bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Expression of Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4) Reflecting Pro-Inflammatory Status Is Regulated by CFTR in Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Authors: Bene Zsolt , Fejes Zsolt , Szanto Tibor Gabor , Fenyvesi Ferenc , Váradi Judit , Clarke Luka A. , Panyi Gyorgy , Macek Milan , Amaral Margarida D. , Balogh István , Nagy Béla 
Published: May 2021

Decreased human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) plasma levels were reported in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients under CFTR potentiator ivacaftor therapy, which inversely correlated with lung function improvement. In this study, we investigated whether HE4 expression was affected via modulation of CFTR function in CF bronchial epithelial (CFBE) cells in vitro. HE4 protein levels were measured in the supernatants of CFBE 41o− cells expressing F508del-CFTR or wild-type CFTR (wt-CFTR) after administration of lumacaftor/ivacaftor or tezacaftor/ivacaftor, while HE4 expression in CFBE 41o− cells were also analyzed following application of adenylate cyclase activators Forskolin/IBMX or CFTRinh172. The effect of all of these compounds on CFTR function was monitored by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Induced HE4 expression was studied with interleukin-6 (IL-6) in F508del-CFTR CFBE 41o− cells under TNF-α stimulation for 1 h up to 1 week in duration. In parallel, plasma HE4 was determined in CF subjects homozygous for p.Phe508del-CFTR mutation receiving lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi®) therapy. NF-κB-mediated signaling was observed via the nuclear translocation of p65 subunit by fluorescence microscopy together with the analysis of IL-6 expression by an immunoassay. In addition, HE4 expression was examined after NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY 11-7082 treatment with or without CFTR modulators. CFTR modulators partially restored the activity of F508del-CFTR and reduced HE4 concentration was found in F508del-CFTR CFBE 41o− cells that was close to what we observed in CFBE 41o− cells with wt-CFTR. These data were in agreement with decreased plasma HE4 concentrations in CF patients treated with Orkambi®. Furthermore, CFTR inhibitor induced elevated HE4 levels, while CFTR activator Forskolin/IBMX downregulated HE4 in the cell cultures and these effects were more pronounced in the presence of CFTR modulators. Higher activation level of baseline and TNF-α stimulated NF-κB pathway was detected in F508del-CFTR vs. wt-CFTR CFBE 41o− cells that was substantially reduced by CFTR modulators based on lower p65 nuclear positivity and IL-6 levels. Finally, HE4 expression was upregulated by TNF-α with elevated IL-6, and both protein levels were suppressed by combined administration of NF-κB pathway inhibitor and CFTR modulators in CFBE 41o− cells. In conclusion, CFTR dysfunction contributes to abnormal HE4 expression via NF-κB in CF.
Perceptions, Expectations, and Experience of Physicians About Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Care Services in Pakistan: Findings and Implications
Authors: Hayat Khezar , Mustafa Zia Ul , Godman Brain , Arshed Muhammad , Zhang Jiaxing , Khan Faiz Ullah , Saleem Fahad , Lambojon Krizzia , Li Pengchao , Feng Zhitong , Fang Yu 
Published: May 2021

Background: Optimal collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals such as physicians is integral in implementing pharmaceutical care. However, there are concerns regarding the role of pharmacists, especially among low- and middle-income countries. This study explored the perceptions, expectations, and experience of physicians working in various hospital settings of Punjab, Pakistan, about pharmacists and their roles.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections was administered from October to December 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis using SPSS.Results: Six hundred and seventy-eight physicians participated in this study with a response rate of 77.9%. Most of the physicians reported minimal to no interaction with pharmacists (n = 521, 76.8%). However, more than three-quarters of physicians (n = 660, 97.3%) accepted pharmacists as evidence-based sources of drug information. In addition, many physicians (n = 574, 84.7%) strongly agreed that pharmacists should attend patient care rounds to respond promptly to questions related to patient medication. A limited number of physicians (n = 124, 18.3%) assumed that pharmacists were advising their patients regarding the judicial use of their drugs. Median expectation and experience score had a significant association with age, experience, and education of physicians (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: The perception of physicians was positive toward certain roles of pharmacists, coupled with high expectations. However, their experience was low, with most of the activities of pharmacists due to inadequate interprofessional coordination.
A Novel Heptapeptide, GPPGPAG Transfers to the Brain, and Ameliorates Memory Dysfunction and Dendritic Atrophy in Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice
Authors: Tohda Chihiro , Kogure Chisato , Nomoto Kaori , Toledo Andreia de , Yang Ximeng , Hirano Eiichi 
Published: May 2021

We investigated the effects of a heptapeptide, GPPGPAG, on memory improvement and neuritic regeneration in Alzheimer’s disease models to evaluate its potency as a new anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapy. The anti-AD effects of GPPGPAG were evaluated in Aβ-treated cortical neurons and 5XFAD, a mouse model of AD. Exposure of cortical neurons to Aβ25-35 for 3 days resulted in atrophy of axons and dendrites. Treatment with GPPGPAG improved the dendritic atrophy of Aβ-treated cortical neurons, but not axonal atrophy. Postsynaptic and presynaptic densities under Aβ1-42 exposure were increased by GPPGPAG post treatment. Oral administration of GPPGPAG to 5XFAD mice for 15 days improved significantly object recognition memory and dendritic density. Direct infusion of GPPGPAG into the lateral ventricle of 5XFAD mice for 28 days improved object recognition memory. Following oral administration of GPPGPAG in mice, the undigested heptapeptide was detected in the plasma and cerebral cortex. Analysis of target protein of GPPGPAG in neurons by DARTS method identified 14-3-3ε as a bound protein. The protective effect of GPPGPAG on Aβ1-42-induced dendritic atrophy was canceled by knockdown of 14-3-3ε. Taken together, these results suggest that GPPGPAG is orally available, transfers to the brain, and ameliorates memory dysfunction in AD brain, which is possibly mediated by 14-3-3ε-related dendritic restoration.
Health Conditions, Lifestyle Factors and Depression in Adults in Qingdao, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cui Nan , Cui Jing , Xu Xinpeng , Aslam Bilal , Bai Lan , Li Decheng , Wu Di , Ma Zhongren , Sun Jianping , Baloch Zulqarnain 
Published: May 2021

Background: Depression is a common mental illness. Previous studies suggested that health conditions and lifestyle factors were associated with depression. However, only few studies have explored the risk factors of depression in a large representative sample of the general population in the world.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the 2006 survey and 2009 survey in Qingdao, China. The participants with insufficient information were excluded: Zung score, body mass index (BMI), diabetes items, physical activity, smoking, or drinking. Finally, a total of 3,300 participants were included in this analysis. The category of depression was used in the Zung self-rating depression scale (ZSDS). The associations between different indicators of health conditions (diabetic status, BMI), lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption), and depression were assessed by the logistic regression model.Results: The mean Zung scores for all participants, male participants, and female participants were 29.73 ± 7.57, 28.89 ± 7.30, 30.30 ± 7.70, respectively. In all participants, those who were pre-diabetes status (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.04–2.27), and irregular physical activity (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.89) had an increased risk of depression. In man, the analysis showed an increased risk of depression those with pre-diabetes (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.25–4.97), previously diagnosed diabetes (OR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.58, 12.48), and in those irregular activities (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.61). In women, those who were underweight (OR: 5.66, 95% CI: 1.04–30.71) had a greater risk of depression.Conclusions: These results suggested that health conditions and lifestyle factors were the potential risk factors for depression. Men with pre-diabetes, previously diagnosed diabetes, and irregular activity had an increased risk for depression; women with underweight status had a higher risk for depression.
Baseline Stroke Literacy of Young Children Based on “FAST 112 Heroes” Program
Authors: Tsakpounidou Kalliopi , Psomiadis Socrates , Pourliaka Tatiana , Akritidou Maria , Proios Hariklia 
Published: May 2021

Background: Young children are often unaware of emergency health conditions, such as stroke, and could serve as important vehicles to save the lives of their grandparents, who are more likely to suffer a stroke. An important aspect for the evaluation of public awareness on stroke signs and related emergency procedures is to examine the level of baseline stroke knowledge children have and whether they understand when to seek medical care on time.Objective: To examine the level of stroke symptomatology knowledge in children as well as evaluate their preparedness in stroke response before their participation in the educational program “FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) 112 Heroes.”Methods: For the purpose of this work, a questionnaire was developed and adapted to preschoolers' needs. The present study involved 123 children (65 boys, 58 girls, aged 4–6.5 years; mean age: 5.30, S.D.: 0.59) from two cities in Greece. Five multiple-choice animated pictures, that were age-appropriate, were administrated to each child, along with verbal explanations provided by the investigator.Results: More than half of the participants (n = 65, 52.8%) could recognize the symptom of face drooping, 53 children (43.1%) could identify the symptom of arm hemiparesis/hemiplegia and 92 children (74.8%) were able to answer the question regarding speech disturbances. However, the number of correct answers to the question regarding the appropriate course of action in case of a stroke was the lowest among all the questions (10.6% of participants gave a correct answer). Furthermore gender and age did not play a significant role (p = 0.571 and 0.635, respectively).Conclusion: Although more than half of the enrolled preschool children could recognize stroke symptoms before their participation in the educational program, their baseline stroke knowledge, prior to their training, is low. Concurrently, they do not have sufficient knowledge on how to react appropriately in the event of a stroke. Therefore, awareness programs focusing on developing stroke literacy to children are needed, to ensure children will seek urgent medical care in case of a stroke.
Profiling of Volatile Compounds and Associated Gene Expression in Two Anthurium Cultivars and Their F1 Hybrid Progenies
Authors: Wei Qian , Xia Qing , Wang Yue , Chen Wen , Liu Cuiling , Zeng Ruizhen , Xie Li , Yi Maosheng , Guo Herong 
Published: May 2021

Anthurium is an important ornamental crop in the world market and its floral scent can enhance its ornamental value. To date, studies of the components and formation mechanism of the floral scent of Anthurium are relatively few. In this study, the scent profiles of two Anthurium varieties were measured by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). There were 32 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) identified in Anthurium ‘Mystral’, and the most abundant compound was eucalyptol (57.5%). Extremely small amounts of VOCs were detected in Anthurium ‘Alabama’. Compared with A. ‘Alabama’, most genes related to floral scent synthesis exhibited a higher expression in A.‘Mystral’, including AaDXS, AaDXR, AaMDS, AaHDS, AaTPS, AaDAHPS, AaADT2, AaPAL1, and AaPAL2. In order to produce new varieties of Anthurium with fragrance, 454 progenies of two crossbred combinations of A. ‘Mystral’ and A. ‘Alabama’ were obtained. Four F1 generation plants with different floral scent intensities were selected for further study. The major components of floral scent in the progenies were similar to that of the parental A.‘Mystral’ plant. The expression patterns of genes related to floral scent synthesis were consistent with the relative contents of different types of VOCs. This study revealed the profiles of volatile compounds and associated gene expression in two Anthurium cultivars and their F1 hybrids, which provided a basis for the floral scent inheritance of Anthurium andraeanum.
Single Cell Technologies: Beyond Microfluidics
Authors: Li Haikuo , Humphreys Benjamin D. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been widely adopted in recent years due to standardized protocols and automation, reliability, and standardized bioinformatic pipelines. The most widely adopted platform is the 10× Genomics solution. Although powerful, this system is limited by its high cost, moderate throughput, and the inability to customize due to fixed kit components. This study will cover new approaches that do not rely on microfluidics and thus have low entry costs, are highly customizable, and are within the reach of any laboratory possessing molecular biology expertise.
The analysis of teaching physical education in secondary school
Authors: Ciubotaru Mihai , Leuciuc Florin 
Published: May 2021

The educational system in Romania, a continually changing system, aims at innovation of the educational process through the necessity of applying a reform. The idea of reform is based on the fact of creating the objectives that lead to the development of the personality of the student specified in legal documents. The discipline of physical education and sport is an important area for secondary school students. The framework of the educational system in Romania includes physical education with two hours per week, included in the main plan of the curriculum, one additional hour taught as optional lesson, sports teams with additional lessons for training the representative teams of the school. Physical education subject gained an imposing status for the secondary school. In order to accomplish this work, I used the method of study of the specialized literature. Documenting is the activity of collecting, searching, sorting out all the information that can help us to reach the goal. The purpose of the paper is to verify a teaching strategy that is very useful during the physical education and sports lessons by using methods to achieve the objectives of physical education, school curricula and increasing the effectiveness of the lesson. The knowledge gathered from the specialized literature highlights the different opinions of the authors stating that we must carefully choose the contents that we use in the educational process in order to have a good efficiency in teaching physical education.
Training and development of communication skills to future specialists in physical education and sports
Authors: Gidei Mariana 
Published: May 2021

Communicative skills are the mobilization of a set of resources that are practically manifested by those involved in the interaction and are applied to communicate successfully. Regarding the training of communication skills, we mention the three levels of their acceptance: the taxonomy and the fields assumed by the key European skills; the inner structure of skills as goals: knowledge, abilities, attitudes; university curriculum (including general and specific skills).The purpose of the experiment was to develop communication skills by introducing practical studies into the content of learning (seminars and individual work of students), increasing the value of each student's academic performance, as well as improving the student's relationship within the university collective and developing the competency model in communication needed by the specialist in the field. The research hypothesis: the introduction of practical studies in the seminars and the individual work of the students, through the use of a modern, interactive teaching vision, determines the development of students' communication skills, positive interpersonal relation and improvement of performances and academic success in the subject "Management of Communication in Physical Education and Sports". The practical-applicative research took place at SUPES, with students from the Sports Faculty in the academic year 2016-2017. The sample of subjects was made up of 28 students, the third year of studies. Methodology of research: pedagogical experiment, systematic observation method, test method, observation method, method of portfolio analysis / materials of students (sheets, posters, papers, case studies, reports, research projects created by them). The result of the research is training and development of students' communication skills in the course " Management of Communication in Physical Education and Sports", by substantiating the application methodology in the learning process, respectively the result of the knowledge, practical skills, including the attitudes trained by communication , which will lead to an increased level of their training.
Method and the machine for training the running speed
Authors: Petrescu Tomina Dana , Ionescu Bondoc Dragoș 
Published: May 2021

Former sprint runner, I was particularly concerned with sprint training methodology. In this regard, I have experimented together with our training colleagues, an exercise that stimulates the increase of speed of the steps in speed running, using an installation made by our own coach, designed to stimulate and increase the frequency of the steps, coaching the so-called "super-speed”. In order to increase the running speed, besides developing motor skills, a series of technical objectives must be achieved through training.It is known that using run-on exercises, similar to running on a downhill slope, there is a series of positive influences on the kinetics of the running speed of which the impulse angle and the orientation of the impulse vector in the CGM on - the impulse angle is primordial, along with:-achieving the optimum ratio between the frequency and the length of the steps;-increasing the power released by the impulse foot;-decreasing the impulse angle;-increasing the frequency of the treadmills achieved per unit of time;-increasing the length of the steps.Our experiment has attempted to justify this kind of exercise in speed training. Finally, it was found that this exercise positively affects the last two goals listed above.
Implementation of technical-tactical training strategies for Romania's national ice hockey team
Authors: Trandafir Marius , Balint Lorand 
Published: May 2021

In sport, the technical-tactical component is part of the training process of athletes and has a different degree of involvement, depending on the sports branch in question. Ice hockey is a game in which technical-tactical training strategies are decisive in achieving the proposed performance goal. The effectiveness of the implementation of technical-tactical strategies depends mainly on the level of physical training of the team, as this ensures the necessary energy support for the use of tactical elements with higher efficiency indices.During the study conducted by us, we intend to highlight, for the Romanian national ice hockey team - senior level, the incidence of the technical-tactical strategies that we have designed in achieving the performance objective already set - advancing in a superior Group within the World Ice Hockey Championship. The research methods we used were the following: analysis of the literature of specialty, the observation method, the pedagogical experiment method and the statistical method. The independent variable that we have used consists in the implementation of technical-tactical strategies to Romania's national ice hockey team. The results of the research showed the weight of training components during a competitive year. In the pedagogical experiment that we have conducted, the technical-tactical training has an important place in the training process, the individual and collective technical-tactical training weighing the most.After the final evaluation the technical-tactical training strategies were proven effective and led, along with other components of the training, to the achievement of the targeted objective.
Injuries resulting from practicing performance sports in table tennis and tennis
Authors: Mocanu Mircea Dan , Mereuță Claudiu , Iordan Daniel Andrei 
Published: May 2021

Performance sport as an area of human excellence requires, besides an over-average genetic endowment of motor skills, a huge workload of high intensity, which causes the wear of the body systems of the athletes, especially the osteo-musculo-articular. The high ball movement speed for rocket and paddle sports disciplines such as table tennis and field tennis, intensively demands the performance of the body of practitioners when performing specific technical tactics, especially the technical elements of the attack, such as topspin or smash. Based on the theoretical documentation, I noticed an acute condition in the scapulo-humeral joint 21.05%, at the lumbar level 15.79% and 13.16% in the ankle joint in the table tennis and in the field tennis as percentages at scapulo-humeral joint 13.85%, lumbar 15.38% and 20.00% ankle joint, aspects that validate our desire to improve the quality of life of practicing athletes of the two disciplines through a program of amelioration of compensatory nature.The objective of this theoretical research is to identify the areas subject to mechanical stress with high risk of wearor injury from the two "sister" sports disciplines.Tasks: Critical analysis of a larger volume of studies conducted on the direction of our research interest.Purpose: obtaining the information necessary which would highlight the risks the performance athletes, practitioners of the two disciplines, are subjected to, as well as gaining knowledge on tennis and table tennis.
Changes in the 2019-2020 competition season, in the national handball league, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gheorghe Carmen , Mereuță Claudiu 
Published: May 2021

The crisis launched by the COVID-19 had immediate consequences in all areas of activity, including the sports world. If initially in Romania the handball matches were played without spectators, then they were stopped, the players being forced to preventively isolate themselves at their homes. The first objective of this research is to identify and analyze the Romanian Handball Federation’s decisions taken at the beginning of the pandemic and the second objective is to identify the structural differences between a normal competitive season and the competitive season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, in Romanian handball.
A difference method with semi-analytical approach for achieving accuracy in optical gaps of 2D materials using exciton model in fractional space
Authors: Ahmad Shahzad , Zubair Muhammad , Jalil Osama , Younis Usman 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A semi-analytical approach for the difference method using numerically calculated G0W0 band gaps and analytically calculated exciton binding energies based on the fractional Coulomb potential model is proposed to calculate optical gaps of 46 2D materials ranging from ultra-violet to infrared region. The suggested methodology is compared with difference methods of a similar hybrid approach, utilizing conventional exciton models based on Wannier–Mott theory to achieve a significant reduction in the average relative mean square error of optical gaps, up to one-third, benchmarked with a fully numerical approach, employing G0W0 band gaps and the state-of-the-art Bethe–Salpeter equation for binding energy calculation.