bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semen podocarpi extract enhances radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Zeng Fan-Yan , Huang Zeng-Qiong , Sun Yong-Cu , Zhu Xiao-Dong 
Published: January 2025

Objective:
To investigate the chemical components of Semen podocarpi extract (SPE) and its effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and CNE-2R cells.

Methods:
Chemical components in SPE were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. CCK-8 and cell cloning experiments were applied to evaluate the effects of SPE on the proliferation of CNE-2R cells, and a single-hit multitarget model was used to calculate the radiobiological parameters. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the levels of genes and proteins of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results:
A total of 37 compounds from SPE were identified, and SPE with or without irradiation inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2R cells. SPE also promoted apoptosis, arrested cells in the G2/M phase, and presented radiosensitizing effects. Compared with irradiation alone, the effects of SPE+irradiation on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were not significantly different. In addition, SPE had no significant effect on MEK gene expression. SPE significantly increased the gene expression of C-Raf and significantly reduced the protein expression of C-Raf, as well as the gene and protein expression of ERK1 and ERK2. The protein levels of C-Raf, ERK1, and ERK2 were also significantly lower in cells treated with SPE+irradiation than in cells treated with irradiation alone.

Conclusions:
The effects of SPE on inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis are likely associated with cell cycle arrest and Raf/MEK/ERK pathway regulation, and the mechanism underlying radiosensitization by SPE may involve downregulating the protein expression of C-Raf, ERK1, and ERK2.
Ligustroside derived from Ligustrum japonicum inhibits melanogenesis via blocking the MAPK and PKA/CREB signaling pathways
Authors: Zhou Xian-Rong , Karadeniz Fatih , Oh Jung Hwan , Seo Youngwan , Kong Chang-Suk 
Published: January 2025

Objective:
To investigate the anti-melanogenic potential of ligustroside isolated from Ligustrum japonicum.

Methods:
The cytotoxicity of ligustroside was tested via MTT assay. Furthermore, the effects of ligustroside on the expression of critical melanogenic markers such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related proteins (TRPs), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were analyzed at both mRNA and protein levels via RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively, in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced B16F10 cells. In addition, phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK proteins was investigated. Immunofluorescence analysis of MITF was also conducted.

Results:
Ligustroside significantly reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content by 37.11% and 29.12%, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Moreover, it downregulated the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 at the mRNA and protein levels by regulating both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways. Ligustroside also suppressed the nuclear protein expression of MITF, β-catenin, and p-CREB, and decreased immunofluorescence intensity of nuclear MITF.

Conclusions:
Ligustroside derived from Ligustrum japonicum shows a significant anti-melanogenesis effect via suppression of the MAPK and PKA/CREB signaling pathways.
Anti-metastatic potential of OR3 pigment from Streptomyces coelicolor JUACT03 on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Derangula Somasekhara , Nadumane Varalakshmi K 
Published: January 2025

Objective:
To investigate the mechanism of anticancer activity of a pigment OR3 from Streptomyces coelicolor in in vitro and in vivo metastatic breast cancer models and to characterize the pigment.

Methods:
The anticancer mechanism was analyzed in MDA-MB-231 cells using MTT, lactate dehydrogenase, caspase, DNA fragmentation, clonogenic, flow cytometry, Western blot, and scratch assays. The effects of OR3 on xenograft mouse models were evaluated by tumor volume measurement, hematological analysis, and histopathological observation. The characterization of OR3 was also performed using gas chromatograohy-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results:
OR3 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, with no observed effects on HEK-293 cells. Caspase-9 activation was detected in OR3-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Flow cytometry showed a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 and S phases. Furthermore, OR3 completely inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration and demonstrated anti-proliferative effects by downregulating the protein expression of KPNA2, XPO1, RAB5B, and p38 MAPK. In in vivo studies, OR3 was non-toxic to mice, inhibited tumor xenograft growth, and maintained normal hematological parameters and tissue architecture. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of a prodigiosin-like compound, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified additional compounds in OR3.

Conclusions:
Our findings validate OR3 pigment as a promising compound for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, warranting further studies.
Comparison of vascular complications between external iliac and internal iliac artery anastomosis of the donor renal artery in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Kumar G. Manoj , Ashok Sunil , Kumar J. Suresh 
Published: January 2025

Introduction:
The arterial anastomosis in renal transplantation is done either end-to-end to the internal iliac artery (IIA) or end-to-side to the external iliac artery (EIA). This retrospective study is to compare the vascular complications of these two techniques occurring in the immediate postoperative period.

Materials and Methods:
The data of 111 patients who underwent renal transplantation (live and deceased) were collected from the hospital records. Fifty-four (48.6%) had live donors, and 57 (51.4%) had deceased donors. Fifty (45%) patients had anastomosis to IIA alone, 57 (51.3%) to EIA alone, and 4 (3.6%) to both vessels. Age and sex of the recipient, cause of chronic kidney disease, side of the donor kidney, and number of donor renal arteries, presence of atherosclerotic changes on the recipient’s vessels, and presence of diabetes mellitus were noted. The details of the perioperative and postoperative vascular complications and the management of each one were recorded.

Results:
Nine patients had vascular complications, of which 5 (55.5%) patients had main vessel transplant renal artery thrombosis, 1 (11.1%) patient had accessory renal artery thrombosis, and 3 (33.3%) patients had transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). Out of the six cases of transplant renal artery thrombosis, 4 (66.6%) were seen in anastomosis with EIA. All 3 (100%) cases of TRAS were seen in anastomosis to the EIA. The vascular complications were not significantly associated with the type of anastomosis.

Conclusion:
On short-term follow-up, the incidence of vascular complications was not found to be significantly affected by the type of anastomosis.
Percutaneous cystolitholapaxy in reconstructed bladder through the bowel segment
Authors: Almesned Razan Khalid , Binjawhar Abdulrahman , Altaweel Waleed , Alomar Mohammed 
Published: January 2025

Introduction:
Calculous formation is a well-known complication of lower urinary tract reconstruction using an intestinal segment. Special considerations are required as access to the reconstructed bladder is complicated. To date, a standard strategy is yet to be accepted.

Objective:
This study aims to investigate the efficiency and safety of percutaneous cystolitholapaxy (PCCL) access.

Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of patients with reconstructed lower urinary tract who developed bladder stones and were treated with PCCL.

Results:
Seven patients underwent a total of nine PCCLs between 2019 and 2023. Sone burden ranged from 4 to 10 cm. No intraoperative complications were faced. Three patients had residual stone fragments < 7 mm in size. Suprapubic catheter was removed between days 0 and 3 postoperative. Cystostomy was left to close spontaneously, none of the patients developed peritoneal leak after removal. Patients with Mitrofanoff channel reported no leak or compromise to the continued mechanism. Predominant stone composition was magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) in seven cases.

Conclusion:
In our experience, PCCL accessing through bowel segment without tract closure in reconstructed bladder is a reliable and safe approach. When it comes to our patient selection, no limitations to this approach have been identified.
Relationship between gastric mucosal atrophy by endoscopy and non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors
Authors: Ohno Kazuya , Nakatani Eiji , Kurokami Takafumi , Kawai Asami , Itai Ryosuke , Matsuda Masanori , Masui Yuichi , Satoh Tatsunori , Ikeda Shinya , Hirata Taiyo , Takeda Shodai , Suzuki Makoto , Haruma Ken 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND
The pathogenesis of non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (NADETs) is not fully understood. NADETs that express gastric-type mucin phenotypes (G-NADETs) are noteworthy because of their high malignancy. Gastric foveolar metaplasia, from which G-NADETs originate, protects the duodenal mucosa from gastric acidity. As gastric acid secretion is affected by endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (EGMA), we hypothesized that EGMA would be associated with G-NADETs.
AIM
To evaluate the association between EGMA and the occurrence of G-NADETs.
METHODS
This cross-sectional retrospective study investigated the relationship between EGMA and NADETs in 134 patients. The duodenum was divided into parts 1 (bulb), 2 (superior duodenal angle to the papilla), and 3 (anal side of the papilla to the horizontal part). The effects of gastric acidity and presence of Brunner’s glands were considered. EGMA was divided into types C (no or mild atrophy) and O (severe atrophy). Mucin phenotype expressions in NADETs were divided into gastric, intestinal, gastrointestinal, and unclassifiable.
RESULTS
When NADETs were classified according to EGMA, 105 were classified as type C and 29 as type O. G-NADETs were present in 11.9% (16 cases) of all cases, and all 16 cases were of type C. Among G-NADETs, 93.8% (15 cases) were present in part 1 or 2. There was an association between G-NADETs and type C in part 1, and 50.0% (eight of 16 cases) of G-NADETs were associated with a current or previous Helicobacter pylori infection status. Additionally, all eight cases occurred in part 1.
CONCLUSION
G-NADETs were significantly associated with type C. Gastric acidity and Brunner's gland growth may be associated with G-NADETs.
Advanced pancreatic cancer treated with camrelizumab combined with apatinib: A case report
Authors: Luo Yun-Hao , He Ting , Lin Lu , Wang Rong-Qiu , Cai Hong-Xia , Hu Wen 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND
The 5-year survival rate for patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) is 4%-12%. Surgery is the only treatment that offers curative potential, but only 15%-20% of patients are eligible for surgery. PC is prone to recurrence and metastasis, and the antitumor effect of chemotherapy is notably limited.
CASE SUMMARY
Histopathological analysis of a 53-year-old female PC patient who underwent Whipple surgery revealed poorly differentiated tumor cells infiltrating nerves, lymphatics, and blood vessels. The patient received two different first-line chemotherapy regimens consecutively; however, both regimens struggled to control disease progression. During this period, the patient underwent liver metastasis ablation surgery, Candida albicans liver abscess, and stereotactic body radiotherapy. With the addition of camrelizumab to the modified FOLFIRINOX regimen, tumor control was achieved. The patient subsequently refused to continue chemotherapy, and the antitumor regimen was changed to a combination of camrelizumab and apatinib. After patients received a combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy, the length of hospital stay was significantly reduced. Furthermore, all side effects were within acceptable limits, leading to an improved quality of life and prolonged progression-free survival. Unfortunately, the pain associated with cancer, coupled with the side effects of opioid analgesics, has led the patient to reject all available anticancer treatment options. Approximately one month after camrelizumab and apatinib were discontinued without medical authorization, the PC recurred and rapidly progressed to widespread metastasis, ultimately leading to the patient's death approximately one month later. The overall survival was 2 years.
CONCLUSION
Immunotherapy and targeted therapy have the potential to increase both the quality of life and survival time of PC patients, particularly those whose tumor progression is not effectively controlled by chemotherapy alone. Nevertheless, further clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings.
Impact of Linggui Zhugan decoction on microwave ablation outcomes and recurrence in liver cancer
Authors: Huang Rui , Cui Jing 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system, and early detection and effective treatment are crucial for improving the prognosis. Microwave ablation (MWA) has shown promising results as a local therapeutic method for liver cancer; however, further improvement of its efficacy remains a key focus of current research.
AIM
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Linggui Zhugan decoction combined with MWA for the treatment of primary liver cancer.
METHODS
Data were collected from 164 patients with primary liver cancer who underwent MWA at our hospital between March 2019 and April 2021. Among them, 79 patients (control group) received routine treatments and 85 patients (research group) received Linggui Zhugan decoction in addition to routine treatment. The clinical efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions, and levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), AFP-L3, total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), CD4 cell count, CD8 cell count, and CD4/CD8 ratio were compared between the two groups, before and after treatment. The three-year recurrence rates between the two groups were compared, and independent prognostic factors for recurrence were identified.
RESULTS
The study results revealed that the objective response rate (ORR) in the research group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.005). After treatment, the CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio significantly increased, whereas the CD8 cell count and TBil, ALT, AFP, DCP, and AFP-L3 Levels were significantly lower in the research group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The Cox regression analysis revealed that the treatment regimen (P = 0.003), presence of cirrhosis (P = 0.019), tumor diameter (P = 0.037), Child-Pugh score (P = 0.003), pretreatment AFP level (P = 0.006), and AFP-L3 Level (P = 0.002) were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.
CONCLUSION
The combination of Linggui Zhugan decoction with MWA significantly improved the clinical efficacy and long-term prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer.
To What Extent Religion Drives the Malaysian Marine Students Succeed the Pre-Sea Training? The Role of Religion in Contributing to SDG4 (Quality Education)
Authors: Shukor Khairunnisa A , Noor Ahmad Firdaus Mohd , Abidin Mohd Zahirwan Halim Zainal , Razak Muhd Imran Abd , Hassan Paiz , Basir Mukhamad Khafiz Abd 
Published: January 2025

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of `ibadah (religious practices) during pre-sea training on the success of Malaysian marine students, in line with SDG 4: Quality Education. The study explores how Islamic practices enhance knowledge, emotional resilience, and perceptions of the shipping industry.

Theoretical Framework: This research is grounded in the theory of self-regulation, with a focus on how Islamic teachings, particularly the practice of `ibadah, foster resilience and success.

Method: This study adopted a quantitative approach using a questionnaire developed through the Delphi technique. A sample of 376 Malaysian marine students was selected, all of whom had undergone pre-sea training and identified as Muslims. Data collection was conducted over six months via online surveys using the Qualtrics platform. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS software version 23.

Results and Discussion: A significant positive correlation shows that religious practices enhance knowledge, skills, emotional resilience, and perception of the shipping industry. However, some students were noted struggling in performing obligatory prayers and reading the Qur'an.

Research Implications: The study contributes to the literature by exploring the under-researched area of religion’s impact on maritime students’ training success.

Originality/Value: Its originality lies in its focus on the role of `ibadah in fostering resilience and success during challenging pre-sea training, offering a new perspective on the intersection of spirituality and professional development in the maritime industry.
Pathogenetic features of Giardia lamblia, achievements and prospects for genotyping the protozoan
Authors: Shumanskaya S. Yu. , Zhyzneuskaya A. A. , Grigorieva E. E. , Dronina A. M. , Fomina E. G. 
Published: January 2025

Giardiasis does not lose its relevance, despite the active development of such areas of medicine as diagnosis, treatment and prevention. There are 8 genetic groups of the protozoan Giardia lamblia from A to H. Genetic complexes A and B have long been associated with the occurrence of invasion in humans, when others - from C to H - were detected only in specific animal hosts. Recent data indicate that this distribution is conditional and the circulation of G. lamblia genetic assemblies is a more complex and multifactorial process. In turn, phenotypically indistinguishable groups A and B also have significant genetic differences and are divided into subgroups AI, AII and AIII, as well as BIII and BIV. In many scientific studies, the main method to establish the belonging of G. lamblia to a particular assembly, along with partial or full genome sequencing, is multilocus determination of restriction fragment length polymorphisms using «traditional» genes, such as beta-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh). Intensive searches are conducted to identify new targets suitable for identifying genetic groups.Due to the lack of standardized approaches to molecular genotyping of the causative agent of giardiasis, the stage of accumulating knowledge about its genetic diversity continues. This information is important for understanding the relationships between genetic complexes of G. lamblia and clinical manifestations, as well as long-term consequences of the disease; pathogenesis and interaction between pathogens during co-infection with different genetic assemblies, and also assessment of the contribution of each of them to the infectious process, as well as the potential for the accumulation of genetic recombination mutations and their level of prevalence in age groups or territories. The review presents latest data on the current state of knowledge about the genetic diversity of the causative agent of giardiasis and its pathogenetic features, and also evaluates the prospects for improving genotyping of G. lamblia.
Modeling of waterborne chemicals exposure with substitution of insignificant values of concentrations
Authors: Drazdova A. V. 
Published: January 2025

Objective. To scientifically substantiate methodological approaches to modeling of chronic exposure to chemicals with drinking water, taking into account the substitution of insignificant values of concentrations obtained in laboratory testing.Materials and methods. Exposure calculation and health risk assessment for 6 variants of substitution of concentrations insignificant values were carried out, the specific contribution of substituted insignificant values to the formation of the final values of risk parameters was analyzed based on the results of laboratory tests of drinking water samples at 3 pilot water pipelines.Results. Under different modeling variants, the contribution of surrogate values to the formation of the summation factor ranged from 8.5% to 89.3%, the hazard index ranged form 1.9% to 63.3%, the combined risk of chronic nonspecific toxic effects – from 1.9% to 59.5%, and the individual total carcinogenic risk – from 46.7% to 100%.Conclusion. The sensitivity of research methods has a significant impact on the quality of assessments of public health risk from exposure to environmental risk factors. When assessing exposure to a complex of potential contaminants in drinking water, it is essential to use a differentiated approach to exposure modeling, taking into account 4 basic criteria for the substitution of insignificant values of concentrations: the sensitivity of the research method and the proportion of samples with quantitative determination, the risk profile of the contaminant (carcinogenic potential, ability to cumulate, remote effects) and its priority for the study area (based on the long-term profile of environmental risks and trends). Algorithm for the substitution of insignificant concentration values, taking into account the existing water use conditions in the country has been proposed and tested. Its application will rationally improve methodological approaches to chronic exposure assessment, avoid significant overestimation of exposure levels without reducing the quality and reliability of health risk assessments. Furthermore, it will allow us to concentrate measures to minimize health risks on the most priority aspects.
Experience of biospecific hemosorbtion by using «Hemoproteazosorb» sorbent in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Shautsova H. A. , Shypulia A. A. , Denisenko A. V. 
Published: January 2025

Objective. To provide a clinical assessment of the effectiveness of biospecific hemosorption using the sorbent “Hemoproteazosorb” in patients with severe acute pancreatitis; to substantiate the importance of this method in a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the disease.Materials and methods. The analyses of clinical cases of 61 patients with acute pancreatitis over 2023, whose therapy was supplemented with biospecific hemosorption and other methods of extracorporeal detoxification, was conducted. Clinical aspects of the disease, the results of laboratory and instrumental research methods, as well as the survival, mortality indices and subsequent development of complications were compared.Results. The analyses of obtained data demonstrated efficacy of the sorbtion method in initial stages of the disease treatment, patients’ survival growth and time shortening of stay in the anesthesiology, resuscitation and intensive care department, and a decrease in the percentage of development of purulent-septic complications in future.Conclusion. Biospecific hemosorbtion with the sorbent «Hemoproteazosorb» in acute pancreatitis as a part of a comprehensive treatment approach has proven to be an effective therapy method that significantly improves patients’ chances of a favorable outcome.