bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traditional, Indigenous Apple Varieties, a Fruit with Potential for Beneficial Effects: Their Quality Traits and Bioactive Polyphenol Contents
Authors: Jakobek Lidija , Ištuk Jozo , Buljeta Ivana , Voća Sandra , Žlabur Jana Šic , Babojelić Martina Skendrović
Published: January 2020

Earlier studies suggested that traditional apple varieties have quality traits well accepted by consumers and beneficial effects on human health. The aim was to collect 25 traditional apple varieties grown in Croatia and to determine, for the first time in so many details, their external (weight, height, width, shape, color), internal quality traits (firmness, starch decomposition index, maturity index, soluble solid concentration, total acids, soluble solid/total acids ratio, pH), and seed characteristics. In addition, individual polyphenols were determined in the flesh and peel, by using RP-HPLC. All was compared to the commercial variety ‘Idared’. Quality parameters of these varieties were similar to those of the commercial variety. The flesh and peel contained flavan-3-ols, dihydrochalcones, phenolic acids, and flavonols, while anthocyanins were additionally found in the peel. Total polyphenols in the peel (536–3801 mg kg−1 fresh weight (FW)) and in the flesh (79–1294 mg kg−1 FW) of the majority of varieties were higher than in the commercial variety. Principal component analysis showed possible clustering according to polyphenol amounts. According to the observed diversity of quality traits and bioactive polyphenol contents, the traditional varieties have potential for consumer acceptance and increased cultivation.
The Consumption of Two or Three Meals per Day with Adequate Protein Content Is Associated with Lower Risk of Physical Disability in Mexican Adults Aged 60 Years and Older
Authors: Gaytán-González Alejandro , Ocampo-Alfaro María de Jesús , Torres-Naranjo Francisco , Arroniz-Rivera Maritza , González-Mendoza Roberto Gabriel , Gil-Barreiro Martha , López-Taylor Juan Ricardo
Published: January 2020

Adequate protein intake per day has been associated with a lower risk of physical disability; however, if adequate protein intake per meal is also associated is unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between adequate protein intake per meal and physical disability in daily living activities in Mexican adults aged ≥60 years. We assessed the number of meals per day with an adequate protein content (24 h dietary recall), the presence of physical disability in daily living activities (two validated questionnaires), and their association in 187 participants through logistic regression. Consuming two or three meals per day with ≥30 g each was associated with lower risk of physical disability on Transportation (OR [95% CI]: 0.06 [0.01–0.50], p = 0.01), Shopping (0.05 [0.01–0.40], p = 0.004), Feeding (0.06 [0.01–0.74], p = 0.028), and Transfer (0.09 [0.01–0.98], p = 0.048). On the other hand, consuming two or three meals per day with ≥0.4 g/kg each was associated with lower risk of physical disability on Shopping (0.21 [0.05–0.89], p = 0.034) and Transportation (0.12 [0.03–0.48], p = 0.003). The consumption of two or three meals per day with adequate protein content is associated with lower risk of physical disability in Mexican adults aged 60 years and older.
Phenology and Yield of the Hybrid Seedless Grape ‘BRS Melodia’ Grown in an Annual Double Cropping System in a Subtropical Area
Authors: Koyama Renata , Borges Wellington Fernando Silva , Colombo Ronan Carlos , Hussain Ibrar , Souza Reginaldo Teodoro de , Roberto Sergio Ruffo
Published: January 2020

The development and evaluation of new cultivars of seedless grapes (Vitis spp.) with good yield and adapted to different edaphoclimatic conditions are essential to increase the competitiveness of the productive system. The present work had the objective to characterize the phenology and the yield of the new hybrid seedless grape ‘BRS Melodia’, grown in an annual double cropping system in a subtropical region. The evaluations were carried out during the 2013 summer cropping period and the 2014 off-season cropping period in a commercial area located in Marialva, PR, Brazil. The ‘BRS Melodia’ scions were grafted onto ‘IAC 766 Campinas’ rootstocks, trained in an overhead trellis system spaced at 2.5 × 2.5 m. In both seasons, the duration in days of the main phenological phases of the vines, as well as their thermal demand and their physicochemical and productive characteristics were evaluated. The ‘BRS Melodia’ seedless grapevines presented a cycle of 138 days and yield of 23.85 tons.ha−1 in the summer season, and 121 days and yield of 19.4 tons.ha−1 in the off-season crop. The soluble solids, titratable acidity, and maturation index were 15.1 °Brix, 0.5% tartaric acid and 28.5, respectively, in the summer season and 15.4 °Brix, 0.6% tartaric acid and 25.6 in the off-season crop, indicating a possibility of cultivate this new hybrid seedless grape under an annual double cropping system in subtropical conditions.
Density-Based Separation of Microbial Functional Groups in Activated Sludge
Authors: Li Lin , You Yaqi , Pagilla Krishna
Published: January 2020

Mechanistic understanding of how activated sludge (AS) solids density influences wastewater treatment processing is limited. Because microbial groups often generate and store intracellular inclusions during certain metabolic processes, it is hypothesized that some microorganisms, like polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), would have higher biomass densities. The present study developed a density-based separation approach and applied it to suspended growth AS in two full-scale domestic water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). Incorporating quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses, the research demonstrated the effectiveness of density-based separation in enriching key microbial functional groups, including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and PAOs, by up to 90-fold in target biomass fractions. It was observed that WRRF process functionalities have significant influence on density-based enrichment, such that maximum enrichments were achieved in the sludge fraction denser than 1.036 g/cm3 for the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) facility and in the sludge fraction lighter than 1.030 g/cm3 for the non-EBPR facility. Our results provide important information on the relationship between biomass density and enrichment of microbial functional groups in AS, contributing to future designs of enhanced biological treatment processes for improved AS settleability and performance.
Nobiletin Delays Aging and Enhances Stress Resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Yang Xueyan , Wang Hong , Li Tong , Chen Ling , Zheng Bisheng , Liu Rui Hai
Published: January 2020

Nobiletin (NOB), one of polymethoxyflavone existing in citrus fruits, has been reported to exhibit a multitude of biological properties, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-atherosclerosis, neuroprotection, and anti-tumor activity. However, little is known about the anti-aging effect of NOB. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of NOB on lifespan, stress resistance, and its associated gene expression. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, an in vivo nematode model, we found that NOB remarkably extended the lifespan; slowed aging-related functional declines; and increased the resistance against various stressors, including heat shock and ultraviolet radiation. Also, NOB reduced the effects of paraquat stressor on nematodes and scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, gene expression revealed that NOB upregulated the expression of sod-3, hsp-16.2, gst-4, skn-1, sek-1, and sir-2.1, which was suggested that anti-aging activity of NOB was mediated most likely by activation of the target genes of the transcription factors including dauer formation (DAF)-16, heat-shock transcription factor (HSF)-1, and skinhead (SKN)-1. In summary, NOB has potential application in extension of lifespan, and its associated healthspan and stress resistances.
Derivation of Cell-Engineered Nanovesicles from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Protective Effect on the Senescence of Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Lee Hyelim , Cha Hyeonjin , Park Ju Hyun
Published: January 2020

Stem cells secrete numerous paracrine factors, such as cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles. As a kind of extracellular vesicle (EV), exosomes produced in the endosomal compartment of eukaryotic cells have recently emerged as a biomedical material for regenerative medicine, because they contain many valuable contents that are derived from the host cells, and can stably deliver those contents to other recipient cells. Although we have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of human induced potent stem cell-derived exosomes (iPSC-Exo) on the aging of skin fibroblasts, low production yield has remained an obstacle for clinical applications. In this study, we generated cell-engineered nanovesicles (CENVs) by serial extrusion of human iPSCs through membrane filters with diminishing pore sizes, and explored whether the iPSC-CENV ameliorates physiological alterations of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) that occur by natural senescence. The iPSC-CENV exhibited similar characteristics to the iPSC-Exo, while the production yield was drastically increased compared to that of iPSC-derived EVs, including exosomes. The proliferation and migration of both young and senescent HDFs were stimulated by the treatment with iPSC-CENVs. In addition, it was revealed that the iPSC-CNEV restored senescence-related alterations of gene expression. Treatment with iPSC-CENVs significantly reduced the activity of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) in senescent HDFs, as well as suppressing the elevated expression of p53 and p21, key factors involved in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cellular senescence signaling pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that iPSC-CENV could provide an excellent alternative to iPSC-exo, and be exploited as a resource for the treatment of signs of skin aging.
Intermittent Hypoxic Conditioning Alleviates Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Induced Damage and Dysfunction of Rat Visceral Organs and Brain
Authors: Manukhina Eugenia B. , Tseilikman Vadim E. , Karpenko Marina N. , Pestereva Nina S. , Tseilikman Olga B. , Komelkova Maria V. , Kondashevskaya Marina V. , Goryacheva Anna V. , Lapshin Maxim S. , Platkovskii Pavel O. , Sarapultsev Alexey P. , Alliluev Anatoly V. , Downey H. Fred
Published: January 2020

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes mental and somatic diseases. Intermittent hypoxic conditioning (IHC) has cardio-, vaso-, and neuroprotective effects and alleviates experimental PTSD. IHC’s ability to alleviate harmful PTSD effects on rat heart, liver, and brain was examined. PTSD was induced by 10-day exposure to cat urine scent (PTSD rats). Some rats were then adapted to 14-day IHC (PTSD+IHC rats), while PTSD and untreated control rats were cage rested. PTSD rats had a higher anxiety index (AI, X-maze test), than control or PTSD+IHC rats. This higher AI was associated with reduced glycogen content and histological signs of metabolic and hypoxic damage and of impaired contractility. The livers of PTSD rats had reduced glycogen content. Liver and blood alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities of PTSD rats were significantly increased. PTSD rats had increased norepinephrine concentration and decreased monoamine oxidase A activity in cerebral cortex. The PTSD-induced elevation of carbonylated proteins and lipid peroxidation products in these organs reflects oxidative stress, a known cause of organ pathology. IHC alleviated PTSD-induced metabolic and structural injury and reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, IHC is a promising preventive treatment for PTSD-related morphological and functional damage to organs, due, in part, to IHC’s reduction of oxidative stress.
Codon Directional Asymmetry Suggests Swapped Prebiotic 1st and 2nd Codon Positions
Authors: Seligmann Hervé , Demongeot Jacques
Published: January 2020

Background: Codon directional asymmetry (CDA) classifies the 64 codons into palindromes (XYX, CDA = 0), and 5′- and 3′-dominant (YXX and XXY, CDA < 0 and CDA > 0, respectively). Previously, CDA was defined by the purine/pyrimidine divide (A,G/C,T), where X is either a purine or a pyrimidine. For the remaining codons with undefined CDA, CDA was defined by the 5′ or 3′ nucleotide complementary to Y. This CDA correlates with cognate amino acid tRNA synthetase classes, antiparallel beta sheet conformation index and the evolutionary order defined by the self-referential genetic code evolution model (CDA < 0: class I, high beta sheet index, late genetic code inclusion). Methods: We explore associations of CDAs defined by nucleotide classifications according to complementarity strengths (A:T, weak; C:G, strong) and keto-enol/amino-imino groupings (G,T/A,C), also after swapping 1st and 2nd codon positions with amino acid physicochemical and structural properties. Results: Here, analyses show that for the eight codons whose purine/pyrimidine-based CDA requires using the rule of complementarity with the midposition, using weak interactions to define CDA instead of complementarity increases associations with tRNA synthetase classes, antiparallel beta sheet index and genetic code evolutionary order. CDA defined by keto-enol/amino-imino groups, 1st and 2nd codon positions swapped, correlates with amino acid parallel beta sheet formation indices and Doolittle’s hydropathicities. Conclusions: Results suggest (a) prebiotic swaps from N2N1N3 to N1N2N3 codon structures, (b) that tRNA-mediated translation replaced direct codon-amino acid interactions, and (c) links between codon structures and cognate amino acid properties.
Integrative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Molecular Mechanism Responding to Salt Stress during Seed Germination in Hulless Barley
Authors: Lai Yong , Zhang Dangquan , Wang Jinmin , Wang Juncheng , Ren Panrong , Yao Lirong , Si Erjing , Kong Yuhua , Wang Huajun
Published: January 2020

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) is one of the most important crops in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Soil salinity seriously affects its cultivation. To investigate the mechanism of salt stress response during seed germination, two contrasting hulless barley genotypes were selected to first investigate the molecular mechanism of seed salinity response during the germination stage using RNA-sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation technologies. Compared to the salt-sensitive landrace lk621, the salt-tolerant one lk573 germinated normally under salt stress. The changes in hormone contents also differed between lk621 and lk573. In lk573, 1597 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 171 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were specifically detected at 4 h after salt stress, and correspondingly, 2748 and 328 specifically detected at 16 h. Most specific DEGs in lk573 were involved in response to oxidative stress, biosynthetic process, protein localization, and vesicle-mediated transport, and most specific DEPs were assigned to an oxidation-reduction process, carbohydrate metabolic process, and protein phosphorylation. There were 96 genes specifically differentially expressed at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels in lk573. These results revealed the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance and provided candidate genes for further study and salt-tolerant improvement in hulless barley.
Elucidation of Molecular Mechanism of a Selective PPARα Modulator, Pemafibrate, through Combinational Approaches of X-ray Crystallography, Thermodynamic Analysis, and First-Principle Calculations
Authors: Kawasaki Mayu , Kambe Akira , Yamamoto Yuta , Arulmozhiraja Sundaram , Ito Sohei , Nakagawa Yoshimi , Tokiwa Hiroaki , Nakano Shogo , Shimano Hitoshi
Published: January 2020

The selective PPARα modulator (SPPARMα) is expected to medicate dyslipidemia with minimizing adverse effects. Recently, pemafibrate was screened from the ligand library as an SPPARMα bearing strong potency. Several clinical pieces of evidence have proved the usefulness of pemafibrate as a medication; however, how pemafibrate works as a SPPARMα at the molecular level is not fully known. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanism behind its novel SPPARMα character through a combination of approaches of X-ray crystallography, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and fragment molecular orbital (FMO) analysis. ITC measurements have indicated that pemafibrate binds more strongly to PPARα than to PPARγ. The crystal structure of PPARα-ligand binding domain (LBD)/pemafibrate/steroid receptor coactivator-1 peptide (SRC1) determined at 3.2 Å resolution indicates that pemafibrate binds to the ligand binding pocket (LBP) of PPARα in a Y-shaped form. The structure also reveals that the conformation of the phenoxyalkyl group in pemafibrate is flexible in the absence of SRC1 coactivator peptide bound to PPARα; this gives a freedom for the phenoxyalkyl group to adopt structural changes induced by the binding of coactivators. FMO calculations have indicated that the accumulation of hydrophobic interactions provided by the residues at the LBP improve the interaction between pemafibrate and PPARα compared with the interaction between fenofibrate and PPARα.
Semi-Automatic Corpus Expansion and Extraction of Uyghur-Named Entities and Relations Based on a Hybrid Method
Authors: Halike Ayiguli , Abiderexiti Kahaerjiang , Yibulayin Tuergen
Published: January 2020

Relation extraction is an important task with many applications in natural language processing, such as structured knowledge extraction, knowledge graph construction, and automatic question answering system construction. However, relatively little past work has focused on the construction of the corpus and extraction of Uyghur-named entity relations, resulting in a very limited availability of relation extraction research and a deficiency of annotated relation data. This issue is addressed in the present article by proposing a hybrid Uyghur-named entity relation extraction method that combines a conditional random field model for making suggestions regarding annotation based on extracted relations with a set of rules applied by human annotators to rapidly increase the size of the Uyghur corpus. We integrate our relation extraction method into an existing annotation tool, and, with the help of human correction, we implement Uyghur relation extraction and expand the existing corpus. The effectiveness of our proposed approach is demonstrated based on experimental results by using an existing Uyghur corpus, and our method achieves a maximum weighted average between precision and recall of 61.34%. The method we proposed achieves state-of-the-art results on entity and relation extraction tasks in Uyghur.
Bone Regeneration, Reconstruction and Use of Osteogenic Cells; from Basic Knowledge, Animal Models to Clinical Trials
Authors: Hutchings Greg , Moncrieff Lisa , Dompe Claudia , Janowicz Krzysztof , Sibiak Rafał , Bryja Artur , Jankowski Maurycy , Mozdziak Paul , Bukowska Dorota , Antosik Paweł , Shibli Jamil , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta , Bruska Małgorzata , Kempisty Bartosz , Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna
Published: January 2020

The deterioration of the human skeleton’s capacity for self-renewal occurs naturally with age. Osteoporosis affects millions worldwide, with current treatments including pharmaceutical agents that target bone formation and/or resorption. Nevertheless, these clinical approaches often result in long-term side effects, with better alternatives being constantly researched. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue are known to hold therapeutic value for the treatment of a variety of bone diseases. The following review summarizes the latest studies and clinical trials related to the use of MSCs, both individually and combined with other methods, in the treatment of a variety of conditions related to skeletal health. For example, some of the most recent works noted the advantage of bone grafts based on biomimetic scaffolds combined with MSC and growth factor delivery, with a greatly increased regeneration rate and minimized side effects for patients. This review also highlights the continuing research into the mechanisms underlying bone homeostasis, including the key transcription factors and signalling pathways responsible for regulating the differentiation of osteoblast lineage. Paracrine factors and specific miRNAs are also believed to play a part in MSC differentiation. Furthering the understanding of the specific mechanisms of cellular signalling in skeletal remodelling is key to incorporating new and effective treatment methods for bone disease.
Computed Tomography Images of Fibrotic Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Leading to Chronic Respiratory Failure
Authors: Sawahata Michiru , Johkoh Takeshi , Kawanobe Takeshi , Kono Chiyoko , Nakamura Yosikazu , Bando Masashi , Hagiwara Koichi , Takemura Tamiko , Sakai Fumikazu , Shijubo Noriharu , Konno Satoshi , Yamaguchi Tetsuo
Published: January 2020

Background: There is currently no consensus on the morphology of severe fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis, and we examined computed tomography (CT) findings and progression. Methods: We analyzed findings in 10 consecutive patients (three men, seven women) with pulmonary sarcoidosis requiring oxygen therapy for chronic respiratory failure, who were extracted from >2500 sarcoidosis patients (three hospitals, 2000–2018). Patients with comorbidities causing chronic respiratory failure were excluded. Results: Predominant findings were consolidations along the bronchovascular bundles comprising ‘central-peripheral band’, traction bronchiectasis, peripheral cysts/bullae, and upper lobe shrinkage. Traction bronchiectasis arose from opacities comprising ‘central-peripheral band’. Clustering of traction bronchiectasis at the distal side formed honeycomb lung-like structures in three patients. Upper lobe shrinkage progressed in seven patients together with progression of consolidations, ‘central-peripheral band’, traction bronchiectasis clusters, and cysts, while patients without shrinkage included two patients with severe multiple cysts without traction bronchiectasis. Restrictive ventilatory impairment developed in most patients. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was detected radiologically in five patients, and chronic progressive pulmonary aspergillosis (CPPA) in four patients. Conclusions: During progression, consolidations comprising ‘central-peripheral band’ progressed together with traction bronchiectasis clusters and peripheral cysts, resulting in upper lobe shrinkage. This may lead to respiratory failure with possible complications such as PH and CPPA.
Multidisciplinary Pain Management of Chronic Back Pain: Helpful Treatments from the Patients’ Perspective
Authors: Nees Timo A. , Riewe Ernst , Waschke Daniela , Schiltenwolf Marcus , Neubauer Eva , Wang Haili
Published: January 2020

Multidisciplinary pain management programs (MPMP) for patients suffering from chronic back pain include a variety of treatment modalities. The patients’ perceived helpfulness of these treatment modalities remains unclear. The aims of this prospective observational cohort study were to assess (i) the patients’ perceived helpfulness of different treatment modalities, (ii) the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on the patient’s perspective and (iii) whether treatment outcomes are affected by helpfulness ratings. Treatment modalities of this three-week MPMP consisted of individual physiotherapy, group-based physiotherapy, relaxation therapy, aquatic therapy, back education, medical training therapy, biofeedback, psychological pain therapy and music therapy. The study comprised 395 patients. The main outcome was the patients’ perceived treatment helpfulness at the end of the program measured by a self-reported questionnaire ranging from 1 (not at all helpful) to 6 (extremely helpful). Secondary outcomes were treatment effects on pain, pain related disability, functional ability and level of depressive symptoms measured by self-reported questionnaires (NRS, PDI, FFbH-R, ADS-L). A total of 276 patients (22–64 years, 57% female) were available for overall analysis. Multivariate-analysis-of-variance- (MANOVA-) related results revealed that perceived treatment helpfulness (range 1–6) differed significantly between treatment modalities: individual physiotherapy (M = 5.00), group-based physiotherapy (M = 4.87), relaxation therapy (M = 4.6), aquatic therapy (M = 4.54), back education (M = 4.43), medical training therapy (M = 3.38), biofeedback (M = 3.31), psychological pain therapy (M = 3.15), music therapy (M = 3.02). Pain, pain related disability and levels of depressive symptoms significantly improved after the program (p < 0.001) whereas functional ability decreased (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were found between helpfulness ratings and sociodemographic data indicating that perceived treatment helpfulness was influenced by patient-related factors. Importantly, the degree of pain-related improvements was affected by the patients’ perceived treatment helpfulness. In conclusion, patients’ perceived treatment helpfulness differs significantly between treatment modalities and corresponds to treatment outcome.
Prediction of Renal Prognosis in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Using PKD1/PKD2 Mutations
Authors: Kataoka Hiroshi , Fukuoka Hinata , Makabe Shiho , Yoshida Rie , Teraoka Atsuko , Ushio Yusuke , Akihisa Taro , Manabe Shun , Sato Masayo , Mitobe Michihiro , Tsuchiya Ken , Nitta Kosaku , Mochizuki Toshio
Published: January 2020

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients with PKD1 mutations, particularly those with truncating mutations, show poor prognosis. However, the differences in disease progression with different mutation types are unclear. Here, a comparative study was conducted on the renal prognosis of patients with ADPKD who were categorized based on genotype (PKD1 versus PKD2 mutation), mutation type (truncating mutation: nonsense, frameshift, splicing mutation, and large deletion; non-truncating mutation: substitution and in-frame deletion), and mutation position. A total of 123 patients visiting our hospital were enrolled. Renal prognosis was poor for those with PKD1 splicing, PKD1 frameshift, and PKD2 splicing mutations. Despite the truncating mutation, the renal prognosis was relatively favorable for patients with nonsense mutations. Three out of five patients with PKD2 mutation required renal replacement therapy before 58 years of age. In conclusion, we showed that renal prognosis differs according to mutation types in both PKD1 and PKD2, and that it was favorable for those with nonsense mutations among patients with PKD1 truncating mutations. It was also confirmed that renal prognosis was not always favorable in patients with PKD2 mutations. A detailed assessment of mutation types may be useful for predicting the renal prognosis of patients with ADPKD.
Intraoperative Anesthetic Management of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease to Decrease the Risk of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications after Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Park Sukhee , Oh Eun Jung , Han Sangbin , Shin Beomsu , Shin Sun Hye , Im Yunjoo , Son Yong Hoon , Park Hye Yun
Published: January 2020

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit airflow limitation and suboptimal lung function, and they are at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). We aimed to determine the factors that would decrease PPC risk in patients with COPD. We retrospectively analyzed 419 patients with COPD who were registered in our institutional PPC database and had undergone an abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. PPCs comprised respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, respiratory infection, and bronchospasm; the presence or type of PPC was diagnosed by respiratory physicians and recorded in the database before this study. Binary logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Of the 419 patients, 121 patients (28.8%) experienced 200 PPCs. Multivariable analysis showed three modifiable anesthetic factors that could decrease PPC risk: low tidal volume ventilation, restricted fluid infusion, and sugammadex-induced neuromuscular blockade reversal. We found that the 90-day mortality risk was significantly greater in patients with PPC than in those without PPC (5.8% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.016). Therefore, PPC risk in patients with COPD can be decreased if low tidal volume ventilation, restricted fluid infusion, and sugammadex-induced reversal during abdominal surgery are efficiently managed, as these factors result in decreased postoperative mortality.
Clinical Characteristics of and Risk Factors for Fever after Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: A Retrospective Study Involving 6336 Patients
Authors: Moon Kyoung Min , Choi Chang-Min , Ji Wonjun , Lee Jae Seung , Lee Sei Won , Jo Kyung-Wook , Song Jin Woo , Lee Jae Cheol
Published: January 2020

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive diagnostic for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy/mass. This study investigated fever incidence and associated risk factors after EBUS-TBNA in 6336 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at Asan Medical Center from October 2008 to February 2018. Bronchoscopists evaluated participants’ medical records for fever the 24 h following EBUS-TBNA. Patients were placed in either a Fever group (n = 665) or a non-Fever group (n = 5671). Fever developed in 665 of 6336 patients (10.5%) with a mean peak body temperature of 38.3 °C (range, 37.8–40.6 °C). Multivariate analysis revealed that fever-associated risk factors after EBUS-TBNA are older age (adjusted OR 0.015, 95% CI (0.969–0.997), p = 0.015), bronchoscopic washing (adjusted OR 1.624, 95% CI (1.114–2.368), p = 0.012), more than four samples of EBUS-TBNA (adjusted OR 2.472, 95% CI (1.288–4.745), p = 0.007), hemoglobin levels before EBUS-TBNA (adjusted OR 0.876, 95% CI (0.822–0.933), p < 0.001), CRP levels before EBUS-TBNA (adjusted OR 1.115, 95% CI (1.075–1.157), p < 0.001), and a diagnosis of EBUS-TBNA tuberculosis (adjusted OR 3.409, 95% CI (1.870–6.217), p < 0.001). Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of fever after EBUS-TBNA because it is common. Additional, prospective, large-scale research should assess the need for prophylactic antibiotics for EBUS-TBNA.
Is Polymicrobial Bacteremia an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality in Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia?
Authors: Wang Yung-Chih , Ku Wen-Wei , Yang Ya-Sung , Kao Chih-Chun , Kang Fang-Yu , Kuo Shu-Chen , Chiu Chun-Hsiang , Chen Te-Li , Wang Fu-Der , Lee Yi-Tzu
Published: January 2020

This retrospective observational study assessed the differences between monomicrobial and polymicrobial A. baumannii bacteremia and identified possible independent risk factors for 14-day mortality. There were 379 patients with A. baumannii bacteremia admitted to a tertiary care center in northern Taiwan between August 2008 and July 2015 enrolled for data analysis. Among them, 89 patients (23.5%) had polymicrobial bacteremia and 290 patients (76.5%) had monomicrobial bacteremia. No significant difference in 14-day mortality was observed between patients with monomicrobial and polymicrobial A. baumannii bacteremia (26.9% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.77). Logistic regression controlled for confounders demonstrated that polymicrobial bacteremia was not an independent predictor of mortality, whereas appropriate antimicrobial therapy was independently associated with reduced mortality. Higher 14-day mortality rates were observed in the polymicrobial bacteremic patients with concomitant isolation of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. from the bloodstream. Compared with patients with monomicrobial multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAb) bacteremia, those with MDRAb concomitant with Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia had a worse outcome. Polymicrobial A. baumannii bacteremia was not associated with a higher 14-day mortality rate than that of monomicrobial A. baumannii bacteremia, although more deaths were observed when certain Gram-negative bacteria were concomitantly isolated. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy remains an important life-saving measure for A. baumannii bacteremic patients.
Hybrid Effect in In-Plane Loading of Carbon/Glass Fibre Based Inter- and Intraply Hybrid Composites
Authors: Rajpurohit Ashok , Joannès Sébastien , Singery Vicky , Sanial Philippe , Laiarinandrasana Lucien
Published: January 2020

Experimental studies are presented on quasi-static tensile and compressive loading of composites hybridised at two levels: intraply and interply. Consistent reinforcements in the form of novel unidirectional fabrics were developed using T700SC carbon and E-CR glass fibres. Composites were manufactured using Resin Transfer Moulding process with epoxy resin and characterised to ensure consistency and comparability, further enabling easier understanding and confirmation of hybrid effect in a reliable way. Failure strain in tension for interply hybrid revealed a positive hybrid effect of +7.4%, while interply hybrid showed a negative hybrid effect of −6.4% in compression. Intraply hybrid with three carbon and three glass tows blocked together demonstrated the best mechanical performance among all hybrids; synergistic effects of +17.8% and +39.6% in tensile and compressive strength, respectively, was observed for this hybrid configuration. The results show that different hybridisation strategies can be exploited to balance cost and performance of composites for structural and lightweight applications.
Marketing Islamic Financial Services: A Review, Critique, and Agenda for Future Research
Authors: Alam Intekhab , Seifzadeh Pouya
Published: January 2020

Islamic finance has experienced rapid growth globally, surpassing the USD 2 trillion mark in 2017. As a result, the literature related to Islamic finance and banking is rather rich. Despite the richness of the literature, our knowledge of the marketing issues related to Islamic finance is modest and somewhat ambiguous. Therefore, we review several decades of research about the Islamic finance in various parts of the world. We identify and discuss three main research themes that draw on different conceptualization and theoretical lenses. After synthesizing their respective findings, we propose several avenues for future research that integrate these three research themes with the goal of developing a more nuanced understanding of Islamic finance and its marketing. While we believe that our review will mainly serve as a crucial reinvigoration and launch point for future research on Islamic finance marketing, it is also of great practical benefit for policymakers of various countries and especially managers of financial service firms interested in marketing Islamic banking and financial services to their customers.
Argument and Coefficient Estimates for Certain Analytic Functions
Authors: Alimohammadi Davood , Cho Nak Eun , Adegani Ebrahim Analouei , Motamednezhad Ahmad
Published: January 2020

The aim of the present paper is to introduce a new class G α , δ of analytic functions in the open unit disk and to study some properties associated with strong starlikeness and close-to-convexity for the class G α , δ . We also consider sharp bounds of logarithmic coefficients and Fekete-Szegö functionals belonging to the class G α , δ . Moreover, we provide some topics related to the results reported here that are relevant to outcomes presented in earlier research.
Chemical Diversity in Species Belonging to Soft Coral Genus Sacrophyton and Its Impact on Biological Activity: A Review
Authors: Elkhawas Yasmin A. , Elissawy Ahmed M. , Elnaggar Mohamed S. , Mostafa Nada M. , Al-Sayed Eman , Bishr Mokhtar M. , Singab Abdel Nasser B. , Salama Osama M.
Published: January 2020

One of the most widely distributed soft coral species, found especially in shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and also the Arctic, is genus Sacrophyton. The total number of species belonging to it was estimated to be 40. Sarcophyton species are considered to be a reservoir of bioactive natural metabolites. Secondary metabolites isolated from members belonging to this genus show great chemical diversity. They are rich in terpenoids, in particular, cembranoids diterpenes, tetratepenoids, triterpenoids, and ceramide, in addition to steroids, sesquiterpenes, and fatty acids. They showed a broad range of potent biological activities, such as antitumor, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antifouling, and anti-inflammatory activity. This review presents all isolated secondary metabolites from species of genera Sacrophyton, as well as their reported biological activities covering a period of about two decades (1998–2019). It deals with 481 metabolites, including 323 diterpenes, 39 biscembranoids, 11 sesquiterpenes, 53 polyoxygenated sterols, and 55 miscellaneous and their pharmacological activities.
Evaluation of Cardiac Repolarization Indices in Epilepsy Patients Treated with Carbamazepine and Valproic Acid
Authors: Asoğlu Ramazan , Özdemir Mahmut , Aladağ Nesim , Asoğlu Emin
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy patients have a higher risk of sudden unexplained death compared to the rest of the population. Cardiac repolarization abnormalities might be seen in epilepsy during interictal periods. We aimed to evaluate the changes in electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in generalized tonic-clonic seizure patients treated with carbamazepine or valproic acid (VPA) drug. Materials and Methods: A totally of 129 subjects (66 epilepsy patients, 63 healthy subjects) were enrolled in the study. Of the patients, 36 were on carbamazepine and 30 were on VPA. There were 12-lead ECGs obtained from all participants. RR interval (time between consecutive R peaks), QT interval (defines the period of ventricular repolarization), corrected QT (QT interval corrected for heart rate; QTc), QTc-maximum (QTc-max), QTc-minimum (QTc-min), QTc dispersion (QTcd), P (atrial depolarization )-maximum (P-max), P-minimum (P-min) and P dispersion (Pd) were measured. Results: QTd (QT dispersion), QTcd, and Pd values were significantly higher in the patients compared to the controls (p < 0.01). QTcd, Pd, and P-max values were statistically higher in male patients compared to healthy male controls. QTcd values were significantly higher in female patients using carbamazepine compared to the female patients on VPA and healthy controls (p = 0.01). Male patients using VPA had significantly higher QTcd values against the male population in carbamazepine and control groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that QTd, QTcd, and Pd values were significantly higher in epilepsy patients than in healthy controls. In addition, female patients using carbamazepine and male patients using VPA were prone to ventricular arrhythmia compared to the control group.
Taxonomic Characterization, and Secondary Metabolite Analysis of Streptomyces triticiradicis sp. nov.: A Novel Actinomycete with Antifungal Activity
Authors: Yu Zhiyin , Han Chuanyu , Yu Bing , Zhao Junwei , Yan Yijun , Huang Shengxiong , Liu Chongxi , Xiang Wensheng
Published: January 2020

The rhizosphere, an important battleground between beneficial microbes and pathogens, is usually considered to be a good source for isolation of antagonistic microorganisms. In this study, a novel actinobacteria with broad-spectrum antifungal activity, designated strain NEAU-H2T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-H2T belonged to the genus Streptomyces, with high sequence similarities to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807T (98.8%), Streptomyces populi A249T (98.6%), and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799T (98.6%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB, and trpB gene sequences showed that the strain formed a stable clade with S. populi A249T. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain coincided with members of the genus Streptomyces. A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and phenotypic properties indicated that the strain could be distinguished from the abovementioned strains. Thus, strain NEAU-H2T belongs to a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces triticiradicis sp. nov. is proposed. In addition, the metabolites isolated from cultures of strain NEAU-H2T were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. One new compound and three known congeners were isolated. Further, genome analysis revealed that the strain harbored diverse biosynthetic potential, and one cluster showing 63% similarity to natamycin biosynthetic gene cluster may contribute to the antifungal activity. The type strain is NEAU-H2T (= CCTCC AA 2018031T = DSM 109825T).
Reuterin Demonstrates Potent Antimicrobial Activity Against a Broad Panel of Human and Poultry Meat Campylobacter spp. Isolates
Authors: Asare Paul Tetteh , Zurfluh Katrin , Greppi Anna , Lynch Denise , Schwab Clarissa , Stephan Roger , Lacroix Christophe
Published: January 2020

Reuterin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial system produced by specific strains of Lactobacillus reuteri during anaerobic metabolism of glycerol. Acrolein is the main component responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Here, the sensitivity of Campylobacter jejuni (n = 51) and Campylobacter coli (n = 20) isolates from chicken meat and human stool samples to reuterin was investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. jejuni and C. coli strains was measured between 1.5 and 3.0 µM of acrolein, below the MIC of the sensitive indicator strain Escherichia coli K12 (16.5 µM acrolein). The interaction of C. jejuni N16-1419 and the reuterin-producing L. reuteri PTA5_F13 was studied during 24 h co-cultures with or without glycerol. A high C. jejuni growth was observed in cultures without glycerol. In contrast, C. jejuni growth decreased from 7.3 ± 0.1 log CFU/mL to below detection limit (1 log CFU/mL) during co-cultures added with 28 mM glycerol. This bactericidal effect could be attributed to in situ reuterin production. The low MIC observed and the high sensitivity towards in situ produced reuterin suggests L. reuteri combined with glycerol, as a possible intervention option to reduce Campylobacter in the food chain.
Physicochemical Parameters and Geochemical Features of Ore-Forming Fluids for Orogenic Gold Deposits Throughout Geological Time
Authors: Prokofiev Vsevolod Yu. , Naumov Vladimir B.
Published: January 2020

This paper reviews data from numerous publications focused on the physicochemical parameters and chemical composition of ore-forming fluids from orogenic gold deposits formed during various geological epochs. The paper presents analysis of the distribution of the principal parameters of mineralizing fluids depending on the age of the mineralization. Some parameters of the fluids (their salinity and pressure) at orogenic gold deposits are demonstrated to systematically vary from older (median salinity 6.1 wt.%, median pressure 1680 bar) to younger (median salinity 3.6 wt.%, median pressure 1305 bar) deposits. The detected statistically significant differences between some parameters of mineralizing fluids at orogenic gold deposits are principally new information. The parameters at which mineralization of various age was formed are demonstrated to pertain to different depth levels of similar mineralization-forming systems. The fluid parameters of the most ancient deposits (which are mostly deeply eroded) correspond to the deepest levels of orogenic fluid systems. Hence, the detected differences in the salinity and pressure of the mineralizing fluids at orogenic deposits of different age reflect the vertical zoning of the mineralizing fluid systems.
Interaction Between FeOOH and NaCl at Extreme Conditions: Synthesis of Novel Na2FeCl4OHx Compound
Authors: Koemets Egor , Yuan Liang , Bykova Elena , Glazyrin Konstantin , Ohtani Eiji , Dubrovinsky Leonid
Published: January 2020

Iron(III) oxide-hydroxide, FeOOH, is abundant in the banded iron formations (BIFs). Recent studies indicate that BIFs may carry water down to the lower mantle with subducting slabs. The previous experiments investigating the properties of FeOOH at extreme pressures (P) and temperatures (T) were performed in diamond anvil cells (DACs), where it was compressed inside alkali metal halide pressure-transmitting media (2). Alkali metal halides such as NaCl or KCl are expected to be chemically inert; therefore, they are widely used in DAC experiments. Here, we report the chemical interaction between FeOOH and NaCl pressure medium at 107(2) GPa and 2400(200) K. By means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) analysis applied to a multigrain sample, we demonstrate the formation of a Na2FeCl4OHx phase and provide its structural solution and refinement. Our results demonstrate that at high P-T conditions, the alkali metal halides could interact with hydrous phases and thus cannot be used as a pressure transmitting and thermal insulating medium in DAC experiments dedicated to studies of hydroxyl or water-bearing materials at high P-T.
Prevalence, Prevention and Treatment of Saddle Sores among Female Competitive Cyclists: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Bury Keira , Leavy Justine E. , O’Connor Amanda , Jancey Jonine
Published: January 2020

Female cyclists are prone to a variety of injuries and illnesses that occur as a result of prolonged contact with a bicycle saddle. Saddle sores are a range of skin ailments on the buttocks, genitals and inner thigh that result from a combination of friction, heat, pressure, moisture and bacteria in the saddle area. Whilst saddle sores are reportedly common, for some cyclists, the condition may cause only mild discomfort. However, for female competitive cyclists, the condition can be an ongoing source of pain and illness affecting participation and performance in the sport. Despite many online sources for health information and products for saddle sores, it is unknown what empirical evidence exists for the prevalence and severity of saddle sores, and for the effectiveness of prevention and treatment methods. This paper outlines the protocol for a scoping review, which aims to describe the empirical evidence for the prevalence, prevention and treatment of saddle sores among female competitive cyclists. Ethics approval has been obtained for this study from Curtin University’s Human Research Ethics Committee no: HRE2019-0120. The findings from this study will contribute to the literature for injury in female sport.
Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant antigen AMA1: Diagnostic Utility of Protein Fragments for the Detection of IgG and IgM Antibodies
Authors: Ferra Bartłomiej , Holec-Gąsior Lucyna , Gatkowska Justyna , Dziadek Bożena , Dzitko Katarzyna
Published: January 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic protozoan that infects a wide variety of vertebrates as intermediate hosts. For this reason, the diagnosis of this disease is very important and requires continuous improvement. One possibility is to use recombinant antigens in serological tests. Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), a protein located in specific secretory organelles (micronemes) of T. gondii, is very interesting in regard to its potential diagnostic utility. In the present study, we attempted to identify a fragment of the AMA1 protein with a high sensitivity and specificity for the serological diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. The full-length AMA1 and two different fragments (AMA1N and AMA1C) were produced using an Escherichia coli expression system. After purification by metal affinity chromatography, recombinant proteins were tested for their utility as antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies in human and mouse immune sera. Our data demonstrate that the full-length AMA1 recombinant antigen (corresponding to amino acid residues 67–569 of the native protein) has a better diagnostic potential than its N- or C-terminal fragments. This recombinant protein strongly interacts with specific anti-T. gondii IgG (99.4%) and IgM (80.0%) antibodies, and may be used for developing new tools for diagnostics of toxoplasmosis.