bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different EPHX1 methylation levels in promoter area between carbamazepine-resistant epilepsy group and carbamazepine-sensitive epilepsy group in Chinese Population
Authors: Lv Yudan , Zheng Xiangyu , Shi Mingchao , Wang Zan , Cui Li 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Background: Epigenetics underlying refractory epilepsy is poorly understood. DNA methylation may affect gene expression in epilepsy patients without affecting DNA sequences. Herein, we investigated the association between Carbamazepine-resistant (CBZ-resistant) epilepsy and EPHX1 methylation in a northern Han Chinese population, and conducted an analysis of clinical risk factors for CBZ-resistant epilepsy.
Methods: 75 northern Han Chinese patients participated in this research. 25 cases were CBZ-resistant epilepsy, 25 cases were CBZ-sensitive epilepsy and the remaining 25 cases were controls. Using a CpG searcher was to make a prediction of CpG islands; bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was applied to test the methylation of EPHX1. We then did statistical analysis between clinical parameters and EPHX1 methylation.

Results: There was no difference between CBZ-resistant patients,CBZ-sensitive patients and healthy controls in matched age and gender. However, a significant difference of methylation levels located in NC_000001.11 (225806929.....225807108) of the EPHX1 promoter was found in CBZ-resistant patients, which was much higher than CBZ-sensitive and controls. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between seizure frequency, disease course and EPHX1 methylation in CBZ-resistant group.
Conclusion: Methylation levels in EPHX1 promoter associated with CBZ-resistant epilepsy significantly. EPHX1 methylation may be the potential marker for CBZ resistance prior to the CBZ therapy and potential target for treatments.
The Effect of Implementing an Aseptic Practice Bundle for Anaesthetists to Reduce Postoperative Infections. Protocol for a Stepped Wedge, Cluster Randomised, Multi-Site Trial. The Anaesthetists Be Cleaner (ABC) Study
Authors: Merry Alan , Gargiulo Derryn A. , Bissett Ian , Cumin David , English Kerry , Frampton Christopher , Hamblin Richard , Hannam Jacqueline , Moore Matthew , Reid Papaarangi , Roberts Sally , Taylor Elsa , Mitchell Simon J. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Background

Postoperative infection is a serious problem in New Zealand, and internationally with considerable human and financial costs. Also, in New Zealand, certain factors that contribute to postoperative infection are more common in Māori and Pacific populations. To date, most efforts to reduce postoperative infection have focused on surgical aspects of care and on antibiotic prophylaxis, but recent research shows that anaesthesia providers may also have an impact on infection transmission. These providers sometimes exhibit imperfect hand hygiene and frequently transfer the blood or saliva of their patients to their work environment. In addition, intravenous medications may become contaminated while being drawn up and administered to patients. Working with relevant practitioners and other experts, we have developed an evidence-informed bundle to improve key aseptic practices by anaesthetists with the aim of reducing postoperative infection. The key elements of the bundle are the filtering of compatible drugs, context-relevant hand hygiene practices, and enhanced maintenance of clean work surfaces.

Methods

We will seek support for implementation of the bundle from senior anaesthesia and hospital leadership and departmental “champions”. Anaesthetic teams and recovery room staff will be educated about the bundle and its potential benefits through presentations, written material, and exemplar videos. We will implement the bundle in operating rooms where hip or knee arthroplasty or cardiac surgery procedures are undertaken in a five-site, stepped wedge, cluster randomised, quality improvement design. We will compare outcomes between approximately 5,000 cases before and 5,000 cases after implementation of our bundle. Outcome data will be collected from existing national and hospital databases. Our primary outcome will be days alive and out of hospital to 90 days, which is expected to reflect all serious postoperative infections. Our secondary outcome will be the rate of surgical site infection. Aseptic practice will be observed in sampled cases in each cluster before and after implementation of the bundle.

Discussion

If effective, our bundle may offer a practical clinical intervention to reduce postoperative infection and its associated substantial human and financial costs.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry: ACTRN12618000407291
Kinetics of photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid from water by advanced oxidation processes with respect to nanotechnology
Authors: Derbalah A. , Sunday M. , Chidya R. , Jadoon W. , Sakugawa H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this study, the kinetics of photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid, a systemic chloronicotinoid insecticide, from water using two advanced oxidation systems (ZnO(normal)/H2O2/artificial sunlight and ZnO(nano)/H2O2/artificial sunlight) were investigated. Moreover, the effects of pH, insecticide concentration, catalyst concentration, catalyst particle size, and water type on the photocatalytic removal of imidacloprid were evaluated. Furthermore, total mineralization of imidacloprid under these advanced oxidation systems was evaluated by monitoring the decreases in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and formation rate of inorganic ions (Cl− and NO2−) with irradiation time using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and ion chromatography to confirm the complete detoxification of imidacloprid in water. The degradation rate of imidacloprid was faster under the ZnO(nano)/H2O2/artificial sunlight system than the ZnO(normal)/artificial sunlight system in both pure and river water. The photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid under both advanced oxidation systems was affected by pH, catalyst concentration, imidacloprid concentration, and water type. Almost complete mineralization of imidacloprid was only achieved in the ZnO(nano)/H2O2/artificial sunlight oxidation system. The photogeneration rate of hydroxyl radicals was higher under the ZnO(nano)/H2O2/artificial sunlight system than the ZnO(normal)/H2O2/artificial sunlight system. Advanced oxidation processes, particularly those using nanosized zinc oxide, can be regarded as an effective photocatalytic method for imidacloprid removal from water.This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.
Variations in sensitivity to chlorine in Ecuador and US consumers: implications for community water systems
Authors: Stout Jacob , Tellinghuisen Donald J. , Wunder David B. , Tatko Chad D. , Rydbeck Bruce V. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Successful implementation of chlorination for disinfecting community water systems in developing countries faces obstacles, with rejection of chlorinous flavor as a significant factor. Determining consumers' abilities to accurately detect chlorine in treated water is important to identifying acceptable chlorination levels that are also effective for water disinfection. Chlorine detection sensitivity was tested in untrained Ecuadorian consumers with limited prior experience with chlorinated water and US consumers with extensive prior experience with chlorinated water. Water samples with free chlorine concentrations up to 3.0 mg/L were presented for flavor testing. Ecuadorian consumers showed higher sensitivity, being able to detect chlorination at 2.0 and 3.0 mg/L, while US consumers did not reliably detect chlorine presence for any concentration levels. Additionally, Ecuadorian consumers' rejection of water samples depended on chlorination, showing a statistically significant increase in rejections of samples with chlorine concentrations above 1.0 mg/L. On the other hand, although US consumers rejected more samples overall, their tendency to reject did not vary as a function of chlorination levels. This study demonstrated that limited experience with chlorination is a critical factor for accurate chlorine flavor detection in drinking water.
This article has been made Open Access thanks to the generous support of a global network of libraries as part of the Knowledge Unlatched Select initiative.
An Algorithm Combining Analysis-based Blind Compressed Sensing and Nonlocal Low-rank Constraints for MRI Reconstruction
Authors: Sun Mei , Tao Jinxu , Ye Zhongfu , Qiu Bensheng , Xu Jinzhang , Xi Changfeng 
Published: February 2019

Background:
In order to overcome the limitation of long scanning time, compressive
sensing (CS) technology exploits the sparsity of image in some transform domain to reduce the
amount of acquired data. Therefore, CS has been widely used in magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) reconstruction.
</P><P>
Discussion: Blind compressed sensing enables to recover the image successfully from highly under-
sampled measurements, because of the data-driven adaption of the unknown transform basis
priori. Moreover, analysis-based blind compressed sensing often leads to more efficient signal reconstruction
with less time than synthesis-based blind compressed sensing. Recently, some experiments
have shown that nonlocal low-rank property has the ability to preserve the details of the image for
MRI reconstruction.

Methods:
Here, we focus on analysis-based blind compressed sensing, and combine it with additional
nonlocal low-rank constraint to achieve better MR images from fewer measurements. Instead
of nuclear norm, we exploit non-convex Schatten p-functionals for the rank approximation.
</P><P>
Results & Conclusion: Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach performs better than
the previous state-of-the-art algorithms.
New Copper Compounds with Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity
Authors: Flores-García Mirthala , Fernández-G. Juan Manuel , Busqueta-Griera Cristina , Gómez Elizabeth , Hernández-Ortega Simón , Lamothe-Flores Jean Christian Daniel , Gómez-Vidales Virginia , Mejía-Domínguez Ana María , Anglés-Cano Eduardo , de la Peña-Díaz Aurora 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident, and venous thromboembolism
have the presence of a thrombotic event in common and represent the most common
causes of death within the population.

Objective:
Since Schiff base copper(II) complexes are able to interact with polyphosphates
(PolyP), a procoagulant and potentially prothrombotic platelet agent, we investigated the antiplatelet
aggregating properties of two novel tridentate Schiff base ligands and their corresponding copper(
II) complexes.

Methods:
The Schiff base ligands (L1) and (L2), as well as their corresponding copper(II) complexes
(C1) and (C2), were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction,
mass spectrometry, and UV-Visible, IR and far IR spectroscopy. In addition, EPR studies were
carried out for (C1) and (C2), while (L1) and (L2) were further analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR.
Tests for antiplatelet aggregation activities of all of the four compounds were conducted.

Results:
X-ray diffraction studies show that (L1) and (L2) exist in the enol-imine tautomeric form
with a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. NMR studies show that both ligands are found as
enol-imine tautomers in CDCl3 solution. In the solid state, the geometry around the copper(II) ion
in both (C1) and (C2) is square planar. EPR spectra suggest that the geometry of the complexes is
similar to that observed in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Compound (C2) exhibited the
strongest antiplatelet aggregation activity.

Conclusion:
Schiff base copper(II) complexes, which are attracting increasing interest, could represent
a new approach to treat thrombosis by blocking the activity of PolyP with a potential anticoagulant
activity and, most importantly, demonstrating no adverse bleeding events.
Design and Synthesis of New Substituted Pyrazolopyridines with Potent Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Giannouli Vassiliki , Lougiakis Nikolaos , Kostakis Ioannis K. , Pouli Nicole , Marakos Panagiotis , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Horne David A. , Nam Sangkil , Gioti Katerina , Tenta Roxane 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Purine isosteres are often endowed with interesting pharmacological
properties, due to their involvement in cellular processes replacing the natural purines. Among
these compounds, pyrazolopyridines are under active investigation for potential anticancer properties.

Objective:
Based on previously discovered substituted pyrazolopyridines with promising antiproliferative
activity, we designed and synthesized new, suitably substituted analogues aiming to investigate
their potential activity and contribute to SAR studies of this class of bioactive compounds.

Methods:
The new compounds were synthesized using suitably substituted 2-amino-4-picolines,
which upon ring-closure provided substituted pyrazolo[3,4-c] pyridine-5-carbonitriles that served
as key intermediates for the preparation of the target 3,5,7 trisubstituted derivatives. The antiproliferative
activity of 31 new target derivatives was evaluated against three cancer cell lines (MIA
PaCa-2, PC-3 and SCOV3), whereas cell-cycle perturbations of exponentially growing PC-3 cells,
using three selected derivatives were also performed.

Results:
Eight compounds displayed IC50 values in the low μM range, allowing the extraction of
interesting SAR’s. Two of the most potent compounds against all cell lines share a common pattern,
by accumulating cells at the G0/G1 phase. From this project, a new carboxamidine-substituted
hit has emerged.

Conclusion:
Among the new compounds, those possessing the 3-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine
scaffold, proved to be worth investigating and the majority of them showed strong cytotoxic activity
against all cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.87-4.3 µM. A carboxamidine analogue
that resulted from the synthetic procedure, proved to be highly active against the cancer cells and
could be considered as a useful lead for further optimization.
High Antioxidant Capacities and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Hammada elegans Botsch. Extracts: An in vitro Assessment
Authors: Feriha Bensafiddine , Brahim Asseli , Reguia Mahfoudi , Amar Djeridane , Mohamed Yousfi 
Published: February 2019

Introduction:
Plants supply traditional Algerian medicines for the treatment of antiinflammatory
effect. The reasons for the use of traditional treatments were that pure compounds obtained
were also effective in reducing the toxicities of toxic agents or other drugs.

Methods:
In this study, we explore the phytochemical composition and the phenolic content by
indirect method to evaluate the antioxidants and the anti-inflammatory capacities of twelve extracts
from three plants.

Results:
Results: The total phenolic content ranged from 0.168 ± 0.020 to 4.166 ± 0.124 mg per gram of dry
weight. Phytochemical screening revealed that tannins, C-heterosides, O-reduced heterosides and reducing
compounds are the most common chemical groups. The highest antiradical activity was
achieved with methanolic extract of Hammada elegans (EC50 = 0.551 ± 0.171mg/mL). However, the
acetonic extract of Hammada elegans represents the most important reducing activity (EC50 = 0.747
± 0.004mg/mL). Moreover, this extract also displays the highest chelating ferrous ions effect (EC50 =
5.749 ± 0.009 mg/mL) while the hydromethanolic extract of Cleome arabica has the best
antilipoperoxidative effect (EC50 = 0.031 ± 0.000mg/mL). Furthermore, all extracts inhibit the activity
of lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase with IC50 values less than 19.210 ± 0.297 mg/mL. Therefore,
the acetonic extract of Hammada elegans appears to be twice greater than that of standard inhibitors.

Conclusion:
The fractionation of the acetonic extract of Hammada elegans has given a potent bioactive
compound which seems to have potential therapeutic possibilities for the prevention of the inflammatory
effects.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects ofLotus corniculatuson Paracetamol-induced Hepatitis in Rats
Authors: Baali Nacera , Mezrag Abderahmane , Bouheroum Mohamed , Benayache Fadila , Benayache Samir , Souad Amedah 
Published: February 2019

Background:Herbal medicines have been used in the treatment of liver diseases for a long time. The current study was elaborated to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Lotus corniculatus (L. corniculatus) butanolic extract.Methods:The in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of L. corniculatus were investigated by employing DPPH radical scavenging, H2O2 scavenging and BSA denaturation assays. In vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of L. corniculatus were evaluated against paracetamol (APAP)-induced hepatitis in rats. L.corniculatus at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg was administered orally once daily for seven days. Serum transaminases (AST and ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin levels, liver malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S- transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and inflammatory markers, such as serum Creactive protein (CRP), circulating and liver myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were investigated. Further histopathological analysis of the liver sections was performed to support the effectiveness of L. corniculatus.Results:L. corniculatus exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. In the in vivo study, our findings demonstrate that L. corniculatus (100 and 200 mg/kg) administration led to an amelioration of APAP effects on liver histology, liver functions parameters (AST, ALT, LDH, and total bilirubin levels) and liver oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, GST and SOD levels). Furthermore, serum CRP, circulating MPO and liver MPO levels were declined by both doses of L. corniculatus extract. The best benefits were observed with 200 mg/kg of L. corniculatus extract.Conclusion:Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of L. corniculatus extract may be due to the presence of active components.
Exploration of the Effect and Mechanism of ShenQi Compound in a Spontaneous Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Liu Ya , Kang Jian , Gao Hong , Zhang Xiyu , Chao Jun , Gong Guangming , Yuan Haipo , Xie Chunguang 
Published: February 2019

Background:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a world-wide metabolic disease with no
cure from drugs and treatment. In China, The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formulations
have been used to treat T2DM for centuries.

Methods:
In this study, we proposed a formula called ShenQi Compound (SQC), which has been used
in clinical therapeutics in China for several years. We evaluated the effect of SQC in a spontaneous
diabetic rat model (GK rats) by detecting a series of blood indicators and performing histological observations.
Meanwhile, the gene microarray and RT-qPCR experiments were used to explore the molecular
mechanism of SQC treatment. In addition, western medicine, sitagliptin was employed as a
comparison.

Results:
The results indicated that SQC and sitagliptin could effectively improve the serum lipid
(blood Total Cholesterol (TC) and blood Triglycerides (TG)), hormone levels (serum insulin (INS),
Glucagon (GC) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1)), alleviated the inflammatory response (hypersensitive
C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)), blood glucose fluctuation (Mean Blood Glucose (MBG), standard
deviation of blood glucose (SDBG) and Largest Amplitude of plasma Glucose Excursions
(LAGE)), pancreatic tissue damage and vascular injury for T2DM. Compared with sitagliptin, SQC
achieved a better effect on blood glucose fluctuation (p<0.01). Meanwhile, the gene microarray and
RT-qPCR experiments indicated that SQC and sitagliptin may improve the T2DM through affecting
the biological functions related to apoptosis and circadian rhythm. Moreover, SQC might be able to
influence the mTOR signaling pathway by regulating Pik3r1, Ddit4 expression.

Conclusion:
All these results indicate that SQC is an effective therapeutic drug on T2DM. Notably,
SQC presents an obvious blood glucose fluctuation-preventing ability, which might be derived from
the regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway.
PROGRESO TECNOLÓGICO, ACUMULACIÓN DE CAPITAL Y CRECIMIENTO EN AMÉRICA LATINA
Authors: Vázquez Muñoz Juan Alberto , Camacho Acevo José Fernando 
Published: February 2019

<p align="center"><strong>RESUMEN</strong></p><p>En el presente artículo analizamos el comportamiento de las tasas de crecimiento de Argentina, Brasil, Chile y México para el periodo 1960-2017 y contrastamos las explicaciones relacionadas con la productividad total de los factores y con la acumulación de capital en el contexto de la restricción externa al crecimiento. Se concluye que el progreso tecnológico es una variable endógena que responde a las variaciones de la demanda necesarias para mantener el equilibrio dinámico de la balanza comercial y que el crecimiento de las economías está intrínsecamente ligado al comportamiento del crecimiento de la capacidad económica, el cual a su vez depende de la acumulación de capital. La evidencia empírica indica que los procesos de crecimiento acelerado de las economías analizadas se correspondieron con ritmos de acumulación de capital elevados.</p><p> </p><p align="center"><strong>TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS, CAPITAL ACUMULATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LATIN AMERICA</strong></p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>This paper displays an analysis of the economic growth rates of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico during the period 1961-2017. Explanations related to total factor productivity and to capital accumulation are here contrasted in a context of growth external constraint. The following conclusiones are reached on empirical grounds: Technological progress is an endogenous variable reacting to variations in aggregate demand necessary to fulfill the dynamic equilibrium of the trade balance; growth rates in those countries are closely linked to the growth rate of their economic capacity; the process of growth acceleration in these economies corresponded to high rates of capital accumulation.</p><p align="center"><strong><br /></strong></p>
¿ES PROCÍCLICA LA CONVERGENCIA DEL CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO DE AMÉRICA LATINA?
Authors: Osorio Caballero María Isabel 
Published: February 2019

<p align="center"><strong>RESUMEN</strong></p><p>Este trabajo examina la hipótesis de convergencia condicional del producto interno bruto (PIB) per cápita estableciendo una vinculación positiva con la tasa de crecimiento de un panel de 18 países de América Latina durante 1990-2015. Se emplea un análisis de β-convergencia, σ-convergencia y γ-convergencia. Además, para identificar la heterogeneidad espacial se analizan las relaciones entre unidades territoriales vecinas y el nivel de producto empleando el estadístico I de Moran. En general, todos los indicadores muestran la existencia de una senda de convergencia regional, con elevada β-convergencia condicional, una reducción en la dispersión de los ingresos per cápita y una menor movilidad en el <em>ranking</em> de la posición de los países.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><strong>IS LATIN AMERICA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH CONVERGENCE PROCYCLICAL?</strong></p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p>This paper looks at the hypothesis of conditional convergence of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita for a set of eighteen Latin American countries establishing a positive link with the growth rate of those economies. To that purpose, β-convergence, σ-convergence and γ-convergence analyses are conducted. Furthermore, with the aim of identifying spatial heterogeneity the relationship among neighbor territorial units and product levels are studied applying the I Moran statistics. By and large, a regional convergence path with high conditional β-convergence, a lower dispersion of per capita incomes and a lesser mobility of countries along the ranking are shown to exist.