bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inmunodeficiencia Combinada Severa, reporte de pacientes chilenos diagnosticados durante el período 1999-2020
Authors: Hoyos-Bachiloglu Rodrigo , Rojas Jorge , Borzutzky Arturo , Hernández Pamela , Vinet Ana María , Bustos Paula , Fernández Fabiola , Lagos Macarena , Strickler Alexis , Marinovic María Angélica , Casado Cristina , Poli María Cecilia , King Alejandra
Published: December 2020

La inmunodeficiencia combinada severa (IDCS) corresponde a una de las formas más graves de inmunodeficiencia primaria, existiendo escasos datos nacionales sobre ésta.Objetivo: describir la epidemiología, complicaciones, pronóstico y uso de la vacuna BCG en pacientes chilenos con IDCS.Pacientes y Método: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados con IDCS entre los años 1999 y 2020 por médicos inmunólogos a lo largo de Chile. El diagnóstico de IDCS se realizó conforme a los criterios propuestos por Shearer: linfocitos T (CD3+) < 300 células/µL y proliferación 10% del límite de normalidad en respuesta a fitohemaglutinina o presencia de linfocitos T de origen materno. Se obtuvieron de la ficha clínica los datos correspondientes a: sexo, edad al diagnóstico, consanguinidad, región de origen, subpoblaciones linfocitarias, diagnóstico genético, complicaciones infecciosas y no infecciosas, vacunación BCG y sus complicaciones, edad de derivación al centro de TPH y causa de mortalidad no relacionada al TPH.Resultados: se diagnosticaron 25 casos de IDCS en 22 familias entre los años 1999-2020. 78% varones, la edad media a la primera manifestación fue 2.3 meses (0-7), mientras que la edad media al diagnóstico fue de 3.4 meses (0- 7). Un 16% de los casos tenía un antecedente familiar de IDCS. Un 40% de los casos fueron diagnosticados en la Región Metropolitana. El inmunofenotipo más frecuente fue T-B-NK+ (48%). Se realizaron estudios genéticos en 69,5% de los casos, siendo los defectos genéticos en RAG2 (39%) la causa más frecuente. Un 88% de los casos recibió la vacuna Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) previo al diagnóstico, incluidos 2 pacientes con historia familiar positiva, 36% de los vacunados experimentó complicaciones de la BCG. La edad media a la derivación a trasplante fue de 7,4 meses (5-16). De los 25 pacientes, 11 fallecieron previo a la derivación a un centro de trasplante.Conclusión: En Chile existe un retraso clínicamente significativo entre las primeras manifestaciones y el diagnóstico de IDCS, así como un importante retraso en la derivación a centros de trasplante. La mayoría de los pacientes con IDCS reciben la vacuna BCG, pese a tener antecedentes familiares, y experimentan frecuentemente complicaciones de la vacuna.
Handmade Bordir Sebagai Produk Unggulan Di Kota Probolinggo
Authors: Zulifatul Zuhriyah Mohammad Dullah , Zaenullah  , Rachma Y
Published: December 2020

AbstractEmbroidered craft in Indonesia is believed to be carried by many traders from China and India who carry out lots of buying and selling transactions in Indonesia, that's when these traders began to introduce embroidery crafts and their techniques. One of the leading industrial sectors is handmade products in the form of embroidery craft where initially in Probolinggo there was a center for embroidery industry but after the monetary crisis occurred in Indonesia since 1998 many craftsmen could not survive due to the high raw materials and the lack of buyers and the inability of craftsmen to reach other markets, leaving only a few that still exist today. This Community Service Activity Partner is Rizza Bordir. To achieve this goal, theCommunity Service activities are carried out using the Participatory Rural Appraisal Model (PRA), Community Development Model, through Persuasive and Educational Approaches. The results of this activity concluded that: Solving financial problems experienced by partners is to make software software, 2) Creation of new markets through online media in the form of Websites, Youtube, and Social Media is done by re-uploading files and images on IG, Facebook, Update Youtube Appearance and Start looking for Subsribe by promoting it through WA groups and Facebook, and Giving Hastage #RizzabordirProbolinggo so that the media will start to know Rizza Embroidery and can be read by Google.com and 3) That the help of tools in the form of Machines and E-commerce is expected to be maximized by Partners to be able to develop their business and increase turnover.Keywords: Rizza Embroidery, Handmade, E-Commerce
#BrequeDosApps e a organização coletiva dos entregadores por aplicativo no Brasil
Authors: De Carvalho Felipe Santos Estrela , Dos Santos Pereira Súllivan , Sobrinho Gabriela Sepúlveda
Published: December 2020

No presente artigo buscamos analisar o movimento recente de organização coletiva dos entregadores por aplicativo no Brasil na luta por melhores condições de trabalho e vida como alternativa aos vetores precarizantes impostos pela dinâmica atual do capitalismo 4.0 com o uso crescente das tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) nos processos produtivos globais. O texto encontra-se organizado em três sessões, além da introdução e considerações finais. Partindo do resgate histórico das memórias de luta da categoria que remetem à greve dos ganhadores de 1857 na Bahia, procuramos identificar as continuidades e rupturas que marcam o padrão limitado e excludente de regulação do trabalho no país para melhor compreender os desafios à garantia de direitos trabalhistas aos entregadores por aplicativo na contemporaneidade. Em seguida, passamos a investigar as estratégias, discursos e práticas adotadas pelas empresas-aplicativo para negar o reconhecimento do vínculo de emprego aos entregadores, reforçando uma zona de não aplicação dos preceitos constitucionais e infraconstitucionais de proteção social do trabalho aos entregadores. Por fim, destacamos o processo de auto-organização coletiva dos entregadores por aplicativo através da reconstrução crítica da cronologia dos processos de lutas e paralisações realizadas recentemente pelos trabalhadores e que ficaram nacionalmente conhecidas como o #BrequedosApps.
Якутский 42-й пехотный полк: боевой путь и ратный подвиг (1720–1918 гг.)
Authors: Петров Пантелеймон
Published: December 2020

Имя города Якутска было присвоено трем воинским подразделениям, из которых наиболее известен доблестный 42-й Якутский пехотный полк, сформированный в 1806 г. Полк принял участие в войнах с Турцией, Францией, Англией, Австро-Венгрией и во многих сражениях покрыл себя боевой славой. После сепаратного договора России с Германией в марте 1918 г. полк был расформирован. Ныне о былых геройских подвигах воинов рассказывает мемориальная плита, установленная в Георгиевском зале Московского Кремля, на которой золотыми буквами начертано – «42-й Якутский пехотный полк».
Kajian Pendirian Usaha Biji Plastik di Kabupaten Pati, Jawa Tengah
Authors: Astuti Arieyanti Dwi , Wahyudi Jatmiko , Ernawati Aeda , Aini Siti Qorrotu
Published: December 2020

ENGLISHEstablishment of a company which recycles plastic waste into plastic pellet not only benefits for eliminating waste but also for driving circular economy. Recycling plastic waste in particular low density polyethylene (LDPE) can be conducted in a small-scale industry with simple technology and low investment. This study aims to analyze the feasibility of a plastics pellet business from both financial and non-financial perspectives. Financial perspective encompasses net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period (PP) while non-financial perspective includes market, technical, socio-economic and environmental aspects. The result shows that according to both financial and non-financial aspects, the establishment of recycling company is feasible. The recycling business has the NPV= IDR 10,631,879,342; IRR = 15.38%; and PP = 2 years 1 months 26 days. As main raw material, LDPE is abundant and the demand for plastic pellet continues to grow. Technically, the company will be situated close to landfill considering many factors in order to comply with the regulation. From socio-economic aspect, the company will create jobs and generates local taxes. Environmentally, utilizing 3.6 tons of LDPE daily from landfill enables the company to lengthen life span of landfill and to eliminate plastic waste. INDONESIAPendirian perusahaan daur ulang yang memproses sampah plastik menjadi biji plastik memberikan manfaat tidak hanya untuk mengurangi timbulan sampah namun juga dapat untuk menggerakkan perputaran ekonomi. Daur ulang sampah plastik khususnya plastik jenis Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) dapat dijalankan oleh perusahaan berskala kecil dengan menggunakan teknologi sederhana dan modal yang tidak terlalu tinggi. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis kelayakan usaha biji plastik ditinjau dari aspek finansial dan non finansial. Analisis data menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa usaha daur ulang sampah plastik jenis LDPE menjadi biji plastik layak untuk dijalankan. Berdasarkan aspek finansial, usaha ini memiliki nilai NPV = Rp10.631.879.342; IRR = 15,38%; PP = 2 tahun 1 bulan 26 hari. Bahan baku sampah plastik LDPE tersedia melimpah dan belum banyak didaur ulang. Selain itu permintaan terhadap produk biji plastik terus mengalami peningkatan. Lokasi perusahaan direncanakan terletak tidak jauh dari Tempat Pemrosesan Akhir (TPA) Sukoharjo Kabupaten Pati dengan pertimbangan lokasi tersebut memenuhi persyaratan yang ditetapkan oleh peraturan. Pendirian usaha daur ulang berpotensi membuka lapangan kerja dan memberikan pajak daerah. Ditinjau dari aspek lingkungan, kemampuan perusahaan untuk mendaur ulang 3,6 ton sampah plastik LDPE per hari berkontribusi untuk memperpanjang usia pakai TPA dan dapat mengurangi timbulan sampah plastik.
ANAL FISTULA
Authors: Shelygin Yu. A. , Vasiliev S. V. , Veselov A. V. , Groshilin V. S. , Kashnikov V. N. , Korolik V. Yu. , Kostarev I. V. , Kuzminov A. M. , Moskalev A. I. , Mudrov A. A. , Frolov S. A. , Titov A. Yu.
Published: December 2020

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Person Re-Identification across Data Distributions Based on General Purpose DNN Object Detector
Authors: Mihaescu Roxana-Elena , Chindea Mihai , Paleologu Constantin , Carata Serban , Ghenescu Marian
Published: December 2020

Solving the person re-identification problem involves making associations between the same person’s appearances across disjoint camera views. Further, those associations have to be made on multiple surveillance cameras in order to obtain a more efficient and powerful re-identification system. The re-identification problem becomes particularly challenging in very crowded areas. This mainly happens for two reasons. First, the visibility is reduced and occlusions of people can occur. Further, due to congestion, as the number of possible matches increases, the re-identification is becoming challenging to achieve. Additional challenges consist of variations of lightning, poses, or viewpoints, and the existence of noise and blurring effects. In this paper, we aim to generalize person re-identification by implementing a first attempt of a general system, which is robust in terms of distribution variations. Our method is based on the YOLO (You Only Look Once) model, which represents a general object detection system. The novelty of the proposed re-identification method consists of using a simple detection model, with minimal additional costs, but with results that are comparable with those of the other existing dedicated methods.
EarlySeason Morphological and Physiological Responses of Resistant and Susceptible Cotton Genotypes to Reniform Nematode and Soil Nitrogen
Authors: Singh Bhupinder , Chastain Daryl R. , Reddy Kambham Raja , Snider John L. , Krutz L. Jason , Stetina Salliana R. , Sehgal Akanksha
Published: December 2020

Soil fertility and reniform nematode (RN) directly affect earlyseason growth and physiology of cotton. The growth responses to soil fertility and RN may, however, vary across germplasm. A greenhouse study was conducted to gain information on the role that host plant resistance plays in influencing RN populations, and cotton growth and physiological response to a range of soil nitrogen (N) levels in the presence and absence of RN. RN-resistant cotton lines (08SS110-NE06.OP and 08SS100) along with susceptible cultivars (Deltapine 16 and PHY 490 W3FE) were subjected to four levels of N from planting until biomass harvesting, 60 days after planting(DAP), under the presence orabsence of RN. The linear and quadratic functions (r2 = 0.72 to 0.99) bestdescribed measured responses of cotton genotypes to soil N. However, the responses were not different among genotypes, except for plant height at 30 DAP. This study revealed significant increases in several morphological parameters with increasing rates of N. RN population in the pots grown with resistant lines was lower whencompared to susceptible cultivars at biomassharvest. Physiological responses indicated that 08SS110-NE06.OP was more resilient to RN stress than other genotypes. The information from this study could be useful in managing the early season growth of cotton.
Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Conventional Cropping Systems in Switzerland
Authors: Koishi Ayumi , Bragazza Luca , Maltas Alexandra , Guillaume Thomas , Sinaj Sokrat
Published: December 2020

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) in agroecosystems is a promising solution to simultaneously address climate change mitigation, adaptation, and food security. Yet, the best management practices that could achieve these goals remain to be identified. Here, we analyze the long-term effects of application of green manure, cereal straw, farmyard manure, and cattle slurry on SOC in a 37 year long field experiment in Switzerland. The treatment effects were compared against control conditions that received only optimal mineral fertilization. More specifically, this study aimed at evaluating the effect of organic amendments on SOC accumulation and distribution in different soil particle-size fractions by means of a set of indicators about organic matter quality (biological reactivity, humification index) and microbial activity (extracellular enzyme activities). In the absence of organic matter input, application of mineral fertilizers alone resulted in the lowest SOC content and the highest humification index of the bulk soil organic matter. Among the organic amendments, cereal straw, farmyard manure, and cattle slurry promoted a higher SOC content and a lower humification index due to an increase of SOC in the clay-size fraction. The annual C accrual reached 4.4‰ per year over 37 years with farmyard manure. The higher biological reactivity measured for the green manure and cereal straw amendments was associated with higher soil enzymatic activities, while C retention coefficients decreased by at least 2.5 times compared to animal-derived amendments. The low availability of nutrients in green manure and straw amendments as suggested by the high phosphatase and N-acetylglucosaminidase activities may indicate a reduction in C retention of organic matter inputs due to nutrient microbial mining with plant-derived amendments.
The Role of Transcription Factors in Gonad Development and Sex Differentiation of a Teleost Model Fish—Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Kamaszewski Maciej , Skrobisz Marek , Wójcik Maciej , Kawalski Kacper , Szczepański Adrian , Bujarski Patryk , Szudrowicz Hubert , Herman Andrzej Przemysław , Martynow Jakub
Published: December 2020

The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the world’s most popular ornamental fish. Due to lecithotrophic viviparous, it is commonly used in toxicological studies and environmental monitoring. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of gonad development and differentiation during guppy ontogenesis. The study mainly focused on the role and localization of potential specific sex markers and transcription factors: Sox9, Dmrt1, Erβ. For histological analysis, guppies of both sexes were collected at 1, 60, and 360 dph (day post-hatching). The gonads morphology and immunohistochemistry detection of mentioned markers localization were performed. The expression of Sox9 protein was compared between sexes. Histological analysis revelated all types of male germinal cells in 60 dph guppy’s testes. Maturated oocytes were visible in the ovaries of 360 dph fish. The Sox9 expression varied in spermatocytes and spermatids, from cellular to nuclear localization, and was higher in ovaries. Dmrt1 was detected in all testes groups and 360 dph ovaries. The Erβ was observed in both sexes at 60 and 360 dph. For the first time, the localization of transcription factors in guppy during ontogenesis was traced. The Sox9 designation as a factor regulating the development of germinal cells in adult guppies may facilitate the analysis of xenobiotics’ influence on fish’s reproductive system.
Equestrian Road Safety in the United Kingdom: Factors Associated with Collisions and Horse Fatalities
Authors: Pollard Danica , Grewar John Duncan
Published: December 2020

Over 60% of UK horse riders report having experienced a road-related near-miss or accident. The aim of this study was to describe horse-related road incidents (n = 4107) reported to the British Horse Society (2010–2020) and to identify factors associated with higher odds of collisions with another vehicle and horse fatalities using multivariable logistic regression modelling. Drivers passed the horse too closely in 84.2% of incidents while road rage and speeding were reported in 40.3% and 40.1% of incidents, respectively. Close passing distance alone (odds ratio [OR] 18.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5, 51.6) or in combination with speeding (OR 4.4, CI 1.7, 11.7) was associated with higher collision odds compared to speeding alone. Speeding was, however, associated with higher horse fatality odds (OR 2.3, CI 1.2, 4.6). Wearing high visibility clothing reduced odds of collision (OR 0.2, CI 0.1, 0.4). A fatal injury to a horse was almost 12 times as likely to result in severe to fatal rider/handler injury. Loose horses contribute significantly to road-related horse fatalities. Driver behaviour of how to pass horses safely on UK roads needs further improvement and will help reduce the risk of collisions and horse and human fatalities.
Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count
Authors: Bobbo Tania , Penasa Mauro , Cassandro Martino
Published: December 2020

The growing interest of consumers for milk and dairy products of high nutritional value has pushed researchers to evaluate the feasibility of including fatty acids (FA) in selection programs to modify milk fat profile and improve its nutritional quality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of FA profile predicted by mid-infrared spectroscopy, milk yield, composition, and total and differential somatic cell count. Edited data included 35,331 test-day records of 25,407 Italian Holstein cows from 652 herds. Variance components and heritability were estimated using single-trait repeatability animal models, whereas bivariate repeatability animal models were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits, including the fixed effects of stage of lactation, parity, and herd-test-date, and the random effects of additive genetic animal, cow permanent environment and the residual. Heritabilities and genetic correlations obtained in the present study reflected both the origins of FA (extracted from the blood or synthesized de novo by the mammary gland) and their grouping according to saturation or chain length. In addition, correlations among FA groups were in line with correlation among individual FA. Moderate negative genetic correlations between FA and milk yield and moderate to strong positive correlations with fat, protein, and casein percentages suggest that actual selection programs are currently affecting all FA groups, not only the desired ones (e.g., polyunsaturated FA). The absence of association with differential somatic cell count and the weak association with somatic cell score indicate that selection on FA profile would not affect selection on resistance to mastitis and vice versa. In conclusion, our findings suggest that genetic selection on FA content is feasible, as FA are variable and moderately heritable. Nevertheless, in the light of correlations with other milk traits estimated in this study, a clear breeding goal should first be established.
Fc Engineering Strategies to Advance IgA Antibodies as Therapeutic Agents
Authors: van Tetering Geert , Evers Mitchell , Chan Chilam , Stip Marjolein , Leusen Jeanette
Published: December 2020

In the past three decades, a great interest has arisen in the use of immunoglobulins as therapeutic agents. In particular, since the approval of the first monoclonal antibody Rituximab for B cell malignancies, the progress in the antibody-related therapeutic agents has been incremental. Therapeutic antibodies can be applied in a variety of diseases, ranging from cancer to autoimmunity and allergy. All current therapeutic monoclonal antibodies used in the clinic are of the IgG isotype. IgG antibodies can induce the killing of cancer cells by growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, complement activation (CDC) or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by NK cells, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) by monocytes/macrophages, or trogoptosis by granulocytes. To enhance these effector mechanisms of IgG, protein and glyco-engineering has been successfully applied. As an alternative to IgG, antibodies of the IgA isotype have been shown to be very effective in tumor eradication. Using the IgA-specific receptor FcαRI expressed on myeloid cells, IgA antibodies show superior tumor-killing compared to IgG when granulocytes are employed. However, reasons why IgA has not been introduced in the clinic yet can be found in the intrinsic properties of IgA posing several technical limitations: (1) IgA is challenging to produce and purify, (2) IgA shows a very heterogeneous glycosylation profile, and (3) IgA has a relatively short serum half-life. Next to the technical challenges, pre-clinical evaluation of IgA efficacy in vivo is not straightforward as mice do not naturally express the FcαR. Here, we provide a concise overview of the latest insights in these engineering strategies overcoming technical limitations of IgA as a therapeutic antibody: developability, heterogeneity, and short half-life. In addition, alternative approaches using IgA/IgG hybrid and FcαR-engagers and the impact of engineering on the clinical application of IgA will be discussed.
Intolerable Burden of Impetigo in Endemic Settings: A Review of the Current State of Play and Future Directions for Alternative Treatments
Authors: Abrha Solomon , Tesfaye Wubshet , Thomas Jackson
Published: December 2020

Impetigo (school sores) is a common superficial bacterial skin infection affecting around 162 million children worldwide, with the highest burden in Australian Aboriginal children. While impetigo itself is treatable, if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as chronic heart and kidney diseases. Topical antibiotics are often considered the treatment of choice for impetigo, but the clinical efficacy of these treatments is declining at an alarming rate due to the rapid emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. In remote settings in Australia, topical antibiotics are no longer used for impetigo due to the troubling rise of antimicrobial resistance, demanding the use of oral and injectable antibiotic therapies. However, widespread use of these agents not only contributes to existing resistance, but also associated with adverse consequences for individuals and communities. These underscore the urgent need to reinvigorate the antibiotic discovery and alternative impetigo therapies in these settings. This review discusses the current impetigo treatment challenges in endemic settings in Australia and explores potential alternative antimicrobial therapies. The goals are to promote intensified research programs to facilitate effective use of currently available treatments, as well as developing new alternatives for impetigo.
Associations between Lifestyle Factors and Vitamin E Metabolites in the General Population
Authors: Martens Leon G. , Luo Jiao , Meulmeester Fleur L. , Ashrafi Nadia , van Eekelen Esther Winters , de Mutsert Renée , Mook-Kanamori Dennis O. , Rosendaal Frits R. , van Dijk Ko Willems , Mills Kevin , Noordam Raymond , van Heemst Diana
Published: December 2020

The antioxidant vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-TOH) protects lipids from oxidation by reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that lifestyle factors associate with vitamin E metabolism marked by urinary α-tocopheronolactone hydroquinone (α-TLHQ) and α-carboxymethyl-hydroxychroman (α-CEHC levels), as potential reflection of lipid oxidation. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study. Serum α-TOH, and urinary α-TLHQ and α-CEHC were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Information on the lifestyle factors (sleep, physical activity (PA), smoking and alcohol) were collected through questionnaires. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between the lifestyle factors and α-TOH measures. A total of 530 participants (46% men) were included with mean (SD) age of 56 (6) years. Of the examined lifestyle factors, only poor sleep was associated with a higher serum α-TOH (mean difference: 4% (95% CI: 1, 7%)). Current smoking was associated with higher urinary α-CEHC (32%: (14%, 53%)), with evidence of a dose–response relationship with smoking intensity (low pack years, 24% (2, 52%); high pack years, 55% (25, 93%)). Moderate physical activity was associated with a lower α-TLHQ relative to α-CEHC (−17%: (−26, −6%), compared with low PA). Only specific lifestyle factors associate with vitamin E metabolism. Examining serum α-TOH does not provide complete insight in vitamin E antioxidant capacity.
Miracle Berry as a Potential Supplement in the Control of Metabolic Risk Factors in Cancer
Authors: Gómez de Cedrón Marta , Wagner Sonia , Reguero Marina , Menéndez-Rey Adrián , Ramírez de Molina Ana
Published: December 2020

The increased incidence of chronic diseases related to altered metabolism has become a social and medical concern worldwide. Cancer is a chronic and multifactorial disease for which, together with genetic factors, environmental factors are crucial. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to one third of cancer-related deaths could be prevented by modifying risk factors associated with lifestyle, including diet and exercise. Obesity increases the risk of cancer due to the promotion of low-grade chronic inflammation and systemic metabolic oxidative stress. The effective control of metabolic parameters, for example, controlling glucose, lipid levels, and blood pressure, and maintaining a low grade of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress might represent a specific and mechanistic approach against cancer initiation and progression. Miracle berry (MB) (Synsepalum dulcificum) is an indigenous fruit whose small, ellipsoid, and bright red berries have been described to transform a sour taste into a sweet one. MB is rich in terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, which are responsible for their described antioxidant activities. Moreover, MB has been reported to ameliorate insulin resistance and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and malignant transformation in vitro. Herein, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of MB to provide a scientific basis for its potential use as a supplement in the management of chronic diseases related to altered metabolism, including obesity and insulin resistance, which are well-known risk factors in cancer. First, we introduce cancer as a metabolic disease, highlighting the impact of systemic metabolic alterations, such as obesity and insulin resistance, in cancer initiation and progression. Next, as oxidative stress is closely associated with metabolic stress, we also evaluate the effect of phytochemicals in managing oxidative stress and its relationship with cancer. Finally, we summarize the main biological activities described for MB-derived extracts with a special focus on the ability of miraculin to transform a sour taste into a sweet one through its interaction with the sweet taste receptors. The identification of sweet taste receptors at the gastrointestinal level, with effects on the secretion of enterohormones, may provide an additional tool for managing chronic diseases, including cancer.
N-Acetyl Cysteine Targets Hepatic Lipid Accumulation to Curb Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in NAFLD: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Literature
Authors: Dludla Phiwayinkosi V. , Nkambule Bongani B. , Mazibuko-Mbeje Sithandiwe E. , Nyambuya Tawanda M. , Marcheggiani Fabio , Cirilli Ilenia , Ziqubu Khanyisani , Shabalala Samukelisiwe C. , Johnson Rabia , Louw Johan , Damiani Elisabetta , Tiano Luca
Published: December 2020

Impaired adipose tissue function and insulin resistance remain instrumental in promoting hepatic lipid accumulation in conditions of metabolic syndrome. In fact, enhanced lipid accumulation together with oxidative stress and an abnormal inflammatory response underpin the development and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There are currently no specific protective drugs against NAFLD, and effective interventions involving regular exercise and healthy diets have proved difficult to achieve and maintain. Alternatively, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, there has been growing interest in understanding the therapeutic effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against metabolic complications, including NAFLD. Here, reviewed evidence suggests that NAC blocks hepatic lipid accumulation in preclinical models of NAFLD. This is in part through the effective regulation of a fatty acid scavenger molecule (CD36) and transcriptional factors such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c/-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Importantly, NAC appears effective in improving liver function by reducing pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). This was primarily through the attenuation of lipid peroxidation and enhancements in intracellular response antioxidants, particularly glutathione. Very few clinical studies support the beneficial effects of NAC against NAFLD-related complications, thus well-organized randomized clinical trials are still necessary to confirm its therapeutic potential.
Protective Effect of Antioxidants in Nitric Oxide/COX-2 Interaction during Inflammatory Pain: The Role of Nitration
Authors: Ilari Sara , Dagostino Concetta , Malafoglia Valentina , Lauro Filomena , Giancotti Luigino Antonio , Spila Antonella , Proietti Stefania , Ventrice Domenica , Rizzo Milena , Gliozzi Micaela , Palma Ernesto , Guadagni Fiorella , Salvemini Daniela , Mollace Vincenzo , Muscoli Carolina
Published: December 2020

In clinical practice, inflammatory pain is an important, unresolved health problem, despite the utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In the last decade, different studies have proven that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia via the post-translation modification of key proteins, such as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). It is well-known that inducible cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) plays a crucial role at the beginning of the inflammatory response by converting arachidonic acid into proinflammatory prostaglandin PGE2 and then producing other proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Here, we investigated the impact of oxidative stress on COX-2 and prostaglandin (PG) pathways in paw exudates, and we studied how this mechanism can be reversed by using antioxidants during hyperalgesia in a well-characterized model of inflammatory pain in rats. Our results reveal that during the inflammatory state, induced by intraplantar administration of carrageenan, the increase of PGE2 levels released in the paw exudates were associated with COX-2 nitration. Moreover, we showed that the inhibition of ROS with Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin(MnTBAP) antioxidant prevented COX-2 nitration, restored the PGE2 levels, and blocked the development of thermal hyperalgesia.
Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Activities and Molecular Docking Simulation of Carrichtera annua DC. (Cruciferae)
Authors: Eltamany Enas E. , Elhady Sameh S. , Ahmed Haidy A. , Badr Jihan M. , Noor Ahmad O. , Ahmed Safwat A. , Nafie Mohamed S.
Published: December 2020

Our investigation intended to analyze the chemical composition and the antioxidant activity of Carrichtera annua and to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of C. annua crude and phenolics extracts by MTT assay on a panel of cancerous and non-cancerous breast and liver cell lines. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of C. annua were 47.3 ± 17.9 mg RE/g and 83.8 ± 5.3 mg respectively. C. annua extract exhibited remarkable antioxidant capacity (50.92 ± 5.64 mg GAE/g) in comparison with BHT (74.86 ± 3.92 mg GAE/g). Moreover, the extract exhibited promising reduction ability (1.17 mMol Fe+2/g) in comparison to the positive control (ascorbic acid with 2.75 ± 0.91) and it displayed some definite radical scavenging effect on DPPH (IC50 values of 211.9 ± 3.7 µg/mL). Chemical profiling of C. annua extract was achieved by LC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Forty-nine hits mainly polyphenols were detected. Flavonoid fraction of C. annua was more active than the crude extract. It demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 and HepG2 cells (IC50 = 13.04 and 19.3 µg/mL respectively), induced cell cycle arrest at pre-G1 and G2/M-phases and displayed apoptotic effect. Molecular docking studies supported our findings and revealed that kaempferol-3,7-O-bis-α-L-rhamnoside and kaempferol-3-rutinoside were the most active inhibitors of Bcl-2. Therefore, C. annua herb seems to be a promising candidate to further advance anticancer research. In extrapolation, the intake of C. annua phenolics might be adventitious for alleviating breast and liver malignancies and tumoral proliferation in humans.
Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Functional Brain Networks of Parkinson’s Disease Patients during Treadmill Walking: An fNIRS Study
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Park Sang-Soo , Jang Jung-hee , Jin Sang Hyeon , Baik Young-Soo , Yoo Ho-Ryong
Published: December 2020

Acupuncture is increasingly being used as an alternative treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We aimed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on gait-related brain function in patients with PD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-four patients with PD were randomly assigned to intervention (acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks) or control (non-treatment) groups. fNIRS experiments applying a block design were performed at baseline (0 weeks) and 4- and 8-week follow-up and cortical activation and connectivity were evaluated. After acupuncture treatment, oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) levels in the intervention group were significantly increased in the primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Furthermore, following acupuncture treatment in the intervention group, the connectivities in the M1 and PFC regions increased. The results show that acupuncture may be a useful complementary treatment for gait disturbances in patients with PD, and fNIRS can be applicable to evaluate neural plasticity directly. The evaluation method in this paper can be used to assess the neural plasticity related to various rehabilitation techniques.
The Effects of Hydrogen Distribution on the Elastic Properties and Hydrogen-Induced Hardening and Softening of α-Fe
Authors: Wang Zheng , Shi Xiaoming , Yang Xu-Sheng , Liu Zhuhong , Shi San-Qiang , Ma Xingqiao
Published: December 2020

In this work, we conducted a high-throughput atomistic simulation of the interstitial solid solutions of hydrogen in α-Fe. The elastic constants and moduli were calculated. Through statistical analysis of structures and results, the influences of the microscopic distribution of hydrogen on the elastic moduli, as well as hydrogen-induced hardening and softening, are discussed. We found that even though the uniformly distributed hydrogen caused slight softening in α-Fe, the distribution of hydrogen at different adjacent positions significantly affected the elastic moduli. For example, hydrogen increased the Young’s modulus and shear modulus at the 5th and 10th nearest neighbors, resulting in hardening, but decreased the bulk modulus at the 7th nearest neighbor, making the material easier to compress. These phenomena are related to the distribution densities of the positions that hydrogen atoms can occupy on the two major slip families, {110} and {112}, at different nearest neighbors distinguished by distances.
Solving Order Planning Problem Using a Heuristic Approach: The Case in a Building Material Distributor
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Nguyen Ngoc-Ai-Thy , Dang Thanh-Tuan
Published: December 2020

For building material distributors, order planning is a key process as a result of the increase in construction projects’ scale and complexity. In this paper, the integration of simulation modeling and the response surface methodology (RSM) is presented to solve an order planning problem in the construction supply chain. The interactions of various factors are examined to observe their effects on key system measurements, and a combination of factor levels is determined to achieve the optimal performance. RSM is applied to find the possible values of the optimal setting for system responses, which consists of three main steps: central composite design (CCD), Box–Behnken design (BBD), and a comparison of both designs. The model is tested with a realistic case study of a building material distributor in Vietnam to demonstrate its effectiveness. Controllable factors (independent variables), which are the review period (T), order quantity (Q), and safety stock (SS), are found to significantly affect system responses, which are the total cost (TC) and customer service level (CSL). The results provide the best settings of factor levels that produce the possible minimum TC and maximum CSL. The developed framework could be applied as a useful reference for decision-makers, purchasing managers, and warehouse managers to obtain the most suitable order policy for a robust order planning process.
Automated Detection of Sleep Stages Using Deep Learning Techniques: A Systematic Review of the Last Decade (2010–2020)
Authors: Loh Hui Wen , Ooi Chui Ping , Vicnesh Jahmunah , Oh Shu Lih , Faust Oliver , Gertych Arkadiusz , Acharya U. Rajendra
Published: December 2020

Sleep is vital for one’s general well-being, but it is often neglected, which has led to an increase in sleep disorders worldwide. Indicators of sleep disorders, such as sleep interruptions, extreme daytime drowsiness, or snoring, can be detected with sleep analysis. However, sleep analysis relies on visuals conducted by experts, and is susceptible to inter- and intra-observer variabilities. One way to overcome these limitations is to support experts with a programmed diagnostic tool (PDT) based on artificial intelligence for timely detection of sleep disturbances. Artificial intelligence technology, such as deep learning (DL), ensures that data are fully utilized with low to no information loss during training. This paper provides a comprehensive review of 36 studies, published between March 2013 and August 2020, which employed DL models to analyze overnight polysomnogram (PSG) recordings for the classification of sleep stages. Our analysis shows that more than half of the studies employed convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on electroencephalography (EEG) recordings for sleep stage classification and achieved high performance. Our study also underscores that CNN models, particularly one-dimensional CNN models, are advantageous in yielding higher accuracies for classification. More importantly, we noticed that EEG alone is not sufficient to achieve robust classification results. Future automated detection systems should consider other PSG recordings, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), and electromyogram (EMG) signals, along with input from human experts, to achieve the required sleep stage classification robustness. Hence, for DL methods to be fully realized as a practical PDT for sleep stage scoring in clinical applications, inclusion of other PSG recordings, besides EEG recordings, is necessary. In this respect, our report includes methods published in the last decade, underscoring the use of DL models with other PSG recordings, for scoring of sleep stages.
Heat Loss Coefficient Estimation Applied to Existing Buildings through Machine Learning Models
Authors: Martínez-Comesaña Miguel , Febrero-Garrido Lara , Granada-Álvarez Enrique , Martínez-Torres Javier , Martínez-Mariño Sandra
Published: December 2020

The Heat Loss Coefficient (HLC) characterizes the envelope efficiency of a building under in-use conditions, and it represents one of the main causes of the performance gap between the building design and its real operation. Accurate estimations of the HLC contribute to optimizing the energy consumption of a building. In this context, the application of black-box models in building energy analysis has been consolidated in recent years. The aim of this paper is to estimate the HLC of an existing building through the prediction of building thermal demands using a methodology based on Machine Learning (ML) models. Specifically, three different ML methods are applied to a public library in the northwest of Spain and compared; eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network. Furthermore, the accuracy of the results is measured, on the one hand, using both CV(RMSE) and Normalized Mean Biased Error (NMBE), as advised by AHSRAE, for thermal demand predictions and, on the other, an absolute error for HLC estimations. The main novelty of this paper lies in the estimation of the HLC of a building considering thermal demand predictions reducing the requirement for monitoring. The results show that the most accurate model is capable of estimating the HLC of the building with an absolute error between 4 and 6%.
Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy in Knee Osteoarthritis—A Biomechanical Approach
Authors: Cofaru Nicolae Florin , Roman Mihai Dan , Cofaru Ileana Ioana , Oleksik Valentin Stefan , Fleaca Sorin Radu
Published: December 2020

This paper provides an analysis from a biomechanical perspective of the medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy surgery, a medical procedure commonly used in treating knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this research is to improve the analysed surgical strategy by establishing optimal values for several very important parameters for the geometric planning of this type of surgical intervention. The research methods used are numerical and experimental. We used finite element, a numerical method used to study the intraoperative behavior of the CORA area for different positions of the initiation point of the cut of the osteotomy plane and for different correction angles. We also used an experimental method in order to determine the maximum force which causes the occurrence of cracks or microcracks in the CORA area. This helped us to determine the stresses, the maximum forces, and the force-displacement variations in the hinge area, elements that allowed us to identify the optimal geometric parameters for planning the surgery.
Rotational Speed Control Using ANN-Based MPPT for OWC Based on Surface Elevation Measurements
Authors: M’zoughi Fares , Garrido Izaskun , Garrido Aitor J. , De La Sen Manuel
Published: December 2020

This paper presents an ANN-based rotational speed control to avoid the stalling behavior in Oscillating Water Columns composed of a Doubly Fed Induction Generator driven by a Wells turbine. This control strategy uses rotational speed reference provided by an ANN-based Maximum Power Point Tracking. The ANN-based MPPT predicts the optimal rotational speed reference from wave amplitude and period. The neural network has been trained and uses wave surface elevation measurements gathered by an acoustic Doppler current profiler. The implemented ANN-based rotational speed control has been tested with two different wave conditions and results prove the effectiveness of avoiding the stall effect which improved the power generation.
Remaining Useful Life Estimation of Bearings Using Data-Driven Ridge Regression
Authors: Park Pangun , Jung Mingyu , Di Marco Piergiuseppe
Published: December 2020

Predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of mechanical bearings is a challenging industrial task since RUL can differ even for the same equipment due to many uncertainties such as operating condition, model inaccuracy, and sensory noise in various industrial applications. This paper proposes the RUL prediction method combining analytical model-based and data-driven approaches to forecast when a failure will occur based on the time series data of bearings. Feature importance ranking and principal component analysis construct a reliable and predictable health indicator from various statistical time, frequency, and time–frequency domain features of the observed signal. The adaptive sliding window method then optimizes the parameters of the degradation model based on the ridge regression of the time series sequence with the sliding window. The proposed adaptive scheme provides significant performance improvement in terms of the RUL estimation accuracy and robustness against the possible errors of the degradation model compared to the traditional Bayesian approaches.
Investigation of Acoustic Properties on Wideband Sound-Absorber Composed of Hollow Perforated Spherical Structure with Extended Tubes and Porous Materials
Authors: Li Dengke , Jiang Zhongcheng , Li Lin , Liu Xiaobo , Wang Xianfeng , He Mu
Published: December 2020

Traditional porous media such as melamine foam absorb sound due to their three-dimensional porous struts. However, the acoustic properties at low frequencies are greatly related to its thickness. In this paper, a novel type of thin and lightweight sound absorber composed of melamine foam and hollow perforated spherical structure with extended tubes (HPSET) is introduced to enhance the sound absorption performance at low frequencies. A theoretical model for the normal absorption coefficient of the HPSET with melamine foam is established. Good agreements are observed between the simulated and the experimental results. Compared with the virgin melamine foam, the proposed absorber can greatly improve the low-frequency sound absorption and retain the mid- to high-frequency sound absorption, while the thickness of the proposed absorber is less than 1/28 of the wavelength.