bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
9-PAHSA Prevents Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Increases the Viability of Steatotic Hepatocytes
Authors: Schultz Moreira Adriana R. , Rüschenbaum Sabrina , Schefczyk Stefan , Hendgen-Cotta Ulrike , Rassaf Tienush , Broering Ruth , Hardtke-Wolenski Matthias , Buitrago-Molina Laura Elisa
Published: November 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is quickly becoming the most common liver disease worldwide. Within the NAFLD spectrum, patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at the highest risk of developing cirrhosis and disease progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. To date, therapeutic options for NASH patients have been ineffective, and therefore, new options are urgently needed. Hence, a model system to develop new therapeutic interventions is needed. Here, we introduce two new in vitro models of steatosis induction in HepG2 cells and primary murine hepatocytes. We used a recently discovered novel class of bioactive anti-inflammatory lipids called branched fatty acid esters of hydroxyl fatty acids. Among these bioactive lipids, palmitic-acid-9-hydroxy-stearic-acid (9-PAHSA) is the most promising as a representative nondrug therapy based on dietary supplements or nutritional modifications. In this study, we show a therapeutic effect of 9-PAHSA on lipotoxicity in steatotic primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. This could be shown be increased viability and decreased steatosis. Furthermore, we could demonstrate a preventive effect in HepG2 cells. The outcome of 9-PAHSA administration is both preventative and therapeutically effective for hepatocytes with limited damage. In conclusion, bioactive lipids like 9-PAHSA offer new hope for prevention or treatment in patients with fatty liver and steatosis.
PARP Inhibitor Olaparib Causes No Potentiation of the Bleomycin Effect in VERO Cells, Even in the Presence of Pooled ATM, DNA-PK, and LigIV Inhibitors
Authors: Perini Valentina , Schacke Michelle , Liddle Pablo , Vilchez-Larrea Salomé , Keszenman Deborah J. , Lafon-Hughes Laura
Published: November 2020

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)polymerase (PARP) synthesizes poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR), which is anchored to proteins. PAR facilitates multiprotein complexes’ assembly. Nuclear PAR affects chromatin’s structure and functions, including transcriptional regulation. In response to stress, particularly genotoxic stress, PARP activation facilitates DNA damage repair. The PARP inhibitor Olaparib (OLA) displays synthetic lethality with mutated homologous recombination proteins (BRCA-1/2), base excision repair proteins (XRCC1, Polβ), and canonical nonhomologous end joining (LigIV). However, the limits of synthetic lethality are not clear. On one hand, it is unknown whether any limiting factor of homologous recombination can be a synthetic PARP lethality partner. On the other hand, some BRCA-mutated patients are not responsive to OLA for still unknown reasons. In an effort to help delineate the boundaries of synthetic lethality, we have induced DNA damage in VERO cells with the radiomimetic chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin (BLEO). A VERO subpopulation was resistant to BLEO, BLEO + OLA, and BLEO + OLA + ATM inhibitor KU55933 + DNA-PK inhibitor KU-0060648 + LigIV inhibitor SCR7 pyrazine. Regarding the mechanism(s) behind the resistance and lack of synthetic lethality, some hypotheses have been discarded and alternative hypotheses are suggested.
An Overview of the Main Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Factors Involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder Focusing on Synaptic Activity
Authors: Masini Elena , Loi Eleonora , Vega-Benedetti Ana Florencia , Carta Marinella , Doneddu Giuseppe , Fadda Roberta , Zavattari Patrizia
Published: November 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction and communication, with restricted interests, activity and behaviors. ASD is highly familial, indicating that genetic background strongly contributes to the development of this condition. However, only a fraction of the total number of genes thought to be associated with the condition have been discovered. Moreover, other factors may play an important role in ASD onset. In fact, it has been shown that parental conditions and in utero and perinatal factors may contribute to ASD etiology. More recently, epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and micro RNA alterations, have been associated with ASD and proposed as potential biomarkers. This review aims to provide a summary of the literature regarding ASD candidate genes, mainly focusing on synapse formation and functionality and relevant epigenetic and environmental aspects acting in concert to determine ASD onset.
A Genomic Approach to Investigating Ocular Surface Microorganisms: Monitoring Core Microbiota on Eyelid Margin with a Dot hybridization Assay
Authors: Kuo Ming-Tse , Chao Tsai-Ling , Kuo Shu-Fang , Chien Chun-Chih , Chen Alexander , Lai Yu-Hsuan , Huang Yu-Ting
Published: November 2020

A sound ocular surface microbiota has been recognized as a part of ocular surface health following a growing body of evidence from next-generation sequencing technique and metagenomic analysis. However, even from the perspective of contemporary precision medicine, it is difficult to directly apply these new technologies to clinical practice. Therefore, we proposed a model based on dot hybridization assay (DHA) to bridge conventional culture with a metagenomic approach in investigating and monitoring ocular surface microbiota. Endophthalmitis, mostly caused by bacterial infection, is the most severe complication of many intraocular surgeries, such as cataract surgery. Hazardous microorganisms hiding and proliferating in the ocular surface microbiota not only increase the risk of endophthalmitis but also jeopardize the effectiveness of the preoperative aseptic procedure and postoperative topical antibiotics. The DHA model enables the simultaneous assessment of bacterial bioburden, detection of target pathogens and microorganisms, and surveillance of methicillin/oxacillin resistance gene mecA in the ocular surface microbiota. This assay revealed heavier bacterial bioburden in men, compatible with a higher risk of endophthalmitis in male patients who underwent cataract surgery. No occurrence of endophthalmitis for these patients was compatible with non-hazardous microorganisms identified by specific dots for target pathogens. Moreover, the mecA dot detected oxacillin-resistant strains, of which culture failed to isolate. Therefore, the DHA model could provide an alternative genomic approach to investigate and monitor ocular surface microorganisms in clinical practice nowadays.
Roles of Adipokines in Digestive Diseases: Markers of Inflammation, Metabolic Alteration and Disease Progression
Authors: Chang Ming-Ling , Yang Zinger , Yang Sien-Sing
Published: November 2020

Adipose tissue is a highly dynamic endocrine tissue and constitutes a central node in the interorgan crosstalk network through adipokines, which cause pleiotropic effects, including the modulation of angiogenesis, metabolism, and inflammation. Specifically, digestive cancers grow anatomically near adipose tissue. During their interaction with cancer cells, adipocytes are reprogrammed into cancer-associated adipocytes and secrete adipokines to affect tumor cells. Moreover, the liver is the central metabolic hub. Adipose tissue and the liver cooperatively regulate whole-body energy homeostasis via adipokines. Obesity, the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue due to hyperplasia and hypertrophy, is currently considered a global epidemic and is related to low-grade systemic inflammation characterized by altered adipokine regulation. Obesity-related digestive diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, colon polyps and cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis-related diseases, cholelithiasis, gallbladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes, might cause specific alterations in adipokine profiles. These patterns and associated bases potentially contribute to the identification of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for the associated digestive diseases. This review highlights important findings about altered adipokine profiles relevant to digestive diseases, including hepatic, pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and biliary tract diseases, with a perspective on clinical implications and mechanistic explorations.
Vaccinomics and Adversomics in the Era of Precision Medicine: A Review Based on HBV, MMR, HPV, and COVID-19 Vaccines
Authors: Omersel Jasna , Karas Kuželički Nataša
Published: November 2020

Precision medicine approaches based on pharmacogenomics are now being successfully implemented to enable physicians to predict more efficient treatments and prevention strategies for a given disease based on the genetic background of the patient. This approach has already been proposed for vaccines, but research is lagging behind the needs of society, and precision medicine is far from being implemented here. While vaccinomics concerns the effectiveness of vaccines, adversomics concerns their side effects. This area has great potential to address public concerns about vaccine safety and to promote increased public confidence, higher vaccination rates, and fewer serious adverse events in genetically predisposed individuals. The aim here is to explore the contemporary scientific literature related to the vaccinomic and adversomic aspects of the three most-controversial vaccines: those against hepatitis B, against measles, mumps, and rubella, and against human Papilloma virus. We provide detailed information on the genes that encode human leukocyte antigen, cytokines and their receptors, and transcription factors and regulators associated with the efficacy and safety of the Hepatitis B and Measles, Mumps and Rubella virus vaccines. We also investigate the future prospects of vaccinomics and adversomics of a COVID-19 vaccine, which might represent the fastest development of a vaccine ever.
Demonstration Experiment and Numerical Simulation Analysis of Full-Scale Barge-Type Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Kosasih Ko Matias Adrian , Suzuki Hideyuki , Niizato Hideyuki , Okubo Shigeki
Published: November 2020

The development of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) has been progressing steadily. To utilize the moderate water depth of 50–100 m ocean space around Japan, a barge-type FOWT was installed in Kitakyushu as part of a demonstration project conducted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan. The FOWT mounts a 3 MW two-bladed wind turbine with blade diameter of 100 m and hub height of 72 m. The barge-type floating support structure is equipped with a moonpool in the center and a skirt at its bottom and is moored with 9 lines of catenary chains. To investigate the dynamic behavior of the barge-type FOWT in extreme condition and the validity of the numerical simulation in modeling the effect of the complex flow around the floating structure to the FOWT’s motion response, the FOWT’s motion data during typhoon Tapah on 23 September 2019 were measured and compared with the simulation results. As the results, the simulation results showed a good agreement in general to the measurement data. However, some shifts in the peak frequency of the simulation’s motion spectrum and a disagreement in waves with shorter wave periods were also observed. The possible causes of these differences are discussed thoroughly in this paper.
Performance Assessment of Three Turbulence Models Validated through an Experimental Wave Flume under Different Scenarios of Wave Generation
Authors: Galera-Calero Lander , Blanco Jesús María , Izquierdo Urko , Esteban Gustavo Adolfo
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to adjust the turbulence models to the real behavior of the numerical wave flume (NWF) and the future research that will be carried out on it, according to the turbulence model that best adjusts to each particular case study. The k-ε, k-ω and large-eddy simulation (LES) models, using the volume of fluid (VOF) method, were analyzed and compared respectively. The wavemaker theory was followed to faithfully reproduce the waves, which were measured in an experimental wave flume (EWF) and compared with the theory to validate each turbulence model. Besides, reflection was measured with the Mansard and Funke method, which has shown promising results when studying one of the most critical turbulent behaviors in the wave flume, called the breaking of the waves. The free surface displacement obtained with each turbulence model was compared with the recorded signals located at three points of the experimental wave flume, in the time domain of each run, respectively. Finally, the calculated reflection coefficients and the amplitudes of the reflected waves were compared, aiming to have a better understanding of the wave reflection process at the extinction zone. The research showed good agreement between all the experimental signals and the numerical outcomes for all the turbulence models analyzed.
The Role of Coffee Organizations as Agents of Rural Governance: Evidence from Western Honduras
Authors: Palma Oscar Meza , Díaz-Puente José M. , Yagüe José L.
Published: November 2020

Territorial governance is the development strategy that encourages the integration of different actors in the rural environment around common interests. Producer organizations emerge as the appropriate means to unify leadership and consensus to overcome market barriers. These producer networks also influence other dimensions of development, to give way to true governance processes. This paper examines the notion of governance agents associated with the production fabric and the extent to which these agents impact the production efficiency and the level of well-being of those who inhabit the territory. For this purpose, the determinants of a governance model are analyzed in a coffee-growing territory made up of 92 municipalities, located in western Honduras. The analysis is based on a panel of data on the number of cooperatives, rural boards, production parameters, and endowments of public goods grouped into 16 indicators at the municipal level. The data set was subjected to structural equation modeling (SEM), given its statistical capacity to explain complex interrelated phenomena. The main result is the definition of a governance model associated with the coffee territory. This model describes an endogenous pattern of interactions between its four components. This statistical configuration broadens the understanding of the role that governance agents play in fostering a kind of virtuous circle in favor of rural development.
Prescribed Burning as A Management Tool to Destroy Dry Seeds of Invasive Conifers in Heathland in Denmark
Authors: Andreasen Christian , Rossing Kasper , Ritz Christian
Published: November 2020

Non-indigenous conifers are considered invasive to the coastal dune heathland in Denmark, and massive clearing is carried out in an attempt to recreate and keep the original heathland. Burning is a common method for managing, but its feasibility to control the seed bank of conifers has not been investigated. This project shows that the burning of logged conifer trees will often eliminate seeds of lodgepole pine, mugo pine and Sitka spruce, even when the seeds were placed into a depth of five centimeters in the soil. The effect on seeds depends on the fuel load and the fire conditions (e.g., dryness, wind, and temperature). If the seeds were exposed to a high temperature, the seeds were not able to germinate afterward. The temperature was about 80 °C for all species. If the sum of temperatures based on temperature records every 30 s exceeded between 12,000 and 14,000 °C no seeds were able to germinate. The relationship between the mean temperature of the burns and the germination rate at seeds placed in various soil depths was modelled. Findings should be interpreted cautiously as each depth-species combinations were not replicated in space or time due to practical constraints.
Hollow Gold-Silver Nanoshells Coated with Ultrathin SiO2 Shells for Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Srinoi Pannaree , Marquez Maria , Lee Tai-Chou , Lee T.
Published: November 2020

This article details the preparation of hollow gold-silver nanoshells (GS-NSs) coated with tunably thin silica shells for use in plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic applications. Hollow GS-NSs were synthesized via the galvanic replacement of silver nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of the GS-NSs were tuned over the range of visible light to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths by adjusting the ratio of silver nanoparticles to gold salt solution to obtain three distinct types of GS-NSs with LSPR peaks centered near 500, 700, and 900 nm. Varying concentrations of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and sodium silicate solution afforded silica shell coatings of controllable thicknesses on the GS-NS cores. For each type of GS-NS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images verified our ability to grow thin silica shells having three different thicknesses of silica shell (~2, ~10, and ~15 nm) on the GS-NS cores. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra confirmed the successful coating of the GS-NSs with SiO2 shells having controlled thicknesses. Extinction spectra of the as-prepared nanoparticles indicated that the silica shell has a minimal effect on the LSPR peak of the gold-silver nanoshells.
Young’s Modulus of Different Illitic Clays during Heating and Cooling Stage of Firing
Authors: Húlan Tomáš , Štubňa Igor , Ondruška Ján , Csáki Štefan , Lukáč František , Mánik Marek , Vozár Libor , Ozolins Jurijs , Kaljuvee Tiit , Trník Anton
Published: November 2020

Dynamical thermomechanical analysis of 5 illite-based clays from deposits in Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, and Hungary is presented. The clays consist of illite (37–80 mass%), quartz (12–48 mass%), K-feldspar (4–13 mass%), kaolinite (0–18 mass%), and calcite (0–3 mass%). Young’s modulus is measured during the heating and cooling stages of firing (25 °C → 1100 °C → 25 °C). The liberation of the physically bound water increases Young’s modulus by ∼70% for all studied clays. By increasing the temperature, dehydroxylation and the α → β transition of quartz take place without a significant effect on Young’s modulus. Sintering, which starts at 800 °C, leads to an intensive increase in Young’s modulus up to the highest temperature (1100 °C). The increase remains also in the early stage of cooling (1100 °C → 800 °C). This increase of Young’s modulus is also the result of solidification of the glassy phase, which is finished at ∼750 °C. A sharp minimum of Young’s modulus is observed at around the β → α transition of quartz. Then, Young’s modulus still decreases its value down to the room temperature. The physical processes observed during heating and cooling do not differ in nature for the studied clays. Values of Young’s modulus vary at around 8 GPa, up to 800 °C. During sintering, Young’s modulus reaches values from 30 GPa to 70 GPa for the studied clays. The microstructure and composition given by the origin of the clay play a cardinal role for the Young’s modulus of the final ceramic body.
Tribological Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Al-SiC Composites
Authors: Leszczyńska-Madej Beata , Madej Marcin , Garbiec Dariusz
Published: November 2020

The paper presents the results of research on the tribological properties of spark-plasma-sintered Al-SiC composites. Composites with contents of 50 and 70 wt.% SiC were prepared. The sintering process was carried out using an HP D 25/3 spark plasma sintering furnace under vacuum, at the sintering temperature of 600 °C and compaction pressures of 50 and 80 MPa, respectively. The heating rate was 100 °C/min and the holding time was 10 min. Composites with a density of 91–100% were obtained. The tribological properties of the composites were evaluated based on weight loss and the coefficient of friction using a block-on-ring tribotester. Along with the weight percentage of SiC and compaction pressure, the sliding distance, and load during the tribological test were considered. Both the weight percentage of SiC and compaction pressure affected the tribological behavior of Al-SiC composites. It was found that the wear resistance was higher when a lower compaction pressure and a smaller amount of reinforcing phase (50 wt.%) were used.
Highly Effective Methods of Obtaining N-Doped Graphene by Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Kamedulski Piotr , Truszkowski Stanislaw , Lukaszewicz Jerzy P.
Published: November 2020

The design and fabrication of a new effective manufacturing method of heteroatom-doped carbon materials is still ongoing. In this paper, we present alternative and facile methods to obtain N-rich graphene with the use of low energy gamma radiation. This method was used as a pure and facile method for altering the physical and chemical properties of graphene. The obtained materials have an exceptionally high N content—up to 4 wt %. (dry method) and up to 2 wt %. (wet method). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies allowed us to evaluate the quality of the obtained materials. The presented results will provide new insights in designing and optimizing N-doped carbon materials potentially for the development of anode or cathode materials for electrochemical device applications, especially supercapacitors, metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Nitrogen atoms are exclusively bonded as quaternary groups. The method is expandable to the chemical insertion of other heteroatoms to graphene, especially such as sulfur, boron or phosphorus.
Characteristics of Lightweight Concrete Based on a Synthetic Polymer Foaming Agent
Authors: Kadela Marta , Kukiełka Alfred , Małek Marcin
Published: November 2020

The components of foamed concrete have a significant effect on its properties. Protein-based foamed concrete is used much more often. This study aims to assess the properties of foamed concrete with a density of around 500, 700, 800 and 1000 kg/m3 formed by using a synthetic polymer-based foaming agent. The distribution of pores, wet and dry density and compressive strengths were evaluated. In addition, the creep deformations of foamed concrete with different densities were measured. The difference in density of up to 170 kg/m3 for the highest densities was obtained. Foamed concrete with higher densities (700 and 800 kg/m3) showed similar characteristics of pores, which were different from those of samples with a density of 500 kg/m3. Compressive strength equal to 5.9 ± 0.2, 5.1 ± 0.2, 3.8 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.2 MPa was obtained for foamed concrete with a density of 500, 700, 800 and 1000 kg/m3, respectively. The obtained compressive strengths were higher than those found in the literature for the foamed concrete with the same densities. With increasing density, smaller creep deformations were obtained. Creep deformations were 509, 495 and 455 με for samples with densities of around 500, 700 and 1000 kg/m3 respectively. Deformation under long-term loading took place up to 90 days, regardless of the density of the foamed concrete.
Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Response of Different Polymer-Based Materials
Authors: Rodrigues-Marinho Tiago , Castro Nelson , Correia Vitor , Costa Pedro , Lanceros-Méndez Senentxu
Published: November 2020

Energy harvesting systems for low-power devices are increasingly being a requirement within the context of the Internet of Things and, in particular, for self-powered sensors in remote or inaccessible locations. Triboelectric nanogenerators are a suitable approach for harvesting environmental mechanical energy otherwise wasted in nature. This work reports on the evaluation of the output power of different polymer and polymer composites, by using the triboelectric contact-separation systems (10 N of force followed by 5 cm of separation per cycle). Different materials were used as positive (Mica, polyamide (PA66) and styrene/ethylene-butadiene/styrene (SEBS)) and negative (polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP) and Kapton) charge materials. The obtained output power ranges from 0.2 to 5.9 mW, depending on the pair of materials, for an active area of 46.4 cm2. The highest response was obtained for Mica with PVDF composites with 30 wt.% of barium titanate (BT) and PA66 with PU pairs. A simple application has been developed based on vertical contact-separation mode, able to power up light emission diodes (LEDs) with around 30 cycles to charge a capacitor. Further, the capacitor can be charged in one triboelectric cycle if an area of 0.14 m2 is used.
Synchronization of Auxiliary Mechanisms and Main Electric Drive of the Pipe Cold-Rolling Mill. Complete Solution
Authors: Ostrouhov Vsevolod , Sychev Dmitry , Grigorev Maxim
Published: November 2020

This article deals with installations with complex and nonstandard executive instrument movement. Having analyzed the technical implementation and operational features of cold-rolling pipe mills, the research team formulated the problem of synthesizing electric drives of auxiliary mechanisms. It is shown that the conditions for choosing a mechanical converter are associated with the oscillation of the processes of the electric drive system. The finite element method and the gradient descent method are used for structural analysis of solids and electromagnetic calculations. The data of the specific cost of semiconductor converters were analyzed using a linear least-squares regression technique. The advantages of a synchronous reluctance motor of independent excitation for the electric drives of auxiliary mechanisms are given and substantiated. The optimization of the geometrical parameters of the electromechanical converter was carried out according to the maximum developed electromagnetic torque. Modern semiconductor technology in the design of special-purpose electric drives leads to a revision of the principles for determining the optimal number of phases and the structure of the motor power supply. The rationale for the use of multilevel frequency converters is given. Taking into account an in-depth preliminary analysis and an integrated approach, these tasks were successfully completed, which was confirmed experimentally at the implementation of the developed system.
Controllability of Semilinear Systems with Multiple Variable Delays in Control
Authors: Klamka Jerzy
Published: November 2020

In the paper semilinear, finite-dimensional, control systems with multiple time variable point delays in admissible controls are considered. Using Rothe’s fixed-point theorem, sufficient controllability conditions are formulated. The results of the paper are generalization to many time variable delays in control, of the results published recently.
A Notion of Convergence in Fuzzy Partially Ordered Sets
Authors: Georgiou Dimitrios , Megaritis Athanasios , Prinos Georgios
Published: November 2020

The notion of sequential convergence in fuzzy partially ordered sets, under the name oF-convergence, is well known. Our aim in this paper is to introduce and study a notion of net convergence, with respect to the fuzzy order relation, named o-convergence, which generalizes the former notion and is also closer to our sense of the classic concept of "convergence". The main result of this article is that the two notions of convergence are identical in the area of complete F-lattices.
Transformations of the Hypergeometric 4F3 with One Unit Shift: A Group Theoretic Study
Authors: Karp Dmitrii , Prilepkina Elena
Published: November 2020

We study the group of transformations of 4F3 hypergeometric functions evaluated at unity with one unit shift in parameters. We reveal the general form of this family of transformations and its group property. Next, we use explicitly known transformations to generate a subgroup whose structure is then thoroughly studied. Using some known results for 3F2 transformation groups, we show that this subgroup is isomorphic to the direct product of the symmetric group of degree 5 and 5-dimensional integer lattice. We investigate the relation between two-term 4F3 transformations from our group and three-term 3F2 transformations and present a method for computing the coefficients of the contiguous relations for 3F2 functions evaluated at unity. We further furnish a class of summation formulas associated with the elements of our group. In the appendix to this paper, we give a collection of Wolfram Mathematica® routines facilitating the group calculations.
Verrucosamide, a Cytotoxic 1,4-Thiazepane-Containing Thiodepsipeptide from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete
Authors: Nair Vimal , Kim Min Cheol , Golen James A. , Rheingold Arnold L. , Castro Gabriel A. , Jensen Paul R. , Fenical William
Published: November 2020

A new cytotoxic thiodepsipeptide, verrucosamide (1), was isolated along with the known, related cyclic peptide thiocoraline, from the extract of a marine-derived actinomycete, a Verrucosispora sp., our strain CNX-026. The new peptide, which is composed of two rare seven-membered 1,4-thiazepane rings, was elucidated by a combination of spectral methods and the absolute configuration was determined by a single X-ray diffraction study. Verrucosamide (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity and selectivity in the NCI 60 cell line bioassay. The most susceptible cell lines were MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma with an LD50 of 1.26 µM, and COLO 205 colon adenocarcinoma with an LD50 of 1.4 µM. Also isolated along with verrucosamide were three small 3-hydroxy(alkoxy)-quinaldic acid derivatives that appear to be products of the same biosynthetic pathway.
Arbo-Score: A Rapid Score for Early Identification of Patients with Imported Arbovirosis Caused by Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Virus
Authors: Vellere Iacopo , Lagi Filippo , Spinicci Michele , Mantella Antonia , Mantengoli Elisabetta , Corti Giampaolo , Colao Maria Grazia , Gobbi Federico , Rossolini Gian Maria , Bartoloni Alessandro , Zammarchi Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

Background: Chikungunya (CHIKV), Dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses present significant clinical and epidemiological overlap, making an accurate and rapid diagnosis challenging. Timely activation of preventive vector control measures is crucial to avoid outbreaks in non-endemic settings. Diagnosis is based on combination of serological and molecular assays which could be time consuming and sometimes disappointing. Methods: We report the results of a retrospective case-control study carried out at a tertiary teaching hospital in Italy, including all febrile subjects returning from tropical countries during the period 2014–2019. Controls were travelers with other febrile illnesses who tested negative in laboratory analysis for CHIKV, DENV, ZIKV arbovirosis. A score weighted on the regression coefficients for the independent predictors was generated. Results: Ninety patients were identified: 34 cases (22 DENV, 4 CHIKV, and 8 ZIKV) and 56 controls. According to our results, myalgia, cutaneous rash, absence of respiratory symptoms, leukopenia, and hypertransaminasemia showed the strongest association with arbovirosis. Combining these variables, we generated a scoring model that showed an excellent performance (AUC 0.93). The best cut-off (>=2) presented a sensitivity of 82.35% and specificity of 96.43%. Conclusion: A handy and simple score, based on three clinical data (myalgia, cutaneous rash and absence of respiratory symptoms) and two laboratory results (leukopenia and hypertransaminasemia), provides a useful tool to help diagnose arboviral infections and appropriately activate vector control measures in order to avoid local transmission.
Impact of Fermentable Protein, by Feeding High Protein Diets, on Microbial Composition, Microbial Catabolic Activity, Gut Health and beyond in Pigs
Authors: Zhang Hanlu , Wielen Nikkie van der , Hee Bart van der , Wang Junjun , Hendriks Wouter , Gilbert Myrthe
Published: November 2020

In pigs, high protein diets have been related to post-weaning diarrhoea, which may be due to the production of protein fermentation metabolites that were shown to have harmful effects on the intestinal epithelium in vitro. In this review, we discussed in vivo effects of protein fermentation on the microbial composition and their protein catabolic activity as well as gut and overall health. The reviewed studies applied different dietary protein levels, which was assumed to result in contrasting fermentable protein levels. A general shift to N-utilisation microbial community including potential pathogens was observed, although microbial richness and diversity were not altered in the majority of the studies. Increasing dietary protein levels resulted in higher protein catabolic activity as evidenced by increased concentration of several protein fermentation metabolites like biogenic amines in the digesta of pigs. Moreover, changes in intestinal morphology, permeability and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were observed and diarrhoea incidence was increased. Nevertheless, higher body weight and average daily gain were observed upon increasing dietary protein level. In conclusion, increasing dietary protein resulted in higher proteolytic fermentation, altered microbial community and intestinal physiology. Supplementing diets with fermentable carbohydrates could be a promising strategy to counteract these effects and should be further investigated.
Synthesis and Evaluation of PEG-PR for Water Flux Correction in an In Situ Rat Perfusion Model
Authors: Chen Guo , Min Xingqi , Zhang Qunqun , Zhang Zhiqiang , Wen Meiqiang , Yang Jun , Zou Meijuan , Sun Wei , Cheng Gang
Published: November 2020

Phenol red (PR) is a widely used marker for water flux correction in studies of in situ perfusion, in which intestinal absorption usually leads to the underestimation of results. In this paper, we propose a novel marker polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PR (i.e., PR modified by PEGylation) with less permeability and evaluate its application in an in situ perfusion model in rats. PEG-PR was synthesized by the chemical conjunction of polyethylene glycol-4k/5k (PEG-4k/5k) and PR. The synthesized PEG-PR was then characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, ultraviolet (UV), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The low permeability of PEG-PR was assessed using everted gut sac (EGS) methods. The apparent permeability coefficients (Papp, 3–8 × 10−7 cm/s) of PEG4k/5k-PR exhibited a nearly 15-fold reduction compared to that of PR. The different concentrations of PEG4k/5k-PR did not contribute to the Papp value or cumulative permeable percentage (about 0.02–0.06%). Furthermore, the larger molecular weight due to PEGylation (PEG5k-PR) enhanced the nonabsorbable effect. To evaluate the potential application of the novel marker, atenolol, ketoprofen, and metoprolol, which represent various biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) classes, were selected as model drugs for the recirculation perfusion method. The water flux corrected by PEG4k/5k-PR reflected the accuracy due to the nonabsorbable effect, while the effective intestinal membrane permeability (Peff) of atenolol corrected by PEG4k/5k-PR showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in different intestinal segments. In conclusion, PEG-PR is a promising marker for the permeability estimation when using the in situ perfusion model in rats.
Simultaneous Preparation of Abundant Flavonol Triglycosides from Tea Leaves
Authors: Fang Zhou-Tao , Lv Yi-Qing , Song Chu-Jun , Jin Jing , Lu Jian-Liang , Xu Hai-Rong , Ye Jian-Hui
Published: November 2020

Flavonol glycosides are important components of tea leaves, contributing to the bioactivities as well as bitterness and astringency of tea. However, the standards of many flavonol triglycosides are still not available, which restricts both sensory and bioactivity studies on flavonol glycosides. In the present study, we established a simultaneous preparation method of seven flavonol triglycoside individuals from tea leaves, which consisted of two steps: polyamide column enrichment and preparative HPLC isolation. The structures of seven flavonol triglycoside isolates were identified by mass and UV absorption spectra, four of which were further characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, namely, quercetin-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnosyl-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnosyl-rhamnosyl-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnosyl-glucoside and kaempferol-O-rhamnosyl-rhamnosyl-glucoside. The purities of all isolated flavonol triglycosides were above 95% based on HPLC, and the production yield of total flavonol glycosides from dry tea was 0.487%. Our study provides a preparation method of flavonol triglycosides from tea leaves, with relatively low cost of time and solvent but high production yield.
Investigating Whether the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Integrated in Routine Dietetic Practice for Management of Chronic Conditions: A National Survey of Dietitians
Authors: Mayr Hannah L. , Kostjasyn Sarah P. , Campbell Katrina L. , Palmer Michelle , Hickman Ingrid J.
Published: November 2020

Evidence supports recommending the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and solid organ transplant (SOT). However, the evidence-practice gap is unclear within non-Mediterranean countries. We investigated integration of MDP in Australian dietetic practice, and barriers and enablers to MDP implementation for chronic disease management. Dietitians managing CVD, T2D, NAFLD and/or SOT patients (n = 182, 97% female) completed an online survey in November 2019. Fewer than 50% of participants counsel patients with CVD (48%), T2D (26%), NAFLD (31%) and SOT (0–33%) on MDP in majority of their practice. MDP principles always recommended by >50% of participants were promoting vegetables and fruit and limiting processed foods and sugary drinks. Principles recommended sometimes, rarely or never by >50% of participants included limiting red meat and including tomatoes, onion/garlic and liberal extra virgin olive oil. Barriers to counselling on MDP included consultation time and competing priorities. Access to evidence, professional development and education resources were identified enablers. An evidence-practice gap in Australian dietetic practice exists with <50% of participants routinely counselling relevant patient groups on MDP. Strategies to support dietitians to counsel complex patients on MDP within limited consultations are needed.
Time-Restricted Eating Alters Food Intake Patterns, as Prospectively Documented by a Smartphone Application
Authors: Malaeb Samar , Harindhanavudhi Tasma , Dietsche Katrina , Esch Nick , Manoogian Emily N. C. , Panda Satchidananda , Mashek Douglas G. , Wang Qi , Chow Lisa S.
Published: November 2020

Time-restricted eating (TRE) can facilitate weight loss, yet its effect on eating patterns remains unknown. Twenty adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 underwent a 12-week randomized trial, examining the effect of an 8-h, time-restricted eating intervention on dietary patterns. Oral intake was documented using a smartphone. Dietary patterns, assessed as frequency of eating occasions (EOs) and types of meals/snacks and beverages, were compared between baseline (T0), early-intervention (T1), and end-intervention (T2). At T1 and T2, both groups had less EOs compared to T0, with greater reduction seen in the TRE group (−28%) than the non-TRE group (−12%) at T2 (p = 0.01 vs. non-TRE). Comparing T1 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (−32.5%: p = 0.02), high quality snacks (−23.6%: p = 0.03), and low quality snacks (−36.6%: p = 0.004). Comparing T2 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (−33.9%: p = 0.03), high quality snacks (−28.1%: p < 0.001) and low quality snacks (−51.2%: p < 0.001). Caffeinated beverage intake was reduced in the TRE group at T1 (−20.2%) and T2 (−28.8%) vs. T0, but remained unaltered in the non-TRE group. By using a smartphone application to document dietary intake, TRE significantly reduced the number of EOs, snacks, and caffeinated beverages, relative to baseline and relative to the non-TRE.
Viburnum opulus L.—A Review of Phytochemistry and Biological Effects
Authors: Kajszczak Dominika , Zakłos-Szyda Małgorzata , Podsędek Anna
Published: November 2020

Viburnum opulus (VO) is a valuable decorative, medicinal, and food plant. This deciduous shrub is found in natural habitats in Europe, Russia, and some regions in North Africa and North Asia. The VO is traditionally used to treat aliments such as cough, colds, tuberculosis, rheumatic aches, ulcers, stomach, and kidney problems, among others. Many of the health-promoting properties of VO are associated with antioxidant activity, which has been demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The results of in vitro studies show the antimicrobial potential of VO, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. In cell-based studies, VO demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, osteogenic, cardio-protective, and cytoprotective properties. The applicability of VO in the treatment of urinary tract diseases, endometriosis, and some cancers has been confirmed in in vivo studies. The health benefits of VO result from the presence of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, iridoids, and essential oils. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the botanical characteristics, chemical compositions, including bioactive compounds, and pro-health properties of VO different morphological parts.
Graphene Oxide Sensitized No-Core Fiber Step-Index Distribution Sucrose Sensor
Authors: Xiao Gongli , Zhang Kaifu , Yang Yuting , Yang Hongyan , Guo Ling , Li Jianqing , Yuan Libo
Published: November 2020

By coating graphene oxide (GO) onto the surface no-core fiber (NCF), we designed a single-mode no-core single-mode (SNS) fiber Step-Index Distribution sucrose sensor. With wavelength demodulation and the beam propagation method (BPM), the sensor without a GO coating was studied in the low RI range of 1.33~1.389, and the high RI range of 1.389~1.4185. The experiments show that the RI sensitivity of the sensor respectively reaches 132.9 nm/RIU and 292.22 nm/RIU. Both the numerical simulation and the experiments are highly consistent with the theoretical analysis results. Especially, having coated GO on the NCF for sensitization, a high sensitivity was achieved for the response to sucrose concentration solutions. The sensor’s RI sensitivity was increased from 132.9 nm/RIU up to 1348.67 nm/RIU in the ultra-narrow range of 1.33 to 1.3385. This result provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the enrichment and development of sensor detection with a low threshold sucrose concentration.
Characterization of the Vortex Beam by Fermat’s Spiral
Authors: Frączek Ewa , Popiołek-Masajada Agnieszka , Szczepaniak Sławomir
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we characterize the helical beam structure through an analysis of the spiral character of the phase distribution inside a light beam. In particular, we show that a line connected with the 2π phase jump in the Laguerre–Gauss beam can be described by a Fermat’s spiral. We propose a numerical fitting method to determine the parameters of a spiral equation for the phase distribution of the helical beam. Next, we extend the procedure to a vortex beam created by the spiral phase plate and apply it to experimental phase maps, which allows us to recover the phase shift introduced into the object beam in the optical vortex scanning microscope.
Effect of Thermally-Treated Chips on Density of AlMgSi Alloys Recycled Using Solid-State Technique
Authors: Wagiman Abdullah , Mustapa Mohammad Sukri , Shamsudin Shazarel , Lajis Mohd Amri , Asmawi Rosli , Rady Mohammed H , Yahya Mohd Shahir
Published: November 2020

Solid-state recycling is a sustainable technique for recycling aluminium scrap, and the process before recycling is essential to control the physical properties of the product. In this work, the effect of the thermally-treated chips on the extrudate density was investigated. The aluminium chips were thermally-treated to enrich the alumina layer and reduce compaction pressure during chips compaction before recycled using direct hot extrusion. The chips that were transformed into compacted billets were extruded directly without melting and conducted according to 24 full factorial experimental design. The density test on the recycle extrudate found that the density variation ranged from 2724 to 2983 kg/m3. The ANOVA result showed that all factors investigated were statistically significant. The most significant factor was the preheating temperature, followed by extrusion ratio, chip treatment temperature, chip treatment time, and the interaction of chip treatment-time–extrusion ratio. The predictive model suggested by the ANOVA is useful to predict the density with 1% error. Microstructure examination revealed the presence of alumina entrapped in the recycle extrudate, in which thermal-treated chips contained more alumina than that of the untreated chips. The result indicated that the thermal treatment performed on the chips had enriched the in-situ alumina, affecting the density of the recycle extrudate.
Oxidative Potential Induced by Ambient Particulate Matters with Acellular Assays: A Review
Authors: Rao Lanfang , Zhang Luying , Wang Xingzi , Xie Tingting , Zhou Shumin , Lu Senlin , Liu Xinchun , Lu Hui , Xiao Kai , Wang Weiqian , Wang Qingyue
Published: November 2020

Acellular assays of oxidative potential (OP) induced by ambient particulate matters (PMs) are of great significance in screening for toxicity in PMs. In this review, several typical OP measurement techniques, including the respiratory tract lining fluid assay (RTLF), ascorbate depletion assay (AA), dithiothreitol assay (DTT), chemiluminescent reductive acridinium triggering (CRAT), dichlorofluorescin assay (DCFH) and electron paramagnetic/spin resonance assay (EPR/ESR) are discussed and their sensitivity to different PMs species composition, PMs size distribution and seasonality is compared. By comparison, the DTT assay tends to be the preferred method providing a more comprehensive measurement with transition metals and quinones accumulated in the fine PMs fraction. Specific transition metals (i.e., Mn, Cu, Fe) and quinones are found to contribute OPDTT directly whereas the redox properties of PMs species may be changed by the interactions between themselves. The selection of the appropriate OP measurement methods and the accurate analysis of the relationship between the methods and PM components is conducive to epidemiological researches which are related with oxidative stress induced by PMs exposure.
Sacramental Exchange: Eschatological Economy and Consumption Ritual
Authors: Belcher Kimberly
Published: November 2020

Contemporary sacramental theology construes the sacraments as a symbolic gift exchange between God and humanity; God initiates in the ministry of Jesus Christ, and human beings acknowledge and respond to God’s gift. The gratuity of that initial gift is ensured not only by reference to God’s all-sufficient nature, but also in many cases by excising economic value and economic exchange from the symbolic realm within which the sacramental gift exchange proceeds. This poses an intellectual and a practical problem. Intellectually, economic exchange is fundamentally symbolic and even ritualistic, so that the division between them is difficult to define and maintain. Practically, economic behavior is morally relevant, and the sacraments ought to give some purchase on marketplace behavior. In this essay, anthropological and economic work on “consumption rituals,” based on the work of Mary Douglas and Baron Isherwood, is brought to bear on defining the relationship between sacraments and economic exchange and articulating the sociological preconditions for experiencing market exchange as an extension of sacramental gift exchange.