bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Stroma in Cholangiocarcinoma: The Intriguing Interplay between Fibroblastic Component, Immune Cell Subsets and Tumor Epithelium
Authors: Gentilini Alessandra , Pastore Mirella , Marra Fabio , Raggi Chiara
Published: September 2018

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a severe and mostly intractable adenocarcinoma of biliary epithelial cells. A typical feature of CCA is its highly desmoplastic microenvironment containing fibrogenic connective tissue and an abundance of immune cells (T lymphocytes, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and macrophages) infiltrating tumor epithelium. This strong desmoplasia is orchestrated by various soluble factors and signals, suggesting a critical role in shaping a tumor growth-permissive microenvironment that is responsible for CCA poor clinical outcome. Indeed stroma not only provides an abundance of factors that facilitate CCA initiation, growth and progression, but also a prejudicial impact on therapeutic outcome. This review will give an overview of tumor-stroma signaling in a microenvironment critically regulating CCA development and progression. Identification of CCA secreted factors by both the fibroblast component and immune cell subsets might provide ample opportunities for pharmacological targeting of this type of cancer.
Immunological Heterogeneity of Healthy Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donors—Effects of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor on Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Tvedt Tor Henrik Anderson , Melve Guro K. , Tsykunova Galina , Ahmed Aymen Bushra , Brenner Annette K. , Bruserud Øystein
Published: September 2018

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the development of immune-mediated complications after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, systemic IL-6 levels also increase during granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells in healthy donors, but it is not known whether this mobilization alters systemic levels of other IL-6 family cytokines/receptors and whether such effects differ between donors. We examined how G-CSF administration influenced C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (85 donors) and serum levels of IL-6 family cytokines/receptors (20 donors). G-CSF increased CRP levels especially in elderly donors with high pretherapy levels, but these preharvesting levels did not influence clinical outcomes (nonrelapse mortality, graft versus host disease). The increased IL-6 levels during G-CSF therapy normalized within 24 h after treatment. G-CSF administration did not alter serum levels of other IL-6-familly mediators. Oncostatin M, but not IL-6, showed a significant correlation with CRP levels during G-CSF therapy. Clustering analysis of mediator levels during G-CSF administration identified two donor subsets mainly characterized by high oncostatin M and IL-6 levels, respectively. Finally, G-CSF could increase IL-6 release by in vitro cultured monocytes, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells. In summary, G-CSF seems to induce an acute phase reaction with increased systemic IL-6 levels in healthy stem cell donors.
The Pro-Oxidant Activity of Pheomelanin is Significantly Enhanced by UVA Irradiation: Benzothiazole Moieties Are More Reactive than Benzothiazine Moieties
Authors: Tanaka Hitomi , Yamashita Yui , Umezawa Kana , Hirobe Tomohisa , Ito Shosuke , Wakamatsu Kazumasa
Published: September 2018

It is generally considered that eumelanin (EM) is photoprotective while pheomelanin (PM) is phototoxic. A recent study using a mouse model demonstrated that PM produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause DNA damage and eventually lead to melanomagenesis. A biochemical study showed that PM possesses a pro-oxidant activity. PM consists of benzothiazine (BT) and benzothiazole (BZ) moieties, BT moieties being transformed to BZ moieties by heat or light. In this study, we compared the effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation using synthetic PMs with different BT to BZ ratios and using various coat color mouse hairs. We found that UVA irradiation of BZ-PM increased glutathione (GSH) depletion and generated more H2O2 than UVA irradiation of BT-PM. Non-irradiated controls did not exhibit strong pro-oxidant activities. Upon UVA irradiation, yellow mouse hairs oxidized GSH and produced H2O2 faster than black or albino mouse hairs. Next, to examine the mechanism of the pro-oxidant activity of BT-PM and BZ-PM, we examined the pro-oxidant activities of 7-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-dihydro-1,4-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid (DHBTCA) and 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-4-hydroxybenzothiazole (BZ-AA) as BT and BZ monomers, respectively. Their pro-oxidant activities were similar, but a large difference was seen in the effects of ROS scavengers, which suggests that the redox reactions may proceed via singlet oxygen in BZ-AA and via superoxide anions in DHBTCA. These results show that UVA enhances the pro-oxidant activity of PM, in particular BZ-PM.
Antimelanogenic Effects of Polygonum tinctorium Flower Extract from Traditional Jeju Fermentation via Upregulation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase and Protein Kinase B Activation
Authors: Chung You Chul , Ko Ji-Hye , Kang Hyun-Kyu , Kim Seoyeon , Kang Choon Il , Lee Jung No , Park Sung-Min , Hyun Chang-Gu
Published: September 2018

This study was carried out to investigate the antimelanogenic effects of a Polygonum tinctorium flower extract obtained using red nuruk, a traditional Jeju barley-based fermentation starter. We also studied the mechanism of action of the P. tinctorium fermented flower extract (PTFFE) in mouse melanoma cells (B16F10). Cells were treated with various concentrations (62.5, 125 and 250 μg/mL) of PTFFE and the results showed that PTFFE significantly decreased the melanin content and tyrosinase activity without being cytotoxic. In addition, PTFFE strongly inhibited the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 2 by decreasing the expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, as shown by a western blot assay. Furthermore, PTFFE inhibited melanogenesis via upregulation of the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B, also known as AKT. We also used inhibitors such as PD98059 (a specific ERK inhibitor) or LY294002 (an AKT inhibitor) to determine whether the signaling pathways are involved. High-performance liquid chromatography fingerprinting showed the presence of a quercetin glucoside (isoquercitrin) and quercetin in PTFFE. To test the potential for PTFFE application as a cosmetic material, we also performed a primary skin irritation test on human skin. In this assay, PTFFE did not induce any adverse reactions at the treatment dose. Based on these results, we suggest that PTFFE may be considered a potential antimelanogenesis candidate for topical applications.
Artificial Heme Enzymes for the Construction of Gold-Based Biomaterials
Authors: Zambrano Gerardo , Ruggiero Emmanuel , Malafronte Anna , Chino Marco , Maglio Ornella , Pavone Vincenzo , Nastri Flavia , Lombardi Angela
Published: September 2018

Many efforts are continuously devoted to the construction of hybrid biomaterials for specific applications, by immobilizing enzymes on different types of surfaces and/or nanomaterials. In addition, advances in computational, molecular and structural biology have led to a variety of strategies for designing and engineering artificial enzymes with defined catalytic properties. Here, we report the conjugation of an artificial heme enzyme (MIMO) with lipoic acid (LA) as a building block for the development of gold-based biomaterials. We show that the artificial MIMO@LA can be successfully conjugated to gold nanoparticles or immobilized onto gold electrode surfaces, displaying quasi-reversible redox properties and peroxidase activity. The results of this work open interesting perspectives toward the development of new totally-synthetic catalytic biomaterials for application in biotechnology and biomedicine, expanding the range of the biomolecular component aside from traditional native enzymes.
An Efficient Algorithm for Sensitively Detecting Circular RNA from RNA-seq Data
Authors: Zhang Xuanping , Wang Yidan , Zhao Zhongmeng , Wang Jiayin
Published: September 2018

Circular RNA (circRNA) is an important member of non-coding RNA family. Numerous computational methods for detecting circRNAs from RNA-seq data have been developed in the past few years, but there are dramatic differences among the algorithms regarding the balancing of the sensitivity and precision of the detection and filtering strategies. To further improve the sensitivity, while maintaining an acceptable precision of circRNA detection, a novel and efficient de novo detection algorithm, CIRCPlus, is proposed in this paper. CIRCPlus accurately locates circRNA candidates by identifying a set of back-spliced junction reads by comparing the local similar sequence of each pair of spanning junction reads. This strategy, thus, utilizes the important information provided by unbalanced spanning reads, which facilitates the detection especially when the expression levels of circRNA are unapparent. The performance of CIRCPlus was tested and compared to the existing de novo methods on the real datasets as well as a series of simulation datasets with different configurations. The experiment results demonstrated that the sensitivities of CIRCPlus were able to reach 90% in common simulation settings, while CIRCPlus held balanced sensitivity and reliability on the real datasets according to an objective assessment criteria based on RNase R-treated samples. The software tool is available for academic uses only.
Exploring High-Symmetry Lanthanide-Functionalized Polyoxopalladates as Building Blocks for Quantum Computing
Authors: Baldoví José J. , Kondinski Aleksandar
Published: September 2018

The structural, electronic, and magnetochemical properties of the star-shaped polyoxopalladate [Pd15O10(SeO3)10]10− (POPd) and its lanthanide-functionalized derivatives have been investigated on the basis of density functional theory, followed by a ligand field analysis using the Radial Effective Charge (REC) model. Our study predicts that heteroPOPd is a robust cryptand that enforces D5h symmetry around the encapsulated Ln3+ centers. This rigid coordination environment favors an interesting potential magnetic behavior in the Er and Ho derivatives, and the presence of a cavity in the structure suggests an effective insulation of the electronic system from the lattice phonons, which may be of interest for molecular spintronics and quantum computing applications.
Explorative Data Analysis of Drosophila suzukii Trap Catches from a Seven-Year Monitoring Program in Southwest Germany
Authors: Briem Felix , Dominic Anto Raja , Golla Burkhard , Hoffmann Christoph , Englert Camilla , Herz Annette , Vogt Heidrun
Published: September 2018

Over the last decade, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits, gradually established itself in Europe, often resulting in significant economic losses. In 2011, when D. suzukii was first described for Germany, the Julius Kühn Institut (JKI) started a monitoring program in southwest Germany to study the occurrence and activity of the fly. Capture data from late 2011–early 2018 from 100 traps were analyzed for the effect of weather and immediate habitat on trap captures at different times of the year. We identified five phases in the annual population development cycle of D. suzukii. We found that the mild winter of 2013/2014 helped the thorough establishment of D. suzukii in Germany. Habitat types in the immediate vicinity of the trap and local weather conditions had a strong influence on trap captures. Forest borders and hedges were found to provide adequate overwintering shelter for the flies. Trap captures in forests and hedges were generally higher than those of vineyards and orchards, even during the fruiting seasons. Summer capture rates were correlated with the number of heat days and precipitation. We also discuss briefly the limitations of using trap captures as representative of fly density in the field.
Excellent Infrared Nonlinear Optical Crystals BaMO(IO3)5 (M = V, Ta) Predicted by First Principle Calculations
Authors: Li Yingfeng , Cui Mengqi , Yan Hejin , Yu Yangxin , Li Meicheng , Li Xiang , Chu Lihua , Jiang Bing , Qin Mingde
Published: September 2018

Two nonlinear optical crystals, BaVO(IO3)5 and BaTaO(IO3)5, are designed by substituting Nb with V and Ta, respectively, in BaNbO(IO3)5, which is itself a recently synthesized infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) material. The designs of BaVO(IO3)5 and BaTaO(IO3)5 from BaNbO(IO3)5 are based on the following motivation: BaVO(IO3)5 should have a larger second-harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient than BaNbO(IO3)5, as V will result in a stronger second-order Jahn-Teller effect than Nb due to its smaller ion radius; at the same time, BaTaO(IO3)5 should have a larger laser-damage threshold, due to the fact that Ta has a smaller electronegativity leading to a greater band-gap. Established on reliable first-principle calculations, it is demonstrated that BaVO(IO3)5 has a much larger SHG coefficient than BaNbO(IO3)5 (23.42 × 10−9 vs. 18.66 × 10−9 esu); and BaTaO(IO3)5 has a significantly greater band-gap than BaNbO(IO3)5 (4.20 vs. 3.55 eV). Meanwhile, the absorption spectra and birefringences of both BaVO(IO3)5 and BaTaO(IO3)5 are acceptable for practice, suggesting that these two crystals can both be expected to be excellent infrared NLO materials.
Pd-Free Activation Pretreatment for Electroless Ni-P Plating on NiFe2O4 Particles
Authors: Ma Junfei , Zhang Zhigang , Liu Yihan , Zhang Xiao , Luo Hongjie , Yao Guangchun
Published: September 2018

A Pd-free activation pretreatment process was developed for electroless Ni-P plating on NiFe2O4 particles. The main influencing factors, including NiCl2·6H2O concentration, pH of electroless bath and temperature, were investigated. Microstructures of the coating layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a more uniform and compact Ni-P coating layer was successfully formed by electroless plating via Pd-free activation pretreatment than Pd as sited plating. The coating layers plated by Pd-free activation pretreatment were thicker than those by the sensitization and activation pretreatment on average (9 vs. 5 μm). The new process did not need conventional sensitization or activation pretreatments, because the Ni particles dispersed uniformly on the NiFe2O4 substrate became catalytic activation sites for nickel electroless plating. Such improvement was beneficial to shortening the preparation process and reducing the production costs with the use of noble metal Pd.
Evolution of Pretreatment Assessment and Direct Acting Antiviral Regimens in Accordance with Upgrading Guidelines: A Retrospective Study in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients
Authors: Henry Zachary , Gonzales Zamora Jose Armando
Published: September 2018

Since the advent of new direct acting antivirals (DAA), substantial changes in hepatitis C (HCV) treatment guidelines have occurred. However, little is known about how these recommendations have been adopted into clinical practice. We conducted a retrospective review of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfected patients treated with DAAs at the Ryan White Clinic of the Jackson Health System in Miami, FL, USA. Our aim was to determine changes in HCV evaluation and treatment patterns in the use of DAAs over a four-year period from January 2014 to December 2017. Data were divided into two periods: period 1 (2014–2015) and period 2 (2016–2017). In comparison with the rest of the cohort, patients in period 2 had a lower frequency of advanced liver disease (24.4% vs. 48.6%, p = 0.026) and underwent more elastography (34.1% vs. 2.7%, p < 0.001) and less ultrasound (78.0% vs. 97.3%, p = 0.011). They were more often treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (85.4% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.005) and less often with simeprevir/sofosbuvir (0% vs. 32.4%, p < 0.001). Gastrointestinal side effects were reported less frequently (2.4% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.017) in this period. In accordance with the updated guidelines, our study demonstrated a growing preference for non-invasive methods to assess fibrosis in recent years. Regarding treatment, there was a clear preference for second generation DAAs in 2016–2017, along with initiation of treatment in the early stages of liver disease.
Surface Finish and Back-Wall Dross Behavior during the Fiber Laser Cutting of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: García-López Erika , Ibarra-Medina Juansethi R. , Siller Hector R. , Lammel-Lindemann Jan A. , Rodriguez Ciro A.
Published: September 2018

Magnesium alloys are of increasing interest in the medical industry due to their biodegradability properties and better mechanical properties as compared to biodegradable polymers. Fiber laser cutting of AZ31 magnesium alloy tubes was carried out to study the effect of cutting conditions on wall surface roughness and back-wall dross. During the experiments, an argon gas chamber was adapted in order to avoid material reactivity with oxygen and thus better control the part quality. A surface response methodology was applied to identify the significance of pulse overlapping and pulse energy. Our results indicate minimum values of surface roughness (Ra < 0.7 μm) when the spot overlapping is higher than 50%. A back-wall dross range of 0.24% to 0.94% was established. In addition, a reduction in back-wall dross accumulations was obtained after blowing away the dross particles from inside the tube using an argon gas jet, reaching values of 0.21%. Laser cutting experimental models show a quadratic model for back-wall dross related with the interaction of the pulse energy, and a linear model dependent on pulse overlapping factor for surface roughness.
Development of an In Vitro Screening Platform for the Identification of Partial PPARγ Agonists as a Source for Antidiabetic Lead Compounds
Authors: Porskjær Christensen Lars , Bahij El-Houri Rime
Published: September 2018

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder where insulin-sensitive tissues show reduced sensitivity towards insulin and a decreased glucose uptake (GU), which leads to hyperglycaemia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ plays an important role in lipid and glucose homeostasis and is one of the targets in the discovery of drugs against T2D. Activation of PPARγ by agonists leads to a conformational change in the ligand-binding domain, a process that alters the transcription of several target genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Depending on the ligands, they can induce different sets of genes that depends of their recruitment of coactivators. The activation of PPARγ by full agonists such as the thiazolidinediones leads to improved insulin sensitivity but also to severe side effects probably due to their behavior as full agonists. Partial PPARγ agonists are compounds with diminished agonist efficacy compared to full agonist that may exhibit the same antidiabetic effect as full agonists without inducing the same magnitude of side effects. In this review, we describe a screening platform for the identification of partial PPARγ agonists from plant extracts that could be promising lead compounds for the development of antidiabetic drugs. The screening platform includes a series of in vitro bioassays, such as GU in adipocytes, PPARγ-mediated transactivation, adipocyte differentiation and gene expression as well as in silico docking for partial PPARγ agonism.
Data-Driven Exploration of Selectivity and Off-Target Activities of Designated Chemical Probes
Authors: Miljković Filip , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: September 2018

Chemical probes are of central relevance for chemical biology. To unambiguously explore the role of target proteins in triggering or mediating biological functions, small molecules used as probes should ideally be target-specific; at least, they should have sufficiently high selectivity for a primary target. We present a thorough analysis of currently available activity data for designated chemical probes to address several key questions: How well defined are chemical probes? What is their level of selectivity? Is there evidence for additional activities? Are some probes “better” than others? Therefore, highly curated chemical probes were collected and their selectivity was analyzed on the basis of publicly available compound activity data. Different selectivity patterns were observed, which distinguished designated high-quality probes.
Early Evaluation of Copper Radioisotope Production at ISOLPHARM
Authors: Borgna Francesca , Ballan Michele , Favaretto Chiara , Verona Marco , Tosato Marianna , Caeran Michele , Corradetti Stefano , Andrighetto Alberto , Di Marco Valerio , Marzaro Giovanni , Realdon Nicola
Published: September 2018

The ISOLPHARM (ISOL technique for radioPHARMaceuticals) project is dedicated to the development of high purity radiopharmaceuticals exploiting the radionuclides producible with the future Selective Production of Exotic Species (SPES) Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) facility at the Legnaro National Laboratories of the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNL). At SPES, a proton beam (up to 70 MeV) extracted from a cyclotron will directly impinge a primary target, where the produced isotopes are released thanks to the high working temperatures (2000 °C), ionized, extracted and accelerated, and finally, after mass separation, only the desired nuclei are collected on a secondary target, free from isotopic contaminants that decrease their specific activity. A case study for such project is the evaluation of the feasibility of the ISOL production of 64Cu and 67Cu using a zirconium germanide target, currently under development. The producible activities of 64Cu and 67Cu were calculated by means of the Monte Carlo code FLUKA, whereas dedicated off-line tests with stable beams were performed at LNL to evaluate the capability to ionize and recover isotopically pure copper.
Applications of Magnetotactic Bacteria, Magnetosomes and Magnetosome Crystals in Biotechnology and Nanotechnology: Mini-Review
Authors: Vargas Gabriele , Cypriano Jefferson , Correa Tarcisio , Leão Pedro , Bazylinski Dennis A. , Abreu Fernanda
Published: September 2018

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) biomineralize magnetosomes, which are defined as intracellular nanocrystals of the magnetic minerals magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4) enveloped by a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The synthesis of magnetosomes is controlled by a specific set of genes that encode proteins, some of which are exclusively found in the magnetosome membrane in the cell. Over the past several decades, interest in nanoscale technology (nanotechnology) and biotechnology has increased significantly due to the development and establishment of new commercial, medical and scientific processes and applications that utilize nanomaterials, some of which are biologically derived. One excellent example of a biological nanomaterial that is showing great promise for use in a large number of commercial and medical applications are bacterial magnetite magnetosomes. Unlike chemically-synthesized magnetite nanoparticles, magnetosome magnetite crystals are stable single-magnetic domains and are thus permanently magnetic at ambient temperature, are of high chemical purity, and display a narrow size range and consistent crystal morphology. These physical/chemical features are important in their use in biotechnological and other applications. Applications utilizing magnetite-producing MTB, magnetite magnetosomes and/or magnetosome magnetite crystals include and/or involve bioremediation, cell separation, DNA/antigen recovery or detection, drug delivery, enzyme immobilization, magnetic hyperthermia and contrast enhancement of magnetic resonance imaging. Metric analysis using Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2003 to 2018 showed that applied research involving magnetite from MTB in some form has been focused mainly in biomedical applications, particularly in magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery.
Acetylene in Organic Synthesis: Recent Progress and New Uses
Authors: Voronin Vladimir V. , Ledovskaya Maria S. , Bogachenkov Alexander S. , Rodygin Konstantin S. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: September 2018

Recent progress in the leading synthetic applications of acetylene is discussed from the prospect of rapid development and novel opportunities. A diversity of reactions involving the acetylene molecule to carry out vinylation processes, cross-coupling reactions, synthesis of substituted alkynes, preparation of heterocycles and the construction of a number of functionalized molecules with different levels of molecular complexity were recently studied. Of particular importance is the utilization of acetylene in the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and drugs. The increasing interest in acetylene and its involvement in organic transformations highlights a fascinating renaissance of this simplest alkyne molecule.
An Anti-Inflammatory Azaphenothiazine Inhibits Interferon β Expression and CXCL10 Production in KERTr Cells
Authors: Strzadala Leon , Fiedorowicz Anna , Wysokinska Edyta , Ziolo Ewa , Grudzień Małgorzata , Jelen Malgorzata , Pluta Krystian , Morak-Mlodawska Beata , Zimecki Michal , Kalas Wojciech
Published: September 2018

An azaphenothiazine derivative, 6-chloroethylureidoethyldiquino[3,2-b;2′,3′-e][1,4]thiazine (DQT), has recently been shown to exhibit immunosuppressive activities in mouse models. It also inhibited the expression of CXCL10 at the protein level, at non-toxic concentrations, in the culture of KERTr cells treated with double-stranded RNA, poly(I:C). In this report, we demonstrated that DQT inhibits the transcription of the CXCL10 gene. Although CXCL10 is an IFNγ-inducible protein, we found that the CXCL10 protein was induced without the detectable release of IFNγ or IκB degradation. Hence, we concluded that IFNγ or NFκB was not involved in the regulation of the CXCL10 gene in KERTr cells transfected with poly(I:C), nor in the inhibitory activity of DQT. On the other hand, we found that IFNβ was induced under the same conditions and that its expression was inhibited by DQT. Kinetic analysis showed that an increase in IFNβ concentrations occurred 4–8 h after poly(I:C) treatment, while the concentration of CXCL10 was undetectable at that time and started to increase later, when IFNβ reached high levels. Therefore, DQT may be regarded as a new promising inhibitor of IFNβ expression and IFNβ-dependent downstream genes and proteins, e.g., CXCL10 chemokine, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
Ingestion of Insect Protein Isolate Enhances Blood Amino Acid Concentrations Similar to Soy Protein in A Human Trial
Authors: Vangsoe Mathias T. , Thogersen Rebekka , Bertram Hanne C. , Heckmann Lars-Henrik L. , Hansen Mette
Published: September 2018

Background: Increased amino acid availability stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS), which is critical for maintaining or increasing muscle mass when combined with training. Previous research suggests that whey protein is superior to soy protein in regard to stimulating MPS and muscle mass. Nevertheless, with respect to a future lack of dietary protein and an increasing need for using eco-friendly protein sources it is of great interest to investigate the quality of alternative protein sources, like insect protein. Objective: Our aim was to compare the postprandial amino acid (AA) availability and AA profile in the blood after ingestion of protein isolate from the lesser mealworm, whey isolate, and soy isolate. Design: Six healthy young men participated in a randomized cross-over study and received three different protein supplementations (25 g of crude protein from whey, soy, insect or placebo (water)) on four separate days. Blood samples were collected at pre, 0 min, 20 min, 40 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min. Physical activity and dietary intake were standardized before each trial, and participants were instructed to be fasting from the night before. AA concentrations in blood samples were determined using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Results: A significant rise in blood concentration of essential amino acids (EAA), branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and leucine was detected over the 120 min period for all protein supplements. Nevertheless, the change in AA profile was significantly greater after ingestion of whey than soy and insect protein (p < 0.05). Area under the curve (AUC) analysis and AA profile revealed comparable AA concentrations for soy and insect protein, whereas whey promoted a ~97% and ~140% greater AUC value than soy and insect protein, respectively. A tendency towards higher AA concentrations beyond the 120 min period was observed for insect protein. Conclusion: We report that ingestion of whey, soy, and insect protein isolate increases blood concentrations of EAA, BCAA, and leucine over a 120 min period (whey > insect = soy). Insect protein induced blood AA concentrations similar to soy protein. However, a tendency towards higher blood AA concentrations at the end of the 120 min period post ingestion was observed for insect protein, which indicates that it can be considered a “slow” digestible protein source.
The Synergistic Effects of Resveratrol combined with Resistant Training on Exercise Performance and Physiological Adaption
Authors: Kan Nai-Wen , Lee Mon-Chien , Tung Yu-Tang , Chiu Chien-Chao , Huang Chi-Chang , Huang Wen-Ching
Published: September 2018

The comprehensive studies done on resveratrol (RES) support that this polyphenol has multiple bioactivities and is widely accepted for dietary supplementation. Furthermore, regular exercise is known to have benefits on health and is considered as a form of preventive medicine. Although the vast majority of prior studies emphasize the efficacy of aerobic exercise in promoting physiological adaptions, other types of exercise, such as resistance exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), may achieve similar or different physiological outcomes. Few studies have looked into the effectiveness of a combinational, synergistic approach to exercise using a weight-loading ladder climbing animal platform. In this study, ICR mice were allocated randomly to the RES and training groups using a two-way ANOVA (RES × Training) design. Exercise capacities, including grip strength, aerobic performance, and anaerobic performance, were assessed and the physiological adaptions were evaluated using fatigue-associated indexes that were implemented immediately after the exercise intervention. In addition, glycogen levels, muscular characteristics, and safety issues, including body composition, histopathology, and biochemistry, were further elucidated. Synergistic effects were observed on grip strength, anaerobic capacities, and exercise lactate, with significant interaction effects. Moreover, the training or RES may have contributed significantly to elevating aerobic capacity, tissue glycogen, and muscle hypertrophy. Toxic and other deleterious effects were also considered to evaluate the safety of the intervention. Resistance exercise in combination with resveratrol supplementation may be applied in the general population to achieve better physiological benefits, promote overall health, and promote participation in regular physical activities.
Association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Frailty in Older Individuals with Poor Nutritional Status
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Park Yongsoon
Published: September 2018

Both inflammation and poor nutritional status are major risk factors of frailty, and the dietary inflammatory index (DII) has been suggested as being associated with the risk of frailty. The present study aimed to investigate whether DII scores were positively associated with the risk of frailty in older individuals, particularly those with poor nutritional status. In total, 321 community-dwelling older individuals aged 70–85 years were recruited and categorized as non-frail, pre-frail, and frail according to the Cardiovascular Health Study index. DII scores were calculated based on 24-h dietary recall, and nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that DII scores were positively associated with the risk of frailty in older individuals (odds ratio, OR 1.64, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.25–2.17), particularly those with poor nutritional status (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.34). Among the frailty criteria, weight loss (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03–1.60), low walking speed (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.61), and low grip strength (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13–1.60) were associated with DII scores. In addition, the optimal DII cut-off score for frailty was ≥0.93 (sensitivity 71%; specificity: 72%; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC = 0.792). The present study showed that a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with increased risk of frailty, particularly in older individuals with poor nutritional status. Future randomized controlled trials with a low DII diet for the prevention of frailty are needed to confirm our finding.
Chlorogenic Acid Targeting of the AKT PH Domain Activates AKT/GSK3β/FOXO1 Signaling and Improves Glucose Metabolism
Authors: Gao Jie , He Xin , Ma Yuejiao , Zhao Xuezhi , Hou Xiaotao , Hao Erwei , Deng Jiagang , Bai Gang
Published: September 2018

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a bioactive component in the human diet, is reported to exert beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the specific target of CGA, and explore its underlying mechanisms. Beneficial effects of CGA in glucose metabolism were confirmed in insulin-treated human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Protein fishing, via CGA-modified functionalized magnetic microspheres, demonstrated the binding of CGA with protein kinase B (AKT). Immunofluorescence using a CGA molecular probe further demonstrated the co-localization of CGA with AKT. A competitive combination test and hampering of AKT membrane translocation showed that CGA might bind to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT. The specific binding did not lead to the membrane translocation to phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3), but directly activated the phosphorylation of AKT on Ser-473, induced the phosphorylation of the downstream molecules, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), and improved glucose metabolism. Collectively, our data demonstrate that CGA exerts regulatory effects on glucose metabolism via direct targeting the PH domain of AKT. This study clarifies the mechanism of the potential benefits of nutrients containing CGA in the complementary therapy of glucose metabolism disorders.
Smart Bandage Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) for Diclofenac Controlled Release
Authors: Parisi Ortensia Ilaria , Ruffo Mariarosa , Scrivano Luca , Malivindi Rocco , Vassallo Antonio , Puoci Francesco
Published: September 2018

The aim of the present study was the development of a “smart bandage” for the topical administration of diclofenac, in the treatment of localized painful and inflammatory conditions, incorporating Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) for the controlled release of this anti-inflammatory drug. For this purpose, MIP spherical particles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization, loaded with the therapeutic agent and incorporated into the bandage surface. Batch adsorption binding studies were performed to investigate the adsorption isotherms and kinetics and the selective recognition abilities of the synthesized MIP. In vitro diffusion studies were also carried out using Franz cells and the obtained results were reported as percentage of the diffused dose, cumulative amount of diffused drug, steady-state drug flux and permeability coefficient. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the developed device was evaluated using the EPISKIN™ model. The Scatchard analysis indicated that the prepared MIP is characterized by the presence of specific binding sites for diclofenac, which are not present in the corresponding non-imprinted polymer, and the obtained results confirmed both the ability of the prepared bandage to prolong the drug release and the absence of skin irritation reactions. Therefore, these results support the potential application of the developed “smart bandage” as topical device for diclofenac sustained release.
Proteases Shape the Chlamydomonas Secretome: Comparison to Classical Neuropeptide Processing Machinery
Authors: Luxmi Raj , Blaby-Haas Crysten , Kumar Dhivya , Rauniyar Navin , King Stephen M. , Mains Richard E. , Eipper Betty A.
Published: September 2018

The recent identification of catalytically active peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a unicellular green alga, suggested the presence of a PAM-like gene and peptidergic signaling in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). We identified prototypical neuropeptide precursors and essential peptide processing enzymes (subtilisin-like prohormone convertases and carboxypeptidase B-like enzymes) in the C. reinhardtii genome. Reasoning that sexual reproduction by C. reinhardtii requires extensive communication between cells, we used mass spectrometry to identify proteins recovered from the soluble secretome of mating gametes, and searched for evidence that the putative peptidergic processing enzymes were functional. After fractionation by SDS-PAGE, signal peptide-containing proteins that remained intact, and those that had been subjected to cleavage, were identified. The C. reinhardtii mating secretome contained multiple matrix metalloproteinases, cysteine endopeptidases, and serine carboxypeptidases, along with one subtilisin-like proteinase. Published transcriptomic studies support a role for these proteases in sexual reproduction. Multiple extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) were identified in the secretome. Several pherophorins, ECM glycoproteins homologous to the Volvox sex-inducing pheromone, were present; most contained typical peptide processing sites, and many had been cleaved, generating stable N- or C-terminal fragments. Our data suggest that subtilisin endoproteases and matrix metalloproteinases similar to those important in vertebrate peptidergic and growth factor signaling play an important role in stage transitions during the life cycle of C. reinhardtii.
Fermentable Sugar Production from the Peels of Two Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Cultivars by Phosphoric Acid Pretreatment
Authors: Obeng Abraham Kusi , Premjet Duangporn , Premjet Siripong
Published: September 2018

The potential of durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) peel as feedstock for the production of fermentable sugars was evaluated. Durian peel biomass from two cultivars, monthong (Durio zibethinus Murr. cv. Monthong) and chanee (Durio zibethinus Murr. cv. Chanee), were pretreated with different concentrations (70%, 75%, 80%, and 85%) of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) at a moderate temperature of 60 °C for 60 min. The H3PO4-pretreated durian peel biomass was then subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis. Significantly higher glucan (44.74 ± 0.21%) content was observed in the monthong peel compared to the chanee peel (42.06 ± 0.28%). Phosphoric acid pretreatment caused the significant solubilization of the xylan and acid soluble lignin (ASL) contents. This enhanced the enzymatic hydrolysis process causing a significant increase in the hydrolysis efficiency and glucose concentration. The highest hydrolysis efficiency and glucose concentration were obtained after 72 h from the 75% H3PO4-pretreated peel biomass for both the monthong (90.33 ± 0.42% and 9.55 ± 0.11 g/L, respectively) and chanee (90.06 ± 0.40% and 8.56 ± 0.13 g/L, respectively) peels. Biomass to glucose recovery for monthong and chanee were improved by approximately 7- and 6-fold, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed destruction of the peel biomass structure and changes in the cellulose crystallinity index (CrIs).
Long Run Returns Predictability and Volatility with Moving Averages
Authors: Chang Chia-Lin , Ilomäki Jukka , Laurila Hannu , McAleer Michael
Published: September 2018

This paper examines how the size of the rolling window, and the frequency used in moving average (MA) trading strategies, affects financial performance when risk is measured. We use the MA rule for market timing, that is, for when to buy stocks and when to shift to the risk-free rate. The important issue regarding the predictability of returns is assessed. It is found that performance improves, on average, when the rolling window is expanded and the data frequency is low. However, when the size of the rolling window reaches three years, the frequency loses its significance and all frequencies considered produce similar financial performance. Therefore, the results support stock returns predictability in the long run. The procedure takes account of the issues of variable persistence as we use only returns in the analysis. Therefore, we use the performance of MA rules as an instrument for testing returns predictability in financial stock markets.
A Novel Index for Impervious Surface Area Mapping: Development and Validation
Authors: Tian Yugang , Chen Hui , Song Qingju , Zheng Kun
Published: September 2018

The distribution and dynamic changes in impervious surface areas (ISAs) are crucial to understanding urbanization and its impact on urban heat islands, earth surface energy balance, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity. Remotely sensed data play an essential role in ISA mapping, and numerous methods have been developed and successfully applied for ISA extraction. However, the heterogeneity of ISA spectra and the high similarity of the spectra between ISA and soil have not been effectively addressed. In this study, we selected data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) spectral libraries as samples and used blue and near-infrared bands as characteristic bands based on spectral analysis to propose a novel index, the perpendicular impervious surface index (PISI). Landsat 8 operational land imager data in four provincial capital cities of China (Wuhan, Shenyang, Guangzhou, and Xining) were selected as test data to examine the performance of the proposed PISI in four different environments. Threshold analysis results show that there is a significant positive correlation between PISI and the proportion of ISA, and threshold can be adjusted according to different needs with different accuracy. Furthermore, comparative analyses, which involved separability analysis and extraction precision analysis, were conducted among PISI, biophysical composition index (BCI), and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI). Results indicate that PISI is more accurate and has better separability for ISA and soil as well as ISA and vegetation in the ISA extraction than the BCI and NDBI under different conditions. The accuracy of PISI in the four cities is 94.13%, 96.50%, 89.51%, and 93.46% respectively, while BCI and NDBI showed accuracy of 77.53%, 93.49%, 78.02%, and 84.03% and 58.25%, 57.53%, 77.77%, and 64.83%, respectively. In general, the proposed PISI is a convenient index to extract ISA with higher accuracy and better separability for ISA and soil as well as ISA and vegetation. Meanwhile, as PISI only uses blue and near-infrared bands, it can be used in a wider variety of remote sensing images.
NPP-VIIRS DNB Daily Data in Natural Disaster Assessment: Evidence from Selected Case Studies
Authors: Zhao Xizhi , Yu Bailang , Liu Yan , Yao Shenjun , Lian Ting , Chen Liujia , Yang Chengshu , Chen Zuoqi , Wu Jianping
Published: September 2018

Whereas monthly and annual nighttime light (NTL) composite datasets are being increasingly used to estimate socioeconomic status, use of the National Polar-orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) daily data has been limited for detecting and assessing the impact of short-term disastrous events. This study explores the application of daily NPP-VIIRS DNB data in assessing the impact of three types of natural disasters: earthquakes, floods, and storms. Daily DNB images one month prior to and 10 days after a disastrous event were collected and a Percent of Normal Light (PNL) image was produced as the ratio of the mean DNB radiance of the pre- and post-disaster images. Areas with a PNL value lower than one were considered as being affected by the event. The results were compared with the damaged proxy map and the flood proxy map generated using synthetic aperture radar data as well as the reported power outage rates. Our analyses show that overall NPP-VIIRS DNB daily data are useful for detecting damages and power outages caused by earthquake, storm, and flood events. Cloud coverage was identified as a major limitation in using the DNB daily data; rescue activities, traffic, and socioeconomic status of the areas also affect the use of DNB daily data in assessing the impact of natural disasters. Our findings offer new insight into the use of the daily DNB data and provide a practical guide for researchers and practitioners who may consider using such data in different situations or regions.
New Constitutive Matrix in the 3D Cell Method to Obtain a Lorentz Electric Field in a Magnetic Brake
Authors: Monzón-Verona José Miguel , González-Domínguez Pablo Ignacio , García-Alonso Santiago
Published: September 2018

In this work, we have obtained a new constitutive matrix to calculate the induced Lorentz electric current of in a conductive disk in movement within a magnetic field using the cell method in 3D. This disk and a permanent magnet act as a magnetic brake. The results obtained are compared with those obtained with the finite element method (FEM) using the computer applications Getdp and femm. The error observed is less than 0.1173%. Likewise, a second verification has been made in the laboratory using Hall sensors to measure the magnetic field in the proximity of the magnetic brake.
A Field Procedure for the Assessment of the Centring Uncertainty of Geodetic and Surveying Instruments
Authors: García-Balboa José L. , Ruiz-Armenteros Antonio M. , Rodríguez-Avi José , Reinoso-Gordo Juan F. , Robledillo-Román Juan
Published: September 2018

The uncertainty evaluation of survey measurements is a daily and essential task in any surveying work. The result of a measurement is, in fact, only complete when accompanied by a statement of its uncertainty. Miscentring, or centring error, is one of the sources of uncertainty in every basic survey measurement which may have a great effect on horizontal angle measurement for short distances. In the literature, different terms and values are considered to refer to this source of uncertainty. Standard ISO 17123 provides different procedures for assessing the measurement uncertainty of geodetic and surveying instruments, with the aim of checking their suitability for the intending and immediate task in field conditions. ISO 17123 is aware of the importance of uncertainty in the instrument centring, but it does not propose any standardised procedure for its assessment. In this study, we propose such a procedure following a Type A evaluation (through the statistical analysis of series of observations), avoiding using values from Type B evaluations (from manufacturer’s specifications, handbooks, personal experiences, etc.) that could be unsuitable for the conditions of the task. Uncertainty can be individualised for a particular instrument (which includes the plummet type), ground mark, operator, and other factors on which the results could be dependent. The testing methodology includes a configuration of the test field, measurements, and calculation, following the structure of each part of the standard ISO 17123. An experimental application is included with two different total stations, which also includes a statistical analysis of the results.