bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neglog: Homology-Based Negative Data Sampling Method for Genome-Scale Reconstruction of Human Protein–Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Mei Suyu , Zhang Kun
Published: October 2019

Rapid reconstruction of genome-scale protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks is instrumental in understanding the cellular processes and disease pathogenesis and drug reactions. However, lack of experimentally verified negative data (i.e., pairs of proteins that do not interact) is still a major issue that needs to be properly addressed in computational modeling. In this study, we take advantage of the very limited experimentally verified negative data from Negatome to infer more negative data for computational modeling. We assume that the paralogs or orthologs of two non-interacting proteins also do not interact with high probability. We coin an assumption as “Neglog” this assumption is to some extent supported by paralogous/orthologous structure conservation. To reduce the risk of bias toward the negative data from Negatome, we combine Neglog with less biased random sampling according to a certain ratio to construct training data. L2-regularized logistic regression is used as the base classifier to counteract noise and train on a large dataset. Computational results show that the proposed Neglog method outperforms pure random sampling method with sound biological interpretability. In addition, we find that independent test on negative data is indispensable for bias control, which is usually neglected by existing studies. Lastly, we use the Neglog method to validate the PPIs in STRING, which are supported by gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses.
The Good and the Bad of Natural Killer Cells in Virus Control: Perspective for Anti-HBV Therapy
Authors: Fisicaro Paola , Rossi Marzia , Vecchi Andrea , Acerbi Greta , Barili Valeria , Laccabue Diletta , Montali Ilaria , Zecca Alessandra , Penna Amalia , Missale Gabriele , Ferrari Carlo , Boni Carolina
Published: October 2019

Immune modulatory therapies are widely believed to represent potential therapeutic strategies for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). Among the cellular targets for immune interventions, Natural Killer (NK) cells represent possible candidates because they have a key role in anti-viral control by producing cytokines and by exerting cytotoxic functions against virus-infected cells. However, in patients with chronic hepatitis B, NK cells have been described to be more pathogenic than protective with preserved cytolytic activity but with a poor capacity to produce anti-viral cytokines. In addition, NK cells can exert a regulatory activity and possibly suppress adaptive immune responses in the setting of persistent viral infections. Consequently, a potential drawback of NK-cell targeted modulatory interventions is that they can potentiate the suppressive NK cell effect on virus-specific T cells, which further causes impairment of exhausted anti-viral T cell functions. Thus, clinically useful NK-cell modulatory strategies should be not only suited to improve positive anti-viral NK cell functions but also to abrogate T cell suppression by NK cell-mediated T cell killing. This review outlines the main NK cell features with a particular focus on CHB infection. It describes different mechanisms involved in NK-T cell interplay as well as how NK cells can have positive anti-viral effector functions and negative suppressive effects on T cells activity. This review discusses how modulation of their balance can have potential therapeutic implications.
PGC-1α Suppresses the Activation of TGF-β/Smad Signaling via Targeting TGFβRI Downregulation by let-7b/c Upregulation
Authors: Choi Hoon-In , Park Jung Sun , Kim Dong-Hyun , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Ma Seong Kwon , Kim Soo Wan
Published: October 2019

TGF-β/Smad signaling is a major pathway in progressive fibrotic processes, and further studies on the molecular mechanisms of TGF-β/Smad signaling are still needed for their therapeutic targeting. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) was shown to improve renal fibrosis, making it an attractive target for chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Here, we show the mechanism by which PGC-1α regulates the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway using HK-2 cell lines stably overexpressing empty vector (mock cells) or human PGC1α (PGC1α cells). Stable PGC-1α overexpression negatively regulated the expression of TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (fibronectin, E-cadherin, vimentin, and α-SMA) and EMT-related transcription factors (Snail and Slug) compared to mock cells, inhibiting fibrotic progression. Interestingly, among molecules upstream of Smad2/3 activation, the gene expression of only TGFβRI, but not TGFβRII, was downregulated in PGC-1α cells. In addition, the downregulation of TGFβRI by PGC-1α was associated with the upregulation of let-7b/c, miRNA for which the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of TGFβRI contains a binding site. In conclusion, PGC-1α suppresses TGF-β/Smad signaling activation via targeting TGFβRI downregulation by let-7b/c upregulation.
The Methylation Patterns and Transcriptional Responses to Chilling Stress at the Seedling Stage in Rice
Authors: Guo Hui , Wu Tingkai , Li Shuxing , He Qiang , Yang Zhanlie , Zhang Wuhan , Gan Yu , Sun Pingyong , Xiang Guanlun , Zhang Hongyu , Deng Huafeng
Published: October 2019

Chilling stress is considered the major abiotic stress affecting the growth, development, and yield of rice. To understand the transcriptomic responses and methylation regulation of rice in response to chilling stress, we analyzed a cold-tolerant variety of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. P427). The physiological properties, transcriptome, and methylation of cold-tolerant P427 seedlings under low-temperature stress (2–3 °C) were investigated. We found that P427 exhibited enhanced tolerance to low temperature, likely via increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and promoting the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA). The Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (MeDIP-seq) data showed that the number of methylation-altered genes was highest in P427 (5496) and slightly lower in Nipponbare (Nip) and 9311 (4528 and 3341, respectively), and only 2.7% (292) of methylation genes were detected as common differentially methylated genes (DMGs) related to cold tolerance in the three varieties. Transcriptome analyses revealed that 1654 genes had specifically altered expression in P427 under cold stress. These genes mainly belonged to transcription factor families, such as Myeloblastosis (MYB), APETALA2/ethylene-responsive element binding proteins (AP2-EREBP), NAM-ATAF-CUC (NAC) and WRKY. Fifty-one genes showed simultaneous methylation and expression level changes. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) results showed that genes involved in the ICE (inducer of CBF expression)-CBF (C-repeat binding factor)—COR (cold-regulated) pathway were highly expressed under cold stress, including the WRKY genes. The homologous gene Os03g0610900 of the open stomatal 1 (OST1) in rice was obtained by evolutionary tree analysis. Methylation in Os03g0610900 gene promoter region decreased, and the expression level of Os03g0610900 increased, suggesting that cold stress may lead to demethylation and increased gene expression of Os03g0610900. The ICE-CBF-COR pathway plays a vital role in the cold tolerance of the rice cultivar P427. Overall, this study demonstrates the differences in methylation and gene expression levels of P427 in response to low-temperature stress, providing a foundation for further investigations of the relationship between environmental stress, DNA methylation, and gene expression in rice.
Microbial Control of Invasive Forest Pests with Entomopathogenic Fungi: A Review of the Current Situation
Authors: Dara Surendra K. , Montalva Cristian , Barta Marek
Published: October 2019

The health of the forestlands of the world is impacted by a number of insect pests and some of them cause significant damage with serious economic and environmental implications. Whether it is damage of the North American cypress aphid in South America and Africa, or the destruction of maple trees in North America by the Asian long horned beetle, invasive forest pests are a major problem in many parts of the world. Several studies explored microbial control opportunities of invasive forest pests with entomopathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and some are successfully utilized as a part of integrated forest pest management programs around the world. This manuscript discusses some invasive pests and the status of their microbial control around the world with entomopathogenic fungi.
The Role of Landscapes and Landmarks in Bee Navigation: A Review
Authors: Kheradmand Bahram , Nieh James C.
Published: October 2019

The ability of animals to explore landmarks in their environment is essential to their fitness. Landmarks are widely recognized to play a key role in navigation by providing information in multiple sensory modalities. However, what is a landmark? We propose that animals use a hierarchy of information based upon its utility and salience when an animal is in a given motivational state. Focusing on honeybees, we suggest that foragers choose landmarks based upon their relative uniqueness, conspicuousness, stability, and context. We also propose that it is useful to distinguish between landmarks that provide sensory input that changes (“near”) or does not change (“far”) as the receiver uses these landmarks to navigate. However, we recognize that this distinction occurs on a continuum and is not a clear-cut dichotomy. We review the rich literature on landmarks, focusing on recent studies that have illuminated our understanding of the kinds of information that bees use, how they use it, potential mechanisms, and future research directions.
The Neurophysiological Bases of the Impact of Neonicotinoid Pesticides on the Behaviour of Honeybees
Authors: Cabirol Amélie , Haase Albrecht
Published: October 2019

Acetylcholine is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the honeybee brain and controls a wide range of behaviours that ensure the survival of the individuals and of the entire colony. Neonicotinoid pesticides target this neurotransmission pathway and can thereby affect the behaviours under its control, even at doses far below the toxicity limit. These sublethal effects of neonicotinoids on honeybee behaviours were suggested to be partly responsible for the decline in honeybee populations. However, the neural mechanisms by which neonicotinoids influence single behaviours are still unclear. This is mainly due to the heterogeneity of the exposure pathways, doses and durations between studies. Here, we provide a review of the state of the science in this field and highlight knowledge gaps that need to be closed. We describe the agonistic effects of neonicotinoids on neurons expressing the different nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and the resulting brain structural and functional changes, which are likely responsible for the behavioural alterations reported in bees exposed to neonicotinoids.
Evaluation of the Mistakes in Self-Diagnosis of Sexual Dysfunctions in 11,000 Male Outpatients: A Real-Life Study in An Andrology Clinic
Authors: Burgio Giovanni , Giammusso Bruno , Calogero Aldo E. , Mollaioli Daniele , Condorelli Rosita A. , Jannini Emmanuele A. , La Vignera Sandro
Published: October 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the initial request for sexual consultation with the final diagnosis and to evaluate the limits of the active andrological anamnesis concerning unclassified male sexual dysfunction. Methods: In this 12-year observational retrospective study, we collected data from patients referring to an andrological outpatient clinic, evaluating the requests, perceptions, needs, and self-diagnosis at their first visit and comparing them with the final diagnosis reached after a complete clinical, laboratory, and instrumental investigation. Results: A total of 11,200 patients were evaluated. The main request of andrological consultation was erectile dysfunction (ED) (52%), followed by premature ejaculation (PE) (28%), and low sexual desire (11.5%). Among the patients seeking help for ED, about 30% were ultimately found to have a different type of dysfunction and 24% were diagnosed with an “unmet need”, which included issues not present in the current nosography nonetheless affecting sexual and relational life. Among the patients referring for PE, the final diagnosis was lifelong PE for the large majority of them, regardless of whether initially they thought to have an acquired form. Several of those who sought consultation for acquired PE were frequently found to be able to compensate for lifelong PE by a subsequent coitus or were able to induce orgasm in the partner with different modalities. Among the patients referring for low sexual desire, only 57.5% were confirmed to have it; 23% had ED and 18.5% showed a raised threshold of penile sensitivity. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the reason for consultation is frequently misleading and raise the relevance of being aware of the so-called “unmet needs” and to discuss with the patient and the couple to explore the sexual history behind the self-diagnosis. These findings also suggest the need to expand the current taxonomy of male sexual dysfunctions.
First Isolation, Antifungal Susceptibility, and Molecular Characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans from the Environment in Croatia
Authors: Pllana-Hajdari Donjeta , Cogliati Massimo , Čičmak Ljiljana , Pleško Sanja , Mlinarić-Missoni Emilija , Mareković Ivana
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates from environmental sources in Croatia and to determine their molecular types and antifungal susceptibility. Swab samples of tree hollows and bird excreta in the soil beneath trees were collected. Samples included 472 (92.73%) samples obtained from tree hollows and 37 (7.27%) samples from bird excreta. Four C. neoformans species complex isolates were recovered from tree hollow swabs along the Mediterranean coast, while there were no isolates recovered from bird excreta or from the continental area. Three isolates were identified as molecular types VNI and one as VNIV. All tested antifungals showed high in vitro activity against the four isolates. This is the first report proving the presence of C. neoformans species complex in the environment of Croatia. The results of the study suggest a major risk of exposure for inhabitants living along the Croatian coast and that both VNI and VNIV molecular types can be expected in clinical cases of cryptococcosis. Susceptibility to antifungals confirmed that no resistance should be expected in patients with cryptococcosis at the present time.
Synthesis and Post-Annealing of Cu2ZnSnS4 Absorber Layers Based on Oleylamine/1-dodecanethiol
Authors: Ataollahi Narges , Bazerla Francesca , Malerba Claudia , Chiappini Andrea , Ferrari Maurizio , Di Maggio Rosa , Scardi Paolo
Published: October 2019

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals in oleylamine (OLA) and 1-dodecanethiol (1-DDT) solvents were successfully prepared via hot-injection method, to produce inks for the deposition of absorber layers in photovoltaic cells. In this process, 1-DDT acts as a coordinating ligand to control the nucleation and growth of CZTS nanocrystals, whereas lower amounts of OLA promote a homogeneous growth of the grains in the absorber layer. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed both tetragonal and hexagonal phases of CTZS in films obtained after soft thermal treatments (labeled TT0). In particular, 1-DDT is responsible for the formation of a greater percentage of the hexagonal phase (ZnS-wurtzite type) than that formed when only OLA is used. The thermal treatments have been varied from 500 °C to 600 °C for improving crystallization and eliminating secondary phases. Both features are known to promote CZTS thin films with band gap values typical of CZTS (1.5–1.6 eV) and suitable resistivity. This study let to compare also the CZTS post-annealing without (TT1) and with sulfur vapor (TT2) in a tubular furnace. Only tetragonal CZTS phase is observed in the XRD pattern of CZTS thin films after TT2. A small presence of localized residues of secondary phases on the same samples was revealed by μRaman measurements. The best values of band gap (1.50 eV) and resistivity (1.05 ohm.cm) were obtained after thermal treatment at 500 °C, which is suitable for absorber layer in photovoltaic application.
High Mechanical Performance Based on Physically Linked Double Network (DN) Hydrogels
Authors: Niu Li , Zhang Yutao , Shen Liyu , Sheng Qiuyue , Fu Shuai , Chen Shiyan , Du Yun , Chen Ying , Liu Yupeng
Published: October 2019

A new design strategy was proposed to improve the mechanical performance of double network (DN) hydrogels by introducing polyhydroxy compounds into the DN structure and form a physically linked double network through the interaction of hydrogen bonding. Herein, agar/poly(acrylic acid)/hydroxyethyl cellulose composite hydrogels could be prepared by a simple one-pot method. The resulting hydrogels exhibit highly mechanical properties and excellent recoverability, which have potential applications in biomedical fields.
Effects of Traffic Vibrations on the Flexural Properties of Newly Placed PVA-ECC Bridge Repairs
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Liu Shuguang , Yan Changwang , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wang Huiwen
Published: October 2019

Polyvinyl alcohol fiber reinforced engineering cementitious composites (PVA-ECCs) exhibit excellent tight-cracking and super-high toughness behaviors and have been widely used in bridge repair projects. In reality, the conventional method in bridge repair is that a portion of the bridge is closed and repaired while the other portion is left open to traffic. Consequently, newly placed PVA-ECC bridge repairs (NP-ECC-BRs) are exposed to continuous traffic vibrations (TRVs), even during the setting periods. However, whether or not TRVs affect the expected flexural properties of NP-ECC-BRs remains unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of TRVs on the attainable flexural properties of NP-ECC-BRs. For this purpose, a total of 324 newly fabricated thin-plate specimens were exposed to different vibration variables using self-designed vibration equipment. After vibration, a four-point flexural test was conducted to determine the flexural properties of the specimens. The results indicate that the effects of TRVs on the strengths of NP-ECC-BRs was significantly negative, but insignificantly positive for flexural deformation. We concluded that in the design of PVA-ECC bridge repairs, effects of TRVs on the flexural deformation capacity of NP-ECC-BRs are not a cause for concern, but serious consideration should be given to the associated reduction of flexural load-bearing capacity.
A Comprehensive Numerical Approach for Analyzing the Residual Stresses in AISI 301LN Stainless Steel Induced by Shot Peening
Authors: Zhou Fan , Jiang Wenchun , Du Yang , Xiao Chengran
Published: October 2019

Shot peening is one of the most famous mechanical surface treatments to improve fatigue performance of metallic components, which is attributed to high amplitude compressive residual stresses. A numerical approach is developed to analyze the residual stresses in 301LN metastable austenitic stainless steel by shot peening. The material behavior is described by a proposed constitutive model in which strain-induced martensitic transformation, isotropic hardening and kinematic hardening effects are taken into account properly. Both single shot and random multiple shots peening were simulated and analyzed. A numerical method is presented with the Python programming language to make the multiple shots follow a random probability distribution. Results demonstrate that the simulated equivalent plastic strains and martensitic volume fractions agree well with the experimental ones, which verify the validity of the constitutive model. Besides, the numerical method is effective at achieving a realistic surface coverage. The maximum compressive residual stress by the Johnson–Cook model is 12% higher than that of the proposed model. Additionally, each hardening effect has an effect on the simulated residual stress. The developed numerical approach can provide a feasible simulation of the shot-peening process and makes an accurate prediction of the residual stress field in 301LN steel.
Amorphous Tin Oxide Applied to Solution Processed Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Avis Christophe , Kim YounGoo , Jang Jin
Published: October 2019

The limited choice of materials for large area electronics limits the expansion of applications. Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) lead to thin-film transistors (TFTs) with high field-effect mobilities (>10 cm2/Vs) and high current ON/OFF ratios (IOn/IOff > ~107). But they both require vacuum processing that needs high investments and maintenance costs. Also, IGZO is prone to the scarcity and price of Ga and In. Other oxide semiconductors require the use of at least two cations (commonly chosen among Ga, Sn, Zn, and In) in order to obtain the amorphous phase. To solve these problems, we demonstrated an amorphous oxide material made using one earth-abundant metal: amorphous tin oxide (a-SnOx). Through XPS, AFM, optical analysis, and Hall effect, we determined that a-SnOx is a transparent n-type oxide semiconductor, where the SnO2 phase is predominant over the SnO phase. Used as the active material in TFTs having a bottom-gate, top-contact structure, a high field-effect mobility of ~100 cm2/Vs and an IOn/IOff ratio of ~108 were achieved. The stability under 1 h of negative positive gate bias stress revealed a Vth shift smaller than 1 V.
Damage Characterization during Compression in a Perlite-Aluminum Syntactic Foam
Authors: Kádár Csilla , Chmelík František , Ugi Dávid , Máthis Kristián , Knapek Michal
Published: October 2019

Aluminum matrix (Al99.5) syntactic foam containing expanded perlite particles was produced using the pressure infiltration technique. The dominant deformation mechanisms during compression of this foam were determined by sequential k-means analysis of the acoustic emission data. Since the different deformation mechanisms were concurrently active even at small strains, successive unloading and reloading measurement was proposed for cluster identification. The repetitive unloading and reloading allowed us to identify two mechanical parameters, namely the unloading modulus and the loss for unloading-reloading cycles. Based on the correlations among the strain localization within the specimen, the acoustic emission results, the changes in these mechanical parameters, and the transition from quasi-elastic deformation to plasticity were revealed in this material.
Biomechanical Effect of UHMWPE and CFR-PEEK Insert on Tibial Component in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement in Different Varus and Valgus Alignments
Authors: Koh Yong-Gon , Hong Hyoung-Taek , Kang Kyoung-Tak
Published: October 2019

The current study aims to analyze the biomechanical effects of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) inserts, in varus/valgus alignment, for a tibial component, from 9° varus to 9° valgus, in unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). The effects on bone stress, collateral ligament force, and contact stress on other compartments were evaluated under gait cycle conditions, by using a validated finite element model. In the UHMWPE model, the von Mises’ stress on the cortical bone region significantly increased as the tibial tray was in valgus >6°, which might increase the risk of residual pain, and when in valgus >3° for CFR-PEEK. The contact stress on other UHMWPE compartments decreased in valgus and increased in varus, as compared to the neutral position. In CFR-PEEK, it increased in valgus and decreased in varus. The forces on medial collateral ligaments increased in valgus, when compared to the neutral position in UHMWPE and CFR-PEEK. The results indicate that UKR with UHMWPE showed positive biomechanical outputs under neutral and 3° varus conditions. UKR with CFR-PEEK showed positive biomechanical outputs for up to 6° varus alignments. The valgus alignment should be avoided.
Novel Route to Obtain Carbon Self-Doped TiO2 Mesoporous Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for Environmental Remediation Processes under Visible Light
Authors: Ochoa Rodríguez Pablo A. , Benzaquén Tamara B. , Pecchi Gina A. , Casuscelli Sandra G. , Elías Verónica R. , Eimer Griselda A.
Published: October 2019

Titanium dioxide materials were synthesized using two different methods. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DR), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although both kind of materials were found to have mesoporous structure and anatase crystalline phase, one of them was obtained from a synthesis method that does not involve the use of surfactants, and therefore, does not require calcination at high temperatures. This implies that the synthesized solid was self-doped with carbon species, coming only from the same source used for titanium. Then, the relationship between the presence of these species, the final calcination temperature, and the photocatalytic activity of the solids was studied in terms of the degradation and mineralization of an Acid Orange 7 aqueous solution, under visible radiation. A photosensitizing effect caused by the non-metal presence, that allows the solid to extend its absorption range, was found. Hence, a novel route to prepare C-modified photoactive mesoporous TiO2, simpler and cheaper, where neither a template nor an external carbon source is used, could be performed.
Stability Study of an Electrothermally-Actuated MEMS Mirror with Al/SiO2 Bimorphs
Authors: Wang Peng , Liu YaBing , Wang Donglin , Liu Huan , Liu Weiguo , Xie HuiKai
Published: October 2019

Electrothermal actuation is one of the main actuation mechanisms and has been employed to make scanning microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors with large scan range, high fill factor, and low driving voltage, but there exist long-term drifting issues in electrothermal bimorph actuators whose causes are not well understood. In this paper, the stability of an Al / SiO 2 bimorph electrothermal MEMS mirror operated in both static and dynamic scan mode has been studied. Particularly, the angular drifts of the MEMS mirror plate were measured over 90 h at different temperatures in the range of 50 – 150 °C. The experiments show that the temporal drift of the mirror plate orientation largely depends on the temperature of the electrothermal bimorph actuators. Interestingly, it is found that the angular drift changes from falling to rising as the temperature increases. An optimal operating temperature between 75 °C to 100 °C for the MEMS mirror is identified. At this temperature, the MEMS mirror exhibited stable scanning with an angular drift of less than 0.0001 °/h.
Methods of Delivering Mechanical Stimuli to Organ-on-a-Chip
Authors: Kaarj Kattika , Yoon Jeong-Yeol
Published: October 2019

Recent advances in integrating microengineering and tissue engineering have enabled the creation of promising microengineered physiological models, known as organ-on-a-chip (OOC), for experimental medicine and pharmaceutical research. OOCs have been used to recapitulate the physiologically critical features of specific human tissues and organs and their interactions. Application of chemical and mechanical stimuli is critical for tissue development and behavior, and they were also applied to OOC systems. Mechanical stimuli applied to tissues and organs are quite complex in vivo, which have not adequately recapitulated in OOCs. Due to the recent advancement of microengineering, more complicated and physiologically relevant mechanical stimuli are being introduced to OOC systems, and this is the right time to assess the published literature on this topic, especially focusing on the technical details of device design and equipment used. We first discuss the different types of mechanical stimuli applied to OOC systems: shear flow, compression, and stretch/strain. This is followed by the examples of mechanical stimuli-incorporated OOC systems. Finally, we discuss the potential OOC systems where various types of mechanical stimuli can be applied to a single OOC device, as a better, physiologically relevant recapitulation model, towards studying and evaluating experimental medicine, human disease modeling, drug development, and toxicology.
ZnO Nanostructures and Electrospun ZnO–Polymeric Hybrid Nanomaterials in Biomedical, Health, and Sustainability Applications
Authors: Ferrone Eloisa , Araneo Rodolfo , Notargiacomo Andrea , Pea Marialilia , Rinaldi Antonio
Published: October 2019

ZnO-based nanomaterials are a subject of increasing interest within current research, because of their multifunctional properties, such as piezoelectricity, semi-conductivity, ultraviolet absorption, optical transparency, and photoluminescence, as well as their low toxicity, biodegradability, low cost, and versatility in achieving diverse shapes. Among the numerous fields of application, the use of nanostructured ZnO is increasingly widespread also in the biomedical and healthcare sectors, thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, role as a promoter in tissue regeneration, selectivity for specific cell lines, and drug delivery function, as well as its electrochemical and optical properties, which make it a good candidate for biomedical applications. Because of its growing use, understanding the toxicity of ZnO nanomaterials and their interaction with biological systems is crucial for manufacturing relevant engineering materials. In the last few years, ZnO nanostructures were also used to functionalize polymer matrices to produce hybrid composite materials with new properties. Among the numerous manufacturing methods, electrospinning is becoming a mainstream technique for the production of scaffolds and mats made of polymeric and metal-oxide nanofibers. In this review, we focus on toxicological aspects and recent developments in the use of ZnO-based nanomaterials for biomedical, healthcare, and sustainability applications, either alone or loaded inside polymeric matrices to make electrospun composite nanomaterials. Bibliographic data were compared and analyzed with the aim of giving homogeneity to the results and highlighting reference trends useful for obtaining a fresh perspective about the toxicity of ZnO nanostructures and their underlying mechanisms for the materials and engineering community.
Direct Growth of Two Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide on Flexible Ceramic Substrate
Authors: Zheng Yixiong , Yuan Chunyan , Wei Sichen , Kim Hyun , Yao Fei , Seo Jung-Hun
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we report the first successful demonstration of the direct growth of high-quality two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 semiconductors on a flexible substrate using a 25-μm-thick Yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic substrate. Few-layered MoS2 crystals grown at 800 °C showed a uniform crystal size of approximately 50 μm, which consisted of about 10 MoS2 layers. MoS2 crystals were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy was performed to investigate the crystal quality under bending conditions. The Raman mapping revealed a good uniformity with a stable chemical composition of the MoS2 crystals. Our approach offers a simple and effective route to realize various flexible electronics based on MoS2. Our approach can be applied for MoS2 growth and for other 2D materials. Therefore, it offers a new opportunity that allows us to demonstrate high-performance flexible electronic/optoelectronic applications in a less expensive, simpler, and faster manner without sacrificing the intrinsic performance of 2D materials.
Influence of Titanium Oxide Pillar Array Nanometric Structures and Ultraviolet Irradiation on the Properties of the Surface of Dental Implants—A Pilot Study
Authors: Leon-Ramos Juan-Rey , Diosdado-Cano Jose-Maria , López-Santos Carmen , Barranco Angel , Torres-Lagares Daniel , Serrera-Figallo María-Ángeles
Published: October 2019

Aim: Titanium implants are commonly used as replacement therapy for lost teeth and much current research is focusing on the improvement of the chemical and physical properties of their surfaces in order to improve the osseointegration process. TiO2, when it is deposited in the form of pillar array nanometric structures, has photocatalytic properties and wet surface control, which, together with UV irradiation, provide it with superhydrophilic surfaces, which may be of interest for improving cell adhesion on the peri-implant surface. In this article, we address the influence of this type of surface treatment on type IV and type V titanium discs on their surface energy and cell growth on them. Materials and methods: Samples from titanium rods used for making dental implants were used. There were two types of samples: grade IV and grade V. In turn, within each grade, two types of samples were differentiated: untreated and treated with sand blasting and subjected to double acid etching. Synthesis of the film consisting of titanium oxide pillar array structures was carried out using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition equipment. The plasma was generated in a quartz vessel by an external SLAN-1 microwave source with a frequency of 2.45 GHz. Five specimens from each group were used (40 discs in total). On the surfaces to be studied, the following determinations were carried out: (a) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, (b) scanning electron microscopy, (c) energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, (d) profilometry, (e) contact angle measurement or surface wettability, (f) progression of contact angle on applying ultraviolet irradiation, and (g) a biocompatibility test and cytotoxicity with cell cultures. Results: The application of ultraviolet light decreased the hydrophobicity of all the surfaces studied, although it did so to a greater extent on the surfaces with the studied modification applied, this being more evident in samples manufactured in grade V titanium. In samples made in grade IV titanium, this difference was less evident, and even in the sample manufactured with grade IV and SLA treatment, the application of the nanometric modification of the surface made the surface optically less active. Regarding cell growth, all the surfaces studied, grouped in relation to the presence or not of the nanometric treatment, showed similar growth. Conclusions. Treatment of titanium oxide surfaces with ultraviolet irradiation made them change temporarily into superhydrophilic ones, which confirms that their biocompatibility could be improved in this way, or at least be maintained.
Grape Seeds Proanthocyanidins: An Overview of In Vivo Bioactivity in Animal Models
Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez Celia , García-Villanova Belén , Guerra-Hernández Eduardo , Verardo Vito
Published: October 2019

Over the last decade, proanthocyanidins (PACs) are attracting attention not only from the food industry but also from public health organizations due to their health benefits. It is well-known that grapes are a good source of PACs and for that reason, the industry is also focused on grape by-products identification and bioactivity evaluation. Grape seeds extract (GSPE) is a rich source of PACs, mainly composed of monomeric catechin and epicatechin, gallic acid and polymeric and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Thus, this review encompasses the state-of-art structure and the most recent evidence about the impact of GSPE on chronic diseases, with a focus on oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic syndrome (MeS)-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk disease in vivo to offer new perspectives in the field that allow further research. Despite the controversial results, is undeniable that PACs from grape seeds are highly antioxidants, thus, the capacity of GSPE to improve oxidative stress might mediate the inflammation process and the progress of MeS-related pathologies. However, further well-design animal studies with standardized dosages and GSPE composition are necessary to shed light into the cause-effect relationship in a more accurate way to later allow a deeper study of the effect of GSPE in humans.
Associations of Meal Timing and Frequency with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adults
Authors: Ha Kyungho , Song YoonJu
Published: October 2019

Emerging studies indicate that meal timing is linked to cardiometabolic risks by deterioration of circadian rhythms, however limited evidence is available in humans. This large-scale cross-sectional study explored the associations of meal timing and frequency with obesity and metabolic syndrome among Korean adults. Meal timing was defined as nightly fasting duration and morning, evening, and night eating, and meal frequency was estimated as the number of daily eating episodes using a single-day 24-hour dietary recall method. Meal frequency was inversely associated with prevalence of abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, and elevated triglycerides in men only. Independent of the nightly fasting duration and eating episodes, morning eating was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57–0.93 for men and OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54–0.89 for women) than no morning eating, whereas night eating was associated with a 48% higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15–1.90) than no night eating in men only. Longer fasting duration and less sleep were associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that overall eating patterns, including energy distribution across the day, eating frequency, and sleep duration, rather than fasting duration alone, are related to cardiometabolic risks in free-living Korean adults.
In Vivo Effects of Polymerized Anthocyanin from Grape Skin on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Choi Young-Jin , Fan Meiqi , Tang Yujiao , Yang Hyun Pil , Hwang Ji-Young , Kim Eun-Kyung
Published: October 2019

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic disease of the urinary system among elderly men. Especially, the metabolic imbalance of androgen in elderly men is one of the leading causes of BPH. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and converted testosterone by 5-α reductase type 2 (5AR2), binding with androgen receptor (AR), affect prostate proliferation and growth. In BPH, levels of androgen signaling-related protein expression are shown highly. Androgen signaling induces the overexpression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and cell proliferation factor such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1. Grape skin anthocyanins are well known for their antioxidative, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-aging activities. Polymerized anthocyanin (PA) downregulated the expression of androgen signaling-related proteins such as 5AR2, AR, and PSA in LNCaP cell lines. Furthermore, we investigated the effects on PA in testosterone propionate-induced BPH rat experiments. The oral administration of PA decreased the prostate weight in rats with TP-induced BPH. PA decreased the AR, 5AR2, SRC1, PSA, PCNA, and cyclin D1 expression in prostate tissues and the serum DHT levels, ameliorated the BPH-mediated increase of Bcl-2 expression, and increased the Bax expression. These results suggest that PA may be a potential natural therapeutic agent for BPH treatment.
Food Consumption during Pregnancy and Post-Partum. ECLIPSES Study
Authors: Jardí Cristina , Aparicio Estefania , Bedmar Cristina , Aranda Núria , Abajo Susana , March Gemma , Basora Josep , Arija Victoria ,   the ECLIPSES Study Group
Published: October 2019

Inadequate maternal diet can adversely affect mother and child. Our aim was to assess adherence to the Spanish dietary guidelines and to the Mediterranean diet, to analyze changes in diet during pregnancy and post-partum, and to identify maternal factors associated with food consumption. A total of 793 healthy pregnant women were recruited during the first prenatal visit and followed until the post-partum period. Data from the clinical history, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle habits were collected. Food consumption was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. The results show that in pregnant women the consumption of healthy foods did not meet recommendations, whereas consumption of red and processed meat and sweet food exceeded recommendations. The results also show a medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet that remained unchanged throughout pregnancy. A significant decrease was observed in the consumption of fruits, followed by vegetables and then salted and sweet cereals from pregnancy to post-partum. A better adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been reported by pregnant women that are older, of higher social class, and higher education level, and who do not smoke nor drink (p < 0.005). In conclusion, the diet of pregnant women from Spain departs from recommendations, medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet was maintained throughout the pregnancy and post-partum, and a decreasing consumption of healthy food from the first trimester to the post-partum period was observed. Maternal factors such as age, social class, education, and smoking influence diet quality.
Children’s Self-Reported Reasons for Accepting and Rejecting Foods
Authors: Sick Julia , Højer Rikke , Olsen Annemarie
Published: October 2019

Children’s eating behavior does not necessarily align with dietary recommendations, and there is a need for better understanding the factors underlying their food choices. The aim of this study was to investigate children’s self-reported reasons for accepting and rejecting foods. A questionnaire was developed with reasons based on prior research and in-depth interviews. A set of various food stimuli covering different types was evaluated by 106 girls and 99 boys aged 10–13 years by checking all reasons that apply (CATA) for either accepting or rejecting them. Results showed gender differences among reasons for both food acceptance and rejection, but also in liking and willingness to re-taste the stimuli. The most common reason for food acceptance was good taste in boys and curiosity in girls; for food rejection they were bad taste, bad smell and dislike of appearance in boys and bad taste, bad smell, dislike of appearance and texture in girls. Overall, boys liked the food stimuli more than girls and were more willing to re-taste them. Future research should focus more on the role of sensory properties in both acceptance and rejection, and the potential of children’s curiosity as a driver in tasting foods should be further explored.
The Impact of Obesity on the Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Paschou Stavroula A. , Kosmopoulos Marinos , Nikas Ilias P. , Spartalis Michael , Kassi Evanthia , Goulis Dimitrios G. , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Siasos Gerasimos
Published: October 2019

The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its modification in the presence of obesity. Despite the strong association between vitamin D status and cardiovascular outcomes, vitamin D supplementation trials in the general population have failed to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. A comprehensive study of the published literature and a comparison with experimental data lead to the conclusion that obesity, due to its high prevalence and strong association with both vitamin D deficiency and CVD, may act as a critical confounder, which is responsible for the different results on this association. Adoption of a vitamin D preventive supplementation strategy for CVD is unlikely to yield any benefit to the general population. However, it might be particularly useful in obese adults with increased risk for CVD.
Human Herpesvirus Sequencing in the Genomic Era: The Growing Ranks of the Herpetic Legion
Authors: Houldcroft Charlotte J.
Published: October 2019

The nine human herpesviruses are some of the most ubiquitous pathogens worldwide, causing life-long latent infection in a variety of different tissues. Human herpesviruses range from mild childhood infections to known tumour viruses and ‘trolls of transplantation’. Epstein-Barr virus was the first human herpesvirus to have its whole genome sequenced; GenBank now includes thousands of herpesvirus genomes. This review will cover some of the recent advances in our understanding of herpesvirus diversity and disease that have come about as a result of new sequencing technologies, such as target enrichment and long-read sequencing. It will also look at the problem of resolving mixed-genotype infections, whether with short or long-read sequencing methods; and conclude with some thoughts on the future of the field as herpesvirus population genomics becomes a reality.
Trypanosomatids in Small Mammals of an Agroecosystem in Central Brazil: Another Piece in the Puzzle of Parasite Transmission in an Anthropogenic Landscape
Authors: Brandão Elida M. V. , Xavier Samanta C. C. , Carvalhaes Jeiel G. , D'Andrea Paulo S. , Lemos Frederico G. , Azevedo Fernanda C. , Cássia-Pires Renata , Jansen Ana M. , Roque André L. R.
Published: October 2019

We surveyed infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. in small wild mammals from Cumari, Goiás State aiming to investigate the diversity of trypanosomatid in a modified landscape of the Brazilian Cerrado (and possible infection overlapping with canids from the same area). Blood, skin, spleen, and liver samples were collected for parasitological, serological, and molecular assays. Gracilinanus agilis was the most abundant species (N = 70; 48.6%) and it was the only one with patent parasitemia. Characterization by mini-exon and 18SrDNA targets were achieved in 7/10 hemocultures with positive fresh blood examination, which confirmed the T. cruzi infection by Discrete Typing Units (DTU) TcI in single (N = 2) and mixed infections with other DTUs (N = 5). T. rangeli and T. dionisii were detected in skin fragments from Didelphis albiventris and Oecomys cleberi, respectively. G. agilis were found to be infected by L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis, while Leishmania sp. DNA was detected in the liver of Oligoryzomys nigripes and Calomys expulsus. Subpatent infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania sp. was serologically detected in 15% and 9% of the small mammal fauna, respectively. Small mammals from Cumari are included in T. cruzi and Leshmania spp. transmission cycles, showing a higher diversity of trypanosomatid species and/or genotypes than that observed in canids of the same agroecosystem.
Ignition of A Plasma Discharge Inside An Electrodeless Chamber: Methods and Characteristics
Authors: Laroussi Mounir
Published: October 2019

In this paper the generation and diagnostics of a reduced pressure (300 mTorr to 3 Torr) plasma generated inside an electrodeless containment vessel/chamber are presented. The plasma is ignited by a guided ionization wave emitted by a low temperature pulsed plasma jet. The diagnostics techniques include Intensified Charge Coupled Device (ICCD) imaging, emission spectroscopy, and Langmuir probe. The reduced-pressure discharge parameters measured are the magnitude of the electric field, the plasma electron number density and temperature, and discharge expansion speed.