bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A School-Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation Program for Female Adolescents: Development and the Effectiveness on Physiological and Psychological Evidence
Authors: Tsai Mei-Li , Cheng Tsan-Hwang , Yang Yen-Kuang , Wang Chi-Jane
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: A variety of stressors may be potentially harmful to adolescents’ health and well-being. Relaxation techniques have been recognized as a valid method for stress release, but the challenge is to apply them practically in schools to produce the desired effects. (2) Methods: This feasibility study used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) to test the effects of an abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation (APMR) program on female adolescents. The participants were recruited from a high school and assigned by class cluster to either the experimental group (EG, n = 40) or the control group (CG, n = 35). Both received 4 weeks of stress-related lessons. The EG received 60 additional sessions of APMR over 12 weeks. (3) Results: The program dropout rate of the participants was 1.3%. The EG’s program adhesion rate was 99.1%, and nearly half felt satisfied with the program. After adjusting for the BMI and the pretest in the ANCOVA, it was found that the CG had a greater change in HCC between the pre- and post-tests than the EG, while the PSS did not change significantly in either group. (4) Conclusion: APMR is a valid practice for physiological homeostasis of HCC for female adolescents, but it has no significant effect on perceived stress.
The Effect of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers and Their Combinations on Fruit Quality Parameters in Strawberry
Authors: Kilic Neslihan , Burgut Aysegul , Gündesli Muhammet Ali , Nogay Gozde , Ercisli Sezai , Kafkas Nesibe Ebru , Ekiert Halina , Elansary Hosam O. , Szopa Agnieszka
Published: October 2021

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is widely grown and highly appreciated by consumers around the world for its delicious, soft, and highly nutritious fruits. Turkey is one of the most important strawberry producers in the world. Strawberry cultivation in Turkey typically involves the use of chemical fertilizers and more recently organic and organic + chemical fertilizers have been started to use in commercial production to produce healthier fruits. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of organic, chemical, and organic + chemical fertilizer treatments in strawberry (cvs. ‘Albion’, ‘San Andreas’ and ‘Monterey’) fruit quality parameters including fruit color (L*, a*, b*, C and h°) parameters, soluble solids content, total acidity, fruit firmness, vitamin C, specific sugars and organic acids. Results showed that in particular fruit color parameters, soluble solid content (SSC), total acidity, fruit firmness, and vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid) in fruits of three strawberry cultivars were significantly affected by different fertilizer applications (p < 0.05). Compared with conventional chemical fertilizer treatment, the organic fertilizer treatment produced fruit with significantly higher contents of SSC and glucose but decreased fruit firmness and vitamin C. Organic fertilizer also gave more intense colored strawberry fruits with high Chroma values (47,948 in organic fertilizer application and 39,644 and 39,931 in organic + chemical fertilizer and chemical fertilizer, respectively). Citric acid was identified to be the predominant organic acid in strawberry fruits but treatments were found insignificant on citric acid content.
Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Responses of Zinnia to Drought Stress
Authors: Toscano Stefania , Romano Daniela
Published: October 2021

Bedding plants in the nursery phase are often subject to drought stress because of the small volume of the containers and the hydraulic conductivity of organic substrates used. To analyse the morphological, physiological, and enzymatic responses of zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) plants at different irrigation levels, four treatments were performed: irrigated at 100% (100% field capacity, FC); light deficit irrigation (75% FC), medium deficit irrigation (50% FC), and severe deficit irrigation (25% FC). The growth of zinnia was significantly influenced by drought stress treatments. Different morphological parameters (dry biomass, leaf number, root to shoot ratio (R/S)) were modified only in the more severe drought stress treatment (25% FC). The stomata density increased in 50% FC and 25% FC, while the stomata size was reduced in 25% FC. The net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were reduced in 50% FC and 25% FC. The relative water content (RWC) was reduced in 25% FC. Severe drought stress (25% FC) increased proline content up to seven-fold. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased in 50% FC and 25% FC. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the morphological and physiological parameters were mostly associated with the 100% FC and 75% FC treatments of the biplot, whereas the stomata density, R/S ratio, and antioxidant enzymes (GPX, CAT) were associated with 50% FC, and proline and DPPH were associated with 25% FC, respectively.
Relationship between Sprint Capacity and Acceleration of Wrists in Wheelchair Basketball Players: Design and Reliability of a New Protocol
Authors: Ferro Amelia , Pérez-Tejero Javier , Garrido Guadalupe , Villacieros Jorge
Published: October 2021

The application of new technologies in wheelchair basketball (WB) is important for the advancement and improvement of athletic performance. The purposes of this study are twofold: (a) to develop a methodological design in order to assess WB players’ performance, using wireless inertial measurement units (WIMU®) and a laser system (BioLaserSport® with computer vision), in a 20 m sprint test on court and (b) to assess bilateral symmetry as a performance indicator and for injury prevention purposes, the study of which in previous research is unknown. For both aims, the relation of the acceleration of the players’ wrists to the speed achieved by the player in the wheelchair was explored. Ten elite WB players participated in an on-court 20 m sprint test during real training. BioLaserSport® with computer vision was used to assess the average velocity (Va) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of the WB players, and two WIMU® were used for the total acceleration (AcelT) of the players’ wrists. A very high correlation was obtained in the assessment of the Va (0.97) and AcelT of both wrists (0.90 and 0.85). There was a significant relationship between the average AcelT of the dominant wrist and the Va on-court sprint velocity (p < 0.05). Two players did not show good wrist symmetry. In conclusion, a new methodological protocol was developed, making it possible to assess the bilateral symmetries in elite WB players in on-court real training and the relation between the acceleration of players’ wrists and players’ wheelchair speed. Coaches can use this protocol to assess performance or for injury prevention, as it shows very good reliability, with high ICC values.
Ambient Ozone, PM1 and Female Lung Cancer Incidence in 436 Chinese Counties
Authors: Guo Huagui , Liu Jiemin , Wei Jing
Published: October 2021

Ozone air pollution has been increasingly severe and has become another major air pollutant in Chinese cities, while PM1 is more harmful to human health than coarser PMs. However, nationwide studies estimating the effects of ozone and PM1 are quite limited in China. This study aims to assess the spatial associations between ozone (and PM1) and the incidence rate of female lung cancer in 436 Chinese cancer registries (counties/districts). The effects of ozone and PM1 were estimated, respectively, using statistical models controlling for time, location and socioeconomic covariates. Then, three sensitivity analyses including the adjustments of smoking covariates and co-pollutant (SO2) and the estimates of ozone, PM1 and SO2 effects in the same model, were conducted to test the robustness of the effects of the two air pollutants. Further still, we investigated the modifying role of urban–rural division on the effects of ozone and PM1. According to the results, a 10 μg/m3 increase in ozone and PM1 was associated with a 4.57% (95% CI: 4.32%, 16.16%) and 4.89% (95% CI: 4.37%, 17.56%) increase in the incidence rate of female lung cancer relative to its mean, respectively. Such ozone and PM1 effects were still significant in three sensitivity analyses. Regarding the modifying role of urban–rural division, the effect of PM1 was greater by 2.98% (95% CI: 1.01%, 4.96%) in urban than in rural areas when PM1 changed by 10 μg/m3. However, there was no modification effect of urban–rural division for ozone. In conclusion, there were positive associations between ozone (and PM1) and the incidence rate of female lung cancer in China. Urban-rural division may modify the effect of PM1 on the incidence rate of female lung cancer, which is seldom reported. Continuous and further prevention and control measures should be developed to alleviate the situation of the two air pollutants.
Intermediary Perspectives on Total Worker Health in Small Businesses
Authors: Cunningham Thomas , Jacklitsch Brenda , Richards Reid
Published: October 2021

The future of work will include not only more small business employment, but also a need for greater consideration of more holistic approaches to addressing worker well-being. Previous research has suggested smaller firms need external assistance to add new or improve existing workplace health and safety activities. A Total Worker Health® (TWH) approach is potentially appealing to small employers as it is intended to identify and support comprehensive practices and policies that take into account the work environment (both physical and organizational) while also addressing the personal health risks of individuals, thus being more effective in preventing disease and promoting health and safety than each approach taken separately. NIOSH researchers applied the NIOSH Small Business Intervention Diffusion Model to conduct parallel community-based TWH activities in two geographically distinct communities in a large metropolitan area. Data were collected from intermediary organizations that work with or serve small businesses about their perceptions of the TWH approach as a potential service for them to offer small firms. Intermediary organizations engaged in implementation of TWH approaches with small businesses in the respective geographic areas for approximately one year. Results indicated intermediary organizations find value in providing TWH assistance to small employers, but several challenges for intermediaries implementing TWH among small employers remain.
Influence of Female Sex Hormones on Ultra-Running Performance and Post-Race Recovery: Role of Testosterone
Authors: Collado-Boira Eladio , Baliño Pablo , Boldo-Roda Ana , Martínez-Navarro Ignacio , Hernando Bárbara , Recacha-Ponce Paula , Hernando Carlos , Muriach María
Published: October 2021

In recent years, increasing numbers of women have participated in extremely long races. In adult males, there is a clear association between physiological levels of endogenous sex hormones and physical performance. However, the influence of plasmatic sex hormones and the effects of different types of hormonal contraception (HC) on the modulation of physical performance in adult females remain to be fully clarified. Eighteen female ultra-endurance athletes were recruited to participate in the study. Different variables were studied, including hematological parameters, body mass index, and body composition. Strength measurements were obtained using the squat-jump and hand-grip test. A repeated-measures analysis demonstrated significant differences in hematological values of CK and LDH pre-race as compared to immediately post-race and after 24/48 h. Furthermore, statistical differences were found in squat-jump and hand-grip test results after the ultramarathon. Testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estrogen ratio were significantly correlated with muscle fatigue and were found to be indirect markers of muscle damage. A multivariate analysis demonstrated the protective role of testosterone against muscle damage and severe fatigue. Fluctuations in endogenous testosterone levels were correlated with greater fatigability and muscle damage after the competition. Adjusting the menstrual cycle with HC would not provide any further benefit to the athlete’s competitive capacity.
Polish Women Have Moderate Knowledge of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Breastfeeding Benefits
Authors: Lis-Kuberka Jolanta , Orczyk-Pawiłowicz Magdalena
Published: October 2021

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a multifaceted disease and is associated with complications for newborns and mothers. The aim of the study was to assess Polish women’s knowledge concerning GDM and their attitude to breastfeeding. As a research tool, an anonymous online survey that included 33 questions, grouped into three main sections—sociodemographic and obstetric variables, risk factors for GDM and neonatal adverse outcomes, and knowledge about breastfeeding—was used and administered online. A total of 410 women aged from 18 to 45 participated in this study. Based on the survey, it was demonstrated that the women had moderate knowledge concerning the maternal risk factors and adverse neonatal outcomes associated with GDM and, additionally, the short- and long-term effects of breastfeeding. Significantly deeper knowledge about GDM, including breastfeeding by GDM mothers, was observed among hyperglycemic mothers in comparison to normoglycemic mothers. However, knowledge concerning the health benefits of breastfeeding was not related to the mothers’ glycemic status. In conclusion, educational programs must include pre-pregnancy education of women and place emphasis on explaining the mechanism of development of GDM and the transformation of GDM to type 2 diabetes. This is crucial for changing the public’s perception of GDM as a temporary, reversible clinical entity.
Excess Body Weight and Long-Term Incidence of Lung and Colon Cancer in Men; Follow-Up Study of 43 Years
Authors: Gepner Yftach , Lev-ari Shahar , Goldbourt Uri
Published: October 2021

Most evidence for an association between excess body weight and cancer risk has been derived from studies of relatively short duration with little reference to the effect on tumor site. This study was designed to evaluate the association between categories of body mass index (BMI: <20, 20–25, 25–30, and >30 kg/m2) and the incidence of colon and lung cancer over 43 years of follow-up (1963–2006), in 10,043 men from the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease (IIHD) prospective cohort (mean age at baseline 49.3 years, mean BMI 25.7 kg/m2). Data from the Israel National Cancer Registry was linked with the IIHD, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to analyze the relative risks for lung and colon cancer across BMI categories at baseline. Three hundred cases of lung cancer (2.9%) and 328 cases of colon cancer (3.3%) were diagnosed in the total population. Applying a multivariate model adjusted for age, smoking intensity, and total cholesterol, higher BMI category was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer [HR = 1.22 (95% CI 1.02–1.45)], and with a decreased risk for lung cancer [HR = 0.66 (95% CI 0.56–0.77)]. In this long-term follow-up study over four decades, we observed a consistent dose-response pattern between BMI and increased risk for colon cancer, but decreased risk for lung cancer. Specific associations between excess body weight and cancer risk may suggest different patterns of body fat and cancer incidence at a given site.
A Systematic Review of Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of Oral Health Literacy Tools
Authors: Praveen Sobiya , Parmar Jinal , Chandio Navira , Arora Amit
Published: October 2021

The aims of this systematic review were to critically appraise the quality of the cross-cultural adaptation and the psychometric properties of the translated versions of oral health literacy assessment tools. CINAHL (EBSCO), Medline (EBSCO), EMBASE (Ovid), and ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis were searched systematically. Studies focusing on cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of oral health literacy tools were included. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed according to the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Sixteen oral health literacy instruments in 11 different languages were included in this systematic review. However, only seven instruments met the criteria for an accurate cross-cultural adaptation process, while the remaining tools failed to meet at least one criterion for suitable quality of cross-cultural adaptation process. None of the studies evaluated all the aspects of psychometric properties. Most of the studies reported internal consistency, reliability, structural validity, and construct validity. Despite adequate ratings for some reported psychometric properties, the methodological quality of studies on translated versions of oral health literacy tools was mostly doubtful to inadequate. Researchers and clinicians should follow standard guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation and assess all aspects of psychometric properties for using oral health literacy tools in cross-cultural settings.
Perpetration and Victimization in Offline and Cyber Contexts: A Variable- and Person-Oriented Examination of Associations and Differences Regarding Domain-Specific Self-Esteem and School Adjustment
Authors: Burger Christoph , Bachmann Lea
Published: October 2021

Self-esteem has been identified as a predictor of bullying perpetration and victimization, which, in turn, may lead to school adjustment problems. However, findings regarding the direction and strength of these associations have been inconclusive. This study aimed to resolve this by differentiating between offline and cyber contexts and various self-esteem domains. An online sample of 459 adolescents retrospectively completed measures of self-esteem domains and offline/cyber perpetration and victimization, and a subsample of 194 adolescents also completed measures of loneliness and school adjustment. A mediation analysis of bullying-related variables on the effect of self-esteem domains on school adjustment indicated that offline victimization was the only significant mediator. Positive indirect effects were found for social and emotional self-esteem, and negative indirect effects were found for school performance-related self-esteem. Furthermore, person-oriented analyses examined differences in bullying-related roles regarding self-esteem domains, loneliness, and school adjustment. Victim groups showed lower self-esteem in many domains, but cyber victims showed higher body-related self-esteem. Bullies showed lower school performance-related but higher social self-esteem. Both bullies and victims showed lower school adjustment and more loneliness. Implications for theory and practice are discussed, as the findings are relevant for teachers and could be used to develop and deploy more effective anti-bullying programs.
Clustering Indoor Positioning Data Using E-DBSCAN
Authors: Cheng Dayu , Yue Guo , Pei Tao , Wu Mingbo
Published: October 2021

Indoor positioning data reflects human mobility in indoor spaces. Revealing patterns of indoor trajectories may help us understand human indoor mobility. Clustering methods, which are based on the measurement of similarity between trajectories, are important tools for identifying those patterns. However, due to the specific characteristics of indoor trajectory data, it is difficult for clustering methods to measure the similarity between trajectories. These characteristics are manifested in two aspects. The first is that the nodes of trajectories may have clear semantic attributes; for example, in a shopping mall, the node of a trajectory may contain information such as the store type and visit duration time, which may imply a customer’s interest in certain brands. The semantic information can only be obtained when the position precision is sufficiently high so that the relationship between the customer and the store can be determined, which is difficult to realize for outdoor positioning, either using GPS or mobile base station, due to the relatively large positioning error. If the tendencies of customers are to be considered, the similarity of geometrical morphology does not reflect the real similarity between trajectories. The second characteristic is the complex spatial shapes of indoor trajectory caused by indoor environments, which include elements such as closed spaces, multiple obstacles and longitudinal extensions. To deal with these challenges caused by indoor trajectories, in this article we proposed a new method called E-DBSCAN, which extended DBSCAN to trajectory clustering of indoor positioning data. First, the indoor location data were transformed into a sequence of residence points with rich semantic information, such as the type of store customer visited, stay time and spatial location of store. Second, a Weighted Edit Distance algorithm was proposed to measure the similarity of the trajectories. Then, an experiment was conducted to verify the correctness of E-DBSCAN using five days of positioning data in a shopping mall, and five shopping behavior patterns were identified and potential explanations were proposed. In addition, a comparison was conducted among E-DBSCAN, the k-means and DBSCAN algorithms. The experimental results showed that the proposed method can discover customers’ behavioral pattern in indoor environments effectively.
HA-MPPNet: Height Aware-Multi Path Parallel Network for High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Image Semantic Seg-Mentation
Authors: Chen Suting , Wu Chaoqun , Mukherjee Mithun , Zheng Yujie
Published: October 2021

Semantic segmentation of remote sensing images (RSI) plays a significant role in urban management and land cover classification. Due to the richer spatial information in the RSI, existing convolutional neural network (CNN)-based methods cannot segment images accurately and lose some edge information of objects. In addition, recent studies have shown that leveraging additional 3D geometric data with 2D appearance is beneficial to distinguish the pixels’ category. However, most of them require height maps as additional inputs, which severely limits their applications. To alleviate the above issues, we propose a height aware-multi path parallel network (HA-MPPNet). Our proposed MPPNet first obtains multi-level semantic features while maintaining the spatial resolution in each path for preserving detailed image information. Afterward, gated high-low level feature fusion is utilized to complement the lack of low-level semantics. Then, we designed the height feature decode branch to learn the height features under the supervision of digital surface model (DSM) images and used the learned embeddings to improve semantic context by height feature guide propagation. Note that our module does not need a DSM image as additional input after training and is end-to-end. Our method outperformed other state-of-the-art methods for semantic segmentation on publicly available remote sensing image datasets.
Nanjing’s Intracity Tourism Flow Network Using Cellular Signaling Data: A Comparative Analysis of Residents and Non-Local Tourists
Authors: Wang Lingjin , Wu Xiao , He Yan
Published: October 2021

With the rapid development of transportation and modern communication technology, “tourism flow” plays an important role in shaping tourism’s spatial structure. In order to explore the impact of an urban tourism flow network on tourism’s spatial structure, this study summarizes the structural characteristics of the tourism flow networks of 43 scenic spots in Nanjing from three aspects—tourism flow network connection, node centrality, and communities—using cellular signaling data and the social network analysis method. A comparative analysis revealed the tourism flow network structures of residents and non-local tourists. Our findings indicated four points. Firstly, the overall network connectivity was relatively good. Core city nodes displayed high spatial concentration and connection strength. However, suburban nodes delivered poor performance. Secondly, popular nodes were intimately connected, although there were no “bridging” nodes. Lesser-known nodes were marginalized, resulting in severe node polarization. Thirdly, regarding the network community structure, the spatial boundary between communities was relatively clear; the communities within the core city were more closely connected, with some parts encompassing suburban nodes. Most suburban communities were attached to the communities in the core area, with individual nodes existing independently. Fourthly, the primary difference in the tourism flow network structures between residents and non-local tourists was that the nodes for residents manifested a more balanced connection strength and node centrality. Core communities encompassed more nodes with more extensive coverage. Conversely, the nodes for non-local tourists showed wide discrepancies in connection strength and node centrality. Furthermore, core communities were small in scale with clear boundaries.
Inhibition of Atherosclerosis and Liver Steatosis by Agmatine in Western Diet-Fed apoE-Knockout Mice Is Associated with Decrease in Hepatic De Novo Lipogenesis and Reduction in Plasma Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio
Authors: Wiśniewska Anna , Stachowicz Aneta , Kuś Katarzyna , Ulatowska-Białas Magdalena , Totoń-Żurańska Justyna , Kiepura Anna , Stachyra Kamila , Suski Maciej , Gajda Mariusz , Jawień Jacek , Olszanecki Rafał
Published: October 2021

Atherosclerosis and NAFLD are the leading causes of death worldwide. The hallmark of NAFLD is triglyceride accumulation caused by an imbalance between lipogenesis de novo and fatty acid oxidation. Agmatine, an endogenous metabolite of arginine, exerts a protective effect on mitochondria and can modulate fatty acid metabolism. In the present study, we investigate the influence of agmatine on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and the development of hepatic steatosis in apoE−/− mice fed with a Western high-fat diet, with a particular focus on its effects on the DNL pathway in the liver. We have proved that treatment of agmatine inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis and attenuates hepatic steatosis in apoE−/− mice on a Western diet. Such effects are associated with decreased total macrophage content in atherosclerotic plaque as well as a decrease in the TG levels and the TG/HDL ratio in plasma. Agmatine also reduced TG accumulation in the liver and decreased the expression of hepatic genes and proteins involved in lipogenesis de novo such as SREBP-1c, FASN and SCD1. In conclusion, agmatine may present therapeutic potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease. However, an exact understanding of the mechanisms of the advantageous actions of agmatine requires further study.
3-Pyridinylidene Derivatives of Chemically Modified Lupane and Ursane Triterpenes as Promising Anticancer Agents by Targeting Apoptosis
Authors: Kazakova Oxana , Șoica Codruța , Babaev Marat , Petrova Anastasiya , Khusnutdinova Elmira , Poptsov Alexander , Macașoi Ioana , Drăghici George , Avram Ștefana , Vlaia Lavinia , Mioc Alexandra , Mioc Marius , Dehelean Cristina , Voicu Adrian
Published: October 2021

Cancer persists as a global challenge due to the extent to which conventional anticancer therapies pose high risks counterbalanced with their therapeutic benefit. Naturally occurring substances stand as an important safer alternative source for anticancer drug development. In the current study, a series of modified lupane and ursane derivatives was subjected to in vitro screening on the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 6 and 7 have been identified as highly active with GI50 values ranging from 0.03 µM to 5.9 µM (compound 6) and 0.18–1.53 µM (compound 7). Thus, these two compounds were further assessed in detail in order to identify a possible antiproliferative mechanism of action. DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining revealed that both compounds induced nuclei condensation and overall cell morphological changes consistent with apoptotic cell death. rtPCR analysis showed that both compounds induced upregulation of proapoptotic Bak and Bad genes while downregulating Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 antiapoptotic genes. Molecular docking analysis revealed that both compounds exhibited high scores for Bcl-XL inhibition, while compound 7 showed higher in silico Bcl-XL inhibition potential as compared to the native inhibitor ATB-737, suggesting that compounds may induce apoptotic cell death through targeted antiapoptotic protein inhibition, as well.
Molecular and Metabolic Insights into Anthocyanin Biosynthesis for Leaf Color Change in Chokecherry (Padus virginiana)
Authors: Li Xiang , Li Yan , Zhao Minghui , Hu Yanbo , Meng Fanjuan , Song Xingshun , Tigabu Mulualem , Chiang Vincent L. , Sederoff Ronald , Ma Wenjun , Zhao Xiyang
Published: October 2021

Chokecherry (Padus virginiana L.) is an important landscaping tree with high ornamental value because of its colorful purplish-red leaves (PRL). The quantifications of anthocyanins and the mechanisms of leaf color change in this species remain unknown. The potential biosynthetic and regulatory mechanisms and the accumulation patterns of anthocyanins in P. virginiana that determine three leaf colors were investigated by combined analysis of the transcriptome and the metabolome. The difference of chlorophyll, carotenoid and anthocyanin content correlated with the formation of P. virginiana leaf color. Using enrichment and correlation network analysis, we found that anthocyanin accumulation differed in different colored leaves and that the accumulation of malvidin 3-O-glucoside (violet) and pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside (orange-red) significantly correlated with the leaf color change from green to purple-red. The flavonoid biosynthesis genes (PAL, CHS and CHI) and their transcriptional regulators (MYB, HD-Zip and bHLH) exhibited specific increased expression during the purple-red periods. Two genes encoding enzymes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, UDP glucose-flavonoid 3-O-glucosyl-transferase (UFGT) and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase (BZ1), seem to be critical for suppressing the formation of the aforesaid anthocyanins. In PRL, the expression of the genes encoding for UGFT and BZ1 enzymes was substantially higher than in leaves of other colors and may be related with the purple-red color change. These results may facilitate genetic modification or selection for further improvement in ornamental qualities of P. virginiana.
Amyloids as Building Blocks for Macroscopic Functional Materials: Designs, Applications and Challenges
Authors: Li Jingyao , Zhang Fuzhong
Published: October 2021

Amyloids are self-assembled protein aggregates that take cross-β fibrillar morphology. Although some amyloid proteins are best known for their association with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, many other amyloids are found across diverse organisms, from bacteria to humans, and they play vital functional roles. The rigidity, chemical stability, high aspect ratio, and sequence programmability of amyloid fibrils have made them attractive candidates for functional materials with applications in environmental sciences, material engineering, and translational medicines. This review focuses on recent advances in fabricating various types of macroscopic functional amyloid materials. We discuss different design strategies for the fabrication of amyloid hydrogels, high-strength materials, composite materials, responsive materials, extracellular matrix mimics, conductive materials, and catalytic materials.
Chronic and Cycling Hypoxia: Drivers of Cancer Chronic Inflammation through HIF-1 and NF-κB Activation: A Review of the Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Korbecki Jan , Simińska Donata , Gąssowska-Dobrowolska Magdalena , Listos Joanna , Gutowska Izabela , Chlubek Dariusz , Baranowska-Bosiacka Irena
Published: October 2021

Chronic (continuous, non-interrupted) hypoxia and cycling (intermittent, transient) hypoxia are two types of hypoxia occurring in malignant tumors. They are both associated with the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which induce changes in gene expression. This paper discusses in detail the mechanisms of activation of these two transcription factors in chronic and cycling hypoxia and the crosstalk between both signaling pathways. In particular, it focuses on the importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) together with nitric oxide synthase, acetylation of HIF-1, and the action of MAPK cascades. The paper also discusses the importance of hypoxia in the formation of chronic low-grade inflammation in cancerous tumors. Finally, we discuss the effects of cycling hypoxia on the tumor microenvironment, in particular on the expression of VEGF-A, CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL1/GRO-α, CXCL8/IL-8, and COX-2 together with PGE2. These factors induce angiogenesis and recruit various cells into the tumor niche, including neutrophils and monocytes which, in the tumor, are transformed into tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) that participate in tumorigenesis.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Treatment of Porous Silicon Increases Biocompatibility with Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Feng David Jui-Yang , Lin Hung-Yin , Thomas James L. , Wang Hsing-Yu , Lin Chien-Yu , Chen Chen-Yuan , Liu Kai-Hsi , Lee Mei-Hwa
Published: October 2021

Porous silicon is of current interest for cardiac tissue engineering applications. While porous silicon is considered to be a biocompatible material, it is important to assess whether post-etching surface treatments can further improve biocompatibility and perhaps modify cellular behavior in desirable ways. In this work, porous silicon was formed by electrochemically etching with hydrofluoric acid, and was then treated with oxygen plasma or supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). These processes yielded porous silicon with a thickness of around 4 μm. The different post-etch treatments gave surfaces that differed greatly in hydrophilicity: oxygen plasma-treated porous silicon had a highly hydrophilic surface, while scCO2 gave a more hydrophobic surface. The viabilities of H9c2 cardiomyocytes grown on etched surfaces with and without these two post-etch treatments was examined; viability was found to be highest on porous silicon treated with scCO2. Most significantly, the expression of some key genes in the angiogenesis pathway was strongly elevated in cells grown on the scCO2-treated porous silicon, compared to cells grown on the untreated or plasma-treated porous silicon. In addition, the expression of several apoptosis genes were suppressed, relative to the untreated or plasma-treated surfaces.
Connexin Expression Is Altered in Liver Development of Yotari (dab1 -/-) Mice
Authors: Paštar Vlatka , Lozić Mirela , Kelam Nela , Filipović Natalija , Bernard Branka , Katsuyama Yu , Vukojević Katarina
Published: October 2021

Disabled-1 (Dab1) protein is an intracellular adaptor of reelin signaling required for prenatal neuronal migration, as well as postnatal neurotransmission, memory formation and synaptic plasticity. Yotari, an autosomal recessive mutant of the mouse Dab1 gene is recognizable by its premature death, unstable gait and tremor. Previous findings are mostly based on neuronal abnormalities caused by Dab1 deficiency, but the role of the reelin signaling pathway in nonneuronal tissues and organs has not been studied until recently. Hepatocytes, the most abundant cells in the liver, communicate via gap junctions (GJ) are composed of connexins. Cell communication disruption in yotari mice was examined by analyzing the expression of connexins (Cxs): Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45 during liver development at 13.5 and 15.5 gestation days (E13.5 and E15.5). Analyses were performed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescent microscopy, followed by quantification of area percentage covered by positive signal. Data are expressed as a mean ± SD and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. All Cxs examined displayed a significant decrease in yotari compared to wild type (wt) individuals at E13.5. Looking at E15.5 we have similar results with exception of Cx37 showing negligible expression in wt. Channels formation triggered by pathological stimuli, as well as propensity to apoptosis, was studied by measuring the expression of Pannexin1 (Panx1) and Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) through developmental stages mentioned above. An increase in Panx1 expression of E15.5 yotari mice, as well as a strong jump of AIF in both phases suggesting that yotari mice are more prone to apoptosis. Our results emphasize the importance of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) during liver development and their possible involvement in liver pathology and diagnostics where they can serve as potential biomarkers and drug targets.
Constitutively Activating Mutants of Equine LH/CGR Constitutively Induce Signal Transduction and Inactivating Mutations Impair Biological Activity and Cell-Surface Receptor Loss In Vitro
Authors: Byambaragchaa Munkhzaya , Seong Hoon-Ki , Choi Seung-Hee , Kim Dae-Jung , Kang Myung-Hwa , Min Kwan-Sik
Published: October 2021

The signal transduction of the equine lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (eLH/CGR) is unclear in naturally occurring activating/inactivating mutants of this receptor, which plays an important role in reproductive physiology. We undertook the present study to determine whether conserved structurally related mutations in eLH/CGR exhibit similar mechanisms of signal transduction. We constructed four constitutively activating mutants (M398T, L457R, D564G, and D578Y) and three inactivating mutants (D405N, R464H, and Y546F); measured cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation via homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assays in Chinese hamster ovary cells; and investigated cell-surface receptor loss using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The eLH/CGR-L457R-, -D564G-, and -D578Y-expressing cells exhibited 16.9-, 16.4-, and 11.2-fold increases in basal cAMP response, respectively. The eLH/CGR-D405N- and R464H-expressing cells presented a completely impaired signal transduction, whereas the Y546F-expressing cells exhibited a small increase in cAMP response. The cell-surface receptor loss was 1.4- to 2.4-fold greater in the activating-mutant-expressing cells than in wild-type eLH/CGR-expressing cells, but was completely impaired in the D405N- and Y546F-expressing cells, despite treatment with a high concentration of agonist. In summary, the state of activation of eLH/CGR influenced agonist-induced cell-surface receptor loss, which was directly related to the signal transduction of constitutively activating mutants.
Cofilin Signaling in the CNS Physiology and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Namme Jannatun Nayem , Bepari Asim Kumar , Takebayashi Hirohide
Published: October 2021

All eukaryotic cells are composed of the cytoskeleton, which plays crucial roles in coordinating diverse cellular functions such as cell division, morphology, migration, macromolecular stabilization, and protein trafficking. The cytoskeleton consists of microtubules, intermediate filaments, and actin filaments. Cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing protein, is indispensable for regulating actin dynamics in the central nervous system (CNS) development and function. Cofilin activities are spatiotemporally orchestrated by numerous extra- and intra-cellular factors. Phosphorylation at Ser-3 by kinases attenuate cofilin’s actin-binding activity. In contrast, dephosphorylation at Ser-3 enhances cofilin-induced actin depolymerization. Cofilin functions are also modulated by various binding partners or reactive oxygen species. Although the mechanism of cofilin-mediated actin dynamics has been known for decades, recent research works are unveiling the profound impacts of cofilin dysregulation in neurodegenerative pathophysiology. For instance, oxidative stress-induced increase in cofilin dephosphorylation is linked to the accumulation of tau tangles and amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. In Parkinson’s disease, cofilin activation by silencing its upstream kinases increases α-synuclein-fibril entry into the cell. This review describes the molecular mechanism of cofilin-mediated actin dynamics and provides an overview of cofilin’s importance in CNS physiology and pathophysiology.
Molecular Mechanism of the Anti-Inflammatory Action of Heparin
Authors: Litov Leandar , Petkov Peicho , Rangelov Miroslav , Ilieva Nevena , Lilkova Elena , Todorova Nadezhda , Krachmarova Elena , Malinova Kristina , Gospodinov Anastas , Hristova Rossitsa , Ivanov Ivan , Nacheva Genoveva
Published: October 2021

Our objective is to reveal the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) based on its influence on the activity of two key cytokines, IFNγ and IL-6. The mechanism of heparin binding to IFNγ and IL-6 and the resulting inhibition of their activity were studied by means of extensive molecular-dynamics simulations. The effect of LMWH on IFNγ signalling inside stimulated WISH cells was investigated by measuring its antiproliferative activity and the translocation of phosphorylated STAT1 in the nucleus. We found that LMWH binds with high affinity to IFNγ and is able to fully inhibit the interaction with its cellular receptor. It also influences the biological activity of IL-6 by binding to either IL-6 or IL-6/IL-6Rα, thus preventing the formation of the IL-6/IL-6Rα/gp130 signalling complex. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of LMWH and underpin its ability to influence favourably conditions characterised by overexpression of these two cytokines. Such conditions are not only associated with autoimmune diseases, but also with inflammatory processes, in particular with COVID-19. Our results put forward heparin as a promising means for the prevention and suppression of severe CRS and encourage further investigations on its applicability as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Current Understanding of Molecular Phase Separation in Chromosomes
Authors: Ryu Je-Kyung , Hwang Da-Eun , Choi Jeong-Mo
Published: October 2021

Biomolecular phase separation denotes the demixing of a specific set of intracellular components without membrane encapsulation. Recent studies have found that biomolecular phase separation is involved in a wide range of cellular processes. In particular, phase separation is involved in the formation and regulation of chromosome structures at various levels. Here, we review the current understanding of biomolecular phase separation related to chromosomes. First, we discuss the fundamental principles of phase separation and introduce several examples of nuclear/chromosomal biomolecular assemblies formed by phase separation. We also briefly explain the experimental and computational methods used to study phase separation in chromosomes. Finally, we discuss a recent phase separation model, termed bridging-induced phase separation (BIPS), which can explain the formation of local chromosome structures.
MicroRNAs in Lupus Nephritis–Role in Disease Pathogenesis and Clinical Applications
Authors: So Benjamin Y. F. , Yap Desmond Y. H. , Chan Tak Mao
Published: October 2021

MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding small RNAs that act as epigenetic modulators to regulate the protein levels of target mRNAs without modifying the genetic sequences. The role of miRs in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) is increasingly recognized and highly complex. Altered levels of different miRs are observed in the blood, urine and kidney tissues of murine LN models and LN patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that these miRs can modulate immune cells and various key inflammatory pathways, and their perturbations contribute to the aberrant immune response in LN. The dysregulation of miRs in different resident renal cells and urinary exosomes can also lead to abnormal renal cell proliferation, inflammation and kidney fibrosis in LN. While miRs may hold promise in various clinical applications in LN patients, there are still many potential limitations and safety concerns for their use. Further studies are worthwhile to examine the clinical utility of miRs in the diagnosis, disease activity monitoring, prognostication and treatment of LN.
Wnt Signaling Pathway Is among the Drivers of Liver Metastasis
Authors: Samaržija Ivana
Published: October 2021

Liver metastasis, originating either from a primary liver or other cancer types, represent a large cancer-related burden. Therefore, studies that add to better understanding of its molecular basis are needed. Herein, the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in liver metastasis is outlined. Its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), motility, migration, metastasis formation, and other steps of the metastatic cascade are presented. Additionally, the roles of the Wnt signaling pathway in the liver metastasis formation of colorectal, breast, gastric, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, and prostate cancer are explored. The special emphasis is given to the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the communication between the many of the components of the primary and secondary cancer microenvironment that contribute to the metastatic outgrowth in the liver. The data presented herein are a review of the most recent publications and advances in the field that add to the idea that the Wnt pathway is among the drivers of liver metastasis and that its targeting could potentially relieve liver metastasis–related complications.
CARACTERIZACIÓN FÍSICO-QUÍMICA DE HARINA DE TRIGO, MASA Y PAN
Authors: Montoya-López Jairo , Giraldo-Giraldo Germán Antonio
Published: October 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar algunos componentes químicos en una harina de trigo comercial, la masa y el pan elaborado. A la harina se le determinó el índice de blancura; a la harina de trigo comercial y al pan se les realizo análisis de calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC) y  análisis termogravimétrico (TGA); a la harina, la masa y el pan se les realizo análisis de humedad, actividad de agua (aw) y determinación de color. Los resultados mostraron un cambio de color significativo de la masa (ÄE=5.4191) y del pan  (ÄE=12.7314) respecto a la materia prima (ÄE= 0), los resultados de la humedad y de la actividad de agua, fueron los esperados comparados con los datos encontrados en la bibliografía. Otros componentes evaluados fueron: Determinación de DSC y TGA a la harina de trigo lo que permitió la identificación de estructuras que son consecuencia de las condiciones de procesamiento como las generadas durante la transición vítrea, la gelatinización y la retrogradación del almidón, al igual que las modificaciones térmicas por los tratamientos combinados de calor y humedad, los cuales cambian las propiedades fisicoquímicas del almidón sin destruir su estructura granular, igualmente en la determinación de DSC y TGA para el pan, la transición vítrea se induce por el cambio de temperatura de un polímero amorfo vítreo a un estado progresivamente gomoso cuando este se calienta.
BORGES Y LOS PROBLEMAS FILOSÓFICOS
Authors: Posada Jorge Gregorio
Published: October 2021

El siguiente artículo intenta mostrar cómo los argumentos de algunos cuentos de Jorge Luis Borges siguen la estructura de los problemas filosóficos. Se describen los problemas filosóficos como inconsistencias en los patrones de creencias que dan una imagen básica sobre el modo de ser de la naturaleza y el hombre. Así, “Las tres versiones de Judas” y “Las ruinas circulares”, del libro Ficciones, recrean los problemas filosóficos del determinismo y el escepticismo, respectivamente. El Primero muestra que no podemos tener una imagen consistente de nuestra capacidad de autodeterminación cuando asumimos que la historia y el comportamiento natural no son el resultado de una serie consecutiva de fenómenos antojadizos; el segundo, recrea la posibilidad real de confundir los escenarios de los sueños con la realidad, lo que hace dubitable la posibilidad de cualquier teoría del conocimiento.