bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zingiberene exerts chemopreventive activity against 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene‐induced breast cancer in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Seshadri Vidya Devanathadesikan , Oyouni Atif Abdulwahab A. , Bawazir Waleed M. , Alsagaby Suliman A. , Alsharif Khalaf F. , Albrakati Ashraf , Al‐Amer Osama M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBreast cancer is the primary cause of cancer‐related death in females, wherein increased mortality of breast cancer patients is recorded worldwide. Zingiberene is a monocyclic sesquiterpene from the ginger plant and has many pharmacological benefits. In this exploration, we assessed the anticancer actions of Zingiberene against the 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)‐stimulated mammary carcinogenesis in rats and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Breast cancer was induced in the Female Sprague‐Dawley rats through the 25 mg/kg of DMBA in 0.5 ml of corn oil and then treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg of Zingiberene, respectively. The body weight of animals and tumor volume was measured. Hematological parameters, transaminases, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidants status were scrutinized using standard techniques. The estrogen receptor‐α and inflammatory markers were inspected by using respective assay kits. Histological damage scores were determined. In vitro experiments were conducted to scrutinize Zingiberene's effect on cell viability and apoptotic cell death in MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Zingiberene substantially modulated the DMBA‐stimulated physiological and hematological changes and decreased the transaminases, and lipid peroxidation in the DMBA‐stimulated animals. Zingiberene also elevated the antioxidant level and suppressed the inflammatory markers. Histological study revealed the protective effects of Zingiberene. The viability of MDA‐MB‐231 cells was noticeably diminished by the Zingiberene, thus inducing apoptotic cell death. Overall, our findings reliably proved the anticancer potential of Zingiberene against the DMBA‐stimulated mammary tumorigenesis, and it could be a promising chemotherapeutic agent.
Magnetic exchange interactions in binuclear and tetranuclear iron(III) complexes described by spin‐flip DFT and Heisenberg effective Hamiltonians
Authors: Kotaru Saikiran , Kähler Sven , Alessio Maristella , Krylov Anna I. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractLow‐energy spectra of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) are often described by Heisenberg Hamiltonians. Within this formalism, exchange interactions between magnetic centers determine the ground‐state multiplicity and energy separation between the ground and excited states. In this contribution, we extract exchange coupling constants (J) for a set of iron (III) binuclear and tetranuclear complexes from all‐electron calculations using non‐collinear spin‐flip time‐dependent density functional theory (NC‐SF‐TDDFT). For 12 binuclear complexes with J‐values ranging from −6 to −132 cm−1, our benchmark calculations using the short‐range hybrid ωPBEh functional and 6‐31G(d,p) basis set agree well with the experimentally derived values (mean absolute error of 4.7 cm−1). For the tetranuclear SMMs, the computed J constants are within 6 cm−1 from the experimentally derived values. We explore the range of applicability of the Heisenberg model by analyzing bonding patterns in these Fe(III) complexes using natural orbitals (NO), their occupations, and the number of effectively unpaired electrons. The results illustrate the efficiency of the spin‐flip protocol for computing the exchange couplings and the utility of the NO analysis in assessing the validity of effective spin Hamiltonians.
Quantification of anthocyanins in blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) by modified QuEChERS and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Yang Lun‐Chi , Hsu Shih‐Hsin , Meng Yun‐Yu , Chen Sung‐Fang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAnthocyanins are among the most extensively investigated class of bioflavonoids in plant and fruit products due to their widespread presence in nature and their antioxidant activity. A method based on a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) was developed for the determination of six common types of anthocyanins in blueberries using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The QuEChERS procedure was optimized in the dispersive solid‐phase extraction (d‐SPE) for obtaining the targeted anthocyanins. This method provided the quantitative ranges between 2.5 and 1,000 μg L−1 (R2 > 0.9974) for the target analytes with satisfactory recoveries and precisions. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of anthocyanins in blueberries from different countries and the total anthocyanins concentrations were in the range from 926.5 to 2074.6 μg kg−1. This proposed method provided an efficient and sensitive approach for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the common anthocyanins in blueberry samples.
Mast cell‐derived exosomal miR‐181a‐5p modulated trophoblast cell viability, migration, and invasion via YY1/MMP‐9 axis
Authors: Wang Yinfen , Chen Aner 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundMast cells regulate the process of preeclampsia (PE). Since we previously identified mast cells specifically expressing miR‐181a‐5p in the placenta of PE patients, it is plausible to examine the effect and mechanism of mast cell‐derived exosomal miR‐181a‐5p on trophoblast cells.MethodsThe miR‐181a‐5p and YY1 levels were determined by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and PKH‐26 labeling. Mast cells or trophoblast cell malignant phenotype were detected using 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, and Transwell assays. Quantification of YY1 and metastasis‐related proteins was performed using Western blot. TargetScan, JASPAR, dual‐luciferase reporter genes, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were exploited to verify the relationship between miR‐181a‐5p, YY1, and MMP‐9.ResultsMiR‐181a‐5p was overexpressed in mast cells of PE patients. Overexpressed miR‐181a‐5p restrained mast cell viability. Mast cell exosomes were successfully isolated, containing high expressions of CD63 and HSP70 and low expression of Calnexin and could be transported to the cytoplasm of trophoblast cells. Mast cell exosomes attenuated the viability, migration, and invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells, inhibited YY1, N‐cadherin, Vimentin, and MMP‐9 protein expressions, and promoted E‐cadherin protein expression. The effect of exosomes was enhanced by miR‐181a‐5p mimic but was reversed by miR‐181a‐5p inhibitor. MiR‐181a‐5p targeted YY1 which bound to the MMP‐9 promoter. Overexpressed YY1 in HTR‐8/SVneo cells accelerated the malignant phenotype of the cells and reversed the regulatory effects of exosomal miR‐181a‐5p.ConclusionMast cell‐derived exosomal miR‐181a‐5p modulates HTR‐8/SVneo cell viability, migration, and invasion via YY1/MMP‐9.
Treatment barriers and gender‐based perceptions: Establishing gender‐based treatment specialty facilities as a strategy to motivate South African young women to seek treatment for substance use disorders
Authors: Nyashanu Tichaenzana , Zirima Herbert 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSouth Africa alongside other low‐middle‐income countries have been some of the hardest hit by the substance use scourge. The study sought to identify and measure treatment barriers among young adults (18–29 years) living with substance use disorders, and then examine the role of gender in the perception of treatment barriers, with a view to establish gender‐based treatment specialty facilities as a strategy to promote treatment seeking among young South African women. Quantitative method was used for this study, employing simple random sampling. Exploratory factor analysis and independent samples t‐tests were used as statistical measures. The identified treatment barriers were found to have a larger effect on females than males. Women were considered less likely to utilise treatment services compared to males. Health promotion practitioners and policymakers can alleviate the situation by establishing gender‐based treatment facilities. that respond better to women's needs.
RNF144B stimulates the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of human spermatogonial stem cells via the FCER2/NOTCH2/HES1 pathway and its abnormality is associated with azoospermia
Authors: Du Li , Chen Wei , Li Chunyun , Cui Yinghong , He Zuping 
Published: June 2022

AbstractStudies on gene regulation and signaling transduction pathways of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are of the utmost significance for unveiling molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and gene therapy of male infertility. We have demonstrated, for the first time, that RNF144B stimulated cell proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of human SSCs. The target of RNF144B was identified as FCER2 by RNA sequencing. We revealed that RNF144B interacted with FCER2 by immunoprecipitation. Consistently, overexpression of FCER2 reversed the phenotype of proliferation and apoptosis of human SSCs caused by RNF144B knockdown. Interestingly, FCER2 pulled down N2ICD (NOTCH2 intracellular domain), while N2ICD could bind to FCER2 in human SSCs. The levels of NOTCH2, FCER2, HES1, and HEY1 were reduced by RNF144B siRNA in human SSCs. Significantly, RNF144B was expressed at a lower level in nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients than in the obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients with normal spermatogenesis, and 52 patients with heterozygous mutations of RNF144B were detected in 1,000 NOA patients. These results implicate that RNF144B promotes the proliferation of human SSCs and suppresses their apoptosis via the FCER2/NOTCH2/HES1 pathway and that the abnormality of RNF144B is associated with spermatogenesis failure. This study thus provides novel molecular mechanisms regulating the fate determinations of human SSCs, and it offers new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Gut microbial characteristics in poor appetite and undernutrition: a cohort of older adults and microbiota transfer in germ‐free mice
Authors: Fluitman Kristina S. , Davids Mark , Olofsson Louise E. , Wijdeveld Madelief , Tremaroli Valentina , Keijser Bart J.F. , Visser Marjolein , Bäckhed Fredrik , Nieuwdorp Max , IJzerman Richard G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults are particularly prone to the development of poor appetite and undernutrition. Possibly, this is partly due to the aged gut microbiota. We aimed to evaluate the gut microbiota in relation to both poor appetite and undernutrition in community‐dwelling older adults. Furthermore, we studied the causal effects of the microbiota on body weight and body composition by transferring faecal microbiota from cohort participants into germ‐free mice.MethodsFirst, we conducted a cross‐sectional cohort study of 358 well‐phenotyped Dutch community‐dwelling older adults from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Data collection included body measurements, a faecal and blood sample, as well as extensive questionnaires on appetite, dietary intake, and nutritional status. Appetite was assessed by the Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) and undernutrition was defined by either a low body mass index (BMI) (BMI < 20 kg/m2 if <70 years or BMI < 22 kg/m2 if ≥70 years) or >5% body weight loss averaged over the last 2 years. Gut microbiota composition was determined with 16S rRNA sequencing. Next, we transferred faecal microbiota from 12 cohort participants with and without low BMI or recent weight loss into a total of 41 germ‐free mice to study the potential causal effects of the gut microbiota on host BMI and body composition.ResultsThe mean age (range) of our cohort was 73 (65–93); 58.4% was male. Seventy‐seven participants were undernourished and 21 participants had poor appetite (CNAQ < 28). A lower abundance of the genus Blautia was associated with undernutrition (log2 fold change = −0.57, Benjamini–Hochberg‐adjusted P = 0.008), whereas higher abundances of taxa from Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae UCG‐002, Parabacteroides merdae, and Dorea formicigenerans were associated with poor appetite. Furthermore, participants with poor appetite or undernutrition had reduced levels of faecal acetate (P = 0.006 and 0.026, respectively). Finally, there was a trend for the mice that received faecal microbiota from older adults with low BMI to weigh 1.26 g less after 3 weeks (P = 0.086) and have 6.13% more lean mass (in % body weight, P = 0.067) than the mice that received faecal microbiota from older adults without low BMI or recent weight loss.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates several associations of the gut microbiota with both poor appetite and undernutrition in older adults. Moreover, it is the first to explore a causal relation between the aged gut microbiota and body weight and body composition in the host. Possibly, microbiota‐manipulating strategies will benefit older adults prone to undernutrition.
The role of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms in steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome: Evidence from a meta‐analysis of steroid‐receiving patients
Authors: Aziz Md. Abdul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPrevious studies in nephrotic syndrome have shown that three common variants in the ABCB1 gene, including rs1128503, rs2032582, and rs1045642, change the expression and activity of ABCB1, which may be responsible for the drug resistance. However, as a result of the inconclusive outcomes of these studies, we performed a meta‐analysis to validate the association between ABCB1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility of steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). The association was evaluated by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. A total of 12 studies containing 1,463 subjects (514 steroid‐resistant and 949 steroid‐sensitive) were included. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs1128503 showed a significant association with SRNS (p < 0.05) only in the allele model (OR = 1.40) in Africans. A statistically significant association was found for rs2032582 in codominant 2, dominant, recessive, and allele models (OR = 1.85, 1.52, 1.38, and 1.34, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed that rs2032582 showed a significant correlation with SRNS in codominant 1, 2, dominant, over‐dominant, and allele models in Africans (OR = 3.22, 3.52, 3.29, 1.74, and 1.83, respectively). In the case of rs1045642, codominant 1 (OR = 0.72) and recessive models (OR = 1.34) revealed a significant correlation with SRNS. Again, codominant 1 (OR = 0.58), dominant (OR = 0.69), and over‐dominant models (OR = 0.62) showed a protective effect in Asians. Haplotype analysis showed that the TGC haplotype is associated with a 1.83, 1.77, and 2.17 times significant correlation in overall, Asian, and African populations, respectively. By contrast, the CGC haplotype showed a 0.69 and 0.57 times lower association in the overall and African populations, respectively. The CTC haplotype also showed a 1.79 times enhanced susceptibility for SRNS in the overall population. Our study suggests that ABCB1 polymorphisms are associated with SRNS development, especially in Africans and Asians.
Improving ART initiation among men who use HIV self‐testing in Malawi: a qualitative study
Authors: Hubbard Julie A. , Mphande Misheck , Phiri Khumbo , Balakasi Kelvin , Hoffman Risa M. , Daniels Joseph , Choko Augustine , Coates Thomas J. , Dovel Kathryn 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroductionHIV self‐testing (HIVST) increases HIV testing uptake among men; however, the linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIVST users is low. Innovative strategies for ART initiation are needed, yet little is known about the unique barriers to care experienced by male HIVST users, and what ART‐related interventions men desire.MethodsWe conducted semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with cisgender men (≥15 years) in Malawi who tested HIV positive using HIVST between 2018 and 2020, as well as interviews with their female partners (≥15 years) who distributed the HIVST kits. Medical records from seven facilities were used to identify respondents. We included men who received HIVST from a health facility (primary distribution) and from sexual partners (secondary distribution). Interview guides focused on unique barriers to ART initiation following HIVST and desired interventions to improve linkage and initiation. Interviews were audio recorded, translated and transcribed to English, and analysed using constant comparison methods in Atlas.ti v.8.4. Themes were compared by HIVST distribution strategy. Data were collected between 2019 and 2020.ResultsTwenty‐seven respondents were interviewed: eight male/female dyads (16 respondents), eight men without a female partner and three women who represented men who did not participate in the study. Among the 19 men represented (16 men interviewed in person, three represented by secondary report from female partners), seven received HIVST through primary distribution, 12 through secondary distribution. Six men never initiated ART (all secondary HIVST distribution). Barriers to ART initiation centred on the absence of healthcare workers at the time of diagnosis and included lack of external motivation for linkage to care (men had to motivate themselves) and lack of counselling before and after testing (leaving ART‐related fears and misconceptions unaddressed)––the latter was especially true for secondary HIVST distribution. Desired interventions were similar across distribution strategies and included ongoing peer mentorship for normalizing treatment adherence, counselling messages tailored to men, outside‐facility services for convenience and privacy, and facility navigation to help men understand how to navigate ART clinics.ConclusionsMale HIVST users face unique challenges to ART initiation, especially those receiving HIVST through secondary distribution. Male‐tailored interventions are desired by men and may help overcome barriers to care.
Patient characteristics associated with conversion from negative to positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 polymerase chain reaction test results: Implications for clinical false‐negativity from a single‐center: A case‐control study
Authors: Atluri Vidya L. , Stalter Randy M. , McGuffin Sarah A. , Johnson Luke , Healy Bailey , Benesch Hailey A. , Lan Kristine , Marsland Paula , Pottinger Paul , Patel Rena C. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundAccurate diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 is essential to limiting transmission within healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to identify patient demographic and clinical characteristics that could impact the clinical sensitivity of the nasopharyngeal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) test.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, matched case‐control study of patients who underwent repeated nasopharyngeal SARS‐CoV2 RT‐PCR testing at a tertiary care academic medical center between March 1 and July 23, 2020. The primary endpoint was conversion from negative to positive PCR status within 14 days. We conducted conditional logistic regression modeling to assess the associations between demographic and clinical features and conversion to test positivity.ResultsOf 51,116 patients with conclusive SARS‐CoV2 nasopharyngeal RT‐PCR results, 97 patients converted from negative to positive within 14 days. We matched those patients 1:2 to 194 controls by initial test date. In multivariate analysis, clinical suspicion for a respiratory infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 20.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1–141.2) and lack of pulmonary imaging (aOR 4.7, 95% CI: 1.03–21.8) were associated with conversion, while a lower burden of comorbidities trended toward an increased odds of conversion (aOR 2.2, 95% CI: 0.9–5.3).ConclusionsSymptoms consistent with a respiratory infection, especially in relatively healthy individuals, should raise concerns about a clinical false‐negative result. We have identified several characteristics that should be considered when creating institutional infection prevention guidelines in the absence of more definitive data and should be included in future studies.
Simulation and projection of climate extremes in China by multiple Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models
Authors: Wei Linxiao , Xin Xiaoge , Li Qilin , Wu Yao , Tang Hongyu , Li Yonghua , Yang Baogang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis study evaluates the ability of 23 climate models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) in simulating extreme climate events over China. The multimodel ensemble (MME) performs better than most individual models in reproducing the climatological mean distribution of all extreme indices. The MME can reproduce well the climatological mean distributions of five extreme climate indices over China, including annual total precipitation (PTOT), maximum consecutive 5‐day precipitation (RX5), simple daily intensity (SDII), maximum daily maximum temperature (TXX), and minimum daily minimum temperature (TNN), with Taylor skill scores exceeding 0.7. SDII and TXX are the most skilful precipitation and temperature extreme indices simulated by the MME, respectively. The MME has relatively lower skill in simulating the climatological mean distribution of warm days (TX90P) and cold nights (TN10P) over China. Future projections of these extreme climate indices by the end of the 21st century are explored with the MME under the SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, and SSP5‐8.5 scenarios. The PTOT and RX5 in northwestern China are all projected to increase by more than 30% under SSP5‐8.5. R20 is projected to increase by 4–5 days over southeastern China under SSP5‐8.5. There are fewer (more) consecutive dry days over north China (south China), with a change of 5 days under SSP5‐8.5. The extreme temperature indices, including TX90P, TXX, and TNN, all increase with time and higher SSP scenarios. The three indices increase by 40–55%, 4–6°C, and 4–7°C under SSP5‐8.5 over east China, respectively. The TN10P decreases by more than 6% over east China. The changes in these extreme indices under SSP1‐2.6 and SSP2‐4.5 are similar to those under SSP5‐8.5 but with a smaller magnitude. Large uncertainties still exist in the future projections, especially under the high SSP scenarios.