bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cigarette Smoke-Induced Reduction of 14-3-3σ Expression Promotes The Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Dai Longxia , Deng Quanwen , Liu Aibin , He Shuya , Chen Qiong , He Bixiu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Lung cancer is a common malignant tumour and the leading cause of cancer death. Smoking is closely related to lung cancer, which can not only induce the occurrence of lung cancer but also affect its progress and prognosis. Objectives To investigated the relationship between smoking and 14-3-3σ protein expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), investigated the relationship between 14-3-3σ expression and cell migration in A549 cells induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and explored whether DNA methylation plays a role in the decreased expression of 14-3-3σ induced by CSE. Methods 14-3-3σ protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 152 NSCLC tissue samples. In vitro experiments were divided into three groups: The current smoking group (CS), the ex-smoking group (ES) and the normal control group (NC). Cell transfection was used for 14-3-3σ protein overexpression. The mRNA and protein expression levels of 14-3-3σ were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell migration was detected by Transwell and wound-healing assays, and the methylation of 14-3-3σ was detected by methylation-specific PCR. Results 14-3-3σ protein expression was decreased in NSCLC patients with a history of smoking. The expression of 14-3-3σ was decreased in A549 cells treated with CSE. The migration capacity of A549 cells treated with CSE was enhanced. DNA methylation in the cigarette smoke-treated A549 cells was higher than that in the untreated cells. Conclusion Cigarette smoke induced reduction of 14-3-3σ expression can promote the progression of non-small cell lung cancer.
Expression Patterns and Functional Analysis of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Genes in Rice
Authors: zhang huijuan , Zheng Dewei , Song Fengming , Jiang Ming 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: E3 ubiquitin ligases involve in many processes, containing the response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functions of E3 ubiquitin ligases in rice were rarely studied.Results: In this research, 11 E3 ubiquitin ligase genes were selected and the function analysis was done in rice. These 11 E3 ubiquitin ligase genes showed different expression patterns under different treatments. The BMV:Os06g13870- infiltrated seedlings showed decreased resistance to Magnaporthe grisea (M. grisea) when compared with BMV:00-infiltrated seedlings, while BMV:Os04g34030- and BMV:Os02g33590-infiltrated seedlings showed increased resistance. They involved in the resistance against M. grisea maybe by regulating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression levels of defense-related genes. The BMV:Os06g34390-infiltrated seedlings showed decreased tolerance to drought stress while BMV:Os02g33590-infiltraed seedlings showed increased tolerance, maybe through regulating proline content, sugar content and drought-responsive genes’ expression. BMV:Os05g01940-infiltrated seedlings showed decreased tolerance to cold stress by regulating malondial dehyde (MDA) content and cold-responsive genes’ expression.Conclusion: These results showed that E3 ubiquitin ligases involved in the resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in rice.
Inhibition of the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway Restores the Discogenic Phenotype of Inflammatory Intervertebral Disc Cells
Authors: Tekari Adel , Marazza Alessandro , Gantenbein Benjamin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a spinal disease caused by trauma and/or repetitive mechanical overloading of the spine which triggers inflammatory response pathways. Long-term disc inflammation may lead to development of spinal pseudoarthrosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in inflammation-induced IVD cells. Methods: Inflammatory human nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) were stimulated using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and the ERK pathway was blocked using a selective molecule-based inhibitor U0126. Gene expression of catabolic and anabolic events, pro-inflammatory, and NPC markers were investigated. The enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)2/9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The cytoxicity of U0126 concentrations on NPC was quantified using resazurin assay, and the specificity of U0126 on ERK1/2 signaling was determined.Results: The pro-inflammatory cytokines like MMP3/13 and interleukin 6 in nucleus pulposus (NP) inflammatory conditions were down-regulated by U0126 and a trend towards an increase of the NP-specific collagen type 2, aggrecan and keratin 19 was observed suggesting a recovery of the NP phenotype. U0126 does not seem to have effect on prostaglandin production, aggrecanases and some anabolic genes. We confirmed that U0126 selectively blocks the ERK phosphorylation and U0126 affects the cells metabolic activity only for high concentrations. Conclusions: Inhibition of ERK signaling down-regulates important metalloproteinase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and up-regulates NP markers in order to restore the discogenic phenotype of inflammatory NPC.
Naturally Occurring Antibodies Against Bim Are Decreased in Alzheimer’s Disease and Attenuate Ad-type Pathologies in a Mouse Model
Authors: Jian Jie-Ming , Fan Dong-Yu , Tian Ding-Yuan , Cheng Yuan , Sun Pu-Yang , Zeng Gui-Hua , He Chen-Yang , Wang Ye-Ran , Zhu Jie , Yao Xiu-Qing , Wang Yan-Jiang , Liu Yu-Hui 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most popular neurodegenerative disease affecting cognitive functions of the elderly population. Neuronal apoptosis is an important pathological process during the development of AD. The Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) mediates Amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced neuronal apoptosis. Naturally occurring antibodies against Bim (NAbs-Bim) exist in human blood, with their levels and functions unknown in AD. Methods This study investigated the clinical relevance of plasma NAbs-Bim to AD in 55 AD patients, 28 patients with non-AD dementia, and 70 cognitively normal subjects. Furthermore, the pathophysiological functions of NAbs-Bim were explored in APP/PS1 mice and SY5Y cell lines overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP). Results We found that plasma levels of NAbs-Bim were lower in AD patients in comparison with patients with non-AD dementia and cognitively normal controls. Plasma levels of NAbs-Bim were negatively associated with brain amyloid burdens and positively associated with cognitive functions. NAbs-Bim purified from intravenous immunoglobulin rescued behavioral deficits of APP/PS1 mice. NAbs-Bim ameliorated Aβ deposition, Tau hyperphosphorylation, microgliosis and neuronal apoptosis in APP/PS1 mice. In vitro investigations demonstrated that NAbs-Bim exerted neuroprotective effects against AD through neutralizing Bim-directed neuronal apoptosis and amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein. Conclusions The decrease of NAbs-Bim might contribute to the pathogenesis of AD and immunotherapies targeting Bim may hold promise for the treatment of AD.
Immediate Effects of the Dorsiflexion Angle of Hinged Ankle-foot Orthosis on the Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters of Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Son IlHyun , Lee GyuChang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: It has been reported the effects of a hinged ankle-foot orthosis on the gait ability of children with cerebral palsy. However, no studies investigated the effects of the dorsiflexion angle of the hinged ankle-foot orthosis on the spatiotemporal gait parameters of children with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis the spatiotemporal gait parameters of children with spastic diplegia compared to barefoot and a hinged ankle-foot orthosis.Methods: This study was cross-over design. 10 children with spastic diplegia were walked with barefoot, a hinged ankle-foot orthosis, and a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis. GAITRite was used to collect the spatiotemporal gait parameters including gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single leg support, and double leg support. Results: It showed that a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis significantly improved the gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single leg support, and double leg support than barefoot and a hinged ankle-foot orthosis (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study implied that a 10° dorsiflexion inducing ankle-foot orthosis could improve the gait ability of children with spastic diplegia more than barefoot or a hinged ankle-foot orthosis. High quality future studies will need to examine the effects of hinged ankle-foot orthosis on gait ability according to dorsiflexion angles.
Determination of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for Management of Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Jung Jongtak , Song Kyoung-Ho , Jeong Hyeonju , Ham Sin Young , Kim Eu Suk , Kim Hong Bin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objectives

Few studies have investigated the contamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the management of patients with severe to critical coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine the necessity of coveralls and foot cover for body protection during the management of patients with COVID-19.
Methods

PPE samples were collected from physicians exiting a room after the management of a patient with severe to critical COVID-19 who was within 14 days after symptom onset. The PPE sites were categorized into coverall-only parts (the frontal surface of the head, anterior neck, dorsal surface of the foot cover, and back and hip) and gown-covered parts (the anterior side of the forearm and the abdomen). Environmental sampling was performed in patient rooms. We tried to identify significant differences in contamination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between the coverall-only and gown-covered parts.
Results

A total of 105 swabs from PPE and 28 swabs from patient rooms were collected. Of the PPE swabs, only three (2.8 %) swabs from gown-covered parts were contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. However, 23 of the total 28 sites (82.1%) from patient rooms were contaminated. There was significant difference in the contamination of PPE between coverall-only and gown-covered parts (0.0 vs 6.7%, p = 0.022).
Conclusions

Coverall contamination rarely occurred while managing severe to critical COVID-19 patients residing in negative pressure rooms in the early stages of the illness. Long-sleeved gowns may be used safely in the management of COVID-19 patients.
Identification of SNPs and Candidate Genes for Milk Produce Ability in Yorkshire Pig
Authors: Shi Lijun , Li Yang , Liu Qian , Zhang Longchao , Wang Ligang , Liu Xin , Gao Hongmei , Hou Xinhua , Zhao Fuping , Yan Hua , Wang Lixian 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Sow milk produce ability is an important limiting factor impacting suboptimal growth and survival of piglets. By pig genetic improvement, the litter size has been increased, and larger litters need more suckled mammary glands, that results in increased milk from lactating sow. Hence, it has much significance to explore the sow lactation performance. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for milk produce ability trait in 985 Yorkshire pigs by a genome-wide association study (GWAS), and to further identify the candidate genes.Results: By ASReml, we estimated the heritability of sow milk produce ability: 0.18 ± 0.07. With the Fixed and random effect model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU), we performed a GWAS, and detected seven genome-wide significant SNPs, namely, Sus scrofa Chromosome (SSC) 2: ASGA0010040 (P = 7.73E-11); SSC2:MARC0029355 (P = 1.30E-08), SSC6: WU_10.2_6_65751151 (P = 1.32E-10), SSC7: MARC0058875 (P = 4.99E-09), SSC10: WU_10.2_10_49571394 (P = 6.79E-08), SSC11: M1GA0014659 (P = 1.19E-07), and SSC15: MARC0042106 (P = 1.16E-07). We performed the distribution of phenotypes corresponding to genotypes of the seven SNPs, and showed that ASGA0010040, MARC0029355, MARC0058875, WU_10.2_10_49571394, M1GA0014659, and MARC0042106 have extreme phenotypic values corresponded to the homozygous genotypes, while the intermediate values corresponded to the heterozygous genotypes. Further, we screened for flanking regions ± 200 kb nearby seven significant SNPs, and identified 30 genes. Among of them, 24 as the candidates were involved in lactose metabolism, colostrum immunity, milk protein, and milk fat by the gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis. Through the combined analysis between 24 candidate genes and differently expressed genes (DEGs) detected in transcriptome data (GSE101983), we found 11 commons (NAV2, ANO3, MUC15, DISP3, FBXO6, CLCN6, SLA-DQB1, PSMB8, PSMB9, TAP1, and KIF5C). Further, by comparing the chromosome positions of the candidate genes with the quantitative trait locus (QTLs) previously reported, a total of 13 genes were found to be within 0.86 Mb to 93.92 Mb of the reported QTLs for sow milk yield, in which, NAV2 was found to be located with 0.86 Mb of the QTL region ssc2: 40936355.Conclusions: In conclusion, we identified seven significant SNPs located on SSC2, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 15, and proposed 24 candidate genes for milk produce ability trait in Yorkshire pig. Among of them, 11 were the key candidates. These results contribute to the identification of variants and candidate genes for sow milk produce ability.
Accelerated Immune Senescence and Biological Aging of T-cell Subsets Among ART-naive HIV-infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: a Case-control Study
Authors: Li Li , Ma Cheng-jie , Wang Ling-hang , Yu Feng-ting , Yang Si-yuan , Song Shu-jing , Tang Yun-xia , Li Xing-wang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: The average lifespan of HIV-infected subjects remains shorter compared to uninfected individuals. Accelerated senescence may be responsible for this difference despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) with successful viral suppression. The present study aimed to assess the impact of HIV on immune and biological senescence of ART-naive HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that compared MSM HIV-infected patients and age-matched MSM HIV negative controls. Within the CD4 and CD8 population, the percentages of naive(TN), central memory(TCM), effector memory(TEM) and terminally differentiated memory(TemRA) subsets were studied and markers of senescence and activation in these cells were measured by multiparameter flow cytometry. Naive (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) CD8 T cells were purified by MACS technology. Telomere length was quantified by real-time PCR. Results: Within the CD8 T cell subsets, TN, TCM,TEM and TemRA cells showed more activation (HLA-DR+) and replicative senescence(CD28-CD57+) phenotypes in ART-naive MSM. However, in the CD4 T cell subsets, expect for TN, the percentage of senescent cells did not differ between ART-naive MSM and uninfected controls, but activated cells were upregulated in the former. The telomere length of naive and memory CD8 T cells was significantly shorter in ART-naive MSM than that of uninfected controls.Conclusion: Our results indicate that HIV-infected ART-naive MSM exhibit accelerated immune senescence with premature biological aging, which particularly affects the CD8 T-cell subsets. This highlights the strong impact of HIV on aging process of T-cell despite patient’s young age at infection and supports the importance of early control of HIV replication.
Pathogen performance testing of a natural swimming pool using a cocktail of microbiological surrogates and QMRA-derived management goals
Authors: Shoults David C. , Li Qiaozhi , Petterson Susan , Rudko Sydney P. , Dlusskaya Lena , Leifels Mats , Scott Candis , Schlosser Cyndi , Ashbolt Nicholas J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn recent decades, natural swimming pools (NSPs) have gained popularity in Europe, especially in Germany and Austria. NSPs differ from swimming pools in that they utilize biological treatment processes based on wetland processes with no disinfection residual. However, data are missing on the specific log-reduction performance of NSPs to address enteric virus, bacteria, and parasitic protozoa removal considered necessary to meet the North American risk-based benchmark (&lt;35 illnesses per 1,000 swimming events) set by the USEPA for voluntary swimming. In this study, we examined Canada's first NSP at Borden Park, Edmonton, Canada, to address the following three questions: (1) Given normal faecal shedding rates by bathers, what is the total log reduction (TLR) theoretically needed to meet the EPA benchmark? (2) what is the in-situ performance of the NSP based on spiking suitable microbial surrogates (MS2 coliphage, Enterococcus faecalis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae [Baker's yeast])? and (3) how much time is required to reach acceptable bather risk levels under different representative volume-turnover rates? A reverse-quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) revealed that of the four reference pathogens selected (Norovirus, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia), only Norovirus was estimated to exceed the risk benchmark at the 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles, while Campylobacter was the only other reference pathogen to exceed at the 95th percentile. Log-reduction values (LRVs) were similar to previous reports for bacterial indicators, and novel LRVs were estimated for the other two surrogates. A key finding was that more than 24 h treatment time would be necessary to provide acceptable bather protection following heavy bather use (378 bathers/day for main pool and 26 bathers/day for children's pool), due to the mixing dynamics of the treated water diluting out possible residual pool faecal contamination. The theoretical maximum number of people in the pool per day to be below USEPA's 35 gastro cases in 1,000 swimming events was 113, 47, and 8, at the 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles. Further, the use of ultra-violet disinfection to the pool return flow had little effect on reducing the treatment time required.
Flocculation-based methods of microalgae removal from the eutrophic pond enrichment culture
Authors: Melnikova Anna A. , Komova Anastasiya V. , Vasilev Ruslan A. , Namsaraev Zorigto B. , Gorin Kirill V. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The method of flocculation of biomass from the water depth to the bottom can be applied in case of local algae blooms. In our research, the combined application of FeCl3 and Polyethyleneoxide-based cationic flocculant was applied for the first time for the harvesting of the enrichment culture obtained from the reservoir during eutrophication. The effects of coagulant (FeCl3·6H2O), various flocculants based on polyacrylamide (PAA), polyethylenoxide (PEO) and flocculated biomass as ballast agent, dosage and sedimental time on flocculation efficiency of harvesting enrichment culture obtained from Pond Chernoistochinsky during eutrophication have been studied. The results show that the flocculation efficiency achieved about 90% after 5 min of sedimentation when adding coagulant and flocculant mixture (FeCl3 30 mg/L + PEO based Sibfloc-718 2.5 mg/L) or flocculant with ballast agent (FeCl3 30 mg/L + Sibfloc-718 2.5 mg/L + 1,7% flocculated biomass). PAA, PEO and FeCl3·6H2O did not demonstrate a sufficient flocculation capacity with enrichment culture containing different types of microalgae.
Influence of scarification and gibberellic acid on seed dormancy and germination of pomegranate seedlings
Authors: Honorato Monteiro Laís Naiara , Arruda Ferreira Antonio Flavio , Faria Glaucia Amorim , Fontanetti Rodrigues Maria Gabriela , Boliani Aparecida Conceição 
Published: June 2021

Contextualization: Due to the importance of pomegranate among fruit species, studies on the physiology of its seeds and the production of seedlings are essential for the expansion of commercial orchards.
Knowledge gap: With the portrayed importance of this crop and its use in various sectors, such as agro-industrial and pharmaceutical products, the development of continuous and straightforward propagation techniques that provide a uniform seedling development will provide favorable conditions for the cultivation and exploitation of the species, improving its use and boosting new research.
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of scarification and immersion in gibberellic acid on the dormancy of pomegranate seeds, aiming at accelerating the emergence and improving the initial growth of seedlings.
Methodology: The sarcotesta was removed and the seeds were scarified. The treatments consisted of a scarified control, a non-scarified control (seeds with and without scarification), and seeds subjected to the concentrations of 500 mg L-1, 1,000 mg L-1, and 1,500 mg L-1 of GA3. The following variables were evaluated: initial emergence, emergence percentage, mean emergence time, leaf number, stem diameter, shoot length, root length, and total dry matter.
Results and conclusions: The pomegranate cv. Valencian seeds do not have tegument-related dormancy. In order to favor the emergence percentage and the initial growth of pomegranate seedlings, mechanical scarification and immersion of the seeds in GA3 are dispensed. Scarification and immersion of pomegranate seeds in 500 mg L-1 of GA3 are recommended to produce seedlings in a shorter time.
GenUI: Interactive and Extensible Open Source Software Platform for De Novo Molecular Generation
Authors: Šícho Martin , Liu Xuhan , Svozil Daniel , van Westen Gerard 
Published: June 2021

This manuscript describes the development and architecture of the GenUI software platform for integration of molecular generators. The source code for the components of the platform is available in the following repositories:https://github.com/martin-sicho/genuihttps://github.com/martin-sicho/genui-guihttps://github.com/martin-sicho/genui-docker
Anti-diabetic and wound healing potential of Benincasa hispida in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Vemulapalli Ravi Kumar  , Veerachamy Alagarsamy  , Rakesh Kumar Jat  
Published: June 2021

Benincasa hispida (B.hispida) is a potential bioactive herb with a wide range of pharmacological actions. Diabetes wound healing effect of effect of B.hispida is not clear. Hence the study was planned to investigate the antidiabetic and wound healing activities of methanolic and petroleum ether of B.hispida on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intra peritoneal injection of Streptozocin (60mg/kg). The antidiabetic activity was studied at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) of plant extracts. In this study, STZ intoxicated rats displayed increased blood glucose level, lipid peroxidation and decreased level of antioxidants. Further, lipid profiles such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL were significantly increased and HDL was significantly decreased in STZ diabetic rats. Treatment with B.hispida methanolic and petroleum extracts at the dose of 100 and 200mg/kg showed significant antidiabetic activity. Further, in wounded rats, B.hispida significantly increased the wound contraction rate and shorten the period of epithelization. In conclusion, B.hispida showed a significant antidiabetic and wound activities mediated through its antioxidant effect.