bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality characteristics of Cheonggukjang added with peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) powder
Authors: Kim Mi-Hwa , Kim Sun-Hee , Cho Hee-Sook , Park Bock-Hee
Published: March 2020

Cheonggukjang was prepared by addition of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) powder in order to improve its quality and functional properties. The physicochemical and sensory properties of Cheonggukjang added peanut powder were investigated, after adding the peanut powder with the amount of 5, 15 and 25% (w/w). The proximate composition of peanut powder was as follows: moisture, 1.80%; crude protein, 24.9%; crude lipid, 48.3%; crude ash, 2.90%; and carbohydrates, 22.1%. Crude protein and lipid content of Cheonggukjang increased with increaes in the amounts of peanut powder, while the moisture content decreased. Calcium and amino acid contents showed disparity depending on the increasing addition of peanut powder. Cheonggukjang containing 15% (w/v) peanut powder was found to be highest calcium contents. The major amino acids of Cheonggukjang were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, leucine, arginine and proline. Depending on increasing amounts of peanut powder, the L and b values (measured using Hunter’s color values) were decreased, while the a value was increased. In addition, pH was decreased as the amount of peanut powder was increased. Sensory scores of Cheonggukjang containing 15% (w/v) peanut powder were best when considering both quality characteristics and sensory evaluation. This study suggested that peanut powder could enhance the quality and functionality of Cheonggukjang further.
Changes in cultural characteristics and biological activities of amaranth during fermentation
Authors: Lee Rea-Hyun , Yang Su-Jin , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: March 2020

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CGD3 was used as a starter for fermentation of amaranth and cultural characteristics and biological activities of amaranth were investigated. The viable cells in fermented amaranth was 4.54~8.01 log CFU/mL during 96 hr of fermentation period. Protease activities of amaranth showed the highest by 36.7 unit/mL after 72 hr of fermentation. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of amaranth increased with fermentation time while its total sugar content decreased. The total protein content was the highest in amaranth fermented for 96 hr (0.25 mg/g). The DPPH scavenging activities, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and reducing power of amaranth were highest in amaranth fermented for 72 hr, showing 84.46%, 551.91 μM, and 2.74, respectively. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) and α-Glucosidase inhibition rates increased with fermentation time and showed the highest after 72 hr.
Mathematical modeling of growth of Escherichia coli strain RC-4-D isolated from red kohlrabi sprout seeds
Authors: Choi Soo Yeon , Ryu Sang Don , Park Byeong-Yong , Kim Se-Ri , Kim Hyun-Ju , Lee Seungdon , Kim Won-Il
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted to develop a predictive model for the growth of Escherichia coli strain RC-4-D isolated from red kohlrabi sprout seeds. We collected E. coli kinetic growth data during red kohlrabi seed sprouting under isothermal conditions (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C). Baranyi model was used as a primary order model for growth data. The maximum growth rate (μmax) and lag-phase duration (LPD) for each temperature (except for 10°C LPD) were determined. Three kinds of secondary models (suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root, Huang model, and Arrhenius-type model) were compared to elucidate the influence of temperature on E. coli growth rate. The model performance measures for three secondary models showed that the suboptimal Huang square-root model was more suitable in the accuracy (1.223) and the suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root model was less in the bias (0.999), respectively. Among three secondary order model used in this study, the suboptimal Ratkowsky square-root model showed best fit for the secondary model for describing the effect of temperature. This model can be utilized to predict E. coli behavior in red kohlrabi sprout production and to conduct microbial risk assessments.
Quality characteristics of commercial liquid type yogurt in Korea
Authors: Lee Ji Hyun , Park Hye Young , Won Ju In , Park Hye In , Choi In Duck , Lee Seuk Ki , Park Ji Young , Joe Dong Hwa , Jeon Yong Hee , Oh Sea Kwan , Han Sang Ik , Choi Hye Sun
Published: March 2020

Yogurt is produced by fermentation of milk using bacteria known as “yogurt cultures”. Most of these bacteria are probiotics such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lb. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium. The domestic fermented milk market is increasing, and about 30 companies are producing yogurt. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality characteristics of domestic commercial liquid yogurt. Total 30types of commercial yogurts were sampled and their physicochemicial properties, including pH, sugar content, acidity, viscosity, and microbial characteristics of lactic acid bacteria counts, were measured. Commercial liquid type yogurt showed a pH of 4.5, sugar content of 7.4-21.2%, total acid content of 0.4-0.9%, and viscosity of 0.1-250 cP. In terms of microbial populations, lactic acid bacteria counts were 7.2-11.3 log CFU/mL and anaerobic lactic acid bacteria counts were 8.0-11.5 log CFU/mL. The quality characteristics differed depending on the constituents of the sample and the microorganisms used. These results are related to the quality characteristics of yogurts and are useful for identifying new trends in the domestic fermented milk industry.
Changes in microbial and chemical properties of rough rice treated with cold plasma by storage temperatures and periods
Authors: Woo Koan Sik , Yong Hae In , Jo Cheorun , Lee Seuk Ki , Lee Byong Won , Lee Byoungkyu , Lee Yu-Young , Oh Sea-Kwan , Kim Hyun-Joo
Published: March 2020

Cold plasma (CP) was applied to examine microbial safety and physicochemical properties of rough rice. CP was generated in a square-shaped plastic container (250 W, 15 kHz, ambient air) and dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment was applied for periods of 0, 10, and 20 min during 2 weeks at 4 and 25°C. As a result of observing changes in growth of microorganisms, 3.46-3.86 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria and 2.27-2.86 log CFU/g of mold were detected in the early stage of storage. The growth of total aerobic bacteria and mold was increased depending on the storage temperature and period, but there was no big difference between cultivars. Microbial analysis after storage showed that microorganisms of plasma-treated group were less grown approximately 1.50 log CFU/g. Moisture content of rough rice was decreased by storage temperature and periods. As for the amylose content, changes in the content by plasma were not observed in Samkwang, Cheongpum and Misomi, whereas Palbangmi showed a tendency to increase. The results of this study indicated that CP treatment improved the microbial quality of rough rice, but further studies should be conducted to reduce the deterioration of sensory quality induced by CP.
Beneficial effects of ton-bag and wire-steel pallet on postharvest handling of onion and the cost evaluation
Authors: Kwon Young-Deuk
Published: March 2020

This study aimed in onion production by evaluating cost and labor efficiencies of onion storage methods using either a ton-bag or a wire-steel pallet. New methods using ton-bag and wire-steel pallets were developed and applied to postharvest tasks, such as harvest packaging, transportation, and storage. The storage parameters evaluated for their effect on the logistics of onion production were: working duration, working hours, and cost expenditure. The longitudinal tensile strength of the ton-bag developed in this study was 16% higher than that of the conventional ton-bag. The wire-steel pallet developed in this study had 10% more storage capacity in a low-temperature storage room, and its truck loading capacity was more than doubled compared to that of the conventional steel pallet. There was no difference in the wasting rate during bulk storage between the newly developed wire-steel pallet and the conventional steel pallet, for 500 kg of onions. However, the bulk storage of 1,000 kg of onions using the wire-steel pallet was not found to be suitable, because the wasting rate of onions stored using the wire-pallet was 3.7% higher than that of onions stored using a conventional steel pallet. The time and the total investing costs for the bulk method decreased by 50.1% and 46.1%, respectively, compared to those for conventional harvest. In the bulk storage using the wire-steel pallet, the total storage cost decreased by 28.8%. Thus, it is estimated that we could have saved 18.3 billion won if the wire-steel pallet method about 30% of the total onion production (1,298,749 M/T) in 2016.
우엉 분말을 첨가한 쿠키의 물리화학적 및 관능적 평가
Authors: Lee Jun Ho
Published: March 2020

Burdock powder (BP) has shown diverse functional activities; thus, it seems a good way to increase its consumption by incorporating BP into suitable food products such as cookies. Studies were carried out on cookies prepared by incorporating BP (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) into wheat flour. The cookie dough and cookies were evaluated for their physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics. The pH and density of cookie doughs ranged from 6.70-6.85 and 1.19-1.21, respectively, with no remarkable differences. Moisture content and spread factor of cookies appeared to increase with higher content of BP in the formulation but did not show significant differences (p>0.05). For color values of cookie surface, L*, a*, and b*-values significantly decreased as a result of BP substitution (p<0.05). The cookies became crispier as indicated by the reduction in the breaking strength value from 26.71 to 17.83 N. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities were significantly increased (p<0.05) with higher substitution of BP, and they were well correlated. Hedonic sensory results indicated that cookies supplemented with 2% BP received the most favorable acceptance scores for all sensory attributes evaluated. Overall, cookies with BP could be developed with improved physicochemical qualities as well as consumer acceptability.
Quality comparison of hot-water leachate from teabags containing Citrus junos peels dried using different methods
Authors: Park Han-Sol , Lee Hyeon-Jeong , Youn Kwang-Sup , Kim Dong-Seob , Kim Han-Soo , Lee Young-Guen , Seong Jong-Hwan , Chung Hun-Sik
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drying methods for Citrus junos peels on quality characteristics of the hot-water leachate from teabags containing those peels. Fresh peels were hot-air (50°C), cold-air (30°C), or freeze-dried (-45°C), powdered to a size of 40 mesh, packaged with a paper sachet, and then the packaged teabags were leached for 10 min with hot-water (70°C). L*value (lightness) and -a* value (greenness) of the peel powder were the highest in the freeze-dried samples. Soluble solids and titratable acidity of the teabag leachate were in the following order; cold-air, freeze, and hot-air dried samples. Among free sugar contents in all samples, fructose content was the highest, followed by glucose and sucrose. Fructose and glucose contents were not affected by drying methods. There was no significant difference in the flavonoid content among the peels dried using three drying methods. DPPH radical-scavenging activity of the leachate was the highest in the cold-air dried sample. These results suggest that cold-air drying would be an effective method to enhance the quality of hot-water leachate of teabags prepared from C. junos peels.
Inflammation inhibitory effect of water extract from pumpkin’s tendril
Authors: Jeong Ha-Na , Choi Ju-Hee , Lee Ha-Nul , Lee So-Hyeon , Cho Soon-Chang , Park Jong-Hwan , Kim Young-Min
Published: March 2020

Pumpkin has long been used as traditional health materials in oriental medicine, pharmacy, medicine, and food industries in many countries. In this study, the water extract and two active components from tendril of young C. moschata Duch. were investigated on inflammation inhibitory activity. The water extract of young C. moschata Duch. showed high cell viability over 95% and it decreased the production of interlukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the capacity of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Also, isolated fraction (B4) suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. Among the domestically cultivated pumpkins, B4 fraction contained in the tendril part of them and it comprised of the order of tendril from Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica, old of C. moschata Duch., and young of C. moschata Duch. These results suggest that water extracts of C. moschata Duch. and purified active compound, rutin, show anti-inflammation activity by suppression of the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α. It can be applicable as pharmaceutical materials.
Quality characteristics of wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’
prepared using rice ‘Nuruk’ and the potential probiotic
Kazachstania exigua CCSY27
Authors: Hwang Chung Eun , Cho Kye Man , Joo OK Soo
Published: March 2020

In this study, a traditional Korean wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ was
evaluated and the quality characteristics of the ‘Makgeolli’
prepared with rice ‘Nuruk’ and commercial ‘Nuruk’
sanseong, songhak, jinju, and the potential probiotic Kazachstania
exigua CCSY27 yeast were determined. The pH of the
‘Makgeolli’ decreased during fermentation, while the acidity
increased slightly. In particular, wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ made
using commercial ‘Nuruk’ showed an acidity about 0.5–2.0-times
higher than wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ made rice
‘Nuruk’. The brix value increased sharply after fermentation for
two days, with the value for wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ made using
rice ‘Nuruk’ and sanseong ‘Nuruk’ observed to
increase the most, to 9.2. The alcohol content of wheat-rice
‘Makgeolli’ made using rice ‘Nuruk’ was 7%,
which is higher than that of wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ made using
commercial ‘Nuruk’ (sanseong, songhak, jinju), and was the best in
terms of overall preference. The wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’ made using
rice ‘Nuruk’ and commercial ‘Nuruk’ was observed to
brown slowly during fermentation, with the wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’
made using sanseong ‘Nuruk’ having browned the most by the seventh
day of fermentation. On the other hand, the wheat-rice ‘Makgeolli’
made from rice ‘Nuruk’, songhak ‘Nuruk’, and jinju
‘Nuruk’ exhibited total viable cell counts of lactic-acid bacteria
and yeast of 104–107 (log CFU/mL) during their the
fermentation periods.
Comparison of volatile compounds in Maclura
tricuspidata fruit vinegar and commercial
vinegars
Authors: Kim Dae-Woon , Kim Da-Ham , Kim Jong-Kuk , Yeo Soo-Hwan , Choi Han-Suk , Kim Young-Hoi , Kim Myung-Kon
Published: March 2020

The ripe fruits of Maclura tricuspidata (formerly
Cudrania tricuspidata) are bright red in color and are
edible with a floral aroma and sweet taste. They have traditionally been used to
prepare fresh juice, jam, wine, vinegar and alcoholic beverages in Korea. This
study was carried out to characterize the volatile aroma components of wine and
vinegar prepared from M. tricuspidata fruit by yeast (Fermivin)
and Acetobacter pasterianus YJ17. Its volatile aroma components
were also compared with those of six commercial vinegars (three domestic
vinegars and three foreign balsamic vinegar products). Volatile compounds were
separated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Amberlite XAD-2 as a sorbent.
Fifty-seven compounds, including 15 alcohols, 15 esters, 12 aldehydes and
ketones, 7 acids and 8 miscellaneous compounds were identified by gas
chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses in
the seven vinegars and the M. tricuspidata wine sample. The
newly prepared M. tricuspidata fruit vinegar (MTFV) contained
47 of them. Among all the identified compounds, ethyl hydrogen succinate,
phenylacetic acid, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,
p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, p-hydroxyphenylacetic
acid, tyrosol (p-hydroxyphenylethyl alcohol),
dihydroactinidiolide, 3-hydroxy-β-ionone and tryptophol were only
detected in the MTFV. p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol,
p-hydroxybenzaldehyde,
p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and tyrosol have been reported to
have various biological activities. Therefore, their exclusive presence in the
MTFV may contribute to its health benefits.
Validating a semi-quantitative method to assess the degree of methylene blue staining in sentinel lymph nodes
Authors: Ram Ann Steffi , Oblak Michelle L , Matuszewska Kathy , Singh Ameet , Petrik Jim
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To develop a digital algorithm and validate a semi-quantitative scoring method for surface methylene blue (MB) staining in whole lymph nodes (LN).

Methods

Lymph nodes from canine models undergoing sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping were prospectively assessedex vivoand photographed. Two blinded observers evaluated all images and assigned a semi-quantitative score based on surface staining (0 – no blue stain, 1 – 1-50% stained, 2 – 51-100% stained). A standard reference for degree of blue staining was based on signal-to-background ratios using computer-based imaging software with an output measurement of percentage of staining of the LN. Agreement between observers was assessed using the Kappa coefficient.

Results

124 lymph nodes were included and demonstrated strong agreement (K = 0.8007, p < 0.0001) between results of semi-quantitative scoring and image analysis. Also, strong interobserver and intraobserver agreement was observed for the scoring system (K = 0.8051, p < 0.0001 and K = 0.9493, p < 0.0001, respectively).

Discussion

Agreement between the observer-based scoring system and imaging software illustrates a validated method in assessing MB staining, without the need for analysis software. The use of a semi-quantitative scoring system shows promise for a simple, objective assessment of MB staining in surgery and for future study. Lymph nodes can have variable surface colour, which can make assessment of blue staining challenging for novice observers in certain cases. This study describes a digital algorithm for quantitative analysis of blue staining in LN thereby providing a novel and objective reporting mechanism in scientific research involving SLN mapping.
Differential transcript usage unravels gene expression alterations in Alzheimer’s disease human brains
Authors: Marques-Coelho Diego , da Cruz Carvalho Lukas Iohan , de Farias Ana Raquel Melo ,   NeuroCEB Brain Bank, Lambert Jean-Charles , Costa Marcos Romualdo
Published: March 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in aging individuals. However pathophysiological processes involved in the brain are still poorly understood. Among numerous strategies, a comprehensive overview of gene expression alterations in the diseased brain has been proposed to help for a better understanding of the disease processes. In this work, we probed the differential expression of genes in different brain regions of healthy and AD adult subjects using data from three large studies: MAYO Clinic; Mount Sinai Brain Bank (MSBB) and ROSMAP. Using a combination of differential expression of gene (DEG) and isoform switch analyses we provide a detailed landscape of gene expression alterations in the temporal and frontal lobes, harboring brain areas affected at early and late stages of the AD pathology, respectively. Next, we took advantage of an indirect approach to assign the complex gene expression changes revealed in bulk RNAseq to individual cell types of the adult brain. This strategy allowed us to identify cell type/subtype specific isoform switches in AD brains previously overlooked. This was the case, for example, for the AD causal gene APP and the risk gene BIN1, which presented isoform switches with potential functional consequences in neuronal cells. Altogether, our work proposes a novel integrative strategy to analyze RNAseq data in AD based on both gene/transcript expression and regional/cell-type specificities.
MATHEMATICAL PREDICTIONS FOR COVID-19 AS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
Authors: Okhuese Victor Alexander
Published: March 2020

This study shows that the disease free equilibrium (E0) for COVID-19 coronavirus does not satisfy the criteria for a locally or globally asymptotic stability. This implies that as a pandemic as declared by WHO (2020) the COVID-19 coronavirus does not have a curative vaccine yet and precautionary measures are advised through quarantine and observatory procedures. Also, the Basic Reproductive number (R0 < 1) by Equation (33) shows that there is a chance of decline of secondary infections when the ratio between the incidence rate in the population and the total number of infected population quarantined with observatory procedure.

The effort to evaluate the disease equilibrium shows that unless there is a dedicated effort from government, decision makers and stakeholders, the world would hardly be reed of the COVID-19 coronavirus and further spread is eminent and the rate of infection will continue to increase despite the increased rate of recovery because of the absence of vaccine at the moment.
Neural Correlates of Positive and Negative Valence System Dysfunction in Adolescents Revealed by Data-Driven Parcellation and Resting-State Network Modeling
Authors: Gabbay Vilma , Liu Qi , DeWitt Samuel J. , Mehra Lushna M. , Alonso Carmen M. , Ely Benjamin A.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Adolescence is a period of rapid brain development when symptoms of mood, anxiety, and other disorders often first emerge, suggesting disruptions in maturing reward circuitry may play a role in mental illness onset. Here, we characterized associations between resting-state network properties and psychiatric symptomatology in medication-free adolescents with a wide range of symptom severity.

Methods

Adolescents (age 12-20) with mood and/or anxiety symptoms (n=68) and healthy controls (n=19) completed diagnostic interviews, depression/anhedonia/anxiety questionnaires, and 3T resting-state fMRI (10min/2.3mm/TR=1s). Data were preprocessed (HCP Pipelines), aligned (MSMAll), and parcellated into 750 nodes encompassing the entire cortex/subcortex (Cole-Anticevic Brain-wide Network Partition). Weighted graph theoretical metrics (Strength Centrality=CStr; Eigenvector Centrality=CEig; Local Efficiency=ELoc) were estimated withinWhole Brainand task-derivedReward Anticipation/Attainment/Prediction Errornetworks. Associations with clinical status and symptoms were assessed non-parametrically (two-tailedpFWE<0.05).

Results

Relative to controls, clinical adolescents had increased ventral striatum CEigwithin theReward Attainmentnetwork. Across subjects, depression correlated with subgenual cingulate CStrand ELoc, anhedonia correlated with ventromedial prefrontal CStrand lateral amygdala ELoc, and anxiety negatively correlated with parietal operculum CEigand medial amygdala ELocwithin theWhole Brainnetwork.

Conclusions

Using a data-driven analysis approach, high-quality parcellation, and clinically diverse adolescent cohort, we found that symptoms within positive and negative valence system constructs differentially associated with resting-state network abnormalities: depression and anhedonia, as well as clinical status, involved greater influence and communication efficiency in prefrontal and limbic reward areas, whereas anxiety was linked to reduced influence/efficiency in amygdala and cortical regions involved in stimulus monitoring.
A comparative analysis reveals irreproducibility in searches of scientific literature
Authors: Pozsgai Gábor , Lövei Gábor L. , Vasseur Liette , Gurr Geoff , Batáry Péter , Korponai János , Littlewood Nick A. , Liu Jian , Móra Arnold , Obrycki John , Reynolds Olivia , Stockan Jenni A. , VanVolkenburg Heather , Zhang Jie , Zhou Wenwu , You Minsheng
Published: March 2020

Repeatability is the cornerstone of science and it is particularly important for systematic reviews. However, little is known on how database and search engine choices influence replicability. Here, we present a comparative analysis of time-synchronized searches at different locations in the world, revealing a large variation among the hits obtained within each of the several search terms using different search engines. We found that PubMed and Scopus returned geographically consistent results to identical search strings, Google Scholar and Web of Science varied substantially both in the number of returned hits and in the list of individual articles depending on the search location and computing environment. To maintain scientific integrity and consistency, especially in systematic reviews, action is needed from both the scientific community and scientific search platforms to increase search consistency. Researchers are encouraged to report the search location, and database providers should make search algorithms transparent and revise access rules to titles behind paywalls.
Validation of chronic restraint stress model in rats for the study of depression using longitudinal multimodal MR imaging
Authors: Seewoo Bhedita J , Hennessy Lauren A , Feindel Kirk W , Etherington Sarah J , Croarkin Paul E , Rodger Jennifer
Published: March 2020

Prior research suggests that the neurobiological underpinnings of depression include disruptions in functional connectivity, neurometabolite levels, and hippocampal volume. This study examined the validity of a chronic restraint stress (CRS) paradigm in male Sprague Dawley rats for the study of depression using longitudinal behavioural tests and multiple 9.4 T MRI modalities (resting-state functional MRI, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and volumetric studies). In the CRS protocol, rats were placed in individual transparent tubes for 2.5 h daily over 13 days. Elevated plus-maze test (EPM) and forced swim test (FST) confirmed the presence of anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours respectively post-restraint. Brain changes were also detected by MR. The rs-fMRI data revealed hypoconnectivity within the salience and interoceptive networks and hyperconnectivity of several brain regions to the cingulate cortex. The1H-MRS data revealed decreased sensorimotor cortical glutamate, glutamine and combined glutamate-glutamine levels. Volumetric analysis of T2-weighted images revealed decreased hippocampal volume, which was also correlated with salience network connectivity. Depression-like behaviours were correlated with salience and interoceptive network connectivity, glutamate and combined glutamate-glutamine levels and hippocampal volume. Anxiety-like behaviours were correlated with both hippocampus connectivity and interoceptive network connectivity. The present findings identify significant changes in brain connectivity, neurometabolites and structure that are correlated with abnormal behaviour in CRS rats. Importantly, these changes parallel those found in human depression, suggesting that the CRS rodent model has utility for translational studies and novel intervention development for depression.
Effects of Blood Sugar Levels, Kidney Disease and Medication on Anaemia Status of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Mulavu Malala , Zulu Mildred , Sinkala Musalula , Munsaka Sody , Okuku Pauline , Nkhoma Panji
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Lifestyle-related diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus, have emerged as a significant public health problem due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. In 2018, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was estimated to be 500 million cases worldwide and was comparable between high- and low-income countries. Diabetes leads to multiple complications, including end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease, infection, and death. Anaemia in diabetic individuals has severe adverse effects on the quality of life and is associated with disease progression. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 101 participants. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and kidney disease and their interplay with medication and/or blood glucose levels in T2D patients.

Results

seventy-one per cent of participants were females. Majority of patients 62% were on Insulin, 30% on metformin, 7% on a combination of metformin and glimepiride and 1% on glimepiride. Ninety-five (94%) of the participants were HIV negative. The prevalence of anaemia among the participants was 23% out of which 56% had moderate anaemia, and 44% had mild anaemia. Twenty-one per cent (21%) of the participants had high creatinine levels signifying impaired kidney function or kidney disease. Anaemia was significantly associated with kidney function, fasting blood glucose and use of metformin; p = 0.042 beta = 2.5, p = 0.025 beta = 2.7 and p = 0.040 beta = −2.5 respectively.

Conclusion

The study found the prevalence of anaemia of 23%, which was of moderate public health concern. Also, the prevalence of kidney disease was high in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It also found that kidney disease and high blood glucose levels increase the chances of developing anaemia. However, we found that metformin had a protective role against the development of anaemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients.
On a non-standard two-species stochastic competing system and a related degenerate parabolic equation
Authors: Yoshioka H. , Yoshioka Y.
Published: March 2020

We propose and analyse a new stochastic competing two-species population dynamics model. Competing algae population dynamics in river environment, important engineering problems, motivate this model. It is a system of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) and has a characteristic that the two populations are competing with each other through the environmental capacities. Unique existence of the uniformly bounded strong solution is proven and an attractor is identified. The Kolmogorov backward equation associated with the population dynamics is formulated and its unique solvability in a Banach space with a weighted norm is discussed. Our mathematical analysis results can be effectively utilized for a base-stone of modelling, analysis, and control of the competing population dynamics.
Convergence within divergence: insights of wheat adaptation fromTriticumpopulation sequencing
Authors: Zhou Yao , Zhao Xuebo , Li Yiwen , Xu Jun , Bi Aoyue , Kang Lipeng , Chen Haofeng , Wang Ying , Wang Yuan-ge , Liu Sanyang , Jiao Chengzhi , Lu Hongfeng , Wang Jing , Yin Changbin , Jiao Yuling , Lu Fei
Published: March 2020

Bread wheat expanded its habitats from a small core area of the Fertile Crescent to global environments within ∼10,000 years. Genetic mechanisms of this remarkable evolutionary success are not well understood. By whole-genome sequencing of populations from 25 subspecies within generaTriticumandAegilops, we identified composite introgression from these wild populations contributing 13%∼36% of the bread wheat genome, which tremendously increased the genetic diversity of bread wheat and allowed its divergent adaptation. Meanwhile, convergent adaption to human selection showed 2- to 16-fold enrichment relative to random expectation inTriticumspecies despite their drastic differences in ploidy levels and growing zones, indicating the vital importance of adaptive constraints in the success of bread wheat. These results showed the genetic necessities of wheat as a global crop and provided new perspectives on leveraging adaptation success across species for crop improvement.
In response to Liet al.: Linker histones function inDrosophilaembryogenesis
Authors: Carbonell Albert , Henn Lazslo , Pérez-Roldán Juan , Tamirisa Srividya , Szabó Anikó , Boros Imre M. , Azorín Fernando
Published: March 2020

In an earlier paper (Pérez-Montero et al., 2013), we reported that the embryonic linker histone ofDrosophiladBigH1 was essential for earlyDrosophilaembryogenesis since embryos homozygous for thebigH1100mutation showed strong defects and did not survive beyond zygotic genome activation (ZGA) at cellularization. Recent results challenge these observations since nullbigH1mutations generated by CRISPR/Cas9 methodology turn out to be homozygous viable, as reported in Liet al. (2019) and here. In this regard, Liet al. described a novel mechanism by which lack of dBigH1 is compensated by the early expression of maternal dH1. Here, we confirm this observation and show that such compensatory mechanism is not activated inbigH1100embryos.
Predicting the number of reported and unreported cases for the COVID-19 epidemic in South Korea, Italy, France and Germany
Authors: Magal P. , Webb G.
Published: March 2020

We model the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic in South Korea, Italy, France, and Germany. We use early reported case data to predict the cumulative number of reported cases to a final size. The key features of our model are the timing of implementation of major public policies restricting social movement, the identification and isolation of unreported cases, and the impact of asymptomatic infectious cases.
A green tea polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate modulates Tau Post-translational modifications and cytoskeletal network
Authors: Sonawane Shweta Kishor , Chinnathambi Subashchandrabose
Published: March 2020

Background

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia denoted by progressive neuronal death due to the accumulation of proteinaceous aggregates of Tau. Post-translational modifications like hyperphosphorylation, truncation, glycation,etc. play a pivotal role in Tau pathogenesis. Glycation of Tau aids in paired helical filament formation and abates its microtubule-binding function. The chemical modulators of Tau PTMs, such as kinase inhibitors and antibody-based therapeutics, have been developed, but natural compounds, as modulators of Tau PTMs are not much explored.

Methods

We applied biophysical and biophysical techniques like fluorescence kinetics, SDS-PAGE, western blot analysis and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the impact of EGCG on Tau glycationin vitro. The effect of glycation on cytoskeleton instability and its EGCG-mediated rescue were studied by immunofluorescence in neuroblastoma cells.

Results

EGCG inhibited methyl glyoxal (MG)-induced Tau glycationin vitro. EGCG potently inhibited MG-induced advanced glycation endproducts formation in neuroblastoma cells as well modulated the localization of AT100 phosphorylated Tau in the cells. In addition to preventing the glycation, EGCG enhanced actin-rich neuritic extensions and rescued actin and tubulin cytoskeleton severely disrupted by MG. EGCG maintained the integrity of the Microtubule Organizing Center (MTOC) stabilized microtubules by Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 1 (EB1).

Conclusions

We report EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, as a modulator ofin vitromethylglyoxal-induced Tau glycation and its impact on reducing advanced glycation end products in neuroblastoma cells. We unravel unprecedented function of EGCG in remodeling neuronal cytoskeletal integrity.
Solving thewhereproblem and quantifying geometric variation in neuroanatomy using generative diffeomorphic mapping
Authors: Tward Daniel J , Gray Bryson D P , Li Xu , Huo Bingxing , Banerjee Samik , Savoia Stephen , Mezias Christopher , Das Sukhendu , Miller Michael I , Mitra Partha P
Published: March 2020

A current focus of research in neuroscience is to enumerate, map and annotate neuronal cell types in whole vertebrate brains using different modalities of data acquisition. Mapping these molecular and anatomical datasets into a common reference space remains a key challenge. While several brain-to-atlas mapping workflows exist, they do not adequately address challenges of modern high throughput neuroimaging, including multimodal and multiscale signals, missing data or non reference signals, and geometric quantification of individual variation. Our solution is to implement a generative statistical model that describes the likelihood of imaging data given a sequence of transforms of an atlas image, and a framework for maximum a posteriori estimation of unknown parameters capturing the issues listed above. The key idea in our approach is to minimize the difference between synthetic image volumes and real data over these parameter.

Rather than merely using mappings as a “normalization” step, we implement tools for using their local metric changes as an opportunity for geometric quantification of technical and biological sources of variation in an unprecedented manner. While the framework is used to compute pairwise mappings, our approach particularly allows for easy compositions across chains of multimodality datasets. We apply these methods across a broad range of datasets including various combinations of in-vivo and ex-vivo MRI, 3D STP and fMOST data sets, 2D serial histology sections, and brains processed for snRNAseq with tissue partially removed. We show biological utility by quantifying cell density and diffeomorphic characterization of brain shape fluctuations across biological covariates. We note that the magnitude of individual variation is often greater than differences between different sample preparation techniques.

To facilitate community accessibility, we implement our algorithm as open source, include a web based framework, and implement input and output dataset standards. Our work establishes a quantitative, scalable and streamlined workflow for unifying a broad spectrum of multi-modal whole-brain light microscopic data volumes into a coordinate-based atlas framework. This work enables large scale integration of whole brain data sets that are essential in modern neuroscience.
Hypertension and Diabetes Delay the Viral Clearance in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Chen Xiaoping , Hu Wenjia , Ling Jiaxin , Mo Pingzheng , Zhang Yongxi , Jiang Qunqun , Ma Zhiyong , Cao Qian , Deng Liping , Song Shihui , Zheng Ruiying , Gao Shicheng , Ke Hengning , Gui Xien , Lundkvist Åke , Li Jinlin , Lindahl Johanna F , Xiong Yong
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Comorbidities have significant indications for the disease outcome of COVID-19, however which underlying diseases that contribute the most to aggravate the conditions of COVID-19 patients is still largely unknown. SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance is a golden standard for defining the recovery of COVID-19 infections. To dissect the underlying diseases that could impact on viral clearance, we enrolled 106 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China between Jan 5 and Feb 25, 2020.

Methodology

We comprehensively analyzed demographic, clinical and laboratory data, as well as patient treatment records. Survival analyses with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression modelling were employed to identify factors influencing the viral clearance negatively.

Results

We found that increasing age, male gender, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) associated factors (including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases) adversely affected the viral clearance. Furthermore, analysis by a random forest survival model pointed out hypertension, cortisone treatment, gender, and age as the four most important variables.

Conclusions

We conclude that patients at old age, males, and/or having diseases associated with high expression of ACE2 will have worse prognosis during a COVID-19 infections.
A comparative multi-center study on the clinical and imaging features of confirmed and unconfirmed patients with COVID-19
Authors: Miao Congliang , Zhuang Jinqiang , Jin Mengdi , Xiong Huanwen , Huang Peng , Zhao Qi , Miao Li , Du Jiang , Yang Xinying , Huang Peijie , Hong Jiang
Published: March 2020

Background

Previous studies had described the differences in clinical characteristics between ICU and non-ICU patients. However, seldom study focused on confirmed and unconfirmed groups. Our aim was to compare clinical and imaging characteristics of COVID-19 patients outside Hubei province between confirmed and unconfirmed group.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 163 consecutive adult patients with suspected COVID-19 from three tertiary hospitals in two provinces outside Hubei province from January 12, 2020 to February 13, 2020 and the differences in epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics between the two groups were compared.

Results

This study enrolled 163 patients with 62 confirmed cases and 101 unconfirmed cases. Most confirmed patients were clustered (31, 50.0%) and with definite epidemiological exposure. Symptoms of COVID-19 were nonspecific, largely fever and dry cough. Laboratory findings in confirmed group were characterized by normal or reduced white blood cell count, reduced the absolute value of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and accelerated Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The typical chest CT imaging features of patients with confirmed COVID-19 were peripherally distributed multifocal GGO with predominance in the lower lung lobe. Compared with unconfirmed patients, confirmed patients had significantly higher proportion of dry cough, leucopenia, lymphopenia and accelerated ESR (P<0.05); but not with alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase, and myoglobin (P>0.05). Proportion of peripheral, bilateral or lower lung distribution and multi-lobe involvement, GGO, crazy-paving pattern, air bronchogram and pleural thickening in the confirmed group were also higher (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Symptoms of COVID-19 were nonspecific. Leukopenia, lymphopenia and ESR, as well as chest CT could be used as a clue for clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.
Analysis of psychological state and clinical psychological intervention model of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Yang Lu , Wu Danjuan , Hou Yanbin , Wang Xunqiang , Dai Ni , Wang Guanjun , Yang Qing , Zhao Wenhui , Lou Zhongze , Ji Yunxin , Ruan Liemin
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients with the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have different degrees of psychological pain, such as anxiety and depression, which may related to their prognosis. Psychological intervention can be conducted in different ways to improve psychological pain and improve the treatment effect.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate and analyze the psychological status of patients with COVID-19 during the course of illness, and to evaluate the effect and influencing factors of psychological crisis intervention, so as to explore the effective mode of clinical psychological intervention in acute patients under isolation environment.

Methods

A total of 143 persons participated in the study, including 26 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the isolation ward (COVID-19 group), 87 patients with general pneumonia in the observation ward (General Pneumonia group) and 30 healthy volunteers (Normal group). All the patients in the ward received comprehensive psychological intervention, including telephone psychological counseling (active and passive), self-adjustment of written materials and one-to-one psychological crisis intervention. Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were used to evaluate the mental health status of all patients on the day of admission and 1 week after treatment.

Results

The scores of HAMA and HAMD of all patients (including isolation ward and observation ward) were significantly higher than the healthy volunteers at the time of admission. The total score of HAMA and HAMD in CVOID-19 group were both higher than that General Pneumonia group. After 1 week’s hospitalization with comprehensive psychological intervention, the scores of HAMA and HAMD in CVOID-19 group were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

Patients those who diagnosed with COVID-19 in the isolation ward and/or general pneumonia in observation ward have different degrees of anxiety, depression and sleep problems. While receiving antiviral treatment, patients also need psychological intervention. Comprehensive psychological intervention model has been proved to be effective.
Using early data to estimate the actual infection fatality ratio from COVID-19 in France
Authors: Roques Lionel , Klein Etienne , Papaïx Julien , Sar Antoine , Soubeyrand Samuel
Published: March 2020

The number of screening tests carried out in France and the methodology used to target the patients tested do not allow for a direct computation of the actual number of cases and the infection fatality ratio (IFR). The main objective of this work is to estimate the actual number of people infected with COVID-19 and to deduce the IFR during the observation window in France. We develop a ‘mechanistic-statistical’ approach coupling a SIR epidemiological model describing the unobserved epidemiological dynamics, a probabilistic model describing the data acquisition process and a statistical inference method. The actual number of infected cases in France is probably higher than the observations: we find here a factor ×8 (95%-CI: 5–12) which leads to an IFR in France of 0.5% (95%-CI: 0.3 – 0.8) based on hospital death counting data. Adjusting for the number of deaths in nursing homes, we obtain an IFR of 0.8% (95%-CI: 0.45 – 1.25). This IFR is consistent with previous findings in China (0.66%) and in the UK (0.9%) and lower than the value previously computed on the Diamond Princess cruise ship data (1.3%).
Social distancing strategies for curbing the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Kissler Stephen , Tedijanto Christine , Lipsitch Marc , Grad Yonatan H.
Published: March 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is straining healthcare resources worldwide, prompting social distancing measures to reduce transmission intensity. The amount of social distancing needed to curb the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the context of seasonally varying transmission remains unclear. Using a mathematical model, we assessed that one-time interventions will be insufficient to maintain COVID-19 prevalence within the critical care capacity of the United States. Seasonal variation in transmission will facilitate epidemic control during the summer months but could lead to an intense resurgence in the autumn. Intermittent distancing measures can maintain control of the epidemic, but without other interventions, these measures may be necessary into 2022. Increasing critical care capacity could reduce the duration of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic while ensuring that critically ill patients receive appropriate care.

One-time distancing results in a fall COVID-19 peak. Intermittent efforts require greater hospital capacity and surveillance.
Nuclear envelope-vacuole contacts mitigate nuclear pore complex assembly stress
Authors: Lord Christopher L. , Wente Susan R.
Published: March 2020

The intricacy of nuclear pore complex (NPC) biogenesis imposes risks of failure that can cause defects in nuclear transport and nuclear envelope morphology, however, cellular mechanisms utilized to alleviate NPC assembly stress are not well-defined. In the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, we demonstrate thatNVJ1- andMDM1-enriched nuclear envelope (NE)-vacuole contacts increase when NPC assembly is compromised in severalnupmutants, includingnup116ΔGLFGcells. These interorganelle nucleus-vacuole junctions (NVJs) cooperate with lipid droplets to maintain viability and enhance NPC formation in assembly mutants. Additionally, NVJs function withATG1to promote vacuole-dependent remodeling innup116ΔGLFGcells, which also correlates with proper NPC formation. Importantly, NVJs significantly improve the physiology of NPC assembly mutants, despite having only negligible effects when NPC biogenesis is unperturbed. Collectively, these results define how NE-vacuole interorganelle contacts coordinate responses to mitigate deleterious cellular effects caused by disrupted NPC assembly.

How cells respond to deleterious effects imposed by disrupted nuclear pore complex (NPC) assembly are not well-defined. The authors demonstrate nuclear envelope-vacuole interactions expand in response to perturbed NPC assembly to promote viability, nuclear envelope remodeling, and proper NPC biogenesis.