bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of Published Interventions for Elderly Fall Prevention: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cheng Peixia , Tan Liheng , Ning Peishan , Li Li , Gao Yuyan , Wu Yue , Schwebel David , Chu Haitao , Yin Huaiqiong , Hu Guoqing
Published: March 2018

Background: Falls are a major threat to older adults worldwide. Although various effective interventions have been developed, their comparative effectiveness remains unreported. Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted to determine the most effective interventions to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over. Combined odds ratio (OR) and 95% credible interval (95% CrI) were calculated. Results: A total of 49 trials involving 27,740 participants and 9271 fallers were included. Compared to usual care, multifactorial interventions (MFI) demonstrated the greatest efficacy (OR: 0.64, 95% CrI: 0.53 to 0.77) followed by interventions combining education and exercise (EDU + EXC) (OR: 0.65, 95% CrI: 0.38 to 1.00) and interventions combining exercise and hazard assessment and modification (EXC + HAM) (OR: 0.66, 95% CrI: 0.40 to 1.04). The effect of medical care performed the worst (OR: 1.02, 95% CrI: 0.78 to 1.34). Model fit was good, inconsistency was low, and publication bias was considered absent. The overall quality of included trials was high. The pooled odds ratios and ranking probabilities remained relatively stable across all sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: MFI and exercise appear to be effective to reduce falls among older adults, and should be considered first as service delivery options. Further investigation is necessary to verify effectiveness and suitableness of the strategies to at-risk populations.
Strengthening Emergency Care Systems to Mitigate Public Health Challenges Arising from Influxes of Individuals with Different Socio-Cultural Backgrounds to a Level One Emergency Center in South East Europe
Authors: Twomey Michèle , Šijački Ana , Krummrey Gert , Welzel Tyson , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Ercegovac Marko
Published: March 2018

Emergency center visits are mostly unscheduled, undifferentiated, and unpredictable. A standardized triage process is an opportunity to obtain real-time data that paints a picture of the variation in acuity found in emergency centers. This is particularly pertinent as the influx of people seeking asylum or in transit mostly present with emergency care needs or first seek help at an emergency center. Triage not only reduces the risk of missing or losing a patient that may be deteriorating in the waiting room but also enables a time-critical response in the emergency care service provision. As part of a joint emergency care system strengthening and patient safety initiative, the Serbian Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence in Emergency Medicine (CEEM) introduced a standardized triage process at the Clinical Centre of Serbia (CCS). This paper describes four crucial stages that were considered for the integration of a standardized triage process into acute care pathways.
Astragalus membranaceus Extract Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Intestinal Epithelial Cells via NF-κB Activation and Nrf2 Response
Authors: Adesso Simona , Russo Rosario , Quaroni Andrea , Autore Giuseppina , Marzocco Stefania
Published: March 2018

Astragalus membranaceus, dried root extract, also known as Astragali radix, is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic remedy. Moreover, it has been reported that Astragalus membranaceus could attenuate intestinal inflammation; however, the underlying mechanism for its anti-inflammatory activity in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated Astragalus membranaceus extract (5–100 µg/mL) in a model of inflammation and oxidative stress for IECs. We showed that Astragalus membranaceus extract reduced the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (LPS) plus interferon-γ (IFN), decreasing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release, cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, nitrotyrosine formation, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release in the non-tumorigenic intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6). The antioxidant potential of Astragalus membranaceus extract was also evaluated in a model of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in IEC-6, indicating that this extract reduced ROS release and increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activation and the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective factors in these cells. The results contributed to clarify the mechanisms involved in Astragalus membranaceus extract-reduced inflammation and highlighted the potential use of this extract as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant remedy for intestinal diseases.
ATP Release Channels
Authors: Taruno Akiyuki
Published: March 2018

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been well established as an important extracellular ligand of autocrine signaling, intercellular communication, and neurotransmission with numerous physiological and pathophysiological roles. In addition to the classical exocytosis, non-vesicular mechanisms of cellular ATP release have been demonstrated in many cell types. Although large and negatively charged ATP molecules cannot diffuse across the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane, conductive ATP release from the cytosol into the extracellular space is possible through ATP-permeable channels. Such channels must possess two minimum qualifications for ATP permeation: anion permeability and a large ion-conducting pore. Currently, five groups of channels are acknowledged as ATP-release channels: connexin hemichannels, pannexin 1, calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1), volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs, also known as volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) anion channels), and maxi-anion channels (MACs). Recently, major breakthroughs have been made in the field by molecular identification of CALHM1 as the action potential-dependent ATP-release channel in taste bud cells, LRRC8s as components of VRACs, and SLCO2A1 as a core subunit of MACs. Here, the function and physiological roles of these five groups of ATP-release channels are summarized, along with a discussion on the future implications of understanding these channels.
TAT-Gap19 and Carbenoxolone Alleviate Liver Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Crespo Yanguas Sara , Da Silva Tereza , Pereira Isabel , Willebrords Joost , Maes Michaël , Sayuri Nogueira Marina , Alves de Castro Inar , Leclercq Isabelle , Romualdo Guilherme , Barbisan Luís , Leybaert Luc , Cogliati Bruno , Vinken Mathieu
Published: March 2018

Although a plethora of signaling pathways are known to drive the activation of hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis, the involvement of connexin-based communication in this process remains elusive. Connexin43 expression is enhanced in activated hepatic stellate cells and constitutes the molecular building stone of hemichannels and gap junctions. While gap junctions support intercellular communication, and hence the maintenance of liver homeostasis, hemichannels provide a circuit for extracellular communication and are typically opened by pathological stimuli, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study was set up to investigate the effects of inhibition of connexin43-based hemichannels and gap junctions on liver fibrosis in mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by administration of thioacetamide to Balb/c mice for eight weeks. Thereafter, mice were treated for two weeks with TAT-Gap19, a specific connexin43 hemichannel inhibitor, or carbenoxolone, a general hemichannel and gap junction inhibitor. Subsequently, histopathological analysis was performed and markers of hepatic damage and functionality, oxidative stress, hepatic stellate cell activation and inflammation were evaluated. Connexin43 hemichannel specificity of TAT-Gap19 was confirmed in vitro by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis and the measurement of extracellular release of adenosine-5′-triphosphate. Upon administration to animals, both TAT-Gap19 and carbenoxolone lowered the degree of liver fibrosis accompanied by superoxide dismutase overactivation and reduced production of inflammatory proteins, respectively. These results support a role of connexin-based signaling in the resolution of liver fibrosis, and simultaneously demonstrate the therapeutic potential of TAT-Gap19 and carbenoxolone in the treatment of this type of chronic liver disease.
Chondroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Dextromethorphan: Repurposing Antitussive Medication for Osteoarthritis Treatment
Authors: Chen Liv , Liu Feng-Cheng , Hung Li-Feng , Huang Chuan-Yueh , Lien Shiu-Bii , Lin Leou-Chyr , Lai Jenn-Haung , Ho Ling-Jun
Published: March 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and primarily affects older people. The ideal anti-OA drug should have a modest anti-inflammatory effect and only limited or no toxicity for long-term use. Because the antitussive medication dextromethorphan (DXM) is protective in atherosclerosis and neurological diseases, two common disorders in aged people, we examined whether DXM can be protective in pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated chondrocytes and in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model in this study. Chondrocytes were prepared from cartilage specimens taken from pigs or OA patients. Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry were adopted to measure the expression of collagen II (Col II) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). DXM significantly restored tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-mediated reduction of collagen II and decreased TNF-α-induced MMP-13 production. To inhibit the synthesis of MMP-13, DXM blocked TNF-α downstream signaling, including I kappa B kinase (IKK)α/β-IκBα-nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation. Besides this, DXM protected the CIA mice from severe inflammation and cartilage destruction. DXM seemed to protect cartilage from inflammation-mediated matrix degradation, which is an irreversible status in the disease progression of osteoarthritis. The results suggested that testing DXM as an osteoarthritis therapeutic should be a focus in further research.
Chloroplast Protein Turnover: The Influence of Extraplastidic Processes, Including Autophagy
Authors: Izumi Masanori , Nakamura Sakuya
Published: March 2018

Most assimilated nutrients in the leaves of land plants are stored in chloroplasts as photosynthetic proteins, where they mediate CO2 assimilation during growth. During senescence or under suboptimal conditions, chloroplast proteins are degraded, and the amino acids released during this process are used to produce young tissues, seeds, or respiratory energy. Protein degradation machineries contribute to the quality control of chloroplasts by removing damaged proteins caused by excess energy from sunlight. Whereas previous studies revealed that chloroplasts contain several types of intraplastidic proteases that likely derived from an endosymbiosed prokaryotic ancestor of chloroplasts, recent reports have demonstrated that multiple extraplastidic pathways also contribute to chloroplast protein turnover in response to specific cues. One such pathway is autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved process that leads to the vacuolar or lysosomal degradation of cytoplasmic components in eukaryotic cells. Here, we describe and contrast the extraplastidic pathways that degrade chloroplasts. This review shows that diverse pathways participate in chloroplast turnover during sugar starvation, senescence, and oxidative stress. Elucidating the mechanisms that regulate these pathways will help decipher the relationship among the diverse pathways mediating chloroplast protein turnover.
On the Performance of the Cache Coding Protocol
Authors: Maboudi Behnaz , Sehat Hadi , Pahlevani Peyman , Lucani Daniel E.
Published: March 2018

Network coding approaches typically consider an unrestricted recoding of coded packets in the relay nodes to increase performance. However, this can expose the system to pollution attacks that cannot be detected during transmission, until the receivers attempt to recover the data. To prevent these attacks while allowing for the benefits of coding in mesh networks, the cache coding protocol was proposed. This protocol only allows recoding at the relays when the relay has received enough coded packets to decode an entire generation of packets. At that point, the relay node recodes and signs the recoded packets with its own private key, allowing the system to detect and minimize the effect of pollution attacks and making the relays accountable for changes on the data. This paper analyzes the delay performance of cache coding to understand the security-performance trade-off of this scheme. We introduce an analytical model for the case of two relays in an erasure channel relying on an absorbing Markov chain and an approximate model to estimate the performance in terms of the number of transmissions before successfully decoding at the receiver. We confirm our analysis using simulation results. We show that cache coding can overcome the security issues of unrestricted recoding with only a moderate decrease in system performance.
A Performance of the Soft-Charging Operation in Series of Step-Up Power Switched-Capacitor Converters
Authors: Alateeq Ayoob , Almalaq Yasser , Matin Mohammad
Published: March 2018

Due to their high power density and appropriateness for small circuits integration, switched-capacitor (SC) converters have gotten more interests. Applying the soft-charging technique effectively eliminates the current transient that results in a higher power density and a higher fundamental efficiency. Achieving the complete soft-charging operation is impossible by using the conventional control diagram for any SC converter topology. In this paper, we proposed a split-phase control to achieve the complete soft-charging operation in a power switched-capacitor (PSC) converter. The proposed control diagram was designed for a 1-to-4 PSC converter (two-level of the PSC converter). The implemented split-phase diagram successfully controls eight switches to exhibit eight modes of operation. In addition to the current transient elimination, the complete soft-charging allows us to reduce capacitor sizes. However, reducing capacitor size negatively increases the output voltage ripple; hence, an output LC filter is needed. The complete soft-charging achievement accomplishes a 96% efficiency due to the lower output impedance and the dead time switching. LT-Spice software has been used to verify the proposed control and the results were compared with hard-charging and incomplete soft-charging operations.
Improved Labeling of Pancreatic Islets Using Cationic Magnetoliposomes
Authors: Garcia Ribeiro Rita , Ketkar-Atre Ashwini , Yin Ting , Louchami Karim , Struys Tom , Lambrichts Ivo , Sener Abdullah , Malaisse Willy , De Cuyper Marcel , Himmelreich Uwe
Published: March 2018

Pancreatic islets (PIs) transplantation is an alternative approach for the treatment of severe forms of type 1 diabetes (T1D). To monitor the success of transplantation, it is desirable to follow the location of engrafted PIs non-invasively. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of transplanted PIs is a feasible cell tracking method; however, this requires labeling with a suitable contrast agent prior to transplantation. We have tested the feasibility of cationic magnetoliposomes (MLs), compared to commercial contrast agents (Endorem and Resovist), by labeling insulinoma cells and freshly isolated rat PIs. It was possible to incorporate Magnetic Ressonance (MR)-detectable amounts of MLs in a shorter time (4 h) when compared to Endorem and Resovist. MLs did not show negative effects on the PIs’ viability and functional parameters in vitro. Labeled islets were transplanted in the renal sub-capsular region of healthy mice. Hypointense contrast in MR images due to the labeled PIs was detected in vivo upon transplantation, while MR detection of PIs labeled with Endorem and Resovist was only possible after the addition of transfection agents. These findings indicate that MLs are suitable to image PIs, without affecting their function, which is promising for future longitudinal pre-clinical and clinical studies involving the assessment of PI transplantation.
An Interface for IoT: Feeding Back Health-Related Data to Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Memedi Mevludin , Tshering Gaki , Fogelberg Martin , Jusufi Ilir , Kolkowska Ella , Klein Gunnar
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a user-centered design (UCD) process of an interface for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients for helping them to better manage their symptoms. The interface is designed to visualize symptom and medication information, collected by an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system, which will consist of a smartphone, electronic dosing device, wrist sensor and a bed sensor. In our work, the focus is on measuring data related to some of the main health-related quality of life aspects such as motor function, sleep, medication compliance, meal intake timing in relation to medication intake, and physical exercise. A mock-up demonstrator for the interface was developed using UCD methodology in collaboration with PD patients. The research work was performed as an iterative design and evaluation process based on interviews and observations with 11 PD patients. Additional usability evaluations were conducted with three information visualization experts. Contributions include a list of requirements for the interface, results evaluating the performance of the patients when using the demonstrator during task-based evaluation sessions as well as opinions of the experts. The list of requirements included ability of the patients to track an ideal day, so they could repeat certain activities in the future as well as determine how the scores are related to each other. The patients found the visualizations as clear and easy to understand and could successfully perform the tasks. The evaluation with experts showed that the visualizations are in line with the current standards and guidelines for the intended group of users. In conclusion, the results from this work indicate that the proposed system can be considered as a tool for assisting patients in better management of the disease by giving them insights on their own aggregated symptom and medication information. However, the actual effects of providing such feedback to patients on their health-related quality of life should be investigated in a clinical trial.
A Regional Perspective on Urbanization and Climate-Related Disasters in the Northern Coastal Region of Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Rudiarto Iwan , Handayani Wiwandari , Sih Setyono Jawoto
Published: March 2018

Indonesia, as an archipelagic nation, has about 150 million people (60%) living in coastal areas. Such communities are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of change, in the form of sea level rise and stronger, more intense storms. Population growth in coastal areas will also increase the disaster risk mainly because of climate change-related effects such as flooding, droughts, and tidal floods. This study examines the dynamic changes of urban population and urban villages in three decadal periods, from 1990, 2000, to 2010. To highlight different disasters that are increasingly tied to climate change, the analysis was conducted in the northern coastal area of Central Java province using village potential (PODES) data, which are routinely collected by the government. Results show that about 41% of people in Central Java province live in the northern coastal region and 50% live in urban areas. The numbers of hazard events within a distance range of 0–40 km from the shoreline are: flooding (non-tidal)—335; tidal flooding—65; and droughts—28. Based on this study, about half of flood disasters (non-tidal) occurred within 10 km of the shoreline, while tidal flooding accounted for 80%. Most of the climate-related disasters were found in rural areas at low levels of population growth, while in urban areas the disasters were found to be associated in less than 1% and in more than 3% of population growth.
A New Hybrid Whale Optimizer Algorithm with Mean Strategy of Grey Wolf Optimizer for Global Optimization
Authors: Singh Narinder , Hachimi Hanaa
Published: March 2018

The quest for an efficient nature-inspired optimization technique has continued over the last few decades. In this paper, a hybrid nature-inspired optimization technique has been proposed. The hybrid algorithm has been constructed using Mean Grey Wolf Optimizer (MGWO) and Whale Optimizer Algorithm (WOA). We have utilized the spiral equation of Whale Optimizer Algorithm for two procedures in the Hybrid Approach GWO (HAGWO) algorithm: (i) firstly, we used the spiral equation in Grey Wolf Optimizer algorithm for balance between the exploitation and the exploration process in the new hybrid approach; and (ii) secondly, we also applied this equation in the whole population in order to refrain from the premature convergence and trapping in local minima. The feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid algorithm have been tested by solving some standard benchmarks, XOR, Baloon, Iris, Breast Cancer, Welded Beam Design, Pressure Vessel Design problems and comparing the results with those obtained through other metaheuristics. The solutions prove that the newly existing hybrid variant has higher stronger stability, faster convergence rate and computational accuracy than other nature-inspired metaheuristics on the maximum number of problems and can successfully resolve the function of constrained nonlinear optimization in reality.
An Overview of Key Challenges in the Fabrication of Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Reinforced by Graphene Nanoplatelets
Authors: Saboori Abdollah , Moheimani Seyed , Dadkhah Mehran , Pavese Matteo , Badini Claudio , Fino Paolo
Published: March 2018

This article provides an overview of research efforts with an emphasis on the fabrication of metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Particular attention is devoted to finding the challenges in the production of MMNCs through the powder metallurgy techniques. The main technical challenges can be listed as: (I) reinforcement selection; (II) dispersion of reinforcement within the matrix; (III) reactivity between the reinforcement and matrix; (IV) interfacial bonding; (V) preferred orientation of reinforcement. It is found that some of these difficulties can be attributed to the nature of the materials involved, while the others are related to the preparation routes. It is reported that the challenges related to the process can often be addressed by changing the production process or by using post-processing techniques. More challenging issues instead are related to the composition of the matrix and reinforcement, their reactivity and the dispersion of reinforcement. These topics still bring significant challenges to the materials scientists, and it would be worth mentioning that the fabrication of MMNCs with a uniform dispersion of reinforcement, strong interfacial bonding, without detrimental reactions and improved isotropic properties is still a puzzling issue.
Microstructure Formation of Functional Polymers by Evaporative Self-Assembly under Flexible Geometric Confinement
Authors: Li Xiangmeng , Zhu Xijing , Wei Huifen
Published: March 2018

Polymer microstructures are widely used in optics, flexible electronics, and so forth. We demonstrate a cost-effective bottom-up manner for patterning polymer microstructures by evaporative self-assembly under a flexible geometric confinement at a high temperature. Two-parallel-plates confinement would become curve-to-flat shape geometric confinement as the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cover plate deformed during solvent swelling. We found that a flexible cover plate would be favorable for the formation of gradient microstructures, with various periodicities and widths obtained at varied heights of clearance. After thermal annealing, the edge of the PMMA (Poly-methylmethacrylate) microstructures would become smooth, while the RR-P3HT (regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene)) might generate nanocrystals. The morphologies of RR-P3HT structures included thick films, straight lines, hierarchical stripes, incomplete stripes, and regular dots. Finally, a simple field-effect transistor (FET) device was demonstrated with the RR-P3HT micropattern as an active layer.
Description of New and Amended Clades of the Genus Photobacterium
Authors: Labella Alejandro , Castro M. , Manchado Manuel , Borrego Juan
Published: March 2018

Phylogenetic relationships between species in the genus Photobacterium have been poorly studied despite pathogenic and ecological relevance of some of its members. This is the first phylogenetic study that includes new species of Photobacterium (validated or not) that have not been included in any of the previously described clades, using 16S rRNA sequences and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) in concatenated sequences of gyrB, gapA, topA, ftsZ and mreB housekeeping genes. Sequence analysis has been implemented using Maximum-parsimony (MP), Neighbour-joining (NJ) and Maximum likelihood (ML) treeing methods and the predicted evolutionary relationship between the Photobacterium clades was established on the basis of bootstrap values of >75% for 16S rRNA sequences and MLSA. We have grouped 22 species of the genus Photobacterium into the following 5 clades: Phosphoreum (comprises P. aquimaris, “P. carnosum,” P. iliopiscarium, P. kishitanii, P. phosphoreum, “P. piscicola” and “P. toruni”); clade Profundum (composed of P. aestuarii, P. alginatilyticum, P. frigidiphilum, P. indicum, P. jeanii, P. lipolyticum, “P. marinum,” and P. profundum); clade Damselae (two subspecies of P. damselae, damselae and piscicida); and two new clades: clade Ganghwense (includes P. aphoticum, P. aquae, P. galatheae, P. ganghwense, P. halotolerans, P. panuliri and P. proteolyticum); and clade Leiognathi (composed by P. angustum, P. leiognathi subsp. leiognathi and “P. leiognathi subsp. mandapamensis”). Two additional clades, Rosenbergii and Swingsii, were formed using a phylogenetic method based on 16S rRNA gene, although they are not confirmed by any MLSA methods. Only P. aplysiae could not be included in none of the established clade, constituting an orphan clade.
Gold-Catalyzed Addition of β-Ketoesters to Alkenes: Influence of Electronic and Steric Effects in the Reaction Outcome
Authors: La-Venia Agustina , Mischne Mirta , Mata Ernesto
Published: March 2018

The gold-catalyzed intermolecular hydroalkylation of olefins with β-ketoesters represents a conceptually attractive and useful synthetic tool; however, it has been scarcely applied, remaining a challenge for chemists. The aim of the current study was to investigate the addition of these 1,3-diketo-compounds to alkenes under gold catalysis conditions, in order to establish the electronic and steric effects of the alkenyl substrates in the reaction outcome. The screening of different catalyst systems and diverse olefins enabled defining the alkenyl requirements and the best reaction conditions to efficiently achieve the coupled products.
In Vitro ADME Properties of Two Novel Antimicrobial Peptoid-Based Compounds as Potential Agents against Canine Pyoderma
Authors: Greco Ines , Hummel Bernard , Vasir Jaspreet , Watts Jeffrey , Koch Jason , Hansen Johannes , Nielsen Hanne , Damborg Peter , Hansen Paul
Published: March 2018

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise as the next generation of antimicrobial agents, but often suffer from rapid degradation in vivo. Modifying AMPs with non-proteinogenic residues such as peptoids (oligomers of N-alkylglycines) provides the potential to improve stability. We have identified two novel peptoid-based compounds, B1 and D2, which are effective against the canine skin pathogen Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, the main cause of antibiotic use in companion animals. We report on their potential to treat infections topically by characterizing their release from formulation and in vitro ADME properties. In vitro ADME assays included skin penetration profiles, stability to proteases and liver microsomes, and plasma protein binding. Both B1 and D2 were resistant to proteases and >98% bound to plasma proteins. While half-lives in liver microsomes for both were >2 h, peptoid D2 showed higher stability to plasma proteases than the peptide-peptoid hybrid B1 (>2 versus 0.5 h). Both compounds were suitable for administration in an oil-in-water cream formulation (50% release in 8 h), and displayed no skin permeation, in the absence or presence of skin permeability modifiers. Our results indicate that these peptoid-based drugs may be suitable as antimicrobials for local treatment of canine superficial pyoderma and that they can overcome the inherent limitations of stability encountered in peptides.
Production of Micro- and Nanoscale Lignin from Wheat Straw Using Different Precipitation Setups
Authors: Beisl Stefan , Loidolt Petra , Miltner Angela , Harasek Michael , Friedl Anton
Published: March 2018

Micro- and nanosize lignin has recently gained interest due to its improved properties compared to standard lignin available today. As the second most abundant biopolymer after cellulose, lignin is readily available but used for rather low-value applications. Applications for lignin in micro- to nanoscale however, ranging from improvement of mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites, have bactericidal and antioxidant properties and impregnations to hollow lignin drug carriers for hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. This research represents a whole biorefinery process chain and compares different precipitation setups to produce submicron lignin particles from lignin containing an organosolv pretreatment extract from wheat straw. A batch precipitation in a stirred vessel was compared with continuous mixing of extract and antisolvent in a T-fitting and mixing in a T-fitting followed by a static mixer. The precipitation in the combination of T-fitting and static mixer with improved precipitation parameters yields the smallest particle size of around 100 nm. Furthermore, drying of particles did not influence the particle sizes negatively by showing decreased particle diameters after the separation process.
Increasing Polarity in Tacrine and Huprine Derivatives: Potent Anticholinesterase Agents for the Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Galdeano Carles , Coquelle Nicolas , Cieslikiewicz-Bouet Monika , Bartolini Manuela , Pérez Belén , Clos M. , Silman Israel , Jean Ludovic , Colletier Jacques-Philippe , Renard Pierre-Yves , Muñoz-Torrero Diego
Published: March 2018

Symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis is based on the use of peripherally-acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors that, in some cases, must be discontinued due to the occurrence of a number of side-effects. Thus, new AChE inhibitors are being developed and investigated for their potential use against this disease. Here, we have explored two alternative approaches to get access to peripherally-acting AChE inhibitors as new agents against myasthenia gravis, by structural modification of the brain permeable anti-Alzheimer AChE inhibitors tacrine, 6-chlorotacrine, and huprine Y. Both quaternization upon methylation of the quinoline nitrogen atom, and tethering of a triazole ring, with, in some cases, the additional incorporation of a polyphenol-like moiety, result in more polar compounds with higher inhibitory activity against human AChE (up to 190-fold) and butyrylcholinesterase (up to 40-fold) than pyridostigmine, the standard drug for symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis. The novel compounds are furthermore devoid of brain permeability, thereby emerging as interesting leads against myasthenia gravis.
Lung Cancer Chemopreventive Activity of Patulin Isolated from Penicillium vulpinum
Authors: Monteillier Aymeric , Allard Pierre-Marie , Gindro Katia , Wolfender Jean-Luc , Cuendet Muriel
Published: March 2018

Lung cancer is the most lethal form of cancer in the world. Its development often involves an overactivation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, leading to increased cell proliferation, survival, mobility, and a decrease in apoptosis. Therefore, NF-κB inhibitors are actively sought after for both cancer chemoprevention and therapy, and fungi represent an interesting unexplored reservoir for such molecules. The aim of the present work was to find naturally occurring lung cancer chemopreventive compounds by investigating the metabolites of Penicillium vulpinum, a fungus that grows naturally on dung. Penicillium vulpinum was cultivated in Potato Dextrose Broth and extracted with ethyl acetate. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract was performed by measuring NF-κB activity using a HEK293 cell line transfected with an NF-κB-driven luciferase reporter gene. The mycotoxin patulin was identified as a nanomolar inhibitor of TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analyses revealed that its mechanism of action involved an inhibition of p65 nuclear translocation and was independent from the NF-κB inhibitor α (IκBα) degradation process. Enhancing its interest in lung cancer chemoprevention, patulin also exhibited antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antimigration effects on human lung adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of the Wnt pathway.
Recent Advances in Zirconium-89 Chelator Development
Authors: Bhatt Nikunj , Pandya Darpan , Wadas Thaddeus
Published: March 2018

The interest in zirconium-89 (89Zr) as a positron-emitting radionuclide has grown considerably over the last decade due to its standardized production, long half-life of 78.2 h, favorable decay characteristics for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and its successful use in a variety of clinical and preclinical applications. However, to be utilized effectively in PET applications it must be stably bound to a targeting ligand, and the most successfully used 89Zr chelator is desferrioxamine B (DFO), which is commercially available as the iron chelator Desferal®. Despite the prevalence of DFO in 89Zr-immuno-PET applications, the development of new ligands for this radiometal is an active area of research. This review focuses on recent advances in zirconium-89 chelation chemistry and will highlight the rapidly expanding ligand classes that are under investigation as DFO alternatives.
Preparation and Characterization of WS2@SiO2 and WS2@PANI Core-Shell Nanocomposites
Authors: Sade Hagit , Lellouche Jean-Paul
Published: March 2018

Two tungsten disulfide (WS2)-based core-shell nanocomposites were fabricated using readily available reagents and simple procedures. The surface was pre-treated with a surfactant couple in a layer-by-layer approach, enabling good dispersion of the WS2 nanostructures in aqueous media and providing a template for the polymerization of a silica (SiO2) shell. After a Stöber-like reaction, a conformal silica coating was achieved. Inspired by the resulting nanocomposite, a second one was prepared by reacting the surfactant-modified WS2 nanostructures with aniline and an oxidizing agent in an aqueous medium. Here too, a conformal coating of polyaniline (PANI) was obtained, giving a WS2@PANI nanocomposite. Both nanocomposites were analyzed by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and FTIR, verifying the core-shell structure and the character of shells. The silica shell was amorphous and mesoporous and the surface area of the composite increases with shell thickness. Polyaniline shells slightly differ in their morphologies dependent on the acid used in the polymerization process and are amorphous like the silica shell. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the WS2@PANI nanocomposite showed variation between bulk PANI and the PANI shell. These two nanocomposites have great potential to expand the use of transition metals dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for new applications in different fields.
Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Fails to Improve Four-Kilometer Cycling Time Trial Performance
Authors: Pires Flávio O. , Brietzke Cayque , Pinheiro Fabiano A. , Veras Katherine , De Mattos Eugênia C. T. , Rodacki André L. F. , Ugrinowitsch Carlos
Published: March 2018

We investigated if a carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse may attenuate global fatigue and improve 4-km cycling time trial (TT4km) performance. After a preliminary session, cyclists (n = 9) performed a TT4km after a CHO or placebo (PLA) mouth rinse. Mean power output, time, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout the TT4km. Twitch interpolation responses (%VA; voluntary activation and ∆Tw; delta peak twitch torque) were compared pre and post TT4km with traditional statistics and effect size (ES) analysis. Time-to-complete the 4 km and mean power output were comparable between CHO (386.4 ± 28.0 s) and PLA (385.4 ± 22.4 s). A lower central (p = 0.054) and peripheral (p = 0.02) fatigue in CHO than in PLA were suggested by an extremely-large ES in %VA (manipulation main effect: p = 0.052, d = 1.18; manipulation-by-time interaction effect: p = 0.08, d = 1.00) and an extremely, very-large ES in ∆Tw (manipulation main effect: p = 0.07, d = 0.97; time-by-manipulation interaction effect: p = 0.09, d = 0.89). The RPE increased slower in CHO than in PLA (p = 0.051; d = 0.7). The apparent reduction in global fatigue (central and peripheral) and RPESLOPE with only one CHO mouth rinse were not translated into improved TT4km performance. Further tests may be required to verify if these likely differences in global fatigue might represent an edge in the short-lasting cycling time trial performance.
Polyaniline Coated Core-Shell Typed Stimuli-Responsive Microspheres and Their Electrorheology
Authors: Dong Yu , Han Wen , Choi Hyoung
Published: March 2018

Functional core-shell-structured particles have attracted considerable attention recently. This paper reviews the synthetic methods and morphologies of various electro-stimuli responsive polyaniline (PANI)-coated core-shell-type microspheres, including PANI-coated Fe3O4, SiO2, Fe2O3, TiO2, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(glycidyl methacrylate), and polystyrene along with their electrorheological (ER) characteristics when prepared by dispersing these particles in an insulating medium. In addition to the various rheological characteristics and their analysis, such as shear stress and yield stress of their ER fluids, this paper summarizes some of the mechanisms proposed for ER fluids to further understand the responses of ER fluids to an externally applied electric field.
Minimizing the Strong Screening Effect of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles in Hydrogen-Bonded Random Copolymers
Authors: Chen Wei-Cheng , Lin Ruey-Chorng , Tseng Shih-Min , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: March 2018

A series of poly(vinylphenol-co-methacryisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) (PVPh-co-PMAPOSS) random copolymers have been synthesized through free radical copolymerizations of acetoxystyrene with methacryisobutyl POSS monomer and subsequent hydrazine monohydrate-mediated hydrolysis of the acetoxyl units. These random copolymers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which revealed that the POSS content in the random copolymers could be varied by changing the POSS monomer feed ratio by 1H NMR analyses. This molecular design approach allowed us to investigate the thermal properties and hydrogen bonding interactions of these PVPh-co-PMAPOSS random copolymers in comparison with those of PVPh/PMAPOSS blend systems. Hydrogen bonding interactions were absent in the PVPh/PMAPOSS blend system, because of a strong screening effect; in contrast, the PVPh-co-PMAPOSS random copolymers experienced enhanced intramolecular hydrogen bonding that minimized the strong screening effect of the POSS nanoparticles.
Erratum: A Novel Human-Like Collagen Hydrogel Scaffold with Porous Structure and Sponge-Like Properties. Polymers, 2017, 9, 638
Authors: Song Xi , Zhu Chenhui , Fan Daidi , Mi Yu , Li Xian , Fu Rong , Duan Zhiguang , Wang Ya , Feng Rui
Published: March 2018

The authors wish to make a change to the published paper[...]
Cost-Effective Double-Layer Hydrogel Composites for Wound Dressing Applications
Authors: Tavakoli Javad , Mirzaei Samaneh , Tang Youhong
Published: March 2018

Although poly vinyl alcohol-poly acrylic acid (PVA-PAA) composites have been widely used for biomedical applications, their incorporation into double-layer assembled thin films has been limited because the interfacial binding materials negatively influence the water uptake capacity of PVA. To minimize the effect of interfacial binding, a simple method for the fabrication of a double-layered PVA-PAA hydrogel was introduced, and its biomedical properties were evaluated in this study. Our results revealed that the addition of PAA layers on the surface of PVA significantly increased the swelling properties. Compared to PVA, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the PVA-PAA hydrogel increased (p = 0.035) and its water vapour permeability significantly decreased (p = 0.04). Statistical analysis revealed that an increase in pH value from 7 to 10 as well as the addition of PAA at pH = 7 significantly increased the adhesion force (p < 0.04). The mechanical properties—including ultimate tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break—remained approximately untouched compared to PVA. A significant increase in biocompatibility was found after day 7 (p = 0.016). A higher release rate for tetracycline was found at pH = 8 compared to neutral pH.
Prediction of Chlorophyll Content in Different Light Areas of Apple Tree Canopies based on the Color Characteristics of 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Ma Xiaodan , Feng Jiarui , Guan Haiou , Liu Gang
Published: March 2018

Improving the speed and accuracy of chlorophyll (Ch1) content prediction in different light areas of apple trees is a central priority for understanding the growth response to light intensity and in turn increasing the primary production of apples. In vitro assessment by wet chemical extraction is the standard method for leaf chlorophyll determination. This measurement is expensive, laborious, and time-consuming. Over the years, alternative methods—both rapid and nondestructive—were explored, and many vegetation indices (VIs) were developed to retrieve Ch1 content at the canopy level from meter- to decameter-scale reflectance observations, which have lower accuracy due to the possible confounding influence of the canopy structure. Thus, the spatially continuous distribution of Ch1 content in different light areas within an apple tree canopy remains unresolved. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop methods for Ch1 content estimation in areas of different light intensity by using 3D models with color characteristics acquired by a 3D laser scanner with centimeter spatial resolution. Firstly, to research relative light intensity (RLI), canopies were scanned with a FARO Focus3D 120 laser scanner on a calm day without strong light intensity and then divided into 180 cube units for each canopy according to actual division methods in three-dimensional spaces based on distance information. Meanwhile, four different types of RLI were defined as 0–30%, 30–60%, 60–85%, and 85–100%, respectively, according to the actual division method for tree canopies. Secondly, Ch1 content in the 180 cubic units of each apple tree was measured by a leaf chlorophyll meter (soil and plant analyzer development, SPAD). Then, color characteristics were extracted from each cubic area of the 3D model and calculated by two color variables, which could be regarded as effective indicators of Ch1 content in field crop areas. Finally, to address the complexity and fuzziness of relationships between the color characteristics and Ch1 content of apple tree canopies (which could not be expressed by an accurate mathematical model), a three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed as a predictive model to find Ch1 content in different light areas in apple tree canopies. The results indicated that the mean highest and mean lowest value of Ch1 content distributed in 60–85% and 0–30% of RLI areas, respectively, and that there was no significant difference between adjacent RLI areas. Additionally, color characteristics changed regularly as the RLI rose within canopies. Moreover, the prediction of Ch1 content was strongly correlated with those of actual measurements (R = 0.9755) by the SPAD leaf chlorophyll meter. In summary, the color characteristics in 3D apple tree canopies combined with ANN technology could be used as a potential rapid technique for predicting Ch1 content in different areas of light in apple tree canopies.
Mapping Asphaltic Roads’ Skid Resistance Using Imaging Spectroscopy
Authors: Carmon Nimrod , Ben-Dor Eyal
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a realistic feasibility of using hyperspectral remote sensing (also termed imaging spectroscopy) airborne data for mapping asphaltic roads’ transportation safety. This is done by quantifying the road-tire friction, an attribute responsible for vehicle control and emergency stopping. We engaged in a real-life operational scenario, where the roads’ friction was modeled against the reflectance information extracted directly from the image. The asphalt pavement’s dynamic friction coefficient was measured by a standardized technique using a Dynatest 6875H (Dynatest Consulting Inc., Westland, MI, USA) Friction Measuring System, which uses the common test-wheel retardation method. The hyperspectral data was acquired by the SPECIM AisaFenix 1K (Specim, Spectral Imaging Ltd., Oulu, Finland) airborne system, covering the entire optical range (350–2500 nm), over a selected study site, with roads characterized by different aging conditions. The spectral radiance data was processed to provide apparent surface reflectance using ground calibration targets and the ACORN-6 atmospheric correction package. Our final dataset was comprised of 1370 clean asphalt pixels coupled with geo-rectified in situ friction measurement points. We developed a partial least squares regression model using PARACUDA-II spectral data mining engine, which uses an automated outlier detection procedure and dual validation routines—a full cross-validation and an iterative internal validation based on a Latin Hypercube sampling algorithm. Our results show prediction capabilities of R2 = 0.632 for full cross-validation and R2 = 0.702 for the best available model in internal validation, both with significant results (p < 0.0001). Using spectral assignment analysis, we located the spectral bands with the highest weight in the model and discussed their possible physical and chemical assignments. The derived model was applied back on the hyperspectral image to predict and map the friction values of every road pixel in the scene. Combining the standard method with imaging spectroscopy may provide the required expansion of the available data to furnish decision makers with a full picture of the roads’ status. This technique’s limitations originate mainly in compositional variations between different roads, and the requirement for the application of multiple calibrations between scenes. Possible improvements could be achieved by using more spectral regions (e.g., thermal) and additional remote sensing techniques (e.g., LIDAR) as well as new platforms (e.g., UAV).