bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA Expression Profiling Involved in Borax-Induced Anti-Tumor Effect Using Gene-Chip Analysis
Authors: Wei Ying , Zhou Wenbo , Zhou Jiao , Wang Jinjin , Huang Xuefei , Chen Jun , Chen Qinhua , Li Huizhen , Sheng Fen , Wu Lun 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Borax has been shown to have potential therapeutic benefits. However, the mechanisms underlying borax-induced anti-tumor effect remain to be further elucidated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play key roles in cellular processes such as tumor progression and cell apoptosis.
Objective
The present study aimed to investigate whether miRNAs were involved in borax-mediated anti-tumor effect using gene-chip analysis.
Methods
Total RNA was extracted and purified from HepG2 cells treated with 4 mM borax for 2 or 24 h. The samples underwent microarray analysis using a human miRNA Array. Differentially expressed miRNAs were analysed by volcano plot and heatmap, and were validated using quantitative PCR. PPI network was then established, and hub genes were identified via Cytoscape software.
Results
Exposure to borax for 2 or 24 h significantly altered the expression level of miRNAs in HepG2 cells, and 4 or 14 miRNAs were upregulated, respectively, while 3 were downregulated compared with the findings in the control group (≥2 fold-change, P<0.05). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs in HepG2 cells predominantly participated in the MAPK, TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways in the 2-h borax treatment group, while they were involved in the Ras signaling pathway, forkhead box O signaling pathway and cellular senescence in the 24-h treatment group. Construction and analysis of PPI network showed that NACC2, CACNB1 and FZD6, CDK6, BCL-2, IGF1R, BTG2, AGO2, DLGAP3 were recognized as hub genes with the highest connectivity degrees in the 2-h or 24-h, respectively.
Conclusion
The results indicate that the borax-induced antitumor effect may be associated with alterations in miRNAs. Furthermore, we established a potential tumor-related miRNA-mRNA regulatory network, which explores a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms and provides novel therapeutic targets for liver cancer.
Targeted Communication for Bushfire Preparedness: Using an Inventory Cluster Approach
Authors: Ryan Barbara , King Rachel , Lokuge Weena , Karunasena Warna , Anderson Esther 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Disasters cost the world $US268bn in 2020 in economic, property and human losses. In Queensland, the most disaster-prone of Australian states, flood, cyclone and bushfire will cost $466bn over the next 40 years. Individual preparation for natural hazards has been shown to reduce this cost by reducing adverse experiences, physical health problems and post-traumatic stress, and improving the speed of disaster recovery. This study categorises preparation activity into clusters according to the activity's purpose in order to survey residents of a bushfire-vulnerable area in Queensland, Australia. This cluster approach enabled identification of specific areas of weakness in preparation plans, find that evacuation planning activity, and safety planning activity were especially weak. These results show that emergency agency communicators and community engagement practitioners can use cluster-based research to better plan messaging within their bushfire preparation communication campaigns to target and motivate specific safety behaviours. Improved safety of people and property will mitigate the costs of bushfires in Queensland in future.
The Effect of Tenacity on the Improvement of Children's Serious Game-Play Ability: A Retrospective Study.
Authors: Lee Ju Yeon , Kim Hye Hyeon , Park Ji Ae , Choi Ye Jin , Lee Ji Sung , Park Yu Rang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Through several recent studies, tenacity, which involves solving problems with patience and enthusiasm for the goal, has emerged as an indicator of education effect, therapeutic effect, and well-being. However, relatively little research has assessed how to measure and evaluate tenacity. We aimed to analyze the usage pattern of the serious game to define tenacity and examine how it affects the effectiveness of cognitive development by measuring the difference between game-driven cognitive index based on detailed cognitive activities and game score.
Methods
We used a serious game for 5419 children who responded to the survey from September 20, 2018, to July 14, 2020, divided into six groups according to their tenacity level and presence of developmental disabilities. We defined user tenacity through game usage patterns and analyzed how children play the serious game differently according to their characteristics.
Results
We confirmed that tenacity affects the distribution of score changes from the primary episode to the 10th episode of serious games, showing statistical significance for some of the sub-categories in both the typical developments group and developmental disabilities group. Moreover, we found differences in difference estimation and found that tenacity affects the improvement of a serious game-driven cognitive index for Inference, Numerical and Organizing categories commonly seen in both typical developments group (p = < .000, p = 0.001, p = .001), and developmental disabilities group (p = .0019, p = .022, p = .002).
Conclusions
Based on these findings, we propose that cognitive improvement is derived from not only natural-wise content-driven effects but also user compliance effects depending on the non-cognitive factors, regardless of the presence of developmental disabilities.
Stem Cell Transplantation Patients Receiving a Novel Oral Care Protocol for Oral Mucositis Prevention and Treatment: Patient-reported Outcomes and Quality of Life
Authors: Guberti Monica , Botti Stefano , Fusco Andrea , Caffarri Cristiana , Cavuto Silvio , Savoldi Luisa , Serra Nicola , Merli Francesco , Piredda Michela , De Marinis Maria Grazia 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most debilitating effects of toxicity due to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) conditioning regimens. The aim of this secondary analysis of the data of a phase II study designed to assess the efficacy of a novel oral care protocol containing bovine colostrum and aloe vera to prevent oral mucositis was to compare outcomes reported by patients with those collected by healthcare professionals (HCPs). Method: Data on oral mucositis severity, duration, time of onset and related pain were collected from patients using the Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire (OMDQ). HCPs assessed the same outcomes using the World Health Organization oral mucositis scale and pain numerical rating scale. Quality of life was assessed with the 3-level EuroQol-5 dimensions.Results: Fifty-nine autologous/ allogeneic graft patients were recruited, 46 of whom (78.0%) experienced OM. Mean onset was 9.1 (SD±3.5) days after conditioning initiation, mean duration was 10.4 (SD±4.3) days and the average maximum pain score was 3.7 (SD±2.7). Self-administration of the OMDQ detected oral symptoms at least 1 day sooner compared to objective assessments (p = 0.025). Significant differences were observed between the patient-reported and the HCP-assessment data on oral mucositis severity grading distribution (p < 0.0001) and highest pain score (p < 0.0001). Quality of life score variations were correlated with changes in oral mucositis severity during patients’ hospital stay. Conclusions: Further studies are necessary to improve the understanding of these findings; a randomized controlled trial is being set up at our institution.
Molecular Dynamics Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Fretting Wear Mechanism of Variable Gauge Bogie
Authors: Ji Jiaxin , Sheng He , Yanping Reng 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Under the "One belt, One road" strategy, the trade in goods is more frequent in diverse countries. The difference in train gauge between countries often leads to low efficiency of freight transportation. In several schemes, the variable gauge bogie can efficiently solve this problem. The fretting wear between the axles and wheels of train gauge changeable bogies may cause the connection relaxation and failure in the actual working process, resulting in potential safety hazards. Diverse experimental researches show that surface treatment technology can effectively reduce the friction and wear between axles and wheels. However, its micro wear reduction mechanism is not clear, to date. Therefore, the three-dimensional fretting wear model of bogie axle and wheel is established by molecular dynamics method in this paper. The wear reduction mechanism of surface treatment technology is then clarified from the micro point of view, and also verified by experiments. The results show that there is micro convex contact between the two surfaces under the contact stress. The micro convex is extruded and deformed, hence forming an adhesion. Whereas, the convex adhesion is desorbed by the shear force during separation, resulting in fretting wear. Since the wear reduction is caused by the reduction of transverse force, good lubrication and wear reduction effect can be achieved by MoS2 coating and nitriding. The surface treatment of MoS2 coating also reduces the friction coefficient between axles and wheels along with improving load bearing. Whereas, the friction coefficient can be decreased by increasing the nitriding amount.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Drought and Rainfall in Pakistan via Standardized Precipitation Index: Homogeneous Regions, Trend, Wavelet and Influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation
Authors: Junior José Francisco Francisco Oliveira , Shah Munawar , Abbas Ayesha , Iqbal M. Shahid , Shahzad Rasim , de Gois Givanildo , Silva Marcos Vinícius da , Jardim Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz , de Souza Amaury 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The phenomena of drought is common in the world, particularly in Pakistan. Drought in Pakistan has been studied in terms of its spatial and temporal variability, as well as its impact on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The objectives of this study are to identify homogeneous rainfall regions and their trend regions, as well as the impact of ENSO cycle. For the analysis, 44 meteorological sites during 1980–2019 are used for monthly rainfall data. The descriptive and exploratory statistics tests (e.g., Pettitt and Mann-Kendall—MK), Sen method, and cluster analysis (CA) are implemented with the annual Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The ENSO occurrences were classified based on the Oceanic Nio Index (ONI) for region 3.4. Using the Cophenetic Correlation Coefficient (CCC) and a significance level of 5%, seven approaches were applied to the pluviometric dataset. The CCC > 0.9082 indicates that the Complete approach is the best. According to the CA method, Pakistan has four homogenous rainfall groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4). Descriptive and exploratory statistics yielded lower values for G1 than for the other groups. Pettitt's technique identified the most extreme El Niño years in terms of the drought's spatial and temporal variability. According to the Pettitt test, the wettest months were March, August, September, June, and December. Non-significant increases in Pakistan's annual rainfall were found in the MK test, with exceptions in the southern and northern regions, respectively. No significant rise in Pakistan's rainfall was found using Sen's Sen's approach, especially in the G2, G3, and G4 regions. The severity of the drought in Pakistan is made worse by months, homogeneous groups of rainfall, and El Niño events, all of which require public officials' attention while managing water resources, agriculture, and the country's economy.
Prevalence and factors associated with obesity and overweight among primary schoolchildren in three municipalities of Conakry, Guinea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kadio Kadio Jean-Jacques Olivier , Leno eNiouma Nestor , Cissé Diao , Tounkara Adrien Fapeingou , Guilavogui Foromo , Guédé Kogbo Zohonon Elsa Stéphanie , Kotchi Yao Emmanuel , Koffi Jean-Charles Koidjané , Sidibé Sidikiba , Delamou Alexandre , Camara Alioune , Touré Abdoulaye 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Childhood obesity is a growing phenomenon in the world. Few studies have been conducted to investigate its risk factors in Guinea. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and to identify their associated factors among primary schoolchildren of Conakry city, Guinea.
Methods
It was a cross-sectional study conducted in March 2016 among the 5th grade primary schoolchildren from three municipalities (communes) of Conakry (capital city), Guinea. Children were selected by using the multi-stage random sampling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors with obesity and overweight.
Results
The prevalence of obesity was 2.5% (95% CI: 1.9–3.1) and of overweightness was 9.0% (95% CI: 7.9–10.3). Female gender (AOR = 1.78, p = 0.04), non-consumption of fruits (AOR = 2.38, p = 0.005) and traveling to school in car or bus (AOR = 2.26, p = 0,005) were risk the factors of obesity. Multivariate analysis also showed that students of Matoto primary schools (AOR = 1.68, p = 0.003), girls (AOR = 1.36, p = 0.003), children who go to school by car or bus (AOR = 3.40, p = 0.001), those who make between 15–30 minutes go to school (AOR = 8.36, p = 0.03), and children with sedentary lifestyle (i.e. spending their free time watching TV) (AOR = 1.66, p = 0.04) were independently associated with being overweight.
Conclusions
Obesity and overweightness are frequent in primary schools of Conakry. This study suggests the need to develop prevention programs and policies focused on the monitoring of individual and collective nutritional status and early detection of obesity or overweightness among pupils, to contribute to the prevention of the occurrence of future chronic diseases in the Guinean population (diabetes, arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents, etc.), which are in full expansion alongside epidemic communicable diseases.
Deficiency of B vitamins leads to cholesterol-independent atherogenic transformation of the aorta
Authors: Almer Gunter , Opriessnig Peter , Wolinski Heimo , Sommer Gerhard , Diwoky Clemens , Lechleitner Margarete , Kolb Dagmar , Bubalo Vladimir , Brunner Markus , Schwarz Andreas , Leitinger Gerd , Schoiswohl Garbriele , Marsche Gunther , Niedrist Tobias , Schauer Silvia , Oswald Wolfgang , Groselj-Strele Andrea , Paar Marget , Cvirn Gerhard , Hoefler Gerald , Rechberger Gerald , Herrmann Markus , Frank Sasa , Holzapfel Gerhard , Kratky Dagmar , Mangge Harald , Hörl Gerd , Tehlivets Oksana 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and is strongly linked to cardiovascular mortality. However, lack of reproducible and controlled induction of atherosclerotic lesions in preclinical animal models limits atherosclerosis research. Here, we developed the first automated system for vessel wall injury that leads to more homogenous damage and more pronounced atherosclerotic plaque development at low balloon pressure in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis, and used this system to investigate the risk factor interplay. Already in the absence of hypercholesterolemia, deficiency in vitamins and choline required for homocysteine metabolization results in atherogenic transformation of the aorta i.e. impairment of its biomechanical properties, alteration of collagen organization as well as macrophage and lipid accumulation, and aggravation of atherosclerosis including significantly altered water diffusion and impaired vascular reactivity in its presence.
HIV Awareness, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Perceptions and Experiences Among People Who Exchange Sex: Qualitative and Community Partnered Participatory Study
Authors: Kislovskiy Yasaswi , Erpenbeck Sarah , Martina Jamie , Judkins Courtney , Miller Elizabeth , Chang Judy C 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: People who exchange sex for money, favors, goods or services, combat higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Understanding barriers to STD and HIV related healthcare from the perspective of this stigmatized and marginalized community may improve access to sexual health services including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: We used community-partnered participatory and qualitative methods to conduct anonymous one-on-one interviews with people who exchange sex to understand their perspectives and experiences related to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV acquisition. We conducted twenty-two interviews and coded them to perform thematic analysis. Results: We identified five themes: (1) Awareness and appreciation of HIV risk and strategies for harm reduction grew from accumulating information over time. (2) PrEP information came from a variety of sources with mixed messages and uncertain credibility. (3) Decision-making about use of PrEP was relative to other behavioral decisions regarding exchange sex. (4) The multi-step process of obtaining PrEP presented multiple potential barriers. (5) Healthcare providers were seen as powerful facilitators to PrEP utilization.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PrEP care needs to be streamlined and made more accessible to individuals who exchange sex.
Cost-Effective Treatment for Polluted Groundwater Using Eco-Friendly Bio-Coagulants
Authors: Govindaraj Venkatesan , Manoharan Kalpana , Govindarajan Manimaran 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Groundwater available in aquifers is one of the most important renewable natural resources. It supplies drinking water for more than 90% of the rural population. Most of the wastes from households and industries are dumped in open dumping yards. Due to this, groundwater gets polluted and quality gets deteriorated. The polluted groundwater in many areas is unfit for domestic and drinking purposes. In order to overcome this problem, many treatment methods are adopted in different parts of the world. In the present work, we have assessed the groundwater characteristics in a part of industrial city in southern India and treated the polluted groundwater by using natural bio-coagulants. We have used eco-friendly bio-coagulants such as Artocarpusheterophyllus (Jackfruit peel), Momordicacharantia (Bitter gourd seed), Musa paradisiaca (Banana flower leaf) and Cynodondactylon (Scutch grass). These coagulants are effective in removing the turbidity and maintaining the pH of the water. In addition, these natural coagulants reduce BOD, COD and salt content. After treatment, the groundwater can be used for domestic purposes. As it is a cost- effective and eco-friendly method it can be afforded by large population.
Protective effects of regulating Egr-1 or TOE1 in CVB3-infected viral myocarditis
Authors: Wu Huiping , Gu Xiaohong , Wang Zhengquan , Xia Tianhe , Wu Tingting , Qiu Huixian , Wu Rongzhou , Rong Xing , Chu Maoping 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The etiology and disease processes of viral myocarditis remain elusive. However, it is unknown whether early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and Target Egr-1 (TOE1) play a role in viral myocarditis. CVB3 infection was used to induce a mouse model of myocarditis, and cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes were exposed to CVB3 to establish a cell model of VMC. RT-qPCR was used to determine mRNA expression levels of Egr-1, TOE1, P53, P21, and CVB3. Western blot analysis was employed to determine protein expression levels of Egr-1, TOE1, BAX, and BCL-2, and HE staining was utilized to observe pathological changes of myocardial inflammation. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis levels in cardiomyocytes. In vivo results revealed that mRNA and protein expression levels of Egr-1 and TOE1 in myocardial tissues increased with prolonged CVB3 infection, BAX expression levels were upregulated, and BCL-2 expression levels were down-regulated. Moreover, in vitro findings demonstrated that 100nM Egr-1 siRNA and 100nM TOE1 siRNA could separately inhibit Egr-1 and TOE1 mRNA expression. The down-regulation of Egr-1 or TOE1 down-regulated P53, P21, and CVB3 mRNA expression in CVB3-infected myocardial cells decreased apoptotic protein BAX expression and increased anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 expression. TUNEL assay revealed that Egr-1 or TOE1 gene down-regulation reduced CVB3 infection-induced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes. This study demonstrated that down-regulation of Egr-1 and TOE1 genes could inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis triggered by CVB3 virus infection and reduce CVB3 virus amplification, thus exerting a protective effect on myocardium.
Modeling and Analysis of Fatigue Detection With Multi-channel Data Fusion
Authors: Huang Wenbo , Wang Changyuan , Jia Hong-bo , Xue Pengxiang , Wang Li 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
To address the problem of accurate assessment of training effects of flight simulators, an intelligent algorithm using neural networks and reinforcement learning is proposed in the paper. The multi-dimensional data of facial expression features and EEG and EM physiological signals are analyzed, and a new evaluation model for assessing human spatial balance, attention distribution, neurological weakness and other pilot training states is studied through facial expression experiments mainly and eye-movement and EEG experiments supplemented, and the EEG acquisition and analysis during pilot training subjects (take-off and landing) are completed, and the emotional characteristics of pilots during training are identified. We completed data fusion of multi-dimensional channels, constructed mathematical models of pilot maneuver reaction time and attention allocation, monitored and evaluated flight training effects and conducted controlled experiments. The experimental results show that the average recognition rates of 92.598% and 87.013% were achieved for expression and neurasthenia recognition, and the human ergonomic information of facial expression and EEG and eye movements were effectively fused.
Pt-induced atomic-level tailoring towards paracrystalline high-entropy alloy
Authors: He Xingjia , Zhang Yu , Zhang kan , Qi Jinlei , Hao Jun , Wang Longpeng , Huang Hao , Wen Mao , Zheng Weitao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The material state dominated by the crystalline medium-range order (MRO) has been achieved in the diamond system, named paracrystalline diamond, guiding a new direction to explore the missing link between amorphous and crystalline states1. Since in metallic glasses the incorporation of MRO covering a comparable length scale with the shear transformation zone can stimulate the homogeneous plastic flow2, 3, 4, 5, manipulating the population of crystalline MRO motifs reaching the paracrystalline state in alloy systems would be conducive to tune their deformation behavior on nano-scale for retarding dominant shear bands. However, it is still profoundly challenging to tune MRO motifs in a controllable manner for achieving the paracrystalline state in alloy systems. Here, based on the vast composition space and the complex atomic interactions in the multicomponent and/or high-entropy alloys (HEAs)6, 7, 8, we present an “atomic-level tailoring” strategy, analogous to cutting paper into pieces, cutting the severe-distorted crystalline Zr-Nb-Hf-Ta-Mo HEA into the high-density crystalline MRO motifs on atomic-level, to create the unprecedented paracrystalline HEA. The addition of uniformly distributed Pt atoms with the large and negative mixing enthalpy into the pristine HEA induces the local atomic reshuffling around Pt atoms for the well-targeted local amorphization qualified as the “atomic-level scissors”. Such enthalpy-guided strategy coupled with lattice-distortion effect in HEAs can provide the unique atomic-level tailoring ability for numerous opportunities abound in the purposeful regulation of structural characteristics and the significant improvement of mechanical properties.