bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Verbally Describing One’s Own Body Movement in Motor Skill Acquisition
Authors: Kawasaki Tsubasa , Kono Masashi , Tozawa Ryosuke
Published: December 2019

The present study examined whether (a) verbally describing one’s own body movement can be potentially effective for acquiring motor skills, and (b) if the effects are related to motor imagery. The participants in this study were 36 healthy young adults (21.2 ± 0.7 years), randomly assigned into two groups (describing and control). They performed a ball rotation activity, with the describing group being asked by the examiner to verbally describe their own ball rotation, while the control group was asked to read a magazine aloud. The participants’ ball rotation performances were measured before the intervention, then again immediately after, five minutes after, and one day after. In addition, participants’ motor imagery ability (mental chronometry) of their upper extremities was measured. The results showed that the number of successful ball rotations (motor smoothness) and the number of ball drops (motor error) significantly improved in the describing group. Moreover, improvement in motor skills had a significant correlation with motor imagery ability. This suggests that verbally describing an intervention is an effective tool for learning motor skills, and that motor imagery is a potential mechanism for such verbal descriptions.
Cortical Excitability Measures May Predict Clinical Response to Fampridine in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Gait Impairment
Authors: Ahdab Rechdi , Shatila Madiha M. , Shatila Abed Rahman , Khazen George , Freiha Joumana , Salem Maher , Makhoul Karim , El Nawar Rody , El Nemr Shaza , Ayache Samar S. , Riachi Naji
Published: December 2019

Background: Most multiple sclerosis (MS) patients will develop walking limitations during the disease. Sustained-release oral fampridine is the only approved drug that will improve gait in a subset of MS patients. Objectives: (1) Evaluate fampridine cortical excitability effect in MS patients with gait disability. (2) Investigate whether cortical excitability changes can predict the therapeutic response to fampridine. Method: This prospective observational study enrolled 20 adult patients with MS and gait impairment planned to receive fampridine 10 mg twice daily for two consecutive weeks. Exclusion criteria included: Recent relapse (<3 months), modification of disease modifying drugs (<6 months), or Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score >7. Neurological examination, timed 25-foot walk test (T25wt), EDSS, and cortical excitability studies were performed upon inclusion and 14 days after initiation of fampridine. Results: After treatment, the mean improvement of T25wt (ΔT25wt) was 4.9 s. Significant enhancement of intra-cortical facilitation was observed (139% versus 241%, p = 0.01) following treatment. A positive correlation was found between baseline resting motor threshold (rMT) and both EDSS (r = 0.57; p < 0.01) and ΔT25wt (r = 0.57, p = 0.01). rMT above 52% of the maximal stimulator output was found to be a good predictor of a favorable response to fampridine (accuracy: 75%). Discussion: Fampridine was found to have a significant modulatory effect on the cerebral cortex, demonstrated by an increase in excitatory intracortical processes as unveiled by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. rMT could be useful in selecting patients likely to experience a favorable response to fampridine.
Endocrine Disruptors Induced Distinct Expression of Thyroid and Estrogen Receptors in Rat versus Mouse Primary Cerebellar Cell Cultures
Authors: Jocsak Gergely , Ioja Eniko , Kiss David Sandor , Toth Istvan , Barany Zoltan , Bartha Tibor , Frenyo Laszlo V. , Zsarnovszky Attila
Published: December 2019

The endocrine system of animals consists of fine-tuned self-regulating mechanisms that maintain the hormonal and neuronal milieu during tissue development. This complex system can be influenced by endocrine disruptors (ED)—substances that can alter the hormonal regulation even in small concentrations. By now, thousands of substances—either synthesized by the plastic, cosmetic, agricultural, or medical industry or occurring naturally in plants or in polluted groundwater—can act as EDs. Their identification and testing has been a hard-to-solve problem; Recent indications that the ED effects may be species-specific just further complicated the determination of biological ED effects. Here we compare the effects of bisphenol-A, zearalenone, and arsenic (well-known EDs) exerted on mouse and rat neural cell cultures by measuring the differences of the ED-affected neural estrogen- and thyroid receptors. EDs alters the receptor expression in a species-like manner detectable in the magnitude as well as in the nature of biological responses. It is concluded that the interspecies differences (or species specificity) in ED effects should be considered in the future testing of ED effects.
Socio-Psychological Safety of Schools in the Context of the Settlement Type and Socio-Economic Status of the Region
Authors: Gilemkhanova Elvira N.
Published: December 2019

Under current conditions, the scientific request for the study of both internal and external factors of socio-psychological safety becomes important. In the literature there are very contradictory data on the role of contextual factors in ensuring the socio-psychological safety of schools. In our work, we consider the role of socio-economic and geographical conditions in ensuring the socio-psychological safety of the educational environment of the school from the standpoint of environmental psychology. Research questions: How does the social and economic status of the region affect the subject level of the school’s socio-psychological safety? How does the type of settlement affect the personal level of the school’s socio-psychological safety? The economic, social, and geographical status of the region affects the socio-psychological safety of the school. Therefore, contextual factors influence, but do not determine the socio-psychological safety of the educational environment of the school. Multilevel approaches, which are intended for individual, psychosocial, and contextual factors, can contribute to the promotion of the theme of the socio-psychological safety of the school.
In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway Is Constitutively Activated and Its Inhibition Leads to CLL Cell Death Unaffected by the Protective Bone Marrow Microenvironment
Authors: Severin Filippo , Frezzato Federica , Visentin Andrea , Martini Veronica , Trimarco Valentina , Carraro Samuela , Tibaldi Elena , Brunati Anna Maria , Piazza Francesco , Semenzato Gianpietro , Facco Monica , Trentin Livio
Published: December 2019

The bone marrow microenvironment promotes proliferation and drug resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although ibrutinib is active in CLL, it is rarely able to clear leukemic cells protected by bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) within the marrow niche. We investigated the modulation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in CLL by BMSCs and its targeting with AG490 (JAK2 inhibitor) or Stattic (STAT3 inhibitor). B cells collected from controls and CLL patients, were treated with medium alone, ibrutinib, JAK/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) inhibitors, or both drugs, in the presence of absence of BMSCs. JAK2/STAT3 axis was evaluated by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. We demonstrated that STAT3 was phosphorylated in Tyr705 in the majority of CLL patients at basal condition, and increased following co-cultures with BMSCs or IL-6. Treatment with AG490, but not Stattic, caused STAT3 and Lyn dephosphorylation, through re-activation of SHP-1, and triggered CLL apoptosis even when leukemic cells were cultured on BMSC layers. Moreover, while BMSCs hamper ibrutinib activity, the combination of ibrutinib+JAK/STAT inhibitors increase ibrutinib-mediated leukemic cell death, bypassing the pro-survival stimuli derived from BMSCs. We herein provide evidence that JAK2/STAT3 signaling might play a key role in the regulation of CLL-BMSC interactions and its inhibition enhances ibrutinib, counteracting the bone marrow niche.
Surgical Management of Hepatoblastoma and Recent Advances
Authors: Yang Tianyou , Whitlock Richard S. , Vasudevan Sanjeev A.
Published: December 2019

Hepatoblastoma is the most common childhood liver malignancy. The management of hepatoblastoma requires multidisciplinary efforts. The five-year overall survival is approximately 80% in developed countries. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for hepatoblastoma, and meticulous techniques must be employed to ensure safe and effective local control surgeries. Additionally, there have been several advances from both pediatric and adult literature in the way liver tumor surgery is performed. In this review, we highlight important aspects of liver surgery for hepatoblastoma, the management of metastatic disease, and the most current technical advances in performing these procedures in a safe and effective manner.
Double-Edged Lipid Nanoparticles Combining Liposome-Bound TRAIL and Encapsulated Doxorubicin Showing an Extraordinary Synergistic Pro-Apoptotic Potential
Authors: De Miguel Diego , Gallego-Lleyda Ana , Martinez-Ara Miguel , Plou Javier , Anel Alberto , Martinez-Lostao Luis
Published: December 2019

Although TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, also known as Apo2L) was described as capable of inducing apoptosis in transformed cells while sparing normal cells, limited results obtained in clinical trials has limited its use as an anti-tumor agent. Consequently, novel TRAIL formulations with enhanced bioactivity are necessary for overcoming resistance to conventional soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) exhibited by many primary tumors. Our group has generated artificial liposomes with sTRAIL anchored on their surface (large unilamellar vesicle (LUV)-TRAIL), which have shown a greater cytotoxic activity both in vitro and in vivo when compared to sTRAIL against distinct hematologic and epithelial carcinoma cells. In this study, we have improved LUV-TRAIL by loading doxorubicin (DOX) in its liposomal lumen (LUVDOX-TRAIL) in order to improve their cytotoxic potential. LUVDOX-TRAIL killed not only to a higher extent, but also with a much faster kinetic than LUV-TRAIL. In addition, the concerted action of the liposomal DOX and TRAIL was specific of the liposomal DOX and was not observed when with soluble DOX. The cytotoxicity induced by LUVDOX-TRAIL was proven to rely on two processes due to different molecular mechanisms: a dynamin-mediated internalization of the doxorubicin-loaded particle, and the strong activation of caspase-8 exerted by the liposomal TRAIL. Finally, greater cytotoxic activity of LUVDOX-TRAIL was also observed in vivo in a tumor xenograft model. Therefore, we developed a novel double-edged nanoparticle combining the cytotoxic potential of DOX and TRAIL, showing an exceptional and remarkable synergistic effect between both agents.
Novel and Rare Fusion Transcripts Involving Transcription Factors and Tumor Suppressor Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Padella Antonella , Simonetti Giorgia , Paciello Giulia , Giotopoulos George , Baldazzi Carmen , Righi Simona , Ghetti Martina , Stengel Anna , Guadagnuolo Viviana , De Tommaso Rossella , Papayannidis Cristina , Robustelli Valentina , Franchini Eugenia , Ghelli Luserna di Rorà Andrea , Ferrari Anna , Fontana Maria Chiara , Bruno Samantha , Ottaviani Emanuela , Soverini Simona , Storlazzi Clelia Tiziana , Haferlach Claudia , Sabattini Elena , Testoni Nicoletta , Iacobucci Ilaria , Huntly Brian J. P. , Ficarra Elisa , Martinelli Giovanni
Published: December 2019

Approximately 18% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases express a fusion transcript. However, few fusions are recurrent across AML and the identification of these rare chimeras is of interest to characterize AML patients. Here, we studied the transcriptome of 8 adult AML patients with poorly described chromosomal translocation(s), with the aim of identifying novel and rare fusion transcripts. We integrated RNA-sequencing data with multiple approaches including computational analysis, Sanger sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization and in vitro studies to assess the oncogenic potential of the ZEB2-BCL11B chimera. We detected 7 different fusions with partner genes involving transcription factors (OAZ-MAFK, ZEB2-BCL11B), tumor suppressors (SAV1-GYPB, PUF60-TYW1, CNOT2-WT1) and rearrangements associated with the loss of NF1 (CPD-PXT1, UTP6-CRLF3). Notably, ZEB2-BCL11B rearrangements co-occurred with FLT3 mutations and were associated with a poorly differentiated or mixed phenotype leukemia. Although the fusion alone did not transform murine c-Kit+ bone marrow cells, 45.4% of 14q32 non-rearranged AML cases were also BCL11B-positive, suggesting a more general and complex mechanism of leukemogenesis associated with BCL11B expression. Overall, by combining different approaches, we described rare fusion events contributing to the complexity of AML and we linked the expression of some chimeras to genomic alterations hitting known genes in AML.
More than a Confinement: “Soft” and “Hard” Enzyme Entrapment Modulates Biological Catalyst Function
Authors: Cottone Grazia , Giuffrida Sergio , Bettati Stefano , Bruno Stefano , Campanini Barbara , Marchetti Marialaura , Abbruzzetti Stefania , Viappiani Cristiano , Cupane Antonio , Mozzarelli Andrea , Ronda Luca
Published: December 2019

Catalysis makes chemical and biochemical reactions kinetically accessible. From a technological point of view, organic, inorganic, and biochemical catalysis is relevant for several applications, from industrial synthesis to biomedical, material, and food sciences. A heterogeneous catalyst, i.e., a catalyst confined in a different phase with respect to the reagents’ phase, requires either its physical confinement in an immobilization matrix or its physical adsorption on a surface. In this review, we will focus on the immobilization of biological catalysts, i.e., enzymes, by comparing hard and soft immobilization matrices and their effect on the modulation of the catalysts’ function. Indeed, unlike smaller molecules, the catalytic activity of protein catalysts depends on their structure, conformation, local environment, and dynamics, properties that can be strongly affected by the immobilization matrices, which, therefore, not only provide physical confinement, but also modulate catalysis.
Silica Nanoflowers-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion as a Robust Biocatalysis Platform for Enzymatic Production of Biodiesel
Authors: Wang Lihui , Liu Xinlong , Jiang Yanjun , Liu Peng , Zhou Liya , Ma Li , He Ying , Li Heyu , Gao Jing
Published: December 2019

Enzymatic production of biodiesel had attracted much attention due to its high efficiency, mild conditions and environmental protection. However, the high cost of enzyme, poor solubility of methanol in oil and adsorption of glycerol onto the enzyme limited the popularization of the process. To address these problems, we developed a silica nanoflowers-stabilized Pickering emulsion as a biocatalysis platform with Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) as model lipase for biodiesel production. Silica nanoflowers (SNFs) were synthesized in microemulsion and served as a carrier for CALB immobilization and then used as an emulsifier for constructing Pickering emulsion. The structure of SNFs and the biocatalytic Pickering emulsion (CALB@SNFs-PE) were characterized in detail. Experimental data about the methanolysis of waste oil to biodiesel was evaluated by response surface methodology. The highest experimental yield of 98.5 ± 0.5% was obtained under the optimized conditions: methanol/oil ratio of 2.63:1, a temperature of 45.97 °C, CALB@SNFs dosage of 33.24 mg and time of 8.11 h, which was closed to the predicted value (100.00%). Reusability test showed that CALB@SNFs-PE could retain 76.68% of its initial biodiesel yield after 15 cycles, which was better than that of free CALB and N435.
Enzymatically Produced Trimethylamine N-Oxide: Conserving It or Eliminating It
Authors: Catucci Gianluca , Querio Giulia , Sadeghi Sheila J. , Gilardi Gianfranco , Levi Renzo
Published: December 2019

Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) is the product of the monooxygenation reaction catalyzed by a drug-metabolizing enzyme, human flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (hFMO3), and its animal orthologues. For several years, researchers have looked at TMAO and hFMO3 as two distinct molecules playing specific but separate roles, the former to defend saltwater animals from osmotic or hydrostatic stress and the latter to process xenobiotics in men. The presence of high levels of plasmatic TMAO in elasmobranchs and other animals was demonstrated a long time ago, whereas the actual physiological role of hFMO3 is still unknown because the enzyme has been mainly characterized for its ability to oxidize drugs. Recently TMAO was found to be related to several human health conditions such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular, and renal diseases. This correlation poses a striking question of how other vertebrates (and invertebrates) can survive in the presence of very high TMAO concentrations (micromolar in humans, millimolar in marine mammals and several hundred millimolar in elasmobranchs). Therefore, it is important to address how TMAO, its precursors, and FMO catalytic activity are interconnected.
Palm Biochar-Based Sulphated Zirconium (Zr-AC-HSO3) Catalyst for Methyl Ester Production from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate
Authors: Rashid Umer , Soltani Soroush , Yaw Choong Thomas Shean , Nehdi Imededdine Arbi , Ahmad Junaid , Ngamcharussrivichai Chawalit
Published: December 2019

A palm waste kernel shell biomass was converted into bio-based sulphonated activated carbon and further used for preparation of a sulphated zirconium-doped activated catalyst (Zr-AC-HSO3) by wet impregnation method. The structural, physicochemical, morphological, textural, and thermal characteristics of the synthesized Zr-AC-HSO3 catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The catalytic activity of the 20 wt% Zr-AC-HSO3 catalyst was further evaluated for esterification of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD). This study achieved a maximum fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield of 94.3% and free fatty acid (FFA) conversion of 96.1% via the esterification over 20 wt% Zr-AC-HSO3 using 3 wt% catalyst concentration, 15:1 methanol:PFAD molar ratio at 75 °C for 3 h. The experiments to test for reusability showed that the spent catalyst was stable for five successive reaction cycles, with a FFA conversion of 80% in the fifth cycle, without additional treatment. The critical fuel features of the synthesized PFAD methyl ester were determined and were within the range of EN14214 and ASTM D6751 standards.
Understanding the Role of the Unfolded Protein Response Sensor IRE1 in the Biology of Antigen Presenting Cells
Authors: Flores-Santibáñez Felipe , Medel Bernardita , Bernales José Ignacio , Osorio Fabiola
Published: December 2019

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive response that maintains the fidelity of the cellular proteome in conditions that subvert the folding capacity of the cell, such as those noticed in infection and inflammatory contexts. In immunity, the UPR sensor IRE1 (Inositol-requiring enzyme 1-alpha) has emerged as a critical regulator of the homeostasis of antigen presenting cells (APCs). In the past few years, it has become clear that IRE1 plays canonical and non-canonical roles in APCs, many of which intersect with key features of these cells, including the initiation of inflammation, antibody production, and antigen presentation. The aims of the present review are to provide recent insights on the mechanisms by which IRE1 regulates the diversity of APC functions and to highlight its relevance in the coordination of innate and adaptive immunity.
The Expression of miRNAs in Human Ovaries, Oocytes, Extracellular Vesicles, and Early Embryos: A Systematic Review
Authors: Salas-Huetos Albert , James Emma R. , Aston Kenneth I. , Jenkins Timothy G. , Carrell Douglas T. , Yeste Marc
Published: December 2019

The recent discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human reproductive tissues and cells indicates a possible functional role in reproductive function. However, the studies published to date in female reproductive tissues/cells and embryos are inconclusive and sometimes controversial. In order to update the knowledge of this field, the present study aimed to discuss, through a systematic review, the role of miRNAs in female human reproduction and early embryogenesis. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through June 2018 (plus a complementary search until July 2019), in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. We have included descriptive and observational studies, in which fertile/infertile women were well-defined. The primary outcome was the miRNA expression in ovaries, oocytes, extracellular vesicles, and embryos. We identified 25,204 articles, of which 28 were selected for qualitative analysis: 18 in ovaries and extracellular vesicles, three in oocytes, and seven in embryos. The present systematic review of descriptive and observational studies demonstrates that aberrant miRNA expression in female reproductive tissues/cells and embryos is related with infertility and embryogenesis errors. The expression of specific miRNAs, particularly in extracellular vesicles, may be used in the future as biomarkers of infertility and prognostic tools of embryo development.
Transthyretin Maintains Muscle Homeostasis through the Novel Shuttle Pathway of Thyroid Hormones during Myoblast Differentiation
Authors: Lee Eun Ju , Shaikh Sibhghatulla , Choi Dukhwan , Ahmad Khurshid , Baig Mohammad Hassan , Lim Jeong Ho , Lee Yong-Ho , Park Sang Joon , Kim Yong-Woon , Park So-Young , Choi Inho
Published: December 2019

Skeletal muscle, the largest part of the total body mass, influences energy and protein metabolism as well as maintaining homeostasis. Herein, we demonstrate that during murine muscle satellite cell and myoblast differentiation, transthyretin (TTR) can exocytose via exosomes and enter cells as TTR- thyroxine (T4) complex, which consecutively induces the intracellular triiodothyronine (T3) level, followed by T3 secretion out of the cell through the exosomes. The decrease in T3 with the TTR level in 26-week-old mouse muscle, compared to that in 16-week-old muscle, suggests an association of TTR with old muscle. Subsequent studies, including microarray analysis, demonstrated that T3-regulated genes, such as FNDC5 (Fibronectin type III domain containing 5, irisin) and RXRγ (Retinoid X receptor gamma), are influenced by TTR knockdown, implying that thyroid hormones and TTR coordinate with each other with respect to muscle growth and development. These results suggest that, in addition to utilizing T4, skeletal muscle also distributes generated T3 to other tissues and has a vital role in sensing the intracellular T4 level. Furthermore, the results of TTR function with T4 in differentiation will be highly useful in the strategic development of novel therapeutics related to muscle homeostasis and regeneration.
Tristetraprolin/ZFP36 Regulates the Turnover of Autoimmune-Associated HLA-DQ mRNAs
Authors: Pisapia Laura , Hamilton Russell S. , Farina Federica , D’Agostino Vito , Barba Pasquale , Strazzullo Maria , Provenzani Alessandro , Gianfrani Carmen , Del Pozzo Giovanna
Published: December 2019

HLA class II genes encode highly polymorphic heterodimeric proteins functioning to present antigens to T cells and stimulate a specific immune response. Many HLA genes are strongly associated with autoimmune diseases as they stimulate self-antigen specific CD4+ T cells driving pathogenic responses against host tissues or organs. High expression of HLA class II risk genes is associated with autoimmune diseases, influencing the strength of the CD4+ T-mediated autoimmune response. The expression of HLA class II genes is regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Protein components of the RNP complex binding the 3′UTR and affecting mRNA processing have previously been identified. Following on from this, the regulation of HLA-DQ2.5 risk genes, the main susceptibility genetic factor for celiac disease (CD), was investigated. The DQ2.5 molecule, encoded by HLA-DQA1*05 and HLA-DQB1*02 alleles, presents the antigenic gluten peptides to CD4+ T lymphocytes, activating the autoimmune response. The zinc-finger protein Tristetraprolin (TTP) or ZFP36 was identified to be a component of the RNP complex and has been described as a factor modulating mRNA stability. The 3′UTR of CD-associated HLA-DQA1*05 and HLA-DQB1*02 mRNAs do not contain canonical TTP binding consensus sequences, therefore an in silico approach focusing on mRNA secondary structure accessibility and stability was undertaken. Key structural differences specific to the CD-associated mRNAs were uncovered, allowing them to strongly interact with TTP through their 3′UTR, conferring a rapid turnover, in contrast to lower affinity binding to HLA non-CD associated mRNA.
Role of Ceramidases in Sphingolipid Metabolism and Human Diseases
Authors: Parveen Farzana , Bender Daniel , Law Shi-Hui , Mishra Vineet Kumar , Chen Chih-Chieh , Ke Liang-Yin
Published: December 2019

Human pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes-induced insulin resistance, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases have altered lipid homeostasis. Among these imbalanced lipids, the bioactive sphingolipids ceramide and sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) are pivotal in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Several enzymes within the sphingolipid pathway contribute to the homeostasis of ceramide and S1P. Ceramidase is key in the degradation of ceramide into sphingosine and free fatty acids. In humans, five different ceramidases are known—acid ceramidase, neutral ceramidase, and alkaline ceramidase 1, 2, and 3—which are encoded by five different genes (ASAH1, ASAH2, ACER1, ACER2, and ACER3, respectively). Notably, the neutral ceramidase N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 2 (ASAH2) shows considerable differences between humans and animals in terms of tissue expression levels. Besides, the subcellular localization of ASAH2 remains controversial. In this review, we sum up the results obtained for identifying gene divergence, structure, subcellular localization, and manipulating factors and address the role of ASAH2 along with other ceramidases in human diseases.
Mitochondrial DNA Variation of Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy in Western Siberia
Authors: Starikovskaya Elena , Shalaurova Sofia , Dryomov Stanislav , Nazhmidenova Azhar , Volodko Natalia , Bychkov Igor , Mazunin Ilia , Sukernik Rem
Published: December 2019

Our data first represent the variety of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) mutations in Western Siberia. LHON is a disorder caused by pathogenic mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), inherited maternally and presents mainly in young adults, predominantly males. Clinically, LHON manifests itself as painless central vision loss, resulting in early onset of disability. The epidemiology of LHON has not been fully investigated yet. In this study, we report 44 genetically unrelated families with LHON manifestation. We performed whole mtDNA genome sequencing and provided genealogical and molecular genetic data on mutations and haplogroup background of LHON patients. Known “primary” pathogenic mtDNA mutations (MITOMAP) were found in 32 families: m.11778G>A represents 53.10% (17/32), m.3460G>A—21.90% (7/32), m.14484T>C–18.75% (6/32), and rare m.10663T>C and m.3635G>A represent 6.25% (2/32). We describe potentially pathogenic m.4659G>A in one subject without known pathogenic mutations, and potentially pathogenic m.6261G>A, m.8412T>C, m.8551T>C, m.9444C>T, m.9921G>A, and m.15077G>A in families with known pathogenic mutations confirmed. We suppose these mutations could contribute to the pathogenesis of optic neuropathy development. Our results indicate that haplogroup affiliation and mutational spectrum of the Western Siberian LHON cohort substantially deviate from those of European populations.
Specification of BMP Signaling
Authors: Nickel Joachim , Mueller Thomas D.
Published: December 2019

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) together with the Growth and Differentiation Factors (GDFs) form the largest subgroup of the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)β family and represent secreted growth factors, which play an essential role in many aspects of cell communication in higher organisms. As morphogens they exert crucial functions during embryonal development, but are also involved in tissue homeostasis and regeneration in the adult organism. Their involvement in maintenance and repair processes of various tissues and organs made these growth factors highly interesting targets for novel pharmaceutical applications in regenerative medicine. A hallmark of the TGFβ protein family is that all of the more than 30 growth factors identified to date signal by binding and hetero-oligomerization of a very limited set of transmembrane serine-threonine kinase receptors, which can be classified into two subgroups termed type I and type II. Only seven type I and five type II receptors exist for all 30plus TGFβ members suggesting a pronounced ligand-receptor promiscuity. Indeed, many TGFβ ligands can bind the same type I or type II receptor and a particular receptor of either subtype can usually interact with and bind various TGFβ ligands. The possible consequence of this ligand-receptor promiscuity is further aggravated by the finding that canonical TGFβ signaling of all family members seemingly results in the activation of just two distinct signaling pathways, that is either SMAD2/3 or SMAD1/5/8 activation. While this would implicate that different ligands can assemble seemingly identical receptor complexes that activate just either one of two distinct pathways, in vitro and in vivo analyses show that the different TGFβ members exert quite distinct biological functions with high specificity. This discrepancy indicates that our current view of TGFβ signaling initiation just by hetero-oligomerization of two receptor subtypes and transduction via two main pathways in an on-off switch manner is too simplified. Hence, the signals generated by the various TGFβ members are either quantitatively interpreted using the subtle differences in their receptor-binding properties leading to ligand-specific modulation of the downstream signaling cascade or additional components participating in the signaling activation complex allow diversification of the encoded signal in a ligand-dependent manner at all cellular levels. In this review we focus on signal specification of TGFβ members, particularly of BMPs and GDFs addressing the role of binding affinities, specificities, and kinetics of individual ligand-receptor interactions for the assembly of specific receptor complexes with potentially distinct signaling properties.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Properties of CdS/F–TiO2 Composites
Authors: Zhang Li-Yuan , You Jia , Li Qian-Wen , Dong Zhi-Hong , Zhong Ya-Jie , Han Yan-Lin , He Gang
Published: December 2019

F–TiO2 was prepared by a simple precipitation method using titanium sulfate as the titanium source, hydrogen fluoride as the fluorine source and ammonia as the precipitant. CdS/F–TiO2 composites were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis of CdS and F–TiO2. The surface morphology, crystal phase composition, ultraviolet absorption band, fluorescence intensity, element composition, valence state, specific surface and pore structure of the samples were characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible absorption spectrum (UV-Vis-Abs), Molecular fluorescence spectrophotometer (PL) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Surface area analyzer (BET), respectively. The effects of the dosage of the photocatalyst, pH value, the concentration of methyl orange and the addition of H2O2 on the photocatalytic performance were investigated with methyl orange solution as the target degradation product. The results showed the optimum condition for photodegradation of methyl orange by 1% CdS/F–TiO2 is that the pH value, the solid-liquid ratio, the concentration of methyl orange and the dosage of H2O2 is 2, 2 g/L, 10 mg/L and 3%, respectively. Under the same conditions, the degradation rate of methyl orange by 1% CdS/F–TiO2 was 93.36% when 300 W metal halide lamp was irradiated for 20 minutes, which was significantly higher than that of F–TiO2. CdS has a significant effect on the morphology, crystallinity, grain size and the compound probability of electrons and holes after the F–TiO2 modification. The composite causes a significant red shift at the edge of the F–TiO2 light absorption band. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by 1% CdS/F–TiO2 follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood first-order kinetic model.
Improvement in Tribological Properties of Cr12MoV Cold Work Die Steel by HVOF Sprayed WC-CoCr Cermet Coatings
Authors: Hong Sheng , Wu Yuping , Wang Bo , Lin Jinran
Published: December 2019

The main objective of this study was to develop an efficient coating to increase the wear resistance of cold work die steel at different temperatures. The microstructures of high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF)-sprayed WC-CoCr coatings were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of temperature on the tribological properties of the coatings and the reference Cr12MoV cold work die steel were both investigated by SEM, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and a pin-on-disk high-temperature tribometer. The coating exhibited a significantly lower wear rate and superior resistance against sliding wear as compared to the die steel at each test temperature, whereas no major differences in terms of the variation tendency of the friction coefficient as a function of temperature were observed in both the coatings and the die steels. These can be attributed to the presence of nanocrystalline grains and the fcc-Co phase in the coating. Moreover, the wear mechanisms of the coatings and the die steels were compared and discussed. The coating presented herein provided a competitive approach to improve the sliding wear performance of cold work die steel.
Effect of Chitosan/Nano-Titanium Dioxide/Thymol and Tween Films on Ready-to-Eat Cantaloupe Fruit Quality
Authors: Qiao Guohua , Xiao Zhigang , Ding Wenxin , Rok Ahmed
Published: December 2019

The effect of chitosan/nano-titanium dioxide coating with antimicrobial agents on ready to eat cantaloupe fruit by chilling was investigated. In comparison with uncoated samples, ascorbic acid and juice leakage in chitosan/nano-titanium dioxide (CH/TiO2) treated fruit were significantly maintained. Likewise, the decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total soluble solids (TSS) in chitosan/nano-titanium dioxide/thymol/tween (CH/TiO2/TT) coated fruits was also inhibited. Total mold and yeast population counts decreased from 2.60 to 1.60 log CFU/g, respectively. Moreover, activities of water (AW) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were also much lower than those in control sample fruit. The results indicated that (CH/TiO2/TT) coating was effective in enhancing the shelf life with acceptable in the internal and the external cantaloupe fruit quality.
Prospects of Low-Pressure Cold Spray for Superhydrophobic Coatings
Authors: Gibas Anna , Baszczuk Agnieszka , Jasiorski Marek , Winnicki Marcin
Published: December 2019

A major challenge in materials engineering is the development of new materials and methods and/or novel combination of existing ones, all fostering innovation. For that reason, this study aims at the synergy between low-pressure cold spray (LPCS) as a tool for coating deposition and sol-gel technique for fabrication of the feedstock powder. The complementarity of both methods is important for the examined topic. On one side, the LPCS being automized and quick mean provides the solid-state of feedstock material in nondestructive conditions and hence the hydrophobicity imparted on the sol-gel route is preserved. On the other side, the sol-gel synthesis enables the production of oxide materials with enhanced deformability due to amorphous form which supports the anchoring while LPCS spraying. In the paper, several aspects including optimal fluoroalkylsilane (FOTS) concentration or substrate roughness are examined initially for altering the superhydrophobicity of produced coatings. Further, it is shown that the appropriate optimization of feedstock powder, being submicron silica matrices covered with two-layer FOTS sheath, may facilitate the anchoring process, support roughening the substrate or cause enhancement the coating hydrophobicity. All the discussion is supported by the characteristics including surface morphology, wettability and thermal behaviour examined by electron microscopy, water contact angle measurements and thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), respectively. The coatings presented in the paper are characterized by an uneven thickness of up to a few silica particles, but final hydrophobicity is provided uniformly on the surface by the formation of multi-level roughness by a detachment of outer layer from the SiO2 particles. Thus, the presented approach constitutes a simple and fast solution for the fabrication of functionalized coatings using LPCS including industrial potential and fundamental research character.
MoDAr-WA: Tool Support to Automate an MDA Approach for MVC Web Application
Authors: Essebaa Imane , Chantit Salima , Ramdani Mohammed
Published: December 2019

Model-driven engineering (MDE) uses models during the application development process. Thus, the MDE is particularly based on model-driven architecture (MDA), which is one of the important variants of the Object Management Group (OMG). MDA aims to generate source code from abstract models through several model transformations between, and inside the different MDA levels: computation independent model (CIM), platform independent model (PIM), and platform specific model (PSM) before code. In this context, several methods and tools were proposed in the literature and in the industry that aim to automatically generate the source code from the MDA levels. However, researchers still meet many constraints—model specifications, transformation automation, and level traceability. In this paper, we present a tool support, the model-driven architecture for web application (MoDAr-WA), that implements our proposed approach, aiming to automate transformations from the highest MDA level (CIM) to the lowest one (code) to ensure traceability. This paper is a continuity of our previous works, where we automate transformation from the CIM level to the PIM level. For this aim, we present a set of meta-models, QVT and Acceleo transformations, as well as the tools used to develop our Eclipse plug-in, MoDAr-WA. In particular, we used QVT rules for transformations between models and Acceleo for generating code from models. Finally, we use MoDAr-WA to apply the proposed approach to the MusicStore system case study and compare the generated code from CIM to the original application code.
Synthesis, Single Crystal X-Ray Analysis, Prediction and Study of Pharmacological Activity of 4-(1H-Benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-1-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-Amine and Its Solvates
Authors: Ivachtchenko Alexandre V. , Mitkin Oleg D. , Kravchenko Dmitry V. , Kovalenko Sergiy M. , Shishkina Svitlana V. , Bunyatyan Natalya D. , Konovalova Irina S. , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Konovalova Olena D. , Langer Thierry
Published: December 2019

A method for the synthesis of 4- (1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-amine was developed, and the electronic and spatial structure of this molecule was studied theoretically and experimentally. The study of interaction energies between molecules by quantum-chemical calculations allows us to recognize different levels of crystal structure organization and describe the interaction types causing their formation. The classic N-H…N and C-H…N hydrogen bonds play the main role in all the studied crystals forming the primary basic structural motif. Their role is comparable with the role of the stacking interactions. The molecular docking study predicted that the studied compound may exhibit anti-hepatitis B activity, and experimental in vitro studies confirmed that it is a potent HBV inhibitor with IC50 in a low micromolar range.
Research on Luminance Distributions of Chip-On-Board Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Czyżewski Dariusz
Published: December 2019

Chip-On-Board Light-Emitting Diodes (COB LED) are increasingly more common. Their development in recent years has directly contributed to increasing the power of LED sources, whilst simultaneously increasing the luminous flux from the entire COB. Consequently, it has led to new developments in some applications. Information regarding the size of the light source luminous surface and luminance distribution on its surface is critical for a designer whilst designing optical systems. The purpose of this conducted research was to establish to what extent luminance distribution is even on the examined COB LEDs. In order to verify luminance distributions on an LED surface, direct measurements with a matrix luminance measuring device were made. As a result of the research, it has been observed that luminance distribution is not even, and in many cases luminance maximum does not fall in the geometric center of the luminous surface, which was initially expected. So, it has been concluded that while designing optical systems for COB LEDs, irregular luminance distribution on their surface needs to be considered.
Argulus from the Pascagoula River, MS, USA, with an Emphasis on Those of the Threatened Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi
Authors: Andres Michael J. , Higgs Jeremy M. , Grammer Paul O. , Peterson Mark S.
Published: December 2019

Species of Argulus (Branchiura Thorell, 1864) are common ectoparasites of freshwater, estuarine, and marine fishes. Argulid identification and taxonomy is often confusing because many species are reported to parasitize multiple host species, have similar morphological characters, and come from various salinity regimes. Gulf sturgeon is an anadromous fish natal to drainages in the north-central Gulf of Mexico, and as with many endangered species, has a poorly documented parasite community. During Gulf sturgeon tagging and monitoring studies (2016–2019) in the Pascagoula River, MS, USA, species of Argulus were collected from Gulf sturgeon as well as other incidentally captured fishes. Argulus flavescens Wilson, 1916 was found on Gulf sturgeon and flathead catfish, Argulus americanus Wilson, 1902 on bowfin, and Argulus bicolor Bere, 1936 on Atlantic stingray. We provide morphological details and measurements for these species as well as the first confirmed 28S rDNA molecular data. Argulus flavescens was more abundant and prevalent on larger Gulf sturgeon and on sturgeon captured in freshwater rather than estuarine habitats. Our results indicate that A. flacescens may not tolerate estuarine salinities and that the anadromous life-history pattern of Gulf sturgeon could help rid them of A. flavescens when they emigrate from their riverine habitats.
A Comprehensive Review on a PV Based System to Harvest Maximum Power
Authors: Javed Muhammad Yaqoob , Mirza Adeel Feroz , Hasan Ali , Rizvi Syed Tahir Hussain , Ling Qiang , Gulzar Muhammad Majid , Safder Muhammad Umair , Mansoor Majad
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a comprehensive review of essential components of the PV (Photovoltaic) system is elaborated, and their comparative unique features are discussed. The paper describes hardware design (power converters topologies specifically) employed in PV based energy generation systems to harvest maximum power from the available energy source. In this study, thirty different Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques have been critically analyzed and their response with respect to partial shading condition has been discussed. It is very difficult to say which technique is best as one must consider various factors and parameters while selecting a technique such as application, convergence speed, accuracy, efficiency, system reliability, and cost and performance of available hardware. Aiming at the complexity, hardware implementation, tracking speed, steady-state accuracy, or global maximum detection of the algorithm, an MPPT algorithm based on a rule table is proposed. In addition, the MPPT of a PV system based on bio inspired techniques is considered. The bio inspired algorithms and its application in PV system are compared for the authenticity of the review, and six different MPPT techniques are implemented on PV systems. A comparative analysis is made based on the results of four different cases of irradiance.
Influence of the Duration of Microwave Irradiation of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Cones on the Quality of Harvested Seeds
Authors: Aniszewska Monika , Gendek Arkadiusz , Tulska Ewa , Pęska Paulina , Moskalik Tadeusz
Published: December 2019

To improve the process of seed extraction, new solutions have been investigated in an attempt to develop guidelines for the construction of small seed extraction equipment. One of the solutions proposed in this field is the use of electromagnetic radiation in the first stage of hulling cones, reducing their initial moisture content, which will result in quicker scale opening. It is proposed that cones should be irradiated for a relatively short period in the first stage. This operation will allow a quicker loss of moisture from the cones that are still closed, which will result in a more intensive opening of cone scales and will also positively affect the exposure of seeds for the next phase of hulling. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of microwave irradiation of pine cones on the quality of the seeds obtained. Cones were exposed to microwaves produced by an 800 W generator. The research was performed in several modes, in which the variable parameters were the duration of microwave irradiation, arrangement of cones with the apex pointed towards either the inner or outer part of the turntable, and the number of cones. The temperature distribution on the surface of and inside the cones was determined using the THERM v2 (Vigo System SA, Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland) thermal image processing software. We also assessed the energy (vitality) and germinability (quality class) of seeds that were not exposed and those after microwave treatment. The results of the research allowed us to state that, with the assumed parameters of the process, it is possible to obtain second quality class seeds after exposure to microwaves for 5 s. This result was comparable to the quality of seeds obtained without the use of microwaves. When the irradiation time was increased above 5 s, the vitality of seeds decreased and their quality was not satisfactory.