bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cone Bioassays Provide Reproducible Bioefficacy Estimates with Different Anopheline Mosquitoes and Can Be Used for Quality Assurance of Pyrethroid Insecticide Treated Nets
Authors: Mbwambo Stephen Gabriel , Bubun Nakei , Mbuba Emmanuel , Moore Jason , Mbina Kasiani , Kamande Dismas , Laman Moses , Mpolya Emmanuel , Odufuwa Olukayode , Freeman Tim , Karl Stephan , Moore Sarah J 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background

Quality assurance (QA) of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) delivered to malaria-endemic countries is conducted by measuring physiochemical parameters, but not bioefficacy against malaria mosquitoes. The cone bioassay provides a simple evaluation of ITN bioefficacy and its conditions and parameters are prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study explored utility of cone bioassays for pre-delivery QA of pyrethroid ITNs in two test facilities using different mosquito species to test the assumption that cone bioassays are consistent and reproducible across locations, mosquito strains, and laboratories.
Methods

Double-blinded bioassays were conducted on unused pyrethroid ITNs of 4 brands (5 nets/brand, 5 subsamples/net) that had been delivered for mass distribution in Papua New Guinea (PNG) having passed physiochemical testing of chemical content. Cone bioassays were performed on adjacent net pieces following WHO guidelines at the PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) using pyrethroid susceptible Anopheles farauti s.s. and at Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Tanzania using pyrethroid susceptible Anopheles gambiae s.s. Additionally, WHO tunnel tests was conducted at IHI on ITNs that did not meet cone bioefficacy thresholds. Results from IHI and PNGIMR were compared using Spearman’s Rank, Bland Altman and Cohen’s kappa. A literature review on the utility of cone bioassays for unused pyrethroid ITNs testing was also conducted.
Results

In cone bioassays, 13/20 nets (65%) met WHO bioefficacy criteria at IHI and 8/20 (40%) at PNGIMR. All nets met WHO bioefficacy criteria on combined cone/tunnel tests. Results from IHI and PNGIMR correlated on 60-minute knockdown (rs=0.6,p=0.002,n=20) and 24-hour mortality (rs=0.9,p<0.0001,n=20) but there was systematic bias between the results measured by Bland Altman. Of the 5 nets with discrepant result between IHI and PNGIMR, three had confidence intervals overlapping the 80% mortality threshold, with averages within 1-3% of the threshold. The agreement between the results to predict ITN failure was good with kappa=0.79 (0.53-1.00) and 90% accuracy.
Conclusions

WHO cone is a reproducible means to measure pyrethroid ITN bioefficacy using a combination of knockdown and mortality. In the absence of an alternative tests, cone tests could be used to assess the availability of active ingredients at the surface of ITN (where mosquitoes encounter it) as part of pre-delivery QA.
Identification of Combination Drug Interaction With Selected Targets of Globlastoma Multiforme Based on Drug Properties and Complex Energy of Docked Complex: a New Approach in Docking Study
Authors: Younus Saleena , S.S VinodChandra , K Sheeba , S.Nair Achuthsankar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Combination drug treatments are frequently used in many diseases, including cancers and AIDS. The main aims of these treatments are to reduce toxicity and improve drug efficacy by inhibiting the activity of a specific target or groups of targets in a cell. The net effect of combination drug efficacy is mainly quantified and interpreted by various terminologies like synergy, additive, agonism, and antagonism based on drugs dose ratio. In single or combination drug treatment, drug action occurs on cells due to the intermolecular level interaction of drugs with protein/DNA/RNA/Enzyme. This type of inter-molecular level interaction can be detected with the help of docking software. However, in the case of combination drug treatments, it is very challenging to identify the multiple drug interaction on each protein with docking score and binding energy. So the proposed work does not follow the classical approach of docking study to predicting the result based on docking score and binding energy. Here we consider drug properties and complex energy of the multiple drug binded complexes for predicting the result. Based on this study, we identified the intermolecular level interaction of synergistic effect showed drugs Crizotinib and Temozolomide in C-MET, C-ROS1, and ALK targets of Glioblastoma Multiforme(GBM) and identified the most stable drug complexes by MD simulation.
Electrostatically functionalized CVD grown multiwalled carbon nanotube/palladium nanocomposite (MWCNT/Pd) for methane detection at room temperature
Authors: Shukla Prashant , Saxena Pooja , Madhwal Devinder , Bhardwaj Nitin , Jain V. K. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
By reducing the aqueous mixture of electrostatically modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT) and palladium (Pd) using NaBH4, a nanocomposite was synthesized. The syllable structure of the f-MWCNT and f-MWCNT/ Pd nanocomposite was investigated by analytical tools FESEM and TEM respectively. f-MWCNTs matrix reinforced with Pd nanoparticles are utilized for sensing methane with its dilution varying from 0.5-100 ppm in air at room temperature (RT=27°C). The f-MWNT/Pd nanocomposite-based sensor for methane gas show several merits over conventional catalytic beads and MOS based sensors in context of reduced size, reduced power consumption and ease of fabrication. At room temperature, the nanocomposite's temporal electrical responses to methane were measured. It exhibited a response magnitude of ∼20-45.71% with a small variation of ±2% towards 0.5-100 ppm methane. Furthermore, the responses were extremely reversible and repeatable, implying that it may be used to detect methane at ambient temperature. It has also been demonstrated experimentally that an excellent response time (≈ 20 s) and the recovery time (≈ 25 s) for these devices were recorded for methane. The influence of external temperature and humidity on the methane sensor was also investigated in order to assess its long-term stability and self-life. The results showed that very small change is observed over a wide of temperature from 25-70oC and that for %Rh from 20-90%. Therefore, the reported methane sensor absolutely demonstrated long-term stability at ambient conditions and hence, these devices can prove to be ideal for methane leakage detection for practical real time applications. A sensing mechanism by which methane is detected by f-MWCNT/Pd nanocomposite is also elaborately discussed.
Prognostic Value of Pericoronary Adipose Tissue Attenuation in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Miyoshi Toru , Ichikawa Keishi , Nakashima Mitsutaka , Nishihara Takahiro , Osawa Kazuhiro , Miki Takashi , Toda Hironobu , Yoshida Masatoki , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has emerged as a marker for pericoronary inflammation. We investigated the prognostic value of PCAT attenuation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods: We enrolled 232 patients with NAFLD and suspected coronary artery disease who underwent coronary CTA. NAFLD was defined by abdominal computed tomography (CT) as a ratio of hepatic attenuation to spleen attenuation of <1.0. PCAT attenuation values were assessed by crude analysis of the mean CT attenuation values of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA). Luminal stenosis and high-risk plaque features were examined as coronary CTA findings. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, and hospitalization for heart failure.Results: During a median follow-up of 4.9 years, 17 patients experienced CV events. LAD-PCAT attenuation in patients with CV events was higher than that without CV events (−66.9±7.0 versus −70.5±6.6; p=0.032), while RCA-PCAT attenuation was not. LAD-PCAT attenuation and high-risk plaque features were independent predictors of CV events. The addition of LAD-PCAT attenuation to high-risk plaque features increased the C-statistics and global chi-square from 0.66 to 0.75 (p=0.042) and 6.8 to 12.7 (p=0.015), respectively. The net reclassification achieved by adding LAD-PCAT attenuation to the high-risk plaque features was 0.494 (p=0.041).Conclusion: High LAD-PCAT attenuation was an independent predictor of CV events in patients with NAFLD regardless of CTA-verified high-risk plaque features. Additionally, LAD-PCAT attenuation had incremental prognostic value over high-risk plaque features.
Antimicrobial Activity evaluation and phytochemical screening of Silene macrosolen and Solanum incanum: A common medicinal plants in Eritrea.
Authors: Ateshim Bilen , Tekle Frenai , Tesfay Meron , Tekleab Muzit , Tekie Rahel , Weldemariam Saimon , Achila Oliver Okoth , Mengistu Samuel Tekle , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Medicinal plants play great roles in the treatment of various infectious diseases. S.macrosolen and S.incanum are both important medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of infectious diseases in many places around Eritrea. The periodically emerging new and old infectious microorganisms greatly magnify the global burden of infectious diseases. The majorities of emerging infectious events are caused by bacteria which can be associated with evolution of drug resistant strains and overwhelming of the natural host defenses. Therefore, the search of new or alternative mechanisms to effectively treat and prevent infectious diseases, particularly bacterial diseases, have to be encouraged to effectively reduce these global burden. The objective of the study is to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of the aqueous and solvent crude extract of leaf and stem of S.macrosolen, and leaf and root of S.incanum against standard strains of selected bacterial species, which can in turn provide a clue for the identification of active constituent responsible for the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous ( cold and hot water) and solvent extracts (ethanol, methanol, and chloroform) were evaluated on different selected bacterial strains (E.coli, S.aureus, and P.aeruginosa) using agar well diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar at different concentration with the presence of positive control (Chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin) and negative control (sterile distilled water and 5%DMSO) controls. The highest inhibition zone was observed for methanol extracted S.macrosolen stem and chloroform extracted S.incanum root against S.aureus at 400mg/ml with 23mm and 24.5mmrespectively. Methanol and cold aqueous extracted S.macrosolen stem also showed the highest inhibition of 26mm, 23mm diameter, against P.aeruginosa, and E.coli respectively. The reason for the high inhibition zone could be due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols and glycosides. The least result was seen in hot aqueous extract for each plant with no inhibition for all the bacteria. MIC and MBC was determined using tube dilution and plating method for those plant extracts which showed highest and consistent inhibition zone at different concentrations. The MIC and MBC of cold aqueous extract of S.macrosolen stem was found at 25mg/ml, and 50mg/ml respectively, against both E.coli and P.aeruginosa, while the MIC of chloroform extracted S.incanum root was found at 50mg/ml, however, the MBC was not determined in the concentration tested against S.aureus. The paper published after getting the results of the investigation would be anticipated to contribute for the resolution of the burden of the drug resistant bacteria species.
The Effects of Ionotropic GABA Receptor Blockage on Brain in Sepsis-induced Rats
Authors: Ates Gulten , Ozkok Elif , Gundogan Gul Ipek , Tamer Sule 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Encephalopathy develops following sepsis, which is defined as life-threatening organ failure due to the irregular response of a host to infection. It has high mortality and morbidity rates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of inflammation on brain tissue, and the effects of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was experimentally generated in rats using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The rats were divided into four groups as control, LPS (10 mg/kg i.p.), bicuculline (1.5 mg/kg bicuculline methiodide s.c.), and LPS+bicuculline. Electrophysiologic recordings and body temperature measurements were completed at the 24th hour after injection, and blood samples were taken from the heart for measurements of biochemical parameters. TNF-α, IL-10, and GABA levels were measured using ELISA, and MDA levels were measured using the Bouge method from tissue. Tissue imaging was performed with S100-ß, NEUN, and synaptophysin antibody using immunofluorescence staining. One-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used in statistical analysis. Inflammatory parameters significantly increased in brain tissue in the LPS group compared with the other groups. The immunofluorescence staining results in brain tissue were as follows: S-100ß involvement increased, and NeuN and synaptophysin involvement decreased in the LPS group. In electrophysiologic recordings, activity consistent with acute non-focal seizures was observed in the LPS group; however, resting status in others. We suggest that the GABAA antagonist bicuculline methiodide may be a prophylactic agent in sepsis, which caused the impaired neurotransmitter balance, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine and lipid peroxidation, and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Exosomes Derived from Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Repair of Damaged Endometrium by Activating PTEN/AKT Pathway
Authors: Jiang Xiaohua , Dong Liu , Xu Xuan , Li Ziwei , Xing Qiong , Yu Zhen , Wei Zhaolian , Wang Jianye 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background: Endometrial injury contributes to impaired endometrial receptivity, and is well recognized as a critical factor in implantation failure. Increasing evidence suggests that the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mainly depend on their capacity to secrete paracrine factors and are mediated by MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos). In this study, we investigated the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hUCMSC-Exos) on injured endometrium in the mouse endometrial damage model and the potential mechanisms.Methods: All female mice were randomly divided into control group, saline group, and exosome (Exo) group. To observe the distribution of exosomes in vivo, DiR-labeled hUCMSC-Exos were injected into the tail vein of endometrium-injured mice. HE staining was used to detect changes in endometrial thickness and number of glands. Fertility recovery of the uterus was measured by testing embryo implantation rates. TUNEL staining was used to detect cells apoptosis. The expression of Ki67 and CD31 was examined by immunohistochemistry. Then, western blotting was used to measure the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved Caspase-3, PTEN, AKT and p-AKT. The mRNA expression of VEGF and IGF-1 was detected by RT-PCR.Results: hUCMSC-Exos was able to migrate to the damaged endometrium. After hUCMSC-Exos injection, the endometrial thickness, the number of glands and embryo implantation rate were significantly increased (P< 0.05). Compared with the saline group, apoptosis was significantly reduced in the exosome group, and the expression of Ki67 and CD31 was significantly increased (P< 0.05). Besides, the expression of Bax, Cleaved Caspase-3 and PTEN was reduced as hUCMSC-Exos addition, and the Bcl-2 and p-AKT expression was increased. The expression of VEGF and IGF-1 was significantly up-regulated in the exosome group compared to the saline group (P< 0.05). Conclusions: hUCMSC-Exos ameliorated the damaged uterus, increased the number of glands and embryo implantation rates, suppressed apoptosis and improved the cell proliferation in the mouse injured endometrium model. Furthermore, we discovered that hUCMSC-Exos could activate the PTEN/AKT signaling pathways and induce the overexpression of VEGF and IGF-1 in vivo.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Atrazine in Aqueous Solution Using La-Doped ZnO/PAN Nanofibers
Authors: Krishnasamy Lakshmi , Krishna Kadirvelu , Subpiramaniyam Sivakumar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based modified zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofibers were synthesized by using electrospinning and hydrothermal techniques. The synthesized nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and evaluated for their ability to promote the photocatalytic degradation of the toxic herbicide atrazine. The degradation conditions were optimized by varying catalyst type, catalyst quantity, pH, light source, and toxic concentration. The degradation products were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. The extent of mineralization was calculated using total organic carbon and real-time analyses. The diameter of the La-doped ZnO loaded PAN nanofibers was larger than that of the ZnO-seeded PAN nanofibers. The additional peak at a binding energy of 533 eV in the bonding states of La-doped ZnO/PAN indicated the presence of oxygen vacancies in the ZnO matrix, which could enhance the catalytic activity of the material. Furthermore, the degradation of atrazine depended on all the above reaction parameters. The mass spectrum of the degradation product was recorded and exhibited a molecular ion peak at m/z 187 according to GC-MS. Finally, La-doped ZnO PAN nanofibers proved to be an excellent catalyst for decontaminating atrazine within 1 h and allowed to achieve a 98% degradation efficiency.
rhEPO Upregulates the PPARγ Pathway in Long-Term Cultured Primary Nerve Cells via PI3K/Akt to Delay Cell Senescence
Authors: Wang Huqing , Chen Ming , Zhang Tao , Gao Zhen , Gong Yu , Yu Xiaorui , Wu Haiqin 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Previous studies have confirmed that both recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO) and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptorsγ (PPARγ) activator pioglitazone can protect senescent nerve cells, and their mechanisms involve enhancing cell antioxidant capacity and reducing cell apoptosis. However, whether the PPARγ pathway is involved in the rhEPO anti-aging process in neuronal cells is still unclear. In this study, to explore the relationship between rhEPO and the PPARγ pathway at the cellular level, primary nerve cells cultured for 22 days were used to simulate the natural aging process of nerve cells. Starting on the 11th day of culture, rhEPO, LY294002 and GW9662 were added for treatment. Immunochemical methods and SA-β-gal staining were used to observe the changes in cellular antioxidant capacity and the fraction of senescent cells. The results showed that PPARγ blockade retarded the effect of rhEPO on the cellular antioxidant capacity and altered the fraction of senescent cells. It was confirmed that PPARγ was involved in rhEPO’s anti-aging process in neuronal cells. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the changes in PPARγ pathway-related factors in nerve cells after rhEPO treatment. The results showed that rhEPO significantly upregulated the expression of PPARγ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α), PPARγ and nuclear PPARγ in cells but did not affect the level of phosphorylated PPARγ protein, confirming that rhEPO has the ability to upregulate the PPARγ pathway. PI3K/Akt and PPARγ pathway blockade experiments were used to explore the relationships among rhEPO, PI3K/Akt and PPARγ. The results showed that after PPARγ blockade, rhEPO had no significant effect on the PI3K/Akt pathway-related factor p-Akt, while after PI3K/Akt blockade, rhEPO’s effects on PPARγ-related factors (PGC-1α, PPARγ and nuclear PPARγ) were significantly decreased. It is suggested that rhEPO delays the PI3K/Akt pathway in the process of neuronal senescence, which is located upstream of PPARγ regulation. In conclusion, this study confirmed that rhEPO can upregulate the expression of PGC-1α and PPARγ in cells and the level of PPARγ protein in the nucleus to enhance the antioxidant capacity of cells and delay the senescence of nerve cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings will provide ideas for finding new targets for neuroprotection research and will also provide a theoretical basis and experimental evidence for rhEPO anti-aging research in neural cells.
In vivo metallophilic self-assembly of a light-activated anticancer drug
Authors: Bonnet Sylvestre , Zhou Xue-Quan , Wang Peiyuan , Ramu Vadde , Jiang Suhua , Li Xuezhao , Abyar Selda , Papadopoulou Panagiota , Shao Yang , Siegler Maxime , Buda Francesco , Kros Alexander , Sun Wen 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Self-assembling molecular drugs combine the easy preparation typical of small-molecule chemotherapy and the tumor-targeting properties of drug-nanoparticle conjugates. However, they require a supramolecular interaction that survives the complex environment of a living animal. Here, we report that the metallophilic interaction between cyclometalated palladium complexes generates supramolecular nanostructures in living mice that have a long circulation time (above 12 h) and efficient tumor accumulation rate (up to 10.2% ID/g) in a skin melanoma tumor model. Green light activation leads to efficient tumor destruction due to the photodynamic effect generated by the self-assembled palladium complexes, as demonstrated in vitro by an up to >96-fold cytotoxicity increase upon irradiation. This work demonstrates that metallophilic interactions are well suited for generating stable supramolecular nanotherapeutics in vivo with exceptional tumor-targeting properties.
The Impact of Age, Performance Status And Comorbidities On Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Effectiveness In Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Catalano Martina , Aprile Giuseppe , Conca Raffaele , Petrioli Roberto , Ramello Monica , Roviello Giandomenico 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background and Objective: Few studies have evaluated the impact of risk factors such as performance status (PS) and comorbidities on overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). We investigated the influence of comorbidity, PS and age on nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (NabGem) effectiveness profile in naive patients with mPC. Methods: 153 patients with mPC treated with NabGem upfront was divided in three groups (score 0 to 3) based on the absence or the presence of one or more risk factors among: age≥70 years, PS 1 and comorbidities and the clinical outcomes was compared. Results: Fifty-five patients were elderly (≥70years), 80 patients have PS 1, whereas the other have PS 0. Patients with no risk factors (score 0) had an overall survival higher (20 months) than patients with one or two risk factors (score 1-2) (OS 11 months) and with three risk factors (score 3) (OS 8 months) (p<0.01). The difference in OS was also statistically significant in patients without comorbidities (OS 15 months) compared to those with ≥1 comorbidity (OS 10 months) (p<0.001). Conclusions: NabGem chemotherapy represent an effective treatment in naive patients. Age, PS, and comorbidities were prognostic factors in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.