bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA DNM3OS promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis through modulating IGF1 expression by sponging MiR-126 in CHON-001 cells
Authors: Ai Di , Yu Fang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
As a degenerative disease, osteoarthritis (OA) greatly affects aged population. The human chondrocyte cell line CHON-001, derived from normal human articular cartilage, has been widely used in vitro in osteoarthritis models. In order to better understand the underlying mechanism of OA pathogenesis, this study was conducted to explore the effects of LncRNA dynamin 3 opposite strand (DNM3OS) on CHON-001 cells.

Methods
The expression levels of and correlation between DNM3OS and miR-126 that derived from OA and non-OA tissues were determined by quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Cell viability, clone, migration, invasion and apoptosis were respectively determined by cell counting kit-8, colony formation, wound healing assay, transwell and flow cytometry. The target genes were predicted by starbase V2 and targetscan 7.2 and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The expressions of apoptosis-related factors were detected by Western blot.

Results
The expression of DNM3OS was down-regulated in OA patients. Functional assays demonstrated that ectopic expression of DNM3OS promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of CHON-001 cells, and that knocking down DNM3OS suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Mechanistic investigation revealed that DNM3OS physically bound to the promoter of miR-126 and suppressed miR-126 expression. Decreased expression of DNM3OS was negatively correlated with miR-126 in OA patients. Furthermore, the effects of siDNM3OS on inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis were partially reversed by miR-126 inhibitor. Meanwhile, type insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) was identified as a target gene for miR-126 and was negatively associated with the miR-126 expression. Overexpressed IGF1 restored the effects of miR-126 mimic in suppressing cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.

Conclusion
Our results showed that DNM3OS could affect the CHON-001 cell proliferation and apoptosis by regulating IGF1 by sponging miR-126.
Adoption of Zai technology for soil fertility management: evidence from Upper East region, Ghana
Authors: Danso-Abbeam Gideon , Dagunga Gilbert , Ehiakpor Dennis Sedem 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Zai is a conventional soil rehabilitation management practice where organic matter is buried in a small pit to help restore fertility and conserve water in the soil. However, adoption of this environmentally-friendly technology is low. This study makes two key contributions. First, it identifies the determinants of adoption and intensity of adoption of Zai technology for soil fertility management. Second, it performs diagnostic tests to show that Cragg’s double-hurdle as compared to the Heckman and the standard Tobit regression models is the best econometric approach to identify factors influencing farmers’ decision to adopt and the extent of adoption of the Zai in the Upper East region, Ghana. Results from the Cragg’s double-hurdle model revealed that different set of variables affect the probability and the intensity of adoption of Zai technology. The paper concludes that farm households should be encouraged to engage in non-farm economic activities to complement their farm income and enhance the purchase of productive farm inputs. Moreover, farm-level policies oriented towards increasing access to agricultural extension services, credit facilities, and the facilitation of farmer groups are essential to improving the adoption of farm innovations such as the Zai technology.
Intellectual disability and autism: socioeconomic impacts of informal caring, projected to 2030
Authors: Schofield Deborah , Zeppel Melanie J. B. , Tanton Robert , Veerman J. Lennert , Kelly Simon J. , Passey Megan E. , Shrestha Rupendra N. 
Published: September 2019

BackgroundIntellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) influence the interactions of a person with their environment and generate economic and socioeconomic costs for the person, their family and society.AimsTo estimate costs of lost workforce participation due to informal caring for people with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorders by estimating lost income to individuals, lost taxation payments to federal government and increased welfare payments.MethodWe used a microsimulation model based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Surveys of Disability, Ageing and Carers (population surveys of people aged 15–64), and projected costs of caring from 2015 in 5-year intervals to 2030.ResultsThe model estimated that informal carers of people with intellectual disability and/or ASD in Australia had aggregated lost income of AU$310 million, lost taxation of AU$100 million and increased welfare payments of AU$204 million in 2015. These are projected to increase to AU$432 million, AU$129 million and AU$254 million for income, taxation, and welfare respectively by 2030. The income gap of carers for people with intellectual disability and/or ASD is estimated to increase by 2030, meaning more financial stress for carers.ConclusionsInformal carers of people with intellectual disability and/or ASD experience significant loss of income, leading to increased welfare payments and reduced taxation revenue for governments; these are all projected to increase. Strategic policies supporting informal carers wishing to return to work could improve the financial and psychological impact of having a family member with intellectual disability and/or ASD.Declaration of interestNone.
Telomerase Is a Prognostic Marker of Poor Outcome and a Therapeutic Target in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Roderwieser Andrea , Sand Frederik , Walter Esther , Fischer Janina , Gecht Judith , Bartenhagen Christoph , Ackermann Sandra , Otte Felix , Welte Anne , Kahlert Yvonne , Lieberz Daniela , Hertwig Falk , Reinhardt H. Christian , Simon Thorsten , Peifer Martin , Ortmann Monika , Büttner Reinhard , Hero Barbara , O’Sullivan Roderick J. , Berthold Frank , Fischer Matthias 
Published: September 2019

PURPOSE Telomere maintenance is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma; however, the contribution of telomerase and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to clinical phenotypes has remained unclear. We aimed to determine the clinical relevance of telomerase activation versus ALT as biomarkers in pretreatment neuroblastoma and to assess the potential value of telomerase as a therapeutic target. MATERIALS AND METHODS The genomic status of TERT and MYCN was assessed in 457 pretreatment neuroblastomas by fluorescence in situ hybridization. ALT was examined in 273 of 457 tumors by detection of ALT-associated promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, and TERT expression was determined by microarrays in 223 of these. Cytotoxic effects of telomerase-interacting compounds were analyzed in neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We detected TERT rearrangements in 46 of 457 cases (10.1%), MYCN amplification in 93 of 457 cases (20.4%), and elevated TERT expression in tumors lacking TERT or MYCN alterations in 10 of 223 cases (4.5%). ALT activation was found in 49 of 273 cases (17.9%). All these alterations occurred almost mutually exclusively and were associated with unfavorable prognostic variables and adverse outcome. The presence of activated telomerase (ie, TERT rearrangements, MYCN amplification, or high TERT expression without these alterations) was associated with poorest overall survival and was an independent prognostic marker in multivariable analyses. We also found that the telomerase-interacting compound 6-thio-2′-deoxyguanosine effectively inhibited viability and proliferation of neuroblastoma cells bearing activated telomerase. Similarly, tumor growth was strongly impaired upon 6-thio-2′-deoxyguanosine treatment in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma xenografts in mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggest telomerase activation and ALT define distinct neuroblastoma subgroups with adverse outcome and that telomerase may represent a promising therapeutic target in many high-risk neuroblastomas.
Physicochemical Profiling of Baicalin Along with the Development and Characterization of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes
Authors: Jakab Géza , Bogdán Dóra , Mazák Károly , Deme Ruth , Mucsi Zoltán , Mándity István M. , Noszál Béla , Kállai-Szabó Nikolett , Antal István 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Baicalin is a flavone glycoside extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Numerous pharmacological effects of baicalin were reported (e.g. antioxidant, anxiolytic); nevertheless, the most important physicochemical properties influencing the pharmacokinetic behaviour and the concomitant oral bioavailability have not yet been described in a comprehensive study. The aim of this project was to characterize the acid-base, lipophilicity, biorelevant solubility and permeability properties of the drug substance and providing scientific data to support the dosage form design. Another important objective was the comparative evaluation of six various baicalin-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes along with the creation of a suitable Drug Delivery System (DDS) for this BCS IV drug. Biorelevant profiling was carried out by NMR-pH titrations, saturation shake-flask and distribution coefficients (logP) measurements, while CD inclusion studies were fulfilled by experimental methods (phase solubility, 1H/13C NMR, 2D ROESY) and computational approaches. Due to low aqueous solubility (67.03 ± 1.60 μg/ml) and low permeability (Papp = 0.037 × 10−6 cm/s), baicalin is classified as BCS IV. The γ-CD complexation significantly increased the solubility of baicalin (~ 5 times). The most promoted chemical shift change occurred in baicalin-γ-CD complex. Computational studies showed disparate binding pattern for baicalin in case of β- and γ-CD; furthermore, the calculated complexation energy was − 162.4 kJ mol−1 for β-CD, while it was significantly stronger for γ-CD (− 181.5 kJ mol−1). The physicochemical and structural information of baicalin and its CD complexes introduced herein can create molecular basis for a promising DDS with enhanced bioavailability containing a bioactive phytopharmacon.
Η Συμβολή της Μεντορικής Σχέσης στην Προσωπική και Επαγγελματική Ανάπτυξη των Υποψήφιων Εκπαιδευτικών
Authors: Βλάχου Ελισάβετ , Μάνεσης Νικόλαος 
Published: September 2019

Ο/Η μέντορας είναι αυτός/αυτή που καθοδηγεί, εμψυχώνει, στηρίζει πολλαπλά τον/την καθοδηγούμενο/καθοδηγούμενή του/της. Απαντάται σε διάφορους τομείς, μεταξύ των οποίων κι η εκπαίδευση. Τα τελευταία χρόνια στην Ελλάδα, ο θεσμός του/της μέντορα νομοθετήθηκε για την υποστήριξη των νεοδιόριστων εκπαιδευτικών. Η μεντορική σχέση μεταξύ μέντορα και νέου/νέας στο επάγγελμα εκπαιδευτικού έχει μελετηθεί εκτενώς, όμως δεν πρέπει να παραγνωριστεί η σπουδαιότητα ύπαρξης και διερεύνησης αυτής της σχέσης σε προπτυχιακό επίπεδο. Οι υποψήφιοι/υποψήφιες εκπαιδευτικοί χρειάζονται έναν/μία μέντορα για την προσωπική κι επαγγελματική τους βελτίωση. Κατά το ακαδημαϊκό έτος 2017-2018, 64 φοιτητές του Δ΄ έτους του Π.Τ.Δ.Ε. του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών κλήθηκαν να αναστοχαστούν πάνω στην προσφορά των εργαστηρίων των Πρακτικών Ασκήσεων του έτους τους, όταν αυτό ολοκληρώθηκε, στο πλαίσιο της ανατροφοδοτικής αξιολόγησης των εργαστηρίων. Από το ερώτημα αυτό και μέσω ποιοτικής ανάλυσης των δεδομένων, αναδύθηκε η συμβολή του υπεύθυνου των εργαστηρίων στην προσωπική και επαγγελματική τους ανάπτυξη. Η συμβολή αυτή φαίνεται πως υπήρξε εξαιτίας της δράσης του υπεύθυνου ως μέντορα, χαρακτηριστικά της οποίας, εντοπίστηκαν στις απαντήσεις των μελλοντικών εκπαιδευτικών. Με την παρούσα μελέτη αναδεικνύεται η αναγκαιότητα διερεύνησης, αλλά και ύπαρξης της μεντορικής σχέσης σε προπτυχιακό επίπεδο, όσον αφορά στους/στις υποψήφιους/υποψήφιες εκπαιδευτικούς. Τέλος, μέσω αυτής, ανακύπτουν και προτάσεις για μελλοντική έρευνα.
The yield of continuous EEG monitoring in the intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study
Authors: Tayeb Haythum O. 
Published: September 2019

Background: The practice of continuous EEG monitoring (CEEG) in the intensive care unit (ICU) has spread over the past decade. Building an effective ICU CEEG program demands adequate EEG equipment and human resources. This may not be available in developing healthcare systems. This study sought to shed light on the real-life utility of CEEG at a tertiary healthcare center in the developing healthcare system of Saudi Arabia,. Methods: This is a retrospective review of CEEG findings, along with mortality and duration of hospitalization of patients who had CEEG during a 12-month period at the adult ICU at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 202 CEEG records were identified. A total of 52 patients had non-convulsive seizures (NCS); 10 clearly fulfilled criteria for non-convulsive status epilepticus. There were 120 patients that had clinical seizures upon presentation. Among them, 36 (30%) had NCS on EEG. The proportion of patients who were deceased at 60 days was higher in patients with NCS than those who didn’t have NCS (42% vs 27%, χ2 = 4.4, df=2, p=0.03). The proportion with long hospitalization was higher in those who had periodic or rhythmic CEEG patterns (33.3% vs 28.1%, χ2 = 8.02, df=2, p=0.02) but there was no significant relationship with mortality at 60 days. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a real-world experience from a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia, a developing healthcare system. Findings are consistent with prior experience that ICU CEEG is effective in detecting potentially harmful subclinical patterns, supporting the need to develop ICU CEEG programs. However, the incurred excesses in morbidity and mortality associated with CEEG patterns were relatively modest. Further studies are needed to delineate how the practice of CEEG may be developed to provide meaningful data to clinicians with regards to patient outcomes.
How shall we treat locally advanced triple negative breast cancer?
Authors: Luz Paulo , Dias David , Fortuna Ana , Bretes Luis , Gosalbez Beatriz 
Published: September 2019

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been shown to respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). It has been established that achieving pathological complete response (pCR) for certain aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, including HER-2 (over-expressed) and TNBC, provides an important surrogate marker for predicting long-term clinical response and survival outcomes. How to increase the number of patients that achieve pCR remains challenging. Platinum-based NACT seems to be part of the solution and capecitabine, an active drug in metastatic breast cancer, but not a standard one in earlier stages may have found its place in the adjuvant setting.
Breast‐feeding During Pregnancy and the Risk of Miscarriage
Authors: Molitoris Joseph 
Published: September 2019

CONTEXTBreast‐feeding rates and durations have been increasing among U.S. women in recent decades. As a result, women may be more likely to practice breast‐feeding during pregnancy (BDP), which has been hypothesized to increase the risk of miscarriage, yet there has been little research into the issue.METHODSData on 10,661 pregnancies from several waves of the National Survey of Family Growth, covering the years 2002–2015, were used to calculate unadjusted miscarriage rates according to BDP status. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to investigate the association between BDP and the risk of miscarriage.RESULTSBDP was practiced for 6% of the total time at risk of miscarriage. The miscarriage rate was higher when mothers exclusively breast‐fed during pregnancy (35%) than when they practiced either complementary BDP (i.e., the child also consumed other food) or did not breast‐feed (14% and 15%, respectively). After adjustment for maternal and pregnancy characteristics, the risk of miscarriage was greater when mothers exclusively breast‐fed than when mothers did not breast‐feed (hazard ratio, 3.9), but no increased risk was found with complementary BDP. The miscarriage risk during exclusive BDP was similar to that for women who conceived when they were 40 or older (3.2).CONCLUSIONSExclusive BDP is associated with an elevated risk of miscarriage, but it remains unclear whether and how the practice is associated with health outcomes for the mother and breast‐fed child. Research is needed to further explore these outcomes to inform recommendations regarding BDP.
Aplicação de métodos estatísticos com suavização exponencial dupla e tripla para previsão de demanda na gestão de estoques
Authors: Alves Custodio da Cunha , Hoepers Edgar , Corazza Emerson Jose , Santos Gilson João dos , Cristofolini Renato , Cruz Altair Carlos da 
Published: September 2019

Os métodos estatísticos com suavização exponencial dupla e tripla amplamente utilizados para modelar tendências significativas em dados não estacionários por séries temporais são aplicados neste trabalho para obter em curto prazo, previsões para o planejamento da demanda do processo produtivo em uma indústria metalúrgica do norte de Santa Catarina. O objetivo principal da aplicação de tais métodos é estabelecer a previsão de demanda com o propósito de antecipar cenários futuros de vendas em duas categorias de produtos e obter o melhor aproveitamento da capacidade produtiva através de uma gestão de estoques adequada para a redução de riscos no processo de tomada de decisões gerenciais dessa indústria. Os resultados obtidos com a seleção apropriada dos métodos preditivos com suavização exponencial, objeto de estudo deste trabalho, foram fundamentais para o analista do sistema de previsão de demanda direcionar especial atenção ao grau de acurácia que integrado a uma política de gerenciamento de estoques eficiente foi responsável por minimizar os efeitos de variabilidade e custos operacionais, além contribuir na melhoria dos níveis de serviço e no consequente aumento da rentabilidade da indústria envolvida.
Automatic hypernasality grade assessment in cleft palate speech based on the spectral envelope method
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yang Sen , Wang Xiyue , Tang Ming , Yin Heng , He Ling 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Due to velopharyngeal incompetence, airflow overflows from the oral cavity to the nasal cavity, which results in hypernasality. Hypernasality greatly reduces speech intelligibility and affects the daily communication of patients with cleft palate. Accurate assessment of hypernasality grades can provide assisted diagnosis for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in clinical settings. Utilizing a support vector machine (SVM), this paper classifies speech recordings into four grades (normal, mild, moderate and severe hypernasality) based on vocal tract characteristics. Linear prediction (LP) analysis is widely used to model the vocal tract. Glottal source information may be included in the LP-based spectrum. The stabilized weighted linear prediction (SWLP) method, which imposes the temporal weights on the closed-phase interval of the glottal cycle, is a more robust approach for modeling the vocal tract. The extended weighted linear prediction (XLP) method weights each lagged speech signal separately, which achieves a finer time scale on the spectral envelope than the SWLP method. Tested speech recordings were collected from 60 subjects with cleft palate and 20 control subjects, and included a total of 4640 Mandarin syllables. The experimental results showed that the spectral envelope of normal speech decreases faster than that of hypernasal speech in the high-frequency part. The experimental results also indicate that the SWLP- and XLP-based methods have smaller correlation coefficients between normal and hypernasal speech than the LP method. Thus, the SWLP and XLP methods have better ability to distinguish hypernasal from normal speech than the LP method. The classification accuracies of the four hypernasality grades using the SWLP and XLP methods range from 83.86% to 97.47%. The selection of the model order and the size of the weight function are also discussed in this paper.
Serum or plasma? An old question looking for new answers
Authors: Plebani Mario , Banfi Giuseppe , Bernardini Sergio , Bondanini Francesco , Conti Laura , Dorizzi Romolo , Ferrara Fulvio Enrico , Mancini Rita , Trenti Tommaso 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Serum or plasma? An old question looking for new answers. There is a continual debate on what type of sample a clinical laboratory should use. While serum is still considered the gold standard and remains the required sample for some assays, laboratories must consider turn-around time, which is an important metric for laboratory performance and, more importantly, plays a critical role in patient care. In addition, a body of evidence emphasise the choice of plasma in order to prevent modifications of some analytes due to the coagulation process and related interferences. Advantages and disadvantages of serum and plasma are discussed on the basis of current literature and evidence. In addition, data are provided on the current utilisation of the samples (serum or plasma) in Italy and in other countries. Finally, a rationale for a possible switch from serum to plasma is provided.
“I am a healthcare practitioner”: A qualitative exploration of massage therapists’ professional identity
Authors: Baskwill Amanda , Vanstone Meredith , Harnish Del , Dore Kelly 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
A division has been described among massage therapists, some who identify as healthcare providers while others identify as service providers. The perceived division creates confusion about what it means to be a massage therapist.

Objective
This qualitative study answered, “How do massage therapists in Ontario describe their professional identity?”

Methods
Qualitative description (QD) was used and data were collected from 33 massage therapists using semi-structured interviews.

Results
The resulting description of massage therapists’ identity in Ontario is the first of its kind. The identity described includes passion as professional motivation in practice, the importance of confidence and competence, a focus on the therapeutic relationship, individualized care, and patient empowerment, and a desire to be recognized for their role within the healthcare system.

Conclusion
There is still much to be investigated about massage therapists’ identity. Future research will explore whether this description resonates with a larger sample of massage therapists in Ontario.