bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnopsychopharmacology study of patients' beliefs regarding concerns about and necessity of taking psychiatric medications
Authors: De las Cuevas Carlos , Motuca Mariano , Baptista Trino , Villasante‐Tezanos Alejandro G. , de Leon Jose 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine whether or not cultural differences influence beliefs about the necessity of taking prescribed psychiatric drugs and concern about their adverse effects in psychiatric outpatients in Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 1,372 adult psychiatric outpatients using 2,438 psychotropic drugs and was designed to assess outpatients' beliefs about their prescribed medication. Patients completed sociodemographic, clinical questionnaires, and the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire Specific Scale and registered scores ranging from 1 to 5 on each of two subscales: concern and necessity. A “necessity‐concern differential” was obtained by calculating the difference (range −4 to +4).ResultsThe global score, including all drugs in the total sample, had a mean necessity score of 3.50 ± 0.95, a mean concern score of 2.97 ± 0.99, and a mean differential score of 0.54 ± 1.42. The concern and necessity mean scores varied significantly across these three culturally Hispanic countries, probably across drug classes, and were associated with treatment duration. On the other hand, age and education played a very limited role.ConclusionsUnderstanding the diverse effects of culture and society on these attitudes is highly relevant for the development of responsive mental health services in multicultural societies.
Evaporation from seasonally frozen bare and vegetated ground at various groundwater table depths in the Ordos Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Zaiyong , Wang Wenke , Gong Chengcheng , Wang Zhoufeng , Duan Lei , Yeh Tian‐chyi Jim , Yu Peiyuan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn cold climates, the process of freezing–thawing significantly affects the ground surface heat balance and water balance. To better understand the mechanism of evaporation from seasonally frozen soils, we performed field experiments at different water table depths on vegetated and bare ground in a semiarid region in China. Soil moisture and temperature, air temperature, precipitation, and water table depths were measured over a 5‐month period (November 1, 2016, to March 14, 2017). The evaporation, which was calculated by a mass balance method, was high in the periods of thawing and low in the periods of freezing. Increased water table depth in the freezing period led to high soil moisture in the upper soil layer, whereas lower initial groundwater levels during freezing–thawing decreased the cumulative evaporation. The extent of evaporation from the bare ground was the same in summer as in winter. These results indicate that a noteworthy amount of evaporation from the bare ground is present during freezing–thawing. Finally, the roots of Salix psammophila could increase the soil temperature. This study presents an insight into the joint effects of soil moisture, temperature, ground vegetation, and water table depths on the evaporation from seasonally frozen soils. Furthermore, it also has important implications for water management in seasonally frozen areas.
Assessing urban flood and drought risks under climate change, China
Authors: Liang Chen , Li Dingqiang , Yuan Zaijian , Liao Yishan , Nie Xiaodong , Huang Bin , Wu Xinliang , Xie Zhenyue 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRisk analysis of urban flood and drought can provide useful guidance for urban rainwater management. Based on an analysis of urban climate characteristics in 2,264 Chinese cities from 1958 to 2017, this study evaluated urban flood and drought risks. The results demonstrated that the annual average values of precipitation, aridity index, frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation and extreme drought events differed significantly in these cities. The values of the above six climatic indicators in the cities ranged from 9.29–2639.30 mm, 0.47–54.73, 1.08–8.79 time, 7.82–107.25 mm, 0.76–2.99 time, and 10.30–131.19 days, respectively. The geographical patterns of urban precipitation, aridity index, intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation and drought events in China fit well to the Hu‐Huanyong Line that was created in 1940s to identify the pattern of population distribution. Extreme precipitation in most cities has upward trends, except for those around the Hu‐Huanyong Line. The extreme drought events had upward trends in the cities east of the Hu‐Huanyong Line, but there were downward trends in the cities west of the line. The risk assessment indicated that 3.80% cities were facing serious flood and 6.01% cities were facing serious drought risks, which are located in the coast of southern China and northwestern China, respectively, and other 90.19% cities were facing different types of drought and flood risks in terms of their intensity and frequency.
Topical film prepared with Rhus verniciflua extract‐loaded pullulan hydrogel for atopic dermatitis treatment
Authors: Jeong Ji Heun , Back Seung Keun , An Jong Hun , Lee Nam‐Seob , Kim Do‐Kyung , Na Chun Soo , Jeong Young‐Gil , Han Seung Yun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by relapsing pruritus and skin dryness. Due to the pathogenic multiplicity and the adverse effects associated with the current therapeutics, development of transdermal drug delivery system is becoming an area of interest. Here, a novel topical film prepared with Rhus verniciflua extract (RVE)‐loaded pullulan hydrogel (RVE@PH) was synthesized and tested its therapeutic efficacy on the AD rats modeled by neonatal capsaicin injection method. The RVE@PH was characterized by a Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and an in vitro release assay. Rat pups were randomly divided into two groups: vehicle‐treated (VEH; n = 5) and capsaicin‐treated (n = 15). The latter were given capsaicin subcutaneously at 24 h after birth for AD induction and further divided into three groups (n = 5 per each): not treated (CAP), pullulan hydrogel‐applied (PH), and RVE@PH‐applied (RVE‐PH). The pullulan hydrogel and RVE@PH were topically applied on shoulder lesions for 14 days (from 42 to 56 days after birth). Their phenotypes were compared based on the dermatitis score, epidermal thickness, mast cell infiltration, and serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities. The PH group showed significant attenuation in all the aforementioned values compared to the CAP group, suggesting that pullulan hydrogel itself has therapeutic activity against AD. Notably, the attenuations were more potent in the RVE‐PH group than the PH group, indicating that the therapeutic efficacy against AD is augmented by the presence of RVE, a loaded pharmaceutic. Collectively, these results indicate that RVE@PH inhibits AD through exerting the dual roles, that is, the pullulan hydrogel‐mediated physical and RVE‐mediated pharmaceutical actions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2325–2334, 2019.
Improved cellular response on functionalized polypyrrole interfaces
Authors: Naghavi Alhosseini Sanaz , Moztarzadeh Fathollah , Karkhaneh Akbar , Dodel Masumeh , Khalili Mahsa , Eslami Arshaghi Tarlan , Elahirad Elnaz , Mozafari Masoud 
Published: January 2019

AbstractNeuroregeneration strategies involve multiple factors to stimulate nerve regeneration. Neural support with chemical and physical cues to optimize neural growth and replacing the lesion neuron and axons are crucial for designing neural scaffolds, which is a promising treatment approach. In this study, polypyrrole polymerization and its functionalization at the interface developed by glycine and gelatin for further optimization of cellular response. Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan solutions. The electrospun scaffolds were polymerized on the surface by pyrrole monomers to form an electroactive interface for further applications in neural tissue engineering. The polymerized polypyrrole showed a positive zeta potential value of 57.5 ± 5.46 mV. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the glycine and gelatin‐functionalized polypyrrole‐coated scaffolds were evaluated. No inflammatory cells were observed for the implanted scaffolds. Further, DAPI nucleus staining showed a superior cell attachment on the gelatin‐functionalized polypyrrole‐coated scaffolds. The topography and tuned positively charged polypyrrole interface with gelatin functionalization is expected to be particularly efficient physical and chemical simultaneous factors for promoting neural cell adhesion.
Virtual screening identifies a PIN1 inhibitor with possible antiovarian cancer effects
Authors: Russo Spena Concetta , De Stefano Lucia , Poli Giulio , Granchi Carlotta , El Boustani Maguie , Ecca Fabrizio , Grassi Gabriele , Grassi Mario , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Giordano Antonio , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Caligiuri Isabella , Rizzolio Flavio 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPeptidyl‐prolyl cis–trans isomerase, NIMA‐interacting 1 (PIN1) is a peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase that binds phospho‐Ser/Thr‐Pro motifs in proteins and catalyzes the cis–trans isomerization of proline peptide bonds. PIN1 is overexpressed in several cancers including high‐grade serous ovarian cancer. Since few therapies are effective against this cancer, PIN1 could be a therapeutic target but effective PIN1 inhibitors are lacking. To identify molecules with in vivo inhibitory effects on PIN1, we used consensus docking to model existing PIN1‐ligand X‐ray structures and to screen a chemical database for candidate inhibitors. Ten molecules were selected and tested in cellular assays, leading to the identification of VS10 that bound and inhibited PIN1. VS10 treatment reduced the viability of ovarian cancer cell lines by inducing proteasomal PIN1 degradation, without effects on PIN1 transcription, and also reduced the levels of downstream targets β‐catenin, cyclin D1, and pSer473‐Akt. VS10 is a selective PIN1 inhibitor that may offer new opportunities for treating PIN1‐overexpressing tumors.
An efficient method for extracting next‐generation sequencing quality RNA from liver tissue of recalcitrant animal species
Authors: Sharma Davinder , Golla Naresh , Singh Sudhakar , Singh Pankaj Kumar , Singh Dheer , Onteru Suneel Kumar 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe next‐generation RNA sequencing technologies expedite the discovery of a large number of novel transcripts and genes associated with various pathophysiological conditions. These technologies involve poly(A) enrichment, which in turn requires micrograms of high‐quality total RNA. Unfortunately, the available RNA isolation approaches produce poor quality total RNA from difficult‐to‐isolate animal tissues, such as the liver with high glycogen content. Moreover, the extraction efficiencies of these approaches vary significantly depending on the animal species. To address this challenge, we optimized a three‐step protocol for the extraction of high‐yield and high‐quality total RNA from the liver tissue (LT). The procedure effectively resolved the problem of glycogen coprecipitation by its stepwise removal. No signs of RNA degradation on gel electrophoresis analysis and RNA integrity number values ≥8.5 indicated that the extracted RNA is suitable for downstream processing, such as poly(A) enrichment and transcriptome profiling. To demonstrate the robustness of the novel protocol, a comparison was made with other currently available RNA extraction approaches from diverse resources. Whereas other protocols yielded partially degraded bands with either decreased or reversed ribosomal RNA (rRNA) ratio, our protocol yielded intact rRNA with a ratio of 2.0 ± 0.1. This optimized protocol was also successfully followed for other animal tissues, such as the bone and muscles. In conclusion, the study has described a highly efficient method for the next‐generation sequencing quality RNA isolation from LT across a broad range of animal species, with extended applicability to other difficult‐to‐isolate tissues.
Muscle wasting in patients with end‐stage renal disease or early‐stage lung cancer: common mechanisms at work
Authors: Aniort Julien , Stella Alexandre , Philipponnet Carole , Poyet Anais , Polge Cécile , Claustre Agnès , Combaret Lydie , Béchet Daniel , Attaix Didier , Boisgard Stéphane , Filaire Marc , Rosset Eugénio , Burlet‐Schiltz Odile , Heng Anne‐Elisabeth , Taillandier Daniel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundLoss of muscle mass worsens many diseases such as cancer and renal failure, contributes to the frailty syndrome, and is associated with an increased risk of death. Studies conducted on animal models have revealed the preponderant role of muscle proteolysis and in particular the activation of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Studies conducted in humans remain scarce, especially within renal deficiency. Whether a shared atrophying programme exists independently of the nature of the disease remains to be established. The aim of this work was to identify common modifications at the transcriptomic level or the proteomic level in atrophying skeletal muscles from cancer and renal failure patients.MethodsMuscle biopsies were performed during scheduled interventions in early‐stage (no treatment and no detectable muscle loss) lung cancer (LC), chronic haemodialysis (HD), or healthy (CT) patients (n = 7 per group; 86% male; 69.6 ± 11.4, 67.9 ± 8.6, and 70.2 ± 7.9 years P > 0.9 for the CT, LC, and HD groups, respectively). Gene expression of members of the UPS, autophagy, and apoptotic systems was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. A global analysis of the soluble muscle proteome was conducted by shotgun proteomics for investigating the processes altered.ResultsWe found an increased expression of several UPS and autophagy‐related enzymes in both LC and HD patients. The E3 ligases MuRF1 (+56 to 78%, P < 0.01), MAFbx (+68 to 84%, P = 0.02), Hdm2 (+37 to 59%, P = 0.02), and MUSA1/Fbxo30 (+47 to 106%, P = 0.01) and the autophagy‐related genes CTPL (+33 to 47%, P = 0.03) and SQSTM1 (+47 to 137%, P < 0.01) were overexpressed. Mass spectrometry identified >1700 proteins, and principal component analysis revealed three differential proteomes that matched to the three groups of patients. Orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis created a model, which distinguished the muscles of diseased patients (LC or HD) from those of CT subjects. Proteins that most contributed to the model were selected. Functional analysis revealed up to 238 proteins belonging to nine metabolic processes (inflammatory response, proteolysis, cytoskeleton organization, glucose metabolism, muscle contraction, oxidant detoxification, energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and extracellular matrix) involved in and/or altered by the atrophying programme in both LC and HD patients. This was confirmed by a co‐expression network analysis.ConclusionsWe were able to identify highly similar modifications of several metabolic pathways in patients exhibiting diseases with different aetiologies (early‐stage LC vs. long‐term renal failure). This strongly suggests that a common atrophying programme exists independently of the disease in human.
The authors reply: Letter on: “Pitfalls in the measurement of muscle mass: a need for a reference standard” by Clark et al.
Authors: Buckinx Fanny , Landi Francesco , Cesari Matteo , Fieding Roger A. , Visser Marjolein , Engelke Klaus , Maggi Stefania , Dennison Elaine , Al‐Daghri Nasser M. , Allepaerts Sophie , Bauer Jurgen , Bautmans Ivan , Brandi Maria‐Luisa , Bruyère Olivier , Cederholm Tommy , Cerreta Francesca , Cherubini Antonio , Cooper Cyrus , Cruz‐Jentoft Alphonso , McCloskey Eugene , Dawson‐Hughes Bess , Kaufman Jean‐Marc , Laslop Andrea , Petermans Jean , Reginster Jean‐Yves , Rizzoli René , Robinson Sian , Rolland Yves , Rueda Ricardo , Vellas Bruno , Kanis John A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHowever, semantics aside, we think that DXA can indeed serve as a reference standard for measuring muscle mass. Obviously, CT and MRI are advanced techniques that can and have been used to obtain important information such as muscle size/volume and more recently amount and distribution of intra‐ and intermuscular adipose tissue. Also individual muscles can be assessed separately. However, with respect to muscle mass, the comparison of DXA with CT/MRI is rather difficult because DXA and QCT/MRI measure different physical parameters
2‐Deoxyribose‐5‐phosphate aldolase from Thermotoga maritima in the synthesis of a statin side‐chain precursor: characterization, modeling and optimization
Authors: Švarc Anera , Findrik Blažević Zvjezdana , Vasić‐Rački Đurđa , Szekrenyi Anna , Fessner Wolf‐Dieter , Charnock Simon J , Vrsalović Presečki Ana 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDProducing statin side‐chains by sequential aldol condensation catalyzed by 2‐deoxyribose‐5‐phosphate aldolase (DERA) (EC 4.1.2.4) is the best‐known and most promising synthetic route. The advantage of this process is the formation of two stereocenters in a single step starting from inexpensive achiral components, acetaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde. The limitation for the industrial‐scale application is enzyme inactivation caused by substrates as well by the intermediate produced by single aldol addition.RESULTSThe DERA enzyme from Thermotoga maritima (DERATm) was investigated extensively in this work. The influence of aldehydes on DERATm stability was studied in detail. Mathematical models in different reactor configurations were developed based on experimentally determined kinetic parameters of all reactions included in the synthesis of statin side‐chain. Models also included enzyme inactivation by all compounds with negative impact on its stability. Mathematical model‐based optimization enabled optimization of process conditions and reactor configuration. The fed‐batch reactor proved to be the most suitable choice achieving product concentration of 78 g L−1, productivity of 56 g L day−1 and yield of 95% under an optimal condition.CONCLUSIONThe validated mathematical model and applied methodology can be exploited for further process improvement and for process design of similar systems. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Cloud‐based decision support system for the detection and classification of malignant cells in breast cancer using breast cytology images
Authors: Saba Tanzila , Khan Sana Ullah , Islam Naveed , Abbas Naveed , Rehman Amjad , Javaid Nadeem , Anjum Adeel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe advancement of computer‐ and internet‐based technologies has transformed the nature of services in healthcare by using mobile devices in conjunction with cloud computing. The classical phenomenon of patient–doctor diagnostics is extended to a more robust advanced concept of E‐health, where remote online/offline treatment and diagnostics can be performed. In this article, we propose a framework which incorporates a cloud‐based decision support system for the detection and classification of malignant cells in breast cancer, while using breast cytology images. In the proposed approach, shape‐based features are used for the detection of tumor cells. Furthermore, these features are used for the classification of cells into malignant and benign categories using Naive Bayesian and Artificial Neural Network. Moreover, an important phase addressed in the proposed framework is the grading of the affected cells, which could help in grade level necessary medical procedures for patients during the diagnostic process. For demonstrating the e effectiveness of the proposed approach, experiments are performed on real data sets comprising of patients data, which has been collected from the pathology department of Lady Reading Hospital of Pakistan. Moreover, a cross‐validation technique has been performed for the evaluation of the classification accuracy, which shows performance accuracy of 98% as compared to physical methods used by a pathologist for the detection and classification of the malignant cell. Experimental results show that the proposed approach has significantly improved the detection and classification of the malignant cells in breast cytology images.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Structure of Quinoline‐based Benzimidazole Derivatives
Authors: Raj Manaswini , Padhi Sumanta Kumar 
Published: January 2019

Quinoline‐based benzimidazole compounds have been successfully synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques like FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral analysis, and the structures have been authenticated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Here, we report an economical, mild, and efficient procedure that involves condensation of 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carbaldehyde with various diamines as substrates to give bis‐imines. A systematic study towards both aliphatic and aromatic bis‐imines has been conducted to investigate the ring‐closure reaction that generates the benzimidazole moiety in the heterocyclic compounds discussed in this study. Aliphatic bis‐imines does not undergo cyclization; however, the bis‐imines derived from o‐phenylenediamine and derivatives generates heterocyclic compounds with benzimidazole moiety. In contrast to synthetic procedures reported earlier for benzimidazoles, the reaction conditions herein reported are simpler. Path for reactions holds initial condensation with one equivalent of 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carbaldehyde to form mono‐imine followed by immediate intramolecular ring closure. The subsequent nupleophilic attack to another equivalent of 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐2‐carbaldehyde and migration of hydride generates the benzimidazole moiety and the active methylene group. The ─CH2 group was confirmed from 1H and 13C NMR, wherein the two hydrogens appeared at around 6.40–6.52 ppm and the carbon center appeared at 51.54–51.77 ppm. The single crystal X‐ray diffraction also confirmed the formation of benzimidazole moiety and the active methylene group in the heterocyclic compounds discussed in this study.