bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clioquinol inhibits cell growth in a SERCA2‐dependent manner
Authors: Lv Xiaoguang , Zhang Wei , Xia Shengli , Huang Zhiwei , Shi Ping 
Published: January 2021

AbstractClioquinol has been reported to act as a potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We have previously reported that clioquinol induces S‐phase cell cycle arrest through the elevation of calcium levels in human neurotypic SH‐SY5Y cells. In this study, different types of cells were observed to detect if the effect of clioquinol on intracellular calcium levels is cell type‐specific. The Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay showed that clioquinol exhibited varying degrees of concentration‐dependent cytotoxicity in different cell lines, and that the growth inhibition caused by it was not related to cell source or carcinogenesis. In addition, the inhibition of cell growth by clioquinol was positively associated with its effect on intracellular calcium content ([Ca2+]i). Furthermore, the elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by clioquinol led to S‐phase cell cycle arrest. Similar to our previous studies, the increase in [Ca2+]i was attributed to changes in the expression levels of the calcium pump SERCA2. Comparison of expression levels of SERCA2 between cell lines showed that cells with high levels of SERCA2 were more sensitive to clioquinol. In addition, analysis using UALCAN and the Human Protein Atlas also showed that the expression of SERCA2 in the corresponding human tissues was similar to that of the cells tested in this study, suggesting potential in the application of clioquinol in the future. In summary, our results expand the understanding of the molecular mechanism of clioquinol and provide an important strategy for the rational use of clioquinol.
ZNF667‐AS1, a positively regulating MEGF10, inhibits the progression of uveal melanoma by modulating cellular aggressiveness
Authors: Yang Hai , Cai Min‐Yun , Rong Hua , Ma Li‐Rong , Xu Yue‐Li 
Published: January 2021

AbstractZinc finger protein 667‐antisense RNA 1 (ZNF667‐AS1) is a member of the C2H2 zinc finger protein family. However, the exact effect of ZNF667‐AS1 in uveal melanoma (UM) progression has not been elucidated. The biological roles of ZNF667‐AS1 and MEGF10 were assessed using cell counting kit‐8 and flow cytometry. Quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were conducted to measure the expression of subjects. ZNF667‐AS1 expression was significantly decreased in metastasized UM tissues and its low expression was related to poorer prognosis of UM patients. MEGF10 expression was positively associated with ZNF667‐AS1 expression. The inhibitory effect of ZNF667‐AS1 overexpression on UM cellular malignant behaviors could be reversed by MEGF10 knockdown, which was re‐ascertained by the detection of corresponding protein levels (p53, cyclin D1, Bcl‐2, and Bax). In conclusion, ZNF667‐AS1 might play an inhibitory role in the development of UM by regulating cellular aggressiveness, which was partially realized by positively regulating MEGF10.
TGF‐β1 stimulates aromatase expression and estradiol production through SMAD2 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in human granulosa‐lutein cells
Authors: Cheng Jung‐Chien , Fang Lanlan , Yan Yang , He Jingyan , Guo Yanjie , Jia Qiongqiong , Gao Yibo , Han Xiaoyu , Sun Ying‐Pu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEstradiol (E2), one of the main steroid hormones secreted by the ovaries, plays an important role in maintaining normal female reproductive function. Ovarian granulosa cells are the main source of E2 production because these cells express aromatase, which is encoded by the CYP19A1 gene and catalyzes the final step in E2 biosynthesis from androgens. Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and its receptors are expressed in human granulosa cells, and TGF‐β1 expression can be detected in human follicular fluid. To date, TGF‐β1 has been shown to regulate various ovarian functions. However, whether aromatase can be regulated by TGF‐β1 in human granulosa cells has not been determined. In the present study, we demonstrate that TGF‐β1 stimulates aromatase expression in primary human granulosa‐lutein cells and in the human ovarian granulose‐like tumor cell line, KGN. We used pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNA‐mediated knockdown approaches to reveal that the SMAD2 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways are involved in TGF‐β1‐induced aromatase expression and E2 production. These results not only provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms that mediate TGF‐β1‐induced aromatase expression and E2 production in human granulosa cells but also increase the understanding of the normal physiological roles of TGF‐β1 in the ovary.
Potential COVID‐19 Therapeutic Agents and Vaccines: An Evidence‐Based Review
Authors: Khani Elnaz , Khiali Sajad , Entezari‐Maleki Taher 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSince the early days of 2020, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has become a global health concern. Currently, some therapies and vaccines have received US Food and Drug Administration approval or emergency use authorization for the management of coronavirus disease 2019. According to the pathophysiology of the disease, several medications have been evaluated in different clinical conditions of the disease. Evidence‐based reviewing and categorizing these medications can guide the clinicians to select the proper medications according to each patient's condition. Therefore, we performed this review to categorize the coronavirus disease 2019 potential therapeutics and vaccines.
Resilient engineering identity development critical to prolonged engagement of Black women in engineering
Authors: Ross Monique S. , Huff James L. , Godwin Allison 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundSocial identity theory has been used to understand student and professional engagement in engineering. Engineering identity development, however, can be disrupted by the barriers and challenges associated with the racialized and gendered perceptions of engineering.Purpose/HypothesisThis study examined the engineering identity development and resilience of Black women engineers in industry through the exploration of their experiences in the engineering workplace. Many studies document challenges that underrepresented groups face in engineering. This work, instead, focuses on particular supports and empowerment that enabled continued participation in the engineering workforce over time.Design/MethodThis interpretative phenomenological analysis consisted of nine self‐identified Black women engineers currently employed in engineering industry with at least 10 years of work experience and explored the background, pathway into and through engineering, and what it means to be an engineer through 90‐min interviews with each participant.ResultsThe results of this study suggest that engineering identity development alone does not contribute to the retention of Black women in the engineering workplace but instead the confluence of race, gender, and role identity that aids in developing a resilient engineering identity.ConclusionsThe formal, informal, and structural educational experiences of Black women engineers are critical to the development of a resilient engineering identity. This identity is dependent on the complexities associated with being Black, a woman, and an engineer.
A theoretical study of inversion barriers and NMR chemical shifts of 3‐pyrazolines (2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles)
Authors: Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA rather neglected family of heterocyclic compounds, the 3‐pyrazolines or 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles, has been studied theoretically at the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) level to obtain geometries and energies and at the GIAO/B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) level for NMR chemical shifts. The calculated barriers of inversion of the N‐substituents reproduce adequately the scarce experimental data. The calculated 1H and 13C chemical shifts are consistent with those reported in the literature. A combination of both results, geometries, and 13C chemical shifts, shed light on the conformation of N‐phenyl groups.
The nexus of physical, cognitive, and emotional engagement with academic staff turnover intention: The moderating role of organizational politics
Authors: Lata Lata , Mohamed Zainal Siti Rohaida , Jan Ghulam , Memon Ubedullah 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe goal of the study is to investigate the effect of physical, cognitive, and emotional engagement on turnover intention among academic staff in public sector universities in Pakistan. The study highlights the buffering effect of organizational politics on employee engagement and turnover intention. The study employs a quantitative research design based around a partial least square analysis of datah gathered from academic staff in public universities in Sindh. The study shows there is a significant negative association between turnover intention, and employees' cognitive and emotional engagement. The findings of the study confirm the buffering effect of organizational politics on physical and emotional engagement and turnover intention. The direct effect of employees' physical engagement on turnover intention was not found to be significant. This study contributes to the conservation of resources theory; it also offers solutions to the problem of staff turnover based on building an organizational culture grounded in justice and teamwork.
Performance and survival implications of sourcing choice sequence across an architectural innovation life cycle
Authors: Park Woo‐Yong , Tangpong Chanchai 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study investigates follower firms' make–buy sourcing choices and sequences in response to an architectural innovation by an innovator. We argue that the dynamic trade‐offs among knowledge acquisition, knowledge transformation, and transaction cost reduction underlie the performance impacts of make–buy sourcing choices and sequences across the architectural innovation life cycle. Using the data gathered from the gear‐shifting market of the U.S. bicycle industry, we empirically demonstrate that “buy” is a superior sourcing choice before key market‐winner features (i.e., dominant design) have emerged. After that, “make” becomes a superior choice. We then demonstrate that the “buy‐to‐make” sourcing sequence is associated with superior technological and financial performances in the postdominant design phase of the architectural innovation period, as well as with greater firm survival during the market shakeout in the later period of modular standardization. The theoretical and managerial implications of our findings are also discussed.
Overcoming Adversity and Stress Injury Support (OASIS): Evaluation of Residential Treatment Outcomes for U.S. Service Members with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Walter Kristen H. , Kohen Casey B. , McCabe Cameron T. , Watrous Jessica R. , Campbell Justin S. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractResearch on residential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment has predominantly focused on the U.S. veteran population, whereas limited research exists regarding active duty service members. The present study evaluated outcomes among service members who received treatment in the Department of Defense's only residential PTSD program, Overcoming Adversity and Stress Injury Support (OASIS). Over a 5‐year period, 289 male service members with combat‐related PTSD received treatment in the program. Service members completed an initial assessment and weekly PTSD and depression self‐report measures during the 10‐week program. Multilevel modeling results demonstrated statistically significant reductions in PTSD. On average, participants reported a 0.76‐point reduction on the PTSD Checklist, B = −0.76, p < .001, for each additional week of treatment. Pretreatment symptom scores and fitness‐for‐duty status predicted PTSD symptoms across time. Weekly changes in depression symptoms were not statistically significant; however, a significant Time × Pretreatment Depression Severity interaction emerged. Service members with higher baseline levels of depression severity showed larger reductions in depression symptom severity than those with lower levels, B = −0.02, p = .020, although a sizeable minority continued to retain symptoms at diagnostic levels. Depression symptom change was not related to any other treatment‐ or service‐related variables. Differing trajectories were found between service members whose symptoms improved over the course of residential treatment and those who did not. The results indicate that there were larger improvements in PTSD than depression symptoms and highlight the need to optimize care provision for service members with severe PTSD or comorbid symptoms.
Contrast‐Enhanced Brain Ultrasound Perfusion Metrics in the EXTra‐Uterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND): Correlation With Hemodynamic Parameters
Authors: Lawrence Kendall M. , Coons Barbara E. , Sridharan Anush , Davey Marcus G. , Flake Alan W. , Didier Ryne A. 
Published: January 2021

ObjectivesContrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can provide quantitative perfusion metrics and may be useful to detect cerebral pathology in neonates and premature infants, particularly in extrauterine environments. The effect of hemodynamics on cerebral perfusion metrics is unknown, which limits the clinical application of this technology. We aimed to determine associations between systemic hemodynamics and concurrently measured brain perfusion parameters in an animal model of extrauterine support.MethodsNine fetal lambs were transferred to an extrauterine support device. Lumason® ultrasound contrast (0.1–0.3 ml) was administered via the umbilical vein and 90‐second cine clips were obtained. Time‐intensity‐curves (TICs) were generated and time‐dependent and area‐under‐curve (AUC) parameters were derived. Associations between brain perfusion metrics and hemodynamics including heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated by multilevel linear mixed‐effects models.ResultsEighty‐six ultrasound examinations were performed and 72 examinations were quantifiable. Time‐dependent measurements were independent of all hemodynamic parameters (all p ≥.05). Oxygen delivery and mean blood flow were correlated with AUC measurements (all p ≤.01). Physiologic HR and MAP were not correlated with any measurements (all p ≥.05).ConclusionDetected aberrations in time‐dependent CEUS measurements are not correlated with hemodynamic parameters and are thought to reflect the changes in cerebral blood flow, thus providing a promising tool for evaluation of brain perfusion. CEUS brain perfusion parameters are not correlated with physiologic HR and MAP, but AUC‐dependent measurements are correlated with oxygen delivery and blood flow, suggesting that CEUS offers additional value over standard monitoring. Overall, these findings enhance the applicability of this technology.
Hair Removal With Blended 755/1064 nm Laser Energy
Authors: Ross Edward V. , Domankevitz Yacov 
Published: January 2021

Background and ObjectivesThe 1064 nm wavelength is optimized for dark skin, but within the range of available fluences for commercially available 1064 nm devices, may not provide effective treatment for lighter hair. The 755 nm alexandrite wavelength can treat a full range of hair colors but is not ideal for darker skin. The hypothesis is that a new laser system capable of emitting 755/1064 nm wavelengths simultaneously allows for safer, effective, and less painful hair reduction over a range of skin and hair types.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWe completed treatment in 36 patients in this institutional review board approved prospective randomized study. Ages ranged from 20 to 55 and the distribution of skin types was: I (14% of patients), II (50% of patients), III (18% of patients), IV (18% of patients). Areas included the axilla and lower extremity. A prototype laser system emitted 755/1064 nm simultaneously. The spot size was 12 mm and the pulse duration was 3 milliseconds. The percentage of each wavelength in the mixture varied from 0% to 100%. Total radiant exposure ranged from 20 to 50 J/cm2. Test spots were performed with escalating doses of light for each category (alexandrite alone, Nd YAG alone, and blended). Patients returned within 1 week for evaluation of side effects. The highest fluence without side effects for each category was then applied in two sessions 1 month apart. Final hair counts were performed 2 months after the final treatment.ResultsOptimal light doses (in J/cm2) for the range of skin types were as follows: for alexandrite alone, YAG alone, and blended. (Skin type I) 40, 70, 40–10; (II) 40, 70, 40–10; (III) 34, 60, 30–20; (IV) 26, 60, 20–30; (V) 18, 50, 14–36. After 2 months, there was greater than 50% hair reduction in 40%, 24%, and 60% of subjects on the lower extremity for the alexandrite, Nd YAG, and blended groups, respectively, and 20%, 25%, and 24% for the axilla. Our data show that for “challenging” cases, that is, darker skin types or tanned skin with lighter hairs, a 70/30 mixture of Nd:YAG and alexandrite wavelengths tended to produce the greatest hair reduction and least epidermal compromise while maintaining a lower pain level than Nd YAG alone.ConclusionsModeling and data suggest that 755/1064 nm mixture is useful in lighter hair removal treatment for darker skin types. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Strategies to Improve the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Photodynamic, Sonodynamic, and Sonophotodynamic Therapies
Authors: Alves Fernanda , Gomes Guimarães Gabriela , Mayumi Inada Natália , Pratavieira Sebastião , Salvador Bagnato Vanderlei , Kurachi Cristina 
Published: January 2021

Background and ObjectivesThis work evaluated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and the association of both therapies (sonophotodynamic therapy [SPDT]), mediated by curcumin (Cur) against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. Next, additional strategies for these treatments were assessed.Materials and Methods
S. aureus biofilms received PDT, SDT, and SPDT, mediated by Cur (80 µM), LED light (450 nm), and 1 MHz ultrasound. The same treatments were also performed adding a strategy: Cur with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Cur with potassium iodide (KI) or a pre‐treatment with ultrasound. Cell viability was determined and biofilm architecture was evaluated under confocal microscopy.ResultsSPDT was more effective to inactivate the bacteria than PDT and SDT. SDS achieved the greatest viability reductions, followed by KI and ultrasound pre‐treatment. Confocal images revealed biofilm disruption and a reduced number of cells in all treatments. However, SPDT exhibited a pronounced effect and it was greater using SDS.ConclusionSPDT was more effective and additional strategies potentiated its effectiveness. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
White Matter Hyperintensities, Dopamine Loss, and Motor Deficits in De Novo Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Jeong Seong Ho , Lee Hye Sun , Jung Jin Ho , Baik Kyoungwon , Lee Yang Hyun , Yoo Han Soo , Sohn Young H. , Chung Seok Jong , Lee Phil Hyu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundWhite matter hyperintensities, prevalent in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), significantly affect parkinsonian motor symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and their interaction or mediating effects on motor symptoms in patients with drug‐naive early‐stage PD.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study enrolled 501 patients with de novo PD who initially underwent [18F] N‐(3‐fluoropropyl)‐2β‐carbonethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane positron emission tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging scans between April 2009 and September 2015 in a tertiary‐care university hospital. We quantified dopamine transporter availability in each striatal subregion and assessed the severity of periventricular and lobar white matter hyperintensities using the Scheltens scale. The relationship between white matter hyperintensities, dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores was assessed using multivariate linear regression and mediation analyses.ResultsPeriventricular and frontal white matter hyperintensities were generally associated with dopamine transporter availability in striatal subregions after adjusting for age at symptom onset, sex, disease duration, and vascular risk factors. There was an interaction effect between periventricular white matter hyperintensities and dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen for the axial motor score. The effect of white matter hyperintensities on UPDRS total score and bradykinesia subscore was indirectly mediated by dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen, whereas the axial sub‐score was directly affected by white matter hyperintensities.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the detrimental effect of white matter hyperintensities on parkinsonian motor symptoms is more relevant and independent for axial motor impairments in the status of mildly decreased striatal dopamine transporter availability. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Machine learning and registration for automatic seed localization in 3D US images for prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Younes Hatem , Troccaz Jocelyne , Voros Sandrine 
Published: January 2021

PurposeNew radiation therapy protocols, in particular adaptive, focal or boost brachytherapy treatments, require determining precisely the position and orientation of the implanted radioactive seeds from real‐time ultrasound (US) images. This is necessary to compare them to the planned one and to adjust automatically the dosimetric plan accordingly for next seeds implantations. The image modality, the small size of the seeds, and the artifacts they produce make it a very challenging problem. The objective of the presented work is to setup and to evaluate a robust and automatic method for seed localization in three‐dimensional (3D) US images.MethodsThe presented method is based on a prelocalization of the needles through which the seeds are injected in the prostate. This prelocalization allows focusing the search on a region of interest (ROI) around the needle tip. Seeds localization starts by binarizing the ROI and removing false positives using, respectively, a Bayesian classifier and a support vector machine (SVM). This is followed by a registration stage using first an iterative closest point (ICP) for localizing the connected set of seeds (named strand) inserted through a needle, and secondly refining each seed position using sum of squared differences (SSD) as a similarity criterion. ICP registers a geometric model of the strand to the candidate voxels while SSD compares an appearance model of a single seed to a subset of the image. The method was evaluated both for 3D images of an Agar‐agar phantom and a dataset of clinical 3D images. It was tested on stranded and on loose seeds.ResultsResults on phantom and clinical images were compared with a manual localization giving mean errors of 1.09 ± 0.61 mm on phantom image and 1.44 ± 0.45 mm on clinical images. On clinical images, the mean errors of individual seeds orientation was.ConclusionsThe proposed algorithm for radioactive seed localization is robust, tested on different US images, accurate, giving small mean error values, and returns the five cylindrical seeds degrees of freedom.