bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan Prevents Radiation-Induced Fibrosis and Secondary Tumors in a Zebrafish Model
Authors: Wu Szu-Yuan , Yang Wan-Yu , Cheng Chun-Chia , Hsiao Ming-Chen , Tsai Shin-Lin , Lin Hua-Kuo , Lin Kuan-Hao , Yuh Chiou-Hwa
Published: June 2020

Radiotherapy often causes unwanted side effects such as radiation-induced fibrosis and second malignancies. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, has many biological effects including anti-inflammation and anti-tumor. In the present study, we investigated the radioprotective effect of Oligo-Fucoidan (OF) using a zebrafish animal model. Adult zebrafish of wild-type and transgenic fish with hepatocellular carcinoma were orally fed with Oligo-Fucoidan before irradiation. Quantitative PCR, Sirius red stain, hematoxylin, and eosin stain were used for molecular and pathological analysis. Whole genomic microarrays were used to discover the global program of gene expression after Oligo-Fucoidan treatment and identified distinct classes of up- and downregulated genes/pathways during this process. Using Oligo-Fucoidan oral gavage in adult wild-type zebrafish, we found Oligo-Fucoidan pretreatment decreased irradiation-induced fibrosis in hepatocyte. Using hepatitis B virus X antigen (HBx), Src and HBx, Src, p53−/+ transgenic zebrafish liver cancer model, we found that Oligo-Fucoidan pretreatment before irradiation could lower the expression of lipogenic factors and enzymes, fibrosis, and cell cycle/proliferation markers, which eventually reduced formation of liver cancer compared to irradiation alone. Gene ontology analysis revealed that Oligo-Fucoidan pretreatment increased the expression of genes involved in oxidoreductase activity in zebrafish irradiation. Oligo-Fucoidan also decreased the expression of genes involved in transferase activity in wild-type fish without irradiation (WT), nuclear outer membrane-endoplasmic reticulum membrane network, and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) transgenic fish. Rescue of those genes can prevent liver cancer formation. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence for the ability of Oligo-Fucoidan to prevent radiation-induced fibrosis and second malignancies in zebrafish.
The Antihistamine Deptropine Induces Hepatoma Cell Death through Blocking Autophagosome-Lysosome Fusion
Authors: Liang Yu-Chih , Chang Chi-Ching , Sheu Ming-Thau , Lin Shyr-Yi , Chung Chia-Chen , Teng Chang-Ting , Suk Fat-Moon
Published: June 2020

Some antihistamines have exhibited significant antitumor activity alone or in combination with other therapies in in vitro and clinical studies. However, the underlying mechanisms of how antihistamines inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation are still unknown. We first screened the antiproliferation activity of 12 benzocycloheptene structural-analogue drugs, and results showed that deptropine was the most potent inhibitor of both Hep3B and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Deptropine significantly increased light chain 3B-II (LC3B-II) expression but did not induce sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) degradation in either cell line. Interestingly, other autophagy-related proteins, such as autophagy-related 7 (ATG7), vacuolar protein sorting 34 (VPS34), phosphorylated adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), exhibited no significant change in either deptropine-treated cell line. Deptropine also inhibited the processing of cathepsin L from its precursor form to its mature form. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed an increase of autophagosomes in deptropine-treated cells, but deptropine blocked the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. In a xenograft nude mice model, 2.5 mg/kg deptropine showed a great inhibitory effect on Hep3B tumor growth. These results suggest that deptropine can induce in vitro and in vivo hepatoma cell death, and the underlying mechanisms might be mediated through inhibiting autophagy by blocking autophagosome-lysosome fusion.
The Quality of Practice Guidelines for Melanoma: A Methodologic Appraisal with the AGREE II and AGREE-REX Instruments
Authors: Steeb Theresa , Wessely Anja , Drexler Konstantin , Salzmann Martin , Toussaint Frédéric , Heinzerling Lucie , Reinholz Markus , Berking Carola , Heppt Markus V.
Published: June 2020

Multiple guidelines on cutaneous melanoma (CM) are available from several consortia and countries. To provide up-to-date guidance in the rapidly changing field of melanoma treatment, guideline developers have to provide regular updates without compromises of quality. We performed a systematic search in guideline databases, Medline and Embase to identify guidelines on CM. The methodological quality of the identified guidelines was independently assessed by five reviewers using the instruments “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation” (AGREE II) and “Recommendation EXcellence” (AGREE-REX). We performed descriptive analysis, explored subgroup differences using the Kruskal–Wallis (H) test and examined the relationship between distinct domains and items of the instruments with Spearman’s correlation. Six guidelines by consortia from Australia, France, Germany, Scotland, Spain and the United States of America were included. The German guideline fulfilled 71%–98% of criteria in AGREE II and 78%–96% for AGREE-REX, obtaining the highest scores. Deficiencies in the domains of “applicability” and “values and preferences” were observed in all guidelines. The German and Spanish guidelines significantly differed from each other in most of the domains. The domains “applicability” and “values and preferences” were identified as methodological weaknesses requiring careful revision and improvement in the future.
Rare Tumor-Normal Matched Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Novel Genomic Pathogenic Germline and Somatic Aberrations
Authors: Sprissler Ryan , Perkins Bryce , Johnstone Laurel , Babiker Hani M. , Chalasani Pavani , Lau Branden , Hammer Michael , Mahadevan Daruka
Published: June 2020

Whole exome sequencing (WES) of matched tumor-normal pairs in rare tumors has the potential to identify genome-wide mutations and copy number alterations (CNAs). We evaluated 27 rare cancer patients with tumor-normal matching by WES and tumor-only next generation sequencing (NGS) as a comparator. Our goal was to: 1) identify known and novel variants and CNAs in rare cancers with comparison to common cancers; 2) examine differences between germline and somatic variants and how that functionally impacts rare tumors; 3) detect and characterize alleles in biologically relevant genes-pathways that may be of clinical importance but not represented in classical cancer genes. We identified 3343 germline single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small indel variants—1670 in oncogenes and 1673 in tumor suppressor genes—generating an average of 124 germline variants/case. The number of somatic SNVs and small indels detected in all cases was 523:306 in oncogenes and 217 in tumor suppressor genes. Of the germline variants, six were identified to be pathogenic or likely pathogenic. In the 27 analyzed rare cancer cases, CNAs are variable depending on tumor type, germline pathogenic variants are more common. Cell fate pathway mutations (e.g., Hippo, Notch, Wnt) dominate pathogenesis and double hit (mutation + CNV) represent ~18% cases.
Triarylpyridine Compounds and Chloroquine Act in Concert to Trigger Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization and Cell Death in Cancer Cells
Authors: Beauvarlet Jennifer , Nath Das Rabindra , Alvarez-Valadez Karla , Martins Isabelle , Muller Alexandra , Darbo Elodie , Richard Elodie , Soubeyran Pierre , Kroemer Guido , Guillon Jean , Mergny Jean-Louis , Djavaheri-Mergny Mojgan
Published: June 2020

Lysosomes play a key role in regulating cell death in response to cancer therapies, yet little is known on the possible role of lysosomes in the therapeutic efficacy of G-quadruplex DNA ligands (G4L) in cancer cells. Here, we investigate the relationship between the modulation of lysosomal membrane damage and the degree to which cancer cells respond to the cytotoxic effects of G-quadruplex ligands belonging to the triarylpyridine family. Our results reveal that the lead compound of this family, 20A promotes the enlargement of the lysosome compartment as well as the induction of lysosome-relevant mRNAs. Interestingly, the combination of 20A and chloroquine (an inhibitor of lysosomal functions) led to a significant induction of lysosomal membrane permeabilization coupled to massive cell death. Similar effects were observed when chloroquine was added to three new triarylpyridine derivatives. Our findings thus uncover the lysosomal effects of triarylpyridines compounds and delineate a rationale for combining these compounds with chloroquine to increase their anticancer effects.
HLA Class I Allele Expression and Clinical Outcome in De Novo Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Stokidis Savvas , Fortis Sotirios P. , Kogionou Paraskevi , Anagnostou Theodoros , Perez Sonia A. , Baxevanis Constantin N.
Published: June 2020

The prognostic value of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the prognostic relevance of the most frequently expressed HLA-A alleles in Greece (A*02:01 and HLA-A*24:02) in de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive PCa (mPCa), which is a rare and aggressive disease characterized by a rapid progression to castration-resistance (CR) and poor overall survival (OS), contributing to almost 50% of PCa-related deaths. We identified 56 patients who had either progressed to CR (these patients were retrospectively analyzed for the time to the progression of CR and prospectively for OS) or had at least three months’ follow-up postdiagnosis without CR progression and, thus, were prospectively analyzed for both CR and OS. Patients expressing HLA-A*02:01 showed poor clinical outcomes vs. HLA-A*02:01−negative patients. HLA-A*24:02−positive patients progressed slower to CR and had increased OS. Homozygous HLA-A*02:01 patients progressed severely to CR, with very short OS. Multivariate analyses ascribed to both HLA alleles significant prognostic values for the time to progression (TTP) to CR and OS. The presence of HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-A*24:02 alleles in de novo mPCa patients are significantly and independently associated with unfavorable or favorable clinical outcomes, respectively, suggesting their possible prognostic relevance for treatment decision-making in the context of precision medicine.
Sustainable Distribution of Responsibility for Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Knaggård Åsa , Persson Erik , Eriksson Kerstin
Published: June 2020

To gain legitimacy for climate change adaptation decisions, the distribution of responsibility for these decisions and their implementation needs to be grounded in theories of just distribution and what those affected by decisions see as just. The purpose of this project is to contribute to sustainable spatial planning and the ability of local and regional public authorities to make well-informed and sustainable adaptation decisions, based on knowledge about both climate change impacts and the perceptions of residents and civil servants on what constitutes a sustainable distribution of responsibility. Our aims are: (1) a better understanding of the practical implications of theories about just distribution of responsibility for the choice of local and regional climate adaptation measures; (2) knowledge about what residents and civil servants consider a sustainable distribution of responsibility for climate adaptation measures; and (3) a better understanding of conflicts concerning the distribution of responsibilities and systematic knowledge about the possibilities to manage them. In this interdisciplinary project, we study six municipalities and their residents, and two county administrative boards, all in Sweden, using mixed methods: value theory, document studies, interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
The Suitability of FGF21 and FGF23 as New Biomarkers in Endometrial Cancer Patients
Authors: Cymbaluk-Płoska Aneta , Gargulińska Paula , Chudecka-Głaz Anita , Kwiatkowski Sebastian , Pius-Sadowska Ewa , Machaliński Bogusław
Published: June 2020

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers of the reproductive organ in women. The incidence of it increases from year to year. In our study we assessed role of FGF21 and FGF23 in the diagnostics of patients with endometrial cancer. The study involved 182 patients, who were undergoing abrasion due to perimenopausal bleeding. FGF21, FGF23, and leptin concentration were quantified in serum by multiplex fluorescent bead-based immunoassays (Luminex Corporation). The median of FGF21 protein (181.8 pg/mL) as well as leptin (16.9 ng/mL) in patients with endometrial cancer was statistically significant higher compared to median of those proteins among patients from control group (152.1 pg/mL and 14.1 ng/mL, respectively). However, no significant differences were found in these groups at median FGF23 concentrations. For FGF21 and leptin, the AUC values were 0.81/0.79, while FGF23, the AUC values was 0.66 for all study patients. Leptin and FGF21 concentrations were statistically significantly higher in patients with poorly differentiated G3 tumors compared to patients with moderately differentiated G2 tumors and with moderately differentiated G2 with highly differentiated G1 respectively: p = 0.02/p = 0.03 and p = 0.02/p = 0.005. FGF21 appears to be useful as a diagnostic as well as prognostic factor in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.
Classifying Wood Properties of Loblolly Pine Grown in Southern Brazil Using NIR-Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Schimleck Laurence , Matos Jorge L. M. , Higa Antonio , Trianoski Rosilani , Prata José G. , Dahlen Joseph
Published: June 2020

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is one of the most important commercial timber species in the world. While the species is native to the southeastern United States of America (USA), it has been widely planted in southern Brazil, where it is the most commonly planted exotic species. Interest exists in utilizing nondestructive testing methods for wood property assessment to aid in improving the wood quality of Brazilian grown loblolly pine. We used near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) on increment cores to provide data representative of the radial variation of families sampled from a 10-year-old progeny test located in Rio Negrinho municipality, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Hyperspectral images were averaged to provide an individual NIR spectrum per tree for cluster analysis (hierarchical complete linkage with square Euclidean distance) to identify trees with similar wood properties. Four clusters (0, 1, 2, 3) were identified, and based on SilviScan data for air-dry density, microfibril angle (MFA), and stiffness, clusters differed in average wood properties. Average ring data demonstrated that trees in Cluster 0 had the highest average ring densities, and those in Cluster 3 the lowest. Cluster 3 trees also had the lowest ring MFAs. NIR-HSI provides a rapid approach for collecting wood property data and, when coupled with cluster analysis, potentially, allows screening for desirable wood properties amongst families in tree improvement programs.
Human ARF Specifically Inhibits Epimorphic Regeneration in the Zebrafish Heart
Authors: Lee Solomon , Hesse Robert , Tamaki Stanley , Garland Catharine , Pomerantz Jason H.
Published: June 2020

The Alternative Reading Frame (ARF) protein is a tumor suppressor encoded by the Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A gene in mammals but not lower regenerative vertebrates, and has been previously implicated as a context-sensitive suppressor of regeneration in murine skeletal muscle and humanized ARF-expressing zebrafish fins. This study extends our investigation of the role of ARF in the regeneration of other solid tissues, including the zebrafish heart and the mammalian digit. Heart regeneration after cryoinjury was used to mimic massive myocardial infarction. ARF gene expression was upregulated during the cardiac regenerative process and slowed the rate of morphological recovery. ARF specifically impacts cardiomyocytes, neovascularization, and the endothelial-mesenchymal transition, while not affecting epicardial proliferation. This suggests that in the context of regeneration, ARF is specifically expressed in cells undergoing dedifferentiation. To investigate ARF as a suppressor of epimorphic regeneration in mammalian systems, we also tested whether the absence of ARF was permissive for murine digit regeneration, but found that ARF absence alone was insufficient to significantly alter digit restoration. These findings provide additional evidence that ARF suppresses epimorphic regeneration, but suggests that modulation of ARF alone is insufficient to permit regeneration.
Female Soccer Players’ Psychological Profile: Differences between Professional and Amateur Players
Authors: Ruiz-Esteban Cecilia , Olmedilla Aurelio , Méndez Inmaculada , Tobal Juan Jesús
Published: June 2020

The psychological variables that affect competitive performance are called the psychological profile of athletes. In recent years, the interest in female soccer players and the psychological characteristics that affect their performance has increased. The aim of the present study is to analyze the psychological characteristics of female professional soccer players and female amateur soccer players, as well as to determine the differences in the psychological profile of both groups. The participants were 134 federated female soccer players, with an average age of 18.28 years (SD = 4.05). To assess the psychological profile, the questionnaire on Psychological Characteristics related to Sports Performance (CPRD) by Gimeno, Buceta, and Pérez-Llantada (2001) was used. The results showed that female professional players presented higher values for motivation, while the female amateur players presented higher values for stress control and the influence of performance evaluation. These results can have a great impact on coaches’ work, since they can help them to establish tasks and training methods consistent with the characteristics of their players.
Legal and Regulatory Approaches to Rehabilitation Planning: A Concise Overview of Current Laws and Policies Addressing Access to Rehabilitation in Five European Countries
Authors: Garg Aditi , Skempes Dimitrios , Bickenbach Jerome
Published: June 2020

Background: The rising prevalence of disability due to noncommunicable diseases and the aging process in tandem with under-prioritization and underdevelopment of rehabilitation services remains a significant concern for European public health. Over recent years, health system responses to population health needs, including rehabilitation needs, have been increasingly acknowledging the power of law and formal written policies as strategic governance tools to improve population health outcomes. However, the contents and scope of enacted legislation and adopted policies concerning rehabilitation services in Europe has not been synthesized. This paper presents a concise overview of laws and policies addressing rehabilitation in five European countries. Methods: Publicly available laws, policies, and national action plans addressing rehabilitation issues of Sweden, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were reviewed and descriptive documents analyzed. Actions found in national health policies were also evaluated for compliance with the key recommendations specified in the World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030: Call for Action. Results: Across countries, legal and policy approaches to rehabilitation planning varied in scope and reach. While all countries entitle citizens to rehabilitation services, comprehensiveness of coverage varied. Health legislation of Germany and Netherlands recognizes access to rehabilitation as a human right for persons with disabilities, while Sweden and the United Kingdom acknowledge its importance in disability laws for achieving substantive equality for persons with disabilities. Regarding policies, in all countries but Italy, targeted universalism remains the predominant strategy governing rehabilitation services, as demonstrated by the lack of comprehensive, national action plans for rehabilitation addressing the general population. Nevertheless, references found in disease specific policies indicate a solid consensus that rehabilitation remains an integral component of the care continuum for those experiencing disability. Conclusion: Although a universal approach to rehabilitation coverage is institutionalized in national legislation of the countries examined, this approach is not expressed in formal policies. Targeted strategies aiming to ensure access to subpopulation groups with higher perceived needs for rehabilitation prevail, indicating a strong political will towards the reduction of health inequalities and the promotion of human rights of people experiencing disability. Results obtained from conducting this descriptive review provide the basis for future appraisals of the situation regarding rehabilitation service and policy development in Europe.
Opening the Black Box: The Impacts of Environmental Regulations on Technological Innovation
Authors: Li Muyao , Zhang Jinsong , Ramanathan Ramakrishnan , Li Ruiqian
Published: June 2020

Environmental regulations (ERs) that can stimulate technological innovation (TI) are the key to enabling a win-win strategy that benefits both economic development and environmental protection. This study seeks to analyze the impacts of ERs on TI. Previous literature highlighted that the black box of TI can be decomposed into technology investment and technology transformation, but empirical studies on such a decomposition have largely been ignored. Moreover, a detailed discussion of the links between ERs and the decomposed components of TI has not been conducted in developing countries such as China. Our study attempts to address these research gaps by (i) decomposing TI using a novel data envelopment analysis (DEA) procedure and further analyzing the impacts of ERs on the decomposed components of TI and (ii) applying this novel methodology to Chinese context. Accordingly, this study is conducted in two stages. First, a novel application of the slack-based measure Network DEA model is developed to uncover the black box of TI using Chinese data in order to estimate the overall efficiency of technological innovation (TIE) and to decompose it into the efficiency of technology investment (TVE) and the efficiency of technology transformation (TTE). Second, a random effect Tobit model is applied to (i) investigate both the linear and nonlinear impacts of ERs on TIE in all sectors and (ii) examine whether the impacts of ERs on TVE and TTE in different subprocesses are heterogeneous or not. Our results have showed the benefits of decomposing TI: while technology transformation in China closely follows the trend of TI, the trend of technology investment is somewhat different. The estimation results further indicate that the impacts of ERs on TIE are nonlinear. Besides, ERs have heterogeneous impacts on the decomposed components of TI. The impacts of ERs on TVE are nonlinear, whereas the impacts of ERs on TTE are statistically insignificant.
Demand for Health Information on COVID-19 among Vietnamese
Authors: Le Huong Thi , Nguyen Diep Ngoc , Beydoun Ahmed Sam , Le Xuan Thi Thanh , Nguyen Thao Thanh , Pham Quan Thi , Ta Nhung Thi Kim , Nguyen Quynh Thi , Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Hoang Men Thi , Vu Linh Gia , Tran Bach Xuan , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S.H. , Ho Roger C.M.
Published: June 2020

Due to the rapid spread of coronavirus, Vietnam introduced its first national partial lockdown on April 1st, 2020. The public relied on online sources, whether through official websites or phone-based applications, to acquire up-to-date health information, provide accurate instructions, and limit misinformation. This study aims to provide insight regarding the current level of awareness of the pandemic, and to identify associated factors in Vietnamese participants to recommend necessary interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey during the first week of the lockdown period. There were 341 observations collected using a snowball sampling technique. A Tobit multivariable regression model was used to identify factors associated with the demand for each category of health information. The most requested information was the latest updated news on the epidemic, followed by information about disease symptoms and updated news on the outbreak. The prevalence of diverse socioeconomic, demographic, and ethnic factors in Vietnam requires consideration of the specific health information needs of unique groups. Identifying group-specific demands would be helpful to provide proper information to fulfill each population group’s needs.
Demographic and Socioeconomic Influences on Sleep Patterns among Adolescent Students
Authors: Kim Jinseok , Noh Jin-Won , Kim Ahraemi , Kwon Young Dae
Published: June 2020

Although proper sleep is an important topic in adolescent health, little is known about the sleep patterns of adolescents from a longitudinal and non-Western perspective. To fill this gap, the present research conducted a longitudinal study of the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on sleep patterns among Korean adolescent students. The relationship could positively or negatively affect sleep. Therefore, it is important to understand which demographic and socioeconomic factors are related to sleep patterns. This study used nationally representative panel data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey. A series of descriptive analyses were conducted to provide overall characteristics of the sample. Furthermore, mixed effect regression analysis techniques were employed to test the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic factors and sleep patterns. Paternal employment status was associated with adolescent sleep patterns, while maternal employment status was not. Adolescents with both parents working compared to adolescents with one parent or none working showed different sleep patterns on weekdays but not on weekends. Both parents possessing college degrees, household income, living in an urban area, and family type were associated with adolescent sleep pattern indicators to varying degrees. Some of these associations varied according to adolescent sex. This study provides insight into the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on weekend and weekday sleep patterns among adolescent students by sex. These findings provide information for the promotion of healthy sleep in adolescents by addressing demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Link of Patient Care Outcome to Occupational Differences in Response to Human Resource Management: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study on Hospital Doctors and Nurses in China
Authors: Liu Chaojie , Bartram Timothy , Leggat Sandra G.
Published: June 2020

This study assessed the link of patient care outcome to occupational differences in response to human resource management. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three large regional hospitals in China. A total of 700 questionnaires were distributed to doctors, nurses, allied health workers, and managers and 499 (71%) were completed. Data were analyzed using a final sample of 193 doctors and 180 nurses. Quality of patient care was rated by the participants using a modified version of the Victorian Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Human resource management was measured on seven aspects: job security, recruitment, training, transformational leadership, information sharing, job quality, and teams. The differences between doctors and nurses in response to the human resource management practices and their associations with quality of care were compared through independent samples t-tests, correlational analyses, and moderator regressions. Doctors gave a higher rating on quality of patient care than their nurse counterparts. ‘Training’, ‘transformational leadership’, and ‘information sharing’ were more likely to be associated with higher ratings on quality of patient care in nurses. By contrast, a greater association between ‘teams’ and quality of patient care was found in doctors. Although doctors and nurses in China are exposed to the same hospital management environment, professional differences may have led them to respond to management practices in different ways.
The Perception of COVID-19 among Italian Dentists: An Orthodontic Point of View
Authors: Martina Stefano , Amato Alessandra , Rongo Roberto , Caggiano Mario , Amato Massimo
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 has severely impacted dentists, who are at a great risk of infection. This study aimed to investigate if dentists are anxious about returning to their daily activities, and what the perception of the risk is for dentists and orthodontists regarding orthodontic procedures. An online questionnaire, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), was sent to Italian dentists during the final days of the lockdown with items about anxiety, fear, distress, perceived risk for operators, and concerns about orthodontic patients caused by working during the COVID-19 outbreak. Data were analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set as p < 0.05. A total of 349 dentists completed the survey, including 183 orthodontists. Returning to their daily work activity was a source of anxiety for 192 participants and this was associated with the level of distress (odds ratio (OR) = 3.7; p < 0.001). Most of the orthodontists (67.6%) thought that they would increase the number of working hours during the week (OR = 1.8; p = 0.007). Italian dentists were mostly scared to return to their daily activities because they considered their jobs a high risk to them and their families. Dentists with an exclusive/prevailing orthodontic activity were forced to increase their working day during the week.
Healthy Life Expectancies by the Effects of Hypertension and Diabetes for the Middle Aged and Over in Taiwan
Authors: Liang Chia-Chun , Hsu Wei-Chung , Tsai Yao-Te , Weng Shao-Jen , Yang Ho-Pang , Liu Shih-Chia
Published: June 2020

(1) Introduction: This study aims to investigate the disparity in the healthy life expectancy of the elderly with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. (2) Materials and Methods: This study used survey data collected in five waves (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) of the “Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging” (TLSA) to estimate the life expectancy and healthy life expectancy of different age groups. The activities of daily living, the health condition of hypertension and diabetes and the survival statuses of these cases were analyzed by the IMaCh (Interpolated Markov Chain) and logistic regression model. (3) Results: As regards the elderly between age 50 and 60 with hypertension and diabetes, women with hypertension only exhibited the longest life expectancy, and the healthy life expectancy and the percentage of remaining life with no functional incapacity were 33.74 years and 87.11%, respectively. In contrast, men with diabetes only showed the shortest life expectancy, and the healthy life expectancy and the percentage of remaining life with no functional incapacity were 22.51 years and 93.16%, respectively. We also found that people with diabetes showed a lower percentage of remaining life with no functional incapacity. (4) Conclusions: We suggest that policymakers should pay special attention to publicizing the importance of health control behavior in order to decrease the risk of suffering diseases and to improve the elderly’s quality of life.
Association between Five Common Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility
Authors: Oh Jisu , An Hui Jeong , Kim Jung Oh , Jun Hak Hoon , Kim Woo Ram , Kim Eo Jin , Oh Doyeun , Kim Jong Woo , Kim Nam Keun
Published: June 2020

The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is expressed in many cancer cell types and modulates cancer growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. The present study investigated the association between five PAI-1 gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Five PAI-1 polymorphisms (−844G > A [rs2227631], −675 4G > 5G [rs1799889], +43G > A [rs6092], +9785G > A [rs2227694], and +11053T > G [rs7242]) were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay in 459 CRC cases and 416 controls. Increased CRC risk was more frequently associated with PAI-1 −675 5G5G polymorphism than with 4G4G (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.556; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.012–2.391; p = 0.04). In contrast, for the PAI-1 +11053 polymorphism, we found a lower risk of CRC with the GG genotype (AOR = 0.620; 95% CI: 0.413–0.932; p = 0.02) than with the TT genotype, as well as for recessive carriers (TT + TG vs. GG, AOR = 0.662; 95% CI: 0.469–0.933; p = 0.02). The +43AA genotype was associated with lower overall survival (OS) than the +43GG genotype. Our results suggest that the PAI-1 genotype plays a role in CRC risk. This is the first study to identify an association between five PAI-1 polymorphisms and CRC incidence worldwide.
Fabrication and Characterization of Sn-Based Babbitt Alloy Nanocomposite Reinforced with Al2O3 Nanoparticles/Carbon Steel Bimetallic Material
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed , Alghamdi Abdulaziz S. , Subhani Tayyab , Halim K. S. Abdel
Published: June 2020

Sn-based Babbitt alloy was reinforced with alumina nanoparticles to prepare a novel class of nanocomposites. The route of liquid metallurgy in combination with stirring mechanism was chosen to prepare nanocomposites with three different loadings of alumina nanoparticles, i.e., 0.25 wt%, 0.50 wt% and 1.0 wt%. The molten mixture of metallic matrix and nanoparticles was poured over carbon steel substrate for solidification to manufacture a bimetallic material for bearing applications. The underlying aim was to understand the effect of nanoparticle addition on microstructural variation of Sn-based Babbitt alloy as well as bimetallic microstructural interface. The addition of 0.25 wt% and 0.50 wt% alumina nanoparticles significantly affected both the morphology and distribution of Cu6Sn5 hard phase in solid solution, which changed from needle and asterisk shape to spherical morphology. Nanocomposites containing up to 0.50 wt% nanoparticles showed more improvement in tensile strength than the one containing 1.0 wt% nanoparticles, due to nanoparticle-agglomeration and micro-cracks at the interface. The addition of 0.5 wt% nanoparticles significantly improved the wear resistance of Sn-based Babbitt alloy.
SnS2 and SnO2 Nanoparticles Obtained from Organotin(IV) Dithiocarbamate Complex and Their Photocatalytic Activities on Methylene Blue
Authors: Adeyemi Jerry O. , Onwudiwe Damian C.
Published: June 2020

This work reports the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using SnS2 and SnO2 nanoparticles obtained from a solvothermal decomposition (in oleylamine) and pyrolysis (in a furnace) processes, respectively, of the diphenyltin(IV) p-methylphenyldithiocarbamate complex. The complex, which was used as a single-source precursor and represented as [(C6H5)2Sn(L)2] (L = p-methylphenyldithiocarbamato), was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. The structural properties and morphology of the as-synthesized nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-visible spectroscopy was used to study the optical property. The hexagonal phase of SnS2 and tetragonal SnO2 nanoparticles were identified, which exhibited varying sizes of hexagonal platelets and rod-like morphologies, respectively. The direct band gap energies of both materials, estimated from their absorption spectra, were 2.31 and 3.79 eV for SnS2 and SnO2, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the SnS2 and SnO2 nanoparticle, studied using methylene blue (MB) as a model dye pollutant under light irradiation, showed that SnO2 nanoparticles exhibited a degradation efficiency of 48.33% after 120 min reaction, while the SnS2 nanoparticles showed an efficiency of 62.42% after the same duration of time. The higher efficiency of SnS2 compared to the SnO2 nanoparticles may be attributed to the difference in the structural properties, morphology and nature of the material’s band gap energy.
Microstructure and Selected Properties of Cr3C2–NiCr Coatings Obtained by HVOF on Magnesium Alloy Substrates
Authors: Jonda Ewa , Łatka Leszek , Pakieła Wojciech
Published: June 2020

In present work the Cr3C2–NiCr coating was deposited on magnesium alloy substrate with high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying. The microstructure of the samples has been characterized by means of electron microscopy, SEM and phase composition analysis carried out. The porosity of coatings has been also estimated. Finally, tests of selected mechanical properties, such as instrumented indentation, abrasive erosion have been performed. The results of the investigations confirmed that dense, homogeneous and well-adhered Cr3C2–NiCr cermet coating is possible to obtain onto the magnesium AZ31 alloy substrate. Moreover, the coatings exhibit high resistance to erosion.
Anti-Heartburn Effects of Sugar Cane Flour: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Beckett Jeffrey M. , Singh Neeraj K. , Phillips Jehan , Kalpurath Krishnakumar , Taylor Kent , Stanley Roger A. , Eri Rajaraman D.
Published: June 2020

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects approximately 20% of Australians. Patients suffer a burning sensation known as heartburn due to the movement of acidic stomach content into the esophagus. There is anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of prebiotic sugarcane flour in controlling symptoms of GERD. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a prebiotic sugarcane flour in alleviating symptoms in medically-diagnosed GERD patients. This pilot study was a single center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial conducted on 43 eligible participants. The intervention group (n = 22) were randomized to receive 3 g of sugarcane flour per day, and the control group (n = 21) received 3 g of cellulose placebo per day. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were assessed before and after three weeks treatment using the validated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life questionnaire (GERD-HRQL). After three weeks there were significant differences in symptoms for heartburn, regurgitation, and total symptoms scores (p < 0.05) between the sugarcane flour and placebo. Mean GERD-HRQL scores increased in the placebo group for regurgitation (mean increase 1.7; 95% CI 0.23 to 3.2; p = 0.015) and total symptom scores (2.9; 95% CI 0.26 to 5.7; p = 0.033). In contrast, there were significant reductions in heartburn (mean decrease −2.2; 95% CI −4.2 to −0.14; p = 0.037) and total symptom scores (−3.7; 95% CI −7.2 to −0.11; p = 0.044) in the intervention group. This pilot study has shown significant positive effects of sugarcane flour in the reduction of GERD symptoms, and a larger randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Protocatechuic Acid Extends Survival, Improves Motor Function, Diminishes Gliosis, and Sustains Neuromuscular Junctions in the hSOD1G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Koza Lilia A. , Winter Aimee N. , Holsopple Jessica , Baybayon-Grandgeorge Angela N. , Pena Claudia , Olson Jeffrey R. , Mazzarino Randall C. , Patterson David , Linseman Daniel A.
Published: June 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disorder characterized by motor neuron apoptosis and subsequent skeletal muscle atrophy caused by oxidative and nitrosative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Anthocyanins are polyphenolic compounds found in berries that possess neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a phenolic acid metabolite of the parent anthocyanin, kuromanin, found in blackberries and bilberries. We explored the therapeutic effects of PCA in a transgenic mouse model of ALS that expresses mutant human Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase 1 with a glycine to alanine substitution at position 93. These mice display skeletal muscle atrophy, hindlimb weakness, and weight loss. Disease onset occurs at approximately 90 days old and end stage is reached at approximately 120 days old. Daily treatment with PCA (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage beginning at disease onset significantly extended survival (121 days old in untreated vs. 133 days old in PCA-treated) and preserved skeletal muscle strength and endurance as assessed by grip strength testing and rotarod performance. Furthermore, PCA reduced astrogliosis and microgliosis in spinal cord, protected spinal motor neurons from apoptosis, and maintained neuromuscular junction integrity in transgenic mice. PCA lengthens survival, lessens the severity of pathological symptoms, and slows disease progression in this mouse model of ALS. Given its significant preclinical therapeutic effects, PCA should be further investigated as a treatment option for patients with ALS.
Comparison between Colistin Sulfate Dry Powder and Solution for Pulmonary Delivery
Authors: Tewes Frédéric , Brillault Julien , Gregoire Nicolas , Olivier Jean-Christophe , Lamarche Isabelle , Adier Christophe , Healy Anne-Marie , Marchand Sandrine
Published: June 2020

To assess the difference in the fate of the antibiotic colistin (COLI) after its pulmonary delivery as a powder or a solution, we developed a COLI powder and evaluated the COLI pharmacokinetic properties in rats after pulmonary administration of the powder or the solution. The amorphous COLI powder prepared by spray drying was characterized by a mass median aerodynamic diameter and fine particle fraction of 2.68 ± 0.07 µm and 59.5 ± 5.4%, respectively, when emitted from a Handihaler®. After intratracheal administration, the average pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF): plasma area under the concentration versus time curves (AUC) ratios were 570 and 95 for the COLI solution and powder, respectively. However, the same COLI plasma concentration profiles were obtained with the two formulations. According to our pharmacokinetic model, this difference in ELF COLI concentration could be due to faster systemic absorption of COLI after the powder inhalation than for the solution. In addition, the COLI apparent permeability (Papp) across a Calu-3 epithelium model increased 10-fold when its concentration changed from 100 to 4000 mg/L. Based on this last result, we propose that the difference observed in vivo between the COLI solution and powder could be due to a high local ELF COLI concentration being obtained at the site where the dry particles impact the lung. This high local COLI concentration can lead to a local increase in COLI Papp, which is associated with a high concentration gradient and could produce a high local transfer of COLI across the epithelium and a consequent increase in the overall absorption rate of COLI.
Ultrastructural Study of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Trophozoites and Cysts Treated In Vitro with Cationic Carbosilane Dendrimers
Authors: Heredero-Bermejo Irene , Martín-Pérez Tania , Copa-Patiño José Luis , Gómez Rafael , de la Mata Francisco Javier , Soliveri Juan , Pérez-Serrano Jorge
Published: June 2020

Cationic carbosilane dendrimers are branched molecules with antimicrobial properties. Their activity has been tested against Acanthamoeba polyphaga, a causative agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe ocular disease in humans. A. polyphaga trophozoites and cysts were exposed to different noncytotoxic cationic carbosilane dendrimers with proven antiamoebic activity. The effects of treatment on cell surface and cell ultrastructure were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Two of the dendrimers tested induced dramatic alterations of cellular ultrastructure in both trophozoites and cysts, including vacuolization, depletion of cytoplasmic contents, and reduced cell size. Additionally, we observed severe alterations of the plasma membrane with membrane blebbing in trophozoites and disruption in cysts. These alterations were also observed with chlorhexidine, a drug used for treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Our results support that these compounds may target membranes, and their action is critical for parasite integrity.
Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants by Ethnic People in the Kavrepalanchok District, Central Nepal
Authors: Ambu Gabriele , Chaudhary Ram Prasad , Mariotti Mauro , Cornara Laura
Published: June 2020

In rural areas of Nepal, where it is difficult to get access to Government health care facilities, people depend on medicinal plants and local healers for health problems. This study concerns an ethnobotanical survey of the Kavrepalanchok District, reporting some unusual uses of medicinal plants and original recipes. A total of 32 informants were interviewed, 24 of them being key informants. Ethnobotanical uses concerned 116 taxa, of which 101 were medicinal plants, with the most representative species belonging to Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Zingiberaceae. Ethnobotanical indexes were used to evaluate the ethnopharmacological importance of each plant species and the degree of agreement among the informants’ knowledge. Informant consensus factor (Fic) showed that the fever category had the greatest agreement. Highest fidelity level (FL) values were found for Calotropis gigantea used for dermatological diseases, Drymaria cordata for fever, Mangifera indica and Wrightia arborea for gastrointestinal disorders. Data document the richness of the local flora and the traditional knowledge on medicinal plant species used by ethnic communities in rural areas. The active involvement of local populations in the conservation and management of medicinal plant species will encourage future projects for the sustainable development of the biological and cultural diversity of these rural areas of Nepal.
Amphiphilic Nucleobase-Containing Polypeptide Copolymers—Synthesis and Self-Assembly
Authors: Nguyen Michel , Ferji Khalid , Lecommandoux Sébastien , Bonduelle Colin
Published: June 2020

Nucleobase-containing polymers are an emerging class of building blocks for the self-assembly of nanoobjects with promising applications in nanomedicine and biology. Here we present a macromolecular engineering approach to design nucleobase-containing polypeptide polymers incorporating thymine that further self-assemble in nanomaterials. Diblock and triblock copolypeptide polymers were prepared using sequential ring-opening polymerization of γ-Benzyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA) and γ-Propargyl-l-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (PLG-NCA), followed by an efficient copper(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAc) functionalization with thymidine monophosphate. Resulting amphiphilic copolymers were able to spontaneously form nanoobjects in aqueous solutions avoiding a pre-solubilization step with an organic solvent. Upon self-assembly, light scattering measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the impact of the architecture (diblock versus triblock) on the morphology of the resulted nanoassemblies. Interestingly, the nucleobase-containing nanoobjects displayed free thymine units in the shell that were found available for further DNA-binding.