bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor may play a protective role in osteoarthritis
Authors: Liu Ming , Xie Zikun , Sun Guang , Chen Liujun , Qi Dake , Zhang Hongwei , Xiong Jieying , Furey Andrew , Rahman Proton , Lei Guanghua , Zhai Guangju 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and the major cause of disability and overall diminution of quality of life in the elderly population. Currently there is no cure for OA, partly due to the large gaps in our understanding of its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a procytokine that mediates pleiotropic inflammatory effects in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, data on the role of MIF in OA is limited with conflicting results. We undertook this study to investigate the role of MIF in OA by examining MIF genotype, mRNA expression, and protein levels in the Newfoundland Osteoarthritis Study.

Methods
One hundred nineteen end-stage knee/hip OA patients, 16 RA patients, and 113 healthy controls were included in the study. Two polymorphisms in the MIF gene, rs755622, and -794 CATT5-8, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR followed by automated capillary electrophoresis, respectively. MIF mRNA levels in articular cartilage and subchondral bone were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma concentrations of MIF, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results
rs755622 and -794 CATT5-8 genotypes were not associated with MIF mRNA or protein levels or OA (all p ≥ 0.19). MIF mRNA level in cartilage was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 0.028) and RA patients (p = 0.004), while the levels in bone were comparable between OA patients and controls (p = 0.165). MIF protein level in plasma was lower in OA patients than in controls (p = 3.01 × 10−10), while the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma were all significantly higher in OA patients than in controls (all p ≤ 0.0007). Multivariable logistic regression showed lower MIF and higher IL-1β protein levels in plasma were independently associated with OA (OR per SD increase = 0.10 and 8.08; 95% CI = 0.04–0.19 and 4.42–16.82, respectively), but TNF-α and IL-6 became non-significant.

Conclusions
Reduced MIF mRNA and protein expression in OA patients suggested MIF might have a protective role in OA and could serve as a biomarker to differentiate OA from other joint disorders.
A study of genomic diversity in populations of Maharashtra, India, inferred from 20 autosomal STR markers
Authors: Badiye Ashish , Kapoor Neeti , Kumawat R. K. , Dixit Shivani , Mishra Aditi , Dixit Akansha , Kathane Prachi , Bag Sudeshna , Thakre Vaishnavi , Kaitholia Kamlesh , Srivastava Ankit , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Shrivastava Pankaj 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective
This study was planned to evaluate the genetic diversity in the admixed and Teli (a Hindu caste) populations of Maharashtra, India using 20 autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) genetic markers. We further investigated the genetic relatedness of the studied populations with other Indian populations.

Results
The studied populations showed a wide range of observed heterozygosity viz. 0.690 to 0.918 for the admixed population and 0.696 to 0.942 for the Teli population. This might be due to the multi-directional gene flow. The admixed and Teli populations also showed a high degree polymorphism which ranged from 0.652 to 0.903 and 0.644 to 0.902, respectively. Their combined value of matching probability for all the studied loci was 4.29 × 10–25 and 5.01 × 10–24, respectively. The results of Neighbor-Joining tree and Principal Component Analysis showed that the studied populations clustered with the general populations of Jharkhand, UttarPradesh, Rajasthan and Central Indian States, as well as with the specific populations of Maharashtra (Konkanastha Brahmins) and Tamil Nadu (Kurmans). Overall, the obtained data showed a high degree of forensic efficacy and would be useful for forensic applications as well as genealogical studies.
Usability evaluation model of an application with emphasis on collaborative security: an approach from social dimensions
Authors: de Oliveira Mateus , Mattedi Adriana Prest , Seabra Rodrigo Duarte 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTechnological ubiquity and advances in the use of networked devices, such as smartphones, have become a fundamental element in the dynamics of information in the social environment. Social problems can be discussed in these networks, receiving the aid from these devices, in order to unite community members in a network that is strengthened for common goals, transforming the local reality. The motivation for this work lies in the fact that lack of security is one of the problems that have most afflicted Brazilians in recent years. From this reality, the main objective of this study was the development of a usability analysis model suitable for smartphone applications and that allows identifying of the viability of using a collaborative security application in the social context of a city of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The objective was designed to investigate how the different dimensions inherent to the social context interfere with the acceptance of technological resources, specifically, of a smartphone application in a community. Data collection was performed by applying two questionnaires to 22 participants living in the municipality (eight men and 14 women), one being a demographic survey and the other to evaluate usability focusing on users’ perception of the use of the application. The application usage scenario is family safety facing the challenges of mitigating public security issues. The analysis of the results was based on the reinterpretation of usability from the perspective of the Theory of Innovation Diffusion and the Recursive Model of Access to Technology. In order to validate the reliability of the instrument used to collect the data regarding the usability of the application, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was applied. The result indicates that the instrument used was concise and efficient. The study enabled conclusions pointing that this type of interpretation allows us to glimpse at horizons that go beyond explicit aspects of usability, helping to understand environmental and social factors intrinsic to the context of technological diffusion in a developing society.
Using GANs with adaptive training data to search for new molecules
Authors: Blanchard Andrew E. , Stanley Christopher , Bhowmik Debsindhu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe process of drug discovery involves a search over the space of all possible chemical compounds. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) provide a valuable tool towards exploring chemical space and optimizing known compounds for a desired functionality. Standard approaches to training GANs, however, can result in mode collapse, in which the generator primarily produces samples closely related to a small subset of the training data. In contrast, the search for novel compounds necessitates exploration beyond the original data. Here, we present an approach to training GANs that promotes incremental exploration and limits the impacts of mode collapse using concepts from Genetic Algorithms. In our approach, valid samples from the generator are used to replace samples from the training data. We consider both random and guided selection along with recombination during replacement. By tracking the number of novel compounds produced during training, we show that updates to the training data drastically outperform the traditional approach, increasing potential applications for GANs in drug discovery.
DNA primase subunit 1 deteriorated progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating AKT/mTOR signaling and UBE2C-mediated P53 ubiquitination
Authors: Zhu Mengqi , Wu Mengna , Bian Saiyan , Song Qianqian , Xiao Mingbing , Huang Hua , You Li , Zhang Jianping , Zhang Jie , Cheng Chun , Ni Wenkai , Zheng Wenjie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
DNA primase subunit 1 (PRIM1) has been reported as a novel oncogene in several cancer types. However, its roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate underlying mechanisms of PRIM1 and identify it as a potential molecular target for HCC.

Methods
Hub genes were screened between HCC tissues and normal liver tissues in 3 gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). The expression features and prognostic value of one of the hub genes PRIM1 were analyzed by bioinformatic analyses and immunohistochemistry. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies were used to investigate the regulatory role of PRIM1 in HCC cells. Real-time (RT)-qPCR, western blotting, and ubiquitin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. The xenograft model was employed to detect the roles of PRIM1 in tumor growth in vivo. Finally, the 3D spheroid model was conducted to validate the role of PRIM1 in tumor growth and sorafenib resistance.

Results
The hub genes of HCC were screened in multiple bioinformatic datasets. PRIM1, as one of the hub genes, was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues in mRNA and protein levels. In addition, high expression of PRIM1 indicated poor prognosis of HCC patients in TCGA, ICGC, and Nantong cohorts. Overexpression of PRIM1 promoted the proliferation, migration/invasion, and sorafenib resistance of HCC cells, with the decrease in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Mechanically, PRIM1 facilitated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and the activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling of HCC cells. Additionally, PRIM1 could cause the ubiquitination and degradation of P53 by upregulating Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 C (UBE2C). Furthermore, knockdown of PRIM1 significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors and HCC cells-derived spheroids with enhanced sorafenib resistance.

Conclusion
This study implies that PRIM1 may play a key role in the progression of HCC and may serve as a potential target for HCC treatment.
The refinement-schemes-based unified algorithms for certain nth order linear and nonlinear differential equations with a set of constraints
Authors: Ejaz Syeda Tehmina , Mustafa Ghulam , Baleanu Dumitru , Chu Yu-Ming 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe first present a generalized class of binary interpolating refinement schemes and their properties. Then the refinement-schemes-based unified algorithms for the solution of certain nth order linear and nonlinear differential equations with a set of constraints are presented. Moreover, several algorithms based on the refinement schemes for solving differential equations are the special cases of our algorithms.
Detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA using polymerase chain reaction from serum and dried blood spot card samples of an adult population in North-western Tanzania
Authors: Fuss Antje , Mazigo Humphrey D. , Mueller Andreas 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for diagnosing schistosomiasis. However, this method should be performed in a laboratory, usually located distant from the sample collection site. Therefore, it is important to have fast sampling preservation methods, which allow simple transport prior to DNA extraction and amplification. The aim of this study was to verify if blood samples applied to filter paper are suitable for analysis of Schistosoma mansoni DNA by real-time PCR.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 study participants aged 17 to 70 years in a fishing village on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Serum samples and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-anticoagulated whole blood for preparation of dried blood spots (DBS) were collected to test for Schistosoma mansoni infection by real-time PCR. A combined diagnostic reference of positive results of serum-based real-time PCR and the Kato-Katz (KK) method was used for analysis. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was chosen to compare the mean cycle threshold (Ct) values from serum and DBS.

Results
According to the reference, 92.5% S. mansoni positive samples were determined. The serum-based real-time PCR performed excellently with 95.4% sensitivity, whereas the DBS-based real-time PCR showed a low sensitivity (45.4%). The Ct-values were significantly higher in DBS (median: 37.3) than in serum samples (median: 27.5, P < 0.001), reflecting a lower parasite-specific DNA load on the filter cards. With increasing egg counts, an increase in sensitivity was observed for all methods. The POC-CCA test and the serum-based real-time PCR showed a sensitivity of 100% for medium and severe infections. The DBS real-time PCR showed a sensitivity of only 85.7% even for severe infections.

Conclusions
DBS-based real-time PCR did not provide good results in our study and therefore should not be recommended or must be tested concerning temperature of storage, storage duration, use of different filter papers and extraction methods before it is used in future studies. In contrast, our results showed that the POC-CCA test is a sensitive and precise test for detecting S. mansoni infections

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Evaluating psychometric properties of the Short Form Brief Pain Inventory Sinhala Version (SF BPI-Sin) among Sinhala speaking patients with cancer pain in Sri Lanka
Authors: Edirisinghe Nirosha Priyadarshani , Makuloluwa Thamasi Rekha , Amarasekara Thamara Dilhani , Goonewardena Christine Sampatha Evangeline 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Pain is one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms of patients with cancer. The Short Form Brief Pain Inventory (SF-BPI), has been psychometrically validated in several languages and widely used globally. Availability of a validated pain tool in Sinhala is a current requirement enabling the use among the majority of Sinhala-speaking cancer patients in Sri Lanka. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Sinhala translated version of SF BPI.

Methods
The translation was done by forward–backward translation method. Content and face validity were evaluated by a panel of experts and patients with cancer pain respectively. The study included 151 participants with cancer pain, registered at the Pain Clinic, Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka. The reliability, discriminant and convergent validity were assessed. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and evaluated the two factor (severity, interference) and three factor models (severity, affective/ activity interference). In the three factor model-1, item ‘sleep’ was included within the affective interference along with mood, relationship with others and enjoyment of life. In the three factor model-2, item ‘sleep’ was included within the activity interference along with general activities, walking and normal works. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Results
A total of 151 participants (79 males, 72 females) with a mean age of 54.6 (+/− 13.2) years were included. The composite reliability (0.902, 0.879), average variance extracted (AVE) (0.647, 0.568) and Cronbach’s alpha (0.819, 0.869) calculated for each severity and interference subscales were acceptable. The discriminant validity assessed with the heterotrait-monotrait criterion was 0.18. According to the Fornell–Larcker criterion, the square root of AVE of severity and interference factors (0.804, 0.753) greater than the correlation between the factors (0.140) demonstrated the discriminant validity. The CFA supported the three-factor model-2 (CFI—0.959, SRMR—0.0513, RMSEA—0.0699) and the values for two-factor and three-factor model-1 were marginally acceptable.

Conclusions
The Sinhala version of SF BPI is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of cancer pain among Sinhala speaking patients in Sri Lanka.
Estimate of economic impact of atmospheric radiation storm associated with solar energetic particle events on aircraft operations
Authors: Saito Susumu , Wickramasinghe Navinda Kithmal , Sato Tatsuhiko , Shiota Daikou 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA solar energetic particle (SEP) event generates a shower of secondary generated particles in the Earth’s atmosphere down to lower altitudes to cause an atmospheric radiation storm (ARS). The high-energy secondary particles cause additional radiation dose at altitudes where aircraft flies. The space weather information provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designated space weather centers includes advisories on the solar radiation storm. The Warning System for AVIation Exposure to Solar energetic particle (WASAVIES), we can estimate the effective dose rate (EDR) along the flight path of the aircraft. However, it has not been well established how the operators of aircraft should react with the space weather advisories on the solar radiation storm. By using a flight trajectory generation algorithm and the global EDR distribution, the economic impacts of ARS associated with SEP events on aircraft operation, namely the flight path length, flight time, and fuel consumption, are estimated. The conditions of the peak of the ARS event on 20 January 2005 are used. The economic impacts for a flight route from New York, US to Tokyo, Japan, are estimated with constraints in flight routes to avoid the hazard of radiation and compared with those of the reference case without the ARS effects. The fuel consumption is shown to increase by 39–69 tons (33–58%) for a twin-engine, wide-body jet passenger aircraft, when a constraint is imposed on the flight altitude only. When the constraints are set on the aircraft altitude and the latitude, the flight time and the fuel consumption are both increased by 2.2–2.8 h (17–20%) and 32–48 tons (27–41%), respectively. If the ARS event duration is limited for 3 h, the increase in the fuel consumption is about 7.6–14 tons (6.4–12%). This economic impact may be reduced, if the space weather nowcast and forecast for the ARS and an optimal flight trajectory generation algorithm are used together. Setting more flexible constraints on the flight route and generating optimal flight trajectories with minimal economic impacts by fully utilizing the global EDR distribution is the next step.
One-pot production of butyl butyrate from glucose using a cognate “diamond-shaped” E. coli consortium
Authors: Sinumvayo Jean Paul , Zhao Chunhua , Liu Guoxia , Li Yin , Zhang Yanping 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEsters are widely used in plastics, textile fibers, and general petrochemicals. Usually, esters are produced via chemical synthesis or enzymatic processes from the corresponding alcohols and acids. However, the fermentative production of esters from alcohols and/or acids has recently also become feasible. Here we report a cognate microbial consortium capable of producing butyl butyrate. This microbial consortium consists of two engineered butyrate- and butanol-producing E. coli strains with nearly identical genetic background. The pathways for the synthesis of butyrate and butanol from butyryl-CoA in the respective E. coli strains, together with a lipase-catalyzed esterification reaction, created a “diamond-shaped” consortium. The concentration of butyrate and butanol in the fermentation vessel could be altered by adjusting the inoculation ratios of each E. coli strain in the consortium. After optimization, the consortium produced 7.2 g/L butyl butyrate with a yield of 0.12 g/g glucose without the exogenous addition of butanol or butyrate. To our best knowledge, this is the highest titer and yield of butyl butyrate produced by E. coli reported to date. This study thus provides a new way for the biotechnological production of esters.
The influence of soft-tissue volume grafting on the maintenance of peri-implant tissue health and stability
Authors: Obreja Karina , Ramanauskaite Ausra , Begic Amira , Galarraga-Vinueza Maria Elisa , Parvini Puria , Schwarz Frank 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the influence of soft-tissue volume grafting employing autogenous connective tissue graft (CTG) simultaneous to implant placement on peri-implant tissue health and stability.Material and methodsThis cross-sectional observational study enrolled 19 patients (n= 29 implants) having dental implants placed with simultaneous soft-tissue volume grafting using CTG (test), and 36 selected controls (n= 55 implants) matched for age and years in function, who underwent conventional implant therapy (i.e., without soft-tissue volume grafting). Clinical outcomes (i.e., plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and mucosal recession (MR)) and frequency of peri-implant diseases were evaluated in both groups after a mean follow-up period of 6.15 ± 4.63 years.ResultsSignificant differences between test and control groups at the patient level were noted for median BOP (0.0 vs. 25.0%;p= 0.023) and PD scores (2.33 vs. 2.83 mm;p= 0.001), respectively. The prevalence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis amounted to 42.1% and 5.3% in the test and to 52.8% and 13.9% in the control group, respectively.ConclusionSimultaneous soft-tissue grafting using CTG had a beneficial effect on the maintenance of peri-implant health.
Case report: direct suture repair of inferior vena cava to rescue a stab patient with hepatic and caval injury through left hepatectomy and total vascular exclusion
Authors: Hirooka Reina , Ito Kyoji , Takemura Nobuyuki , Mihara Fuminori , Kokudo Norihiro 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
The mortality of abdominal vena caval injuries is as high as 50–80%. Yet, there were few reports on how to repair injured inferior vena cava (IVC). This report presents a method of vena caval repair in a case of penetrating retrohepatic IVC injury, requiring hepatic resection and total vascular exclusion (TVE).

Case presentation
The patient was a 20-year-old man with a stab wound in the epigastrium. An emergency laparotomy was performed in the emergency room, and a stab incision on the left liver was detected. As the Pringle’s maneuver did not reduce bleeding, hepatic vein injury was suspected, and left hemihepatectomy was performed to confirm the bleeding point. After the hepatectomy, laceration was still evident deeper into the resection, and IVC injury was suspected. The bleeding was temporarily controlled by tentative hepatorrhaphy and gauze packing, and the initial damage control surgery was terminated. Definitive surgery was performed on the third postoperative day. The lacerated point was observed under TVE, and the laceration penetrated the retrohepatic IVC through its posterior wall. The slit of the posterior wall was sutured first, followed by suturing of the anterior wall of the IVC. Finally, the lacerated liver was closed with hepatorrhaphy. TVE was removed, and the massive bleeding was successfully controlled.

Conclusion
In severe liver injuries involving the retrohepatic IVC, hepatic resection and TVE may be useful for ensuring an optimized surgical field for repairing the injured IVC.