bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rivea Hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy: A Review of its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
Authors: Mukim Mohammad , Kabra Atul , Hano Christophe , Drouet Samantha , Tungmunnithum Duangjai , Chaturvedi Mohit , Patel Rakesh
Published: March 2021

Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.) Choisy is a robust woody climbing shrub of the genus Rivea which is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. R. hypocrateriformis is a promising medicinal herb with enormous helpful and wellbeing advancing impacts. R. hypocrateriformis has been utilized as a customary medication for a long time to treat rheumatic pain, fever, urogenital problem, snake bite, cough, piles, malaria, and skin disease. Apart from the traditional uses its leaves and young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable and for preparation of bread with millet flour. This review comprehensively summarizes the up-to-date information on the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity study of R. hypocrateriformis. Phytochemical investigation has been revealed that alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, xanthones, stilbenes, and other organic compounds are contained in R. hypocrateriformis. Crude extracts and isolated compounds have exhibited numerous pharmacological activities such as anovulatory effect, antifertility activity, antiarthritic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antilithiatic, antimitotic. R. hypocrateriformis is a promising restorative spice with monstrous remedial and wellbeing advancing impacts. Along these lines, further investigations on the bioactive mixtures and systems of R. hypocrateriformis are justified. Extra clinical and toxicological examinations are expected to assess its wellbeing.
Computational Experience with Piecewise-Linear Relaxations for Petroleum Refinery Planning
Authors: Rana Zaid Ashraf , Khor Cheng Seong
Published: March 2021

Refinery planning optimization is a challenging problem as regards handling the nonconvex bilinearity mainly due to pooling operations in processes such as crude oil distillation and product blending. This work investigates the performance of several representative piecewise-linear (or piecewise-affine) relaxation schemes (referred to as McCormick, bm, nf5, nf6t, and de (which is a new approach proposed based on eigenvector decomposition) that mainly give rise to mixed-integer optimization programs to convexify a bilinear term using predetermined univariate partitioning for instances of uniform and non-uniform partition sizes. Computational results show that applying these schemes give improved relaxation tightness than only applying convex and concave envelopes as estimators. Uniform partition sizes typically perform better in terms of relaxation solution quality and convergence behavior. It is also seen that there is a limit on the number of partitions that contributes to relaxation tightness, which does not necessarily correspond to a larger number of partitions, while a direct relation between relaxation size and tightness does not always hold for non-uniform partition sizes.
Marker Assisted Selection of Malic-Consuming Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains for Winemaking. Efficiency and Limits of a QTL’s Driven Breeding Program
Authors: Vion Charlotte , Peltier Emilien , Bernard Margaux , Muro Maitena , Marullo Philippe
Published: March 2021

Background Natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains exhibit very large genotypic and phe-notypic diversity. Breeding programs taking advantage of this characteristic, are widely used for yeast selection in the wine industry, especially in the recent years when winemakers need to adapt their production to climate change. The aim of this work was to evaluate a Marker Assisted Se-lection (MAS) program to improve malic acid consumption capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in grape juice. Methods Optimal individuals of two unrelated F1-hybrids were crossed to get a new genetic background carrying many “malic consumer” loci. Then, eleven QTLs already identified were used for implementing the MAS breeding program. Results By this way, extreme individuals able to consume more than 70% of malic acid in grape juice were selected. These individuals were tested in different enological matrixes and compared to their original parental strains. They greatly reduced the malic acid content at the end of alcoholic fermentations, they appeared to be robust to the environment and accelerate the ongoing of malo-lactic fermentations by Oenococcus oeni. Conclusions This study illustrates how MAS can be efficiently used for selecting industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with outlier properties for winemaking.
Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens. A Potential Health Risk in Water Mist Systems Used as a Cooling Intervention
Authors: Masaka Edmore , Reed Sue , Davidson Margaret , Oosthuizen Jacques
Published: March 2021

Water mist systems (WMS) are used for evaporative cooling in public areas. The health risks associated with their colonization by opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) is not well understood. To advance the understanding of the potential health risk of OPPPs in WMS, biofilm, water and bioaerosol samples (n = 90) from ten (10) WMS in Australia were collected and analyzed by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to detect the occurrence of 5 representative OPPPs: Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium avium, Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba. P. aeruginosa (44%, n = 90) occurred more frequently in samples, followed by L. pneumophila serogroup (Sg) 2 - 14 (18%, n = 90) and L. pneumophila Sg 1 (6%, n = 90). A negative correlation between OPPP occurrence and residual free chlorine was observed except with Acanthamoeba ,rs (30) = 0.067, p > 0.05. . All detected OPPPs were positively correlated with water temperature. Biofilms contained higher concentrations of L. pneumophila Sg 2 - 14 (1000 – 3000 CFU/ml) in comparison to water samples (0-100CFU/ml). This study suggests that WMS can be colonized by OPPPs and are a potential health risk if OPPP contaminated aerosols get released into ambient atmospheres.
Prospect of Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants as a Hepatoprotective and Anti-Alcoholic Liver Disease Agent
Authors: James Abugri , Adu-Frimpong Michael
Published: March 2021

Oxidative stress initiates and facilitates the disruption of the structural integrity of hepatic mitochondria, which leads to steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. It is now evident that mitochondrial dysfunction could be responsible for alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The challenge in treating ALD has been the limited availability of hepatoprotective agents and the lack of highly efficient delivery systems. Recent studies have shown that mitochondria-targeted therapies could address mitochondrial dysfunction (MD), which may greatly improve hepatoprotection and ALD treatment. This mini-review discusses the potential role of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTAs) in the maintenance of hepatocellular integrity. This report also considers the mechanism of liver injury induced by alcohol and the progression of ALD from a mitochondrial oxidative damage perspective as well as the possible mechanistic actions of hepatoprotective antioxidants. Preliminary studies suggest the prospect of MTAs as anti-ALD and hepatoprotective agents.
Leaving the Dark Side? Insights Into the Evolution of Luciferases
Authors: Delroisse Jérôme , Duchatelet Laurent , Flammang Patrick , Mallefet Jérôme
Published: March 2021

Bioluminescence – i.e., the emission of visible light by living organisms - is defined as a biochemical reaction involving, at least, a luciferin substrate, an oxygen derivative, and a specialised luciferase enzyme. In some cases, the enzyme and the substrate are durably associated and form a photoprotein. While this terminology is educatively useful to explain bioluminescence, it gives a false idea that all luminous organisms are using identical or homologous molecular tools to achieve light emission. As usually observed in biology, the reality is more complicated. To date, 11 different luciferins have indeed been discovered, and several non-homologous luciferases lato sensu have been identified which, all together, confirms that bioluminescence emerged independently multiple times in evolution. While some phylogenetically related organisms may use non-homologous luciferases (e.g., at least four convergent luciferases found in Pancrustacea), it has also been observed that phylogenetically distant organisms may use homologous luciferases (e.g., parallel evolution observed in some cnidarians, tunicates and echinoderms that are sharing a homologous luciferase-based system). The evolution of luciferases then appears puzzling. The present review takes stock of the diversity of known “bioluminescent proteins”, their evolution and potential evolutionary origins. A total of 134 luciferase and photoprotein sequences have been investigated (from 75 species and 11 phyla), and our analyses identified 12 distinct types – defined as a group of homologous bioluminescent proteins. These analyses indicated that genes coding for luciferases and photoproteins have potentially emerged as new genes or have been co-opted from ancestral non-luciferase/photoprotein genes. In this latter case, the homologous gene’s co-options may occur independently in phylogenetically distant organisms.
Colombian Essential oil of Ruta Graveolens Against Candida sp. Isolated from the Oral Cavity of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Donadu Matthew Gavino , Peralta-Ruiz Yeimmy , Usai Donatella , Maggio* Francesca , Rizzo Davide , Bussu Francesco , Rubino Salvatore , Zanetti Stefania , Paparella Antonello , Lopez* Clemencia Chaves
Published: March 2021

The problem of drug resistance in terms of antifungal therapy, unknown until a few years ago, is assuming increasing importance. Particularly in immunosuppressed patients and subject to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the last years the use of essential oils as approach to improving the effectiveness of antifungal agents and reducing the antibiotic resistant has been proposed. Our research aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Colombian essential oil of Ruta graveolens (REO) against clinical strains of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilopsis, C. glabrata and Candida tropicalis. The data obtained showed that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were most sensible strains showing minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.5 and 1.0 µg/ml of REO. The Time Kill Kinetics assay demonstrated that REO showed fungicide effect against C. tropicalis and fungistatic effect against C. albicans. In addition, the 40% of the biofilm formed by C. albicans was eradicated using 1% of REO after 1 hour of exposure.
Current and Novel Alkylators in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Schjesvold Fredrik , Oriol Albert
Published: March 2021

A large number of novel treatments for myeloma have been developed and approved, however alkylating drugs continue to be part of standard regimens, additionally, novel alkylators are currently being developed. We performed a non-systematized literary search for relevant papers and communications at large conferences, as well as exploiting the authors knowledge of the field to review the history, current use and novel concepts around traditional alkylators cyclophosphamide, bendamustine and melphalan and current data on the newly developed pro-drug melflufen. Even in the era of targeted treatment and personalized medicine, alkylating drugs continue to be part of standard-of-care in myeloma, and new alkylators are coming to the market.
Light Extraction Enhancement Techniques for Inorganic Scintillators
Authors: Gramuglia Francesco , Frasca Simone , Ripiccini Emanuele , Venialgo Esteban , Gâté Valentin , Kadiri Hind , Descharmes Nicolas , Turover Daniel , Charbon Edoardo , Bruschini Claudio
Published: March 2021

Scintillators play a key role in the detection chain of several applications which rely on the use of ionizing radiation, and it is often mandatory to extract and detect the generated scintillation light as efficiently as possible. In positron emission tomography (PET), for example, both energy resolution and coincidence resolving time, two of the key detection parameters, depend strongly on the total amount of light which reaches the photodetector surface as well as its spatial and temporal distribution. Typical inorganic scintillators do however feature a high index of refraction, which impacts light extraction efficiency in a negative way. Furthermore, several applications such as preclinical PET rely on pixelated scintillators with small pitch. In this case, applying reflectors on the crystal pixel surface, as done conventionally, can have a dramatic impact of the packing fraction and thus the overall system sensitivity. This paper presents a study on light extraction techniques, as well as combinations thereof, for two of the most used inorganic scintillators (LYSO and BGO). Novel approaches, employing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), metal coatings, and a modified Photonic Crystal (PhC) structure, are described in detail and compared with commonly used techniques. The nanostructure of the PhC is surrounded by a hybrid organic/inorganic silica sol-gel buffer layer which ensures robustness while maintaining its performance unchanged. We observed in particular a maximum light gain of about 41% on light extraction and 21% on energy resolution for BGO, a scintillator which has gained interest in the recent past due to its prompt Cherenkov component and lower cost.
Profile Measurement Using Confocal Chromatic Probe on Ultrahigh Precision Machine Tool
Authors: Duan Hao , Morita Shinya , Hosobata Takuya , Takeda Masahiro , Yamagata Yutaka ,   Tokyo Denki University 5 Senju Asahi-cho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 120-8551, Japan,   RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Wako, Japan
Published: March 2021

An on-machine measurement (OMM) system is an effective apparatus for achieving an efficient profile compensation and improving machining conditions in ultrahigh precision machining. Herein, we report a new OMM system with a confocal chromatic probe on a five-axis ultrahigh precision machine tool constructed using a real-time position capturing method. The probe and machine tool positions are captured synchronously using a personal computer to generate profile measurement data. Long- and short-term stability, micro step response, and repeatability tests using an optical flat indicates that the system has a precision of approximately ±10 nm. The profile measurement test using a reference sphere indicates that the precision of the OMM system deteriorated at a large slope angle of ±45°. However, the overall accuracy is estimated to be within ±100 nm at a slope angle within ±15°. The linearity test at various slope angles indicates that the decrease in reflected light from a mirror-like surface deteriorates the performance of the probe.
The Effect of Jamblang Leaves Extract (Syzygium cumini) Inclusion Skim Milk-Egg Yolk Extender on Motility, Abnormality and Viability of Aceh Cattle Spermatozoa Stored at 4ºC
Authors: Novita Cut Intan , Sari Rosna , Sari Eka Meutia
Published: March 2021

This research aimed to know the effect of the addition of jamblang leaves extract (Syzygium cumini) in skim milk-egg yolk diluent material on motility, abnormality, and viability of Aceh cattle stored at 4ºC. The research design used was Complete Randomized Design consisting of 5 treatment and 5 repetitions. The treatments consisted of J0 (SSKT), J1 (SSKT+ EDJ 0. g/ 100 ml), J2 (SSKT+ EDJ 0.4 g/ 100 ml), J3 (SSKT+ EDJ 0.6 g/ 100 ml) and J4 (SSKT+ EDJ 0.8 g/ 100 ml). The data obtained were analyzed descriptively by determining the mean value and standard deviation using Microsoft Excel. The research result indicated that the addition of jamblang leaves extract in skim milk-egg yolk diluent material maintaining the motility, viability and abnormality of the spermatozoa of Aceh cattle stored at the temperature of 4ºC. Based on the research that has been carried out,  it can be concluded that the addition of jamblang leaves extract in skim milk-egg yolk diluent material can maintain the quality of Aceh cattle spermatozoa, while the use of incorrect dose becomes toxic and disrupt the spermatozoa activities to cause death.
Supply Chain Performance and Quality Measurement of Dairy Cow Concentrate in Cooperative toward Sustainable Productivity: a Case Study
Authors: Nuraina Norma , Hamidah Atikah Nur , Despal Despal , Taufik Epi
Published: March 2021

This research aims to measure supply chain performance of dairy concentrate in cooperative with the SCOR-AHP approach and develop improvement based on the performance result, and to analyze the quality suitability as a basis to develop a comprehensive quality standard and its quality control mechanism. This research was conducted at a dairy farmer cooperative located in West Java. The analysis used to measure the performance was supply chain operation reference-analysis hierarchy process (SCOR-AHP). For measuring the product quality, ten post-production concentrate samples, 27 samples after the distribution process, and 25 samples for homogeneity test from five mixer machines were taken. Concentrate quality parameters were moisture, ash, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, total digestible nutrients (TDN), and salt content. Post-production samples data were compared with Indonesian National Standard (SNI) using one-tailed one-sample t-test, samples data from the field were tested using two samples independent t-tests compared to post-production samples data, and homogeneity test was seen from the coefficient of variation value of the salt content. The results show that the supply chain performance value of dairy cow concentrate at the cooperative is excellent. The nutrient content complies with SNI, but the homogeneity of the mixture is classified as poor category. The nutrient content of samples taken from the field shows differences with post-production samples except for TDN. The excessive total cost can be utilized to enhance performance in generating a better quality product. The cooperative should enhance homogeneity by concerning the mixing process and maintain the quality consistency by reformulating, stabilizing the quality of feedstuff, and calculating stock properly to avoid longer storage.
Spatiotemporal Distributions of Fluorine and Arsenic in Rivers With the Role of Mining Industry and Related Human Health Risk Assessments in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Li Yizhen , Ma Long , Abuduwaili Jilili , Li Yaoming , uulu Salamat Abdyzhapar
Published: March 2021

To determine the spatiotemporal distributions and human health risks of fluoride and arsenic in the rivers of Kyrgyzstan as influenced by mining and other industries, 169 water samples were collected from the main rivers and tributaries of Kyrgyzstan from 2016 to 2018. Through the use of cold and hot spot analysis, multivariate statistical analysis and health risk assessment model, the results indicated that the fluorine and arsenic concentrations in river waters increased year by year from 2016 to 2018. In total, 2.38%, 3.26% and 10.64% of the analyzed samples exceeded the drinking water standard of a maximum permissible limit of 1 mg/L for fluoride, and 0%, 1.09% and 2.13% of the samples exceeded the limit of 10 µg/L for arsenic in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The gathering areas for high fluorine concentrations were mainly distributed in the Issyk-Kul Basin, Chu River Valley and Fergana Basin, and the gathering areas for high arsenic concentrations were mainly concentrated in the Chu River Valley and southern Fergana Basin. Although fluorine and arsenic were not found to exceed the limits simultaneously, the two pollutants accumulated high values in the southern Fergana Basin in 2018, which indicated the risk of joint poisoning. The distributions of high fluorine and arsenic were found to be determined by mining, industrial and agricultural activities, but not by natural sources. From 2016 to 2018, arsenic concentrations in the river water of Kyrgyzstan created a high risk of carcinogenesis by the ingestion intake exposure route, which resulted in the total risk of health hazards to children and adults caused by fluoride and arsenic to exceed the maximum acceptable ranges. Therefore, further monitoring and management are urgently needed.
Ethno Veterinary Therapeutic Practices of Medicinal Flora in Livestock Health Care by Attappadi Tribal farmers of Kerala
Authors: A Nisha , N Vimal Rajkumar
Published: March 2021

Background- Attappadi is the largest tribal settlement area in Kerala with three tribes viz., Irulas, Mudugas and Kurumbas who are traditionally engaged in livestock activities. The present study was undertaken to document the different plants of ethnoveterinary uses and to identify the most prevailing livestock disease category among livestock farmers of Attappadi tribal area. Hence this study was designed and conducted to understand and effectively use the knowledge, and for the proper selection of important plant species for the most prevailing illness.Methods- This study was conducted in the period of December 2018 – April 19 using a structured interview with tribal farmers, EVM healers and key informants engaged in the livestock farming.Results- The present study documented 55 plant species under 39 families for treatment of 15 categories of ailments with their dosages and parts used in Attappadi tribal area. There was great agreement among the informants regarding ethno veterinary uses of plants with Factor of Informants Consensus (FIC) value ranging from 0.50 to 0.97, with an average value of 0.87.Conclusion- The study reports 55 medicinal plants with the­­­­­­ir uses and dosage along with the highlighted high FIC values indicates that the species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth searching for bioactive compounds and this has illuminated the cultural importance of this ethno veterinary wisdom which is consonantly blended with the tribal culture of the area.
Membrane-Mediated Sars-cov-2 Host Cell Entry: Potential Inhibitory Roles of Terpenoids in Silico
Authors: Gyebi Gideon Ampoma , Ogunyemi Oludare , Ibrahim Ibrahim M. , Ogunro Olalekan B. , Adegunloye Adegbenro P. , Afolabi Saheed
Published: March 2021

Targeting viral cell entry proteins is an emerging therapeutic strategy for inhibiting the first stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, 106 bioactive terpenoids from African medicinal plants were screened through molecular docking analysis against human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), human transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and the S proteins of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. In silico ADMET and drug-likeness prediction, molecular dynamics simulation (MDS), binding free energy calculations and clustering analysis of MDS trajectories were performed on the top docked compounds to respective targets. The results revealed eight terpenoids with high binding tendencies to the catalytic residues of different targets. Pentacyclic terpenoids: 24-methylene cycloartenol and isoiguesterin interacted with the hACE2 binding hotspots for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. 11-hydroxy-2 - (3,4-dihydroxybenzoyloxy) abieta -5,7,9 (11),13-tetraene-12-one, 11-hydroxy-2 -(4-hydroxybenzoyloxy)-abieta- 5,7,9(11),13-tetraene-12-one and other abietane diterpenes interacted strongly with the S1-specificy pocket of TMPRSS2. 3-benzoylhosloppone and cucurbitacin interacted with the RBD and S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein respectively. The predicted druggable and ADMET favourable terpenoids formed structurally stable complexes in the simulated dynamics environment. These terpenoids provides core structure that can be exploited for further lead optimization to design drugs against SARS-CoV-2 cell mediated entry, subject to further in vitro and in vivo studies.
Study TPX-100-5: Intra-Articular TPX-100 Significantly Delays Pathological Bone Shape Change and Stabilizes Cartilage in Moderate to Severe Bilateral Knee OA
Authors: McGuire Dawn , Bowes Michael , Brett Alan , Segal Neil , Miller Meghan , Rosen David , Kumagai Yoshinari
Published: March 2021

Background: TPX-100, a promotor of osteoblast and chondroblast differentiation, is a potential osteoarthritis (OA) therapy. This retrospective study compared MRI 3D femoral bone shape changes (B-scores) after intra-articular TPX-100 or placebo and analyzed the relationship between cartilage thickness and bone shape change over 12 months.Methods: 104 participants with bilateral knee moderate to severe (ICRS 2-4) knee cartilage defects were randomized for evaluation of efficacy and safety of 200mg of TPX-100. Each subject’s contralateral placebo-treated knee served as a paired internal control. After MRI quality control, 78/93 subjects (84%; 156 knees) were analyzed for quantitative femoral B-score and cartilage thickness. All analyses were centrally performed, blind to treatment assignment and clinical data.Results: TPX-100-treated knees (n=78) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in pathologic bone shape change compared with placebo-treated knees at 6 and 12 months: 0.0298 (95% C.I. -0.037, 0.097) vs 0.1246 (95% C.I. 0.067, 0.182) (P=0.02); and 0.0856 (95% C.I. 0.013, 0.158) vs. 0.1969 (95% C.I. 0.123, 0.271) (P = 0.01), respectively. The correlation between bone shape change and medial and total tibiofemoral cartilage thickness changes at 12 months was statistically significant in TPX-100-treated knees (P<0.01). Conclusions: This is the first report of a potential therapy demonstrating a significant effect on bone shape measured by B-score in knee OA. These data, in combination with previously reported statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in WOMAC function versus placebo, support TPX-100 as a candidate for disease modification in knee OA.Trial Registration: NIH clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01925261. Registered 15 August 2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01925261?term=NCT01925261
The Effect of Different Concentrations of Nitrogen and Phosphorous on the Production of Lipid Metabolites in Haematococcus Pluvialis UTEX 25051
Authors: Gutierrez Brenda Seleny Hoyos , Miranda Alejandra , Meneses Diana , Vargas Gabriel , Sáez Alex
Published: March 2021

Microalgae as Haematococcus pluvialis produce lipid metabolites of great interest for different industries as the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, among other. Currently, one of the main limitations for the massive commercialization of these metabolites are the low yields between cell growth and the production of lipid metabolites. Thus, a better understanding of culture parameters that allow to get a balance between both variables is needed. Herein we evaluated the effect of Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM) on the production of lipid metabolites of high biotechnological value in Haematococcus pluvialis UTEX 2505. A factorial experimental design of 32 was used whereby the concentrations of the nitrogen and phosphorus source (0.2, 0.6 and 1.0 g / l) in the BBM culture medium were varied. Cell growth was measured, showed the highest concentration (1.148±0.842 g/l) for the treatment with the highest nitrate and phosphate content (a concentration of 1.0 g/l for both). The Astaxanthin content showed a maximum value of 76.22 ± 3.02 µg/mL for treatment with low nitrate (0.2 g/L) and medium phosphate (0.6 g/L). The antioxidant capacity was determined by the ORAC method, achieving superior values to those found in the literature for compounds such as vitamins E and C. The results suggested that low concentrations of nutrients, nitrate and phosphate have a positive effect on the concentration of lipid metabolites and affirm that the biomass of H. pluvialis UTEX 2505 is an excellent source of antioxidants and rich in essential fatty acids for human nutrition.
Novel Role of IMPA2 in AIFM2-Mediated Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer by Targeting p53
Authors: Liu Lei , Wang Min , Li Xianping , Wang Bingqi , Yin Sheng
Published: March 2021

Background

Cervical cancer continues to be concerned and the prognosis of locally advanced cervical cancer remains poor, which underscores pivotal needs to find novel therapeutic targets. Previously, we firstly identified Myo-inositol monophosphatase 2(IMPA2) as a potential oncogene and verified its tumor-promoting role in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we further aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of IMPA2 in regulation of tumor apoptosis.
Methods

Cell apoptosis was assessed by apoptosis-related proteins detecting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Fluorescence microscope was used to analyze fluorescence signal. The string database was used to find molecules regulated by IMPA2. The expression of apoptosis inducing factor mitochondria associated 2(AIFM2) was determined by qRT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence analysis. Function changes of mitochondria were evaluated by measurements of mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ levels. CCK-8 assay was used to detected cell viability.
Results

Apoptosis of cervical cancer cells was markedly promoted when silencing IMPA2. AIFM2 was significantly up-regulated both in mRNA and protein levels, and inhibition of AIFM2 could reserve IMPA2 knockdown-induced apoptosis in a mitochondrial dependent manner. But the analysis of database and our experimental results showed that AIFM2 had little effect on cervical cancer progression and survival. Further mechanistic study revealed that IMPA2 and AIFM2 silencing apparently activated p53 and treatment of p53 inhibitor (Pifithrin α) could rescue IMPA2 knockdown-induced cell apoptosis.
Conclusion

Our findings displayed a novel function of IMPA2 in regulating cell apoptosis mediated by a disturbance of AIFM2 and p53 expression, potentially making it a novel therapeutic target for cervical cancer treatment.
Effect of Protein Interactions on the UHMWPE Composites After the Multidirectional Wear Test
Authors: Shahemi Nur Hidayah , KAMIS SHAHIRA LIZA , SAWAE YOSHINORI , Morita Takehiro
Published: March 2021

Recent studies have found a rapid increase of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear in the presence of proteins from the synovial fluid. This is due to the high hydrophobicity surface of UHMWPE which allows the proteins to get interacted and adsorbed to the UHMWPE surface. Moreover, since UHMWPE has low thermal conductivity, the heat elevated produced from the articulating contact surfaces would be slowly dissipated and protein structure becoming denatured. The denatured proteins were claimed could increase the adhesive wear response. Thus, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the graphene oxide (GO) and graphite flake (GF) on the UHMWPE’s heat dissipation and wettability characteristics in regards to reducing the protein denaturation effect on the surface. The surface properties were characterized by using surface energy evaluation, zeta potential, and Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR). Following that, wear properties of each UHMWPE composite were evaluated by using a multidirectional pin-on-disc wear test under a lubricated condition. The worn surface of each pin sample was evaluated, and the dominating factors of wear properties were determined. In addition to that, the effect of protein absorption on the UHMWPE composites was also evaluated in this study. The results show both fillers (GO and GF) had no effect in altering the UHMWPE composites’ physicochemical properties. The improvement of UHMWPE composite’s wear properties was discovered to be primarily dominated by the existence of GO filler (1.0 wt%) near the sliding surface has improved the subsurface strength of the material and heat dissipation effect which reduces the denaturation of the proteins.
Antagonistic cell surface and intracellular auxin signalling regulate plasma membrane H+-fluxes for root growth
Authors: Li Lanxin , Verstraeten Inge , Roosjen Mark , Takahashi Koji , Rodriguez Lesia , Merrin Jack , Chen Jian , Shabala Lana , Smet Wouter , Ren Hong , Vanneste Steffen , Shabala Sergey , De Rybel Bert , Weijers Dolf , Kinoshita Toshinori , Gray William M. , Friml Jiří
Published: March 2021

Growth regulation tailors plant development to its environment. A showcase is growth adaptation to gravity, where shoots bend up and roots down. This paradox is based on different responses to the phytohormone auxin, which promotes cell expansion in shoots, while inhibiting it in roots via a yet unknown cellular mechanism. Here, by combining microfluidics, live imaging, genetic engineering and phospho-proteomics in Arabidopsis thaliana, we reveal how auxin inhibits root growth. We show that auxin activates two distinct, antagonistically acting signalling pathways that converge on the rapid regulation of the apoplastic pH, which is the direct growth-determining mechanism. Cell surface-based TRANSMEMBRANE KINASE 1 (TMK1) interacts with and mediates phosphorylation and activation of plasma membrane H+-ATPases for apoplast acidification, while intracellular TIR1/AFB-mediated signalling triggers net cellular H+-influx, causing apoplast alkalinisation. The simultaneous activation of these two counteracting mechanisms poises the root for a rapid, fine-tuned growth modulation to subtle changes in the environment.
Delirium screening with 4AT in patients aged 65 years and older admitted to the Emergency Department with suspected sepsis – a prospective cohort study
Authors: Myrstad Marius , Kuwelker Kanika , Haakonsen Sigurd , Valebjørg Therese , Kittang Bård Reiakvam , Hagberg Guri , Neerland Bjørn Erik , Bakken Marit Stordal
Published: March 2021

Background
Cognitive impairment is common among acutely ill older patients admitted to hospital. The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) is recommended as a tool to predict poor outcome in patients with suspected sepsis, but assesses cognitive function crudely. We aimed to study the feasibility of The 4 'A's test (4AT), a rapid delirium screening tool, performed upon Emergency Department (ED) admission by nurses and doctors inexperienced with this tool, and to characterize patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to the ED with suspected sepsis.
Methods
In this prospective cohort study, we included patients aged ≥ 65 years, admitted to the EDs of two Norwegian general hospitals, with suspected sepsis. ED nurses and doctors performed delirium screening with 4AT within two hours after ED admission, and registered the time spent on the screening in each case. Sepsis and delirium during the hospital stay were diagnosed retrospectively, according to recommended diagnosis criteria.
Results
Out of the 196 patients included (mean age 81 years), 100 patients fulfilled the sepsis diagnosis criteria. Mean 4AT screening time was 2.5 minutes (median two minutes). While qSOFA identified 48 patients (24%) with altered mental status, 114 patients (58%) had a 4AT score ≥ 1, indicating cognitive impairment, upon ED admission. Sepsis patients more often had a 4AT score ≥ 4, indicating delirium, than patients without sepsis (40% vs. 26%, p < 0.05). The prevalence of delirium any time during the hospital stay was 44% in patients aged 65–80 years, 57% in patients aged ≥ 80 years, and 76% in patients aged ≥ 80 years with sepsis.
Conclusions
Delirium screening upon ED admission, with 4AT performed by nurses and doctors inexperienced with this tool, was feasible among patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted with suspected sepsis. Features of delirium were common upon ED admission, particularly in patients with sepsis. The prevalence of delirium anytime during the hospital stay was highest among patients aged 80 years and older with sepsis. Our findings suggest increased awareness of delirium in older patients admitted to the ED with suspected sepsis, but the added value of systematic delirium screening with 4AT needs to be addressed in future studies.
Leukemia inhibitory factor stimulates primitive endoderm expansion in the bovine inner cell mass
Authors: Wooldridge Lydia K. , Ealy Alan D.
Published: March 2021

Previous work determined that bovine interleukin-6 (IL6) increases inner cell mass (ICM), primitive endoderm (PE) and total cell number in in vitro produced (IVP) bovine blastocysts. Another IL6 family member, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), has the potential to produce the same effects of IL6 due to the presence of its receptor in bovine blastocysts. We compared the abilities of LIF and IL6 to increase ICM cell numbers in day 7, 8 and 9 IVP bovine blastocysts. Supplementation with 100 ng/ml LIF from day 5 onward improved blastocyst formation rates on days 7 and 8 similar to what was observed when supplementing 100 ng/ml IL6. However, LIF supplementation did not cause an increase in ICM numbers like was observed after supplementing IL6. On day 9, increases in PE cell numbers were detected after LIF supplementation, but 300 ng/ml LIF was required to achieve the same effect on PE numbers that was observed by providing 100 ng/ml IL6. Collectively, these results show that LIF can mimic at least some of the effects of IL6 in bovine blastocyst.
The potential of a single injection of hUCMSCs in relevant testis injury and related severity of DSS induced acute and chronic colitis
Authors: Chang Yu-Lung , Lo Huei-Yu , Cheng Shun-Ping , Chang Kuo-Ting , Lin Xiu-Fang , Liao Kuo-sheng , Huang Jing-Long , Hsieh Ming-Fa , Chan Chin-Kan
Published: March 2021

Background A single injection of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) can improve dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced acute colitis and decrease progression of acute to chronic colitis. We report the therapeutic efficacy of hUCMSCs in acute and chronic colitis-related testicular injury. Methods Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were divided into control, phosphate-buffered saline 1 (PBS1), PBS2, hUCMSCs 1 (SC1), and SC2 treated groups. Colitis were induced in the mice using 3% DSS. The mice in the SC1 and SC2 groups underwent a single injection of hUCMSCs. Results The ratio of spermatogenesis impairment of mice in the stem cell groups was lower than that in the PBS groups on days 8 and 25 (P=.029, .043). The overall testicular function impairment and severity of colitis in the PBS2 group were lower than those in the PBS1 group on days 8 and 25 (P=.031, .016). The overall testicular function impairment and severity of colitis in the SC2 group were lower than those in the SC1 group on days 8 and 25 (P=.031, .016). Conclusions Disease activity of acute colitis is a good predictor of severity and prognosis of testicular injury in mice with colitis. hUCMSCs can reduce the ratio of testicular function impairment in acute and chronic colitis.
Flexible Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy Based on the Concept of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Authors: Shu Ling , Ao Ping , Zhang Zhenxing , Zhuo Dong , Dong Changbin , Huang Houbao , Wei Zhongqin
Published: March 2021

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURSL) based on the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).Methods: 435 patients with upper urinary calculi between 2017-2020 were retrospectively analysed and assigned to ERAS group (ERAS management) and control group (traditional management). Operative time, postoperative ambulation time, postoperative hospital stay, total cost of hospitalization, postoperative complications and stone removal were compared. Results: 427 cases were successfully performed FURSL procedure with 4 cases of ERAS group (n = 216) and 4 cases of control group (n = 219) failed respectively. No postoperative complications occurred in either group except for fever and hematuria. There were no significant difference in postoperative fever and stone removal between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The patients in ERAS group had shorter operative time, shorter postoperative ambulation time, less postoperative severe hematuria, shorter postoperative hospital stay and lower total cost of hospitalization than those in control group (all p < 0.05).Conclusions: FURSL based on the concept of ERAS for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi is safe and reliable, with rapid postoperative recovery, low cost of hospitalization and worthy of clinical promotion.
Life expectancy in West African countries: Evidence of convergence and catching up with the north
Authors: Yaya OlaOluwa S. , Otekunrin Oluwaseun A. , Ogbonna Ahamuefula E.
Published: March 2021

The article aims to investigate the possibility of the convergence and catching up of life expectancy values observed in West African countries with those noted in North African countries. Following the theory of time series convergence, documented in Bernard and Durlauf (1996) and Greasley and Oxley (1997), more robust unit root tests, based on the Fourier nonlinearity and instantaneous breaks proposed in Furuoka (2017), are used in investigating the convergence of each pair of a West African country and its North African counterpart. As no unit root in the differences of the pairs implies convergence, the results obtained by means of the new statistical approach quite outperform those produced by classical unit root tests. The results provide general evidence of the convergence of life expectancy values recorded in West Africa and North Africa.
Digital transformation in companies: Strategic analysis, drivers and models
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Tsenzharik Maria , Krylova Yulia ,   St. Petersburg State University, Steshenko Valeriia ,   Gazprom investproekt LLC
Published: March 2021

The article provides terminology for processes of digitalization and digital transformation. For structuring digital transformation processes, the authors offer a modification of the strategic scorecard and distinguish technologies as an additional perspective. Using business cases, the authors analyzed approaches to digital transformation, revealed principal digital transformation models, and described them. The interrelations between targets, models, and strategies of digital transformation are demonstrated. The authors argue that digital transformation has to be considered to be a part of corporate strategy rather than isolated processes, with common strategizing tools and metrics applied. External and internal environment elements for digital transformation are structured. It is shown that the internal digital environment can be evaluated with the companies’ digital maturity models. The external environment has a complex structure that can be described by the digital economy and society development in a country, a region, and a city; digital intensity level in an industry; and a digital ecosystem potential. All the authors’ contributions and conclusions are based on research papers, public statistical data, and analysis of Russian and foreign companies.
Analysis of export and import structures using network methods (on the example of the agricultural market)
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics — Nizhny Novgorod, Lapinova Svetlana , Anikina Alena ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics — Nizhny Novgorod, Osharin Alexander ,   National Research University Higher School of Economics — Nizhny Novgorod
Published: March 2021

Analysis of trade cooperation between countries and identification of the most significant market participants is of great importance, both theoretically and empirically. The global trading community forms a network of international relations defined by trade contracts in various industries. Export-import trade flows are one of the key indicators of the level of cooperation among countries and the state of the global economy. The high intensity of such contacts across groups of countries suggests the existence of clusters in this market segment,consisting of central players — exporters and importers, who often define rules for other participants.Understanding the existence and identification of such a center helps to develop an optimal international trade strategy. The purpose of this contribution is to identify factors affecting trade flows among different countries. Statistical analysis of the international trade relations does not always reveal all the essential aspects of cooperation. This paper combines the methods of graph theory and econometric analysis to study the parameters of trade flows among countries. The parameters used in the network analysis make it possible to obtain additional characteristics of market participants, which help to evaluate their significance in the world trade. The paper also identifies some key mathematical and economic characteristics of export-import flows connecting destination countries. We have analyzed the directions of changes in world trade and established correspondences between metric characteristics of graph vertices and parameters of world trade models. The Russian indicators in export/import categories and its largest sales agents are estimated. The identification of the key intermediaries and importers (centers and authorities) on each of the markets in question has been carried out. As an example for this identification the market of agricultural products among the world’s largest exporters and importers of the product were used.
Assessing the conundrums of the Cuban economy under the revolution (1959–2019)
Authors:   University of Pittsburgh, Mesa-Lago Carmelo
Published: March 2021

This article evaluates the resilient challenges faced by Cuba’s economy during the six decades of the Revolution (1959–2019), mainly its historical external economic dependency upon a foreign country (the USSR and Venezuela) and the adverse consequences that occur when such relationship ends or deteriorates. Several hypotheses address that issue as well as others such as the hindrance of the US embargo/blockade aggravated by Donald Trump’s punitive sanctions and Cuban continuity of a centrally planned economy and predominance of state enterprises over the market and the non-state sector. The core is an analysis of performance of key economic indicators: GDP growth, gross capital formation, financial stability, mining-industry agriculture output, tourism and exports of professional services. Hypotheses are tested with long-term statistical series elaborated and scrutinized by the author over half a century based on Cuban official sources, as well as legislation, articles by Cuban scholars and from news media. Among the results: external dependency has declined somewhat but demands deeper economic reforms, there are no countries currently capable and willing to fully replace Venezuela’s substantial aid, the ongoing crisis provoked by the deteriorating Venezuelan economy cum Trump’s sanctions should have lesser adverse effects than the 1990s crisis that resulted from the USSR disappearance. The article is a significant contribution to the study of Cuba’s external economic dependence and its consequences, and should be also worthy for other small economies and socialist countries.
Vraag & Antwoord
Authors: Wambacq W. , Haesendonck R.
Published: March 2021

Vitamine A-supplementatie bij kanaries
Voedingssupplementen bij paarden
Successful surgical repair of a temporal and parietal bone fracture with associated traumatic brain injury in a fourteen-day-old foal
Authors: Haardt H. , Vanderperren K. , Bauwens C. , Lefère L. , Raes E. , Pollaris E. , Martens A.
Published: March 2021

A fourteen-day-old warmblood colt presented with severe neurological signs of unknown origin. The foal was recumbent and comatose, and showed spastic motion of the head. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed multiple impression fractures to the left parietal and temporal bones, as well as traumatic brain injury. Three fragments of the temporal bone were dislocated into the cranial vault. The foal was surgically treated within 24 hours of presentation: the fragments were elevated and the largest fragment was fixated with an L-shaped titanium MatrixMidface 0.8 mm reconstruction plate. The brain injury resolved with medical treatment and supportive care. Apart from a localized wound abscess that was drained, postoperative healing was uneventful and the foal regained the ability to ambulate 18 days after surgery. Follow-up CT imaging documented good fracture healing and a favorable development of the soft tissue injuries. Seven months after surgery, the foal was fully recovered and showed no neurological signs.
Vraag & Antwoord
Authors: De Kruif A.
Published: March 2021

Amputatie van de uterus bij herkauwers