bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repetitive Batch Mode Facilitates Enzymatic Synthesis of the Nucleotide Sugars UDP‐Gal, UDP‐GlcNAc, and UDP‐GalNAc on a Multi‐Gram Scale
Authors: Fischöder Thomas , Wahl Claudia , Zerhusen Christian , Elling Lothar
Published: October 2018

The availability of nucleotide sugars is considered as bottleneck for Leloir‐glycosyltransferases mediated glycan synthesis. A breakthrough for the synthesis of nucleotide sugars is the development of salvage pathway like enzyme cascades with high product yields from affordable monosaccharide substrates. In this regard, the authors aim at high enzyme productivities of these cascades by a repetitive batch approach. The authors report here for the first time that the exceptional high enzyme cascade stability facilitates the synthesis of Uridine‐5′‐diphospho‐α‐d‐galactose (UDP‐Gal), Uridine‐5′‐diphospho‐N‐acetylglucosamine (UDP‐GlcNAc), and Uridine‐5′‐diphospho‐N‐acetylgalactosamine (UDP‐GalNAc) in a multi‐gram scale by repetitive batch mode. The authors obtained 12.8 g UDP‐Gal through a high mass based total turnover number (TTNmass) of 494 [gproduct/genzyme] and space‐time‐yield (STY) of 10.7 [g/L*h]. Synthesis of UDP‐GlcNAc in repetitive batch mode gave 11.9 g product with a TTNmass of 522 [gproduct/genzyme] and a STY of 9.9 [g/L*h]. Furthermore, the scale‐up to a 200 mL scale using a pressure operated concentrator was demonstrated for a UDP‐GalNAc producing enzyme cascade resulting in an exceptional high STY of 19.4 [g/L*h] and 23.3 g product. In conclusion, the authors demonstrate that repetitive batch mode is a versatile strategy for the multi‐gram scale synthesis of nucleotide sugars by stable enzyme cascades.
3D tumor spheroids as in vitro models to mimic in vivo human solid tumors resistance to therapeutic drugs
Authors: Nunes Ana S. , Barros Andreia S. , Costa Elisabete C. , Moreira André F. , Correia Ilídio J.
Published: October 2018

Three‐dimensional cell culture models, such as spheroids, can be used in the process of the development of new anticancer agents because they are able to closely mimic the main features of human solid tumors, namely their structural organization, cellular layered assembling, hypoxia, and nutrient gradients. These properties imprint to the spheroids an anticancer therapeutics resistance profile, which is similar to that displayed by human solid tumors. In this review, an overview of the drug resistance mechanisms observed in 3D tumor spheroids is provided. Furthermore, comparisons between the therapeutics resistance profile exhibited by spheroids, and 2D cell cultures are presented. Finally, examples of the therapeutic approaches that have been developed to surpass the drug resistance mechanisms exhibited by spheroids are described.
Use of spinning band distillation equipment for fractionation of volatile compounds ofCopaiferaoleoresins for developing a validated gas chromatographic method and evaluating antimicrobial activity
Authors: Ribeiro Victor Pena , Arruda Caroline , da Silva Jonas Joaquim Mangabeira , Aldana Mejia Jennyfer Andrea , Furtado Niege Araçari Jacometti Cardoso , Bastos Jairo Kenupp
Published: October 2018

Copaiferais a tree that produces an oleoresin that has great historical and economic importance. These oleoresins display several pharmacological properties, such as anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial, among others. The commercialization ofCopaiferaoleoresin occurs, in many cases, without any quality control, which facilitates its adulteration. Validated analytical methods can provide a safe quality control. In this work, the 800 Automatic Spinning Band Distillation equipment was used to perform the fractionation of the volatile oils obtained by hydrodistillation ofCopaifera multijuga,C. paupera,C. PubliforaandC. langsdorffii,aiming to isolate and purify the major compounds present in these oils. For purification, classical column chromatography was used, furnishing six isolated sesquiterpenes. The sesquiterpenes were used as standards in the development and validation of the method by GC–FID. The evaluated parameters were selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness and they are all in accordance with ANVISA and International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The developed method is reliable for the quantification of sesquiterpenes inCopaiferaoleoresins. Both volatile oils and isolated sesquiterpenes had their minimum inhibitory concentration determined against strains of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria and yeasts.Copaifera langsdorffioleoresin was the only one active against all of the evaluated microorganisms, displaying good antimicrobial potential.
Effect of heat‐moisture treatment of germinated wheat on the quality of Chinese white salted noodles
Authors: Liu Chong , Jiang Xiaoxiao , Wang Junjun , Li Limin , Bian Ke , Guan Erqi , Zheng Xueling
Published: October 2018

Background and objectives

Germination is an effective way to enhance the nutritional value of cereals. However, noodles from germinated wheat have sticky texture, higher cooking loss, and lower tensile resistance compared to those from non‐germinated wheat. Challenges for improving noodle‐making quality of germinated wheat are essential in food industry. In this study, germinated wheat grain and thus obtained wheat flour were modified by heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) at moisture content of 17%, 21%, 25%, and 29%, respectively.

Findings

After HMT, enhanced falling number, paste viscosity, crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, enthalpy of starch, and reduced dough stability were observed for both germinated wheat flour and germinated wheat grain samples. These modified indicators of wheat flour were obviously higher than that of wheat grain. It was found that moisture content of around 25% was optimal moisture for these indicators. When using HMT germinated wheat flour (up to 20%), Chinese white salted noodles (CWSN) had better quality (lower cooking loss and higher extensibility) compared with HMT germinated wheat grain as raw material. CWSN made by HMT germinated wheat flour (10% noodle flour was replaced) displayed similar quality when using wheat flour. In addition, its quality was significantly higher than those of germinated wheat flour.

Conclusions

The modification of germinated wheat flour by HMT is an effective method to improve the CWSN making quality of composite flour of germinated wheat flour and non‐germinated wheat flour, as long as the level of replacement of wheat flour with HMT germinated wheat flour does not exceed 10%, which can be attributed to the compound action of HMT on inactivity of α‐amylase and structural rearrangement of starch molecules.

Significance and novelty

Although HMT may cause denaturation of gluten resulting in deterioration of dough quality in germinated wheat flour, the improvement of pasting properties by HMT shows positive effect on the CWSN making quality of germinated wheat flour.
The use of Moringa oleifera seeds and their fractionated proteins for Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin‐LR removal from water
Authors: de Oliveira Ruiz Moreti Livia , Takaoka Aline Baptista , Marquettotti Salcedo Vieira Angélica , Mantovani Daniel , Bergamasco Rosângela
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the coagulation, flocculation, and dissolved air flotation (C/F/DAF) process using four types of coagulants based on Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds for the removal parameters of colour, turbidity, UV 254 nm, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorophyll‐a, and microcystin‐LR. Tests were performed using water contaminated with Microcystis aeruginosa in a concentration of 104 cells mL−1. The coagulants analyzed were fractionated proteins (albumin and globulin), proteins extracted from saline solution, and the integral powder of MO seeds. The results obtained presented the same optimum dosage for globulin and albumin removal (1.5 mg L−1), in which globulin reached removal percentages of 83.87 and 80.88 % for chlorophyll‐a and microcystin‐LR, respectively, and in which albumin reached removal percentages of 79.44 and 48.14 % for chlorophyll‐a and microcystin‐LR, respectively. The optimal dosage of proteins extracted from the saline solution was 8.0 mg · L−1, which achieved removal percentages of 74.80 and 73.52 % for chlorophyll‐a and microcystin‐LR, respectively. For the DOC, removal was only observed after the use of fractionated proteins, which emphasizes the need for methods based on the use of active purified agents of MO seeds involved in flocculation. Therefore, it is concluded that globulin, as a coagulant, is the most suitable for the present study, since it improves the C/F/DAF process efficiency in Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin‐LR reduction in addition to removing other analyzed parameters.
Gibbs entropy simulated annealing based Edman firefly optimization for big data protein sequencing
Authors: Kalaiselvi B. , Thangamani M.
Published: October 2018

Protein sequencing is a significant problem to be solved to better understand its structure and function. Few research works have been designed for protein sequencing using different techniques. The performance of conventional protein sequencing methods was not effectual as sequencing accuracy of proteins was lower when considering a big protein dataset. In order to overcome this limitation, a Gibbs Entropy Simulated Annealing based Edman FireFly Optimization (GESA‐EFFO) technique is proposed. The GESA‐EFFO technique is designed for sequencing the amino acid residue in peptides with higher accuracy and minimal time. The GESA‐EFFO technique develops Gibbs Entropy Simulated Annealing (GESA) with the objective of selecting the relevant amino acid features from the big dataset with lower time complexity. The GESA applied Gibbs Entropy in order to accurately determine cost (ie, changes in heat energy) for each amino acid feature and thereby chooses the related amino acid features in a big protein dataset for efficient protein sequencing. After identifying the relevant features, the GESA‐EFFO technique designs the Edman FireFly Optimization (EFFO) where amino acid features are ranked based on the light intensity of the firefly to form protein sequences. The experimental evaluation of the GESA‐EFFO technique is carried out on factors such as precision.
Semantics, knowledge, and grids at the age of big data and AI
Authors: Zhuge Hai , Sun Xiaoping
Published: October 2018

The rapid development of data science and artificial intelligence provides new methods and tools for exploring semantics, knowledge, and grids—the evolving interconnection environment. Different streams of research including Internet of Things, cloud computing, edge‐computing, semantics modeling, and cyber‐physical society are converging to support an intelligent interconnection environment. It is an important issue to create the method for ensuring the sustainable development of this interconnection environment. Big data and machine learning provide an empirical model for resolving this issue that is different from the method based on semantics and knowledge.
Homochiral Asymmetric‐Shaped Electron‐Transporting Materials for Efficient Non‐Fullerene Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jung Su‐Kyo , Heo Jin Hyuck , Lee Dae Woon , Lee Seung‐Heon , Lee Seung‐Chul , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Kim Dongwook , Kim Jong H. , Im Sang Hyuk , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: October 2018

A design strategy is proposed for electron‐transporting materials (ETMs) with homochiral asymmetric‐shaped groups for highly efficient non‐fullerene perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The electron transporting N,N′‐bis[(R)‐1‐phenylethyl]naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐tetracarboxylic diimide (NDI‐PhE) consists of two asymmetric‐shaped chiral (R)‐1‐phenylethyl (PhE) groups that act as solubilizing groups by reducing molecular symmetry and increasing the free volume. NDI‐PhE exhibits excellent film‐forming ability with high solubility in various organic solvents [about two times higher solubility than the widely used fullerene‐based phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in o‐dichlorobenzene]. NDI‐PhE ETM‐based inverted PSCs exhibit very high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of up to 20.5 % with an average PCE of 18.74±0.95 %, which are higher than those of PCBM ETM‐based PSCs. The high PCE of NDI‐PhE ETM‐based PSCs may be attributed to good film‐forming abilities and to three‐dimensional isotropic electron transporting capabilities. Therefore, introducing homochiral asymmetric‐shaped groups onto charge‐transporting materials is a good strategy for achieving high device performance.
Emergency management on campus: Are we leaving the students behind?
Authors: Ruddell Rick , Patten Ryan , Thomas Matthew O. , Allen Andrea , Hoard Season
Published: October 2018

The odds of a natural disaster or human‐caused hazard requiring a facility shutdown or evacuation are relatively low for any institution of higher education. However, campus security and university police departments across North America respond to serious incidents every day. For example, in August 2017, hundreds of students were trapped by flooding at the University of Houston, and in March 2018, Central Michigan University was locked down as an active shooter was on campus.
Be ready for threats, emergencies
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2018

DALLAS — Threats and violence can happen anywhere. If you're an administrator at a small college without a police department, you're likely to have a large role in addressing situations if they arise on your campus. When cyberthreats were made against schools in the region of Montana where Flathead Valley Community College is located, President Jane Karas collaborated with police agencies and school officials throughout the area to determine the best course of action.
Support faculty at all stages through professional development
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2018

When Janel M. Curry, Ph.D., was first asked to consider administrative jobs, she resisted. When she presented a list of reasons to her provost for why she couldn't become a dean, he said, “I think I can solve all those problems.”
Metabolism and elimination of the catechol‐o‐methyltransferase inhibitor tolcapone in the horse
Authors: Stanley Shawn , Van den Berg Koos , Foo Hsiao Ching , Deng Derek
Published: October 2018

The metabolism of the masking agent tolcapone in the horse has been investigated. This substance was found to have undergone various chemical transformations that produced a large variety of phase I metabolites, as well as glucuronide and sulfate conjugation. Confirmation of the presence of tolcapone and the 3‐O‐methylated metabolite in the blood samples collected up to 240 minutes and in urine obtained up to 24 hours, was successfully conducted using both gas chromatography– and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The 3‐O‐methyl tolcapone is the better marker to use in a screening method because, in comparison to tolcapone, we have found that this substance offers superior chromatographic performance that should potentially give a lower limit of detection.
Salinity pulses interact with seasonal dry‐down to increase ecosystem carbon loss in marshes of the Florida Everglades
Authors: Wilson Benjamin J. , Servais Shelby , Mazzei Viviana , Kominoski John S. , Hu Minjie , Davis Stephen E. , Gaiser Evelyn , Sklar Fred , Bauman Laura , Kelly Stephen , Madden Christopher , Richards Jennifer , Rudnick David , Stachelek Jemma , Troxler Tiffany G.
Published: October 2018

Coastal wetlands are globally important sinks of organic carbon (C). However, to what extent wetland C cycling will be affected by accelerated sea‐level rise (SLR) and saltwater intrusion is unknown, especially in coastal peat marshes where water flow is highly managed. Our objective was to determine how the ecosystem C balance in coastal peat marshes is influenced by elevated salinity. For two years, we made monthly in situ manipulations of elevated salinity in freshwater (FW) and brackish water (BW) sites within Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Salinity pulses interacted with marsh‐specific variability in seasonal hydroperiods whereby effects of elevated pulsed salinity on gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) were dependent on marsh inundation level. We found little effect of elevated salinity on C cycling when both marsh sites were inundated, but when water levels receded below the soil surface, the BW marsh shifted from a C sink to a C source. During these exposed periods, we observed an approximately threefold increase in CO2 efflux from the marsh as a result of elevated salinity. Initially, elevated salinity pulses did not affect Cladium jamaicense biomass, but aboveground biomass began to be significantly decreased in the saltwater amended plots after two years of exposure at the BW site. We found a 65% (FW) and 72% (BW) reduction in live root biomass in the soil after two years of exposure to elevated salinity pulses. Regardless of salinity treatment, the FW site was C neutral while the BW site was a strong C source (−334 to −454 g C·m−2·yr−1), particularly during dry‐down events. A loss of live roots coupled with annual net CO2 losses as marshes transition from FW to BW likely contributes to the collapse of peat soils observed in the coastal Everglades. As SLR increases the rate of saltwater intrusion into coastal wetlands globally, understanding how water management influences C gains and losses from these systems is crucial. Under current Everglades’ water management, drought lengthens marsh dry‐down periods, which, coupled with saltwater intrusion, accelerates CO2 loss from the marsh.
Loss of foundation species: disturbance frequency outweighs severity in structuring kelp forest communities
Authors: Castorani Max C. N. , Reed Daniel C. , Miller Robert J.
Published: October 2018

Disturbances often cause the disproportionate loss of foundation species but understanding how the frequency and severity of disturbance to such organisms influence biological communities remains unresolved. This gap in knowledge exists in part because of the rarity of ecologically meaningful studies capable of disentangling different elements of disturbance. Hence, we carried out a long‐term (9 yr), large‐scale (2,000 m2plots), spatially replicated (4 sites) field experiment in which we manipulated disturbance to a globally distributed marine foundation species, the giant kelpMacrocystis pyrifera, and tracked community responses over time. To distinguish the effects of disturbance frequency and severity on the biodiversity and composition of temperate rocky reef communities, we simulated the repeated loss of giant kelp from destructive winter waves across a background of natural variation in disturbance. By following the response of over 200 taxa from the surrounding community, we discovered that the frequency of disturbance to giant kelp changed the biomass, diversity, and composition of community guilds in a manner commensurate with their dependence on the physical (i.e., benthic light and space), trophic (i.e., living and detrital biomass), and habitat (i.e., biogenic structure) resources mediated by this foundation species. Annual winter disturbance to giant kelp reduced living and detrital giant kelp biomass by 57% and 40%, respectively, enhanced bottom light by 22%, and halved the seafloor area covered by giant kelp holdfasts. Concomitantly, the biomass of understory algae and epilithic sessile invertebrates more than doubled, while the biomass of rock‐boring clams, mobile invertebrates, and fishes decreased 30–61%. Frequent loss of giant kelp boosted understory algal richness by 82% and lowered sessile invertebrate richness by 13% but did not affect the biodiversity of mobile fauna. In contrast to changes driven by disturbance frequency, interannual variation in the severity of disturbance to giant kelp had weaker, less consistent effects, causing only modest changes in assemblages of sessile invertebrates, mobile invertebrate herbivores, and fishes. Our results broaden the foundation species concept by demonstrating that repeated disturbance to a dominant habitat‐forming species can outweigh the influence of less frequent but severe disturbances for the surrounding community.
Development of 3D printed mesofluidic devices to elute and concentrate DNA
Authors: Masters Cody , Dolphin Jocelyn , Maschmann April , McGill Keegan , Moore Matthew , Thompson Drew , Kounovsky‐Shafer Kristy L.
Published: October 2018

To understand structural variation for personal genomics, an extensive ensemble of large DNA molecules will be required to span large structural variations. Nanocoding, a whole‐genome analysis platform, can analyze large DNA molecules for the construction of physical restriction maps of entire genomes. However, handling of large DNA is difficult and a system is needed to concentrate large DNA molecules, while keeping the molecules intact. Insert technology was developed to protect large DNA molecules during routine cell lysis and molecular biology techniques. However, eluting and concentrating DNA molecules has been difficult in the past. Utilizing 3D printed mesofluidic device, a proof of principle system was developed to elute and concentrate lambda DNA molecules at the interface between a solution and a poly‐acrylamide roadblock. The matrix allowed buffer solution to move through the pores in the matrix; however, it slowed down the progression of DNA in the matrix, since the molecules were so large and the pore size was small. Using fluorescence intensity of the insert, 84% of DNA was eluted from the insert and 45% of DNA was recovered in solution from the eluted DNA. DNA recovered was digested with a restriction enzyme to determine that the DNA molecules remained full length during the elution and concentration of DNA.
Developmental origins of depression‐related white matter properties: Findings from a prenatal birth cohort
Authors: Marečková Klára , Klasnja Anja , Andrýsková Lenka , Brázdil Milan , Paus Tomáš
Published: October 2018

Depression is the leading cause of years lost due to disability worldwide. Still, the mechanisms underlying its development are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate white‐matter properties associated with depressive symptomatology in young adulthood and their developmental origins. Diffusion tensor imaging and assessment of depressive symptomatology were conducted in 128 young adults (47% male, age 23–24) from a prenatal birth cohort (European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood). For a subset of these individuals, the database included information on prenatal stress (n = 93) and depressive symptoms during adolescence (assessed repeatedly at age 15 and 19). Depressive symptoms in young adulthood were associated with lower fractional anisotropy in the left and right cingulum and higher fractional anisotropy in the right corticospinal tract and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Further analyses revealed that prenatal stress and depressive symptomatology during adolescence were independent predictors of altered white‐matter properties in the cingulum in young adulthood. We conclude that typically developing young adults with more depressive symptoms already exhibit tract‐specific alterations in white‐matter properties and that prenatal stress and depressive symptomatology during adolescence might contribute to their development.
Social facilitation effect in search and decision‐making components of visual inspection
Authors: Liu Na , Yu Ruifeng
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to examine the effect of social presence on the performance of the search and decision‐making components of visual inspection. A within‐subject design experiment was conducted. Participants performed easy and difficult search and decision‐making tasks in alone and audience‐present conditions with search time, decision time, decision accuracy rates, and subjective arousal level in both components measured. Results indicated that the presence of an audience shortened (lengthened) the response time in easy (difficult) search and decision‐making components but did not influence decision accuracy rates. The social facilitation intensity in the search component was stronger than that in the decision‐making component. For both components, the performance impairment in difficult tasks was stronger than the performance improvement in easy tasks, and arousal was greater in the audience‐present condition than when working alone. The findings helped clarify the influential mechanisms of the social facilitation effect in visual inspection tasks.
Does one model fit all in global equity markets? Some insight into market factor based strategies in enhancing alpha
Authors: Mohanty Subhransu S.
Published: October 2018

The sources of risk in a marketplace are systematic, cross‐sectional, and time varying in nature. Though the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) provides an excellent risk–return framework and the market beta may reflect the risk associated with risky assets, there are opportunities for investors to take advantage of dimensional and time‐varying return anomalies in order to improve their investment returns. In this paper, we restrict our analysis to return variations linked to market factor anomalies or factor or dimensional beta using the Fama–French three‐factor; Carhart four‐factor; Fama‐French five‐factor; and Asness, Frazzini, and Pederson (AFP)'s five‐ and six‐factor models. We find significant variations in explaining sources of risk across 22 developed and 21 emerging markets with data over a long period from 1991 to 2016. Each market is unique in terms of factor risk characteristics, and market risk as explained by the CAPM is not the true risk measure. Hence, contrary to the risk–return efficiency framework, we find that lower market risk results in higher excess return in 19 out of the 22 developed markets, which is a major anomaly. However, although in majority of the markets, the AFP models result in reducing market risk (15 countries) and enhancing alpha (11 countries), it is also very interesting to note that the CAPM is second only in generating excess returns in the developed markets. We are conscious of the fact, however, that each market is unique in its composition and trend even over a long time horizon, and hence, a generalized approach in asset allocation cannot be adopted across all the markets.
Alarm index for institutional bank runs
Authors: Wosnitza Jan Henrik
Published: October 2018

Since the insolvency of Lehman Brothers brought the global financial system to the brink of collapse in 2008, there is again a strong interest in properly understanding liquidity risks and the triggers of liquidity crises. Econophysicists recently developed an alarm index for institutional bank runs (IBRs) based on the log‐periodic power law. The key innovation of this alarm index is that it shall measure the speculative interactions among professional creditors that can culminate in IBRs. The paper at hand extends this line of research, in particular, by applying new critical parameter ranges that were recently derived directly from credit default swap (CDS) spreads of defaulted banks. The better performance of the revised alarm index in comparison with the originally proposed alarm index underpins the hypothesis that the CDS market belongs to a different universality class than, for example, the stock market. Furthermore, the refined index outperforms a modification of the bank run probability index that was previously proposed in the financial literature. This result further confirms the hypothesis that—under certain circumstances—financial markets are driven by investors whose investment decisions critically depend on the actions of other investors.
“Referendum on Sunday, working group on Monday”: A success story of implementing abortion services after legalization in Portugal
Authors: Stifani Bianca M. , Vilar Duarte , Vicente Lisa
Published: October 2018

A 2007 referendum legalized abortion in Portugal. Physicians played an important role advocating for legal reform and providing services thereafter. Implementers relied on a strong public health system with many gynecologists who required minimal training, and took decisions that allowed for rapid implementation. First, they emphasized medical abortion and integrated abortion into existing hospital obstetrics and gynecologic services, where eventual complications could be managed. They also offered immediate postabortion contraception, helping prevent criticism from abortion opponents who feared women would obtain multiple repeat abortions. Finally, they established referral networks guaranteeing access despite conscientious objection. Media campaigns were not needed as Portuguese women had good access to information. Portugal's success is largely due to key facilitators within a working group established by the Ministry of Health to implement the new law. Remaining challenges are the lack of choice between medical and surgical abortion, and some regions with relatively difficult geographic access to services.
Safe abortion in South Africa: “We have wonderful laws but we don't have people to implement those laws”
Authors: Favier Mary , Greenberg Jamie M.S. , Stevens Marion
Published: October 2018

In South Africa, abortion was legalized in 1996, during the nation's transition from apartheid to independence and democracy, under the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOPA). The law drew from both a public health and rights‐based framework. A coalition of advocates played a key role in passage. In the years after the CTOPA was passed, abortion services were expanded—in part through a 2008 amendment that allowed trained registered nurses to provide abortions—and deaths from unsafe abortions decreased. However, there have been hurdles to implementation, including competing health priorities such as HIV/AIDS, and a high number of conscientious objectors. There is a geographic disparity in accessibility of abortion services between provinces as well as between urban and rural areas. Women seeking legal abortions face a lack of accessible information on where to obtain an abortion, often experience stigma at facilities, and many obtain illegal procedures.
VEGF gene polymorphism interactions with dietary trace elements intake in determining the risk of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Hoseini Zohreh , Azimi‐Nezhad Mohsen , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Avan Amir , Eslami Saeed , Nematy Mohsen , Mirhafez Seyed Reza , Ghazavi Hamed , Ferns Gordon A. , Safarian Mohammad
Published: October 2018

There is a complex association among genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors in determining the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the association between the dietary intake of iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine (assessed by 24 recall) with vascular endothelial growth factor variants (rs6921438, rs4416670, rs6993770, and rs10738760), on the risk of MetS. Two‐hundred and forty‐eight individuals with MetS and 100 individuals without MetS were recruited. The dietary intake and the daily average of energy and nutrient intake were obtained by a questionnaire and quantified using Diet Plan 6 software. DNA was extracted from EDTA anticoagulated whole blood. The SNPs were assessed using using a Sequenom iPLEX Gold assay. Data analysis was undertaken using the Student t test, χ2 test and logistic regression using SPSS 11.5 software. There was a significant association between low dietary iron intake and rs6993770 (β = .10, P < .05), and a low dietary zinc and a high manganese intake with rs6921438 in relation to the presence of MetS (β = −.17, P < .05, β = −.30, P < .05, respectively). Our data showed the association of rs6993770 with iron intake and rs6921438 with zinc and manganese intake, indicating further investigation in a larger population to evaluate their values.
Hydrogen treatment reduces tendon adhesion and inflammatory response
Authors: Meng Jia , Yu Pan , Tong Jian , Sun Wenshuang , Jiang Hui , Wang Yicun , Xue Kaiwen , Xie Farong , Qian Hong , Liu Naicheng , Zhao Jianning , Bao Nirong
Published: October 2018

A rat model of tendon repair was established to investigate the effects of hydrogen water on tendon adhesion reduction. Thirty‐six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal saline (NS) group and a hydrogen water (HS) group according to the processing reagents after a tendon repairing operation. Pre‐ and postoperative superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in subjects’ serum were observed. Skin fibroblasts were grouped into an NS group, H2O2 group, H2 group, and H2O2 H2 group. Expressions of Nrf2, CATA, and γ‐GCS were also tested by Western blot analysis. 8‐OHdG, GSH, MDA, and SOD of the cells were analyzed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. The postoperative SOD activity and GSH contents were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas the postoperative MDA level was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Similarly, the postoperative HS group showed significantly higher SOD activity and GSH contents (P < 0.05) but lower MDA (P < 0.05) compared with the postoperative NS group. MDA and 8‐OHdG were significantly decreased in hydrogen‐rich medium, while SOD and GSH were increased. The expression of Nrf2, CATA, and γ‐GCS in antioxidant system were reduced after H2O2 processing, which were restored after the application of hydrogen‐rich medium. Hydrogen water can reduce tendon adhesion after tendon repairing and prohibit excessive inflammatory response, which could be associated with the activation of the Nrf2 pathway.
Tumor suppressor miR‐139‐5p targets Tspan3 and regulates the progression of acute myeloid leukemia through the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Zhang Ronghui , Tang Ping , Wang Fang , Xing Ying , Jiang Zhongxing , Chen Shaoqian , Meng Xiaoli , Liu Linxiang , Cao Weijie , Zhao Huayan , Ma Ping , Chen Yanli , An Chao , Sun Ling
Published: October 2018

Dysregulation of microRNAs is closely implicated in the initiation and progression of human cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Though miR‐139‐5p was reported to be a potent tumor suppressor in adult AML, its underlying molecular mechanism in AML remains to be further defined. Herein, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expressions of miR‐139‐5p and tetraspanin3 (Tspan3) in AML patients and cells. Luciferase reporter assay, qRT‐PCR, and Western blot analysis were carried out to detect the interaction between miR‐139‐5p and Tspan3. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, invasion, and migration were evaluated by cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry, transwell invasion, and migration assays, respectively. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine phosphorylated‐protein kinase B (Akt) and Akt levels. We found that a significant reduction in miR‐139‐5p expression and a prominent increase in Tspan3 expression were observed in AML patients and cells. Tspan3 was confirmed as a direct target of miR‐139‐5p and was negatively modulated by miR‐139‐5p. Rescue experiments showed that overexpression of miR‐139‐5p constrained cell proliferation, invasion and migration capabilities, and induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase in AML cells, which were partially reversed by Tspan3 overexpression. In addition, we found that miR‐139‐5p suppressed the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in AML cells by targeting Tspan3. In conclusion, our study concluded that miR‐139‐5p suppressed the leukemogenesis in AML cells by targeting Tspan3 through inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, providing a better understanding of AML progression.
In‐silico identification of small molecules targeting H‐Ras and in‐vitro cytotoxicity with caspase‐mediated apoptosis in carcinoma cells
Authors: Damani Shah Hetal , Saranath Dhananjaya , Das Soma , Kharkar Prashant , Karande Anjali
Published: October 2018

H‐Ras oncogene plays a critical role in the transformation of normal cells to a malignant phenotype through constitutive activation of the GTP bound protein leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation in several human cancers. Thus, H‐Ras oncoprotein serves as an excellent target for anticancer drug discovery. To identify novel H‐Ras inhibitors, we performed structure‐based virtual screening of the Maybridge HitFinder™ library using Schrodinger suite. Thirty ligands from the chemical library were identified as they showed preferential in silico binding initially to H‐Ras proteins with Gly12Val, Gly13Asp, and Gly12Val‐Gly13Asp mutations. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profile confirmed drug‐like properties of the compounds. Three representative molecules were tested for antiproliferative effect on T24 urinary bladder carcinoma cell line, MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line and HDF‐7 normal dermal fibroblast cells using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Two compounds (Cmpds) showed antiproliferative activity exclusively in the cancer cell lines with minimal effect on the control HDF‐7 cells. The effect of compound treatment on cell cycle progression, assessed by propidium iodide (PI) staining, depicted increased arrest of T24 cell line in the sub G1 phase. Further, Annexin‐V PI dual staining and pan caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐fmk indicated caspase‐dependent apoptotic activity of Cmpds 1 and 3. Our findings demonstrate caspase‐dependent apoptotic activity of Cmpds 1 and 3 selectively against Gly12Val mutated T24 cancer cell line implicating a potential for treatment of bladder cancer. We envisage that these molecules may be promising candidates with potential therapeutic value in H‐Ras mutation‐associated cancers.
Decomposable super‐simple NRBIBDs with block size 4 and index 6
Authors: Yu Huangsheng , Sun Xianwei , Wu Dianhua , Abel R. Julian R.
Published: October 2018

Necessary conditions for the existence of a super‐simple, decomposable, near‐resolvable ‐balanced incomplete block design (BIBD) whose 2‐component subdesigns are both near‐resolvable ‐BIBDs are (mod ) and . In this paper, we show that these necessary conditions are sufficient. Using these designs, we also establish that the necessary conditions for the existence of a super‐simple near‐resolvable ‐RBIBD, namely (mod ) and , are sufficient. A few new pairwise balanced designs are also given.
The chemokine system and its role in obesity
Authors: Xue Wenhua , Fan Zhirui , Li Lifeng , Lu Jingli , Zhai Yunkai , Zhao Jie
Published: October 2018

The chemokine system is a complex arrangement of molecules that attract leukocytes to the site of injury or inflammation. This chemotactic behavior gives the system the name “Chemokine.” The intricate and redundant nature of the chemokine system has made it a subject of ongoing scientific investigation. Obesity is characterized as low‐grade systemic or chronic inflammation that is responsible for the release of cytokines, adipokines, and chemokines. Excessive tissue fat expansion triggers the release of chemokines, which in turn attract various leukocytes and activate the resident immune surveillance system, eventually leading to worsening of obesity and other related comorbidities. To date, 50 chemokines and 20 chemokine receptors that belong to the G‐protein‐coupled receptor family have been discovered, and over the past two decades, the physiological and pathological roles of many of these chemokines and their receptors have been elucidated. The objective of this review is to present an update on the link between chemokines and obesity under the light of recent knowledge.
Proinflammatory macrophages promote degenerative phenotypes in rat nucleus pulpous cells partly through ERK and JNK signaling
Authors: Ni Li , Zheng Yixin , Gong Tingting , Xiu Chunmei , Li Kun , Saijilafu  , Li Bin , Yang Huilin , Chen Jianquan
Published: October 2018

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the major contributor to low back pain, a highly prevalent musculoskeletal problem that represents the leading cause of disability. Proinflammatory M1 macrophages were identified in degenerated IVDs. However, their role in the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration and the underlying mechanism was largely unknown. In this study, we explored the combined effects of molecules secreted by M1 macrophages on nucleus pulposus cells, by treating rat nucleus pulposus cells (rNP) with the conditioned medium collected from M1‐polarized RAW264.7 cells (MФCM). We found that MФCM caused molecular changes associated with IVD degeneration, including increased expression of key matrix catabolic genes (Adamts4,
Adamts5,
Mmp3, and
Mmp13), reduced the expression of major matrix‐associated anabolic genes (
Sox9,
Acan, and
Col2a1), and upregulated transcription of inflammation‐related genes (
IL‐1b,
IL‐6,
Ccl2, and
Ccl3), in rNP cells. Moreover, we found that MФCM activated both ERK and JNK pathways in these cells, and that inhibition of JNK pathway attenuated MФCM‐induced expression of both catabolic and inflammatory genes, whereas ERK inhibition only suppressed induction of catabolic, but not inflammatory genes. Together, our data demonstrated that proinflammatory macrophages promoted the degenerative phenotypes in rNP cells in part through ERK and JNK signaling, and suggested that inhibition of these pathways may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of IVD degeneration.
PROSTAGLANDIN E2 stimulates cancer‐related phenotypes in prostate cancer PC3 cells through cyclooxygenase‐2
Authors: Madrigal‐Martínez Antonio , Constâncio Vera , Lucio‐Cazaña Francisco J. , Fernández‐Martínez Ana B.
Published: October 2018

Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) affects many mechanisms that have been shown to play roles in carcinogenesis. Recently, we found that, in androgen‐independent prostate cancer PC3 cells, PGE2 acts through an intracrine mechanism by which its uptake by the prostaglandin transporter (PGT) results in increased intracellular PGE2 (iPGE2), leading to enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and loss of cell adhesion to collagen I. These iPGE2‐mediated effects were dependent on hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐α (HIF‐1α), whose expression increased upon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation by a subset of intracellular PGE2 receptors. Here, we aimed to study the role of COX in PGE2 protumoral effects in PC3 cells and found that the effects were prevented by inhibition of COX‐2, which highlights its crucial role amplifying the levels of iPGE2. Treatment with exogenous PGE2 determined a transcriptional increase in COX‐2 expression, which was abolished by genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of PGT. PGE2‐induced increase in COX‐2 expression and, thereby, in transcriptional increase in HIF‐1α expression was due to EGFR activation, leading to the activation of Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/Akt, Extracellular signal ‐regulated kinases 1/2, p38 and Mitogen‐ and stress‐activated protein kinase‐1 (PI3K/Akt, Erk1/2, p38 and MSK‐1). Collectively, the data suggest that EGFR‐dependent COX‐2 upregulation by a novel positive feedback loop triggered by iPGE2 underlies the intracrine pro‐tumoral effects of PGE2 in PC3 cells. Therefore, this feedback loop may be relevant in prostate cancer for the maintenance of PGE2‐dependent cancer cell growth through amplifying the activity of the COX‐2 pathway.
A comparative, randomized, prospective, two‐center clinical study to evaluate the clinical and esthetic outcomes of two different bone grafting techniques in early implant placement
Authors: Mau Jimmy LianPing , Grodin Evan , Lin Jung‐Jen , Chen Mark Chun‐Jung , Ho Chung‐Han , Cochran David
Published: October 2018

Background

Early implant placement combined with simultaneous contour augmentation was able to rebuild stable facial hard‐tissue and soft‐tissue contours that were esthetically pleasing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical esthetic outcome, when two different bone grafting materials were used.

Methods

Forty‐eight patients were randomly assigned into two groups. In the control group, autogenous bone was used to cover the exposed implant surface then a layer of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) was added. This graft combination was then combined with a collagen membrane. In the test group, the exposed implant surface was covered with a layer of freeze‐dried bone allograft (FDBA) in combination with the collagen membrane. Modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD), keratinized mucosa (KM), implant crown length (IC), distance from the implant shoulder radiographic bone‐to‐implant contact (DIB), pink esthetic score (PES), and white esthetic score (WES) were measured at 12‐months post implant loading.

Results

All 48 implants were clinically successful, and no significant differences were observed in mPI, mSBI, PD, KM, IC, DIB, PES, and WES at 1‐year implant loading. The mean mucosal recessions of test and control group were unchanged, 0 and –0.02 mm, respectively. The mean DIB were –0.32 and –0.21 mm in test and control implants, respectively. The mean totals of PES/WES were 15.29 and 15.33 for the test and control groups, respectively, with no significant difference between groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that autogenous bone plus DBBM and FDBA each combined with a collagen membrane both resulted in stable clinical and esthetic outcomes in early implant placement with contour augmentation after 1 year.
Association between periodontitis and spontaneous abortion: A case‐control study
Authors: Chanomethaporn Anchana , Chayasadom Anek , Wara‐aswapati Nawarat , Kongwattanakul Kiattisak , Suwannarong Waraporn , Tangwanichgapong Kamonchanok , Sumanonta Gunniga , Matangkasombut Oranart , Dasanayake Ananda P. , Pitiphat Waranuch
Published: October 2018

Background

Spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is a complication of pregnancy which can severely affect women both physically and psychologically. We investigated the associations of periodontitis and periodontopathic bacteria with spontaneous abortion.

Methods

We conducted a matched case‐control study in two tertiary hospitals in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Cases were 85 women with spontaneous abortion at <20 weeks of gestation matched to 85 controls on age, gestational age, and hospital. Full‐mouth periodontal examinations were performed. Periodontitis was defined as at least one site with probing depth ≥5 mm and clinical attachment level ≥2 mm at the same site. Subgingival plaque samples were collected to determine the levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum using real time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The cases were significantly more likely to have periodontitis (50.6%) than the controls (21.2%; P = 0.007). Conditional logistic regression revealed a crude odds ratio (OR) of 4.1 for the association between periodontitis and spontaneous abortion (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9–8.9, P = 0.001). The OR decreased, but was still significant, after controlling for previous miscarriage (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4–7.8, P = 0.006). There was no significant association between the levels of periodontopathic bacteria and spontaneous abortion. Increased levels of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were associated with periodontitis in both case and control groups. Association between increased T. forsythia levels and periodontitis was observed only in the case women.

Conclusions

Periodontitis was more common in women with spontaneous abortions as compared with matched controls. Levels of periodontopathic bacteria was not associated with spontaneous abortion in this population.