bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5-Bromoprotocatechualdehyde Combats against Palmitate Toxicity by Inhibiting Parkin Degradation and Reducing ROS-Induced Mitochondrial Damage in Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Cha Seon-Heui , Zhang Chunying , Heo Soo-Jin , Jun Hee-Sook
Published: February 2021

Pancreatic β-cell loss is critical in diabetes pathogenesis. Up to now, no effective treatment has become available for β-cell loss. A polyphenol recently isolated from Polysiphonia japonica, 5-Bromoprotocatechualdehyde (BPCA), is considered as a potential compound for the protection of β-cells. In this study, we examined palmitate (PA)-induced lipotoxicity in Ins-1 cells to test the protective effects of BPCA on insulin-secreting β-cells. Our results demonstrated that BPCA can protect β-cells from PA-induced lipotoxicity by reducing cellular damage, preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, and enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). BPCA also improved mitochondrial morphology by preserving parkin protein expression. Moreover, BPCA exhibited a protective effect against PA-induced β-cell dysfunction in vivo in a zebrafish model. Our results provide strong evidence that BPCA could be a potential therapeutic agent for the management of diabetes.
Different Roles of Mitochondria in Cell Death and Inflammation: Focusing on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Ischemic Stroke and Reperfusion
Authors: Carinci Marianna , Vezzani Bianca , Patergnani Simone , Ludewig Peter , Lessmann Katrin , Magnus Tim , Casetta Ilaria , Pugliatti Maura , Pinton Paolo , Giorgi Carlotta
Published: February 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are among the main hallmarks of several brain diseases, including ischemic stroke. An insufficient supply of oxygen and glucose in brain cells, primarily neurons, triggers a cascade of events in which mitochondria are the leading characters. Mitochondrial calcium overload, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) release place mitochondria in the center of an intricate series of chance interactions. Depending on the degree to which mitochondria are affected, they promote different pathways, ranging from inflammatory response pathways to cell death pathways. In this review, we will explore the principal mitochondrial molecular mechanisms compromised during ischemic and reperfusion injury, and we will delineate potential neuroprotective strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial homeostasis.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Fania Luca , Didona Dario , Di Pietro Francesca Romana , Verkhovskaia Sofia , Morese Roberto , Paolino Giovanni , Donati Michele , Ricci Francesca , Coco Valeria , Ricci Francesco , Candi Eleonora , Abeni Damiano , Dellambra Elena
Published: February 2021

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), a non-melanoma skin cancer, is a keratinocyte carcinoma representing one of the most common cancers with an increasing incidence. cSCC could be in situ (e.g., Bowen’s disease) or an invasive form. A significant cSCC risk factor is advanced age, together with cumulative sun exposure, fair skin, prolonged immunosuppression, and previous skin cancer diagnoses. Although most cSCCs can be treated by surgery, a fraction of them recur and metastasize, leading to death. cSCC could arise de novo or be the result of a progression of the actinic keratosis, an in situ carcinoma. The multistage process of cSCC development and progression is characterized by mutations in the genes involved in epidermal homeostasis and by several alterations, such as epigenetic modifications, viral infections, or microenvironmental changes. Thus, cSCC development is a gradual process with several histological- and pathological-defined stages. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of cSCC. Surgical excision is the first-line treatment for invasive cSCC. Moreover, radiotherapy may be considered as a primary treatment in patients not candidates for surgery. Extensive studies of cSCC pathogenic mechanisms identified several pharmaceutical targets and allowed the development of new systemic therapies, including immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as Cemiplimab, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors for metastatic and locally advanced cSCC. Furthermore, the implementation of prevention measures has been useful in patient management.
Pharmacoepidemiological Evaluation in Prostate Cancer—Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Authors: Siltari Aino , Auvinen Anssi , Murtola Teemu J.
Published: February 2021

Pharmacoepidemiologic research provides opportunities to evaluate how commonly used drug groups, such as cholesterol-lowering or antidiabetic drugs, may affect the prostate cancer risk or mortality. This type of research is valuable in estimating real-life drug effects. Nonetheless, pharmacoepidemiological studies are prone to multiple sources of bias that mainly arise from systematic differences between medication users and non-users. If these are not appreciated and properly controlled for, there is a risk of obtaining biased results and reaching erroneous conclusions. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of future research, we describe common biases in pharmacoepidemiological studies, particularly in the context of prostate cancer research. We also list common ways to mitigate these biases and to estimate causality between medication use and cancer outcomes.
Association between CCC-2 and Structural Language, Pragmatics, Social Cognition, and Executive Functions in Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Andrés-Roqueta Clara , Garcia-Molina Irene , Flores-Buils Raquel
Published: February 2021

(1) Background: Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is diagnosed when the child experiences problems in language with no known underlying biomedical condition and the information required for its correct evaluation must be obtained from different contexts. The Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC-2) covers aspects of a child’s communication related to structural language and pragmatic skills, which are linked to social cognition or executive functions. The aim of this article is to examine parents’ reports using the Spanish version of the CCC-2 questionnaire and its association with different formal assessments related to communication. (2) Methods: 30 children with DLD (3; 10–9 years old) and 39 age-matched (AM) children with typical development were assessed using formal measures of structural language, pragmatics, social cognition, and executive functions. Parents of children with DLD answered the Spanish version of the CCC-2. (3) Results: The performance of children with DLD was lower in all the formal assessments in comparison to AM children. The CCC-2 was significantly correlated with all the direct child assessments, although only formal measures of structural language predicted both the structural language and pragmatics scales of the CCC-2. (4) Conclusions: The CCC-2 answered by parents was consistent with formal assessments in children with DLD, and structural language seemed to be the best predictor of all the subscales.
The Analysis of Italian Plant Agrobiodiversity Databases Reveals That Hilly and Sub-Mountain Areas Are Hotspots of Herbaceous Landraces
Authors: Giupponi Luca , Pedrali Davide , Leoni Valeria , Rodari Alessia , Giorgi Annamaria
Published: February 2021

Landraces are an agri-food and historical-cultural heritage but are undergoing losses worldwide. Italy is taking action to counteract this problem by following European guidelines. One of the most important measures is the Agrobiodiversity National Register (ANR), but 12 Italian regions currently appear without any landraces and around 80% of the landraces listed are trees, with less detailed data on herbaceous species. The aim of this study is to investigate the situation for Italian herbaceous landraces preserved on farms (in situ) by merging and analyzing data contained in the main databases on plant agrobiodiversity in Italy. Data were georeferenced, organized by botanic families and Italian regions, and analyzed by GIS and R. A total of 1615 herbaceous landraces were found (versus the 416 recorded in the ANR). Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae together comprise 70% of all herbaceous landraces and are mostly preserved/grown in areas between 150 and 800 m a.s.l. Some hilly and sub-mountain areas of the Apennines and the Alps are hotspots of herbaceous landraces due to anthropic and environmental factors. The results of this research will be useful to enrich the ANR and trigger actions of characterization, conservation, and promotion of these plant resources.
Entropy-Based Classification of Elementary Cellular Automata under Asynchronous Updating: An Experimental Study
Authors: Lei Qin , Lee Jia , Huang Xin , Kawasaki Shuji
Published: February 2021

Classification of asynchronous elementary cellular automata (AECAs) was explored in the first place by Fates et al. (Complex Systems, 2004) who employed the asymptotic density of cells as a key metric to measure their robustness to stochastic transitions. Unfortunately, the asymptotic density seems unable to distinguish the robustnesses of all AECAs. In this paper, we put forward a method that goes one step further via adopting a metric entropy (Martin, Complex Systems, 2000), with the aim of measuring the asymptotic mean entropy of local pattern distribution in the cell space of any AECA. Numerical experiments demonstrate that such an entropy-based measure can actually facilitate a complete classification of the robustnesses of all AECA models, even when all local patterns are restricted to length 1. To gain more insights into the complexity concerning the forward evolution of all AECAs, we consider another entropy defined in the form of Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy and conduct preliminary experiments on classifying their uncertainties measured in terms of the proposed entropy. The results reveal that AECAs with low uncertainty tend to converge remarkably faster than models with high uncertainty.
Development of an Efficient Thermal Electric Skipping Strategy for the Management of a Series/Parallel Hybrid Powertrain
Authors: De Bellis Vincenzo , Malfi Enrica , Zaccardi Jean-Marc
Published: February 2021

In recent years, the development of hybrid powertrain allowed to substantially reduce the CO2 and pollutant emissions of vehicles. The optimal management of such power units represents a challenging task since more degrees of freedom are available compared to a conventional pure-thermal engine powertrain. The a priori knowledge of the driving mission allows identifying the actual optimal control strategy at the expense of a quite relevant computational effort. This is realized by the off-line optimization strategies, such as Pontryagin minimum principle—PMP—or dynamic programming. On the other hand, for an on-vehicle application, the driving mission is unknown, and a certain performance degradation must be expected, depending on the degree of simplification and the computational burden of the adopted control strategy. This work is focused on the development of a simplified control strategy, labeled as efficient thermal electric skipping strategy—ETESS, which presents performance similar to off-line strategies, but with a much-reduced computational effort. This is based on the alternative vehicle driving by either thermal engine or electric unit (no power-split between the power units). The ETESS is tested in a “backward-facing” vehicle simulator referring to a segment C car, fitted with a hybrid series-parallel powertrain. The reliability of the method is verified along different driving cycles, sizing, and efficiency of the power unit components and assessed with conventional control strategies. The outcomes put into evidence that ETESS gives fuel consumption close to PMP strategy, with the advantage of a drastically reduced computational time. The ETESS is extended to an online implementation by introducing an adaptative factor, resulting in performance similar to the well-assessed equivalent consumption minimization strategy, preserving the computational effort.
Effective Management of Energy Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of ICT Solutions
Authors: Strielkowski Wadim , Firsova Irina , Lukashenko Inna , Raudeliūnienė Jurgita , Tvaronavičienė Manuela
Published: February 2021

This research tackles effective and functional management practices in energy consumption using advanced technological solutions to mitigate unexpected events. This study specifically focuses on the recent COVID-19 pandemic that led to a reduction in energy consumption and therefore meddled with the project management’s status quo for the energy sources. Moreover, this research analyzes the role of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions in energy management before and after the recent coronavirus pandemic turmoil. This study also examined the role and place of sustainable energy resources in the effective management of energy consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main purpose of this research is to demonstrate how the recent coronavirus pandemic affected energy consumption and energy prices in many countries and how it paved the way for the new ICT in managing energy consumption. This study elaborated a model to show how these changes evolved in selected European Union (EU) Member States. It turns out that adjusted electricity consumption, as well as the average daily spot electricity prices for the baseload power in the EU countries, declined, and this trend is likely to continue in the next years to come. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial changes in the economy led to reduced office space usage, cutting commuting and business trips, and bringing commercial travel almost to a halt, further shifting the energy balance towards renewable energy sources (RES). Besides, it becomes apparent that ICT solutions used in maintaining and superintending the energy balance are gaining popularity and wide recognition worldwide and will help pave the way towards modern and smart high-renewables grids.
An Efficient Backward/Forward Sweep Algorithm for Power Flow Analysis through a Novel Tree-Like Structure for Unbalanced Distribution Networks
Authors: Petridis Stefanos , Blanas Orestis , Rakopoulos Dimitrios , Stergiopoulos Fotis , Nikolopoulos Nikos , Voutetakis Spyros
Published: February 2021

The increase of distributed energy resources (DERs) in low voltage (LV) distribution networks requires the ability to perform an accurate power flow analysis (PFA) in unbalanced systems. The characteristics of a well performing power flow algorithm are the production of accurate results, robustness and quick convergence. The current study proposes an improvement to an already used backward-forward sweep (BFS) power flow algorithm for unbalanced three-phase distribution networks. The proposed power flow algorithm can be implemented in large systems producing accurate results in a small amount of time using as little computational resources as possible. In this version of the algorithm, the network is represented in a tree-like structure, instead of an incidence matrix, avoiding the use of redundant computations and the storing of unnecessary data. An implementation of the method was developed in Python programming language and tested for 3 IEEE feeder test cases (the 4 bus feeder, the 13 bus feeder and the European Low Voltage test feeder), ranging from a low (4) to a very high (907) buses number, while including a wide variety of components witnessed in LV distribution networks.
A Selective Solar Absorber for Unconcentrated Solar Thermal Panels
Authors: De Maio Davide , D’Alessandro Carmine , Caldarelli Antonio , De Luca Daniela , Di Gennaro Emiliano , Russo Roberto , Musto Marilena
Published: February 2021

A new Selective Solar Absorber, designed to improve the Sun-to-thermal conversion efficiency at mid temperatures in high vacuum flat thermal collectors, is presented. Efficiency has been evaluated by using analytical formulas and a numerical thermal model. Both results have been experimentally validated using a commercial absorber in a custom experimental set-up. The optimization procedure aimed at obtaining Selective Solar Absorber is presented and discussed in the case of a metal dielectric multilayer based on Cr2O3 and Ti. The importance of adopting a real spectral emissivity curve to estimate high thermal efficiency at high temperatures in a selective solar absorber is outlined. Optimized absorber multilayers can be 10% more efficient than the commercial alternative at 250 °C operating temperatures, reaching 400 °C stagnation temperature without Sun concentration confirming that high vacuum flat thermal collectors can give important contribution to the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy for efficient heat production.
Particulate Modeling of Sand Production Using Coupled DEM-LBM
Authors: Honari Siavash , Seyedi Hosseininia Ehsan
Published: February 2021

Sand production is a complex phenomenon caused by the erosion of borehole walls during the extraction of hydrocarbons. In this paper, the sanding process in a typical Thick-Walled Hollow Cylinder (TWHC) test is numerically simulated. The main objective of the study is to model the particulate mechanism of sand production in granular assemblies with different bonding conditions and examine the effects of parameters such as stress level and cavity size on the sanding model. Due to the discrete nature of sand particles, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is chosen to model solid particles, and the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) is implemented to simulate fluid flow through the solid particulate medium. A computer program is developed using the Immersed Moving Boundary (IMB) approach to couple the two methods and model fluid–solid interactions. After the program is validated, the simulations were conducted on 2D models representing cross-sections of TWHC samples under radial fluid flow. The results show that the developed program is able to capture complicated stages of sand production already observed in experiments. The program also proves to be a promising tool in the parametric study of sand production. It successfully simulates different aspects of the sanding phenomenon, including the scale effect, the extension of failure zones in samples under incremental stress, and the stress relaxation during rapid particle erosion.
Zero Voltage Switching Condition in Class-E Inverter for Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer Applications
Authors: Corti Fabio , Reatti Alberto , Wu Ya-Hui , Czarkowski Dariusz , Musumeci Salvatore
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a complete design methodology of a Class-E inverter for capacitive wireless power transfer (CWPT) applications, focusing on the capacitance coupling influence. The CWPT has been investigated in this paper, because most of the literature refers to inductive power transfer (IWPT). However, CWPT in perspective can result in lower cost and higher reliability than IWPT, because it does not need coils and related shields. The Class-E inverter has been selected, because it is a single switch inverter with a grounded MOSFET source terminal, and this leads to low costs and a simple control strategy. The presented design procedure ensures both zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero derivative switching (ZDS) conditions at an optimum coupling coefficient, thus enabling a high transmission and conversion efficiency. The novelties of the proposed method are that the output power is boosted higher than in previous papers available in the literature, the inverter is operated at a high conversion efficiency, and the equivalent impedance of the capacitive wireless power transfer circuit to operate in resonance is exploited. The power and the efficiency have been increased by operating the inverter at 100 kHz so that turn-off losses, as well as losses in inductor and capacitors, are reduced. The closed-form expressions for all the Class-E inverter voltage and currents waveforms are derived, and this allows for the understanding of the effects of the coupling coefficient variations on ZVS and ZDS conditions. The analytical estimations are validated through several LTSpice simulations and experimental results. The converter circuit, used for the proposed analysis, has been designed and simulated, and a laboratory prototype has been experimentally tested. The experimental prototype can transfer 83.5 W at optimal capacitive coupling with operating at 100 kHz featuring 92.5% of the efficiency, confirming that theoretical and simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental tests.
Selected Aspects of Decreasing Weight of Motor Dedicated to Wheel Hub Assembly by Increasing Number of Magnetic Poles
Authors: Dukalski Piotr , Krok Roman
Published: February 2021

Decreasing the mass of a wheel hub motor by improving the design of a motor’s electromagnetic circuit is discussed in this paper. The authors propose to increase the number of magnetic pole pairs. They present possibilities of mass reduction obtained by these means. They also analyze the impact of design changes on losses and temperature distribution in motor elements. Lab tests of a constructed prototype, as well as elaborated conjugate thermal-electromagnetic models of the prototype motor and modified motor (i.e., motor with increased number of magnetic poles) were used in the investigation. Simulation models were verified by tests on the prototype. Results of calculations for two motors, differing by the number of pair poles, were compared over a wide operational range specific to the motor application in the electric traction. A detailed analysis of the operational range for these motors was also made.
Comparison of Electromagnetic Characteristics of Single-Phase Induction Motor between Balanced and Unbalanced Operation under Different Loads
Authors: Um Dae Yong , Park Gwan Soo
Published: February 2021

This paper varies load conditions in a single-phase induction motor and deals with consequent effects on the electromagnetic characteristics in terms of a balanced and unbalanced operation. Based on a balanced-load condition, the magnetic field, electromagnetic losses, magnetic torque are quantified by the time-stepping finite element method at six different loads. The spatial distribution of the air-gap magnetic field are investigated to characterize the existence between the load variation and unbalanced operation. The components of electromagnetic losses are analyzed in terms of main parameters degrading the operating efficiency according to the load variation. The result can show the importance of building the magnetic balance for a high performance, and the design guideline for SPIMs running at multiple operating points is discussed.
Utilization of Nanotechnology to Improve the Handling, Storage and Biocompatibility of Bioactive Lipids in Food Applications
Authors: McClements David , Öztürk Bengü
Published: February 2021

Bioactive lipids, such as fat-soluble vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, carotenoids and phytosterols play an important role in boosting human health and wellbeing. These lipophilic substances cannot be synthesized within the human body, and so people must include them in their diet. There is increasing interest in incorporating these bioactive lipids into functional foods designed to produce certain health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and cholesterol-lowering properties. However, many of these lipids have poor compatibility with food matrices and low bioavailability because of their extremely low water solubility. Moreover, they may also chemically degrade during food storage or inside the human gut because they are exposed to certain stressors, such as high temperatures, oxygen, light, moisture, pH, and digestive/metabolic enzymes, which again reduces their bioavailability. Nanotechnology is a promising technology that can be used to overcome many of these limitations. The aim of this review is to highlight different kinds of nanoscale delivery systems that have been designed to encapsulate and protect bioactive lipids, thereby facilitating their handling, stability, food matrix compatibility, and bioavailability. These systems include nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), nanoliposomes, nanogels, and nano-particle stabilized Pickering emulsions.
Feeding Algae Meal to Feedlot Lambs with Competent Reticular Groove Reflex Increases Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Meat
Authors: Gómez-Cortés Pilar , de la Fuente Miguel Angel , Peña Blanco Francisco , Núñez-Sánchez Nieves , Requena Domenech Francisco , Martínez Marín Andrés L.
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of supplementing marine algae as a source of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in the diet, mixed in the concentrate or bottle-fed, on intramuscular fat FA composition of lambs with competent reticular groove reflex (RGR). Forty-eight feedlot lambs were distributed in three equal groups: one group did not consume marine algae nor had competent RGR, the second group received a daily dose (2.5%) of algae meal in the concentrate and the last group consumed the same dose of algae meal emulsified in milk replacer and bottle-fed. Marine algae raised the contents of EPA, DPA, and mainly DHA in the intramuscular fat, but the increase was significantly higher when algae meal was administered with a bottle via RGR. This strategy could contribute to improvements in the marketing of lamb meat by optimizing its status as a healthier food.
Language of Administration as a Border: Wild Food Plants Used by Setos and Russians in Pechorsky District of Pskov Oblast, NW Russia
Authors: Belichenko Olga , Kolosova Valeria , Melnikov Denis , Kalle Raivo , Sõukand Renata
Published: February 2021

Socio-economic changes impact local ethnobotanical knowledge as much as the ecological ones. During an ethnobotanical field study in 2018–2019, we interviewed 25 Setos and 38 Russians in the Pechorsky District of Pskov Oblast to document changes in wild plant use within the last 70 years according to the current and remembered practices. Of the 71 botanical taxa reported, the most popular were Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium myrtillus, Betula spp., and Rumex acetosa. The obtained data was compared with that of 37 Setos and 35 Estonians interviewed at the same time on the other side of the border. Our data revealed a substantial level of homogeneity within the plants used by three or more people with 30 of 56 plants overlapping across all four groups. However, Seto groups are ethnobotanically closer to the dominant ethnic groups immediately surrounding them than they are to Setos across the border. Further study of minor ethnic groups in a post-Soviet context is needed, paying attention to knowledge transmission patterns.
Dietary Regulation of the Crosstalk between Gut Microbiome and Immune Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yao Qianqian , Li Huiying , Fan Linlin , Zhang Yangdong , Zhao Shengguo , Zheng Nan , Wang Jiaqi
Published: February 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic, recurring inflammatory response, is a growing global public health issue. It results from the aberrant crosstalk among environmental factors, gut microbiota, the immune system, and host genetics, with microbiota serving as the core of communication for differently-sourced signals. In the susceptible host, dysbiosis, characterized by the bloom of facultative anaerobic bacteria and the decline of community diversity and balance, can trigger an aberrant immune response that leads to reduced tolerance against commensal microbiota. In IBD, such dysbiosis has been profoundly proven in animal models, as well as clinic data analysis; however, it has not yet been conclusively ascertained whether dysbiosis actually promotes the disease or is simply a consequence of the inflammatory disorder. Better insight into the complex network of interactions between food, the intestinal microbiome, and host immune response will, therefore, contribute significantly to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of IBD. In this article, we review the ways in which the mutualistic circle of dietary nutrients, gut microbiota, and the immune system becomes anomalous during the IBD process, and discuss the roles of bacterial factors in shaping the intestinal inflammatory barrier and adjusting immune capacity.
Effects of Argon-Based and Nitrogen-Based Modified Atmosphere Packaging Technology on the Quality of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Wonderful) Arils
Authors: Tinebra Ilenia , Scuderi Dario , Sortino Giuseppe , Inglese Paolo , Farina Vittorio
Published: February 2021

Ready-to-eat pomegranate arils are considered a “functional food” for their health benefits and have desirable sensory characteristics, which have caused an increasing interest by the consumers for this product. The preparation process of ready-to-eat fruit products can cause severe injuries and worsen their quality and shelf life significantly. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been used broadly in the last years to maintain the quality of processed fruits and showed optimal results, in spite of the possible problems caused by the depletion of O2 and corresponding accumulation of CO2 in the package. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different MAP treatments, based on nitrogen or alternatively on a noble gas, argon, in combination with refrigerated storage (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 days at 4 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% RH) on the qualitative parameters of pomegranate arils with the aim to prolong their post-harvest life maintaining the original quality. The argon-based MAP treatment (MAPAr) was the one that provided the best results, assuring a limited loss of weight and juice content. The use of noble gas allowed to maintain a high sugar/acid ratio until 16 days from packaging. Sensory analysis on all MAP treated arils and, on the juice, obtained from them were carried out, and judges showed a preference for MAPAr treated arils and juice until day 12 from packaging.
How Are School Menus Evaluated in Different Countries? A Systematic Review
Authors: Cupertino Alessandra Fabrino , Maynard Dayanne da Costa , Queiroz Fabiana Lopes Nalon de , Zandonadi Renata Puppin , Ginani Verônica Cortez , Raposo António , Saraiva Ariana , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção
Published: February 2021

School meals should focus on quality of life issues, particularly on reducing food shortages, overweight, obesity and its consequences. As an essential tool for quality assurance, creating the menu is an activity of great complexity and requires multidisciplinary knowledge. This activity covers the observation of countless aspects of quality, highlighting nutritional, sensory, cultural, hygienic, and sanitary issues, among others. This study aims to identify and analyze instruments and methods to evaluate school menus in different countries. The authors developed specific search strategies for Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Pubmed, Lilacs, ProQuest Global, and Google Scholar. The included studies’ methodological quality was assessed using the statistical analysis and meta-analysis review tool (MASTARI). A total of 16 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Brazil and Spain were the countries that presented the highest number of studies (n = 5; 31.25% for each). The majority of the studies have a qualitative approach (n = 12, 75%), and only 25% (n = 4) of the studies present quantitative assessment methods to evaluate school menus. No school menu assessment tools were found to assess all aspects of menu planning. The results show a lack of a methodology or of instruments for evaluating the menus offered for school meals that can contribute to better dietary care offered to students.
Occurrence of Fusarium spp. in Maize Grain Harvested in Portugal and Accumulation of Related Mycotoxins during Storage
Authors: Carbas Bruna , Simões Daniela , Soares Andreia , Freitas Andreia , Ferreira Bruno , Carvalho Alexandre R. F. , Silva Ana Sanches , Pinto Tiago , Diogo Eugénio , Andrade Eugénia , Brites Carla
Published: February 2021

Maize is an important worldwide commodity susceptible to fungal contamination in the field, at harvest, and during storage. This work aimed to determine the occurrence of Fusarium spp. in maize grains produced in the Tagus Valley region of Portugal and the levels of related mycotoxins in the 2018 harvest and during their storage for six months in barrels, mimicking silos conditions. Continuous monitoring of temperature, CO2, and relative humidity levels were done, as well as the concentration of mycotoxins were evaluated and correlated with the presence of Fusarium spp. F. verticillioides was identified as the predominant Fusarium species. Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and toxin T2 were not found at harvest and after storage. Maize grains showed some variability in the levels of fumonisins (Fum B1 and Fum B2). At the harvest, fumonisin B1 ranged from 1297 to 2037 µg/kg, and fumonisin B2 ranged from 411 to 618 µg/kg. Fumonisins showed a tendency to increase (20 to 40%) during six months of storage. Although a correlation between the levels of fumonisins and the monitoring parameters was not established, CO2 levels may be used to predict fungal activity during storage. The composition of the fungal population during storage may predict the incidence of mycotoxins.
Role of Coffee Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acids Adsorption to Polysaccharides with Impact on Brew Immunomodulation Effects
Authors: Passos Cláudia P. , Costa Rita M. , Ferreira Sónia S. , Lopes Guido R. , Cruz Maria T. , Coimbra Manuel A.
Published: February 2021

Coffee brews have High Molecular Weight (HMW) compounds with described immunostimulatory activity, namely polysaccharides and melanoidins. Melanoidins are formed during roasting and are modified during brews technological processing. In addition, brews have Low Molecular Weight (LMW) compounds, namely free chlorogenic acids and caffeine, with well-known anti-inflammatory properties. However, this study shows that both espresso and instant coffee brews did not present immunostimulatory neither anti-inflammatory in vitro activities. It is possible that the simultaneous existence of compounds with antagonistic effects can mitigate their individual effects. To test this hypothesis, an ultrafiltration separation process was applied, studying the behavior of coffee brews’ HMW on retention of LMW compounds. Several ultrafiltration sequential cycles were required to separate retentates from LMW compounds, suggesting their retention. This effect was higher in instant coffee, attributed to its initial higher carbohydrate content when compared to espresso. Separation of HMW and LMW compounds boosted their immunostimulatory (6.2–7.8 µM nitrites) and anti-inflammatory (LPS induced nitrite production decrease by 36–31%) in vitro activities, respectively. As coffee anti-inflammatory compounds are expected to be first absorbed during digestion, a potential in vivo fractionation of LMW and HMW compounds can promote health relevant effects after coffee intake.
Effects of Balance Shoes on Balance and Postural Stability in the Elderly: A Crossover, Controlled, Randomized Single-Blind Study
Authors: Amiez Nicolas , Cometti Carole , Mouillon Éric , Teisseire Marie José , Chenut Pascal , Paizis Christos , Babault Nicolas
Published: February 2021

The risk of falling increases with age. Individuals wearing unadapted shoes present an aggravating risk factor. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of specifically designed balance shoes on balance and postural stability in healthy elderly people compared to that of their usual shoes. In total, 21 healthy individuals aged 65–84 years (76.0 ± 8.0 years) performed balance tests (bipedal with open or closed eyes, unipedal with open eyes, limits of stability, and step cadence) while wearing their (i) personal shoes or (ii) balance shoes (Axis Comfort Development©). Three test sessions were conducted with personal and balance shoes. The first served as the baseline, and the other two were performed after a familiarization period of several days with the personal or balance shoes. The perception of balance shoe efficiency was documented using a questionnaire. The balance shoes significantly improved bipedal balance with closed eyes. Moreover, the familiarization period significantly improved unipedal balance with open eyes. Most subjects felt safer and stabler using balance shoes. The investigated specifically designed balance shoes were effective in elderly individuals in improving postural balance compared to personal shoes. The balance shoes could, therefore, reduce the falling risk in healthy elderly people.
Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome for Public Schoolteachers in the Brazilian Context: A Systematic Review
Authors: Montoya Natalia P. , Glaz Lia C. O. B. , Pereira Lucas A. , Loturco Irineu
Published: February 2021

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the prevalence of burnout-related symptoms in Brazilian schoolteachers who work in public schools. The literature search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were considered for inclusion. A total of 2106 records were identified through database searching and 7 additional studies were identified through other sources. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 studies were included in the systematic review. Burnout syndrome prevalence was assessed through seven distinct questionnaires. Overall, the majority of the studies presented high methodological quality. Brazilian schoolteachers exhibited high levels of emotional exhaustion (21–69%), high or moderate degrees of depersonalization (8–32%), and high levels of personal realization and enthusiasm toward the job (30–90%). From these data, it is possible to infer that Brazilian schoolteachers are, in general, affected by burnout syndrome. However, and, surprisingly, they seem to be motivated and idealistic, as demonstrated by their high levels of personal realization and enthusiasm toward the job (30–90%). This likely favors the implementation of programs designed to avoid or reduce burnout, deal with stress, and enhance teaching quality.
Acrylamide Induces Mitophagy and Alters Macrophage Phenotype via Reactive Oxygen Species Generation
Authors: Hung Chih-Hsing , Lin Yi-Ching , Tsai Yi-Giien , Lin Yu-Chih , Kuo Chia-Hong , Tsai Mei-Lan , Kuo Chao-Hung , Liao Wei-Ting
Published: February 2021

Acrylamide is a readily exposed toxic organic compound due to its formation in many carbohydrate rich foods that are cooked at high temperatures. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is an important factor for mitophagy, has been reported to lead to airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness, and remodeling. Epigenetic regulation is an important modification affecting gene transcription. In this study, the effects of acrylamide on ROS productions and mitophagy were investigated. The human monocytic cell line THP-1 was treated with acrylamide, and ROS productions were investigated by flow cytometry. The mitochondrial and epigenetic involvement was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Histone modifications were examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Mitophagy was detected by Western blotting and confocal laser microscopy. Acrylamide promoted mitochondria-specific ROS generation in macrophages. The gene expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex II SDHA was increased under acrylamide treatment. Acrylamide induced histone H3K4 and H3K36 tri-methylation in an SDHA promoter and increased mitophagy-related PINK1 expression, which promoted a M2-like phenotypic switch with increase TGF-β and CCL2 levels in THP-1 cells. In conclusion, acrylamide induced ROS production through histone tri-methylation in an SDHA promoter and further increased the expression of mitophagy-related PINK-1, which was associated with a macrophage M2 polarization shift.
VDAC—A Primal Perspective
Authors: Mannella Carmen A.
Published: February 2021

The evolution of the eukaryotic cell from the primal endosymbiotic event involved a complex series of adaptations driven primarily by energy optimization. Transfer of genes from endosymbiont to host and concomitant expansion (by infolding) of the endosymbiont’s chemiosmotic membrane greatly increased output of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and placed selective pressure on the membrane at the host–endosymbiont interface to sustain the energy advantage. It is hypothesized that critical functions at this interface (metabolite exchange, polypeptide import, barrier integrity to proteins and DNA) were managed by a precursor β-barrel protein (“pβB”) from which the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) descended. VDAC’s role as hub for disparate and increasingly complex processes suggests an adaptability that likely springs from a feature inherited from pβB, retained because of important advantages conferred. It is proposed that this property is the remarkable structural flexibility evidenced in VDAC’s gating mechanism, a possible origin of which is discussed.
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase in Aged Female Mice and Human Explanted Hearts Following Ischemic Injury
Authors: Jamieson K. Lockhart , Darwesh Ahmed M. , Sosnowski Deanna K. , Zhang Hao , Shah Saumya , Zhabyeyev Pavel , Yang Jun , Hammock Bruce D. , Edin Matthew L. , Zeldin Darryl C. , Oudit Gavin Y. , Kassiri Zamaneh , Seubert John M.
Published: February 2021

Myocardial infarction (MI) accounts for a significant proportion of death and morbidity in aged individuals. The risk for MI in females increases as they enter the peri-menopausal period, generally occurring in middle-age. Cytochrome (CYP) 450 metabolizes N-3 and N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into numerous lipid mediators, oxylipids, which are further metabolised by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), reducing their activity. The objective of this study was to characterize oxylipid metabolism in the left ventricle (LV) following ischemic injury in females. Human LV specimens were procured from female patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or non-failing controls (NFC). Female C57BL6 (WT) and sEH null mice averaging 13–16 months old underwent permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to induce myocardial infarction. WT (wild type) mice received vehicle or sEH inhibitor, trans-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (tAUCB), in their drinking water ad libitum for 28 days. Cardiac function was assessed using echocardiography and electrocardiogram. Protein expression was determined using immunoblotting, mitochondrial activity by spectrophotometry, and cardiac fibre respiration was measured using a Clark-type electrode. A full metabolite profile was determined by LC–MS/MS. sEH was significantly elevated in ischemic LV specimens from patients, associated with fundamental changes in oxylipid metabolite formation and significant decreases in mitochondrial enzymatic function. In mice, pre-treatment with tAUCB or genetic deletion of sEH significantly improved survival, preserved cardiac function, and maintained mitochondrial quality following MI in female mice. These data indicate that sEH may be a relevant pharmacologic target for women with MI. Although future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms, in this pilot study we suggest targeting sEH may be an effective strategy for reducing ischemic injury and mortality in middle-aged females.
Modeling Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychiatric Diseases with Astrocytes Derived from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Ren Baiyan , Dunaevsky Anna
Published: February 2021

Accumulating studies demonstrate the morphological and functional diversity of astrocytes, a subtype of glial cells in the central nervous system. Animal models are instrumental in advancing our understanding of the role of astrocytes in brain development and their contribution to neurological disease; however, substantial interspecies differences exist between rodent and human astrocytes, underscoring the importance of studying human astrocytes. Human pluripotent stem cell differentiation approaches allow the study of patient-specific astrocytes in the etiology of neurological disorders. In this review, we summarize the structural and functional properties of astrocytes, including the unique features of human astrocytes; demonstrate the necessity of the stem cell platform; and discuss how this platform has been applied to the research of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Suppression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α by Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Mitigates Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction in a Murine Endotoxemia Model
Authors: Li Li-Fu , Yu Chung-Chieh , Huang Hung-Yu , Wu Huang-Pin , Chu Chien-Ming , Huang Chih-Yu , Liu Ping-Chi , Liu Yung-Yang
Published: February 2021

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is required to maintain life for patients with sepsis-related acute lung injury but can cause diaphragmatic myotrauma with muscle damage and weakness, known as ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a crucial role in inducing inflammation and apoptosis. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, HIF-1α and LMWH affect sepsis-related diaphragm injury has not been investigated. We hypothesized that LMWH would reduce endotoxin-augmented VIDD through HIF-1α. C57BL/6 mice, either wild-type or HIF-1α–deficient, were exposed to MV with or without endotoxemia for 8 h. Enoxaparin (4 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously 30 min before MV. MV with endotoxemia aggravated VIDD, as demonstrated by increased interleukin-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels, oxidative loads, and the expression of HIF-1α, calpain, caspase-3, atrogin-1, muscle ring finger-1, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II. Disorganized myofibrils, disrupted mitochondria, increased numbers of autophagic and apoptotic mediators, substantial apoptosis of diaphragm muscle fibers, and decreased diaphragm function were also observed (p < 0.05). Endotoxin-exacerbated VIDD and myonuclear apoptosis were attenuated by pharmacologic inhibition by LMWH and in HIF-1α–deficient mice (p < 0.05). Our data indicate that enoxaparin reduces endotoxin-augmented MV-induced diaphragmatic injury, partially through HIF-1α pathway inhibition.
Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of Stationary Phase Small ncRNAs in E. coli
Authors: Raad Nicole , Luidalepp Hannes , Fasnacht Michel , Polacek Norbert
Published: February 2021

Almost two-thirds of the microbiome’s biomass has been predicted to be in a non-proliferating, and thus dormant, growth state. It is assumed that dormancy goes hand in hand with global downregulation of gene expression. However, it remains largely unknown how bacteria manage to establish this resting phenotype at the molecular level. Recently small non-protein-coding RNAs (sRNAs or ncRNAs) have been suggested to be involved in establishing the non-proliferating state in bacteria. Here, we have deep sequenced the small transcriptome of Escherichia coli in the exponential and stationary phases and analyzed the resulting reads by a novel biocomputational pipeline STARPA (Stable RNA Processing Product Analyzer). Our analysis reveals over 12,000 small transcripts enriched during both growth stages. Differential expression analysis reveals distinct sRNAs enriched in the stationary phase that originate from various genomic regions, including transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments. Furthermore, expression profiling by Northern blot and RT-qPCR analyses confirms the growth phase-dependent expression of several enriched sRNAs. Our study adds to the existing repertoire of bacterial sRNAs and suggests a role for some of these small molecules in establishing and maintaining stationary phase as well as the bacterial stress response. Functional characterization of these detected sRNAs has the potential of unraveling novel regulatory networks central for stationary phase biology.