bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ablation of Neuropilin 1 in Myeloid Cells Exacerbates High-Fat Diet–Induced Insulin Resistance Through Nlrp3 Inflammasome In Vivo
Authors: Dai Xiaoyan , Okon Imoh , Liu Zhaoyu , Bedarida Tatiana , Wang Qilong , Ramprasath Tharmarajan , Zhang Miao , Song Ping , Zou Ming-Hui
Published: June 2017

Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1), a coreceptor for class 3 semaphorins and growth factors, is highly expressed in vascular cells and myeloid cells, including macrophages. Unlike well-characterized proangiogenic functions of endothelial cell Nrp1, the contributions of macrophage Nrp1 within the context of metabolic dysfunction remain to be established. The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of macrophage Nrp1 in high-fat diet (HFD)-instigated insulin resistance in vivo. Insulin sensitivity and Nlrp3 inflammasome activation were monitored in wild-type (WT) and myeloid cell-specific Nrp1 knockout (Nrp1myel-KO) mice fed an HFD (60% kcal) for 16 weeks. HFD-fed mice exhibited insulin resistance with reduced levels of Nrp1 in macrophages compared with chow-fed mice. Further, HFD-fed Nrp1myel-KO mice displayed accentuated insulin resistance, enhanced systemic inflammation, and dramatically increased Nlrp3 inflammasome priming and activation. Importantly, knockout of Nlrp3 ablated HFD-induced insulin resistance and inflammation in Nrp1myel-KO mice, indicating that Nrp1 reduction in macrophages instigates insulin resistance by increasing macrophage Nlrp3 inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, Nrp1 deletion activates the nuclear factor-κB pathway, which in turn accentuates the priming of Nlrp3, promotes Nlrp3-ASC inflammasome assembly, and results in the activation of Nlrp3. We conclude that the HFD-instigated Nrp1 reduction in macrophages exacerbates insulin resistance by promoting Nlrp3 inflammasome priming and activation.
Microfinance institutions' failure to address poverty: A narrative critical literature review
Authors: Guðjónsson Sigurður
Published: June 2017

This critical literature review begins by giving a short introduction to the microfinance industry. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are explained and an account is given of their dual performance goals of financial performance (‘financial sustainability’) and social performance (‘outreach’). While MFIs’ social performance is directly aimed at poverty reduction, it is noteworthy that often they fail to address poverty (i.e., they fail to deliver outreach). The aim of the paper is to answer the following research question: Why have microfinance institutions (MFIs) failed to address poverty? In order to establish the reason, the first step is to look at how the MFIs are managed and controlled, i.e. to examine MFIs’ corporate governance literature. This critical literature review was conducted using systematic on-line searches in the databases Scopus and Web of Knowledge; the main key words used were microfinance, gender, corporate governance and performance. The unconvincing nature of the findings of a review of the corporate governance literature suggests that another factor should be taken into consideration: that of gender; after all, MFIs are mainly used by women. The findings from reviewing the microfinance literature suggests that microfinance gender literature may explain why MFIs have not adequately addressed poverty, but this literature consists of a few studies only and further studies are needed. The literature on gender in general is more substantial, however. Some account of it will be given in this literature review. The findings of this literature review should benefit policymakers on the one hand, who are in a position to advance gender equality, while on the other hand it should be of use to academics, who can research MFIs in relation to gender; further studies of gender in MFIs are encouraged.
Graciela Cándano Fierro, Mujer y matrimonio en las “Decretales” de Gregorio IX. Una antología. Destiempos, México, 2012; 76 pp.
Authors: Luna Mariscal Karla Xiomara
Published: June 2017

Se reseña el libro:Mujer y matrimonio en las "Decretales" de Gregorio IX. Una antología. Destiempos.
Addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block
Authors: Aksu Recep , Bicer Cihangir
Published: June 2017

Purpose: Research is ongoing to determine the lowest dose of local anesthetics in brachial plexus block that provides adequate anesthesia and postoperative analgesia and reduces complications related to local anesthetics.

Methods: Patients 18-65 years of age who underwent upper limb surgery and who received ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block at the Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between February 2014 and January 2015 were included in the study (n=50). Supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks were performed on Group B cases by adding 30 ml 0.33% bupivacaine and on Group BD cases by adding 15 ml 0.33% bupivacaine and 1 µg / kg dexmedetomidine. Block success was evaluated by the onset and block duration of motor and sensory block and the duration of analgesia.

Results: The block success of Group B and Group BD was 92.6% and 89.3%, respectively (P = 1.000). Onset time of sensory block, degree of sensory block, duration of sensory block, onset time of motor block, degree of motor block and duration of motor block were similar in both groups in the intergroup comparison (P > 0.05). Duration of analgesia and the operative conditions of groups were similar (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: In the implementation of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block, block success, sensory and motor block and analgesia duration were similar for patients anaesthetized with 30 ml of bupivacaine in comparison with dexmedetomidine+bupivacaine (when the bupivacaine dose was reduced by 50% by the addition of the adjuvant).
Presentación - Revista Historia y Espacio Nº 47
Authors: Rubio Alfonso
Published: June 2017

Presentación de la revista Historia y Espacio Número 47
Francisco Gutiérrez Sanín, El orangután con sacoleva. Cien años de democracia y represión en Colombia (1910-2010)
Authors: Serna García Claudia Ximena
Published: June 2017

Reseña del libro “El orangután con sacoleva. Cien años de democracia y represión en Colombia (1910-2010)”, de Francisco Gutiérrez Sanín
El ímpetu de las pasiones sobre las cadenas esclavistas: los vínculos amorosos entre blancos y esclavas en el Nuevo Reino de Granada
Authors: Pita Pico Roger
Published: June 2017

Este artículo tiene por objeto analizar las complicaciones que se suscitaron en torno a las relaciones amorosas entre blancos y esclavas en el Nuevo Reino de Granada. Varias facetas de estos romances ponen de relieve su complejidad, pues fue posible observar en unos casos el interés de los amantes en persistir en la unión aun por encima de todos los obstáculos mientras que en otras circunstancias hubo cambios dramáticos en la relación, pasando del idilio a la tensión. Finalmente, se examinará el llamado que las autoridades hicieron a los hombres blancos casados legítimamente para que renunciaran a sus relaciones “ilícitas” y volvieran al seno de sus hogares.
Obedecer la costumbre, negociar la obediencia. Acciones colectivas contenciosas de los esclavizados en suroccidente de la Nueva Granada, 1770-1830
Authors: Garzón Montenegro José Benito
Published: June 2017

Negociar la obediencia, obedecer la costumbre remite directamente a las nociones de autoridad (cualquiera que sea su fuente) y de consentimiento, temas éstos que entrelazan además debates contemporáneos que interesan al conjunto de las ciencias sociales y en particular a antropólogos, sociólogos, politólogos e historiadores. Tras el análisis de algunas de las principales acciones colectivas contenciosas agenciadas por los esclavizados en el suroccidente de la Nueva Granada, entre 1770 y 1830, se busca recrear el debate alrededor de las maneras como dichos sectores sociales tramitaron sus reivindicaciones y asumieron sus posibilidades de resolución.
Los sometidos y los libertos de papel. Recorte de lo epistemológico en la de María Cristina Navarrete
Authors: Tejeda Quintero Ethan Frank
Published: June 2017

En el siguiente artículo se consideran dos trabajos de la historiadora María Cristina Navarrete: San Basilio de Palenque: memoria y tradición, cimarrones y palenques en siglo XVII (2008) y Génesis y desarrollo de la esclavitud en Colombia siglos XVI y XVII (2011). En ellos se localizará la relación de su ejercicio historiográfico desde las ideas de la literatura de la historia, el oficio de la historia y la dimensión disciplinar de la historia, que pueden ayudar a destacar el aporte epistemológico realizado por Navarrete al reconstruir la voz de los sometidos a través de las declaraciones en los tribunales inquisitoriales, de registros en actas notariales y escrituras de compra y venta. Resulta un desafío asumir el gesto de crítico de los críticos ante la labor de historiadores que, como María Cristina de Navarrete, muestran un camino epistemológico para vencer formas acendradas dentro de la ortodoxia y abren acervos documentales ya leídos desde perspectivas viciadas por formas del absolutismo. La labor de recorte epistemológico en el trabajo de Navarrete permite vincular el principio de racionalidad y la lógica de las situaciones al reconocimiento de lo heteróclito y lo heterogéneo que define su aporte significativo a la historiografía en Colombia.
Tinta roja: prensa, política y educación en la República Liberal (1930 – 1946)
Authors: Paredes Téllez César
Published: June 2017

La prensa es transversal a la cotidianidad colombiana durante el siglo XIX y XX, también es una fuente documental más o menos sistemática del acontecer nacional, regional y local, finalmente es un producto de consumo cultural, pedagógico e ideológico que solo compartía voz con la radio al aparecer en escena la radiodifusora nacional. A partir de su valor comunicativo y su papel histórico desde donde parte la investigación titulada Tinta roja: prensa, política y educación en la República Liberal (1930 – 1946), realizada por Álvaro Acevedo Tarazona y Jhon Jaime Correa Ramírez. Si bien la prensa tenía la barrera del analfabetismo, las limitaciones de transporte por las precarias vías nacionales y la inopia económica de gran parte de la población para tener acceso de la prensa, ha sido un insumo importante para interpretar historiográficamente la cultura política en primera instancia y otras temáticas históricas rastreables entre páginas.
“No creo que la tarea de los jóvenes investigadores consista en vengar al pasado” Entrevista a José Antonio Piqueras
Authors: Jorge Luis Aparicio Erazo Mario Diego Romero Vergara y
Published: June 2017

José Antonio Piqueras es Doctor en Historia por la Universidad de Valencia (España). Actualmente se desempeña como docente de Historia Contemporánea de la Universitat Jaume I (Valencia, España). Dirige en esta universidad el grupo Historia Social Comparada. Sus intereses investigativos han girado alrededor de la historia de las relaciones sociales y de las actitudes políticas en España y América Latina, con particular atención a Cuba. Preside la Asociación de Historia Económica del Caribe. Desde 1988 codirige junto a Javier Paniagua la revista Historia Social, editada por la Fundación Instituto de Historia Social.
Hombres de letras y narcotráfico en dos décadas de literatura colombiana
Authors: Montaño González Maritza
Published: June 2017

Frente a las representaciones de los agentes de la violencia y de la ilegalidad han aparecido representaciones de hombres de letras en la novelística sobre la época en la que el narcotráfico ha determinado comportamientos políticos y sociales en Colombia. ¿Qué papel o papeles han cumplido los hombres de letras en esta literatura? Para pensar más allá de la inmediatez de la violencia y atender al cambio de las relaciones sociales que la literatura sobre el narcotráfico registra, esta ponencia propone señalar el papel que los hombres de letras han desempeñado en un breve corpus de novelas publicadas a comienzos del siglo XXI, destacando entre ellas la novela Angosta de Héctor Abad Faciolince. Se estudia cómo los protagonistas de las novelas del corpus inpugnan las representaciones de hombres de letras en la narrativa del narcotráfico de los años noventa, a la vez que determinan una evolución de esta novelística hacia una representación más compleja del fenómeno del narcotráfico, de la violencia que comporta y de sus efectos en la sociedad colombiana.
El ensayo: de la retórica restringida a la retórica de la argumentación
Authors: Peralta Sánchez Andrés Felipe
Published: June 2017

El filósofo Chaïm Perelman (1977) afirma que la aplicación de su nueva retórica a los diferentes discursos y textos argumentativos se traduciría en el desarrollo de retóricas particulares para cada uno de ellos, según el tipo de auditorio al que se dirigen y de la disciplina en la que se practican (p. 19). A partir de esta premisa, nos acercaremos a la retórica del ensayo vista como una teoría particular de la argumentación ensayística que resulta de la aplicación de la nueva retórica de Perelman a este género literario. Sostendremos que dicha aplicación confirma el protagonismo de la argumentación en su estructura composicional y finalidad comunicativa, superando así las limitaciones de la visión restringida de la retórica que sólo considera el elemento estilístico de este tipo de textos
Sacralización y desacralización de la literatura en la obra de Roberto Bolaño
Authors: Miranda Rojas Juan Sebastian
Published: June 2017

Algunas obras de Roberto Bolaño se fundan en la mezcla entre literatura erudita y paraliteratura. Este encuentro entre aquellos dos géneros revela una manera particular de abordar la literatura menor. Consideramos las expresiones de lo menor como espacios de experimentación y comentario sobre la literatura. Gran conocedor de la paraliteratura, el autor se apropia de sus códigos para enseguida transgredirlos y agregarles elementos de comentario sobre la literatura, que encuentran en la paraliteratura un territorio de expansión perfectamente libre. Porque esta mezcla instaura un juego entre lo conocido, figurado por los códigos de la paraliteratura, y lo desconocido, que reside del lado del comentario sobre la literatura. Este escritor se ocupa así tanto de las fallas y ausencias de la historia literaria, de lo que esta no reconoce o ignora, como de lo que rechaza. Este trabajo está consagrado al estudio de este autor abierto a una nueva forma de literatura menor
Esa cosa que somos, de lo humano en Saramago
Authors: Restrepo Laura
Published: June 2017

ESA COSA QUE SOMOS
De lo humano en Saramago
Visión de Alfonso Reyes: En busca de una expresión americana
Authors: Aladino Edison
Published: June 2017

Abstract: The next work analyzes Alfonso Reyes’s American
thought on the development and structure of the concept of ‘American
intelligence’. Reyes develops this concept in response to his
preoccupations around the identity of the Latin American writer. His
efforts start with Visión de Anáhuac, find consolidation in A vuelta de
correo, and reach systematic conceptualization in Última Tule. This
article presents and sustains the ideas of the Mexican author concerning
the search for a Latin American culture in relation to his work and his
own construction as a writer.
Fortalecimiento del sector de la soldadura en la Provincia de Santa Elena a través de actividades del Centro de Capacitación de Soldadura LINDE-UPSE
Authors: Lucin Jorge
Published: June 2017

La generación de grandes proyectos que tiene el país, en su ejecución lleva el aporte importante de la técnica de trabajo como es la soldadura. La Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, UPSE   y  la multinacional LINDE, ex AGA S.A.  Con el propósito de fortalecer el área de los trabajos  de soldadura en la provincia de Santa Elena, firman un convenio de cooperación con una duración de 5 años. Para el efecto, se instala un Centro de Capacitación de primer orden con equipos,  maquinarias, herramental e insumos necesarios para ofertar un trabajo de calidad. Los recursos físicos están dados por la UPSE, mientras que el conocimiento y técnica la da la multinacional por  medio del facilitador- instructor de alta calificación. Los cursos a ofertar son de aprobación. El trabajo es organizado desde su difusión, inscripciones, capacitación, evaluación, aprobación e informes finales de cada curso, lo que se sustenta en las estadísticas y documentos soportes. Es así que,  durante estos 3 primeros años de trabajo, se ha capacitado a 229 personas, con un total de 240 horas en 12 cursos de formación básica para soldadores de apoyo. Instituciones representativas en estos trabajos se han favorecido por la actualización  de técnica y conocimientos impartidos en el Centro. Al convenio le quedan 1,5 años por terminar pero dado su fructífero trabajo, seguramente se renovará en pro de aportes a esta importante técnica de trabajo como la soldadura.

Abstract

The generation of grands projects that the country has, in its execution bears the important contribution of technical work such as welding. The University Santa Elena Peninsula, UPSE and multinational LINDE, ex AGA S.A.,  in order to strengthen the area of welding work in the province of Santa Elena, have signed a cooperation agreement with a duration of 5 years. For this purpose, is installed, an Training Center first order with equipment, machinery, tooling and supplies needed to offer quality work. Physical resources are given to UPSE, while knowledge and technique gives the multinational facilitator through highly qualified instructor.  The courses   to offering are approbation. The work is organized upon circulation, registration, training, evaluation, approval and final reports for each course, which is based on the statistics and media documents. Thus, over the first 3 years of work, has trained 229 people, with a total of 240 hours in 12 basic curs for welders support. Representative institutions in these works have been favored by updating technical knowledge and taught at the Center. The agreement remaining 1.5 years to finish but given its fruitful work, surely renew contributions towards this important technical work such as welding.
Study of Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and DNA-Damage Protection Properties of Some Indian Medicinal Plants Reveal their Possible Role in Combating Psoriasis
Authors: Arora Neha , Tripathi Deepika , Pandey Neha , Rai Krishna Kumar , Rai Sanjay Kumar , Pandey-Rai Shashi
Published: June 2017

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated due to severe oxidative stress, thereby resulting in pathogenesis of various disorders in humans, including psoriasis. DNA damage is the major manifestation of long term ROS exposure. ROS can be scavenged by natural antioxidant compounds present in medicinal plants. In this study, aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts of eleven dermatologically significant Indian medicinal plants were evaluated for their ROS scavenging and antioxidant properties, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), along with total phenolic content determination. Lipoxygenase inhibition assay was conducted to determine anti-inflammatory activities. DNA-damage protective capacities were also assessed using plasmid pBluescript II SK(–) DNA, where DNA damage was induced by Fenton reaction. The study reveals that the extracts of T. cordifolia, C. paniculatus, C. longa and A. vera performed far much better, in almost all the assays, with regards to P. corylifolia, a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat psoriasis, thus indicating these plants to be potent sources of effective drug formulation for treatment of psoriasis.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(2): 141-149
Density functional study on the evolution of superhalogen properties in VOn (n = 1–5) species
Authors: Shukla Dharmesh Vikram , Srivastava Ambrish Kumar , Misra Neeraj
Published: June 2017

We perform density functional calculations on the ground state geometries of VOn ( n = 1–5) complexes and analyze their stability against dissociation to O atom and O2 molecule in neutral as well as anionic forms. It is shown that a V binds with four O atoms stably such that the maximum possible oxidation state of V can be as high as +7. The electron affinity of VOn suggests that these species behave as superhalogen for n≥3, which become as large as 4.52 eV for n = 5. The interaction of VOn superhalogen with appropriate alkali metal is stronger than traditional alkali halides. This is exemplified by formation of stable NaVO3 complex compound by interacting alkali Na atom with VO3 superhalogen. This finding demonstrates that VOn superhalogens form a new class of salt,which is relatively more stable than NaCl molecule.
Cystic Fibrosis - An Update
Authors: Ahsan Mohammed Rizwanul , Alam Hossain shahid Kamrul , Hasan Ahmed Rashedul , Islam Mirza Ziaul , Hossain Ahmed
Published: June 2017

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is said to be the most common lethal inherited disease of the white population. It affects the exocrine glands of body, primarily of the gastrointestinal and respiratory system. CF is caused by one of a large numbers of mutations of the gene for a protein called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This CFTR regulates chloride and sodium transport across epithelial membranes. The main complications involve in the lungs, with damage to the small and large airways by chronic and recurrent bacterial infections. Other major consequences include pancreatic malfunction, leading to malabsorption of nutrients and vitamins with consequent impaired growth and development and in older patient diabetes. Diagnosis is usually done by sweat test or identification of two CF-causing mutations in patients with characteristics symptoms. Treatment is supportive through aggressive multidisciplinary care. The prognosis of CF has improved due to earlier diagnosis through screening, better treatment and access to health care. Although CF is a rare disease in Bangladesh, but its possibility should be kept in mind in appropriate circumstances.Bangladesh J Child Health 2016; VOL 40 (3) :174-178
Measuring Multivariate Redundant Information with Pointwise Common Change in Surprisal
Authors: Ince Robin
Published: June 2017

The problem of how to properly quantify redundant information is an open question that has been the subject of much recent research. Redundant information refers to information about a target variable S that is common to two or more predictor variables X i . It can be thought of as quantifying overlapping information content or similarities in the representation of S between the X i . We present a new measure of redundancy which measures the common change in surprisal shared between variables at the local or pointwise level. We provide a game-theoretic operational definition of unique information, and use this to derive constraints which are used to obtain a maximum entropy distribution. Redundancy is then calculated from this maximum entropy distribution by counting only those local co-information terms which admit an unambiguous interpretation as redundant information. We show how this redundancy measure can be used within the framework of the Partial Information Decomposition (PID) to give an intuitive decomposition of the multivariate mutual information into redundant, unique and synergistic contributions. We compare our new measure to existing approaches over a range of example systems, including continuous Gaussian variables. Matlab code for the measure is provided, including all considered examples.
Small-Signal Stability Analysis of Interaction Modes in VSC MTDC Systems with Voltage Margin Control
Authors: Grdenić Goran , Delimar Marko
Published: June 2017

Multi-terminal Direct Current Transmission (MTDC) is an emerging and promising technology for the transmission of electricity and the main initiator of the development of MTDC grids is offshore wind generation. However, prior to their construction, a thorough investigation of different aspects of their implementation and operation is required. In this research, an MTDC grid with voltage margin control consisting of voltage source converters (VSCs) and a high frequency cable model was implemented in Matlab/SIMULINK (R2015b, The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA, USA). Small-signal stability analysis was carried out to investigate the sensitivity of the grid’s interaction modes to the operating point, the structure of the grid, and the selection of the voltage controlling converter. Based on the findings of these analyses, a strategy for droop control method is proposed and demonstrated.
SVR-Based Model to Forecast PV Power Generation under Different Weather Conditions
Authors: Das Utpal , Tey Kok , Seyedmahmoudian Mehdi , Idna Idris Mohd , Mekhilef Saad , Horan Ben , Stojcevski Alex
Published: June 2017

Inaccurate forecasting of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is a great concern in the planning and operation of stable and reliable electric grid systems as well as in promoting large-scale PV deployment. The paper proposes a generalized PV power forecasting model based on support vector regression, historical PV power output, and corresponding meteorological data. Weather conditions are broadly classified into two categories, namely, normal condition (clear sky) and abnormal condition (rainy or cloudy day). A generalized day-ahead forecasting model is developed to forecast PV power generation at any weather condition in a particular region. The proposed model is applied and experimentally validated by three different types of PV stations in the same location at different weather conditions. Furthermore, a conventional artificial neural network (ANN)-based forecasting model is utilized, using the same experimental data-sets of the proposed model. The analytical results showed that the proposed model achieved better forecasting accuracy with less computational complexity when compared with other models, including the conventional ANN model. The proposed model is also effective and practical in forecasting existing grid-connected PV power generation.
Residential Proximity to Roadways and Ischemic Placental Disease in a Cape Cod Family Health Study
Authors: Wesselink Amelia , Carwile Jenny , Fabian María , Winter Michael , Butler Lindsey , Mahalingaiah Shruthi , Aschengrau Ann
Published: June 2017

Exposure to air pollution may adversely impact placental function through a variety of mechanisms; however, epidemiologic studies have found mixed results. We examined the association between traffic exposure and placental-related obstetric conditions in a retrospective cohort study on Cape Cod, MA, USA. We assessed exposure to traffic using proximity metrics (distance of residence to major roadways and length of major roadways within a buffer around the residence). The outcomes included self-reported ischemic placental disease (the presence of at least one of the following conditions: preeclampsia, placental abruption, small-for-gestational-age), stillbirth, and vaginal bleeding. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for potential confounders. We found no substantial association between traffic exposure and ischemic placental disease, small-for-gestational-age, preeclampsia, or vaginal bleeding. We found some evidence of an increased risk of stillbirth and placental abruption among women living the closest to major roadways (RRs comparing living <100 m vs. ≥200 m = 1.75 (95% CI: 0.82–3.76) and 1.71 (95% CI: 0.56–5.23), respectively). This study provides some support for the hypothesis that air pollution exposure adversely affects the risk of placental abruption and stillbirth; however, the results were imprecise due to the small number of cases, and may be impacted by non-differential exposure misclassification and selection bias.
Children with Physical Disabilities at School and Home: Physical Activity and Contextual Characteristics
Authors: Li Ru , Sit Cindy , Yu Jane , Sum Raymond , Wong Stephen , Cheng Kenneth , McKenzie Thomas
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity (PA) of children with physical disabilities (PD) in school and home settings and to simultaneously examine selected contextual characteristics in relation to PA in those settings. Children with PD (N = 35; Mean age = 15.67 ± 4.30 years; 26 boys) were systematically observed using BEACHES (Behaviors of Eating and Activity for Children’s Health: Evaluation System) at school (before school, recess, lunch break, after class) and at home (before dinner) during four normal school days. The children spent most of their time in all five settings being physically inactive, but had slightly more PA during recess and lunch break periods. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that selected contextual characteristics explained 18.9–56.0% (p < 0.01) of the variance predicting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after controlling for demographic variables. Prompts to be active were positively associated with MVPA at school and the presence of fathers and fathers being motivators at home. This study highlights how little PA that children with PD receive and identifies the importance of the provision of prompts for PA at both school and home with this special population.
Road Environments: Impact of Metals on Human Health in Heavily Congested Cities of Poland
Authors: Adamiec Ewa
Published: June 2017

Road dust as a by-product of exhaust and non-exhaust emissions can be a major cause of systemic oxidative stress and multiple disorders. Substantial amounts of road dust are repeatedly resuspended, in particular at traffic lights and junctions where more braking is involved, causing potential threat to pedestrians, especially children. In order to determine the degree of contamination in the heavily traffic-congested cities of Poland, a total of 148 samples of road dust (RD), sludge from storm drains (SL) and roadside soil (RS) were collected. Sixteen metals were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in all samples. Chemical evaluation followed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that road environments have been severely contaminated with traffic-related elements. Concentration of copper in all road-environment samples is even higher, exceeding even up to 15 times its average concentrations established for the surrounding soils. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment revealed that the hazard index (HI) for children in all road-environment samples exceeds the safe level of 1. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to potential health risks caused by the ingestion of traffic-related particles during outdoor activities.
Tear Film Steroid Profiling in Dry Eye Disease by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pieragostino Damiana , Agnifili Luca , Cicalini Ilaria , Calienno Roberta , Zucchelli Mirco , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Sacchetta Paolo , Del Boccio Piero , Rossi Claudia
Published: June 2017

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface unit resulting in eye discomfort, visual disturbance, and ocular surface damage; the risk of DED increases with age in both sexes, while its incidence is higher among females caused by an overall hormonal imbalance. The role of androgens has recently investigated and these hormones were considered to have a protective function on the ocular surface. In order to correlate DED to tear steroid levels, a robust, specific, and selective method for the simultaneous quantification of cortisol (CORT), corticosterone (CCONE), 11-deoxycortisol (11-DECOL), 4-androstene-3,17-dione (ADIONE), testosterone (TESTO), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and progesterone (PROG) was developed and applied for the analysis of tear samples. The method involves a simple extraction procedure of steroids from tears collected on Schirmer strips, followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis. In total, tear samples from 14 DED female patients and 13 healthy female controls were analysed and, CORT, ADIONE, and 17-OHP response levels resulted significantly decreased in dry eye patients respect to controls. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve obtained by the combination of these three steroids (AUC = 0.964) demonstrated the good diagnostic power of the differential tear steroids in identifying DED. In conclusion, the present method made it possible, for the first time, to study steroid profiling directly in tear fluid.
Differential Metabolic Profiles during the Developmental Stages of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Subramanian Parthiban , Oh Byung-Ju , Mani Vimalraj , Lee Jae , Lee Chang-Muk , Sim Joon-Soo , Koo Ja , Hahn Bum-Soo
Published: June 2017

Meloidogyne incognita is a common root-knot nematode with a wide range of plant hosts. We aimed to study the metabolites produced at each stage of the nematode life cycle to understand its development. Metabolites of Meloidogyne incognita were extracted at egg, J2, J3, J4, and female stages and 110 metabolites with available standards were quantified using CE-TOF/MS. Analyses indicated abundance of stage-specific metabolites with the exception of J3 and J4 stages which shared similar metabolic profiles. The egg stage showed increased abundance in glycolysis and energy metabolism related metabolites while the J2 metabolites are associated with tissue formation, motility, and neurotransmission. The J3 and J4 stages indicated amino acid metabolism and urea cycle- related metabolites. The female stage was characterized with polyamine synthesis, antioxidant activity, and synthesis of reproduction related metabolites. Such metabolic profiling helps us understand the dynamic physiological changes related to each developmental stage of the root-knot nematode life cycle.
Montelukast Induces Apoptosis-Inducing Factor-Mediated Cell Death of Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Tsai Ming-Ju , Chang Wei-An , Tsai Pei-Hsun , Wu Cheng-Ying , Ho Ya-Wen , Yen Meng-Chi , Lin Yi-Shiuan , Kuo Po-Lin , Hsu Ya-Ling
Published: June 2017

Developing novel chemo-prevention techniques and advancing treatment are key elements to beating lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Our previous cohort study showed that cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, mainly montelukast, decreased the lung cancer risk in asthma patients. In the current study, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to demonstrate the inhibiting effect of montelukast on lung cancer and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Using Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice, we showed that feeding montelukast significantly delayed the tumor growth in mice (p < 0.0001). Montelukast inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation and induced the cell death of lung cancer cells. Further investigation showed the down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), up-regulation of Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer (Bak), and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in montelukast-treated lung cancer cells. Montelukast also markedly decreased the phosphorylation of several proteins, such as with no lysine 1 (WNK1), protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), MAPK/Erk kinase (MEK), and proline-rich Akt substrate of 40-kDa (PRAS40), which might contribute to cell death. In conclusion, montelukast induced lung cancer cell death via the nuclear translocation of AIF. This study confirmed the chemo-preventive effect of montelukast shown in our previous cohort study. The utility of montelukast in cancer prevention and treatment thus deserves further studies.
MicroRNA-210 Suppresses Junction Proteins and Disrupts Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Neonatal Rat Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Ma Qingyi , Dasgupta Chiranjib , Li Yong , Huang Lei , Zhang Lubo
Published: June 2017

Cerebral edema, primarily caused by disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), is one of the serious complications associated with brain injury in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Our recent study demonstrated that the hypoxic-ischemic (HI) treatment significantly increased microRNA-210 (miR-210) in the neonatal rat brain and inhibition of miR-210 provided neuroprotection in neonatal HI brain injury. The present study aims to determine the role of miR-210 in the regulation of BBB integrity in the developing brain. miR-210 mimic was administered via intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) into the brain of rat pups. Forty-eight hours after the injection, a modified Rice-Vannucci model was conducted to produce HI brain injury. Post-assays included cerebral edema analysis, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining for serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) leakage. The results showed that miR-210 mimic exacerbated cerebral edema and IgG leakage into the brain parenchyma. In contrast, inhibition of miR-210 with its complementary locked nucleic acid oligonucleotides (miR-210-LNA) significantly reduced cerebral edema and IgG leakage. These findings suggest that miR-210 negatively regulates BBB integrity i n the neonatal brain. Mechanistically, the seed sequences of miR-210 were identified complementary to the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the mRNA transcripts of tight junction protein occludin and adherens junction protein β-catenin, indicating downstream targets of miR-210. This was further validated by in vivo data showing that miR-210 mimic significantly reduced the expression of these junction proteins in rat pup brains. Of importance, miR-210-LNA preserved the expression of junction proteins occludin and β-catenin from neonatal HI insult. Altogether, the present study reveals a novel mechanism of miR-210 in impairing BBB integrity that contributes to cerebral edema formation after neonatal HI insult, and provides new insights in miR-210-LNA mediated neuroprotection in neonatal HI brain injury.
Rational Design of Recombinant Papain-Like Cysteine Protease: Optimal Domain Structure and Expression Conditions for Wheat-Derived Enzyme Triticain-α
Authors: Gorokhovets Neonila V. , Makarov Vladimir A. , Petushkova Anastasiia I. , Prokopets Olga S. , Rubtsov Mikhail A. , Savvateeva Lyudmila V. , Zernii Evgeni Yu. , Zamyatnin Jr. Andrey A.
Published: June 2017

Triticain-α is a papain-like cysteine protease from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that possesses activity towards toxic gluten-derived peptides, and was thus proposed as a novel therapeutic tool for celiac disease. We report an original approach employing rational design of domain architecture of Triticain-α and selection of the appropriate expression system for development of cheap and efficient protocol yielding active recombinant enzyme. The segregated catalytic domain of Triticain-α did not adopt native structure in bacteria, neither being expressed as a single protein nor upon conjugation or co-expression with extrinsic chaperones. Meanwhile, its attachment to prodomain of the enzyme resulted in generation of insoluble (inclusion bodies) product that can be transformed into active protease upon refolding in vitro. The estimated yield of the product was affected by affinity six-histidine tag required for its single-step purification with the preferable N-terminal position of the tag. Expression of the two-domain Triticain-α construct in yeast (Pichia pastoris) strain GS115 and bacterial (Escherichia coli) strain Rosetta gami B (DE3) led to the accumulation of a soluble protein, which underwent autocatalytic maturation during expression (in yeast)/purification (in bacteria) procedures and exhibited pronounced protease activity. Furthermore, expression and solubility of such construct in Rosetta gami B (DE3) cells was improved by reducing the temperature of the bacterial growth yielding more active enzyme than yeast counterpart presumably due to facilitated formation of a characteristic disulfide bond critical for maintaining the catalytic site. We suggest that these findings are helpful for obtaining active Triticain-α preparations for scientific or medical applications, and can be employed for the design and production of beneficial recombinant products based on other papain-like cysteine proteases.
Poecillastrosides, Steroidal Saponins from the Mediterranean Deep-Sea Sponge Poecillastra compressa (Bowerbank, 1866)
Authors: Calabro Kevin , Kalahroodi Elaheh Lotfi , Rodrigues Daniel , Díaz Caridad , Cruz Mercedes de la , Cautain Bastien , Laville Rémi , Reyes Fernando , Pérez Thierry , Soussi Bassam , Thomas Olivier P.
Published: June 2017

The first chemical investigation of the Mediterranean deep-sea sponge Poecillastra compressa (Bowerbank, 1866) led to the identification of seven new steroidal saponins named poecillastrosides A–G (1–7). All saponins feature an oxidized methyl at C-18 into a primary alcohol or a carboxylic acid. While poecillastrosides A–D (1–4) all contain an exo double bond at C-24 of the side-chain and two osidic residues connected at O-2′, poecillastrosides E–G (5–7) are characterized by a cyclopropane on the side-chain and a connection at O-3′ between both sugar units. The chemical structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis (High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRESIMS), 1D and 2D NMR) and the absolute configurations of the sugar residues were assigned after acidic hydrolysis and cysteine derivatization followed by LC-HRMS analyses. Poecillastrosides D and E, bearing a carboxylic acid at C-18, were shown to exhibit antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus.
Design, Synthesis, and Antifouling Activity of Glucosamine-Based Isocyanides
Authors: Umezawa Taiki , Hasegawa Yuki , Novita Ira , Suzuki Junya , Morozumi Tatsuya , Nogata Yasuyuki , Yoshimura Erina , Matsuda Fuyuhiko
Published: June 2017

Biofouling, an undesirable accumulation of organisms on sea-immersed structures such as ship hulls and fishing nets, is a serious economic issue whose effects include oil wastage and clogged nets. Organotin compounds were utilized since the 1960s as an antifouling material; however, the use of such compounds was later banned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) due to their high toxicity toward marine organisms, resulting in masculinization and imposex. Since the ban, there have been extensive efforts to develop environmentally benign antifoulants. Natural antifouling products obtained from marine creatures have been the subject of considerable attention due to their potent antifouling activity and low toxicity. These antifouling compounds often contain isocyano groups, which are well known to have natural antifouling properties. On the basis of our previous total synthesis of natural isocyanoterpenoids, we envisaged the installation of an isocyano functional group onto glucosamine to produce an environmentally friendly antifouling material. This paper describes an effective synthetic method for various glucosamine-based isocyanides and evaluation of their antifouling activity and toxicity against cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Glucosamine isocyanides with an ether functionality at the anomeric position exhibited potent antifouling activity, with EC50 values below 1 μg/mL, without detectable toxicity even at a high concentration of 10 μg/mL. Two isocyanides had EC50 values of 0.23 and 0.25 μg/mL, comparable to that of CuSO4, which is used as a fouling inhibitor (EC50 = 0.27 μg/mL).
Microfluidic and Nanofluidic Resistive Pulse Sensing: A Review
Authors: Song Yongxin , Zhang Junyan , Li Dongqing
Published: June 2017

The resistive pulse sensing (RPS) method based on the Coulter principle is a powerful method for particle counting and sizing in electrolyte solutions. With the advancement of micro- and nano-fabrication technologies, microfluidic and nanofluidic resistive pulse sensing technologies and devices have been developed. Due to the unique advantages of microfluidics and nanofluidics, RPS sensors are enabled with more functions with greatly improved sensitivity and throughput and thus have wide applications in fields of biomedical research, clinical diagnosis, and so on. Firstly, this paper reviews some basic theories of particle sizing and counting. Emphasis is then given to the latest development of microfuidic and nanofluidic RPS technologies within the last 6 years, ranging from some new phenomena, methods of improving the sensitivity and throughput, and their applications, to some popular nanopore or nanochannel fabrication techniques. The future research directions and challenges on microfluidic and nanofluidic RPS are also outlined.
Augmented Anticancer Effects of Cantharidin with Liposomal Encapsulation: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Xue , Lin Cong-Cong , Chan Wai-Kei-Nickie , Liu Kang-Lun , Yang Zhi-Jun , Zhang Hong-Qi
Published: June 2017

PEGylated liposomes have received much attention as pharmaceutical carriers to deliver chemotherapeutic agents for therapeutic purpose. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize PEGylated liposome of cantharidin and investigate its therapeutic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in vitro and in vivo. Liposomal cantharidin was evaluated for their anticancer effects in vitro using human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and in vivo using HepG2-bearing nude mice compared to free drug. PEGylated liposome of cantharidin had a particle size of 129.9 nm and a high encapsulation efficacy of approximately 88.9%. The liposomal cantharidin had a higher anti-proliferative effect vis-à-vis free cantharidin in inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Liposomal cantharidin killed more HepG2 cancer cells at the same concentration equivalent to free cantharidin. Further study in vivo also showed that liposomal cantharidin achieved a higher tumor growth inhibition efficacy than free drug on hepatocellular carcinoma. As our study exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells and augmented tumor inhibitory effects in vivo, the results validate the potential value of cantharidin-liposome in improving the therapeutic efficacy of cantharidin for liver cancer.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Hesperetin Derivatives as Potential Multifunctional Anti-Alzheimer Agents
Authors: Li Bo , Huang Ai-Ling , Zhang Yi-Long , Li Zeng , Ding Hai-Wen , Huang Cheng , Meng Xiao-Ming , Li Jun
Published: June 2017

In this study we designed and synthesized a series of new hesperetin derivatives on the basis of the structural characteristics of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) dual-site inhibitors. The activity of the novel derivatives was also evaluated. Results showed that the synthesized hesperetin derivatives displayed stronger inhibitory activity against AChE and higher selectivity than butyrylcholine esterase (BuChE) (selectivity index values from 68 to 305). The Lineweaver-Burk plot and molecular docking study showed that these compounds targeted both the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and catalytic active site (CAS) of AChE. The derivatives also showed a potent self-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation inhibition and a peroxyl radical absorbance activity. Moreover, compound 4f significantly protected PC12 neurons against H2O2-induced cell death at low concentrations. Cytotoxicity assay showed that the low concentration of the derivatives does not affect the viability of the SH-SY5Y neurons. Thus, these hesperetin derivatives are potential multifunctional agents for further development for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.