bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an Unified Food Composition Database for the European Project “Stance4Health”
Authors: Hinojosa-Nogueira Daniel , Pérez-Burillo Sergio , Navajas-Porras Beatriz , Ortiz-Viso Bartolomé , de la Cueva Silvia Pastoriza , Lauria Fabio , Fatouros Alexandra , Priftis Kostas N. , González-Vigil Verónica , Rufián-Henares José Ángel
Published: December 2021

The European Commission funded project Stance4Health (S4H) aims to develop a complete personalised nutrition service. In order to succeed, sources of information on nutritional composition and other characteristics of foods need to be as comprehensive as possible. Food composition tables or databases (FCT/FCDB) are the most commonly used tools for this purpose. The aim of this study is to describe the harmonisation efforts carried out to obtain the Stance4Health FCDB. A total of 10 FCT/FCDB were selected from different countries and organizations. Data were classified using FoodEx2 and INFOODS tagnames to harmonise the information. Hazard analysis and critical control points analysis was applied as the quality control method. Data were processed by spreadsheets and MySQL. S4H’s FCDB is composed of 880 elements, including nutrients and bioactive compounds. A total of 2648 unified foods were used to complete the missing values of the national FCDB used. Recipes and dishes were estimated following EuroFIR standards via linked tables. S4H’s FCDB will be part of the smartphone app developed in the framework of the Stance4Health European project, which will be used in different personalized nutrition intervention studies. S4H FCDB has great perspectives, being one of the most complete in terms of number of harmonized foods, nutrients and bioactive compounds included.
Blood Levels of the SMOC1 Hepatokine Are Not Causally Linked with Type 2 Diabetes: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Ghodsian Nooshin , Gagnon Eloi , Bourgault Jérôme , Gobeil Émilie , Manikpurage Hasanga D. , Perrot Nicolas , Girard Arnaud , Mitchell Patricia L. , Arsenault Benoit J.
Published: December 2021

Hepatokines are liver-derived proteins that may influence metabolic pathways such as insulin sensitivity. Recently, Sparc-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1) was identified as glucose-responsive hepatokine that is dysregulated in the setting of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While SMOC1 may influence glucose-insulin homeostasis in rodents, it is unknown if SMOC1 is influenced by NAFLD in humans. It is also unknown if SMOC1 is causally associated with metabolic and disease traits in humans. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of NAFLD on SMOC1 gene expression in the liver and aimed to explore the potential causal associations of SMOC1 levels with NAFLD, T2D, and glycemic traits in humans. Using an RNA sequencing dataset from a cohort of 216 patients with NAFLD, we assessed SMOC1 expression levels across the NAFLD spectrum. We performed a series of bidirectional inverse-variance weighted Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses on blood SMOC1 levels using two sources of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (Fenland study, n = 10,708 and INTERVAL study, n = 3301). We utilized GWAS summary statistics for NAFLD in 8434 cases and 770,180 controls, as well as publicly available GWAS for type 2 diabetes (T2D), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood insulin (FBI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-B and HOMA-IR), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C). We found that SMOC1 expression showed no significant differences across NAFLD stages. We also identified that the top single-nucleotide polymorphism associated with blood SMOC1 levels, was associated with SMOC1 gene expression in the liver, but not in other tissues. Using MR, we did not find any evidence that genetically predicted NAFLD, T2D, and glycemic traits influenced SMOC1 levels. We also did not find evidence that blood SMOC1 levels were causally associated with T2D, NAFLD, and glycemic traits. In conclusion, the hepatokine SMOC1 does not appear to be modulated by the presence of NAFLD and may not regulate glucose-insulin homeostasis in humans. Results of this study suggest that blood factors regulating metabolism in rodents may not always translate to human biology.
Long-Term Effects of a Video-Based Smartphone App (“VIDEA Bewegt”) to Increase the Physical Activity of German Adults: A Single-Armed Observational Follow-Up Study
Authors: Reinhardt Gesine , Timpel Patrick , Schwarz Peter E. H. , Harst Lorenz
Published: December 2021

As physical inactivity is one of the four leading risk factors for mortality, it should be intensively treated. Therefore, this one-year follow-up study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of a preventive app to increase physical activity in German adults under real-life circumstances. Data collection took place from July 2019 to July 2021 and included six online questionnaires. Physical activity was studied as the primary outcome based on MET-minutes per week (metabolic equivalent). Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life based on a mental (MCS) and physical health component summary score (PCS). At the time of publication, 46/65 participants completed the study (median 52 years, 81.5% women). A significant increase of physical activity was observed in people with a low/moderate baseline activity during the first four months of follow-up (median increase by 490 MET-minutes per week, p < 0.001, r = 0.649). Both MCS (median increase by 2.8, p = 0.006, r = 0.344) and PCS (median increase by 2.6, p < 0.001, r = 0.521) significantly increased during the first two months and the BMI significantly decreased during the first six months after the intervention (median decrease by 0.96 kg/m2, p < 0.001, r = 0.465). Thus, this study provides evidence for the medium-term impact of the app, since the effects decreased over time. However, due to the chosen study design and a sizeable loss to follow-up, the validity of these findings is limited.
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) at the Enteric Level in a Synucleinopathy Mouse Model
Authors: Lamontagne-Proulx Jérôme , Coulombe Katherine , Dahhani Fadil , Côté Mélissa , Guyaz Cédric , Tremblay Cyntia , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Flamand Nicolas , Calon Frédéric , Soulet Denis
Published: December 2021

The aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein (αSyn) is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Considerable evidence suggests that PD involves an early aggregation of αSyn in the enteric nervous system (ENS), spreading to the brain. While it has previously been reported that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) acts as neuroprotective agents in the brain in murine models of PD, their effect in the ENS remains undefined. Here, we studied the effect of dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an ω-3 PUFA), on the ENS, with a particular focus on enteric dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons. Thy1-αSyn mice, which overexpress human αSyn, were fed ad libitum with a control diet, a low ω-3 PUFA diet or a diet supplemented with microencapsulated DHA and then compared with wild-type littermates. Our data indicate that Thy1-αSyn mice showed a lower density of enteric dopaminergic neurons compared with non-transgenic animals. This decrease was prevented by dietary DHA. Although we found that DHA reduced microgliosis in the striatum, we did not observe any evidence of peripheral inflammation. However, we showed that dietary intake of DHA promoted a build-up of ω-3 PUFA-derived endocannabinoid (eCB)-like mediators in plasma and an increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the redox regulator, Nrf2 in the ENS. Taken together, our results suggest that DHA exerts neuroprotection of enteric DAergic neurons in the Thy1-αSyn mice, possibly through alterations in eCB-like mediators, GLP-1 and Nrf2.
Nutritional Quality of Plant-Based Meat Products Available in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Alessandrini Roberta , Brown Mhairi K. , Pombo-Rodrigues Sonia , Bhageerutty Sheena , He Feng J. , MacGregor Graham A.
Published: December 2021

Plant-based meat (PBM) has been gaining popularity due to increasing concerns over health, animal welfare, and environmental issues linked to animal foods. This study aimed to compare the nutrient profile of PBM with equivalent meat products. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 207 PBM and 226 meat products available from 14 retailers in the UK. We extracted data on energy density, total and saturated fat, protein, fiber, and salt per 100 g from product packaging and calculated the nutrient profile of each product. Compared to meat, PBM had significantly lower energy density, total fat, saturated fat, protein, and significantly higher fiber. Salt content was significantly higher in five out of six PBM categories. Based on the UK’s Nutrient Profiling Model, 14% of PBM and 40% of meat products were classified as “less healthy” (p < 0.001). When considering the UK’s front-of-pack labelling criteria 20% of the PBM and 46% of meat products were considered high in either total fat, saturated fat, or salt (p < 0.001). Nearly three quarters of PBM products did not meet the current UK salt targets. PBM products have a better nutrient profile compared to meat equivalents. However, more progress is needed to reduce salt in these products.
In Vitro Non-Genomic Effects of Calcifediol on Human Preosteoblastic Cells
Authors: Donati Simone , Palmini Gaia , Romagnoli Cecilia , Aurilia Cinzia , Miglietta Francesca , Falsetti Irene , Marini Francesca , Zonefrati Roberto , Galli Gianna , Marcucci Gemma , Iantomasi Teresa , Brandi Maria Luisa
Published: December 2021

Several recent studies have demonstrated that the direct precursor of vitamin D3, the calcifediol [25(OH)D3], through the binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), is able to regulate the expression of many genes involved in several cellular processes. Considering that itself may function as a VDR ligand, although with a lower affinity, respect than the active form of vitamin D, we have assumed that 25(OH)D3 by binding the VDR could have a vitamin’s D3 activity such as activating non-genomic pathways, and in particular we selected mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue (hADMSCs) for the in vitro assessment of the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in response to 25(OH)D3. Our result reveals the ability of 25(OH)D3 to activate rapid, non-genomic pathways, such as an increase of intracellular Ca2+ levels, similar to what observed with the biologically active form of vitamin D3. hADMSCs loaded with Fluo-4 AM exhibited a rapid and sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration as a result of exposure to 10−5 M of 25(OH)D3. In this work, we show for the first time the in vitro ability of 25(OH)D3 to induce a rapid increase of intracellular Ca2+ levels in hADMSCs. These findings represent an important step to better understand the non-genomic effects of vitamin D3 and its role in endocrine system.
Semi-Elemental and Elemental Formulas for Enteral Nutrition in Infants and Children with Medical Complexity—Thinking about Cow’s Milk Allergy and Beyond
Authors: Verduci Elvira , Salvatore Silvia , Bresesti Ilia , Di Profio Elisabetta , Pendezza Erica , Bosetti Alessandra , Agosti Massimo , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo , D’Auria Enza
Published: December 2021

Children with medical complexities, such as multi-system disorders and/or neurological impairments, often experience feeding difficulties and need enteral nutrition. They frequently have impaired motility and digestive–absorbing functions related to their underlying condition. If a cow’s milk allergy (CMA) occurs as a comorbidity, it is often misdiagnosed, due to the symptoms’ overlap. Many of the commercialized mixtures intended for enteral nutrition are composed of partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk proteins, which are not suitable for the treatment of CMA; thus, the exclusion of a concomitant CMA is mandatory in these patients for obtaining symptoms relief. In this review, we focus on the use of elemental and semi-elemental formulas in children with neurological diseases and in preterm infants as clinical “models” of medical complexity. In children with neurodisabilities, when gastrointestinal symptoms persist despite the use of specific enteral formula, or in cases of respiratory and/or dermatological symptoms, CMA should always be considered. If diagnosis is confirmed, only an extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid based formula, or, as an alternative, extensively hydrolyzed nutritionally adequate formulas derived from rice or soy, should be used. Currently, enteral formulas tailored to the specific needs of preterm infants and children with neurological impairment presenting concomitant CMA have not been marketed yet. For the proper monitoring of the health status of patients with medical complexity, multidisciplinary evaluation and involvement of the nutritional team should be promoted.
Perspectives of Adult Singaporeans toward Potential Policies to Reduce the Consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tan Jing Yuan , Ong Siong Gim , Teng Albert , Ng Benedict , Yao Jiali , Luo Nan , Rebello Salome A.
Published: December 2021

Excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) is of growing concern, and several countries are implementing measures to reduce SSB consumption. Understanding perceptions towards SSB policies is crucial to prioritize policy actions and to effectively frame public communication. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a sample of 754 adult Singaporeans to examine support towards 10 hypothetical policies to reduce SSB consumption. Policy scenarios were presented to participants and support was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Opinions about policies were elicited by asking participants “What other thoughts do you have about this policy?”. We used logistic regression to examine determinants of policy support, and thematic analyses to understand opinions about policies. We observed good public support for a variety of SSB policies. In general, less restrictive policies such as traffic light labels (85.0% agreed/strongly agreed) and free access to water at eateries (77.1%) were better supported as compared to restrictive policies such as portion-size restrictions (64.5%) and taxation (55.0%). There was limited variation by age, ethnicity, income, physical activity and body mass index. Concerns about policies largely centered on loss of personal autonomy and economic implications for businesses. Nevertheless, participants also recognized that policies could support healthier beverage consumption by increasing awareness and enabling informed decision making. Findings from this study provide insights into consumer’s perceptions of SSB policies, and can inform public health advocacy and government action in this area.
Association between Diet and Xerostomia: Is Xerostomia a Barrier to a Healthy Eating Pattern?
Authors: Stankeviciene Indre , Aleksejuniene Jolanta , Puriene Alina , Stangvaltaite-Mouhat Lina
Published: December 2021

Objective. Xerostomia is a subjective feeling of dry mouth and is commonly observed in patients with autoimmune diseases. Our study examines the association between xerostomia and diet. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional study includes 1405 adults from 15 Lithuanian geographical areas (52% response rate). A self-reported questionnaire inquired about xerostomia, sex, age, education, residence, and consumption of selected 23 diet items. For the multivariable analysis, 23 diet items were categorized into eight major diet groups. The data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results. When comparing participants with and without xerostomia, there were significant differences in consumption frequencies concerning cold-pressed oil (p = 0.013), bread (p = 0.029), processed meat products (p = 0.016), fat and lean fish (p = 0.009), and probiotic supplements (p = 0.002). In the multivariable binary logistic regression model, when controlled for other determinants, the higher consumption of carbohydrates (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.23–0.65), proteins (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32–0.99), and oils (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34–1.00) was associated with a lower likelihood of xerostomia. Conclusions. The association between xerostomia and the consumption of the six diet items—cold-pressed oils, lean and fat fish, bread, processed meat, and probiotic supplements— and the three major diet groups—carbohydrates, proteins, and oils—was observed. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate the observed associations.
Cognitive Frailty in Thai Community-Dwelling Elderly: Prevalence and Its Association with Malnutrition
Authors: Seesen Mathuramat , Sirikul Wachiranun , Ruangsuriya Jetsada , Griffiths Jiranan , Siviroj Penprapa
Published: December 2021

Cognitive frailty (CF) is defined by the coexistence of physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment. Malnutrition is an underlying factor of age-related conditions including physical frailty. However, the evidence associating malnutrition and cognitive frailty is limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between malnutrition and CF in the elderly. A total of 373 participants aged 65–84 years were enrolled after excluding those who were suspected to have dementia and depression. Then, 61 CF and 45 normal participants were randomly selected to measure serum prealbumin level. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B). Modified Fried’s criteria were used to define physical frailty. Nutritional status was evaluated by the Mini Nutritional Assessment–short form (MNA-SF), serum prealbumin, and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of CF was 28.72%. Malnourished status by MNA-SF category (aOR = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.18–6.67) and MNA-SF score (aOR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.74–0.94) were independently associated with CF. However, there was no correlation between CF and malnutrition assessed by serum prealbumin level and anthropometric measurements. Other independent risk factors of CF were advanced age (aOR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02–1.11) and educational level below high school (aOR = 6.77, 95%CI: 1.99–23.01). Malnutrition was associated with CF among Thai elderly. High-risk groups who are old and poorly educated should receive early screening and nutritional interventions.
Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplementation to a Hypocaloric Diet Does Not Affect Resting Metabolic Rate but Increases Postprandial Fat Oxidation Response in Overweight and Obese Adults after Weight Loss Intervention
Authors: Ooi Delicia Shu Qin , Ling Jennifer Qiu Rong , Ong Fang Yi , Tai E Shyong , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar , Leow Melvin Khee Shing , Khoo Eric Yin Hao , Tan Chuen Seng , Chong Mary Foong Fong , Khoo Chin Meng , Lee Yung Seng
Published: December 2021

Background: Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is reported to aid in lean mass preservation, which may in turn minimize the reduction in resting metabolic rate (RMR) during weight loss. Our study aimed to examine the effect of BCAA supplementation to a hypocaloric diet on RMR and substrate utilization during a weight loss intervention. Methods: A total of 111 Chinese subjects comprising 55 males and 56 females aged 21 to 45 years old with BMI between 25 and 36 kg/m2 were randomized into three hypocaloric diet groups: (1) standard-protein (14%) with placebo (CT), (2) standard-protein with BCAA, and (3) high-protein (27%) with placebo. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure RMR, carbohydrate, and fat oxidation before and after 16 weeks of dietary intervention. Results: RMR was reduced from 1600 ± 270 kcal/day to 1500 ± 264 kcal/day (p < 0.0005) after weight loss, but no significant differences in the change of RMR, respiratory quotient, and percentage of fat and carbohydrate oxidation were observed among the three diet groups. Subjects with BCAA supplementation had an increased postprandial fat (p = 0.021) and decreased postprandial carbohydrate (p = 0.044) oxidation responses compared to the CT group after dietary intervention. Conclusions: BCAA-supplemented standard-protein diet did not significantly attenuate reduction of RMR compared to standard-protein and high-protein diets. However, the postprandial fat oxidation response increased after BCAA-supplemented weight loss intervention.
Influence of Dairy Products on Bioavailability of Zinc from Other Food Products: A Review of Complementarity at a Meal Level
Authors: Shkembi Blerina , Huppertz Thom
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we reviewed the role of dairy products in dietary zinc absorption. Dairy products can have a reasonable contribution for dietary zinc intake in Western diets, where dairy consumption is high. However, the co-ingestion of dairy products can also improve zinc absorption from other food products. Such improvements have been observed when dairy products (e.g., milk or yoghurt) were ingested together with food such as rice, tortillas or bread products, all of which are considered to be high-phytate foods with low inherent zinc absorption. For foods low in phytate, the co-ingestion of dairy products did not improve zinc absorption. Improved zinc absorption of zinc from high-phytate foods following co-ingestion with dairy products may be related to the beneficial effects of the citrate and phosphopeptides present in dairy products. Considering that the main dietary zinc sources in areas in the world where zinc deficiency is most prevalent are typically high in phytate, the inclusion of dairy products in meals may be a viable dietary strategy to improve zinc absorption.
Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Rats Does Not Induce Preeclampsia
Authors: Ali Asad , Alexander Suzanne , Ko Pauline , Cuffe James S. M. , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , McGrath John J. , Eyles Darryl
Published: December 2021

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension. Epidemiological studies have associated preeclampsia with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism and schizophrenia. Preeclampsia has also been linked with maternal vitamin D deficiency, another candidate risk factor also associated with autism. Our laboratory has established a gestational vitamin-D-deficient rat model that shows consistent and robust behavioural phenotypes associated with autism- and schizophrenia-related animal models. Therefore, we explored here whether this model also produces preeclampsia as a possible mediator of behavioural phenotypes in offspring. We showed that gestational vitamin D deficiency was not associated with maternal blood pressure or proteinuria during late gestation. Maternal and placental angiogenic and vasculogenic factors were also not affected by a vitamin-D-deficient diet. We further showed that exposure to low vitamin D levels did not expose the placenta to oxidative stress. Overall, gestational vitamin D deficiency in our rat model was not associated with preeclampsia-related features, suggesting that well-described behavioural phenotypes in offspring born to vitamin-D-deficient rat dams are unlikely to be mediated via a preeclampsia-related mechanism.
Gut Microbial Metabolite-Mediated Regulation of the Intestinal Barrier in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Iyer Namrata , Corr Sinéad C.
Published: December 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease. The disease has a multifactorial aetiology, involving genetic, microbial as well as environmental factors. The disease pathogenesis operates at the host–microbe interface in the gut. The intestinal epithelium plays a central role in IBD disease pathogenesis. Apart from being a physical barrier, the epithelium acts as a node that integrates environmental, dietary, and microbial cues to calibrate host immune response and maintain homeostasis in the gut. IBD patients display microbial dysbiosis in the gut, combined with an increased barrier permeability that contributes to disease pathogenesis. Metabolites produced by microbes in the gut are dynamic indicators of diet, host, and microbial interplay in the gut. Microbial metabolites are actively absorbed or diffused across the intestinal lining to affect the host response in the intestine as well as at systemic sites via the engagement of cognate receptors. In this review, we summarize insights from metabolomics studies, uncovering the dynamic changes in gut metabolite profiles in IBD and their importance as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease. We focus on gut microbial metabolites as key regulators of the intestinal barrier and their role in the pathogenesis of IBD.
Protective Effects and Benefits of Olive Oil and Its Extracts on Women’s Health
Authors: Ly Thanh Truong Giang , Yun Jisoo , Lee Dong-Hyung , Chung Joo-Seop , Kwon Sang-Mo
Published: December 2021

Women and men share similar diseases; however, women have unique issues, including gynecologic diseases and diseases related to menstruation, menopause, and post menopause. In recent decades, scientists paid more attention to natural products and their derivatives because of their good tolerability and effectiveness in disease prevention and treatment. Olive oil is an essential component in the Mediterranean diet, a diet well known for its protective impact on human well-being. Investigation of the active components in olive oil, such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, showed positive effects in various diseases. Their effects have been clarified in many suggested mechanisms and have shown promising results in animal and human studies, especially in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and other disorders. This review summarizes the current evidence of the role of olives and olive polyphenols in women’s health issues and their potential implications in the treatment and prevention of health problems in women.
Vitamin D and Skin Cancer: An Epidemiological, Patient-Centered Update and Review
Authors: Martin-Gorgojo Alejandro , Gilaberte Yolanda , Nagore Eduardo
Published: December 2021

Background: The current vitamin D deficiency epidemic is accompanied by an increase in endemic skin cancer. There are still multiple controversies. This review aims to give practical recommendations regarding vitamin D among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Methods: Narrative review including human research articles published between 2011 and 2021, elaborated bearing in mind an epidemiological, patient-centered approach. Results: Ultraviolet (UV) exposure (neither artificial nor natural) is not the ideal source to synthesize vitamin D. There is conflicting epidemiological evidence regarding vitamin D, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and cutaneous melanoma (CMM), confounded by the effect of sun exposure and other factors. Conclusions: Current evidence is controversial, and there are no widely applicable strategies. We propose three practical recommendations. Firstly, sun protection recommendations should be kept among people at risk or with a personal history of skin cancer. Secondly, vitamin D should preferably be sourced through diet. In patients with melanoma or at risk of cutaneous cancer, serum vitamin D checks are warranted to detect and avoid its insufficiency.
Modified Citrus Pectin Treatment in Non-Metastatic Biochemically Relapsed Prostate Cancer: Results of a Prospective Phase II Study
Authors: Keizman Daniel , Frenkel Moshe , Peer Avivit , Kushnir Igal , Rosenbaum Eli , Sarid David , Leibovitch Ilan , Mano Roy , Yossepowitch Ofer , Margel David , Wolf Ido , Geva Ravit , Dresler Hadas , Rouvinov Keren , Rapoport Noa , Eliaz Isaac
Published: December 2021

Optimal therapy of biochemically relapsed prostate cancer (BRPC) after local treatment is elusive. An established modified citrus pectin (PectaSol®, P-MCP), a dietary polysaccharide, is an established antagonist of galectin-3, a carbohydrate-binding protein involved in cancer pathogenesis. Based on PSA dynamics, we report on the safety and the primary outcome analysis of a prospective phase II study of P-MCP in non-metastatic BRPC based. Sixty patients were enrolled, and one patient withdrew after a month. Patients (n = 59) were given P-MCP, 4.8 grams X 3/day, for six months. The primary endpoint was the rate without PSA progression and improved PSA doubling time (PSADT). Secondary endpoints were the rate without radiologic progression and toxicity. Patients that did not progress by PSA and radiologically at six months continued for an additional twelve months. After six months, 78% (n = 46) responded to therapy, with a decreased/stable PSA in 58% (n = 34), or improvement of PSADT in 75% (n = 44), and with negative scans, and entered the second twelve months treatment phase. Median PSADT improved significantly (p = 0.003). Disease progression during the first 6 months was noted in only 22% (n = 13), with PSA progression in 17% (n = 10), and PSA and radiologic progression in 5% (n = 3). No patients developed grade 3 or 4 toxicity.
Lipid Profiles from Dried Blood Spots Reveal Lipidomic Signatures of Newborns Undergoing Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia after Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Nixon Rebekah , Ip Ting Hin Richard , Jenkins Benjamin , Yip Ping K. , Clarke Paul , Ponnusamy Vennila , Michael-Titus Adina T. , Koulman Albert , Shah Divyen K.
Published: December 2021

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is associated with perinatal brain injury, which may lead to disability or death. As the brain is a lipid-rich organ, various lipid species can be significantly impacted by HIE and these correlate with specific changes to the lipidomic profile in the circulation. Objective: To investigate the peripheral blood lipidomic signature in dried blood spots (DBS) from newborns with HIE. Using univariate analysis, multivariate analysis and sPLS-DA modelling, we show that newborns with moderate–severe HIE (n = 46) who underwent therapeutic hypothermia (TH) displayed a robust peripheral blood lipidomic signature comprising 29 lipid species in four lipid classes; namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), triglyceride (TG) and sphingomyelin (SM) when compared with newborns with mild HIE (n = 18). In sPLS-DA modelling, the three most discriminant lipid species were TG 50:3, TG 54:5, and PC 36:5. We report a reduction in plasma TG and SM and an increase in plasma PC and LPC species during the course of TH in newborns with moderate–severe HIE, compared to a single specimen from newborns with mild HIE. These findings may guide the research in nutrition-based intervention strategies after HIE in synergy with TH to enhance neuroprotection.
The Effect of Isolated and Combined Application of Menthol and Carbohydrate Mouth Rinses on 40 km Time Trial Performance, Physiological and Perceptual Measures in the Heat
Authors: Best Russ , Crosby Seana , Berger Nicolas , McDonald Kerin
Published: December 2021

The current study compared mouth swills containing carbohydrate (CHO), menthol (MEN) or a combination (BOTH) on 40 km cycling time trial (TT) performance in the heat (32 °C, 40% humidity, 1000 W radiant load) and investigates associated physiological (rectal temperature (Trec), heart rate (HR)) and subjective measures (thermal comfort (TC), thermal sensation (TS), thirst, oral cooling (OC) and RPE (legs and lungs)). Eight recreationally trained male cyclists (32 ± 9 y; height: 180.9 ± 7.0 cm; weight: 76.3 ± 10.4 kg) completed familiarisation and three experimental trials, swilling either MEN, CHO or BOTH at 10 km intervals (5, 15, 25, 35 km). The 40 km TT performance did not differ significantly between conditions (F2,14 = 0.343; p = 0.715; η2 = 0.047), yet post-hoc testing indicated small differences between MEN and CHO (d = 0.225) and MEN and BOTH (d = 0.275). Subjective measures (TC, TS, RPE) were significantly affected by distance but showed no significant differences between solutions. Within-subject analysis found significant interactions between solution and location upon OC intensity (F28,196 = 2.577; p < 0.001; η2 = 0.269). While solutions containing MEN resulted in a greater sensation of OC, solutions containing CHO experienced small improvements in TT performance. Stimulation of central CHO pathways during self-paced cycling TT in the heat may be of more importance to performance than perceptual cooling interventions. However, no detrimental effects are seen when interventions are combined.
Dietary Antioxidant Capacity Promotes a Protective Effect against Exacerbated Oxidative Stress in Women Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer in a Prospective Study
Authors: Reitz Luiza Kuhnen , Schroeder Jaqueline , Longo Giana Zarbato , Boaventura Brunna Cristina Bremer , Di Pietro Patricia Faria
Published: December 2021

Breast cancer (Bca) is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide, and oxidative stress caused by adjuvant treatment may be decreased by antioxidant intake. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between Dietary antioxidant Capacity (DaC) and oxidation and antioxidant biomarkers in women undergoing adjuvant treatment (AT) for Bca. This prospective study had a sample of 70 women (52.2 ± 10.7 y). DaC (mmol/g) was calculated using nutritional data obtained from a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and blood was collected to measure the oxidation and antioxidant biomarkers at baseline (T0), and after AT (T1). Carbonylated protein levels were inversely associated with DaC at T1 (p = 0.004); women showed an increased risk of having increment on lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and decrement on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reduced glutathione after AT, in response to lowered DaC (p < 0.05). Carbonylated proteins, TBARS and FRAP levels remained stable between the periods for women at the 3rd DaC tertile at T1, differentiating them from those at the 1st tertile, who showed negative changes in these biomarkers (p < 0.04). DaC may be beneficial for women undergoing AT for Bca, since it promoted a reduction in oxidative stress.
The Strong Minimalist Thesis
Authors: Freidin Robert
Published: December 2021

This article reviews and attempts to evaluate the various proposals for a strong minimalist thesis that have been at the core of the minimalist program for linguistic theory since its inception almost three decades ago. These proposals have involved legibility conditions for the interface between language and the cognitive systems that access it, the simplest computational operation Merge (its form and function), and principles of computational efficiency (including inclusiveness, no-tampering, cyclic computation, and the deletion of copies). This evaluation attempts to demonstrate that reliance on interface conditions encounters serious long-standing problems for the analysis of language. It also suggests that the precise formulation of Merge may, in fact, subsume the effects of those principles of efficient computation currently under investigation and might possibly render unnecessary proposals for additional structure building operations (e.g., Pair-Merge and FormSequence).
Retrieving Equivalent Shear Viscosity for Molten Polymers from 3-D Nonisothermal Capillary Flow Simulation
Authors: Wen Yu-Ho , Wang Chen-Chieh , Cyue Guo-Sian , Kuo Rong-Hao , Hsu Chia-Hsiang , Chang Rong-Yeu
Published: December 2021

For highly viscous polymer melts, considerable fluid temperature rises produced by viscous heating can be a disturbing factor in viscosity measurements. By scrutinizing the experimental and simulated capillary pressure losses for polymeric liquids, we demonstrate the importance of applying a viscous heating correction to the shear viscosity, so as to correct for large errors introduced by the undesirable temperature rises. Specifically, on the basis of a theoretical derivation and 3-D nonisothermal flow simulation, an approach is developed for retrieving the equivalent shear viscosity in capillary rheometry, and we show that the shear viscosity can be evaluated by using the average fluid temperature at the wall, instead of the bulk temperature, as previously assumed. With the help of a viscous Cross model in analyzing the shear-dominated capillary flow, it is possible to extract the viscous heating contribution to capillary pressure loss, and the general validity of the methodology is assessed using the experiments on a series of thermoplastic melts, including polymers of amorphous, crystalline, and filler-reinforced types. The predictions of the viscous model based on the equivalent viscosity are found to be in good to excellent agreement with experimental pressure drops. For all the materials studied, a near material-independent scaling relation between the dimensionless temperature rise (Θ) and the Nahme number (Na) is found, Θ ~ Na0.72, from which the fluid temperature rise due to viscous heating as well as the resultant viscosity change can be predicted.
Ionic Conductivity of Hybrid Composite Solid Polymer Electrolytes of PEOnLiClO4-Cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 Films
Authors: Bashiri Parisa , Rao T. Prasada , Nazri Gholam-Abbas , Naik Ratna , Naik Vaman M.
Published: December 2021

Ionic conductivity of the polyethylene oxide-LiClO4 (PEOnLiClO4) solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films with an EO:Li ratio (n) of 10, 12, 15, as well as the hybrid composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) films of PEOnLiClO4 containing 50 wt% of cubic-Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) sub-micron sized particles, have been studied by varying Li-salt content in the films. The complex AC dielectric permittivity and conductivity data obtained from electrical impedance measurements were fitted using a generalized power-law, including the effects of electrode polarization applied at low AC frequencies to obtain various relaxation times. In addition to increased mechanical and thermal robustness, the CSPE films show higher values of ionic conductivity, >10−4 S/cm at room temperature compared to those of SPE films with n = 12 and 15. On the contrary, the ionic conductivity of CSPE with n = 10 decreases by a factor of three compared to the corresponding SPE film due to increased polymer structural reorientation and Li-ion pairing effects. The Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher behavior of the temperature-dependent conductivity data indicates a close correlation between the ionic conductivity and polymer segmental relaxation. The PEO12LiClO4-LLZO film shows the lowest activation energy of ~0.05 eV.
American Conservatives and the Allure of Post-Soviet Russian Orthodoxy
Authors: Riccardi-Swartz Sarah
Published: December 2021

This article explores the growing affinity for the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church by far-right Orthodox converts in the United States, highlighting how the spiritual draw to the faith is caught up in the globalizing politics of traditionalism and a transnational, ideological reimaging of the American culture wars. Employing ethnographic fieldwork from the rural United States and digital qualitative research, this study situates the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church in the international flows of conservativism focused on reclaiming social morals and traditional religiosity. In doing so, this article sheds light on how the post-Soviet Orthodox Church is viewed politically by a growing contingent of American religious and political actors who are turning to Russian Orthodoxy and Putin’s government during this New Cold War moment of tension between the United States and Russia. I argue that the allure of the post-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church for conservatives in the West offers us a window into how the institution is situated imaginatively within transnational politics, thereby providing us insights into the rapidly transforming culture wars fomenting globally.
Faith, Fortune and the Future: Christianity and Enterprise in Human Development
Authors: Heslam Peter S.
Published: December 2021

Insufficient attention has been paid to the interface between religion, business and development, allowing assumptions and stereotypes to abound. This paper takes a broadly conceptual and sociological approach to the development potential of the Evangelical Pentecostal Charismatic Movement (EPCM). Taking their cue from Weber, three questions are addressed, and three corresponding suggestions are made that are important to understanding this potential. Using the notion of ‘calling’ as an example, the first suggestion is that the cognitive, behavioural and social characteristics of the EPCM that are significant for development relate closely to personal and corporate purpose. Secondly, in contrast to what Weberian and secular perspectives tend to assume, the EPCM and its associated virtues will not necessarily decline as economies grow. Thirdly, while alternatives (such as Confucianism) are possible, the EPCM demonstrates considerable potential in terms of practical development impact. None of this challenges existing evidence that the movement is influenced by the ‘prosperity gospel’; by world-denying pietism and supernaturalism; and by socio-economic factors often described as ‘neo-liberal’—influences that have received much scholarly attention. It does indicate, however, that a more nuanced understanding of the movement and of its causal relationships is needed, given the complexity of the religion–business–development nexus.
The Remaining Buddhist Architecture in Fu’an, the Core Hinterland of the Changxi River Basin
Authors: Liu Jie , Jiang Yincheng , Cao Chen
Published: December 2021

The Changxi River Basin is a small root-like watershed, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea to the southeast. It is located on the border between Fujian and Zhejiang on the southeast coast of China. The area gave rise to the Changxi Culture that began in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and flourished in the Song Dynasty. Buddhism in the Changxi Basin was introduced no later than the 9th century. As the core hinterland of the Changxi Basin, Fu’an has always been an important center for Buddhism in Eastern Fujian. It reached its peak in the 10th to 13th centuries during the Song Dynasty. This article conducts a comprehensive investigation and study of the existing Buddhist temple sites and relics in Fu’an. It highlights these structures’ single-bay pattern of construction, based on rectangular plans in which the longitudinal axis extends along the plan’s direction of depth. This is a pattern rarely seen in the history of Chinese Buddhist architecture. The paper also summarizes a common element in these temples, their petal-shaped corrugated stone pillars which are divided into eight segments. Lastly, it illustrates the evolution of the temples in the Changxi River Basin from single-bay layouts to those with widths of multiple bays and indicates the unique status and associated values of single-bay Buddhist temples in the history of southern Buddhist architecture. The study examines new local findings and ideas for the study of Chinese Buddhist architectural history, providing academic support for the protection and research of Buddhist architectural heritage in Southeast China.
RMCSat: An F10.7 Solar Flux Index CubeSat Mission
Authors: Taylor Heather , Vreugdenburg Melissa , Sangalli L. , Vincent Ron
Published: December 2021

The F10.7 solar flux index is a measure of microwave solar emissions at a wavelength of 10.7 cm or 2800 MHz. It is widely used in thermosphere and ionosphere models as an indicator of solar activity and is recorded at only one terrestrial observatory in Penticton, Canada during daylight hours. The lack of geographical and temporal coverage of F10.7 measurements and no external redundancy to the existing system has led to the development of the RMCSat mission, which seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting microwave solar flux emissions from a space-based platform. RMCSat is the first CubeSat mission by the Royal Military College of Canada. It offers a training environment for personnel in space mission analysis and design, satellite assembly, integration and testing, and satellite operations. This paper introduces the mission concept and preliminary design of a space-based solution that captures solar density flux measurements during each orbit as the Sun passes through the boresight of the primary payload antenna. In addition to two channels recording the 2800 MHz frequency (2785 MHz and 2815 MHz), a third channel records 2695 MHz using the same calibration standard to determine if the United States Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN) could be leveraged to supplement the existing F10.7 solar flux measurements and improve solar flux approximations. The RMCSat mission, satellite design, and system budgets are demonstrated here as being viable. Future design considerations pertain to the payload antennas and achievable launch orbits.
Study on Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Yellow River Delta Coastline from 1976 to 2020
Authors: Li Chengming , Zhu Lining , Dai Zhaoxin , Wu Zheng
Published: December 2021

The Yellow River Delta in China is the most active one for sea–land changes over all deltas worldwide, and its coastline evolution is critical to urban planning and environmental sustainability in coastal areas. Existing studies rarely used yearly temporal resolution, and lack more detailed and quantitative analysis of coastline evolution characteristics. This paper used visual interpretation to extract the coastline of the Yellow River Delta in year interval Landsat images for 45 years from 1976 to 2020, and analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of the coastline evolution through statistical methods such as calculating change values and change rate. The main results are as follows: (1) overall, the coastline of the Yellow River Delta presented a spatial pattern involving northern landward retreat and southern seaward expansion. Since 1990, the Yellow River Delta has entered a period of decline. In addition, the length of the artificial coastline increased by about 55 km; (2) in the Qingshuigou region, the land area and the coastline length increased first and then stabilized. The southeastern part of the Qingshuigou was in a state of erosion, while the northeastern part was expanding toward the sea along the north direction; (3) in the Diaokou region, the land area has been decreasing, but the reduction rate has gradually slowed down. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) through the research on the evolution model and mechanism of the coastline of the Yellow River Delta, it was found that human factors and natural factors were the two major driving factors that affect the evolution of the coastline; (2) a river branch appeared in the northern part of the Qingshuigou region in 2014 and became a major branch in 2020, which would affect the development of the coastal region of Chengdao. This study is important for better understanding the evolution pattern of the Yellow River Delta coastline and will help to provide guidance for coastline management and resource exploitation.