bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Transferrin and Laminin Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type II Diabetic Patients
Authors: EL-Fattah Mohy Eldin Abd , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Nasr Suzan Magdy Mohammed 
Published: April 2021

Background/Aim: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important microvascular complications associated with type II diabetic patients. It occurs in 20-40% patients with diabetes mellitus, and microalbuminuria is still considered as the first sign of diabetic nephropathy. Low sensitivity and specificity of microalbuminuria leads to more sensitive biomarkers that may be used to detect diabetic nephropathy at an earlier stage with higher accuracy. This study was carried out to detect the validity of using serum Transferrin and Laminin as a diagnostic biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy in type ΙΙ diabetic patients.
Methods: Egyptian patients (n=96) included 72 type 2 diabetic patients who were classified into three groups: group 1 - normoalbuminuric patients (uACR up to 30 mg/g), group 2 - microalbuminuric patients (uACR from 30 – 300 mg/g), group 3 - macroalbuminuric patients (uACR from >300 mg/g) and 24 healthy control were surveyed in a cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months at biochemistry department, KASR ALAINY Hospital of Cairo University. Patients were subjected to measurement of Albumin creatinine ratio, eGFR, Serum creatinine, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. The serum concentrations of transferrin and lamnin were measured using a highly sensitive one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay kit.
Results: Serum laminin was significantly higher in macroalbuminuric patients than in the microalbuminuric and in microalbuminuric patients than in the normoalbuminuric and healthy control subject. By comparing these goups according to serum laminin concentration we found statistically significant positive correlation (p value <0.001, r= 0.670), serum transferrin was significantly lower in macroalbuminuric patients than in the microalbuminuric and in microalbuminuric patients than in the normoalbuminuric and healthy control subject. By comparing these goups according to serum transferrin concentration we found statistically significant inverse correlation (p value <0.001, r= -0.579). There was no correlation between level of serum transferrin /laminin and glycoregulation, and statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum laminin and duration of diabetes and statistically significant inverse correlation was found between serum transferrin and duration of diabetes.
Conclusions: The results from this study provide the evidence that serum laminin and transferrin could be used as a diagnostic markers of diabetic nephropathy.
Drug Penetration Enhancement Techniques in Transdermal Drug Delivery System: A Review
Authors: Anantrao Joshi Hrushikesh , Nath Pandye Aaditya , Nivrutti Patil Rajendra 
Published: April 2021

Transdermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) is described as a self-contained or discrete dosage form that is applied to the intact skin. This rout of drug administration of drugs through the skin for therapeutic use is an alternative approach to oral, intravascular, subcutaneous, and transmucosal routes. The delivery of drugs through the skin to the systemic circulation provides a convenient route of administration for a variety of clinical indications. Transdermal Drug Delivery System allows continuous drug administration, use of drugs with short biological half lives, avoids increases hepatic first pass elimination and rapid termination of medication by removing the transdermal drug delivery system from the skin. Various transdermal technologies may be applied for different categories of pharmaceuticals used for the treatment of disorders of the skin or for systemic effects to treat diseases of other organs. Several transdermal products and applications include hormone replacement therapy, contraception, pain management, angina pectoris, smoking cessation, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The most commonly used transdermal system is the skin patch using various types of technologies. Stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and it is the main barrier layer for permeation of drug in transdermal delivery of drugs. So, to circumvent the barrier properties of stratum corneum and to increase the flux of drug through skin membrane various penetration enhancement techniques are used in transdermal drug delivery system. The review presents different physical and chemical methods in penetration enhancement approaches and to optimize the transdermal delivery system.
P16INK4a Expression of Uterine Cervical Biopsy Specimen in SBMCH
Authors: Devi Tongbram Soni , Lilly Mary 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus which connects this organ to the vagina through the endocervical canal. It is divided into the vagina (portiovaginalis) and one that lies above the vaginal vault (supravaginal portion). The outer surface of the portiovaginalis is known as the ectocervix or exocervix and the portion related to the endocervical canal corresponds to the endocervix. Carcinoma cervix accounts for the most common form of cancer by 13% of all the women affected cancers. The P16INK 4a is a tumour suppressor protein which is a CDKN2A gene product, an inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6 which is encoded by tumour suppressor gene INK 4a.
Objective: The present study is to evaluate the P16INK 4a expression in cervical biopsy specimens and to correlate it with the histopatholgical findings.
Materials and Methods: Cervical biopsy specimens were processed using rotary microtome and tissue blocks cut in sections of 3-5 μm was taken.
Results: P16INK4a expression on cervical biopsy specimen showed that those with inflammatory cervical histology, benign lesions of the cervix along with premalignant lesions of cervix are negative for P 16INK4a and all malignant lesions are P 16INK4a positive.
Conclusion: Hence P16INK4a immunoreactivity may be used for the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions of the cervix. But in our study, only a small size sample was positive. So, P16INK4a is used as one of the valuable markers for diagnosing neoplastic lesions of the cervix.
Impact of Diamond Nanoparticles on the Efficiency of Vinblastine against Ehrlich Solid Carcinoma in Mice
Authors: AL-Ahmari Abdulaziz M. , El-Hamidy Salim M. 
Published: April 2021

Aim: This investigation pointed to estimate skeletal muscle efficiency of diamond nanoparticles in enhancing Vinblastine (VBL) effects.
Methodology: One hundred Albino mice, weighing (23- 28 grams) were utilized in this research, after a week of habituation, the mice were divided into five groups at random (20 mice each). Group 1 (control) obtained distilled water infusions, Group 2 (ESC group) injected Ehrlich cells via intramuscular infusion (IM), and Group 3 (ESC+VBL group) gained Vinblastine only, Group 4 (ESC+VBL+ND) received an IM injection of Vinblastine loaded on diamond nanoparticles and Group 5 (ESC+VBL+CS+ND) received IM administration of Vinblastine stacked on Chitosan with nanodiamond. Finally, blood specimens were taken. Serum was obtained to measure Asparaginase aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, and Creatinine kinase. The muscle was removed and observed under a light microscope.
Results: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Creatinine kinase levels in the blood were elevated in ESC than in normal and treated groups. Levels of these enzymes were enhanced after treatment of VBL, diamond nanoparticles and chitosan.
Conclusion: Nanodiamond are influenced in the VBL delivery system for the therapy of Ehrlich Solid carcinoma in mice models. The embattled VBL liberates tumor cells and reduced the side effect of VBL on skeletal muscle.
FLT3‐ITD mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia – molecular characteristics, distribution and numerical variation
Authors: Engen Caroline , Hellesøy Monica , Grob Tim , Al Hinai Adil , Brendehaug Atle , Wergeland Line , Bedringaas Siv Lise , Hovland Randi , Valk Peter J. M. , Gjertsen Bjørn T. 
Published: April 2021

Recurrent somatic internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene characterise approximately one third of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and FLT3‐ITD mutation status guides risk‐adapted treatment strategies. The aim of this work was to characterise FLT3‐ITD variant distribution in relation to molecular and clinical features, and overall survival in adult AML patients. We performed two parallel retrospective cohort studies investigating FLT3‐ITD length and expression by cDNA fragment analysis, followed by Sanger sequencing in a subset of samples. In the two cohorts, a total of 139 and 172 mutant alleles were identified in 111 and 123 patients, respectively, with 22% and 28% of patients presenting with more than one mutated allele. Further, 15% and 32% of samples had a FLT3‐ITD total variant allele frequency (VAF) < 0.3, while 24% and 16% had a total VAF ≥ 0.7. Most of the assessed clinical features did not significantly correlate to FLT3‐ITD numerical variation nor VAF. Low VAF was, however, associated with lower white blood cell count, while increasing VAF correlated with inferior overall survival in one of the cohorts. In the other cohort, ITD length above 50 bp was identified to correlate with inferior overall survival. Our report corroborates the poor prognostic association with high FLT3‐ITD disease burden, as well as extensive inter‐ and intrapatient heterogeneity in the molecular features of FLT3‐ITD. We suggest that future use of FLT3‐targeted therapy could be accompanied with thorough molecular diagnostics and follow‐up to better predict optimal therapy responders.
Feingold syndrome type 2 in a patient from China
Authors: Lei Jie , Han Luhao , Huang Yanke , Long Min , Zhao Gang , Yan Shida , Zhang Jing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFeingold syndrome type 2 (FGLDS2, MIM614326) is a genetic congenital malformation syndrome, caused by germline heterozygous deletion of MIR17HG on chromosome 13q31, which is extremely rare worldwide. To date, less than 25 patients have been described in the literature. Here, we report on a 3‐year‐old girl presented with hip dysplasia, polysyndactyly of the left thumb, brachymesophalangy of the fifth digit, microcephaly, intellectual disability, and growth delay. This is likely to be the first case of Feingold syndrome type 2 ever discovered among Chinese population. Through genetic testing and pedigree analysis, she was identified to have a de novo 4.8‐Mb microdeletion at chromosome 13q31.3‐q32.1, encompassing MIR17HG, GPC5, and GPC6. Additionally, we detected two common compound heterozygous variants (c.919‐2A>G and c.147C>G) in SLC26A4 encoding pendrin protein, as well as a novel heterozygous variant c.985_988del in COMP encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. This case report aims to analyze the microdeletion and the three types of variant detected in the patient, and to explore the association between the genotype and phenotype in patients with Feingold syndrome type 2, which may contribute to further understanding and future diagnosis of this disorder.
Genomics and epigenomics of addiction
Authors: Maldonado Rafael , Calvé Pablo , García‐Blanco Alejandra , Domingo‐Rodriguez Laura , Senabre Eric , Martín‐García Elena 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecent progress in the genomics and epigenomics of addiction has contributed to improving our understanding of this complex mental disorder's etiology, filling the gap between genes, environment, and behavior. We review the behavioral genetic studies reporting gene and environment interactions that explain the polygenetic contribution to the resilience and vulnerability to develop addiction. We discuss the evidence of polymorphic candidate genes that confer susceptibility to develop addiction as well as the studies of specific epigenetic marks that contribute to vulnerability and resilience to addictive‐like behavior. A particular emphasis has been devoted to the miRNA changes that are considered potential biomarkers. The increasing knowledge about the technology required to alter miRNA expression may provide promising novel therapeutic tools. Finally, we give future directions for the field's progress in disentangling the connection between genes, environment, and behavior.
Time‐dependent properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Al‐Maqdasi Zainab , Pupure Liva , Gong Guan , Emami Nazanin , Joffe Roberts 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe deformation of polymers at constant applied stress is one of their major drawbacks, limiting their use in advanced applications. The study of this property using classical techniques requires extensive testing over long periods of time. It is well known that reinforced polymers show improved behavior over time compared to their neat counterparts. In this study, the effect of adding different amounts of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the time‐dependent properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) is investigated using short‐term creep tests and load/unload recovery tests. The results are discussed in terms of the test profile and the influence of loading history. Viscoplasticity/viscoelasticity analysis is performed using Zapas model and by comparing creep, creep compliance and pure viscoelasticity curves. The results show that the reinforcement of 15 wt% GNP have the most significant effect on the time‐dependent behavior, reducing the strain by more than 50%. The creep compliance curves show that nano‐reinforced HDPE behaves nonlinearly viscoelastically even at very low stresses. In addition to demonstrating the effect of nano‐reinforcement, the discussion of the results concludes that the influence of loading history can be quite significant and should not be neglected in the design and evaluation of material behavior.
Conjugated polymers with anionic dyes: Synthesis, properties, and sensing ability for nucleosides, DNA, and BSA
Authors: Yamaguchi Isao , Tariqul Islam M. D. , Wang Aohan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe reaction of N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)pyridinium chloride (salt[Cl−]) with sodium salts of anionic dyes, such as acid red 52 (AR52), acid violet 49 (AV49), and coomassie brilliant blue G‐250 (CBBG250) involves an anion exchange between the chloride anion of salt(Cl−) and sulfonium anion of the dyes, resulting in the generation of novel Zincke salts, namely, salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250), respectively. Reactions of salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250) with piperazine in the absence of catalysts resulted in the opening of the pyridinium ring to yield ionic polymers comprising units of 5‐piperazinium‐2,4‐dienylideneammonium and the corresponding dye anion, namely polymer(AR52), polymer(AV49), and polymer(SBBG250), respectively. The corresponding model compounds for the polymers were also synthesized by reacting salt(AR52), salt(AV49), and salt(CBBG250) with piperidine. Polymer(AV49) and polymer(SBBG250) were found to be suitable for the detection of nucleosides, DNA, and proteins, realized by monitoring the changes in their UV–vis absorption spectra, arising from the anionic dyes within the polymers. The polymers and the model compounds were electrochemically oxidized in solution.
Conservation of Amazonian aquatic mammals
Authors: Brum Sannie , Rosas‐Ribeiro Patrícia , Amaral Rodrigo de Souza , de Souza Diogo Alexandre , Castello Leandro , da Silva Vera Maria Ferreira 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aquatic mammals worldwide are highly threatened in freshwater ecosystems where they are affected by direct human activities (e.g. hunting) as well as indirect human alteration of freshwater ecosystems (e.g. dams, mining activity). Although aquatic mammals of the Amazon Basin are experiencing many growing threats, little is known about the escalating impacts on them, current limitations in protection mechanisms, and possible strategies to ensure their conservation. This study synthesizes the available information on Amazonian aquatic mammals, including the ecological characteristics of these species, key threats, population status and conservation prospects.
Amazonian aquatic mammals comprise seven species – Inia geoffrensis, Inia boliviensis, Inia araguaiaensis, Sotalia fluviatilis, Trichechus inunguis, Pteronura brasiliensis and Lontra longicaudis – which are characterized by low reproductive rates and keystone ecosystem roles. These species are endangered mainly by biological resource use, natural ecosystem modifications, energy production and mining, and climate change. Although information is sparse, there is evidence that these threats are inducing population declines of Inia spp., and hindering the recovery of populations of P. brasiliensis.
Protection mechanisms for these species mostly include national and international laws and agreements, legislation governing environmental licensing and protected areas. Each of these protection mechanisms, however, has limited capacity to protect Amazonian aquatic mammals, largely because they are poorly enforced, lack transnational coordination or require population trend data that do not exist.
Reversing the current state of affairs for Amazonian aquatic mammals requires an integrated research and policy approach that, at a minimum, substantially increases the present capacity to monitor their population responses to human impacts, establishes effective enforcement of existing legislation and prevents further impacts from hydropower development. To implement such an approach, information on the ecology of these species is necessary to create public and scientific awareness.
De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid is widespread in parasitic wasps
Authors: Broschwitz Bastian , Prager Lorena , Pokorny Tamara , Ruther Joachim 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLinoleic acid (C18:2∆9,12, LA) is an important metabolite with numerous essential functions for growth, health, and reproduction of organisms. It has long been assumed that animals lack ∆12‐desaturases, the enzymes needed to produce LA from oleic acid (C18:1∆9, OA). There is, however, increasing evidence that this is not generally true for invertebrates. In the insect order Hymenoptera, LA biosynthesis has been shown for only two parasitic wasp species of the so‐called “Nasonia group,” but it is unknown whether members of other taxa are also capable of synthesizing LA. Here, we demonstrate LA biosynthesis in 13 out of 14 species from six families of parasitic wasps by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis using two different stable isotope labeling techniques. Females of the studied species converted topically applied fully 13C‐labeled OA into LA and/or produced labeled LA after feeding on fully 13C‐labeled α‐
d‐glucose. These results indicate that ∆12‐desaturases are widespread in parasitic Hymenoptera and confirm previous studies demonstrating that these insects are capable of synthesizing fatty acids de novo.
HPLC–ESI/MS profiling, phytoconstituent isolation and evaluation of renal function, oxidative stress and inflammation in gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats of Ficus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret
Authors: Taher Rehab F. , Raslan Mona A. , Masoud Marwa A. , Nassar Mahmoud I. , Aboutabl Mona E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFicus spragueana Mildbr. & Burret (family Moraceae) was reported to have various biological activities. However, its activity in treatment of renal injury has not been investigated yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of F. spragueana leaf extract on nephrotoxicity caused by gentamicin. Gentamicin is an important broad‐spectrum antibiotic; nevertheless, it exhibits serious nephrotoxic adverse effects. HPLC–ESI/MS spectrometric analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 37 phenolic compounds. Moreover, five compounds were isolated from the leaf extract, and identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds were syringic acid (1), p‐coumaric acid (2), 3′,5′ O‐dicaffeoylquinic acid (3), luteolin‐8‐C‐β‐D glucopyranoside (orientin) (4) and 8‐methoxy kaempferol‐3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl (1→2) β‐D‐glucopyranoside] (5). The gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity model was used to evaluate the protective effect of F. spragueana on renal toxicity biomarkers throughout the development of acute kidney injury. Administration of extract led to improvement in kidney function through inhibition of kidney injury molecule‐1, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and total bilirubin, as well as decreasing the inflammatory markers interlukin1‐beta and myeloperoxidase. Furthermore, it reduced the oxidative stress by increasing reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels while decreasing malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content, and improved renal histopathological injuries.
Normal tissue adjacent to tumor expression profile analysis developed and validated a prognostic model based on Hippo‐related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pan Qingbo , Qin Fanbo , Yuan Hanyu , He Baoning , Yang Ni , Zhang Yitong , Ren Hong , Zeng Yi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide. Although the diagnosis and treatment of HCC have greatly improved in the recent years, there is still a lack of accurate methods to predict the prognosis of patients. Evidence has shown that Hippo signaling in tissues adjacent to HCC plays a significant role in HCC development. In the present study, we aimed to construct a model based on the expression of Hippo‐related genes (HRGs) in tissues adjacent to HCC to predict the prognosis of HCC patients.MethodsGene expression data of paired normal tissues adjacent to HCC (PNTAH) and clinical information were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The HRG signature was constructed using four canonical Hippo‐related pathways. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen survival‐related HRGs. LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to construct the prognostic model. The true and false positive rates of the model were confirmed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsThe prognostic model was constructed based on the expression levels of five HRGs (NF2, MYC, BIRC3, CSNK1E, and MINK1) in PNTAH. The mortality rate of HCC patients increased as the risk score determined by the model increased. Furthermore, the risk score was found to be an independent risk factor for the survival of patients. ROC analysis showed that the prognostic model had a better predictive value than the other conventional clinical parameters. Moreover, the reliability of the prognostic model was confirmed in TCGA‐LIHC cohort. A nomogram was generated to predict patient survival. An exploration of the predictive value of the model in HCC tissues indicated that the model is PNTAH‐specific.ConclusionsWe developed and validated a prognostic model based on the expression levels of five HRGs in PNTAH, and this model should be helpful in predicting the prognosis of patients with HCC.
An extensive model for implementing competency‐based training in technical and vocational education and training teacher training system for Assiut‐Integrated Technical Education Cluster, Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Adel , Sayed Khairy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA Competency‐Based Training Program—Education Competency—is designed to provide professional adult training for international educators who wish to advance or acquire new professional skills. It is an intensive training program intended for capacity building for people with an education and training background. Once a training topic is nominated, Assiut‐Integrated Technical Education Cluster can source appropriate facilitators and design a suitable training solution to meet specified objectives and training modules. This program can be delivered in various formats, including workshops, seminars, school visits, case studies, coaching, and mentoring. One of the objectives of this advanced training is to know the German vocational training system and understand the related training‐oriented training concepts.