bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatic analysis and validation of microRNA‐508‐3p as a protective predictor by targeting NR4A3/MEK axis in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Ma Yi , Chen Shu‐Shu , Jiang Fen , Ma Ru‐Yi , Wang Huan‐Liang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) featured a debilitating progressive disorder. Here, we intend to determine diagnosis‐valuable biomarkers for PAH and decode the fundamental mechanisms of the biological function of these markers. Two mRNA microarray profiles (GSE70456 and GSE117261) and two microRNA microarray profiles (GSE55427 and GSE67597) were mined from the Gene Expression Omnibus platform. Then, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), respectively. Besides, we investigated online miRNA prediction tools to screen the target gene of DEMs. In this study, 185 DEGs and three common DEMs were screened as well as 1266 target genes of the three DEMs were identified. Next, 16 overlapping dysregulated genes from 185 DEGs and 1266 target gene were obtained. Meanwhile, we constructed the miRNA gene regulatory network and determined miRNA‐508‐3p‐NR4A3 pair for deeper exploring. Experiment methods verified the functional expression of miR‐508‐3p in PAH and its signalling cascade. We observed that ectopic miR‐508‐3p expression promotes proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC). Bioinformatic, dual‐luciferase assay showed NR4A3 represents directly targeted gene of miR‐508‐3p. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that down‐regulation of miR‐508‐3p advances PASMC proliferation and migration via inducing NR4A3 to activate MAPK/ERK kinase signalling pathway. Altogether, our research provides a promising diagnosis of predictor and therapeutic avenues for patients in PAH.
Sestrin2 as a gatekeeper of cellular homeostasis: Physiological effects for the regulation of hypoxia‐related diseases
Authors: Pan Cunyao , Chen Zhaoli , Li Chao , Han Tie , Liu Hui , Wang Xinxing 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSestrin2 (SESN2) is a conserved stress‐inducible protein (also known as hypoxia‐inducible gene 95 (HI95)) that is induced under hypoxic conditions. SESN2 represses the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and provides cytoprotection against various noxious stimuli, including hypoxia, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and DNA damage. In recent years, the determination of the regulation and signalling mechanisms of SESN2 has increased our understanding of its role in the hypoxic response. SESN2 has well‐documented roles in hypoxia‐related diseases, making it a potential target for diagnosis and treatment. This review discusses the regulatory mechanisms of SESN2 and highlights the significance of SESN2 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in hypoxia‐related diseases, such as cancer, respiratory‐related diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases.
Emerging role of interleukin‐13 in cardiovascular diseases: A ray of hope
Authors: Qian Ningjing , Gao Ying , Wang Jian’an , Wang Yaping 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDespite the great progress made in the treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the morbidity and mortality of CVDs remains high due to the lack of effective treatment strategy. Inflammation is a central pathophysiological feature of the heart in response to both acute and chronic injury, while the molecular basis and underlying mechanisms remains obscure. Interleukin (IL)‐13, a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, has been known as a critical mediator in allergy and asthma. Recent studies appraise the role of IL‐13 in CVDs, revealing that IL‐13 is not only involved in more obvious cardiac inflammatory diseases such as myocarditis but also relevant to acute or chronic CVDs of other origins, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure. The goal of this review is to summarize the advancement in our knowledge of the regulations and functions of IL‐13 in CVDs and to discuss the possible mechanisms of IL‐13 involved in CVDs. We highlight that IL‐13 may be a promising target for immunotherapy in CVDs.
NRP1 and MMP9 are dual targets of RNA‐binding protein QKI5 to alter VEGF‐R/ NRP1 signalling in trophoblasts in preeclampsia
Authors: Yang Xingyu , Chen Dan , He Biwei , Cheng Weiwei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPreeclampsia (PE) is characterized by placental ischemia and hypoxia, resulting in abnormal casting of the uterine spiral artery, which is mainly caused by insufficient trophoblastic cell infiltration. A reduction in levels of growth factor‐based signalling via Neuropilin‐1 (NRP1) has been shown to contribute to dysfunctional trophoblast development. In this study, we showed that the RNA‐binding protein, QKI5, regulated NRP1 expression and significantly improved trophoblast proliferation in vitro and in vivo. QKI5 and NRP1 expressions were significantly reduced in human PE placentas and in trophoblasts during hypoxia. Overexpression of these factors significantly improved cell proliferation and migration in vitro, in contrast to a decrease upon siRNA knockdown of QKI5 and NRP1 in HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Using RIP and RNA pull‐down assays, we further showed that QKI5 directly interacted with the 3'‐UTR region of NRP1, to mediate cell proliferation and migration via matrix metalloprotease‐9. Further, similar to NRP1, QKI5 also targets matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) involved in secretion of growth factors and its effects can be counteracted by NRP1 overexpression. In vivo studies using a PE mouse model revealed that QKI5 overexpression alleviated PE‐related symptoms such as elevated blood pressure and proteinuria. Taken together, we found that QKI5 was a novel regulator, of VEGF‐R/NRP1 signalling pathway functioning in trophoblast proliferation and migration, resulting in major contributors to the pathogenesis of PE. While careful evaluation of the broad implications of QKI5 expression is still necessary, this study identified QKI5 as a promising target for treatment strategies in acute PE patients.
The detrimental effect of iron on OA chondrocytes: Importance of pro‐inflammatory cytokines induced iron influx and oxidative stress
Authors: Jing Xingzhi , Du Ting , Li Tao , Yang Xiaoxia , Wang Guodong , Liu Xiaoyang , Jiang Zhensong , Cui Xingang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIron overload is common in elderly people which is implicated in the disease progression of osteoarthritis (OA), however, how iron homeostasis is regulated during the onset and progression of OA and how it contributes to the pathological transition of articular chondrocytes remain unknown. In the present study, we developed an in vitro approach to investigate the roles of iron homeostasis and iron overload mediated oxidative stress in chondrocytes under an inflammatory environment. We found that pro‐inflammatory cytokines could disrupt chondrocytes iron homeostasis via upregulating iron influx transporter TfR1 and downregulating iron efflux transporter FPN, thus leading to chondrocytes iron overload. Iron overload would promote the expression of chondrocytes catabolic markers, MMP3 and MMP13 expression. In addition, we found that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction played important roles in iron overload‐induced cartilage degeneration, reducing iron concentration using iron chelator or antioxidant drugs could inhibit iron overload‐induced OA‐related catabolic markers and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results suggest that pro‐inflammatory cytokines could disrupt chondrocytes iron homeostasis and promote iron influx, iron overload‐induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play important roles in iron overload‐induced cartilage degeneration.
Technofunctional, rheological, thermal and structural properties of gorgon nut (Eurayle ferox) as affected by drying temperature
Authors: Bhat Mohmad Sayeed , Arya Shalini Subhash 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe effect of drying at different temperatures viz; 60, 70, 80, and 90°C on gorgon nut flour (GNF) was envisaged by the hot air oven method. The resultant flours were known as GNF‐60, GNF‐70, GNF‐80, and GNF‐90, respectively. The effect of drying on rheology and technofunctional properties was studied. The drying at different temperatures resulted in significant changes in technofunctional and pasting properties of GNF. The water and oil absorption capacities increased with the increase in drying temperature from 0.45 to 0.70 g/g and 0.35 to 0.46 g/g, respectively. The viscosity of the GNF decreased with the increase in drying temperature from 1592 to 990 cP. The increase in the drying temperature resulted in an increase in the swelling power and solubility from 7 to 11 g/g and 29% to 117%, respectively. The rise in temperature increased the gelatinisation peak temperature and reduced the gelatinization enthalpy.. The shear rate dependency on study shear stress and study shear viscosity showed a nonNewtonian behavior for all the samples. The storage modulus, G′ was found greater than the loss modulus, G″ and increased with the rise in temperature from 60 to 90°C indicating the dominance of elastic behavior. The FTIR and XRD spectra revealed structural characteristic peaks with increased intensities at a higher temperature. The drying of the GNF at different temperatures is being reported for the first time and resulted in a significant alteration of the technofunctional and rheological properties. The study will serve a basis for the exploration of the GNF in industrial‐related processing operations.Practical implicationsAccording to the report jointly published by the World Health Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization and the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, about 650 million of the total world's population went hungry in 2019, with the expected 120 million addition to this figure due to Covid‐19 pandemic by the end of 2020. The economically lower class people are mainly involved in hunger and malnutrition due to either unavailability or higher costs of the nutritionally rich food resources. Exploration of underutilized and nutritionally rich sources becomes the need of the hour in this type of situation. Gorgon nut being a nutritionally rich and underutilized crop of mainly Asian continent, can serve as an affordable food source to fight this hunger and malnutrition problem.
Integrated management of surface water and groundwater to mitigate flood risks and water scarcity in arid and semi‐arid regions
Authors: Fathy Ismail , Ahmed Ashraf , Abd‐Elhamid Hany F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWater scarcity in arid and semi‐arid regions represents a significant obstruction to social and economic development. Also, flood hazards affect the life of many people in these areas. This study aims to develop a new model for integrated management of surface water and groundwater, which involves rainwater harvesting and recharge to groundwater aquifers. Integrated hydrological models, including geographic information system (GIS), watershed modelling system (WMS) and groundwater modelling system (GMS) were used. This research provides an integrated vision for exploiting the rainwater in Wadi Watier, South Sinai, Egypt and shows new insights on how to protect these areas from flood risks and store water to solve the water scarcity in this region. Based on physical properties of sub‐basins and soil properties, fourteen dams were suggested and designed to protect the study area from flood risks; five dams were used for storage and nine dams for groundwater recharge. The results showed that the dams could collect about 160.72 million m3 of rainwater which can be stored or recharged into groundwater aquifers. This will increase the national income and provide stability for residents in these areas that suffer from water shortage. Decision‐makers can use these models for sustainable flood management in similar areas.
Incidence of Guillain‐Barré syndrome in an Uruguayan population. A prospective cohort study
Authors: Chiesa Mercedes , Decima Rodrigo , Bertinat Andrés , Poggi Luciana , Hackembruch Heber , Montenegro Cecilia , Chiparelli Hector , Vázquez Cristina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGuillain‐Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune peripheral inflammatory neuropathy and the most frequent cause of non‐poliovirus acute flaccid paralysis worldwide. Background annual GBS incidence rates (IRs) in Latin America (LA) varies from 0.40 to 2.12/100000 persons per year. We performed a prospective population‐based epidemiological study to determine the incidence and clinical profile of GBS in the most densely populated regions in Uruguay. The incidence of GBS in the population living in Montevideo and Canelones was studied in the period between June 01, 2018 and May 31, 2020. Patients older than 16 years of age diagnosed with GBS were prospectively enrolled. The mean global annual IR in the Uruguayan population was 1.7/100000 persons (95% CI 1.25‐2.25). The highest rate was observed in the 65 to 74 age group among men (5.25/100000 per year) and in the 55 to 64 age group among women (2/100.000 per year). The mean age was 53.9 ± 19.5, years, without difference by sex (53.5 women, 54.5 men). The in‐hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. A total of 51 patients were diagnosed with GBS: 42 (82%) had typical GBS, 5 (10%) Miller‐Fisher syndrome (MFS), 3 (7%) a bilateral facial nerve palsy, 1 patient had a GBS‐MFS overlap (2.3%). This is the first population‐based GBS incidence study in LA using a prospective design. Our IR can be a useful tool in establishing the background rate to examine future disease trends caused by the introduction of new viruses or vaccines in Uruguay.
Chief Digital Officers: An Analysis of the Presence of a Centralized Digital Transformation Role
Authors: Firk Sebastian , Hanelt André , Oehmichen Jana , Wolff Michael 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBy appointing a chief digital officer (CDO), firms decide for a central role responsible for their digital transformation. While CDOs have recently appeared in the C‐suites of firms across the globe, the current literature lacks insights into the specific antecedents of CDO presence. Grounded in the peculiarities of the digital age, we provide theoretical arguments explaining how the decision to centralize digital transformation responsibilities might be related to transformation urgency and coordination needs. Empirical analyses based on a panel data set of 913 US and European firms support that transformation urgency and coordination needs predict CDO presence. An additional analysis of moderating temporal effects reveals that, over time, the effect of transformation urgency is weakened and the effect of coordination needs on CDO presence is strengthened. We discuss implications for research and practice regarding the antecedents of CDO presence, TMT research more generally, and centralization in the digital age.
Effect of Guiding Sleeve Design on Intraosseous Heat Generation During Implant Site Preparation (In Vitro Study)
Authors: Ashry Amal , Elattar Mohamed Sherine , Elsamni Osama Ahmed , Soliman Ingy Saied 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeTo compare the effect of different designs of guiding sleeves on heat generation during implant surgery while using different cooling fluid temperatures.Material and MethodsTemperature measurements were performed during guided implant site preparation in bovine rib samples using two K‐ type thermocouples at 2 mm and 8 mm depths. Three groups were tested according to guiding sleeve design: conventional cylindrical sleeve, open C‐shaped sleeve, and modified cylindrical sleeve. Each group was irrigated with three fluid temperatures: 10°C, 15°C, and 20°C. The groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis test followed by post hoc comparisons with Bonferroni correction. The level of statistical significance was set at p = 0.05.ResultsSurgical guides with conventional cylindrical sleeve design showed significantly higher heat generation during implant site preparation than guides with both the open C‐shaped and the modified cylindrical sleeve designs at both 2mm and 8mm depths. The difference between C‐shaped and modified cylindrical sleeves was not significant in any group. Using pre‐cooled irrigation fluids (10°C and 15°C) reduced the generated heat; however, the differences within the same group were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThe use of a surgical guide with the conventional cylindrical sleeves led to higher heat generation than other sleeve designs, which might reach or near the critical threshold of bone thermal necrosis. Using surgical guides with open sleeves or modified cylindrical sleeves could be helpful in irrigation fluid delivery and decreasing the generated heat.
Regional growth and disparities in a post‐COVID Europe: A new normality scenario
Authors: Capello Roberta , Caragliu Andrea 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper addresses the important question “Which European areas will be able to better react to the crisis induced by COVID‐19 and how regional disparities will look like?” To provide an answer, a “new normality” scenario is built, comprising the structural changes likely to take place in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. To develop such scenario, two intermediate steps are necessary, in both cases relying on the use of the latest generation of the MAcroeconomic, Sectoral, Social, Territorial (MASST4) model. First, short‐run costs of the COVID‐induced lockdowns, in terms of missed GDP, are calculated for all European NUTS2 regions, needed because of the lack of short‐run statistics about the extent of the regional costs caused by the lockdowns that will only appear in 2 years. Second, a long‐run simulation of the economic rebound expected to take place from 2021 through 2030 is presented, assuming, among other trends, that no further national lockdowns will be undertaken in European countries. In the “new normality” scenario, regional disparity trends will decrease as a result of a decisive rebound of those countries mostly hit by the pandemic.
A Complex Simplicity: The Relationship of Religiosity and Nonreligiosity to Life Satisfaction
Authors: Pöhls Katharina 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMost previous research purportedly indicates a stable linear relationship between (non)religiosity and life satisfaction, but a review of these studies reveals a less consistent relationship and several conceptual and methodological issues. More recent research adds to the relationship's complexity by indicating that certain government regulations, social norms of religiosity, and a country's level of societal development interact with the relationship between individual (non)religiosity and life satisfaction. At the individual level, nonbelief certainty, nonreligious identity, belief in science, secular sources of meaning in life, and nonreligious group memberships appear to be central to nonreligious individuals’ life satisfaction. These findings emphasize the need for considering interactions with context factors, for differentiating between (non)religious subgroups, for multidimensional conceptualizations of nonreligiosity beyond the mere absence of religiosity, and for testing for nonlinear relationships. When these aspects are included in empirical research, differences in the level of life satisfaction between religious and nonreligious individuals largely disappear.
Effects of crushed mussel, Perna canaliculus, shell enrichment on seawater carbonate buffering and development of conspecific larvae exposed to near‐future ocean acidification
Authors: Ericson Jessica A. , Ragg Norman L. C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPerna canaliculus is an aquaculture species vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA). Returning shell waste to the sea after commercial processing has potential to provide localized buffering to OA. We investigated whether seawater enrichment with crushed shell buffers carbonate chemistry and improves P. canaliculus larval performance under current (400 μatm) and future (1,100 μatm) PCO2 conditions. Fertilized eggs from two parent pools were reared for 42 hr in seawater previously enriched with shell or non‐enriched. Aragonite saturation state (ΩA) decreased in high PCO2 seawater (ΩA 1.26, compared to 2.54 under present‐day conditions). This was partially mitigated by shell enrichment (ΩA 1.44). In high PCO2 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)‐treated seawater, shell enrichment resulted in minor increases in the proportion of larvae developing into normal veligers (no shell = 3.7 ± 3.0%, shell = 9.6 ± 4.7%; mean ± SD). Larvae failed to develop normally in the absence of EDTA, with the exception of ambient PCO2 seawater enriched with shell, which yielded a pool‐dependent mean 2.3–17.8% normal veligers, possibly reflecting other properties of crushed shell including metal uptake. Non‐buffering effects of crushed shell, parental pool, and inclusion of a chelator (EDTA) in seawater appeared to have a greater influence upon larval performance than buffering per se, warranting further investigation.
Complementary feeding in Kongwa, Tanzania: Findings to inform a mycotoxin mitigation trial
Authors: Mollay Clara , Kassim Neema , Stoltzfus Rebecca , Kimanya Martin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractComplementary feeding of 6‐ to 24‐month‐old infants and young children with adequate, safe and developmentally appropriate food is essential to child health. Inappropriate complementary foods and feeding practices are linked to the high incidences of undernutrition among infant and young children in most developing countries, including Tanzania. Mycotoxin risk is an additional concern, given the documented presence of aflatoxin and fumonisin in food systems of Africa, especially maize and groundnut. In preparation for a trial of mycotoxin mitigation, we conducted focus group discussions and recipe trials to explore complementary foods and feeding practices in Kongwa, a rural district of central Tanzania. Sixty mothers of infants from 6 to 18 months of age in five villages across the district were purposefully sampled. During focus group discussions, mothers reported to mostly feed their children with cereal and groundnut‐based foods as thin or thick porridges. The most common porridge preparations contained cereal (mostly, maize) ranging from 66.7% to 80.0% by weight and groundnuts from 7.7% to 33.3%. The ratio of cereal to groundnut ranged from 3:1 to 4:1. For the recipe trial sessions, mothers chose similar ingredients reported during discussions to prepare complementary foods. The reliance on maize and groundnuts in complementary foods predisposes the children to undernutrition and exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins. These formative research results suggest multiple intervention points to improve complementary feeding and reduce mycotoxin exposure in this population, including education messages package on feeding practices, mycotoxin control practices and complementary food formulation.