bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of Ethanol from Livestock, Agricultural, and Forest Residuals: An Economic Feasibility Study
Authors: Ro Kyoung S , Dietenberger Mark A , Libra Judy A , Proeschel Richard , Atiyeh Hasan K. , Sahoo Kamalakanta , Park Wonkeun J
Published: August 2019

In this study, the economic feasibility of producing ethanol from gasification followed by syngas fermentation via commercially available technologies was theoretically evaluated using a set of selected livestock and agricultural and forest residuals ranging from low valued feedstocks (i.e., wood, wheat straw, wheat straws blended with dewatered swine manure, and corn stover) to high valued oilseed rape meal. A preliminary cost analysis of an integrated commercial system was made for two cases, a regional scale 50 million gallon (189,271 m3) per year facility (MGY) and a co-op scale 1–2 MGY facility. The estimates for the minimum ethanol selling prices (MESP) depend heavily on the facility size and feedstock costs. For the 1–2 MGY (3785–7571 m3/y) facility, the MESP ranged from $5.61–$7.39 per gallon ($1.48–$1.95 per liter) for the four low-value feedstocks. These high costs suggest that the co-op scale even for the low-value feedstocks may not be economically sustainable. However, the MESP for the 50 MGY facility were significantly lower and comparable to gasoline prices ($2.24–$2.96 per gallon or $0.59–$0.78 per liter) for these low-value feedstocks, clearly showing the benefits of scale-up on construction costs and MESP.
Drought-Induced Mortality Is Related to Hydraulic Vulnerability Segmentation of Tree Species in a Savanna Ecosystem
Authors: Zhang Shubin , Wen Guojing , Yang Daxin
Published: August 2019

Vulnerability segmentation (VS) has been widely suggested to protect stems and trunks from hydraulic failure during drought events. In many ecosystems, some species have been shown to be non-segmented (NS species). However, it is unclear whether drought-induced mortality is related to VS. To understand this, we surveyed the mortality and recruitment rate and measured the hydraulic traits of leaves and stems as well as the photosynthesis of six tree species over five years (2012–2017) in a savanna ecosystem in Southwest China. Our results showed that the NS species exhibited a higher mortality rate than the co-occurring VS species. Across species, the mortality rate was not correlated with xylem tension at 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductivity (P50stem), but was rather significantly correlated with leaf water potential at 50% loss of leaf hydraulic conductance (P50leaf) and the difference in water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductance between the leaves and terminal stems (P50leaf-stem). The NS species had higher Huber values and maximum net photosynthetic rates based on leaf area, which compensated for a higher mortality rate and promoted rapid regeneration under the conditions of dry–wet cycles. To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify the difference in drought-induced mortality between NS species and VS species. Our results emphasize the importance of VS in maintaining hydraulic safety in VS species. Furthermore, the high mortality rate and fast regeneration in NS species may be another hydraulic strategy in regions where severe seasonal droughts are frequent.
3-D Reconstruction of an Urban Landscape to Assess the Influence of Vegetation in the Radiative Budget
Authors: Dissegna Maria Angela , Yin Tiangang , Wei Shanshan , Richards Dan , Grêt-Regamey Adrienne
Published: August 2019

Increased urbanization and climate change have resulted in the intensification of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, particularly in tropical cities. One of the main causes of UHI is the man-made urban surfaces influencing the radiation budget by absorbing, reflecting, and emitting radiation at various wavelengths. The radiative budget of a city is directly influenced by the urban geometry, surface materials, direct solar radiation and incident angle, and atmospheric diffuse radiation. Vegetation cover, in contrast, can decrease UHI by intercepting radiation and through the process of photosynthesis. Better understanding the effect of urban vegetation on the radiative budget can thus contribute towards the mitigation of the UHI effect and ultimately the development of climate resilient urban spaces. To analyze the contribution of vegetation to the radiative budget of a city, a detailed simulation of the complex interaction between the built environment and the vegetation is required. This study proposes an approach for analyzing the 3-D structure of both vegetation and built environment to quantify the contribution of vegetation to the radiative budget of an urban landscape. In a first step, a detailed 3-D model of Singapore including buildings and vegetation was reconstructed using a combination of free and commercial Earth Observation data. Then, the 3-D Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) model was repurposed to estimate the radiation absorbed by the urban surfaces accounting for the presence of vegetation cover with changing Leaf Area Density (LAD) conditions. The presence of trees in the scene accounted for a significant reduction of the absorbed radiation by buildings and ground. For example, in the case of a residential low-building neighborhood, although having low tree cover, the reduction of the absorbed radiation by buildings and ground was up to 15.5% for a LAD =1. The field validation shows good agreement (R2 = 0.9633, RMSE = 10.8830 and Bias = −1.3826) between the DART-simulated shortwave exitance and upwelling shortwave measurements obtained from a net radiometer mounted on a local flux tower in the urban area of Singapore, over the studied period. Our approach can be used for neighborhood-scale analysis, at any desired location of a city, to allow test scenarios with varying surface materials and vegetation properties.
Mobile Terrestrial Photogrammetry for Street Tree Mapping and Measurements
Authors: Roberts John , Koeser Andrew , Abd-Elrahman Amr , Wilkinson Benjamin , Hansen Gail , Landry Shawn , Perez Ali
Published: August 2019

Urban forests are often heavily populated by street trees along right-of-ways (ROW), and monitoring efforts can enhance municipal tree management. Terrestrial photogrammetric techniques have been used to measure tree biometry, but have typically used images from various angles around individual trees or forest plots to capture the entire stem while also utilizing local coordinate systems (i.e., non-georeferenced data). We proposed the mobile collection of georeferenced imagery along 100 m sections of urban roadway to create photogrammetric point cloud datasets suitable for measuring stem diameters and attaining positional x and y coordinates of street trees. In a comparison between stationary and mobile photogrammetry, diameter measurements of urban street trees (N = 88) showed a slightly lower error (RMSE = 8.02%) relative to non-mobile stem measurements (RMSE = 10.37%). Tree Y-coordinates throughout urban sites for mobile photogrammetric data showed a lower standard deviation of 1.70 m relative to 2.38 m for a handheld GPS, which was similar for X-coordinates where photogrammetry and handheld GPS coordinates showed standard deviations of 1.59 m and the handheld GPS 2.36 m, respectively—suggesting higher precision for the mobile photogrammetric models. The mobile photogrammetric system used in this study to create georeferenced models for measuring stem diameters and mapping tree positions can also be potentially expanded for more wide-scale applications related to tree inventory and monitoring of roadside infrastructure.
Cistus incanus L. as an Innovative Functional Additive to Wheat Bread
Authors: Cacak-Pietrzak Grażyna , Różyło Renata , Dziki Dariusz , Gawlik-Dziki Urszula , Sułek Alicja , Biernacka Beata
Published: August 2019

Cistus incanus L. (CI) has been proposed as an innovative functional supplement of food products, and hence the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of dried CI on the properties of bread. Bread was prepared from white wheat flour supplemented with the addition of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of ground CI. After the completion of baking process, various characteristics of the obtained bread product, such as yield, volume, porosity, acidity, color, and texture, were evaluated. In addition, total phenolic content (TPC), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, chelating power (CHEL), and ability to quench OH∙ radicals were measured. The results showed that the addition of CI to bread caused a reduction in the volume of bread, but texture of the crumbs was acceptable. Acidity and moisture content of bread were found to be increased following CI enrichment. Significant changes in the ash content and the color of bread crumbs were also observed. Bread incorporated with CI was characterized by significantly higher TPC and much higher antioxidant activity, as measured by ABTS, CHEL, and OH∙ radicals, compared to control bread. Supplementation of bread with 3% CI produced a product with desirable characteristics which was also favored by consumers.
Will Product Packaging Density Affect Pre-Purchase Recognition?
Authors: Ryu Taebeum , Park Jaehyun
Published: August 2019

This study analyzed preference and satisfaction according to the weight and size of products in order to understand how the size-weight illusion (SWI) occurs in affect. Perceived weight is known to be affected not only by the weight of the object, but also by its size, color, and material. A total of 54 participants took part in the experiment. Nine kinds of cookie boxes were prepared by combining three sizes and three weight levels of confectionery products. Participants were asked to rate the perceived weight of the cookie box by the modulus method and evaluate the preference and the satisfaction of the weight by using the semantic differential (SD) scale of 11 points. The results showed that SWI occurred in terms of the perceived weight of cookies boxes like previous studies; however, SWI appeared only partially in affect. The preference and satisfaction did not increase after a certain weight, and the limits of weight were different according to the size of cookie box. These results can be referred to determine the weight and size of a product for affective design and especially utilized for the package design of cookie boxes.
Multi-Term Fractional Differential Equations with Generalized Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Alghanmi Madeaha , Alsaedi Ahmed , Ntouyas Sotiris K.
Published: August 2019

We discuss the existence of solutions for a Caputo type multi-term nonlinear fractional differential equation supplemented with generalized integral boundary conditions. The modern tools of functional analysis are applied to achieve the desired results. Examples are constructed for illustrating the obtained work. Some new results follow as spacial cases of the ones reported in this paper.
Transcriptome Landscape Variation in the Genus Thymus
Authors: Soorni Aboozar , Borna Tahereh , Alemardan Ali , Chakrabarti Manohar , Hunt Arthur G. , Bombarely Aureliano
Published: August 2019

Among the Lamiaceae family, the genus Thymus is an economically important genera due to its medicinal and aromatic properties. Most Thymus molecular research has focused on the determining the phylogenetic relationships between different species, but no published work has focused on the evolution of the transcriptome across the genus to elucidate genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. Hence, in this study, the transcriptomes of five different Thymus species were generated and analyzed to mine putative genes involved in thymol and carvacrol biosynthesis. High-throughput sequencing produced ~43 million high-quality reads per sample, which were assembled de novo using several tools, then further subjected to a quality evaluation. The best assembly for each species was used as queries to search within the UniProt, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes), COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups) and TF (Transcription Factors) databases. Mining the transcriptomes resulted in the identification of 592 single-copy orthogroups used for phylogenetic analysis. The data showed strongly support a close genetic relationship between Thymus vulgaris and Thymus daenensis. Additionally, this study dates the speciation events between 1.5–2.1 and 9–10.2 MYA according to different methodologies. Our study provides a global overview of genes related to the terpenoid pathway in Thymus, and can help establish an understanding of the relationship that exists among Thymus species.
Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Probiotic-Derived p8 Protein
Authors: An Byung Chull , Hong Sunwoong , Park Ho Jin , Kim Bong-Kyu , Ahn Jun Young , Ryu Yongku , An Jae Hyung , Chung Myung Jun
Published: August 2019

Recently, we reported a novel therapeutic probiotic-derived protein, p8, which has anti-colorectal cancer (anti-CRC) properties. In vitro experiments using a CRC cell line (DLD-1), anti-proliferation activity (about 20%) did not improve after increasing the dose of recombinant-p8 (r-p8) to >10 μM. Here, we show that this was due to the low penetrative efficiency of r-p8 exogenous treatment. Furthermore, we found that r-p8 entered the cytosol through endocytosis, which might be a reason for the low penetration efficiency. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of p8, we tried to improve delivery to CRC cells. This resulted in endogenous expression of p8 and increased the anti-proliferative effects by up to 2-fold compared with the exogenous treatment (40 μM). Anti-migration activity also increased markedly. Furthermore, we found that the anti-proliferation activity of p8 was mediated by inhibition of the p53-p21-Cyclin B1/Cdk1 signal pathway, resulting in growth arrest at the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results suggest that p8 is toxic to cancer cells, shows stable expression within cells, and shows strong cancer suppressive activity by inducing cell cycle arrest. Therefore, p8 is a strong candidate for gene therapy if it can be loaded onto cancer-specific viruses.
Superposed Sedimentary and Tectonic Block-In-Matrix Fabrics in a Subducted Serpentinite Mélange (High-Pressure Zermatt Saas Ophiolite, Western Alps)
Authors: Tartarotti Paola , Guerini Sara , Rotondo Francesca , Festa Andrea , Balestro Gianni , Bebout Gray , Cannaò Enrico , Epstein Gabe , Scambelluri Marco
Published: August 2019

The primary stratigraphic fabric of a chaotic rock unit in the Zermatt Saas ophiolite of the Western Alps was reworked by a polyphase Alpine tectonic deformation. Multiscalar structural criteria demonstrate that this unit was deformed by two ductile subduction-related phases followed by brittle-ductile then brittle deformation. Deformation partitioning operated at various scales, leaving relatively unstrained rock domains preserving internal texture, organization, and composition. During subduction, ductile deformation involved stretching, boudinage, and simultaneous folding of the primary stratigraphic succession. This deformation is particularly well-documented in alternating layers showing contrasting deformation style, such as carbonate-rich rocks and turbiditic serpentinite metasandstones. During collision and exhumation, deformation enhanced the boudinaged horizons and blocks, giving rise to spherical to lozenge-shaped blocks embedded in a carbonate-rich matrix. Structural criteria allow the recognition of two main domains within the chaotic rock unit, one attributable to original broken formations reflecting turbiditic sedimentation, the other ascribable to an original sedimentary mélange. The envisaged geodynamic setting for the formation of the protoliths is the Jurassic Ligurian-Piedmont ocean basin floored by mostly serpentinized peridotites, intensely tectonized by extensional faults that triggered mass transport processes and turbiditic sedimentation.
Impact of Spatial Resolution of Digital Elevation Model on Landslide Susceptibility Mapping: A Case Study in Kullu Valley, Himalayas
Authors: Meena Sansar Raj , Gudiyangada Nachappa Thimmaiah
Published: August 2019

Landslides are one of the most damaging geological hazards in mountainous regions such as the Himalayas. The Himalayan region is, tectonically, the most active region in the world that is highly vulnerable to landslides and associated hazards. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is a useful tool for understanding the probability of the spatial distribution of future landslide regions. In this research, the landslide inventory datasets were collected during the field study of the Kullu valley in July 2018, and 149 landslide locations were collected as global positioning system (GPS) points. The present study evaluates the LSM using three different spatial resolution of the digital elevation model (DEM) derived from three different sources. The data-driven traditional frequency ratio (FR) model was used for this study. The FR model was used for this research to assess the impact of the different spatial resolution of DEMs on the LSM. DEM data was derived from Advanced Land Observing Satellite-1 (ALOS) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) ALOS-PALSAR for 12.5 m, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global for 30 m, and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) for 90 m. As an input, we used eight landslide conditioning factors based on the study area and topographic features of the Kullu valley in the Himalayas. The ASTER-Global 30m DEM showed higher accuracy of 0.910 compared to 0.839 for 12.5 m and 0.824 for 90 m DEM resolution. This study shows that that 30 m resolution is better suited for LSM for the Kullu valley region in the Himalayas. The LSM can be used for mitigation and future planning for spatial planners and developmental authorities in the region.
Mid-Century Climate Change Impacts on Ouémé River Discharge at Bonou Outlet (Benin)
Authors: Lawin Agnidé Emmanuel , Hounguè Rita , N’Tcha M’Po Yèkambèssoun , Hounguè Nina Rholan , Attogouinon André , Afouda Akambi Abel
Published: August 2019

This work focuses on impacts of climate change on Ouémé River discharge at Bonou outlet based on four global climate models (GCM) over Ouémé catchment from 1971 to 2050. Empirical quantile mapping method is used for bias correction of GCM. Furthermore, twenty-five rain gauges were selected among which are three synoptic stations. The semi-distributed model HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Modeling System from Hydrologic Engineering Center) is used to simulate runoff. As results, HEC-HMS showed ability to simulate runoff while taking into account land use and cover change. In fact, Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) coefficient was 0.94 and 0.91 respectively in calibration and validation. Moreover, Ouémé River discharge is projected to decrease about 6.58 m3/s under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5) while an insignificant increasing trend is found under RCP 8.5. Therefore, water resource management infrastructure, especially dam construction, has to be developed for water shortage prevention. In addition, it is essential to account for uncertainties when designing such sensitive infrastructure for flood management.
Physiological Demands of Extreme Obstacle Course Racing: A Case Study
Authors: Baghurst Timothy , Prewitt Steven L. , Tapps Tyler
Published: August 2019

Obstacle course races are a popular source of recreation in the United States, providing additional challenges over traditional endurance events. Despite their popularity, very little is known about the physiological or cognitive demands of obstacle course races compared to traditional road races. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of participation in an extreme obstacle course race. The participant was a 38-year-old Caucasian male, who completed an extreme obstacle course race over a 24-h period. Exercise intensity, steps taken, energy expenditure, and heart rate were recorded over the event’s duration using an Actigraph Link GT9X-BT accelerometer and a Polar heart rate monitor. Results reflected the unique nature of obstacle course racing when compared to traditional endurance events, with ups-and-downs recorded in each variable due to the encountering of obstacles. This case study provides a glimpse into the physiological demands of obstacle course racing, and suggests that the cognitive demands placed on competitors may differ to traditional endurance events, due to the challenges of obstacles interspersed throughout the event. With the popularity of obstacle course racing, and to enhance training opportunities, improve performance, and decrease the incidence of injuries, future research should further investigate the physiological and cognitive demands of obstacle course races of various distances and among diverse populations.
Heavy Drinking and Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs among University Students: A 9-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Busto Miramontes Alicia , Moure-Rodríguez Lucía , Díaz-Geada Ainara , Rodríguez-Holguín Socorro , Corral Montserrat , Cadaveira Fernando , Caamaño-Isorna Francisco
Published: August 2019

Purpose: Investigations suggest non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is associated with heavy drinking and polydrug use among university students. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of NMUPD among university students and to analyze its association with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, and to study the role of the age of drinking onset. Methods: Cohort study among university Spanish students (n = 1382). Heavy drinking (HED) and risky consumption (RC) were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Questions related to tobacco and cannabis consumption were also formulated. NMUPD refers to sedative, anxiety, or pain medication intake within the last 15 days without medical prescription. All variables were measured at 18, 20, and 27 years. Multilevel logistic regression for repeated measures was used to obtain adjusted OR (odds ratios). We analyzed the results from a gender perspective. Results: Prevalence of NMUPD were higher in students who already partook in NMUPD at the beginning of the study. NMUPD in women at 27 is 3 times higher than at 18, while in men it is twice. Among females, RC (OR = 1.43) and cannabis consumption (OR = 1.33) are risk factors for NMUPD, while later onset of alcohol use (OR = 0.66) constitutes a protective factor. No significant differences were found for males. Conclusions: NMUPD is prevalent among university students. RC and early onset of alcohol use were associated with higher prevalence of NMUPD in females. The prevalence of NMUPD increased with age in both sexes. Strategies for reducing risky drinking and delaying onset of drinking should be provided for university students. Pharmacists and parents should be alerted to the risk of NMUPD.
Self-Selected Pacing during a 24 h Track Cycling World Record
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros
Published: August 2019

The present case study analyzed the pacing in a self-paced world record attempt during a 24 h track cycling event by the current world record holder. The cyclist completed 3767 laps on a 250 m long cycling track and covered a total distance of 941.873 km, breaking the existing world record by 37.99 km. The average cycling speed was 39.2 ± 1.9 km/h (range 35.5–42.8 km/h) and the power output measured was 214.5 ± 23.7 W (range 190.0–266.0 W) during the 24 h of cycling. We found a positive pacing result with negative correlations between cycling speed (r = −0.73, p < 0.001), power output (r = −0.66, p < 0.001), and laps per hour (r = −0.73, p < 0.001) and the covered distance. During the 24 h, we could identify four different phases: the first phase lasting from the start till the fourth hour with a relatively stable speed; the second phase from the fourth till the ninth hour, characterized by the largest decrease in cycling speed; the third phase from the ninth hour till the 22nd hour, showing relatively small changes in cycling speed; and the last phase from the 22nd hour till the end, presenting a final end spurt. The performance in the 24 h track cycling was 45.577 km better than in the 24 h road cycling, where the same athlete cycled slower but with higher power output. In summary, the current world-best ultracyclist covered more kilometers with less power output during the world record 24 h track cycling than during his world record 24 h road cycling. This was most probably due to the more favorable environmental conditions in the velodrome, which has no wind and stable temperatures.
Greening of Daycare Yards with Biodiverse Materials Affords Well-Being, Play and Environmental Relationships
Authors: Puhakka Riikka , Rantala Outi , Roslund Marja , Rajaniemi Juho , Laitinen Olli , Sinkkonen Aki ,   the ADELE Research Group
Published: August 2019

Nature contacts are recognized as positively contributing to humans’ health and well-being. Although there have been projects to green daycare or schoolyards, yard greening and microbial biodiversity have never been studied simultaneously. We asked whether simultaneously increasing biodiversity exposure and greening urban daycare yards affects 3–5 years-old children’s physical activity and play, their environmental relationships, and their perceived well-being. For transforming six daycare yards in Finland, we used a forest floor with high biodiversity, sod, peat blocks, and planters for vegetable and flower growing. We used qualitative interview and survey-based data collected from the daycare personnel and parents to analyze how green yards encourage children’s engagement with their everyday life-worlds. We identified the functional possibilities provided by the yards and the dynamic aspects related to the greening. Green, biodiverse yards were considered safe, and inspired children’s play, diversified their activities, and increased physical activity. The greenery offered embodied experiences of nature and provided the children with multi-sensory exploration and diverse learning situations. The dynamic and emotional ways of engaging with the natural environment increased their well-being. The activities related to caring for the yards and exploring them promoted the development of environmental relationships. The results can be used for designing health-enhancing yards
Changes in Ecosystem Services Value and Establishment of Watershed Ecological Compensation Standards
Authors: Gao Xin , Shen Juqin , He Weijun , Sun Fuhua , Zhang Zhaofang , Zhang Xin , Zhang Chengcai , Kong Yang , An Min , Yuan Liang , Xu Xiaocang
Published: August 2019

Ecological compensation standards and the allocation of compensation funds have always been the core issues of watershed ecological compensation. Due to the construction of the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP), Jiangsu Province has paid a huge cost for the protection of water resources, and local economic development has been greatly affected. Therefore, this paper takes Jiangsu Province, the water source area of the Eastern Route of the SNWTP as an example, and combines a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technology, using the ecosystem services value method to calculate the ecosystem services value of Jiangsu Province from 2005 to 2018. Then the change of this ecosystem services value in Jiangsu Province from 2015 to 2018 is taken as the basis for watershed ecological compensation standards of the Eastern Route. Through a compensation fund allocation model, watershed ecological compensation funds are allocated to four cities, Yangzhou, Huai’an, Suqian and Xuzhou, which are located along the Eastern Route of this SNWTP in Jiangsu Province. The results show that: (1) The ecosystem services value of Jiangsu Province has changed greatly. Urbanization and market environment of grain crops are the main reasons for this change; (2) the relationship between ecosystem services in Jiangsu Province is mainly synergistic; (3) Suqian receives US$24.73 million; Huai’an receives US$16.49 million; Yangzhou receives US$54.88 million and Xuzhou receives US$0.95 million in watershed ecological compensation, respectively. Watershed ecological compensation standards based upon the value of ecosystem services, and the allocation of compensation funds at the municipal level, are conducive to the improvement in efficiency of watershed ecological compensation in mainland China.
Blood Cadmium Level Is Associated with Short Progression-Free Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Du Taifeng , Huang Wenlong , Zheng Shukai , Bao Mian , Huang Yuanni , Li Anna , He Meirong , Wu Kusheng
Published: August 2019

The prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is poor with disease progression. Cadmium exposure is a risk factor for NPC. We aimed to investigate the effect of cadmium exposure, by measuring cadmium level, and clinicopathologic factors on NPC disease progression and prognosis. A total of 134 NPC cases were analyzed and venous blood samples were collected. Blood cadmium level was analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Clinical data were collected at baseline for patients and tumor characteristics from medical records. Progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed during follow-up. The effect of cadmium exposure and clinical factors on PFS was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression models. Blood cadmium level was associated with history of disease and smoking history and pack-years. On Kaplan–Meier analysis, a high blood cadmium level, male sex, smoking history and increasing pack-years, as well as advanced clinical stage were all associated with short PFS. On multivariate analysis, blood cadmium level was an independent risk factor and predictor of NPC prognosis and disease progression. Cadmium exposure and related clinical factors can affect the prognosis of NPC, which merits further study to clarify.
Recent Incidence of Human Malaria Caused by Plasmodium knowlesi in the Villages in Kudat Peninsula, Sabah, Malaysia: Mapping of The Infection Risk Using Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Sato Shigeharu , Tojo Bumpei , Hoshi Tomonori , Minsong Lis Izni Fanirah , Kugan Omar Kwang , Giloi Nelbon , Ahmed Kamruddin , Jeffree Saffree Mohammad , Moji Kazuhiko , Kita Kiyoshi
Published: August 2019

Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk) is a malaria parasite that naturally infects macaque monkeys in Southeast Asia. Pk malaria, the zoonosis transmitted from the infected monkeys to the humans by Anopheles mosquito vectors, is now a serious health problem in Malaysian Borneo. To create a strategic plan to control Pk malaria, it is important to estimate the occurrence of the disease correctly. The rise of Pk malaria has been explained as being due to ecological changes, especially deforestation. In this research, we analysed the time-series satellite images of MODIS (MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) of the Kudat Peninsula in Sabah and created the “Pk risk map” on which the Land-Use and Land-Cover (LULC) information was visualised. The case number of Pk malaria of a village appeared to have a correlation with the quantity of two specific LULC classes, the mosaic landscape of oil palm groves and the nearby land-use patches of dense forest, surrounding the village. Applying a Poisson multivariate regression with a generalised linear mixture model (GLMM), the occurrence of Pk malaria cases was estimated from the population and the quantified LULC distribution on the map. The obtained estimations explained the real case numbers well, when the contribution of another risk factor, possibly the occupation of the villagers, is considered. This implies that the occurrence of the Pk malaria cases of a village can be predictable from the population of the village and the LULC distribution shown around it on the map. The Pk risk map will help to assess the Pk malaria risk distributions quantitatively and to discover the hidden key factors behind the spread of this zoonosis.
Economic Impact of Pharmacist-Participated Medication Management for Elderly Patients in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kwak Arim , Moon Yoo Jin , Song Yun-Kyoung , Yun Hwi-Yeol , Kim Kyungim
Published: August 2019

This systematic review examined the varied studies that have assessed the economic impact of pharmacist-participated medication management for nursing home residents older than 65 years of age. The articles published during 1990–2017 were found through PubMed, EMBASE and Ovid Medline. After the selection process by independent reviewers, a total of 12 studies were included. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project checklist for economic studies. The articles were highly heterogeneous in terms of study design, pharmacist participation type, and measures of economic outcome. Therefore, the results are presented narratively according to the type of pharmacist involvement featured in the articles: interprofessional networks, interprofessional coordination, or interprofessional teamwork. Of the eight studies performing statistical comparison analyses, one study of interprofessional coordination and three of interprofessional teamwork showed statistically significant positive economic outcomes. The remaining four studies showed non-significant tendencies towards favorable economic outcomes. This review provides insights into the essential features of successful pharmacist-participated medication management for elderly patients in nursing homes.
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Factors in Homosexuals and Bisexuals in Granada (Spain) during the Period 2000–2015
Authors: Llavero-Molino Isabel , Sánchez-Ocón María Teresa , Pérez-Morente María Ángeles , Espadafor-López Beatriz , Martín-Salvador Adelina , Martínez-García Encarnación , Hueso-Montoro César
Published: August 2019

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health issue. Previous research shows the vulnerability of the homosexual and bisexual population, as well as the influence of economic, political, and cultural determinants. The aim of this study was to describe the socio-demographic healthcare profile and the main risk factors associated with STIs in homosexuals and bisexuals seen at the STI clinic in Granada (Spain) during the years 2000–2015. Infection prevalences were compared between the economic crisis period (2008–2014) and the rest of the years analysed. A cross-sectional observational and analytical study was conducted by reviewing 261 clinical records of individuals with suspected or present infection. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. 91.2% of the individuals were men, and 8.8% were women, with the mean age being 28.61 (SD = 9.35, Range = 17–74) years old. The prevailing sexual orientation identity was homosexual. 94.2% were single. The main reason for consultation was HIV. Differences in prevalence were found between crisis and non-crisis years (OR = 3.91; 95% CI = 1.73–9.19). In conclusion, their profile was that of a young, single man suspecting possible HIV infection. STI prevalence was significantly higher in the years of economic recession in comparison to the rest of the years.
SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Review of Their Antidiabetic and Cardioprotective Effects
Authors: Tentolouris Anastasios , Vlachakis Panayotis , Tzeravini Evangelia , Eleftheriadou Ioanna , Tentolouris Nikolaos
Published: August 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease associated with high cardiovascular (CV) risk. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the latest class of antidiabetic medication that inhibit the absorption of glucose from the proximal tubule of the kidney and hence cause glycosuria. Four SGLT2i are currently commercially available in many countries: canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin. SGLT2i reduce glycated hemoglobin by 0.5%–1.0% and have shown favorable effects on body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, arterial stiffness and endothelial function. More importantly, SGLT2i have demonstrated impressive cardioprotective and renoprotective effects. The main mechanisms underlying their cardioprotective effects have been attributed to improvement in cardiac cell metabolism, improvement in ventricular loading conditions, inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchange in the myocardial cells, alteration in adipokines and cytokines production, as well as reduction of cardiac cells necrosis and cardiac fibrosis. The main adverse events of SGLT2i include urinary tract and genital infections, as well as euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis. Concerns have also been raised about the association of SGLT2i with lower limb amputations, Fournier gangrene, risk of bone fractures, female breast cancer, male bladder cancer, orthostatic hypotension, and acute kidney injury.
The Moderation of Obesity Penalty on Job Market Outcomes by Employment Efforts
Authors: Ahn Rosemary , Kim Tae Hyun , Han Euna
Published: August 2019

The current study explores the moderation of the relationship between obesity and labor market outcomes by direct employment efforts such as job hunting and job training of young adults. The study used data provided by the Korean Education and Employment Panel, a longitudinal data survey comprising middle and high school students from 2004 to 2015. Two dependent variables were assessed in this study: employment status and wage. The individual-level fixed effects were controlled. Despite having more direct employment efforts of either or both experience in job hunting and job training, compared to normal-weight counterparts, underweight men and overweight and obese women were reported to have a disadvantage in both dependent variables. Underweight men with job training experience were 12.02% less likely to be employed, while overweight and obese men had 6.80 times higher monthly wages when job training experience was accompanied compared to no such experience. For overweight and obese women, compared to that of their normal-weight counterparts, employment probability decreased by 4.78% per week-increase in job hunting, by 2.81% if any experience in job hunting. For underweight women, compared to that of their normal-weight counterparts, employment probability increased by 4.56 times per week-increase in job hunting and by 5.59 times if experience in job hunting, and by 6.96% if experience in job training. The results indicate that employment efforts do not fully moderate the presence of obesity penalty for labor market outcomes on those early in their careers.
Combining Resource, Structure and Institutional Environment: A Configurational Approach to the Mode Selection of the Integrated Healthcare in County
Authors: Zhu Li , Peng Zixuan , Liu Lihang , Ling Shuang
Published: August 2019

Integrated healthcare has received considerable attention and has developed into the highly important health policy known as Integrated Healthcare in County (IHC) against the background of the Grading Diagnosis and Treatment System (GDTS) in rural China. However, the causal conditions under which different integrated health-care modes might be selected are poorly understood, particularly in the context of China’s authoritarian regime. This study aims to identify these causal conditions, and how they shape the mode selection mechanism for Integrated Healthcare in County (IHC). A theoretical framework consisting of resource heterogeneity, governance structure, and institutional normalization was proposed, and a sample of fifteen IHCs was selected, with data for each IHC being collected from news reports, work reports, government documents and field research for Fuzzy-sets Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). This study firstly pointed out that strong governmental control and centralization are necessary conditions for the administration-oriented organization mode (MOA). Additionally, this research found three critical configured paths in the selection of organizational modes. Specifically, we found that the combination of low resource heterogeneity, weak governmental control, centralization, and normalization was sufficient to explain the selection path of the insurance-driven organization mode (MOI); the combination of low resource heterogeneity, strong governmental control, centralization, and normalization was sufficient for selecting MOA; and the combination of weak governmental control, weak centralization, and weak normalization was sufficient for selecting the contractual organization mode (MOC). Our study highlighted the necessity and feasibility of constructing different IHC modes separately and promoting their development gradually, as a result of the complex relationships among the causal conditions described above, thus helping to optimize the distribution of health resources and integrate the healthcare system.
Calcium as a Key Player in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Adhesion Disorder or Intracellular Alteration?
Authors: Moccia Francesco , Lodola Francesco , Stadiotti Ilaria , Pilato Chiara Assunta , Bellin Milena , Carugo Stefano , Pompilio Giulio , Sommariva Elena , Maione Angela Serena
Published: August 2019

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart disease characterized by sudden death in young people and featured by fibro-adipose myocardium replacement, malignant arrhythmias, and heart failure. To date, no etiological therapies are available. Mutations in desmosomal genes cause abnormal mechanical coupling, trigger pro-apoptotic signaling pathways, and induce fibro-adipose replacement. Here, we discuss the hypothesis that the ACM causative mechanism involves a defect in the expression and/or activity of the cardiac Ca2+ handling machinery, focusing on the available data supporting this hypothesis. The Ca2+ toolkit is heavily remodeled in cardiomyocytes derived from a mouse model of ACM defective of the desmosomal protein plakophilin-2. Furthermore, ACM-related mutations were found in genes encoding for proteins involved in excitation‒contraction coupling, e.g., type 2 ryanodine receptor and phospholamban. As a consequence, the sarcoplasmic reticulum becomes more eager to release Ca2+, thereby inducing delayed afterdepolarizations and impairing cardiac contractility. These data are supported by preliminary observations from patient induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Assessing the involvement of Ca2+ signaling in the pathogenesis of ACM could be beneficial in the treatment of this life-threatening disease.
Rolling Circle cDNA Synthesis Uncovers Circular RNA Splice Variants
Authors: Das Aniruddha , Rout Pranita K. , Gorospe Myriam , Panda Amaresh C.
Published: August 2019

High-throughput RNA sequencing and novel bioinformatic pipelines have identified thousands of circular (circ)RNAs containing backsplice junction sequences. However, circRNAs generated from multiple exons may contain different combinations of exons and/or introns arising from alternative splicing, while the backsplice junction sequence is the same. To be able to identify circRNA splice variants, we developed a method termed circRNA-Rolling Circle Amplification (circRNA-RCA). This method detects full-length circRNA sequences by performing reverse transcription (RT) in the absence of RNase H activity, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of full-length circRNAs using a forward primer spanning the backsplice junction sequence and a reverse primer exactly upstream of the forward primer. By sequencing the PCR products, circRNA splice variants bearing the same backsplice junctions, which were otherwise only predicted computationally, could be experimentally validated. The splice variants were further predicted to associate with different subsets of target RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs, supporting the notion that different circRNA splice variants can have different biological impacts. In sum, the circRNA-RCA method allows the accurate identification of full-length circRNA sequences, offering unique insight into their individual function.
Topographical Visualization of the Reciprocal Projection between the Medial Septum and the Hippocampus in the 5XFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kim Sujin , Nam Yunkwon , Jeong Yu-on , Park Hyun Ha , Lee Seong-kyung , Shin Soo Jung , Jung Haram , Kim Byeong-Hyeon , Hong Sang Bum , Park Yong Ho , Kim Jihee , Yu Jaemin , Yoo Doo-Han , Park Sun-Hyun , Jeon Seong Gak , Moon Minho
Published: August 2019

It is widely known that the degeneration of neural circuits is prominent in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. The reciprocal connectivity of the medial septum (MS) and hippocampus, which constitutes the septo-hippocampo-septal (SHS) loop, is known to be associated with learning and memory. Despite the importance of the reciprocal projections between the MS and hippocampus in AD, the alteration of bidirectional connectivity between two structures has not yet been investigated at the mesoscale level. In this study, we adopted AD animal model, five familial AD mutations (5XFAD) mice, and anterograde and retrograde tracers, BDA and DiI, respectively, to visualize the pathology-related changes in topographical connectivity of the SHS loop in the 5XFAD brain. By comparing 4.5-month-old and 14-month-old 5XFAD mice, we successfully identified key circuit components of the SHS loop altered in 5XFAD brains. Remarkably, the SHS loop began to degenerate in 4.5-month-old 5XFAD mice before the onset of neuronal loss. The impairment of connectivity between the MS and hippocampus was accelerated in 14-month-old 5XFAD mice. These results demonstrate, for the first time, topographical evidence for the degradation of the interconnection between the MS and hippocampus at the mesoscale level in a mouse model of AD. Our results provide structural and functional insights into the interconnectivity of the MS and hippocampus, which will inform the use and development of various therapeutic approaches that target neural circuits for the treatment of AD.
Spatiotemporal Expression of Anticoagulation Factor Antistasin in Freshwater Leeches
Authors: Kwak Hee-Jin , Park Jeong-Su , Medina Jiménez Brenda Irene , Park Soon Cheol , Cho Sung-Jin
Published: August 2019

Antistasin, which was originally discovered in the salivary glands of the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis, was newly isolated from Helobdella austinensis. To confirm the temporal expression of antistasin during embryogenesis, we carried out semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Hau-antistasin1 was uniquely expressed at stage 4 of the cleavage and was strongly expressed in the late stages of organogenesis, as were other antistasin members. In order to confirm the spatial expression of antistasin, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization in the late stages of organogenesis. The expression of each antistasin in the proboscis showed a similar pattern and varied in expression in the body. In addition, the spatial expression of antistasin orthologs in different leeches showed the possibility of different function across leech species. Hau-antistasin1 was expressed in the same region as hedgehog, which is a known mediator of signal transduction pathway. Hau-antistasin1 is probably a downstream target of Hedgehog signaling, involved in segment polarity signal pathway.