bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical analysis of Acacia nilotica and evaluation of its antileishmanial&nbsp;potential
Authors: Ali Rahat , Tabrez Shams , Rahman Fazlur , Alouffi Abdulaziz , Alshehri Bader , Alshammari Fahdah , Alaidarous Mohammed , Banawas Saeed , Dukhyil Abdul Aziz , Rub Abdur 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Acacia nilotica is an important medicinal plant, found in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Every part of the plant possesses a wide array of biologically-active and therapeutically important compounds and has been used in the traditional system of medicine. We reported the antileishmanial activity of Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica) bark methanolic extract through in vitro assays and dissected the mechanism of its action through in silico studies. Bark methanolic extract exhibited anti-promastigote and anti-amastigote potency with IC50 value of 19.6 ± 0.9037 μg/ml and 77.52 ± 5.167 μg/ml respectively in time and dose-dependent manner.It showed very low cytotoxicity having a CC50 value of 432.7 ± 7.71 μg/ml on the human-macrophage cell line, THP-1. The major constituents identified by GC-MS analysis are 13-docosenoic acid (34.06%), lupeol (20.15 %), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (9.92 %), and 6-octadecanoic acid (8.43 %) bind effectively with the potential drug-targets of Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) including sterol 24-c-methyltransferase (SMT), trypanothione reductase (TR), pteridine reductase (PTR1) and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT); suggest the possible mechanism of its antileishmanial action. The highest affinity with all these targets was shown by lupeol. The pharmacokinetic studies, predicted bioactivity scores, and acute toxicity studies of major extract constituents support safe antileishmanial drug candidates. This study proved the antileishmanial potential of bark-methanolic extract A. nilotica and its mechanism of action through the inhibition of potential drug targets of L. donovani.
Long-term treatment with senolytic drugs Dasatinib and Quercetin ameliorates age-dependent intervertebral disc degeneration in mice
Authors: Risbud Makarand , Novais Emanuel , Tran Victoria , Darris Kayla , Roupas Alex , Sessions Garrett , Shapiro Irving , Diekman Brian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration is highly prevalent within the elderly population and is a leading cause of chronic back pain and disability. Due to the link between disc degeneration and senescence, we explored the ability of the Dasatinib and Quercetin drug combination (D + Q) to prevent an age-dependent progression of disc degeneration in mice. We treated C57BL/6 mice beginning at 6, 14, and 18 months of age, and analyzed them at 23 months of age. Interestingly, 6- and 14-month D + Q cohorts showed lower incidences of degeneration, and the treatment resulted in a significant decrease in senescent markers p16INK4a, p19ARF, and SASP molecules IL-1β, and IL-6. Treated animals also showed preserved cell viability, phenotype, and matrix content. Although transcriptomic analysis showed disc compartment-specific effects of the treatment, cell death and cytokine response pathways were commonly modulated across tissue types. Results suggest that senolytics may provide a novel approach to mitigating age-dependent disc degeneration.
Cocaine causes rapid remodeling of mesoaccumbens dopaminergic axons, synapses, and mitochondria
Authors: Wildenberg Gregg , Sorokina Anastasia , Koranda Jessica , Monical Alexis , Heer Chad , Sheffield Mark , Zhuang Xiaoxi , McGehee Daniel , Kasthuri Narayanan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Detailing the ways drugs of abuse physically alter dopaminergic circuits would provide new mechanisms for explaining addictive behaviors, future targets for therapeutic intervention, and insights into the nature of synaptic plasticity. We combine recent advances in genetic labeling with large volume serial electron microscopy to detail how normal dopaminergic (DA) axons interact with putative targets in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) and how those interactions change in mice briefly exposed to cocaine. We find that while most DA axonal boutons are devoid of obvious signs of synapses (i.e. synaptic vesicles or synaptic densities), many DA boutons physically interdigitate with dendrites or excitatory and inhibitory axons. A brief exposure to cocaine results in large-scale remodeling: extensive DA axonal branching and frequent occurrences of axonal blind-ended “bulbs”, filled with mitochondria and reminiscent of axonal retraction in the developing and damaged brain. The number of physical interdigitations and vesicle filled boutons in DA axons scales linearly with the length of axon in both controls and cocaine exposed animals and the size or the type of interaction (i.e. axo-axonic or axo-dendritic) do not change. Finally, we find in cocaine exposed animals, mitochondrial lengths are increased ~2.5 times relative to control. Mitochondrial elongation is cell type specific: primarily in DA neurons and downstream spiny dendrites, and localized to DA axons and not DA soma or dendrites. We show for the first time the effects of cocaine on remodeling of dopamine axon morphology and mitochondria and reveal new details on how dopamine neurons physically associate with downstream targets.
Leukocyte and Monocyte Counts as Predictors for Metabolic Syndrome, Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan Citizens: a 9-year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Li Yen-Wei , Kao Tung-Wei , Kuo Chao-Yin , Chang Pi-Kai , Chen Wei-Liang , Wu Li-Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cardiovascular disease whose correlation with metabolic syndrome and diabetes has been well established. As an aspect of preventive medicine, we conducted a 9-year longitudinal study to identify the relationship between easily measured hematologic parameters, future metabolic syndrome (MetS), hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to age distribution. Divided into three groups according to age (young age: <40, middle age: ≧40 and <65 and old age: ≧65), 10,328 participants, receiving general medical inspection at the health management centre of Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) in Taiwan from 2007 to 2015, had been enrolled in the present study. Through multivariate regression analyses, the hazard ratio (HR) of total and subtype leukocyte count for MetS along with its components, hypertension and T2DM were demonstrated. All MetS components revealed significant association with total leukocyte count in multivariate regression models. Total leukocyte count was associated with future MetS, hypertension and T2DM despite of age at first, but failed in adjusted HR for the old group. Additionally, monocyte count showed significant association with all the aforementioned diseases only in middle-aged subjects but failed in the other two groups. Our results explore the promising value of total leukocyte count and monocyte count to identify the high-risk subjects, especially meddle-aged ones, having MetS, hypertension, and T2DM whether in the present or future.
Prediction of Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using a Wearable System
Authors: Lockhart Thurmon , Soangra Rahul , Yoon Hyunsoo , Wu Teresa , Frames Christopher , Weaver Raven , Roberto Karen 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Falls are among the most common cause of decreased mobility and independence in older adults and rank as one of the most severe public health problems with frequent fatal consequences. In the present study, gait characteristics from 171 community-dwelling older adults were evaluated to determine their predictive ability for future falls using a wearable system. Participants wore a wearable sensor (inertial measurement unit (IMU)) affixed to the sternum and performed a 10-meter walking test. Measures of gait variability, complexity, and smoothness were extracted from each participant, and prospective fall incidence was evaluated over the following 6-months. Gait parameters were refined to better represent features for a random forest classifier for the fall-risk classification utilizing three experiments. The results show that the best-trained model for faller classification used both linear and nonlinear gait parameters and achieved an overall 82.4% accuracy, 86.8% sensitivity, 81.2% specificity in the blind test. These findings augment the wearable sensor's potential as an ambulatory fall risk identification tool in community-dwelling settings. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of gait features that rely less on event detection methods, and more on time series analysis techniques. Fall prevention is a critical component in older individuals’ healthcare, and simple models based on gait-related tasks and a wearable IMU sensor can determine the risk of future falls.
Physiochemical properties and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles green synthesized by Camellia sinensis and Prunus africana extracts
Authors: Ssekatawa Kenneth , Byarugaba Denis , Kato Charles , Wampande Eddie , Ejobi Francis , Nakavuma Jesca , Maaza Malik , Sackey Juliet , Nxumalo Edward , Kirabira John 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Antibiotics have been the nucleus of chemotherapy since their discovery and introduction into the healthcare system in the 1940s. They are used routinely not only to treat bacterial infections but also to prevent infections in patients with compromised immune systems and enhancing growth in livestock. However, resistance to last-resort antibiotics used in the treatment of MDR infections has been reported worldwide. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate green synthesized nanomaterials such as AgNPs as alternatives to antibiotics. UV Vis Spectroscopy surface plasmon resonance peaks for AgNPs were obtained between 417 to 475nm. XRD analysis generated 4 peaks for both PAE and CSE biosynthesized AgNPs positioned at 2θ angles of 38.2˚, 44.4˚, 64.5˚, and 77.4˚ corresponding to crystal planes (111), (200), (220) and (311) respectively. DLS registered mean zeta potential of + 6.3mV and + 0.9mV for PAE and CSE biosynthesized nanoparticles respectively. FTIR spectra exhibited bands corresponding to different organic functional groups confirming capping of AgNPs by PAE and CSE phytochemicals. FESEM imaging showed that AgNPs were spherical with average size distribution ranging from 10 to 19nm. Biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited maximum growth inhibitory zones of 21mm with MIC and MBC of 125µg/ml and 250µg/ml respectively against carbapenem resistant bacteria.
Motivating Risky Choices Increases Risk Taking
Authors: Bilancini Ennio , Boncinelli Leonardo , Spadoni Lorenzo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We study the impact of the mode of cognition on risk taking. In an online experiment we ask participants to make a simple decision involving risk. In the control group no manipulation is made, while in the treatment group we exogenously manipulate the mode of cognition by requiring subjects to write down a text that motivates their risky choice before any action is actually taken. Such motivation treatment is meant to induce more reflection upon the action to be taken. Our results show an effect of the motivation treatment on risk taking, suggesting that higher reflection makes subjects more prone to risk taking. The effect is stronger if we consider only subjects who imperfectly understand the probability distribution implied by the simple choice task. Based on our experimental findings, we suggest that reflection and comprehension might be substitutes when individuals make decisions involving risk.
Postnatal Mental Health, Handwashing Practices, and Infant Illness in Rural China
Authors: Jiang Qi , Cohen Nourya , Ohtori Mika , Gao Jie , Wang Qingzhi , Zhang Evelyn , Zhu Sabrina , Johnstone Hannah , Guo Yian , Dill Sarah-Eve , Zhou Huan , Rozelle Scott 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Maternal mental health problems are a major burden to global public health and play an important role in infant wellbeing. While western countries have extensively studied the associations between maternal mental disorders, infant health, and hygiene practices, little is known in developing settings. This study investigates the correlations between postnatal mental health problems and infant illness as well as handwashing practices of mothers in rural western China.Methods: The research team followed a multi-stage random cluster sampling method to select a total of 720 mothers of infants aged 0-6 months from poverty counties in rural western China. Surveys questions about mental health were based on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and questions about infant illness and handwashing practices followed evaluative surveys of prior studies. Adjusted ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were run to examine how postnatal mental health problems (including depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms) are associated with infant illnesses and maternal handwashing practices.Results: We found significant associations between all three symptoms of postnatal mental health and whether the infant had shown symptoms of illness twice in the past two weeks; depression and anxiety symptoms are significantly associated with whether the infant had been taken to the doctor in the past two weeks. Additionally, depression symptoms had a significant negative association with all categories of handwashing practices, and symptoms of anxiety and stress were significantly associated with handwashing count and frequently washing hands after cleaning infant’s bottom.Conclusion: These results indicate that postnatal mental health problems are significantly associated with infant illness and suggest that postnatal mental health interventions may be effective in mitigating poor infant health outcomes.
Key technologies of ecological restoration and analysis of slope stability of spontaneous combustion of slag dumps in gullies
Authors: Zhao Guozhen , LYU Yiqing , Wang Shuai , Liu Chao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
There are potential safety hazards such as spontaneous combustion, high temperature explosion, rainfall-induced landslide, and others within slag dumps in gullies, which seriously endanger the lives and property of surrounding residents. In this paper, the slag dump on the north side of Yumen River in Ximing Mine was taken as the project background. Aimed at the existing problems of environmental pollution and slope stability of the spontaneous combustion of slag dumps in gullies, the key technology of fire extinguishing by shallow jet deep hole grouting and the technology of foreign soil spray seeding with multiple soil fixation measures were put forward. The safety factor of gangue hill slopes under natural conditions, earthquakes and rainstorms was calculated by Lizheng Slope Stability Analysis Software, and the displacement field and the stress field of dangerous sections were analyzed by MIDAS GTS NX, a finite element simulation software. The calculation and analysis results show that the slope of the slag dump is in a stable state under natural conditions. Under the working conditions during earthquakes and rainstorms, the safety factor of the slope of the slag dump is decreased obviously, but the slope is still in a basically stable state. After 2 years' follow-up monitoring, the ecological restoration effect of the slag dump is good and the slope is stable.
Analysis of the Shape of the T-wave in Congenital Long-QT Syndrome Type 3 by Geometric Morphometrics
Authors: Horigome Hitoshi , Ishikawa Yasuhiro , Takahashi Hirokazu , Yoshinaga Masao , Sumitomo Naokata 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The characteristic shape of the T-wave in congenital long -QT syndrome type 3 (LQTS3) is considered a late-onset T-wave. We analyzed the difference in the shapes of T-waves between LQTS3 cases and normal subjects using generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA). The J and Q points of V5 in the ECGs of LQTS3 cases are shifted to the upper left compared to those of normal subjects. SdFmax is the point on the ECG where the second derivative is first maximized. The curvature of the T-wave takes the first maximum value at SdFmax where the T-wave has the smallest radius of curvature.The SdFmax in LQTS3 cases is shifted to the lower right compared to normal subjects. The interval from J to SdFmax of LQTS3 cases is expanded compared with that of normal subjects. As a result of principal component analysis (PCA) of the Procrustes mean shape of the T-wave landmarks, the second principal component (PC2) shows the shift in SdFmax to the lower right. These results can quantitatively explain why the T-wave of LQTS3 cases looks like a late-onset T-wave. Fitted to a multivariate logistic regression model, LQTS3 cases and normal subjects can be distinguished by the second independent component (IC2).
Down-expression of TaPIN1s Increases the Tiller Number and Grain Yield in Wheat
Authors: Yao Fu Quan , Li Xiao Hui , Wang He , Song Yu Ning , Li Zhong Qing , Li Xing Guo , Gao Xin-Qi , Zhang Xian Sheng , Bie Xiao Min 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Tiller number is a factor determining panicle number and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Auxin plays an important role in the regulation of branch production. PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), an auxin efflux carrier, plays a role in the regulation of tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa); however, little is known on the roles of PIN1 in wheat. Results: Nine homologs of TaPIN1 genes were identified in wheat, of which TaPIN1-6 genes showed higher expression in the stem apex and young leaf in wheat, and the TaPIN1-6a protein was localized in the plasma membrane. The down-expression of TaPIN1s increased the tiller number in TaPIN1-RNA interference (TaPIN1-RNAi) transgenic wheat plants, indicating that auxin might mediate the axillary bud production. By contrast, the spikelet number, grain number per panicle, and the 1000-grain weight were decreased in the TaPIN1-RNAi transgenic wheat plants compared with those in the wild type. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis and expression patterns of nine TaPIN1 genes, and their protein structures and subcellular localization of TaPIN1-6a protein were analyzed. Down-regulated expression of TaPIN1 genes increased the tiller numbers of transgenic wheat lines. Our study suggests that TaPIN1s is required for the regulation of grain yield in wheat.
Serum S100 calcium-binding protein A4 as a novel predictive marker of acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia after surgery for lung cancer
Authors: Kagimoto Atsushi , Tsutani Yasuhiro , Kushitani Kei , Kambara Takahiro , Mimae Takahiro , Miyata Yoshihiro , Takeshima Yukio , Okada Morihito 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

Acute exacerbation (AE) of interstitial pneumonia (IP) is the most fatal complication after lung resection for lung cancer. To improve the prognosis of lung cancer with IP, the risk factors of AE of IP after lung resection should be assessed. We examined the usefulness of S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) in predicting AE of IP after lung resection for lung cancer.
Methods

This study included 162 patients with IP findings on preoperative high-resolution computed tomography scan who underwent curative-intent lung resection for primary lung cancer between April 2007 and March 2019. Serum samples were collected preoperatively. Resected lung tissue from 76 patients exhibited usual IP (UIP) pattern in resected lung were performed immunohistochemistry (IHC). Relationship between S100A4 and the incidence of AE of IP and short-term mortality was analyzed.
Results

The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for serum S100A4 to predict postoperative AE of IP was 0.871 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.799–0.943; P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 75.3% at the cutoff value of 17.13 ng/mL. Multivariable analysis revealed that a high serum S100A4 level (> 17.13 ng/mL) was a significant risk factor for AE of IP (odds ratio, 30.85; 95% CI, 3.77–252.21; P = 0.001). A 1-year overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in patients with high serum levels of S100A4 (75.3%) than in those with low serum levels (92.3%; P = 0.003). IHC staining revealed that fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and macrophages expressed S100A4 in the UIP area, and the stroma and fibrosis in the primary tumor expressed S100A4, whereas tumor cells did not.
Conclusions

Serum S100A4 had a high predictive value for postoperative AE of IP and short-term mortality after lung resection.
Association between Liver Enzymes and Dyslipidemia in Yemeni Patients with Type Two Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Dahman Lotfi S. Bin , Humam Mariam A. , Barahim Omer H. , Barahman Omer M. , Balfas Mohamed A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and is associated with dyslipidemia and liver function disorders. This study was conducted to assess the association between liver enzymes and elevated lipid profile in a sample of Yemeni patients with T2DM. A case-control study comprising 142 T2D patients and 142 healthy control subjects was carried out at the outpatient clinics of Ibn-Sina hospital, Mukalla, during the period from January to May 2020. Serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analyzed using the Cobas Integra Plus 400 autoanalyzer. Also, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken from each participant. Independent sample T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. T2D patients had significantly higher FBG (P= <0.0001), total cholesterol (P= <0.0001), LDL-C (P= <0.0001), and GGT (P= <0.0001) while, HDL-C was significantly lower in T2D patients (P= 0.021). In correlation analysis, serum GGT was positively associated with FBG (r= 0.216; P= <0.0001), total cholesterol (r= 0.196; P= 0.0001), triglyceride (r= 0.123; P= 0.038), and LDL-C (r= 0.209; P= <0.0001). Also, serum ALT was positively associated with FBG (r= 0.145, P= 0.014) and triglyceride (r= 0.172, P= 0.004). In conclusion, higher levels of ALT and GGT could be used as the predictive markers for NAFLD in T2D patients with hyperlipidemia. Thus, routine screening of liver enzymes and lipid profile in T2D patients is recommended for the early detection of liver abnormalities and diminish diabetes complications.
Whole-organism Transcriptomic Insight Into the Effects of Cytco, A Novel Nematotoxic Protein on the Pine Wood Nematode Bursaphelenchus Xylophilus&nbsp;
Authors: Chen Ye , Zhou Xiang , Guo Kai , Chen Sha-Ni , Su Xiu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a worldwide destructive pest on Pinus trees and lacks effective control measures. Screening nematotoxic protein toxins has been conducted to develop new strategies for nematode control. Results: The present study provided initial insights into the responses of B. xylophilus exposed to a nematocidal cytolytic-like protein (CytCo) based on the transcriptome profiling. A large set of differentially expressed genes (1266 DEGs) were found related to nematode development, reproduction, metabolism, motion, and immune system. In response to the toxic protein, B. xylophilus upregulated DEGs encoding cuticle collagens, transporters, and cytochrome P450. In addition, many DEGs related to cell death, lipid metabolism, major sperm proteins, proteinases/peptidases, phosphatases, kinases, virulence factors, and transthyretin-like proteins were downregulated. And Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that CytCo treatment significantly affecting DEGs functioning in muscle contraction, lipid localization, MAPK cascade. The pathway richness of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that the DEGs were concentrated in lysosome and fatty acid degradation. The weight co-expression network analysis indicated that the hub genes affected by CytCo were associated with the nematode cuticular collagen. Conclusions: These results showed that the CytCo protein toxin could interference gene expression to produce multiple nematotoxic effects, providing initial insight into its control potential of pine wood nematode.