bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heavy Metal Accumulation in Cockscomb (Celosia Argentea Linn) Grown in Soil Amended With Chicken Manure
Authors: Oguntade Oladele Abdulahi , Yisa Nosiru Monday , Olagunju Solomon Oladimeji , Sosanya Olufemi Sunday , Joda Abiodun Oladipupo , Adewusi Kayode Matthew , Olayiwola Richard Oluseyi 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn) in chicken manure can contaminate soil and bioaccumulate in edible tissues of plant to cause food chain contamination. This study investigated the influence of chicken manure on heavy metal load of soil and accumulation in tissues of Celosia argentea. Air-dried chicken manure from battery cages (conventional chicken manure-CCM) and free range birds (local chicken manure-LCM) were used for the pot culture. Chicken manure was applied as amendment at the rate of 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t ha-1 in 5 kg soil. Treatments were replicated trice in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that soil metal pollution increased with rates of amendment. Metal pollution indices; contamination factor, degree of contamination, elemental pollution index, pollution load index and total contamination factor were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in soil amended with CCM than LCM. Bioaccumulation coefficients (BAC), bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and transfer factor (TF) of metals were higher in tissues of celosia grown with CCM than LCM. Furthermore, above 4 t ha-1, growth and yield were not significantly influenced by amendment rates. Mobility of metals from soil to tissues of celosia increased in the order Cu > Mn > Cd. Chicken manure above 4 t ha-1 potent health risks of Cu exposure to consumers of celosia.
Upregulation of SHMT2 Promotes Tumor Growth and Poor Prognosis of Breast Cancer through Activating VEGF and MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xie Shuang-Yan , Shi Dingbo , Lin Fei , Cheng Xiao-Yu , Cheng Tong-chao , Ouyang Yi , Xia Wen , Guo Ling , Lin Huan-Xin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is a key enzyme in Serine/glycine metabolism. SHMT2 is very important for tumor cell growth and proliferation as well as metabolism. Here, we investigated the regulatory effects of SHMT2 on breast cancers growth and identified the underlying mechanisms of functions.Methods: We detected the expression of SHMT2 in breast cancer cells and tissues by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.We investigated the functional and molecular mechanisms by which SHMT2 downregulation or overexpression regulates the growth and apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Results: We found SHMT2 was highly expressed in BRCA cell lines and tumor tissues. Strong SHMT2 expression showed a positive correlation with the poor prognoses of patients with breast cancers. SHMT2 knockdown by shRNA significantly inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in vitro, and whereas SHMT2 overexpression promoted tumor growthin in subcutaneous xenograft model. RNA-seq revealed that high expression of SHMT2 not only promoted serine metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and proteasome independent degradation pathways. It also activated the cell survival signaling pathway and antagonized the apoptosis pathway. The observed molecular regulation of cell growth was accompanied by the activited of the MAPK, VEGF pathways and suppressed of the mitochondrial mediated apoptosis pathway that was mediated by the SHMT2 up-regulation. Conclusions: These results indicate that SHMT2 plays a critical role in regulating breast cancers growth and could serve as a therapeutic target for breast cancer therapy.
Pilot Study to Determine Prevalence of CYP2B6*6,CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 in Breast Cancer Patients Versus Normal Healthy Controls Among Three Major Ethnic Groups in Singapore
Authors: Soon Gaik-Hong , Koo Seok Hwee , Tan Pei Ting , Lee Lawrence Soon-U , Tham Chee Kian , Hartman Mikael , Tan Su-Ming 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the top cancer suffered by women worldwide and has been identified to be the greatest killer for women living in Singapore. Unfortunately, most of breast cancer cases were detected only at later stage of disease development. This has crippled the effort of breast cancer therapy. As early detection of breast cancer could greatly improve the outcome of breast cancer therapy, it is of utmost importance to identify relevant biomarkers at the primitive stage of breast cancer development before the transformation of normal breast cells into cancerous cells. These biomarkers provide important clues leading to an efficient and targeted treatment approach in breast cancer preventive care.Methods: 455 breast cancer patients were consented to join this study. Buccal swabs were collected for genotyping on CYP2B6*6, CYP2C19 *2 & CYP2C19*3. The genotyping data were then compared to data collected from healthy individuals. Clinical data were collected from patient notes and analysed. All the statistical analyses were done using SPSS statistical software, version 19.0. Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact test were performed to examine the difference between subject’s characteristics for categorical variables and One-Way Anova was performed to assess age difference across alleles of CYP2B6*6, CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3. Binary logistics regression was performed to identify demographic factors associated with breast cancer.Results: We reported thatCYP2B6*6 could be a risk factor leading to earlier onset of breast cancer among Indian population with OR found to be 1.69 (95% C.I.= 0.549-5.191, p=0.359). In the case of CYP2C19*2, OR is 1.57 for Malay (95% C.I. = 0.696-3.522, p=0.278); 1.15 for Chinese population (95% C.I. =0.862-1.545, p=0.335) and 1.03 for Indian (95% C.I. =0.301-3.496, p=0.968). CYP2C19*3 OR in Chinese population is 1.34 (95% C.I. =0.830-2.155, p=0.231) and 0.77 (95% C.I. =0.172-3.394, p=0.724) for Malay population. No CYP2C19*3 was detected in both cohorts of Indian patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: CYP2B6*6 and CYP2C19*2 polymorphisms may confer a risk for breast cancer development in Singaporean breast cancer patients. This is an exploratory study to identify potential breast cancer susceptibility gene polymorphisms, a bigger sample size study could be done to corroborate these findings in future studies.
Protein Targeting to Starch Synthase 1, a Functional Protein of Starch Biosynthesis in Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)
Authors: Sharma Vinita , Fandade Vikas , Kumar Prashant , Parveen Afsana , Madhawan Akansha , Bathla Manik , Mishra Ankita , Sharma Himanshu , Rishi Vikas , Satbhai Santosh , Roy Joy 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In cereal endosperm, native starch comprising amylose and amylopectin is synthesized by the coordinated activities of several pathway enzymes. Amylose in starch influences its physio-chemical properties resulting in several human health benefits. The Granule-Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSSI) is the most abundant starch-associated protein. GBSSI lacks dedicated Carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). Previously, Protein Targeting Starch Synthase 1 (PTST1) was identified as a crucial protein for the localization of GBSSI to the starch granules in Arabidopsis. The function of its homologous protein in the wheat endosperm is not known. In this study, TaPTST1, an AtPTST1 homolog, containing a CBM and a coiled-coil domain was identified in wheat. Protein-coding nucleotide sequence of TaPTST1 from Indian wheat variety ‘C 306’ was cloned and characterized. Homology modelling and molecular docking suggested the potential interaction of TaPTST1 with glucans and GBSSI. The TaPTST1 expression was higher in wheat grain than the other tissues, suggesting a grain-specific function. In vitro binding assays demonstrated different binding affinities of TaPTST1 for native starch, amylose, and amylopectin. Furthermore, the immunoaffinity pull-down assay revealed that TaPTST1 directly interacts with GBSSI, and the interaction is mediated by a coiled-coil domain. The direct protein-protein interaction was further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay (BiFC) in planta. Based on our findings we postulate a functional role for TaPTST1 in starch metabolism by targeting GBSSI to starch granules in wheat endosperm.
Tissue Paper-based Composite Separator Using Nano-SiO2 Hybrid Crosslinked Polymer Electrolyte as Coating Layer For Lithium Ion Battery With Superior Security and Cycle Stability
Authors: Zeng Xinyu , Liu Yu , He Rulei , Li Tongyuan , Hu Yuqin , Wang Cheng , Xu Jing , Wang Luoxin , Wang Hua 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
With the development of energy-storage devices, separator is encountered by several challenges including adequate safety, higher current density and superior stability. Tissue paper, composed of packed cellulose fibers, possesses lower production cost, more easily accessibility, superior wettability and outstanding thermostability, thus being prospective as a substrate of high performance separator. To address structure collapse phenomenon occurred in conventional coating layer after long term electrolyte swelling, nano-SiO2 hybrid crosslinked network was constructed on tissue paper through chemical reactions between polymer poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) in this work. The influences of crosslinking degree on physical properties and electrochemical performance were studied thoroughly. It can be found that when the crosslinking ratio of PVDF-HFP and PEI fixed at 10:1, the crosslinked composite separator displays excellent electrolyte uptake and wettability, superior ionic conductivity, better interfacial compatibility as well as higher Li+ transference number (0.56), thus offering battery with prominent rate capabilities. Besides, this crosslinked composite separator exhibits satisfying dimensional stability even treated at 250 oC, better flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical behavior, wider electrochemical window and outstanding cycle stability. Accordingly, tissue paper-based crosslinked composite separator can meet higher requirements put forward by high power lithium ion battery.
Long Noncoding RNA CTBP1-AS Regulates Ovarian Granulosa Cells Proliferation and Autophagy and Participates in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Sun Kaixuan , Xiu Yinling , Song Jianbo , Yu Yuexin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA CTBP1-AS in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and its effects on the proliferation and autophagy of ovarian granulosa cells. MethodsReal-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to analyze the expression levels of CTBP1-AS in peripheral blood leukocytes of 40 PCOS patients and 40 non-PCOS women and the CTBP1-AS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and transfect ovarian granulosa cells with pcDNA3.1-CTBP1-AS and si-CTBP1-AS, respectively. Consequently, the CCK-8 kit was used to analyze the effect of CTBP1-AS on the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells. Moreover, Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3II/I and P62. ResultThe CTBP1-AS expression in the peripheral blood of PCOS patients was higher compared with non-PCOS patients (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the CTBP1-AS expression of ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS patients was higher compared with non-PCOS patients (P < 0.05). Consequently, CTBP1-AS overexpression in ovarian granulosa cells promotes the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and autophagy levels (P < 0.05). The CTBP1-AS expression interference in ovarian granulosa cells can inhibit the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and autophagy levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion﻿The CTBP1-AS expression in peripheral blood and ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS patients significantly increased, and CTBP1-AS could promote the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and the level of autophagy.
Protocol for Exploring Effective Clinical Governance Strategies in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga Provinces
Authors: Chitha Wezile W. , Mnyaka Onke R. , Hongoro Danleen J. , Godlimpi Lizo , Swartbooi Buyiswa , Williams Natasha , Pahlana Siphokazi , Masemola Maphoko A. , Mokobane Godfrey , Mulamu Murendeni , Mabophe Kuhle , Mashao Teboho , Maake Kedibone , Bodzo Paidamoyo MP. , Essel Vivien , Mabunda Sikhumbuzo A. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Hospitals are an integral part of the national health system. They provide a hub for health services that cannot be provided in the primary care setting, provide facilities for advanced investigation, diagnosis, and treatment, and constitute the platform for training and development of health professionals. However, when inspections were done at public sector facilities in preparation for the implementation of the NHI, the lowest average performance score was in leadership and corporate governance. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of clinical governance interventions in selected public hospitals in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces. Methods: This will be a cluster randomised study where there will be two intervention sites (a tertiary hospital and a regional hospital) and control sites (non-intervention central and regional hospitals). The intervention will comprise a focused implementation of clinical governance protocols (through training and coaching of hospital management and frontline health workers). There will be a pre-intervention baseline assessment; an assessment immediately at the end of the 12 months long intervention and an assessment at 36 months post-intervention. This builds on existing policy initiatives, quality improvement initiatives and tools. Information will be sourced through six sub-studies – three qualitative and three quantitative. Ethical clearance with reference number: 040/21 has been granted by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Walter Sisulu University. Approvals to access the research sites with refence numbers: EC_202106_019 and MP_202106_009 have been granted by the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga Provincial Health Research Committees respectively.Discussion: There is a need for a deeper understanding of how tertiary and regional hospitals operate, how these hospitals ensure provision of safe high-quality patient-centred clinical care and factors enabling them or hindering them from achieving higher performance. In addition, it is necessary to explore if the performance of the hospitals improves where there is a focused implementation of clinical governance protocols.
Hybrid Deep-Learning Model to Detect Botnet Attacks over Internet of Things Environments
Authors: Alzahrani Mohammed Y. , Bamhdi Alwi M 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In recent years, the use of the internet of things (IoT) has increased dramatically, and cybersecurity concerns have grown in tandem. Cybersecurity has become a major challenge for institutions and companies of all sizes, with the spread of threats growing in number and developing at a rapid pace. Artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity can to a large extent help face the challenge, since it provides a powerful framework and coordinates that allow organisations to stay one step ahead of sophisticated cyber threats. AI provides real-time feedback, helping rollover daily alerts to be investigated and analysed, effective decisions to be made and enabling quick responses. AI-based capabilities make attack detection, security and mitigation more accurate for intelligence gathering and analysis, and they enable proactive protective countermeasures to be taken to overwhelm attacks. In this study, we propose a robust system specifically to help detect botnet attacks of IoT devices. This was done by innovatively combining the model of a convolutional neural network with a long short-term memory algorithm mechanism to detect two common and serious IoT attacks (BASHLITE and Mirai) on four types of security camera. The data sets, which contained normal malicious network packets, were collected from real-time lab-connected camera devices in IoT environments. The results of the experiment showed that the proposed system achieved optimal performance, according to evaluation metrics. The proposed system gave the following weighted average results for detecting the botnet on the Provision PT-737E camera: camera precision: 88%, recall: 87% and F1 score: 83%. The results of system for classifying botnet attacks and normal packets on the Provision PT-838 camera were 89% for recall, 85% for F1 score and 94%, precision. The intelligent security system using the advanced deep learning model was successful for detecting botnet attacks that infected camera devices connected to IoT applications.
Piezo1 Promoted Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and EMT Through Activating TGF-β Signaling by Recruiting Rab5c
Authors: Li Yiming , Xu Cong , Sun Bo , Zhong Fangjing , Cao Momo , Yang Lianyue 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Piezo1 plays critical roles in vascular development during early embryogenesis. However, the function of Piezo1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the function and mechanisms of Piezo1 in HCC.
Methods
qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to determine Piezo1 expression in HCC samples and cell lines. The clinical significance of Piezo1 was assessed in two independent study cohorts containing 280 patients with HCC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the signaling pathway of Piezo1. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to determine the role and molecular mechanism of Piezo1 in HCC progression.
Results
Piezo1 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. High Piezo1 expression was closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features, poor clinical outcomes of HCC patients. Moreover, knockdown of Piezo1 in HCCLM3 and Hep3B cells significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells in vitro, and tumor growth, EMT and metastasis in vivo. Further mechanism study indicated that these phenotypic and function changes were mediated by TGF-β signaling pathway. Finally, we proved that Piezo1 exerted its tumor promotion effect by recruiting Rab5c to activating TGF-β signaling pathway.
Conclusions
We proved Piezo1 promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via TGF-β signaling, which may serve as a novel prognostic predictor and the potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Quantitative tests revealing hydrogen enhanced dislocation motion in α-iron
Authors: Huang Long-Chao , Chen Dengke , Xie De-Gang , Li Suzhi , Zhu Ting , Raabe Dierk , Ma Evan , Li Ju , Shan Zhi-Wei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Hydrogen embrittlement jeopardizes the use of high-strength steels as critical load-bearing components in energy, transportation, and infrastructure applications. However, our understanding of hydrogen embrittlement mechanism is still obstructed by the uncertain knowledge of how hydrogen affects dislocation motion, due to the lack of quantitative experimental evidence. Here, by studying the well-controlled, cyclic, bow-out movements of individual screw dislocations, the key to plastic deformation in α-iron, we find that the critical stress for initiating dislocation motion in a 2 Pa electron-beam-excited H2 atmosphere is 27~43% lower than that under vacuum conditions, proving that hydrogen lubricates screw dislocation motion. Moreover, we find that aside from vacuum degassing, dislocation motion facilitates the de-trapping of hydrogen, allowing the dislocation to regain its hydrogen-free behavior. Atomistic simulations reveal that the observed hydrogen-enhanced dislocation motion arises from the hydrogen-reduced kink nucleation barrier. These findings at individual dislocation level can help hydrogen embrittlement modelling in steels.
Identification and Validation a Costimulatory Molecule Gene Signature to Predict the Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Yinan , Liu Jingyi , Yu Jiahao , Yang Fangfang , Zhang Miao , Liu Yansheng , Ma Shuoyi , Zhou Xia , Wang Jingbo , Han Ying 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Costimulatory molecules have been proven to be the foundation of immunotherapy. However, the potential roles of costimulatory molecule genes (CMGs) in HCC remain unclear. Our study is aimed to develop a costimulatory molecule-related gene signature that could evaluate the prognosis of HCC patients.Methods: Based on The Cancer Gene Atlas (TCGA) database, univariate Cox regression analysis was applied in CMGs to identify prognosis-related CMGs. Consensus clustering analysis was performed to stratify HCC patients into different subtypes and compared them in OS. Subsequently, the LASSO Cox regression analysis was performed to construct the CMGs-related prognostic signature and Kaplan–Meier survival curves as well as ROC curve were used to validate the predictive capability. Then we explored the correlations of the risk signature with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and response to immunotherapy. The expression levels of prognosis-related CMGs were validated in HCC using qRT-PCR method.Results: All HCC patients were classified into two clusters based on 11 CMGs with prognosis values and cluster 2 correlated with a poorer prognosis. Next, a prognostic signature of six CMGs was constructed, which was an independent risk factor for HCC patients. Patients with low-risk score were associated with better prognosis. The correlation analysis showed that the risk signature could predict the infiltration of immune cells and immune status of the immune microenvironment in HCC. The qRT-PCR indicated six CMGs with significantly differential expression in HCC tissues and normal tissues.Conclusion: In conclusion, our CMGs-related risk signature could be used as a prediction tool in survival assessment and immunotherapy for HCC patients.
Performance and the Optimal Cut-Off Value of First-Trimester Fasting Plasma Glucose To Identify Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Study From Southern China
Authors: Tong Jia-Ning , Wu Lin-Lin , Chen Yi-Xuan , Guan Xiao-Nian , Liu Kan , Yin Ai-Qi , Zhang Hua-Fan , Niu Jian-Min 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Previous studies have suggested that first-trimester fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and is a predictor of GDM. The aim of the present study was to explore whether first-trimester FPG levels can be used as a screening and diagnostic test for GDM in pregnant women.
Methods

This retrospective study included pregnant women who had their first-trimester FPG recorded at 9-13+6 weeks and underwent screening for GDM using the 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 24th and 28th gestational weeks. The cut-off values were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results

The medical records of 28,030 pregnant women were analysed, and 4,669 (16.66%) of them were diagnosed with GDM. The mean first-trimester FPG was 4.62 ± 0.37 mmol/L. The total trend in the optimal cut-off value of first-trimester FPG in pregnant women was 4.735 mmol/L, with a sensitivity of 49%, a specificity of 67.6% and AUC of 0.608 (95% CI: 0.598-0.617, p༜0.001). Moreover, as the maternal age increased, the optimal cut-off values increased, respectively. The results suggest that first-trimester FPG can be considered a marker for identifying pregnant women with GDM.
Conclusion

The level of first-trimester FPG increased slightly with maternal age and, as maternal age increased, the optimal cut-off values increased, especially after age 30. The first-trimester FPG should be considered a screening marker when diagnosing GDM in pregnant women.