bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Numerical Analysis of a Potential Rock Avalanche by Discrete Element Method
Authors: Zhao Chuan , Jiang Linlin , Li Xiaopeng , Guo Xiangyu , Xiao Xiang
Published: January 2020

In the present paper, the aim is at studying the kinematic process and deposit geometry of a potential rock avalanche in Italy. The rock fragmentation and the effect of different bonding strengths are evaluated. To simulate the sliding and destruction of the potential rock avalanche,
a 3D discrete element software EDEM is employed. The results suggest that a dam will be formed nearly 70 sec after the avalanche occurs, and the maximum average velocity of the avalanche reaches over 40 m/s. The whole process can be split into 4 stages (instability, acceleration, fast sliding
and decelerate deposition). There are three possible paths for debris to slide. The major path located in the middle, and the other 2 only have few rock debris. Furthermore, small bonding strength model of the discrete element method (DEM) applies to the simulation of the potential rock avalanche
disasters, allowing the sliding in a form of debris avalanche with good liquidity.
Synthesis and Characterization of NiFeCo3O4 Ternary Thin Film Electrodes for Supercapacitors Applications by Galvanostatic Method
Authors: Muninathan Kalyani , Navaneetha Emerson Rajamony
Published: January 2020

At this present task, an attempt done in order to synthesize NiFeCo3O4 ternary thin film electrode by Electrodeposition method. Microstructure of the films studied using X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Field emission (FESEM) scanning
electron microscopy. Films Electrochemical property were studied and confirmed with the help of charge discharge techniques using cyclic voltammetry, which confirms that the prepared electrode has excellent electrochemical capacitive behaviour with 757 F g–1 specific capacitance
value of at the density in current about 1 mA g–1.
Competition Between Heparin and Polyethylene Glycol as Biofunctionalization for Improving Stability of Liposomal Doxorubicin
Authors: Abbase Eman R. , Shafaa Medhat W. , Mady Mohsen M.
Published: January 2020

In order to improve liposomal doxorubicin stability, differentiation between Heparin and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as biofunctionalization for liposomal doxorubicin has been investigated by measuring the entrapment efficiency, size distribution, zeta potential, evaluating the in
vitro potential cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (Breast cancer cell) and stability in serum by measuring the drug release rate. We synthesized Four liposomal formulations: (A) Conventional liposomes; DPPC:DOX, (B) Positively charged PEGylated liposomes; DPPC:CHOL:SA:PEG:DOX (C) Negatively charged
PEGylated liposomes: DPPC:CHOl:DCP:PEG:DOX (D) positively charged liposomes to conjugate heparin; DPPC:CHOL:SA:DOX. Entrapment efficiency of doxorubicin dramatically increased after PEGylation and conjugation with heparin. In addition, zeta potential was changed upon the encapsulation of doxorubicin
into conventional and PEGylated liposomes which indicates that DOX encapsulated completely into liposomes. For heparin conjugated liposomes, zeta potential was slightly changed. Sulphorhodamine-B (SRB) assay showed a greater cytotoxic effect of the liposomal doxorubicin formulations at different
concentrations with respect to free drug against MCF-7 cell lines. The anticancer activity order was observed between the various liposome formulations, especially those observed with conjugated heparin liposomes. Slower drug release rate showed an order of D > C > B > A that means
stability showed an order of D > C > B > A. From above results, the most stable liposomal doxorubicin formulation was the liposomal formulation D. The results optimized using heparin than PEG as biofunctionalization. Further studies are suggested for better understanding why heparin
improves the stability of liposomal doxorubicin.
Solution for Celebrated Blasius Problem Using Homotopy Perturbation Method
Authors: Rani Monika , Singh Vikramjeet , Goyal Rakesh
Published: January 2020

In this manuscript, we have analyzed Celebrated Blasius boundary problem with moving wall or high speed 2D laminar viscous flow over gasifying flat plate. To find the way out of this nonlinear differential equation, a version of semi-analytical homotopy perturbation method has been
applied. It has been observed that the precision of the solution would be achieved with increasing approximations. On comparison with literature, our solution has been proven highly accurate and valid with faster rate of convergence. It has been revealed that the second order approximate solution
of Blasius equation in terms of initial slope is obtained as 0.33315 reducing the error by 0.32%.
Lending Voices to the Marginalised: The Power of Narratives as Alternative Sociological Discourse
Authors: Indira R.
Published: January 2020

The preoccupation with theorising and esoteric epistemology tends to shift attention from the lived experiences of many groups that are on the margins. Looking at the world from their perspectives and chronicling their life stories can lead to a radical scholarship of praxis that challenges many established notions of the ‘core’ and the ‘periphery’. There has been a kind of overemphasis on ‘consistency’ in many sociological discourses in the process of ignoring what may be termed as ‘commonality’. I argue that the narrative model humanises knowledge and takes sociological discourse closer to reality.

One of the critiques of the narrative model is that it is ‘subjective’ because it tends to focus on lived experiences which cannot really be reported or studied with a sense of detachment, an attribute that is considered critical for sound research. This position needs to be questioned. In fact, narrative-based discourses open new vistas for understanding, questioning and resisting inequality. Narratives are often rejected as storytelling and without a sound methodological and theoretical base, but my premise is that narratives can provide a strong basis for reconstructing and revisiting our theories and methods. Sociological discourse on issues of subaltern identities and the challenges of those living on the margins is incomplete without using the narrative method. By taking cues from my research experiences with forest dwelling communities in the Western Ghats region of Karnataka, I have tried to show how research can change perceptions and practices and lead to transformation.
Aligning Competing Risks? Global Food Security as a Trade-Offs-Based Approach to Risk and Food Policy
Authors: Raymond Antoine Bernard De
Published: January 2020

Since the 2008 food price crisis, many initiatives have emerged at the intersection between scientific, economic, humanitarian and political fields with a view to ‘feeding 9 billion human beings in 2050’ and to taking up the global food security challenge. Those initiatives have often been criticised for promoting a neo-productivist agenda. By studying the case of the UK Global Food Security programme, this article shows that ‘Global Food Security’ approaches not only re-legitimise production as such, but also looks to invent new ways of confronting production issues with health and/ or environmental issues, and thus of setting priorities. Potentially, this has major consequences for food policy and risk regulation. From this point of view, the UK GFS programme has become part of a movement which goes far beyond food security or agricultural issues as such. This movement includes balancing principles of protection with economic imperatives. Whilst other approaches (such as agroecology) look for integration between these different objectives, this approach is trying to achieve coexistence between objectives perceived to be contradictory. It assumes that sustainability can only be achieved at a global level, and that science must provide the right tools to constantly find the right trade-off between competing objectives. I conclude by discussing how this approach pertains to a re-structuring of capitalism towards an extractive economy, the related forms of regulation and the challenges of this approach for social critique.
Advanced IT Systems Limited: Case of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Authors: Patanjali S. , Gupta Pooja
Published: January 2020

Advanced IT Systems Limited (AISL) was a family-owned software solutions and services company based in Mumbai, and was in business for about 10 years. The chief executive officer (CEO) had ambitions of growing the company into one of the large Indian IT companies. Apart from concentrating on the business growth, the CEO with the help of his HR head introduced several people-oriented policies and hoped that these would lay a good base for further growth of the company.

The case describes a conflict of interest that got exposed when one particular business head was championing a young computer science graduate for nomination as a high potential and accelerated promotion but kept hidden that he was in a personal relationship with the lady.

Should such a relationship come in the way of the career progression of an individual who was otherwise talented and deserved the promotion?

The case covers issues of the setting of corporate ethical and cultural standards, leadership and decision-making, policy and pragmatism, and of meeting client needs and organizational propriety.
The Impact of Diurnal Preferences on Customer Satisfaction, Word of Mouth and Repurchasing: A Study in Indian College Online Shoppers
Authors: Leung Larry Sau Kei
Published: January 2020

The importance of positive word of mouth (WOM) and repurchasing in competitive online retail environments demands their further study. Although customer satisfaction has been found to drive positive WOM and repurchasing, limited research has explored what type of customers feel more satisfied with online shopping. It was anticipated that the convenient nature of online shopping would better match the conscientious personality traits of customers with earlier sleep and wake times. Data collected from 334 Indian college students participating in this study using a snowball sampling method were analysed by multiple regression. As hypothesised, based on self-congruency theory, customers with earlier sleep and wake times were found to feel more satisfied with online shopping, which in turn enhanced their positive WOM and increased repurchase intention. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
‘Let’s Move on, Please’: Trust and Employment Relations in Early-stage Start-ups
Authors: Coelho João Vasco
Published: January 2020

In Portugal, an evolving start-up hype has been promoted in recent years, presenting the country as an emergent European entrepreneurial hub, a rising start-up nation. In this context, less laudatory perspectives, focused on analysing labour relations or employment creation effects, are scarce or not particularly visible. In order to address this specific analytical dimension, this article conceives a start-up as a temporary organisational form, arraying temporariness not only as an organisational attribute, but also as a specific interaction condition that moulds employment relations established between start-uppers and entrepreneurs. Analytical work is anchored in in-depth interviews and direct observation data, collected during a 12-month longitudinal study, carried out in one of the most successful start-ups created or operating in Portugal. A narrative is used as an empirical illustration of observed temporariness effects and three employment relation-specific attributes are discussed as aspects that should be inform public funding endorsement decisions: the prevalence of task-focus managerial arrangements; low levels of trust and institutionalised reciprocity; short-lived social relations and conflict deprioritisation.
Residual rotation of forearm amputation: cadaveric study
Authors: Lee Geon , Kim Sung-Jae , Ha Joo Hyung , Lee Chang-Hun , Choi Young Jin , Lee Kwang-Hyun
Published: January 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate residual rotation of patients with forearm amputation and the contribution of involved muscle to residual rotation.

Methods

Testing was performed using five fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens prepared by isolating muscles involved in forearm rotation. Amputation was implemented at 25 cm (wrist disarticulation), 18 cm, or 10 cm from the tip of olecranon. Supination and pronation in the amputation stump were simulated with traction of involved muscle (supinator, biceps brachii, pronator teres, pronator quadratus) using an electric actuator. The degree of rotation was examined at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° in flexion of elbow.

Results

Average rotation of 25 cm forearm stump was 148° (SD: 23.1). The rotation was decreased to 117.5° (SD: 26.6) at 18 cm forearm stump. It was further decreased to 63° (SD 31.5) at 10 cm forearm stump. Tendency of disorganized rotation was observed in close proximity of the amputation site to the elbow. Full residual pronation was achieved with traction of each pronator teres and pronator quadratus. Although traction of supinator could implement residual supination, the contribution of biceps brachii ranged from 4 to 88% according to the degree of flexion.

Conclusions

Close proximity of the amputation site to the elbow decreased the residual rotation significantly compared to residual rotation of wrist disarticulation. The preservation of pronosupination was 80% at 18 cm forearm stump. Although the pronator teres and the pronator quadratus could make a full residual pronation separately, the supinator was essential to a residual supination.
Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) as a potential therapeutic target for Acinetobacter baumannii infection
Authors: Nie Dan , Hu Yue , Chen Zhou , Li Mingkai , Hou Zheng , Luo Xiaoxing , Mao Xinggang , Xue Xiaoyan
Published: January 2020

Acinetobacter baumannii(A. baumannii) is an important opportunistic pathogen causing serious nosocomial infections, which is considered as the most threatening Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), a major component of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in GNB, is a key virulence factor which mediates bacterial biofilm formation, eukaryotic cell infection, antibiotic resistance and immunomodulation. The characteristics of OmpA inEscherichia coli(E. coli) have been extensively studied since 1974, but only in recent years researchers started to clarify the functions of OmpA inA. baumannii. In this review, we summarized the structure and functions of OmpA inA. baumannii(AbOmpA), collected novel therapeutic strategies against it for treatingA. baumanniiinfection, and emphasized the feasibility of using AbOmpA as a potential therapeutic target.
Differential expression of microRNA, miR-150 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in peripheral blood cells as early prognostic markers of severe forms of dengue
Authors: Hapugaswatta Harsha , Amarasena Pubudu , Premaratna Ranjan , Seneviratne Kapila N. , Jayathilaka Nimanthi
Published: January 2020

Background

Dengue presents a wide clinical spectrum. Most patients recover following a self-limiting non-severe clinical course. A small proportion of patients progress to severe disease, mostly characterized by plasma leakage with or without hemorrhage. Early symptoms of severe dengue (SD) are similar to those of non-severe dengue fever (DF). Severe symptoms manifest after 3–5 days of fever, which can be life threatening due to lack of proper medications and inability to distinguish severe cases during the early stages. Early prediction of SD in patients with no warning signs who may later develop severe infection is very important for proper disease management to alleviate related complications and mortality. microRNA are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Due to the remarkable stability and the role of microRNA in gene expression, altered expression of microRNA was evaluated to explore clinically relevant prognostic markers of severe dengue.

Methods

The relative expression of microRNA hsa-let-7e (let-7e), hsa-miR-30b-5p (miR-30b), hsa-miR-30e-3p (miR-30e), hsa-miR-33a (miR-33a), and hsa-miR-150-5p (miR-150) and several putative target genes in peripheral blood cells (PBC) collected from 20 DF and 20 SD positive patients within 4 days from fever onset was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

miR-150 showed significant (P < 0.01) up regulation in PBC of SD patients compared to DF patients during the acute phase of infection. Expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) was significantly (P < 0.01) down regulated indicating that genes involved in epigenetic regulation are also differentially expressed in SD patients during the early stage of infection.

Conclusions

Differential expression of microRNA miR-150 and the putative target gene EZH2 may serve as reliable biomarkers of disease severity during early stages of dengue infection.
Microglial depletion and repopulation in brain slice culture normalizes sensitized proinflammatory signaling
Authors: Coleman Leon G. , Zou Jian , Crews Fulton T.
Published: January 2020

Background

Microglia are critical mediators of neuroimmune pathology across multiple neurologic disorders. Microglia can be persistently activated or “primed” by Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, ethanol, stress, and other insults. Thus, strategies to prevent or reverse microglial priming may be beneficial for conditions that involve progressively increasing microglial activation. Microglial depletion with repopulation is emerging as a potential therapy to normalize chronic immune activation. Primary organotypic hippocampal slice culture (OHSC) allows for the study of neuroimmune activation as well as microglial depletion and repopulation without involvement of peripheral immune activation. OHSC undergoes functional maturation and retains cytoarchitecture similar toin vivo.

Methods

OHSC underwent microglial depletion with the CSF1R antagonist PLX3397 with or without repopulation after removal of PLX3397. Immune, trophic, and synaptic gene changes in response to agonists of TLRs 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9 as well as ethanol were assessed in the settings of microglial depletion and repopulation. Gi-DREADD inhibition of microglia was used to confirm select findings seen with depletion. The ability of microglial repopulation to prevent progressive proinflammatory gene induction by chronic ethanol was also investigated.

Results

Microglia were depleted (> 90%) by PLX3397 in OHSC. Microglial depletion blunted proinflammatory responses to several TLR agonists as well as ethanol, which was mimicked by Gi-DREADD inhibition of OHSC microglia. Removal of PLX3397 was followed by complete repopulation of microglia. OHSCs with repopulated microglia showed increased baseline expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10), microglial inhibitory signals (e.g., CX3CL1), and growth factors (e.g., BDNF). This was associated with blunted induction (~ 50%) of TNFα and IL-1β in response to agonists to TLR4 and TLR7. Further, chronic cycled ethanol from 4 days in vitro (DIV) to 16DIV caused immediate 2-fold inductions of TNFα and IL-1β that grew to ~4-fold of age-matched control slices by 40DIV. This persistent inflammatory gene expression was completely reversed by microglial depletion and repopulation after chronic ethanol.

Conclusions

Microglia in OHSCs mediate proinflammatory responses to TLR agonists and ethanol. Microglial repopulation promoted an anti-inflammatory, trophic neuroenvironment and normalized proinflammatory gene expression. This supports the possibility of microglial depletion with repopulation as a strategy to reverse chronic neuroimmune activation.
Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in rat elicits a region-specific neurotrophic response in SVZ microglia
Authors: Fisch Urs , Brégère Catherine , Geier Florian , Chicha Laurie , Guzman Raphael
Published: January 2020

Background

Recent findings describe microglia as modulators of neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ). SVZ microglia in the adult rat are thought to adopt a neurotrophic phenotype after ischemic stroke. Early postnatal microglia are endogenously activated and may therefore exhibit an increased sensitivity to neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of cortico-striatal HI on the microglial phenotype, function, and gene expression in the early postnatal SVZ.

Methods

Postnatal day (P)7 rats underwent sham or right-hemispheric HI surgery. Microglia in the SVZ, the uninjured cortex, and corpus callosum were immunohistochemically analyzed at P10, P20, and P40. The transcriptome of microdissected SVZ and cortical microglia was analyzed at P10 and P20, and the effect of P10 SVZ microglia on neurosphere generation in vitro was studied.

Results

The microglial response to HI was region-specific. In the SVZ, a microglial accumulation, prolonged activation and phagocytosis was noted that was not observed in the cortex and corpus callosum. The transcriptome of SVZ microglia and cortical microglia were distinct, and after HI, SVZ microglia concurrently upregulated pro- and anti-inflammatory as well as neurotrophic genes. In vitro, microglia isolated from the SVZ supported neurosphere generation in a concentration-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Microglia are an inherent cellular component of the early postnatal SVZ and undergo developmental changes that are affected on many aspects by neonatal HI injury. Our results demonstrate that early postnatal SVZ microglia are sensitive to HI injury and display a long-lasting region-specific response including neurotrophic features.
User participation and shared decision-making in adolescent mental healthcare: a qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ perspectives
Authors: Bjønness Stig , Viksveen Petter , Johannessen Jan Olav , Storm Marianne
Published: January 2020

Background

Most mental health problems occur in adolescence. There is increasing recognition of user participation and shared decision-making in adolescents’ mental healthcare. However, research in this field of clinical practice is still sparse. The objective of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on user participation, and opportunities for shared decision-making in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) inpatient units.

Methods

Healthcare professionals at CAMHS inpatient units participated in three focus group interviews. Fifteen participants with experience with user participation and shared decision-making were recruited from five hospitals in Norway.

Results

Five themes emerged: (1) involvement before admission; (2) sufficient time to feel safe; (3) individualized therapy; (4) access to meetings where decisions are made; and (5) changing professionals’ attitudes and practices.

Conclusion

User participation and shared decision-making require changes in workplace culture, and routines that allow for individualized mental health services that are adapted to adolescents’ needs. This calls for a flexible approach that challenges clinical pathways and short-stay hospital policies. The results of this study may inform further work on strengthening user participation and the implementation of shared decision-making.

Trial registration Norwegian Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics, reference number 2017/1195
The differential distribution of bacteria between cancerous and noncancerous ovarian tissues in situ
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhao Lanbo , Han Lu , Fu Guoxing , Tuo Xiaoqian , Ma Sijia , Li Qing , Wang Yiran , Liang Dongxin , Tang Miaomiao , Sun Chao , Wang Qing , Song Qing , Li Qiling
Published: January 2020

Background

With the improvement of bacterial detection, the theory of the sterile female upper reproductive tract has been frequently challenged in recent years. However, thus far, no researchers have used ovaries as study targets.

Methods

Six women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer were included in the cancer group, and ten women who were diagnosed with a noncancerous ovarian condition (including three patients with uterine myoma and seven patients with uterine adenomyosis) were included in the control group. Immunohistochemistry staining using an antibacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibody was used to confirm the presence of bacteria in the ovarian tissues. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to compare the differences in the bacteria between ovarian cancer tissues and noncancerous ovarian tissues. BugBase and Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) were used to predict the functional composition of the bacteria.

Results

Bacterial LPS was present in ovarian cancer tissue and noncancerous ovarian tissue, which implied the presence of bacteria in ovarian tissue. When compared to the noncancerous ovarian bacteria at the phylum level, the cancerous ovarian bacteria were composed of increased Aquificae and Planctomycetes and decreased Crenarchaeota. When predicting metagenomes, gene functions associated with the potentially pathogenic and the oxidative stress-tolerant phenotype were enriched in the ovaries of the cancer group. Forty-six significantly different KEGG pathways existed in the ovarian bacteria of the cancer group compared to that of the control group.

Conclusions

Different bacteria compositions were present in cancerous and noncancerous ovarian tissues.

Trial registration

Chines Clinical Trail Registry, CHiCTR1800020018, Registered 11 September 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/
Interfacial molecular interactions of cellobiohydrolase Cel7A and its variants on cellulose
Authors: Mudinoor Akshata R. , Goodwin Peter M. , Rao Raghavendra U. , Karuna Nardrapee , Hitomi Alex , Nill Jennifer , Jeoh Tina
Published: January 2020

Background

Molecular-scale mechanisms of the enzymatic breakdown of cellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars are still poorly understood, with a need for independent measurements of enzyme kinetic parameters. We measured binding times of cellobiohydrolase Trichoderma reesei Cel7A (Cel7A) on celluloses using wild-type Cel7A (WTintact), the catalytically deficient mutant Cel7A E212Q (E212Qintact) and their proteolytically isolated catalytic domains (CD) (WTcore and E212Qcore, respectively). The binding time distributions were obtained from time-resolved, super-resolution images of fluorescently labeled enzymes on cellulose obtained with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

Results

Binding of WTintact and E212Qintact on the recalcitrant algal cellulose (AC) showed two bound populations: ~ 85% bound with shorter residence times of < 15 s while ~ 15% were effectively immobilized. The similarity between binding times of the WT and E212Q suggests that the single point mutation in the enzyme active site does not affect the thermodynamics of binding of this enzyme. The isolated catalytic domains, WTcore and E212Qcore, exhibited three binding populations on AC: ~ 75% bound with short residence times of ~ 15 s (similar to the intact enzymes), ~ 20% bound for < 100 s and ~ 5% that were effectively immobilized.

Conclusions

Cel7A binding to cellulose is driven by the interactions between the catalytic domain and cellulose. The cellulose-binding module (CBM) and linker increase the affinity of Cel7A to cellulose likely by facilitating recognition and complexation at the substrate interface. The increased affinity of Cel7A to cellulose by the CBM and linker comes at the cost of increasing the population of immobilized enzyme on cellulose. The residence time (or inversely the dissociation rates) of Cel7A on cellulose is not catalysis limited.
Elongation during segmentation shows axial variability, low mitotic rates, and synchronized cell cycle domains in the crustacean, Thamnocephalus platyurus
Authors: Constantinou Savvas J. , Duan Nicole , Nagy Lisa M. , Chipman Ariel D. , Williams Terri A.
Published: January 2020

Background

Segmentation in arthropods typically occurs by sequential addition of segments from a posterior growth zone. However, the amount of tissue required for growth and the cell behaviors producing posterior elongation are sparsely documented.

Results

Using precisely staged larvae of the crustacean,Thamnocephalus platyurus, we systematically examine cell division patterns and morphometric changes associated with posterior elongation during segmentation. We show that cell division occurs during normal elongation but that cells in the growth zone need only divide ~ 1.5 times to meet growth estimates; correspondingly, direct measures of cell division in the growth zone are low. Morphometric measurements of the growth zone and of newly formed segments suggest tagma-specific features of segment generation. Using methods for detecting two different phases in the cell cycle, we show distinct domains of synchronized cells in the posterior trunk. Borders of cell cycle domains correlate with domains of segmental gene expression, suggesting an intimate link between segment generation and cell cycle regulation.

Conclusions

Emerging measures of cellular dynamics underlying posterior elongation already show a number of intriguing characteristics that may be widespread among sequentially segmenting arthropods and are likely a source of evolutionary variability. These characteristics include: the low rates of posterior mitosis, the apparently tight regulation of cell cycle at the growth zone/new segment border, and a correlation between changes in elongation and tagma boundaries.
Heat shock protein 70 (HmHsp70) from Hypsizygus marmoreus confers thermotolerance to tobacco
Authors: Xu Lili , Gao Jie , Guo Lizhong , Yu Hao
Published: January 2020

The 70-kD heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) have been proved to be important for stress tolerance and protein folding and unfolding in almost all organisms. However, the functions of Hsp70s in mushroom are not well understood. In the present study, a hsp70 gene from Hypsizygus marmoreus, hmhsp70, was cloned and transferred to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) to evaluate its function in thermotolerance. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis revealed that HmHsp70 may be located in the mitochondria region. qPCR analysis revealed that the transcription level of hmhsp70 in H. marmoreus mycelia increased after heat shock treatment in high temperature (42 °C) compared with untreated mycelia (at 25 °C). Transgenic tobaccos expressing hmhsp70 gene showed enhanced resistance to lethal temperature compared with the wild type (WT) plants. Nearly 30% of the transgenic tobaccos survived after treated at a high temperature (50 °C and 52 °C for 4 h); however, almost all the WT tobaccos died after treated at 50 °C and no WT tobacco survived after heat shock at 52 °C. This study firstly showed the function of a hsp70 gene from H. marmoreus.
Enhancement of pullulanase production from recombinant Bacillus subtilis by optimization of feeding strategy and fermentation conditions
Authors: Zhang Yu , Nie Yao , Zhou Xia , Bi Jiahua , Xu Yan
Published: January 2020

Pullulanase is an important starch-debranching enzyme mostly used in starch processing-related food industries. However, the levels of pullulanase produced from recombinant Bacillus subtilis, a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) host, are generally limited. To enhance the activity of pullulanase, batch fermentation and fed-batch fermentation were systematically investigated. The overall purpose is to improve the fermentation yield by optimizing the feeding strategy in the fermentation process, thereby increasing the enzyme activity of pullulanase. Therefore, in this study, the feeding methods, the feeding ingredients, the feeding concentration, and pH values were studied in detail. The optimized fermentation conditions for pullulanase production from recombinant B. subtilis were determined as following: inoculum volume 7%, pH 6.5, the dissolved oxygen level 30%, and constant-rate feeding of 100 mL glucose solution (400 g L−1) in late logarithmic growth. The OD600 of recombinant B. subtilis and enzyme activity were 84.54 and 102.75 U mL−1, which were respectively 141% and 144% higher than that before optimization. These findings provided a prerequisite for further amplification of the fermentation system to obtain higher enzyme activity.
Mangiferin suppresses human metastatic osteosarcoma cell growth by down-regulating the expression of metalloproteinases-1/2 and parathyroid hormone receptor 1
Authors: Wen Jifeng , Qin Yong , Li Chao , Dai Xiankui , Wu Tong , Yin Wenzhe
Published: January 2020

The study evaluates the protective effect of mangiferin on osteosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis. Saos-2 and U2OS cells were treated with mangiferin (25, 50, 75 and 100 µM) for 72 h. Mangiferin reduced the cell viability, invasion, and cell adhesion and migration rate. Matrix metalloproteinases-2/9 (MMP-2/9) mRNA expression was reduced significantly, while the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1/2 (TIMP-1/2) were elevated in Saos-2 and U2OS cells. Mangiferin treatment significantly reduced parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1) mRNA and protein expression by more than 0.5-fold in both osteosarcoma cells. In addition, the immunofluorescent analysis also showed decreased PTHR1 expression following treatment with mangiferin. In summary, we have demonstrated that treatment with mangiferin reduces cell viability, proliferation, invasion, adhesion and migration, and induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. Therefore, treatment with mangiferin can be effective agent in inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Our experimental results provide evidence for the therapeutic effect of mangiferin in osteosarcoma cells.
Transcriptomic profiling sheds light on the blue-light and red-light response of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Authors: Wang Huan , Tong Xidan , Tian Fenghua , Jia Chuanwen , Li Changtian , Li Yu
Published: January 2020

Blue light is an important environmental factor that induces mushroom primordium differentiation and fruiting body development. Although blue-light treatment has been applied for the production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), the blue-light response mechanisms of P. ostreatus still remain unclear. In the present study, we exposed the primordium of P. ostreatus to blue-light, red-light, and dark conditions for 7 days. Subsequently, comparative transcriptomics analysis of the stipe, pileus, and gill under the three light conditions was performed to reveal the gene expression response mechanism of P. ostreatus to blue light and red light. The results showed that blue light enhanced the growth and development of all the three organs of P. ostreatus, especially the pileus. In contrast, red light slightly (non-significantly) inhibited pileus growth. When compared with red-light and dark treatments, blue-light treatment significantly upregulated gene expression involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and the peroxisome in the pileus, but not in the gill or stipe. Most of the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway genes were upregulated in the pileus by blue light. When compared with dark treatment, red-light treatment downregulated the expression of many respiration metabolism genes in the pileus. These results revealed that blue light enhanced the activation of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, whereas red light weakened glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway activation. The conclusion can be drawn that blue light improved P. ostreatus fruiting body (particularly, the pileus) growth rate via enhancement of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway.
Design and baseline data of a population-based metabonomics study of eye diseases in eastern China: the Yueqing Ocular Diseases Investigation
Authors: Deng Yuxuan , Liang Yuanbo , Lin Sigeng , Wen Liang , Li Jin , Zhou Yue , Shen Meixiao , Zheng Jingwei , Feng Kemi , Sun Yanting , Robert Kwapong Willaim , Qu Jia , Lu Fan
Published: January 2020

Background

China is undergoing a massive transition toward an urban and industrial economy. These changes will restructure the demographics and economy which will eventually influence the future patterns of disease. The risk factors of vision-impairing eye diseases remain ambiguous and poorly understood. Metabolomics is an ideal tool to understand and shed light on the ocular disease mechanisms for earlier treatment. This article aims to describe the design, methodology and baseline data of the Yueqing Ocular Diseases Investigation (YODI), a developed county population-based study to determine the prevalence and primary causes of visual impairment; also with metabonomics analysis we aimed to identify, predict and suggest some preventive biomarkers that cause blindness.

Methods

A population-based, cross-sectional study. Randomized clustering sampling was used to identify adults aged 50 years and older in Xiangyang Town, Yueqing county-level City. The interviews covered demographic, behavioral, ocular risk factors and mental health state. The ocular examination included visual acuity, autorefraction, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment examinations, fundus photography, retinal tomography and angiography, and visual field testing. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, pulse rate, electrocardiogram, and abdominal ultrasound scan. A venous blood sample was collected for laboratory tests and metabonomics studies.

Results

Of the 5319 individuals recruited for the YODI, 4769 (89.7%) subjects were enrolled for analyses. The median age was 62.0 years, and 45.6% were male. The educational level of illiteracy or semi-illiteracy, primary, middle and high school or above was 29.8%, 45.5%, 20.1%, and 3.3%, respectively. Majority of the participants were female, younger, and less educated when compared with nonparticipants. The average body mass index and waist-hip ratios were 24.4 ± 3.4 kg/m2 and 0.9 ± 0.1 respectively. Blood sample collection reached a sample size of 1909 (479 from subjects with self-reported diabetes and 1430 from one-third of the 4290 subjects without self-reported diabetes).

Conclusions

The YODI provides population-based data with a high response rate (89.7%) on the prevalence and primary causes of major vision-impairing eye diseases in developed county areas in eastern China. Metabonomics analysis from YODI will provide further association of metabolic characteristics with the visual impairment eye diseases. The risk prediction model could be created and has the potential to be generalized to developed eastern areas in China for prevention.
Malware Guard Extension: abusing Intel SGX to conceal cache attacks
Authors: Schwarz Michael , Weiser Samuel , Gruss Daniel , Maurice Clémentine , Mangard Stefan
Published: January 2020

In modern computer systems, user processes are isolated from each other by the operating system and the hardware. Additionally, in a cloud scenario it is crucial that the hypervisor isolates tenants from other tenants that are co-located on the same physical machine. However, the hypervisor does not protect tenants against the cloud provider and thus, the supplied operating system and hardware. Intel SGX provides a mechanism that addresses this scenario. It aims at protecting user-level software from attacks from other processes, the operating system, and even physical attackers.In this paper, we demonstrate fine-grained software-based side-channel attacks from a malicious SGX enclave targeting co-located enclaves. Our attack is the first malware running on real SGX hardware, abusing SGX protection features to conceal itself. Furthermore, we demonstrate our attack both in a native environment and across multiple Docker containers. We perform a Prime+Probe cache side-channel attack on a co-located SGX enclave running an up-to-date RSA implementation that uses a constant-time multiplication primitive. The attack works, although in SGX enclaves, there are no timers, no large pages, no physical addresses, and no shared memory. In a semi-synchronous attack, we extract 96 % of an RSA private key from a single trace. We extract the full RSA private key in an automated attack from 11 traces within 5 min.
Genetic heterogeneity of proteolytic bacteria isolated from sediments mangrove areas based on repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction and 16S-rRNA gene sequences
Authors: Setyati Wilis ari , ERNI MARTANI  , TRIYANTO  , MUHAMMAD ZAINUDDIN  , MAYA PUSPITA  , CHRISNA ADI SURYONO  , SUBAGYO  , Pringgenies Delianis
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Setyati WA, Martani E, Triyanto, Zainuddin M, Puspita M, Suryono CA, Subagyo, Pringgenies D. 2019. Genetic heterogeneity of proteolytic bacteria isolated from sediments mangrove areas based on repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction and 16S-rRNA gene sequences. Biodiversitas 20: 3256-3261. Intensive shrimp farming has organic waste that results in pollution. Such waste needs to be bio-remediated for liquid waste. This study aimed to discover bacteria isolated from mangrove sediments that can degrade organic matter and apply them for bioremediation of polluted shrimp farms. The study consisted of bacterial isolation, bioassay of enzymatic activity, and isolates identification through cluster analysis. Bacterial isolates were collected from mangrove ecosystems in Rembang (R), Cilacap (C), Banyuwangi (B), and Karimunjawa (K). Enzymatic activity test consists of proteolytic, amylolytic, cellulolytic, lipolytic, and ligninolytic activity. Identification analysis was conducted with 16S-rRNA gene sequences followed by cluster analysis using the results of Rep-PCR. There were 19 isolates derived from proteolytic mangrove area represented in five clusters (groups). Group 1 consisted of 5 isolates; isolates 14.C, 22.R, 28.K, 15.C and 19.R. Group 2 consisted of 5 isolates; 30.K, 33.K, 34.K, 39.K and 40.B. Group 3 consisted of 3 isolates of bacteria; 13.C, 2.C and 32.C. Group 4 consisted of 5 isolates; isolates 36.K, 35.K, 37.K, 38.K and 48.B. Group 5 consisted of 1 isolate was isolate 26.R. The results of the sequences analysis of the 16S-rRNA gene indicated that the isolate 13C of the Group 3 had 97% sequence homology with Bacillus oceanisediminis strain H2. Isolate 14.C of the Group 1 had 96% sequence homology with Halomonas aquamarina strain DSM 30161. Isolate 26.R of the Group 5 had 98% sequence homology with Acinetobacter pitti strain ATCC 19004. Isolate 30.K of the Group 2 had 93% sequence homology with Salinicola salarius strain M27. Isolate 36.K of the Group 4 had 97% sequence homology with Bacillus aquimaris strain TF-12. Please write here your concluding remarks based on your results obtained.
Short communication Phenol contaminant of Bengawan Solo River and characteristics of Portulaca using flavonoid, saponin, and tannin for phytoremediation purposes
Authors: SITI KHOIRIYAH  , EVI GRAVITIANI  , PRABANG SETYONO  , Suranto Suranto
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Khoiriyah S, Gravitiani E, Setyono P, Suranto. 2019. Short communication Phenol contaminant of Bengawan Solo River and characteristics of Portulaca using flavonoid, saponin, and tannin for phytoremediation purposes. Biodiversitas 20: 3269-3274. Bengawan Solo River (BSR) as one of the largest river in Java has been contaminated by several waste products including industrial activities and organic materials produced by households along the edge of river. One of the very dangerous substances was Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDC). This estrogenic waste solution has been considered to have a negative impact on the environmental conditions which could cause quality water becoming worse. The aims of this research were to identify the quality BSR whether or not contaminated by phenol and to reduce the very potential pollutants of EDC by introducing local native plants of Portulaca species as a candidate of phytoremediation plant agents. To characterize the three species of Portulaca, i.e. P. oleracea, P glandiflora, and P. pillosa, TLC-test to detect their flavonoid, saponin, and tannin were conducted respectively. Accordingly, HPLC was used to detect the presence of EDC. The results showed that BSR’s EDC has been detected with a concentration of 0,0013 ng. Also, all three species of Portulaca contained flavonoid, tannin, and saponin, in which the highest concentration of saponin has been detected in P. pillosa. Based on these results, it is expected that plants containing the highest secondary metabolism, such as saponin would be very promising to be used for phytoremediation purposes. The preliminary result of HPLC showed supporting this prediction.
The abundance and diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Koneri Roni , MEIS J. NANGOY  , PARLUHUTAN SIAHAAN
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Koneri R, Nangoy MJ, Siahaan P. 2019. The abundance and diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 3275-3283. Butterflies play a number of roles in the ecosystem. They help pollination and natural propagation and also are an important element of the food chain as prey for bats, birds, and other insectivorous animals. This study aimed to analyze the abundance and diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in the Talaud Islands of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The sampling method used was scan sampling along the transect line in three habitat types, namely, forest edge, farmland, and shrubland. The species diversity was determined by using the diversity index (Shanon-Wiener), the species richness index was calculated using the Margalef species richness index (R1), while species evenness was counted by using the Shannon evenness index (E). One-way ANOVA and Duncan test at the 95% significance level were used to determine differences in species richness, species abundance, species diversity values, and species evenness among habitat. In this study, we identified 1008 individuals of butterfly consisted of 32 species and five families. Nymphalidae was the dominant family with 15 species, while the highest abundance species was Eurema tominia. The highest species abundance, species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index were found in forest edge habitat. The largest similarity index of the composition of the butterfly communities was found in forest edge and farmland habitats. The abundance and diversity of butterfly species in a habitat are strongly influenced by the diversity of vegetation as shelter and source of nectar for butterflies, and the existence of a river as a source of water and minerals from wet rocks, mud, and sand along the riverside.
Short Communication: Analysis of weed vegetation in immature and mature oil palm plantations
Authors: Satriawan Halus , ZAHRUL FUADY
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Satriawan H, Fuady Z. 2019. Analysis of weed vegetation in immature and mature oil palm plantations. Biodiversitas 20: 3292-3298. The species of weeds which grow and dominate in palm oil areas depend on location, local climate, and the light received. This research aimed to determine the diversity of weeds in the planting of palm oil with a different age grown in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. The sample slots measured uniformly at 1 m x 1 m totaling 25 plots. Vegetation analysis was conducted to the density (D), relative density (RD), frequency (F), relative frequency (RF), important value index (IVI), Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR), and Species Diversity Index (H’). Weed composition includes 21 families with 36 species, with the total number of each individual during the year of palm oil planting was 3540, 3148, 3731, and 2910. The relative density value of the highest weeds in the planting year group in 2012 and 2013 were Asystasia intrusa (20.22% and 21.05%), in 2014 were Eleusine indica (23.93%) and 2016 were Cynodon dactylon with 24. 49%. The importance value of weeds in four groups in planting year of oil palm was also in line with the relative density value. These were A. intrusa in 2012 and 2013, amounting to 27.41 and 27.95 and in 2014 and 2016, totaling to 23.72 and 37.64 was E. indica and C. dactylon. The value of the highest species diversity of 6.85 was found in the year 2014, followed by 2012 with 5.88.