bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal-organic Framework [H2NMe2]3 [Tb(PDA)3] Induces Cytotoxic Effects and Changes DNA Methylation-related Gene Expression in a Human Fibroblast Cell Line
Authors: Carrillo-Cocom Leydi Maribel , Juárez-Méndez Lucia , Rincón Susana , Rivera-Villanueva José María , Nic-Can Geovanny , Zepeda Alejandro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this work, we describe the effect of six concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/mL) of a metal-organic framework [H2NMe2]3 [Tb(PDA)3] on the viability of human fibroblast cells (hFB) after 48 h of exposure. The terbium metal-organic framework may be utilized for a variety of environmental and human health applications due to its luminescent properties and high thermal and water stability. However, the cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of lanthanide MOFs have not been fully elucidated to date. Therefore, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects, internalization and changes in DNA methylation-associated gene expression induced by exposing hFB to Tb-MOF. The images obtained by SEM, confocal microscopy and EDS analysis demonstrated the internalization of Tb-MOF at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL, as well as dose-dependent toxicity in the fibroblasts, with a mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.260 ± 0.012 mg/mL being observed. Additionally, we detected significant changes in the gene expression levels of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases (important regulators of development of cell) due to the presence of Tb-MOF, suggesting that Tb-MOF could contribute to cell death and destabilize the genome even at low concentrations. These results of this study may establish a foundation for future research attempting to develop and apply secure nanomaterials (e.g., MOFs) to minimize damage to the environment and human health.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Costus Afer on Trace Metal Mixture Treated Rats Mediated by Regulation of Oxidative Stress Markers, Inflammatory Cytokines and Bio-Metal Chelation
Authors: Anyanwu Brilliance O. , Ezejiofor Anthonet N. , Nwaogazie Ify L. , Orisakwe Orish Ebere E 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Technological developments have led to exposure to various substances that are harmful to the environment and public health, including heavy metals. In the environment, these grades of metals are usually diverse mixtures shown to cause physiological, biochemical and neurological dysfunctions in humans and laboratory animals. Cadmium, Lead, and mercury have been envisaged to exhibit their hepatotoxic effects by oxidative induction damage and synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The current work evaluated the protective activity of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer (ALECA)) on liver damage arsing from exposure to trace metal mixture (TMM): cadmium chloride (CdCl2), lead chloride (PbCl2), and mercury chloride (HgCl2). Five groups of weight matched Sprague Dawley rats were treated for 90 days. Metal mixture and deionized water were used to treat the 2 groups of rats whereas the other 3 groups were treated with various doses of the ALECA through oral gavage alongside the metal mixture. Hepatic function parameters, oxidative biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, Morphological changes and trace metals (concentrations were monitored in the liver). TMM treatment resulted in significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, IL-6, MDA, but decreased albumin, total protein, IL-10, SOD, CAT and GSH levels. TMM also caused some morphological changes and increased the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) concentrations in the liver. The leaf extract gave a reasonable protective effect on the hepatotoxicity caused by trace metal mixture - through the mechanisms of metal chelation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant although this depends on the dosage to the rats. ALECA may be beneficial in the management of liver toxicity.
The toxicity of cadmium-copper mixtures on daphnids and microalgae analysed using the Biotic Ligand Model
Authors: CLEMENT Bernard , FELIX Vincent , BERTRAND Valentin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
For the prediction of metals mixture ecotoxicity, the BLM approach is promising since it evaluates the amount of metals accumulated on the biotic ligand on the basis of water chemistry, i.e. species (major cations) competing with metals, and related toxicity. Based on previous work by Farley et al. 2015 (MMME research project), this study aimed at modelling toxicity of Cd:Cu mixtures (0:1–1:1–1:0–1:2 − 1:3 − 2:1–3:1–4:1–5:1–6:1) to the crustacean Daphnia magna (48h immobilization tests) and the microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (72h growth inhibition tests). The USGS model was chosen, assuming additivity of effects and accumulation of metals on a single site. The assumption that EDTA could contribute to toxicity through metals complexing was also tested, and potential effects due to reduction of ions Ca2+ absorption by metals were considered. Modelling started with parameter values of Farley et al. 2015 and some of these parameters were adjusted to fit modelled data on observed data. The results show that toxicity can be correctly predicted for the microalgae and that the hypothesis of additivity is verified. For daphnids, the prediction was roughly correct, but taking into account CuEDTA led to more realistic parameter values close to that reported by Farley et al. 2015. However, It seems that, for daphnids responses, metals interact either antagonistically or synergistically depending on the Cu:Cd ratio. Furthermore, synergy could not be explained by additional effects linked to a reduction of Ca absorption since this reduction, mainly due to Cd, increased inversely to synergy. Finally, the USGS model applied to our data was able to predict Cu:Cd mixture toxicity to microalgae and daphnids, giving rise to estimated EC50s roughly reflecting EC50s calculated from observed toxicity.
Diabetes Distress, Medication Taking, Glycaemic Control and Self-Management: Comparing a Minority Migrant Group With Mainstream Society
Authors: Alzubaidi Hamzah , Samorinha Catarina , Sulieman Hana , Namara Kevin Mc , Browning Colette 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Diabetes distress (DD) has broad-ranging effects on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) management and outcomes. DD research is scarce among ethnic minority groups, particularly Arabic-speaking immigrant communities. To improve outcomes for these vulnerable groups, healthcare providers, including pharmacists, need to understand modifiable predictors of DD.
Objective

To assess and compare DD and its association with medication-taking behaviours, glycaemic control, self-management, and psychosocial factors among first-generation Arabic-speaking immigrants and English-speaking patients of Anglo-Celtic background with diabetes, and determine DD predictors. Setting: Various healthcare settings in Australia. Method: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted. Adults with T2DM completed a survey comprised of validated tools. Glycated haemoglobin, blood pressure, and lipid profile were gathered from medical records. Multiple linear regression models were computed to assess the DD predictors. Main outcome measure: Diabetes distress level.
Results

Data was analysed for 696 participants: 56.3% Arabic-speaking immigrants and 43.7% English-speaking patients. Compared with English-speaking patients, Arabic-speaking immigrants had higher DD, lower medication adherence, worse self-management and glycaemic control, and poorer health and clinical profile. The regression analysis demonstrated that higher DD in Arabic-speaking immigrants was associated with cost-related medication underuse and lower adherence to exercise, younger age, lower education level, unemployment, lower self-efficacy, and inadequate glycaemic control. Whereas among English-speaking patients, higher DD was associated with both cost- and non-cost-related underuse of medication and lower dietary adherence.
Conclusion

Results provided new insights to guide healthcare providers on reducing the apparent excess burden of DD among Arabic-speaking immigrants and potentially improve medication adherence, glycaemic control, and self-management.
Dilated Deep Neural Architectures for Improving Retinal Vessel Extraction
Authors: V Sathananthavathi , G Indumathi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Human eye is an absolute sensory organ for vision. Eye sight is entirely accomplished by the blood flow in retinal vessels in eye. Diseases such as diabetes retinopathy, hypertension and arteriosclerosis cause change in branching pattern and diameter of retinal blood vessels leading to blindness. These changes can be analyzed by segmenting retinal blood vessel. Hence the retinal vasculature is recognized as the promising anatomical region for the diagnosis of several commonly seen diseases including cardiovascular related and diabetes. In this paper we propose two novel deep neural architectures named as Dilated fully convolved convolutional neural network (FCNN) and dilated depth concatenated neural network (DCNN) to segment the retinal blood vessels. The feature maps of fundus images are extracted by multiple dilated convolutional layers and due to the large field of view by dilation, pixel classification gets improved. The proposed work is evaluated for both the proposed architectures with and without dilation. It is observed from the obtained results that dilation enhances the network performance. To eliminate the non-uniform illumination and low contrast differences effect the preprocessed images are used for training the architectures. The proposed methodologies are experimented on the two publicly available databases DRIVE and STARE database.
Assessing placental function across gestation: a multi-institutional study of BOLD-MRI for the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Schabel Matthias , Roberts Victoria , Gibbins Karen , Rincon Monica , Gaffney Jessica , Streblow Aaron , Wright Adam , Lo Jaime , Park Byung , Kroenke Christopher , Szczotka Kathryn , Blue Nathan , Page Jessica , Harvey Kathy , Varner Michael W. , Silver Robert , Frias Antonio 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The placenta is a remarkable organ that coordinates and regulates maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy to optimize fetal development. A host of obstetric complications are associated with placental dysfunction, and existing methods for evaluating in vivo placental function fail to reliably detect at-risk pregnancies prior to maternal or fetal morbidity. Although routinely used as a monitoring tool, the predictive power of ultrasound for identifying compromised pregnancies is poor. Recent preclinical studies performed in our laboratory, using blood oxygen-level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI) in the pregnant nonhuman primate (NHP), established a strong correlation between placental T2* values and maternal-fetal oxygen transport. Here we extend this work to a large, longitudinal, two-site study of quantitative in vivo T2* mapping in human pregnancies across 11 to 38 weeks of gestation to characterize the evolution of placental oxygenation in uncomplicated pregnancies and to elucidate the relationship between aberrant placental T2* and adverse obstetric outcomes attributable to placental dysfunction. This methodology has high discriminatory power and strong potential diagnostic utility.
Machine Learning for the Prediction of Progression in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Wei Canzheng , Feng Yunxia , Ma Aijia , Kang Yan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serve and harmful syndrome in the intensive care unit. The purpose of this study is to develop a prediction model that predict whether patients with AKI stage 1/2 will progress to AKI stage 3. Methods: Patients with AKI stage 1/2, when they were ﬁrst diagnosed with AKI in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III), were included. We excluded patients who had underwent RRT or progressed to AKI stage 3 within 72 hours of the ﬁrst AKI diagnosis. We also excluded patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We used the Logistic regression and machine learning extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to build two models which can predict patients who will progress to AKI stage 3. Established models were evaluated by cross-validation, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and precision-recall curves (PRC). Results: We included 25711 patients, of whom 2130 (8.3%) progressed to AKI stage 3. Creatinine, multiple organ failure syndromes (MODS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), sepsis, and respiratory failure were the most important in AKI progression prediction. The XGBoost model has a better performance than the Logistic regression model on predicting AKI stage 3 progression (AU-ROC, 0.926; 95%CI, 0.917 to 0.931 vs. 0.784; 95%CI, 0.771 to 0.796, respectively). Conclusions: The XGboost model can better identify patients with AKI progression than Logistic regression model. Machine learning techniques may improve predictive modeling in medical research. Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Critical care; Logistic Models; Extreme gradient boosting
The Combined Effect of Dichloroacetate and 3-Bromopyruvate in Colorectal Cancer Cell Line, HT-29; The Mitochondrial Pathway Apoptosis
Authors: Nikravesh Hojatolla , Khodayar Mohammad Javad , Behmanesh Babak , Mahdavinia Masoud , Teimoori Ali , Alboghobeish Soheila , Zeidooni Leila 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is regarded as the first line treatment for colorectal cancer; however, its effectiveness is limited by drug resistance. The ultimate goal of cancer therapy is induction of cancer cell death to achieve an effective outcome with minimal side effects. The present work aimed to assess the anti-cancer activities of mitocans which can be considered as an effective anticancer drug due to high specificity in targeting cancer cells.
Methods
MTT (3–4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed to determine the effects of our mitocans on cell viability and cell death. Apoptosis and necrosis, caspase 3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production in HT29 cell lines were analyzed by ApopNexin™ FITC/PI Kit, Caspase- 3 Assay Kit, MitoTracker Green and DCFH-DA, respectively. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression level of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes in HT29 cell lines.
Results
treatment with mitocans (3Br-P + DCA) inhibited the growth of HT29. Moreover, 3Br-P + DCA significantly induced apoptosis and necrosis, activation of caspase 3 activity, depolarize the mitochondrial membrane potential, and ROS production. At a molecular level, 3Br-P + DCA treatment remarkably down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, while up-regulated the expression of Bax.
Conclusion
mitocans, in particular the combined drug, 3Br-P + DCA, could be regarded and more evaluated as a safe and effective compound for CRC treatment. Targeting hexokinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase enzymes may be an option to overcome 5-FU -mediated chemo-resistant in colorectal cancer.
Effects of Nighttime Aromatherapy using Skin Patches with Lavender Aroma on Mood States in Young Women
Authors: Sazawa Kanako , Ogawa Yoshiko , Kawada Shigeo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The effect of nighttime aromatherapy on sleep has been explored. However, its effect on mood states has not been established. This study aimed to determine the effects of nighttime aromatherapy, using skin patches with lavender aroma, on mood states of young women. Methods: Twenty-four young women slept as usual with a skin patch placed under their clothing for seven consecutive nights. One group of subjects (AROM group) used skin patches with lavender aroma, whereas the other group (CONT group) used skin patches without the aroma. The primary outcome measure was mood states assessed with the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS 2). The secondary outcome measures were physiological indices of stress assessed by salivary α-amylase activity, cortisol concentration, and pulse rate measured immediately after waking up. Assessments were performed pre-intervention, the morning after the first intervention night, and post-intervention.Results: Skin patches with lavender aroma improved total mood disturbance and two negative subscales scores of the POMS 2 in the AROM group over time. There was an interaction between time and treatment condition (with/without aromatherapy) for the fatigue-inertia subscale, although no interaction was detected between time and condition for total mood disturbance and the anger-hostility subscale. The positive subscales scores of POMS 2 did not change in both groups. In the AROM group, salivary α-amylase level measured the morning after the first intervention night was significantly higher than the pre-intervention level; however, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-intervention. Moreover, there were no significant changes in salivary cortisol concentration and pulse rate in both groups. Conclusions: Unlike the AROM group, no improvement in mood states was observed in the CONT group. Low-cost and easily applicable aromatherapy using skin patches are potentially useful in stabilizing mood states in various populations.Trial registration: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000035051. Registered 28 November 2018, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000039962
Secreted MMP-14 is A Predictor for Antifibrotic Effect of IC-2-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets on Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Fukushima Kenji , Itaba Noriko , Kono Yohei , Okazaki Shizuma , Enokida Shinpei , Kuranobu Naomi , Murakami Jun , Enokida Makoto , Nagashima Hideki , Kanzaki Susumu , Namba Noriyuki , Shiota Goshi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Transplantation of IC-2-engineered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) sheets (IC-2 sheets) was previously reported to potentially reduce liver fibrosis. This study prepared IC-2-engineered cell sheets from multiple lots of BM-MSCs and examined the therapeutic effects of these cell sheets on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. The predictive factors for antifibrotic effect on liver fibrosis were tried to identify in advance. Consequently, secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 was found to be a useful predictive factor to reduce liver fibrosis. Moreover, the cutoff index of MMP-14 for 30% reduction of liver fibrosis was 0.918 fg/cell, judging from univariate analysis and receiver operating curve analysis. In addition, MMP-13 activity and thioredoxin contents in IC-2 sheets were also inversely correlated with hepatic hydroxyproline contents. Finally, IC-2 was also found to promote MMP-14 secretion from BM-MSCs of elderly patients. Surprisingly, the values of secreted MMP-14 from BM-MSCs of elderly patients were much higher than those of young persons. The results of this study suggest that the IC-2 sheets would be applicable to clinical use in autologous transplantation for patients with cirrhosis regardless of the patient’s age.
Kinetic Control Concept for the Diffusion Processes of Paracetamol Active Molecules Across Affinity Polymer Membranes
Authors: Tarhouchi Sanae , Louafy Rkia , Atmani El Houssine EL , Hlaïbi Miloudi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Paracetamol compound remains the most used pharmaceutical as an analgesic and antipyretic for pain and fever. It has been detected in aquatic environments. The recovery of this compound from wastewater is one of the important operations carried out by modern industries. Its recovery is especially important for environmental protection. Currently, research is focused on membrane technology that has gained considerable interest over the last decades due to the various advantages that it presents.Result: Our work reports the selective extraction of paracetamol from liquid solution using two types of affinity polymer membranes: (i) polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) and (ii) grafted polymer membrane (GPM). The same extractive agent, gluconic acid (GA), is used for both. After total characterization, the developed membranes were adopted. Kinetic and thermodynamic models have been used to determine the values of various macroscopic parameters, permeability (P), and initial flux (J0), to understand the membrane performance. The same techniques have been used to determine the values of different microscopic parameters, association constant (Kass), and apparent diffusion coefficient (D*) that determine the interaction between the paracetamol substrates and the extractive agent, necessary for the diffusion of paracetamol molecules through the membrane. Similarly, the effects of initial concentration (C0), acidity (pH), and temperature were examined.Conclusion: The experimental results allow the determination of values of activation and thermodynamic parameters (Ea, ΔH#, ΔS#, ΔH#dis, and ΔH#th). The results explain the membrane performances and confirm that the energetic or kinetic aspects control the mechanisms related to the oriented processes. The results also indicate that it is possible to recycle wastewater and eliminate contaminants such as paracetamol.
The Ecological Niche of bat Viruses Closely Related to SARS-CoV-2, as Inferred from Phylogeographic Analyses of Rhinolophus Species
Authors: HASSANIN Alexandre , Tu Vuong Tan , Curaudeau Manon , Csorba Gabor 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To date, viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in four bat species: Rhinolophus acuminatus, Rhinolophus affinis, Rhinolophus malayanus, and Rhinolophus shameli. Here, we analysed 343 sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (CO1) from georeferenced bats of the four Rhinolophus species identified as reservoirs of viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2. Haplotype networks were constructed in order to investigate patterns of genetic diversity among bat populations of Southeast Asia and China. No strong geographic structure was found for the four Rhinolophus species, suggesting high dispersal capacity. The ecological niche of bat viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 was predicted using the four localities in which bat viruses were recently discovered and the localities where bats showed the same CO1 haplotypes than virus-positive bats. The ecological niche of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV was deduced from the localities where bat viruses were previously detected. The results show that the ecological niche of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV2 includes several regions of mainland Southeast Asia whereas that of bat viruses related to SARS-CoV is mainly restricted to China. In agreement with these results, human populations in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand appear to be much less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic than other countries of Southeast Asia. In the climatic transitional zone between the two ecological niches (southern Yunnan, northern Laos, northern Vietnam), genomic recombination between highly divergent viruses is more likely to occur. Since recombinant viruses can threaten the benefit of vaccination campaigns, these regions should be under surveillance.