bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phasic Left Atrial Function in Cancer Patients Before Initiation of Anti-Cancer Therapy
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Genger Martin , Cuspidi Cesare , Belyavskiy Evgeny , Frydas Athanasios , Dordevic Aleksandar , Morris Daniel A. , Völkl Jakob , Parwani Abdul Shokor , Pieske Burkert , Haßfeld Sabine
Published: March 2019

We aimed to explore left atrial (LA) remodeling in the patients with solid cancer before initiation of chemo- or radiotherapy. This retrospective investigation included 92 chemo- and radiotherapy-naive cancer patients and 40 age- and gender-matched controls with a similar cardiovascular risk profile as the cancer group. All participants underwent comprehensive echocardiographic examination before the start of chemo- or radiotherapy. LA phasic function was evaluated in volumetric and strain method. Indexed minimal and pre-A LA volumes were significantly higher in the cancer patients. Total and passive LA emptying fraction (EF) were significantly lower, whereas active LAEF was significantly higher in the cancer patients. LA total longitudinal strain was significantly lower in the cancer patients. Strain rate analysis of LA phasic function showed that LA function during systole and early diastole was reduced in the cancer group, while it was increased during late diastole. These findings indicated that LA reservoir and conduit functions, assessed with LA volumetric and strain analysis, were deteriorated in the cancer group. On the other hand, LA booster pump function was elevated in the cancer group in comparison with the controls. In the whole population, cancer was associated with reduced LA total longitudinal strain independently of age, gender, BMI, LV hypertrophy, E/e’ ratio, diabetes, and hypertension. LA phasic function was impaired in the chemo- and radiotherapy-naive cancer patients in comparison with the control group. Cancer, LV hypertrophy, and hypertension were associated with reduced LA longitudinal strain independently of other important clinical parameters.
Marine Oil Spills 2018
Authors: Fingas Merv
Published: March 2019

Major oil spills can attract the attention of the public and the media [...]
Animal Models to Study Mucormycosis
Authors: Jacobsen Ilse D.
Published: March 2019

Mucormycosis is a rare but often fatal or debilitating infection caused by a diverse group of fungi. Animal models have been crucial in advancing our knowledge of mechanisms influencing the pathogenesis of mucormycoses, and to evaluate therapeutic strategies. This review describes the animal models established for mucormycosis, summarizes how they have been applied to study mucormycoses, and discusses the advantages and limitations of the different model systems.
Extreme-Fungi and the Benefits of A Stressing Life
Authors: Selbmann Laura
Published: March 2019

A stress-free condition is considered for humans to be related to relaxation or happiness [...]
Effect of Hindered Phenol Crystallization on Properties of Organic Hybrid Damping Materials
Authors: Zhang Lin , Chen Duoli , Fan Xiaoqiang , Cai Zhenbing , Zhu Minhao
Published: March 2019

Organic hybrid damping materials have achieved sustainable development in recent years for superior damping properties due to the hydrogen bonding of hindered phenol. However, the aggregation and crystallization of hindered phenol in the matrix can lead to a sharp decline in material properties. Thus, a series of hindered phenol hybrid carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) composites with different types and contents of hindered phenol were prepared by melt blending to study the effects of different hindered phenol on the properties of organic hybrid damping materials. A dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to study the dynamic mechanical properties and cross-section morphology of composites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to study the crystallization of hindered phenol. The results show that the properties of organic hybrid damping materials were affected by the structure of hindered phenol, and that hindered phenol molecules with a linear structure had better performances. The greater the number of hydrogen bonds between hindered phenol and the XNBR matrix, the more difficult it was for the hindered phenol to crystallize.
Evolution of Thermal Microcracking in Refractory ZrO2-SiO2 after Application of External Loads at High Temperatures
Authors: Laquai René , Gouraud Fanny , Müller Bernd Randolf , Huger Marc , Chotard Thierry , Antou Guy , Bruno Giovanni
Published: March 2019

Zirconia-based cast refractories are widely used for glass furnace applications. Since they have to withstand harsh chemical as well as thermo-mechanical environments, internal stresses and microcracking are often present in such materials under operating conditions (sometimes in excess of 1700 °C). We studied the evolution of thermal (CTE) and mechanical (Young’s modulus) properties as a function of temperature in a fused-cast refractory containing 94 wt.% of monoclinic ZrO2 and 6 wt.% of a silicate glassy phase. With the aid of X-ray refraction techniques (yielding the internal specific surface in materials), we also monitored the evolution of microcracking as a function of thermal cycles (crossing the martensitic phase transformation around 1000 °C) under externally applied stress. We found that external compressive stress leads to a strong decrease of the internal surface per unit volume, but a tensile load has a similar (though not so strong) effect. In agreement with existing literature on β-eucryptite microcracked ceramics, we could explain these phenomena by microcrack closure in the load direction in the compression case, and by microcrack propagation (rather than microcrack nucleation) under tensile conditions.
Finite Element Model Updating Combined with Multi-Response Optimization for Hyper-Elastic Materials Characterization
Authors: Íñiguez-Macedo Saúl , Lostado-Lorza Rubén , Escribano-García Rubén , Martínez-Calvo María Ángeles
Published: March 2019

The experimental stress-strain curves from the standardized tests of Tensile, Plane Stress, Compression, Volumetric Compression, and Shear, are normally used to obtain the invariant λi and constants of material Ci that will define the behavior elastomers. Obtaining these experimental curves requires the use of expensive and complex experimental equipment. For years, a direct method called model updating, which is based on the combination of parameterized finite element (FE) models and experimental force-displacement curves, which are simpler and more economical than stress-strain curves, has been used to obtain the Ci constants. Model updating has the disadvantage of requiring a high computational cost when it is used without the support of any known optimization method or when the number of standardized tests and required Ci constants is high. This paper proposes a methodology that combines the model updating method, the mentioned standardized tests and the multi-response surface method (MRS) with desirability functions to automatically determine the most appropriate Ci constants for modeling the behavior of a group of elastomers. For each standardized test, quadratic regression models were generated for modeling the error functions (ER), which represent the distance between the force-displacement curves that were obtained experimentally and those that were obtained by means of the parameterized FE models. The process of adjusting each Ci constant was carried out with desirability functions, considering the same value of importance for all of the standardized tests. As a practical example, the proposed methodology was validated with the following elastomers: nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polyurethane (PUR). Mooney–Rivlin, Ogden, Arruda–Boyce and Gent were considered as the hyper-elastic models for modeling the mechanical behavior of the mentioned elastomers. The validation results, after the Ci parameters were adjusted, showed that the Mooney–Rivlin model was the hyper-elastic model that has the least error of all materials studied (MAEnorm = 0.054 for NBR, MAEnorm = 0.127 for NBR, MAEnorm = 0.116 for EVA and MAEnorm = 0.061 for NBR). The small error obtained in the adjustment of the Ci constants, as well as the computational cost of new materials, suggests that the methodology that this paper proposes could be a simpler and more economical alternative to use to obtain the optimal Ci constants of any type of elastomer than other more sophisticated methods.
A Study on the Thermal Effect by Multi Heat Sources and Machining Characteristics of Laser and Induction Assisted Milling
Authors: Ha Jae-Hyeon , Lee Choon-Man
Published: March 2019

Thermally assisted machining (TAM) is an effective method for difficult-to-cut materials, and works by locally preheating the workpiece using various heat sources, such as laser, induction, and plasma. Recently, many researchers have studied TAM because of its low manufacturing costs, high productivity, and quality of materials. Laser assisted machining (LAM) has been studied by many researchers, but studies on TAM using induction or plasma heat sources, which are much cheaper than lasers, have been carried out by only a few researchers. Lasers have an excellent preheating effect, but are expensive, and the temperature of the heated workpiece drops quickly. Here, multi heat sources were used to solve the shortage in supplied heat source with a single heat source. Induction was applied as an additional heat source. The purpose of this study is to analyze the thermal effect and temperature distribution of single heat source and multi heat sources, and compare the machining characteristics according to heat source types. In order to analyze the preheating effect according to the feed rate of the heat sources, a temperature measurement experiment using thermocouples was carried out, and the efficiency of the thermal effect using multi heat sources was verified. In addition, the effectiveness of the thermal analysis results was verified by comparison with the measured temperature distribution. The machining characteristics of Inconel 718 and Ti-6Al-4V with laser, induction, and laser-induction assisted milling (LIAMill) were analyzed, by cutting force and surface roughness.
Photocatalytic and Pozzolanic Properties of Nano-SiO2/Al2O3-TiO2 Powder for Functional Mortar
Authors: Lee Jong-Won , Jang Young-Il , Park Wan-Shin , Kim Sun-Woo , Lee Byung-Jae
Published: March 2019

The present study intended to find a way to use TiO2, one of the most widely used photocatalysts, as a construction material. To that end, nano-SiO2/Al2O3-TiO2 powder (NTCP) was synthesized by coating SiO2 and Al2O3 support materials with TiO2. The NTCP was anatase phase spherical particles, specific surface areas were 319 m2/g and 267 m2/g for the SiO2-TiO2 powder and Al2O3-TiO2 powder. UV absorption test results showed the developed NTCP had a light absorption peak at wavelengths of 380 nm or below, and its absorbance was much larger than that of commercial TiO2. The NTCP formed smaller pores on the surface than commercial TiO2. As a result, the flow of the mortar decreased as the adsorption strength increased and combined a large number of water molecules. In addition, the Pozzolanic reaction by SiO2 and Al2O3 used as support materials produced many calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and calcium aluminate hydrate (C-A-H). This has shown an increased strength of mortar mixed with the NTCP by promoting a nucleation effect and reducing the filling effect and the number of harmful holes in the mortar.
Effect of Short-Term Aging on Asphalt Modified Using Microwave Activation Crumb Rubber
Authors: Li Bo , Zhou Jianing , Zhang Zhihao , Yang Xiaolong , Wu Yu
Published: March 2019

Effective approaches are required to be developed to solve the poor compatibility and thermal stability problems of crumb rubber-modified asphalt (CRMA). This study focuses on a method called microwave activation. However, seldom researches pay attention to the properties of MACRMA after aging. The objective of this study was to prepare microwave-activated CRMA (MACRMA) and investigate the performance of asphalt after aging. The samples were subjected to thin-film oven test (TFOT) at different times and temperatures. The effect of heat aging on the properties of MACRMA was evaluated by three indicator tests: viscosity, dynamic shear rheology test (DSR), and repeat creep recovery test (RCRT). The test results indicated that the MACRMA after two aging conditions had noticeably lower performance values (e.g., penetration, ductility) compared to unaged samples, and thus, the need to control temperature and time for mixing and construction was verified to be important. In addition, the G*/sin δ and phase angle values were largely influenced by the TFOT aging temperature and time. The MACRMA’s ability to recover was improved after aging. Compared with the aging temperature, the aging time had a more significant effect on the deformation and recovery ability of MACRMA.
Influence of Porosity on the Mechanical Behavior during Uniaxial Compressive Testing on Voronoi-Based Open-Cell Aluminium Foam
Authors: Sharma Varun , Grujovic Nenad , Zivic Fatima , Slavkovic Vukasin
Published: March 2019

We have studied an application of the Voronoi tessellation method in the modeling of open-cell aluminium foam under uniaxial compressive loading. The Voronoi code was merged with computer-aided design (CAD) for converting the polyhedral model into an irregular open-cell cellular structure to create porous samples for compression testing simulations. Numerical simulations of the uniaxial compression uniformly over the upper surface of the sample in the z-axis direction at a constant 20 N load was realised. Samples with three different porosities (30%, 60% and 80%) were studied. A nonlinear elasto-plastic material model with perfect plasticity, without hardening, based on the von Mises yield criterion was applied below 10% strain. Corresponding stress–strain curves were observed and the influence of porosity on deformation mechanism was discussed. Samples with higher porosity exhibited significantly higher normal stress under the same load, and increased stress plateaus. An increase of porosity produced an increase of both compressive and tensile stresses and struts exhibited complex stress fields. Voronoi-based modeling was in accordance with experimental results in the literature in the case of the quasi-static condition and linear elastic region (below 1% strain). Further study is necessary to enable the simulation of real dynamic behaviour under all deformation regimes by using the Voronoi tessellation method.
Stress Intensity Factor of Semielliptical Surface Crack in Internally Pressurized Hollow Cylinder—A Comparison between BS 7910 and API 579/ASME FFS-1 Solutions
Authors: Coêlho Gabriel de C. , Silva Antonio A. , Santos Marco A. , Lima Antonio G. B. , Santos Neilor C.
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this research is to compare both British standard BS 7910 (2013) and American standard API 579/ASME FFS-1 (2016) stress intensity factor (SIF) solutions by considering a series of semielliptical surface cracks located in the external surface of a pressurized hollow cylinder in the axial direction. Finite element analysis was used as a comparison basis for both standards’ SIF results. The solution from the British standard provided consistent results compared to Finite Element (FE) results for crack depth not much higher than half the thickness in the deepest and surface-breaking points. Above those limits, the British standard’s solutions diverged quite a lot from the American standard, whose results followed FE values for every crack depth/thickness ratio tested with a maximum percentage difference of 1.83%.
A Proposal for Revisiting Banach and Caristi Type Theorems in b-Metric Spaces
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Khojasteh Farshid , Mitrović Zoran D.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we revisit the renowned fixed point theorems belongs to Caristi and Banach. We propose a new fixed point theorem which is inspired from both Caristi and Banach. We also consider an example to illustrate our result.
Application of the Laplace Homotopy Perturbation Method to the Black–Scholes Model Based on a European Put Option with Two Assets
Authors: Prathumwan Din , Trachoo Kamonchat
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the Laplace homotopy perturbation method (LHPM) is applied to obtain the approximate solution of Black–Scholes partial differential equations for a European put option with two assets. Different from all other approximation methods, LHPM provides a simple way to get the explicit solution which is represented in the form of a Mellin–Ross function. The numerical examples represent that the solution from the proposed method is easy and effective.
Cooperative Co-Evolution Algorithm with an MRF-Based Decomposition Strategy for Stochastic Flexible Job Shop Scheduling
Authors: Sun Lu , Lin Lin , Li Haojie , Gen Mitsuo
Published: March 2019

Flexible job shop scheduling is an important issue in the integration of research area and real-world applications. The traditional flexible scheduling problem always assumes that the processing time of each operation is fixed value and given in advance. However, the stochastic factors in the real-world applications cannot be ignored, especially for the processing times. We proposed a hybrid cooperative co-evolution algorithm with a Markov random field (MRF)-based decomposition strategy (hCEA-MRF) for solving the stochastic flexible scheduling problem with the objective to minimize the expectation and variance of makespan. First, an improved cooperative co-evolution algorithm which is good at preserving of evolutionary information is adopted in hCEA-MRF. Second, a MRF-based decomposition strategy is designed for decomposing all decision variables based on the learned network structure and the parameters of MRF. Then, a self-adaptive parameter strategy is adopted to overcome the status where the parameters cannot be accurately estimated when facing the stochastic factors. Finally, numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm and show the superiority compared with the state-of-the-art from the literature.
The Existence and Global Exponential Stability of Almost Periodic Solutions for Neutral-Type CNNs on Time Scales
Authors: Li Bing , Li Yongkun , Meng Xiaofang
Published: March 2019

In this paper, neutral-type competitive neural networks with mixed time-varying delays and leakage delays on time scales are proposed. Based on the contraction fixed-point theorem, some sufficient conditions that are independent of the backwards graininess function of the time scale are obtained for the existence and global exponential stability of almost periodic solutions of neural networks under consideration. The results obtained are brand new, indicating that the continuous time and discrete-time conditions of the network share the same dynamic behavior. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the validity of the results obtained.
Assessment of Cholesterol, Glycemia Control and Short- and Long-Term Antihypertensive Effects of Smooth Hound Viscera Peptides in High-Salt and Fructose Diet-Fed Wistar Rats
Authors: Abdelhedi Ola , Khemakhem Hana , Nasri Rim , Jridi Mourad , Mora Leticia , Ben Amor Ikram , Jamoussi Kamel , Toldrá Fidel , Gargouri Jalel , Nasri Moncef
Published: March 2019

In this study, the antihypertensive activity of Purafect®-smooth hound viscera protein hydrolysate (VPH) and its peptide fraction with molecular weight (MW) below 1 kDa (VPH-I) was investigated. In addition, the lipase inhibitory activity, as well the anticoagulant potential, in vitro, were assessed. The antihypertensive effects of VPH and VPH-I were studied during 24 h (short-term effect) and 30 days (long-term effect) using high-salt (18% NaCl) and -fructose (10%) diet (HSFD)-induced hypertension. Data showed that, 4 h post-administration of VPH and VPH-I (200 mg/kg BW), the systolic blood pressure of rats was reduced by about 6 and 9 mmHg, respectively. These effects were similar to that obtained with Captopril (~9 mmHg at t = 4 h). On the other hand, exposing the rats to daily to HSFD, coupled to the administration of viscera peptides, was found to attenuate hypertension. In addition, the proteins’ treatments were able to correct lipid and glycemic disorders, by reducing the total cholesterol and triglyceride contents and resorting to the plasma glucose level, compared to the HSFD group. Overall, the present findings demonstrated the preventive effect of VPH-peptides from hypertension complications, as a result of their biological properties.
Antitumoral Effect of Laurinterol on 3D Culture of Breast Cancer Explants
Authors: García-Davis Sara , Viveros-Valdez Ezequiel , Díaz-Marrero Ana R. , Fernández José J. , Valencia-Mercado Daniel , Esquivel-Hernández Olga , Carranza-Rosales Pilar , Carranza-Torres Irma Edith , Guzmán-Delgado Nancy Elena
Published: March 2019

Macroalgae represent an important source of bioactive compounds with a wide range of biotechnological applications. Overall, the discovery of effective cytotoxic compounds with pharmaceutical potential is a significant challenge, mostly because they are scarce in nature or their total synthesis is not efficient, while the bioprospecting models currently used do not predict clinical responses. Given this context, we used three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human breast cancer explants to evaluate the antitumoral effect of laurinterol, the major compound of an ethanolic extract of Laurencia johnstonii. To this end, we evaluated the metabolic and histopathological effects of the crude extract of L. johnstonii and laurinterol on Vero and MCF-7 cells, in addition to breast cancer explants. We observed a dose-dependent inhibition of the metabolic activity, as well as morphologic and nuclear changes characteristic of apoptosis. On the other hand, a reduced metabolic viability and marked necrosis areas were observed in breast cancer explants incubated with the crude extract, while explants treated with laurinterol exhibited a heterogeneous response which was associated with the individual response of each human tumor sample. This study supports the cytotoxic and antitumoral effects of laurinterol in in vitro cell cultures and in ex vivo organotypic cultures of human breast cancer explants.
Multiplexed PCR-Free Detection of MicroRNAs in Single Cancer Cells Using a DNA-Barcoded Microtrough Array Chip
Authors: Wang Nayi , Lu Yao , Chen Zhuo , Fan Rong
Published: March 2019

MicroRNAs are a class of small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of mRNAs in a wide range of biological processes and are implicated in human health and disease such as cancers. How to measure microRNA profiles in single cells with high throughput is essential to the development of cell-based assays for interrogating microRNA-mediated intratumor heterogeneity and the design of new lab tests for diagnosis and monitoring of cancers. Here, we report on an in situ hybridization barcoding workflow implemented in a sub-nanoliter microtrough array chip for high-throughput and multiplexed microRNA detection at the single cell level. The microtroughs are used to encapsulate single cells that are fixed, permeabilized, and pre-incubated with microRNA detection probes, each of which consists of a capture strand complementary to specific microRNA and a unique reporter strand that can be photocleaved in the microtroughs and subsequently detected by an array of DNA barcodes patterned on the bottom of the microtroughs. In this way, the measurement of reporter strands released from single cells is a surrogate for detecting single-cell microRNA profiles. This approach permits direct measurement of microRNAs without PCR amplification owing to the small volume (<1 nL) of microtroughs. It offers high throughput and high multiplexing capability for evaluating microRNA heterogeneity in single cells, representing a new approach toward microRNA-based diagnosis and monitoring of complex human diseases.
Blister-Actuated LIFT Printing for Multiparametric Functionalization of Paper-Like Biosensors
Authors: Hecht Lars , Rager Korbinian , Davidonis Martynas , Weber Patricia , Gauglitz Günter , Dietzel Andreas
Published: March 2019

Laser induced forward transfer (LIFT) is a flexible digital printing process for maskless, selective pattern transfer, which uses single laser pulses focused through a transparent carrier substrate onto a donor layer to eject a tiny volume of the donor material towards a receiver substrate. Here, we present an advanced method for the high-resolution micro printing of bio-active detection chemicals diluted in a viscous buffer solution by transferring droplets with precisely controllable volumes using blister-actuated LIFT (BA-LIFT). This variant of the LIFT process makes use of an intermediate polyimide layer partially ablated by the laser pulses. The expanding gaseous ablation products lead to blisters in the polyimide and ejection of droplets from the subjacent viscous solution layer. A relative movement of donor and receiver substrates for the transfer of partially overlapping pixels is realized with a custom-made positioning system. Using a specially developed donor ink containing bio-active components presented method allows to transfer droplets with well controllable volumes between 20 fL and 6 pL, which is far more precise than other methods like inkjet or contact printing. The usefulness of the process is demonstrated by locally functionalizing laser-structured nitrocellulose paper-like membranes to form a multiparametric lateral flow test. The recognition zones localized within parallel micro channels exhibit a well-defined and homogeneous color change free of coffee-ring patterns, which is of utmost importance for reliable optical readout in miniature multiparametric test systems.
Genesis of the Koka Gold Deposit in Northwest Eritrea, NE Africa: Constraints from Fluid Inclusions and C–H–O–S Isotopes
Authors: Zhao Kai , Yao Huazhou , Wang Jianxiong , Ghebretnsae Ghebsha Fitwi , Xiang Wenshuai , Xiong Yi-Qu
Published: March 2019

The Koka gold deposit is located in the Elababu shear zone between the Nakfa terrane and the Adobha Abiy terrane, NW Eritrea. Based on a paragenetic study, two main stages of gold mineralization were identified in the Koka gold deposit: (1) an early stage of pyrite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite–galena–gold–quartz vein; and (2) a second stage of pyrite–quartz veins. NaCl-aqueous inclusions, CO2-rich inclusions, and three-phase CO2–H2O inclusions occur in the quartz veins at Koka. The ore-bearing quartz veins formed at 268 °C from NaCl–CO2–H2O(–CH4) fluids averaging 5 wt% NaCl eq. The ore-forming mechanisms include fluid immiscibility during stage I, and mixing with meteoric water during stage II. Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon isotopes suggest that the ore-forming fluids originated as mixtures of metamorphic water and magmatic water, whereas the sulfur isotope suggests an igneous origin. The features of geology and ore-forming fluid at the Koka deposit are similar to those of orogenic gold deposits, suggesting that the Koka deposit might be an orogenic gold deposit related to granite.
Understanding Cement Hydration of Cemented Paste Backfill: DFT Study of Water Adsorption on Tricalcium Silicate (111) Surface
Authors: Qi Chongchong , Liu Lang , He Jianyong , Chen Qiusong , Yu Li-Juan , Liu Pengfei
Published: March 2019

Understanding cement hydration is of crucial importance for the application of cementitious materials, including cemented paste backfill. In this work, the adsorption of a single water molecule on an M3-C3S (111) surface is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption energies for 14 starting geometries are calculated and the electronic properties of the reaction are analysed. Two adsorption mechanisms, molecular adsorption and dissociative adsorption, are observed and six adsorption configurations are found. The results indicate that spontaneous dissociative adsorption is energetically favored over molecular adsorption. Electrons are transferred from the surface to the water molecule during adsorption. The density of states (DOS) reveals the bonding mechanisms between water and the surface. This study provides an insight into the adsorption mechanism at an atomic level, and can significantly promote the understanding of cement hydration within such systems.
A Single Mutation Increases the Thermostability and Activity of Aspergillus terreus Amine Transaminase
Authors: Zhu Wan-Li , Hu Sheng , Lv Chang-Jiang , Zhao Wei-Rui , Wang Hong-Peng , Mei Jia-Qi , Mei Le-He , Huang Jun
Published: March 2019

Enhancing the thermostability of (R)-selective amine transaminases (AT-ATA) will expand its application in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines. In this study, mutual information and coevolution networks of ATAs were analyzed by the Mutual Information Server to Infer Coevolution (MISTIC). Subsequently, the amino acids most likely to influence the stability and function of the protein were investigated by alanine scanning and saturation mutagenesis. Four stabilized mutants (L118T, L118A, L118I, and L118V) were successfully obtained. The best mutant, L118T, exhibited an improved thermal stability with a 3.7-fold enhancement in its half-life (t1/2) at 40 °C and a 5.3 °C increase in T5010 compared to the values for the wild-type protein. By the differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) analysis, the best mutant, L118T, showed a melting temperature (Tm) of 46.4 °C, which corresponded to a 5.0 °C increase relative to the wild-type AT-ATA (41.4 °C). Furthermore, the most stable mutant L118T displayed the highest catalytic efficiency among the four stabilized mutants.
Structure-Based Design of Novel Benzimidazole Derivatives as Pin1 Inhibitors
Authors: Wang Shuxiang , Guan Lihong , Zang Jie , Xing Kun , Zhang Jian , Liu Dan , Zhao Linxiang
Published: March 2019

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 plays a key role in amplifying and translating multiple oncogenic signaling pathways during oncogenesis. The blockade of Pin1 provided a unique way of disrupting multiple oncogenic pathways and inducing apoptosis. Aiming to develop potent Pin1 inhibitors, a series of benzimidazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. Among the derivatives, compounds 6h and 13g showed the most potent Pin1 inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.64 and 0.37 μM, respectively. In vitro antiproliferative assay demonstrated that compounds 6d, 6g, 6h, 6n, 6o and 7c exhibited moderate antiproliferative activity against human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Taken together, these unique benzimidazole derivatives exhibited great potential to be further explored as potent Pin1 inhibitors with improved potency.
Solvent-Free Synthesis of Phosphonic Graphene Derivative and Its Application in Mercury Ions Adsorption
Authors: Olszewski Robert , Nadolska Małgorzata , Łapiński Marcin , Prześniak-Welenc Marta , Cieślik Bartłomiej Michał , Żelechowska Kamila
Published: March 2019

Functionalized graphene was efficiently prepared through ball-milling of graphite in the presence of dry ice. In this way, oxygen functional groups were introduced into material. The material was further chemically functionalized to produce graphene derivative with phosphonic groups. The obtained materials were characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods, along with thermogravimetric analysis. The newly developed material was used as an efficient mercury adsorbent, showing high adsorption efficiency. The adsorption isotherms were fitted using Freundlich and Langmuir models. The adsorption kinetics were fitted with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. Adsorption selectivity was determined in the presence of cadmium ions and nickel ions. The presence of mentioned bivalent ions in the solution did not affect mercury adsorption efficiency.
The Temperature-Sensitive Anisotropic Negative Poisson’s Ratio of Carbon Honeycomb
Authors: Wang Wenrui , He Chenwei , Xie Lu , Peng Qing
Published: March 2019

We report that carbon honeycomb, a new three-dimension carbon allotrope, exhibits large negative Poisson’s ratio, as large as −0.32, in tensile revealed via molecular dynamics simulations. The Poisson’s ratio of carbon honeycomb is anisotropic, and sensitive to temperature. The carbon honeycomb has phase transformation from normal to auxetic by tensile, along both zigzag and armchair directions. The critical strain for the normal-auxetic transition along the cell-axis direction reduces with respect to an increase in temperature. Combined with high strength of 50 GPa, such a unique and adjustable negative Poisson ratio suggests broad engineering applications of carbon honeycomb.
Ecotoxicological Assessment of Thermally- and Hydrogen-Reduced Graphene Oxide/TiO2 Photocatalytic Nanocomposites Using the Zebrafish Embryo Model
Authors: Al-Kandari Halema , Younes Nadin , Al-Jamal Ola , Zakaria Zain Z. , Najjar Huda , Alserr Farah , Pintus Gianfranco , Al-Asmakh Maha A. , Abdullah Aboubakr M. , Nasrallah Gheyath K.
Published: March 2019

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have recently attracted great interest in water pollution management. Using the zebrafish embryo model, we investigated the environmental impacts of two thermally (RGOTi)- and hydrogen (H2RGOTi)-reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 semiconductor photocatalysts recently employed in AOPs. For this purpose, acutoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, hematopoietic toxicity, and hatching rate were determinate. For the RGOTi, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC, mortality/teratogenicity score <20%) and the median lethal concentration (LC50) were <400 and 748.6 mg/L, respectively. H2RGOTi showed a NOEC similar to RGOTi. However, no significant mortality was detected at all concentrations used in the acutoxicity assay (up to1000 mg/L), thus indicating a hypothetical LC50 higher than 1000 mg/L. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service Acute Toxicity Rating Scale, RGOTi can be classified as “practically not toxic” and H2RGOTi as “relatively harmless”. However, both nanocomposites should be used with caution at concentration higher than the NOEC (400 mg/L), in particular RGOTi, which significantly (i) caused pericardial and yolk sac edema; (ii) decreased the hatching rate, locomotion, and hematopoietic activities; and (iii) affected the heart rate. Indeed, the aforementioned teratogenic phenotypes were less devastating in H2RGOTi-treated embryos, suggesting that the hydrogen-reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 photocatalysts may be more ecofriendly than the thermally-reduced ones.
Lactose Intolerance and Bone Health: The Challenge of Ensuring Adequate Calcium Intake
Authors: Hodges Joanna K. , Cao Sisi , Cladis Dennis P. , Weaver Connie M.
Published: March 2019

Calcium is an important nutrient with impact upon many biological systems, most notably bone. Ensuring adequate calcium intake throughout the lifespan is essential to building and maintaining bone. Lactose intolerance may predispose individuals to low calcium intake as the number of lactose-free, calcium-rich food sources is limited. In this review, we summarize data from human and animal studies on the influence of lactose and lactase deficiency on calcium absorption and bone health. Based on the available evidence, neither dietary lactose nor lactase deficiency have a significant impact on calcium absorption in adult humans. However, lactose intolerance may lead to reduced bone density and fragility fractures when accompanied by decreased intake or avoidance of dairy. Recently published human trials and meta-analyses suggest a weak but significant association between dairy consumption and bone health, particularly in children. Given the availability of simple dietary approaches to building lactose tolerance and the nutritional deficiencies associated with dairy avoidance, multiple public health organizations recommend that all individuals—including those that are lactose intolerant—consume three servings of dairy per day to ensure adequate nutrient intakes and optimal bone health.
Pomegranate Extract Improves Maximal Performance of Trained Cyclists after an Exhausting Endurance Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Torregrosa-García Antonio , Ávila-Gandía Vicente , Luque-Rubia Antonio J. , Abellán-Ruiz María Salud , Querol-Calderón María , López-Román F. Javier
Published: March 2019

The efficacy of pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract (PE) for improving performance and post-exercise recovery in an active population was equivocal in previous studies. In this study, a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, balanced, cross-over trial with two arms was conducted. Eligibility criteria for participants were as follows: male, amateur cyclist, with a training routine of 2 to 4 sessions per week (at least one hour per session). The cyclists (n = 26) were divided into treatment (PE) and placebo (PLA) groups for a period of 15 days. After physical tests, the groups were exchanged after a 14-day washout period. Exercise tests consisted of endurance bouts (square-wave endurance exercise test followed by an incremental exercise test to exhaustion) and an eccentric exercise drill. The objective was to assess the efficacy of PE in performance outcomes and post-exercise muscular recovery and force restoration after a prolonged submaximal effort. Twenty-six participants were included for statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in total time to exhaustion (TTE)(17.66–170.94 s, p < 0.02) and the time to reach ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2)(26.98–82.55 s, p < 0.001), with greater values for the PE compared to the PLA group. No significant results were obtained for force restoration in the isokinetic unilateral low limb test. PE, after a prolonged submaximal effort, may be effective in improving performance outcomes at maximal effort and might help to restore force in the damaged muscles.
Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation Using Spirulina platensis during the First 1000 Days is Positively Associated with Development in Children under Five Years: A Follow up of A Randomized Trial in Zambia
Authors: Masuda Kazuya , Chitundu Maureen
Published: March 2019

Early childhood development relies on various micronutrients. We recently reported that home fortification of complementary foods using spirulina reduced the time to attain motor milestones in Zambian infants. The objective of this study is to estimate the long-term associations between spirulina supplementation during the first 1000 days and child gross motor development, fine motor development, language, and personal–social skills at preschool age. We used longitudinal data from a randomized trial conducted in Zambia. In 2015, 501 infants (age, 6–18 months) were provided daily supplements of maize-soy-based porridge with spirulina (SP) and without spirulina (CON). Supplementation period lasted for 16 months. In January 2018, children who participated in the initial trial were resurveyed (CON: 182 children; SP: 188 children; now aged 36–48 months). We assessed the infants’ gross motor development, fine motor development, language, and personal–social skills using a modified version of Malawi Development Assessment Tool. The initial clinical trial registration number was NCT03523182. Children in the SP group had higher scores in gross and fine motor development, language, and social skills than those in the CON group. Home fortification of complementary foods using spirulina during the first 1000 days improved development among Zambian children at preschool age.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Turnover and Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Men: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lerchbaum Elisabeth , Trummer Christian , Theiler-Schwetz Verena , Kollmann Martina , Wölfler Monika , Pilz Stefan , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
Published: March 2019

Vitamin D is well known for its effects on calcium and mineral metabolism. However, vitamin D effects on bone turnover markers (BTMs), which are used together with bone mineral density (BMD) to evaluate bone health, are less clear. We therefore examined vitamin D effects on BTMs (beta-cross laps (CTX) and osteocalcin (OC)) and BMD in a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). This is a post-hoc analysis of the Graz Vitamin D&TT-RCT, a single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted between December 2012 and November 2017 at the endocrine outpatient clinic at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. A total of 200 healthy men with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels <75 nmol/L participated in the trial. Subjects were randomized to receive 20,000 IU of vitamin D3/week (n = 100) or placebo (n = 100) for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were BTMs, BMD, and trabecular bone score (TBS). A total of 192 men (mean age and 25(OH)D: 43 (±13) years and 54.9 (±18.3) nmol/L, respectively) completed the study. We found no significant treatment effect on BTMs, BMD, or TBS (p > 0.05 for all). In middle-aged healthy men, vitamin D treatment for 12 weeks had no significant effect on BTMs or BMD.
Challenging the Myth of Non-Response to the Ergogenic Effects of Caffeine Ingestion on Exercise Performance
Authors: Del Coso Juan , Lara Beatriz , Ruiz-Moreno Carlos , Salinero Juan José
Published: March 2019

The ergogenicity of caffeine on several exercise and sport situations is well-established. However, the extent of the ergogenic response to acute caffeine ingestion might greatly vary among individuals despite using the same dosage and timing. The existence of one or several individuals that obtained minimal ergogenic effects or even slightly ergolytic effects after caffeine intake (i.e., non-responders) has been reported in several previous investigations. Nevertheless, the concept non-responding to caffeine, in terms of physical performance, relies on investigations based on the measurement of one performance variable obtained once. Recently it has been suggested that correct identification of the individual ergogenic effect induced by caffeine intake requires the repeated measurement of physical performance in identical caffeine–placebo comparisons. In this communication, we present data from an investigation where the ergogenic effect of acute caffeine intake (3 mg/kg) was measured eight times over a placebo in the same individuals and under the same conditions by an incremental cycling test to volitional fatigue and an adapted version of the Wingate cycling test. The ergogenic response to caffeine varied from 9% to 1% among individuals, but all participants increased both cycling power in the incremental test and Wingate mean power at least three to eight times out of eight the caffeine–placebo comparisons. These data expand the suggestion of a minimal occurrence of caffeine non-responders because it shows that all individuals responded to caffeine when caffeine is compared to a placebo on multiple and repeated testing sessions.
Health Workers’ Perceptions and Expectations of the Role of the Pharmacist in Emergency Units: A Qualitative Study in Kupang, Indonesia
Authors: Safitrih Laila , Perwitasari Dyah A. , Ndoen Nelci , Dandan Keri L.
Published: March 2019

Background. An essential way to ensure patient safety in the hospital is by applying pharmacy services in emergency units. This strategy was implemented in Indonesia several years ago, with the aim of ensuring that adequate pharmacy services are given to patients in hospitals. To achieve this, pharmacists are required to cooperate with other health workers via inter-professional teamwork. This study intended to identify the perceptions and expectations of health workers with respect to pharmacy services in emergency units. Methods. This was a qualitative study, using a phenomenological approach with a semi-structured interview technique to obtain data. This study was performed at the Prof. Dr. W.Z. Johannes Hospital Kupang from June to September 2018. The results of the interviews were thematically analyzed using QSR NVivo software 11. Results. The themes identified in this study included: (1) The positive impact of pharmacists in service; (2) Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) influence; (3) Acceptance of health workers; (4) Medication administration information; and (5) Expectations of health workers. Various perceptions were conveyed by participants regarding the emergency unit services in the hospital’s pharmaceutical department. Data obtained proved that the existence of a pharmacist increased the efficiency of time for services and prevented human error. Conclusion. Pharmacists and policy-makers play a significant role in providing appropriate pharmaceutical services in emergency units. Pharmacists also need to improve their quality of practice in accordance with their competence. They must review the patient medical history and physician’s prescriptions, educate the patients and other health workers, so that the workload and service time will be reduced.
Provision of Bilingual Dispensing Labels to Non-Native English Speakers: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Herrera Helena , Alsaif Murtada , Khan Ghalib , Barnes Nicola , Rutter Paul
Published: March 2019

Patients with limited English proficiency living in the U.K. receive prescribed medication labels in English. These patients are at risk of worse health outcomes compared with the general population. This article describes a service evaluation of the use of bilingual dispensing labels to facilitate patient understanding of medicine administration instructions. Recruited patients answered two questionnaires to assess engagement with and understanding of their medicine labels. The first was completed at the point of dispensing, and the second within six weeks. Questionnaires were either self-completed or via facilitation over the telephone. A total of 151 participants completed the first questionnaire, and 130 completed the follow-up. Key findings highlighted the lack of engagement by participants with English-language labels and their reliance on asking for help from pharmacy staff, friends, or family to understand the information. However, when provided with information in their preferred language, they reported high levels of understanding and sought help less frequently from a third party. This study has shown that this service has improved understanding of labelling information in this target group.
Optimized Dyeing Process for Enhancing the Functionalities of Spent Coffee Dyed Wool Fabrics Using a Facile Extraction Process
Authors: Bae Jihyun , Hong Kyung Hwa
Published: March 2019

Spent coffee grounds are the byproduct of coffee brewing and are generally discarded as waste. However, spent coffee has high levels of organic compounds that have multiple biological effects, including antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this light, spent coffee grounds were tested for fabric dyeing to both functionalize as well as color the fabrics. The dyeing solution was prepared by extracting spent coffee grounds collected from a local coffee house by using a manual espresso machine. The spent coffee extract was applied to wool fabrics using a laboratory infrared dyeing machine. After the dyeing process was completed, the fabrics were mordanted with a tannic acid aqueous solution. To optimize the dyeing conditions, the times and temperatures during the process were varied, and the functionalities and other properties including color and strength of the wool fabrics dyed with the spent coffee extract were investigated. The wool fabrics dyed with the spent coffee extract were significantly colored, and the color withstands the effect of washing and light exposure. Moreover, the dyeing process with the spent coffee extract and the mordanting process with tannic acid gave the wool fabrics antibacterial and antioxidant properties.