bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of physical, microstructural and antioxidative properties of pumpkin cubes cooked by conventional, vacuum cooking and sous vide methods
Authors: Rinaldi Massimiliano , Santi Saverio , Paciulli Maria , Ganino Tommaso , Pellegrini Nicoletta , Visconti Attilio , Vitaglione Paola , Barbanti Davide , Chiavaro Emma
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Current dietary guidelines recommend five or more fruit, vegetable, and legume servings per day. Often, these products are eaten cooked, resulting in organoleptic and nutritional changes. Vacuum cooking is gaining attention as an alternative cooking technique, due to its ability to preserve or even enhance sensory and healthy properties of food. Its household application is, however, poorly explored. In this work, the effect of vacuum cooking, performed with a new patented system, was studied for the first time on pumpkin cubes and compared to sous vide and traditional steam cooking, through a multidisciplinary approach.

RESULTS

All the cooking treatments damaged pumpkin microstructure, leading to cell separation and plasmolysis; vacuum cooking was the most aggressive method, as confirmed by texture softening. Vacuum cooking was also the method with less impact on pumpkin color, in relation to the largest extraction of some classes of carotenoids from the broken cells. Significant polyphenol extraction, especially of gallic acid and naringenin, was instead observed for sous vide and steamed pumpkins. The total antioxidant activity, ascribable to the effect of both carotenoids and polyphenols, resulted enhanced after cooking compared to raw one mainly for cook vide samples, followed by steamed and sous vide ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Vacuum cooking, followed by sous vide, has often shown better performance than traditional steam cooking for pumpkin cubes. The implementation of sous vide and vacuum cooking at domestic level or in professional kitchens, and in the food industry, would allow the consumption of vegetables with improved nutritional and sensorial characteristics. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
On the benefits and challenges of blockchains for managing food supply chains
Authors: Katsikouli Panagiota , Wilde Amelie Sina , Dragoni Nicola , Høgh‐Jensen Henning
Published: October 2020

The expansion of the food industry, within and beyond national borders, has resulted in complex collaborative networks and supply chains. The management culture adopted for food supply chains has an impact on the quality of the end product and the vitality of the businesses involved. In this report, we focus on the use of blockchain technology, and distributed ledgers in general, for managing supply chains in the food and agricultural sectors. We explore the challenges with which typical management systems are faced, such as food safety, food fraud, and inefficient processes, as well as ethical aspects like fair trade, animal welfare, and the environmental impact of food production. The use of blockchain‐based systems for managing a supply chain offers significant benefits, such as faster and more reliable traceability. Our analysis, involving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Denmark, highlights that SMEs could benefit from blockchain‐based systems that encourage fair trade and authenticity documentation, expose good practices, and decrease management costs. However, due to a lack of important policies and standards, and due to the limited understanding of the technology itself, its large‐scale adoption is at the moment immature. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A study on the effectiveness of a defined microbial consortium to enhance the microbiological safety of cattle manure
Authors: Liu Guoxia , Mamode Ally Nooreen , Dooly Daminee Devi , Li Yin , Boodhoo Kamleshwar , Neetoo Hudaa
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Animal manure frequently harbors pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. A defined microbial consortium such as effective microorganisms (EM) can potentially be used as a biocontrol against manure‐borne human pathogens such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli. The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of EM to decontaminate cattle manure.

RESULTS

EM was first characterized by enumeration and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, actinomycetes and phototrophic bacteria (PB). The population density of LAB, yeasts, actinomycetes and presumptive PB was 6.9, 5.2, 5.9 and 3.9 log CFU g−1 respectively. LAB and yeast isolates were molecularly confirmed as Lactobacillus plantarum and L. casei (LAB) and Yarrowia lipolytica, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Picha manshurica (yeasts) respectively. Culture‐independent molecular analysis revealed the presence of additional species including L. parabuchneri and Enterococcus faecium (LAB) and bacterial spore‐formers Bacillus cereus and Clostridium spp. Application of EM to fresh cattle manure, inoculated with ~5–6 log CFU g−1 of antibiotic‐resistant strain of indicator organism E. coli ATCC 25922, resulted in complete elimination of the organism in 20 days, while survivors were still detected in the untreated counterpart.

CONCLUSION

EM can potentially be used for sustainable pathogen control in cattle manure for enhanced food safety and environmental health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating the potential of electrolysed water for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses
Authors: Dilarri Guilherme , Zamuner Caio FC , Mendes Carolina R , Junior José RM , Morão Luana G , Montagnolli Renato N , Bidoia Ederio D , Ferreira Henrique
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

The largest and most profitable market for citrus is the production of fresh fruit.Xanthomonas citrisubsp.citriis a Gram‐negative plant pathogen and the etiological agent of citrus canker, one of the major threats to citrus production worldwide. In the early stages of infection,X. citrican attach to plant surfaces by means of biofilms. Biofilm is considered an essential virulence factor, which helps tissue colonization in plants. Thus, sanitization of citrus fruit is mandatory in packinghouses before any logistic operation as packing and shipment to the market. The aim of this study was to evaluate electrolysed water (EW) as a sanitizer for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses.

RESULTS

Using a protocol to monitor cell respiration we show that EW, obtained after 8 and 9 min of electrolysis, sufficed to killX. citriwhen applied at a concentration of 500 μL mL−1. Furthermore, microscopy analysis, combined with time‐response growth curves, confirmed that EW affects the bacterial cytoplasmatic membrane and it leads to cell death in the first few minutes of contact. Pathogenicity tests using limes to simulate packinghouse treatment showed that EW, produced with 9 min of electrolysis, was a very effective sanitizer capable of eliminatingX. citrifrom contaminated fruit.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to conclude that EW is significantly effective as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at 200 ppm. Therefore, EW could be an alternative for citrus sanitization in packinghouses. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Laryngeal fractures in professional and semiprofessional ice hockey players
Authors: Feng Allen L. , Parikh Ayush , Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Naunheim Matthew R. , Song Phillip C.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Injuries in professional ice hockey players are common, however significant laryngeal trauma is rare. Here, we present a case series of professional and semiprofessional ice hockey players to demonstrate the mechanism and nature of laryngeal injuries they sustain during play, and to recommend best practices for treatment, prevention, and return to the ice.

Methods

A retrospective case review was done of hockey‐related laryngeal injuries between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary laryngology practice. Only semiprofessional and professional hockey players were included.

Results

In total, four cases were included. All cases involved trauma from a hockey puck to the neck. No cases were the result of punching, fighting, high sticks or routine checking. Notably, 1 of 4 presented with severe airway compromise, requiring urgent intubation, whereas most presented with pain or a significant voice complaint. Two patients required operative intervention with open reduction and internal fixation of significantly displaced fractures. One patient experienced significant mucosal disruption with cartilaginous exposure at the posterior vocal complex requiring microflap. The average return to ice was 6 weeks for those who required operative intervention and 4 weeks for those who were managed conservatively. One patient had persistent mild dysphonia and all others had a return to baseline phonation. None were wearing neck guards or other protective equipment at the time of injury.

Conclusion

Though voice and airway injuries are rarely sustained by ice hockey players, they may require urgent intervention. We recommend that protective equipment be worn and improved to prevent laryngeal trauma.

Level of Evidence

4
Review of literature of saddle nose deformity reconstruction and presentation of vomer onlay graft
Authors: Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Weitzman Rachel E. , Fuller Jennifer C. , Justicz Natalie , Gliklich Richard E.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Saddle nose deformity is a well‐described condition that most commonly results from trauma or prior surgery. For larger saddle nose deformity defects, bone grafts are a reconstructive option that provide adequate structure for repair. One new technique for repair of these deformities is a vomerian bone onlay graft. We aim to provide a review of literature on autogenous repair of saddle nose deformities, as well as introduce a new technique in which the vomer bone is used as an onlay bone graft.

Methods

Literature review and case series. Five cases in which vomer onlay grafts were used for repair of saddle nose deformity were reviewed between January 2013 and December 2015. Aesthetic outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated at subsequent follow‐up visits in clinic.

Results

In all cases where vomer bone was harvested, the vomer onlay graft provided adequate structure to traverse the saddle nose deformity. No postoperative complications were observed in an 18 month follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Vomerian bone onlay grafts are a reconstructive option for saddle nose deformity and nasal dorsum defects. While septal cartilage is commonly used, and ethmoidal bone has been previously described as an option for composite graft reconstruction, vomer bone onlay grafting has not been well described in the literature. This method may be of use when previous nasal surgery has been performed and standard septal cartilage is not possible to harvest. The aesthetic outcomes following nasal dorsum reconstruction using onlay grafts are favorable, but long‐term outcomes of these grafts require further study.

Level of Evidence

IV.
The analysis of a time delay fractional COVID‐19 model via Caputo type fractional derivative
Authors: Kumar Pushpendra , Suat Erturk Vedat
Published: October 2020

Novel coronavirus (COVID‐19), a global threat whose source is not correctly yet known, was firstly recognised in the city of Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Now, this disease has been spread out to many countries in all over the world. In this paper, we solved a time delay fractional COVID‐19 SEIR epidemic model via Caputo fractional derivatives using a predictor–corrector method. We provided numerical simulations to show the nature of the diseases for different classes. We derived existence of unique global solutions to the given time delay fractional differential equations (DFDEs) under a mild Lipschitz condition using properties of a weighted norm, Mittag–Leffler functions and the Banach fixed point theorem. For the graphical simulations, we used real numerical data based on a case study of Wuhan, China, to show the nature of the projected model with respect to time variable. We performed various plots for different values of time delay and fractional order. We observed that the proposed scheme is highly emphatic and easy to implementation for the system of DFDEs.
Long‐term survival of participants in the CENTAUR trial of sodium phenylbutyrate‐taurursodiol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Paganoni Sabrina , Hendrix Suzanne , Dickson Samuel P. , Knowlton Newman , Macklin Eric A. , Berry James D. , Elliott Michael A. , Maiser Samuel , Karam Chafic , Caress James B. , Owegi Margaret Ayo , Quick Adam , Wymer James , Goutman Stephen A. , Heitzman Daragh , Heiman‐Patterson Terry D. , Jackson Carlayne E. , Quinn Colin , Rothstein Jeffrey D. , Kasarskis Edward J. , Katz Jonathan , Jenkins Liberty , Ladha Shafeeq , Miller Timothy M. , Scelsa Stephen N. , Vu Tuan H. , Fournier Christina N. , Glass Jonathan D. , Johnson Kristin M. , Swenson Andrea , Goyal Namita A. , Pattee Gary L. , Andres Patricia L. , Babu Suma , Chase Marianne , Dagostino Derek , Hall Meghan , Kittle Gale , Eydinov Matthew , McGovern Michelle , Ostrow Joseph , Pothier Lindsay , Randall Rebecca , Shefner Jeremy M. , Sherman Alexander V. , St Pierre Maria E. , Tustison Eric , Vigneswaran Prasha , Walker Jason , Yu Hong , Chan James , Wittes Janet , Yu Zi‐Fan , Cohen Joshua , Klee Justin , Leslie Kent , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Gilbert Walter , Yeramian Patrick D. , Schoenfeld David , Cudkowicz Merit E.
Published: October 2020

An orally administered, fixed‐dose coformulation of sodium phenylbutyrate‐taurursodiol (PB‐TURSO) significantly slowed functional decline in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 trial in ALS (CENTAUR). Herein we report results of a long‐term survival analysis of participants in CENTAUR. In CENTAUR, adults with ALS were randomized 2:1 to PB‐TURSO or placebo. Participants completing the 6‐month (24‐week) randomized phase were eligible to receive PB‐TURSO in the open‐label extension. An all‐cause mortality analysis (35‐month maximum follow‐up post‐randomization) incorporated all randomized participants. Participants and site investigators were blinded to treatment assignments through the duration of follow‐up of this analysis. Vital status was obtained for 135 of 137 participants originally randomized in CENTAUR. Median overall survival was 25.0 months among participants originally randomized to PB‐TURSO and 18.5 months among those originally randomized to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.34‐0.92; P = .023). Initiation of PB‐TURSO treatment at baseline resulted in a 6.5‐month longer median survival as compared with placebo. Combined with results from CENTAUR, these results suggest that PB‐TURSO has both functional and survival benefits in ALS.
Ethnicity, Neighborhood and Individual Socioeconomic Status, and Obesity: The Singapore Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Park Su Hyun , Nicolaou Mary , Dickens Borame Sue Lee , Yang Qianyu , Tan Ken Wei , van Dam Rob M.
Published: October 2020

Objective

It remains unclear whether ethnicity has an impact on obesity independent of socioeconomic status (SES) and environmental factors. Singapore provides a unique opportunity to address this issue because three major Asian ethnic groups are represented, and government policies prevent ethnic segregation. Therefore this study examined associations between ethnicity, SES, and obesity within neighborhoods in Singapore.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 29,819 participants of the Singapore Multiethnic Cohort who were aged 21 to 75 years and of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicity were used. Obesity was defined using Asian criteria. Multilevel models used obesity as the dependent variable and age, marital status, ethnicity, education level, income, and neighborhood SES as independent variables.

Results

Education level was more strongly inversely associated with obesity than income level or neighborhood SES. The association between ethnicity and obesity was not substantially explained by measures of individual and neighborhood SES. In females, the fully adjusted odds ratio of obesity was 5.01 for Malay ethnicity and 4.81 for Indian ethnicity as compared with Chinese ethnicity. In males, these odds ratios were 2.61 and 2.07, respectively.

Conclusions

Ethnicity was strongly associated with obesity independent of SES and neighborhood environment. More research on sociocultural factors contributing to ethnic differences in obesity is warranted.
The Mediating Role of Self‐efficacy between Job Challenges and Work Engagement: Evidence from Indian Power Sector Employees
Authors: Rai Alka , Patyal Vishal Singh , Maheshwari Sunil
Published: October 2020

The study involves testing a mediation model wherein self‐efficacy is proposed as a mediator between challenging job demands and work engagement. The respondents (n = 107) were executives employed in the Indian public sector power major. The hypothesized model was tested using the Structural Equation Modeling techniques. The first three hypotheses proposing the positive relationship among the study constructs (i.e., job challenge and work engagement; job challenge and self‐efficacy; self‐efficacy and work engagement) were confirmed through results. Further, the mediation hypothesis proposing self‐efficacy as a mediator between job challenge and work engagement was established. The findings signify that addressing job challenges helps individuals to build confidence and facilitate their engagement with work.
Weather effects and their long‐term impact on agricultural yields in Odisha, East India: Agricultural policy implications using NARDL approach
Authors: Senapati Asis Kumar
Published: October 2020

Farm production is uneven due to its high dependence on the weather conditions. A slight deviation of weather variables from the normal trend causes heavy losses to crops. Therefore it is imperative to study the spatial and temporal distribution of these weather variables and also important to find out the asymmetric effect of weather variables on agricultural yield which has serious policy implications. This study attempts to estimate the overall effect of weather variables such as rainfall, temperature, irrigation, ground frost frequency, and crop evapotranspiration on yield in Odisha from 1950 to 2017. The objective is to check the asymmetric relationship between rainfall and yield of major crops grown in Odisha along with other explanatory variables such as temperature, irrigation, ground frost frequency, and crop evapotranspiration using both nonparametric and econometric technique of a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. Using nonparametric tests such as Sen's estimator and Mann–Kendall test, the study found that the rising trend of temperature during the post‐monsoon period may alter the crop growth in the state. The highest positive and statistically significant values have been observed from the Mann–Kendall test in Central table land zones. Similarly, the maximum positive significant rainfall trend has been noticed in Cuttack and Puri districts. Using the NARDL model, the study concluded that positive components of both long‐run and short‐run elasticities of rainfall are negative indicating a complementarity between both long‐run and short‐run effects on the yield of major crops grown in Odisha. The magnitude of positive deviations of rainfall is higher than the corresponding elasticities of negative deviations. There is a strong asymmetry effect of rainfall over the yield of major crops grown in Odisha agriculture. Other variables like temperature, irrigation, ground frost frequency, and crop evapotranspiration have a minimal role to play in both the short run and long run.
To Work for Yourself, for Others, or Not at All? How Disability Benefits Affect the Employment Decisions of Older Veterans
Authors: Coile Courtney , Duggan Mark , Guo Audrey
Published: October 2020

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Disability Compensation (DC) program provides disability benefits to nearly one in four U.S. military veterans and has annual expenditures of $77 billion. We examine how the receipt of DC benefits affects the employment decisions of Vietnam‐era veterans, making use of variation in eligibility resulting from a 2001 policy change that increased access to the program for veterans who served with “boots on the ground” in the Vietnam theater but not for other veterans of that service era. We find that the policy‐induced increase in program enrollment decreased labor force participation and induced a substantial switch from wage employment to self‐employment. The latter finding suggests that an exogenous increase in income allowed some older veterans to realize an ambition to start their own business or to retire gradually through self‐employment. We estimate that one in three veterans who entered the DC program due to this policy change left the labor force, estimates in the same range as those from recent studies of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, and that 30 percent of marginal recipients transitioned into self‐employment.
LRRC15 antibody‐drug conjugates show promise as osteosarcoma therapeutics in preclinical studies
Authors: Slemmons Katherine K. , Mukherjee Sanjit , Meltzer Paul , Purcell James W. , Helman Lee J.
Published: October 2020

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common bone tumor in children and adolescents, has high rates of metastasis leading to poor survival. Leucine‐rich repeat containing 15 (LRRC15), a transmembrane protein whose expression is modulated by TGFβ, was recently shown to be highly expressed on the surface of OS tumor cells. Here, we evaluate a novel antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC) targeting LRRC15 in OS human cell lines and murine xenografts. We compare this new ADC, which is conjugated to the anthracycline derivative PNU‐159682 (PNU), to a previously studied LRRC15 ADC that is conjugated to the tubulin inhibitor monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), since anthracyclines are standard of care in OS.

Procedure

We evaluated LRRC15 expression in OS cells using Western blots and flow cytometry, and analyzed the epigenetic landscape of the LRRC15 locus using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Efficacy of ADCs on cell growth was analyzed by IncuCyte live cell imaging. Intramuscular xenograft tumor growth was assessed by bioluminescence imaging and hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results

LRRC15‐PNU is more effective at inhibiting growth in vitro and in vivo than an isotype antibody control or the LRRC15‐MMAE ADC in two high LRRC15 expressing OS cell lines. Low expressing cell lines are not sensitive to either ADC. Importantly, cells with low LRRC15 expression are amenable to re‐expression after TGFβ treatment, suggesting a potential to sensitize insensitive OS cells to LRRC15 ADC treatment. In vivo, LRRC15‐PNU had cure rates of 40‐100% in OS xenograft models.

Conclusions

Overall, LRRC15‐directed ADCs are a promising new avenue for OS treatment.
Target verification of allyl isothiocyanate on the core subunits of cytochrome c oxidase in Sitophilus zeamais by RNAi
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhang Dan , Ren Jingjing , Pu Shi , Wu Hua , Ma Zhiqing
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a volatile organic compound with a potent insecticidal activity to the stored‐grain pest Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, which severely damages grain storage and container transport worldwide. Our previous study showed that mitochondrial complex IV was the primary target of AITC in adult Sitophilus zeamais. To further verify the targets of AITC, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) by using double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) to knockdown three core subunits of cytochrome c oxidase (COX)‐I, ‐II and ‐III in 18‐day‐old larvae prior to their exposure to AITC to detect susceptibility changes.

RESULTS

The susceptibility of dsRNACOX‐I and ‐II injection treatments to AITC significantly increased at 72 h while the mortality reached up to 85.56% and 67.78%, respectively, and dsRNACOX‐I and dsRNACOX‐II injection showed the same subcellular structural characteristics showing vacuolization and vague mitochondrial cristae and decrease of COX activity during AITC fumigation treatment, suggesting the potential of COX‐I and COX‐II as the targets of AITC. High mortality reached up to 75.55%, 71.88% and 82.22%, respectively, and the phenotype of larvae turning from milky white to dark brown in the thorax and death eventually was confirmed after dsRNACOX‐I, ‐II and ‐III injection.

CONCLUSION

COX‐I and ‐II were elucidated as the potential targets of AITC and dsRNACOX‐I, ‐II and ‐III have the potential to be developed into nucleic acid pesticides for their robust lethal effects and are worth pursuing for improving AITC fumigation activity in Sitophilus zeamais control. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of Capsaicinoids or Capsinoids in red pepper on thermogenesis in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Irandoost Pardis , Lotfi Yagin Neda , Namazi Nazli , Keshtkar Abbasali , Farsi Farnaz , Mesri Alamdari Naimeh , Vafa Mohammadreza
Published: October 2020

The outcomes of the earlier trials are controversial concerning the effect of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids on thermogenesis. We carried out this systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the effect of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids on thermogenesis indices including resting metabolic rate (RMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) in healthy adults. An electronic literature search was conducted between 1990 and 2019, using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE. Placebo‐controlled clinical trials were considered as eligible papers. Effect sizes were pooled using weighted mean difference (WMD), with a random‐effects model. Of the 4,092 articles, 13 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Pooled effect sizes revealed that compared with placebo, Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids significantly increased RMR (WMD: 33.99 Kcal/day, 95% CI: 15.95, 52.03; I2: 0%, p = .94), energy expenditure, and fat oxidation. It also significantly lessened RQ (WMD: −0.01, 95% CI: −0.02, −0.01; I2: 5.4%, p = .39) and carbohydrate oxidation. Moreover, intervention in capsule form for longer duration had a more considerable influence on RMR than comparative groups. We observed moderate improvement in RMR, RQ, and fat oxidation following supplementation with Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids. However, further high‐quality studies are required to clarify the thermogenic properties of Capsaicinoids/Capsinoids.
On practical fixed‐time stability of discrete‐time impulsive switched nonlinear systems
Authors: Chen Guopei , Yang Ying , Deng Feiqi
Published: October 2020

In this note, the practical fixed‐time stability (PFTS) for discrete‐time impulsive switched nonlinear (DISN) systems is investigated. Firstly, the concept of PFTS is introduced for discrete‐time nonlinear (DN) systems, and two sufficient conditions are proposed to verify the PFTS of DN systems by using the positive‐order Lyapunov function. Then, the obtained results are extended to study the PFTS of DISN systems, two stability conditions are given by combining range dwell time and multiple positive‐order Lyapunov functions. Finally, some further discussions on the relaxation of stability conditions are also provided. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Switch from Polymorphic to Homogenous Self‐Assembly of Virus‐Like Particles of Simian Virus 40 through Double‐Cysteine Substitution
Authors: Xu Chengchen , Zhu Weiwei , Mao Hanjing , Zhang Wenjing , Yin Gen‐Quan , Zhang Xian‐En , Li Feng
Published: October 2020

Self‐assembled virus‐like particles (VLPs) hold great potential as natural nanomaterials for applications in many fields. For such purposes, monodisperse size distribution is a desirable property. However, the VLPs of simian virus 40 (SV40), a representative VLP platform, are characterized by polymorphism. In an attempt to eliminate the polymorphism, 15 mutants of the VLP subunit (VP1) are constructed through the substitution of double cysteines at the VP1 pentamer interfaces, generating a group of VLPs with altered size distributions. One of the mutants, SS2 (L102C/P300C), specifically forms homogenous T = 1‐like tiny VLPs of 24 ± 3 nm in diameter. Moreover, the stability of the SS2 VLPs is markedly enhanced compared with that of wild‐type VLPs. The homogeneous self‐assembly and stability enhancement of SS2 VLPs can be attributed to the new disulfide bonds contributed by Cys102 and Cys300, which are identified by mass spectrometry and explored by molecular dynamics simulations. Endocytosis inhibition assays indicate that SS2 VLPs, like the polymorphic wild‐type VLPs, preserve the multipathway feature of cellular uptake. SS2 VLPs may serve as an evolved version of SV40 VLPs in future studies and applications. The findings of this work would be useful for the design and fabrication of VLP‐based materials and devices.
Kinetics and Molecular Docking Studies of Activating Effect of Canna edulis Ker Residue Lignin on the Activity of Lipase
Authors: Xie Fan , Gong Shengxiang , Zhang Wei , Wang Zhengwu
Published: October 2020

In a previous study, abundant lignin is found in the residues of Canna edulis (C. edulis) ker and showed a strong inhibitory effect on α‐glucosidase and a promoting effect on α‐amylase. In this study, the interaction kinetics, thermodynamic parameters, secondary structure, reaction site, and molecular docking are analyzed. C. edulis residues lignin present an activity promotion effect on pancreatic lipase (promoted 90% of lipase activity) through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction. The temperature increase from 298 to 310 K promotes the reaction between lignin and pancreatic lipase. The isolated lignin forms a 1:1 complex with the pancreatic lipase to quench its fluorescence. The presence of lignin changes the β‐turn structure of the pancreatic lipase molecule to influence its activity. Further, the binding site of the lignin molecule on the pancreatic lipase molecule is the phenolic hydroxyl group on the guaiacyl group. The lignin molecule binds closely to the active site of the pancreatic lipase molecule. These results provide new insight into the effect of C. edulis residues lignin on fat metabolism.
Experimental study on shear behavior of two‐way hollow core precast panel shear wall with vertical connection
Authors: Chu Mingjin , Xiong Chen , Liu Jiliang , Sun Zhijuan
Published: October 2020

The two‐way hollow core precast panel (TWHCPP) exhibits good seismic performance. In this study, the shear behavior of the TWHCPP shear wall with vertical connections was investigated. Specifically, five shear wall specimens, which comprised one cast‐in‐place shear wall, one TWHCPP shear wall without vertical connections, and three TWHCPP shear walls with vertical connections, were investigated experimentally. The TWHCPP shear walls were also modeled through numerical simulation. The experimental and numerical results indicate that the TWHCPP shear wall specimens with vertical connections exhibit monolithic load‐bearing mechanisms before the peak point, which is similar to the cast‐in‐place shear wall specimen. When the peak point of the TWHCPP shear wall specimen was attained, vertical slits were formed in the vertical connection and major vertical crack regions, which divided the shear wall panel into multiple vertical concrete straps. Subsequently, the load‐bearing mechanism of the TWHCPP shear wall transformed to multiple vertical concrete straps working cooperatively with transverse reinforcements. Therefore, the brittle diagonal tension failure mode could be avoided, and a good hysteretic performance could be achieved. The outcomes of this study are expected to provide a useful reference for the application of the TWHCPP shear wall.
Remote active control of nanoengineered materials for dynamic nanobiomedical engineering
Authors: Kim Yuri , Choi Hyojun , Shin Jeong Eun , Bae Gunhyu , Thangam Ramar , Kang Heemin
Published: October 2020

Cells dynamically interact with native nanostructured extracellular matrix at a molecular level in vivo. Developing remotely and actively controllable nanoengineered biomaterials can manipulate and unravel complex cell‐material interactions that dynamically occur in the nanoscale in vivo. In this review, we discuss emerging advances in a myriad of recent nanoengineering technologies to design remotely manipulable materials that enable dynamic nanobiomedical engineering at the molecular level. In particular, we focus on remote active stimuli, such as magnetic fields, light, in situ self‐assembly, and ultrasound, to manipulate dynamic cell‐material interactions in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Remote active control can be particularly appealing with targeting capability for particular locations at any prescribed time points with a degree of reversibility. The unique remote controllability enables the regulation of cellular signaling, adhesion, differentiation, and polarization; cell, drug, and gene delivery; and in situ self‐assembly. These materials allow the remote control in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, cancer therapy, and biocatalysis as well as mechanistic studies on dynamic nanoscale cell‐material interactions. We also highlight current challenges in the remote active control, such as reproducibility, tissue‐penetrative capability, noninvasive surgery, spatial localization, and temporal variation. Albeit remotely and actively controllable nanoengineered biomaterials are in the nascent stage of development, they can evolve into multiresponsive, reversible, and cost‐effective three‐dimensional systems with safe and convenient long‐term control at the cell, tissue, and organ level toward clinical patient‐tailorable on‐demand therapy.
Sterically Encumbered 2,3‐Dihydrophosphindole and Its Chalcogenides
Authors: Fener Benjamin E. , Görls Helmar , Krieck Sven , Westerhausen Matthias
Published: October 2020

Reduction of 2‐benzyl‐1‐mesityl‐5,7‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydrophosphindole 1‐oxide (2‐O), which was prepared by catalytic addition of dimesitylphosphane oxide across phenylacetylene via dimesityl‐phenylethenylphosphane oxide (1), with excess of trichlorosilane in toluene yielded 2‐benzyl‐1‐mesityl‐5,7‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydrophosphindole (2). Straightforward oxidation of 2 with sulfur and selenium in toluene at 110 °C allowed the isolation of crystalline colorless 2‐benzyl‐1‐mesityl‐5,7‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydrophosphindole 1‐sulfide (2‐S) and 1‐selenide (2‐Se). The hindered rotation of the P‐bound mesityl group around the P–C bond is indicative of significant intramolecular steric strain. Despite this strain, the P–E bond lengths (E = S, Se) lie in expected ranges.
The ILO and Transformation of Labour Law
Authors: Liukkunen Ulla
Published: October 2020

The article explores some of the biggest challenges to the ILO caused by globalization and altering of the collective labour rights scene. It examines the recent transformation of collective bargaining regimes at national and transnational level and the consequences for normativities that characterize the relationship between labour law and the system of international labour standards. Domestic bargaining regimes are influenced by decentralization whereas in a transnational setting, with the phenomena of contractual arrangements between multinational enterprises and trade unions or other employee representatives, transnational collectivization of labour law is occurring. The process of transnationalization of labour law affects the traditional labour law paradigm with profound consequences for our understanding of the purpose and role of labour law. The transformation of labour law highlights regulatory developments that require reinforcement of the role of fundamental labour rights. Building a perspective on major global challenges to the ILO at the beginning of its second centenary requires an assessment of the labour question in terms of flexibility and vulnerabilities. This raises the question of inclusivity, calling for the ILO decent work agenda, employment creation, social protection, rights at work and social dialogue, all to be more firmly integrated in global regulatory approaches to work.
How to Improve Monitoring and Enforcement of International Labour Standards?
Authors: Waas Bernd
Published: October 2020

This paper presents the existing system of monitoring international labour standards within the ILO, and then discusses how this system could be improved. The author suggests increased and improved cooperation between the relevant international organizations and an intensification of the dialogue between courts and other supervisory bodies, insofar as they are responsible for ensuring compliance with international standards. In addition, the question of whether and in what way the European Union could make a further contribution in this respect is examined. Finally, the role of the private sector is examined in more detail.
Reading Aloud in Human-Computer Interaction: How Spatial Distribution of Digital Text Units at an Interactive Tabletop Contributes to the Participants’ Shared Understanding
Authors: Heuser Svenja , Arend Béatrice , Sunnen Patrick
Published: October 2020

This paper is concerned with how the spatial distribution of written informings in a serious game activity at an interactive tabletop (ITT) induces participants to read aloud interactionally relevant information to each other in the process of co-constructing a shared understanding.

Engaging in an unfamiliar game activity, the participants are all equally dependent on written informings from the interface that serve as a game manual and provide crucial information for jointly achieving the game task(s). When it comes to making use of these written informings, we find the participants to read them aloud, making them accountable within the group.

Our findings from multimodal video analysis of two reading-aloud cases suggest that the written informing’s directionality and distribution (here, either designed as ‘distributed’ or ‘shared’ among the interface) regulate the participants’ access to information. And that participants who cannot visually access the information they are interested in reading (aloud) co-organize fine-grained joint successive actions build on and actualized by read-aloud utterances. These joint actions allow them to align their orientation and share their understanding of game activity-relevant content.
T duality and Wald entropy formula in the Heterotic Superstring effective action at first-order in α′
Authors: Elgood Zachary , Ortín Tomás
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We consider the compactification on a circle of the Heterotic Superstring effective action to first order in the Regge slope parameter α′ and re-derive the α′-corrected Buscher rules first found in ref. [42], proving the T duality invariance of the dimensionally-reduced action to that order in α′. We use Iyer and Wald’s prescription to derive an entropy formula that can be applied to black-hole solutions which can be obtained by a single non-trivial compactification on a circle and discuss its invariance under the α′-corrected T duality transformations. This formula has been successfully applied to α′-corrected 4-dimensional non-extremal Reissner-Nordström black holes in ref. [21] and we apply it here to a heterotic version of the Strominger-Vafa 5-dimensional extremal black hole.
Emergent Yang-Mills theory
Authors: de Mello Koch Robert , Huang Jia-Hui , Kim Minkyoo , Van Zyl Hendrik J.R.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We study the spectrum of anomalous dimensions of operators dual to giant graviton branes. The operators considered belong to the su(2|3) sector of$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 4 super Yang-Mills theory, have a bare dimension∼ Nand are a linear combination of restricted Schur polynomials withp ∼ O(1) long rows or columns. In the same way that the operator mixing problem in the planar limit can be mapped to an integrable spin chain, we find that our problems maps to particles hopping on a lattice. The detailed form of the model is in precise agreement with the expected world volume dynamics ofpgiant graviton branes, which is a U(p) Yang-Mills theory. The lattice model we find has a number of noteworthy features. It is a lattice model with all-to-all sites interactions and quenched disorder.
Genetisch modifizierte regulatorische T-Zellen: Therapiekonzepte und ihr regulatorischer Rahmen
Authors: Sebe Attila , Anliker Brigitte , Rau Juliane , Renner Matthias
Published: October 2020

Adoptive T‑Zelltherapien sind neuartige Konzepte zur Behandlung verschiedener Krankheiten. CAR-T-Zellen sind dabei als Letztlinientherapie für fortgeschrittene B‑Zelllymphome und die B‑Zellleukämie etabliert und zugelassen. TCR-basierte T‑Zellen als Behandlungsoption verschiedener hämatologischer und solider Tumoren befinden sich in der klinischen Entwicklung. Genetisch modifizierte regulatorische T‑Zellen stehen dagegen noch am Anfang ihrer klinischen Entwicklung zur Induktion von Immuntoleranz in einer Vielzahl von Anwendungsgebieten.

In diesem Artikel wird zunächst ein Überblick über die Funktion der regulatorischen T‑Zellen für die Induktion der Immuntoleranz sowie über ihre Rolle im Pathomechanismus bestimmter Immunerkrankungen gegeben und der aktuelle Stand der klinischen Entwicklungen von therapeutischen Ansätzen auf Basis genetisch modifizierter regulatorischer T‑Zellen zusammengefasst. Im Weiteren werden die regulatorisch-wissenschaftlichen Anforderungen und Herausforderungen hinsichtlich Herstellung und Qualitätskontrolle sowie nichtklinischer und klinischer Testung genetisch modifizierter regulatorischer T‑Zellen als Arzneimittel für neuartige Therapien diskutiert.
Studien zu neuen Immuntherapien: Herausforderungen aus Sicht der Ethik
Authors: Paul Norbert W.
Published: October 2020

Neue Immuntherapien werden aufgrund der immer weiter reichenden molekularen Differenzierung von Erkrankungsmustern immer häufiger in sogenannten adaptiven, also fortlaufend an Ergebnisse angepassten Studiendesigns (Umbrella- oder Basket-Studien beziehungsweise Plattformstudien) klinisch erprobt. Der hier vorgelegte Beitrag diskutiert diese Studiendesigns jenseits der Feststellung von Regulierungsbedarf, um ausgehend von typischen Strukturmerkmalen ethische Probleme zu identifizieren und – wo möglich – Lösungsvorschläge zu machen. Neben dem Verhältnis von wissenschaftlichen und sozialen Werten in klinischen Studien werden insbesondere die wissenschaftliche Validität von Evidenz, Fragen des Einschlusses von Studienteilnehmern unter der Bedingung von relativer Unsicherheit, spezifische Herausforderungen für die ethische Bewertung adaptiver Studien sowie die ethischen und praktischen Herausforderungen im Bereich der Patientenaufklärung und -einwilligung in den Blick genommen.
Eine seltene Ursache für das akut blockierte Kniegelenk: die superiore Patellaluxation
Authors: Glasbrenner Johannes , Briese Thorben , Raschke Michael J. , Herbst Elmar , Kittl Christoph
Published: October 2020

Es wird über den Fall eines 56-jährigen Patienten berichtet, der sich ohne Traumaanamnese mit akuter Blockade des Kniegelenks in Streckung vorstellte. Anamnese, klinische Untersuchung und Röntgen führten zur Diagnose einer superioren Patellaluxation. Nach geschlossener Reposition konnte bei beschwerdefreiem Patienten eine Entlassung ohne Hilfsmittel erfolgen. Die Kenntnis dieser seltenen Ursache des akut blockierten Kniegelenks kann helfen, aufwändigere apparative Untersuchungen einzusparen und eine zügige Behandlung und Beschwerdelinderung herbeizuführen.
Dynamic handgrip exercise for the evaluation of mitral valve regurgitation: an echocardiographic study to identify exertion induced severe mitral regurgitation
Authors: Alachkar Mhd Nawar , Kirschfink Annemarie , Grebe Julian , Almalla Mohammad , Frick Michael , Milzi Andrea , Moersen Wiebke , Becker Michael , Marx Nikolaus , Altiok Ertunc
Published: October 2020

Handgrip exercise (HG) has been occasionally used as a stress test in echocardiography. The effect of HG on mitral regurgitation (MR) is not well known. This study aims to evaluate this effect and the possible role of HG in the echocardiographic evaluation of MR. 722 patients with MR were included (18% primary, 82% secondary disease). We calculated effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RVOL) at rest and during dynamic HG. Increase in MR was defined as any increase in EROA or RVOL. We analyzed the data to identify possible associations between clinical or echocardiographic parameters and the effect of HG on MR. MR increased during dynamic HG in 390 of 722 patients (54%) (∆EROA = 25%, ∆RVOL = 27%). Increase of regurgitation occurred in 66 of 132 patients with primary MR (50%) and in 324 of 580 patients with secondary MR (55%). This increase was associated with larger baseline EROA and RVOL, but it was independent from other clinical or echocardiographic parameters. In secondary MR, dynamic HG led to a reclassification of regurgitation severity from non-severe at rest to severe MR during HG in 104 of 375 patients (28%). There was a significant association between this upgrade in MR classification and higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (OR 1.486, 95%-CI 1.138–1.940, p = 0.004). Dynamic HG exercise increases MR in about half of patients independent of the etiology. Dynamic HG may be used to identify symptomatic patients with non-severe secondary MR at rest but severe MR during exercise.
Validation of a new approach for distinguishing anesthetized from awake state in patients using directed transfer function applied to raw EEG
Authors: Juel Bjørn E. , Romundstad Luis , Storm Johan F. , Larsson Pål G.
Published: October 2020

We test whether a measure based on the directed transfer function (DTF) calculated from short segments of electroencephalography (EEG) time-series can be used to monitor the state of the patients also during sevoflurane anesthesia as it can for patients undergoing propofol anesthesia. We collected and analyzed 25-channel EEG from 7 patients (3 females, ages 41–56 years) undergoing surgical anesthesia with sevoflurane, and quantified the sensor space directed connectivity for every 1-s epoch using DTF. The resulting connectivity parameters were compared to corresponding parameters from our previous study (n = 8, patients anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil, but otherwise using a similar protocol). Statistical comparisons between and within studies were done using permutation statistics, a data driven algorithm based on the DTF-parameters was employed to classify the epochs as coming from awake or anesthetized state. According to results of the permutation tests, DTF-parameter topographies were significantly different between the awake and anesthesia state at the group level. However, the topographies were not significantly different when comparing results computed from sevoflurane and propofol data, neither in the awake nor in anesthetized state. Optimizing the algorithm for simultaneously having high sensitivity and specificity in classification yielded an accuracy of 95.1% (SE = 0.96%), with sensitivity of 98.4% (SE = 0.80%) and specificity of 94.8% (SE = 0.10%). These findings indicate that the DTF changes in a similar manner when humans undergo general anesthesia caused by two distinct anesthetic agents with different molecular mechanisms of action.