bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Eco-friendly Fabrication of Silver Chloride Nanoparticles (AgCLNPs) using Onopordum acanthium L extract Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer MDA-MB-232 Cells
Authors: Shahcheraghi Seyedeh Negin , Shandiz Seyed Ataollah Sadat , Pakpour Bahareh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the current experimental work, silver chloride nanoparticles (AgClNPs) were fabricated using Onopordum acanthium L extract and their apoptotic and cytotoxicity properties on breast cancer MDA_MB232 and normal HEK293 cell lines were also evaluated. AgClNPs formation was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) profile. Effect of fabricated AgClNPs on MDA_MB232 and HEK293 cells viability was performed using colorimetric MTT assay. Alterations in the mRNA expression levels of CAD and Bax genes in MDA-MB-232 cells were done using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) method. Subsequently, apoptotic properties were determined using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy studies. MTT results investigated that AgCLNPs have a significant dose-dependent lethal activity on MDA_MB232 compared to HEK293 cell lines. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) results have also shown that AgCLNPs could up-regulate the apoptotic Bax and CAD gene expressions in the MDA_MB232 cells. Additionally, apoptotic assessment was performed by cell cycle analysis, annexin V/PI test, Hoescht 33258 dye, acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining along with the detection of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Our results suggest that novel silver chloride nanoparticles fabricated by Onopordum acanthium L extract can display some promising cytotoxic properties through inducing apoptosis pathway.
Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin Suppresses Arteritis in a Mouse Model of Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Nakayama Hironobu , Inada Hiroyasu , Inukai Tatsuya , Kondo Kenta , Hirai Kazuyuki , Tsutsumi Tomonari , Adachi Yoshiyuki , Nagi-Miura Noriko , Ohno Naohito , Suzuki Koji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Kawasaki Disease (KD) is associated with diffuse and systemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology and mainly affects infants and children. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment reduces the risk of developing coronary aneurysms, but some children have IVIG-resistant KD, and they are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery injury. Here, we investigated the effect of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM), which has anticoagulation, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties, on the development of coronary arteritis in a mouse model of vasculitis. Methods: To prepare an animal model of KD-like vasculitis, Candida albicans water-soluble fraction (CAWS) was intraperitoneally injected into DBA/2 mice for 5 consecutive days, and then rTM (0, 0.2, 1, and 4 mg/kg body weight) was injected. rTM administration was performed at two intervals: one is for 10 consecutive days from the first day and the other is for 5 consecutive days from the 1st to 15th days. Histopathological analysis of the heart was performed 20, 27, 34, and 48 days after CAWS treatment, and the gene expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and tissue factor (TF) in the heart and spleen was investigated.Results: Five consecutive doses of rTM (4 mg/kg) from 1 to 14 days after CAWS treatment significantly suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and arteritis by 34 days after CAWS treatment. The gene expression analysis of samples prepared from the heart and spleen of mice treated with CAWS and/or rTM showed that rTM administration increased the level of IL-10 in the heart. This increase was observed until day 27 and was not observed thereafter. The expression of TNF-α was observed in the heart of mice treated with CAWS and was not altered by rTM treatment. However, in the spleen, CAWS treatment reduced the IL-10 level and increased the TF level, whereas rTM treatment restored normal levels of both factors.Conclusions: These findings suggest that rTM specifically increases IL-10, decreases TF, and suppresses CAWS-induced vasculitis without affecting TNF-α production. Therefore, rTM can be used as a treatment for KD.
Chemotherapy for T1 pN0M0 Breast Cancer Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Study Based on SEER Database and External Data
Authors: Shen Kaiwen , Yao Longdi , Cao Huihua , Gu Ximing , Wang Jie , Zhu Jingyuan , Fu Deyuan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

There is no definitive, unified view on chemotherapy for T1 pN0M0 breast cancer. Our study explored the effects of chemotherapy on T1 pN0M0 breast cancer.
Methods

75,139 patients diagnosed with T1 pN0M0 breast cancer were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Multivariate Cox analyses were performed to investigate the effects of chemotherapy on T1a, T1b, and T1c pN0M0 breast cancer, various tumor grades, and four molecular subtypes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate confounding factors and further verify the results between chemotherapy and no chemotherapy. Finally, 545 T1pN0M0 breast cancer patients treated at the Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital were included for external validation. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to confirm the role of chemotherapy in T1a, T1b, and T1c pN0M0 breast cancer. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method for tumor grades and molecular subtypes.
Results

Chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in T1b and T1c breast cancer, not in T1a breast cancer. With T1b breast cancer, chemotherapy had effects on grade III and molecular subtypes hormone receptor+ [HR+]/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2+ [HER2+], HR-/HER2+, and HR-/HER2-. Chemotherapy was beneficial to overall survival for grade II/III and T1c breast cancer. After PSM, identical results were obtained. We also obtained similar results with external validation, except that chemotherapy made a difference in grade II and T1b breast cancer of external validation.
Conclusion

Partial T1 pN0M0 breast cancer patients with tumor grade III T1b pN0M0 except HR+/HER2-, those with tumor grade II and III T1c pN0M0 can obtain overall survival benefits from chemotherapy.
A Study on Evaluation and Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission Performance in China’s New Energy Vehicle Enterprises
Authors: Zhao Min , Sun Tao , Feng Qiang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Vehicle industry has made great contribution to human progress. However, in the process of vehicle operation, a large number of carbon compounds are emitted, which brings serious environmental problems. As one of the important means of vehicle carbon emission governance, the development of new energy vehicles(NEVs) has attracted much attention. The behavior and performance of NEV enterprises are highly concerned. Using Chinese 23 NEV vehicle enterprises’ data from 2011 to 2018, this paper evaluates the carbon emission performance with the super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SE-SBM) model based on unexpected output, and then constructs STIRPAT model to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emission performance. The results indicate that, firstly, the carbon emission performance of China’s NEV enterprises is not ideal at present, but it is increasing year by year. Secondly, the carbon emission performance of different NEV enterprise is distinct in the same year, and the carbon emission performance of the same NEV enterprise is distinct in different year. Thirdly, technological innovation, government support and free cash flow have significant positive impact on the carbon emission performance of NEV enterprises, while debt constraint, energy intensity and enterprise size have a significant negative impact on the carbon emission performance of NEV enterprises.
Tracking oxidation-induced alterations in fibrin clot formation by NMR-based methods
Authors: Lau Wai Hoe , White Nathan J. , Yeo Tsin Wen , Gruen Russell L. , Pervushin Konstantin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Plasma fibrinogen is an important coagulation factor that is susceptible to post-translational modification by oxidants. We have reported altered fibrin polymerization and increased methionine oxidation in fibrinogen after exposure to hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and similarly in the fibrinogen of severely injured trauma patients. Molecular dynamics suggests that methionine oxidation offers a mechanistic link between oxidative stress and coagulation through fibrin protofibril lateral aggregation by disruption of AαC domain structures. However, experimental evidence explaining how HOCl oxidation impairs fibrinogen structure and function has not been demonstrated. We used polymerization studies and two dimensional-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (2D-NMR) to test the hypothesis that HOCl oxidation alters fibrinogen conformation in the prefibrillar state and T2 water surface relaxation of fibrin fiber assemblies. We found that both HOCl oxidation of purified fibrinogen and addition of HOCl-oxidized fibrinogen to plasma disrupted fibrin polymerization similarly to competitive inhibition of polymerization using a recombinant AαC fragment (AαC 419–502). DOSY NMR measurement of 1H fibrinogen at 25oC demonstrated that fibrinogen oxidation increased translational diffusion coefficient by 17.4%, suggesting a more compact and rapidly translational motion of the protein with oxidation. 2D-NMR analysis of control plasma fibrin gels indicated that water existed in two states, namely intermediate (T2i) in the hydration shell of fibrin fibers, and bulk (T2) within the gel. T2 relaxation of bulk water protons was decreased 2-fold in oxidized fibrin gels and was inversely proportional to gel fiber density (T2). The fast exchange of water protons between hydration shell (T2i) and bulk water, indicating oxidation increased fiber hydration and formed densely packed fibrin gels. We have confirmed experimentally that HOCl oxidation affected native fibrinogen and fibrin gel structures and have demonstrated that NMR can serve as a valuable tool to probe the oxidative rearrangement of fibrin clot structure.
Optimization of Strontium Removal Process From Contaminated Water Using Zeolite Nanocomposites
Authors: Karmaker Shamal Chandra , Eljamal Osama , Saha Bidyut Baran 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The effective removal of strontium from polluted water is an emerging issue worldwide, especially in Japan, after the destruction of Fukushima’s Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In the strontium removal process, statistical optimization of associated factors is needed to reduce the quantity of chemicals and the number of experimental trials. In this study, response surface methodology based on the central composite design was employed for assessing the influence of different factors and their interaction effects on the efficiency of strontium removal. We have considered nanoscale zero-valent iron-zeolite (nZVI-Z) and nano-Fe/Cu zeolite (nFe/Cu-Z) as adsorbents for the effective removal of strontium. The present study showed that the most statistically significant potential contributor was initial concentration, followed by contact time in the removal process. The study indicated that the interaction effect between contact time and initial concentration was statistically important, suggesting the need for a multi-mechanism technique in the removal phase of strontium. Tόth, Langmuir, Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A), Freundlich, and Hill isotherm models were also fitted with the experimental strontium adsorption data, in which the Tόth model fitted best compared to the other models based on the RMSD.
Quantitative analysis of non-equilibrium systems from short-time experimental data
Authors: Manikandan Sreekanth K , Ghosh Subhrokoli , Kundu Avijit , Das Biswajit , Agrawal Vipin , Mitra Dhrubaditya , Banerjee Ayan , Krishnamurthy Supriya 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We provide a minimal strategy for the quantitative analysis of a large class of non-equilibrium systems in a steady state using the short-time Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relation (TUR).
From short-time trajectory data obtained from experiments, we demonstrate how we can simultaneously infer quantitatively, both the
thermodynamic force field acting on the system, as well as the exact rate of entropy production. We benchmark this scheme first for an experimental study of a colloidal particle system where exact analytical results are known, before applying it to the case of a colloidal particle in a hydrodynamical flow field, where neither analytical nor numerical results are available. Our scheme hence provides a means, potentially exact for a large class of systems, to get a quantitative estimate of the entropy produced in maintaining a non-equilibrium system in a steady state, directly from experimental data.
Dead-Reckoning Animal Movements in R – A Reappraisal Using Gundog.Tracks
Authors: Gunner Richard Michael , Holton Mark D , Scantlebury Mike D , Schalkwyk Louis van , English Holly M , Williams Hannah J , Hopkins Phil , Quintana Flavio , Gómez-Laich Agustina , Börger Luca , Redcliffe James , Yoda Ken , Yamamoto Takashi , Ferreira Sam , Govender Danny , Viljoen Pauli , Bruns Angela , Bell Stephen H , Marks Nikki , Bennet Nigel C , Tonini Mariano H , Duarte Carlos M , Rooyen Martin C van , Bertelsen Mads F , Tambling Craig J , Wilson Rory P 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Fine-scale data on animal position are increasingly enabling us to understand the details of animal movement ecology and dead-reckoning, a technique integrating motion sensor-derived information on heading and speed, can be used to reconstruct fine-scale movement paths at sub-second resolution, irrespective of the environment. On its own however, the dead-reckoning process is prone to cumulative errors, so that position estimates quickly become uncoupled from true location. Periodic ground-truthing with aligned location data (e.g., from global positioning technology) can correct for this drift between Verified Positions (VPs). Yet relatively few bio-logging studies have adopted this approach due to an apparent inaccessibility of the complex analytical processes involved. We present step-by-step instructions for implementing Verified Position Correction (VPC) dead-reckoning in R using the tilt-compensated compass method, accompanied by the mathematical protocols underlying the code and improvements and extensions of this technique to reduce the trade-off between VPC rate and dead-reckoning accuracy. These protocols are all built into a user-friendly, fully-annotated VPC dead-reckoning R function; Gundog.Tracks, with multi-functionality to reconstruct animal movement paths across terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial systems, provided within the supplementary information as well as online (GitHub).
Results
The Gundog.Tracks function is demonstrated on three contrasting model species (the African lion Panthera leo, the Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus, and the Imperial cormorant Leucocarbo atriceps) moving on land, in water and in air, respectively. We show the effect of uncorrected errors in speed estimations, heading inaccuracies and infrequent VPC rate and demonstrate how these issues can be addressed.
Conclusions
The function provided will allow anyone familiar with R to dead-reckon animal tracks readily and accurately, as the key complex issues are dealt with by Gundog.Tracks. This will help the community to consider and implement a valuable, but often overlooked method of reconstructing high-resolution animal movement paths across diverse species and systems without requiring a bespoke application.
Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy regulated the apoptosis of dendritic cells in sepsis
Authors: Zhang Yaolu , Luo Yinan , Xiao Zhong , Wang Kang , Liu Xinyong , Chen Longwang , Zhao Guangju , Yao Yongming , Lu Zhongqiu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Although the Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy is closely related to inflammation and immunoregulation, its effect on apoptosis of splenic dendritic cells (DCs) in sepsis remains unknown. Here, our current study demonstrates that mitophagy is enhanced, and apoptosis of DCs is increased during sepsis in Wild Type (WT) mice. It also shows that mitophagy occurs in the process of the sepsis-induced apoptosis of DCs. Moreover, the level of mitophagy of Pink1-knockout (Pink1-KO) mice is lower than that of WT mice, while the apoptosis of DCs of Pink1-KO mice is increased further more than that of WT mice during sepsis. The mitochondrial dysfunction in DCs is aggravated in Pink1-KO mice during sepsis, which suggests that Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy regulates the apoptosis of DCs by improving mitochondrial function. Thus, an impaired Pink1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy exacerbates the apoptosis of DCs and it might represent a novel therapeutic target to prevent sepsis in the future.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Three Rivers in Northeast China
Authors: Zhao Chen , Li Chenyu , Wang Xiaoming , Cao Zhuosong , Gao Chao , Su Sicong , Xue Bin , Wang Shang , Qiu Zhigang , Wang Jingfeng , shen zhiqiang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have become an important public health problem. In this study, we used metagenomic sequencing to analyze the composition of ARGs in certain original habitats of northeast China, comprising three different rivers and riverbank soils of the Heilongjiang River, Tumen River, and Yalu River. Results: Twenty types of ARG were detected in every water sample. The major ARGs were multidrug resistance genes, at approximately 0.5 copies/16s rRNA, accounting for 57.5% of the total ARG abundance. The abundance of multidrug, bacitracin, beta-lactam, macrolide‑lincosamide‑streptogramin, sulfonamide, fosmidomycin, and polymyxin resistance genes covered 96.9% of the total ARG abundance. No significant ecological boundary of ARG diversity was observed. The compositions of the resistance genes in the three rivers were very similar to each other, and 92.1% of ARG subtypes were shared by all water samples. Except for vancomycin resistance genes, almost all ARGs in riverbank soils were detected in the river water. About 31.05% ARGs were carried by Pseudomonas. Opportunistic pathogenic bacteria carrying resistance genes were mainly related to diarrhea and respiratory infections. Multidrug and beta-lactam resistance genes correlated positively with mobile genetic elements (MGEs), indicating a potential risk of diffusion.Conclusions: The composition of ARGs in three different rivers was similar, indicating that climate played an important role in ARG occurrence. ARG subtypes in river water were almost completely the same as those in riverbank soil. ARGs had no significant geographical distribution characteristics. Many ARGs were carried by human pathogenic bacteria related to human diarrhea and respiratory infections, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas caviae. In general, our results provide a valuable dataset of river water ARG distribution in northeast China. The related ecological geography distribution characteristics should be further explored.
The analysis of the soliton-type solutions of conformable equations by using generalized Kudryashov method
Authors: Kaplan Melike , Akbulut Arzu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This research article is dedicated to applying the generalized Kudryashov method in order to acquire new exact and soliton-type solutions of the conformable Burgers' equation and Wu-Zhang system with conformable derivative.
Melatonin Ameliorates Cardiac Remodelling in Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rat Model by Using Genes Encoding Cardiac Potassium Ion Channels
Authors: Ovali Mehmet Akif , Oztopuz Rahime Ozlem , Vardar Selma Arzu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Impact of short-term exposure to extreme temperatures on diabetes mellitus morbidity and mortality? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Song Xuping , Jiang Liangzhen , Zhang Dongdong , Wang Xinyi , Ma Yan , Hu Yue , Tang Jing , Li Xiayang , Huang Wenqiang , Meng Yuan , Shi Anchen , Feng Yan , Zhang Yan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The relationship between diabetes mellitus and short-term exposure to extreme temperatures remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the association between extreme temperatures and diabetes mellitus morbidity and mortality. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched since inception to January 1, 2019, and updated on November 17, 2020. The results were combined using random effects model and reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). 32 studies met the included criteria. (1) Both heat and cold exposures have impact on diabetes. (2) For heat exposure, the subgroup analysis revealed that the effect on diabetes mortality (RR = 1.139, 95% CI: 1.089–1.192) was higher than morbidity (RR = 1.012, 95% CI: 1.004–1.019). (3) With the increase of definition threshold, the impact of heat exposure on diabetes rised. (4) A stronger association between heat exposure and diabetes was observed in the elderly (≥ 60 years old) (RR = 1.040, 95% CI: 1.017–1.064). In conclusion, both short-term exposure to heat and cold temperatures have impact on diabetes. The elderly is the vulnerable population of diabetes exposure to heat temperature. Developing definitions of heatwaves at the regional level are suggested.
Novel synthesis, characterization and TDD-DFT computations for ZrO2-bromothymol blue nanocomposite thin film [ZrO2+BTB]C and its application
Authors: Al-Hossainy Ahmed F. , Zoromba Mohamed Sh. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A novel [ZrO2 + BTB]C nanocomposite was synthesized and prepared as a thin film using the Sol-Gel spin coating method. Different characterization techniques for [ZrO2 + BTB]C like FTIR, UV-Vis, and optical properties have been used. The resulted XRD and SEM data have been employed to study interface composites. The optimization was performed using DFT by DMol3 and CASTEP program. The chemical structure was confirmed by spectroscopic and structural properties for [ZrO2-BTB]C, XRD results showed the same crystal structure. Combined between experimental and TDD-DFT data, the average crystallite size and composite interface are 12.36 nm and orthorhombic symmetry (a = 7.38(5); b = 18.178(6); c = 26.10(3) Å and a = b = g = 90o) with space group (P61) for [ZrO2 + BTB]C, respectively. Furthermore. While the computed by DFT are 2.897 eV and 2.492 eV for as-isolated crystals of [BTB]TF and [ZrO2 + BTB]C, respectively. Both [BTB]TF and [ZrO2 + BTB]C thin films have direct allowed transitions. In addition, the optoelectrical parameters have been calculated for [BTB]TF and [ZrO2 + BTB]C films such as refractive index, extinction coefficient, dielectric constant, and optical conductivity. The simulated values obtained by CATSTEP for the optical parameters of [ZrO2 + BTB]C are in good agreement with the experimental values. The [ZrO2 + BTB]C presents a good candidate for optoelectronics and solar cell applications.