bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of dexmedetomidine on AKT/ERK signaling pathway and EMT-related proteins in high glucose-induced apoptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Wei Shuhua , Wu Jiang , Liu Yubo , He Xiang 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To study the effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on AKTERK signaling pathway and EMT- related proteins in high glucose-induced apoptosis in human kidney tubular epithelial cells.
Methods: HK-2 cells were assigned to control, high-glucose and Dex groups. Levels of ROS were determined using live cell station. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis and cell cycle while Western blot was applied to assay levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, ERK and p-ERK.
Results: The ROS concentrations were markedly reduced in Dex group, relative to high glucose group (p < 0.05). Apoptosis was reduced in Dex group, relative to high glucose group, while P13K protein levels were significantly lower in high glucose and Dex groups than their corresponding control levels. In the high glucose-treated cells, AKT protein expression was downregulated, relative to control group, and p-AKT expression was markedly reduced in Dex group (p < 0.05). Protein expressions of ERK and p-ERK in high glucose group were lower than control values, but were significantly accentuated in Dex group, relative to high glucose group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Dex mitigates high glucose-induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells, increases the proportion of cells in G1 phase, and reduces their EMT via a mechanism related to regulation of AKTERK signaling pathway-associated proteins. AKTERK signaling pathway-associated proteins provide insights into the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Dexmedetomidine alleviates microglial activation of neuropathic pain by modulating miR-23a/PDE10A axis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
Authors: Wu Qian , Qiao Yan , Song Jiannan 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To elaborate the functional role of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in alleviating microglial activation of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) and explore the involved signaling pathways.
Methods: The viability of BV-2 cells was measured using a commercial kit. Levels of interleukin 1β (IL- 1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using commercial ELISA kit. The mRNA target was predicted and confirmed using TargetScan and luciferase assay. Protein expression levels were determined by western blotting. Diabetes was indiced in C57BL/6J mice using streptozotocin (STZ) and antidiabetic parameters evaluated in vivo.
Results: DEX suppressed HG-induced microglial activation in BV-2 cells. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α increased in HG-treated cells, but this was counteracted following DEX treatment. Phosphorylation of p65 (p-p65) was upregulated in cells treated with HG, while DEX repressed this upregulation. MiR-23a was downregulated in BV-2 cells treated with HG, but upregulated by addition of DEX. MiR-23a mimics repressed the induction of IL-1β and TNF-α levels and expression of p-p65. Results from TargetScan and luciferase assays showed that the 3-untranslated region (UTR) of PDE10A was directly targeted by miR-23a. The in vivo studies showed that miR-23a agomir relieved neuropathic pain and reduced the expressions of PDE10A and p-p65 in STZ-induced diabetic mice, but these effects were aggravated by DEX.
Conclusion: The results show that upregulation of miR-23a, DEX alleviates microglial activation of neuropathic pain and reduces levels of inflammatory factors in STZ-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice. The underlying mechanism was at least partially mediated by PDE10A.
Cigarette smoke extract induces migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells through regulation of expressions of MOB2 and LATS1
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhou Wei , He Shenghu , Qian Yang , Wang Daxin 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To study the impact of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the migratory capacity of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the likely mechanism of action involved.
Methods: Rat VSMCs were exposed to varying concentrations of CSE. The migration capacity of the cells was determined by Transwell migration assay and scratch test. Protein and RNA expression levels of LATS1 (large tumor suppressor kinase 1) and MOB2 (monopolar spindle-one-binder protein 2) were assayed using immunoblotting and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively.
Results: The results showed that within a certain concentration range, the migratory capacity of VSMCs increased as the concentration of CSE increased (p < 0.05). In contrast, the protein and RNA expressions of LATS1 and MOB2 were negatively correlated with CSE concentrations (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: CSE promotes abnormal migration of rat VSMCs by inhibiting the expressions of LATS1 and MOB2 associated with Hippo signaling pathway. Thus, smoking may induce vascular remodeling and cardiovascular events via this mechanism.
MiR-489 serves as a tumor inhibitor in pituitary prolactinoma targeting p21-activated kinase 3
Authors: Zhang Lie , Miao Shuchuan , Yang Zhongxin , Li Zongxi , Zheng Qun 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of microRNA-489 (miR-489) on pituitary prolactinoma and its mechanisms of action.
Methods: MMQ and GH3 cells were transfected with miR-489, cell viability assessed with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and clone spots was evaluated by colony formation assay. Transwell assay was applied to measure cell migration and invasion while TargetScan was employed to the presumed targets of miR-489, followed by luciferase reporter assays. was MiR-489 and p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene expression were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR. Protein levels of PAK3 were measured using western blots.
Results: Transfection significantly increased miRNA-489 levels (p < 0.01). Cell viability, number of clone spots, as well as cell migration and invasion diminished in MMQ and GH3 cells following miR-489 transfection when compared to miR-NC mimic group (p < 0.01). The presumed binding site of miRNA- 489 was located in 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of PAK3, and miR-489 transfection repressed luciferase activity with the wild-type 3′-UTR (p < 0.05). In addition, miR-489 decreased PAK3 levels in MMQ and GH3 cells. Knockdown of PAK3 significantly suppressed cell viability, clone formation ability, as well as cell migration and invasion when compared to negative control (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: MiR-489 overexpression suppresses pituitary prolactinoma by targeting PAK3, thus providing a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of pituitary prolactinoma.
Effect of mono- and dual frequency power ultrasound assisted enzymolysis on the degree of hydrolysis and ACE inhibitory activity of Stevia protein hydrolysates
Authors: Gasmalla Mohammed Abdalbasit A. , Musa Abubakr , Awad Faisal N. , Admassu Habtamu , Ma Haile 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To study the effects of ultrasound pretreatment at different frequencies and working modes, including mono frequency ultrasound (MFU) and dual-frequency ultrasound (DFU), on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory effect of Stevia protein (SP).
Methods: Protein from Stevia leaves was extracted by water (50 g suspended in 1000 mL). The hydrolysis of stevia protein extract (SPE) was carried out using alcalase at 5 % enzyme substrate (E/S) ratio. A study was then carried out to investigate its microstructure and morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: The results showed that ultrasound pretreatment did not increase DH of SP significantly (p > 0.05). However, the highest ACE inhibitory activity of stevia protein hydrolysate was obtained at DFU level (20/50 KHz). Overall, ultrasonic frequency mode had a significant influence on ACE inhibitory activity.
Conclusion: The frequency selection of ultrasound pretreatment of SP is essential for the preparation of ACE inhibitory peptide.
Peony seed oil protects against obesity-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Su Jianhui , Tao Jiejie , Xing Longhua , Ao Chengshuang , Ma Yuxuan , Wan Juncai , Tang Zhe 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Peony seed oil (PO) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the underlying mechanism of action.
Methods: A mouse model of NAFLD was established using high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Serum levels of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), glucose and free fatty acids (FFAs) were determined. Activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were assayed in liver homogenates, while mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, x-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) and phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (p-IRE1α) were assayed in liver tissue using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were also determined by qRT-PCR.
Results: HFD diet led to significant increases in body weight as well as serum TG, TC, glucose and FFA levels. However, treatment with PO significantly reversed the effect of HFD on these parameters (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly higher in HFD control group than in normal control group, but were significantly reduced after PO treatment (p < 0.05). The protein expression levels of GRP78, XBP-1 and p-IRE1α significantly increased in the liver of NAFLD group, when compared with normal control rats, but were significantly downregulated by treatment with PO (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: PO attenuates HFD-induced NAFLD via inactivation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway. Thus, PO has potentials for the treatment of NAFLD but further studies are required to ascertain this.
Aqueous Allium sativum (garlic) extract ameliorates cadmium chloride-induced alterations in blood formation and spermatogenesis in albino rats
Authors: Mbegbu Edmund Chidiebere , Odo Rita Ifeoma , Ozioko Paul Tobechukwu , Awachie Mark Ebubechukwu , Nwobi Lotanna Gilbert , Obidike Ikechukwu Reginald 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the ameliorative effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGEx) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2-induced) alterations in the blood and testicles of rats.
Methods: A total of 24 male rats (160 - 200 g), randomly assigned into 4 groups (A - D; n = 6), were used to investigate the claimed protective effect of AGEx on blood and spermatogenic tissues following CdCl2-intoxication in albino rats. The rats in Group A served as controls and were given 5mg/mL of deionized water. Group B rats were given 300 mg/kg of AGEx. Group C rats were given 2 mg/kg of CdCl2. Rats in Group D first received 2 mg/kg of CdCl2, and 300 mg/kg of AGEx 2 h later. All treatments were administered every 48 h for a period of six weeks.
Results: CdCl2 administration to group C rats reduced haematocrit value (PCV), concentration of haemoglobin (Hb), red cell count (RBC), total leucocytes count (tWBC), eosinophil, neutrophil, testicular weight and sperm reserve (p < 0.05), but elevated lymphocytes count compared with control (p < 0.05). AGEx 300 mg/kg in group D rats significantly reversed (p < 0.05) the altered parameters compared with control.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that administration of aqueous Allium sativum (garlic) extract to male rats enhances spermatogenesis, and ameliorates testicular and haematological alterations induced by cadmium poisoning. Therefore, the spermatogenic principle in AGEx is a potential candidate for the clinical management of male infertility.
Knockdown of pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) suppresses proliferation, migration, invasion, and cancer stem cell properties in lung cancer cells
Authors: Dong Liangchao , Li Weiwei , Zhang Xiaoli 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the role of pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF) in lung cancer.
Method: Proliferation of lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H1299) was determined using MTS and Edu staining assays. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities. Lung cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expressions, including CD133, CD44, ALDH1, SOX2, and Oct4, were determined by western blot assay.
Results: Knockdown of PAUF significantly inhibited A459 and H1299 cell proliferation (p < 0.01). The wound healing and transwell assay results indicated that depletion of PAUF markedly suppressed H1299 and A549 cell migration and invasion, compared with the control cells (p < 0.01). Knockdown of PAUF reduced distinct CSC marker expression, suggesting inhibition of CSC phenotypes, and reduced phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated Src, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but not total FAK, Src, and ERK. These results suggested that knockdown of PAUF deactivated the FAK/Src/ERK signal pathway.
Conclusion: Knockdown of PAUF inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and CSC properties via deactivation of FAK/Src/ERK signal pathway. These results may provide a novel strategy for the development of lung cancer therapeutics.
Silencing CDCA8 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells and induces apoptosis by blocking the Akt pathway
Authors: Fan Fuxiang , Du Jingbo , Lou Yanbo 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) on malignant progression of gastric cancer (GC) cells.
Methods: Short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) were transfected into two gastric cell lines to knock down expression of CDCA8. Transfection efficiency was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Then, Cell Counting Kit 8 and colony formation and Transwell assays were utilized to explore the effect of CDCA8 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze the effect of CDCA8 knockdown on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. The relationship between CDCA8, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and Akt pathway activity was determined by western blot analysis.
Results: Proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells were significantly inhibited by CDCA8 knockdown. Knockdown of CDCA8 induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and apoptosis, and inhibited EMT and Akt pathway activity.
Conclusion: Knockdown of CDCA8 inhibits GC growth and metastasis in vitro by reducing Akt pathway activity. Thus, this molecule presents a potential strategy for the management of GC.
MiR-598-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Qiang Zhang , Feng Jinhua , Wang Chunlian , Zheng Meizhu , Wen Zhuoyu 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the role of miR-598-3p in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T- ALL).
Methods: The expression of miR-598-3p in mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood samples of children with or without T-ALL was assessed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability or proliferation of T-ALL cell lines was evaluated using cell counting kit-8 assay or bromodeoxyuridine staining, respectively. The target gene of miR-598-3p was predicted and validated using luciferase reporter assay, while the underlying mechanism involved in miR-598-3p-mediated T-ALL was determined by western blot analysis.
Results: MiR-598-3p was reduced in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of T-ALL patients. Ectopic miR-598-3p expression decreased T-ALL cell viability and suppressed proliferation, while miR-598-3p interference showed reversed effects. Additionally, the target gene of miR-598-3p, Dishevelled, EGL-10, and Pleckstrin domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR), was down-regulated by miR- 598-3p in T-ALL. MiR-598-3p decreased phospho (p)-AKT protein expression, while AKT inhibition counteracted the suppressive effects of miR-598-3p silencing on T-ALL cell viability and proliferation.
Conclusion: MiR-598-3p/DEPTOR is involved in the proliferation of T-ALL through AKT pathway, thus providing a potential novel application in pediatric T-ALL.
Mitigating the Spread of Measles under Constrained Health Care Resources in Tanzania using Social Contact Network Models
Authors: Rwezaura Herieth , McGarraghy Seán 
Published: January 2022

Tanzania revaccinates individuals during measles outbreaks, despite having scant healthcare resources. We construct epidemiological models of measles spread by employing a hybrid of existing social contact networks models to develop SEIR simulation model. Using demographic and measles surveillance data from three rural villages in Tanzania, we simulate the spread of measles and examine which vaccination strategies can effectively control outbreaks. Results strongly indicate the spread of measles largely depends on contact rates among infected individuals within a population. Findings indicate a need for targeted vaccination for children of 6 months to 15 years of age, but equally for unvaccinated older age groups who were born before 1957 or missed the second dose. This work contributes theoretically and methodologically to existing applications of social contact network models for airborne infectious diseases in areas with health system constraints. It sets out implications for the design of effective vaccination programs for control of measles in Tanzania and in other developing countries.
Keywords: Vaccination strategies, Control strategies, Social contact network models, Airborne infectious diseases, Measles.
Optical and Chemical Properties of Fragaria ananassa and Galena: Potential Photosensitizers in a Natural Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Akinsola Ibukun S , Alabi Aderemi B , Nicola Coppede 
Published: January 2022

Dye is one of the major components for high power conversion efficiency in a dye-sensitized solar cell. There are challenges natural dyes encounter, especially with quick degradation of the dye molecules. This work considered mineral dye in comparison with plant dye to address the challenge of degradation of natural plant dyes. The optical properties and functional groups of the two natural dyes were studied in this work. The absorption spectra, the optical band gaps and the absorption coefficients of the dyes were reported and found to be suitable for use as photosensitizers in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), as they absorb in the visible region of the electromagnetic radiation. The functional groups were studied by carrying out Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the amine, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups present in both dyes confirmed promising material that can absorb solar radiation in the visible region (around 380–800 nm) and which finds application in fabricating DSSC. The organic compositions in the mineral dye are studied via the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the results justify the observation from the FTIR spectroscopy. The properties observed, via the characterizations techniques used, confirm materials suitable for use as photosensitizers in fabricating DSSC.
Keywords: Plant dye, Mineral dye, Photosensitizer, Visible region, DSSC.
Application of Faulkenberry (2018) Bayes Factor to a Balanced Two Way Analysis of Variance with Random Effects
Authors: Egburonu Onyeike D , Abidoye Omotayo A 
Published: January 2022

The Analysis of Variance technique estimates variance components by comparing their mean squares to their expected values. Nevertheless, this method could give variance component estimates that are found outside the parameter space, i.e. negative estimates. In a bid to overcome this deficiency, alternate approaches are essential, and likelihood-based approaches have become common over time. Bayesian techniques have also been proposed and Bayes factors developed for examining various models. We applied the Bayes factor proposed by Faulkenberry (2018) to a Balanced Two Way ANOVA under three (3) cases, namely Case 1: the levels of the two factors are fixed; Case 2: the levels of the two factors are random; and Case 3: the levels of one factor are considered as fixed, while the levels of the other factor are considered as random. We realized that when the levels of the two factors are fixed, the Bayesian conclusion about the variability in the effects is in line with that of a frequentist. But when the same data set was considered to be wholly or partly as sample observations drawn randomly from a given population of interest, the Bayesian conclusion differed slightly from that of the frequentist.
Keywords: Bayes Factor; Bayesian; Frequentist, Fixed; Random.
Improved Modified Ratio Estimation of Population Mean Using Information on Size of the Sample
Authors: Suleiman Sikiru A , Adewara Amos A 
Published: January 2022

In sample surveys, auxiliary information is used for estimation to improve the eﬃciency of estimators. Increased precision can be obtained when the variable under study is highly correlated with auxiliary information. In this study, the sample size has been used as information for improved estimation of population mean of the main variable under study. A new modified generalized ratio type estimator of population mean has been proposed and the efficiency was examined using Murthy (1967) and Mukhopadhyay (2009) dataset. The large sample properties, the bias and the mean squared error of the newly proposed modified ratio estimator were obtained up to first order of approximation. The optimum value of the characterizing scalar which minimizes the mean squared error was obtained and the minimum value of the mean squared error of the proposed modified ratio estimator for this optimum value was also obtained. A theoretical comparison of the proposed modified ratio estimators was made with the other existing related estimators of population mean using auxiliary information. The conditions under which the proposed modified ratio estimators perform better than the other existing estimators of population mean are given. A numerical study was also carried out to see the performances of the proposed modified ratio estimators and some existing related ratio estimators of population mean and verify the conditions under which the proposed modified ratio estimators are better than some other existing related ratio estimators considered. It was shown that the proposed modified ratio estimators perform better than some existing related ratio estimators as they are having lower mean squared errors.
Keywords: Ratio Estimator, Sample size, Bias, Mean Squared Error, Efficiency