bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Cigarette Smoking Cessation in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Results from the 2015 National Adult Tobacco Survey
Authors: Bui Thanh Cong , Xangsayarath Phonepadith , Douangvichith Daovieng , Siengsounthone Latsamy , Phandouangsy Khatthanaphone , Tran Ly Thi-Hai , Businelle Michael S.
Published: July 2020

Cigarette smoking represents a major public health problem in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aims to examine factors associated with cigarette smoking cessation attempts and intention to quit. Data were from the Lao National Adult Tobacco Survey that consisted of 7562 participants ≥15 years old. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations, adjusted for sex, age groups, education level, income per day, and smoking frequency. Results show that past quit attempts were associated with visiting a healthcare provider in the past year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.74, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.28–2.35), home smoking bans (AOR: 5.52, 95% CI: 2.13–14.33), noticing media-based messages informing the dangers of smoking or encouraging quitting (AOR: 3.25, 95% CI: 2.28–4.63), noticing health warnings on cigarette packages in the past 30 days (AOR: 3.33, 95% CI: 2.21–5.03), and believing that smoking is seriously harmful to their health (AOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.24–9.57). The Lao PDR government should continue implementing tobacco control policies that demonstrated associations with cessation attempts or intention to quit, such as smoke-free environments and required health warnings on cigarette packages. Tobacco cessation treatment programs are pressingly needed in Lao PDR.
Male Nursing Practitioners and Nursing Educators: The Relationship between Childhood Experience, Social Stigma, and Social Bias
Authors: Dos Santos Luis Miguel
Published: July 2020

The population of nurses and nursing educators is facing significant human resource shortages. One of the pathways to combat this shortage is to recruit male individuals. However, due to social bias and social stigma, the social context may prevent male individuals from joining. There are two purposes of this study. First, this study aims to explore how the childhood experiences of these male nursing practitioners and nursing educators influence their educational decision. Second, from the perspectives of male nursing practitioners and nursing educators, the study aims to explore how the participants describe the relationships between their childhood experiences and lived stories. Based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the researcher collected data from 10 experienced male nursing practitioners and nursing educators in the United States. The general inductive approach was employed to categorize the themes. The results indicated that early life experiences, positive working experiences, and sense of belonging in the field of nursing always allowed the participants to overcome the social bias and stigma regarding the occupational bias of the nursing profession. The outcomes of this study provide clear recommendations to educators, policymakers, school leaders, and human resource planners to encourage gender social justice and improve their current curriculum for potential nursing professionals.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Risk Factors of Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Anwer Shahnawaz , Alghadir Ahmad
Published: July 2020

The current systematic review aimed to investigate the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors causing hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) after stroke. Two independent authors screened titles and abstracts for the eligibility of the included studies in the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science. Studies which reported the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors of HSP following stroke were included. The included studies were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for evaluating the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses. Eighteen studies were included in the final synthesis. In all studies, the number of patients ranged between 58 and 608, with the mean age ranging from 58.7 to 76 years. Seven included studies were rated as “good “quality, while one study rated “fair” and 10 studies rated “poor” quality. Eight studies reported incidence rate while 11 studies reported the prevalence of HSP following a stroke. The incidence of HSP was ranging from 10 to 22% in the metanalysis of the included studies. The prevalence of HSP was ranging from 22 to 47% in the metanalysis of the included studies. The most significant predictors of HSP were age, female gender, increased tone, sensory impairment, left-sided hemiparesis, hemorrhagic stroke, hemispatial neglect, positive past medical history, and poor National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. The incidence and prevalence of HSP after stroke vary considerably due to various factors. Knowledge of predictors is important to minimize the risk of developing HSP following a stroke.
Optimization of Vehicle Routing for Waste Collection and Transportation
Authors: Wu Hailin , Tao Fengming , Yang Bo
Published: July 2020

For the sake of solving the optimization problem of urban waste collection and transportation in China, a priority considered green vehicle routing problem (PCGVRP) model in a waste management system is constructed in this paper, and specific algorithms are designed to solve the model. We pay particular concern to the possibility of immediate waste collection services for high-priority waste bins, e.g., those containing hospital or medical waste, because the harmful waste needs to be collected immediately. Otherwise, these may cause dangerous or negative effects. From the perspective of environmental protection, the proposed PCGVRP model considers both greenhouse gas (GHG) emission costs and conventional waste management costs. Waste filling level (WFL) is considered with the deployment of sensors on waste bins to realize dynamic routes instead of fixed routes, so that the economy and efficiency of waste collection and transportation can be improved. The optimal solution is obtained by a local search hybrid algorithm (LSHA), that is, the initial optimal solution is obtained by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and then a local search is performed on the initial optimal solution, which will be optimized by a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm by virtue of the global search capability. Several instances are selected from the database of capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) so as to test and verify the effectiveness of the proposed LSHA algorithm. In addition, to obtain credible results and conclusions, a case using data about waste collection and transportation is employed to verify the PCGVRP model, and the effectiveness and practicability of the model was tested by setting a series of values of bins’ number with high priority and WFLs. The results show that (1) the proposed model can achieve a 42.3% reduction of negative effect compared with the traditional one; (2) a certain value of WFL between 60% and 80% can realize high efficiency of the waste collection and transportation; and (3) the best specific value of WFL is determined by the number of waste bins with high priority. Finally, some constructive propositions are put forward for the Environmental Protection Administration and waste management institutions based on these conclusions.
Modeling the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Outbreak in Sicily, Italy
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina , Battiato Sebastiano , Agodi Antonella
Published: July 2020

Italy was the first country in Europe which imposed control measures of travel restrictions, quarantine and contact precautions to tackle the epidemic spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in all its regions. While such efforts are still ongoing, uncertainties regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and ascertainment of cases make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of restrictions. Here, we employed a Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered-Dead (SEIRD) model to assess SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, working on the number of reported patients in intensive care unit (ICU) and deaths in Sicily (Italy), from 24 February to 13 April. Overall, we obtained a good fit between estimated and reported data, with a fraction of unreported SARS-CoV-2 cases (18.4%; 95%CI = 0–34.0%) before 10 March lockdown. Interestingly, we estimated that transmission rate in the community was reduced by 32% (95%CI = 23–42%) after the first set of restrictions, and by 80% (95%CI = 70–89%) after those adopted on 23 March. Thus, our estimates delineated the characteristics of SARS-CoV2 epidemic before restrictions taking into account unreported data. Moreover, our findings suggested that transmission rates were reduced after the adoption of control measures. However, we cannot evaluate whether part of this reduction might be attributable to other unmeasured factors, and hence further research and more accurate data are needed to understand the extent to which restrictions contributed to the epidemic control.
Earthquake Risk Assessment for Tehran, Iran
Authors: Kamranzad Farnaz , Memarian Hossein , Zare Mehdi
Published: July 2020

The megacity of Tehran, the capital of Iran, is subjected to a high earthquake risk. Located at the central part of the Alpine–Himalayan seismic belt, Tehran is surrounded by several active faults that show some M7+ historical earthquake records. The high seismic hazard in combination with a dense population distribution and several vulnerability factors mean Tehran is one of the top 20 worldwide megacities at a high earthquake risk. This article aims to prepare an assessment of the present-day earthquake risk in Tehran. First, the earthquake risk components including hazard, exposure, and vulnerability are evaluated based on some accessible GIS-based datasets (e.g., seismicity, geology, active faults, population distribution, land use, urban fabric, buildings’ height and occupancy, structure types, and ages, as well as the vicinity to some critical infrastructures). Then, earthquake hazard maps in terms of PGA are prepared using a probabilistic approach as well as a surface rupture width map. Exposure and vulnerability maps are also provided deterministically in terms of population density and hybrid physical vulnerability, respectively. Finally, all these components are combined in a spatial framework and an earthquake risk map is provided for Tehran.
Using Social Networks to Analyze the Spatiotemporal Patterns of the Rolling Stock Manufacturing Industry for Countries in the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Wang Yuanhui , Song Changqing , Sigley Gary , Chen Xiaoqiang , Yuan Lihua
Published: July 2020

The new wave of modern rail transit and the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have complicated the business patterns of the rolling stock manufacturing industry (RSMI) and the export of rolling stock products, especially in the case of countries participating in the BRI. Based on the analysis of trade patterns—which focuses on the evolution of trade links, community structures, and intraregional export competitiveness—this study aims to explore the changes in the RSMI within the BRI region from 2003 to 2017. Sequential clustering was applied to the creation of a three-phase timeline. The network models of the cumulative trade of the rolling stock products and trades of two typical categories of products were constructed in each phase for the evolution analysis. Social network analysis methods, such as the analysis of network indices and community detection, were also applied. The results show that from 2003 to 2017, the connectivity of the rolling stock trade in this region significantly increased. China was the largest exporter, with increasing trade influence and technological strength. Ukraine and Russia were less competitive and highly mutually dependent. Czechia and Austria’s competitiveness remained prominent, but compared with China they lacked expansive vitality. South Korea was also an active and competitive country with strong technological prowess. These countries accounted for the majority of the exports, and were always at the center of their own separate communities, over which they maintained a sphere of influence. The grouping of countries far from any such spheres of influence changed frequently.
Cancer Associated Endogenous Retroviruses: Ideal Immune Targets for Adenovirus-Based Immunotherapy
Authors: Vergara Bermejo Amaia , Ragonnaud Emeline , Daradoumis Joana , Holst Peter
Published: July 2020

Cancer is a major challenge in our societies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 1/6 deaths were cancer related in 2018 and it is considered the second leading cause of death globally. Immunotherapies have changed the paradigm of oncologic treatment for several cancers where the field had fallen short in providing competent therapies. Despite the improvement, broadly acting and highly effective therapies capable of eliminating or preventing human cancers with insufficient mutated antigens are still missing. Adenoviral vector-based vaccines are a successful tool in the treatment of various diseases including cancer; however, their success has been limited. In this review we discuss the potential of adenovirus as therapeutic tools and the current developments to use them against cancer. More specifically, we examine how to use them to target endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). ERVs, comprising 8% of the human genome, have been detected in several cancers, while they remain silent in healthy tissues. Their low immunogenicity together with their immunosuppressive capacity aid cancer to escape immunosurveillance. In that regard, virus-like-vaccine (VLV) technology, combining adenoviral vectors and virus-like-particles (VLPs), can be ideal to target ERVs and elicit B-cell responses, as well as CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells responses.
Phosphorylation of the Chaperone-Like HspB5 Rescues Trafficking and Function of F508del-CFTR
Authors: Degrugillier Fanny , Aissat Abdel , Prulière-Escabasse Virginie , Bizard Lucie , Simonneau Benjamin , Decrouy Xavier , Jiang Chong , Rotin Daniela , Fanen Pascale , Simon Stéphanie
Published: July 2020

Cystic Fibrosis is a lethal monogenic autosomal recessive disease linked to mutations in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. The most frequent mutation is the deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 of the protein. This F508del-CFTR mutation leads to misfolded protein that is detected by the quality control machinery within the endoplasmic reticulum and targeted for destruction by the proteasome. Modulating quality control proteins as molecular chaperones is a promising strategy for attenuating the degradation and stabilizing the mutant CFTR at the plasma membrane. Among the molecular chaperones, the small heat shock protein HspB1 and HspB4 were shown to promote degradation of F508del-CFTR. Here, we investigated the impact of HspB5 expression and phosphorylation on transport to the plasma membrane, function and stability of F508del-CFTR. We show that a phosphomimetic form of HspB5 increases the transport to the plasma membrane, function and stability of F508del-CFTR. These activities are further enhanced in presence of therapeutic drugs currently used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (VX-770/Ivacaftor, VX-770+VX-809/Orkambi). Overall, this study highlights the beneficial effects of a phosphorylated form of HspB5 on F508del-CFTR rescue and its therapeutic potential in cystic fibrosis.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Improves Energetic Status and Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Human Dilated Myocardium-Derived Primary Mesenchymal Cells
Authors: Miksiunas Rokas , Rucinskas Kestutis , Janusauskas Vilius , Labeit Siegfried , Bironaite Daiva
Published: July 2020

Background. In this study the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on the energetic status and cardiomyogenic differentiation of human healthy and dilated myocardium-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hmMSC) have been investigated. Methods. The hmMSC were isolated from the healthy and dilated post-operation heart biopsies by explant outgrowth method. Cell proliferation, HDAC activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were evaluated. The effect of SAHA on mitochondrial parameters has been investigated also by Seahorse XF analyzer and cardiomyogenic differentiation was confirmed by the expression of transcription factor NK2 Homeobox 5 (Nkx2.5), cardiac troponin T and alpha cardiac actin at gene and protein levels. Results. Dilated myocardium-derived hmMSC had almost 1.5 folds higher HDAC activity compared to the healthy cells and significantly lower mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level. HDAC class I and II inhibitor SAHA improved energetic status of mitochondria in dilated myocardium-isolated hmMSC and increased expression of cardiac specific proteins during 14 days of exposure of cells to SAHA. Conclusions. HDAC inhibitor SAHA can be a promising therapeutic for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dilated hmMSC exposed to SAHA improved energetic status and, subsequently, cardiomyogenic differentiation. Data suggest that human dilated myocardium-derived MSC still have cardio tissue regenerative potential, which might be stimulated by HDAC inhibitors.
Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase Is Constitutively Active in the Adult Mouse Brain and Has Both Stress-Induced and Homeostatic Functions
Authors: Goodwani Sunil , Fernandez Celia , Acton Paul J. , Buggia-Prevot Virginie , McReynolds Morgan L. , Ma Jiacheng , Hu Cheng Hui , Hamby Mary E. , Jiang Yongying , Le Kang , Soth Michael J. , Jones Philip , Ray William J.
Published: July 2020

Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK, Map3k12) is an axonal protein that governs the balance between degeneration and regeneration through its downstream effectors c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated c-jun (p-c-Jun). In peripheral nerves DLK is generally inactive until induced by injury, after which it transmits signals to the nucleus via retrograde transport. Here we report that in contrast to this mode of regulation, in the uninjured adult mouse cerebellum, DLK constitutively drives nuclear p-c-Jun in cerebellar granule neurons, whereas in the forebrain, DLK is similarly expressed and active, but nuclear p-c-Jun is undetectable. When neurodegeneration results from mutant human tau in the rTg4510 mouse model, p-c-Jun then accumulates in neuronal nuclei in a DLK-dependent manner, and the extent of p-c-Jun correlates with markers of synaptic loss and gliosis. This regional difference in DLK-dependent nuclear p-c-Jun accumulation could relate to differing levels of JNK scaffolding proteins, as the cerebellum preferentially expresses JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1), whereas the forebrain contains more JIP-3 and plenty of SH3 (POSH). To characterize the functional differences between constitutive- versus injury-induced DLK signaling, RNA sequencing was performed after DLK inhibition in the cerebellum and in the non-transgenic and rTg4510 forebrain. In all contexts, DLK inhibition reduced a core set of transcripts that are associated with the JNK pathway. Non-transgenic forebrain showed almost no other transcriptional changes in response to DLK inhibition, whereas the rTg4510 forebrain and the cerebellum exhibited distinct differentially expressed gene signatures. In the cerebellum, but not the rTg4510 forebrain, pathway analysis indicated that DLK regulates insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) signaling through the transcriptional induction of IGF1 binding protein-5 (IGFBP5), which was confirmed and found to be functionally relevant by measuring signaling through the IGF1 receptor. Together these data illuminate the complex multi-functional nature of DLK signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) and demonstrate its role in homeostasis as well as tau-mediated neurodegeneration.
Bergenin Reduces Experimental Painful Diabetic Neuropathy by Restoring Redox and Immune Homeostasis in the Nervous System
Authors: Villarreal Cristiane F. , Santos Dourivaldo S. , Lauria Pedro S. S. , Gama Kelly B. , Espírito-Santo Renan F. , Juiz Paulo J. L. , Alves Clayton Q. , David Jorge M. , Soares Milena B. P.
Published: July 2020

Diabetic neuropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes. Symptoms include neuropathic pain and sensory alterations—no effective treatments are currently available. This work characterized the therapeutic effect of bergenin in a mouse (C57/BL6) model of streptozotocin-induced painful diabetic neuropathy. Nociceptive thresholds were assessed by the von Frey test. Cytokines, antioxidant genes, and oxidative stress markers were measured in nervous tissues by ELISA, RT-qPCR, and biochemical analyses. Single (3.125–25 mg/kg) or multiple (25 mg/kg; twice a day for 14 days) treatments with bergenin reduced the behavioral signs of diabetic neuropathy in mice. Bergenin reduced both nitric oxide (NO) production in vitro and malondialdehyde (MDA)/nitrite amounts in vivo. These antioxidant properties can be attributed to the modulation of gene expression by the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and upregulation of glutathione peroxidase and Nrf2 in the nervous system. Bergenin also modulated the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production in neuropathic mice. The long-lasting antinociceptive effect induced by bergenin in neuropathic mice, was associated with a shift of the cytokine balance toward anti-inflammatory predominance and upregulation of antioxidant pathways, favoring the reestablishment of redox and immune homeostasis in the nervous system. These results point to the therapeutic potential of bergenin in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.
Green Synthesized Montmorillonite/Carrageenan/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites for pH-Responsive Release of Protocatechuic Acid and Its Anticancer Activity
Authors: Yew Yen Pin , Shameli Kamyar , Mohamad Shaza Eva , Lee Kar Xin , Teow Sin-Yeang
Published: July 2020

Discovery of a novel anticancer drug delivery agent is important to replace conventional cancer therapies which are often accompanied by undesired side effects. This study demonstrated the synthesis of superparamagnetic magnetite nanocomposites (Fe3O4-NCs) using a green method. Montmorillonite (MMT) was used as matrix support, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and carrageenan (CR) were used as filler and stabilizer, respectively. The combination of these materials resulted in a novel nanocomposite (MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs). A series of characterization experiments was conducted. The purity of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis revealed the uniform and spherical shape of Fe3O4 NPs with an average particle size of 9.3 ± 1.2 nm. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis showed an Ms value of 2.16 emu/g with negligible coercivity which confirmed the superparamagnetic properties. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) was loaded onto the MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs and a drug release study showed that 15% and 92% of PCA was released at pH 7.4 and 4.8, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays showed that both MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs and MMT/CR/Fe3O4-PCA effectively killed HCT116 which is a colorectal cancer cell line. Dose-dependent inhibition was seen and the killing was enhanced two-fold by the PCA-loaded NCs (IC50–0.734 mg/mL) compared to the unloaded NCs (IC50–1.5 mg/mL). This study highlights the potential use of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs as a biologically active pH-responsive drug delivery agent. Further investigations are warranted to delineate the mechanism of cell entry and cancer cell killing as well as to improve the therapeutic potential of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs.
Crop Enhancement of Cucumber Plants under Heat Stress by Shungite Carbon
Authors: Kim Tae Yoon , Ku Hara , Lee Seung-Yop
Published: July 2020

Heat stress negatively impacts plant growth and yield. The effects of carbon materials on plants in response to abiotic stress and antioxidant activity are poorly understood. In this study, we propose a new method for improving heat tolerance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using a natural carbon material, shungite, which can be easily mixed into any soil. We analyzed the phenotype and physiological changes in cucumber plants maintained at 35 °C or 40 °C for 1 week. Our results show that shungite-treated cucumber plants had a healthier phenotype, exhibiting dark green leaves, compared to the plants in the control soil group. Furthermore, in the shungite-treated plants, the monodehydroascorbate content (a marker of oxidative damage) of the leaf was 34% lower than that in the control group. In addition, scavengers against reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were significantly upregulated. These results indicate that the successive pre-treatment of soil with a low-cost natural carbon material can improve the tolerance of cucumber plants to heat stress, as well as improve the corresponding antioxidant activity.
Wavelength-Specific Behavior of the Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis): Evidence for a Blue-Green Chromatic Mechanism
Authors: Stukenberg Niklas , Pietruska Markus , Waldherr Axel , Meyhöfer Rainer
Published: July 2020

The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is a serious pest in horticulture, feeding on leaf tissue and floral resources. Blue and yellow sticky traps are commonly used for monitoring and control in greenhouses. The mechanisms underlying the color preferences are largely unknown. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is a promising approach to increase the attractiveness of visual traps and to study the color choice behavior in insects. The color preferences of F. occidentalis were systematically investigated in a series of choice experiments with several LEDs from the ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectral range. Blue LEDs were most attractive, followed by green, while only a moderate attractiveness of UV was observed. Blue and green were identified as two separate attractive ranges. When light from blue and green LEDs was mixed, the attractiveness decreased compared to its single components. In conclusion, F. occidentalis exhibits two different wavelength specific behaviors towards blue and green. Compelling indications are provided that these behaviors are controlled by two photoreceptors maximally sensitive in the blue and green range with an inhibitory chromatic interaction between both. Since the known UV sensitive photoreceptor could be confirmed, a trichromatic photoreceptor setup is suggested for F. occidentalis. For advanced plant protection strategies, the results offer several opportunities to optimize monitoring or even develop mass trapping devices.
Delving into the Causes and Effects of Entomopathogenic Endophytic Metarhizium brunneum Foliar Application-Related Mortality in Spodoptera littoralis Larvae
Authors: Garrido-Jurado Inmaculada , Montes-Moreno David , Sanz-Barrionuevo Pilar , Quesada-Moraga Enrique
Published: July 2020

The aim of the current study was to delve into the causes of mortality of Spodoptera littoralis larvae feeding on Metarhizium-colonized plants in the absence of fungal outgrowth on the cadavers as previous studies reported and to elucidate the possible indirect effects of this fungus-colonized diet. The effect was evaluated in experiments conducted using leaf discs of colonized plants and in planta using fungus-colonized whole plants. The mortality rates of larvae fed on Metarhizium-colonized melon leaves were 45.0% and 87.5%, and the average survival times were 6.6 and 3.1 days in experiments performed with discs and in planta, respectively. Notably, these mortality levels were not associated with observed apoptosis mediated by caspases 1, 3-7 and 8; thus, further investigation into the possible immune system reaction of the insect after the ingestion of colonized plants is required. The leaf consumption of S. littoralis larvae fed on melon-colonized leaves was lower than that on control plants in the disc experiments but not in experiments conducted in planta. In this regard, in experiments performed in planta, plant damage increased larval mortality in both fungally challenged and control larvae. There was also a meaningful effect of exposure to Metarhizium-colonized melon leaf discs on S. littoralis fitness, with significant reductions in 39.0% and 22.0% in female fecundity and egg fertility, respectively, detected in females emerging from pupae developing from larvae surviving exposure to colonized plant discs; all larvae died in the in planta experiments. Hence, the present work presents new findings revealing the high potential of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi to improve the outcome of foliar applications against chewing insects in the short, mid- and long term, by the reduction of the reproductive potential of surviving adults and reveals new insights into the development of bioassays with whole plants for more detailed evaluation of the impact of these fungi as endophytes used for plant protection.
Formulation of Bicelles Based on Lecithin-Nonionic Surfactant Mixtures
Authors: Aramaki Kenji , Adachi Keita , Maeda Miho , Mata Jitendra , Kamimoto-Kuroki Junko , Tsukamoto Daisuke , Konno Yoshikazu
Published: July 2020

Bicelles have been intensively studied for use as drug delivery carriers and in biological studies, but their preparation with low-cost materials and via a simple process would allow their use for other purposes as well. Herein, bicelles were prepared through a semi-spontaneous method using a mixture of hydrogenated soybean lecithin (SL) and a nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene cholesteryl ether (ChEO10), and then we investigated the effect of composition and temperature on the structure of bicelles, which is important to design tailored systems. As the fraction of ChEO10 (XC) was increased, a bimodal particle size distribution with a small particle size of several tens of nanometers and a large particle size of several hundred nanometers was obtained, and only small particles were observed when XC ≥ 0.6, suggesting the formation of significant structure transition (liposomes to bicelles). The small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) spectrum for these particles fitted a core-shell bicelle model, providing further evidence of bicelle formation. A transition from a monomodal to a bimodal size distribution occurred as the temperature was increased, with this transition taking place at lower temperatures when higher SL-ChEO10 concentrations were used. SANS showed that this temperature-dependent size change was reversible, suggesting the SL-ChEO10 bicelles were stable against temperature, hence making them suitable for several applications.
Probabilistic Study of the Effect of Anti-Epileptic Drugs Under Uncertainty: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Barrachina-Martínez Isabel , Navarro-Quiles Ana , Ramos Marta , Romero José-Vicente , Roselló María-Dolores , Vivas-Consuelo David
Published: July 2020

Epilepsy is one of the most ancient diseases. Despite the efforts of scientists and doctors to improve the quality of live of epileptic patients, the disease is still a mystery in many senses. Anti-epileptic drugs are fundamental to reduce epileptic seizures but it have some adverse effects, which influence the quality of life outcomes of the patients. In this paper, we study the effectiveness of anti-epileptic drugs taking into account the inherent uncertainty. We establish a model, which allows to represent the natural history of epilepsy, using Markov chains. After randomizing the mathematical model, we compute the first probability density function of the solution stochastic process applying the random variable transformation technique. We also take advantage of this method to determine the distribution of some key quantities in medical decision, such as the time until a certain proportion of the population remains in each state and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The study is completed computing all these quantities using data available in the literature. In addition, regarding the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, different third generation anti-epileptic treatments are compared with the Brivaracetam, a new third generation anti-epileptic drug.
Bell Polynomial Approach for Time-Inhomogeneous Linear Birth–Death Process with Immigration
Authors: Giorno Virginia , Nobile Amelia G.
Published: July 2020

We considered the time-inhomogeneous linear birth–death processes with immigration. For these processes closed form expressions for the transition probabilities were obtained in terms of the complete Bell polynomials. The conditional mean and the conditional variance were explicitly evaluated. Several time-inhomogeneous processes were studied in detail in view of their potential applications in population growth models and in queuing systems. A time-inhomogeneous linear birth–death processes with finite state-space was also taken into account. Special attention was devoted to the cases of periodic immigration intensity functions that play an important role in the description of the evolution of dynamic systems influenced by seasonal immigration or other regular environmental cycles. Various numerical computations were performed for periodic immigration intensity functions.
Hydrogen Ironmaking: How It Works
Authors: Patisson Fabrice , Mirgaux Olivier
Published: July 2020

A new route for making steel from iron ore based on the use of hydrogen to reduce iron oxides is presented, detailed and analyzed. The main advantage of this steelmaking route is the dramatic reduction (90% off) in CO2 emissions compared to those of the current standard blast-furnace route. The first process of the route is the production of hydrogen by water electrolysis using CO2-lean electricity. The challenge is to achieve massive production of H2 in acceptable economic conditions. The second process is the direct reduction of iron ore in a shaft furnace operated with hydrogen only. The third process is the melting of the carbon-free direct reduced iron in an electric arc furnace to produce steel. From mathematical modeling of the direct reduction furnace, we show that complete metallization can be achieved in a reactor smaller than the current shaft furnaces that use syngas made from natural gas. The reduction processes at the scale of the ore pellets are described and modeled using a specific structural kinetic pellet model. Finally, the differences between the reduction by hydrogen and by carbon monoxide are discussed, from the grain scale to the reactor scale. Regarding the kinetics, reduction with hydrogen is definitely faster. Several research and development and innovation projects have very recently been launched that should confirm the viability and performance of this breakthrough and environmentally friendly ironmaking process.
Two-Dimensional Tungsten Disulfide-Based Ethylene Glycol Nanofluids: Stability, Thermal Conductivity, and Rheological Properties
Authors: Shah Syed Nadeem Abbas , Shahabuddin Syed , Mohd Sabri Mohd Faizul , Mohd Salleh Mohd Faiz , Mohd Said Suhana , Khedher Khaled Mohamed , Sridewi Nanthini
Published: July 2020

Developing stable nanofluids and improving their thermo-physical properties are highly important in heat transfer applications. In the present work, the stability, thermal conductivity, and rheological properties of tungsten disulphide (WS2) nanoparticles (NPs) with ethylene glycol (EG) were profoundly examined using a particle size analyzer, zeta-sizer, thermal property analyzer, rheometer, and pH measuring system. WS2 NPs were characterized by various techniques, such as XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), FESEM (Field emission scanning electron microscopy), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The nanofluids were obtained with the two-step method by employing three volume concentrations (0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.02%) of WS2. The influence of different surfactants (Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)) with various volume concentrations (0.05–2%) on the measured properties has also been evaluated. Pristine WS2/EG nanofluids exhibit low zeta potential values, i.e., −7.9 mV, −9.3 mV, and −5 mV, corresponding to 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.02% nanofluid, respectively. However, the zeta potential surpassed the threshold (±30 mV) and the maximum values reached of −52 mV, −45 mV, and 42 mV for SDS, SDBS, and CTAB-containing nanofluids. This showed the successful adsorption of surfactants onto WS2, which was also observed through the increased agglomerate size of up to 1720 nm. Concurrently, particularly for 0.05% SDS with 0.005% WS2, thermal conductivity was enhanced by up to 4.5%, with a corresponding decrease in viscosity of up to 10.5% in a temperature range of (25–70 °C), as compared to EG. Conversely, the viscoelastic analysis has indicated considerable yield stress due to the presence of surfactants, while the pristine nanofluids exhibited enhanced fluidity over the entire tested deformation range. The shear flow behavior showed a transition from a non-Newtonian to a Newtonian fluid at a low shear rate of 10 s−1. Besides this, the temperature sweep analysis has shown a viscosity reduction in a range of temperatures (25–70 °C), with an indication of a critical temperature limit. However, owing to an anomalous reduction in the dynamic viscosity of up to 10.5% and an enhancement in the thermal conductivity of up to 6.9%, WS2/EG nanofluids could be considered as a potential candidate for heat transfer applications.
Studies on the Exposure of Gadolinium Containing Nanoparticles with Monochromatic X-rays Drive Advances in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Tamanoi Fuyuhiko , Matsumoto Kotaro , Doan Tan Le Hoang , Shiro Ayumi , Saitoh Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

While conventional radiation therapy uses white X-rays that consist of a mixture of X-ray waves with various energy levels, a monochromatic X-ray (monoenergetic X-ray) has a single energy level. Irradiation of high-Z elements such as gold, silver or gadolinium with a synchrotron-generated monochromatic X-rays with the energy at or higher than their K-edge energy causes a photoelectric effect that includes release of the Auger electrons that induce DNA damage—leading to cell killing. Delivery of high-Z elements into cancer cells and tumor mass can be facilitated by the use of nanoparticles. Various types of nanoparticles containing high-Z elements have been developed. A recent addition to this growing list of nanoparticles is mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles (MSNs) containing gadolinium (Gd–MSN). The ability of Gd–MSN to inhibit tumor growth was demonstrated by evaluating effects of irradiating tumor spheroids with a precisely tuned monochromatic X-ray.
Increasing Plant-Based Meat Alternatives and Decreasing Red and Processed Meat in the Diet Differentially Affect the Diet Quality and Nutrient Intakes of Canadians
Authors: Vatanparast Hassan , Islam Naorin , Shafiee Mojtaba , Ramdath D. Dan
Published: July 2020

Current evidence suggests a link between red and processed meat consumption and the risk of various cancers and other health outcomes. Using national survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition 2015, we aimed to model a dietary scenario to assess the potential effects of increasing the intake of currently consumed plant-based meat alternatives by 100% and decreasing the consumption of red and processed meat by 50% on the diet quality and nutrient intakes of Canadians (≥1 year). This dietary scenario had no significant impact on dietary energy intake (p > 0.05), but resulted in a significant increase in the dietary intakes of fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and dietary folate equivalents (p < 0.05). On the other hand, this dietary scenario was accompanied by a significant decrease in protein (from 77.8 ± 0.6 g to 73.4 ± 0.6 g), cholesterol, zinc, and vitamin B12 intake (p < 0.05). Further, based on Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) scores, the overall nutritional value of the simulated diet was higher than the baseline diet. Our modeling showed that the partial replacement of red and processed meat with plant-based alternatives improves overall diet quality but may adversely affect the intake of some micronutrients, especially zinc and vitamin B12.
Breakfast Consumption in Low-Income Hispanic Elementary School-Aged Children: Associations with Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Dietary Parameters
Authors: Jeans Matthew R. , Asigbee Fiona M. , Landry Matthew J. , Vandyousefi Sarvenaz , Ghaddar Reem , Leidy Heather J. , Davis Jaimie N.
Published: July 2020

Breakfast consumption is associated with lower obesity prevalence and cardiometabolic risk and higher dietary quality (DQ) in children. Low-income, Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected by obesity and cardiometabolic risks. This study examined the relationship between breakfast consumption groups (BCG) on anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters in predominately low-income, Hispanic children from 16 Texas schools. Cross-sectional data were from TX Sprouts, a school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking randomized controlled trial. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent via bioelectrical impedance, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Metabolic parameters included fasting plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. DQ and BCG were assessed via two 24-h dietary recalls. Multivariate multiple regression examined relationships between BCG and anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters. This study included 671 students (mean age 9 years, 58% Hispanic, 54% female, 66% free/reduced lunch, 17% breakfast skippers). No relationships were observed between BCG and anthropometric or metabolic parameters. BCG had higher DQ; higher daily protein, total sugar, and added sugar intake; and lower daily fat intake. Skipping breakfast was associated with lower DQ; higher daily fat intake; and lower daily protein intake. Longitudinal research examining breakfast quality on cardiometabolic outcomes in low-income, Hispanic children is warranted.
Targeting the Intestinal Microbiota to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Enhance the Effect of Metformin on Glycaemia: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Palacios Talia , Vitetta Luis , Coulson Samantha , Madigan Claire D. , Lam Yan Y. , Manuel Rachel , Briskey David , Hendy Chelsea , Kim Ji-Nu , Ishoey Thomas , Soto-Giron Maria J. , Schott Eric M. , Toledo Gerardo , Caterson Ian D.
Published: July 2020

Early treatment may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in individuals who are at high risk. Lifestyle interventions and the hypoglycemic drug metformin have been shown to reduce T2DM incidence. The effectiveness of such interventions may be enhanced by targeting environmental factors such as the intestinal microbiota, which has been proven to predict the response to lifestyle interventions and play a part in mediating the glucose-lowering effects of metformin. Shifts in the intestinal microbiota “towards a more balanced state” may promote glucose homeostasis by regulating short-chain fatty acids’ production. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effect of a multi-strain probiotic on glycemic, inflammatory, and permeability markers in adults with prediabetes and early T2DM and to assess whether the probiotic can enhance metformin’s effect on glycaemia. A randomised controlled pilot study was conducted in 60 adults with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and with prediabetes or T2DM (within the previous 12 months). The participants were randomised to a multi-strain probiotic (L. plantarum, L. bulgaricus, L. gasseri, B. breve, B. animalis sbsp. lactis, B. bifidum, S. thermophilus, and S. boulardii) or placebo for 12 weeks. Analyses of the primary outcome (fasting plasma glucose) and secondary outcomes, including, but not limited to, circulating lipopolysaccharide, zonulin, and short chain fatty acids and a metagenomic analysis of the fecal microbiome were performed at baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention. The results showed no significant differences in the primary and secondary outcome measures between the probiotic and placebo group. An analysis of a subgroup of participants taking metformin showed a decrease in fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, and zonulin; an increase in plasma butyrate concentrations; and an enrichment of microbial butyrate-producing pathways in the probiotic group but not in the placebo group. Probiotics may act as an adjunctive to metformin by increasing the production of butyrate, which may consequently enhance glucose management.
The Combination of Soy Isoflavones and Resveratrol Preserve Bone Mineral Density in Hindlimb-Unloaded Mice
Authors: Tousen Yuko , Ichimaru Ryota , Kondo Takashi , Inada Masaki , Miyaura Chisato , Ishimi Yoshiko
Published: July 2020

It is well known that physical inactivity during space flight or prolonged bed rest causes rapid bone loss. Soy isoflavones (ISOs) and resveratrol (RES) have been reported to be useful to maintain a positive balance for bone turnover. Therefore, we examined the combined effects of ISO and RES on bone loss that was induced by hindlimb-unloading in mice. Female eight-week-old ddY mice were divided into the following six groups (n = 6–8 each): normally housed mice, loading mice, hindlimb-unloading (UL) mice fed a control diet, UL mice fed a 0.16% ISO conjugates, UL mice fed a 0.15% RES diet, and UL mice fed a 0.16% ISO and 0.15% RES diet. After three weeks, femoral bone mineral density was markedly decreased in unloading mice. The combination of ISO and RES prevented bone loss and especially maintained the trabecular bone mineral density more effectively compared with cortical bones. ISO and/or RES inhibited the increase in the RANKL/OPG expression ratio in bone marrow cells in UL mice. These results suggest that the combination of ISO and RES had a preventive effect against bone loss induced by hindlimb-unloading in mice. These osteoprotective effects of ISO and RES may result from the inhibition of bone resorption.
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases in Children
Authors: Meoli Aniello , Deolmi Michela , Iannarella Rosanna , Esposito Susanna
Published: July 2020

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) are ubiquitous and opportunistic emerging bacteria with the potential to colonize and eventually infect either immunocompromised or immunocompetent individuals. In the last three decades, the prevalence of disease caused by NTMs has increased in several countries. The increased prevalence of NTM infection can be explained by an ageing population with rising comorbidities, HIV infection, the common use of immunosuppressive drugs, and improved diagnostic methods. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the clinical relevance of NTMs in children, describing their features and manifestations, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches. We collected data from the literature about NTM infections in young patients over the past five years (2014–2019) using the keywords “non-tuberculous”, “mycobacteria”, “paediatric”, “NTM”, “cystic fibrosis”, and “children”. Recent literature points out that NTMs are ubiquitous, with several species including both those that are pathogens for humans and those that are not. This means that, if a mycobacterium is isolated from a patient’s specimen, we have to distinguish between a simple colonization and an NTM-related disease. The start of treatment depends on many factors that are necessary to consider, such as clinical and imaging features, patient comorbidity and immunocompetence, drug adverse effects, and compliance with a very long therapy that can last many months. Due to the increasing prevalence and clinical relevance of NTMs, guidelines for their optimal management, especially in the presence of chronic underlying disease, are urgently needed.