bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nutritional Factors on Growth Behaviour, Proteolytic, β-Glucosidase and β-Galactosidase Activities of Lactobacillus Cultures during Soy-Drink Fermentation
Authors: Das Sujit , Mishra Birendra Kumar , Hati Subrota
Published: December 2020

In this study, inulin, whey protein concentrate (WPC 70) and skimmed milk powder (SMP) were used as nutritional factors to improve the quality of soy-drink fermented with indigenous Lactobacillus cultures. The growth behaviour (pH, titratable acidity, viable cell count), β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, and proteolytic activity of indigenous Lactobacillus cultures were studied with various nutritional supplements in soy-drink. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied and the post-hoc comparison was acquired by Tukey’s HSD test for all the data presented in the study. Due to the supplementation of nutritional factors, the pH dropped as a bit of lactic acid production was also observed due to a lack of lactose. The supplements also provided extra nutrition during their growth in different incubation hours. At 2% rate of WPC 70 supplementation, maximum proteolysis (1.17 O.D.) was found by L. fermentum K7. L. fermentum K16 showed the highest β-glucosidase enzyme activity (0.154µM/mL/min) and maximum β-galactosidase activity (0.339 µM/mL/min) was observed for L. acidipiscis K27 at 2% rate of inulin supplementation to soy-drink. In the preparation of novel fermented foods and beverages, the conjunction of nutritional supplements with indigenous Lactobacillus cultures can potentially be used.
Application of Astaxanthin and its Lipid Stability in Bakery Product
Authors: AL-Tarifi Bayan Yousef , Mahmood Azizah , Assaw Suvik , I. Sheikh Hassan
Published: December 2020

The application of astaxanthin is not widely studied especially on its uses and relationship toward lipid stability in food products. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of astaxanthin and evaluate its lipid stability, physicochemical and sensory properties of astaxanthin formulated cookies. The antioxidant activity of astaxanthin was analyzed using DPPH, HRSA and FRAP assays. Meanwhile, lipid stability including peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (P-aV) and TOTOX value was evaluated periodically on the formulated cookies (10%, 15% and 20% of astaxanthin). Astaxanthin recorded inhibition percent (I%) value of DPPH 97%. The hardness of the cookies significantly decreased (P<0.05) as the astaxanthin were increased. The amount of astaxanthin added did not affect the taste acceptability of all formulated cookies. Storage time has affected on PV and P-aV value, but not affected on the TOTOX value. The significance of this study will lead to the potential application of astaxanthin as functional foods, thus provide health benefits.
Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors Influencing Food Safety, Hygiene Awareness and Practices Among Street Food Vendors in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Authors: Mwove Johnson , Imathiu Samuel , Orina Irene , Karanja Paul
Published: December 2020

Street food vending is a very popular and unique part of the informal sector, particularly in developing countries. However, the safety of street vended foods is a major public health concern since poor food safety and hygiene knowledge and practices are often reported among street food vendors (SFVs). The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing food safety, hygiene awareness and practices (FSHAP) among SFVs in Kiambu County, Kenya. Structured questionnaires and an observation checklist were administered to randomly selected 345 SFVs. Results showed that good food safety and hygiene awareness scores were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by education level, food hygiene and safety training, mobility of SFVs, public health inspection, and the category of SFVs. Public health inspection was the only factor that significantly (P<0.05) influenced all FSHAP score categories. Mobile vendors were 1.86 and 2.20 times more likely to have poor working conditions and poor food handling practices scores compared to those who were not mobile, respectively. Training and education level significantly (P<0.01 and P <0.05, respectively) increased food safety and hygiene awareness score whereas the duration of time in street food vending significantly (P<0.05) improved food handling practice score. Public health inspection of SFVs was found to be the most effective way of improving FSHAP among SFVs. The study recommends regular inspections of SFVs by public health officials to enhance compliance with food hygiene and safety standards and regulations governing the street food sector as well as scheduled training on food safety and hygiene targeting all categories of street food vendors.
Isolation and enumeration of bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections from houseflies and determining their susceptibility to poison bait
Authors: Haeidari Azam , KESHAVARZI DAVOOD , Owlia Parviz , Vatandoost Hassan , RAFINEJAD ATIYEH , Javad Rafinejad
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Haeidari A, Keshavarzi D, Owlia P, Vatandoost H, Rafinejad A, Rafinejad J. 2020. Isolation and enumeration of bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections from houseflies and determining their susceptibility to poison bait. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 24-28. Nosocomial infections represent a serious public health concern in developing countries. Houseflies are one of the most common household pests carrying different pathogenic organisms. The purpose of this study was to isolate and enumerate bacteria species from house flies and to determine their susceptibility to Agita® fly bait. Flies were collected from two hospital environments between July to December 2014, in Yazd Province of Iran. Bacterial species were isolated from the outer surfaces of flies, and Agita® efficacy was evaluated based on lethal time (LT50) after 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 minutes. Three species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) responsible for nosocomial infections have been isolated and enumerated from flies. Among the 30 flies collected, 17, 24, and 3 flies were contaminated with E. coli, S. aureus, and Ps. aeruginosa, respectively. The minimum number of isolated bacteria was 3 × 102 CFU/mL, whereas the highest number was 2.4 × 105 CFU/mL. The susceptibility results showed that, despite the existence of a significant effect for heterogeneity in both field and laboratory strains (p-value ˂ 0/05) and an increase in the mortality of houseflies during the time, there was no significant difference between two strains regarding the efficacy of Agita® against houseflies. The findings of the present study revealed and confirmed that houseflies have an important role in the spread of nosocomial infections in hospital environments, and they are susceptible to Agita® fly bait.
Baud rate and shaping blocklength effects on the nonlinear performance of super-symbol transmission
Authors: Peng Wei-Ren , Li An , Guo Qing , Cui Yan , Bai Yusheng
Published: December 2020

In this paper we study the nonlinear performance of super-symbol (SUP) transmission. We analyze the spectral dip, a unique feature of SUP, as a function of various system parameters and discuss how this dip and the associated nonlinear benefit would vary with different baud rates and shaping blocklengths. We then conduct simulations to verify our analysis, by which we confirm that the SUP performance can be optimized via a judicious choice on the baud rate and/or blocklength. Furthermore, a nonlinear noise study confirms that the nonlinear benefit of SUP mainly comes from its significant nonlinear phase noise (NLPN) reduction.
Rapid 3D reconstruction method based on the polarization-enhanced fringe pattern of an HDR object
Authors: Zhu Zhenmin , You Duoduo , Zhou Fuqiang , Wang Sheng , Xie Yulin
Published: December 2020

Measurement of high dynamic range objects is an obstacle in structured light 3D measurement. They entail both over-exposed and low-exposed pixels in a single exposure. This paper proposed a polarization-enhanced fringe pattern (PEFP) method that a high dynamic range image can be obtained within a single exposure time. The degree of linear polarization (DOLP) is calculated using the polarization properties of reflected light and a linear polarizer in fixed azimuth in this method. The DOLP is efficiently estimated by the projected polarization-state-encode (PSE) pattern, and it does not need to change the state of the polarizer. The DOLP depends on light intensity rather than the reflectivity of the object surfaces indicated in experimental results. The contrast of fringe patterns was enhanced, and the quality of fringe patterns was improved by the proposed method. More sufficient 3D point clouds and high-quality shape can be recovered using this method.
Inducible expression of (pp)pGpp synthetases in Staphylococcus aureus is associated with activation of stress response genes
Authors: Horvatek Petra , Salzer Andrea , Hanna Andrew Magdy Fekry , Gratani Fabio Lino , Keinhörster Daniela , Korn Natalya , Borisova Marina , Mayer Christoph , Rejman Dominik , Mäder Ulrike , Wolz Christiane
Published: December 2020

The stringent response is characterized by the synthesis of the messenger molecules pppGpp, ppGpp or pGpp (here collectively designated (pp)pGpp). The phenotypic consequences resulting from (pp)pGpp accumulation vary among species and can be mediated by different underlying mechanisms. Most genome-wide analyses have been performed under stress conditions, which often mask the immediate effects of (pp)pGpp-mediated regulatory circuits. InStaphylococcus aureus, (pp)pGpp can be synthesized via the RelA-SpoT-homolog, RelSauupon amino acid limitation or via one of the two small (pp)pGpp synthetases RelP or RelQ upon cell wall stress. We used RNA-Seq to compare the global effects in response to induction of the synthetase ofrel-Syn(coding for the enzymatic region of RelSau) orrelQwithout the need to apply additional stress conditions. Induction ofrel-Synresulted in changes in the nucleotide pool similar to induction of the stringent response via the tRNA synthetase inhibitor mupirocin: a reduction in the GTP pool, an increase in the ATP pool and synthesis of pppGpp, ppGpp and pGpp. Induction of all three enzymes resulted in similar changes in the transcriptome. However, RelQ was less active than Rel-Syn and RelP, indicating strong restriction of its (pp)pGpp-synthesis activityin vivo. (pp)pGpp induction resulted in the downregulation of many genes involved in protein and RNA/DNA metabolism. Many of the (pp)pGpp upregulated genes are part of the GTP sensitive CodY regulon and thus likely regulated through lowering of the GTP pool. New CodY independent transcriptional changes were detected including genes involved in the SOS response, iron storage (e.g.ftnA,dps), oxidative stress response (e.g.,perR,katA,sodA) and thepsmα1–4 and psmß1-2operons coding for cytotoxic, phenol soluble modulins (PSMs). Analyses of theftnA,dpsandpsmgenes in different regulatory mutants revealed that their (pp)pGpp-dependent regulation can occur independent of the regulators PerR, Fur, SarA or CodY. Moreover,psmexpression is uncoupled from expression of the quorum sensing system Agr, the main knownpsmactivator. The expression of central genes of the oxidative stress response protects the bacteria from anticipated ROS stress derived from PSMs or exogenous sources. Thus, we identified a new link between the stringent response and oxidative stress inS.aureusthat is likely crucial for survival upon phagocytosis.
Optically activated, customizable, excitable cells
Authors: Thomas Merrilee , Hughes Thomas E.
Published: December 2020

Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors are powerful tools for studying complex signaling in the nervous system, and now both Ca2+ and voltage sensors are available to study the signaling behavior of entire neural circuits. There is a pressing need for improved sensors, but improving them is challenging because testing them involves a low throughput, labor-intensive processes. Our goal was to create synthetic, excitable cells that can be activated with brief pulses of blue light and serve as a medium throughput platform for screening the next generation of sensors. In this live cell system, blue light activates an adenylyl cyclase enzyme (bPAC) that increases intracellular cAMP (Stierl M et al. 2011). In turn, the cAMP opens a cAMP-gated ion channel. This produces slow, whole-cell Ca2+ transients and voltage changes. To increase the speed of these transients, we add the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir2.1, the bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel NAVROSD, and Connexin-43. The result is a highly reproducible, medium-throughput, live cell system that can be used to screen voltage and Ca2+ sensors.
FLIMJ: An open-source ImageJ toolkit for fluorescence lifetime image data analysis
Authors: Gao Dasong , Barber Paul R. , Chacko Jenu V. , Kader Sagar Md. Abdul , Rueden Curtis T. , Grislis Aivar R. , Hiner Mark C. , Eliceiri Kevin W.
Published: December 2020

In the field of fluorescence microscopy, there is continued demand for dynamic technologies that can exploit the complete information from every pixel of an image. One imaging technique with proven ability for yielding additional information from fluorescence imaging is Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). FLIM allows for the measurement of how long a fluorophore stays in an excited energy state, and this measurement is affected by changes in its chemical microenvironment, such as proximity to other fluorophores, pH, and hydrophobic regions. This ability to provide information about the microenvironment has made FLIM a powerful tool for cellular imaging studies ranging from metabolic measurement to measuring distances between proteins. The increased use of FLIM has necessitated the development of computational tools for integrating FLIM analysis with image and data processing. To address this need, we have created FLIMJ, an ImageJ plugin and toolkit that allows for easy use and development of extensible image analysis workflows with FLIM data. Built on the FLIMLib decay curve fitting library and the ImageJ Ops framework, FLIMJ offers FLIM fitting routines with seamless integration with many other ImageJ components, and the ability to be extended to create complex FLIM analysis workflows. Building on ImageJ Ops also enables FLIMJ’s routines to be used with Jupyter notebooks and integrate naturally with science-friendly programming in, e.g., Python and Groovy. We show the extensibility of FLIMJ in two analysis scenarios: lifetime-based image segmentation and image colocalization. We also validate the fitting routines by comparing them against industry FLIM analysis standards.
Delay discounting in children exposed to disaster
Authors: Matsuyama Yusuke , Fujiwara Takeo , Sawada Yasuyuki , Yagi Junko , Mashiko Hirobumi , Kawachi Ichiro ,   for the Great East Japan Earthquake Follow-up for Children Study Team
Published: December 2020

Delay discounting is an important predictor of future health and academic success in children but can change in environmental uncertainty situations. Here we show that the experience of loss of housing in the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011—but not other psychological trauma such as loss of loved ones—was correlated delay discounting of children. In 2014, we assessed delay discounting in children (N = 167; mean age = 8.3 years-old), who were preschool age at the time of the earthquake (mean age at the time of disaster = 4.8 years-old) in a time-investment exercise where children allocated five tokens between rewards "now" (one candy per token on the same day) versus "one month later" (two candies per token one month later). The number of tokens allocated for "now" was higher by 0.535 (95% confidence interval: −0.012, 1.081) in children who had their housing destroyed or flooded than those with no housing damage. Other types of traumatic experiences were not associated with delay discounting.
Correlation of C-arm CT acquired parenchymal blood volume (PBV) with 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) SPECT/CT for radioembolization work-up
Authors: Weissinger Matthias , Vogel Jonas , Kupferschläger Jürgen , Dittmann Helmut , Castaneda Vega Salvador Guillermo , Grosse Ulrich , Artzner Christoph , Nikolaou Konstantin , la Fougere Christian , Grözinger Gerd
Published: December 2020

Objective

SPECT/CT with99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) is generally used for diagnostic work-up prior to transarterial radioembolization (TARE) to exclude shunts and to provide additional information for treatment stratification and dose calculation. C-arm CT is used for determination of lobular vascular supply and assessment of parenchymal blood volume (PBV). Aim of this study was to correlate MAA-uptake and PBV-maps in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic metastases of the colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

Materials and methods

34 patients underwent a PBV C-arm CT immediately followed by99mTc-MAA injection and a SPECT/CT acquisition after 1 h uptake. MAA-uptake and PBV-maps were visually assessed and semi-quantitatively analyzed (MAA-tumor/liver-parenchyma = MAA-TBR or PBV in ml/100ml). In case of a poor match, tumors were additionally correlated with post-TARE90Y-Bremsstrahlung-SPECT/CT as a reference.

Results

102 HCC or CRC metastases were analyzed. HCC presented with significantly higher MAA-TBR (7.6 vs. 3.9, p<0.05) compared to CRC. Tumors showed strong intra- and inter-individual dissimilarities between TBR and PBV with a weak correlations for capsular HCCs (r = 0.45, p<0.05) and no correlation for CRC. The demarcation of lesions was slightly better for both HCC and CRC in PBV-maps compared to MAA-SPECT/CT (exact match: 52%/50%; same intensity/homogeneity: 38%/39%; insufficient 10%/11%). MAA-SPECT/CT revealed a better visual correlation with post-therapeutic90Y-Bremsstrahlung-SPECT/CT.

Conclusion

The acquisition of PBV can improve the detectability of small intrahepatic tumors and correlates with the MAA-Uptake in HCC. The results indicate that99mTc-MAA-SPECT/CT remains to be the superior method for the prediction of post-therapeutic90Y-particle distribution, especially in CRC. However, intra-procedural PBV acquisition has the potential to become an additional factor for TARE planning, in addition to improving the determination of segment and tumor blood supply, which has been demonstrated previously.
The mitochondria-targeted derivative of the classical uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone is an effective mitochondrial recoupler
Authors: Iaubasarova Iliuza R. , Khailova Ljudmila S. , Firsov Alexander M. , Grivennikova Vera G. , Kirsanov Roman S. , Korshunova Galina A. , Kotova Elena A. , Antonenko Yuri N.
Published: December 2020

The synthesis of a mitochondria-targeted derivative of the classical mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) by alkoxy substitution of CCCP with n-decyl(triphenyl)phosphonium cation yielded mitoCCCP, which was able to inhibit the uncoupling action of CCCP, tyrphostin A9 and niclosamide on rat liver mitochondria, but not that of 2,4-dinitrophenol, at a concentration of 1–2 μM. MitoCCCP did not uncouple mitochondria by itself at these concentrations, although it exhibited uncoupling action at tens of micromolar concentrations. Thus, mitoCCCP appeared to be a more effective mitochondrial recoupler than 6-ketocholestanol. Both mitoCCCP and 6-ketocholestanol did not inhibit the protonophoric activity of CCCP in artificial bilayer lipid membranes, which might compromise the simple proton-shuttling mechanism of the uncoupling activity on mitochondria.
Depression, anxiety symptoms, Insomnia, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic period among individuals living with disabilities in Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Necho Mogesie , Birkie Mengesha , Gelaye Habitam , Beyene Abeba , Belete Asmare , Tsehay Mekonnen
Published: December 2020

Background

People with disabilities face multiple barriers that prevent them from accessing care and essential information related to the COVID-19 pandemic that poses additional stress and psychopathology. Therefore, the investigation of psychopathologies during the COVID-19 outbreak and emergency response is critical.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was implemented from July 15/2020 to July 30/2020. The PHQ-9, GAD-7 scale, insomnia severity index-7, and brief resilient coping scale were administered to participants. The collected data was then entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS-20 for analysis. Descriptive statistical procedures were employed to describe the various psychopathologies. A binary logistic regression method was used to identify the related factors for the psychopathologies. Furthermore, an odds ratio with its 95%CI was driven to show association strength, and a P-value <0.05 was declared as statistically significant.

Results

A significant proportion of individuals living with disability had psychopathologies; 46.2% for depression symptoms, 48.1% for generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, and 71% for insomnia symptoms. Nearly 45.7% of participants were low resilient copers to their psychopathology. Depression was significantly higher in divorced/widowed/separated (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.28–8.92, P-value = 0.006), non-educated (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.12, 5.90, P-value = 0.001), and unemployed (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.32, 5.11, P-value = 0.005) as well as a daily laborer (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.89, P-value = 0.014) subjects. Generalized anxiety disorder was also significantly higher in young age (<40 years) (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.98, P-value = 0.02), single (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.24, 5.3, P-value = 0.011), widowed/divorced/separated (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.78, P-value = 0.032), preparatory school completed (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.46, P-value = 0.001), daily laborer (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.21, 5.23, P-value = 0.003), and unemployed (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.78, P-value = 0.005) participants. Moreover, insomnia was significantly higher in single (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.09, P-value = 0.027), divorced/widowed/separated(AOR = 6.2, 95% CI: 1.08, 11.29, P-value = 0.032), unemployed (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.22, 7.03, P-value = 0.001), blind (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.42, 6.35, P-value = 0.001), and deaf (AOR = 10.2, 95% CI: 4.52, 35.33, P-value = 0.002) participants.

Conclusion

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia were highly prevalent among individuals with a disability during the COVID-19 period. Multiple sociodemographic and disability-related factors were associated with this high psychopathology. Attention has to be given by the government and other stakeholders to intervene in psychopathology and its associated factors.
Triphenylphosphonium derivatives disrupt metabolism and inhibit melanoma growth in vivo when delivered via a thermosensitive hydrogel
Authors: Kloepping Kyle C. , Kraus Alora S. , Hedlund Devin K. , Gnade Colette M. , Wagner Brett A. , McCormick Michael L. , Fath Melissa A. , Seol Dongrim , Lim Tae-Hong , Buettner Garry R. , Goswami Prabhat C. , Pigge F. Christopher , Spitz Douglas R. , Schultz Michael K.
Published: December 2020

Despite dramatic improvements in outcomes arising from the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, metastatic melanoma is a highly resistant form of cancer with 5 year survival rates of <35%. Drug resistance is frequently reported to be associated with changes in oxidative metabolism that lead to malignancy that is non-responsive to current treatments. The current report demonstrates that triphenylphosphonium(TPP)-based lipophilic cations can be utilized to induce cytotoxicity in pre-clinical models of malignant melanoma by disrupting mitochondrial metabolism.In vitroexperiments demonstrated that TPP-derivatives modified with aliphatic side chains accumulated in melanoma cell mitochondria; disrupted mitochondrial metabolism; led to increases in steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species; decreased total glutathione; increased the fraction of glutathione disulfide; and caused cell killing by a thiol-dependent process that could be rescued by N-acetylcysteine. Furthermore, TPP-derivative-induced melanoma toxicity was enhanced by glutathione depletion (using buthionine sulfoximine) as well as inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (using auranofin). In addition, there was a structure-activity relationship between the aliphatic side-chain length of TPP-derivatives (5–16 carbons), where longer carbon chains increased melanoma cell metabolic disruption and cell killing.In vivobio-distribution experiments showed that intratumoral administration of a C14-TPP-derivative (12-carbon aliphatic chain), using a slow-release thermosensitive hydrogel as a delivery vehicle, localized the drug at the melanoma tumor site. There, it was observed to persist and decrease the growth rate of melanoma tumors. These results demonstrate that TPP-derivatives selectively induce thiol-dependent metabolic oxidative stress and cell killing in malignant melanoma and support the hypothesis that a hydrogel-based TPP-derivative delivery system could represent a therapeutic drug-delivery strategy for melanoma.
Spectroscopic and microscopic examination of teeth exposed to green tea at different temperatures
Authors: Manno Sinai H. C. , Manno Francis A. M. , Tian Li , Khan Muhammad S. , Ahmed Irfan , Liu Yuanchao , Li Vincent W. T. , Xu Shisan , Xie Fangjing , Hung Tak Fu , Ma Victor , Cho William , Aldape Beatriz , Cheng Shuk Han , Lau Condon
Published: December 2020

Tea is a popular beverage consumed at different temperatures. The effect of tea on teeth at different temperatures has not been studied previously. The present study used an in vitro green tea immersed tooth model at different tea temperatures (hot and cold) compared to an in vivo tea administration model allowing rats to drink tea over the course of a week. The elements present in tea leaves were identified by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and compared to the elements in teeth (enamel surface) using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Here, LIBS demonstrated in vivo and in vitro green tea treatments resulted in a significant increase in the mineral elements found in enamel. For the in vitro assessment, elements in enamel varied based on cold-tea and hot-tea treatment; however, hot water reduced the elements in enamel. Atomic force microscopy found the in vivo tea group had a higher roughness average (RA) compared with the in vivo water group. Cold tea and hot tea in vitro groups demonstrated lower RA than in vitro water controls. Scanning electron microscopy found hot water induced cracks more than 1.3μm in enamel while cold tea and hot tea promoted the adhering of extrinsic matter to teeth. Overall, teeth treated to high temperature lost the mineral phase leading to demineralization. Our results indicate that green tea protects enamel, but its protective action in dental structures is enhanced at cold temperature.
A supplemental screw enhances the biomechanical stability in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Yang Jesse Chieh-Szu , Lobenhoffer Philipp , Chang Chia-Ming , Chen Cheng-Fong , Lin Hsiu-Chen , Ma Hsuan-Hsiao , Lee Pei-Yuan , Lee Oscar Kuang-Sheng
Published: December 2020

Background

The supplemental screw technique was introduced for salvage of lateral hinge fracture in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (owHTO). The efficacy of its use in protection of lateral hinge fracture and corresponding biomechanical behaviors remained unclear. The current study was aimed to clarify if a supplemental screw can provide better protection to lateral hinge in biomechanical perspective.

Materials

An in vitro biomechanical test was conducted. Tibial sawbones, commercial owHTO plates and a cannulated screw were utilized for preparing the intact, owHTO, and owHTO with cannulated screw insertion specimens. A “staircase” dynamic load protocol was adopted for axial compressive test with increasing load levels to determine structural strength and durability by using a material testing system, while a motion capture system was applied for determining the dynamic changes in varus angle and posterior slope of the tibia plateau with various specimen preparation conditions.

Results

Type II lateral hinge fracture were the major failure pattern in all specimens prepared with owHTO. The insertion of a supplemental cannulated screw in medial owHTO specimens reinforced structural stability and durability in dynamic cyclic loading tests: the compressive stiffness increased to 58.9–62.2% of an intact specimen, whereas the owHTO specimens provided only 23.7–29.2% of stiffness of an intact specimen. In view of tibial plateau alignment, the insertion of a supplemental screw improved the structural deficiency caused by owHTO, and reduced the posterior slope increase and excessive varus deformity by 81.8% and 83.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

The current study revealed that supplemental screw insertion is a simple and effective technique to improve the structural stability and durability in medial owHTO.
IP-10 and CXCR3 signaling inhibit Zika virus replication in human prostate cells
Authors: Spencer Clinton Jennifer L. , Tran Linda L. , Vogt Megan B. , Rowley David R. , Kimata Jason T. , Rico-Hesse Rebecca
Published: December 2020

Our previous studies have shown that Zika virus (ZIKV) replicates in human prostate cells, suggesting that the prostate may serve as a long-term reservoir for virus transmission. Here, we demonstrated that the innate immune responses generated to three distinct ZIKV strains (all isolated from human serum) were significantly different and dependent on their passage history (in mosquito, monkey, or human cells). In addition, some of these phenotypic differences were reduced by a single additional cell culture passage, suggesting that viruses that have been passaged more than 3 times from the patient sample will no longer reflect natural phenotypes. Two of the ZIKV strains analyzed induced high levels of the IP-10 chemokine and IFNγ in human prostate epithelial and stromal mesenchymal stem cells. To further understand the importance of these innate responses on ZIKV replication, we measured the effects of IP-10 and its downstream receptor, CXCR3, on RNA and virus production in prostate cells. Treatment with IP-10, CXCR3 agonist, or CXCR3 antagonist significantly altered ZIKV viral gene expression, depending on their passage in cells of relevant hosts (mosquito or human). We detected differences in gene expression of two primary CXCR3 isoforms (CXCR3-A and CXCR3-B) on the two cell types, possibly explaining differences in viral output. Lastly, we examined the effects of IP-10, agonist, or antagonist on cell death and proliferation under physiologically relevant infection rates, and detected no significant differences. Although we did not measure protein expression directly, our results indicate that CXCR3 signaling may be a target for therapeutics, to ultimately stop sexual transmission of this virus.
Tactile information counteracts the attenuation of rubber hand illusion attributable to increased visuo-proprioceptive divergence
Authors: Litwin Piotr , Zybura Beata , Motyka Paweł
Published: December 2020

Sense of body ownership is an immediate and distinct experience of one’s body as belonging to oneself. While it is well-recognized that ownership feelings emerge from the integration of visual and somatosensory signals, the principles upon which they are integrated are still intensely debated. Here, we used the rubber hand illusion (RHI) to examine how the interplay of visual, tactile, and proprioceptive signals is governed depending on their spatiotemporal properties. For this purpose, the RHI was elicited in different conditions varying with respect to the extent of visuo-proprioceptive divergence (i.e., the distance between the real and fake hands) and differing in terms of the availability and spatiotemporal complexity of tactile stimulation (none, simple, or complex). We expected that the attenuating effect of distance on illusion strength will be more pronounced in the absence of touch (when proprioception gains relatively higher importance) and absent in the presence of complex tactile signals. Additionally, we hypothesized that participants with greater proprioceptive acuity—assessed using an elbow joint position discrimination task—will be less susceptible to the illusion, but only under the conditions of limited tactile stimulation. In line with our prediction, RHI was attenuated at the farthest distance only when tactile information was absent or simplified, but the attenuation was effectively prevented by the use of complex tactile stimulation—in this case, RHI was comparably vivid at both distances. However, passive proprioceptive acuity was not related to RHI strength in either of the conditions. The results indicate that complex-structured tactile signals can override the influence of proprioceptive signals in body attribution processes. These findings extend our understanding of body ownership by showing that it is primarily determined by informative cues from the most relevant sensory domains, rather than mere accumulation of multisensory evidence.
Validation of motion tracking as tool for observational toothbrushing studies
Authors: Ganss Carolina , Klein Patrick , Giese-Kraft Katja , Meyners Michael
Published: December 2020

Video observation (VO) is an established tool for observing toothbrushing behaviour, however, it is a subjective method requiring thorough calibration and training, and the toothbrush position is not always clearly visible. As automated tracking of motions may overcome these disadvantages, the study aimed to compare observational data of habitual toothbrushing as well as of post-instruction toothbrushing obtained from motion tracking (MT) to observational data obtained from VO. One-hundred-three subjects (37.4±14.7 years) were included and brushed their teeth with a manual (MB; n = 51) or a powered toothbrush (PB; n = 52) while being simultaneously video-filmed and tracked. Forty-six subjects were then instructed how to brush their teeth systematically and were filmed/tracked for a second time. Videos were analysed with INTERACT (Mangold, Germany); parameters of interest were toothbrush position, brushing time, changes between areas (events) and the Toothbrushing Systematic Index (TSI). Overall, the median proportion (min; max) of identically classified toothbrush positions (both sextant/surface correct) in a brushing session was 87.8% (50.0; 96.9), which was slightly higher for MB compared to PB (90.3 (50.0; 96.9) vs 86.5 (63.7; 96.5) resp.; p = 0.005). The number of events obtained from MT was higher than from VO (p < 0.001) with a moderate to high correlation between them (MB: ρ = 0.52, p < 0.001; PB: ρ = 0.87; p < 0.001). After instruction, both methods revealed a significant increase of the TSI regardless of the toothbrush type (p < 0.001 each). Motion tracking is a suitable tool for observing toothbrushing behaviour, is able to measure improvements after instruction, and can be used with both manual and powered toothbrushes.
Construction and validation of a 6-gene nomogram discriminating lung metastasis risk of breast cancer patients
Authors: Wang Lingchen , Wang Wenhua , Zeng Shaopeng , Zheng Huilie , Lu Quqin
Published: December 2020

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. Metastasis is the foremost cause of death. Breast tumor cells have a proclivity to metastasize to specific organs. The lung is one of the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis. Therefore, we aimed to build a useful and convenient prediction tool based on several genes that may affect lung metastasis-free survival (LMFS). We preliminarily identified 319 genes associated with lung metastasis in the training set GSE5327 (n = 58). Enrichment analysis of GO functions and KEGG pathways was conducted based on these genes. The best genes for modeling were selected using a robust likelihood-based survival modeling approach: GOLGB1, TMEM158, CXCL8, MCM5, HIF1AN, and TSPAN31. A prognostic nomogram for predicting lung metastasis in breast cancer was developed based on these six genes. The effectiveness of the nomogram was evaluated in the training set GSE5327 and the validation set GSE2603. Both the internal validation and the external validation manifested the effectiveness of our 6-gene prognostic nomogram in predicting the lung metastasis risk of breast cancer patients. On the other hand, in the validation set GSE2603, we found that neither the six genes in the nomogram nor the risk predicted by the nomogram were associated with bone metastasis of breast cancer, preliminarily suggesting that these genes and nomogram were specifically associated with lung metastasis of breast cancer. What’s more, five genes in the nomogram were significantly differentially expressed between breast cancer and normal breast tissues in the TIMER database. In conclusion, we constructed a new and convenient prediction model based on 6 genes that showed practical value in predicting the lung metastasis risk for clinical breast cancer patients. In addition, some of these genes could be treated as potential metastasis biomarkers for antimetastatic therapy in breast cancer. The evolution of this nomogram will provide a good reference for the prediction of tumor metastasis to other specific organs.
Oral flora of stray dogs and cats in Algeria: Pasteurella and other zoonotic bacteria
Authors: Razali Kahina , Kaidi Rachid , Abdelli Amine , Menoueri Mohamed Nabil , Ait-Oudhia Khatima
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim: Knowledge of potentially pathogenic bacteria presents in the oral cavity of dogs and cats may be helpful in determining appropriate treatment for infected bite wounds. About 120.000 people are exposed to dog and cat bites every year in Algeria, but little is known about the dog and cat oral flora causing bite wound complications. The purpose of this study was to identify potential zoonotic bacteria from oral cavity of dogs and cats and to determine their susceptibility to antibiotics to contribute to the treatment of bite wound infection. Materials and Methods: Oral swabs from 100 stray dogs and 100 stray cats were collected and cultured in several media: Chocolate agar, MacConkey agar, and Mannitol Salt Agar. Bacterial isolates were identified using several commercial kits of the analytical profile index and tested for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion method. Results: Overall, 185/200 (92.5%) dogs and cats carried zoonotic bacteria in their mouths, of which 55.13% (102/185) had at least two bacterial pathogens. 374 pathogenic strains belonging to 15 genera were isolated: Eleven were Gram-negative (Proteus, Pasteurella, Escherichia, Moraxella, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Neisseria Haemophilus) and four were Gram-positive (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium, Bacillus). Fifty-one strains of Pasteurella were isolated from 44 carriers of Pasteurella (21 Pasteurella multocida, 21 Pasteurella pneumotropica, and 9 Pasteurella spp.). Pasteurella strains were tested for antibiotic resistance. Resistance to at least one drug was observed in 8 (15.68%) of Pasteurella isolates and two strains (3.92%) were found to be multidrug-resistant (to two or more drugs). Erythromycin, penicillin, and ampicillin were the antimicrobials to which the isolates showed greater resistance (7.84%, 5.88%, and 3.92%, respectively). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first in Algeria to detect potential human pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity of dogs and cats. It reveals that these animals have multiple zoonotic bacteria in their mouths including Pasteurella species, which may be multidrug-resistant.
PLAGIOSTACHYS STROBILIFERA VAR. CONICA (ZINGIBERACEAE), A NEW VARIETY FROM SARAWAK, BORNEO
Authors: Mohamad Salasiah , Kalu Meekiong
Published: December 2020

SALASIAH, M. & MEEKIONG, K. 2020. Plagiostachys strobilifera var. conica, a new variety from Sarawak, Borneo. Reinwardtia 19(2): 109‒116. ‒‒ The new taxon varies from Plagiostachys strobilifera var. strobilifera in the broader lanceolate leaves, the bilobed ligule, the longer calyx, the rounded anther crests, the oblong lateral staminodes, and the non-free apical bracteole with conical apex (which gives the taxon its epithet). A key to species of Bornean Plagiostachys is also provided, along with a conservation assessment.
EXPLORING SPONGE-INHABITING BARNACLES OF EASTERN INDONESIA USING MICRO-CT SCANNING
Authors: Pitriana Pipit , Wessel Andreas , Aschenbach Tina , Von Rintelen Kristina
Published: December 2020

We present a morphological study of Indonesian sponge-inhabiting barnacles using standard light microscopy in combination with micro-CT scanning and computer-aided 3D-reconstruction of the external shell morphology. A taxonomic analysis of the material detected four different genera of sponges inhabited by five different species of balanomorph barnacles, two of which are undescribed. Together with conventional morphological examination by dissection, we provide modern non-destructive imaging methods, using micro-CT scanning to enhance our knowledge of the morphological characters of sponge-inhabiting barnacles from eastern Indonesia. Although there were some methodological limitations regarding the contrast-enhancing technique, this study demonstrates micro-CT as a useful non-destructive technique of integrative taxonomy, for the examination of sponge-inhabiting barnacles.
Aleitamento Materno: Fatores de Riscos para o Desmame Precoce / Breastfeeding: Risk Factors for Early Weaning
Authors: Lopes Edson Lima , Bezerra Martha Maria Macedo
Published: December 2020

Resumo: O aleitamento materno exclusivo até o sexto mês e complementado até o segundo ano de vida do lactente, é considerado a melhor forma de nutrição e prevenção de doenças, devido sua alta complexidade e por garantir a imunidade necessária nesta faixa etária. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a frequência de crianças que não foram amamentadas exclusivamente até o sexto mês de vida, averiguar os motivos para a não prática da amamentação exclusiva, identificar as alterações de saúde apresentadas por crianças que foram desmamadas precocemente. Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório desenvolvido de janeiro a março de 2011, com coleta de dados em fevereiro do mesmo ano, em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde da Família no interior do Estado do Ceará, com entrevista de 20 nutrizes. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria das nutrizes tinha mais de 21 anos (55%); 30% cursaram o primeiro grau incompleto e segundo grau completo cada; 50% possuíam renda familiar inferior a um salário mínimo; 45% declaram ter união consensual; 70% eram domésticas e 30% trabalham fora do lar; 30% amamentaram com exclusividade nos seis primeiros meses. Nas demais, a amamentação exclusiva foi em média pelo período de um mês. Entre os principais motivos para a não prática da amamentação exclusiva “leite fraco” foi o motivo mais citado pelas mulheres (50%), “baixa produção de leite” (29%), rejeição pelo lactente (14%) e retorno ao trabalho (7%). As principais alterações de saúde referidas pelas mães que desmamaram seus lactentes precocemente foram infecções respiratórias (64%), infecções intestinais (22%) e alergias (14%). Conclui-se que os benefícios do aleitamento materno são imprescindíveis à saúde do lactente até os seis primeiros meses de vida. Mesmo diante de todos os benefícios trazidos pelo leite humano, os índices de amamentação neste período ainda são inferiores ao preconizado. O enfermeiro desenvolve relevante função no que diz respeito à orientação das nutrizes desde o pré-natal até o período de amamentação, com o propósito de aprimorar o conhecimento das nutrizes, afim de, amenizar o índice de desmame precoce.
Efektivitas Media Pop-Up Book Pada Materi Keragaman Budaya Terhadap Minat Belajar Peserta Didik Kelas IV MIN 1 Purworejo
Authors: Nur Aini Alvita , Yuliawati Fitri
Published: December 2020

One of the themes contained in Civics subjects is Cultural Diversity. Based on the author's observations there are still many grade IV students of MIN 1 Purworejo who lack enthusiasm and interest in following these lessons. Departing from this background, this study aims to determine differences in the learning interests of students who use pop-up book media with students without the use of media in learning cultural diversity. This study used an experimental model with the design of Nonequivalent Control Group Design involving 36 class IV students. Total sampling or census techniques are applied to determine the number of samples. The instruments used in this study were the observation sheet and questionnaire. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire, then analyzed using the Independent Samples T-Test. The results showed that there were differences in interest in learning from different treatments where the use of pop-up book media was effective against students' interest in learning on cultural diversity material.

Abstrak: Salah satu tema yang dimuat dalam mata pelajaran PPKn adalah tentang Keragaman Budaya. Berdasarkan hasil observasi penulis masih banyak siswa kelas IV MIN 1 Purworejo yang kurang semangat dan minat dalam mengikuti pelajaran tersebut. Berangkat dari latar belakang tersebut, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan minat belajar peserta didik yang menggunakan media pop-up book dengan peserta didik tanpa penggunaan media pada pembelajaran keragaman budaya. Penelitian ini menggunakan model eksperimen dengan desain Nonequivalent Control Group Design yang melibatkan 36 peserta didik kelas IV. Teknik sampling total atau sensus diterapkan guna menentukan jumlah sampel. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah lembar observasi dan angket. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan angket yang valid dan reliable, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji Independent Samples T Test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan minat belajar dari perlakuan yang berbeda dimana penggunaan media pop-up book efektif terhadap minat belajar peserta didik pada materi keragaman budaya.
Peningkatan Kompetensi Pedagogik Guru MI Al-Ihsan Melalui Pelatihan Microsoft Powerpoint
Authors: Sulistyaningrum Nurfitriana Diah , Rahmawati Shofi Salsabila , Nisrina Nada Salma , Mutiati Laili Nur Azizah , Aen Khurotul
Published: December 2020

This research was motivated by the low pedagogical competence of MI Al-Ihsan Sleman teachers in terms of making and using PowerPoint-based learning media. Therefore, this study aims to increase the pedagogical competence of teachers in making and utilizing PowerPoint as a learning medium at MI Al-Ihsan Sleman, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers used a qualitative approach with a descriptive model in which the explanations presented in this paper were sourced from the results of training conducted by researchers for teachers at MI Al-Ihsan Sleman. Data collection techniques used by researchers through observation, training results questionnaires, and interviews. The results of this study indicate an increase in the ability of teachers to create and use interactive PowerPoint-based learning media after attending two training sessions conducted by researchers.

Abstrak:Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh masih rendahnya kompetensi pedagogik guru MI Al-Ihsan Sleman dalam hal pembuatan dan penggunaan media pembelajaran berbasis PowerPoint. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk peningkatan kompetensi pedagogik guru dalam pembuatan dan pemanfaatan PowerPoint sebagai media pembelajaran di MI Al-Ihsan Sleman, terutama di masa pandemi Covid-19. Peneliti menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan model deskriptif dimana paparan penjelasan yang disampaikan dalam tulisan ini bersumber dari hasil pelatihan yang dilakukan oleh peneliti kepada guru di MI Al-Ihsan Sleman. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan peneliti melalui observasi, angket hasil pelatihan, dan wawancara. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan adanya peningkatan kemampuan guru dalam membuat dan menggunakan media pembelajaran berbasis PowerPoint Interaktif setelah mengikuti dua sesi pelatihan yang dilakukan oleh peneliti.