bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐government implementation and monitoring: The case of Rwanda's ‘one‐stop’ E‐government
Authors: Bakunzibake Pierre , Klein Gunnar O. , Islam Sirajul M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTaking the case of the “one‐stop” e‐government initiative in Rwanda, the present study aims to find out how the “one‐stop” e‐government initiative is monitored at different government levels and stages and the extent to which the initiative is monitored. Furthermore, the study also aims to identify potential areas for improvement in the monitoring process. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken in Rwandan agencies. The findings show that the monitoring of the process of implementing and improving one‐stop e‐government is partly formal at central government level and informal at local government level. Furthermore, the focus of the monitoring at the stage of use and maintenance leans more towards the benefits of end users as service consumers than those of the service providers. Incorporating formal methodological approaches at local government level and in all stages of the implementation and improvement process at central government level, as well as paying increased attention to back‐end process performance aspects, could introduce additional improvements into the monitoring practice and, in turn, increase project benefits.
Fra1 Controls Rheumatoid Factor Autoantibody Production by Bone Marrow Plasma Cells and the Development of Autoimmune Bone Loss
Authors: Grötsch Bettina , Lux Anja , Rombouts Yoann , Hoffmann Anna-Carin , Andreev Darja , Nimmerjahn Falk , Xiang Wei , Scherer Hans Ulrich , Schett Georg , Bozec Aline 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACT

Next to proinflammatory cytokines, autoimmunity has been identified as a key trigger for osteoclast activation and bone loss. IgG-rheumatoid factor (IgG-RF) immune complexes, which are present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, were shown to boost osteoclast differentiation. To date, the regulation of IgG-RF production in the absence of inflammatory triggers is unknown. Herein, we describe Fra1 as a key checkpoint that controls IgG-RF production by plasma cells and regulates autoimmune-mediated bone loss. Fra1 deficiency in B cells (Fra1ΔBcell) led to increased IgG1-producing bone marrow plasma cells, enhanced IgG-RF production, and increased bone loss associated with elevated osteoclast numbers after immunization. The effect of IgG-RF on osteoclasts in vitro and on osteoclasts associated with bone loss in vivo was dependent on FcγR, especially FcγR3. Furthermore, immunization of WT mice with T-cell-dependent antigens induced a significant and robust decrease in Fra1 expression in bone marrow B cells, which was followed by increased IgG1 production and the induction of osteoclast-mediated bone loss. Overall, these data identify Fra1 as a key mediator of IgG-RF production and autoimmune-mediated bone loss. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Aryl hydrocarbon‐estrogen alpha receptor‐dependent expression of miR‐206, miR‐27b, and miR‐133a suppress cell proliferation and migration in MCF‐7 cells
Authors: Mobini Keivan , Tamaddon Gholamhossein , Fardid Reza , Keshavarzi Majid , Mohammadi‐Bardbori Afshin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe underlying functions of miR‐206, miR‐133a, miR‐27b, and miR‐21, and their link to the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways remain largely unexplored. In this study, we detect the expression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, miR‐27b, and miR‐21 in MCF‐7 through quantificational real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay along with the activation/inhibition of ERα and AhR receptors. Aside from this, cell proliferation and migration as well as AhR‐dependent CYP1A1 enzyme activity were measured. Here, we found that the forced increased expression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b were closely associated with the suppression of MCF‐7 cell proliferation and migration. The anti‐proliferative‐metastatic effect of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b was probably mediated by targeting the ERα and AhR signaling pathways. Considered together, our study indicated that the overexpression of miR‐206, miR‐133a, and miR‐27b might be potential biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic strategies in breast cancer.
Integrated network analysis and machine learning approach for the identification of key genes of triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Naorem Leimarembi Devi , Muthaiyan Mathavan , Venkatesan Amouda 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTriple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has attracted more attention compared with other breast cancer subtypes due to its aggressive nature, poor prognosis, and chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment with no other approved targeted therapy. Therefore, the study aimed to discover more promising therapeutic targets and investigating new insights of biological mechanism of TNBC. Six microarray data sets consisting of 463 non‐TNBC and 405 TNBC samples were mined from Gene Expression Omnibus. The data sets were integrated by meta‐analysis and identified 1075 differentially expressed genes. Protein‐protein interaction network was constructed which consists of 486 nodes and 1932 edges, where 29 hub genes were obtained with high topological measures. Further, 16 features (hub genes), 12 upregulated (AURKB,
CCNB2,
CDC20,
DDX18,
EGFR,
ENO1,
MYC,
NUP88,
PLK1,
PML,
POLR2F, and
SKP2) and four downregulated (
CCND1,
GLI3,
SKP1, and
TGFB3) were selected through machine learning correlation based feature selection method on training data set. A naïve Bayes based classifier built using the expression profiles of 16 features (hub genes) accurately and reliably classify TNBC from non‐TNBC samples in the validation test data set with a receiver operating curve of 0.93 to 0.98. Subsequently, Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the hub genes were enriched in mitotic cell cycle processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that they were enriched in cell cycle pathways. Thus, the identified key hub genes and pathways highlighted in the study would enhance the understanding of molecular mechanism of TNBC which may serve as potential therapeutic target.
Deterioration of semen quality and sperm‐DNA integrity as influenced by cigarette smoking in fertile and infertile human male smokers—A prospective study
Authors: Ranganathan Parameswari , Rao Kamini Aravind , Thalaivarasai Balasundaram Sridharan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn modernized lifestyle smoking is one of the trendy, psychological, and socioeconomic scenarios of young adolescents mainly in the age of the reproductive stage. Based on a number of cigarettes smoked, age, and duration of the smoke, the study aims to search for the profound effects of smoking and its impact on semen parameters, sperm‐DNA integrity, and fragmentation of sperm DNA with cotinine and apoptotic caspase‐3 marker in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile smokers. To determine oxidative damage by 8‐hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) from isolated sperm DNA (steps: reactive oxygen species washing by nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), sperm lysis, salt digestion, ethanol washing, and finally with high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis). Level of DNA fragmentation (percentage) in native and intact DNA, the activity of caspase‐3 in infertile smokers will be compared with the control group of nonsmokers. Also, the sperm viability was visualized by eosin‐nigrosin and aniline blue staining. Cotinine is one of the best markers of smoking. The cotinine level (2224.24 ± 1.19 *** ng/mL), when abundant it negative correlates with morphology and rapid motility in infertile smokers than nonsmokers. Gel preprogram measured the sperm integrity and was found to be less in smokers than nonsmokers. The spermatic oxidative marker 8‐OHdG was high and gave an R
2 value of 0.9104 with morphology and 0.9007 for rapid motility of infertile sperm, respectively. Infertile smoking subjects (<10 cigarettes/day) had significant changes increase in sperm fragmentation, caspase‐3, and cotinine while negative impact with motility, morphology, and pH of semen compared with fertile, infertile nonsmoking subjects.
The clinical value of hematological markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with tocilizumab
Authors: Zhou Li , Xiao Dong‐Mei , Qin Wen , Xie Bin‐Hua , Wang Ting‐Hui , Huang Hua , Zhao Bao‐Jing , Han Xi , Sun Qing‐Qing , Wu Xiu‐Di , Cen Han 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundEmerging evidence indicates that some hematological markers have critical value in evaluating treatment response. This study was performed to determine the clinical value of hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ).MethodsFifty‐two RA patients receiving TCZ were recruited and followed for 6 months. The values of abovementioned hematological markers were collected. Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and disease activity score based on 28 joints (DAS28)‐ESR were calculated. Correlation analysis was conducted by calculating Pearson's correlation coefficient. The change in disease activity between groups according to the baseline level of hematological markers was compared by t test.ResultsSignificant correlation between change in NLR (△NLR), change in PLR (△PLR), and change in CDAI (△CDAI) was found (△NLR: r = 0.30, P = 0.03; △PLR: r = 0.31, P = 0.03). The change in Plt (△Plt) was correlated with change in DAS28‐ESR (△DAS28‐ESR) (r = 0.36, P = 8.24 × 10−3). Greater improvement in CDAI was seen in patients categorized into Plt high group (t = 2.06, P = 0.04), NLR high group (t = 2.15, P = 0.04), and PLR high group (t = 2.41, P = 0.02) compared with the contrast group.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that △Plt, △NLR, and △PLR could be used to monitor the clinical response to TCZ. RA patients with high baseline levels of Plt, NLR, and PLR achieved more improvement, indicating these hematological markers might be utilized to guide TCZ treatment.
The identification of new biomarkers for bladder cancer: A study based on TCGA and GEO datasets
Authors: Hu Junyi , Zhou Lijie , Song Zhengshuai , Xiong Ming , Zhang Youpeng , Yang Yu , Chen Ke , Chen Zhaohui 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common neoplastic diseases worldwide. With the highest recurrence rate among all cancers, treatment of BC only improved a little in the last 30 years. Available biomarkers are not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of BC, whereas the standard diagnostic method, cystoscopy, is an invasive test and expensive. Hence, seeking new biomarkers of BC is urgent and challenging. With that order, we screened the overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of GSE13507 and TCGA BLCA datasets. Subsequent protein–protein interactions network analysis recognized the hub genes among these DEGs. Further functional analysis including Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were processed to investigate the role of these genes and potential underlying mechanisms in BC. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox hazard ratio analysis were carried out to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic role of these genes. In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that ACTA2, CDC20, MYH11, TGFB3, TPM1, VIM, and DCN are all potential diagnostic biomarkers for BC. And may also be potential treatment targets for clinical implication in the future.
Genistein protects intervertebral discs from degeneration via Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense system: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Wang Ke , Hu Sunli , Wang Ben , Wang Jianle , Wang Xiangyang , Xu Cong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOxidative stress has been reported to be closely associated with the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is one of the major causes of low back pain. Genistein (GES), one of the main isoflavones of soybean, has been shown to exert multiple biological functions on different diseases. Here, we tested the therapeutic potential of GES for IDD. In vitro experiments, we confirmed GES was nontoxic to rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) within the concentration of 100 μM. Furthermore, GES was able to suppress apoptosis in tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)‐treated NPCs. In the aspect of extracellular matrix (ECM), GES not only reduced metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) and a disintegrin‐like and MMP thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 expression, but also increased aggrecan and type II collagen levels. Also, we found GES might rescue TBHP‐induced NPCs degeneration by enhancing Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense system. Silencing Nrf2 partly abolished the protective effects of GES on apoptosis and ECM disruption in TBHP‐treated NPCs. Correspondingly, GES ameliorated IDD in a rat model by preserving morphology of degenerative intervertebral discs and promoting Nrf2 expression. To sum up, our study suggests that GES exerts protective effects in NPCs against degeneration and reveals the underlying mechanism of GES on Nrf2 activation in NPCs.
RETRACTED: Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate the inflammatory reaction in CLP‐induced septic acute lung injury rats via sTNFR1
Authors: Ding Xian‐Fei , Liang Huo‐Yan , Sun Jun‐Yi , Liu Shao‐Hua , Kan Quan‐Cheng , Wang Le‐Xin , Sun Tong‐Wen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe hypothesized that the adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), which secrete high amounts of soluble molecules, such as soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1), may ameliorate sepsis‐induced acute lung injury (ALI). A total of 120 male adult Sprague–Dawley rats were separated into four groups: the sham control (SC), sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), CLP–ADMSCs, and CLP–sTNFR1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) groups; CLP groups underwent CLP and then received 1 × 106 ADMSCs with or without knockdown of sTNFR1 intravenously at 1 hr after surgery. Rats were killed at 3, 6, 24, and 48 hr after the SC or CLP procedures. 5‐Ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine‐labeled ADMSCs extensively colonized the lungs at 6, 24, and 72 hr after injection. The lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratios in the CLP group were higher than those in SC group; however, ADMSCs ameliorated the W/D weight ratios following CLP, and this effect was abolished by sTNFR1 siRNA treatment. The levels of serum sTNFR1 and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) were higher in the CLP–ADMSCs group and lower in the SC group than in other groups; interestingly, these levels were higher in CLP and CLP–sTNFR1 siRNA groups than in SC group. Tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 levels increased significantly after CLP, and ADMSCs could alleviate these changes, but the effect was weakened by sTNFR1 siRNA treatment. The lung cell apoptosis and edema levels were consistent with IL‐6 levels among all groups. Therapeutically administered ADMSCs secrete sTNFR1, which most likely protects against ALI in septic rats by ameliorating inflammation and lung edema.
Long noncoding RNA OIP5‐AS1 acts as a competing endogenous RNA to promote glutamine catabolism and malignant melanoma growth by sponging miR‐217
Authors: Luan Wenkang , Zhang Xuanfeng , Ruan Hongru , Wang Jinlong , Bu Xuefeng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5‐AS1 has been considered to promote the growth and metastasis of many human tumors. However, the role of OIP5‐AS1 in melanoma has not been reported. In this study, we found that OIP5‐AS1 levels were significantly elevated in melanoma tissue and that high OIP5‐AS1 expression was an independent risk factor for the poor survival of patients with melanoma. miR‐217 suppressed glutamine catabolism in melanoma cells by targeting glutaminase (GLS), the rate‐limiting enzyme of glutamine catabolism. We also demonstrated that OIP5‐AS1 acted as a sponge of miR‐217 to upregulate GLS expression, thus promoting glutamine catabolism and melanoma growth. Overall, this result elucidates a new mechanism for OIP5‐AS1 in metabolism in melanoma and provides a potential therapeutic target for patients with melanoma.
The clinical significance and prognostic value of Xenopus kinesin‐like protein 2 expressions in human tumors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Weina , Wan Haiting , Shan Renfeng , Wen Wu , Li Jianfeng , Luo Daya , Wan Ren‐Hua 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTargeting protein for Xenopus kinesin‐like protein 2 (TPX2) is a microtubule‐associated protein that plays a pivotal part in the formation of spindles. There is accumulating evidence that the expression of TPX2 is upregulated in many kinds of human cancers and that this protein is involved in the occurrence and progression of tumors. The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to investigate the relationship between the overexpression of TPX2 and poor prognosis in cancer patients. A total of 18 eligible studies encompassing 3115 patients were included by searching relevant databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled under random‐/fixed‐effect models. After calculation, the results showed that patients with increased TPX2 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival (HR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.70–2.86), and disease‐free survival (HR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.67–2.64). In addition, it was found that increased TPX2 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage (OR = 2.17; 95% CI:1.42–3.32), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.98; 95% CI: 2.28–3.89), distant metastasis (OR = 2.25; 95% CI:1.03–4.92), and vascular invasion (OR = 2.22; 95% CI:1.26–3.91). Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between increased expression of TPX2 and either gender, tumor differentiation, or tumor size. Thus, we can come to the conclusion that the overexpression of TPX2 is related to poor clinical outcomes and can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of patients with cancer.
Uniform combined reconstruction of multichannel 7T knee MRI receive coil data without the use of a reference scan
Authors: Chebrolu Venkata Veerendranadh , Kollasch Peter D. , Deshpande Vibhas , Grinstead John , Howe Benjamin M. , Frick Matthew A. , Fagan Andrew J. , Benner Thomas , Heidemann Robin M. , Felmlee Joel P. , Amrami Kimberly K. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundMR image intensity nonuniformity is often observed at 7T. Reference scans from the body coil used for uniformity correction at lower field strengths are typically not available at 7T.PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of a novel algorithm, Uniform Combined Reconstruction (UNICORN), to correct receive coil‐induced nonuniformity in musculoskeletal 7T MRI without the use of a reference scan.Study TypeRetrospective image analysis study.SubjectsMRI data of 20 subjects was retrospectively processed offline.Field Strength/Sequence: Knees of 20 subjects were imaged at 7T with a single‐channel transmit, 28‐channel phased‐array receive knee coil. A turbo‐spin‐echo sequence was used to acquire 33 series of images.AssessmentThree fellowship‐trained musculoskeletal radiologists with cumulative experience of 42 years reviewed the images. The uniformity, contrast, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and overall image quality were evaluated for images with no postprocessing, images processed with N4 bias field correction algorithm, and the UNICORN algorithm.Statistical TestsIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for measuring the interrater reliability. ICC and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the R statistical package employing a two‐way mixed‐effects model based on a mean rating (k = 3) for absolute agreement. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test with continuity correction was used for analyzing the overall image quality scores.ResultsUNICORN was preferred among the three methods evaluated for uniformity in 97.9% of the pooled ratings, with excellent interrater agreement (ICC of 0.98, CI 0.97–0.99). UNICORN was also rated better than N4 for contrast and equivalent to N4 in SNR with ICCs of 0.80 (CI 0.72–0.86) and 0.67 (CI 0.54–0.77), respectively. The overall image quality scores for UNICORN were significantly higher than N4 (P < 6 × 10‐13), with good to excellent interrater agreement (ICC 0.90, CI 0.86–0.93).Data ConclusionWithout the use of a reference scan, UNICORN provides better image uniformity, contrast, and overall image quality at 7T compared with the N4 bias field‐correction algorithm.Level of Evidence: 4Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1534–1544.
Genotypic differences in shoot silicon concentration and the impact on grain arsenic concentration in rice
Authors: Talukdar Partha , Hartley Sue E. , Travis Anthony J. , Price Adam H. , Norton Gareth J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSilicon in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been demonstrated to be involved in resistance to lodging, drought, and salinity, and also enhances resistance to pests and diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the range of silicon concentration in a set of rice (Oryza sativa L.) accessions, and to determine if the natural variation of shoot silicon is linked to the previously identified silicon transporters (Lsi genes). Silicon concentration was determined in 50 field‐grown accessions, representing all sub‐populations of rice, with all accessions being genotyped with 700K SNPs. SNPs within 10 kb of the Lsi genes were examined to determine if any were significantly linked with the phenotypic variation. An XRF method of silicon determination compared favourably with digestion and colorimetric analysis. There were significant genotypic differences in shoot silicon ranging from 16.5 to 42.4 mg g−1 of plant dry weight, but there was no significant difference between the rice sub‐populations. Plants with different alleles for SNPs representing Lsi2 and Lsi3 were significantly different for shoot silicon concentration. Shoot silicon correlated negatively with grain arsenic in the tropical and temperate japonica sub‐population, suggesting that accessions with high shoot silicon have reduced grain arsenic. This study indicates that alleles for Lsi genes are excellent candidate genes for further study to explain the natural variation of shoot silicon in rice.
Diagnostic Role of Renal Doppler Ultrasound and Plasma Renin Activity as Screening Tools for Renovascular Hypertension in Children
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Choi Young Hun , Cho Yeon Jin , Cheon Jung‐Eun , Park Ji Eun , Kim Woo Sun , Kim In‐One 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesThe diagnostic role of an ultrasound (US) and plasma renin activity (PRA) combination is unknown, despite the usefulness of Doppler US as a screening tool for renovascular hypertension (RVHT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of US for RVHT in children stratified according to PRA.MethodsWe identified 336 children who underwent renal Doppler US examinations for hypertension and divided them into a high‐renin group (n = 177) and a normal‐renin group (n = 159) based on PRA and stratified them by age. The Doppler US findings were retrospectively reviewed, and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for the same children was used as the reference standard.ResultsIn the high‐renin group, 36 patients had positive Doppler US findings that were confirmed by CTA in 32 cases. The sensitivity and specificity values for Doppler US in the high‐renin group were 84.2% and 93.6%, respectively. In the normal‐renin group, 10 patients had positive Doppler US findings; these positive findings were confirmed by CTA in 9 cases. The sensitivity and specificity values for US in the normal‐renin group were 100.0% and 100.0%. There were anatomic variations (n = 3) and segmental artery stenosis (n = 2) among the cases with false‐negative US findings, which were confirmed by CTA.ConclusionsIf patients have high PRA, a Doppler US examination should be performed with caution to avoid false‐negative detection. If patients have normal PRA, renal Doppler US might be adequate for diagnosis of RVHT to avoid unnecessary CTA.