bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quartic autocatalysis of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions in the bioconvective flow of radiating micropolar nanofluid between parallel plates
Authors: Puneeth V. , Manjunatha S. , Gireesha B. J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study deals with the quartic autocatalysis of homogeneous–heterogeneous chemical reaction that occurs in the bioconvective flow of micropolar nanofluid between two horizontally parallel plates. The quartic autocatalysis is found to be more effective than cubic autocatalysis since the concentration of the homogeneous species is substantially high. The upper plate is assumed to be in motion and the lower plate is kept stationary. Such a flow of micropolar fluid finds application in the pharmaceutical industry, microbial enhanced oil recovery, hydrodynamical machines, chemical processing, and so forth. The governing equations for this flow are in the form of the partial differential equation and their corresponding similarity transformation is obtained through Lie group analysis. The governing equations are further transformed to coupled nonlinear differential equations that are linearized through the Successive linearization method and are solved using the Chebyshev Collocation method. The effects of various parameters, such as micropolar coupling parameter, spin gradient parameter, reaction rates, and so forth, are analyzed. It is observed that the fluid flows with a greater velocity away from the channel walls, whereas near the channel walls the velocity decreases with an increase in the coupling parameter. Furthermore, the spin parameter increases the spin gradient viscosity that reduces the microrotation of particles that further decreases the microrotation profile.
Fluorescent Chemical Tools for Tracking Anionic Phospholipids
Authors: Kundu Rajasree , Chandra Amitava , Datta Ankona 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAnionic phospholipids are essential structural components of cell membranes. Spatiotemporal dynamics of these lipids play central roles in regulating signalling events, membrane trafficking, maintenance of cell‐shape, and cargo transport. On the other hand, defects in anionic phospholipid metabolism are linked to multiple diseases. Hence, the ability to visualize these phospholipids and their dynamics in living cells can afford mechanistic insights into vital cell processes, guide the development of therapeutics, and lead to diagnostic agents. In this exciting backdrop, fluorescent sensors that can detect anionic phospholipids become key chemical tools that can be used to image and track these bio‐molecules in a confocal microscopy platform. In this review, we highlight existing chemical probes and sensing strategies for anionic phospholipids along with their pros and cons in the context of their applicability toward imaging and tracking these essential lipids in living cells.
Hemoglobin autofluorescence as potential long‐term glycemic marker in the rat animal model
Authors: Guo Han‐Wen , Tseng Te‐Yu , Lin Chih‐Ju , Dong Chen‐Yuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDiabetes is a serious disease whose patients often require long‐term care. Blood glucose and intermediate glycation product of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are, at best, surrogate biomarkers of disease progression. There is indication that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) better reflect diabetic risks. In this study, we explored the use of red blood cells (RBCs) and lysed hemoglobin (Hb) autofluorescence (AF) as potential biomarkers of diabetic complication. AF spectra measured under 370 nm excitation reveals that both RBC and Hb fluorescence in the 420 to 600 nm region. At early time points following diabetic induction in rats, AF increase in lysed Hb is more dramatic compared to that of RBCs. Moreover, we found significance variance of Hb autofluorescence despite relatively constant HbA1c levels. Furthermore, we found that although a correlation exists between AGE autofluorescence and HbA1c levels, the lack of complete correspondence suggests that the rate of AGE production differs significantly among different rats. Our results suggest that with additional development, both RBC and Hb autofluorescence from lysed RBCs may be used act long‐term glycemic markers for diabetic complications in patients.
A multidrug resistance‐associated protein inhibitor is a potential enhancer of the benzyl isothiocyanate‐induced apoptosis induction in human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Yang Qifu , Nakamura Toshiyuki , Seto Masayuki , Miyagawa Miku , Xu Wensi , Zhu Beiwei , Munemasa Shintaro , Murata Yoshiyuki , Nakamura Yoshimasa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe increasing drug efflux through the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters is the most plausible mechanism that mediates resistance to the anticancer phytochemicals, such as benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), as well as chemotherapy drugs. To identify a potential component to overcome this resistance by combinatory utilization, we focused on multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs) pumping various drug metabolites with glutathione as well as the organic anions. The pharmacological treatment of an MRP inhibitor, MK571, significantly potentiated the BITC‐induced antiproliferation, coincided with the enhanced accumulation of BITC and glutathione in human colorectal cancer HCT‐116 cells. MK571 also enhanced the apoptosis induction as well as activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases and caspase‐3, whereas it did not affect their basal levels. These results suggested that, since MRPs might play a pivotal role in the BITC efflux, MK571 potentiates the BITC‐induced antiproliferation in human colorectal cancer cells through inhibition of the glutathione‐dependent BITC efflux.
Targeting STAT3: A crucial modulator of sepsis
Authors: Lei Wangrui , Liu Dianxiao , Sun Meng , Lu Chenxi , Yang Wenwen , Wang Changyu , Cheng Ye , Zhang Meng , Shen Mingzhi , Yang Zhi , Chen Yin , Deng Chao , Yang Yang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSignal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cellular signal transcription factor that has recently attracted a great deal of attention. It can trigger a variety of genes transcription in response to cytokines and growth factors stimulation, which plays an important role in many cellular biological processes involved in anti/proinflammatory responses. Sepsis is a life‐threatening organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated host responses to infection. As a converging point of multiple inflammatory responses pathways, accumulating studies have presented the elaborate network of STAT3 in sepsis pathophysiology; these results generally indicate a promising therapeutic application for targeting STAT3 in the treatment of sepsis. In the present review, we evaluated the published literature describing the use of STAT3 in the treatment of experimental and clinical sepsis. The information presented here may be useful for the design of future studies and may highlight the potential of STAT3 as a future biomarker and therapeutic target for sepsis.
PCSK9 genetic (rs11591147) and epigenetic (DNA methylation) modifications associated with PCSK9 expression and serum proteins in CAD patients
Authors: Shyamala Nivas , Gundapaneni Kishore Kumar , Galimudi Rajesh Kumar , Tupurani Mohini Aiyengar , Padala Chiranjeevi , Puranam Kaushik , Kupsal Keerthi , Kummari Ramanjaneyulu , Gantala Srilatha Reddy , Nallamala Krishna Reddy , Sahu Sanjib K. , Hanumanth Surekha Rani 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genetic polymorphisms play a significant role in cholesterol homeostasis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of PCSK9 genetic variations NM_174936.3:c.137G>T (R46L, rs11591147) and NM_174936.3:c.1120G>T (D374Y, rs137852912), as well as promoter DNA methylation status, with mRNA expression and circulating serum protein levels in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.MethodsThe present study includes 300 CAD cases and 300 controls from South India. Biochemical assays were performed using commercially available kits. PCSK9 rs11591147 and rs137852912 polymorphisms were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method, whereas promoter DNA methylation status and gene expression were determined using methylation specific PCR and quantitative PCR respectively.ResultsThe genotypic distribution of PCSK9 rs11591147 revealed that individuals with the TT‐genotype and T‐allele have a reduced risk for CAD. Furthermore, patients with the PCSK9 rs11591147 TT genotype have a significantly lower total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels and also higher high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels than individuals with the GG genotype. Logistic regression analysis has shown that the GG and GT (p = 1.51 × 10–8, p = 1.47 × 10–9) genotypes predicted the risk for CAD with an odds ratio of 5.8 and 7.3 respectively. In addition, individuals with the TT genotype were hypermethylated at promoter DNA of PCSK9, resulting in lower mRNA expression and circulating serum proteins than in individuals with the GG genotype. In silico analyses revealed that rs11591147 T‐allele has protein destabilizing capacity.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the present study indicates that the PCSK9 gene expression and circulating serum protein levels are not only associated with rs11591147 genotype, but also with promoter DNA methylation. Furthermore, the findings with respect to both single nucleotide polymorphism and promoter DNA methylation may open avenues for novel treatment possibilities targeting PCSK9 for CAD management.
Comprehensive investigation of sources of misclassification errors in routine HIV testing in Zimbabwe
Authors: Gregson Simon , Moorhouse Louisa , Dadirai Tawanda , Sheppard Haynes , Mayini Justin , Beckmann Nadine , Skovdal Morten , Dzangare Janet , Moyo Brian , Maswera Rufurwokuda , Pinsky Benjamin A , Mharakurwa Sungano , Francis Ian , Mugurungi Owen , Nyamukapa Constance 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionMisclassification errors have been reported in rapid diagnostic HIV tests (RDTs) in sub‐Saharan African countries. These errors can lead to missed opportunities for prevention‐of‐mother‐to‐child‐transmission (PMTCT), early infant diagnosis and adult HIV‐prevention, unnecessary lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) and wasted resources. Few national estimates or systematic quantifications of sources of errors have been produced. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of possible sources of misclassification errors in routine HIV testing in Zimbabwe.MethodsRDT‐based HIV test results were extracted from routine PMTCT programme records at 62 sites during national antenatal HIV surveillance in 2017. Positive‐ (PPA) and negative‐percent agreement (NPA) for HIV RDT results and the false‐HIV‐positivity rate for people with previous HIV‐positive results (“known‐positives”) were calculated using results from external quality assurance testing done for HIV surveillance purposes. Data on indicators of quality management systems, RDT kit performance under local climatic conditions and user/clerical errors were collected using HIV surveillance forms, data‐loggers and a Smartphone camera application (7 sites). Proportions of cases with errors were compared for tests done in the presence/absence of potential sources of errors.ResultsNPA was 99.9% for both pregnant women (N = 17224) and male partners (N = 2173). PPA was 90.0% (N = 1187) and 93.4% (N = 136) for women and men respectively. 3.5% (N = 1921) of known‐positive individuals on ART were HIV negative. Humidity and temperature exceeding manufacturers’ recommendations, particularly in storerooms (88.6% and 97.3% respectively), and premature readings of RDT output (56.0%) were common. False‐HIV‐negative cases, including interpretation errors, occurred despite staff training and good algorithm compliance, and were not reduced by existing external or internal quality assurance procedures. PPA was lower when testing room humidity exceeded 60% (88.0% vs. 93.3%; p = 0.007).ConclusionsFalse‐HIV‐negative results were still common in Zimbabwe in 2017 and could be reduced with HIV testing algorithms that use RDTs with higher sensitivity under real‐world conditions and greater practicality under busy clinic conditions, and by strengthening proficiency testing procedures in external quality assurance systems. New false‐HIV‐positive RDT results were infrequent but earlier errors in testing may have resulted in large numbers of uninfected individuals being on ART.
CD200R1L is a functional evolutionary conserved activating receptor in human neutrophils
Authors: Pascoal Ramos M Inês , Keşmir Can , Stok Jorn E , Geerdink Ruben , Satravelas Nikolaos , Westerlaken Geertje H A , Meyaard Linde , van der Vlist Michiel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInhibitory and activating immune receptors play a key role in modulating the amplitude and duration of immune responses during infection and in maintaining immune balance in homeostatic conditions. The CD200 Receptor (CD200R) gene family in humans encodes one inhibitory receptor, CD200R1, and one putative activating member, CD200R1 Like (CD200R1L). It is demonstrated that CD200R1L is endogenously expressed by human neutrophils and activates cellular functions such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via Syk, PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ, and Rac GTPase signaling. Phylogenetic analysis shows that CD200R1L is present in many species among vertebrates, ranging from birds to primates, suggesting that evolutionary conservation of this receptor is critical for protection against co-evolving pathogens. The duplication event that generated CD200R1L from CD200R occurred several times throughout evolution, supporting convergent evolution of CD200R1L. In our phylogenetic trees, CD200R1L has longer branch lengths than CD200R1 in most species, suggesting that CD200R1L is evolving faster than CD200R1. It is proposed that CD200R1L represents a hitherto uncharacterized activating receptor on human neutrophils.
The microbiota-gut-bone axis and bone health
Authors: Tu Ye , Yang Ran , Xu Xin , Zhou Xuedong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe gastrointestinal tract is colonized by trillions of microorganisms, consisting of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, known as the “second gene pool” of the human body. In recent years, the microbiota-gut-bone axis has attracted increasing attention in the field of skeletal health/disorders. The involvement of gut microbial dysbiosis in multiple bone disorders has been recognized. The gut microbiota regulates skeletal homeostasis through its effects on host metabolism, immune function, and hormonal secretion. Owing to the essential role of the gut microbiota in skeletal homeostasis, novel gut microbiota-targeting therapeutics, such as probiotics and prebiotics, have been proven effective in preventing bone loss. However, more well-controlled clinical trials are still needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of these ecologic modulators in the treatment of bone disorders.
Lymphocytes sense antibodies through human FCRL proteins: Emerging roles in mucosal immunity
Authors: Tolnay Mate 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMembers of the Fc receptor-like (FCRL) family modulate B and T cell responses, yet their functional roles remain enigmatic. Nevertheless, FCRL3 promoter polymorphism that alters gene expression has been associated with autoimmune disease risk, indicating physiologic importance. Providing essential functional context, human FCRL3, FCRL4, and FCRL5 have recently been identified as secretory IgA (SIgA), dimeric IgA, and IgG receptors, respectively, revealing novel ways lymphocytes can interact with antibodies. FCRL3 and FCRL4 are able to distinguish the mucosal and systemic origin of IgA-containing immune complexes, respectively, with clear implications in guiding mucosal responses. SIgA can signal mucosal breach through FCRL3, driving the functional plasticity of regulatory T cells toward inflammatory to help control invading pathogens. Conversely, recognition of dimeric IgA by FCRL4 on memory B cells located in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues could promote tolerance to commensals. Memory B cells that accumulate under conditions of chronic antigen presence frequently express FCRL4 and FCRL5, and antibody ligands could provide functional feedback to the cells. FCRL5 apparently recognizes the age of the IgG molecule, using deamidation as a molecular clock, conceivably playing regulatory roles in chronic antibody responses. A framework of FCRL3, FCRL4, and FCRL5 operating as sensors of antibodies in immune complexes is proposed. Sensing the spatial origin and age of immune complexes can shape lymphocyte functional attributes and inform their participation in mucosal immune responses. The potential contributions of FCRL3 and SIgA to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases are discussed.
Identification of future meteorological drought hotspots over Indian region: A study based on NEX‐GDDP data
Authors: Das Subhadarsini , Das Jew , Umamahesh Nanduri Venkata 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe present study aims to answer the following two research questions using the future outputs from 19 GCMs of the novel NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX‐GDDP) under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. (a) What will be the possible variability of future meteorological drought properties during the 21st century? (b) What will be the possible influence of temperature in modulating the drought properties? In order to answer the above questions, five different drought properties namely frequency, severity, duration, peak, and areal spread are analysed for future (2022–2099) using two meteorological drought indices such as Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for short (3‐month scale) and long (12‐month scale) term drought conditions. The essential outcomes from the study indicate a warming and wetting climate over Maharashtra during the 21st century. With an increase in monthly precipitation, severity and duration of future meteorological droughts are likely to decrease in long‐term drought condition. Conversely, in the short‐term condition, the properties are expected to increase. The drought properties like peak and areal spread are expected to increase for both short and long‐term drought conditions in most of the regions. Temperature plays a vital role in modulating the meteorological droughts, and the present study notices the same in most of the cases in all the drought properties, especially in drought severity, duration, and peak. All the division are identified as hotspot regions during the mid and later part of the 21st century for short‐term drought condition. The number of hotspot regions decreases in long‐term drought condition as compared to short‐term drought condition.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer patients: A retrospective study of its safety and indications
Authors: Zhou Sicheng , Jiang Yujuan , Pei Wei , Zhou Haitao , Liang Jianwei , Zhou Zhixiang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThere is no consensus on the safety and indications of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) for patients with clinical lateral pelvic node metastasis (LPNM) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 151 patients who underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) + LPND and divided them into two groups: nCRT group (n = 73) and non‐nCRT group (n = 78).ResultsThirty‐one (20.5%) patients had LPNM by pathology. The operative time was significantly longer in the nCRT group (291.9 vs. 237.0 min, p < 0.001); however, the two groups had comparable intraoperative blood loss (87.3 vs. 78.9 ml, p = 0.607) and morbidity (19.2% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.537). Additionally, in the nCRT group, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that poor/mucinous/signet adenocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR] = 6.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–43.03, p = 0.047) and post‐nCRT LPN size ≥7 mm (OR = 26.67, 95% CI = 2.87–247.91, p = 0.004) were independent risk factors for pathological LPNM.ConclusionnCRT before TME + LPND is safe and feasible with a comparably low mortality and acceptable morbidity. Poor/mucinous/signet adenocarcinoma and post‐nCRT LPN size ≥7 mm were independent predictive factors of pathological LPNM after nCRT for rectal cancer patients with clinical LPNM, and patients with these characteristics should consider LPND after nCRT.
A return to innocence: Guimi tourism and women empowerment
Authors: Hao Fei , Zhang Shiqin , Xiao Honggen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInfluenced by the Confucian culture, clan‐family structure, and communist ideology, gender inequality still widely exists in modern China. On reflection of the socio‐cultural framework that shaped the Chinese gender lens, this study took a “power to” perspective on women empowerment by investigating 28 Guimi‐tourists' embodied experience. Upon identifying the core experience of “Return to Innocence,” a resources‐agency‐achievements framework was constructed to depict the underlying mechanism through which Guimi tourism empowered women to counteract sociocultural constraints. The study offered a context‐specific understanding of Guimi tourism and theoretically contributed to women empowerment and tourism, as well as Chinese cultural studies.
Changes in Brain Volume Associated with Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Among Youth with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Garrett Amy S. , Abazid Leen , Cohen Judith A. , van der Kooij Anita , Carrion Victor , Zhang Wei , Jo Booil , Franklin Crystal , Blader Joseph , Zack Sanno , Reiss Allan L. , Agras W. Stewart 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study investigated group differences and longitudinal changes in brain volume before and after trauma‐focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF‐CBT) in 20 unmedicated youth with maltreatment‐related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 20 non–trauma‐exposed healthy control (HC) participants. We collected MRI scans of brain anatomy before and after 5 months of TF‐CBT or the same time interval for the HC group. FreeSurfer software was used to segment brain images into 95 cortical and subcortical volumes, which were submitted to optimal scaling regression with lasso variable selection. The resulting model of group differences at baseline included larger right medial orbital frontal and left posterior cingulate corticies and smaller right midcingulate and right precuneus corticies in the PTSD relative to the HC group, R2 = .67. The model of group differences in pre‐ to posttreatment change included greater longitudinal changes in right rostral middle frontal, left pars triangularis, right entorhinal, and left cuneus corticies in the PTSD relative to the HC group, R2 = .69. Within the PTSD group, pre‐ to posttreatment symptom improvement was modeled by longitudinal decreases in the left posterior cingulate cortex, R2 = .45, and predicted by baseline measures of a smaller right isthmus (retrosplenial) cingulate and larger left caudate, R2 = .77. In sum, treatment was associated with longitudinal changes in brain regions that support executive functioning but not those that discriminated PTSD from HC participants at baseline. Additionally, results confirm a role for the posterior/retrosplenial cingulate as a correlate of PTSD symptom improvement and predictor of treatment outcome.