bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heat stability of the in vitro inhibitory effect of spices on lipase, amylase, and glucosidase enzymes
Authors: Fernando Irushika T. , Perera Kumudu I. , Athauda Senarath B. P. , Sivakanesan Ramiah , Kumar Nimal Savitri , Jayasinghe Lalith 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of boiling on the inhibitory action of spices on digestive enzymes. Unboiled extracts of Trigonella foenum‐graecum (seed) (25.42%), Myristica fragrans (seed) (22.70%), and Cuminum cyminum (seed) (19.17%) showed significantly (p < 0.05) a higher lipase inhibitory activity than their respective boiled extracts (20.23%, 15.74%, and 12.57%). Unboiled extracts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (stem bark) (−16.98%) and Foeniculum officinale (seed) (−16.05%) showed an activation of lipase enzyme, and boiling significantly (p < 0.05) changed the activity into lipase inhibition as 8.47% and 9.54%, respectively. Unboiled extracts of Coriandrm sativum (seed), C. cyminum, and Elettaria cardamomum (seed) showed an activation of amylase enzyme, and boiling these extracts significantly reduced the enzyme activation. The other unboiled extracts showed a higher amylase inhibition than the boiled extracts, whereas the boiled extracts of C.longa (rhizome) and Syzygium aromaticum (flower) exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower values. Unboiled extracts of C. zeylanicum, M. fragrans, and S. aromaticum showed an insignificantly higher glucosidase inhibitory activity than the boiled extracts. Inhibition of digestive enzymes by nutritional intervention is one avenue to be considered in treating diet‐induced obesity and in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia. Spices, used as food additives, could be a potential source of digestive enzyme inhibitors. The current study revealed that unboiled extracts of T. foenum‐graecum (seed), C. cyminum (seed), and M. fragrans (seed) are more effective than the boiled extracts as an antiobesity therapy. Moreover, it endorses the use of infusion of T. foenum‐graecum seeds as an antiobesity therapy.
Characterization of γ‐glutamyltranspeptidases from dormant garlic and onion bulbs
Authors: Sun Yuee , Hu Jing , Wang Weidong , Zhang Bin , Shen Yingbin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study investigated the characteristics of γ‐glutamyltranspeptidases (GGTs) isolated from dormant garlic (Allium sativum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L. var. agrogatum Don) bulbs. GGTs were isolated using (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (phenyl‐Sepharose column). The optimal temperature, optimal pH of extraction, and the effects of metal ions and organic compounds on the activity of GGTs were investigated. The optimal pH of the GGTs of garlic and onion was 5 and 7, respectively; the optimal temperatures were 70 and 50°C, respectively. Garlic's GGT had a major band at 53 kDa, whereas onion's GGT had two bands at 55 and 22 kDa. Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, glucose, aspartic acid, and cysteine significantly enhanced the activity of garlic's GGT. Lysine and proline remarkably promoted the activity of onion's GGT, whereas Cu2+, glucose, and aspartic acid repress its activity. These results may deepen our understanding of allium GGTs and promote the commercial production of bioactive allium compounds.
Paleolithic artifact deposits at Wadi Dabsa, Saudi Arabia: A multiscalar geoarchaeological approach to building an interpretative framework
Authors: Inglis Robyn H. , Fanning Patricia C. , Stone Abi , Barfod Dan N. , Sinclair Anthony , Chang Hsing‐Chung , Alsharekh Abdullah M. , Bailey Geoff 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSurface artifacts dominate the archaeological record of arid landscapes, particularly the Saharo‐Arabian belt, a pivotal region in dispersals out of Africa. Discarded by hominins, these artifacts are key to understanding past landscape use and dispersals, yet behavioral interpretation of present‐day artifact distributions cannot be carried out without understanding how geomorphological processes have controlled, and continue to control, artifact preservation, exposure and visibility at multiple scales. We employ a geoarchaeological approach to unraveling the formation of a surface assemblage of 2,970 Palaeolithic and later lithic artifacts at Wadi Dabsa, Saudi Arabia, the richest locality recorded to date in the southwestern Red Sea coastal region. Wadi Dabsa basin, within the volcanic Harrat Al Birk, contains extensive tufa deposits formed during wetter conditions. We employ regional landscape mapping and automatic classification of surface conditions using satellite imagery, field observations, local landform mapping, archaeological survey, excavation, and sedimentological analyses to develop a multiscalar model of landscape evolution and geomorphological controls acting on artifact distributions in the basin. The main artifact assemblage is identified as a palimpsest of activity, actively forming on a deflating surface, a model with significant implications for future study and interpretation of this, and other, surface artifact assemblages.
Neural mechanisms of training an auditory event‐related potential task in a brain–computer interface context
Authors: Halder Sebastian , Leinfelder Teresa , Schulz Stefan M. , Kübler Andrea 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEffective use of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) typically requires training. Improved understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying BCI training will facilitate optimisation of BCIs. The current study examined the neural mechanisms related to training for electroencephalography (EEG)‐based communication with an auditory event‐related potential (ERP) BCI. Neural mechanisms of training in 10 healthy volunteers were assessed with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an auditory ERP‐based BCI task before (t1) and after (t5) three ERP‐BCI training sessions outside the fMRI scanner (t2, t3, and t4). Attended stimuli were contrasted with ignored stimuli in the first‐level fMRI data analysis (t1 and t5); the training effect was verified using the EEG data (t2‐t4); and brain activation was contrasted before and after training in the second‐level fMRI data analysis (t1 vs. t5). Training increased the communication speed from 2.9 bits/min (t2) to 4 bits/min (t4). Strong activation was found in the putamen, supplementary motor area (SMA), and superior temporal gyrus (STG) associated with attention to the stimuli. Training led to decreased activation in the superior frontal gyrus and stronger haemodynamic rebound in the STG and supramarginal gyrus. The neural mechanisms of ERP‐BCI training indicate improved stimulus perception and reduced mental workload. The ERP task used in the current study showed overlapping activations with a motor imagery based BCI task from a previous study on the neural mechanisms of BCI training in the SMA and putamen. This suggests commonalities between the neural mechanisms of training for both BCI paradigms.
Government doctor absenteeism and its effects on consumer demand in rural north India
Authors: Iles Richard A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGovernment doctor absenteeism from their public posts is a sizable problem across developing economies. The consumer demand estimation for outpatient fever treatment presented in this paper investigates the interrelationship between government doctor absenteeism and the large informal healthcare sector. Using a counterfactual framework, this paper estimates treatment effect of eliminating government doctor absenteeism. The effects are measured by changes to the market share of government Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) providers and resulting own‐price elasticities of demand for government MBBS providers and unqualified providers. Modelling incorporates patients expected health outcomes by provider via the use of a qualitative measure of word‐of‐mouth recommendations. Results indicate that eliminating government MBBS provider absenteeism in North India would increase utilisation of government outpatient fever treatments from 18% to 50%.
Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of advanced maxillary gingival squamous cell carcinoma treated by intra‐arterial infusion chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy
Authors: Hayashi Yuichiro , Osawa Kohei , Nakakaji Rina , Minamiyama Shuhei , Ohashi Nobuhide , Ohya Takashi , Iida Masaki , Iwai Toshinori , Ozawa Tomomichi , Oguri Senri , Koizumi Toshiyuki , Hirota Makoto , Kioi Mitomu , Hata Masaharu , Mitsudo Kenji 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of advanced maxillary gingival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with intra‐arterial infusion chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy.MethodsA total of 46 patients were reviewed retrospectively in this study. The treatment schedule comprised intra‐arterial chemotherapy (total, 60 mg/m2 docetaxel and 150 mg/m2 cisplatin) and three‐dimensional computed tomography based, daily conventional radiotherapy (total, 60 Gy/30 fr) for 6 weeks.ResultsThe median follow‐up period was 40 months (range, 3‐110 months). The 3‐year overall survival and locoregional control rates for all patients were 64.3% and 84.3%, respectively. The OS rate of the patients with N0‐1 was significantly higher than that of the patients with N ≥ 2 (P < .05). No grade 5 toxicities were observed.ConclusionsIntra‐arterial infusion chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy was effective for advanced maxillary gingival SCC.
JNJ‐4178 (AL‐335, Odalasvir, and Simeprevir) for 6 or 8 Weeks in Hepatitis C Virus‐Infected Patients Without Cirrhosis: OMEGA‐1
Authors: Zeuzem Stefan , Bourgeois Stefan , Greenbloom Susan , Buti Maria , Aghemo Alessio , Lampertico Pietro , Janczewska Ewa , Lim Seng Gee , Moreno Christophe , Buggisch Peter , Tam Edward , Corbett Chris , Willems Wouter , Vijgen Leen , Fevery Bart , Ouwerkerk‐Mahadevan Sivi , Ackaert Oliver , Beumont Maria , Kalmeijer Ronald , Sinha Rekha , Biermer Michael ,   on behalf of the OMEGA‐1 study team
Published: January 2019

The combination of three direct‐acting antiviral agents (AL‐335, odalasvir, and simeprevir: JNJ‐4178 regimen) for 6 or 8 weeks demonstrated good efficacy and safety in a phase IIa study in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT)‐1‐infected patients without cirrhosis and has now been evaluated in a larger phase IIb study, OMEGA‐1. This multicenter, randomized, open‐label study (NCT02765490) enrolled treatment‐naïve and interferon (±ribavirin) treatment‐experienced patients with HCV GT1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 infection. Patients with HCV GT3 infection and/or liver cirrhosis were excluded. Patients received AL‐335 800 mg, odalasvir 25 mg, and simeprevir 75 mg once daily for 6 or 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). In total, 365 patients (GT1a, 29.3%; GT1b, 42.5%; GT2, 12.3%; GT4, 14.2%; GT5, 1.4%; GT6, 0%) were randomized to receive 6 weeks (n = 183) or 8 weeks (n = 182) of treatment. SVR12 rates after 6 weeks (98.9%) or 8 weeks (97.8%) of treatment were noninferior to a historical control (98%). Viral relapse occurred in 5 patients (1.4%; 4 with HCV GT2c; 1 with GT1a). With the exception of 4 patients in the 8‐week group, including 3 patients with missing data at the SVR24 timepoint, all patients who achieved SVR12 also achieved SVR24. One GT1a‐infected patient experienced late viral relapse after achieving SVR18. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild with no treatment‐related serious AEs. All randomized patients completed treatment. Conclusion: In HCV‐infected patients, 6 and 8 weeks of treatment with JNJ‐4178 resulted in SVR12 rates of 98.9% and 97.8%, respectively, and was well tolerated.
Information privacy practices in e‐government in an African least developing country, Rwanda
Authors: Mutimukwe Chantal , Kolkowska Ella , Grönlund Åke 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPrivacy of information is a critical issue for e‐government development as lack of it negatively influences users' trust and adoption of e‐government. To earn user trust government organizations need to provide reliable privacy assurance by implementing adequate information privacy protection (IPP) practices. African least developing countries (LDCs) today develop e‐government, but focus is on quick technical development, and the status of IPP issues is not clear. Little research has yet studied the status of IPP practices in e‐government in African LDCs. To fill this gap, we assess the status of existing IPP practices in e‐government in Rwanda, using international privacy principles as an assessment baseline. We adopt a case study approach including three cases. Data were collected by interviews and a survey. The findings call into question the efficacy of existing IPP practices and their effect in ensuring e‐government service users' privacy protection in Rwanda. The study extends existing literature by providing insights related to privacy protection from an African LDC context. For practitioners in Rwanda and other LDCs, this study contributes to the protection of information privacy in e‐government by providing recommendations to mitigate identified gaps.
The Osteocyte Transcriptome Is Extensively Dysregulated in Mouse Models of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Zimmerman Sarah M , Dimori Milena , Heard‐Lipsmeyer Melissa E , Morello Roy 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOsteocytes are long‐lived, highly interconnected, terminally differentiated osteoblasts that reside within mineralized bone matrix. They constitute about 95% of adult bone cells and play important functions including in the regulation of bone remodeling, phosphate homeostasis, and mechanical stimuli sensing and response. However, the role of osteocytes in the pathogenesis of congenital diseases of abnormal bone matrix is poorly understood. This study characterized in vivo transcriptional changes in osteocytes from CrtapKO and oim/oim mouse models of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) compared with wild‐type (WT) control mice. To do this, RNA was extracted from osteocyte‐enriched cortical femurs and tibias, sequenced and subsequently analyzed to identify differentially expressed transcripts. These models were chosen because they mimic two types of OI with different genetic mutations that result in distinct type I collagen defects. A large number of transcripts were dysregulated in either model of OI, but 281 of them were similarly up‐ or downregulated in both compared with WT controls. Conversely, very few transcripts were differentially expressed between the CrtapKO and oim/oim mice, indicating that distinct alterations in type I collagen can lead to shared pathogenic processes and similar phenotypic outcomes. Bioinformatics analyses identified several critical hubs of dysregulation that were enriched in annotation terms such as development and differentiation, ECM and collagen fibril organization, cell adhesion, signaling, regulatory processes, pattern binding, chemotaxis, and cell projections. The data further indicated alterations in important signaling pathways such as WNT and TGF‐β but also highlighted new candidate genes to pursue in future studies. Overall, our study suggested that the osteocyte transcriptome is broadly dysregulated in OI with potential long‐term consequences at the cellular level, which deserve further investigations. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Accuracy of FRAX® in People With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Bisson Etienne J , Finlayson Marcia L , Ekuma Okechukwu , Marrie Ruth Ann , Leslie William D 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a higher risk of low bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fractures than healthy adults. The Fracture Risk Assessment tool (FRAX®) has been reported to underestimate fracture risk in people with MS when BMD is unknown. We tested FRAX performance for people with MS when BMD is known, and determined if MS is a risk factor for fracture independent of FRAX score. Using population-based databases in Manitoba, Canada, we identified people with MS who underwent BMD screening after MS diagnosis (n = 744) and controls matched on age, sex, and first BMD screening date (n = 3721). We calculated FRAX 10-year probabilities at the BMD screening date, and ascertained incident major osteoporotic fractures (MOF). Using Cox proportional hazards modeling we assessed the effect of MS on the hazard of MOF, adjusting for FRAX 10-year probabilities. MS cases had a higher mean FRAX 10-year probability of MOF calculated with BMD (8.32 ± 7.53) than controls (6.98 ± 5.18; p &lt; 0.01). MS increased the risk for MOF after controlling for FRAX 10-year probability without BMD (HR 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 2.16), and after controlling for FRAX individual risk factors (HR 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.89). MS remained a risk factor for MOF even when controlling for FRAX 10-year probability of MOF with BMD (HR 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.92). The FRAX 10-year probability with and without BMD underestimated the observed 10-year MOF risk in MS cases by 3% to 5%. Calibration improved when secondary osteoporosis was used to calculate FRAX without BMD. Calibration was best when the rheumatoid arthritis input was used to calculate FRAX probability along with BMD. Using secondary osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis as proxies for MS improves performance of FRAX and accurately predicts MOF outcomes in those with MS. This provides clinicians with a readily available approach to improve the accuracy of fracture prediction in MS. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Factors predicting peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization in healthy donors in the era of related alternative donors: Experience from a single center
Authors: Bailén Rebeca , Pérez‐Corral Ana María , Pascual Cristina , Kwon Mi , Serrano David , Gayoso Jorge , Balsalobre Pascual , Muñoz Cristina , Díez‐Martín José Luis , Anguita Javier 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundPoor mobilization results are unexpected after G‐CSF‐induced peripheral blood stem cell collection in healthy donors. However, 2%‐5% of the donors are poor mobilizers. Factors predicting CD34+‐cell yield after mobilization in related alternative donors are still poorly known.Patients and methodsBaseline characteristics and efficacy results of G‐CSF induced mobilization of 159 adult healthy donors in our institution from 2008 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All donors received 10 μg/kg of G‐CSF once a day subcutaneously for 4 days. Leukapheresis started on the 5th day of G‐CSF treatment. Donors were classified as poor mobilizers if they had less than 20 000 CD34 + cell/mL peripheral blood count in the 5th day of G‐CSF treatment or if they needed three or more leukapheresis for graft collection.ResultsAge, weight, and platelet count before and after mobilization were significantly different between poor and good mobilizers. Poor mobilizers (n = 16) were older (50.6 vs 41.7 years, P = 0.002), weight lower (64 vs 75 kg, P = 0.00) and showed a lower platelet count before (199.5 vs 219.0 × 109/L, P = 0.03) and after (192.5 vs 206 × 109/L, P = 0.019) mobilization. In the multivariate analysis only the 30% of the variability of mobilization was explained by the model (sensitivity 80%, specificity 70%).ConclusionIn this cohort of healthy donors in a single institution, older age, less weight, and lower platelet count was associated with poorer mobilization. With clinical and analytic factors it is not possible to predict more than 30% of the variability. Further studies are needed to investigate new variables.
Asperyellone pretreatment protects HaCaT cells from UVB irradiation induced oxidative damages: Assessment under in vitro and in vivo conditions and at molecular level
Authors: Santhakumaran Iswarya , Kesavan Shanuja Shailaja , Arumugam Gnanamani 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe present study explores the UVB protective role of Asperyellone (AY), a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus niger strain AN01. The in vitro UVB protective efficacy of AY was studied using the Human Epidermal keratinocytes cells (HaCaT) cell line. The results suggest the appreciable scavenging of UVB‐induced reactive oxygen species in the AY‐pretreated cells compared with UVB control. Experimental results on the antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, SOD, LPO, and GPx) profile, histochemical, and molecular analyses support the UVB protective effect of AY in HaCaT cells. Further, the in vivo UVB protective efficacy of AY was studied using animal models and compared with that of commercially available UVB protective agents. Physical, biochemical, and molecular analyses of skin samples emphasized the UVB protective role of AY. Thus, the important beneficial effects of AY have been explored in the present study.
Effects of social support and cultural capital on global meaning among bereaved elders in rural China: A hierarchical linear analysis
Authors: Pan Haimin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study explored the context effect in the relationship between capital (income, social support, and cultural capital) and changes in global meaning. We interviewed a sample of 352 bereaved Chinese elders from 18 communities in rural China and conducted hierarchical linear modeling for data analysis. The effects of social support and cultural capital in terms of traditional Chinese culture on changes in global meaning differed across communities. Social support earned its credit in buffering function against bereavement, whereas traditional Chinese culture posed a risk of elevating negative global meaning. More social support and positive global meaning are reliable predictors for enhancing the psychological health of bereaved elders.
Overexpression of oncostatin M receptor regulates local immune response in glioblastoma
Authors: Guo Qing , Guan Ge‐fei , Cao Jing‐yuan , Zou Cun‐yi , Zhu Chen , Cheng Wen , Xu Xiao‐yan , Lin Zhi‐guo , Cheng Peng , Wu An‐hua 
Published: January 2019

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal cancer in central nervous system. It is urgently needed to look for novel therapeutics for GBM. Oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) is a cytokine receptor gene of IL‐6 family and has been reported to be involved in regulating GBM tumorigenesis. However, the role of OSMR regulating the disrupted immune response in GBM need to be further investigated. Three gene expression profiles, Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set (GSE16011), were enrolled in our study and used for OSMR expression and survival analysis. The expression of OSMR was further verified with immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis in glioma tissues. Microenvironment cell populations‐counter (MCP‐counter) was applied for analyzing the relationship between OSMR expression and nontumor cells. The functions of OSMR in GBM was investigated by Gene Ontology, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene set variation analysis and so on. The analysis of cytokine receptor activity‐related genes in glioma identifies OSMR as a gene with an independent predictive factor for progressive malignancy in GBM. Furthermore, OSMR expression is a prognostic marker in the response prediction to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. OSMR contributes to the regulation of local immune response and extracellular matrix process in GBM. Our findings define an important role of OSMR in the regulation of local immune response in GBM, which may suggest OSMR as a possible biomarker in developing new therapeutic immune strategies in GBM.