bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NEDD4 Regulates Ubiquitination and Stability of the Cell Adhesion Molecule IGPR-1 Via Lysosomal Pathway
Authors: Sun Linzi , Amraei Razie , Rahimi Nader 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The cell adhesion molecule immunoglobulin and proline-rich receptor-1 (IGPR-1) regulates various critical cellular processes including, cell-cell adhesion, mechanosensing and autophagy. However, the molecular mechanisms governing IGPR-1 cell surface expression levels remains unknown. In the present study, we used an in vitro ubiquitination assay and identified ubiquitin E3 ligase NEDD4 and the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UbcH6 involved in the ubiquitination of IGPR-1. In vitro GST-pulldown and in vivo co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that NEDD4 binds to IGPR-1. Over-expression of wild-type NEDD4 downregulated IGPR-1 and deletion of WW domains (1-4) of NEDD4 revoked its effects on IGPR-1. Similarly, knockdown of NEDD4 increased IGPR-1 levels in A375 melanoma cells. Likewise, deletion of 57 amino acids encompassing polyproline rich (PPR) motifs on the C-terminus of IGPR-1 nullified the binding of NEDD4 with IGPR-1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that NEDD4 promotes K48- and K63-dependent polyubiquitination of IGPR-1. The NEDD4-mediated polyubiquitination of IGPR-1 stimulated lysosomal-dependent degradation of IGPR-1 as the treatment of cells with the lysosomal inhibitors, bafilomycine and ammonium chloride increased IGPR-1 levels in the HEK-293 cells ectopically expressing IGPR-1 and in multiple human skin melanoma cell lines. Hence, these findings suggest that ubiquitin E3 ligase NEDD4 is a key regulator of IGPR-1 with a significant implication in the therapeutic targeting of IGPR-1.
Identification of Potential Metabolic Biomarkers in Predicting Esophageal Varices Needing Treatment in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Moon Chung-Man , Shin Sang Soo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of in vivo quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to identify the presence of esophageal varices needing treatment (VNT), as well as to investigate its correlation with clinical variables in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Forty cirrhotic patients without VNT showing negative red color sign, and 40 cirrhotic patients with VNT showing positive red color sign underwent laboratory tests, esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, and 1H-MRS with single-voxel localization in cirrhotic liver parenchyma. Results: The levels of lactate+triglyceride (TG) and choline in cirrhotic patients with VNT were significantly higher than those of cirrhotic patients without VNT. Lactate+TG and choline levels were positively correlated with spleen diameter and negatively correlated with platelet count in the combined group of cirrhotic patients with and without VNT. In cirrhotic patients with VNT, older age, longer spleen diameter, lower platelet counts, and lower ratios of platelet count/spleen diameter were independently associated with an increase of lactate+TG and choline metabolites in the presence of esophageal VNT. Additionally, the area under the curve used to distinguish cirrhotic liver with VNT from cirrhotic liver without VNT was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95–1.00) for lactate+TG and 0.67 (95% CI 0.55–0.77) for choline. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that higher hepatic lactate+TG and choline levels in cirrhotic patients in conjunction with longer spleen diameter, lower platelet counts, and lower ratios of platelet count to spleen diameter were associated with the presence of esophageal VNT and the risk of developing variceal bleeding. Therefore, in vivo, 1H-MRS may be an effective tool for diagnosing and predicting esophageal VNT in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Evidence Review, Co-Production and Prototyping A Process of Creating a Consumer Research Contact List in a Paediatric Health Setting: The PARTICIPATE Project
Authors: Gill Fenella Jane , Pienaar Catherine , Jones Tanya 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The impact of child health research can be far reaching; affecting children’s immediate health, their adult health, the health of future generations and the economic wellbeing of countries. Consumer and community involvement is increasingly recognised as key to successful research recruitment. Systematic approaches to research recruitment include research registries or research contact lists. Objective: Develop a process of creating a consumer research contact list for participating in future research opportunities at a children’s health service.Methods: A healthcare improvement approach used a 3 stage framework; 1) evidence review and consultation 2) co-production of a research communications plan with stakeholders and consumers, including a draft research information brochure 3) prototyping involved iteratively testing the brochure, surveying parents or carers who attended outpatient clinics or the hospital Emergency Department, and conducting follow up telephone calls.Results: There was overall support for the creation of a research contact list, but some unknowns remain. 367 parents or carers completed the survey and 36 participated in a follow up telephone call. Over half were willing to join a research contact list and more than 90% of the children of parents or carers surveyed were not currently participating in research. Several potential barriers identified by stakeholders were dispelled. Research communications and a future contact list should be available in electronic form.Conclusions: There was strong support for creating a research contact list. The co‑production approach will inform our future directions including creation of an electronic research contact list easily accessible by consumers of the children’s health service
Porous Design of SiCNWs/SiC Nanocomposites with High Strength and Low Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Ruan Jing , Yang Jinshan , Yan Jingyi , You Xiao , Wang Mengmeng , Hu Jianbao , Zhang Xiangyu , Ding Yusheng , Dong Shaoming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Porous SiC composites with lightweight, high strength and low thermal conductivity design can be obtained by constructing porous silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs) network and controlling chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process. The SiCNWs network with an optimized volume fraction (13.6%) and uniform structure is prepared by mixing SiCNWs and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) firstly. SiCNWs reinforced porous SiC composite (SiCNWs/SiC) with a small uniform pore can be obtained by controlling the chemical deposition kinetics. The morphology of the grown SiC matrix, from the spherical particles to the hexagonal pyramid particles, can be influenced by the deposition parameters like temperature and reactive gas concentration. The strength of the lightweight SiCNWs/SiC composites reach 47.8 MPa with a porosity of 64% and thermal conductivity of 1.2 W/(m∙K), which shows the toughening effect and insulation design with low thermal conductivity.
Spatio-temporal Variations in the Physiological Profiles of Streambed Bacterial Communities: Implication of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents
Authors: Akinwole Philips O , Guta Amerti , Draper Madeline , Atkinson Sophia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent a complex mixture of nutrients and toxic substances, thus, the potential exists for the effluents to significantly impact the biochemical characteristics and bacterial communities of the receiving water. We examined spatial and seasonal patterns, and the impact of effluents on microbial biomass, bacterial community structure, and metabolic diversity on a fourth-order stream. We took triplicate sediment samples at five different locations along a 5,000m transect over three sampling periods. We quantified bacterial community structure as community-level physiological profiles and biomass with phospholipid phosphate analysis. Our findings highlight the worrisome impacts of effluents on microbial biomass and bacterial metabolic diversity on the receiving water. Microbial biomass was significantly higher at the WWTP outfall compared to upstream and downstream sites and correlated positively with sediment physicochemical parameters. Furthermore, our data revealed significant spatial differences in bacterial community structure in the context of WWTP impact. High nutrient availability (lower carbon/nitrogen ratios) at the outfall increased site-specific bacterial metabolic diversity in winter but decreased the same in fall. Seasonal changes in the sedimentary microbial biomass and bacterial carbon substrate utilization were evident regardless of the spatial variations or impacts of the wastewater effluents. Communities in fall showed more versatile substrate utilization patterns than the winter communities. These results suggest that WWTP effluents significantly increased microbial biomass and highlight its mixed effects on bacterial community structure and metabolic diversity. Also, our data underscore a close association between sedimentary physicochemical parameters and the associated microbial functional activities.
Potential therapeutic targeting of lncRNAs in cholesterol homeostasis
Authors: Ye Wenchu , Huang Shi-Feng , Hou Lian-Jie , Long Hai-Jiao , Jiang Ting , Yin Kai , Hu Ching Yuan , Zhao Guo-Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Maintaining cholesterol homeostasis is essential for normal cellular and systemic functions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a mechanism to fine-tune numerous biological processes by controlling gene expression. LncRNAs have emerged as important regulators in cholesterol homeostasis. Dysregulation of lncRNAs expression is associated with lipid-related diseases, suggesting that manipulating the lncRNAs expression could be a promising therapeutic approach to ameliorate liver disease progression and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, given the high-abundant lncRNAs and the poor genetic conservation between species, much work is required to elucidate the specific role of lncRNAs in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. In this review, we highlighted the latest advances in the pivotal role and mechanism of lncRNAs in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. These findings provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in lipid-related diseases and may offer potential therapeutic targets for treating lipid-related diseases.
Plasmonic Hot Electron Induced Layer Dependent Anomalous Fröhlich Interaction in InSe
Authors: Rahaman Mahfujur , Aslam Muhammad , He Lu , Madeira Teresa , Zahn Dietrich 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
InSe is one of the most promising two-dimensional (2D) materials for electronic and optoelectronic applications because of its favourable bandgap and superior electron mobility compared to other layered semiconductors. However, due to the polar nature of InSe, Fröhlich interaction plays an important role in electrical transport, which becomes more significant in reduced dimensionality. Until now, it is not yet known how the dimensionality influences the strength and nature of the Fröhlich polaronic effect in InSe. Here, we report on layer dependent anomalous Fröhlich interaction in InSe from bulk to monolayer with the aid of plasmonic hot electron doping. When excited near the localized surface plasmon resonance, plasmonic nanostructures produce highly energetic electrons (known as hot electrons), which can be captured by a semiconductor such as InSe at the interface. These electrons then couple to the polar optical phonons via the Fröhlich interaction in InSe. With the aid of the strong plasmonic field, the Fröhlich interaction enabling us to monitor the polar phonons in conventional Raman measurements. We prepared nanostructures with three different metals (Ag, Au, and Al) using nanosphere lithography on InSe to study the hot electron doping effect by means of Raman spectroscopy. A finite element method simulation was used to understand the coupling between the plasmonic nanostructures and InSe. We observed that the intensity of polar LO phonon modes initially increases gradually with decreasing layer number and then drops drastically from 7L to 6L, i.e. at the thickness where the transition from quasi-direct to indirect bandgap occurs at room temperature. Additionally, a gradual decrease of intensity of the polar modes with decreasing layer thickness below this transition point is observed, which is due to the increasing indirect bandgap nature of InSe suggesting reduced Fröhlich coupling. Our results shed light on fundamental understanding of Fröhlich interaction in InSe, which is crucial for electronic and optoelectronic applications of this promising 2D material.
Long-read Time-course Profiling of the Host Cell Response to Herpesvirus Infection Using Nanopore and Synthetic Long-Read Transcriptome Sequencing&nbsp;
Authors: Maróti Zoltán , Moldován Norbert , Torma Gábor , Jefferson Victoria A. , Csabai Zsolt , Gulyás Gábor , Dörmő Ákos , Boldogkői Miklós , Kalmár Tibor , Meyer Florencia , Tombácz Dóra , Boldogkői Zsolt 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Third-generation sequencing is able to read full-length transcripts and thus to efficiently identify RNA molecules and transcript isoforms, including transcript length and splice isoforms. In this study, we report the time-course profiling of the effect of bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 on the gene expression of bovine epithelial cells using direct cDNA sequencing carried out on MinION device of Oxford Nanopore Technologies. These investigations revealed a substantial up- and down-regulatory effect of the virus on several gene networks of the host cells, including those that are associated with antiviral response, as well as with viral transcription and translation. Additionally, we report a large number of novel bovine transcripts identified by nanopore and synthetic long-read sequencing. This study demonstrates that viral infection does not lead to a change in the average distance between promoters and transcription start sites, and between polyadenylation signals and transcription end sites. However, it causes differential expression of transcript isoforms. We could not detect an increased rate of transcriptional readthroughs as described in another alphaherpesvirus. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of LoopSeq for the analysis of eukaryotic transcriptomes. This is also the first report on the application of nanopore sequencing for the kinetic characterization of cellular transcriptomes. This study also demonstrates the utility of nanopore sequencing for the characterization of dynamic changes of transcriptomes in any organisms.
Liver kinase B1 rs9282860 polymorphism and risk for multiple sclerosis in White and Black Americans
Authors: Boullerne Anne I , Wallin Mitchell T , Culpepper William J , Maloni Heidi , Boots Elizabeth A. , Sweeney Dagmar M , Feinstein Douglas L 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We previously reported that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9282860 in serine threoninekinase 11 (STK11) gene which codes for liver kinase B1 (LKB1) has higher prevalence in Whiterelapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients than controls. To determine if this SNP is a riskfactor for MS in other populations, we assessed its prevalence in samples collected from AfricanAmerican (AA) persons with MS (PwMS) and controls at multiple Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centersand from a network of academic MS centers. There were no significant differences in average age atfirst symptom onset, diagnosis, disease duration, or disease severity between RRMS patients recruitedfrom VAMCs versus non-VAMCs. The SNP was more prevalent in AA than White PwMS, however onlyin secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients was that difference statistically significant. AA SPMSpatients had higher STK11 SNP prevalence than non-MS controls; and in that cohort the SNP wasassociated with older age at symptom onset and at diagnosis. The results suggest that the STK11 SNPrepresents a risk factor for SPMS in AA patients, and is associated with an older age of symptom onsetand diagnosis.
Equol effects on AGE skin products, visceral fat, and climacteric symptoms in post-menopausal women
Authors: Yoshikata Remi , Myint Khin Zay Yar , Ohta Hiroaki , Ishigaki Yoko 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective: We investigated the effect of an equol-containing supplement on metabolism and aging, and climacteric symptoms, with respect to internally-produced equol. Methods: A single center, randomized controlled trial (registration number: UMIN000030975) on 57 post-menopausal Japanese women (mean age: 56±5.37 years), was conducted. Twenty-seven women received the equol supplement, while the remaining received placebo. Metabolic and aging-related biomarkers were compared before and after the 3-month intervention. Climacteric symptoms were assessed every month using a validated self-administered questionnaire in Japanese post-menopausal women. Results: Three months post intervention, the treatment group showed significant improvement in climacteric symptoms, when compared to the placebo group (81% vs. 53% respectively, p=0.045). We did not observe any beneficial effect on metabolic and aging-related biomarkers in the intervention group. However, in certain populations significant improvement in skin auto-fluorescence, which is a measurement of AGE skin products, and visceral fat area was observed, especially among equol producers. Conclusion: Women receiving equol supplement showed improved climacteric symptoms. This study offered a new hypothesis that there may be a synergy between supplemented equol and endogenously-produced equol to improve skin aging and visceral fat in certain populations.
Perception of Jordanian Pharmacy Students towards Community Pharmacy-Virtual Training Experience during COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Barakat Muna , Al-Qudah Rajaa A. , Farha Rana Abu , ALSalamat Husam A. , Akour Amal 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Nowadays, it is clear for the whole world that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had substantial consequences on various sectors including social, economic and education. Pharmacy education includes community pharmacy practice training, and in many schools, it has been shifted to virtual modality utilizing distance learning. This study aims to assess the perception of pharmacy students towards community pharmacy practice virtual training during the COVID-19 period. Methods: Senior pharmacy students were included in this study. Accredited and certified community pharmacy preceptors were asked to simulate the community pharmacy training and record that as videos, which were evaluated and assessed by expert academics before being delivered to students. A validated online questionnaire was then distributed for the students for self-administration through Microsoft teams to evaluate their perception. Results: A convenience sample (n=109) of senior pharmacy students were recruited. The majority of the participants were females (70.6%) and the median age of students was 22.0 years (IQR= 1). Around half of the participants showed positive perceptions towards the virtual training module and the pharmacy training preceptors. A 46.8% of the students benefited from the virtual training in time management and 43.1% in developing lifelong learning skills. The absence of eye contact during the learning was the most important barrier revealed by the students (52.3%). Half of the students agreed/strongly agreed that combining the virtual and conventional techniques for future training would improve training outcomesConclusion: This is the first study assessing perception towards virtual training in Jordan, which was positive among pharmacy students. Such results could spot the light on the value of hybrid education and training (virtual with actual) in the pharmacy field. However, there is a crucial need for well-designed studied modules to comply with the intended learning outcomes.
Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes on Genomic Index Maps of Hierarchy - Compared with B.1.1.7 Lineage on BLAST
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey , Zhou Yang , Zhu Minghan , Qiao Mu , Zhang Zhigang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
COVID-19 patients worldwide are conveniently described by position information to collect samples, and modern GIS maps are useful to show influenced flows and numbers of patients on various regions of a pendamic. From an analysis viewpoint, it is more interesting to organize genomic information into a phylogenic tree with multiple branches and leaves in representations. Clusters of genomes are organized as phylogenic trees to represent intrinsic information of genomes. However, there are structural difficulties in projecting phylogenetic information into 2D distributions as GIS maps naturally.Considering advanced generating schemes of phylogenetic trees, information entropy provides ultra optimal properties in the minimum computational complexity, superior flexibility, better stability, improved reliability and higher quality on global constructions.In this paper, a novel projection is proposed to arrange SARS-CoV-2 genomes by genomic indexes to make a structural organization as 2D GIS maps. For any genome, there is a unique invariant under certain conditions to provide an absolute position on a specific region. In this hierarchical framework, it is possible to use a visual tool to represent any selected region for clustering genomes on refined effects. Applied diversity measure to a given set of genomes, equivalent clusters and complementary visual effects are provided between genomic index maps and phylogenetic trees. Sample genomes of three UK new lineages are aligned by BLAST as a basis on both RNA-dependent RNA polymerase RDRP segments and whole genomes. Selected regions and various projections show spread effects of five thousand SARS-CoV-2 genomes in 72 countries on both RDRP and whole genomes, and six special countries/regions are selected on genomic index maps.Based on genomic index maps, one SNV of two genomes on B.1.1.7 lineage can be identified from a unit of 10^4 probability measure to a unit of 10^6 difference for genomic indexes on a special ‘G’ projection to extract the finest variation.Further exploration on optimal classification and phylogenetic analysis of genomic index maps and phylogenetic trees on SARS-CoV-2 genomes worldwide are discussed.