (SVR). Discontinuation of anti-viral therapy is the only way to prevent progressive thrombocytopenia; however, discontinuation of therapy may reduce the rate of viral clearance and SVR. Our aim is to study effects of antiviral therapy for HCV on platelet count. One hundred sixty eight adult patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in this study and subcategorized into 3 groups: group (1) contains 56 patients receiving IFN, ribavirin and sofosbuvir (triple therapy); group (2) contains 55 patients receiving ribavirin and sofosbuvir (SOF/RBV); and group (3) contains 57 patients receiving simeprevir and sofosbuvir (SIM/SOF). HCV RNA by PCR were checked basically for all studied patients. Follow-up platelet count was done weekly during the first month then monthly till end of treatment. Follow-up of platelet count decrement was assessed at the 2nd week, 4th week and end of antiviral therapy for all studied groups.

Results
We found that in the 2nd week and 4th week, most of patients (76.2%, 71.4%) showed platelet count decrement during antiviral therapy. The decrement of platelet at the 2nd week, 4th week and at end of treatment was much noticed with the SOF/RBV antiviral therapy studied group. None of the patients developed severe thrombocytopenia; none of the patients needed to stop antiviral therapy due to thrombocytopenia, only 6 patients needed dose modification, most of them were from the triple therapy group.

Conclusion
We concluded that thrombocytopenia in chronic HCV infection has a multifactorial pathophysiology and remains a major problem. The recent change in direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAA) without IFN, as the frontline therapy for HCV, permit to avoid the dilemmas associated with initiating or maintaining IFN-based antiviral therapy. DAAs, with high SVR and few haematological adverse effects, have been shown to improve thrombocytopenia associated with HCV infection as well as advanced hepatic disease.