bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis‐Like Inflammation Induced Renal Dysfunction through the TLR/NF‐κB Signal Pathway
Authors: Ren Fang , Zhang Min , Zhang Caiyun , Sang Hong
Published: January 2020

Pathological studies have shown an association between psoriasis and renal injury (RI), but the mechanism between RI and psoriasis was still unclear. This paper was designed to investigate the relationship and mechanism between psoriasis‐like inflammation and renal injury in BALB/C mice. Mice were topically smeared imiquimod followed by various analyses in skin lesions, urine protein, kidney/serum inflammatory cytokines, kidney function, podocyte membrane proteins, and toll‐like receptors/nuclear factor kappa‐b (TLR/NF‐κB) pathway‐associated proteins. Meanwhile, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and dexamethasone (DEX) were intraperitoneally injected to promote and inhibit inflammation accompanied by imiquimod to elaborate the relevance between inflammatory levels and RI. In the model group, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores of scaly and erythema obviously increased (p < 0.01), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen significantly increased (p < 0.01), the positive area of hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) and periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining in kidney increased (p < 0.01), malondialdehyde significantly increased with superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased (p < 0.01), 24‐hour urine protein increased and the expressions of podocin and CD2 associate protein (CD2AP) decreased (p < 0.01), and kidney/serum inflammatory factors (IL‐17, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐22) and TLR/NF‐κB‐related expression (TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, and NF‐κBp65) all increased (p < 0.01). The RI was aggravated with the TLR/NF‐κB related expression being upregulated by LPS (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the RI was alleviated by DEX (p < 0.05). Our data showed that psoriasis‐like inflammation damaged the renal function via the TLR/NF‐κB signal pathway. Inhibiting TLR/NF‐κB‐related protein expression may be effective for the treatment of RI caused by psoriasis.
Foodborne Pathogen Assessment in Raw Milk Cheeses
Authors: Costanzo Nicola , Ceniti Carlotta , Santoro Adriano , Clausi Maria Teresa , Casalinuovo Francesco
Published: January 2020

General hygienic parameters and selected foodborne pathogens in raw milk cheeses at the retail level were evaluated. A total of 245 raw milk cheese samples were analysed for total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and staphylococcal enterotoxin. Results showed only 3 samples that were not compliant with European rules on staphylococcal enterotoxin, but coagulase-positive Staphylococci were evidenced in all samples tested. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were never detected whereas E. coli was evidenced in 20 samples. Results suggest a need for improvement of good manufacturing practice and milking operation.
Experience in the Management of Patients with Chronic Vascular Ulcers of the Lower Limbs Using Negatively Charged Polystyrene Microspheres
Authors: Teresa Cacua Sánchez María
Published: January 2020

Background. Chronic ulcers of the lower limbs are a socioeconomic health problem, having a high incidence in the adult population. Despite a correct etiological treatment, in addition to the multiple lesion management options available, healing percentage and speed remain low, which makes it a great therapeutic challenge. Objective. To describe the outcome and effectiveness of the use of PolyHeal® Micro in the granulation and epithelialization of chronic ulcers of the lower limbs. Methods. Descriptive observational case series of 19 patients with diagnosis of chronic vascular ulcers of the lower limbs, treated at Medical Center Nuestra IPS and Medical Center Juan Pablo II in Bogotá between March 2018 and December 2018, who received PolyHeal® Micro as topical treatment for their lesions. Patients were assessed taking into account age, sex, ulcer size, pain, wound exudate, as well as granulation and epithelialization response. Results. In this series, the mean age of patients was 67.9 years, they were mostly females (84%), and the most common location of ulcers was the internal malleolus (50%). In terms of wound severity, 47% were found to be severe, 43% moderate, and 10% mild. The median time of lesion onset was 28 weeks, with a maximum of 2080 and a minimum of 8 weeks. In total, 87% of the ulcers were of venous etiology. After 12 weeks of treatment with Polyheal, ulcers showed a significative improvement of Wollina score means: 0.80 ± 0.90–5.90 ± 1.47; p<0.000. Wound area mean at the start of treatment was 31.6 cm2, and at the end of treatment was 17.85 cm2, which is equivalent to a wound area surface reduction of 54.2%, with a statistically significant p value. The interquartile range showed a reduction of 64.3% in the central means of wounds. Seventy percent of the patients reached a granulation percentage greater than 70%, 17% of the lesions exhibited an improvement of 30–70%, and there was an overall granulation improvement in 87% of the patients. Concerning epithelialization, 40% of patients reached a percentage higher than 70%, and 17% of patients between 30% and 70%. Treatment time was 12 weeks in 68% of cases, with an average response time of 8.1 weeks. Based on the visual analogue scale (VAS), a reduction in patients’ perception of pain was achieved, dropping from an average of 6 (moderate to severe pain) to 2 (little pain), demonstrating an improvement in this regard. Fifty percent of the ulcers showed decreased exudate, resulting in a dry state. The patient satisfaction rate at the end of treatment was 89%. Conclusion. The use of PolyHeal® Micro for an average of 8.1 weeks of treatment showed a high rate of granulation and epithelialization in chronic ulcers of the lower limbs, improving pain perception in these patients and generating a high degree of treatment satisfaction.
miR-10a in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Is a Biomarker for Sepsis and Has Anti-Inflammatory Function
Authors: Zheng Guoping , Qiu Guanguan , Ge Menghua , Meng Jianbiao , Zhang Geng , Wang Jiangmei , Huang Ruoqiong , Shu Qiang , Xu Jianguo
Published: January 2020

Background. Recent literature has reported the use of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for sepsis. Immune cells play an essential role in the pathophysiology of sepsis. The aim of this prospective study was to identify miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that could differentiate between sepsis and infection based on Sepsis-3 definition. Methods. A total of 62 patients (41 with sepsis and 21 with infection suffering from pneumonia but without sepsis) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. PBMC at admission were examined for a panel of 4 miRNAs (miR-10a, miR-17, miR-27a, and miR-125b), which have been documented to participate in inflammatory response in immune cells, via qRT-PCR. Data were validated in a mouse model of sepsis induced via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and THP-1 monocytes. Results. miR-10a levels in PBMC at admission were significantly lower in sepsis patients compared with patients with infection and healthy controls. miR-10a levels were negatively correlated with disease severity scores as well as levels for c-reactive protein and procalcitonin. In addition, low miR-10a expression had a diagnostic value for sepsis and a prognostic value for 28-day mortality in receiving operating characteristic analysis. Compared with infection patients and healthy controls, PBMC from sepsis patients also had higher levels of mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), a known target protein of miR-10a and an activator of the NF-κB pathway. In the mouse model of CLP-induced sepsis, miR-10a levels in PBMC were significantly decreased as early as 8 h after CLP. Overexpression of miR-10a in THP-1 cells significantly reduced the expression of MAP3K7 and proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. Conclusions. PBMC miR-10a levels are decreased in sepsis and negatively correlated with the disease severity. Levels of miR-10a could distinguish between sepsis and infection and predict 28-day mortality. miR-10a plays an anti-inflammatory role in the pathogenesis of sepsis.
Fretting Fatigue Damage Nucleation and Propagation Lifetime Using a Central Point Movement of Power Spectral Density
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Q. , Doan Hieu C. , Vuong Luan C. , Nguyen-Xuan H. , Ngo Nhi K.
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a new perception in evaluating fretting fatigue damage nucleation and propagation lifetime under periodically forced circulation. A new approach, which is proposed in this paper, is to measure the change of the central point of power spectral density (CP-PSD) in different structural stiffness degradation stages. A notable aspect of this study lies in the combination between vibration amplitude and forced frequency of the fatigue-causing factors in beam structures. Additionally, it is found that randomization of the first phase from 0 to 2π yields more accurate modelling of the fatigue phenomenon. Results show that the CP-PSD parameter is significantly more sensitive compared to the regularly damage-evaluating parameters such as natural frequency, eigenvalues, or stress value. This reflects different levels of fatigue cycle effect on the structure in the experiment. At the same time, CP-PSD also categorizes the degradation level on different points on the structure under the periodically forced circulation. In addition, this paper also quantifies the relation between the changes of CP-PSD and each fatigue state. Results of this research will be a reference source to evaluate the lifespan of the structure by experimental methods.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Intratendinous Delivery of Dexamethasone Using Porous Microspheres for Amelioration of Inflammation and Tendon Degeneration on Achilles Tendinitis in Rats
Authors: Choi Somang , Song Mi Hyun , Shim Kyu-Sik , Kim Hak-Jun , Lim Youn-Mook , Song Hae-Ryong , Park Kyeongsoon , Kim Sung Eun
Published: January 2020

Achilles tendinitis caused by overuse, aging, or gradual wear induces pain, swelling, and stiffness of Achilles tendon and leads to tendon rupture. This study was performed to investigate the suppression of inflammation responses in interleukin‐1β- (IL‐1β-) stimulated tenocytes in vitro and the suppression of the progression of Achilles tendinitis‐induced rat models in vivo using dexamethasone‐containing porous microspheres (DEX/PMSs) for a sustained intratendinous DEX delivery. DEX from DEX/PMSs showed the sustained release of DEX. Treatment of IL‐1β‐stimulated tenocytes with DEX/PMSs suppressed the mRNA levels for COX‐2, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α. The intratendinous injection of DEX/PMSs into Achilles tendinitis rats both decreased the mRNA levels for these cytokines and increased mRNA levels for anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐10 in tendon tissues. Furthermore, DEX/PMSs effectively prevented tendon degeneration by enhancing the collagen content and biomechanical properties. Our findings suggest that DEX/PMSs show great potential as a sustained intratendinous delivery system for ameliorating inflammation responses as well as tendon degeneration in Achilles tendinitis.
Anti-Synchronization of Fractional-Order Chaotic Circuit with Memristor via Periodic Intermittent Control
Authors: Meng Fanqi , Zeng Xiaoqin , Wang Zuolei , Wang Xinjun
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the anti-synchronization of fractional-order chaotic circuit with memristor (FCCM) is investigated via a periodic intermittent control scheme. Based on the principle of periodic intermittent control and the Lyapunov stability theory, a novel criterion is adopted to realize the anti-synchronization of FCCM. Finally, some examples of numerical simulations are exploited to verify the feasibility of theoretical analysis.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Evaporated Casting MWCNT/Chitosan Composite Membranes for Water Desalination
Authors: Alsuhybani Mohammed , Alshahrani Ahmed , Haidyrah Ahmed S.
Published: January 2020

Fresh water scarcity and pollution turn out to be a most serious issue throughout the world due to the rapid population growth. The application of nanomaterials (NMs) for the removal of pollutants from water has attracted significant attention. The nanofiltration membrane was fabricated through the evaporative casting (EC) method using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and chitosan (CHIT) as the surfactant to enable water purification. The developed EC membrane properties were characterized in mechanical, surface charging (zeta potential), surface morphology, and hydrophobicity properties. Results demonstrated that incorporation of MWCNT and the biopolymers (chitosan) resulted in suitable developments in mechanical properties of the membrane. For example, the membrane has shown values for tensile strength (28 ± 1 MPa), elongation (10.2 ± 1.2%), Young’s modulus (1.2 ± 0.1 GPa), and toughness of (1.9 ± 0.2 J/g). When more significant changes were investigated on the surface morphology of the EC membrane, it was observed that the pores on the surface morphology of the EC membrane decreased as the evaporative casting method was used. Moreover, the permeability of the membrane towards water, inorganic salts, and pH effect on salt rejections was studied using the NF/RO system. These established nanocomposite membranes signify the promising candidates for fresh water desalination and elimination of organic impurities.
Bifurcation and Chaos of a Discrete Predator-Prey Model with Crowley–Martin Functional Response Incorporating Proportional Prey Refuge
Authors: Santra P. K. , Mahapatra G. S. , Phaijoo G. R.
Published: January 2020

The paper investigates the dynamical behaviors of a two-species discrete predator-prey system with Crowley–Martin functional response incorporating prey refuge proportional to prey density. The existence of equilibrium points, stability of three fixed points, period-doubling bifurcation, Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, Marottos chaos, and Control Chaos are analyzed for the discrete-time domain. The time graphs, phase portraits, and bifurcation diagrams are obtained for different parameters of the model. Numerical simulations and graphics show that the discrete model exhibits rich dynamics, which also present that the system is a chaotic and complex one. This paper attempts to present a feedback control method which can stabilize chaotic orbits at an unstable equilibrium point.
Aeroengine Control System Sensor Fault Diagnosis Based on CWT and CNN
Authors: Gou Linfeng , Li Huihui , Zheng Hua , Li Huacong , Pei Xiaoning
Published: January 2020

The aeroengine control system is a piece of complex thermal machinery which works under high-speed, high-load, and high-temperature environmental conditions over lengthy periods of time; it must be designed for the utmost reliability and safety to function effectively. The consequences of sensor faults are often extremely serious. The inherent complexity of the engine structure creates difficulty in establishing accurate mathematical models for the model-based sensor fault diagnosis. This paper proposes an intelligent fault diagnosis method for aeroengine sensors combining a deep learning algorithm with time-frequency analysis wherein the signal recognition problem is transformed into an image recognition problem. The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is first applied to seven common health condition signals in an engine control system sensor in order to generate scalograms that capture the characteristics of the signal. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model trained with preprocessed and labeled datasets is then used to extract the features of a time-frequency graph based on which faults can be identified and isolated. This method does not require modeling and design thresholds, so it has strong robustness and accuracy rate of over 97%. The trained model effectively reveals faults in sensor signals and allows for accurate identification of fault types.
Exclusive Breastfeeding and Associated Factors among Mothers with Twins in the Tamale Metropolis
Authors: Tahiru Rafatu , Agbozo Faith , Garti Hmphrey , Abubakari Abdulai
Published: January 2020

Background. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months after birth has been recommended by the WHO as the best infant feeding strategy. Data on EBF rates among twin infants in Ghana remain limited and for that matter hypothesized to be low. Aim. The study sought to measure the prevalence of EBF and identify associated factors among twins in the Tamale metropolis. Methods. A cross-sectional survey involving 185 mother-twin pairs was conducted in four health facilities in the Tamale metropolis providing Child welfare Clinic (CWC) services. Socio-demographics data on both mother and twin were taken. Biomedical (e.g. perceived onset of lactation, confidence of producing enough milk, parity, delivery place, delivery type, time of breastfeeding initiation) and bio cultural factors (e.g. family cooperation for current infant feeding, breastfeeding counselling) were also obtained. In-depth interviews were also conducted with a sub sample of mothers (30) who were purposively selected to generate qualitative data on breastfeeding and associated cultural factors in twins as this data was necessary to aid in the explanation of the quantitative results. Results. Only 17% of twin infants were exclusively breastfed for six months. Women who were not confident that they could produce enough breast milk were about 83% less likely to practice exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) compared to those who were confident that they could produce enough breast milk (AOR = 0.17; CI = 0.04, 0.73; p-value = 0.017). Moreover, mothers who had no access to radio were about 87% less likely to practice EBF (AOR = 0.13; CI = 0.02, 0.79; p-value = 0.027). The qualitative analysis also revealed that babies are frequently breastfed because according to the mothers, breastmilk was the only food for the baby. It was also found that begging when you have twins had spiritual underpinnings in the study area. Conclusions. The study shows that, ownership of radio, confidence of producing enough breast milk and admission of the children into NICU were identified as the most important factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding of twins. Beyond Educating, encouraging and assuring twin mothers of their abilities to produce enough breast milk to satisfy their children, healthcare professionals should pay more attention on providing appropriate information on breastfeeding to mothers and caregivers.
Strain Rate Effect on the Progressive Collapse Analysis of RC Frame Structure under Earthquake
Authors: Wang Wenming
Published: January 2020

The strain rate effect can influence the seismic responses of reinforced concrete (RC) structures because the constitutive relationship of concrete and rebar is rate‐dependent. This paper carries out progressive collapse analysis to research the influence of strain rate effects on collapse‐resistant capacity, collapse mode, and collapse path of the RC frame structure. A progressive collapse simulation program for the reinforced concrete (RC) structure with a static and dynamic constitutive relationship is coded individually using the user subroutine VUMAT and then implemented in the advanced finite element program ABAQUS. The good agreement between experimental and simulation results proves that the coded subroutine is reliable. With the coded subroutine, by conducting progressive collapse analyses of a four‐story RC frame structure under earthquake, the effect of strain rate on the response is investigated. The numerical results demonstrate that the collapse‐resistant capacity of the structure is underestimated when the strain rate effect is neglected. It is shown that strain rate effects influence the collapse mode and collapse path of the structure. Therefore, strain rate effects should be considered in the progressive collapse analysis of the RC frame structure.
Detection of ALK Gene Rearrangement in Cell‐free RNA from Lung Cancer Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Chu Mingliang , Zhu Yanqiu , Hu Jianjun , Zhang Zhuxue , Luo Meng , Ma Xiaobo
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring ALK gene rearrangement in cell‐free RNA (cf‐RNA) of the supernatant from malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Supernatant, cell blocks, and matched sera samples were collected. Cf‐RNA was isolated from the supernatant and sera, and cellular RNA was isolated from cell blocks. The ALK gene rearrangement in the cf‐RNA was tested by the real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the concentration of cf‐RNA was higher in the supernatant than in matched sera. ALK status concordance rates were 100% between the supernatant and cell blocks, while they were 0% between sera and cell blocks in ALK gene rearrangement cases. This suggests that using cf‐RNA in MPE supernatant, but not in sera, could offer a reliable and robust surrogate strategy for the detection of ALK gene rearrangement.
ToF-SIMS and AFM Characterization of Brown Cosmetic Contact Lenses: From Structural Analysis to the Identification of Pigments
Authors: Kim Seon Hee , Lee Jihye , Jang Yun Jung , Lee Kang-Bong , Lee Yeonhee
Published: January 2020

Over the years, soft contact lenses for vision correction and cosmetic and therapeutic purposes have been greatly improved. For cosmetic contact lenses, the pigments need to be nontoxic, and the position of the pigment layer is particularly important because of the risks posed by pigment elution and the roughness of the lens surface. In this paper, we characterized the properties of brown cosmetic contact lenses made by three different manufacturers using surface analytical techniques. The surface topographies of the noncolored and colored parts were obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the position and composition of the pigment layer were determined by analyzing the cross section of the contact lenses using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The influence of pigment location on surface roughness was also examined. In addition, to find the method of the evaluation for the risk of surface elution of the pigments in the colored parts, the mass spectra and ion images of the surfaces were obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) with a new sample preparation. From the ToF-SIMS spectra, we observed specific fragment ions of the poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) polymer and found differences in the composition of the pigment layer depending on the manufacturers. The cross-sectioned image and 3D chemical characterizations of metallic and specific ions in the brown cosmetic contact lenses clearly indicated the spatial distribution and location of the pigment layer that can be used for the evaluation of pigment elution.
Negative Predictive Value of Human Papillomavirus Testing: Implications for Anal Cancer Screening in People Living with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Wang Yiying , Wang Yan , Gaisa Michael M. , Sigel Keith , Zheng Wenxin , Liu Yuxin , Wang Yue
Published: January 2020

Objectives. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have an increased incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma. Since high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is the primary cause, hrHPV DNA testing may play an important role in anal cancer screening. This study aims to determine the negative predictive value (NPV) of hrHPV testing in PLWHA as well as factors that may lead to false-negative results. Methods. Anal swabs were collected for cytology and Cobas® 4800 HPV test for 14 hrHPV types. Patients underwent concomitant high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) examination and biopsy. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL, synonymous with anal intraepithelial neoplasia AIN2 and 3) detected in Cobas-negative patients were genotyped for 22 HPV types using BioPerfectus Multiplex Real-time PCR. Results. 156 PLWHA tested negative for hrHPV on anal swab samples (i.e., Cobas-negative). HRA-guided biopsy detected HSIL/AIN3 in 13 patients (8%, NPV 92%), HSIL/AIN2 in 5 patients (3%), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 82 (LSIL, 53%), or benign findings in 56 (36%). No cancer was found. The HSIL group was similar to the LSIL/benign group regarding age, gender, race/ethnicity, clinical HIV parameters, cytological diagnoses, history of receptive anal sex, and smoking (p≥0.02). Genotyping HSIL tissue derived from Cobas-negative patients revealed hrHPV (n=7), possibly carcinogenic HPV53, 67, 73, 82 (n=12), or absence of hrHPV (n=4). Conclusions. In this series, anal hrHPV DNA testing offered 92% NPV for PLWHA; in other words, a 8% risk of occult precancer remains for those who test hrHPV negative on anal swab samples.
An Experimental Study of the Feasibility of Identifying the Impact Damages of Reinforced Concrete Piers Using a Modal Frequency Method
Authors: Zhou Xiwu , Zhang Wenchao , Gao Yushen , Zhang Guoxue , Wen Mengdan
Published: January 2020

In this research study, horizontal impact tests were carried out on five reduced scale pier models using China’s most advanced multifunctional ultrahigh heavy drop hammer impact test system and DHDAS dynamic signal acquisition and analysis system. Due to the fact that the traditional measurement method can only be used for local measurement damage, and the volatility is high, this paper proposes a test method for the modal frequency identification of the overall damage of reinforced concrete pier and applies the ultrasonic damage measurement method to verify the results. The tests analyzed the modal frequencies and ultrasonic velocity identifications for the purpose of evaluating the impact damages of bridge piers, as well as the relationship between them. The results showed that the modal frequencies were consistent with the ultrasonic waves in identifying and evaluating the damages to the piers. Also, the modal frequency damage factors were determined to be functions of the ultrasonic wave velocity damage factors. Therefore, the results of this study confirmed that it was feasible to characterize the impact damages of piers using a modal frequency method.
Prelingual Sensorineural Hearing Loss Caused by a Novel GJB2 Dominant Mutation in a Chinese Family
Authors: Huang Shasha , Gao Xue , Wang Yufeng , Kang Dongyang , Zhang Xin , Yang Suyan , Dai Pu
Published: January 2020

Background. GJB2 mutation is the most common cause of genetic deafness. Many pathogenic variations have already been identified, and thus, fewer and fewer novel pathogenic variations remain to be identified. Here, we describe a novel pathogenic variation associated with dominant hereditary deafness in a Chinese family. Methods. In this study, we examined four generations of a Chinese family (M127) with hearing loss. Temporal CT scan, complete physical examination (including skin and hair), and audiological tests were performed. Targeted next‐generation and Sanger sequencing were used to identify pathogenic mutations in affected individuals. Results. All patients exhibited prelingual nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss, with severity ranging from moderate to severe. A novel dominant pathogenic variant c.205T > C (p.Phe69Leu) was identified in all patients in this family. Conclusions. c.205T > C (p.Phe69Leu) was identified as a novel dominant pathogenic variant of GJB2 associated with prelingual nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss.
miR‐155 Knockdown Protects against Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury by Targeting MafB
Authors: Zhang Li , Liu Chao , Huang Chao , Xu Xiaohui , Teng Junfang
Published: January 2020

Background. Studies have elucidated that the variable expression levels of miRNAs influence the inflammatory process in ischemic stroke. Nevertheless, the impact and potential mechanism of miR‐155 in cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury (CIRI) keep to be incompletely known. Methods. The levels of miR‐155 and MafB were determined via qRT‐PCR, western blot, or immunohistochemistry assays in plasma of patients with CIRI, oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) induced SH‐SY5Y cells, and mouse models with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The association between miR‐155 and MafB was validated via dual‐luciferase reporter and western blot assays. Cell viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were evaluated through MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell and wound healing assays. Infarction volume was measured in MCAO mouse brain tissues by TTC assay. The expression of inflammatory mediators was measured by ELISA in cells and brain tissues. Results. miR‐155 level was upregulated whereas MafB was downregulated in the plasma of patients with CIRI, OGD/R‐induced SH‐SY5Y cells, also as mouse models with MCAO injury. Mechanistically, miR‐155 directly targeted 3’UTR of MafB and restrained MafB expression in OGD/R injury SH‐SY5Y cells. Downregulation of miR‐155 attenuated OGD/R‐induced injury through increasing proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, enhancing invasion and migration abilities, and constraining the expression of inflammatory mediators (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) and inflammatory enzymes (iNOS and COX‐2) in SH‐SY5Y cells following OGD/R, while MafB inhibition reversed the protective effects. In vivo, downregulating miR‐155 reduced the infarction volume in the MACO mouse brain. Furthermore, miR‐155 knockdown inhibited the IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, iNOS, and COX‐2 in the MACO mouse brain tissues. Conclusion. Our results suggest that miR‐155 knockdown alleviated ischemia‐reperfusion injury by targeting MafB to improve the neurological function and inhibit inflammation response, highlighting a novel therapeutic strategist for CIRI.
Optimisation of External Factors for the Growth of Francisella novicida within Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Kelava Ina , Marecic Valentina , Fucak Petra , Ivek Elena , Kolaric Dominik , Ozanic Mateja , Mihelcic Mirna , Santic Marina
Published: January 2020

The amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has been used as a model organism to study host‐pathogen interaction in many intracellular bacteria. Francisella tularensis is a Gram‐negative, highly infectious bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. The bacterium is able to replicate in different phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells including mammalian, amoebae, and arthropod cells. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal temperature and infection dose in the interaction of Francisella novicida with D. discoideum in order to establish a model of Francisella infection in the social amoeba. The amoeba cells were infected with a different multiplicity of infection (5, 10, and 100) and incubated at different temperatures (22, 25, 27, 30, and 37°C). The number of intracellular bacteria within D. discoideum, as well as cytotoxicity, was determined at 2, 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after infection. Our results showed that the optimal temperature for Francisella intracellular replication within amoeba is 30°C with the MOI of 10. We can conclude that this MOI and temperature induced the optimal growth of bacteria in Dictyostelium with low cytotoxicity.
Coloring Activities for Anxiety Reduction and Mood Improvement in Taiwanese Community‐Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Koo Malcolm , Chen Hsuan-Pin , Yeh Yueh-Chiao
Published: January 2020

To investigate the effect of mandala coloring, plaid pattern coloring, and free‐form drawing activities on anxiety and mood in older Taiwanese adults. A total of 120 older adults aged 55 years to 75 years were recruited from 18 community‐based learning centers for older adults in southern Taiwan. They were randomly assigned to engage in one of the following four activities for 20 minutes: (1) mandala coloring group, (2) plaid pattern coloring group, (3) free‐form drawing group, and (4) reading group (control). Information on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and perceived health status was collected at the baseline. In addition, anxiety levels, measured using the 20‐item State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory–State Anxiety Scale (STAI‐S), were ascertained at the baseline (T1), after a brief anxiety induction (T2), and at the end of the assigned activity (T3). The mean anxiety levels among the four groups at T3 were analyzed using analysis of covariance, followed by Šidák multiple comparison test, as appropriate. The mean age of the 120 study participants was 65.1 years and 73.3% were females. A significantly lower anxiety level was observed only in the mandala coloring group (least square mean = 28.2; 95% confidence interval = 24.7–31.7) compared with the control group (least square mean = 36.0; 95% confidence interval = 32.9–39.2) (P = 0.004, partial eta‐squared = 0.113). Furthermore, when the STAI‐S was analyzed at the item level, the mandala coloring group was significantly different from the control group in the following six feelings: calmed down, safe, at ease, rested, satisfied, and I feel good. In conclusion, short‐term mandala coloring activity could significantly alleviate self‐induced anxiety in community‐dwelling older adults. Further studies on the long‐term effects of mandala coloring activity in improving the emotional well‐being of older adults are warranted.
Depression and Its Predictors among Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending Treatment in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebre Bereket Beyene , Anand Suzan , Assefa Zebene Mekonnen
Published: January 2020

Background. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at twice the risk of developing depression than the general population. The coexistence of diabetes and depression largely contributes to increased morbidity and mortality and results in high healthcare cost. Objective. The aim is to assess severity of depression and its determinants in diabetes outpatients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Methods. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was done using a systematic sampling method. To assess the magnitude of depression, the patient health questionnaire-9 scale was used. Then, the data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 software. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between dependent variable and independent variables. Results. The magnitudes of depression were found to be 41.5%. The potential predictors were adhering to alcohol intake (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=3.71, 95% CI: 1.52, 9.06), loss of someone very close or spouse (AOR=6.83, 95% CI 3.07, 15.19), having no social support (AOR=3.68, 95% CI: 1.63, 8.29), not adhering to the recommended dietary regimen (AOR=6.83, 95% CI 3.07, 15.19), not adhering to physical activity (AOR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.86,9.014), not adhering to medication (AOR=4.2, 95% CI: 1.7, 10.31), and not having raised blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg and above (AOR=7.42, 95% CI: 3.40, 16.17). Conclusion. Depression was a common comorbidity associated with diabetes occurring in more than four in ten of the participants.
Hydroethanolic Extract of Solanum paniculatum L. Fruits Modulates ROS and Cytokine in Human Cell Lines
Authors: Ferraz Ana Paula C. R. , Sussulini Alessandra , Garcia Jéssica L. , Costa Mariane R. , Francisqueti-Ferron Fabiane V. , Ferron Artur J. T. , Silva Carol Cristina V. de A. , Corrente José Eduardo , Manfio Vanessa M. , Namba Vickeline , Lima Giuseppina P. P. , Pereira Bismarque S. , Fecchio Denise , Minatel Igor O. , dos Santos Klinsmann C. , Corrêa Camila R.
Published: January 2020

Solanum paniculatum L. or popularly known as “jurubeba” is an herbal medicinal plant. A few studies have investigated its biological effects; however, research aimed at elucidating the redox balance effects from its fruits has not been reported so far. ROS interplays in various fields of medicine such as chemotherapy. Here, we evaluated antioxidant and inflammatory activities of the hydroethanolic extract of Solanum Paniculatum L. (HESPL) fruits in breast cancer cells, as well as its phytochemical profile. The antioxidant profile (carotenoids and phenolic compounds) was obtained by HPLC-DAD-UV and HPLC-APCI-MS. Cancer cell lines and human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultivated and treated with 1.87-30 μg/mL of HESPL for 24 hrs. Cytotoxicity, oxidative, and inflammation biomarkers were evaluated. The dose of 30 μg/mL of the HESPL extract presented cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line. However, for MDA-MB-231, the cytotoxicity was observed in the dose of 1.87 g/mL. The 1.87 μg/mL and 3.75 μg/mL doses decreased the concentration of IL-6 in MCF-7 cells. In the MDA-MB-231 cells, the HESPL did not decrease the IL-6 concentration; however, in the doses of 15 and 30 μg/mL, an increase in this parameter was observed. The HESPL increased IL-1β concentration in HUVECs. The ROS level in MCF-7 was elevated only at the 30 μg/ml dose. Regarding MDA-MB-231, HESPL promoted increased ROS levels at all doses tested. HUVEC showed no increase in ROS under any dose. HESPL treatment may modulate cytotoxicity, ROS, and cytokine levels due to its phytochemical profile, and it has shown an antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effect.
AdipoRon Affects Cell Cycle Progression and Inhibits Proliferation in Human Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Sapio Luigi , Nigro Ersilia , Ragone Angela , Salzillo Alessia , Illiano Michela , Spina Annamaria , Polito Rita , Daniele Aurora , Naviglio Silvio
Published: January 2020

AdipoRon (AdipoR) is the first synthetic molecule acting as a selective and potent adiponectin receptor agonist. Recently, the possible pharmacological use of AdipoR in different pathological conditions has been addressed. Interestingly, initial evidence suggests that AdipoR may have anticancer properties in different preclinical models, such as pancreatic and ovarian cancer. To our knowledge, so far no research has been directed at determining the impact of AdipoR on osteosarcoma, the most aggressive and metastatic bone malignancy occurring in childhood and adolescence age. Here, we investigate the possible antitumor effects of AdipoR in osteosarcoma cell lines. MTT and cell growth curve assays clearly indicate that AdipoR inhibits, at different extents, proliferation in both U2OS and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cell lines, the latter being more sensitive. Moreover, flow cytometry-based assays point out a significant G0/G1 phase accumulation and a contemporary S phase decrease in response to AdipoR. Consistent with the different sensitivity, a strong subG1 appearance in Saos-2 after 48 and 72 hours of treatment is also observed. The investigation of the molecular mechanisms highlights a common and initial ERK1/2 activation in response to AdipoR in both Saos-2 and U2OS cells. Interestingly, a simultaneous and dramatic downregulation of p70S6K phosphorylation, one of the main targets of mTORC1 pathway, has also been observed in AdipoR-treated Saos-2, but not in U2OS cells. Importantly, a strengthening of AdipoR-induced effects was reported upon everolimus-mediated mTORC1 perturbation in U2OS cells. In conclusion, our findings provide initial evidence of AdipoR as an anticancer molecule differently affecting various signaling pathways involved in cell cycle and cell death in osteosarcoma cells and encourage the design of future studies to further understand its pattern of activities.
Rapid Identification of Atmospheric Gaseous Pollutants Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Ju Wei , Lu Changhua , Liu Chun , Jiang Weiwei , Zhang Yujun , Hong Feng
Published: January 2020

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a rapid and nondestructive technology for monitoring atmospheric quality. The identification of each component from the FTIR spectra is a prerequisite for the accurate quantitative analysis of gaseous pollutants. Due to the overlap of different gas absorption peaks and the interference of water vapor in the actual measurement, the existing identification methods of gas spectra have drawbacks of low identification rate and the inability to carry out real-time online analysis in atmospheric quality monitoring. In this work, independent component analysis (ICA) is applied to the spectral separation of heavily overlapped spectra of gaseous pollutants. The proposed method is validated by the analysis of mixture spectra obtained in laboratory and actual atmospheric spectra collected from stationary source. The average time consumption of separation process is less than 0.2 seconds, and the identification rate of experimental gases is up to 100%, as shown by the results of peak searching and the analysis of the correction coefficient between the separated spectra and the standard spectra database. The identification results of actual atmospheric spectra demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively identify the gaseous pollutants whose concentration changes in the measured spectra, and it is a promising qualitative spectral analysis tool that can shorten the identification time, as well as increase the identification rate. Therefore, this method can be a useful alternative to traditional qualitative identification methods for real-time online atmospheric pollutant detection.
Hybrid Botnet Detection Based on Host and Network Analysis
Authors: Almutairi Suzan , Mahfoudh Saoucene , Almutairi Sultan , Alowibdi Jalal S.
Published: January 2020

Botnet is one of the most dangerous cyber-security issues. The botnet infects unprotected machines and keeps track of the communication with the command and control server to send and receive malicious commands. The attacker uses botnet to initiate dangerous attacks such as DDoS, fishing, data stealing, and spamming. The size of the botnet is usually very large, and millions of infected hosts may belong to it. In this paper, we addressed the problem of botnet detection based on network’s flows records and activities in the host. Thus, we propose a general technique capable of detecting new botnets in early phase. Our technique is implemented in both sides: host side and network side. The botnet communication traffic we are interested in includes HTTP, P2P, IRC, and DNS using IP fluxing. HANABot algorithm is proposed to preprocess and extract features to distinguish the botnet behavior from the legitimate behavior. We evaluate our solution using a collection of real datasets (malicious and legitimate). Our experiment shows a high level of accuracy and a low false positive rate. Furthermore, a comparison between some existing approaches was given, focusing on specific features and performance. The proposed technique outperforms some of the presented approaches in terms of accurately detecting botnet flow records within Netflow traces.
Ballistic Impact Performance of SiC Ceramic‐Dyneema Fiber Composite Materials
Authors: Wu Kai-Kuang , Chen Yu-Liang , Yeh Jau-Nan , Chen Wei-Lun , Lin Chia-Shih
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the ballistic resistance of a composite target plate fabricated by combining SiC ceramic with the Dyneema fiber. To achieve a light‐weight target plate that conforms to the US National Institute of Justice level four (NIJ IV) standards, minimal areal density analysis was conducted to obtain the optimal SiC ceramic‐Dyneema fiber thickness combination. This study used energy absorption to analyze the ballistic resistance of the target plates. To drastically reduce experimental costs, most of this work employed ANSYS/LS‐DYNA software to conduct finite element numerical simulations. First, ballistic experiments that conformed to NIJ IV standards were conducted to verify the simulation parameter configurations. Subsequently, the correlation function of the relationship between the combined thickness of the composite material and its ballistic resistance was determined through the experimental design, which effectively reduced the simulation analysis time. According to simulation experiments and regression analysis, the equation for the relationship between the combined thickness of the composite material and its ballistic resistance was , though there were limitations to its application. From the numerical analysis results, 8.1940 mm SiC ceramic and 6.9637 mm Dyneema fiber were determined to constitute the optimal thickness combination for a composite that features a minimal areal density and which conforms to NIJ IV standards. The combination was verified to be consistent with the numerical simulation analysis results.
Cumulative Evidence for Associations between Genetic Variants and Risk of Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Li Gaoming , Song Qiuyue , Jiang Yuxing , Cai Angsong , Tang Yong , Tang Ning , Yi Dali , Zhang Rui , Wei Zeliang , Liu Dingxin , Chen Jia , Zhang Yanqi , Liu Ling , Wu Yazhou , Zhang Ben , Yi Dong
Published: January 2020

Background:

A large number of studies have been conducted to investigate associations between genetic variants and esophageal cancer risk in the past several decades. However, findings from these studies have been generally inconsistent. We aimed to provide a summary of the current understanding of the genetic architecture of esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Methods:

We performed a comprehensive field synopsis and meta-analysis to evaluate associations between 95 variants in 70 genes or loci and esophageal cancer risk using data from 304 eligible publications, including 104,904 cases and 159,797 controls, through screening a total of 21,328 citations. We graded levels of cumulative epidemiologic evidence of a significant association with esophageal cancer using the Venice criteria and false-positive report probability tests. We constructed functional annotations for these variants using data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements Project and other databases.

Results:

Thirty variants were nominally significantly associated with esophageal cancer risk. Cumulative epidemiologic evidence of a significant association with overall esophageal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, or esophageal adenocarcinoma was strong for 13 variants in or near 13 genes (ADH1B, BARX1, CDKN1A, CHEK2, CLPTM1L, CRTC1, CYP1A1, EGF, LTA, MIR34BC, PLCE1, PTEN, and PTGS2). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that these variants and others correlated with them might fall in putative functional regions.

Conclusions:

Our study summarizes the current literature on the genetic architecture of esophageal cancer susceptibility and identifies several potential polymorphisms that could be involved in esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Impact:

These findings provide direction for future studies to identify new genetic factors for esophageal cancer.
An Epileptic Patient with Recurrent Hyperbilirubinemia Caused by Gilbert Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Yaoyao , Jiang Yongli , Yuan Fang , Song Changgeng , Zhao Zhihan , Jiang Wen
Published: January 2020

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is characterized by intermittent indirect bilirubin elevation. Several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) impair the liver function to different degrees, such as valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and carbamazepine. Herein, we present the case of a 26-year-old epileptic patient with frequently recurring mild hyperbilirubinemia during taking AEDs. After repeated adjustment of the doses and types of AEDs, the bilirubin level still remained elevated. He was then referred to the Gastroenterology Department. The results of diagnostic tests, clinical manifestation, imaging studies, liver biopsy and whole-exome sequencing all made contributions to our conclusion that GS played an important role in the elevation of bilirubin. Ultimately, his seizure was controlled by levetiracetam (500 mg per day) and he was advised to periodically undergo the liver function tests.