bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiative Microwave Heating of Hyperthermia Therapy on Breast Cancer in a Porous Medium
Authors: Oke Segun Isaac , Salawu S Olakunle , Matadi Maba B , Animasaun Isaac L
Published: October 2018

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet much is still unknown about its mechanism of establishment and destruction. Recently, studies had shown that tumor cells cannot survive under the high temperature conditions. This treatment technique is called Hyperthermia. This report presents the case of radiative microwave heating of hyperthermia therapy on breast cancer in a porous medium. In this study, the steady state is solved analytically while unsteady state is solved using semi-implicit finite difference to get a more accurate prediction of blood temperature distributions within the breast tissues. A moderate temperature hyperthermia treatment is apply which results into cell death due to an increase in the level of cell sensitivity to radiation therapy and blood flow in tumor and oxygen. The results show that by applying metabolic heat generation rate of $3.97 X 10^{5}Wm^{-3}$, it takes upto 2 minutes for the tumor cells to get the require therapeutic temperature point.
Comprehensive Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Promoter Region Mutations
Authors: Meier-Stephenson Vanessa , Bremner William T.R. , Dalton Chimone S. , van Merle Guido , Coffin Carla , Patel Trushar R.
Published: October 2018

Over 250 million people are infected chronically with hepatitis B virus (HBV), the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. HBV persists due in part to its compact, stable minichromosome, the covalently-closed, circular DNA (cccDNA), which resides in the hepatocytes’ nuclei. Current therapies target downstream replication products, however, a true virological cure will require targeting the cccDNA. Finding targets on such a small, compact genome is challenging. For HBV, to remain replication-competent, it needs to maintain nucleotide fidelity in key regions, such as the promoter regions, to ensure that it can continue to utilize the necessary host proteins. HBVdb (HBV database) is a repository of HBV sequences spanning all genotypes (A-H) amplified from clinical samples, and hence implying an extensive collection of replication-competent viruses. Here, we analyzed the HBV sequences from HBVdb using bioinformatics tools to comprehensively assess the HBV core and X promoter regions amongst the nearly 70,000 HBV sequences for highly-conserved nucleotides and variant frequencies. Notably, there is a high degree of nucleotide conservation within specific segments of these promoter regions highlighting their importance in potential host protein-viral interactions and thus the virus’ viability. Such findings may have key implications for designing antivirals to target these areas.
Target Matrix Estimators in Risk-Based Portfolios
Authors: Neffelli Marco
Published: October 2018

Portfolio weights solely based on risk avoid estimation error from the sample mean, but they are still affected from the misspecification in the sample covariance matrix. To solve this problem, we shrink the covariance matrix towards the Identity, the Variance Identity, the Single-index model, the Common Covariance, the Constant Correlation and the Exponential Weighted Moving Average target matrices. By an extensive Monte Carlo simulation, we offer a comparative study of these target estimators, testing their ability in reproducing the true portfolio weights. We control for the dataset dimensionality and the shrinkage intensity in the Minimum Variance, Inverse Volatility, Equal-risk-contribution and Maximum Diversification portfolios. We find out that the Identity and Variance Identity have very good statistical properties, being well-conditioned also in high-dimensional dataset. In addition, the these two models are the best target towards to shrink: they minimise the misspecification in risk-based portfolio weights, generating estimates very close to the population values. Overall, shrinking the sample covariance matrix helps reducing weights misspecification, especially in the Minimum Variance and the Maximum Diversification portfolios. The Inverse Volatility and the Equal-Risk-Contribution portfolios are less sensitive to covariance misspecification, hence they benefit less from shrinkage.
Critical metal particles in copper sulfides from the supergiant
Río Blanco porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, Chile
Authors: Crespo Jorge , Reich Martin , Barra Fernando , Verdugo Juan José , Martínez Claudio
Published: October 2018

Porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits (PCDs) are the world’s most important source of copper, molybdenum and rhenium. Previous studies have reported that some PCDs can have sub-economic to economic grades of critical metals, i.e., those elements that are both essential for modern societies and subject to the risk of supply restriction (e.g., platinum group elements (PGE), rare earth elements (REE), In, Co, Te, Ge, Ga, among others). Even though some studies have reported measured concentrations of Pd and Pt in PCDs, their occurrence and mineralogical form remain poorly constrained. Furthermore, these reconnaissance studies have focused predominantly on porphyry Cu-Au deposits, but very limited information is available for porphyry Cu-Mo systems. In this contribution, we report the occurrence of critical metal (Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Te) inclusions in copper sulfides from the world’s largest PCD, the supergiant Río Blanco-Los Bronces deposit in central Chile. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observations of chalcopyrite and bornite from the potassic alteration zone reveal the presence of micro- to nano-sized particles (<1-10 μm) of noble metals, most notably Pd, Au, and Ag. The high-resolution data show that these inclusions are mostly tellurides, such as merenskyite [PdTe2], Pd-rich hessite [Ag2Te], sylvanite [(Ag, Au)Te2] and petzite [Ag3AuTe2]. The data point to Pd (and probably Pt) partitioning in copper sulfides during the high-temperature potassic alteration stage, opening new avenues of research aimed at investigating not only the mobility of PGE during mineralization and partitioning into sulfides, but also at evaluating the potential of porphyry Cu-Mo deposits as a source for noble metals.
Therapeutic Microbiology: the Role of Bifidobacterium Breve as Food Supplement for the Prevention/Treatment of Pediatric Diseases
Authors: Bozzi Cionci Nicole , Baffoni Loredana , Gaggìa Francesca , Di Gioia Diana
Published: October 2018

The human intestinal microbiota, establishing a symbiotic relationship with the host, plays a significant role for the human health. It is also well known that a disease status is frequently characterized by a dysbiotic condition of the gut. A probiotic treatment can represent an alternative therapy for enteric disorders and human pathologies not apparently linked to the gut environment. Among bifidobacteria, strains of the species Bifidobacterium breve are widely used in pediatrics. B. breve is the dominant species in the gut of breast-fed infants and it has also been isolated from human milk. It has antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, it does not possess transmissible antibiotic resistance traits, it is not cytotoxic and it has immuno-stimulating abilities. This review describes the applications of B. breve strains mainly for the prevention/treatment of pediatric pathologies. The target pathologies range from widespread gut diseases, including diarrhea and infant colics, to celiac disease, obesity, allergic and neurological disorders. Moreover, B. breve strains are used for the prevention of side infections in pre-term newborns and during antibiotic treatments or chemotherapy. With this documentation, we hope to increase knowledge on this species to boost the interest in the emerging discipline known as “therapeutic microbiology”.
Modeling of Protein Structural Flexibility and Large-Scale Dynamics: Coarse-grained Simulations and Elastic Network Models
Authors: Kmiecik Sebastian , Kouza Maksim , Badaczewska-Dawid Aleksandra Elzbieta , Kloczkowski Andrzej , Kolinski Andrzej
Published: October 2018

Fluctuations of protein three-dimensional structures and large-scale conformational transitions are crucial for the biological function of proteins and their complexes. Experimental studies of such phenomena remain very challenging and therefore molecular modeling can be a good alternative or a valuable supporting tool for the investigation of large molecular systems and long-time events. In this mini-review, we present two alternative approaches to the coarse-grained (CG) modeling of dynamic properties of protein systems. We discuss two CG representations of polypeptide chains used for Monte Carlo dynamics simulations of protein local dynamics and conformational transitions and, on other hand, highly simplified structure-based Elastic Network Models of protein flexibility. In contrast to classical Molecular Dynamics the modeling strategies discussed here allow quite accurate modeling of much larger systems and longer time dynamic phenomena. We briefly describe the main features of these models and outline some of their applications, including modeling of near-native structure fluctuations, sampling of large regions of the protein conformational space, or possible support for the structure prediction of large proteins and their complexes.
Beyond Food Security: Challenges in Food Safety Policies Based on International Certifications along a Heterogeneous Food Chain. Its Effects in Mexican´s Health and Poverty
Authors: Mayett-Moreno Yesica , Popp Jennie Sheerin , Crandall Philip
Published: October 2018

Taking four of the United Nations Development Goals as reference, this overview describes the need to see from a systemic perspective, the food certifications programs along the food chain in Mexico as today food certifications are voluntary. Using secondary data, the main objectives were: a) there is a fall short in food safety policies and those federal agencies responsible for food safety, to guarantee safe food along the whole domestic food chain, especially in that for low income players; b) the amount of the Mexican Federal Budget Expenses devoted to safety food issues is really low, considering the health, well- being, and food security consequences; and c) due the structural heterogeneity of the Mexican food market, there is a lack of coordination in food regulations along all agents of the food supply chain, bringing to alternate informal markets that put at risk peoples´ health, increasing poverty and inequalities. According to this exercise, only 0.7- 8.7% of producers, 12.5% of supermarkets as well as 42.8% of restaurants would have some type of certifications. Public policies must attend this issue in order to improve food safety and security for the whole population, reducing inequalities, poverty and ensuring them a healthy live.
An Integrated View of Greenland Ice Sheet Mass Changes Based on Models and Satellite Observations
Authors: Mottram Ruth , Simonsen Sebastian B. , Høyer Svendsen Synne , Barletta Valentina R. , Sandberg Sørensen Louise , Nagler Thomas , Wuite Jan , Groh Andreas , Horwarth Martin , Rosier Job , Forsberg Rene
Published: October 2018

The Greenland ice sheet is a major contributor to sea level rise, adding an estimated 0.47 +/− 0.23 mm/yr to global mean sea level between 1991 and 2015 (van den Broeke et al., 2016). Making sea level rise projections for the future and understanding the processes controlling current observed rates of sea level rise are crucially dependent on understanding the present-day state of the ice sheet. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of the mass budget of Greenland based on satellite gravimetry and remote sensing observations of surface elevation change, ice sheet velocity and calving front positions. We also combine these essential climate variables with a regional climate model (RCM) output from an ice sheet model (ISM) to gain insight into poorly understood ice sheet dynamical and surface mass processes. On average from 1992 to 2017 the ice sheet in some locations has lost up −2.65 m/yr in elevation based on ESA Radar altimetry analysis. Calving fronts have retreated all around Greenland since the 1990s and in only two out of 28 study locations have they remained stable. The locations of grounding lines at 5 key glaciers with floating ice tongues have remained stable over the observation period. However a detailed case study at Petermann glacier with an ice fracture model shows the sensitivity of these floating ice shelves to future climate change. GRACE gravimetric mass balance (GMB) data allows us to tie together disparate lines of evidence showing that Greenland has lost about 265 +/− 25 Gt/yr of ice over the period 2002 to 2015. RCM and ISM simulations show that surface mass processes dominate the overall Greenland ice sheet mass budget except for areas of fast ice sheet flow but marked differences between models and between models and observations indicate that not all processes are captured accurately, indicating areas of greater uncertainty and directions of future research for future sea level rise projections.
Improving the Accuracy in Text Classification Methodology in Light of Modelling the Latent Semantic Relations
Authors: Rizun Nina , Taranenko Yurii , Waloszek Wojciech
Published: October 2018

The research presents the Methodology of Improving the Accuracy in Text Classification in Light of Modelling the Latent Semantic Relations (LSR). The aim of this Methodology is to find the ways of eliminating the Limitations of Discriminant and Probabilistic methods for LSR revealing and customizing the Text Classification Process to the more accurate recognition of the text tonality. This aim should be achieved by using the knowledge about the text’s Hierarchical Semantic Context in the form of Corpora-based Hierarchical Sentiment Dictionary. The main scientific contribution of this research is the following set of approaches to improve the qualitative characteristics of Text Classification process: combination of the Discriminant and Probabilistic methods allowing to decrease the influences of the Limitations of these methods on the LSR revealing process; considering each document as a complex structure allowing to estimate documents integrally by separated classification of topically completed textual component (paragraphs); taking into account the features of Argumentative type of documents (Reviews) allowing to use the author’s subjective evaluation of text tonality for development the Text Classification methodology. Tonality, expressed by the Review’s author, has a significant, but not critical, effect on the qualitative indicators of Sentiment Recognition.
Carbohydrate Intake Does Not Counter the Post-Exercise Decrease in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity
Authors: Wentz Laurel M. , Nieman David C. , McBride Jennifer E. , Gillitt Nicholas D. , Williams Leonard L. , Warin Renaud F.
Published: October 2018

Using a randomized, crossover approach, cyclists (N = 20, overnight fasted) engaged in three 75-km time trials while ingesting water (WAT) or carbohydrate (0.2 g/kg every 15 minutes) from bananas (BAN) or a 6% sugar beverage (SUG). Blood samples were collected pre-exercise and 0 h-, 1.5 h-, and 21 h-post-exercise, and analyzed for NK cytotoxicity activity (NKCA) using pure NK cell populations. The two carbohydrate trials (BAN, SUG) compared to WAT were associated with higher post-exercise glucose, and lower cortisol, total blood leukocyte, neutrophil, and NK cell counts (interaction effects, P < 0.001). The immediate post-exercise increase in NK cell counts was higher in WAT (78%) compared to BAN (32%) and SUG (15%) trials (P ≤ 0.017). The 1.5 h post-exercise decrease in NK cell counts did not differ after WAT (−46%), BAN (−46%), and SUG (−51%) trials. The pattern of change in post-exercise NKCA differed between trials (P < 0.001). The 1.5 h post-exercise decreases in NKCA were 23%, 29%, and 33% in the WAT, BAN, and SUG trials, respectively, but trial contrasts did not differ significantly. Carbohydrate ingestion from BAN or SUG attenuated immediate-post-exercise increases in leukocyte, neutrophil, and NK cell counts, but did not counter the 1.5-h decreases in NK cell counts and NKCA.
Virginia Fanpetals (Sida) Biomass Can be Used to Produce High‐Quality Bioenergy
Authors: Molas Roman , Borkowska Halina , Kupczyk Adam , Osiak Jarosław
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Sida’s biomass traits allow environmentally‐friendly bioenergy.

Sulfur‐based K fertilizer significantly improved the quality.

Sida biomass quality met the requirements of the German standards for bioenergy.

Crop residues did not occur with perennial Sida cultivation.

High water‐use efficiency crops that can be used to produce bioenergy are needed in the 21st century. Previous research has focused on maize stover (Zea mays L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), Miscanthus (Miscanthus ssp.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. This list does not consider Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby), which is a perennial plant that has high water efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine if Virginia fanpetals can be cultivated to produce bioenergy, including ethanol. In this study, the impact of K source and N rates on the suitability of Virginia fanpetals biomass for bioenergy production was investigated. The crop Virginia fanpetals (also known as Sida) is a plant that can be used to produce bioenergy. However, the fertilizer and cultivation requirements of this plant are largely unknown. In research conducted between 2005 and 2007, the influence of two sources of K and two N rates on biomass composition was investigated. Fertilizer was applied each year after the beginning of the growing season. The crop was harvested in November. This work suggests that Sida biomass can be used to produce high‐quality pellets and second‐generation ethanol, and can meet close to 99% of the requirements of the European standards for biofuels.
Modeling the Effect of Varied and Fixed Seeding Rates at a Small‐Plot Scale
Authors: Lindsey Alexander J. , Thomison Peter R. , Nafziger Emerson D.
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Quadratic and quadratic‐plateau responses were most common in Ohio and Illinois, respectively.

Optimizing seeding rates in Ohio resulted in greater return to seed than in Illinois.

Factors other than yield potential contribute toward yield response to seeding rate.

The optimum corn (Zea maysL.) seeding rate which maximizes profitability can vary with small differences in environmental characteristics. Because environmental characteristics can vary at small spatial scales, the optimum seeding rate might vary similarly. The objectives of this study were to use data from 125 small‐plot field trials in Ohio (93) and Illinois (32) to model the effects of varied and fixed seeding rates on corn yield production, return to seed (RTS), and determine if optimal seeding rate changed with yield potential. The mathematical relationship between yield and seeding rate was used to determine the economic optimum seeding rate (EOSR) for each trial (assuming a seed cost of US$3.00 per thousand seeds and grain price of .148 kg−1) and model the uniform optimum seeding rate (UOSR) for each state that would result in greatest overall profitability if used in every trial. Estimated RTS was determined by subtracting the averaged value from implementing the UOSR in every trial from the averaged EOSRs from each trial. The EOSR (varied seeding rate) provided greater RTS when compared to the UOSR (fixed seeding rate) in each state, but the potential was greater in Ohio ($30.98 ha−1) than in Illinois ($7.76 ha−1). However, relatively flat population curves suggest that deviation from the optimum seeding rate may have little consequence for yield (<1.5% loss at the UOSR compared to EOSR). This suggests accurate characterization of responses may be difficult to attain for use in variable rate seeding applications.
Examples of Differences in Red Edge Reflectance and Normalized Difference Vegetative Index Caused by Stresses in Peanut
Authors: Carley Danésha S. , Jordan David L. , Dharmasri Cecil L. , Shew Barbara B. , Sutton Turner B. , Brandenburg Rick L.
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Canopy reflectance is a potential tool for peanut management.

Lesions caused by disease decreased red edge reflectance and NDVI.

Leaves expressing nitrogen deficiency and drought stress decreased red edge reflectance and NDVI.
Control of Wirestem Muhly with Herbicides in Non‐Mowed Fine Fescue in Pennsylvania
Authors: Landschoot Peter
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

ACCase‐inhibitor herbicides caused significant injury to wirestem muhly in fine fescue.

ACCase‐inhibitor herbicides resulted in reduced wirestem muhly cover.

Mesotrione injured wirestem muhly, but plants recovered by the end of the test.

No advantage was found in using mesotrione over sethoxydim or fluazifop.
Evaluation of Lines from a Farmer Participatory Organic Wheat Breeding Program
Authors: Entz M. H. , Kirk A. P. , Carkner M. , Vaisman I. , Fox S. L.
Published: October 2018

Involving farmers directly in early‐generation selection may contribute to the development of well‐adapted organic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm. This project involved a partnership between a professional breeder and farmers. Progeny from 19 spring wheat crosses were distributed to eight organic farmers (three populations per farmer) in southern Manitoba, Canada. Each farmer selected for three consecutive years, resulting in 23 unique advanced lines. The farmer‐selected lines were compared with eight registered cultivars and one landrace cultivar in replicated field experiments at a total of three site years in 2014 and 2015. Although there was significant variation in agronomic performance of different farmer‐selected lines, the farmer selections were generally taller, later maturing, more susceptible to lodging; farmer selections were higher yielding than the check cultivars at one site‐year. When selecting from the same population, farmers produced distinctively different lines; differences were observed in disease response, days to maturity, height, lodging, and yield. The highest yielding wheats included farmer‐selected lines, a heritage cultivar, and two modern checks, one bred for organic conditions and one with a unique insect resistance trait. This preliminary study shows the potential of farmers working together with a professional breeder to produce wheat germplasm for organic production. Results also confirm the value of certain conventional cultivars to organic production.
Screening for Heat Tolerance in Phaseolus spp. Using Multiple Methods
Authors: Traub Jesse , Porch Timothy , Naeem Muhammad , Urrea Carlos A. , Austic Greg , Kelly James D. , Loescher Wayne
Published: October 2018

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a nutritious crop grown around the world, a staple that provides high levels of protein and iron in the diets of Central and South Americans and East Africans. Heat stress negatively affects common bean seed yields and prevents cultivation in certain areas. Furthermore, under field conditions, heat stress often coincides with and exacerbates drought stress effects. Breeding more heat‐tolerant cultivars would stabilize seed yield and open new regions to field production. To support these efforts, we examined a variety of methods for screening large numbers of bean germplasm exposed to heat stress at the vegetative growth stage as opposed to the reproductive stage, which would prolong the screening process. Tepary bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray), a closely related species to common bean, was used as a heat‐stress‐tolerant check. Plants exposed to day/night temperatures of 45/36°C for 2 d showed measurable signs of heat stress, but tepary bean outperformed the common beans on all stress tolerance measures. Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and oxidative stress were only affected by this high temperature and not by temperatures below 45/36°C. Heat stress measurements also correlated well with visual signs of leaf tissue damage. Gradually raising temperatures was useful for screening large number of entries for heat tolerance, but this heat tolerance was only partially related to drought tolerance in the field. Plant breeders can use some of these methods to supplement field data and to further characterize the stress tolerance of bean lines.
Genetic Mapping of Foliar and Tassel Heat Stress Tolerance in Maize
Authors: McNellie James P. , Chen Junping , Li Xianran , Yu Jianming
Published: October 2018

The frequency of heat stress events is expected to increase, further complicating the challenge of feeding a growing population. A better understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of heat stress tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) would facilitate the development of heat‐tolerant cultivars. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated two biparental recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations (B73 × NC350 and B73 × CML103) for leaf and tassel heat tolerance traits. Two foliar traits, leaf firing and leaf blotching, were evaluated at three vegetative growth stages. In B73 × NC350, two tassel traits, tassel blasting and reduction in spikelet size, were scored at flowering. We detected 22 quantitative trait loci (QTL), 15 in B73 × NC350 and seven in B73 × CML103. We previously observed that the development of leaf firing was differentiable between parents, and indeed, the different manifestations of the leaf firing trait were not significantly correlated and QTL did not co‐localize. Leaf firing and leaf blotching traits were correlated at some vegetative growth stages, and most QTL did not co‐localize. Quantitative trait loci number and position for traits measured at multiple vegetative stages were generally consistent. There was a single QTL for tassel blasting on chromosome 5. Heat‐induced plant death segregated in B73 × CML103 and a major QTL was detected on chromosome 3, explaining 26.2% of phenotypic variance. Our study indicates that complex genetic mechanisms underlie the heat stress response in maize.
Genetic Mapping of Water Use Efficiency and Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Drought‐Stressed Alfalfa
Authors: Santantonio Nicholas , Pierce Chris A. , Steiner Robert L. , Ray Ian M.
Published: October 2018

Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) shoot biomass (SB), water use efficiency, and C and N metabolism can resolve potential target sites for selection and provide new insight into genetic relationships that may exist between key traits in water‐limited environments. The goal of this study was to utilize a tetraploid (2n = 4x = 32) BC1 mapping population and a genetic map based on 334 molecular markers to detect QTL associated with SB, C isotope discrimination (CID), and C and N content during drought stress. Half‐sib families derived from 96 BC1 individuals were evaluated for the SB trait in seeded plots near Las Cruces, NM, during two water‐stressed forage regrowth cycles in each of 3 yr (2005–2007). High costs associated with CID phenotyping precluded evaluation of the entire population. Therefore, in 2006 and 2007, shoot tissue samples for CID, C content, and N content measurements were collected from a subset of 29 families that exhibited extreme SB phenotypes in 2005. Significant genotype effects were observed among these families for SB and CID in both years and C and N content in 2006. Interval mapping identified QTL for all traits. Phenotypic effects of QTL supported significant positive genetic correlations detected between SB and CID, and between C and N content. Estimated QTL positions within the M. truncatula Gaertn. genome sequence assembly encompassed multiple candidate genes affiliated with stomatal development, cuticular wax biosynthesis, C and N metabolism, and abiotic stress response.
Structural Stability Conditions Soil Carbon Gains from Compost Management and Rotational Diversity
Authors: Mpeketula Placid M. G. , Snapp Sieglinde S.
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Soil structure and carbon pools were quantified in a 20‐year field crop trial.

Compost management influenced soil aggregate size, labile carbon, and total carbon.

An increased rotational diversity from one to five crops enhanced soil aggregate stability.

Use of moderate compost increased soil carbon by 20% relative to fertilizer.

Understanding processes that underlie soil carbon gains and enhance structural stability is key to sustainable production of intensively managed row crops. Long term consequences of crop diversity and interactions with compost management have rarely been tested with economically feasible, moderate rates of organic amendments. We investigated soil aggregation and carbon pools over twenty years on a field crop experiment that allowed quantification of the impact of rotational diversity within two integrated management regimes, one based on compost (3 Mg ha−1) and the other inorganic fertilizer, both at about 100 kg N ha−1 annually. The Living Field Laboratory (LFL) experimental study where the study was conducted is located at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in southwest Michigan. The rotational diversity treatments investigated included continuous corn (Zea mays L.) (CC), corn–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation (CS), corn–soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation (CSW), and corn–soybean–wheat rotation with a cover crop (CSWco). Soil C status in 1993 was 2584 g m−2 and by 2013 increased in integrated fertilizer and compost plots to 3026 and 3672 g kg−1, respectively. Compost management enhanced soil labile C, organic C and the proportion of large macroaggregates (>2000 μm size fraction). Rotational diversity did not influence total soil C but was positively associated with soil aggregate stability and aggregate carbon pool size. The study findings were consistent with integrated organic and inorganic nutrient management as interacting positively with crop diversity, to support gains in soil structural stability and C accrual.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations for the Co‐Adsorption of Binary Electrolytes at the Interface of Montmorillonite and Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Yang Sen , Li Xiong , Jia Zengqiang , Li Qinyi , Yang Gang
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Adsorption behaviors for different binary electrolytes at clay surfaces are presented.

Major rather than minor adsorption modes are always more affected by co‐ions.

Degrees of altering the adsorption numbers and strengths rely strongly on co‐ions.

When alone and co‐existent, adsorption modes of metal ions remain consistent.

Each binary system has peculiarities during adsorption as discussed in the text.

Multiple electrolytes exist in almost all soil systems, and in this work, molecular dynamics was employed to tackle the adsorption of different binary electrolytes (PbCl2/CdCl2, PbCl2/NaCl, PbCl2/CsCl and KCl/CsCl) at montmorillonite–water interfaces, providing insights to the mechanisms of co‐adsorption and the impacts of co‐ions. In all cases, the adsorption modes of metal ions are not altered by co‐ions, while co‐ions exhibit the pronounced impacts on the adsorption numbers and strengths, and the main rather than minor adsorption modes are always more affected. In addition to these general principles, each type of binary systems has the peculiarities: Coexistence promotes Pb2+ adsorption while inhibits Cd2+ adsorption; Coexistence inhibits Pb2+ adsorption while promotes Cs+ adsorption; Coexistence promotes each other's adsorption of Pb2+ and Na+; Coexistence promotes Cs+ adsorption while inhibits K+ adsorption; All co‐ions improve Pb2+ stabilities, while coexistence of Pb2+ reduces Cd2+ stabilities and improves Cs+ and Na+ stabilities; Competition for inner‐sphere binding sites is not beneficial for the stabilities of both K+ and Cs+. Heavy and radioactive metal ions are a focus of this study and results are also helpful to manage their pollutions.
Solution of Baxter equation for the $q$-Toda and Toda$_2$ chains by NLIE
Authors: Babelon Olivier , Kozlowski Karol , Pasquier Vincent
Published: October 2018

We construct a basis of solutions of the scalar t-Q equation describing the spectrum of the q-Toda and Toda_22 chains by using auxiliary non-linear integral
equations. Our construction allows us to provide quantisation conditions for the spectra of these models in the form of thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz-like equations.
Stationary replacement technologies in the surgical treatment of simultaneous pathology in gynecological patients
Authors: Shikhmetov A. N. , Osin L. A. , Zadikyan A. M. , Pazichev A. A.
Published: October 2018

The authors analyzed the results of simultaneous operations in 238 patients with regard to the combined surgical and gynecological pathology performed in the hospital-replacing environment of the ВСDС of PAO «Gazprom». Previously, all patients were assigned to the sequence of stages, the location of trocars, taking into account the additional stages of the operation, the position of the monitor, the location of the operating team, the position of the patient on the operating table during each stage. Performing simultaneous laparoscopic operations does not lead to an increase in the number of intra- and postoperative complications in comparison with isolated interventions and is not accompanied by great technical difficulties, but causes a somewhat longer duration (on average, 20.6 ± 1.5 min), which, in our opinion , is not critical for anesthesia. There were no significant differences in the course of the early postoperative period and the intensity of the functional systems of the body. Advantages of simultaneous operations are undeniable: two or three surgical diseases are cured simultaneously, progression or serious complication of the disease is prevented, operative treatment of which would be postponed for a later period, the risk of repeated surgery and anesthesia is eliminated, the time of total stay of the patient in the hospital and subsequent treatment is reduced, economic efficiency of treatment is increased.
Recent Progress in Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Cappellacci Loredana , Perinelli Diego R. , Maggi Filippo , Grifantini Mario , Petrelli Riccardo
Published: October 2018

Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a relatively new class of anti-cancer agents that play important roles in epigenetic or non-epigenetic regulation, inducing death, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. Recently, their use has been clinically validated in cancer patients resulting in the approval by the FDA of four HDAC inhibitors, vorinostat, romidepsin, belinostat and panobinostat, used for the treatment of cutaneous/peripheral T-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Many more HDAC inhibitors are at different stages of clinical development for the treatment of hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. Also, clinical trials of several HDAC inhibitors for use as anti-cancer drugs (alone or in combination with other anti-cancer therapeutics) are ongoing. In the intensifying efforts to discover new, hopefully, more therapeutically efficacious HDAC inhibitors, molecular modelingbased rational drug design has played an important role. In this review, we summarize four major structural classes of HDAC inhibitors (hydroxamic acid derivatives, aminobenzamide, cyclic peptide and short-chain fatty acids) that are in clinical trials and different computer modeling tools available for their structural modifications as a guide to discover additional HDAC inhibitors with greater therapeutic utility.
Small Peptides as Modulators of Serine Proteases
Authors: Xu Peng , Huang Mingdong
Published: October 2018

Serine proteases play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes, and are proven diagnostic and therapeutic targets in a number of clinical indications. Suppression of the aberrant proteolytic activities of these proteases has been clinically used for the treatments of relevant diseases. Polypeptides with 10-20 residues are of great interests as medicinal modulators of serine proteases, because these peptides demonstrate the characteristics of both small molecule drugs and macromolecular drugs. In this review, we summarized the recent development of peptide-based inhibitors against serine proteases with potent inhibitory and high specificity comparable to monoclonal antibodies. In addition, we also discussed the strategies of enhancing plasma half-life and bioavailability of peptides in vivo, which is the main hurdle that limits the clinical translation of peptide-based drugs. This review advocates new avenue for the development of effective serine protease inhibitors and highlights the prospect of the medicinal use of these inhibitors.
Proteomic and Glycomic Markers to Differentiate Lung Adenocarcinoma from COPD
Authors: Szabó Miklós , Hajba László , Kun Renáta , Guttman András , Csánky Eszter
Published: October 2018

Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the leading causes of mortality among cancer patients
worldwide and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is also high in death
statistics. In addition, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a
high risk of developing primary lung cancer. Prevention, risk estimation and a non-invasive
diagnostics are essential to decrease COPD and lung cancer mortality. Therefore, better and
more accurate molecular diagnostic markers (biomarkers) are needed for the early differential
diagnosis of these lung diseases to help clinicians make better therapeutic decisions. This review
focuses on recently discovered adenocarcinoma and COPD biomarkers at the proteome
and glycome level. In the first part, the protein markers are summarized, while the second part
is focused on glycan markers. Their use to differentiate between chronic inflammation
(COPD) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) diseases is discussed in detail.
From Levinthal’s Paradox to the Effects of Cell Environmental Perturbation on Protein Folding
Authors: Zeng Juan , Huang Zunnan
Published: October 2018

Background:

The rapidly increasing number of known protein sequences calls for more efficient methods to predict the Three-Dimensional (3D) structures of proteins, thus providing basic knowledge for rational drug design. Understanding the folding mechanism of proteins is valuable for predicting their 3D structures and for designing proteins with new functions and medicinal applications. Levinthal’s paradox is that although the astronomical number of conformations possible even for proteins as small as 100 residues cannot be fully sampled, proteins in nature normally fold into the native state within timescales ranging from microseconds to hours. These conflicting results reveal that there are factors in organisms that can assist in protein folding.

Methods:

In this paper, we selected a crowded cell-like environment and temperature, and the top three Posttranslational Modifications (PTMs) as examples to show that Levinthal’s paradox does not reflect the folding mechanism of proteins. We then revealed the effects of these factors on protein folding.

Results:

The results summarized in this review indicate that a crowded cell-like environment, temperature, and the top three PTMs reshape the Free Energy Landscapes (FELs) of proteins, thereby regulating the folding process. The balance between entropy and enthalpy is the key to understanding the effect of the crowded cell-like environment and PTMs on protein folding. In addition, the stability/flexibility of proteins is regulated by temperature.

Conclusion:

This paper concludes that the cellular environment could directly intervene in protein folding. The long-term interactions of the cellular environment and sequence evolution may enable proteins to fold efficiently. Therefore, to correctly understand the folding mechanism of proteins, the effect of the cellular environment on protein folding should be considered.
From Molecular Mechanism to the Etiology of Sjogren Syndrome
Authors: Wei Wei , Ahmad Syed Sayeed , Chi Shuang , Xie Yu , Kamal Mohammad Amjad , Li Jiang
Published: October 2018

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic, female overwhelming fundamental issue of an immune system
rheumatic sickness that influences the whole body. It is described by lymphocytic invasion of the exocrine viz.
salivary and lacrimal glands and by surprising B-cell hyperactivity. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) and Stomatitis
sicca (oral dryness) are the primary visual appearances of SS. The primary SS is recognized from secondary
SS which happens as a piece of other immune system maladies. The secondary SS exists together particularly
with fundamental lupus erythematosus (15- 36%), rheumatoid joint inflammation (20- 32%) and also restricted
and progressive systemic sclerosis (11- 24%), less as often as possible with different sclerosis and immune
system hepatitis and thyreoiditis. We assess changes in salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) intensity
and estimate the relationship between salivary EGF levels and the seriousness of intraoral symptoms in SS individuals.
The outcomes demonstrated that the salivary EGF levels diminished with the movement of SS, and this
crumbling in salivation quality and additionally, hyposalivation could imagine a vital constituent in the pathogenesis
of refractory intraoral indication in SS suffering patients. A strong relationship between particular alleles
of the MHC and SS improvement has been recommended. The primary hereditary examination on SS revealed a
relationship amongst SS and HLA-DR3 in SS population. Subsequent reports featured the relationship amongst
SS and the HLA-D locus, with a diverse distribution between primary SS and secondary SS. The motivation
behind this manuscript is to give a concise survey on the molecular mechanism, effects of infectious agents and
genetic factors in the etiology of Sjogren’s Syndrome. Such effects are discussed independently.
Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial and Antiulcer Agents: A Mini Review
Authors: Ganie Ali Mohd , Dar Ayaz Mahmood , Khan Fairooz Ahmad , Dar Bashir Ahmad
Published: October 2018

:

Here in we report the number of strategies for the synthesis of differently substituted benzimidazole derivatives. The protocols involved in the syntheses of these derivatives were one-pot or multi-component. The characterization studies of these derivatives were carried by using different spectroscopic techniques (1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS) and elemental analyses. The biological screening studies revealed that these benzimidazole derivatives show potential antibacterial as well as antifungal behavior. These benzimidazole derivatives not only depicted potential antiulcer properties but also showed moderate to good anticancer/cytotoxic behavior against different cancer cell lines.
Development of New Potential Anticancer Metal Complexes Derived from 2-Hydrazinobenzothiazole
Authors: Elsayed Shadia A. , Saad Entsar A. , Mostafa Sahar I.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Due to the side effects of clinically approved anticancer drugs there is a great need to explore and develop new metal-based anticancer drug molecules of high efficiency with less or no side effects.

Objective:

To synthesize new metal complexes of 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole (hbt) and to investigate their potential anticancer characteristics.

Methods:

New five complexes; [VO(hbt)2SO4].4H2O (1), [Ru(hbt)2Cl3(H2O)] (2), [M(hbt)2Cl2] [M(II) = Pd (3), Pt (4)] and [Ag(hbt)2].NO3 (5) were prepared and their structure was investigated by means of FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS and UV-Vis spectra, elemental and thermal analysis, magnetic and molar conductance measurements. The ligand and its complexes were examined as anticancer agents against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and human cancer cells (hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2, mammary gland breast cancer MCF-7 and colorectal carcinoma HCT-116). This feature is further supported by the DNAmetal complexes binding ability. In addition, anti-oxidation activity of the complexes was investigated.

Results:

Complex (5) shows the highest anticancer activity with IC50 of 5.15, 9.9, 13.1 and 17.7 µg/mL for EAC, HePG-2, MCF-7 and HCT-116, respectively. Complexes (2) and (3) show promising cytotoxicity against EAC and HePG-2 cells with IC50 5.49 and 16.2 µg/mL, respectively. While, complexes (1) and (4) show optimistic cytotoxicity against EAC with IC50 of 9.63 and 11.25 µg/mL, respectively. The order of DNA binding ability of the complexes is (5) > (3) > (2) > (1) > (4). Among the five complexes, complex (5) shows the best anti-oxidation activity.

Conclusion:

Complex (5) showed the highest DNA binding ability, anti-oxidation and anticancer activities.
The Superior Antitumor Effect of Self-Assembled Paclitaxel Nanofilaments for Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: He Mengyu , Zhu Jiali , Yu Na , Kong Hui , Zeng Xiaoning , Xie Weiping , Xu Huae
Published: October 2018

Objectives: Paclitaxel (Ptx) has been regarded as one of the most effective chemotherapeutic
drugs for lung cancers. Increasing studies focused on the nano-delivery system of Ptx due to its poor
solubility and hypersensitivity. The aim of the recent study was to investigate the antitumor effects of
self-assembled Ptx nano-filaments for lung cancer cells.

Methods: In the present study, we designed and synthesized novel Ptx-loaded nano-filaments through
conjugation of Ptx and succinic acid (SA) (Ptx-SA, P-NFs). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549
and H460 cells were used for detecting the antitumor effects of P-NFs, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis,
and migration. Western blotting was performed for analyzing mechanism.

Results:

P-NFs nano-filaments exerted superior antitumor effects against NSCLC cells compared with
free Ptx using cytotoxicity tests. Furthermore, P-NFs nano-filaments were much more effective in inducing
NSCLC cells apoptosis and inhibiting A549 cells migration than free Ptx. To elucidate the underlying
mechanisms, the expression of apoptotic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins was
detected. The results indicated that P-NFs nano-filaments enhanced the expression of bax/bcl-2, protein
kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), phospho-
c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and C/EPB homologous protein (CHOP), which suggested that
the strong antitumor effect of P-NFs nano-filaments may be partially attributed to the activation ER
stress.

The current work demonstrated that P-NFs nano-filaments showed superior cytotoxicity of
lung cancer cells, highlighting a novel profile of nano-filaments delivery systems as potential strategies
for facilitating the therapeutic efficacy of Ptx in lung cancer treatment.
Ursolic Acid in Cancer Treatment and Metastatic Chemoprevention: From Synthesized Derivatives to Nanoformulations in Preclinical Studies
Authors: Zou Junjie , Lin Juanfang , Li Chao , Zhao Ruirui , Fan Lulu , Yu Jesse , Shao Jingwei
Published: October 2018

Background:

Cancer metastasis has emerged as a major public health threat that causes majority of cancer fatalities. Traditional chemotherapeutics have been effective in the past but suffer from low therapeutic efficiency and harmful side-effects. Recently, it has been reported ursolic acid (UA), one of the naturally abundant pentacyclic triterpenes, possesses a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cancer properties. More importantly, UA has the features of low toxicity, liver protection and the potential of anti-cancer metastasis.

Objective:

This article aimed at reviewing the great potential of UA used as a candidate drug in the field of cancer therapy relating to suppression of tumor initiation, progression and metastasis.

Methods:

Selective searches were conducted in Pubmed, Google Scholar and Web of Science using the keywords and subheadings from database inception to December 2017. Systemic reviews are summarized here.

Results:

UA has exhibited chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of cancer mainly through inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, preventing tumor angiogenesis and metastatic. UA nanoformulations could enhance the solubility and bioavailability of UA as well as exhibit better inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusion:

The information presented in this article can provide useful references for further studies on making UA a promising anti-cancer drug, especially as a prophylactic metastatic agent for clinical applications.