bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Hybrid Scaffolds based on Hydrazinyl Thiazole Substituted Coumarin; As Novel Leads of Dual Potential; In Vitro α-Amylase Inhibitory and Antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS Radical Scavenging) Activities
Authors: Salar Uzma , Khan Khalid M. , Chigurupati Sridevi , Syed Shazia , Vijayabalan Shantini , Wadood Abdul , Riaz Muhammad , Ghufran Mehreen , Perveen Shahnaz 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Despite many side effects associated, there are many drugs which are
being clinically used for the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus (DM). In this scenario, there is
still need to develop new therapeutic agents with more efficacy and less side effects. By keeping in
mind the diverse spectrum of biological potential associated with coumarin and thiazole, a hybrid
class based on these two heterocycles was synthesized.

Method:
Hydrazinyl thiazole substituted coumarins 4-20 were synthesized via two step reaction.
First step was the acid catalyzed reaction of 3-formyl/acetyl coumarin derivatives with thiosemicarbazide
to form thiosemicarbazone intermediates 1-3, followed by the reaction with different
phenacyl bromides to afford products 4-20. All the synthetic analogs 4-20 were characterized by
different spectroscopic techniques such as EI-MS, HREI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Stereochemical
assignment of the iminic double bond was carried out by the NOESY experiments. Elemental
analysis was found in agreement with the calculated values.

Results:
Compounds 4-20 were screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity and showed good activity
in the range of IC50 = 1.829 ± 0.102-3.37 ± 0.17 µM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 =
1.819 ± 0.19 µM). Compounds were also investigated for their DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging
activities and displayed good radical scavenging potential. In addition to that molecular modelling
study was conducted on all compounds to investigate the interaction details of compounds 4-20 (ligands) with active site (receptor) of enzyme.

Conclusion:
The newly identified hybrid class may serve as potential lead candidates for the management
of diabetes mellitus.
Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots for the Detection of Morin and Cell Imaging
Authors: Li Xuebing , Yang Haifen , Wang Ning , Sun Tijian , Bian Wei , Choi Martin M.F. 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Morin has many pharmacological functions including antioxidant, anticancer,
anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. It is commonly used in the treatment of antiviral infection,
gastropathy, coronary heart disease and hepatitis B in clinic. However, researches have shown
that morin is likely to show prooxidative effects on the cells when the amount of treatment is at high
dose, leading to the decrease of intracellular ATP levels and the increase of necrosis process. Therefore,
it is necessary to determine the concentration of morin in biologic samples.

Method:
Novel water-soluble and green nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon dots (NSCDs) were prepared
by a microwave heating process with citric acid and L-cysteine. The fluorescence spectra were
collected at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm when solutions of NSCDs were mixed with various
concentrations of morin.

Results:
The as-prepared NSCDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction
and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The fluorescence intensity of NSCDs decreased significantly
with the increase of morin concentration. The fluorescence intensity of NSCDs displayed a linear
response to morin in the concentration 0.10-30 μM with a low detection limit of 56 nM. The proposed
fluorescent probe was applied to analysis of morin in human body fluids with recoveries of
98.0-102%.

Conclusion:
NSCDs were prepared by a microwave heating process. The present analytical method is
sensitive to morin. The quenching process between NSCDs and morin is attributed to the static
quenching. In addition, the cellular toxicity on HeLa cells indicated that the as-prepared NSCDs fluorescent
probe does not show obvious cytotoxicity in cell imaging. Our proposed method possibly
opens up a rapid and nontoxic way for preparing heteroatom doped carbon dots with a broad application
prospect.
Determination of Vulpinic Acid Effect on Apoptosis and mRNA Expression Levels in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Kılıç Nil , Aras Sümer , Cansaran-Duman Demet 
Published: September 2018

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases among women worldwide and it is
characterized by a high ratio of malignancy and metastasis and low rate of survival of patients. Due to limited
treatment options, the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents and clarifying the molecular mechanism of
breast cancer development may offer new hope for its treatment. Lichen secondary metabolites may be one of
these therapeutic agents.

Methods:
In this study, the effects of Vulpinic Acid (VA) lichen secondary metabolite on the cell viability and
apoptosis of breast cancer cells and non-cancerous cell line were investigated. Quantitative polymerase chain
reaction was also performed to determine changes in the expression of apoptosis-related genes at a molecular
level.

Results:
The results demonstrated that VA significantly inhibited the cell viability and induced apoptosis of
human breast cancer cells. The highest rates of decreased growth were determined using the IC50 value of VA
for 48h on MCF-7 breast cancer cell. Interestingly, VA treatment significantly reduced cell viability in all examined
breast cancer cell lines compared to their non-cancerous human breast epithelial cell line. This is the first
study on the investigation of the effects of VA on the molecular mechanisms associated with the expression of
apoptosis-related genes in breast cancer cell lines. Results demonstrated that the gene expression of P53 genes
was altered up to fourteen-fold levels in SK-BR-3 cell lines whereas it reached 2.5-fold in the MCF-12A cell
line after treatment with VA. These observations support that VA induces apoptosis on the breast cancer cells
compared with the non-cancerous human breast epithelial cell line.

Conclusion:
It is implicated that VA may be a promising novel molecule for the induction of apoptosis on
breast cancer cells.
Arsenic Trioxide and Artemisinin Act Synergistically to Kill Tumor Cells In Vitro
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Yang Sen , Zhang Duoduo , Li Zhubo , Huang Chengzhi 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3), which has been shown to be effective in treating leukemia and
other solid tumors, was strictly restricted in clinical application due to its severe toxicity. The present study was
performed to explore whether the combination of As2O3 and artemisinin could produce a more powerful anticancer
effect and reduce the toxicity of As2O3.

Method:
MTT assay was performed to detect the cell viability of A549, Hela and HepG2 cells treated with As2O3
and artemisinin. Combination Index (CI) analysis was carried out to evaluate the synergistic effect of As2O3 and
artemisinin. Wound healing assay was performed to evaluate the migration rate. Fluorescent microscopy
measurements and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the apoptosis.

Result:
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was detected with DCFH-DA. The cell proliferation assay indicated that
artemisinin significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of As2O3 in a dose and time-dependent manner (P<0.01).
Combination Index (CI) analysis further demonstrated that combining artemisinin with As2O3 generated synergistic
effects in A549 (CI=0.65±0.05), Hela (CI=0.68±0.07) and HepG2 (CI=0.47±0.01) cells. The combination of these
two drugs also evidently reduced the cell migration rate. Artemisinin also enhanced the apoptosis, necrosis in As2O3-
treated A549 and Hela cells. Combination of As2O3 and artemisinin significantly induced more apoptosis (22.1%)
than As2O3 (5.68%) or ART (5.93%) alone in Hela cells. In addition, ROS levels were increased obviously by
combining artemisinin with As2O3.

Conclusion:
The present study indicated that combining artemisinin with As2O3 would be a novel therapeutic
strategy for cancer therapy.
Isolation and Molecular Identification of Aeromonas Wound Infection in Iranian Burn Patients
Authors: Hadi Nahal , Mahmoodi Zhaleh , Emami Amir , Malekzadegan Yalda , Valadbeygi Tahereh 
Published: September 2018

Introduction:
Aeromonas have recently emerged as opportunistic pathogens and only a
few studies are available regarding the isolation of these bacteria from burn wound infections.
This study aimed at isolating Aeromonas as an infrequent cause of infection in this group of immunocompromised
patients.

Methods:
A total of 300 samples were collected from the wounds of burn patients hospitalized in
Gotbodin Shirazi Burn Center in 2013. The samples were cultured on Aeromonas specific media
and then confirmed using standard biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing.
The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the disk diffusion and
broth microdilution methods.

Results:
Biochemical tests demonstrated five presumptive samples of Aeromonas, while, molecular
testing confirmed only three. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam, erythromycin,
oxacillin, and vancomycin. However, they were susceptible to gentamicin, meropenem, nitrofurantoin,
chloramphenicol, cephalexin, and cefotaxime. Two Aeromonas veronii isolates were
resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and sensitive to nalidixic acid, while Aeromonas
bestiarum was sensitive to the former and resistant to the latter antibiotics. Lastly, only one of the
A. veronii isolates was found to be resistant to tetracycline.

Conclusion:
This study is the first to report on the isolation of Aeromonas spp. from burn patients
in Iran. Moreover, this is the first report of isolating A. bestiarum from burn wounds. The results
of this study confirm earlier findings that the use of molecular methods is essential to accurately
identify these bacteria.
Plasma Saturated and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Messedi Meriam , Naifar Manel , Grayaa Sahar , Frikha Faten , Messoued Mariem , Sethom Mohamed Marouene , Feki Moncef , Kaabach Naziha , Bahloul Zouheir , Jamoussi Kamel , Ayedi Fatma 
Published: September 2018

Background:Fatty Acid (FA) composition of serum has been associated with many markers of inflammation. In this study, we tried to examine plasma Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA) and Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA) composition in Behçet's Disease (BD) patients. The associations between the circulating FA levels and some markers of inflammation have also been investigated.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional one. In fact, a total of 101 BD patients and healthy controls group of 99 subjects are enrolled. Gas Chromatograph equipped with a Capillary Split/Splitless Injector and flame ionization detector was used to analyze the plasma SFA and MUFA compositions. The high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen levels were measured using standard techniques.Results:BD patients had significantly higher proportions of Mystiric Acid (MA), Palmitic Acid (PAM), Palmitoleic Acid (POA) and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD)-16, compared to controls.The results revealed that patients with severe involvements had high levels of POA and total MUFA associated with higher SCD-16 activity compared to those with minor ones. The receiver operator characteristic curve analysis revealed that POA could well discriminate BD patients with severe clinical manifestations. In the bivariate analysis, hsCRP was found to be positively correlated with total SAFA and POA elongase activity index but negatively correlated with SCD-18 activity index. The STA, POA, elongase and SCD-16 activity index are correlated with fibrinogen. On the other hand, the multivariate analysis showed that POA remained associated with higher levels of hsCRP.Conclusion:Unfavourable plasma SFA and MUFA profile were reported in BD patients. POA, which is associated with higher plasma hsCRP level, may play a role in the pathogenesis of BD.
Persistent (Anxiety and Depression) Affected Academic Achievement and Absenteeism in Nursing Students
Authors: Abu Ruz Mohannad Eid , Al-Akash Hekmat Yousef , Jarrah Samiha 
Published: September 2018

Background:Anxiety and depression are common among nursing students due to different factors. When they are minimal and not persistent, they work as stimuli for good achievement. However, when they are high or persistent they have negative consequences (i.e.low academic achievement and higher absenteeism rates).Objective:The purpose of this study was to check the effect of persistent anxiety and depression on nursing student academic achievement and absenteeism rate.Methods:A prospective observational correlational design with a convenience sample of 170 students enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs-college of nursing at a private university in Amman, Jordan. Anxiety and depression were measured twice at the beginning of the semester and then two months later by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data regarding grade point average, number of absenteeism and the gender of the students; were collected from the electronic system of the university.Results:Persistently anxious group has lower grade point average than persistently non-anxious group (mean [SD], 64.1 [13.8]vs. 73.1 [12.3], P< .001). Moreover, they have higher absenteeism rate than persistently non-anxious group (7.62 [5.7]vs. 4.0 [3.4], P< .001) and higher than transiently anxious group (7.62 [5.7]vs. 4.7 [4.6], P< .05). Persistently depressed group has lower grade point average than persistently non-depressed group (64.0 [13.8]vs. 73.2 [13.0], P< .001) and lower than transiently depressed (64.0 [13.8]vs. 71.7 [10.6], P< .01).Conclusion:Nursing administrators should search for the underlying causes for these negative emotions. Furthermore, setting strategies to control these negative emotions is highly recommended.
Stability Analysis in RECS Integrated Multi-area AGC System with Modified- SOS Optimized Fuzzy Controller
Authors: Sahu Prakash Chandra , Prusty Ramesh Chandra 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Automatic Generation Control (AGC) of multi-area nonlinear power system
integrated with wind energy based Renewable Energy Conversion System (RECS).

Methods:
A fuzzy PID controller has been proposed for AGC of a three equal area thermal system
integrated with RECS. Different physical nonlinear constraints like Governor Dead Band (GDB) and
boiler dynamics are introduced in the model for realization of non linear and realistic of proposed
multi area power system. To determine the optimum gain parameter, a Modified Symbiotic Organism
Search (M-SOS) algorithm has been used along with a fitness function which based on Integral
of Time Multiplied Absolute Error (ITAE).

Results:
For performance analysis, the performance of proposed M-SOS optimized fuzzy-PID controller
is compared with PI, PID and fuzzy PI controllers. For technique comparison, performance of
proposed M-SOS technique is compared with original SOS and conventional PSO algorithms. Robustness
of proposed controller has also been verified by varying applied load and system parameters.

Conclusion:
It is observed that M-SOS technique exhibits improved performance over original SOS
and PSO algorithms. It is also observed that proposed Fuzzy-PID controller provides better system
performance than PI, PID and fuzzy PI controllers. It has been observed that the proposed M-SOS
tuned fuzzy PID controller improves settling time of frequency response in area 1 by 11.30%, 15%
and 17.75% compared to M-SOS tuned fuzzy PI, PID and PI controllers respectively. Significant
improvements in settling time, peak overshoot and peak undershoot of the frequency response in
area 2 and tie line power are observed with the implementation this proposed approach.
Conversation Within a Facebook Smoking Cessation Intervention Trial For Young Adults (Tobacco Status Project): Qualitative Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: McKelvey Karma , Ramo Danielle 
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Smoking cessation interventions delivered through social media have the potential to engage young people in behavior change.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe participant-posted messages in a Facebook smoking cessation intervention for young adults to discern support for behavior change.

METHODS

We qualitatively analyzed data from the treatment arm of a randomized trial testing the efficacy of the Tobacco Status Project Facebook intervention. Young adults (N=138) aged 18-25 years (female: 81/138, 58.7%; white: 101/138, 73.2%; mean age 21 years) were recruited using Facebook and placed into one of the 15 secret Facebook groups based on readiness-to-quit smoking. Messages posted to groups for 90 consecutive days were tailored to readiness-to-quit: Not Ready (46/138, 33.3%), Thinking (66/138, 47.8%), and Getting Ready (26/138, 18.8%). Groups were randomized to receive up to US $90 for posting or no incentive. Two independent coders conducted open coding of user posts. We considered content by readiness-to-quit group and incentive condition.

RESULTS

There were 4 dominant themes across all groups: coping skills, friends and family, motivation to quit, and benefits of quitting. The dominant themes in Not Ready groups were friends and family (incentive) and motivation to quit (no incentive), whereas coping skills was the dominant theme in Thinking and Getting Ready groups. The expression of themes varied by readiness-to-quit group but not by incentive condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention messages tailored to readiness-to-quit appear useful in eliciting the desired responses from young adult smokers, with limited influence by monetary incentive.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02207036; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02207036 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/722XAEAAz)
Characteristics and Performance of Unilateral Kidney Transplants from Deceased Donors
Authors: Husain Syed Ali , Chiles Mariana C. , Lee Samnang , Pastan Stephen O. , Patzer Rachel E. , Tanriover Bekir , Ratner Lloyd E. , Mohan Sumit 
Published: September 2018

Background and objectives
The fraction of kidneys procured for transplant that are discarded is rising in the United States. Identifying donors from whom only one kidney was discarded allows us to control for donor traits and better assess reasons for organ discard.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research file data to identify deceased donors from whom two kidneys were procured and at least one was transplanted. Unilateral pairs were defined as kidney pairs from a single donor from whom one kidney was discarded (“unilateral discard”) but the other was transplanted (“unilateral transplant”). Organ quality was estimated using the Kidney Donor Risk Index and Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI). We compared all-cause graft failure rates for unilateral transplants to those for bilateral transplant Kaplan–Meier methods, and life table methodology was used to evaluate 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of transplants from bilateral and unilateral donors.

Results
Compared with bilateral donors (i.e., both kidneys transplanted) (n=80,584), unilateral donors (i.e., only one kidney transplanted) (n=7625) had higher mean terminal creatinine (1.3±2.1 mg/dl versus 1.1±0.9 mg/dl) and KDPI (67%±25% versus 42%±27%), were older, and were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis C, terminal stroke, or meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention high-risk donor criteria. Unilateral discards were primarily attributed to factors expected to be similar in both kidneys from a donor: biopsy findings (22%), no interested recipient (13%), and donor history (7%). Anatomic abnormalities (14%), organ damage (11%), and extended ischemia (6%) accounted for about 30% of discards, but were the commonest reasons among low KDPI kidneys. Among kidneys with KDPI≥60%, there was an incremental difference in allograft survival over time (for unilateral versus bilateral transplants, 1-year survival: 83% versus 87%; 3-year survival: 69% versus 73%; 5-year survival: 51% versus 58%).

Conclusions
A large number of discarded kidneys were procured from donors whose contralateral kidneys were transplanted with good post-transplant outcomes.
Ruina sobre ruina
Authors: Lorenzano Sandra 
Published: September 2018

<p><strong>Reseña del libro:</strong></p><p>Bolaño, Roberto (1999) Amuleto. Barcelona: Anagrama</p><p><strong>Nota:</strong> Aunque la primera edición de la novela es de 1999, para esta reseña estoy utilizando la edición de 2017.</p>
Accuracy of panoramic radiography in diagnosing maxillary sinus-root relationship: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Wentian , Xia Kai , Tang Li , Liu Chenlu , Zou Ling , Liu Jun 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To investigate the accuracy of panoramic radiography (PR) in diagnosing maxillary sinus-root relationships (SRRs).

Materials and Methods:
PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CBM, Baidu Scholar, and SIGLE were searched. The studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of PR and computed tomography/cone-beam computed tomography (CT/CBCT) for SRR were included.

Results:
Eleven studies were included. Meta-analyses showed that, for type I SRR, PR had the highest specificity, positive likelihood ratio (+LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC), with a high sensitivity and a low negative LR (−LR). For type IV, PR had a high DOR and AUC, with the highest sensitivity but a low +LR, the lowest –LR, and the lowest specificity. For type II, PR had the lowest AUC, with a low sensitivity, +LR, and DOR and a high −LR. For type III, PR had the lowest sensitivity, +LR, and DOR and the highest −LR. The distance from root tips to the maxillary sinus floor on PR was significantly longer (mean difference: −1.88 mm; 95% confidence interval: −2.19 to −1.57; P &lt; .0001) than that on CT/CBCT.

Conclusions:
Currently available evidence suggests PR could be reliable for detecting type I SRR. PR has a good ability to confirm true type IV SRR but a poor ability to rule out false type IV SRR. For type II and III SRR, PR shows poor accuracy and tends to overestimate the extent of protrusion of the roots into the maxillary sinus. When PRs display type II, III, or IV SRR and related treatment is needed, CBCT should be used for further examinations.