bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Children’s Smartphone Addiction on Sleep Duration: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Age
Authors: Yoon Ji-Yeon , Jeong Kyu-Hyoung , Cho Heeran J.
Published: June 2021

Background: Smartphones are an important part of children’s and adolescents’ lives, and they often spend a lot of time using them. This study aims to precisely discover the effects of smartphone addiction on sleep duration as moderated by age and gender. Materials and methods: The data utilized in this study are from the ‘Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018′ by the National Youth Policy Institute; a total of 4940 youths (2399 in grade 4 and 2541 in grade 7) from the survey were analyzed by Stata 15.0 S. The dependent variable is sleep duration, and the independent variables are the sub-factors of smartphone addiction: disturbance of adaptive functions, virtual life orientation, withdrawal, and tolerance. An independent t-test was conducted to confirm the differences in the main variables according to gender and age. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to verify the moderating effects of gender and age in the relationship between children’s smartphone addiction and sleep duration. Results: First, the average sleep duration among grade 4 students was 9.17 h and grade 7 students was 7.96 h. Second, sleep duration was significantly higher for males than females, while there was no difference in smartphone addiction by gender. Third, smartphone addiction, particularly the sub-factor of tolerance significantly affected sleep duration. Fourth, age significantly affected sleep duration and gender had a moderating effect on sleep duration. Conclusions: Interventions to develop a healthy smartphone usage culture on family and societal levels would be beneficial for increasing awareness of smartphone addiction and its adverse effects on children and adolescents. Furthermore, targeted intervention would be more effective at modifying addictive behavior and sleep duration than trying to administer blanket interventions to youths as a whole.
Inequalities in Periodontal Disease According to Insurance Schemes in Thailand
Authors: Srinarupat Jarassri , Oshiro Akiko , Zaitsu Takashi , Prasertsom Piyada , Niyomsilp Kornkamol , Kawaguchi Yoko , Aida Jun
Published: June 2021

Few studies have considered the effects of insurance on periodontal disease. We aimed to investigate the association between insurance schemes and periodontal disease among adults, using Thailand’s National Oral Health Survey (2017) data. A modified Community Periodontal Index was used to measure periodontal disease. Insurance schemes were categorized into the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS), Social Security Scheme (SSS), and “others”. Poisson regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) of insurance schemes for periodontal disease, with adjustment for age, gender, residential location, education attainment, and income. The data of 4534 participants (mean age, 39.6 ± 2.9 years; 2194 men, 2340 women) were analyzed. The proportions of participants with gingivitis or periodontitis were 87.6% and 25.9%, respectively. In covariate adjusted models, lowest education (PRs, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.06) and UCS (PRs, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02–1.08) yielded significantly higher PRs for gingivitis, whereas lowest education (PRs, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05–1.37) and UCS (PRs, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02–1.34) yielded substantially higher PRs for periodontitis. Insurance schemes may be social predictors of periodontal disease. For better oral health, reduced insurance inequalities are required to increase access to regular dental visits and utilization in Thailand.
Sex Disparity in Bilateral Asymmetry of Impact Forces during Height-Adjusted Drop Jumps
Authors: Gu Chin-Yi , Li Xiang-Rui , Lai Chien-Ting , Gao Jin-Jiang , Wang I-Lin , Wang Li-I
Published: June 2021

Side-to-side asymmetry of lower extremities may influence the risk of injury associated with drop jump. Moreover, drop heights using relative height across individuals based on respective jumping abilities could better explain lower-extremity loading impact for different genders. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the sex differences of impact forces and asymmetry during the landing phase of drop-jump tasks using drop heights, set according to participants’ maximum jumping height. Ten male and ten female athletes performed drop-jump tasks on two force plates, and ground reaction force data were collected. Both feet needed to land entirely on the dedicated force plates as simultaneously as possible. Ground reaction forces and asymmetry between legs were calculated for jumps from 100%, 130%, and 160% of each participant’s maximum jumping height. Females landed with greater asymmetry at time of contact initiation and time of peak impact force and had more asymmetrical peak impact force than males. Greater values and shorter time after ground contact of peak impact force were found when the drop height increased to 160% of maximum jumping ability as compared to 100% and 130%. Females exhibited greater asymmetry than males during drop jumps from relative heights, which may relate to the higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury among females. Greater sex disparity was evident in impact force asymmetry than in the magnitude of peak impact force; therefore, it may be a more appropriate field-screening test for risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Social Advertising Effectiveness in Driving Action: A Study of Positive, Negative and Coactive Appeals on Social Media
Authors: Yousef Murooj , Dietrich Timo , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn
Published: June 2021

Background: Social media offers a cost-effective and wide-reaching advertising platform for marketers. Objectively testing the effectiveness of social media advertising remains difficult due to a lack of guiding frameworks and applicable behavioral measures. This study examines advertising appeals’ effectiveness in driving engagement and actions on and beyond social media platforms. Method: In an experiment, positive, negative and coactive ads were shared on social media and promoted for a week. The three ads were controlled in an A/B testing experiment to ensure applicable comparison. Measures used included impressions, likes, shares and clicks following the multi-actor social media engagement framework. Data were extracted using Facebook ads manager and website data. Significance was tested through a series of chi-square tests. Results: The promoted ads reached over 21,000 users. Significant effect was found for appeal type on engagement and behavioral actions. The findings support the use of negative advertising appeals over positive and coactive appeals. Conclusion: Practically, in the charity and environment context, advertisers aiming to drive engagement on social media as well as behavioral actions beyond social media should consider negative advertising appeals. Theoretically, this study demonstrates the value of using the multi-actor social media engagement framework to test advertising appeal effectiveness. Further, this study proposes an extension to evaluate behavioral outcomes.
Detecting Multi-Decadal Changes in Seagrass Cover in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, Using Landsat Imagery and Boosting Ensemble Classification Techniques
Authors: Ha Nam-Thang , Manley-Harris Merilyn , Pham Tien-Dat , Hawes Ian
Published: June 2021

Seagrass provides a wide range of essential ecosystem services, supports climate change mitigation, and contributes to blue carbon sequestration. This resource, however, is undergoing significant declines across the globe, and there is an urgent need to develop change detection techniques appropriate to the scale of loss and applicable to the complex coastal marine environment. Our work aimed to develop remote-sensing-based techniques for detection of changes between 1990 and 2019 in the area of seagrass meadows in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand. Four state-of-the-art machine-learning models, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boost (XGB), and CatBoost (CB), were evaluated for classification of seagrass cover (presence/absence) in a Landsat 8 image from 2019, using near-concurrent Ground-Truth Points (GTPs). We then used the most accurate one of these models, CB, with historic Landsat imagery supported by classified aerial photographs for an estimation of change in cover over time. The CB model produced the highest accuracies (precision, recall, F1 scores of 0.94, 0.96, and 0.95 respectively). We were able to use Landsat imagery to document the trajectory and spatial distribution of an approximately 50% reduction in seagrass area from 2237 ha to 1184 ha between the years 1990–2019. Our illustration of change detection of seagrass in Tauranga Harbour suggests that machine-learning techniques, coupled with historic satellite imagery, offers potential for evaluation of historic as well as ongoing seagrass dynamics.
Bio-Functionalized Chitosan for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Brun Paola , Zamuner Annj , Battocchio Chiara , Cassari Leonardo , Todesco Martina , Graziani Valerio , Iucci Giovanna , Marsotto Martina , Tortora Luca , Secchi Valeria , Dettin Monica
Published: June 2021

Hybrid biomaterials allow for the improvement of the biological properties of materials and have been successfully used for implantology in medical applications. The covalent and selective functionalization of materials with bioactive peptides provides favorable results in tissue engineering by supporting cell attachment to the biomaterial through biochemical cues and interaction with membrane receptors. Since the functionalization with bioactive peptides may alter the chemical and physical properties of the biomaterials, in this study we characterized the biological responses of differently functionalized chitosan analogs. Chitosan analogs were produced through the reaction of GRGDSPK (RGD) or FRHRNRKGY (HVP) sequences, both carrying an aldehyde-terminal group, to chitosan. The bio-functionalized polysaccharides, pure or “diluted” with chitosan, were chemically characterized in depth and evaluated for their antimicrobial activities and biocompatibility toward human primary osteoblast cells. The results obtained indicate that the bio-functionalization of chitosan increases human-osteoblast adhesion (p < 0.005) and proliferation (p < 0.005) as compared with chitosan. Overall, the 1:1 mixture of HVP functionalized-chitosan:chitosan is the best compromise between preserving the antibacterial properties of the material and supporting osteoblast differentiation and calcium deposition (p < 0.005 vs. RGD). In conclusion, our results reported that a selected concentration of HVP supported the biomimetic potential of functionalized chitosan better than RGD and preserved the antibacterial properties of chitosan.
Pannexins and Connexins: Their Relevance for Oocyte Developmental Competence
Authors: Kordowitzki Paweł , Sokołowska Gabriela , Wasielak-Politowska Marta , Skowronska Agnieszka , Skowronski Mariusz T.
Published: June 2021

The oocyte is the major determinant of embryo developmental competence in all mammalian species. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies in the past three decades, researchers and clinicians are still trying to elucidate molecular factors and pathways, which could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence. The cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communications are crucial not only for oocytes but also for multicellular organisms in general. This latter mentioned communication is among others possibly due to the Connexin and Pannexin families of large-pore forming channels. Pannexins belong to a protein group of ATP-release channels, therefore of high importance for the oocyte due to its requirements of high energy supply. An increasing body of studies on Pannexins provided evidence that these channels not only play a role during physiological processes of an oocyte but also during pathological circumstances which could lead to the development of diseases or infertility. Connexins are proteins that form membrane channels and gap-junctions, and more precisely, these proteins enable the exchange of some ions and molecules, and therefore they do play a fundamental role in the communication between the oocyte and accompanying cells. Herein, the role of Pannexins and Connexins for the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and fertilization will be discussed and, at the end of this review, Pannexin and Connexin related pathologies and their impact on the developmental competence of oocytes will be provided.
A Screening of the MMV Pandemic Response Box Reveals Epetraborole as A New Potent Inhibitor against Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Kim Taeho , Hanh Bui-Thi-Bich , Heo Boeun , Quang Nguyenthanh , Park Yujin , Shin Jihyeon , Jeon Seunghyeon , Park June-Woo , Samby Kirandeep , Jang Jichan
Published: June 2021

Mycobacterium abscessus is the one of the most feared bacterial respiratory pathogens in the world. Unfortunately, there are many problems with the current M. abscessus therapies available. These problems include misdiagnoses, high drug resistance, poor long-term treatment outcomes, and high costs. Until now, there have only been a few new compounds or drug formulations which are active against M. abscessus, and these are present in preclinical and clinical development only. With that in mind, new and more powerful anti-M. abscessus medicines need to be discovered and developed. In this study, we conducted an in vitro-dual screen against M. abscessus rough (R) and smooth (S) variants using a Pandemic Response Box and identified epetraborole as a new effective candidate for M. abscessus therapy. For further validation, epetraborole showed significant activity against the growth of the M. abscessus wild-type strain, three subspecies, drug-resistant strains and clinical isolates in vitro, while also inhibiting the growth of M. abscessus that reside in macrophages without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the in vivo efficacy of epetraborole in the zebrafish infection model was greater than that of tigecycline. Thus, we concluded that epetraborole is a potential anti-M. abscessus candidate in the M. abscessus drug search.
Virtual Screening of FDA-Approved Drugs against Triose Phosphate Isomerase from Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia Identifies Inhibitors of Their Trophozoite Growth Phase
Authors: Juárez-Saldivar Alfredo , Barbosa-Cabrera Elizabeth , Lara-Ramírez Edgar E. , Paz-González Alma D. , Martínez-Vázquez Ana V. , Bocanegra-García Virgilio , Palos Isidro , Campillo Nuria E. , Rivera Gildardo
Published: June 2021

Infectious diseases caused by intestinal protozoan, such as Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) and Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) are a worldwide public health issue. They affect more than 70 million people every year. They colonize intestines causing primarily diarrhea; nevertheless, these infections can lead to more serious complications. The treatment of choice, metronidazole, is in doubt due to adverse effects and resistance. Therefore, there is a need for new compounds against these parasites. In this work, a structure-based virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs was performed to identify compounds with antiprotozoal activity. The glycolytic enzyme triosephosphate isomerase, present in both E. histolytica and G. lamblia, was used as the drug target. The compounds with the best average docking score on both structures were selected for the in vitro evaluation. Three compounds, chlorhexidine, tolcapone, and imatinib, were capable of inhibit growth on G. lamblia trophozoites (0.05–4.935 μg/mL), while folic acid showed activity against E. histolytica (0.186 μg/mL) and G. lamblia (5.342 μg/mL).
Bioenergetic Alterations of Metabolic Redox Coenzymes as NADH, FAD and FMN by Means of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Techniques
Authors: Kalinina Sviatlana , Freymueller Christian , Naskar Nilanjon , von Einem Bjoern , Reess Kirsten , Sroka Ronald , Rueck Angelika
Published: June 2021

Metabolic FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging) is used to image bioenergetic status in cells and tissue. Whereas an attribution of the fluorescence lifetime of coenzymes as an indicator for cell metabolism is mainly accepted, it is debated whether this is valid for the redox state of cells. In this regard, an innovative algorithm using the lifetime characteristics of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to calculate the fluorescence lifetime induced redox ratio (FLIRR) has been reported so far. We extended the FLIRR approach and present new results, which includes FLIM data of the various enzymes, such as NAD(P)H, FAD, as well as flavin mononucleotide (FMN). Our algorithm uses a two-exponential fitting procedure for the NAD(P)H autofluorescence and a three-exponential fit of the flavin signal. By extending the FLIRR approach, we introduced FLIRR1 as protein-bound NAD(P)H related to protein-bound FAD, FLIRR2 as protein-bound NAD(P)H related to free (unbound) FAD and FLIRR3 as protein-bound NAD(P)H related to protein-bound FMN. We compared the significance of extended FLIRR to the metabolic index, defined as the ratio of protein-bound NAD(P)H to free NAD(P)H. The statistically significant difference for tumor and normal cells was found to be highest for FLIRR1.
DJ-1 Can Replace FGF-2 for Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Defined Media and Feeder-Free Condition
Authors: Kim Julee , Baek Sangki , Hong Yean Ju , de Paula Michelle Novais , Jahan Prima Musharrat , Oh Yeon-Mok , Cha Sun-Shin , Do Jeong Tae , Jang Yeon Jin , Choe Han
Published: June 2021

Conventional human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) cultures require high concentrations of expensive human fibroblast growth factor 2 (hFGF-2) for hPSC self-renewal and pluripotency in defined media for long-term culture. The thermal instability of the hFGF-2 mandates media change every day, which makes hPSC culture costly and cumbersome. Human DJ-1 (hDJ-1) can bind to and stimulate FGF receptor-1. In this study, for the first time, we have replaced hFGF-2 with hDJ-1 in the essential eight media and maintained the human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), H9, in the defined media at feeder-free condition. After more than ten passages, H9 in both groups still successfully maintained the typical hESC morphology and high protein levels of pluripotency markers, SSEA4, Tra1-60, Oct4, Nanog, and ALP. DNA microarray revealed that more than 97% of the 21,448 tested genes, including the pluripotency markers, Sox2, Nanog, Klf4, Lin28A, Lin28B, and Myc, have similar mRNA levels between the two groups. Karyotyping revealed no chromosome abnormalities in both groups. They also differentiated sufficiently into three germ layers by forming in vitro EBs and in vivo teratomas. There were some variations in the RT-qPCR assay of several pluripotency markers. The proliferation rates and the mitochondria of both groups were also different. Taken together, we conclude that hDJ-1 can replace hFGF-2 in maintaining the self-renewal and the pluripotency of hESCs in feeder-free conditions.
Inactivation of the Akt/FOXM1 Signaling Pathway by Panobinostat Suppresses the Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Lee Na-Ri , Kim Da-Yeah , Jin Hua , Meng Ruoyu , Chai Ok Hee , Kim Seong-Hun , Park Byung-Hyun , Kim Soo Mi
Published: June 2021

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a new class of cytostatic agents available for the treatment of various cancers and diseases. Although numerous clinical and pre-clinical trials on the anticancer effects of panobinostat have been conducted, only a few reports have investigated its efficacy in gastric cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of panobinostat in gastric cancer cells. Panobinostat significantly inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of the gastric cancer cell lines SNU484 and SNU638 in a dose-dependent manner; it reduced the colony-forming ability of these cells. Moreover, it induced apoptosis as indicated by increased protein levels of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase and cleaved caspase-3. Panobinostat induced the G2/M cell cycle arrest in SNU484 and SNU638 cells and subsequently decreased the G2/M phase regulatory-associated protein expression of p-Wee1, Myt1, and Cdc2. Furthermore, panobinostat significantly inhibited the metastasis of SNU484 and SNU638 cells by regulating the expression of MMP-9 and E-cadherin. Further, it decreased the protein levels of p-Akt and forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1). These effects were reversed by the Akt agonist SC79 and were accelerated by the Akt inhibitor LY2940002. Moreover, tumor growth in xenograft animal experiments was suppressed by panobinostat. These results indicated that panobinostat inhibits the proliferation, metastasis, and cell cycle progression of gastric cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and inactivating Akt/FOXM1 signaling. Cumulatively, our present study suggests that panobinostat is a potential drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Mesoglea Extracellular Matrix Reorganization during Regenerative Process in Anemonia viridis (Forskål, 1775)
Authors: Parisi Maria Giovanna , Grimaldi Annalisa , Baranzini Nicolò , La Corte Claudia , Dara Mariano , Parrinello Daniela , Cammarata Matteo
Published: June 2021

Given the anatomical simplicity and the extraordinary ability to regenerate missing parts of the body, Cnidaria represent an excellent model for the study of the mechanisms regulating regenerative processes. They possess the mesoglea, an amorphous and practically acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) located between the epidermis and the gastrodermis of the body and tentacles and consists of the same molecules present in the ECM of vertebrates, such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin and proteoglycans. This feature makes cnidarians anthozoans valid models for understanding the ECM role during regenerative processes. Indeed, it is now clear that its role in animal tissues is not just tissue support, but instead plays a key role during wound healing and tissue regeneration. This study aims to explore regenerative events after tentacle amputation in the Mediterranean anemone Anemonia viridis, focusing in detail on the reorganization of the ECM mesoglea. In this context, both enzymatic, biometric and histological experiments reveal how this gelatinous connective layer plays a fundamental role in the correct restoration of the original structures by modifying its consistency and stiffness. Indeed, through the deposition of collagen I, it might act as a scaffold and as a guide for the reconstruction of missing tissues and parts, such as amputated tentacles.
Longitudinal Changes in Diet Cause Repeatable and Largely Reversible Shifts in Gut Microbial Communities of Laboratory Mice and Are Observed across Segments of the Entire Intestinal Tract
Authors: Low Adrian , Soh Melissa , Miyake Sou , Aw Vanessa , Feng Jian , Wong Asher , Seedorf Henning
Published: June 2021

Dietary changes are known to alter the composition of the gut microbiome. However, it is less understood how repeatable and reversible these changes are and how diet switches affect the microbiota in the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, a treatment group of conventionally raised laboratory mice is subjected to two periods of western diet (WD) interrupted by a period of standard diet (SD) of the same duration. Beta-diversity analyses show that diet-induced microbiota changes are largely reversible (q = 0.1501; PERMANOVA, weighted-UniFrac comparison of the treatment-SD group to the control-SD group) and repeatable (q = 0.032; PERMANOVA, weighted-UniFrac comparison of both WD treatments). Furthermore, we report that diet switches alter the gut microbiota composition along the length of the intestinal tract in a segment-specific manner, leading to gut segment-specific Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratios. We identified prevalent and distinct Amplicon Sequencing Variants (ASVs), particularly in genera of the recently described Muribaculaceae, along the gut as well as ASVs that are differentially abundant between segments of treatment and control groups. Overall, this study provides insights into the reversibility of diet-induced microbiota changes and highlights the importance of expanding sampling efforts beyond the collections of fecal samples to characterize diet-dependent and segment-specific microbiome differences.
To Be or Not to Be a Germ Cell: The Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor Paradigm
Authors: De Felici Massimo , Klinger Francesca , Campolo Federica , Balistreri Carmela , Barchi Marco , Dolci Susanna
Published: June 2021

In the human embryo, the genetic program that orchestrates germ cell specification involves the activation of epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms that make the germline a unique cell population continuously poised between germness and pluripotency. Germ cell tumors, neoplasias originating from fetal or neonatal germ cells, maintain such dichotomy and can adopt either pluripotent features (embryonal carcinomas) or germness features (seminomas) with a wide range of phenotypes in between these histotypes. Here, we review the basic concepts of cell specification, migration and gonadal colonization of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) highlighting the analogies of transcriptional/epigenetic programs between these two cell types.
Effect of a Cytoprotective Dose of Dehydroleucodine, Xanthatin, and 3-Benzyloxymethyl-5H-furan-2-one on Gastric Mucosal Lesions Induced by Mast Cell Activation
Authors: Vera Mariano Ezequiel , Mariani María Laura , Aguilera Cristina , Penissi Alicia Beatriz
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to determine whether the lactones dehydroleucodine, xanthatin and 3-benzyloxymethyl-5H-furan-2-one, would be effective in an animal model of gastric ulcer induced by mast cell activation. Rats were divided into ten groups. Treatments were repeated for four days. The degree of gastric erosion was assessed with a scoring system and histological preparations. Gastric mast cell morphology was analyzed by histological procedures. Serum serotonin levels were determined as markers of mast cell activation. Statistical analyses were done using ANOVA and Tukey–Kramer test. We demonstrated that the repeated administration of compound 48/80 results in extensive mucosal lesions in the gastric mucosa and that such lesions occurred in association with mast cell degranulation and a significant increase of serum serotonin. We showed that these lesions were prevented by dehydroleucodine, xanthatin, and 3-benzyloxymethyl-5H-furan-2-one and that this effect was similar to that obtained with sodium cromoglycate. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the optimal gastric cytoprotective dose of dehydroleucodine, xanthatin, and 3-benzyloxymethyl-5H-furan-2-one is efficacious in an animal model of gastric ulcer induced by mast cell activation. Our findings suggest that these lactones could be valuable tools for designing novel therapeutic agents for digestive disorders associated with inappropriate mast cell activation.
Computational-Driven Epitope Verification and Affinity Maturation of TLR4-Targeting Antibodies
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Batool Maria , Kim Moon-Suk , Choi Sangdun
Published: June 2021

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling plays a critical role in the induction and progression of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, experimental autoimmune encephalitis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. Deciphering antigen recognition by antibodies provides insights and defines the mechanism of action into the progression of immune responses. Multiple strategies, including phage display and hybridoma technologies, have been used to enhance the affinity of antibodies for their respective epitopes. Here, we investigate the TLR4 antibody-binding epitope by computational-driven approach. We demonstrate that three important residues, i.e., Y328, N329, and K349 of TLR4 antibody binding epitope identified upon in silico mutagenesis, affect not only the interaction and binding affinity of antibody but also influence the structural integrity of TLR4. Furthermore, we predict a novel epitope at the TLR4-MD2 interface which can be targeted and explored for therapeutic antibodies and small molecules. This technique provides an in-depth insight into antibody–antigen interactions at the resolution and will be beneficial for the development of new monoclonal antibodies. Computational techniques, if coupled with experimental methods, will shorten the duration of rational design and development of antibody therapeutics.
Prussian Blue: A Nanozyme with Versatile Catalytic Properties
Authors: Estelrich Joan , Busquets M. Antònia
Published: June 2021

Nanozymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-like activities, are becoming powerful competitors and potential substitutes for natural enzymes because of their excellent performance. Nanozymes offer better structural stability over their respective natural enzymes. In consequence, nanozymes exhibit promising applications in different fields such as the biomedical sector (in vivo diagnostics/and therapeutics) and the environmental sector (detection and remediation of inorganic and organic pollutants). Prussian blue nanoparticles and their analogues are metal–organic frameworks (MOF) composed of alternating ferric and ferrous irons coordinated with cyanides. Such nanoparticles benefit from excellent biocompatibility and biosafety. Besides other important properties, such as a highly porous structure, Prussian blue nanoparticles show catalytic activities due to the iron atom that acts as metal sites for the catalysis. The different states of oxidation are responsible for the multicatalytic activities of such nanoparticles, namely peroxidase-like, catalase-like, and superoxide dismutase-like activities. Depending on the catalytic performance, these nanoparticles can generate or scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The Contribution of Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang Jinyu , Ogbu Stella C. , Musich Phillip R. , Thewke Douglas P. , Yao Zhiqiang , Jiang Yong
Published: May 2021

Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive condition in which the wall of the artery develops abnormalities and causes thickening of the blood vessels. The development of atherosclerosis is a complex process characterized by vascular inflammation and the growth of atherosclerotic plaques that eventually lead to compromised blood flow. The endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a phenomenon whereby endothelial cells lose their endothelial properties and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype similar to myofibroblast and smooth muscle cells. This process is considered a key contributor to the development and, importantly, the progression of atherosclerosis. Thus, therapeutically targeting the EndMT will provide a broad strategy to attenuate the development of atherosclerosis. Here, we review our current knowledge of EndMT in atherosclerosis including several key pathways such as hypoxia, TGF-β signaling, inflammation, and environmental factors during the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, we discuss several transgenic mouse models for studying atherosclerosis. Taken together, rapidly accelerating knowledge and continued studies promise further progress in preventing this common chronic disease.
Integrating Land-Cover Products Based on Ontologies and Local Accuracy
Authors: Zhu Ling , Jin Guangshuai , Gao Dejun
Published: June 2021

Freely available satellite imagery improves the research and production of land-cover products at the global scale or over large areas. The integration of land-cover products is a process of combining the advantages or characteristics of several products to generate new products and meet the demand for special needs. This study presents an ontology-based semantic mapping approach for integration land-cover products using hybrid ontology with EAGLE (EIONET Action Group on Land monitoring in Europe) matrix elements as the shared vocabulary, linking and comparing concepts from multiple local ontologies. Ontology mapping based on term, attribute and instance is combined to obtain the semantic similarity between heterogeneous land-cover products and realise the integration on a schema level. Moreover, through the collection and interpretation of ground verification points, the local accuracy of the source product is evaluated using the index Kriging method. Two integration models are developed that combine semantic similarity and local accuracy. Taking NLCD (National Land Cover Database) and FROM-GLC-Seg (Finer Resolution Observation and Monitoring-Global Land Cover-Segmentation) as source products and the second-level class refinement of GlobeLand30 land-cover product as an example, the forest class is subdivided into broad-leaf, coniferous and mixed forest. Results show that the highest accuracies of the second class are 82.6%, 72.0% and 60.0%, respectively, for broad-leaf, coniferous and mixed forest.
IT Process Alignment in Business Strategy: Examining the Role of Transactional Leadership and Organization Culture
Authors: Wang Yongming , Toseef Muhammad , Gong Yingmei
Published: June 2021

Information technology (IT) is a competitive path and offers the entrepreneurial opportunity of accumulating business knowledge in capturing consumer behavior. This study employed a conceptual framework to investigate the information processing facet of IT–business alignment under the impact mechanism of transactional leadership in the manufacturing sector of Yunnan Province, China. Specifically, organization culture is taken as a moderating factor extracted from situational theory and has been highlighted as important in previous organizational research. This study aimed at investigating the impact of transactional leadership on IT–business process alignment and studying the moderating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between transactional leadership and IT–business process alignment. The empirical findings reveal that contingent reward and management by exception behaviors of entrepreneurs are significant drivers of IT–business process alignment. Furthermore, market culture had a moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurs’ transactional behaviors and IT–business process alignment. Similarly, hierarchy culture exerts a moderating effect on the path between contingent rewarding behavior and IT–business process alignment. Here, it exerts an insignificant moderating effect on the management by exception behavior and IT–business process alignment path. The study findings mainly reveal the association of transactional leadership with IT–business process alignment, along with the moderating role of organizational culture. This study contributes to the literature on business knowledge by showcasing empirical evidence—how information processing aids entrepreneurial behavior to capture market opportunities and consumer behavior.
Effects of Different Nitrogen Sources and Ratios to Carbon on Larval Development and Bioconversion Efficiency in Food Waste Treatment by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)
Authors: Lu Yan , Zhang Shouyu , Sun Shibo , Wu Minghuo , Bao Yongming , Tong Huiyan , Ren Miaomiao , Jin Ning , Xu Jianqiang , Zhou Hao , Xu Weiping
Published: June 2021

Biowaste treatment by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) has received global research interest and growing industrial application. Larvae farming conditions, such as temperature, pH, and moisture, have been critically examined. However, the substrate carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), one of the key parameters that may affect larval survival and bioconversion efficiency, is significantly less studied. The current study aimed to compare the nitrogen supplying effects of 9 nitrogen species (i.e., NH4Cl, NaNO3, urea, uric acid, Gly, L-Glu, L-Glu:L-Asp (1:1, w/w), soybean flour, and fish meal) during food waste larval treatment, and further examine the C/N effects on the larval development and bioconversion process, using the C/N adjustment with urea from the initial 21:1 to 18:1, 16:1, 14:1, 12:1, and 10:1, respectively. The food wastes were supplied with the same amount of nitrogen element (1 g N/100 g dry wt) in the nitrogen source trial and different amount of urea in the C/N adjustment trial following larvae treatment. The results showed that NH4Cl and NaNO3 caused significant harmful impacts on the larval survival and bioconversion process, while the 7 organic nitrogen species resulted in no significant negative effect. Further adjustment of C/N with urea showed that the C/N range between 18:1 and 14:1 was optimal for a high waste reduction performance (73.5–84.8%, p < 0.001) and a high larvae yield (25.3–26.6%, p = 0.015), while the C/N range of 18:1 to 16:1 was further optimal for an efficient larval protein yield (10.1–11.1%, p = 0.003) and lipid yield (7.6–8.1%, p = 0.002). The adjustment of C/N influenced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD, p = 0.015), whereas exerted no obvious impact on the larval amino acid composition. Altogether, organic nitrogen is more suitable than NH4Cl and NaNO3 as the nitrogen amendment during larval food waste treatment, addition of small amounts of urea, targeting C/N of 18:1–14:1, would improve the waste reduction performance, and application of C/N at 18:1–16:1 would facilitate the larval protein and lipid bioconversion process.
Collaborative Response of the Host and Symbiotic Lignocellulytic System to Non-Lethal Toxic Stress in Coptotermes formosanus Skiraki
Authors: Zeng Wenhui , Liu Bingrong , Wu Wenjing , Zhang Shijun , Chen Yong , Li Zhiqiang
Published: June 2021

Disturbing the lignocellulose digestive system of termites is considered to be a promising approach for termite control. The research on the tolerance mechanism of the termite lignocellulose digestive system to harmful environment conditions is limited. In this study, we keep Coptotermes formosanus Skiraki under a non-lethal toxic condition by feeding the termites with filter paper containing the kojic acid (a low toxic insecticide). The effects of low toxic stress on the activities and gene expressions of host/symbiotic originated lignocellulases, and on the symbiotic microbial community structure of C. formosanus were explored. Our result showed that the low toxic stress would lead to the synchronous decrease of cellulase and hemicellulase activities, and supplementary increase of corresponding gene expressions. The symbiotic community maintained its role as the main force in the lignocellulolytic system of C. formosanus. Meanwhile, a large number of rare taxa were significantly enriched by kojic acid treatment. These numerically inconspicuous bacterial populations might be responsible for the functions similar to phenoloxidase or insecticide detoxification and enable C. formosanus to tolerate the harmful environment. Overall, our data suggested that the digestive adaptation of C. formosanus to physiotoxic feeding is closely related to the triple collaboration of termites–flagellates–bacteria.
Monitoring Chilecomadia valdiviana (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) Using Sex Pheromone-Baited Traps in Apple Orchards in Chile
Authors: Barros-Parada Wilson , Fuentes-Contreras Eduardo , Bergmann Jan , Herrera Heidy , Kinsho Takeshi , Miyake Yuki
Published: June 2021

Chilecomadia valdiviana (Philippi) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is a native xylophagous pest in apple orchards in Chile. A series of experiments evaluated the efficacy of trap type, sex pheromone (Z7,Z10-16:Ald) dose, and trap location in the apple tree canopy on trap catch of male adults. Bucket traps (6 L), with and without roof and cross vane spacers, together with bucket traps (20 L) without roof and spacers, showed higher catches among the four types of traps evaluated. In a second experiment, the UNI-trap and Delta trap showed higher catches than Multipher, wing, and bucket traps (6 L). Male catches were not affected by height when tested at 0, 1.5, and 3 m in the canopy. A 300 µg dose of Z7,Z10-16:Ald showed higher catch than the control treatment. This dose allowed monitoring of male flight of C. valdiviana for at least five weeks in apple orchards in Chile. Based on relative trap costs, we propose the use of 6 L bucket traps for male mass trapping, while Delta traps can be used for monitoring of male flight. We found that male flight of C. valdiviana occurred mainly from mid-August to late November, reaching its maximum in mid-September.
Advantages and Requirements in Time Resolving Tracking for Astroparticle Experiments in Space
Authors: Duranti Matteo , Vagelli Valerio , Ambrosi Giovanni , Barbanera Mattia , Bertucci Bruna , Catanzani Enrico , Donnini Federico , Faldi Francesco , Formato Valerio , Graziani Maura , Ionica Maria , Moriconi Lucio , Oliva Alberto , Serpolla Andrea , Silvestre Gianluigi , Tosti Luca
Published: June 2021

A large-area, solid-state detector with single-hit precision timing measurement will enable several breakthrough experimental advances for the direct measurement of particles in space. Silicon microstrip detectors are the most promising candidate technology to instrument the large areas of the next-generation astroparticle space borne detectors that could meet the limitations on power consumption required by operations in space. We overview the novel experimental opportunities that could be enabled by the introduction of the timing measurement, concurrent with the accurate spatial and charge measurement, in Silicon microstrip tracking detectors, and we discuss the technological solutions and their readiness to enable the operations of large-area Silicon microstrip timing detectors in space.
Rock-Paper-Scissors-Hammer: A Tie-Less Decentralized Protocol for IoT Resource Allocation
Authors: Dutta Sandip
Published: June 2021

With the rapid development of the autonomous world, local decision making between devices is becoming important. This article provides a new paradigm (Rock-Paper-Scissors-Hammer: RPSH) that can reduce the number of conflicts or decision draws and thus increase the throughput of autonomous devices while reducing the kept number of records or transactions. The paradigm requires a sealed envelope protocol and sequential message passing between both parties to decide unanimously a winner between the two participants without a third-party mediation. The message passing proposes a detailed record in a blockchain-like format that is not corruptible and is verifiable for conflict resolution. A simulated IoT environment is created to show the advantage of the proposed protocol and it shows significant reduction in mean efforts due to the elimination of draws or undecided situations. Autonomous devices, such as cars, need to maintain meticulous, lightweight, but blockchain-like record keeping for insurance settlements or conflict resolutions; that archival data size is significantly reduced by the RPSH protocol.
Peripartum Pubic Symphysis Diastasis—Practical Guidelines
Authors: Stolarczyk Artur , Stępiński Piotr , Sasinowski Łukasz , Czarnocki Tomasz , Dębiński Michał , Maciąg Bartosz
Published: June 2021

Optimal development of a fetus is made possible due to a lot of adaptive changes in the woman’s body. Some of the most important modifications occur in the musculoskeletal system. At the time of childbirth, natural widening of the pubic symphysis and the sacroiliac joints occur. Those changes are often reversible after childbirth. Peripartum pubic symphysis separation is a relatively rare disease and there is no homogeneous approach to treatment. The paper presents the current standards of diagnosis and treatment of pubic diastasis based on orthopedic and gynecological indications.
Characteristics of the Urinary Proteome in Women with Overactive Bladder Syndrome: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Koch Marianne , Lyatoshinsky Pavel , Mitulovic Goran , Bodner-Adler Barbara , Lange Sören , Hanzal Engelbert , Umek Wolfgang
Published: June 2021

Despite an estimated prevalence of 13% in women, the exact etiology of non-neurogenic overactive bladder syndrome is unclear. The aim of our study was to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of female overactive bladder syndrome by mapping the urinary proteomic profile. We collected urine samples of 20 patients with overactive bladder syndrome and of 20 controls. We used mass spectrometric analysis for label-free quantitation, Swissprot human database for data search, Scaffold for data allocation and the Reactome Knowledgebase for final pathway enrichment analysis. We identified 1897 proteins at a false discovery rate of 1% and significance level p < 0.001. Thirty-seven significant proteins of the case group and 53 of the control group met the criteria for further pathway analysis (p < 0.0003 and Log2 (fold change) >2). Significant proteins of the overactive bladder group were, according to the 25 most relevant pathways, mainly involved in cellular response to stress and apoptosis. In the control group, significant pathways mainly concerned immunological, microbial-protective processes and tissue- elasticity processes. These findings may suggest a loss of protective factors as well as increased cellular response to stress and apoptosis in overactive bladder syndrome.
Behavioral, Emotional and Social Apathy in Alcohol-Related Cognitive Disorders
Authors: van Dorst Maud E. G. , Rensen Yvonne C. M. , Husain Masud , Kessels Roy P. C.
Published: June 2021

Apathy is a fundamental neuropsychiatric symptom of Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS) and has also been reported in patients with alcohol use disorder with no (AUD) or less severe cognitive impairments (ARCI). However, research on the nature of apathy is limited in these groups. Aim of this study was to examine the multidimensional nature of apathy in patients with KS, ARCI and AUD. Moreover, we examined differences between apathy ratings by patients and their professional caregivers, and related apathy to everyday functioning and overall cognition. Twenty-five patients with KS, 25 patients with ARCI and 23 patients with AUD participated in this study. Apathy was measured using the apathy motivation index (AMI), which distinguishes behavioral, emotional and social apathy. Both patients and professional caregivers reported social apathy as the most prominent symptom, compared to behavioral and emotional apathy. Apathy ratings did not differ across the three patient groups. Discrepancies between patient and caregiver ratings were observed in patients with KS and ARCI, with more severe apathy reported by caregivers. Caregiver-reported behavioral and social, but not emotional, apathy was related to everyday functioning. These results show that apathy is present in a substantial proportion of patients with alcohol addiction with or without cognitive impairments.