bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lead or Cadmium Co-Contamination Alters Benzene and Toluene Degrading Bacterial Communities
Authors: Konya Aniko , Fiddler Brice , Bunch Olivia , Hess Kendra , Ferguson Cade , Krzmarzick Mark 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Co-contamination of hydrocarbons with heavy metals in soils often complicates and hinders bioremediation. A comprehensive characterization of site-specific degraders at contaminated sites can help determine if in situ bioremediation processes are sufficient. This study aimed to identify differences in benzene and toluene degradation rates and the microbial communities enriched under aerobic conditions when different concentrations of Cd and Pb are introduced. Microcosms were used to study the degradation of 0.23 mM benzene or 0.19 mM toluene under various concentrations of Pb (up to 240 µM) and Cd (up to 440 µM). Soil collected from a stormwater retention basin receiving runoff from a large parking lot was utilized to seed the microcosms. The hydrocarbon degradation time and rates were measured. After further rounds of amendment and degradation of benzene and toluene, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR were used to ascertain the microbial communities enriched under the various concentrations of the heavy metals. The initial degradation time for toluene and benzene was 7 to 9 days and 10 to 13 days, respectively. Degradation rates were similar for each hydrocarbon despite the concentration and presence of metal co-contaminant, however, the enriched microbial communities under each condition differed. Microcosms without metal co-contaminant contained a diversity of putative benzene and toluene degrading bacteria. Cd strongly reduced the richness of the microbial communities. With higher levels of heavy metals, genera such as Ralstonia, Cupriavidus, Azoarcus, and Rhodococcus became more dominant under various conditions. The study finds that highly efficient benzene- and toluene-degrading consortia can develop under variations of heavy metal co-contamination, but the consortia are dependent on the heavy metal type and concentrations.
High Glucose modulates the cancer cell fate by regulation of mTOR-HDAC-microRNA axis
Authors: RAMAIAH Mekala JANAKI , Kumar Kurappalli Rohil , Sriniva Ramalingam Prasanna , Moparthi NageswaraRao , Reddy Rajasekhar , Dirisala Vijay Ramu , Rao Kummarsetti Veerabhadra , Naushad Shaik Mohammad 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most dangerous cancers of the brain. Despite availability of various treatment modalities, GBM chemotherapy remains obscure. Cancer metabolism is considered as one of the important factors for the tumor aggressiveness. Glucose is an important energy source for the cellular metabolism and was found to affect the GBM cancer aggressiveness, and chemo-resistance. Studies have found that GBM cancer is driven by epigenetic proteins. HDACs are important epigenetic proteins that regulate the gene expression by chromatin epigenetics changes, and there by involved in gene transcription in cancer cells. In this study, we have evaluated the role of glucose on GBM cancer cells and identified the cell viability effects. Further, the cell-cycle studies have indicated the apoptotic effects of high dose of glucose. Further the histone deacetylase (HDAC) gene expression was examined during increased glucose availability. We have observed a drastic enhancement in HDAC gene expression. Further, the cancer cell metabolism was analysed by studying the gene expression pertaining to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Glucose has induced changes in gene expression of class I HDACs and mTOR pathway genes. Furthermore, the study has also identified the microRNA modulatory effect of glucose. The molecular modelling studies have indicated the interaction of glucose with mTOR, Rictor and caspase-3 proteins suggesting the functional regulatory role of glucose on the expression of genes. The caspase-3 (i. e. the effector caspase) studies confirmed the effect of glucose on caspase-3 activity and the effect was enhanced by the treatment with mTOR complex inhibitors. Proteomic study has identifed the involvement of MAPK, Rho kinase, S6 kinase pathways, Bromodomain, histone acetyl transferases during combined treatment of mTOR complex inhibitor and high glucose combination treatment. Thus, the present study has elucidated the role of glucose on GBM cancer proliferation, and molecular modulatory effect mediated by glucose by varying the chromatin epigenetics, and microRNA modulation.
Perceptions of friendship, peers and influence on smoking according to socioeconomic status and tobacco control context: A systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative research
Authors: Littlecott Hannah J. , Moore Graham. F. , Evans Rhiannon. E. , Melendez-Torres G.J. , McCann Mark , Reed Hayley , Mann Mala , Dobbie Fiona , Jennings Stephen , Donaldson Caitlyn , Hawkins Jemma 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background

The relationship between smoking and interpersonal influences has been well established within the literature. There has been a cultural shift in denormalisation and a reduction in tobacco smoking. Despite this, socioeconomic inequality in smoking has prevailed. This highlights the pressing need to understand health inequalities in relation to adolescents’ smoking attitudes across smoking normalisation and socioeconomic contexts.

Methods

The search was conducted in July 2019 and updated in March 2022
within 11 databases and secondary sources. Search terms included
schools, adolescents, smoking, peers, social norms and qualitative
research. Screening was conducted by two researchers independently
and in duplicate. Study quality was assessed using the eight-item
Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating
Centre (EPPI-centre) tool for the appraisal of qualitative studies.
Results were synthesised using a meta-narrative lens for
meta-ethnography and compared across smoking normalisation
contexts.

Results
Forty one studies were included and five themes were developed, mapping onto the socio ecological model. The social processes by which adolescents take up smoking differed according to a mixture of school type, peer group structure, socioeconomic composition and the smoking culture within the school, as well as the wider cultural context. Data available from smoking denormalised contexts, described changes in social interactions around smoking to cope with its stigmatisation. This was manifested through direct peer influence, whereby more subtle techniques were employed, group belonging whereby smoking was less likely to be seen as a key determinant of group membership and smoking was less commonly reported to be used as a social tool, and popularity and identity construction, whereby smoking was perceived more negatively in a post-legislative context.
Conclusions
This meta-ethnography is the first study to demonstrate, drawing on international data, that peer processes relating to socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent smoking may undergo changes as norms for smoking within society change. Future research should focus on understanding how differences across school-level socioeconomic contexts manifest once post-legislative norms have been established, to inform the adaptation of interventions.
Detection by network inversion filter of long-term and short-term slow slip events, using a very dense GNSS Network in Shikoku, Japan, during 2018–2022
Authors: Ozawa Shinzaburo , Munekane Hiroshi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
A study of slow slip events is important in understanding the mechanism and friction properties of plate interfaces. We imaged the state of plate interface between the subducting Philippine Sea plate and overriding Amur plate beneath Shikoku Island, Japan, by applying a network inversion filter to the position time series of the Global Navigation Satellite System from January 2018 to April 2022. The results of network inversion filtering show 14 short-term slow slip events associated with low-frequency earthquakes along with long-term slow slip events in the Bungo Channel, central Shikoku, and Kii-channel Japan. The long-term slow slip events in the Bungo, central Shikoku, and Kii-channels are spatially separated from each other, suggesting independent events. The recurrence interval of the central Shikoku slow slip event remains unclear. A Kii-channel slow-slip event occurs with an irregular recurrence interval. The estimated moments of the Bungo, central Shikoku, and Kii-channel slow slip events were Mw7.0, Mw6.5, and Mw6.3, respectively, with a rigidity of 30 GPa. The estimated moment magnitude of the short-term slow slip events ranges from Mw5.4 to Mw6.2. The major detected short-term slow slip events are consistent with the detected events from tilt meter analysis by the National Institute of Earth Science and Disaster Resilience of Japan. Most of the detected slow slip events are associated with low-frequency earthquakes, and some exhibited spatial propagation. Spatio-temporal relationship between low-frequency earthquakes and aseismic slip may provide us with the insight into the physical processes between them.
Low-Complexity Information and Sensing Beamforming Optimization for Multi-User Multi-Target MIMO ISAC Systems
Authors: Zhu Minghe , Li Lei , Xia Shuqiang , Chang Tsung-hui 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been envisioned as a key enabler in the next generation wireless networks. In this paper, we consider the joint information and sensing beamforming design in a multi-user and multi-target multi-input multi-output (MUMT-MIMO) ISAC system, where a transmit BS and a sensing BS collaborate to sense targets, and the transmit BS sends information streams to communication users at the same time. To optimize the sensing performance and guarantee the communication throughput, we formulate a joint beamforming design problem to minimize the trace of the weighted Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) of target parameters subject to the sum rate constraint. The problem is challenging to solve due to the intricate non-convex objective function and constraints. We firstly exploit the weighted mean square error minimization (WMMSE) and semidefinite relaxation (SDR) techniques to devise a WMMSE-SDR algorithm that can achieve a KKT point of the problem.

The SDR can be shown to be tight for a sub-problem in the WMMSE-SDR algorithm, which implies zero duality for the sub-problem. Based on this property and fractional programming (FP) techniques, we further reformulate the beamforming problem as a min-max form with simple constraints which then can be efficiently solved by first-order min-max optimization algorithms. Finally, the proposed algorithms are evaluated extensively in simulation. Numerical results show that both proposed algorithms can achieve promising performance in sensing and communication, and the low-complexity algorithm has a significantly reduced computation time.
The Agreement Between Syringing, Dacryocystography, and Dacryoendoscopy Findings in Lacrimal Duct Obstruction
Authors: Nakamura Jutaro , Kamao Tomoyuki , Mitani Arisa , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Shiraishi Atsushi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Purpose
We retrospectively investigated the agreement of the diagnostic findings of syringing, dacryocystography (DCG), and dacryoendoscopy in the obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system (LDS).
Methods
We examined 113 patients (211 LDS) who underwent syringing, DCG, and dacryoendoscopy for preoperative evaluation of LDS obstruction. Obstruction was compared by classifying the grade and the site of obstruction into three levels, respectively. The diagnostic agreement between the tests was assessed by determining the weighted Kappa value.
Results
25 male (49 LDS) and 88 female patients (162 LDS) were included in this study. LDS obstruction was observed in 77.4% of the cases by syringing, 60.0% by DCG, and 81.3% by dacryoendoscopy. Regarding the agreement in the obstruction grade, Cohen's Kappa value for DCG and dacryoendoscopy was 0.65 (95%CI: 0.56–0.74). Meanwhile, the DCG and dacryoendoscopy showed consistency in the site of obstruction in 77.9% of the cases. DCG found no obstruction in 38.4% of all cases, whereas 47.9% of them showed stenosis or obstruction by dacryoendoscopy. When discrepancies were observed between syringing and dacryoendoscopy to detect the site of obstruction, the combination of syringing and DCG reached the dacryoendoscopy findings at the 99% level.
Conclusions
"Substantial" agreements were found between the diagnostic findings of the three examinations. Among them, the highest agreement was between syringing and dacryoendoscopy in determining the site of obstruction. The lowest agreements were between syringing and DCG in diagnosing the grade and the site of obstruction.
Xanthatin and 8-epi-xanthatin as new potential colchicine binding site inhibitors: a computational study
Authors: Alpízar-Pedraza Daniel , Veulens Ania de la Nuez , Ginarte Yoanna María Álvarez , Piloto-Ferrer Janet , Sánchez-Lamar Ángel 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Phytocompounds xanthatin and 8-epi-xanthatin, obtained from Xanthium chinese Mill, showed antitumoral activity in vitro, related to the microtubules destabilizing properties of these phytocompounds. However, the exact binding pocket on tubulin of these isomers remains unknown. The aim of this work is, to develop a comprehensive computational strategy to understand and eventually predict the structure-activity relationship of xanthatin and 8-epi-xanthatin, with the destabilizing-antimitotic binding domain in tubulin heterodimer and to propose a putative binding site for these phytocompounds into the microtubule destabilizing agents binding sites in the tubulin heterodimer. A molecular docking was performed using the xanthanolides conformers as ligands and several tubulin structures obtained from the Protein Data Bank as receptor. The xanthanolides-tubulin complexes were energy minimized by molecular dynamics simulations at vacuum and their stability was evaluated by solvated molecular dynamics simulations during 100 ns. Xanthanolides showed higher stability into the colchicine and pironetin binding sites, whit a greater affinity for the former. In addition, the xanthanolides and non-classical colchicine binding site inhibitors share a high structural similarity.
Relative hypercoagulopathy of the SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Delta variants when compared to the less severe Omicron variants is related to TEG parameters, the extent of fibrin amyloid microclots, and the severity of clinical illness.
Authors: Grobbelaar Lize M , Kruger Arneaux , Venter Chantelle , Burger Este M , Laubscher Gert Jacobus , Maponga Tongai G , Kotze Maritha J , Kwaan Hau C. , Miller Joseph B , Fulkerson Daniel , Huff Wei , Chang Eric , Wiarda Grant , Bunch Connor M , Walsh Mark M , Raza Syed , Zamlut Mahmud , Moore Hunter B , Moore Ernest E. , Neal Matthew D , Kell Douglas B , Pretorius Etheresia 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Earlier variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been associated with plasma hypercoagulability (as judged by thromboelastography) and an extensive formation of fibrin amyloid microclots, which are considered to contribute to the pathology of the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19). The newer Omicron variants appear to be far more transmissible, but less virulent, even when taking immunity acquired from previous infections or vaccination into account. We here show that while the clotting parameters associated with Omicron variants are significantly raised over those of healthy, matched controls, they are only raised to levels significantly lower than those seen with more severe variants such as Beta and Delta. We also observed that individuals infected with Omicron variants manifested less extensive microclot formation in platelet poor plasma compared to those harbouring the more virulent variants. The measurement of clotting effects between the different variants acts as a kind of ‘internal control’ that demonstrates the relationship between the extent of coagulopathies and the virulence of the variant of interest. This adds to the evidence that microclots play an important role in determining the severity of symptoms observed in COVID-19.
Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels in pediatric patients with suspected ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection. Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fernández Jose Pablo , Acosta Natalia , Flores Tamara , Fernández Gabriela 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infection is a severe complication. Its early diagnosis could help to decrease morbidity and treatment costs. Lactate has been used for the diagnosis of other central nervous system infections. The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of lactate for the diagnosis of VPS infection. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study. Patients who consulted between May 2019 and May 2022 with VPS dysfunction had lactate measured. Means were compared according to culture results. A ROC curve was performed to determine the appropriate cut-off point.Result: Lactate has a high negative predictive value, but low positive predictive value, for the diagnosis of ventriculitis.
The Efficacy and Safety of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine versus mFOLFIRINOX in the First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Study.
Authors: Yang Lei , Su Jing , Wang Wenbo , Zhou Fuxiang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Nab-paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine (AG) and modified FOLFIRINOX (FFX) are two systemic therapies that have been widely used as standard first-line chemotherapy regimens in metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, since there is no clinical trial to directly compare the efficacy and safety of the two regimens, it is not clear which regimen is more effective. In this study, we aim to examine and compare the efficacy and safety of AG and FFX as first-line chemotherapy regimens in Chinese patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer in a real-world setting.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 41 patients who diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer and were treated with either AG (n = 21) or FFX (n = 20) as first-line chemotherapy between March 2017 and February 2022 at Zhongnan hospital of Wuhan University.
Results
Of 41 patients in this study, 21 were treated with AG and 20 were treated with FFX as first-line chemotherapy. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. The objective response rate (ORR)was 14.3% in the AG group and 20.0% in the FFX group. The disease control rate (DCR) was 71.4% in the AG group and 60.0% in the FFX group. There was no significant difference in PFS or OS between the AG group and the FFX group.The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.27 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.08–6.46) in the AG group and 3.67 months (95% CI, 2.28–5.05, p = 0.192)in the FFX group.The median overall survival (OS) was 10.03 months (95% CI, 7.33–12.63) in the AG group and 9.02 months (95% CI,6.02–11.98, p = 0.464) in the FFX group.The second-line treatment rate was 47.1% in the AG group and 55.0% in the FFX group. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based regimens are common second-line treatment options whether in AG or FFX group. Significantly more grade 3–4 peripheral neuropathy occurred in the AG than the FFX groups (4 (19.0%) vs 0 (0.0%), p = 0.040*).The patients in the PNI(Prognostic nutrition index) ≥ 45 group had a significant longer median OS (PNI ≥ 45 vs PNI < 45: 10.34 vs 6.90 mo, P = 0.005).
Conclusion
AG and FFX showed comparable efficacy outcomes in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer patients receiving first-line chemotherapy with good nutritional status are likely to have a better prognosis.
Discovering Ordered Motif Combinations in EZH2 Interacting Long Non-coding RNAs
Authors: Whorley Raymond , Waters Ella , Kalu Azuma , Crea Francesco , Laney Robin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
EZH2 is linked to cancer, interacting in various ways with some long non-coding RNAs but not others. It is reasonable to assume that the interacting sequences have physical interaction sites which are not present in the non-interacting ones. We hypothesise that these interaction sites correspond to motifs (short subsequences) which appear in a particular order. We have developed software to find such ordered motif combinations. The software can also suggest where larger scale similarities between and within lncRNAs may be found by calculating mean information content.
Results
We investigated motifs of length 5 to 11, with up to 3 motifs per combination, in murine lncRNAs. Appearing in 13 out of 59 interacting lncRNAs, 4 combinations comprising 2 motifs of length 6 have been identified as EZH2 interaction site candidates which can be further investigated.
Conclusions
Our predictions can be tested experimentally to ascertain whether or not these combinations really do constitute interaction sites. For example, genome editing can be employed to measure the cellular and molecular effects of ablating these sequences in the EZH2-interacting lncRNAs. In addition, computational and advanced microscopy methodologies can be employed to locate these motifs within the tri-dimensional structure of these lncRNAs.
Development of multifunctional celastrol nanoparticles to enhance antitumor effects by interfering with the function of mitochondria in breast cancer
Authors: Qin Yanru , Wang Zhongjie , Wang Xueyuan , Zhang Tianyu , Hu Yixue , Wang Dongna , Sun Hui , Zhang Liefeng , Zhu Yongqiang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMitochondria play an important role in genesis and development of tumor, and are also drug targets. Herein, we developed a multifunctional celastrol (cela) nanoparticles with a positive core and a negative outer layer. Firstly, the mitochondrial targeted material: triphenyl phosphonium-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPP-TPGS, TT) was synthesized, and prepared TT/PLGA@cela nanoparticles (NPs). Then, the positive charge on the surface was neutralized using tumor targeted and pH sensitive chondroitin sulfate-folic acid (CS-FA) material to obtain CS-FA/TT/PLGA@cela NPs. Characterization revealed CS-FA/TT/PLGA@cela NPs to be globular particles with smooth surfaces and an average diameter of 100 nm. This construct could improve the uptake in 4T1 cells. After CS-FA/TT/PLGA@cela NPs entered cancer cells, CS-FA was degraded, then the positively charged TT/PLGA@cela NPs were exposed and completed lysosomal escape, finally localizing to mitochondria. Subsequently, in the alkaline environment of mitochondria, cela is released to kill cancer cells. Meanwhile, the results of the mitochondrial respiration test and mitochondrial membrane potential assay demonstrated that CS-FA/TT/PLGA@cela NPs exerted mitochondrial injury and damage. Moreover, the NPs remarkably enhanced proapoptotic protein expression in 4T1 cells. Importantly, this nanoplatform was able to achieve excellent anti-cancer effectsin vivo. Together, the results indicated that the mitochondria-targeting CS-FA/TT/PLGA@cela NPs potentially represent a signifcant advancement in breast cancer treatment.