bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers and Their Applications in Psychiatry
Authors: Kam Heejin , Jeong Hotcherl
Published: December 2020

Realizing the promise of precision medicine in psychiatry is a laudable and beneficial endeavor, since it should markedly reduce morbidity and mortality and, in effect, alleviate the economic and social burden of psychiatric disorders. This review aims to summarize important issues on pharmacogenomics in psychiatry that have laid the foundation towards personalized pharmacotherapy and, in a broader sense, precision medicine. We present major pharmacogenomic biomarkers and their applications in a variety of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In addition, we extend the scope into epilepsy, since antiepileptic drugs are widely used to treat psychiatric disorders, although epilepsy is conventionally considered to be a neurological disorder.
Relationship of Prevalent Fragility Fracture in Dementia Patients: Three Years Follow up Study
Authors: Singh Inderpal , Duric Daniel , Motoc Alfe , Edwards Chris , Anwar Anser
Published: December 2020

Introduction: dementia increases the risk of falls by 2–3 times and cognitively impaired patients are three times more likely to have hip fracture following a fall when compared to cognitively intact individuals. However, there is not enough evidence that explores the relationship between dementia and fragility fractures. The aim of this study is to explore the relationships of prevalent fragility fracture in patients with dementia admitted with an acute illness to the hospital. Methods: the existing Health Board records were reviewed retrospectively for all patients admitted diagnosed with dementia in the year 2016. All patients were followed up for a maximum of three years. All of the the dementia patients were divided into three groups: group 1—“no fractures”; group 2—“all fractures”; group 3—“fragility fractures”. Clinical outcomes were analysed for hospital stay, discharge destination (new care home), post-discharge hip fracture data, and mortality. Results: dementia patients with a prevalent fracture were significantly older, 62% were women. A significantly higher proportion of dementia patients with prevalent fractures were care home residents and taking a significantly higher number of medications. The mean Charlson comorbidity index was similar in patients with or without fracture. Dementia patients with a prevalent fracture required a new care home and this is significantly higher when compared to those with no fracture. Mortality at one year and three year was not statistically different in patients with or without prevalent fractures. A significantly higher number (21.5%) of dementia patients with prevalent fragility fracture sustained a new hip fracture when compared to those with no prevalent osteoporotic fracture (2.9%) over the three years follow up (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: dementia patients with a prevalent fragility fracture is associated with a statistically significant higher risk of a new care home placement following acute hospital admission. This sub-group is also at risk of a new hip fracture in the next three years. Whilst clinical judgement remains crucial in the care of frail older people, it is prudent to consider medical management of osteoporosis in dementia if deemed to be beneficial following the comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Violence on the Job: The Experiences of Nurses and Midwives with Violence from Patients and Their Friends and Relatives
Authors: Pich Jacqueline , Roche Michael
Published: December 2020

Violence in healthcare is recognised as a significant workplace issue worldwide, with nurses recognised as the profession at greatest risk. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ and midwives’ experiences of violence in different clinical areas, work sectors and geographical regions. A cross-sectional design was employed to survey the membership of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association about their experiences with violence from patients and/or their friends and relatives in their workplace. A total of 3416 participants returned a completed questionnaire and more than three-quarters of had experienced an episode of violence in the preceding six months. Participants working in the public health sector reported significantly more physically violent behaviours than their colleagues in the private sector. No statistically significant difference between the rates of violence (overall) was identified between different geographical areas. Violent behaviours were reported across all clinical settings, with emergency departments, mental health and drug and alcohol settings reporting the highest proportion of episodes. The results of this large study highlight the high levels of violence that nurses and midwives experience in the workplace across all sectors of employment, geographical regions and clinical settings.
Influence of Environment on Microbial Colonization of Historic Stone Buildings with Emphasis on Cyanobacteria
Authors: C. Gaylarde Christine
Published: December 2020

Microbial cells that produce biofilms, or patinas, on historic buildings are affected by climatic changes, mainly temperature, rainfall and air pollution, all of which will alter over future decades. This review considers the colonization of stone buildings by microorganisms and the effects that the resultant biofilms have on the degradation of the structure. Conservation scientists require a knowledge of the potential effects of microorganisms, and the subsequent growth of higher organisms such as vascular plants, in order to formulate effective control strategies. The vulnerability of various structural materials (“bioreceptivity”) and the ways in which the environmental factors of temperature, precipitation, wind-driven rain and air pollution influence microbial colonization are discussed. The photosynthetic microorganisms, algae and cyanobacteria, are acknowledged to be the primary colonizers of stone surfaces and many cyanobacterial species are able to survive climate extremes; hence special attention is paid to this group of organisms. Since cyanobacteria require only light and water to grow, can live endolithically and are able to survive most types of stress, they may become even more important as agents of stone cultural property degradation in the future.
High Tunnel Production of Tomatoes for Season Extension in Southeast Alabama
Authors: Reeder Bradley , Foshee Wheeler , Blythe Eugene , Kessler Raymond , Kemble Joseph , Vinson Edgar , Dozier William , Wells Larry
Published: December 2020

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate variety selection and planting date for spring and fall season extension of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. (syn.: Lycoperisicon esculentum Mill.)) production in high tunnels in southeast Alabama. ‘BHN 640’, ‘Florida 91’, ‘Sun Leaper’, and ‘Carolina Gold’ were evaluated for early spring production in 2004. These varieties did not differ in total yield of marketable fruit; however, ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Sun Leaper’ produced higher early yields compared with the other varieties. ‘BHN 640’ and ‘Florida 91’ were evaluated for late-season extension in fall 2004. ‘BHN 640’ produced higher yields of large, medium, total marketable, and unmarketable fruit grades than ‘Florida 91’. In a study conducted in early 2005, higher yields of marketable fruit were produced from the first planting date (31 January) compared with the final of four planting date (25 Mar.). In summary, results indicated that season extension of tomato production in high tunnels was possible, with harvests three weeks earlier in the spring and 12 weeks later in the fall compared with typical field harvest dates. These early yields can command prices from $3.30 to $4.40US per kg of fruit.
Multimorbidity Patterns of Chronic Diseases among Indonesians: Insights from Indonesian National Health Insurance (INHI) Sample Data
Authors: Husnayain Atina , Ekadinata Nopryan , Sulistiawan Dedik , Chia-Yu Su Emily
Published: December 2020

Given the increasing burden of chronic diseases in Indonesia, characteristics of chronic multimorbidities have not been comprehensively explored. Therefore, this research evaluated chronic multimorbidity patterns among Indonesians using Indonesian National Health Insurance (INHI) sample data. We included 46 chronic diseases and analyzed their distributions using population-weighted variables provided in the datasets. Results showed that chronic disease patients accounted for 39.7% of total patients who attended secondary health care in 2015–2016. In addition, 43.1% of those were identified as having chronic multimorbidities. Findings also showed that multimorbidities were strongly correlated with an advanced age, with large numbers of patients and visits in all provinces, beyond those on Java island. Furthermore, hypertension was the leading disease, and the most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, cerebral ischemia/chronic stroke, and chronic ischemic heart disease. In addition, disease proportions for certain disease dyads differed according to age group and gender. Compared to survey methods, claims data are more economically efficient and are not influenced by recall bias. Claims data can be a promising data source in the next few years as increasing percentages of Indonesians utilize health insurance coverage. Nevertheless, some adjustments in the data structure are accordingly needed to utilize claims data for disease control and surveillance purposes.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validation and Reliability of the Spanish Satisfaction with Daily Occupations-Occupational Balance (SDO-OB): An Evaluation Tool for People with Mental Disorders
Authors: Vidaña-Moya Laura , Eklund Mona , Merchán-Baeza Jose Antonio , Peral-Gómez Paula , Zango-Martín Inmaculada , Hultqvist Jenny
Published: December 2020

Occupation can be defined as all activities that occupy a person’s time. The Satisfaction with Daily Occupations and Occupational Balance instrument evaluates the perceived satisfaction with performance and the balance in time dedicated to different occupations. The main aim was to translate the original instrument to Spanish and examine and establish the psychometric properties. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study conducted in two stages: translation and cultural adaptation (forward translation, expert panel, back-translation, second expert panel and pre-testing and cognitive interviewing) and collecting data to evaluate psychometric properties (homogeneity, construct validity, known-groups validity, and floor/ceiling effects). One hundred participants took part in the study, adults with a diagnosis of a mental health disorder and adults without any known health problems. The Spanish version showed known-groups validity, acceptable internal consistency, and construct validity, although the relationships with some of the indicators of discriminant validity were somewhat higher than expected. The instrument shows promise as a useful screening tool for assessing activity level and satisfaction with daily occupations among a Spanish speaking population.
Temperature Distribution of Selected Body Surfaces in Scoliosis Based on Static Infrared Thermography
Authors: Lubkowska Anna , Gajewska Ewa
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the research was to assess the usefulness of thermography as a complementary method in musculoskeletal dysfunction, with particular emphasis on scoliosis. The children, aged 7–16, were classified into one of two groups: the study group—children with scoliosis (n = 20), and the reference group—healthy children (n = 20). All children underwent anthropometric tests, body mass index determination, four pictures each with a FLIR T1030sc HD thermal imaging camera, and measurement of spinal rotation with a scoliometer (Gima, Italy). There is a temperature differential (about 4 °C) within the upper and lower body in children. In healthy children, differences in temperature of contralateral areas of the body do not exceed 0.5 °C. Thermography is a useful and noninvasive method of assessing muscular tension disbalance in the course of scoliosis. In the case of scoliosis, the areas of the body with a significant thermal asymmetry of the surface are the upper back, thighs, and back of the lower legs. Due to the high positive correlation of the spinal rotation angle with the amount of thermal asymmetry, the areas that should be subjected to a detailed thermal assessment in the supplementary diagnosis of scoliosis using thermovision are the upper back, chest, thighs, and back of the lower legs.
Moral Sensitivity, Empathy and Prosocial Behavior: Implications for Humanization of Nursing Care
Authors: Suazo Iván , Pérez-Fuentes María del Carmen , Molero Jurado María del Mar , Martos Martínez África , Simón Márquez María del Mar , Barragán Martín Ana Belén , Sisto Maria , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: December 2020

Humanization of nursing is related to certain social and moral variables. Moral sensitivity, empathy, and prosocial behavior help understand a situation and make decisions that benefit the patient. The objective of this study is to find out how these variables are related, and define the differences in moral sensitivity, empathy, and prosocial behavior in humanization of nursing. We also analyzed the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between moral sensitivity and prosocial behavior. The sample was made up of 330 Spanish nurses aged 22 to 56, who completed the HUMAS Scale and adapted versions of the Basic Empathy Scale, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Prosocial Behavior Scale. Descriptive analyses, bivariate correlations and multiple mediation models were calculated. The results found significantly different mean scores between all the groups in responsibility and moral strength, cognitive empathy, and prosocial behavior, and in moral burden, the differences were in the high-humanization-score group compared to the low-score group. Furthermore, the mediation models showed the mediating effect of cognitive empathy between the responsibility, strength, and moral burden factors on prosocial behavior, but not of affective empathy. The study concluded that humanization in nursing is closely related to moral sensitivity, cognitive empathy, and prosocial behavior. This facilitates a helping, caring, and understanding attitude toward patient needs, but without the affective flooding that affective empathy can lead to.
Impacts of Building Features on the Cooling Effect of Vegetation in Community-Based MicroClimate: Recognition, Measurement and Simulation from a Case Study of Beijing
Authors: Chen Wei , Zhang Jianjun , Shi Xuelian , Liu Shidong
Published: December 2020

Due to the accumulation of heat, the urban environment and human health are threatened. Land surface cover has effects on the thermal environment; nevertheless, the effects of land surface features and spatial patterns remain poorly known in a community-based microclimate. This study quantified and verified the impacts of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on land surface temperature (LST) (K, the slope of the trend line of a linear regression between NDVI and LST) in different building density by using building outline and Landsat 8 satellite imagery. Comparing the cooling effect and distribution of vegetation showed that the vegetative cover had a cooling effect on LST, characterized by synchronous change, and building density had a significant impact on the cooling effect of vegetation. Through identification and simulation, it was found that the key factor is the wind speed between the buildings because, in different building densities, the wind speed was different, and studies had shown that when the building density was between 0.35 and 0.50, the wind speed between buildings was higher, resulting in a better cooling effect of vegetation. This conclusion has important reference significance for urban planning and mitigating the impact of the thermal environment on human health.
60 Minutes Per Day in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity as a Natural Health Protector in Young Population
Authors: Baran Joanna , Weres Aneta , Wyszyńska Justyna , Pitucha Grzegorz , Czenczek-Lewandowska Ewelina , Rusek Wojciech , Leszczak Justyna , Mazur Artur
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to check whether following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning physical activity protects children and adolescents against the occurrence of overweight and obesity. A total of 1002 children were included in the analysis. The average age of the studied children was 9.36 years ± 3.52 years. Measurement of height and body mass was performed for every child, followed by physical activity assessment over seven days. In each group analyzed, the overweight and obese children had a shorter time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than the children with normal body mass. Among the children spending < 60 min per day in MVPA, the risk of occurrence of overweight and obesity was greater than among children with physical activity > 60 min per day. It was also shown that the greatest risk of occurrence of body mass disorder was a situation in which the mother’s gestational weight gain (GWG) is over 18 kg and the child does not spend a minimum of 60 min/day in MVPA. Not meeting the recommendation is connected with an increased chance of the occurrence of overweight and obesity. The level of physical activity influences the incidence of overweight and obesity. The children with overweight and obesity spent less time per day in MVPA. An increased body mass in mothers during pregnancy associated with a child’s low level of physical activity increases the risk of the occurrence of overweight and obesity.
A Network Analysis of Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms and Age- and Gender-Related Differences in People over 65 in a Madrid Community Sample (Spain)
Authors: Castellanos Miguel Ángel , Ausín Berta , Bestea Sara , González-Sanguino Clara , Muñoz Manuel
Published: December 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent conditions among mental disorders in individuals over 65 years. People over 65 who suffer from MDD are often functionally impaired, chronically physically ill, and express cognitive problems. The concordance between a clinician-assessed MDD diagnosis in a primary care setting and MDD assessed with a structured clinical interview in older adults is only approximately 18%. Network analysis may provide an alternative statistical technique to better understand MDD in this population by a dimensional approach to symptomatology. The aim of this study was to carry out a network analysis of major depressive disorder (MDD) in people over 65 years old. A symptom network analysis was conducted according to age and gender in 555 people over 65, using a sample from the MentDis_ICF65+ Study. The results revealed different networks for men and women, and for the age groups 65–74 and 75–84. While depressive mood stood out in women, in men the network was more dispersed with fatigue or loss of energy and sleep disturbances as the main symptoms. In the 65–74 age group, the network was complex; however, in the 75–84 age group, the network was simpler with sleep disturbances as the central symptom. The gaps between the networks indicate the different characteristics of MDD in the elderly, with variations by gender and age, supporting the idea that MDD is a complex dynamic system that has unique characteristics in each person, rather than a prototypical classification with an underlying mental disorder. These unique characteristics can be taken into account in the clinical practice for detection and intervention of MDD.
Cyberbullying Involvement and Psychological Distress among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effects of Family Cohesion and School Cohesion
Authors: Zhang Xi , Han Ziqiang , Ba Zhanlong
Published: December 2020

Cyberbullying and its consequences is a little-investigated public health issue. We investigated the correlations between cyberbullying involvement, either being a victim or being a preparator, and psychological distress among a group of Chinese adolescents. A representative sample of 4978 students from Jiangsu province covering all types of pre-college schools was surveyed using a stratified sampling method. Both being a victim and being a perpetrator correlated with higher degrees of psychological distress, and the former’s effect is stronger. Family cohesion and school cohesion are protective factors of psychological distress, but only family cohesion plays a moderating effect between cyberbullying involvement and distress. Moreover, the positive correlations between cyberbullying involvement and psychological distress become non-significant when the interactions are included in regression models. Last but not least, female students and students in a higher grade or students with worse academic performance have higher degrees of distress. Our study reveals that, instead of school cohesion, family cohesion is more important to mitigate the psychological impact of cyberbullying involvement and eventually heal the trauma.
From Midwife-Dominated to Midwifery-Led Antenatal Care: A Meta-Ethnography
Authors: Dahl Bente , Heinonen Kristiina , Bondas Terese Elisabet
Published: December 2020

Provision of antenatal care includes risk identification, prevention and management of pregnancy-related diseases, but also health education, health promotion, support and guidance to smooth the transition to parenthood. To ensure good perinatal health, high-quality, free and easily accessed antenatal care is essential. The aim of this study was to identify, integrate and synthesize knowledge of midwives’ experiences of providing antenatal care, attending to clients’ individual needs whilst facing multiple challenges. We conducted a meta-ethnography, which is a seven-step grounded, comparative and interpretative methodology for qualitative evidence synthesis. A lines-of-argument synthesis based on two metaphors was developed, based on refutational themes emerging from an analogous translation of findings in the included 14 papers. The model reflects midwives’ wished-for transition from a midwife-dominated caring model toward a midwifery-led model of antenatal care. Structural, societal and personal challenges seemingly influenced midwives’ provision of antenatal care. However, it emerged that midwives had the willingness to change rigid systems that maintain routine care. The midwifery-led model of care should be firmly based in midwifery science and evidence-based antenatal care that emphasize reflective practices and listening to each woman and her family. The change from traditional models of antenatal care towards increased use of digitalization no longer seems to be a choice, but a necessity given the ongoing 2020 pandemic.
Amino Acid and Carbohydrate Metabolism Are Coordinated to Maintain Energetic Balance during Drought in Sugarcane
Authors: Diniz Augusto Lima , da Silva Danielle Izilda Rodrigues , Lembke Carolina Gimiliani , Costa Maximiller Dal-Bianco Lamas , ten-Caten Felipe , Li Forrest , Vilela Romel Duarte , Menossi Marcelo , Ware Doreen , Endres Lauricio , Souza Glaucia Mendes
Published: December 2020

The ability to expand crop plantations without irrigation is a major goal to increase agriculture sustainability. To achieve this end, we need to understand the mechanisms that govern plant growth responses under drought conditions. In this study, we combined physiological, transcriptomic, and genomic data to provide a comprehensive picture of drought and recovery responses in the leaves and roots of sugarcane. Transcriptomic profiling using oligoarrays and RNA-seq identified 2898 (out of 21,902) and 46,062 (out of 373,869) transcripts as differentially expressed, respectively. Co-expression analysis revealed modules enriched in photosynthesis, small molecule metabolism, alpha-amino acid metabolism, trehalose biosynthesis, serine family amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate transport. Together, our findings reveal that carbohydrate metabolism is coordinated with the degradation of amino acids to provide carbon skeletons to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This coordination may help to maintain energetic balance during drought stress adaptation, facilitating recovery after the stress is alleviated. Our results shed light on candidate regulatory elements and pave the way to biotechnology strategies towards the development of drought-tolerant sugarcane plants.
Synthesis and in Silico Modelling of the Potential Dual Mechanistic Activity of Small Cationic Peptides Potentiating the Antibiotic Novobiocin against Susceptible and Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Passarini Ilaria , Resende Pedro Ernesto de , Soares Sarah , Tahmasi Tadeh , Stapleton Paul , Malkinson John , Zloh Mire , Rossiter Sharon
Published: December 2020

Cationic antimicrobial peptides have attracted interest, both as antimicrobial agents and for their ability to increase cell permeability to potentiate other antibiotics. However, toxicity to mammalian cells and complexity have hindered development for clinical use. We present the design and synthesis of very short cationic peptides (3–9 residues) with potential dual bacterial membrane permeation and efflux pump inhibition functionality. Peptides were designed based upon in silico similarity to known active peptides and efflux pump inhibitors. A number of these peptides potentiate the activity of the antibiotic novobiocin against susceptible Escherichia coli and restore antibiotic activity against a multi-drug resistant E. coli strain, despite having minimal or no intrinsic antimicrobial activity. Molecular modelling studies, via docking studies and short molecular dynamics simulations, indicate two potential mechanisms of potentiating activity; increasing antibiotic cell permeation via complexation with novobiocin to enable self-promoted uptake, and binding the E. coli RND efflux pump. These peptides demonstrate potential for restoring the activity of hydrophobic drugs.
Molecular Aspects of Sex Development in Mammals: New Insight for Practice
Authors: Audí Laura , Bertelloni Silvano , Flück Christa E.
Published: December 2020

Disorders (or differences) of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions characterized by atypical development of genetic, gonadal or phenotypic sex [...]
PD-L1 Expression in 65 Conjunctival Melanomas and Its Association with Clinical Outcome
Authors: Lassalle Sandra , Nahon-Esteve Sacha , Frouin Eric , Boulagnon-Rombi Camille , Josselin Nicolas , Cassoux Nathalie , Barnhill Raymond , Scheller Boris , Baillif Stéphanie , Hofman Paul
Published: December 2020

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) iss a rare and aggressive tumour that is increasing in frequency. The prognostic value of PD-L1 expression, alone or in combination with CD8 and PD-1 expression and the BRAF and NRAS status, has not been determined in CM to date. We evaluated the expression of PD-L1, CD8, PD-1 in CM and investigated whether there was an association between the expression of these markers and the BRAF and NRAS molecular profile as well as some clinico-pathological criteria. A total of sixty-five CM were assessed for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD8 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and for BRAF and NRAS genomic alterations using molecular biology techniques and anti-BRAF and anti-NRAS antibodies. PD-L1 expression in tumour cells (TC) was very low or absent but detected in tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC). A correlation was observed between the expression of PD-L1, CD8, and PD-1 in IC. No correlation between PD-L1 expression (in tumour and/or immune cells) and BRAF or NRAS mutations was observed. PD-L1 expression in IC correlated with a higher pTNM stage and PD-L1 expression in TC with worse disease-specific survival. PD-L1 expression is a potential prognostic biomarker that correlates with poor prognosis in CM patients.
Use of H2O2 to Cause Oxidative Stress, the Catalase Issue
Authors: Ransy Céline , Vaz Clément , Lombès Anne , Bouillaud Frédéric
Published: December 2020

Addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a method commonly used to trigger cellular oxidative stress. However, the doses used (often hundreds of micromolar) are disproportionally high with regard to physiological oxygen concentration (low micromolar). In this study using polarographic measurement of oxygen concentration in cellular suspensions we show that H2O2 addition results in O2 release as expected from catalase reaction. This reaction is fast enough to, within seconds, decrease drastically H2O2 concentration and to annihilate it within a few minutes. Firstly, this is likely to explain why recording of oxidative damage requires the high concentrations found in the literature. Secondly, it illustrates the potency of intracellular antioxidant (H2O2) defense. Thirdly, it complicates the interpretation of experiments as subsequent observations might result from high/transient H2O2 exposure and/or from the diverse possible consequences of the O2 release.
Identification of a Selective RelA Inhibitor Based on DSE-FRET Screening Methods
Authors: Shiroma Yoshitomo , Fujita Go , Yamamoto Takuya , Takahashi Ryou-u , Kumar Ashutosh , Zhang Kam Y. J. , Ito Akihiro , Osada Hiroyuki , Yoshida Minoru , Tahara Hidetoshi
Published: December 2020

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is an important transcription factor involved in various biological functions, including tumorigenesis. Hence, NF-κB has attracted attention as a target factor for cancer treatment, leading to the development of several inhibitors. However, existing NF-κB inhibitors do not discriminate between its subunits, namely, RelA, RelB, cRel, p50, and p52. Conventional methods used to evaluate interactions between transcription factors and DNA, such as electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase assays, are unsuitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) and cannot distinguish NF-κB subunits. We developed a HTS method named DNA strand exchange fluorescence resonance energy transfer (DSE-FRET). This assay is suitable for HTS and can discriminate a NF-κB subunit. Using DSE-FRET, we searched for RelA-specific inhibitors and verified RelA inhibition for 32,955 compounds. The compound A55 (2-(3-carbamoyl-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxopyridin-1(2H)-yl) acetic acid) selectively inhibited RelA–DNA binding. We propose that A55 is a seed compound for RelA-specific inhibition and could be used in clinical applications.
Photoimmunotherapy Using Cationic and Anionic Photosensitizer-Antibody Conjugates against HIV Env-Expressing Cells
Authors: Sadraeian Mohammad , Bahou Calise , da Cruz Edgar Ferreira , Janini Luíz Mário Ramos , Sobhie Diaz Ricardo , Boyle Ross W. , Chudasama Vijay , Eduardo Gontijo Guimarães Francisco
Published: December 2020

Different therapeutic strategies have been investigated to target and eliminate HIV-1-infected cells by using armed antibodies specific to viral proteins, with varying degrees of success. Herein, we propose a new strategy by combining photodynamic therapy (PDT) with HIV Env-targeted immunotherapy, and refer to it as HIV photoimmunotherapy (PIT). A human anti-gp41 antibody (7B2) was conjugated to two photosensitizers (PSs) with different charges through different linking strategies; “Click” conjugation by using an azide-bearing porphyrin attached via a disulfide bridge linker with a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of exactly 4, and “Lysine” conjugation by using phthalocyanine IRDye 700DX dye with average DARs of 2.1, 3.0 and 4.4. These photo-immunoconjugates (PICs) were compared via biochemical and immunological characterizations regarding the dosimetry, solubility, and cell targeting. Photo-induced cytotoxicity of the PICs were compared using assays for apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), photo-cytotoxicity, and confocal microscopy. Targeted phototoxicity seems to be primarily dependent on the binding of PS-antibody to the HIV antigen on the cell membrane, whilst being independent of the PS type. This is the first report of the application of PIT for HIV immunotherapy by killing HIV Env-expressing cells.
Staphylococcus aureus and Hyper-IgE Syndrome
Authors: Park Bonggoo , Liu George Y.
Published: December 2020

Hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by recurrent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections, eczema, skeletal abnormalities and high titers of serum immunoglobulin E. Although the genetic basis of HIES was not known for almost a half century, HIES most frequently exhibits autosomal dominant trait that is transmitted with variable expressivity. Careful genetic studies in recent years identified dominant-negative mutations in human signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene as the cause of sporadic and dominant forms of HIES. The STAT3 mutations were localized to DNA-binding, SRC homology 2 (SH2) and transactivating domains and disrupted T helper 17 (TH17) cell differentiation and downstream expression of TH17 cytokines IL-17 and IL-22. Deficiency of IL-17 and IL-22 in turn is responsible for suboptimal expression of anti-staphylococcal host factors, such as neutrophil-recruiting chemokines and antimicrobial peptides, by human keratinocytes and bronchial epithelial cells. TH17 cytokines deficiency thereby explains the recurrent staphylococcal lung and skin infections of HIES patients.
Two-Week Isocaloric Time-Restricted Feeding Decreases Liver Inflammation without Significant Weight Loss in Obese Mice with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Wilson Rachel B. , Zhang Richard , Chen Yun Jin , Peters Kia M. , Sawyez Cynthia G. , Sutherland Brian G. , Patel Krisha , Kennelly John P. , Leonard Kelly-Ann , Jacobs René L. , Wang Rennian , Borradaile Nica M.
Published: December 2020

Prolonged, isocaloric, time-restricted feeding (TRF) protocols can promote weight loss, improve metabolic dysregulation, and mitigate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In addition, 3-day, severe caloric restriction can improve liver metabolism and glucose homeostasis prior to significant weight loss. Thus, we hypothesized that short-term, isocaloric TRF would improve NAFLD and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in diet-induced obese male mice. After 26 weeks of ad libitum access to western diet, mice either continued feeding ad libitum or were provided with access to the same quantity of western diet for 8 h daily, over the course of two weeks. Remarkably, this short-term TRF protocol modestly decreased liver tissue inflammation in the absence of changes in body weight or epidydimal fat mass. There were no changes in hepatic lipid accumulation or other characteristics of NAFLD. We observed no changes in liver lipid metabolism-related gene expression, despite increased plasma free fatty acids and decreased plasma triglycerides in the TRF group. However, liver Grp78 and Txnip expression were decreased with TRF suggesting hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of inflammatory pathways may have been diminished. We conclude that two-week, isocaloric TRF can potentially decrease liver inflammation, without significant weight loss or reductions in hepatic steatosis, in obese mice with NAFLD.
Overview of CMOS Sensors for Future Tracking Detectors
Authors: Marco-Hernández Ricardo
Published: December 2020

Depleted Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors are emerging as one of the main candidate technologies for future tracking detectors in high luminosity colliders. Their capability of integrating the sensing diode into the CMOS wafer hosting the front-end electronics allows for reduced noise and higher signal sensitivity, due to the direct collection of the sensor signal by the readout electronics. They are suitable for high radiation environments due to the possibility of applying high depletion voltage and the availability of relatively high resistivity substrates. The use of a CMOS commercial fabrication process leads to their cost reduction and allows faster construction of large area detectors. In this contribution, a general perspective of the state of the art of CMOS detectors for High Energy Physics experiments is given. The main developments carried out with regard to these devices in the framework of the CERN RD50 collaboration are summarized.
Sequential Geoacoustic Inversion Using an Improved Kalman Particle Filter
Authors: Liu Hong , Yang Qiulong , Yang Kunde
Published: December 2020

Geoacoustic inversion is an efficient method to study the physical properties and structure of ocean bottom while sequential geoacoustic inversion is a challenging task due to the complexity and non-linearity of the underwater environment. In this paper, an ensemble Kalman Particle filter is described to address the sequential geoacoustic inversion problem of range-dependent environment in shallow water. This filter combines the advantages of Particle filter and ensemble Kalman filter so its ability of tracking dynamical geoacoustic parameters is improved. The proposed filtering method is demonstrated with simulated data in a changing oceanic environment and outperforms Particle filter and ensemble Kalman filter. This method is also tested in sea-trial data collected from a shallow-water experiment in the East China Sea. The inverted sound speed in sediment is consistent with in situ measurement and the error between transmission loss predicted by inverted parameters, and the experimental transmission loss is small.
International Tourism Development in the Context of Increasing Globalization Risks: On the Example of Ukraine’s Integration into the Global Tourism Industry
Authors: Kyrylov Yurii , Hranovska Viktoriia , Boiko Viktoriia , Kwilinski Aleksy , Boiko Liudmyla
Published: December 2020

Today, international tourism is one of the most affected sectors of the economy due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The main purpose of this article is to analyze current trends and identify prospects for the international tourism development in the context of increasing globalization risks in the world, using the example of Ukraine’s integration into the global tourism industry, as Ukraine is located in the centre of Europe and belongs to a number of countries with developing economies, and has the potential to expand its tourism industry, which may be of interest to the international scientific community in terms of overcoming the bifurcation point of its economic development. Analyzing the tourism industry, as one of the most progressive sectors of the world economy, we used general scientific and special research methods (abstract-logical, statistical, systemic analysis and synthesis, abstract-theoretical, and correlation-regression analysis). The paper analyzes major indexes of international tourism development in the modern globalized world and details the risks emerging during the global COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the global dynamics of tourism flows, where France, Spain, and the USA are unquestionable leaders. The study considers foreign exchange earnings of international tourism and the industry contribution to the gross domestic product of countries being an essential component of national budgets. Based on the study conducted, there were developed reliable forecast models for the tourism industry development in the countries under research. These models will provide an opportunity to generate reliable forecasts, which will allow timely identification of potential threats and making effective decisions to address them. At the same time, the issues of managing information support of economic entities in the field of international tourism need to be further developed in order to reduce risks.
Analysis of the Calcium Phosphate-Based Hybrid Layer Formed on a Ti-6Al-7Nb Alloy to Enhance the Ossseointegration Process
Authors: Kazek-Kęsik Alicja , Djurado David , Pouget Stéphanie , Blacha-Grzechnik Agata , Kalemba-Rec Izabela , Simka Wojciech
Published: December 2020

This paper reports on hybrid, bioactive ceramic Ca-P-based coating formation on a Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy substrate to enhance the osseointegration process. The Ti alloy was anodized in a Ca3(PO4)2 suspension and then the additional layer was formed by the sol-gel technique to obtain a mixture of the calcium phosphate compounds. The oxide layer was porous and additional ceramic particles were formed after sol-gel treatment (scanning electron microscopy analysis coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy). The ceramic particles were formed on some parts of the oxide layer and did not completely fill the pores. The layer thickness of the anodized Ti alloy was comprised between 3.01 and 5.03 µm and increased to 7.52–12.30 µm after the formation of an additional layer. Post-treatment of the anodized Ti alloys caused a decrease in surface roughness, and the layer became strongly hydrophilic. Crystalline phase analysis (X-ray diffraction, XRD) showed that the hybrid layer was composed of TiO2 (anatase), Ca3(PO4)2, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 and a partially amorphous phase; thus, the layer was also analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The hybrid layer showed worse adhesion to the substrate than the anodized layer only; however, the coating was not brittle, and the first delamination of the layer was determined at 1.84 ± 0.11 N during scratch-test measurement. The hybrid coating was favorable for collagen type I and lactoferrin adsorption, strongly influencing the proliferation of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. The coatings were cytocompatible and may find applications in formation of the functional layers on long-term implants’ surface after.
Performance Characterization of Broad Band Sustainable Sound Absorbers Made of Almond Skins
Authors: Liuzzi Stefania , Rubino Chiara , Stefanizzi Pietro , Martellotta Francesco
Published: December 2020

In order to limit the environmental impact caused by the use of non-renewable resources, a growing research interest is currently being shown in the reuse of agricultural by-products as new raw materials for green building panels. Moreover, the European directives impose the goal of sustainability supporting the investigation of passive solutions for the reduction of energy consumption. Thus, the promotion of innovative building materials for the enhancement of acoustic and thermal insulation of the buildings is an important issue. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the physical, acoustical, and thermal performances of building panels produced by almond skin residues, derived from the industrial processing of almonds. In this paper different mix designs were investigated using polyvinyl acetate glue and gum Arabic solution as binders. Air-flow resistivity σ and normal incidence sound absorption coefficient α were measured by means of a standing wave tube. Thermal conductivity λ, thermal diffusivity α, volumetric heat capacity ρc were measured using a transient plane source device. Finally, water vapor permeability δp was experimentally determined using the dry cup method. Furthermore, a physical characterization of the specimens in terms of bulk density ρb and porosity η allowed to study the correlation existing between the binder and the aggregates and the consequent acoustical and hygrothermal behavior occurring on the different mix designs. The achieved results suggested the investigated materials comparable to the main products currently existing on the market.
A New HWMA Dispersion Control Chart with an Application to Wind Farm Data
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Abbasi Saddam Akber , Abid Muhammad , Hamzat Abdulhammed K.
Published: December 2020

Recently, a homogeneously weighted moving average (HWMA) chart has been suggested for the efficient detection of small shifts in the process mean. In this study, we have proposed a new one-sided HWMA chart to effectively detect small changes in the process dispersion. The run-length (RL) profiles like the average RL, the standard deviation RL, and the median RL are used as the performance measures. The RL profile comparisons indicate that the proposed chart has a better performance than its existing counterpart’s charts for detecting small shifts in the process dispersion. An application related to the Dhahran wind farm data is also part of this study.
On the Smaller Number of Inputs for Determining User Preferences in Recommender Systems
Authors: Choi Sang-Min , Lee Dongwoo , Park Chihyun
Published: December 2020

One of the most popular applications for the recommender systems is a movie recommendation system that suggests a few movies to a user based on the user’s preferences. Although there is a wealth of available data on movies, such as their genres, directors and actors, there is little information on a new user, making it hard for the recommender system to suggest what might interest the user. Accordingly, several recommendation services explicitly ask users to evaluate a certain number of movies, which are then used to create a user profile in the system. In general, one can create a better user profile if the user evaluates many movies at the beginning. However, most users do not want to evaluate many movies when they join the service. This motivates us to examine the minimum number of inputs needed to create a reliable user preference. We call this the magic number for determining user preferences. A recommender system based on this magic number can reduce user inconvenience while also making reliable suggestions. Based on user, item and content-based filtering, we calculate the magic number by comparing the accuracy resulting from the use of different numbers for predicting user preferences.
Study of Polyaniline/Poly(Sodium 4-Styrenesulfonate) Composite Deposits Using an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance for the Modification of a Commercial Anion Exchange Membrane
Authors: Montes-Rojas Antonio , Ramírez-Orizaga Marlen , Ávila-Rodríguez Jesús Gerardo , Torres-Rodríguez Luz María
Published: December 2020

One of the intended applications for the modification of ion exchange membranes with polyaniline (PAni) is to use it as a matrix to include chemical species that confer a special property such as resistance to fouling or ion selectivity. In particular, the inclusion of polyelectrolyte molecules into the PAni matrix appears to be the way to modulate these properties of selective membranes. Therefore, it must be clearly understood how the polyelectrolyte is incorporated into the matrix of polyaniline. Among the results obtained in this paper using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, the amount of polyelectrolyte incorporated into PAni is found to be proportional to the PSS concentration in solution if its value is between 0 and 20 mM, while it reaches a maximum value when the PSS in solution is greater than 20 mM. When the anion exchange membranes are modified with these composite deposits, the transport number of chloride was found to decrease progressively (when the PSS concentration in solution is between 0 and 20 mM) to reach a practically constant value when a concentration of PSS greater than 20 mM was used.
Addendum: An Optimised Dual Extraction Method for the Simultaneous and Accurate Analysis of Polar Metabolites and Lipids Carried out on Single Biological Samples. Metabolites 2020, 10, 338
Authors: Villaret-Cazadamont Joran , Poupin Nathalie , Tournadre Anthony , Batut Aurélie , Gales Lara , Zalko Daniel , Cabaton Nicolas J. , Bellvert Floriant , Bertrand-Michel Justine
Published: December 2020

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