bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Cooling of LED Filament Bulbs Using an Embedded Tri-Needle/Ring Ionic Wind Device
Authors: Xu Chunlin , Zheng Huai , Liu Jie , Chu Jingcao , Zeng Xiaoliang , Sun Rong , Liu Sheng
Published: June 2020

Improving the heat dissipation ability for light-emitting diode (LED) filament bulb is very difficult. A tri-needle/ring ionic wind generator was developed to improve the heat dissipation condition of bulbs. The operation characteristics of the ionic wind generator, such as the electrode gap, inception voltage, and discharge current with regard to the operation voltage, were studied by experiments. The ionic wind velocity within the bulb was investigated under different electrode gaps and applied voltages. The temperature drop achieved by the ionic was were tested with the consideration of many operation parameters for analysis. The experiments showed that ionic wind can provide efficient and stable cooling effect for LED filament bulbs. The temperature drop of LED junction can reach 30 °C at best. Good stability and adjustability of the ionic wind generator were demonstrated by tracing the temperature history of LED filaments in long-term tests. Finally, the light efficiency of LED filament bulbs with ionic wind cooling was studied. The experimental results showed that light efficiency was improved by 7.3% under the best cooling case. The experimental results indicate that the embedded ionic wind generator can provide an effective solution for cooling LED filament bulbs.
Efficient Unbalanced Three-Phase Network Modelling for Optimal PV Inverter Control
Authors: Phan-Tan Chi-Thang , Hill Martin
Published: June 2020

High penetration levels of renewable energy generation in the distribution network require voltage regulation to avoid excessive voltage at generating nodes. To effectively control the network and optimize network hosting capacity, the distribution system operator must have an efficient model for power flow analysis. This paper presents the formulas and steps to express the power flow analysis equations of an unbalanced 3-phase network in matrix form suited to programmed solutions. A benchmark MATLAB/Simulink network with unbalanced distribution lines, photovoltaic inverters, and loads is built to verify the matrix model. To demonstrate the application of the model, the control of reverse energy flow from the photovoltaic inverters to keep the voltage in the network below the regulated level is simulated. Two decentralized control algorithms are applied in the network, including an on/off and a multi-objective constrained optimization controller. The detailed construction of the optimization problem for the 3-phase network in matrix form, which is consistent with the power flow calculation, is described. Simulation with the control methods over a day shows that the total active power of the on/off and optimized controllers deliver 41.92% and 99.39% of the available solar power, respectively, while maintaining the network node voltages within limits.
Influence of Torrefaction and Pelletizing of Sawdust on the Design Parameters of a Fixed Bed Gasifier
Authors: Luo Hao , Niedzwiecki Lukasz , Arora Amit , Mościcki Krzysztof , Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Krochmalny Krystian , Baranowski Marcin , Tiwari Mayank , Sharma Anshul , Sharma Tanuj , Lu Zhimin
Published: June 2020

Gasification of biomass in fixed bed gasifiers is a well-known technology, with its origins dating back to the beginning of 20th century. It is a technology with good prospects, in terms of small scale, decentralized power co-generation. However, the understanding of the process is still not fully developed. Therefore, assessment of the changes in the design of a gasifier is typically performed with extensive prototyping stage, thus introducing significant cost. This study presents experimental results of gasification of a single pellet and bed of particles of raw and torrefied wood. The procedure can be used for obtaining design parameters of a fixed bed gasifier. Results of two suits of experiments, namely pyrolysis and CO2 gasification are presented. Moreover, results of pyrolysis of pellets are compared against a numerical model, developed for thermally thick particles. Pyrolysis time, predicted by model, was in good agreement with experimental results, despite some differences in the time when half of the initial mass was converted. Conversion times for CO2 gasification were much longer, despite higher temperature of the process, indicating importance of the reduction reactions. Overall, the obtained results could be helpful in developing a complete model of gasification of thermally thick particles in a fixed bed.
Optimization of Vehicle Braking Distance Using a Fuzzy Controller
Authors: Girovský Peter , Žilková Jaroslava , Kaňuch Ján
Published: June 2020

The paper presents the study of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that has been complemented by a fuzzy controller. The fuzzy controller was used to improve the braking performance of the vehicle, particularly in critical situations, for example, when braking a vehicle on wet road. The controller for the ABS was designed in the MATLAB/Simulink program. The designed controller was simulated on a medium-size vehicle model. During testing, three braking systems were simulated on the vehicle model. We compared the performance of a braking system without an ABS, a system with a threshold-based conventional ABS, and a braking system with the proposed ABS with a fuzzy controller. These three braking systems were simulation tested during braking the vehicle on a dry straight road and on a road with combined road adhesion. A maneuverability test was conducted, where the vehicle had to avoid an obstacle while braking. The results of each test are provided at the end of the paper.
Electrothermal Averaged Model of a Diode-Transistor Switch Including IGBT and a Rapid Switching Diode
Authors: Górecki Paweł , Górecki Krzysztof
Published: June 2020

This study proposes an electrothermal averaged model of the diode–transistor switch including insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a rapid switching diode. The presented model has the form of subcircuits dedicated for simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE) and it makes it possible to compute characteristics of DC–DC converters at the steady state considering self-heating phenomena, both in the diode and in IGBT. This kind of model allows computations of voltages, currents and internal temperatures of all used semiconductor devices at the steady state. The formulas used in this model are adequate for both: continuous conducting mode (CCM) and discontinuous conducting mode (DCM). Correctness of the proposed model is verified experimentally for a boost converter including IGBT. Good accuracy in modeling these converter characteristics is obtained.
Improved MPPT Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems Based on the Earthquake Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Mendez Efrain , Ortiz Alexandro , Ponce Pedro , Macias Israel , Balderas David , Molina Arturo
Published: June 2020

Nowadays, owing to the growing interest in renewable energy, Photovoltaic systems (PV) are responsible of supplying more than 500,000 GW of the electrical energy consumed around the world. Therefore, different converters topologies, control algorithms, and techniques have been studied and developed in order to maximize the energy harvested by PV sources. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods are usually employed with DC/DC converters, which together are responsible for varying the impedance at the output of photovoltaic arrays, leading to a change in the current and voltage supplied in order to achieve a dynamic optimization of the transferred energy. MPPT algorithms such as, Perturb and Observe (P&O) guarantee correct tracking behavior with low calibration parameter dependence, but with a compromised relation between the settling time and steady-state oscillations, leading to a trade off between them. Nevertheless, proposed methods like Particle Swarm Optimization- (PSO) based techniques have improved the settling time with the addition of lower steady-state oscillations. Yet, such a proposal performance is highly susceptible and dependent to correct and precise parameter calibration, which may not always ensure the expected behavior. Therefore, this work presents a novel alternative for MPPT, based on the Earthquake Optimization Algorithm (EA) that enables a solution with an easy parameters calibration and an improved dynamic behavior. Hence, a boost converter case study is proposed to verify the suitability of the proposed technique through Simscape Power Systems™ simulations, regarding the dynamic model fidelity capabilities of the software. Results show that the proposed structure can easily be suited into different power applications. The proposed solution, reduced between 12% and 36% the energy wasted in the simulation compared to the P&O and PSO based proposals.
Functional Equations for Calculating the Properties of Low-GWP R1234ze(E) Refrigerant
Authors: Życzkowski Piotr , Borowski Marek , Łuczak Rafał , Kuczera Zbigniew , Ptaszyński Bogusław
Published: June 2020

Legal requirements for the use of refrigerants increasingly restrict the use of high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. As a result, there is a growing interest in natural refrigerants and in those belonging to the hydrofluoroolefins (HFO) class, which can be used on their own or in mixtures. One of them is the R1234ze(E) refrigerant, an alternative to the R134a refrigerant as well as being a component of numerous mixtures. The knowledge of thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants is required for the analysis and calculation of refrigeration cycles in refrigeration, air conditioning, or heating systems. The paper presents analytical equations for calculating the properties of the R1234ze(E) refrigerant in the state of saturation and in the subcooled liquid and superheated vapour regions that do not require numerical calculations and are characterised by small deviations. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm—one of the methods for non-linear least squares estimation—was used to develop them. A total of 26 equations were formulated. The formulated equations were statistically verified by determining absolute and relative deviations between the values obtained from CoolProp software and calculated values. The maximum relative deviation was not higher than 1% in any of them.
Increasing Efficiency in an Aeronautical Engine through Maintenance Evaluation and Upgrades: Analysis of the Reliability and Performance Improvements under Financial Issues
Authors: Fedele Lorenzo , Di Vito Luca , Ramundo Fulvio Enzo
Published: June 2020

This paper defines a methodology for the evaluation of the technical and economic performance of aeronautical engines through the upgrades introduced during its life. The CFM56 is a high-bypass turbofan engine. The variants share a common design, but the details are different. The fan and booster evolved over the different iterations of the engine, as did the compressor, combustor, and turbine sections. Maintenance consists of the activities carried out during the life cycle of an engine to ensure safe, reliable, and economic operation. Maintenance costs represent 20–25% of an airline’s operating costs, of which 35–40% refer to the engine. The changes in the performance parameters indicate the state of the engine in the medium to long term: for example, it is possible to detect blade fouling or data on vibrations, and highlight changes in the characteristic behavior of an engine. This work investigates the behavior of the performance parameters in the period prior to an engine development event: a comparison is made with the monitoring of engine vibrations. In the conclusions, a final expressive graph makes us aware of the significant progress, over the years, achieved with the methodology here presented.
Dynamic Pollution Prediction Model of Insulators Based on Atmospheric Environmental Parameters
Authors: Chen Siyi , Zhang Zhijin
Published: June 2020

Pollution-induced flashover is one of the most serious power accidents, and the pollution degree of insulators depends on atmospheric environmental parameters. The pollution models used in the power system research are usually static, but the environmental parameters are dynamic. Therefore, the study on the dynamic pollution prediction model is of great importance. In this paper, the dynamic pollution prediction model of insulators based on atmospheric environmental parameters was built, and insulators’ structure coefficients were proposed based on the model. Firstly, the insulator dynamic pollution model based on meteorological data (PM2.5, PM10, TSP (total suspended particulate), and wind speed) was proposed, and natural pollution tests were also conducted as verification tests. Furthermore, insulator structure coefficients c1, c2 (c1: pollution ratio of U210BP/170 to XP-160; c2: calculated pollution ratio of U210BP/170T to XP-160) were then obtained, and their influence factors were discussed. At last, insulator structure coefficients were calculated, and it can be seen that the calculated error of insulator structure coefficients was acceptable, with the average re (relative errors) at 9.0% (c1) and 13.5% (c2), which verifies the feasibility of the model. Based on the results in this paper, the NSDD (non-soluble deposit density) of insulators with different structures can be obtained using the insulators’ structure coefficient and the reference XP-160 insulator’s NSDD.
Modelling Properties of an Alkaline Electrolyser
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof , Górecka Małgorzata , Górecki Paweł
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a model of an electrolyser in the form of a subcircuit dedicated for SPICE. It takes into account both the electric static and dynamic properties of the considered device and is devoted to the optimisation of the parameters of the signal feeding this electrolyser, making it possible to obtain a high productivity and efficiency of the electrolysis process. Parameter values the describing current-voltage characteristics of the electrolyser take into account the influence of the concentration of the potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. A detailed description of the structure and all the components of this model is included in the paper. The correctness of the elaborated model is verified experimentally in a wide range of changes in the value of the feeding current and concentration of the KOH solution. Some computations illustrating the influence of the amplitude, average value, duty factor, and frequency of feeding current on the productivity and efficiency of the electrolysis process are performed. On the basis of the obtained results of the investigations, some recommendations for the operating conditions of electrolysers are formulated.
Households’ Willingness to Pay for Substituting Natural Gas with Renewable Methane: A Contingent Valuation Experiment in South Korea
Authors: Kim Sung-Min , Kim Ju-Hee , Yoo Seung-Hoon
Published: June 2020

South Korea is planning to substitute some residential natural gas (NG), a fossil fuel that relies on imports, with renewable methane (RM) from bio-gas, a renewable energy source. Thus, information about households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for implementing the plan is widely needed. This article, therefore, examines the WTP using an economic approach of contingent valuation (CV). More specifically, 1000 households were asked about the additional WTP for RM over NG through in-person face-to-face surveys across the country, adopting a dichotomous choice question format, during August 2018. As a few interviewees responded zero WTP for various reasons, a spike model that could reflect zero WTP observations was utilized. The household additional WTP for RM over NG was estimated, with statistical significance, as 191.46 Korean won (USD 0.17) per m3 and worth 31.9% of the average price of residential NG. This value means a price premium for RM compared to NG. In other words, this study found that South Korean consumers value residential RM about 1.32 times as much as residential NG. These results from the CV experiment could be a useful reference in establishing and implementing RM-related policies.
High Resistance Fault-Detection and Fault-Tolerance for Asymmetrical Six-Phase Surface-Mounted AC Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives
Authors: Rossi Claudio , Gritli Yasser , Pilati Alessio , Rizzoli Gabriele , Tani Angelo , Casadei Domenico
Published: June 2020

In the last decade, the interest for higher reliability in several industrial applications has boosted the research activities in multiphase permanent magnet synchronous motors realized by multiple three-phase winding sets. In this study, a mathematical model of an asymmetric surface-mounted six-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor under high resistance connections was developed. By exploiting the intrinsic properties of multiphase machines in terms of degrees of freedom, an improved field-oriented control scheme is presented that allows online fault detection and a quite undisturbed operating condition of the machine under high resistance connections. More specifically, the proposed strategies for online fault-detection and fault-tolerance are based on the use of multi-reference frame current regulators. The feasibility of the proposed approach was theoretically analyzed, then confirmed by numerical simulations. In order to validate experimentally the proposed strategies, the entire control system was implemented using TMS-320F2812 based platform.
Compensated Load Flow Solutions for Distribution System State Estimation
Authors: Gómez-Quiles Catalina , Romero-Ramos Esther , de la Villa-Jaén Antonio , Gómez-Expósito Antonio
Published: June 2020

State estimation of distribution systems typically relies on measurement sets with very low redundancy levels. In this paper, this fact is exploited by first solving a conventional load flow, using exclusively a critical set of measurements, and then compensating the solution to account for the few redundant measurements available. This leads to a suboptimal but sufficiently accurate estimate. It is shown how the sparse triangular factorization of the load flow Jacobian matrix can be fully exploited throughout the compensation-based procedure, preventing in this way the ill-conditioning associated with the gain matrix arising in the conventional least-squares formulation. Simulation results are provided for measurement configurations customarily found in distribution systems, showing the potential advantages of the proposed methodology.
Integrated Profiling of Fatty Acids, Sterols and Phenolic Compounds in Tree and Herbaceous Peony Seed Oils: Marker Screening for New Resources of Vegetable Oil
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Li Chunhuan , Contreras María del Mar , Verardo Vito , Gómez-Caravaca Ana María , Xing Chen
Published: June 2020

Tree peonies (Paeonia ostii and Paeonia rockii) are popular ornamental plants. Moreover, these plants have become oil crops in recent years. However, there are limited compositional studies focused on fatty acids. Therefore, this work aims to reveal compositional characteristics, regarding fatty acids, sterols, γ-tocopherol and phenolic compounds, of tree peony seed oils from all major cultivation areas in China, and to compare with herbaceous peony seed oil. For that, an integrative analysis was performed by GC-FID, GC-MS and UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS technologies. The main fatty acid was α-linolenic acid (39.0–48.3%), while β-sitosterol (1802.5–2793.7 mg/kg) and fucosterol (682.2–1225.1 mg/kg) were the dominant phytosterols. Importantly, 34 phenolic compounds, including paeonol and “Paeonia glycosides” (36.62–103.17 μg/g), were characterized in vegetable oils for the first time. Conclusively, this work gives new insights into the phytochemical composition of peony seed oil and reveals the presence of bioactive compounds, including “Paeonia glycosides”.
A Multisensor Data Fusion Approach for Predicting Consumer Acceptance of Food Products
Authors: Álvarez-Pato Víctor M. , Sánchez Claudia N. , Domínguez-Soberanes Julieta , Méndoza-Pérez David E. , Velázquez Ramiro
Published: June 2020

Sensory experiences play an important role in consumer response, purchase decision, and fidelity towards food products. Consumer studies when launching new food products must incorporate physiological response assessment to be more precise and, thus, increase their chances of success in the market. This paper introduces a novel sensory analysis system that incorporates facial emotion recognition (FER), galvanic skin response (GSR), and cardiac pulse to determine consumer acceptance of food samples. Taste and smell experiments were conducted with 120 participants recording facial images, biometric signals, and reported liking when trying a set of pleasant and unpleasant flavors and odors. Data fusion and analysis by machine learning models allow predicting the acceptance elicited by the samples. Results confirm that FER alone is not sufficient to determine consumers’ acceptance. However, when combined with GSR and, to a lesser extent, with pulse signals, acceptance prediction can be improved. This research targets predicting consumer’s acceptance without the continuous use of liking scores. In addition, the findings of this work may be used to explore the relationships between facial expressions and physiological reactions for non-rational decision-making when interacting with new food products.
Physicochemical Characteristics of Protein Isolated from Thraustochytrid Oilcake
Authors: Nham Tran Thi Linh , Miranda Ana F. , Mouradov Aidyn , Adhikari Benu
Published: June 2020

The oil from thraustochytrids, unicellular heterotrophic marine protists, is increasingly used in the food and biotechnological industries as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, squalene and a broad spectrum of carotenoids. This study showed that the oilcake, a by-product of oil extraction, is equally valuable as it contained 38% protein/dry mass, and thraustochytrid protein isolate can be obtained with 92% protein content and recovered with 70% efficiency. The highest and lowest solubilities of proteins were observed at pH 12.0 and 4.0, respectively, the latter being its isoelectric point. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, histidine, and arginine were the most abundant amino acids in proteins. The arginine-to-lysine ratio was higher than one, which is desired in heart-healthy foods. The denaturation temperature of proteins ranged from 167.8–174.5 °C, indicating its high thermal stability. Proteins also showed high emulsion activity (784.1 m2/g) and emulsion stability (209.9 min) indices. The extracted omega-3-rich oil melted in the range of 30–34.6 °C and remained stable up to 163–213 °C. This study shows that thraustochytrids are not only a valuable source of omega 3-, squalene- and carotenoid-containing oils, but are also rich in high-value protein with characteristics similar to those from oilseeds.
Comparison of Different Types of SPME Arrow Sorbents to Analyze Volatile Compounds in Cirsium setidens Nakai
Authors: Kim Su-Jeong , Lee Jun-Young , Choi Yun-Sang , Sung Jung-Min , Jang Hae Won
Published: June 2020

Cirsium setidens Nakai is a perennial plant extensively used as food in Korea. Various reports have illustrated the presence of phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities; however, little is known about the volatile compounds present in this plant. Here, a novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) Arrow method was performed to extract and analyze volatile compounds from freeze-dried Cirsium setidens Nakai. Four types of SPME Arrows coated with films, such as carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane, divinylbenzene/polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, and polyacrylate were evaluated to identify the most suitable Arrow. The carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane Arrow was found to exhibit high affinity for the volatile compounds present in Cirsium setidens Nakai. A total of 58 volatile compounds were identified. The major compounds were 2-Pentylfuran, 1-Methylcycloheptanol, 1-Penten-3-ol, 2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane, 2,3,6,7-Tetramethyloctane, 5-Ethyl-2,2,3-trimethylheptane, 3,5-Octadien-2-one, β-Cyclocitral, and trans-β-Ionone. The present study demonstrates that the SPME Arrow coated with the carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane film is suitable for the analytical profiling of volatile compounds present in Cirsium setidens Nakai.
Associations between the Presence of Granulomata and Disease Phenotype and Outcomes in Children Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Appleton Laura , Watt Euan , Jagger Fiona , Hansen Richard , Gearry Richard B. , Day Andrew S.
Published: June 2020

Background: The finding of a mucosal granuloma on histological analysis of endoscopically obtained biopsies in children with Crohn’s disease has been suggested to provide prognostic information. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the rate of granuloma detection and the impact of this upon specific disease characteristics and outcomes in children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. After identification of a group of children previously diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, chart reviews were undertaken to characterise the children as granuloma positive or negative. Disease characteristics at diagnosis (such as disease location and nutritional status) and following diagnosis (such as requirement for immunosuppressive medications and surgical intervention) were noted for each patient. Results: Ninety-four children from two distinct geographical areas were identified. Forty-nine (52.1%) of the children had mucosal granulomata. Children with colonic disease were likely to have granulomata detected (RR = 3.04; p < 0.001). Granulomata were associated with lower weight z-scores at diagnosis (p < 0.05), but not other disease features (e.g., perianal disease or extra-intestinal manifestations). The presence of a granuloma at diagnosis was also associated with increased rates of the subsequent requirement for an immunosuppressive medication (RR = 1.26; p = 0.002). The presence of granulomata on histological assessment of mucosal biopsies at diagnosis of children with Crohn’s disease appears to be associated with specific disease features and outcomes. These findings should be clarified prospectively in a larger cohort of children with Crohn’s disease.
Importance of Detailed Soil Information for Hydrological Modelling in an Urbanized Environment
Authors: van Tol Johan , van Zijl George , Julich Stefan
Published: June 2020

Soil information is critical in watershed-scale hydrological modelling; however, it is still debated which level of complexity the soil data should contain. In the present study, we have compared the effect of two levels of soil data on the hydrologic simulation of a mesoscale, urbanised watershed (630 km2) in central South Africa. The first level of soil data, land type (LT) data, is currently the best, readily available soil information that covers the whole of South Africa. In the LT database, the entire study area is covered by only two soil types. The second level of soil data (DSM) was created by means of digital soil mapping based on hydropedological principles. It resulted in six different soil types with different hydrological behaviour (e.g., interflow, recharge, responsive). The two levels of soil data were each included in the revised version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+). To compare the effects of different complexity of soil information on the simulated water balance, the outputs of the uncalibrated models were compared to the three nested gauging stations of the watershed. For the LT scenario, the simulation efficiencies calculated with the Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) for the three nested gauging stations (640 km2, 550 km2, 54 km2) of 0, 0.33 and −0.23 were achieved, respectively. Under the DSM scenario, KGE increased to 0.28, 0.44 and 0.43 indicating an immediate improvement of the simulation by integrating soil data with detailed information on hydrological behaviour. In the LT scenario, actual evapotranspiration (aET) was clearly underestimated compared to MODIS-derived aET, while surface runoff was overestimated. The DSM scenario resulted in higher simulated aET compared to LT and lower surface runoff. The higher simulation efficiency of DSM in the smaller headwater catchments can be attributed to the inclusion of the interflow soil type, which covers the governing runoff generation process better than the LT scenario. Our results indicate that simulations benefit from more detailed soil information, especially in smaller areas where fewer runoff generation processes dominate.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is Associated with Inflammation, Bone Resorption, Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency and MTHFR C677T Polymorphism in Postmenopausal Women with Decreased Bone Mineral Density
Authors: De Martinis Massimo , Sirufo Maria Maddalena , Nocelli Cristina , Fontanella Lara , Ginaldi Lia
Published: June 2020

Osteoporosis is an age-related bone disease, affecting mainly postmenopausal women, characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and consequent risk of fractures. Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur-aminoacid whose serum level is regulated by methylenetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity and vitamin B12 and folate as cofactors, is a risk factor for inflammatory diseases. Literature data concerning the link between Hcy and osteoporosis are still debated. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship among Hcy and BMD, inflammation, vitamin status and bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporosis. In 252 postmenopausal women, BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In addition to serum Hcy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and bone turnover markers (bone alkaline phosphatase-BAP, osteocalcin-OC, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), vitamin deficiencies and MTHFR-C677T polymorphism were evaluated. Hcy, inflammation, bone resorption markers and prevalence of C677T polymorphism were higher, whereas vitamin D, B12, folate, and bone formation markers were lower in women with decreased BMD compared to those with normal BMD. Our results suggest a significant association between Hcy, BMD and inflammation in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The regulation of Hcy overproduction and the modulation of the inflammatory substrate could represent additional therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis prevention.
The Genetic and Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mediated Molecular Mechanisms of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Rozpędek-Kamińska Wioletta , Wojtczak Radosław , Szaflik Jacek P. , Szaflik Jerzy , Majsterek Ireneusz
Published: June 2020

Glaucoma is a heterogenous, chronic, progressive group of eye diseases, which results in irreversible loss of vision. There are several types of glaucoma, whereas the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) constitutes the most common type of glaucoma, accounting for three-quarters of all glaucoma cases. The pathological mechanisms leading to POAG pathogenesis are multifactorial and still poorly understood, but it is commonly known that significantly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) plays a crucial role in POAG pathogenesis. Besides, genetic predisposition and aggregation of abrogated proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen and subsequent activation of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-dependent unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway may also constitute important factors for POAG pathogenesis at the molecular level. Glaucoma is commonly known as a ‘silent thief of sight’, as it remains asymptomatic until later stages, and thus its diagnosis is frequently delayed. Thereby, detailed knowledge about the glaucoma pathophysiology is necessary to develop both biochemical and genetic tests to improve its early diagnosis as well as develop a novel, ground-breaking treatment strategy, as currently used medical therapies against glaucoma are limited and may evoke numerous adverse side-effects in patients.
Bioshell Calcium Oxide (BiSCaO) Ointment for the Disinfection and Healing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Infected Wounds in Hairless Rats
Authors: Takayama Tomohiro , Ishihara Masayuki , Nakamura Shingo , Sato Yoko , Hiruma Sumiyo , Fukuda Koichi , Murakami Kaoru , Yokoe Hidetaka
Published: June 2020

Bioshell calcium oxide (BiSCaO) possesses deodorizing properties and broad microbicidal activity. This study aimed to investigate the application of BiSCaO ointment for the prevention and treatment of infection in chronic wounds in healing-impaired patients, without delaying wound healing. The bactericidal activities of 0.04, 0.2, 1, and 5 wt% BiSCaO ointment, 3 wt% povidone iodine ointment, and control (ointment only) were compared to evaluate the in vivo disinfection and healing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds in hairless rats. Treatment of the infected wounds with 0.2 wt% BiSCaO ointment daily for 3 days significantly enhanced wound healing and reduced the in vivo bacterial counts compared with povidone iodine ointment and control (no wound cleaning). Although 5 wt% BiSCaO ointment provided the lowest bacterial counts during 3 days’ treatment, it delayed wound healing. Histological examinations showed significantly advanced granulation tissue and capillary formation in wounds treated with 0.2 wt% BiSCaO ointment for 3 days compared to wounds treated with the other ointments. This study suggested that using 0.2 wt% BiSCaO ointment as a disinfectant for infected wounds and limiting disinfection to 3 days may be sufficient to avoid the negative effects of BiSCaO on wound repair.
RNA Binding Proteins as Drivers and Therapeutic Target Candidates in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Glaß Markus , Michl Patrick , Hüttelmaier Stefan
Published: June 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) belong to the most frequent and most deadly malignancies in the western world. Mutations in KRAS and TP53 along with some other frequent polymorphisms occur almost universally and are likely to be responsible for tumor initiation. However, these mutations cannot explain the heterogeneity in therapeutic responses observed in PDAC patients, which limits efficiency of current therapeutic strategies. Instead, recent classifications of PDAC tumor samples are based on transcriptomics data and thus include information about epigenetic, transcriptomic, and post-transcriptomic deregulations. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are important post-transcriptional regulators involved in every aspect of the RNA life cycle and thus considerably influence the transcriptome. In this study, we systematically investigated deregulated expression, prognostic value, and essentiality reported for RBPs in PDAC or PDAC cancer models using publicly available data. We identified 44 RBPs with suggested oncogenic potential. These include various proteins, e.g., IGF2 mRNA binding proteins (IGF2BPs), with reported tumor-promoting roles. We further characterized these RBPs and found common patterns regarding their expression, interaction, and regulation by microRNAs. These analyses suggest four prime candidate oncogenic RBPs with partially validated target potential: APOBEC1, IGF2BP1 and 3, and OASL.
Identification of Substrates of Cytoplasmic Peptidyl-Prolyl Cis/Trans Isomerases and Their Collective Essentiality in Escherichia Coli
Authors: Klein Gracjana , Wojtkiewicz Pawel , Biernacka Daria , Stupak Anna , Gorzelak Patrycja , Raina Satish
Published: June 2020

Protein folding often requires molecular chaperones and folding catalysts, such as peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIs). The Escherichia coli cytoplasm contains six well-known PPIs, although a requirement of their PPIase activity, the identity of their substrates and relative enzymatic contribution is unknown. Thus, strains lacking all periplasmic and one of the cytoplasmic PPIs were constructed. Measurement of their PPIase activity revealed that PpiB is the major source of PPIase activity in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, viable Δ6ppi strains could be constructed only on minimal medium in the temperature range of 30–37 °C, but not on rich medium. To address the molecular basis of essentiality of PPIs, proteins that aggregate in their absence were identified. Next, wild-type and putative active site variants of FkpB, FklB, PpiB and PpiC were purified and in pull-down experiments substrates specific to each of these PPIs identified, revealing an overlap of some substrates. Substrates of PpiC were validated by immunoprecipitations using extracts from wild-type and PpiC-H81A strains carrying a 3xFLAG-tag appended to the C-terminal end of the ppiC gene on the chromosome. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, RpoE, RseA, S2, and AhpC were established as FkpB substrates and PpiC’s PPIase activity was shown to be required for interaction with AhpC.
Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor: An Overview and Its Role as a Potential Therapeutic Target Molecule for Digestive Malignancies
Authors: Enomoto Hirayuki , Nakamura Hideji , Nishikawa Hiroki , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Iijima Hiroko
Published: June 2020

Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) was identified in research seeking to find a novel growth factor for hepatoma cells. Subsequently, four HDGF-related proteins were identified, and these proteins are considered to be members of a new gene family. HDGF has a growth-stimulating role, an angiogenesis-inducing role, and a probable anti-apoptotic role. HDGF is ubiquitously expressed in non-cancerous tissues, and participates in organ development and in the healing of damaged tissues. In addition, the high expression of HDGF was reported to be closely associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in several malignant diseases. Thus, HDGF is considered to contribute to the development and progression of malignant disease. We herein provide a brief overview of the factor and its functions in relation to benign and malignant cells. We also describe its possible role as a target molecule for digestive malignancies.
Aspirin Induced Glioma Apoptosis through Noxa Upregulation
Authors: Chang Cheng-Yi , Pan Ping-Ho , Li Jian-Ri , Ou Yen-Chuan , Wang Jiaan-Der , Liao Su-Lan , Chen Wen-Ying , Wang Wen-Yi , Chen Chun-Jung
Published: June 2020

Clinically, high cyclooxygenase-2 expression in malignant glioma correlates well with poor prognosis and the use of aspirin is associated with a reduced risk of glioma. To extend the current understanding of the apoptotic potential of aspirin in most cell types, this study provides evidence showing that aspirin induced glioma cell apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth, in vitro and in vivo. We found that the human H4 glioma cell-killing effects of aspirin involved mitochondria-mediated apoptosis accompanied by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, Noxa upregulation, Mcl-1 downregulation, Bax mitochondrial distribution and oligomerization, and caspase 3/caspase 8/caspase 9 activation. Genetic silencing of Noxa or Bax attenuated aspirin-induced viability loss and apoptosis, while silencing Mcl-1 augmented the effects of aspirin. Data from genetic and pharmacological studies revealed that the axis of ER stress comprised an apoptotic cascade leading to Noxa upregulation and apoptosis. The apoptotic programs and mediators triggered by aspirin in H4 cells were duplicated in human U87 glioma cell line as well as in tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice. The involvement of ER stress in indomethacin-induced Mcl-1 downregulation was reported in our previous study on glioma cells. Therefore, the aforementioned phenomena indicate that ER stress may be a valuable target for intervention in glioma apoptosis.
Focus on the Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diseases
Authors: Fusco Roberta , Siracusa Rosalba , Genovese Tiziana , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Di Paola Rosanna
Published: June 2020

Inflammation is a protective reaction activated in response to detrimental stimuli, such as dead cells, irritants or pathogens, by the evolutionarily conserved immune system and is regulated by the host. The inflammasomes are recognized as innate immune system sensors and receptors that manage the activation of caspase-1 and stimulate inflammation response. They have been associated with several inflammatory disorders. The NLRP3 inflammasome is the most well characterized. It is so called because NLRP3 belongs to the family of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs). Recent evidence has greatly improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated. Additionally, increasing data in animal models, supported by human studies, strongly implicate the involvement of the inflammasome in the initiation or progression of disorders with a high impact on public health, such as metabolic pathologies (obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis), cardiovascular diseases (ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease), inflammatory issues (liver diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, gut microbiome, rheumatoid arthritis) and neurologic disorders (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurological disorders), compared to other molecular platforms. This review will provide a focus on the available knowledge about the NLRP3 inflammasome role in these pathologies and describe the balance between the activation of the harmful and beneficial inflammasome so that new therapies can be created for patients with these diseases.
Targeting NF-κB by the Cell-Permeable NEMO-Binding Domain Peptide Improves Albuminuria and Renal Lesions in an Experimental Model of Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Opazo-Ríos Lucas , Plaza Anita , Sánchez Matus Yenniffer , Bernal Susana , Lopez-Sanz Laura , Jimenez-Castilla Luna , Carpio Daniel , Droguett Alejandra , Mezzano Sergio , Egido Jesús , Gomez-Guerrero Carmen
Published: June 2020

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a multifactorial disease characterized by hyperglycemia and close interaction of hemodynamic, metabolic and inflammatory factors. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a principal matchmaker linking hyperglycemia and inflammation. The present work investigates the cell-permeable peptide containing the inhibitor of kappa B kinase γ (IKKγ)/NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO)-binding domain (NBD) as therapeutic option to modulate inflammation in a preclinical model of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with DN. Black and tan, brachyuric obese/obese mice were randomized into 4 interventions groups: Active NBD peptide (10 and 6 µg/g body weight); Inactive mutant peptide (10 µg/g); and vehicle control. In vivo/ex vivo fluorescence imaging revealed efficient delivery of NBD peptide, systemic biodistribution and selective renal metabolization. In vivo administration of active NBD peptide improved albuminuria (>40% reduction on average) and kidney damage, decreased podocyte loss and basement membrane thickness, and modulated the expression of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers. In vitro, NBD blocked IKK-mediated NF-κB induction and target gene expression in mesangial cells exposed to diabetic-like milieu. These results constitute the first nephroprotective effect of NBD peptide in a T2D mouse model that recapitulates the kidney lesions observed in DN patients. Targeting IKK-dependent NF-κB activation could be a therapeutic strategy to combat kidney inflammation in DN.
An Inhibitor of the Sodium–Hydrogen Exchanger-1 (NHE-1), Amiloride, Reduced Zinc Accumulation and Hippocampal Neuronal Death after Ischemia
Authors: Kang Beom Seok , Choi Bo Young , Kho A Ra , Lee Song Hee , Hong Dae Ki , Jeong Jeong Hyun , Kang Dong Hyeon , Park Min Kyu , Suh Sang Won
Published: June 2020

Acidosis in the brain plays an important role in neuronal injury and is a common feature of several neurological diseases. It has been reported that the sodium–hydrogen exchanger-1 (NHE-1) is a key mediator of acidosis-induced neuronal injury. It modulates the concentration of intra- and extra-cellular sodium and hydrogen ions. During the ischemic state, excessive sodium ions enter neurons and inappropriately activate the sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX). Zinc can also enter neurons through voltage-gated calcium channels and NCX. Here, we tested the hypothesis that zinc enters the intracellular space through NCX and the subsequent zinc accumulation induces neuronal cell death after global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Thus, we conducted the present study to confirm whether inhibition of NHE-1 by amiloride attenuates zinc accumulation and subsequent hippocampus neuronal death following GCI. Mice were subjected to GCI by bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion for 30 min, followed by restoration of blood flow and resuscitation. Amiloride (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) was immediately injected, which reduced zinc accumulation and neuronal death after GCI. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that amiloride attenuates GCI-induced neuronal injury, likely via the prevention of intracellular zinc accumulation. Consequently, we suggest that amiloride may have a high therapeutic potential for the prevention of GCI-induced neuronal death.
Correction: Fararjeh, A-F S., et al. ZBTB46, SPDEF, ETV6 Novel Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Castration Resistance Prostate Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 2802
Authors: Fararjeh Abdul-Fattah Salah , Liu Yen-Nien
Published: June 2020

The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...]
Mining for Candidate Genes Controlling Secondary Growth of the Carrot Storage Root
Authors: Macko-Podgórni Alicja , Stelmach Katarzyna , Kwolek Kornelia , Machaj Gabriela , Ellison Shelby , Senalik Douglas A. , Simon Philipp W. , Grzebelus Dariusz
Published: June 2020

Background: Diverse groups of carrot cultivars have been developed to meet consumer demands and industry needs. Varietal groups of the cultivated carrot are defined based on the shape of roots. However, little is known about the genetic basis of root shape determination. Methods: Here, we used 307 carrot plants from 103 open-pollinated cultivars for a genome wide association study to identify genomic regions associated with the storage root morphology. Results: A 180 kb-long region on carrot chromosome 1 explained 10% of the total observed phenotypic variance in the shoulder diameter. Within that region, DcDCAF1 and DcBTAF1 genes were proposed as candidates controlling secondary growth of the carrot storage root. Their expression profiles differed between the cultivated and the wild carrots, likely indicating that their elevated expression was required for the development of edible roots. They also showed higher expression at the secondary root growth stage in cultivars producing thick roots, as compared to those developing thin roots. Conclusions: We provided evidence for a likely involvement of DcDCAF1 and/or DcBTAF1 in the development of the carrot storage root and developed a genotyping assay facilitating the identification of variants in the region on carrot chromosome 1 associated with secondary growth of the carrot root.
Exosomes as Messengers between Mother and Fetus in Pregnancy
Authors: Czernek Liliana , Düchler Markus
Published: June 2020

The ability of exosomes to transport different molecular cargoes and their ability to influence various physiological factors is already well known. An exciting area of research explores the functions of exosomes in healthy and pathological pregnancies. Placenta-derived exosomes were identified in the maternal circulation during pregnancy and their contribution in the crosstalk between mother and fetus are now starting to become defined. In this review, we will try to summarize actual knowledge about this topic and to answer the question of how important exosomes are for a healthy pregnancy.