bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) Inhibits Extra Villous Trophoblast Migration: The Impact of Bacterial and Viral Infection
Authors: Lye Phetcharawan , Bloise Enrrico , Nadeem Lubna , Peng Chun , Gibb William , Ortiga-Carvalho Tania M. , Lye Stephen J. , Matthews Stephen G.
Published: September 2019

Extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) migration into the decidua is critical for establishing placental perfusion and when dysregulated, may lead to pre-eclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP; encoded by ABCG2) regulates the fusion of cytotrophoblasts into syncytiotrophoblasts and protects the fetus from maternally derived xenobiotics. Information about BCRP function in EVTs is limited, however placental exposure to bacterial/viral infection leads to BCRP downregulation in syncitiotrophoblasts. We hypothesized that BCRP is involved in the regulation of EVT function and is modulated by infection/inflammation. We report that besides syncitiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts, BCRP is also expressed in EVTs. BCRP inhibits EVT cell migration in HTR8/SVneo (human EVT-like) cells and in human EVT explant cultures, while not affecting cell proliferation. We have also shown that bacterial—lipopolysaccharide (LPS)—and viral antigens—single stranded RNA (ssRNA)—have a profound effect in downregulating ABCG2 and BCRP levels, whilst simultaneously increasing the migration potential of EVT-like cells. Our study reports a novel function of BCRP in early placentation and suggests that exposure of EVTs to maternal infection/inflammation could disrupt their migration potential via the downregulation of BCRP. This could negatively influence placental development/function, contribute to existing obstetric pathologies, and negatively impact pregnancy outcomes and maternal/neonatal health.
Host-HIV-1 Interactome: A Quest for Novel Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: Shukla Ekta , Chauhan Radha
Published: September 2019

The complex nature and structure of the human immunodeficiency virus has rendered the cure for HIV infections elusive. The advances in antiretroviral treatment regimes and the development of highly advanced anti-retroviral therapy, which primarily targets the HIV enzymes, have dramatically changed the face of the HIV epidemic worldwide. Despite this remarkable progress, patients treated with these drugs often witness inadequate efficacy, compound toxicity and non-HIV complications. Considering the limited inventory of druggable HIV proteins and their susceptibility to develop drug resistance, recent attempts are focussed on targeting HIV-host interactomes that are essential for viral reproduction. Noticeably, unlike other viruses, HIV subverts the host nuclear pore complex to enter into and exit through the nucleus. Emerging evidence suggests a crucial role of interactions between HIV-1 proteins and host nucleoporins that underlie the import of the pre-integration complex into the nucleus and export of viral RNAs into the cytoplasm during viral replication. Nevertheless, the interaction of HIV-1 with nucleoporins has been poorly described and the role of nucleoporins during nucleocytoplasmic transport of HIV-1 still remains unclear. In this review, we highlight the advances and challenges in developing a more effective antiviral arsenal by exploring critical host-HIV interactions with a special focus on nuclear pore complex (NPC) and nucleoporins.
Thrombogenic Risk Induced by Intravascular Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Coppin Louise , Sokal Etienne , Stéphenne Xavier
Published: September 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently studied and used in numerous clinical trials. Nevertheless, some concerns have been raised regarding the safety of these infusions and the thrombogenic risk they induce. MSCs express procoagulant activity (PCA) linked to the expression of tissue factor (TF) that, when in contact with blood, initiates coagulation. Some even describe a dual activation of both the coagulation and the complement pathway, called Instant Blood-Mediated Inflammatory Reaction (IBMIR), explaining the disappointing results and low engraftment rates in clinical trials. However, nowadays, different approaches to modulate the PCA of MSCs and thus control the thrombogenic risk after cell infusion are being studied. This review summarizes both in vitro and in vivo studies on the PCA of MSC of various origins. It further emphasizes the crucial role of TF linked to the PCA of MSCs. Furthermore, optimization of MSC therapy protocols using different methods to control the PCA of MSCs are described.
Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Koreanaside A, a Lignan Isolated from the Flower of Forsythia koreana, against LPS-Induced Macrophage Activation and DSS-Induced Colitis Mice: The Crucial Role of AP-1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT Signaling
Authors: Kim Tae-Woo , Shin Ji-Sun , Chung Kyung-Sook , Lee Yeong-Geun , Baek Nam-In , Lee Kyung-Tae
Published: September 2019

The current treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are unsatisfactory. Therefore, novel and safer therapies are needed. We previously reported that koreanaside A (KA) showed high radical scavenging activity and suppressed vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its anti-inflammatory effect have not been reported. KA inhibited pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). KA inhibited the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced by LPS. KA downregulated the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent inflammatory gene expressions in the MyD88-overexpressed cells. KA suppressed the LPS-induced transcriptional and DNA-binding activities of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). KA was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of Janus kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3). In DSS-induced colitis mice, KA relieved the symptoms of colitis by suppressing inflammatory cell infiltration, restoring tight junction (TJ)- and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression, and inactivating AP-1, NF-κB, and STAT1/3. Therefore, KA reduced inflammatory responses by downregulating AP-1, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling in LPS-induced macrophages and DSS-induced colitis mice.
Vimentin Plays a Crucial Role in Fibroblast Ageing by Regulating Biophysical Properties and Cell Migration
Authors: Sliogeryte Kristina , Gavara Núria
Published: September 2019

Ageing is the result of changes in biochemical and biophysical processes at the cellular level that lead to progressive organ decline. Here we focus on the biophysical changes that impair cellular function of human dermal fibroblasts using donors of increasing age. We find that cell motility is impaired in cells from older donors, which is associated with increased Young’s modulus, viscosity, and adhesion. Cellular morphology also displays parallel increases in spread area and cytoskeletal assembly, with a threefold increase in vimentin filaments alongside a decrease in its remodelling rate. Treatments with withaferin A or acrylamide show that cell motility can be modulated by regulating vimentin assembly. Crucially, decreasing vimentin amount in cells from older individuals to levels displayed by the neonatal donor rescues their motility. Our results suggest that increased vimentin assembly may underlay the aberrant biophysical properties progressively observed at the cellular level in the course of human ageing and propose vimentin as a potential therapeutic target for ageing-related diseases.
Single Particle Erosion Behavior of NiTi-Based Nanolaminates and Superelastic NiTi Monolayer Coatings
Authors: Cameron Nicole , Farhat Zoheir
Published: September 2019

Bulk NiTi is used to make parts, such as couplings and bearings, that can be found in many industries such as the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors. Forming and machining bulk superelastic NiTi is a very difficult and costly process; however, applying NiTi as a surface coating will provide an alternate manufacturing method that will minimize machining processes. The objective of this study is to produce a superelastic NiTi-based surface coating that exhibits denting, impact and wear resistance. Superelastic NiTi has been successfully produced through vacuum deposition processes, despite this, there is a lack of a full and comprehensive study on the formation of the NiTi phase during coating development. In this study, the NiTi phase is fabricated through the annealing of sputtered deposited Ti and Ni layers in a coating. To confirm the presence of the intermetallic phases, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis were performed. The erosion behavior of the coating is evaluated through single particle erosion testing, which resulted in the coatings that contained the NiTi precipitates to exhibit the best damage resistance compared to the other nanolaminates. This indicates that the superelastic NiTi phase increases the resistance to impacting particles. Microstructural evolution and NiTi formation during annealing is discussed and related to the observed damage resistance of the coatings.
Study on a Novel Recyclable Anticorrosion Gel Coating Based on Ethyl Cellulose and Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Tang Junlei , Han Hongchang , Zhang Shengwei , Wang Hu , Wang Yingying , Li Tian , Lin Bing
Published: September 2019

In this paper, ethyl cellulose, thermoplastic polyurethane, and mineral oil were used as the main raw materials to synthesize a recyclable thermoplastic gel for anticorrosion coatings by a hot melt method. In addition, the effect of thermoplastic polyurethane on the properties of the coating was discussed. The structure and corrosion protection properties of the coating were characterized and analyzed by a scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, salt spray test, and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the ethyl cellulose and oil in the coating can form a stable organic-gel structure by hydrogen bonding, and the mineral oil and castor oil are uniformly dispersed in the coating. The surface of the coating does not change after 3000 h of a salt spray test. During the repeated hot melting spraying and immersion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for five times, the electrochemical impedance modulus of the coating was always above 109 Ω⋅cm2, the water absorption rate was always less than 1.5 wt.%, and the mechanical properties of the coating did not decrease. This novel coating could be used for the corrosion protection of flange and valve connections in pipeline and bolting connections in different industries. The disassembly and assembly operation of these connection structures during the regular maintenance will destroy the ordinary anticorrosion coating, and the irregular geometric shape of such places also make difficulties for the preparation of ordinary coatings onsite.
Conservation Strategies for Local Breed Biodiversity
Authors: Sponenberg D. Phillip , Martin Alison , Couch Charlene , Beranger Jeannette
Published: September 2019

Breeds of domesticated animals are often overlooked as contributing to biodiversity. Their unique role at the junction of natural and human-influenced environments makes them important potential contributors to biodiversity and ecosystem function. Effective conservation of livestock breeds rests upon valid recognition of breeds as repeatable genomic packages with a reasonably high level of predictability for performance. Local or landrace breeds that lack breeder organization are especially difficult to conserve due to lack of formal recognition as breeds. Achieving success with them involves three major steps: Discover, Secure, and Sustain. Early in the process an evaluation of candidate populations for status as genetic resources is essential. This process is aided by a phenotypic matrix which can be used alongside historical investigations and genetic (DNA) studies. The goal is to include all qualifying animals and to exclude all those that do not qualify. Securing some populations depends on careful rescue protocols for maximizing the recovery of genetic variation, and this can then be followed by breeding protocols that provide for maintaining the population’s production potential along with a healthy and viable genetic structure for long-term survival and use. Sustaining breeds for the long term is also enabled by assuring market demand for the breed and its products.
Entropy Generation in Cu-Al2O3-H2O Hybrid Nanofluid Flow over a Curved Surface with Thermal Dissipation
Authors: Afridi Muhammad Idrees , Alkanhal Tawfeeq Abdullah , Qasim Muhammad , Tlili Iskander
Published: September 2019

Heat transfer and entropy generation in a hybrid nanoliquid flow caused by an elastic curved surface is investigated in the present article. To examine the effects of frictional heating on entropy generation, the energy dissipation function is included in the energy equation. The Tiwari and Dass model for nanofluid is used by taking water as a base fluid. A new class of nanofluid (hybrid nanofluid) with two kinds of nanoparticles, Copper (Cu) and Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), is considered. Curvilinear coordinates are used in the mathematical formulation due to the curved nature of the solid boundary. By utilizing similarity transformations, the modelled partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations. Shooting and the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method (FRKM) have been used to solve the transformed set of non-linear differential equations. The expression for entropy generation is derived in curvilinear coordinates and computed by using the numerical results obtained from dimensionless momentum and energy equations. Comparisons of our numerical results and those published in the previous literature demonstrate excellent agreements, validating our numerical simulation. In addition, we have also conducted parametric studies and find that entropy generation and temperature suppress with increasing values of dimensionless radius of curvature. Furthermore, it is found that less entropy is generated in regular nanofluid as compare to hybrid nanofluid. To examine the influences of a set of embedding physical parameters on quantities of interest, different graphs are plotted and discussed.
Kinetic Models of Discrete Opinion Dynamics on Directed Barabási–Albert Networks
Authors: Lima F. Welington S. , Plascak J. A.
Published: September 2019

Kinetic models of discrete opinion dynamics are studied on directed Barabási–Albert networks by using extensive Monte Carlo simulations. A continuous phase transition has been found in this system. The critical values of the noise parameter are obtained for several values of the connectivity of these directed networks. In addition, the ratio of the critical exponents of the order parameter and the corresponding susceptibility to the correlation length have also been computed. It is noticed that the kinetic model and the majority-vote model on these directed Barabási–Albert networks are in the same universality class.
Digital Forensics System Using PLC for Inter-Floor Noise Measurement: Detailing PLC-Based Android Solution Replacing CCTV-based Solution
Authors: Choo Min-Ji , Huh Jun-Ho
Published: September 2019

The neighborly dispute arising from the inter-floor noises has been increasing for the past two decades in Korean apartments or multi-unit houses sometimes leading to a serious consequence. Although there have been some attempts to resolve such a dispute, one of the underlying problems has to be solved first. That is, in addition to identifying the cause for the noise, it is necessary to prove who has actually suffered from the noise itself. Now that many of such a dispute is being settled at the civil court, producing objective evidence has become important. Therefore, digital forensics which is being widely used at the crime scenes by the police or other anti-crime organizations to collect evidences scientifically has begun to receive attention for the purpose of measuring noise levels. This technique has evolved in recent years following the rapid development in IT and ICT technologies but its problem is that such a technique has to be performed by the experts due to its complicated system so that those who need to measure the noise level usually outsource this work spending quite a sum. Thus, this study introduces a digital forensic system design which allows the user to effectively measure the inter-floor or neighborly noises directly and conveniently without much cost. The relevant system elements have been implemented with Java Android.
Double Stage Double Output DC–DC Converters for High Voltage Loads in Fuel Cell Vehicles
Authors: Bhaskar Mahajan Sagar , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Holm-Nielsen Jens Bo
Published: September 2019

This article aims to enhance the output voltage magnitude of fuel cells (FCs), since the actual generation is low. The traditional technique is too complicated and has a cascaded or parallel connection solution to achieve high voltage for multiple loads in vehicles. In this case, electronic power converters are a viable solution with compact size and cost. Hence, double or multiple output DC–DC converters with high voltage step up are required to feed multiple high voltage loads at the same time. In this article, novel double stage double output (DSDO) DC–DC converters are formulated to feed multiple high voltage loads of FC vehicular system. Four DSDO DC–DC converters called DSDO L–L, DSDO L-2L, DSDO L-2LC, and DSDO L-2LC are developed in this research work and all the converters are derived based on the arrangement of different reactive networks. The primary power circuitry, conceptual operation, and output voltage gain derivation are given in detail with valid proof. The proposed converters are compared with possible parallel combinations of conventional converters and recently available configuration. Comprehensive numerical simulation and experimental prototype results show that our theoretical predictions are valid and that the configuration is applicable for real time application in FC technologies for ‘more-electric vehicles’.
Study on Unbalanced Magnetic Pulling Analysis and Its Control Method for Primary Helium Circulator of High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
Authors: Zheng Yangbo , Mo Ni , Sun Zhe , Zhou Yan , Shi Zhengang
Published: September 2019

In addition to providing an extremely clean environment for primary loop of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTR), the primary helium circulator (PHC) using electromagnetic levitation technology also provides an effective means for vibration control. Besides synchronous vibration produced by mass imbalance and sensor runout, double-frequency vibration produced by unbalanced magnetic pull (UMP) is serious in PHC engineering prototype (PHC-EP). In this paper, we firstly analyzed the mechanism of UMP and the multi-frequency vibration characteristics in combination with the PHC-EP. Then we put forward a distributed iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm and a parallel control scheme to suppress the periodic vibrations. Finally, we verified the methods by carrying out experimental researches on the active magnetic bearing (AMB) bench of PHC-EP. The results show that the methods put forward in this paper have significant control effect on the double-frequency vibration generated by UMP of the PHC-EP and provide theoretical and practical references for the PHC safe operation in HTR.
Thermodynamic Design and Performance Calculation of the Thermochemical Reformers
Authors: Pan Fumin , Cheng Xiaobei , Wu Xin , Wang Xin , Gong Jingfeng
Published: September 2019

Thermodynamic design methods and performance calculation models for chemical reformers that can be used to recuperate exhaust heat and to improve combustion quality are investigated in this paper. The basic structure of the chemical reformer is defined as series-wound reforming units that consist of heat exchangers and cracking reactors. The CH4-steam reforming reaction is used in the chemical reformers and a universal model of this reaction is built based on the minimization of Gibbs free energy method. Comparative analyzes between the results of the calculation and a plasma-catalyzed CH4-steam reforming reaction experiment verify that this universal model is applicable and has high precision. Algorithms for simulation of series-wound reforming units are constructed and the complexity of the chemical reformers is studied. A design principle that shows the influence of structural complexity on the quantity of recovered heat and the composites of the reformed fuel can be followed for different application scenarios of chemical reformers.
The Distinct Elemental Analysis of the Microstructural Evolution of a Methane Hydrate Specimen under Cyclic Loading Conditions
Authors: Wang Dong , Gong Bin , Jiang Yujing
Published: September 2019

Submarine slope instability may be triggered by earthquakes and tsunamis. Methane hydrate sediments (MHS) are commonly buried under submarine slopes. Submarine slides would probably be triggered once the MHS are damaged under cyclic loading conditions. For this reason, it is essential to research the mechanical response of MHSs under dynamic loading conditions. In this study, a series of drained cyclic biaxial compressive tests with constant stress amplitudes were numerically carried out with the distinct element method (DEM). The cyclic loading number decreased as the hydrate saturation (Sh) increased when the MHS were damaged. The failure mode of the MHS was shown to be dependent on the dynamic stress amplitude and hydrate saturation. The microstructure of MHS during the cyclic loading shear process was also analyzed. The results can help us to understand the mechanical behavior of MHS during the cyclic loading process and develop micromechanical-based constitutive models.
Microclimate Thermal Management Using Thermoelectric Air-Cooling Duct System Operated at Five Incremental Powers and its Effect on Sleep Adaptation of the Occupants
Authors: Irshad Kashif , Algarni Salem , Ahmad Mohammad Tauheed , Irfan Sayed Ameenuddin , Habib Khairul , Abdelmohimen Mostafa A.H. , Zahir Md. Hasan , Ahmed Gulam Mohammed Sayeed
Published: September 2019

In this study, the microclimate of the test room was regulated using thermoelectric air duct cooling system (TE-AD) operated at input powers-240 W, 360 W, 480 W, 600 W, 720 W, and 840 W, on subsequent nights. Fifteen (15) healthy male volunteers were recruited to sleep under these test conditions and their sleep quality was assessed by studying objective measures such as sleep onset latency (SOL), mean skin temperature and heart rate as well as subjective parameters like predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD). There was a consistent improvement on all studied parameters when the power of the system was increased from 240 W to 720 W. The mean sleep onset latency time was reduced from (M = 40.7 +/− 0.98 min) to (M = 18.33 +/− 1.18 min) when the operating power was increased from 240 W to 720 W, denoting an improvement in sleep quality. However, increasing the power further to 840 W resulted in deteriorating cooling performance of the TE-AD system leading to an increase in temperature of the test room and reduction in sleep comfort. Analysis of subjective indices of thermal comfort viz. PMV and PPD revealed that subjects are highly sensitive towards variations in microclimate achieved by changing the operating power of the TE-AD. This device was also found to be environmentally sustainable, with estimated reduction in CO2 emission calculated to be around 38% as compared to the conventional air-conditioning.
A Smartphone Indoor Positioning System Using Hybrid Localization Technology
Authors: Gang Hui-Seon , Pyun Jae-Young
Published: September 2019

As smartphone built-in sensors, wireless technologies, and processor computing power become more advanced and global positioning system (GPS)-based positioning technologies are improving, location-based services (LBS) have become a part of our daily lives. At the same time, demand has grown for LBS applications in indoor environments, such as indoor path finding and navigation, marketing, entertainment, and location-based information retrieval. In this paper, we demonstrate the design and implementation of a smartphone-based indoor LBS system for location services consisting of smartphone applications and a server. The proposed indoor LBS system uses hybrid indoor positioning methods based on Bluetooth beacons, Geomagnetic field, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors, and smartphone cameras and can be used for three types of indoor LBS applications. The performance of each positioning method demonstrates that our system retains the desired accuracy under experimental conditions. As these results illustrate that our system can maintain positioning accuracy to within 2 m 80% of the time, we believe our system can be a real solution for various indoor positioning service needs.
Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading of a Community Connected with an AC and DC Microgrid
Authors: S Kuruseelan , C Vaithilingam
Published: September 2019

The awareness of self-consumption of grid-connected roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) owners in a community and the advancement in information and communication technologies (ICT) led to the development of a novel peer-to-peer energy trading mechanism for next-generation power systems. In the peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading landscape, the prosumers and consumers self-organize and trade energy among themselves. In recent years, the large penetration of distributed energy resources, as well as the advancement of technologies in the fields of protection, power electronics, and storage devices, led to the use of direct current (DC) home appliances by the end-users, i.e., consumers in a community. In this paper, the operational costs of an individual household and community when operated with alternating current (AC) and DC home appliances are calculated using bill sharing and the mid-market rate method for various degrees of PV penetration. The bill sharing method shares the operational cost and income among all the peers in proportion to the amount of energy they consume/generate. The mid-market rate method calculates the P2P internal price at the median of the import and export price based on the relationship between total generation and demand. In terms of operational cost, both producers and consumers benefit fairly when the mid-market rate method is used when the households in a community are operated with DC home appliances.
Divergence Analyses of Sperm DNA Methylomes between Monozygotic Twin AI Bulls
Authors: Liu Shuli , Chen Siqian , Cai Wentao , Yin Hongwei , Liu Aoxing , Li Yanhua , Liu George E. , Wang Yachun , Yu Ying , Zhang Shengli
Published: September 2019

Semen quality is critical for fertility. However, it is easily influenced by environmental factors and can induce subfertility in the next generations. Here, we aimed to assess the impacts of differentially methylated regions and genes on semen quality and offspring fertility. A specific pair of monozygotic (MZ) twin artificial insemination (AI) Holstein bulls with moderately different sperm qualities (Bull1 > Bull2) was used in the study, and each twin bull had produced ~6000 recorded daughters nationwide in China. Using whole genome bisulfite sequencing, we profiled the landscape of the twin bulls’ sperm methylomes, and we observed markedly higher sperm methylation levels in Bull1 than in Bull2. Furthermore, we found 528 differentially methylated regions (DMR) between the MZ twin bulls, which spanned or overlapped with 309 differentially methylated genes (DMG). These DMG were particularly associated with embryo development, organ development, reproduction, and the nervous system. Several DMG were also shown to be differentially expressed in the sperm cells. Moreover, the significant differences in DNA methylation on gene INSL3 between the MZ twin bulls were confirmed at three different age points. Our results provided new insights into the impacts of AI bull sperm methylomes on offspring fertility.
Selected Indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains as Profitable Strategy to Preserve Typical Traits of Primitivo Wine
Authors: Capece Angela , Pietrafesa Rocchina , Siesto Gabriella , Romaniello Rossana , Condelli Nicola , Romano Patrizia
Published: September 2019

Wine production by inoculated fermentation with commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains is an ordinary practice in modern winemaking in order to assure the final quality of wine, although this procedure results in the production of highly homogeneous wines. The use of indigenous selected starters represents a useful tool to control alcoholic grape must fermentation, safeguarding the typical sensory characteristics of wine produced from specific regions. In this study, we selected three indigenous S. cerevisiae strains among 16 indigenous strains previously isolated from the spontaneous fermentation of Primitivo grapes, which were collected from the vineyards of three different cellars. The three selected starters (one for each cellar) were tested during fermentations at pilot scale by performing in each cellar two trials: one with an indigenous starter (specific for the winery), and one with the commercial starter AWRI796 (common to all the cellars). Starter dominance ability and influence on aromatic quality of the wine were used as criteria to test the suitability of these indigenous starters to be used at the cellar scale. The results obtained in this study showed that the indigenous strains were characterized by very high dominance ability, and the aromatic quality of wine was strongly influenced both by the inoculated strain and the interaction strain/grape must.
A Portal to Visualize Transcriptome Profiles in Mouse Models of Neurological Disorders
Authors: Al-Ouran Rami , Wan Ying-Wooi , Mangleburg Carl Grant , Lee Tom V. , Allison Katherine , Shulman Joshua M. , Liu Zhandong
Published: September 2019

Target nomination for drug development has been a major challenge in the path to finding a cure for several neurological disorders. Comprehensive transcriptome profiles have revealed brain gene expression changes associated with many neurological disorders, and the functional validation of these changes is a critical next step. Model organisms are a proven approach for the elucidation of disease mechanisms, including screening of gene candidates as therapeutic targets. Frequently, multiple models exist for a given disease, creating a challenge to select the optimal model for validation and functional follow-up. To help in nominating the best mouse models for studying neurological diseases, we developed a web portal to visualize mouse transcriptomic data related to neurological disorders. Users can examine gene expression changes across mouse model studies to help select the optimal mouse model for further investigation. The portal provides access to mouse studies related to Alzheimer’s diseases (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), and models related to aging.
Reducing Self-Stigma in People with Severe Mental Illness Participating in a Regular Football League: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Moraleda Álvaro , Galán-Casado Diego , Cangas Adolfo J.
Published: September 2019

For the past 15 years, a regular indoor football competition has been taking place in Madrid (Spain) with 15 teams from different mental health services in the city, in which teams face off weekly as part of a competition lasting nine months of the year. We are not aware of whether a similar competition experience is offered in other cities. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether participating in this league, called Ligasame, has an influence on participants’ self-stigma. To do so, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI) was adapted into Spanish and applied to 108 mental health patients, 40% of which participated in Ligasame, and the remainder of which did not. The results obtained reflect significant differences between those participating in Ligasame and those that did not in terms of two specific dimensions related to self-stigma (stereotype endorsement and stigma resistance) and total score. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in terms of other variables, such as patients’ prior diagnosis, age or belonging to different resources/associations. In this article, we discuss the importance of these results in relation to reducing self-stigma through participation in a regular yearly mental health football league.
One Size Does Not Fit All: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach to Reducing Suicidal Ideation, Attempts, and Deaths
Authors: Jobes David A. , Chalker Samantha A.
Published: September 2019

While the existence of mental illness has been documented for centuries, the understanding and treatment of such illnesses has evolved considerably over time. Ritual exorcisms and locking mentally ill patients in asylums have been fundamentally replaced by the use of psychotropic medications and evidence-based psychological practices. Yet the historic roots of mental health management and care has left a certain legacy. With regard to suicidal risk, the authors argue that suicidal patients are by definition seen as mentally ill and out of control, which demands hospitalization and the treatment of the mental disorder (often using a medication-only approach). Notably, however, the evidence for inpatient care and a medication-only approach for suicidal risk is either limited or totally lacking. Thus, a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating suicidal risk needs to be re-considered in lieu of the evolving evidence base. To this end, the authors highlight a series of evidence-based considerations for suicide-focused clinical care, culminating in a stepped care public health model for optimal clinical care of suicidal risk that is cost-effective, least-restrictive, and evidence-based.
Social Big-Data Analysis of Particulate Matter, Health, and Society
Authors: Song Juyoung , Song Tae Min
Published: September 2019

The study collected particulate matter (PM)-related documents in Korea and classified main keywords related to particulate matter, health, and social problems using text and opinion mining. The study attempted to present a prediction model for important causes related to particulate matter by using social big-data analysis. Topics related to particulate matter were collected from online (online news sites, blogs, cafés, social network services, and bulletin boards) from 1 January 2015, to 31 May 2016, and 226,977 text documents were included in the analysis. The present study applied machine-learning analysis technique to forecast the risk of particulate matter. Emotions related to particulate matter were found to be 65.4% negative, 7.7% neutral, and 27.0% positive. Intelligent services that can detect early and prevent unknown crisis situations of particulate matter may be possible if risk factors of particulate matter are predicted through the linkage of the machine-learning prediction model.
A Systematised Review of the Health Impact of Urban Informal Settlements and Implications for Upgrading Interventions in South Africa, a Rapidly Urbanising Middle-Income Country
Authors: Weimann Amy , Oni Tolu
Published: September 2019

Informal settlements are becoming more entrenched within African cities as the urban population continues to grow. Characterised by poor housing conditions and inadequate services, informal settlements are associated with an increased risk of disease and ill-health. However, little is known about how informal settlement upgrading impacts health over time. A systematised literature review was conducted to explore existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the association between informal settlement characteristics and health and the impact of informal settlement upgrading on health, within South Africa, an upper-middle income African country. Using two databases, Web of Science and PubMed, we identified 46 relevant peer-reviewed articles published since 1998. Findings highlight a growing body of research investigating the ways in which complete physical, mental and social health are influenced by the physical housing structure, the psychosocial home environment and the features of the neighbourhood and community in the context of informal settlements. However, there is a paucity of longitudinal research investigating the temporal impact of informal settlement upgrading or housing improvements on health outcomes of these urban residents. Informal settlements pose health risks particularly to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems, and are likely to aggravate gender-related inequalities. Due to the complex interaction between health and factors of the built environment, there is a need for further research utilising a systems approach to generate evidence that investigates the interlinked factors that longitudinally influence health in the context of informal settlement upgrading in rapidly growing cities worldwide.
Retrospective and Prospective Look at Aflatoxin Research and Development from a Practical Standpoint
Authors: Benkerroum Noreddine
Published: September 2019

Among the array of structurally and toxicologically diverse mycotoxins, aflatoxins have attracted the most interest of scientific research due to their high toxicity and incidence in foods and feeds. Despite the undeniable progress made in various aspects related to aflatoxins, the ultimate goal consisting of reducing the associated public health risks worldwide is far from being reached due to multiplicity of social, political, economic, geographic, climatic, and development factors. However, a reasonable degree of health protection is attained in industrialized countries owing to their scientific, administrative, and financial capacities allowing them to use high-tech agricultural management systems. Less fortunate situations exist in equatorial and sub-equatorial developing countries mainly practicing traditional agriculture managed by smallholders for subsistence, and where the climate is suitable for mould growth and aflatoxin production. This situation worsens due to climatic change producing conditions increasingly suitable for aflatoxigenic mould growth and toxin production. Accordingly, it is difficult to harmonize the regulatory standards of aflatoxins worldwide, which prevents agri-foods of developing countries from accessing the markets of industrialized countries. To tackle the multi-faceted aflatoxin problem, actions should be taken collectively by the international community involving scientific research, technological and social development, environment protection, awareness promotion, etc. International cooperation should foster technology transfer and exchange of pertinent technical information. This review presents the main historical discoveries leading to our present knowledge on aflatoxins and the challenges that should be addressed presently and in the future at various levels to ensure higher health protection for everybody. In short, it aims to elucidate where we come from and where we should go in terms of aflatoxin research/development.
Promoting School Engagement in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Based Program
Authors: Pereira Armanda , Rosário Pedro , Lopes Sílvia , Moreira Tânia , Magalhães Paula , Núñez José Carlos , Vallejo Guillermo , Sampaio Adriana
Published: September 2019

This study assessed the efficacy of an educational program focused on the promotion of school engagement in children with Cerebral Palsy. A 9 weeks, narrative-based intervention program, with a pre-post neuropsychological and self-report evaluation, was developed with a dual focus: a self-regulation theoretical model and executive function stimulation. Fifteen children with Cerebral Palsy participated in the study. Results showed a significant main effect of time (F(2.82) = 6.04, p = 0.0066, partial η2 = 0.30; F(2.82) = 9.91, p = 0.0006, partial η2 = 0.41; F(2.82) = 26.90, p < 0.0001, partial η2 = 0.66) in the three dimensions of school engagement. Findings indicate that the program to train self-regulated competences and executive function skills was efficacious in promoting school engagement in children with Cerebral Palsy. Educational implications were discussed.
In Vitro Consequences of Electronic-Cigarette Flavoring Exposure on the Immature Lung
Authors: Berkelhamer Sara K. , Helman Justin M. , Gugino Sylvia F. , Leigh Noel J. , Lakshminrusimha Satyan , Goniewicz Maciej L.
Published: September 2019

Background: The developing lung is uniquely susceptible and may be at increased risk of injury with exposure to e-cigarette constituents. We hypothesize that cellular toxicity and airway and vascular responses with exposure to flavored refill solutions may be altered in the immature lung. Methods: Fetal, neonatal, and adult ovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were exposed to popular flavored nicotine-free e-cigarette refill solutions (menthol, strawberry, tobacco, and vanilla) and unflavored solvents: propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). Viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Brochodilation and vasoreactivity were determined on isolated ovine bronchial rings (BR) and pulmonary arteries (PA). Results: Neither PG or VG impacted viability of immature or adult cells; however, exposure to menthol and strawberry flavored solutions increased cell death. Neonatal cells were uniquely susceptible to menthol flavoring-induced toxicity, and all four flavorings demonstrated lower lethal doses (LD50) in immature PASMC. Exposure to flavored solutions induced bronchodilation of neonatal BR, while only menthol induced airway relaxation in adults. In contrast, PG/VG and flavored solutions did not impact vasoreactivity with the exception of menthol-induced relaxation of adult PAs. Conclusion: The immature lung is uniquely susceptible to cellular toxicity and altered airway responses with exposure to common flavored e-cigarette solutions.
Ursolic Acid Suppresses Cholesterol Biosynthesis and Exerts Anti-Cancer Effects in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Kim Geon-Hee , Kan Sang-Yeon , Kang Hyeji , Lee Sujin , Ko Hyun Myung , Kim Ji Hyung , Lim Ji-Hong
Published: September 2019

Abnormally upregulated cholesterol and lipid metabolism, observed commonly in multiple cancer types, contributes to cancer development and progression through the activation of oncogenic growth signaling pathways. Although accumulating evidence has shown the preventive and therapeutic benefits of cholesterol-lowering drugs for cancer management, the development of cholesterol-lowering drugs is needed for treatment of cancer as well as metabolism-related chronic diseases. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic terpenoid, suppresses cancer growth and metastasis, but the precise underlying molecular mechanism for its anti-cancer effects is poorly understood. Here, using sterol regulatory element (SRE)-luciferase assay-based screening on a library of 502 natural compounds, this study found that UA activates sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2). The expression of cholesterol biosynthesis-related genes and enzymes increased in UA-treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The UA increased cell cycle arrest and apoptotic death in HCC cells and reduced the activation of oncogenic growth signaling factors, all of which was significantly reversed by cholesterol supplementation. As cholesterol supplementation successfully reversed UA-induced attenuation of growth in HCC cells, it indicated that UA suppresses HCC cells growth through its cholesterol-lowering effect. Overall, these results suggested that UA is a promising cholesterol-lowering nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of patients with HCC and cholesterol-related chronic diseases.
Identifying Structural Domains and Conserved Regions in the Long Non-Coding RNA lncTCF7
Authors: Owens Michael C. , Clark Sean C. , Yankey Allison , Somarowthu Srinivas
Published: September 2019

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) biology is a rapidly growing area of study. Thousands of lncRNAs are implicated as key players in cellular pathways and cancer biology. However, the structure–function relationships of these novel biomolecules are not well understood. Recent structural studies suggest that lncRNAs contain modular structural domains, which play a crucial role in their function. Here, we hypothesized that such structural domains exist in lncTCF7, a conserved lncRNA implicated in the development and progression of several cancers. To understand the structure–function relationship of lncTCF7, we characterized its secondary structure using chemical probing methods. Our model revealed structural domains and conserved regions in lncTCF7. One of the modular domains identified here coincides with a known protein-interacting domain. The model reported herein is, to our knowledge, the first structural model of lncTCF7 and thus will serve to direct future studies that will provide fundamental insights into the function of this lncRNA.
Oxidative Potential Versus Biological Effects: A Review on the Relevance of Cell-Free/Abiotic Assays as Predictors of Toxicity from Airborne Particulate Matter
Authors: Øvrevik Johan
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: The oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) in cell-free/abiotic systems have been suggested as a possible measure of their biological reactivity and a relevant exposure metric for ambient air PM in epidemiological studies. The present review examined whether the OP of particles correlate with their biological effects, to determine the relevance of these cell-free assays as predictors of particle toxicity. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies published up to May 2019. The main inclusion criteria used for the selection of studies were that they should contain (1) multiple PM types or samples, (2) assessment of oxidative potential in cell-free systems and (3) assessment of biological effects in cells, animals or humans. Results: In total, 50 independent studies were identified assessing both OP and biological effects of ambient air PM or combustion particles such as diesel exhaust and wood smoke particles: 32 in vitro or in vivo studies exploring effects in cells or animals, and 18 clinical or epidemiological studies exploring effects in humans. Of these, 29 studies assessed the association between OP and biological effects by statistical analysis: 10 studies reported that at least one OP measure was statistically significantly associated with all endpoints examined, 12 studies reported that at least one OP measure was significantly associated with at least one effect outcome, while seven studies reported no significant correlation/association between any OP measures and any biological effects. The overall assessment revealed considerable variability in reported association between individual OP assays and specific outcomes, but evidence of positive association between intracellular ROS, oxidative damage and antioxidant response in vitro, and between OP assessed by the dithiothreitol (DDT) assay and asthma/wheeze in humans. There was little support for consistent association between OP and any other outcome assessed, either due to repeated lack of statistical association, variability in reported findings or limited numbers of available studies. Conclusions: Current assays for OP in cell-free/abiotic systems appear to have limited value in predicting PM toxicity. Clarifying the underlying causes may be important for further advancement in the field.