bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedentary Behavior: A Key Component in the Interaction between an Integrated Lifestyle Approach and Cardiac Autonomic Function in Active Young Men
Authors: dos Santos Renan R. , Rosa Erica C. , Rosa Thiago , Ferreira Eduardo A. , Gris Eliana F. , de Andrade Rosângela V. , Amato Angélica A.
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to verify the association between autonomic cardiac function (CAF) and the integration of caloric expenditure by physical activity (PA) intensity, sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep quality (PSQI) in active young men. Thirty-five subjects were included, and caloric expenditure in moderate-to-vigorous and light-intensity PA, SB, and PSQI were assessed using questionnaires. Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded for short periods of time in the supine and orthostatic positions. Multiple linear regression was realized unadjusted and adjusted for covariables, such as age, body mass index, and fat mass. No adjusted analysis indicated that, in the supine position, there were negative associations between the SB and the TP, HF, and NorHF indices, and positive associations between SB and NorLF and LF/HF. In the orthostatic position, an interaction between SB and NorLF was found. Significance of proportion with the TP, HF, and LF/HF indices was confirmed. When adjusted, for the supine position, negative interactions were documented between SB and the TP as well as the HF indices, and between PSQI and the LF/HF index, with interference under the HF and LF/HF indices. Finally, our findings indicate that the proposed approach interacts with CAF, and SB is significantly related to CAF in young active men.
Improving Schools’ Readiness for Involvement in Suicide Prevention: An Evaluation of the Creating Suicide Safety in Schools (CSSS) Workshop
Authors: Breux Patricia , Boccio Dana E.
Published: June 2019

Schools have an important role to play in combatting suicide, a significant public health problem that disproportionately affects adolescents and young adults. Schools can work to reduce youth suicidality by adopting policies that align with best practice recommendations pertaining to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. This study examined the impact of a one-day training, the Creating Suicide Safety in Schools (CSSS) workshop, on the readiness of school personnel to improve their schools’ suicide-related policies and procedures. Participants (N = 562) consisted predominantly of school-based mental health professionals working in communities of low or mixed socioeconomic status in New York State. Survey data were collected according to a one-group pre-test—post-test design with a 3-month follow-up. Workshop participants demonstrated improvements from pre-test to post-test in their attitudes about the importance of school-based suicide prevention, knowledge of best practices, perceptions of administrative support, and feelings of empowerment to work collaboratively to enhance their schools’ suicide safety. At follow-up, participants reported barriers to implementing changes, most commonly in the form of insufficient time and stigma surrounding the topic of suicide. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the CSSS workshop as a promising method for improving schools’ suicide safety, yet additional research using randomized controlled trials needs to be conducted.
Longitudinal Associations between Anatomical Regions of Pain and Work Conditions: A Study from The SwePain Cohort
Authors: Dragioti Elena , Gerdle Björn , Larsson Britt
Published: June 2019

We investigated the time-based associations between workload (physical and mechanical), psychosocial work stressors (demands, control, and support), and the number of anatomical regions with pain (ARP). This population-based study with a two-year follow-up included 11,386 responders (5125 men, 6261 women; mean age: 48.8 years; SD: 18.5) living in south-eastern Sweden. Predictive associations were assessed through generalised linear models, and changes over time were examined using a generalised estimating equation. The results of both models were reported as parameter estimates (B) with 95% confidence interval (CIs). Mean changes in the number of ARP, workload, and psychosocial work stressors were stable over time. High mechanical workload and job demands were likely associated with the number of ARP at the two-year follow-up. In the reverse prospective model, we found that the number of ARP was also associated with high physical and mechanical workload and low job control and support. In the two time-based models of changes, we found a reciprocal association between number of ARP and mechanical workload. Our results add epidemiological evidence to the associations between work conditions and the extent of pain on the body. Components of work conditions, including job demands and mechanical strain, must be considered when organisations and health policy makers plan and employ ergonomic evaluations to minimise workplace hazards in the general population.
Cyberbullying in Gifted Students: Prevalence and Psychological Well-Being in a Spanish Sample
Authors: González-Cabrera Joaquín , Tourón Javier , Machimbarrena Juan Manuel , Gutiérrez-Ortega Mónica , Álvarez-Bardón Aitor , Garaigordobil Maite
Published: June 2019

The differential characteristics of gifted students can make them vulnerable to cyberbullying. There is very little empirical evidence about cyberbullying and giftedness. In the Spanish context, it is unexplored. The main goal of this work is to determine the prevalence of cyberbullying, its distribution in the different roles, and its relationship with other psychological variables. A cross-sectional study was performed with 255 gifted students (M = 11.88 years, SD = 2.28 years) in Spain (155 males, 60.8%). We used the cyberbullying test and the Spanish versions of the DASS-21, ISEL, KIDSCREEN-10, and the SWLS. The results indicate that 25.1% of the students are pure-cybervictims, 3.9% pure-cyberbullies, and 6.6% cyberbully-victims. Pure-cybervictims and cyberbully-victims present worse scores (p < 0.001) in health-related quality of life, depression, life satisfaction and stress than the uninvolved individuals. The results suggest that the gifted sample presents more cybervictimization and less cyberbullying than observed in other studies of the general population.
An Application of Integrated 3D Technologies for Replicas in Cultural Heritage
Authors: Balletti Caterina , Ballarin Martina
Published: June 2019

In recent decades, 3D acquisition by laser scanning or digital photogrammetry has become one of the standard methods of documenting cultural heritage, because it permits one to analyze the shape, geometry, and location of any artefact without necessarily coming into contact with it. The recording of three-dimensional metrical data of an asset allows one to preserve and monitor, but also to understand and explain the history and cultural heritage shared. In essence, it constitutes a digital archive of the state of an artefact, which can be used for various purposes, be remodeled, or kept safely stored. With the introduction of 3D printing, digital data can once again take on material form and become physical objects from the corresponding mathematical models in a relatively short time and often at low cost. This possibility has led to a different consideration of the concept of virtual data, no longer necessarily linked to simple visual fruition. The importance of creating high-resolution physical copies has been reassessed in light of different types of events that increasingly threaten the protection of cultural heritage. The aim of this research is to analyze the critical issues in the production process of the replicas, focusing on potential problems in data acquisition and processing and on the accuracy of the resulting 3D printing. The metric precision of the printed model with 3D technology are fundamental for everything concerning geomatics and must be related to the same characteristics of the digital model obtained through the survey analysis.
Protective Effect of Acteoside on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Mice
Authors: Yang Lingling , Zhang Bo , Liu Jingjing , Dong Yanhong , Li Yanting , Li Nan , Zhao Xiaojun , Snooks Hunter , Hu Changling , Ma Xueqin
Published: June 2019

Acteoside, an active phenylethanoid glycoside compound isolated from herbs of Cistanche, was chosen for the investigation of anti-osteoporotic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis by using an ovariectomized (OVX) mice model. The results from in vivo experiments showed that after daily oral administration of acteoside (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg body weight/day) for 12 weeks, bone mineral density and bone biomechanical properties of OVX mice were greatly enhanced, with significant improvement in bone microarchitecture. Furthermore, biochemical parameters of bone resorption markers as well as bone formation index, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, deoxypyridinoline, alkaline phosphatase, and bone gla-protein, were ameliorated by acteoside treatment, whereas the body, uterus, and vagina wet weights were seemingly not impacted by acteoside administration. Acteoside significantly affected osteoclastogenesis by attenuating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and stimulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signal pathways through down-regulated levels of tumor-necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), RANK, NFKBIA, IκB kinase β, nuclear factor of activated T-cells c2 (NFAT2), and up-regulated expressions of PI3K, AKT, and c-Fos. Accordingly, the current research validated our hypothesis that acteoside possesses potent anti-osteoporotic properties and may be a promising agent for the prevention of osteoporosis in the future.
Suppression of STAT3 Phosphorylation and RelA/p65 Acetylation Mediated by MicroRNA134 Plays a Pivotal Role in the Apoptotic Effect of Lambertianic Acid
Authors: Sim Deok Yong , Lee Hyo-Jung , Jung Ji Hoon , Im Eunji , Hwang Jisung , Kim Dong Sub , Kim Sung-Hoon
Published: June 2019

As p300-mediated RelA/p65 hyperacetylation by signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) is critical for NF-κB activation, in the current study, the apoptotic mechanism of lambertianic acid (LA) was explored in relation to STAT3 phosphorylation and RelA/p65 acetylation in MCF-7, DU145, PC-3, and MDA-MB-453 cells. LA significantly increased the cytotoxicity, sub G 1 population, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in MDA-MB-453 or PC-3 cells (STAT3 mutant), more than in the MCF-7 or DU145 cells (STAT3 wild). Consistently, LA inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and disrupted the interaction between p-STAT3, p300, NF-κB, and RelA/p65 acetylation (Ac-RelA/p65) in the MCF-7 and DU145 cells. Also, LA reduced the nuclear translocation of STAT3 and NF-κB via their colocalization, and also suppressed the protein expression of XIAP, survivin, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Cox-2, c-Myc and mRNA expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in MCF-7 cells. Conversely, IL-6 blocked the ability of LA to suppress the cytotoxicity and PARP cleavage, while the depletion of STAT3 or p300 enhanced the PARP cleavage of LA in the MCF-7 cells. Notably, LA upregulated the level of miRNA134 and so miRNA134 mimic attenuated the expression of pro-PARP, p-STAT3, and Ac-RelA, while the miRNA134 inhibitor reversed the ability of LA to reduce the expression of Ac-RelA and pro-PARP in MCF-7 cells. Overall, these findings suggest that LA induced apoptosis via the miRNA-134 mediated inhibition of STAT3 and RelA/p65 acetylation.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Empowering Tendon Regenerative Therapies
Authors: Costa-Almeida Raquel , Calejo Isabel , Gomes Manuela E.
Published: June 2019

Tendon tissues have limited healing capacity. The incidence of tendon injuries and the unsatisfactory functional outcomes of tendon repair are driving the search for alternative therapeutic approaches envisioning tendon regeneration. Cellular therapies aim at delivering adequate, regeneration-competent cell types to the injured tendon and toward ultimately promoting its reconstruction and recovery of functionality. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) either obtained from tendons or from non-tendon sources, like bone marrow (BM-MSCs) or adipose tissue (ASCs), have been receiving increasing attention over the years toward enhancing tendon healing. Evidences from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest MSCs can contribute to accelerate and improve the quality of tendon healing. Nonetheless, the exact mechanisms underlying these repair events are yet to be fully elucidated. This review provides an overview of the main challenges in the field of cell-based regenerative therapies, discussing the role of MSCs in boosting tendon regeneration, particularly through their capacity to enhance the tenogenic properties of tendon resident cells.
1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-Based Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Metabolomic Analysis in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Risk Prediction for Diabetic Microangiopathy
Authors: Lin Huan-Tang , Cheng Mei-Ling , Lo Chi-Jen , Lin Gigin , Lin Shu-Fu , Yeh Jiun-Ting , Ho Hung-Yao , Lin Jr-Rung , Liu Fu-Chao
Published: June 2019

Insulin resistance and metabolic derangement are present in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the metabolomic signature of T2DM in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been investigated thus far. In this prospective metabolomic study, fasting CSF and plasma samples from 40 T2DM patients to 36 control subjects undergoing elective surgery with spinal anesthesia were analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR spectra of CSF and plasma metabolites were analyzed and correlated with the presence of T2DM and diabetic microangiopathy (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) using an area under the curve (AUC) estimation. CSF metabolomic profiles in T2DM patients vs. controls revealed significantly increased levels of alanine, leucine, valine, tyrosine, lactate, pyruvate, and decreased levels of histidine. In addition, a combination of alanine, histidine, leucine, pyruvate, tyrosine, and valine in CSF showed a superior correlation with the presence of T2DM (AUC:0.951), diabetic retinopathy (AUC:0.858), nephropathy (AUC:0.811), and neuropathy (AUC:0.691). Similar correlations also appeared in plasma profiling. These metabolic alterations in CSF suggest decreasing aerobic metabolism and increasing anaerobic glycolysis in cerebral circulation of patients with T2DM. In conclusion, our results provide clues for the metabolic derangements in diabetic central neuropathy among T2DM patients; however, their clinical significance requires further exploration.
Feasibility, Tolerability and Efficacy of Carfilzomib in Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed Refractory Myeloma Patients: A Retrospective Real-Life Survey of the Sicilian Myeloma Network
Authors: Conticello Concetta , Romano Alessandra , Del Fabro Vittorio , Martino Enrica Antonia , Calafiore Valeria , Sapienza Giuseppe , Leotta Valerio , Parisi Marina Silvia , Markovic Uros , Garibaldi Bruno , Leotta Salvatore , Cotzia Emilia , Innao Vanessa , Mannina Donato , Neri Santo , Musso Maurizio , Scalone Renato , Cangialosi Clotilde , Acquaviva Francesco , Cardinale Giovanni , Merenda Anxur , Maugeri Cinzia , Uccello Giuseppina , Poidomani Massimo , Longo Giuseppe , Carlisi Melania , Tibullo Daniele , Di Raimondo Francesco
Published: June 2019

Background: The ASPIRE (NCT01080391) phase 3 trial showed the efficacy of carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) triplet for relapse and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, little is known about safety and efficacy of KRd outside a clinical trial context. Methods: Herein we report real life results of KRd given to 130 RRMM patients from 12 Sicilian Centers. Results: Median age was 62 years; patients had received a median of two previous lines of treatment (range 1–10) and 52% were refractory to previous treatment. Median number of KRd cycles was 12 (2–29), with a mean duration of treatment of 12 months; 21 patients had received at least 18 cycles. Overall response rate was 61%, including 18% complete response. Median PFS was 22.9 months, median OS was not reached. Creatinine clearance >30 mL/min, quality of the best achieved response and standard Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) risk were independent predictors of favorable outcome. Patients who received the full-dosage of carfilzomib in the first two cycles had a better outcome. Conclusions: KRd was effective and well tolerated and in a considerable proportion of patients, therapy continued beyond the 18th cycle. The finding of a better outcome in patients with the higher cumulative dose of carfilzomib in the first two cycle encourages to maintain the maximum tolerated dose.
Performance Analysis of Conical Permanent Magnet Couplings for Underwater Propulsion
Authors: Li Yukai , Hu Yuli , Song Baowei , Mao Zhaoyong , Tian Wenlong
Published: June 2019

Permanent magnet couplings (PMCs) are widely used in underwater propulsion because it can solve the deep-sea sealing problem effectively. In this paper, a new type of conical permanent magnet coupling (CPMC) is proposed, which is able to match the tail shape of the underwater vehicle and make full use of the tail space to increase pull-out torque capability. Based on the three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM), the electromagnetic characteristics of an initial model for CPMC are analyzed. In order to facilitate the design and optimization of CPMC, an equivalent three-dimensional (3D) analytical method for the pull-out torque calculation is presented, and its accuracy is verified by comparison with the 3D finite element results. Finally, the influence of design parameters such as half-cone angle, pole pair, pole arc coefficient and permanent magnet thickness on maximum pull-out torque and torque density of CPMC is analyzed, and a preliminary optimization model is obtained.
Bringing Purported Black Sheep into the Fold: Galician Inflected Infinitives and Puerto Rican Spanish Pre-Verbal Infinitival Subject Pronouns
Authors: Brown Esther , Rivas Javier
Published: June 2019

This work reports the results of quantitative, variationist analyses of two typologically unusual constructions in order to explore the grammatical conditioning of subject expression in non-finite clauses. Both constructions, Galician inflected infinitives and (Puerto Rican) Spanish preposed, nominative infinitival subjects, have not been widely studied. As a result, variable expression/omission of subject marking in these constructions is not yet fully understood. Using corpora of oral data, we extract 732 examples of infinitives in purpose clauses (headed by para) and employ a logistic mixed effect model to explore the linguistic conditioning of the overt/null variants. We find the appearance of overt subject marking to be conditioned nearly identically across the two distinct languages as well as across finite/non-finite clauses. We utilize this lack of difference to propose that the two construction types may be manifestations of one grammaticalization process. As such, we propose the Puerto Rican Spanish variation may provide a new synchronic source of data with which to explore the diachronic source of (Galician) inflected infinitives.
Revisiting the Use of the Proximity Lexicon in the Classroom for Immigrant Populations at Risk of Social Exclusion: Does It Really Help?
Authors: Ávila-Muñoz Antonio-Manuel
Published: June 2019

This paper shows the convenience of using linguistic resources in foreign language teaching based on the proximity lexicon (dialectal and local) in order to facilitate the integration of socially vulnerable immigrant groups. The social barriers facing them intensify because of lack of knowledge of the linguistic varieties of the host countries and their functions. This study is a continuation of another one published in 2019 in which we presented a theoretical model of language teaching based on the gradual introduction of specific lexical material with the aim of facilitating sociocultural adaptation. The proximity lexicon associated to communal belonging meanings was considered a powerful social inclusion tool. We worked with two student samples to confirm the efficacy of the model. In a group, the dialectal strategy was employed in a programmed and conscious manner, whereas in the other one, the control group, the model was not followed. The results are based on the answers to questions in a wellbeing questionnaire designed ad hoc to evaluate the efficacy of the proposal. The group to which the proposed system was applied showed a greater degree of social wellbeing, satisfaction and adaptation.
Evolution of Zeolite Crystals in Self-Supporting Faujasite Blocks: Effects of Hydrothermal Conditions
Authors: Guan Liuliu , Wang Zhuangzhuang , Lu Duyou
Published: June 2019

In order to prepare self-supporting faujasite (FAU) zeolite, a self-supporting zeolite block was synthesized in situ by hydrothermal treatment of a metakaolin base geopolymer. The effects of hydrothermal conditions such as hydrothermal alkalinity, temperature and time on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical strength of the hydrothermal samples were investigated and evidenced by a series of characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET). The results showed that a self-supporting faujasite block could be obtained by hydrothermal treatment of the geopolymer block in 2 M NaOH solution at 90 °C for 24 h, which had high crystallinity, regular morphology and high compressive strength. The self-supporting zeolite block had a compressive strength of 11.7 MPa, a pore volume of 0.24 cm3/g, and an average pore diameter of 7.86 nm. The specific surface area and the microporous specific surface area of the self-supporting faujasite blocks were 80.36 m2/g and 19.7 m2/g, respectively.
Rules for Fractional-Dynamic Generalizations: Difficulties of Constructing Fractional Dynamic Models
Authors: Tarasov Vasily
Published: June 2019

This article is a review of problems and difficulties arising in the construction of fractional-dynamic analogs of standard models by using fractional calculus. These fractional generalizations allow us to take into account the effects of memory and non-locality, distributed lag, and scaling. We formulate rules (principles) for constructing fractional generalizations of standard models, which were described by differential equations of integer order. Important requirements to building fractional generalization of dynamical models (the rules for “fractional-dynamic generalizers”) are represented as the derivability principle, the multiplicity principle, the solvability and correspondence principles, and the interpretability principle. The characteristic properties of fractional derivatives of non-integer order are the violation of standard rules and properties that are fulfilled for derivatives of integer order. These non-standard mathematical properties allow us to describe non-standard processes and phenomena associated with non-locality and memory. However, these non-standard properties lead to restrictions in the sequential and self-consistent construction of fractional generalizations of standard models. In this article, we give examples of problems arising due to the non-standard properties of fractional derivatives in construction of fractional generalizations of standard dynamic models in economics.
Extending Structures for Lie 2-Algebras
Authors: Tan Yan , Wu Zhixiang
Published: June 2019

The extending structures problem for strict Lie 2-algebras is studied. To provide the theoretical answer to this problem, this paper introduces the unified product of a given strict Lie 2-algebra g and 2-vector space V. The unified product includes some interesting products such as semi-direct product, crossed product, and bicrossed product. The paper focuses on crossed and bicrossed products, which give the answer to the extension problem and factorization problem, respectively.
Characterization of Graphs Associated with Numerical Semigroups
Authors: Binyamin Muhammad Ahsan , Siddiqui Hafiz Muhammad Afzal , Khan Nida Munawar , Aslam Adnan , Rao Yongsheng
Published: June 2019

Let Γ be a numerical semigroup. We associate an undirected graph G ( Γ ) with a numerical semigroup Γ with vertex set { v i : i ∈ N \ Γ } and edge set { v i v j ⇔ i + j ∈ Γ } . In this article, we discuss the connectedness, diameter, girth, and some other related properties of the graph G ( Γ ) .
Qualitative Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy in Romania
Authors: Miko David , Costache Carmen , Colosi Horațiu Alexandru , Neculicioiu Vlad , Colosi Ioana Alina
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives: Health systems all over the world are confronted with an alarming rise of cases in which individuals hesitate, delay, and even refuse vaccination, despite availability of quality vaccine services. In order to mitigate and combat this phenomenon, which are now defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as vaccine hesitancy (VH), we must first understand the factors that lead to its occurrence in an era characterized by wide access to safe and effective vaccines. To achieve this, we conducted field testing of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS), as it was developed by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts Working Group (SAGE WG), in Cluj-Napoca city, Cluj County, Romania. The scale is designed to quantify VH prevalence in a population, establish which vaccines generate the highest percentage of hesitancy, and allow a qualitative assessment of the individual’s reasons for hesitance. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional survey, which was comprised of descriptive, analytical, and qualitative elements regarding VH. The necessary sample size was 452 individuals. The VHS and Matrix of Determinants (recommended by SAGE WG) for reasons people gave to justify their hesitance, was interpreted by qualitative thematic analysis (QTA) to ensure the validity and reliability in detecting hesitancy across various cultural settings and permit global comparisons. Results: We found a VH of 30.3% and 11.7% of parents reported refusing to vaccinate their child. Among the VH responders, the varicella vaccine generated 35% hesitancy, measles vaccine 27.7%, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 24.1%, and mumps vaccine 23.4%, respectively. The QTA values for percent agreement ranged from 91% to 100%. Cohen’s Kappa values ranged from 0.45 to 0.95. Contextual influences identified for VH were “media,” “leaders and lobbies,” and “perception of the pharmaceutical industry.” Individual and group influences for VH were “beliefs,” “knowledge,” and “risk/benefits (perceived).” Vaccine and vaccination specific issues for VH were “risk/benefit (rational)” and “health care practitioners (trustworthiness, competence).” Conclusions: One-third of the investigated population had expressed VH, and a further one-third of these had refused a vaccine for their child. Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and HPV vaccines generated the most hesitation. Negative information from the media was the most frequently evoked reason for VH.
Role of Key Micronutrients from Nutrigenetic and Nutrigenomic Perspectives in Cancer Prevention
Authors: Irimie Alexandra , Braicu Cornelia , Pasca Sergiu , Magdo Lorand , Gulei Diana , Cojocneanu Roxana , Ciocan Cristina , Olariu Andrei , Coza Ovidiu , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: June 2019

Regarding cancer as a genetic multi-factorial disease, a number of aspects need to be investigated and analyzed in terms of cancer’s predisposition, development and prognosis. One of these multi-dimensional factors, which has gained increased attention in the oncological field due to its unelucidated role in risk assessment for cancer, is diet. Moreover, as studies advance, a clearer connection between diet and the molecular alteration of patients is becoming identifiable and quantifiable, thereby replacing the old general view associating specific phenotypical changes with the differential intake of nutrients. Respectively, there are two major fields concentrated on the interrelation between genome and diet: nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Nutrigenetics studies the effects of nutrition at the gene level, whereas nutrigenomics studies the effect of nutrients on genome and transcriptome patterns. By precisely evaluating the interaction between the genomic profile of patients and their nutrient intake, it is possible to envision a concept of personalized medicine encompassing nutrition and health care. The list of nutrients that could have an inhibitory effect on cancer development is quite extensive, with evidence in the scientific literature. The administration of these nutrients showed significant results in vitro and in vivo regarding cancer inhibition, although more studies regarding administration in effective doses in actual patients need to be done.
The Role of Hematological Parameters in Predicting Fuhrman Grade and Tumor Stage in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy
Authors: Kisa Erdem , Yucel Cem , Keskin Mehmet Zeynel , Karabicak Mustafa , Yalcin Mehmet Yigit , Cakmak Ozgur , Ilbey Yusuf Ozlem
Published: June 2019

Background and objective: We investigated the ability of preoperative serum values of red blood cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and plateletcrit (PCT) to predict Fuhrman grades (FG) and tumor stages of renal cell carcinoma in patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. Materials and methods: Records of 283 patients that underwent radical or partial nephrectomy of renal masses at our clinic between January 2010 and April 2018, whose pathology results indicated renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and who had their FG and T1–4 N0M0 identified were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups based on their FG as low (I–II) and high (III–IV) and their T stages were similarly grouped as limited to kidney (pT1–pT2) and not limited to kidney (pT3–pT4). Results: Mean RDW, NLR, PCT cut-off values of the patients for FG and T stage were 15.65%, 3.54, 0.28% and 14.35%, 2.69, 0.28%, respectively. The RDW and NLR were determined to be statistically significant predictors of a pathologically high FG, whereas the PCT value was not a statistically significant predictor of high FG (p = 0.003, p = 0.006, p = 0.075, respectively). The relationship of RDW, NLR and PCT values with a limited to the kidney pathological T stage revealed statistically significant correlations for all three values. Conclusions: We determined that only RDW and NLR were markers predicting FG, while PCT had no prognostic value. On the other hand, all three of these values were associated with a limited to the kidney pathological T stage in patients who underwent nephrectomy due to renal masses and whose pathologies suggested RCC.
Influence of Different Annealing Atmospheres on the Mechanical Properties of Freestanding MCrAlY Bond Coats Investigated by Micro-Tensile Creep Tests
Authors: Giese Sven , Neumeier Steffen , Bergholz Jan , Naumenko Dmitry , Quadakkers Willem J. , Vaßen Robert , Göken Mathias
Published: June 2019

The mechanical properties of low-pressure plasma sprayed (LPPS) MCrAlY (M = Ni, Co) bond coats, Amdry 386, Amdry 9954 and oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Amdry 9954 (named Amdry 9954 + ODS) were investigated after annealing in three atmospheres: Ar–O2, Ar–H2O, and Ar–H2–H2O. Freestanding bond coats were investigated to avoid any influence from the substrate. Miniaturized cylindrical tensile specimens were produced by a special grinding process and then tested in a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) within a temperature range of 900–950 °C. Grain size and phase fraction of all bond coats were investigated by EBSD before testing and no difference in microstructure was revealed due to annealing in various atmospheres. The influence of annealing in different atmospheres on the creep strength was not very pronounced for the Co-based bond coats Amdry 9954 and Amdry 9954 + ODS in the tested conditions. The ODS bond coats revealed significantly higher creep strength but a lower strain to failure than the ODS-free Amdry 9954. The Ni-based bond coat Amdry 386 showed higher creep strength than Amdry 9954 due to the higher fraction of the β-NiAl phase. Additionally, its creep properties at 900 °C were much more affected by annealing in different atmospheres. The bond coat Amdry 386 annealed in an Ar–H2O atmosphere showed a significantly lower creep rate than the bond coat annealed in Ar–O2 and Ar–H2–H2O atmospheres.
Micro-optical Components for Bioimaging on Tissues, Cells and Subcellular Structures
Authors: Yang Hui , Zhang Yi , Chen Sihui , Hao Rui
Published: June 2019

Bioimaging generally indicates imaging techniques that acquire biological information from living forms. Among different imaging techniques, optical microscopy plays a predominant role in observing tissues, cells and biomolecules. Along with the fast development of microtechnology, developing miniaturized and integrated optical imaging systems has become essential to provide new imaging solutions for point-of-care applications. In this review, we will introduce the basic micro-optical components and their fabrication technologies first, and further emphasize the development of integrated optical systems for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging, respectively. We will conclude by giving our perspectives on micro-optical components for bioimaging applications in the near future.
Microfluidic-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Systems in Microbiology
Authors: Gorgannezhad Lena , Stratton Helen , Nguyen Nam-Trung
Published: June 2019

Rapid, sensitive, and selective bacterial detection is a hot topic, because the progress in this research area has had a broad range of applications. Novel and innovative strategies for detection and identification of bacterial nucleic acids are important for practical applications. Microfluidics is an emerging technology that only requires small amounts of liquid samples. Microfluidic devices allow for rapid advances in microbiology, enabling access to methods of amplifying nucleic acid molecules and overcoming difficulties faced by conventional. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in microfluidics-based polymerase chain reaction devices for the detection of nucleic acid biomarkers. The paper also discusses the recent development of isothermal nucleic acid amplification and droplet-based microfluidics devices. We discuss recent microfluidic techniques for sample preparation prior to the amplification process.
Density Gradient Selection of Colloidal Silver Nanotriangles for Assembling Dye-Particle Plasmophores
Authors: Oliveira-Silva Rui , Sousa-Jerónimo Mariana , Botequim David , Silva Nuno J. O. , Prazeres Duarte M. F. , Paulo Pedro M. R.
Published: June 2019

A simple method based on sucrose density gradient centrifugation is proposed here for the fractionation of colloidal silver nanotriangles. This method afforded particle fractions with surface plasmon resonances, spanning from red to infrared spectral ranges that could be used to tune optical properties for plasmonic applications. This feature was exemplified by selecting silver nanotriangle samples with spectral overlap with Atto-655 dye’s absorption and emission in order to assemble dye-particle plasmophores. The emission brightness of an individual plasmophore, as characterized by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, is at least 1000-fold more intense than that of a single Atto-655 dye label, which renders them as promising platforms for the development of fluorescence-based nanosensors.
Mussel Consumption as a “Food First” Approach to Improve Omega-3 Status
Authors: Carboni Stefano , Kaur Gunveen , Pryce Abigail , McKee Kyle , Desbois Andrew P. , Dick James R. , Galloway Stuart D. R. , Hamilton David Lee
Published: June 2019

Numerous United Kingdom and European Union expert panels recommend that the general adult population consumes ~250 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day through the consumption of one portion of oily fish per week. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are only found in appreciable amounts in marine organisms. Increasing oily fish consumption conflicts with sustaining fisheries, so alternative dietary sources of EPA and DHA must be explored. Mussels are high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a good source of essential amino acids. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of introducing mussels as a protein source in the lunchtime meal three times per week for two weeks on the omega-3 status of free-living participants. Following an initial two-week monitoring period, 12 participants (eight male and four female) attended the nutrition laboratory three times per week for two weeks. Each participant received a personalised lunch constituting one-third of their typical daily calorie consumption with ~20% of the calories supplied as cooked mussels. A portion of cooked mussels from each feeding occasion was tested for total omega-3 content. The mean ± SD mussel EPA + DHA content was 518.9 ± 155.7 mg/100 g cooked weight, meaning that each participant received on average 709.2 ± 252.6 mg of EPA + DHA per meal or 304.0 ± 108.2 mg of EPA + DHA per day. Blood spot analysis revealed a significant increase in the omega-3 index (week 1 = 4.27 ± 0.81; week 4 = 5.07 ± 1.00) and whole blood EPA content during the study (%EPA week 1 = 0.70 ± 0.0.35; %EPA week 4 = 0.98 ± 0.35). Consuming mussels three times per week for two weeks as the protein source in a personalised lunchtime meal is sufficient to moderately improve the omega-3 index and whole blood DHA + EPA content in young healthy adults.
Polymeric Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil In Vitro
Authors: Moodley Thashini , Singh Moganavelli
Published: June 2019

There is a need for the improvement of conventional cancer treatment strategies by incorporation of targeted and non-invasive procedures aimed to reduce side-effects, drug resistance, and recurrent metastases. The anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is linked to a variety of induced-systemic toxicities due to its lack of specificity and potent administration regimens, necessitating the development of delivery vehicles that can enhance its therapeutic potential, while minimizing associated side-effects. Polymeric mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have gained popularity as delivery vehicles due to their high loading capacities, biocompatibility, and good pharmacokinetics. MSNs produced in this study were functionalized with the biocompatible polymers, chitosan, and poly(ethylene)glycol to produce monodisperse NPs of 36–65 nm, with a large surface area of 710.36 m2/g, large pore volume, diameter spanning 9.8 nm, and a favorable zeta potential allowing for stability and enhanced uptake of 5-FU. Significant drug loading (0.15–0.18 mg5FU/mgmsn), controlled release profiles (15–65%) over 72 hours, and cell specific cytotoxicity in cancer cells (Caco-2, MCF-7, and HeLa) with reduced cell viability (≥50%) over the non-cancer (HEK293) cells were established. Overall, these 5FU-MSN formulations have been shown to be safe and effective delivery systems in vitro, with potential for in vivo applications.
Strategies for Clarifying Penicillin Allergies When Skin Testing Is Not an Option
Authors: W. Covington Elizabeth , B. Wingler Mary Joyce , Jayakumar Rebecca A. , White C. Whitney
Published: June 2019

Patients with reported penicillin allergies have been proven to experience negative health consequences, such as increased cost, suboptimal antimicrobial therapy, and adverse reactions. Though skin testing has been proposed as a method to clarify penicillin allergies, many institutions may lack the resources to perform skin testing on a wide scale. This literature review describes the current literature surrounding the use of penicillin allergy interviews when skin testing is not an option. Specifically, the review highlights the steps in carrying out a successful antibiotic allergy patient interview, summarizes the clinical evidence surrounding antibiotic allergy clarifications, and addresses key advantages and disadvantages of clarifying antibiotic allergies without the availability of skin testing.
Molecular and Morphological Changes Induced by Leonardite-based Biostimulant in Beta vulgaris L.
Authors: Barone Valeria , Bertoldo Giovanni , Magro Francesco , Broccanello Chiara , Puglisi Ivana , Baglieri Andrea , Cagnin Massimo , Concheri Giuseppe , Squartini Andrea , Pizzeghello Diego , Nardi Serenella , Stevanato Piergiorgio
Published: June 2019

Humic substances extracted from leonardite are widely considered to be bioactive compounds, influencing the whole-plant physiology and the crop yield. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a new formulate based on leonardite in the early stage of growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). A commercial preparation of leonardite (BLACKJAK) was characterized by ionomic analysis, solid-state 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy. Seedlings of sugar beet were grown in Hoagland’s solution under controlled conditions. After five days of growth, an aliquot of the concentrated BLACKJAK was added to the solution to obtain a final dilution of 1:1000 (0.5 mg C L−1). The sugar beet response in the early stage of growth was determined by evaluating root morphological traits as well as the changes in the expression of 53 genes related to key morphophysiological processes. Root morphological traits, such as total root length, fine root length (average diameter < 0.5 mm), and number of root tips, were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in plants treated with BLACKJAK, compared to the untreated plants at all sampling times. At the molecular level, BLACKJAK treatment upregulated many of the evaluated genes. Moreover, both Real Time PCR and digital PCR showed that genes involved in hormonal response, such as PIN, ARF3, LOGL 10, GID1, and BRI1, were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated by treatment with BLACKJAK. Our study provides essential information to understand the effect of a leonardite-based formulate on plant growth hormone metabolism, although the molecular and physiological basis for these complicated regulatory mechanisms deserve further investigations.
Biotechnological Preparation of Gelatines from Chicken Feet
Authors: Mokrejš Pavel , Mrázek Petr , Gál Robert , Pavlačková Jana
Published: June 2019

In the European Union (EU), about five tons of poultry by-product tissues are produced every year. Due to their high collagen content, they represent a significant raw material source for gelatine production. The aim of the paper was the biotechnological preparation of gelatine from chicken feet. The influence of selected process factors on the gelatine yield, gel strength, viscosity, and ash of gelatine was observed; a two-level factor design of experiments with three variable process factors (enzyme addition, enzyme treatment time, and gelatine extraction time) was applied. After grinding and separating soluble proteins and fat, the purified raw material was treated in water at pH 7.5 with the addition of endoprotease at 23 °C and after thorough washing with water at 80 °C, gelatine was extracted. By the suitable choice of process conditions, gelatine with high gel strength (220–320 bloom), low ash content (<2.0%) and viscosity of 3.5–7.3 mPa·s can be prepared. The extraction efficiency was 18–38%. The presented technology is innovative mainly by the enzymatic processing of the source raw material, which is economically, technologically, and environmentally beneficial for manufacturers. Chicken gelatines are a suitable alternative to gelatines made from mammals or fish, and can be used in many food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.
Performance Evaluation of Sustainable Soil Stabilization Process Using Waste Materials
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Mahmood Zarnish , Nisar Aqsa , Farid Amjad , Ahmed Khan Tanveer , Abbas Mudassir , Ismaeel Muhammad , Shah Syyed Adnan Raheel , Waseem Muhammad
Published: June 2019

The process of soil stabilization is a fundamental requirement before road infrastructure development is possible. Different binding materials have been used worldwide as soil stabilizers. In this study, water treatment waste (i.e., alum sludge (AS)) was used as a soil stabilizer. Alum sludge can work not only as a low-cost soil stabilizer but also can solve the problem of waste management at a large scale. Utilization of alum waste can be a sustainable solution and environmentally friendly exercise. Thus, in consideration of the pozzolanic properties of alum, it was applied as a binder, similar to cement or lime, to stabilize the soil with the addition of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of dry soil by weight. To analyze the resulting improvement in soil strength, the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test was conducted in addition to three other tests (i.e., particle size analysis, Atterberg’s limits test, and modified proctor test). The soil bearing ratio was significantly improved from 6.53% to 16.86% at the optimum level of an 8% addition of alum sludge. Furthermore, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) technique was applied to study the correlations between the CBR and the physical properties of soil, which showed that, at 8% optimum alum sludge, maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and plasticity index were also at maximum levels. This study will help in providing an eco-friendly soil stabilization process as well as a waste management solution.
Analysis of the Trends in Biochemical Research Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)
Authors: Kang Hee Jay , Kim Changhee , Kang Kyungtae
Published: June 2019

Biochemistry has been broadly defined as “chemistry of molecules included or related to living systems”, but is becoming increasingly hard to be distinguished from other related fields. Targets of its studies evolve rapidly; some newly emerge, disappear, combine, or resurface themselves with a fresh viewpoint. Methodologies for biochemistry have been extremely diversified, thanks particularly to those adopted from molecular biology, synthetic chemistry, and biophysics. Therefore, this paper adopts topic modeling, a text mining technique, to identify the research topics in the field of biochemistry over the past twenty years and quantitatively analyze the changes in its trends. The results of the topic modeling analysis obtained through this study will provide a helpful tool for researchers, journal editors, publishers, and funding agencies to understand the connections among the diverse sub-fields in biochemical research and even see how the research topics branch out and integrate with other fields.
From Domestic Devotion to the Church Altar: Venerating Icons in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Adriatic
Authors: Voulgaropoulou Margarita
Published: June 2019

Although traditionally associated with Eastern Christianity, the practice of venerating icons became deeply rooted in the Catholic societies of the broad Adriatic region from the Late Middle Ages onwards and was an indispensable part of everyday popular piety. The evidence lies in the massive amount of icons located today in public and private collections throughout the Italian Peninsula, Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. At a time when Greeks were branded as “schismatics”, and although the Byzantine maniera greca had become obsolete in Western European art, icon painting managed to survive at the margins of the Renaissance, and ultimately went through its own renaissance in the sixteenth century. Omnipresent in Catholic households, icons were very often donated to churches as votive offerings and were gradually transformed into the focal points of collective public devotion. Through the combined study of visual evidence, archival records and literary sources, this article will shed light on the socio-political, confessional, and artistic dynamics that allowed for Byzantine or Byzantinizing icons to gain unprecedented popularity throughout the Catholic milieus of the Late Medieval and Early Modern Adriatic, and become integrated into domestic and public devotional practices.