bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Education and income-based inequality in tooth loss among Brazilian adults: does the place you live make a difference?
Authors: Ferreira Raquel , Senna Maria Inês Barreiros , Rodrigues Lorrany Gabriele , Campos Fernanda Lamounier , Martins Andrea Maria Eleuterio de Barros Lima , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: December 2019

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in tooth loss might be minimized or potentialized by the characteristics of the context where people live. We examined whether there is contextual variation in socioeconomic inequalities in tooth loss across Brazilian municipalities. Methods: Data from the 2010 National Oral Health Survey of 9,979 adults living in 177 Brazilian municipalities were used. Education and household income were used as the individual socioeconomic indicators. At the municipal level, we used the Municipal Human Development Index as our contextual indicator of socioeconomic status (low:<0.699 versus high: >0.70). The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) were calculated to compare the magnitude of education and income-based inequalities among municipalities with low versus high HDI. Multilevel Poisson regression models with random intercepts and slopes were developed. Results: At the individual level, adults with lower education & income reported more tooth loss. The mean number of lost teeth was 9.62 (95%CI: 8.02-11.23) and 7.03 (95%CI: 6.52-7.55) in municipalities with low and high HDI, respectively. Municipalities with high HDI showed higher relative and absolute education-based inequality. For income-based inequalities, higher SII was observed in municipalities with lower HDI. A significant cross-level interaction indicated that high-education adults reported fewer lost teeth when they lived in municipalities with high HDI compared to adults with the same education level living in low HDI municipalities. For individuals with the lowest education level, there was no difference in the number of teeth between those from municipalities with high and low HDI. Conclusions: There was a social gradient in tooth loss by education and income. Living in disadvantaged municipalities cannot overcome the risk associated with low schooling. The protective effect of higher education can be reduced when people live in disadvantaged areas.
Asiatic acid attenuates hypertrophic and fibrotic differentiation of articular chondrocytes via AMPK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Na , Fu Dejie , Yang Junjun , Liu Pingju , Song Xiongbo , Wang Xin , Li Rui , Fu Zhenlan , Chen Jiajia , Gong Xiaoyuan , Chen Cheng , Yang Liu
Published: December 2019

Background Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disorder, is characterized by a progressive degradation of articular cartilage. Increasing evidence suggests that OA is closely associated with cartilage pathologies including chondrocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis.Methods In this study, we showed that Asiatic acid (AA) treatment reduced chondrocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis. First, the cytotoxicity of AA (0, 5, 10, and 20 μM) to chondrocytes was evaluated, and 5 μM was selected for subsequent experiments. Then, we detected the gene and protein level of chondrocyte hypertrophic markers including type X collagen (COL-X), matrix metalloproteinase - 13 (MMP-13), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and chondrocyte fibrosis markers including type I collagen (COL-Ι) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and chondrogenic markers including SRY-related HMG box 9 (SOX9), type II collagen (COL-II) and aggrecan (ACAN). Further, we texted the mechanism of AA on inhibiting chondrocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis. Finally, we verified the results in an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rat OA model.Results We found that AA treatment inhibited the hypertrophic and fibrotic phenotype of chondrocytes, without affecting the chondrogenic phenotype. Moreover, we found AA treatment activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in vitro. The results in an ACLT-rat OA model also indicated that AA significantly attenuated chondrocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis.Conclusion AA treatment could reduce hypertrophic and fibrotic differentiation, and maintain the chondrogenic phenotype of articular chondrocytes by targeting the AMPK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our study suggested that AA might be a prospective drug component that targets hypertrophic and fibrotic chondrocytes for OA treatment.
Distinctions between sex and time in patterns of DNA methylation across puberty
Authors: Moore Sarah R , Humphreys Kathryn L , Colich Natalie L , Davis Elena Goetz , Lin David T S , MacIsaac Julia L , Kobor Michael S , Gotlib Ian H
Published: December 2019

Background There are significant sex differences in human physiology and disease; the genomic sources of these differences, however, are not well understood. During puberty, a drastic neuroendocrine shift signals physical changes resulting in robust sex differences in human physiology. Here, we explore how shifting patterns of DNA methylation may inform these pathways of biological plasticity during the pubertal transition.Methods In this study we analyzed DNA methylation (DNAm) in saliva at two time points across the pubertal transition within the same individuals. We targeted two domains of DNAm patterns that may inform processes of sexual differentiation 1) sex related sites, which demonstrated differences between males from females and 2) time related sites in which DNAm shifted significantly between timepoints. We further explored the correlated network structure sex and time related DNAm networks and linked these patterns to pubertal stage, assays of salivary testosterone, a reliable diagnostic of free, unbound hormone that is available to act on target tissues, and overlap with androgen response elements.Results Sites that differed by biological sex were largely independent of sites that underwent change across puberty. Time-related DNAm sites, but not sex-related sites, formed correlated networks that were associated with pubertal stage. Both time and sex DNAm networks reflected salivary testosterone levels that were enriched for androgen response elements, with sex-related DNAm networks being informative of testosterone levels above and beyond biological sex later in the pubertal transition.Conclusions These results inform our understanding of the distinction between sex- and time-related differences in DNAm during the critical period of puberty and highlight a novel linkage between correlated patterns of sex-related DNAm and levels of salivary testosterone.
An Innovative Intervention to Improve Respectful Maternity Care in Three Districts in Ethiopia
Authors: Jembere Birkety Mengistu , Alemu Haregeweyni , Kassa Munir , Zelalem Meseret , Abate Mehiret , Bitewulign Befikadu , Mathewos Kedest , Njoku Kendra , Prose Neil S , Magge Hema
Published: December 2019

BackgroundDisrespect and abuse (D&A) during childbirth are major violations of human rights and often deter women from accessing skilled delivery in health facilities. In Ethiopia, D&A has been documented to occur in up to 49.4% of mothers delivering in health facilities. This study describes the development, implementation and results of a novel intervention to improve respectful maternity care (RMC) and decrease D&A in three districts in Ethiopia.MethodsAs part of a national initiative to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in Ethiopia, we developed a novel RMC training module with three core components: testimonial videos, didactic sessions on communication, and onsite coaching. As of February 2017, we implemented the RMC training in three districts within the regions of Oromia; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s; and Tigray. Measures of births with privacy and a birth companion from a 27-month data from 17 health centers and three hospitals were analyzed using STATA version 13 for interrupted time series and a regression analysis was conducted to assess the significance of improvement. Facilitated discussions were conducted among health care providers to gauge the effectiveness of the videos. Facility level solutions applied to enhance RMC were documented. ResultsAn analysis of the effectiveness of integrating RMC using available programmatic data showed significant improvement following the RMC training, which was sustained beyond the project intervention (regression coefficients ranging from 0.18 to 0.77). Several local solutions were devised and implemented in the health facilities to improve the experience of care for mothers. Facilitated discussions with health care providers participating in the RMC training showed improved understanding of patients’ perspectives and the psychosocial needs of their clients. Conclusion﻿This study suggests that integrating the RMC training into the district-wide quality improvement (QI) collaborative is effective in improving RMC. Use of testimonial videos are especially helpful as they remind providers of the need to treat mothers with dignity and helps them reflect on potential root causes for this type of treatment and develop effective solutions.
Dietary patterns of farmers and their relation with sociodemographic, labor, and lifestyle conditions: Brazilian rural population-based study
Authors: Cattafesta Monica , Petarli Glenda Blaser , Luz Tamires Conceição da , Zandonade Eliana , Bezerra Olívia Maria de Paula Alves , Salaroli Luciane Bresciani
Published: December 2019

Background : The eating habits have changed in the last few decades, but few studies prioritize the food consumption of farmers and the rural population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to define the dietary patterns of farmers in a Brazilian municipality and evaluate their association with sociodemographic, occupational and lifestyle factors. Methods : This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 740 farmers (51.5%, n=381 males) from a municipality in Southeastern Brazil. Food intake data were obtained by applying three 24-hour recalls and dietary intake was presented in dietary patterns determined by Principal Component Analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation. Results : Three dietary patterns were identified. The first pattern, “local traditional”, was associated with sociodemographic and labor variables, being considered typical of the region's farmer. The permanence of a “traditional Brazilian” pattern and the occurrence of an “industrialized” pattern were also observed. Individuals aged 50 and over years were 82% less likely (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.10–0.30) to adhere to “industrialized” pattern than those aged 30 and under. Still, individuals of socioeconomic class D or E were 52% less likely to adhere to this pattern (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.96). Farmers who spent R$ 200 or more per capita to buy food were more than twice as likely to adhere to this food pattern (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.32–3.73), and who had the habit of frequently eating out were 1.62 as likely adhere to “industrialized” pattern (95% CI 1.11–2.36). Conclusions : The findings indicate changes in dietary patterns in rural areas of the country, maintaining a traditional Brazilian pattern, as well as a local and an industrialized pattern. This last pattern demonstrates that the contemporary rural population also opts for a diet with ultra-processed products, being associated with the characteristic habits of a more urbanized rural region.
Exploring Health Literacy in Wuhan, China: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Mei Xin , Zhong Qing , Chen Gong , Huang Yuanxia , Li Junlin
Published: December 2019

Background: In recent years, research on health literacy has become increasingly concerned with the health care system and public health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate health literacy and analyse the risk factors that affect health literacy in Wuhan, China. Methods: Multistage stratified random sampling was used to select 5304 urban and rural residents aged 15 to 69 from 204 monitoring points in 15 districts of Wuhan. Using the Chinese citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) (2018 edition), a face-to-face survey was conducted from November to December 2018. Risk factors that may affect health literacy were assessed by Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models. Results: The knowledge rate of health literacy was relatively low (19.3%). Of the three aspects of health literacy, the knowledge rate of health-related behaviour and lifestyle (BAL, 17.3%) was the lowest, and of the six dimensions of health literacy, the knowledge rate of chronic diseases (CD, 19.0%) was the lowest. Respondents who lived in urban areas, had higher education levels, worked as medical staff, had higher household income and did not suffer from chronic diseases were likely to have higher health literacy. Conclusions: The health literacy levels of citizens in Wuhan are insufficient and need to improve.
Access to and Use of Health and Social Services among People who Inject Drugs in two urban areas of Mozambique, 2014: Qualitative Results from a Formative Assessment
Authors: Dengo-Baloi Liliana Candida , Boothe Makini Aida , Semá-Baltazar Cynthia Amino , Sathane Isabel , Langa Denise Chitsondzo , Condula Manuel , Ricardo Helena , Inguane Celso , Teodoro Eugénia , Gouveia Lídia , Raymond Henry F. , Horth Roberta
Published: December 2019

Background: Prior to 2014, data about health seeking behaviors or service uptake for People who inject drugs (PWID) in Mozambique did not exist. We present the results from the formative assessment component of the Biological and Behavioral Survey (BBS). Methods: Standardized interview guides were used during key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGD) in Maputo and Nampula/Nacala to discuss issues related to risk behaviors and access to and utilization of health and social services by PWID. The target sample size was not defined a priori, but instead KII and FGD were conducted until responses reached saturation. Data analysis was based on the principles of grounded theory related to qualitative research. Results: Eighty-eight respondents, ages 15 to 60, participated in KIIs and FGDs. Participants were majority male from diverse income and education levels and included current and former PWID, non-injection drug users, health and social service providers, peer educators, and community health workers. Respondents reported that PWID engage in high-risk behaviors such as needle and syringe sharing, exchange of sex for drugs or money, and low condom use. According to participants, PWID would rather rent, share or borrow injection equipment at shooting galleries than purchase them due to stigma, fear of criminalization, transportation and purchase costs, restricted pharmacy hours, personal preference for needle sharing, and immediacy of drug need. Barriers to access and utilization of health and social services include distance, the limited availability of programs for PWID, lack of knowledge of the few programs that exist, concerns about the quality of care provided by health providers, lack of readiness as a result of addiction and perceived stigma related to the use of mental health services offering treatment to PWID. Conclusions: Mozambique urgently needs to establish specialized harm reduction programs for PWID and improve awareness of available resources. Services should be located in hot spot areas to address issues related to distance, transportation and the planning required for safe injection. Specific attention should go to the creation of PWID-focused health and social services outside of state-sponsored psychiatric treatment centers.
Benefit of imatinib adjuvant therapy for patients with intermediate risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a multi-center retrospective analysis in China
Authors: Feng Fan , Fang Yong , Zhang Jun , Zheng Guoliang , Qiao Qing , Cao Nong , Wang Haijiang , Li Bin , Lei Cheng , Wang Cheng , Zhang Chengwu , Shen Kuntang , Zheng Zhichao , Zhang Hongwei
Published: December 2019

Background The benefit of postoperative imatinib therapy on intermediated risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients were still under debate. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the impact of imatinib adjuvant therapy on the prognosis of intermediate risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients.Methods From January 2000 to April 2018, a total of 450 intermediate risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients received R0 resection from eight centers in China were enrolled. The clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients were analyzed. Discrete variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Significant predictors for survival identified by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. Disease-free survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results Among the 450 patients, 109 patients (24.2%) received imatinib treatment. The recurrence rate of patients with and without imatinib treatment was 7.3% and 5.3%, respectively. For the entire cohort, gene mutational status was the only independent risk factor for disease-free survival of patients though univariate and multivariate analysis (P=0.028). For patients without imatinib treatment, tumor location (P=0.025) and gene mutation status (P=0.040) were prognostic factors in univariate analysis. However, only gene mutational status was independent prognostic factor (P=0.037). The disease-free survival of gastrointestinal stromal tumor with exon 11 deletion mutation with and without imatinib treatment were comparable (P=0.531).Conclusions Imatinib adjuvant treatment could not improve the prognosis of intermediate risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Intermediate gastrointestinal stromal tumors with exon 11 deletion mutation or non-gastric location may be candidates for imatinib treatment.
Effect of PHAP1 and SUMO2 on biological characteristics of Cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Qian , Li Xiaohong , Qin Song
Published: December 2019

Background This study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of PHAP1 and SUMO2 in CSCC and the relationship between the expression of the 2 genes and HPV16 infection. Method To detect the function of PHAP1 and SUMO2 in the occurrence and development of CSCC, we first compared their expression patterns in CSCC tissue samples, CIN and matched normal tissues through IHC, and RT-PCR. In addition, we carried on WB assay to test the expression of PHAP1 and SUMO2 in the SiHa, C33A and Ect1 cell lines. We analyzed the relationship between the expression of PHAP1 and SUMO2 and HPV16 infection. Result The results demonstrated that PHAP1 and SUMO2 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels was elevated in CSCC tissues compared with CIN and normal tissues. The expression of SUMO2 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.02), AJCC stage(p=0.024), but not other clinicopathological factors. The expression of PHAP1 and SUMO2 protein in SiHa, C33A cells was obviously higher than that in Ect1 cells. The expression of PHAP1 and SUMO2 was associated with a susceptibility to HPV16 infections. Conclusion Our results imply that PHAP1 and SUMO2 may be potential tumor promoter genes and may provide the biological basis for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for CSCC.
Relationship between air pollutants and risk of diabetes:a cohort study based meta-analysis
Authors: Mohemaiti Patamu , Simayi Aidibai , Qin Xiao Xiao , Kadeer Aizhatiguli
Published: December 2019

Background: To investigate the effects of air pollutants on the incidence of diabetes, and to provide reliable evidence for the prevention and control of diabetes.Method: Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang Digital Periodicals (WANFANG), WeiPu, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Springer, and Ovid were searched. RevMan5.3 software was used for meta analysis of the literature included in this study, I2 was used to measure the heterogeneity of the research contents of the included literature, and fixed effect model or random effect model was used for combined analysis of the overall incidence of diabetes and the incidence of diabetes under different air pollutants.Result: A total of 22 articles with high overall quality were included in this study, including 2703882 subjects and 535190 patients with diabetes.Pooled effect of the studies was determined using relative risk(RR). PM10 (RR=1.00; 95%CI:0.99-1.02, P=0.61), PM2.5 (RR=1.02 ; 95%CI:1.01-1.04, P=0.01), NOX (RR=1.00; 95%CI:1.00-1.01, P=0.006), NO2 (RR=1.00; 95%CI:1.00-1.01, P=0.01), O3 (RR=1.00; 95%CI:0.99-1.01, P=0.99). No correlation was found between PM10, NO2, O3 and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The risk of diabetes increased by 1% in people exposed to total air pollutants, increased by 2% in people exposed to PM2.5, and increased by 1% in people exposed to NOX.Conclusion: Results of this paper showed that air pollutants are weakly positively correlated with the risk of diabetes. As to the other influencing factors should be further studied.
When is work a cause of early retirement and are there any effective organizational measures to combat this? A population-based study of work environment and work-related disorders among employees in Sweden
Authors: Nilsson Kerstin
Published: December 2019

Background: The ageing workforce have an impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate work-related disorders, work tasks and measures associated with possibility of working beyond 65 years of age or not. Method: The data comprised two sample surveys based on the Swedish population: the Survey of National Work-Related Health Disorders, and the National Work Environment Survey. Results: A logistic regression analysis showed that an active systematic work environmental controls at the workplace was statistically significant association with whether individuals could work in their current occupation until 65 years of age (OR 1.7). The final multivariate model stated that whether individuals could work until 65 years was associated with bodily exhausted after work, often feel the own work effort insufficient at the end of the day, experience the work as restricted and with a lack of freedom, work alone and at risk of unsafe or threatening situations, and generally dissatisfied with the work tasks. Women-dominated workplaces were more highly associated with both male and female employees not being able to work until age 65 (OR 1.6). Conclusion: Deficiencies in the working environment is a threat to the public health. An active systematic work environmental control at the workplace increase the possibility to extend the working life. Tools for managers, as the swAge-model, to easier perform an active systematic work environmental controls could therefore be a possible way to decrease the risk work injury as well as increase the possibility for a sustainable extended working life.
Adherence to ready-to-use food and acceptability of outpatient nutritional therapy in HIV-infected undernourished Senegalese adolescents: research-based recommendations for routine care.
Authors: Niasse Fatou , Varloteaux Marie , Diop Karim , Ndiaye Sidy Mokhtar , Diouf François Niokhor , Mbodj Pape Birane , Niang Babacar , Diack Aminata , Cames Cecile
Published: December 2019

Background: Ready-to-use food (RUF) is increasingly used for nutritional therapy in HIV-infected individuals. However, practical guidance advising nutrition care to HIV-infected adolescents is lacking, and little is known about the acceptability of such therapy in this vulnerable population. This SNACS study assesses the overall acceptability and perception of a RUF-based therapy and risk factors associated with sub-optimal RUF intake in HIV-infected undernourished adolescents in Senegal. Methods: Participants aged 5 to 18 with acute malnutrition were enrolled in 12 HIV clinics in Senegal. Participants were provided with imported RUF, according to WHO prescription weight- and age-bands (2009), until recovery or for a maximum of 9-12 months. Malnutrition and recovery were defined according to WHO growth standards. Adherence was assessed fortnightly by self-reported RUF intake over the period. Sub-optimal RUF intake was defined as when consumption of the RUF provision was < 50%. RUF therapy acceptability and perceptions were assessed using a structured questionnaire (week 2) and focus group discussions (end of the study). Factors associated with sub-optimal RUF intake at week 2 were identified using stepwise logistic regression model. Results: We enrolled 173 participants, with a median age of 12.5 years (Interquartile range: 9.5 – 14.9), of whom 61% recovered from malnutrition within the study period. Median follow-up duration was 66 days (21 – 224). At week 2, sub-optimal RUF intake was observed in 31% of participants. Dislike of the taste of RUF (aOR=5.0, 95% CI: 2.0 – 12.3), HIV non-disclosure (5.1, 1.9 – 13.9) and food insecurity (2.8, 1.1 – 7.2) were the major risk factors associated with sub-optimal RUF intake. Most participants initially reported a positive organoleptic appreciation of RUF. Constraints on RUF feeding were the need to hide from others to avoid sharing and limited time available. Among sub-optimal consumers, disgust and adverse effects attributed to RUF were perceived as barriers impossible to overcome. Conclusions: This study revealed several factors reducing the acceptability and adherence to RUF therapy based on WHO guidelines in HIV-infected adolescents. Strengthening counselling capacity of HIV clinics, tailoring prescriptions and empowering young patients, are crucial for improving acceptability of RUF-based therapy in routine care.
Probe-based multiplex qPCR identifies bloodmeal hosts in Anopheles mosquitoes from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Keven John B , Artzberger Georgia , Gillies Mary L. , Mbewe Rex B. , Walker Edward D.
Published: December 2019

Background: Determination of bloodmeal hosts in blood-fed female Anopheles mosquitoes is important for evaluating vectorial capacity of vector populations and assessing effectiveness of vector control measures. Sensitive molecular methods are needed to detect traces of host blood in mosquito samples, to differentiate hosts, and to detect mixed host blood meals. This paper describes a molecular probe-based quantitative PCR for identifying bloodmeal hosts in Anopheles malaria vectors from Papua New Guinea.Methods: TaqMan oligonucleotide probes targeting specific regions of mitochondrial or nuclear DNA of the three primary Anopheles bloodmeal hosts – humans, pigs and dogs – were incorporated into a multiplex, quantitative PCR which was optimized for sensitivity and specificity.Results: Amplification of serially diluted DNA showed that the quantitative PCR detected as low as 10-5 ng/μl of host DNA. Application to field-collected, blood-fed Anopheles showed that the quantitative PCR identified the vertebrate hosts for 335/375 (89%) of mosquitoes whereas only 104/188 (55%) of bloodmeal samples tested in a conventional PCR were identified. Of 188 blood-fed Anopheles that were analyzed in both PCR methods, 16 (8.5%) were identified as mixed bloodmeals by the quantitative PCR whereas only 3 (1.6%) were mixed bloodmeals by the conventional PCR.Conclusions: The multiplex quantitative PCR described here is sensitive at detecting low DNA concentration and mixed host DNA in samples and useful for bloodmeal analysis of field mosquitoes, in particular mixed-host bloodmeals.
Bis-benzylidine Piperidone RA190 Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Binding RPN13 and Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Shyu Yu-Chiau , Soong Ruey-Shyang , Ravi Anchoori , Roden Richard , Chen Yi-Chan , Tseng Sheng-Chieh , Huang Yun-Li
Published: December 2019

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The development of new anticancer agents targeting different pathways is imperative to improve the advanced HCC. The aberrant metabolism and aggressive growth of cancer cells can render them particularly susceptible to proteasome inhibition, as first demonstrated by the success of bortezomib treatment for multiple myeloma. However, resistance does emerge and this 20S proteasome inhibitor has not proven active against HCC. The bis-benzylidine piperidone RA190 represents a novel class of proteasome inhibitor that covalently binds to cysteine 88 of RPN13, a ubiquitin receptor subunit of the proteasome’s 19S regulatory particle. RA190 treatment inhibits proteasome function, causing rapid accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins.
Methods
Human HCC cell lines were treated by RA190 in vitro in different concentration and time frame. We checked the killing effect and the possible mechanisms that lead the tumor apoptosis. We also performed the orthotopic HCC animal model to show the RA190 had significant killing effect in vivo.
Results
We showed RA190 is also toxic to HCC cells by triggering the rapid build-up of polyubiquitinated proteins, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum stress and the induction of cell death via apoptosis. Considerable evidence suggests that nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signal is essential for promoting inflammation-associated cancer. Here, we showed that RA190 inhibited the NF-κB pathway in HCC by preventing the degradation of IκBα via the proteasome. Treatment of mice bearing an orthotopic HCC model with RA190 significantly reduced tumor growth. We therefore explored combining RA190 with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently used to the treat HCC, Sorafenib.
Conclusions
RA190 and Sorafenib exhibited synergetic killing of HCC cells in vitro, suggesting further exploration of such a combination treatment of HCC is warranted.
Cover crops as modifying agents of microbiological soil attribute
Authors: Simon Catia Aparecida , Lima Sebastião Ferreira de , Cordeiro Meire Silvestrini , Secco Vinícius Andrade , Nacata Guilherme , Silva Antonio Marcos Miranda , Simon Camila da Conceição , Brasi Marivaine da Silva
Published: December 2019

Carbon sources are exuded and deposited by different soil cover plants. They promote growth, diversity and enhancement of soil microbial community functionality, due to organic matter degradation by participating in major biochemical cycles and the availability of inorganic nutrients to plants. In this way, it is necessary to evaluate the microbiological attributes of the soil after cover cropping, which allows for surveying and monitoring the soil quality, thereby enabling rapid responses in relation to managing changes in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate soil microbiological attributes and soybean grain yield under the influence of different cover crops. The experiment was installed in the year 2015. The treatments were constituted by the following vegetation coverages: sorghum, millet, Urochloa ruziziensis, forage turnip, Urochloa brizantha, crambe and fallow area, with cover crops sown in succession to the soybean crop for three years prior to the date of installation of the experiment .The evaluated parameters were soil microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration, metabolic quotient, enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase and soil β-glucosidase, plant phytomass produced by the different cover crops and soybean yield in each area. The use of cover crops promotes higher soybean yield. The microbial activity and its efficiency were modulated according to the type of cover crop used. Soil under sorghum mulch provided lower microbial efficiency. The U. ruziziensis plant residues remain for less time on the soil. The results show that U. brizantha may be the most suitable for its use as a soil cover plant, providing improvements in its attributes.
Correlations between fruit yield and sensory and nutritional quality of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.)
Authors: Borges Rita Mércia Estigarribia , Lima Maria Auxiliadora Coêlho de , Melo Natoniel Franklin de
Published: December 2019

Traits related to fruit yield and physical and chemical fruit quality are being evaluated by Embrapa pumpkin breeding program. Path and Pearson's correlation analysis are necessary to allow the knowledge of the relation between the variables of interest for this program. The objective of the present study was to determine the genetic correlations between yield- and sensorial and nutritional quality attributes-associated variables in pumpkin progenies to support the selection process. Twelve genotypes were evaluated for 10 yield-related traits, and 8 sensory and nutritional quality traits of fruit, including the commercial cultivar Jacarezinho. A path analysis considered the fruit weight (FrW) was as basic variable and the others as explanatory. The FrW had 98% of its total variation available in a function of the explanatory variables. The highest variations were observed in the fruit-shape related traits. In addition, the variables internal median cavity diameter (IDmed), equatorial pulp thickness (EPT), apical pulp thickness (APT), and smallest fruit diameter (Dsm) are indicated for a direct selection of progenies targeting a higher FrW. The correlation analysis highlighted that color-related variables have the possibility of indirect selection aiming to increase total carotenoid content (TCC) and β-carotene content (β-car). The evaluated progenies showed notable soluble solids content (SSC), TCC and β-car contents compared to the commercial cultivar. Furthermore, the contribution of β-car to TCC is at least 50% higher in these progenies than in 'Jacarezinho' pumpkin.
Roller Dryer for Drying Milk in Low-Tonnage Conditions
Authors: Beleckaya Marina , Vladimirov Alexander , Kozlova Oksana , Milenteva Irina
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Milk has a high nutritional value and is a vital component of human diet. Today, the dairy market is one of the largest and actively developing food markets. However, this industry is characterized by such problems as seasonality and poor transportability of raw materials. These problems particularly affect small farms. Deep processing of dairy raw materials to obtain dry powders is the most effective way to solve these problems. The research objective was to develop a low-tonnage dryer for producing milk powder on small farms and to select the optimal drying temperature.

Study objects and methods. The research featured whole milk of the ‘Svoya Ferma’ brand, mass fraction of fat = 3.4–4.5%. The research was performed on the premises of Kemerovo State University (Kemerovo, Russia). The milk was dried on a pilot sample of the roller dryer developed by the research team. The dryer consisted of a vessel, heating drums, and a microcontroller, which was connected to the temperature sensor and the control circuit of the power part, which had a powerful rectifier and pulse regulator.

Results and discussion. When the drying temperature exceeded 98°C, the characteristics of the milk powder deteriorated, and the milk failed to meet the State Standard. The optimal drying temperature was 92–95°C, since at this temperature all the characteristics, except for the solubility index, corresponded to the State Standard. The sensory and physical properties of the milk powder were improved by reducing the drying time and the distance between the knife and the drum.

Conclusion. Further experiments have to be performed to determine the optimal rotation speed of the drums and the distance between the knife and the drum.
Mixing Unit for Production of Flour Baking Mixes with High Protein Content
Authors: Borodulin Dmitriy , Zorina Tatyana , Nevskaya Ekaterina , Sukhorukov Dmitriy , Cherkashina Diana
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Semi-finished products help food industry enterprises to meet the population’s need for high-quality and nutritious foods. Popular semi-products are loose mixes enriched with vitamins, minerals, and biologically active substances. The world is currently experiencing a shortage of food protein, and its deficiency is likely to continue in the coming decades. Therefore, loose high-protein baking mixes are one of the promising directions of healthy nutrition industry. Multicomponency of such mixes makes it possible to balance their composition and develop products that have a useful comprehensive effect on the human body and strengthen protective functions.

Study objects and methods. In order to ensure a balanced composition of mixes and high-quality food production, the authors propose a new design of a continuous action vibration mixer. Experimental and industrial tests were carried out as part of a technological line for production of baking mixes with increased protein content. Trials included idling and serviceability check under load, quality tests of the obtained high-protein baking mix, as well as vibration and noise level tests. The tests provided the following rational operation parameters: amplitude of vibration A = 0.0045 m; angle of vibration β = 45°; frequency of vibration f = 33.33 Hz; number of revolutions n = 4; diameter of perforations d = 0.007 m. Biological value was determined according to the results of amino-acid analysis.

Results and discussion. The new mixing unit had the average value of the non-uniformity coefficient Vc = 6.86%, which indicated the high quality of the obtained high-protein baking mixes. The biological value of the finished food product showed a higher nutritional value than in the control sample.

Conclusions. The new vibration type mixing unit made it possible to obtain baking mixes of specified quality at the ratio of mixed components 1:60. This simple but reliable device had relatively low material and energy costs.
Jackfruit as an Object of Drying: A Hygroscopic Study
Authors: Nguyen Thi Sen , Aleksanyan Igor , Nugmanov Albert , Titova Lyubov
Published: December 2019

Statics of drying is based on the laws of interaction between the gas medium and the dehydration facility, which seek a thermodynamically equilibrium state. Jackfruit is a wet thermolabile material. With a static equilibrium between the product and the environment, the water content in a hygroscopic state depends on the type of the product, its energy, humidity, and a number of parameters, e.g. temperature and partial pressure of the vapor on the surface. The paper introduces graphical dependences of the activity of water of jackfruit slices on humidity at various ambient temperatures. The authors also give its analogy in semilogarithmic coordinates. It helped to define a range of humidity that determined the type of connection between the moisture of the object and the dry residue. The laws of the mechanism of heat and mass transfer are relevant in determining the dynamics of the dehydration process. Their study can help to intensify the process of moisture removal with rational operating parameters. The present study featured the equilibrium states in the system, which made it possible to find the driving force of moisture transfer and to evaluate the heat carrier potential, as well as to substantiate the values of the parameters and the environment during storage and transportation of the finished dry product. The value of relative moisture content in equilibrium was determined by isothermal sorption curves. The value depends on the pre-treatment of the drying object, the conditions of its contact with the external environment, as well as by the energy and type of relationship between the dry residue and the moisture. The empirical results were arranged in the form of graphical dependences, which made it possible to theoretically obtain their mathematical approximation. The equations of dependence between the equilibrium moisture content of the material and the relative humidity of the vapor-air medium included a lot of constants, which also needed to be determined empirically. The mathematical dependences approximate the isothermal sorption curves, i.e. the relationship between the product’s moisture and water activity indices. The dependences can be used to conduct a thermodynamic analysis of the sorption process and determine the free, bound, and internal energies of the process of moisture absorption by the capillary-porous object of study. The hygroscopic examination of jackfruit is also necessary when making design decisions for the rational implementation of technological operations, including the storage and transportation of dry jackfruit slices.
Effect of Wild Chamomile Extracts on the Complex of Economic Benefits of Rabbit Meat
Authors: Voroshilin Roman , Rassolov Sergey , Ul'rih Elena , Kurbanova Marina
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Nutrition has a great effect on the quality of life and longevity. Modern food industry pays much attention to the issue of obtaining high-quality and safe livestock products grown without feed antibiotics. The research objective was to study the effect of chamomile extract on a complex of economically useful traits of young rabbits and the qualitative characteristics of meat, as well as to determine the optimal dosage of chamomile extract.

Study objects and methods. The experimental research was carried out on the animal farm of the Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy in 2018. Five experimental groups and one control group of young Californian rabbits were formed according to the principle of analogue pairs. Each group included 10 rabbits. From 70-day age, the animals of the experimental group I were supplemented with a phytobiotic feed additive based on wild chamomile extract at a dose of 0.5 g per rabbit per day. In experimental group II, each rabbit received 1 g per day; in experimental group III, it was 1.5 g per rabbit per day; in experimental group IV – 2.0 g per rabbit per day; in experimental group V – 2.5 g per head per day. The experiment lasted 30 days.

Results and discussion. The best result was achieved in experimental group II. In the experimental groups, the rabbits demonstrated an increase in hemoglobin. The use of phytobiotic feed additives in the diet did not cause any pathological changes in internal organs. The average live weight at the end of the experiment, compared with the control group, was higher: experimental group I – by 0.82%, experimental group II – by 6.96%, experimental group III – by 5.01%, experimental group IV – by 3.73%, experimental group V – by 2.80% (P ˃ 0.01). An analysis of the chemical composition of rabbit meat after the experiment showed that the water content in the rabbit meat ranged from 76 to 77%, which suggests high water-holding properties. The high dietary qualities of the rabbit meat depended on the content of protein (20–22 wt%) and the low fat content (5–7%). These data make it possible to promote rabbit meat for dietary products.

Conclusion. According to the slaughter indicators and the phytobiotic feed additives parameters of meat, the optimal dose of phytobiotic feed additives is 1 g per head per day.
A drought monitoring framework for data-scarce regions
Authors: Real-Rangel Roberto A. , Pedrozo-Acuña Adrián , Breña-Naranjo J. Agustín , Alcocer-Yamanaka Víctor H.
Published: December 2019

Drought monitoring is a critical activity for drought risk management; however, the lack of ground-based observations of climatological and hydrological variables in many regions of the world hinders an adequate follow-up and investigation of this phenomenon. This paper introduces a transparent framework for monitoring the spatio-temporal distribution of drought hazard based on uni- and multivariate standardized drought indices that use reanalysis datasets of hydrological variables available freely and globally. In the case study of the 2015–2017 East-Southwest drought in Mexico, the introduced framework successfully detected the spatial and temporal patterns of drought conditions, even in regions where a benchmark drought monitoring system failed to detect deficits. In addition, the ability of the introduced framework to detect drought impacts on the annual agricultural maize production in Mexico was evaluated using data of 1980–2018, yielding scores of the false alarm ratio =0.32, the probability of detection = 0.71, and the proportion correct = 0.68 for the analysis at the national scale. Currently, the framework provides a significant extension to the capabilities for national drought monitoring, and it is being used by the Mexican water authority in the decision-making process related to drought severity assessment.
Energy-Sensing Pathways in Ischemia: The Counterbalance Between AMPK and mTORC
Authors: Cespedes Angel , Villa Mario , Benito-Cuesta Irene , Perez-Alvarez Maria J. , Ordoñez Lara , Wandosell Francisco
Published: December 2019

:

Stroke is an important cause of death and disability, and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide.
In humans, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. The
damage occurs due to the lack of nutrients and oxygen contributed by the blood flow.

:

The present review aims to analyze to what extent the lack of each of the elements of the system leads to damage
and which mechanisms are unaffected by this deficiency. We believe that the specific analysis of the effect of
lack of each component could lead to the emergence of new therapeutic targets for this important brain
pathology.
Usefulness of Biomarkers for Predicting Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Asgardoon Mohammad H. , Vasheghani-Farahani Ali , Sherafati Alborz
Published: December 2019

:

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment strategy for heart
failure. It significantly improves clinical symptoms and decreases mortality and long-term morbidity.
However, some patients do not respond properly to this treatment. In this review, the role of
different biomarkers in predicting response to CRT is discussed. Some biomarkers, including natriuretic
peptides and inflammatory markers have promising results but further trials are needed for
more evaluation.

Methods:

All the studies reporting the extent of biomarkers for predicting the response to cardiac
resynchronization therapy were included in this study. For studies using the same database, the
ones with a higher number of cases and more complete data were included. Conclusions were
drawn from relevant randomized controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses about CRT implantation
and its associated alterations in biomarker levels. Cardiac Resynchronization in Heart Failure
(CARE-HF) study was the first and the largest study on patients with CRT with the longest followup,
which showed a significant correlation between BNP levels and long-term CRT outcome. CRP
has been demonstrated to be a mediator of inflammation and a marker indicating the presence of an
inflammatory process.

Conclusion:

Natriuretic peptides, including BNP, markers of collagen synthesis like PINP, inflammatory
markers, especially CRP, gal-3, and CT-apelin yield promising results in left ventricular
remodeling and their relationship with response to CRT implantation is seen. Although more
research is needed in this area as little information is available for baseline and preprocedural
measurements, so that it would be easy to choose appropriate candidates for CRT implantation.