bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chlorogenic Acid Improves Anti-Lipogenic Activity of Metformin by Positive Regulating of AMPK Signaling in HepG2 cells
Authors: Namvarjah Fatemeh , Shokri-Afra Hajar , Moradi-Sardareh Hemen , Khorzoughi Reyhaneh Babaei , Pasalar Parvin , Panahi Ghodratollah , Meshkani Reza 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Metformin improves lipid profile, however, combination therapy is developing to increase its effectiveness and reduce the deleterious effects of metformin. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has exhibited lipid-lowering effects. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of metformin and CGA on lipid accumulation, as well as to elucidate the engaged mechanism in HepG2 cells. To find the non-lethal doses of metformin and CGA, MTT assay was performed. High Glucose (HG) at 33 mM was used to induce lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. Following treatment with different concentrations of metformin and CGA, total lipid content (Oil Red O-staining), triglyceride level, the genes expression of SREBP-1c and FAS, and phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC were measured. Both Metformin and CGA decreased HG-induced lipid accumulation individually, by decreasing total lipid content and triglyceride level. The lowest effective doses of metformin and CGA were 0.25 mM and 5µM, respectively, which significantly reduced SREBP-1c and FAS genes expression. The combination of these concentrations reinforced these effects. The phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC were more increased by metformin in combination with CGA than both individually. Our findings suggest that CGA synergistically enhances metformin lipid reducing action via the regulating of involved factors in fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, co-administration of metformin with CGA may have further medical value in treating lipid metabolism disorders.
Inundation Risk Mapping of Aegean and East Mediterranean Historic Areas
Authors: Zengin Enes 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Historic areas, including world heritage, archeological sites, castles, fortresses, towers, bridges, necropolises, ruins that are the shared legacy of humanity, are in danger of being inundated like settlements, transportation systems, agricultural areas, animal habitats due to sea-level rise because of global climate change and increased carbon emissions. These locations are of great significance as they are the hot spots where a connection can be established from the past to the present regarding the entire human history. Throughout history, settlements have been established around wetlands and shorelines. For this reason, the foremost of the dangers threatening historic areas is the risk of being inundated due to sea-level rise. It was thought that creating an inundation risk map would be beneficial for planning and conservation studies due to reasons such as the long duration of archaeological studies, lack of qualified workforce and budget constraints. For this purpose, considering global and local sea-level rise predictions, inundation risk maps were created for 5 different scenarios having risk classes varying from very high to very low. 464 historic areas located on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey, Greece and Aegean islands were evaluated. It has been revealed that significant historic areas such as Knidos and Delos will be inundated even in the low amount of sea-level rise scenarios. According to the inundation risk map, 34 of the historical areas are at very high, 21 are at high, 25 are at medium, 26 are at low, and 41 are at very low risk of being inundated
What is the requirement for cellular tensional homeostasis? – Theoretical analysis
Authors: Ueda Yuika , Matsunaga Daiki , Deguchi Shinji 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Tensional homeostasis is a cellular process whereby nonmuscle cells such as fibroblasts keep a constant level of intracellular tension and signaling activities. Cells are allowed thanks to tensional homeostasis to adapt to mechanical stress, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Here we address from a theoretical point of view what is required for maintaining cellular tensional homeostasis. A constrained optimization problem is formulated to analytically determine the probability function of the length of individual actin filaments (AFs) responsible for sustaining cellular tension. An objective function composed of two entropic quantities measuring the extent of formation and dispersion of AFs within cells is optimized under two constraint functions dictating a constant amount of actin molecules and tension that are arguably the two most salient features of tensional homeostasis. We then derive a specific probability function of AFs that is qualitatively consistent with previous experimental observations, in which short AF populations preferably appear. Regarding the underlying mechanism, our analyses suggest that the constraint for keeping the constant tension level makes long AF populations smaller in number because long AFs have a higher chance to be involved in bearing larger forces. The specific length distribution of AFs is thus required for achieving the constrained objectives, by which individual cells are endowed with the ability to stably maintain a homeostatic tension throughout the cell, thereby potentially allowing cells to locally detect deviation in the tension, keep resulting biological functions, and hence enable subsequent adaptation to mechanical stress. Although minimal essential factors are included given the actual complexity of cells, our approach would provide a theoretical basis for understanding complicated homeostatic and adaptive behavior of the cell.
In vitro anticancer activity of tomentosin on human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Güçlü Ebru , Ayan İlknur Çınar , Dursun Hatice Gül , Vural Hasibe 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Tomentosin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and neuroprotective effects. In recent years, anticancer activity of tomentosin has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to determine possible anticancer effect of tomentosin on pancreatic cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of tomentosin on PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells was determined by XTT analysis and doses of tomentosin that inhibit 50% cell viability (IC50) were found for both cell lines. After treatment with tomentosin, apoptosis rate was determined using FITC Annexin V and migration, invasion and colony formation analyzes were performed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and the change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. The effect of tomentosin on expression levels of apoptosis-related genes was determined by qRT-PCR. The levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were analyzed by western blot method. The IC50 dose of tomentosin was found to be 31.11 µM in PANC-1 cells and 33.93 µM in MIA PaCa-2 cells for 48 hours. Treatment with tomentosin induced apoptosis and ROS production in pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, after tomentosin treatment, MMP decreased and migration, invasion and colony formation of pancreatic cancer cells were suppressed. According to qRT-PCR and western blot analyzes, while tomentosin affected expression level of apoptosis-related genes, an increase was observed in Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein levels. Considering all the data together, this study reveals that tomentosin has anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer cells, and therefore it predicts that tomentosin can be evaluated as an effective agent against pancreatic cancer.
Molecular characterization of pectinase producing innovative bacterium, Aeromonas guangheii, isolated from the gut of fish, systomus sarana, RSM optimization for its enzyme production, the cloning and expression analysis of exo-pelA-gene and the recombinant protein purification
Authors: Dhayalan Arul , Thillinathan Natarajan , Velramar Balasubramanian , Athiyappagounder Palanisammi , Sundaramoorthy Dhanasundaram , Pachiappan Perumal 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
During the present research, 11 gut bacteria were isolated from the fresh water fish, Systomus sarana (General name: olive barb) and upon screening, the strains produced extracellular pectinase enzyme. Among them, the SS6 strain was found to produce a high quantity of 208.731 U/mg pectinase. Through molecular characterization the SS6 strain was identified as Aeromonas guangheii. In this study, a group of controlled experimental factors were investigated to optimize through the response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design. The optimal conditions were found to be; 2.11% of maltose, 2.20% of yeast extract, 6.5 of pH, and a temperature of 27.3 ºC at 32-h incubation. Under the above conditions, the activity of pectinase production was enhanced to 371 U/mg. The purified pectinase’s molecular weight was determined to be ~50 kDa (by 10% 2-D PAGE). The FT-IR analysis of the degraded pectin-products revealed the presence of six functional groups. Totally, nine peptides were identified from the purified pectinase enzyme through the MALDI-TOF-MS analysis and MASCOT tool was used to get the mass spectrum of the peak at 2211 of peptide that indicated the reference pectinase protein. The referenced gene primer (pectate lyases) was PCR amplified and their nucleotide sequence was analyzed. The exo-pelA gene was cloned in pREST vector, that was over expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The ORF encoded for a protein of 425 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of ~50 kDa. The present findings underline the potential of the fish-gut microbes as a source of biotechnologically important enzymes.
Clinical, Radiological and Pathological Features of SMARCA4 / BRG1-Deficient Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas
Authors: Lou Chu-Yun , Zhao Hui-Ping , Lu Hao , Liang Pan , Zhang Hong-Yan , Wang Rui , Tian Ke , Gao Jian-Bo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Purpose: SMARCA4/BRG1-deficient non-small cell lung carcinomas (SMARCA4-dNSCLCs) are rare and malignant tumors. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, computed tomography (CT) findings, and pathologic features of SMARCA4-dNSCLCs. Methods: A total of 23 cases of SMARCA4-dNSCLCs with complete medical records, including age, course, the results of main laboratory tests, histopathology, and immunohistochemical characteristics, were retrospectively analyzed from January 2019 to August 2021. Results: Using a combination of clinical data, CT findings, and pathological findings, SMARCA4-dNSCLCs could be more accurately diagnosed in most cases. Five patients were lost to follow-up. At the end of follow-up, 8 patients died, and the remaining patients were alive at 9–15 months. The incidence rate was similar in the right (n=11) and left (n=12) lungs. Moreover, SMARCA4-dNSCLCs were more likely to be found in the superior lobe (n=14) than in the inferior lobe (n=5) and hilum (n=4), and the median tumor size was 42.83 mm (range: 18.57-70.05 mm). Tumors showed deep, mostly inhomogeneous density with unclear margins in CT images. The lesions’ shapes included spinous protuberance (n=20), deep lobulation (n=21), and cystic component (n=13), and their radiodensity values ranged from 29.72 to 57.28 Hounsfield Units. After injection of a contrast material, heterogeneous (n=18) or homogeneous (n=2) enhancement was observed. The peak tumor enhancement was most likely to be observed in the venous phase (n=14). Pleural effusion (n=6), obstructive pneumonia (n=16), and pericardial effusion (n=5) were also detected. Twenty patients demonstrated lymph node involvement. Metastatic locations mainly included the brain (n=6), mediastinum (n=17), bone (n=10), adrenal gland (n=4), and liver (n=3). The primary tumors showed 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in eight patients who underwent positron emission tomography-CT. All these patients showed BRG-1 deficiency but AE1/AE3, epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin positivity. Additionally, these tumors showed different degrees of Ki-67 and programmed death-ligand 1 activities. Conclusions: Most cases of SMARCA4-dNSCLCs in this study presented with infiltrative masses and heterogeneous densities, and their clinical outcomes were poor. Our findings highlight the importance of the differential diagnosis for SMARCA4-dNSCLCs and the utility of diagnostic imaging prior to histopathological analysis.
HEARTS Matters: The Moderation and Mediation Effects of Resilience, Experience of Abuse, and Technology Use in Older Persons
Authors: Palompon Daisy Regis , Reyes Andrew Thomas , Garcia Laurence , Cutamora Jezyl , Gonzaga Joni Inocencia , Tipon Lovelyn , Pontillas Laarne , Cañeda Jake , Castillo Joana Mariz , Pananganan Vincent , Nemenzo Endrex , Hui Vivian , Cuevas Pearl Ed , Tan Rhigel , Constantino Rose Eva 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: The purpose of the study was to explore the HEARTS (Health, Experience of Abuse, Resilience, Technology, and Safety) in a community sample of older adults (60 years and above) in the Philippines – one of the top ten countries in Asia with the fastest growth rate of the older adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized in collecting data using standardized questionnaires such as PROMIS, CD-RISC, EASI. The study was able to engaged a total of 161 older adults who voluntarily joined the study. Results: Findings show that among the different health indicators (i.e., physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, ability to participate in roles and activities, pain interference, and pain intensity), only sleep disturbance was significantly correlated with the experience of abuse. Only anxiety and fatigue were significantly correlated with resilience. Resilience was found to have a significant moderating effect between the relationship of experience of abuse and two health indicators (i.e., anxiety and pain interference). Technology use was significantly correlated with the ability to participate in social activities, pain intensity, and resilience. Our results also show that technology use had a significant mediating effect between resilience and anxiety (a health indicator). Conclusion: The results provide preliminary evidence on the protective effect of resilience on the experience of abuse and selected health outcomes among older adults in the Philippines. Resilience in older adults varies across demographic factors, and suspicions of elderly abuse exist in the community. Technology-use among older adults should be included in the framework in addressing older persons' welfare as it serves to provide communication means or entertainment purposes. Studying the health outcomes, resilience, abuse, and technology use among older adults provides a framework on how older adults should be treated and how intervention programs should be addressed.
Academic Mobility from a Big Data Perspective
Authors: Pollacci Laura , Milli Letizia , Bircan Tuba , Rossetti Giulio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Understanding the careers and movements of highly skilled people plays an ever-increasing role in today's global knowledge-based economy. Researchers and academics are sources of innovation and development for governments and institutions. Our study uses scientific-related data to track careers evolution and Researchers' movements over time. To this end, we define the Yearly Degree of Collaborations Index, which measures the annual tendency of researchers to collaborate intra-nationally, and two scores to measure the mobility in and out of countries, as well as their balance.
A follow-up to the geographical distribution of Anopheles species in malaria- endemic and non-endemic areas of Honduras
Authors: Escobar Denis , Archaga Osman , Reyes Allan , Palma Adalid , Larson Ryan T. , Vásquez Gissella M. , Fontecha Gustavo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background: Identification of Anopheles species can be challenging, particularly in regions where cryptic complexes coexist. Due to their epidemiological relevance and biological complexity, monitoring of anopheline populations in current and former malaria-endemic areas is critical for malaria risk assessment. Recent efforts have described the anopheline species present in the main malaria foci in Honduras. This study updates and expands knowledge about Anopheles species composition, geographic distribution, and genetic diversity in Honduras. Methods: Outdoor insect collections were carried out at 25 sites in 8 municipalities in 5 departments of Honduras between 2018 and 2021. Specimens were identified using taxonomic keys. Partial COI gene sequences were used for molecular species identification and phylogenetic analyses. In addition, detection of Plasmodium spp. DNA was carried out in 255 female mosquitoes.Results: Overall, 288 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from 8 municipalities. Eight species were morphologically identified. Anopheles albimanus was the most abundant and widely distributed species (79.5%). A subset of 175 partial COI gene sequences from 8 species was obtained. Taxonomic identifications were confirmed by sequence analysis. Anopheles albimanus and An. apicimacula showed the highest haplotype diversity and nucleotide variation, respectively. Phylogenetic clustering was found for An. argyritarsis and An. neomaculipalpus when compared with mosquitoes from other Neotropical countries. Plasmodium spp. DNA was not detected in any of the mosquitoes tested.Conclusions: This report builds upon recent records of the distribution and diversity of Anopheles species in malaria-endemic and non-endemic areas of Honduras. New COI sequences are reported for three anopheline species. This is also the first report of COI sequences of An. albimanus collected on the island of Roatán with apparent gene flow relative to mainland populations.
Curcumin protects against bisphenol A -induced hepatic steatosis by modulating gut microbiota and liver fat synthesis in CD-1 mice
Authors: Feng Dan , Jiang Xin , Hong Ting , Yang Jie , He Youming , Cao Zhuo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Our previous studies showed that low-dose bisphenol A (BPA) exposure induced gut microbiota disorder and hepatic steatosis. Curcumin is a polyphenol phytochemical with lipid-lowering and prebiotic effects. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of curcumin on BPA-induced hepatic steatosis and the possible mechanism.Methods: Male CD-1 mice were fed with BPA-contaminated diet with or without curcumin for 24 weeks. Thereafter, blood samples were collected to measured blood lipids, transaminase and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Gut microbiota and the expression level of liver lipogenic gene were detected.Results: Curcumin supplementation alleviated BPA-induced dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis by reducing the levels of serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver TG, TC content. Moreover, analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that curcumin reversed BPA-induced gut microbiota disorder, the abundance of Akkermansia and the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes, which are both related to beneficial lipid metabolism, were considerably increased after curcumin treatment, whereas the abundance of harmful Rikenella was decreased compared with BPA-exposed mice. Besides, curcumin significantly decreased serum LPS levels and down-regulated the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes, including liver X receptor alpha, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and ACC2, induced by BPA.Conclusions: These findings indicated that curcumin protected against BPA-induced hepatic steatosis through modulating intestinal flora disorder, reducing serum LPS levels and subsequently inhibiting liver fat biosynthesis, suggesting the potential application of curcumin in prevention of BPA-induced metabolic liver diseases.
FPPR: Fast Pessimistic (dynamic) PageRank to Update PageRank in Evolving Directed Graphs on Network Changes
Authors: Kundu Suman , Pashikanti Rohith Parjanya 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The paper presents a new algorithm FPPR which updates PageRanks of a directed network after topological changes in the graphs. The algorithm is capable of regenerating scores on node and link addition/deletion. The changes in the expected value of random surfers are used for updating the scores of the newly added nodes as well as the impacted chain where the nodes/links are added or removed. The complexity of the algorithm for k new node addition is O(k ×davg(k) ) where davg(k) is the average degree of k nodes added. On the other hand for node deletion, the complexity is O(|Vs | + |Es |) where Vs and Es are the set of nodes and edges updated using Selective Breadth-First Update. Extensive experiments have been performed on different synthetic and real-world networks. The experimental result shows that the rank generated by the proposed method is highly correlated with that of the recalculation on changes, using the benchmark Power Iteration algorithm.
Retention of the highly educated migrants: From the perspective of urban e-service capability
Authors: Zhaoyuan Fan , Xiaofeng Liu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
China’s e-government construction continues to accelerate, but little attention has been paid to whether the highly educated talents would be attracted by the high-quality public services. This article evaluates the urban e-government service and other factors in attracting the new-generation of highly educated migrants for the first time by using the China Migrants Dynamic Survey in 2017 and the data from the Evaluation Report of Government E-service Capability Index (2017). The results show that a city with better e-service capability is highly attractive to the high-educated talents and makes them have strong settlement intention, the highly educated migrants who are female, married, and from non-agricultural areas have stronger urban-settlement intention because of having stricter requirements of urban e-service capability. This research demonstrates the importance of the urban e-public services on retaining the new-generation of highly educated migrants.
Synthesis, characterization, biological activity of Schiff base metal complexes derived from 3-Acetylcoumarin and 2-methylbenzyl hydrazinecarbodithioate
Authors: S Indira , R Anbarasan , B.S Sreeja , M Srinivasan , P Manikandan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
New Schiff base metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with 3-Acetylcoumarin and 2-methylbenzyl hydrazinecarbodithioate {[Co(L)(OAc)] (1), [Ni(L)(OAc)] (2), [Cu(L)(OAc)] (3) and [Zn(L)(OAc)] (4)} were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, molar conductance, ESR and mass spectrometry. Based on these data, it is clear that the Schiff base act as tridentate for metal complexes via the ionic sulphur of thiol and azomethine nitrogen atom, as well as the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group. Electronic spectral results were used to infer the geometry of the complexes, which was then validated using DFT calculations. The molar conductance discloses that the Schiff base complexes are non-electrolytic. The in vitro antibacterial activity suggest that the metal complexes are highly active against two bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia and Escherichia coli). Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant activity of all the complexes was determined by DPPH radical scavenging method.