bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Phosphorus on Cannabis sativa Reproduction, Cannabinoids, and Terpenes
Authors: Cockson Paul , Schroeder-Moreno Michelle , Veazie Patrick , Barajas Gabby , Logan David , Davis Matthew , Whipker Brian E.
Published: November 2020

Many abiotic factors, such as mineral nutrients—including phosphorus (P)—fertility, can impact the yield and growth of Cannabis sativa. Given the economic portion of C. sativa is the inflorescence, the restriction of P fertility could impact floral development and quality could be detrimental. This study sought to track the impacts of varying P concentrations (3.75, 7.50, 11.25, 15.0, 22.50, and 30.0 mg·L−1) utilizing a modified Hoagland’s solution. This experiment examined plant height, diameter, leaf tissue mineral nutrient concentrations, and final fresh flower bud weight as well as floral quality metrics, such as cannabinoids and terpenes. The results demonstrated that during different life stages (vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering), P concentrations impact C. sativa growth and development and yield. Regarding the cannabinoid pools, results varied for the individual cannabinoid types. For the acid pools, increasing fertility concentrations above 11.25 mg·L−1 P did not result in any increase in cannabinoid concentrations. These results indicate that, if a crop is being produced under greenhouse conditions, specifically for cannabinoid production, an excessive P supply did not result in higher cannabinoid production. However, plants grown with a higher rate of P fertility (30.0 mg·L−1) had greater plant width and may result in more buds per plant.
Possible Power Quality Ancillary Services in Low-Voltage Grids Provided by the Three-Phase Damping Control Strategy
Authors: Bozalakov Dimitar V. , Laveyne Joannes , Mnati Mohannad J. , Van de Vyver Jan , Vandevelde Lieven
Published: November 2020

The share of renewable energy is increasing because of environmental concerns and favorable economic conditions. The majority of the distributed energy resources, connected to the low-voltage grid, are inverter-connected units. These inverters are controlled by using specially developed control strategies to determine the power injection between the primary source and the grid. In the past, the connection of distributed energy resources was based on the connect-and-forget principle, but this approach leads to severe power quality problems. Nowadays, more sophisticated control strategies need to be developed, so that ancillary services can be provided to the distribution system operator, which will allow further increase of renewable share in the distribution grids. This article examines the technical capabilities of the three-phase damping control strategy to provide ancillary services to the distribution system operator. Besides the three-phase damping control strategy, the article also compares the classical positive-sequence control strategy. Active power drooping and reactive power exchange are combined with these control strategies and the effect on the annual energy production, power quality, and grid performance is assessed. The simulations are conducted on a Matlab/OpenDSS platform in a time series simulations.
Probabilistic Analysis of a Hospital Building Slab Foundation
Authors: Jendzelovsky Norbert , Tvrda Katarina
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with the design of a five-storey hospital building, in which we focus on the deterministic and probabilistic analysis of its slab foundation. The hospital building bearing structure was modeled as a reinforced concrete skeleton. The Boussinesque model was selected for the subsoil under the plate foundation, which was a model of the elastic half-space, where properties of individual layers of the subsoil were entered according to the geological survey. The geological topology consisted of clay gravel and also included a layer of clay sand. In the stochastic solution, the variance of values was considered for individual mechanical properties of different types of soil. We analyzed the influence of the variance of input values on the resulting deflections, strain, and stress state of the plate foundation. Two variants of the solution were considered on the given numerical example. Probability calculations confirmed the probability of failure, which was allowed for the second limit state.
Fuzzy Logic Control-Based HIFU System Integrated with Photoacoustic Imaging Module for Ex Vivo Artificial Tumor Treatment
Authors: Doan Vu Hoang Minh , Nguyen Van Tu , Choi Jaeyeop , Park Sumin , Oh Junghwan
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study is to design a therapeutic method combining a portable high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) design which is suitable for the laboratory environment and a tailored integrated photo-acoustic imaging (PAI) system for monitoring thermal treatment. The electrical HIFU design is fabricated with changeable operating frequency and justified output power for resonating with different kinds of commercial transducers. The system’s control interface is built based on a touch screen to create a companionable interaction for users. The embedded fuzzy logic controller using the thermal input from the thermocouple sensor precisely drives the target temperature during HIFU exposure to achieve the expectedly coagulating results. The PAI system with 532-nm laser excitation is also integrated to define the affected region before and after HIFU treatment. The proposed fuzzy controller-integrated HIFU setup compatible with the PAI system is a feasible instrument in thermal therapy for ex vivo artificial tumors management.
Instrumented Analysis of the Sit-to-Stand Movement for Geriatric Screening: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shukla Brajesh , Bassement Jennifer , Vijay Vivek , Yadav Sandeep , Hewson David
Published: November 2020

The Sit-to-Stand (STS) is a widely used test of physical function to screen older people at risk of falls and frailty and is also one of the most important components of standard screening for sarcopenia. There have been many recent studies in which instrumented versions of the STS (iSTS) have been developed to provide additional parameters that could improve the accuracy of the STS test. This systematic review aimed to identify whether an iSTS is a viable alternative to a standard STS to identify older people at risk of falling, frailty, and sarcopenia. A total of 856 articles were found using the search strategy developed, with 12 articles retained in the review after screening based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six studies evaluated the iSTS in fallers, five studies in frailty and only one study in both fallers and frailty. The results showed that power and velocity parameters extracted from an iSTS have the potential to improve the accuracy of screening when compared to a standard STS. Future work should focus on standardizing the segmentation of the STS into phases to enable comparison between studies and to develop devices integrated into the chair used for the test to improve usability.
A Revised Structure for the Glycolipid Terminus of Escherichia coli K5 Heparosan Capsular Polysaccharide
Authors: Yan Lufeng , Fu Li , Xia Ke , Chen Shiguo , Zhang Fuming , Dordick Jonathan S. , Linhardt Robert J.
Published: November 2020

The structure of heparosan capsular polysaccharide (CPS) has been determined using enzymatic digestion with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Previous errors in the assignment of the glycolipid acceptor structure, from which heparosan is extended, have been corrected. The structure of heparosan CPS is GlcNAc α-1,[4GlcA β-1,4GlcNAc α-1,]n4GlcA β-1,[4Kdo β-2,7Kdo β-2,]0 or 14Kdo β-2,7Kdo β-2,4Kdo β-2,7Kdo β-2,4Kdo β-2,7Kdo β-2,4Kdo β-PG-I (C16:0 or C18:0) (where n is ~250 for a CPS of 100 kDa).
Mechanisms of Ras Membrane Organization and Signaling: Ras Rocks Again
Authors: Abankwa Daniel , Gorfe Alemayehu A.
Published: November 2020

Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene and recent drug development efforts have spurred significant new research interest. Here we review progress toward understanding how Ras functions in nanoscale, proteo-lipid signaling complexes on the plasma membrane, called nanoclusters. We discuss how G-domain reorientation is plausibly linked to Ras-nanoclustering and -dimerization. We then look at how these mechanistic features could cooperate in the engagement and activation of RAF by Ras. Moreover, we show how this structural information can be integrated with microscopy data that provide nanoscale resolution in cell biological experiments. Synthesizing the available data, we propose to distinguish between two types of Ras nanoclusters, an active, immobile RAF-dependent type and an inactive/neutral membrane anchor-dependent. We conclude that it is possible that Ras reorientation enables dynamic Ras dimerization while the whole Ras/RAF complex transits into an active state. These transient di/oligomer interfaces of Ras may be amenable to pharmacological intervention. We close by highlighting a number of open questions including whether all effectors form active nanoclusters and whether there is an isoform specific composition of Ras nanocluster.
Heavily Armed Ancestors: CRISPR Immunity and Applications in Archaea with a Comparative Analysis of CRISPR Types in Sulfolobales
Authors: Zink Isabelle Anna , Wimmer Erika , Schleper Christa
Published: November 2020

Prokaryotes are constantly coping with attacks by viruses in their natural environments and therefore have evolved an impressive array of defense systems. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is an adaptive immune system found in the majority of archaea and about half of bacteria which stores pieces of infecting viral DNA as spacers in genomic CRISPR arrays to reuse them for specific virus destruction upon a second wave of infection. In detail, small CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) are transcribed from CRISPR arrays and incorporated into type-specific CRISPR effector complexes which further degrade foreign nucleic acids complementary to the crRNA. This review gives an overview of CRISPR immunity to newcomers in the field and an update on CRISPR literature in archaea by comparing the functional mechanisms and abundances of the diverse CRISPR types. A bigger fraction is dedicated to the versatile and prevalent CRISPR type III systems, as tremendous progress has been made recently using archaeal models in discerning the controlled molecular mechanisms of their unique tripartite mode of action including RNA interference, DNA interference and the unique cyclic-oligoadenylate signaling that induces promiscuous RNA shredding by CARF-domain ribonucleases. The second half of the review spotlights CRISPR in archaea outlining seminal in vivo and in vitro studies in model organisms of the euryarchaeal and crenarchaeal phyla, including the application of CRISPR-Cas for genome editing and gene silencing. In the last section, a special focus is laid on members of the crenarchaeal hyperthermophilic order Sulfolobales by presenting a thorough comparative analysis about the distribution and abundance of CRISPR-Cas systems, including arrays and spacers as well as CRISPR-accessory proteins in all 53 genomes available to date. Interestingly, we find that CRISPR type III and the DNA-degrading CRISPR type I complexes co-exist in more than two thirds of these genomes. Furthermore, we identified ring nuclease candidates in all but two genomes and found that they generally co-exist with the above-mentioned CARF domain ribonucleases Csx1/Csm6. These observations, together with published literature allowed us to draft a working model of how CRISPR-Cas systems and accessory proteins cross talk to establish native CRISPR anti-virus immunity in a Sulfolobales cell.
Alagille Syndrome: Diagnostic Challenges and Advances in Management
Authors: Ayoub Mohammed D. , Kamath Binita M.
Published: November 2020

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem disease characterized by cholestasis and bile duct paucity on liver biopsy in addition to variable involvement of the heart, eyes, skeleton, face, kidneys, and vasculature. The identification of JAG1 and NOTCH2 as disease-causing genes has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ALGS. However, the variable expressivity of the clinical phenotype and the lack of genotype-phenotype relationships creates significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical characteristics and management of ALGS, and the molecular basis of ALGS pathobiology. We further describe unique diagnostic considerations that pose challenges to clinicians and outline therapeutic concepts and treatment targets that may be available in the near future.
Demonstration of AlGaN/GaN MISHEMT on Si with Low-Temperature Epitaxy Grown AlN Dielectric Gate
Authors: Whiteside Matthew , Arulkumaran Subramaniam , Dikme Yilmaz , Sandupatla Abhinay , Ng Geok Ing
Published: November 2020

AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MISHEMT) with a low-temperature epitaxy (LTE)-grown single crystalline AlN gate dielectric were demonstrated for the first time and the post-gate annealing effects at 400 °C were studied. The as-deposited LTE-AlN MISHEMT showed a maximum drain current (IDmax) of 708 mA/mm at a gate bias of 4 V and a maximum extrinsic transconductance (gmmax) of 129 mS/mm. The 400 °C annealed MISHEMT exhibited an increase of 15% in gmmax, an order of magnitude reduction in reverse gate leakage and about a 3% suppression of drain current (ID) collapse. The increase of gmmax by post-gate annealing is consistent with the increase of 2DEG mobility. The suppression of ID collapse and the reduction of gate leakage current is attributed to the reduction of interface state density (5.0 × 1011 cm−2eV−1) between the AlN/GaN interface after post-gate annealing at 400 °C. This study demonstrates that LTE grown AlN is a promising alternate material as gate dielectric for GaN-based MISHEMT application.
Dynamic Response Analysis of a Semi-Submersible Floating Wind Turbine in Combined Wave and Current Conditions Using Advanced Hydrodynamic Models
Authors: Ishihara Takeshi , Liu Yuliang
Published: November 2020

In this study, advanced hydrodynamic models are proposed to predict dynamic response of a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) in combined wave and current conditions and validated by laboratory and full-scale semi-submersible platforms. Firstly, hydrodynamic coefficient models are introduced to evaluate the added mass and drag coefficients in a wide range of Reynolds numbers. An advanced hydrodynamic model is then proposed to calculate the drag force of cylinder in combined wave and current conditions. The proposed model is validated by the water tank tests in the current-only, wave-only and current-wave conditions and is used to investigate the effect of current on the dynamic response of FOWT. Finally, the full-scale semi-submersible platform used in the Fukushima demonstration project is investigated. It is found that the predicted dynamic responses of platform by the proposed hydrodynamic models are improved by the directional spreading function of the sea wave spectrum and show favorable agreement with the field measurement.
Rheological and Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan and Quinoa Protein Filmogenic Suspensions with Thyme and Rosemary Essential Oils
Authors: Escamilla-García Monserrat , Ríos-Romo Raquel A. , Melgarejo-Mancilla Armando , Díaz-Ramírez Mayra , Hernández-Hernández Hilda M. , Amaro-Reyes Aldo , Pierro Prospero Di , Regalado-González Carlos
Published: November 2020

Food packaging faces the negative impact of synthetic materials on the environment, and edible coatings offer one alternative from filmogenic suspensions (FS). In this work, an active edible FS based on chitosan (C) and quinoa protein (QP) cross-linked with transglutaminase was produced. Thyme (T) and rosemary (R) essential oils (EOs) were incorporated as antimicrobial agents. Particle size, Z potential, and rheological parameters were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus (NCIB 8166) and Salmonella sp. (Lignieres 1900) was monitored using atomic force microscopy and image analysis. Results indicate that EOs incorporation into C:QP suspensions did not affect the Z potential, ranging from −46.69 ± 3.19 mV to −46.21 ± 3.83 mV. However, the polydispersity index increased from 0.51 ± 0.07 to 0.80 ± 0.04 in suspensions with EO. The minimum inhibitory concentration of active suspensions against Salmonella sp. was 0.5% (v/v) for thyme and 1% (v/v) for rosemary. Entropy and fractal dimension of the images were used to confirm the antimicrobial effect of EOs, which modified the surface roughness.
Application of an Inertia Dependent Flow Friction Model to Snow Avalanches: Exploration of the Model Using a Ping-Pong Ball Experiment
Authors: Tsunematsu Kae , Maeno Fukashi , Nishimura Kouichi
Published: November 2020

Snow avalanches are catastrophic phenomena because of their destructive power. Therefore, it is very important to forecast the affected area of snow avalanches using numerical simulations. In our study, we focus on applying a numerical model to snow avalanches. The inertia-dependent flow friction model, which we call the “I-dependent” model, is a promising numerical model based on granular flow experiments and includes the local inertial effect. This model was introduced in previous studies as it predicts the shape and velocity of the granular flow accurately. We numerically investigated the particle diameter effect of the I-dependent model, and found that the smaller the particle diameter is, the faster the flow front velocity becomes. The final flow shape is similar to a crescent shape when the particle diameter is small. We applied this model to the ping-pong ball flow experiment, which imitated a snow avalanche on a ski jump slope. Comparing between the experimental and simulated results, the flow shape is better reproduced when the particle diameter is small, while the numerical simulation using a real ping-pong ball diameter did not show the clear crescent shape. Moreover, the relative error analysis shows that the best fit between experimental and simulated flow front velocity occurs when the particle diameter is larger than the actual size of a ping-pong ball. We conjecture that this discrepancy is mainly caused by aerodynamic effects, which, in this case, are large due to the low density of ping-pong balls. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the granular features of ping-pong balls or snow avalanches by conducting experiments, as done in previous experimental studies. Through such efforts, it may be possible to apply this I-dependent model to snow avalanches in the future.
Characterization and Geotourist Resources of the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Region (Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) to Develop a UNESCO Global Geopark Project
Authors: Becerra-Ramírez Rafael , Gosálvez Rafael U. , Escobar Estela , González Elena , Serrano-Patón Mario , Guevara Darío
Published: November 2020

The Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Region is located in Central Spain (Ciudad Real province, Castilla-La Mancha) where some eruptions of different intensity and spatial location took place throughout a period of more than 8 million years. As a result, more than 360 volcanic edifices spread over 5000 km2. Eruptions of this volcanic system were derived from alkaline magmas with events of low explosivity (Hawaiian and Strombolian). These events are characterized by three different manifestations: the emission of pyroclasts (cinder and spatter cones) and lava flows; some hydromagmatic events, which lead to the formation of wide craters (maars) and pyroclastic flows; and remnant volcanic activity related to gas emission (CO2), hot springs (hervideros) and carbonic water fountains (fuentes agrias). The methods used for this study are based on analytical studies of geography, geomorphology and geoheritage to identify volcanoes and their resources and attractions linked to the historical-cultural heritage. These volcanoes are a potential economic resource and attraction for the promotion of volcano tourism (geotourism), and they are the basis for achieving a UNESCO Global Geopark Project, as a sustainable territorial and economic management model, to be part of the international networks of conservation and protection of nature and, especially, that of volcanoes.
The Perspectives of Programme Staff and Recipients on the Acceptability and Benefits of the Ward-Based Outreach Teams in a South African Province
Authors: Nelson Cheryl , Madiba Sphiwe
Published: November 2020

The re-engineering of primary health care (PHC) called for the establishment of ward-based outreach teams as a reform strategy to bridge the gap between health facilities and communities. The Nkangala district established ward-based outreach teams in 2012. We used process evaluation to assess the acceptability of the outreach teams from the perspectives of those involved in the implementation as well as the clients who are the recipients of the outreach services in order to describe how the programme benefits the recipients, the staff, and the health system. Data were collected through interviews with multiple data sources. A thematic analysis was done using NVivo 11. The outreach programme is acceptable to the recipients and staff. The acceptability translated into measurable benefits for the recipients and the health system. Health benefits included increased access to services, support for treatment adherence, and linkages to various sector departments for social support. Since the inception of outreach teams, the district has recorded low utilisation of PHC services and improved priority indicators such as immunisation coverage, early antenatal bookings, treatment adherence, TB cure rates, and decreased default rates. The positive effects of the outreach teams on indicators underscore the need to roll the programme out to all sub-districts.
A Feasibility Study Using a Machine Learning Suicide Risk Prediction Model Based on Open-Ended Interview Language in Adolescent Therapy Sessions
Authors: Cohen Joshua , Wright-Berryman Jennifer , Rohlfs Lesley , Wright Donald , Campbell Marci , Gingrich Debbie , Santel Daniel , Pestian John
Published: November 2020

Background: As adolescent suicide rates continue to rise, innovation in risk identification is warranted. Machine learning can identify suicidal individuals based on their language samples. This feasibility pilot was conducted to explore this technology’s use in adolescent therapy sessions and assess machine learning model performance. Method: Natural language processing machine learning models to identify level of suicide risk using a smartphone app were tested in outpatient therapy sessions. Data collection included language samples, depression and suicidality standardized scale scores, and therapist impression of the client’s mental state. Previously developed models were used to predict suicidal risk. Results: 267 interviews were collected from 60 students in eight schools by ten therapists, with 29 students indicating suicide or self-harm risk. During external validation, models were trained on suicidal speech samples collected from two separate studies. We found that support vector machines (AUC: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.69–0.81) and logistic regression (AUC: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70–0.82) lead to good discriminative ability, with an extreme gradient boosting model performing the best (AUC: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.72–0.84). Conclusion: Voice collection technology and associated procedures can be integrated into mental health therapists’ workflow. Collected language samples could be classified with good discrimination using machine learning methods.
Gay Sex Workers in China’s Medical Care System: The Queer Body with Necropolitics and Stigma
Authors: Tsang Eileen Yuk-ha
Published: November 2020

The struggles of China’s gay sex workers—men who sell sex to other men—illustrate how the multi-layered stigma that they experience acts as a form of necropolitical power and an instrument of the state’s discrimination against gay sex workers who are living with HIV. One unintended side effect of this state power is the subsequent reluctance by medical professionals to care for gay sex workers who are living with HIV, and discrimination from Chinese government officers. Data obtained from 28 gay sex workers who are living with HIV provide evidence that the necropower of stigma is routinely exercised upon the bodies of gay sex workers. This article examines how the necropolitics of social death and state-sanctioned stigma are manifested throughout China’s health system, discouraging gay sex workers from receiving health care. This process uses biopolitical surveillance measures as most of gay sex workers come from rural China and do not enjoy urban hukou, thus are excluded from the medical health care system in urban China. Public health priorities demand that the cultured scripts of gendered Chinese citizenship must reevaluate the marking of the body of gay sex workers as a non-entity, a non-human and socially “dead body.”
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Biomass Combustion Induces an Anti-Oxidative Response and Cancer Drug Resistance in Human Bronchial Epithelial BEAS-2B Cells
Authors: Merk Regina , Heßelbach Katharina , Osipova Anastasiya , Popadić Désirée , Schmidt-Heck Wolfgang , Kim Gwang-Jin , Günther Stefan , Piñeres Alfonso García , Merfort Irmgard , Humar Matjaz
Published: November 2020

Nearly half of the world’s population relies on combustion of solid biofuels to cover fundamental energy demands. Epidemiologic data demonstrate that particularly long-term emissions adversely affect human health. However, pathological molecular mechanisms are insufficiently characterized. Here we demonstrate that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from biomass combustion had no impact on cellular viability and proliferation but increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Exposure to PM2.5 induced the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and mediated an anti-oxidative response, including enhanced levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and nuclear accumulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Activation of Nrf2 was promoted by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase JNK1/2, but not p38 or Akt, which were also induced by PM2.5. Furthermore, cells exposed to PM2.5 acquired chemoresistance to doxorubicin, which was associated with inhibition of apoptosis and elevated levels of GSH in these cells. Our findings propose that exposure to PM2.5 induces molecular defense mechanisms, which prevent cellular damage and may thus explain the initially relative rare complications associated with PM2.5. However, consistent induction of pro-survival pathways may also promote the progression of diseases. Environmental conditions inducing anti-oxidative responses may have the potential to promote a chemoresistant cellular phenotype.
Smokers’ and Non-Smokers’ Attitudes towards Smoking Cessation in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tobaiqy Mansour , Thomas Dennis , MacLure Andrew , MacLure Katie
Published: November 2020

Literature on smoking in Saudi Arabia is extensive. However, studies capturing the attitudes of both smokers and non-smokers towards smoking cessation are few. A PRISMA-P protocol guided systematic searches in MEDLINE and CINAHL on MeSH terms (smoking cessation AND Saudi Arabia). Peer reviewed articles in English were included in the narrative analysis. Screening reduced the 152 articles identified to 15 and independent critical appraisal identified 10 final articles for review. Few adopted validated survey tools or mentioned the best practice to be followed. There was considerable variation in the prevalence of smoking reported (13.7–49.2%) and survey response rates (8.9–100%). There was a paucity of quality evidence but it is clear that the smoking pandemic is still resonant in Saudi Arabia. Despite support for education programs to prevent the uptake of smoking, policy-driven action to reduce environmental second-hand smoking, and provision of support for smoking cessation, more needs to be done.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Recorded Occupational Injury Rates among Sugarcane Harvesters in Southwest Guatemala
Authors: Dally Miranda , Butler-Dawson Jaime , Sorensen Cecilia J. , Van Dyke Mike , James Katherine A. , Krisher Lyndsay , Jaramillo Diana , Newman Lee S.
Published: November 2020

As global temperatures continue to rise it is imperative to understand the adverse effects this will pose to workers laboring outdoors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between increases in wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and risk of occupational injury or dehydration among agricultural workers. We used data collected by an agribusiness in Southwest Guatemala over the course of four harvest seasons and Poisson generalized linear modelling for this analysis. Our analyses suggest a 3% increase in recorded injury risk with each degree increase in daily average WBGT above 30 °C (95% CI: −6%, 14%). Additionally, these data suggest that the relationship between WBGT and injury risk is non-linear with an additional 4% acceleration in risk for every degree increase in WBGT above 30 °C (95% CI: 0%, 8%). No relationship was found between daily average WBGT and risk of dehydration. Our results indicate that agricultural workers are at an increased risk of occupational injury in humid and hot environments and that businesses need to plan and adapt to increasing global temperatures by implementing and evaluating effective occupational safety and health programs to protect the health, safety, and well-being of their workers.
Sedentary Patterns Are Associated with Bone Mineral Density and Physical Function in Older Adults: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Data
Authors: Gobbo Luís Alberto , Júdice Pedro B. , Hetherington-Rauth Megan , Sardinha Luís B. , Dos Santos Vanessa Ribeiro
Published: November 2020

Aging causes some unfavorable morphological and functional changes, such as the decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and physical function. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time seem to be related with these alterations, but the impact of distinct patterns remains unclear. The aim of this study was to cross-sectionally and prospectively assess the association between objectively measured MVPA and sedentary patterns (bouts and breaks) with BMD and physical function in older adults. The study considered 151 Brazilians (aged ≥ 60 years), out of which 68 participants completed 2-year follow-up measurements. MVPA and sedentary patterns were measured by means of accelerometry, BMD—(total proximal femur and lumbar spine (L1-L4)) by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and physical function—by means of physical tests. In older women, sedentary bouts >60 min were inversely associated with handgrip strength (β = −2.03, 95% CI: from −3.43 to −0.63). The prospective analyses showed that changes in sedentary bouts (20 to 30 min and >60 min) were inversely associated with changes in the lumbar spine’s BMD (β = −0.01, 95% CI: from −0.01 to −0.00 and β = −0.03, 95% CI: from −0.06 to −0.01) and the lumbar spine’s T-score (β = −0.06, 95% CI: from −0.10 to −0.01 and β = −0.27, 95% CI: from −0.49 to −0.04), respectively. In older women, sedentary patterns are cross-sectionally associated with handgrip strength and prospectively associated with BMD independent of MVPA.
Implementing Health Warnings on Alcoholic Beverages: On the Leading Role of Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Authors: Neufeld Maria , Ferreira-Borges Carina , Rehm Jürgen
Published: November 2020

Despite being a psychoactive substance and having a major impact on health, alcohol has to date escaped the required labeling regulations for either psychoactive substances or food. The vast majority of the countries in the WHO European Region have stricter labeling requirements for bottled water and health warning provisions for over-the-counter medications than for alcoholic beverages. However, more progress in implementing health warnings has been made in the eastern part of the WHO European Region, largely because of the recent technical regulation put in place by the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union. The present contribution provides an overview of the existing legislation regarding the placement of alcohol health warnings on advertisements and labels on alcohol containers in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and discusses their potential gaps and shortfalls. It also reviews the evolution of the Eurasian Economic Union Technical Regulation 047/2018, which is, to date, the only international document to impose binding provisions on alcohol labeling. The technical regulation’s developmental process demonstrates how the comprehensive messages and strong requirements for health warnings that were suggested initially were watered down during the consultation process.
Associations between Levels of Urinary Oxidative Stress of 8-OHdG and Risk of Atopic Diseases in Children
Authors: Chen Pang-Yen , Chen Chien-Wei , Su Yu-Jang , Chang Wen-Han , Kao Wei-Fong , Yang Chen-Chang , Wang I-Jen
Published: November 2020

The oxidative stress biomarker of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was reported to be changed in patients with allergic diseases. Measurement of urinary oxidative products is noninvasive. However, correlations between the severity levels of atopic diseases and oxidative stress remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association among urinary 8-OHdG, atopic dermatitis (AD), and the phenotypes of atopic diseases in children. In a nested case-control study, participants of kindergarten children were enrolled from the Childhood Environment and Allergic Diseases Study (CEAS). Urinary analyses and urinary 8-OHdG were performed on samples from 200 children with AD as cases and 200 age- and sex-matched controls. Our study presents the following main findings: (1) The urinary 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher in cases than controls. Higher urinary 8-OHdG levels were associated with the risk of AD in a dose-response-manner; (2) Children’s AD history was associated with higher risks of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and night pruritus; (3) For children with AD, urinary 8-OHdG levels of >75th percentile were associated with higher risk of asthma, compared with the reference group of 0–25th percentiles. In summary, this study provides better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AD and urinary 8-OHdG by analyzing a large-scale sample survey in Taiwan.
Acute Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Cortisol and Working Memory in Physical Education College Students
Authors: Martínez-Díaz Inmaculada C. , Escobar-Muñoz María C. , Carrasco Luis
Published: November 2020

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered one of the most effective methods for improving cardiorespiratory and metabolic functions. However, it is necessary to clarify their effects on neurophysiological responses and coginitive functioning. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of an acute bout of HIIT on neurocognitive and stress-related biomarkers and their association with working memory (WM) capacity in healthy young adults. Twenty-five male college students performed a single bout of HIIT consisting of 10 × 1 min of cycling at their VO2 peak power output. Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and cortisol (CORT) levels, and WM (Digit Span Test (DST)), were assessed pre-, post- and 30 min post-intervention. Significant post-exercise increases in circulating BDNF and CORT levels were observed coinciding with the highest DST performance; however, no statistical associations were found between cognitive and neurophysiological variables. Moreover, DST scores obtained 30 min after exercise remained higher than those assessed at pre-exercise. In conclusion, the stress induced by a single bout of HIIT induces a remarkable response of BDNF and CORT boosting WM capacity in healthy young males. Future research should clarify the association between cognitive and neurobiological markers during intense exercise stimulation.
Herpes Simplex Virus Oncolytic Immunovirotherapy: The Blossoming Branch of Multimodal Therapy
Authors: Menotti Laura , Avitabile Elisa
Published: November 2020

Oncolytic viruses are smart therapeutics against cancer due to their potential to replicate and produce the needed therapeutic dose in the tumor, and to their ability to self-exhaust upon tumor clearance. Oncolytic virotherapy strategies based on the herpes simplex virus are reaching their thirties, and a wide variety of approaches has been envisioned and tested in many different models, and on a range of tumor targets. This huge effort has culminated in the primacy of an oncolytic HSV (oHSV) being the first oncolytic virus to be approved by the FDA and EMA for clinical use, for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The path has just been opened; many more cancer types with poor prognosis await effective and innovative therapies, and oHSVs could provide a promising solution, especially as combination therapies and immunovirotherapies. In this review, we analyze the most recent advances in this field, and try to envision the future ahead of oHSVs.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Is Accompanied by Protein Derangements in the Olfactory Bulb-Tract Axis
Authors: Lachén-Montes Mercedes , Mendizuri Naroa , Ausin Karina , Andrés-Benito Pol , Ferrer Isidro , Fernández-Irigoyen Joaquín , Santamaría Enrique
Published: November 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by progressive muscle paralysis due to the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Recent studies point out an involvement of the non-motor axis during disease progression. Despite smell impairment being considered a potential non-motor finding in ALS, the pathobiochemistry at the olfactory level remains unknown. Here, we applied an olfactory quantitative proteotyping approach to analyze the magnitude of the olfactory bulb (OB) proteostatic imbalance in ALS subjects (n = 12) with respect to controls (n = 8). Around 3% of the quantified OB proteome was differentially expressed, pinpointing aberrant protein expression involved in vesicle-mediated transport, macroautophagy, axon development and gliogenesis in ALS subjects. The overproduction of olfactory marker protein (OMP) points out an imbalance in the olfactory signal transduction in ALS. Accompanying the specific overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Bcl-xL in the olfactory tract (OT), a tangled disruption of signaling routes was evidenced across the OB–OT axis in ALS. In particular, the OB survival signaling dynamics clearly differ between ALS and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), two faces of TDP-43 proteinopathy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on high-throughput molecular characterization of the olfactory proteostasis in ALS.
Neutrophils as a Novel Target of Modified Low-Density Lipoproteins and an Accelerator of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Obama Takashi , Itabe Hiroyuki
Published: November 2020

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) significantly contribute to various pathophysiological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. NET formation in the vasculature exhibits inflammatory and thrombogenic activities on the endothelium. NETs are induced by various stimulants such as exogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been physiologically defined as a subpopulation of LDL that comprises various oxidative modifications in the protein components and oxidized lipids, which could act as DAMPs. oxLDL has been recognized as a crucial initiator and accelerator of atherosclerosis through foam cell formation by macrophages; however, recent studies have demonstrated that oxLDL stimulates neutrophils to induce NET formation and enhance NET-mediated inflammatory responses in vascular endothelial cells, thereby suggesting that oxLDL may be involved in cardiovascular diseases through neutrophil activation. As NETs comprise myeloperoxidase and proteases, they have the potential to mediate oxidative modification of LDL. This review summarizes recent updates on the analysis of NETs, their implications for cardiovascular diseases, and prospects for a possible link between NET formation and oxidative modification of lipoproteins.
Histone H3K9 Demethylase JMJD2B Plays a Role in LXRα-Dependent Lipogenesis
Authors: Kim Ji-Hyun , Jung Dae Young , Kim Hye-Ran , Jung Myeong Ho
Published: November 2020

Ligand-activated liver X receptor α (LXRα) upregulates the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes, which leads to triglyceride (TG) accumulation, resulting in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, LXRα regulation may provide a novel therapeutic target against NAFLD. However, histone methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation involved in LXRα-dependent lipogenesis is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the functional role of the histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing protein 2B (JMJD2B) in LXRα-dependent lipogenesis. JMJD2B expression level was upregulated in HepG2 cells treated with LXRα agonist T0901317 or palmitate and the liver of mice administered with T0901317 or fed a high-fat diet. Knockdown of JMJD2B using siRNA abrogated T0901317-induced LXRα-dependent lipogenic gene expression and lowered intracellular TG accumulation. Conversely, overexpression of JMJD2B in HepG2 cells upregulated the expression of LXRα-dependent lipogenic genes, in line with increased intracellular TG levels. JMJD2B overexpression or T0901317 treatment induced the recruitment of JMJD2B and LXRα to LXR response elements (LXRE) in the promoter region of LXRα-target gene and reduced the enrichment of H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 in the vicinity of the LXRE. Furthermore, JMJD2B enhanced T0901317 or LXRα-induced transcriptional activities of reporters containing LXRE. A co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed that JMJD2B interacted with activated LXRα. Moreover, overexpression of JMJD2B in mice resulted in upregulation of hepatic LXRα-dependent lipogenic genes, consistent with development of hepatic steatosis. Taken together, these results indicate that JMJD2B plays a role in LXRα-mediated lipogenesis via removing the repressive histone marks, H3K9me2 and H3K9me3, at LXRE, which might contribute to hepatic steatosis.
Inactivation of Infectious Bacteria Using Nonthermal Biocompatible Plasma Cabinet Sterilizer
Authors: Akter Mahmuda , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar , Ki Se Hoon , Choi Eun Ha , Han Ihn
Published: November 2020

Nonthermal, biocompatible plasma (NBP) is a promising unique state of matter that is effective against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. This study focused on a sterilization method for bacteria that used the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) biocompatible plasma cabinet sterilizer as an ozone generator. Reactive oxygen species play a key role in inactivation when air or other oxygen-containing gases are used. Compared with the untreated control, Escherichia coli(E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Salmonella typhimurium (sepsis) were inhibited by approximately 99%, or were nondetectable following plasma treatment. Two kinds of plasma sterilizers containing six- or three-chamber cabinets were evaluated. There was no noticeable difference between the two configurations in the inactivation of microorganisms. Both cabinet configurations were shown to be able to reduce microbes dramatically, i.e., to the nondetectable range. Therefore, our data indicate that the biocompatible plasma cabinet sterilizer may prove to be an appropriate alternative sterilization procedure.
Needle in a Haystack: The Naïve Repertoire as a Source of T Cell Receptors for Adoptive Therapy with Engineered T Cells
Authors: D’Ippolito Elvira , Wagner Karolin I. , Busch Dirk H
Published: November 2020

T cell engineering with antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) has allowed the generation of increasingly specific, reliable, and versatile T cell products with near-physiological features. However, a broad applicability of TCR-based therapies in cancer is still limited by the restricted number of TCRs, often also of suboptimal potency, available for clinical use. In addition, targeting of tumor neoantigens with TCR-engineered T cell therapy moves the field towards a highly personalized treatment, as tumor neoantigens derive from somatic mutations and are extremely patient-specific. Therefore, relevant TCRs have to be de novo identified for each patient and within a narrow time window. The naïve repertoire of healthy donors would represent a reliable source due to its huge diverse TCR repertoire, which theoretically entails T cells for any antigen specificity, including tumor neoantigens. As a challenge, antigen-specific naïve T cells are of extremely low frequency and mostly of low functionality, making the identification of highly functional TCRs finding a “needle in a haystack.” In this review, we present the technological advancements achieved in high-throughput mapping of patient-specific neoantigens and corresponding cognate TCRs and how these platforms can be used to interrogate the naïve repertoire for a fast and efficient identification of rare but therapeutically valuable TCRs for personalized adoptive T cell therapy.
The Cytogenomic “Theory of Everything”: Chromohelkosis May Underlie Chromosomal Instability and Mosaicism in Disease and Aging
Authors: Iourov Ivan Y. , Vorsanova Svetlana G. , Yurov Yuri B. , Zelenova Maria A. , Kurinnaia Oxana S. , Vasin Kirill S. , Kutsev Sergei I.
Published: November 2020

Mechanisms for somatic chromosomal mosaicism (SCM) and chromosomal instability (CIN) are not completely understood. During molecular karyotyping and bioinformatic analyses of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and congenital malformations (n = 612), we observed colocalization of regular chromosomal imbalances or copy number variations (CNV) with mosaic ones (n = 47 or 7.7%). Analyzing molecular karyotyping data and pathways affected by CNV burdens, we proposed a mechanism for SCM/CIN, which had been designated as “chromohelkosis” (from the Greek words chromosome ulceration/open wound). Briefly, structural chromosomal imbalances are likely to cause local instability (“wreckage”) at the breakpoints, which results either in partial/whole chromosome loss (e.g., aneuploidy) or elongation of duplicated regions. Accordingly, a function for classical/alpha satellite DNA (protection from the wreckage towards the centromere) has been hypothesized. Since SCM and CIN are ubiquitously involved in development, homeostasis and disease (e.g., prenatal development, cancer, brain diseases, aging), we have metaphorically (ironically) designate the system explaining chromohelkosis contribution to SCM/CIN as the cytogenomic “theory of everything”, similar to the homonymous theory in physics inasmuch as it might explain numerous phenomena in chromosome biology. Recognizing possible empirical and theoretical weaknesses of this “theory”, we nevertheless believe that studies of chromohelkosis-like processes are required to understand structural variability and flexibility of the genome.
Long Non-Coding RNA Associated with Cholesterol Homeostasis and Its Involvement in Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Lee Kang-Hoon , Hwang Hyeon-Ji , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: November 2020

Cholesterol is an essential cell component that functions to create and maintain all kinds of cell membranes and lipoprotein particles. It is crucial to maintain the proper amount of cholesterol at both the cellular and systemic level. Recently, the importance of cholesterol has been reported not only in various cell development processes but also in the development of diseases. Furthermore, the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are regarded as important epigenetic regulators in gene expression, has also been reported in cholesterol homeostasis. It is thus necessary to summarize the research on lncRNAs related to cholesterol with increased interest. This review organized the role of lncRNAs according to the major issues in cholesterol homeostasis: efflux, metabolism and synthesis, and disease process.