bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Multivariate Analysis of Carica papaya Biodiesel Blends and Their Interactive Effect on Performance
Authors: Anwar Mohammad , Rasul Mohammad G. , Ashwath Nanjappa
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the interactive relationship between three operating parameters (papaya seed oil (PSO) biodiesel blends, engine load, and engine speed) and four responses (brake power, BP; torque; brake specific fuel consumption, BSFC; and, brake thermal efficiency, BTE) for engine testing. A fully instrumented four cylinder four-stroke, naturally aspirated agricultural diesel engine was used for all experiments. Three different blends: B5 (5% PSO biodiesel + 95% diesel), B10 (10% PSO biodiesel + 90% diesel), and B20 (20% PSO biodiesel + 80% diesel) were tested. Physicochemical properties of these blends and pure PSO biodiesel were characterised, and the engine’s performance characteristics were analysed. The results of the engine performance experiments showed that, in comparison with diesel, the three PSO biodiesel blends caused a slight reduction in BP, torque, and BTE, and an increase in BSFC. The analysis of variance and quadratic regression modelling showed that both load and speed were the most important parameters that affect engine performance, while PSO biodiesel blends had a significant effect on BSFC.
Regular Fertilization Effects on the Nutrient Distribution of Bamboo Components in a Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens (Mazel) Ohwi) Stand in South Korea
Authors: Kim Choonsig , Baek Gyeongwon , Yoo Byung Oh , Jung Su-Young , Lee Kwang Soo
Published: October 2018

Fertilizers are commonly applied to improve the productivity and quality of bamboo. However, the nutrient responses of bamboo components after regular fertilization are not fully understood. This study was carried out to determine the effects of regular fertilization on the nutrient distribution of biomass components (i.e., culms, branches, leaves, roots, rhizomes) in a Moso bamboo stand in southern Korea. The study site was fertilized regularly for approximately 30 years to produce edible bamboo shoots. A total of 20 bamboo plants (10 fertilized and 10 unfertilized) were cut to measure the nutrient (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations of each bamboo component. Belowground roots and rhizomes were sampled at a 30-cm soil depth. The N, P, and K concentrations and stocks of aboveground biomass components were increased by regular fertilization, whereas the C, Ca, and Mg stocks were attributed to culm densities. The nutrient stocks of belowground roots were significantly lower in the fertilized plots than those in the unfertilized plots, except for the P stocks. The results indicate that regular fertilization could be a key factor to maintaining bamboo shoot productivity because of the increased responses of the nutrient concentration and stocks of bamboo components.
A Global Analysis of Hunter-Gatherers, Broadcast Fire Use, and Lightning-Fire-Prone Landscapes
Authors: Coughlan Michael R. , Magi Brian I. , Derr Kelly M.
Published: October 2018

We examined the relationships between lightning-fire-prone environments, socioeconomic metrics, and documented use of broadcast fire by small-scale hunter-gatherer societies. Our approach seeks to re-assess human-fire dynamics in biomes that are susceptible to lightning-triggered fires. We quantify global lightning-fire-prone environments using mean monthly lightning and climatological flammability, and then compare how well those environments and socioeconomic variables (population density, mobility, and subsistence type) serve as predictors of observed broadcast fire use from the ethnographic data. We use a logistic model for all vegetated, forested, and unforested biomes. Our global analysis of human-fire-landscape interaction in three hundred and thirty-nine hunter-gatherer groups demonstrates that lightning-fire-prone environments strongly predict for hunter-gatherer fire use. While we do not maintain that lightning-fire-prone environments determine the use of fire by small societies, they certainly appear to invite its use. Our results further suggest that discounting or ignoring human agency contradicts empirical evidence that hunter-gatherers used fire even in locations where lightning could explain the presence of fire. Paleoecological research on fire and hypothesis testing using global fire modeling should consider insights from human ecology in the interpretation of data and results. More broadly, our results suggest that small-scale societies can provide insight into sustainable fire management in lightning-fire-prone landscapes.
Multi-Sip Time–Intensity Evaluation of Retronasal Aroma after Swallowing Oolong Tea Beverage
Authors: Gotow Naomi , Omata Takanobu , Uchida Masaaki , Matsuzaki Naoyuki , Takata Sadaki , Hagiwara Ippei , Kobayakawa Tatsu
Published: October 2018

In most cases, a meal cannot be finished with a single bite and sip. During eating and drinking, consumers receive dynamic food perceptions from sensory attributes in foods. Thus, we performed multi-sip time–intensity (TI) evaluation of sensory attribute. In each of ten trials, the participant evaluated continuously the intensity of retronasal aroma for 60 s after swallowing oolong tea. We compared the TI parameters (Imax: maximum intensity, Tmax: time point at which intensity reached the maximum value, AUC: area under the TI curve, Dplateau: duration between the first and last time points with values exceeding 90% of the maximum intensity, Rinc: rate of intensity increase between the first time points with values exceeding 5% and 90% of the maximum intensity, and Rdec: rate of intensity decrease between the last time points with values exceeding 5% and 90% of the maximum intensity) and TI curves among the ten trials, and approximated each TI curve with an exponential model. Some TI parameters (Imax, Tmax, AUC, and Rinc) differed significantly between the first and subsequent trials. The TI curve was significantly lower in the first trial than in the subsequent trials, and TI curve during the time from starting the evaluation to reaching maximum intensity was significantly lower in the second trial than in the subsequent trials. The time constant of the fitted exponential function revealed that the decay of retronasal aroma intensity was slightly faster in the second through fourth trials than in the first and the fifth through tenth trials. These results indicate that olfaction might be more perceptive while consumers sip a cup of the beverage.
“She Did Not Notice Me”: Gender, Anxiety, and Desire in The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Authors: Woltmann Suzy
Published: October 2018

Using the recent trend in literary scholarship that theorizes literature in terms of globalization, cosmopolitanism, and dialectic transnational identities, I examine gender and sexual ideology in Mohsin Hamid’s 2007 novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a post-9/11 text that explores the intricacies of community and terror. Specifically, I argue that the novel articulates a particularly gendered vision of spatial, social, and political (im)mobility through the narrator’s desires, especially as demonstrated through his romantic interest, and masculine anxieties expressed through his response to American imperialism. The narrator’s view of the United States is inexorably tied to his projection of convoluted desire, and he conflates impotence with frustration at being unable to respond to growing American militaristic power. We as readers wish to identify with a protagonist whose story we slowly learn is largely articulated in terms of his sexual desire and denial: we at first empathize with his desire but then, when discovering its projection is problematic, simultaneously wish to reject it. The interplay of the microcosm of an individual’s failed romantic relationship and the macrocosm of countries at conflict mimics the mobility and liminality of conflicting ideologies.
A Study of the Relationships between the Characteristics of the Village Population Structure and Rural Residential Solid Waste Collection Services: Evidence from China
Authors: Cao Sha , Xu Dingde , Liu Shaoquan
Published: October 2018

Based on survey data collected in 2016 from 100 villages across five provinces in China, this paper uses binary logistic model to explore the main factors related to the supply and quality of rural residential solid waste collection (RRSWC) services, especially focusing on the role of village population structure characteristics. It is indicated from the results that village population structure characteristics are significantly correlated with RRSWC services; specifically: (1) the total registered population of village households is significantly positively correlated with the supply of RRSWC services, however, the correlation between the registered population and the quality of RRSWC services is negative and the more the labors working and living outside the village, the less likely the village is to provide RRSWC services; (2) the villagers’ educational levels and RRSWC services show no significant correlativity at the present stage; (3) the preferential policies brought by population structure advantage play a positive role in the supply of RRSWC services but is not clearly related to the quality of RRSWC services, especially in the villages with a larger minority population. In addition, the study finds that, the economic development level of a village and the characteristics of village leaders are also positively correlated with the supply and quality of RRSWC services and; the natural and traffic conditions have no significant correlation with RRSWC services. This study can act as a reference for the further promotion of the development of RRSWC services in China.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Particulate Phosphorus and Their Correlation with Environmental Factors in a Shallow Eutrophic Chinese Lake (Lake Taihu)
Authors: Kong Ming , Chao Jianying , Zhuang Wei , Wang Peifang , Wang Chao , Hou Jun , Wu Zhaoshi , Wang Longmian , Gao Guang , Wang Yu
Published: October 2018

Spatial and seasonal variations of particulate phosphorus (PP) in a large shallow, eutrophic Lake Taihu with different ecotypes (including a phytoplankton-dominated zone, lake center zone, estuary zone and macrophyte-dominated zone) were investigated. The results showed that particulate organic phosphorus (POP) was the dominant form of PP (>88.0%). The concentration of POP showed higher levels in the bloom-sensitive northwestern zone (phytoplankton-dominated zone and estuary zone) during warm seasons, phytoplankton blooms and input of exogenous particulate matter were the main sources of POP in the lake water. Based on 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) analysis, orthophosphate (Ortho-P) was the dominant molecular species of PP and positively correlated with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) (p < 0.01). This suggested that the release of Ortho-P from suspended particulate matter (SPM) was the main source of SRP in the lake water. Pyrophosphate (Pyro-P), which is regarded as a highly labile species of P compounds, represented a large fraction of PP, and its significant positive correlations with chlorophyll a (Chl a), indicated that the concentration of Pyro-P could be used as an important indicator for the degree of eutrophication of Lake Taihu. These results proved that PP in lake water was a significant factor supporting lake eutrophication and must be controlled.
Investigating the Comparability of Two Multi-Item-Scales for Cyber Bullying Measurement
Authors: Fluck Julia
Published: October 2018

In current cyberbullying literature, researchers assess the phenomenon using a large variety of measurement approaches. This poses a problem in light of comparability of study results. The most common approaches are singular global questions or multi-item scales that list several forms of cyberbullying. Such lists contain either different types of actions or different types of media. This study explores different measurement approaches. Two multi-item scales, one listing different actions and one listing different media, are compared to investigate whether they measure the same latent construct. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to model one factor for each of the multi-item scales. In the first study, the items cover victimization experiences while in the second study they cover estimation of severity. Results show that the two different multi-item scales measure the same latent construct. These results have a substantial impact on the future of cyberbullying research with regard to study comparability.
Window View and the Brain: Effects of Floor Level and Green Cover on the Alpha and Beta Rhythms in a Passive Exposure EEG Experiment
Authors: Olszewska-Guizzo Agnieszka , Escoffier Nicolas , Chan Jane , Puay Yok Tan
Published: October 2018

With the growing interest among researchers, practitioners, and urban decision makers in the influence of the built environment on peoples’ health, there is increasing emphasis on using scientific knowledge to inform urban design, including methods of neuroscience. As window views are the most immediate medium of visual connection with one’s neighbourhood, we surmised that the quality of this view would have an impact on the mental health and well-being of urban dwellers. Accordingly, we investigated how window views taken from different floors of a high-rise block with varying extents of green cover affected 29 healthy residents in an exploratory electroencephalography (EEG) experiment. The results showed that the amount of green cover within the view captured at different floor levels can cause an important interaction effect on the frontal alpha and temporal beta brain oscillations while participants view photographs. These results suggest that the brainwave patterns commonly associated with positive emotional states, motivation, and visual attention mechanisms may be increased by the extent of green cover within the view. This phenomenon seems more pronounced on the higher than lower floors. The observed findings at this stage cannot confirm major effects between floor level, green cover, and brainwaves, however, they emphasize the importance of considering the quality of window views in the planning and design of urban high-rise neighbourhoods. Having a green window view can potentially contribute to the mental health and well-being of urban dwellers.
Challenges in Accessing Health Care for People with Disability in the South Asian Context: A Review
Authors: Gudlavalleti Venkata S. Murthy
Published: October 2018

South Asia is a unique geopolitical region covering 3.4% of the world’s surface area and supporting 25% of the world’s population (1.75 billion). Available evidence from South Asia shows variable estimates of the magnitude of disability. The projected magnitude depends on whether an impairment focus is highlighted (approximately 1.6–2.1%) or functionality is given precedence (3.6–15.6%). People with disability (PWD) face significant challenges to accessing health care in the region. Studies show that adults with disability reported a four times higher incidence of a serious health problem in a year’s recall period. Evidence shows a significantly higher rate (17.8%) of hospitalization among PWD compared to others (5%). Chronic conditions like diabetes were also significantly higher. Women with disability had significantly more concerns on reproductive health issues. Studies from the South Asia region reveal that not only did PWD have a higher load of adverse health outcomes but they also faced significantly more barriers in accessing health services.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Arsenic Sources in Groundwater Flow Systems
Authors: Avila-Sandoval Claudia , Júnez-Ferreira Hugo , González-Trinidad Julián , Bautista-Capetillo Carlos , Pacheco-Guerrero Anuard , Olmos-Trujillo Edith
Published: October 2018

The presence of arsenic in groundwater constitutes a hazard for the environment and human health, and the determination of its source has become a global challenge, which can be approached by defining the natural background levels (NBL) in conjunction with the indicator kriging method, with the aim of delineating anthropogenically contaminated areas. However, having a unique value of NBL for large areas can generate interpretation errors. This research integrates the determination of the flow systems present in the Calera Aquifer, and the definition of the natural background levels in each flow system by making estimation maps in ArcGIS using two databases, 10 years apart, to evaluate the spatio-temporal variation of arsenic in groundwater. The results indicate a notable increase in the probability of exceeding the arsenic NBL, mainly in the intermediate flow, which may be due to movement resulting from mining activities as well as a mixture of regional and intermediate flows caused by the extraction of water for agriculture and drinking water supplies. The presented values exceed the maximum limits allowed for human consumption, as stated by the World Health Organization.
Resilience to Climate-Induced Disasters and Its Overall Relationship to Well-Being in Southern Africa: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review
Authors: Kamara Joseph , Akombi Blessing , Agho Kingsley , Renzaho Andre
Published: October 2018

The available literature suggests that natural disasters, especially droughts and floods, were occurring in southern Africa in the early 1900s. However, their frequency and intensity increased during the 1980s. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the relationship between resilience to droughts and people’s well-being in southern Africa. A combination of keywords was used to search the following 13 electronic bibliographic databases: Africa Journal Online (AJOL), MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, Environment Complete, Humanities International Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts, ProQuest Central, and CINAHL. Relevant websites were also searched and potential studies for inclusion were downloaded in an EndNote database and screened for eligibility using pre-determined criteria. Quality assessment of the studies was undertaken using the Joana Briggs Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) checklist, and the Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance (AACODS) checklist. Resilience and well-being scales used in the studies for inclusion were also assessed using pre-defined criteria. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Poverty alleviation policies were important in strengthening resilience and well-being outcomes. Resilience and well-being were connected by old age, gender, race, adaptive farming and livelihoods diversification, security, and knowledgeability. Resilience and well-being outcomes were advanced by the synergistic effect of household, community and governance level capacities encapsulated in knowledgeability. This systematic review is critical to improving southern Africa context-specific resilience, and well-being policies and interventions.
Barriers and Facilitators of Engaging Community Health Workers in Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Control in China: A Systematic Review (2006–2016)
Authors: Long Hongfei , Huang Wenting , Zheng Pinpin , Li Jiang , Tao Sha , Tang Shenglan , Abdullah Abu S.
Published: October 2018

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a dominant disease burden in China. Although China has a prevention-centered NCD strategy, the implementation effect in the community has been subjected to manpower and financial difficulties. Engaging community health workers (CHWs) in community-based interventions may be a cost-effective approach to relieve the resource shortage and improve health. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on types of NCD-related care that was provided by CHWs in China, and to identify relevant barriers and facilitators. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases for English-written, peer-reviewed articles published from 1996 to 2016 that reported findings from NCD-related interventions delivered by CHWs in China. Each article was extracted independently by two researchers. Results: Twenty distinct studies met the inclusion criteria. The two most common types of CHW-led NCD-related care were diabetes and hypertension management (n = 7) and mental health care (n = 7). Thirteen studies discussed the barriers and 16 studies reported facilitators. The most common barriers included lack of support (n = 6), lack of resources (n = 4), and heavy reliance on technology (n = 4). The common facilitators included an integrated health system (n = 9), community and patient trust (n = 5), high quality training (n = 5), and CHWs’ capacity (n = 5). Fourteen studies mentioned training content, while only eight described detailed procedures and duration. Conclusions: This review suggests that trained and supervised Chinese CHWs had the capacity to provide grassroots NCDs preventive interventions. In order to increase the generalizability and sustainability of such programs, studies with robust designs are needed to explore the effectiveness of CHW-led programs, and the intervention strategies to improve the practice of CHWs in various settings.
Lactate Transporter Monocarboxylate Transporter 4 Induces Bone Pain in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hasegawa Kazuaki , Okui Tatsuo , Shimo Tsuyoshi , Ibaragi Soichiro , Kawai Hotaka , Ryumon Shoji , Kishimoto Koji , Okusha Yuka , Monsur Hassan Nur Mohammad , Sasaki Akira
Published: October 2018

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a significant challenge clinically, as it can invade facial bones and cause bone pain that is undertreated and poorly understood. Here we studied HNSCC bone pain (HNSCC-BP) in an intratibial mouse xenograft model that uses a human HNSCC cell line (SAS cells). These mice develop HNSCC-BP associated with an upregulation of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2), which is a molecular indicator of neuron excitation in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of sensory nerve cell bodies. Our experiments demonstrated that the inhibition of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) by short hairpin (shRNA) transduction suppressed the HNSCC-BP, the lactate level in bone marrow, and the pERK1/2 expression in DRG. The sensory nerves also expressed increased levels of the acid-sensing receptor TRPV1. DRG neurons co-cultured with SAS cells showed increased neurite outgrowth, and were inhibited by MCT4 silencing with shRNA. Collectively, our results show that HNSCC induced an acidic bone microenvironment that evokes HNSCC-BP via MCT4 expression.
Adsorption of Fibronectin Fragment on Surfaces Using Fully Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Liamas Evangelos , Kubiak-Ossowska Karina , Black Richard A. , Thomas Owen R.T. , Zhang Zhenyu J. , Mulheran Paul A.
Published: October 2018

The effect of surface chemistry on the adsorption characteristics of a fibronectin fragment (FNIII8–10) was investigated using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Model surfaces were constructed to replicate self-assembled monolayers terminated with methyl, hydroxyl, amine, and carboxyl moieties. It was found that adsorption of FNIII8–10 on charged surfaces is rapid, specific, and driven by electrostatic interactions, and that the anchoring residues are either polar uncharged or of opposing charge to that of the targeted surfaces. On charged surfaces the presence of a strongly bound layer of water molecules and ions hinders FNIII8–10 adsorption. In contrast, adsorption kinetics on uncharged surfaces are slow and non-specific, as they are driven by van der Waals interactions, and the anchoring residues are polar uncharged. Due to existence of a positively charged area around its cell-binding region, FNIII8–10 is available for subsequent cell binding when adsorbed on a positively charged surface, but not when adsorbed on a negatively charged surface. On uncharged surfaces, the availability of the fibronectin fragment’s cell-binding region is not clearly distinguished because adsorption is much less specific.
Protective Effects of Euphrasia officinalis Extract against Ultraviolet B-Induced Photoaging in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Liu Ying , Hwang Eunson , Ngo Hien T. T. , Perumalsamy Haribalan , Kim Yeon Ju , Li Lu , Yi Tae-Hoo
Published: October 2018

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces skin photoaging, which is associated with the elevation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the impairment of collagen. The Euphrasia species play a well-known role in the treatment of certain eye disorders through their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. However, their protective activity toward UVB-induced damage remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Euphrasia officinalis (95% ethanol extract) on UVB-irradiated photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). Our results show that Euphrasia officinalis extract exhibited obvious reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, enhanced NHDF cell migration, and reduced UVB-induced apoptosis. The UVB-induced increases in MMP-1 and MMP-3 and decrease in type I procollagen were ameliorated by Euphrasia officinalis treatment, which worked by suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear transcription factor activator protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathways. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that Euphrasia officinalis ethanol extract could reduce UVB-induced photoaging by alleviating oxidative stress, proinflammatory activity, and cell apoptosis.
Identification of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) Gene Family in Rhodiola crenulata and Gene Expression Analysis under Stress Conditions
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Wu Mei , Yu Deshui , Teng Yanjiao , Wei Tao , Chen Chengbin , Song Wenqin
Published: October 2018

Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are important enzymes in the glutathione-ascorbate cycle for catalyzing the reduction of H2O2 or organic hydroperoxides to water. GPXs play an essential role in plant growth and development by participating in photosynthesis, respiration, and stress tolerance. Rhodiola crenulata is a popular traditional Chinese medicinal plant which displays an extreme energy of tolerance to harsh alpine climate. The GPXs gene family might provide R. crenulata for extensively tolerance to environment stimulus. In this study, five GPX genes were isolated from R. crenulata. The protein amino acid sequences were analyzed by bioinformation softwares with the results that RcGPXs gene sequences contained three conserve cysteine residues, and the subcellular location predication were in the chloroplast, endoplasmic reticulum, or cytoplasm. Five RcGPXs members presented spatial and temporal specific expression with higher levels in young and green organs. And the expression patterns of RcGPXs in response to stresses or plant hormones were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, the putative interaction proteins of RcGPXs were obtained by yeast two-hybrid with the results that RcGPXs could physically interact with specific proteins of multiple pathways like transcription factor, calmodulin, thioredoxin, and abscisic acid signal pathway. These results showed the regulation mechanism of RcGPXs were complicated and they were necessary for R. crenulata to adapt to the treacherous weather in highland.
Hydrogel Cryopreservation System: An Effective Method for Cell Storage
Authors: Zhang Chaocan , Zhou Youliang , Zhang Li , Wu Lili , Chen Yanjun , Xie Dong , Chen Wanyu
Published: October 2018

At present, living cells are widely used in cell transplantation and tissue engineering. Many efforts have been made aiming towards the use of a large number of living cells with high activity and integrated functionality. Currently, cryopreservation has become well-established and is effective for the long-term storage of cells. However, it is still a major challenge to inhibit cell damage, such as from solution injury, ice injury, recrystallization and osmotic injury during the thawing process, and the cytotoxicity of cryoprotectants. Hence, this review focused on different novel gel cryopreservation systems. Natural polymer hydrogel cryopreservation, the synthetic polymer hydrogel cryopreservation system and the supramolecular hydrogel cryopreservation system were presented, respectively. Due to the unique three-dimensional network structure of the hydrogel, these hydrogel cryopreservation systems have the advantages of excellent biocompatibility for natural polymer hydrogel cryopreservation systems, designability for synthetic polymer hydrogel cryopreservation systems, and versatility for supramolecular hydrogel cryopreservation systems. To some extent, the different hydrogel cryopreservation methods can confine ice crystal growth and decrease the change rates of osmotic shock in cell encapsulation systems. It is notable that the cryopreservation of complex cells and tissues is demanded in future clinical research and therapy, and depends on the linkage of different methods.
Pancreatic Cancer and Obesity: Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Transformation and Chemoresistance
Authors: Cascetta Priscilla , Cavaliere Alessandro , Piro Geny , Torroni Lorena , Santoro Raffaela , Tortora Giampaolo , Melisi Davide , Carbone Carmine
Published: October 2018

Cancer and obesity are the two major epidemics of the 21st century. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of death, with a five-year overall survival rate of only 8%. Its incidence and mortality have increased in recent years, and this cancer type is expected to be among the top five leading causes of cancer-related death by 2030 in the United States (US). In the last three decades, the prevalence of overweight people has boosted with a consequent increase in obesity-related diseases. Considerable epidemiologic evidence correlates overweight and obese conditions to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including PDAC. Besides being a risk factor for multiple metabolic disorders, the tumor-promoting effects of obesity occur at the local level via inflammatory mediators that are associated with adipose inflammation and metabolic or hormones mediators and microbiota dysbiosis. Although an excess of body mass index (BMI) represents the second most modifiable risk factor for PDAC with an increased cancer related-death of more than 20–40%, still little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie this strong association. In this review, we focused on the role of obesity as a preventable risk factor of PDAC, discussing the molecular mechanisms linking obesity to cancer initiation and progression. Moreover, we highlighted the role of obesity in defining chemoresistance, showing how a high BMI can actually reduce response to chemotherapy.
Physical Background of the Disordered Nature of “Mutual Synergetic Folding” Proteins
Authors: Magyar Csaba , Mentes Anikó , Fichó Erzsébet , Cserző Miklós , Simon István
Published: October 2018

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) lack a well-defined 3D structure. Their disordered nature enables them to interact with several other proteins and to fulfil their vital biological roles, in most cases after coupled folding and binding. In this paper, we analyze IDPs involved in a new mechanism, mutual synergistic folding (MSF). These proteins define a new subset of IDPs. Recently we collected information on these complexes and created the Mutual Folding Induced by Binding (MFIB) database. These protein complexes exhibit considerable structural variation, and almost half of them are homodimers, but there is a significant amount of heterodimers and various kinds of oligomers. In order to understand the basic background of the disordered character of the monomers found in MSF complexes, the simplest part of the MFIB database, the homodimers are analyzed here. We conclude that MFIB homodimeric proteins have a larger solvent-accessible main-chain surface area on the contact surface of the subunits, when compared to globular homodimeric proteins. The main driving force of the dimerization is the mutual shielding of the water-accessible backbones and the formation of extra intermolecular interactions.
The Synthesis of Ascorbic Acid in Rice Roots Plays an Important Role in the Salt Tolerance of Rice by Scavenging ROS
Authors: Wang Yayun , Zhao Hui , Qin Hua , Li Zixuan , Liu Hai , Wang Juan , Zhang Haiwen , Quan Ruidang , Huang Rongfeng , Zhang Zhijin
Published: October 2018

The root plays an important role in the responses of plants to stresses, but the detailed mechanisms of roots in stress responses are still obscure. The GDP-mannose pyrophosphate synthetase (GMPase) OsVTC1-3 is a key factor of ascorbic acid (AsA) synthesis in rice roots. The present study showed that the transcript of OsVTC1-3 was induced by salt stress in roots, but not in leaves. Inhibiting the expression of OsVTC1-3 by RNA interfering (RI) technology significantly impaired the tolerance of rice to salt stress. The roots of OsVTC1-3 RI plants rapidly produced more O2−, and later accumulated amounts of H2O2 under salt stress, indicating the impaired tolerance of OsVTC1-3 RI plants to salt stress due to the decreasing ability of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, exogenous AsA restored the salt tolerance of OsVTC1-3 RI plants, indicating that the AsA synthesis in rice roots is an important factor for the response of rice to salt stress. Further studies showed that the salt-induced AsA synthesis was limited in the roots of OsVTC1-3 RI plants. The above results showed that specifically regulating AsA synthesis to scavenge ROS in rice roots was one of important factors in enhancing the tolerance of rice to salt stress.
Age- and Genotype-Specific Effects of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Lisinopril on Mitochondrial and Metabolic Parameters in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ederer Karis A. , Jin Kelly , Bouslog Sarah , Wang Lu , Gorman Gregory S. , Rowe Glenn C. , Abadir Peter , Raftery Daniel , Moellering Douglas , Promislow Daniel , Jumbo-Lucioni Patricia , De Luca Maria
Published: October 2018

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase that is involved in the synthesis of Angiotensin II, the bioactive component of the renin-angiotensin system. A growing body of literature argues for a beneficial impact of ACE inhibitors (ACEi) on age-associated metabolic disorders, mediated by cellular changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that improve mitochondrial function. Yet, our understanding of the relationship between ACEi therapy and metabolic parameters is limited. Here, we used three genetically diverse strains of Drosophila melanogaster to show that Lisinopril treatment reduces thoracic ROS levels and mitochondrial respiration in young flies, and increases mitochondrial content in middle-aged flies. Using untargeted metabolomics analysis, we also showed that Lisinopril perturbs the thoracic metabolic network structure by affecting metabolic pathways involved in glycogen degradation, glycolysis, and mevalonate metabolism. The Lisinopril-induced effects on mitochondrial and metabolic parameters, however, are genotype-specific and likely reflect the drug’s impact on nutrient-dependent fitness traits. Accordingly, we found that Lisinopril negatively affects survival under nutrient starvation, an effect that can be blunted by genotype and age in a manner that partially mirrors the drug-induced changes in mitochondrial respiration. In conclusion, our results provide novel and important insights into the role of ACEi in cellular metabolism.
Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Renewable Sterically-Hindered Phenolic Antioxidants with Tunable Polarity from Lignocellulose and Vegetal Oil Components
Authors: Hollande Louis , Domenek Sandra , Allais Florent
Published: October 2018

Despite their great antioxidant activities, the use of natural phenols as antioxidant additives for polyolefins is limited owing to their weak thermal stability and hydrophilic character. Herein, we report a sustainable chemo-enzymatic synthesis of renewable lipophilic antioxidants specifically designed to overcome these restrictions using naturally occurring ferulic acid (found in lignocellulose) and vegetal oils (i.e., lauric, palmitic, stearic acids, and glycerol) as starting materials. A predictive Hansen and Hildebrand parameters-based approach was used to tailor the polarity of newly designed structures. A specific affinity of Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) towards glycerol was demonstrated and exploited to efficiently synthesized the target compounds in yields ranging from 81 to 87%. Antiradical activity as well as radical scavenging behavior (H atom-donation, kinetics) of these new fully biobased additives were found superior to that of well-established, commercially available fossil-based antioxidants such as Irganox 1010® and Irganox 1076®. Finally, their greater thermal stabilities (302 < Td5% < 311 °C), established using thermal gravimetric analysis, combined with their high solubilities and antioxidant activities, make these novel sustainable phenolics a very attractive alternative to current fossil-based antioxidant additives in polyolefins.
Immunomodulatory Properties of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Treated with 5-Azacytydine and Resveratrol on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Macrophages in Metabolic Syndrome Animals
Authors: Kornicka Katarzyna , Śmieszek Agnieszka , Węgrzyn Agnieszka Sławomira , Röcken Michael , Marycz Krzysztof
Published: October 2018

Endocrine disorders, including equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), are a serious issue in veterinary medicine and horse breeding. Furthermore, EMS was shown to affect the cytophysiological properties of adipose-derived stem cells, reducing their therapeutic potential. However, it was shown that those cells can be rejuvenated while using a combination of two chemicals: 5-azacytydine (AZA) and resveratrol (RES). In the present study, we decided to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of AZA/RES-treated adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) isolated from EMS horses (ASCEMS). Thus, we co-cultured ASC with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and RAW264.7 macrophages. Most attention was placed on regulatory T lymphocytes (TREG), as well as the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of several cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-1β). Moreover, we also investigated the expression of genes related to auto- and mitophagy in both PBMCs and ASCs. PBMCs were obtained from healthy and EMS-suffering individuals and were co-cultured with ASCs that were isolated from healthy and EMS horses cultured in control conditions and with AZA/RES. We discovered that cells treated with AZA/RES increase the TREG number while co-cultured with PBMCs. Moreover, the co-culture of PBMCs with AZA/RES-treated ASCEMS induced mitophagy in PBMCs. Furthermore, ASCEMS pre-treated with AZA/RES displayed anti-inflammatory properties, as decreased levels of TNF-α, nitric oxide (NO), and IL-6 were observed in those cells in comparison with their untreated counterparts in the co-culture with RAW264.7 macrophages. In summary, we demonstrated that ASCEMS treated with AZA/RES displayed increased anti-inflammatory properties, and was able to regulate and activate the TREG-related anti-inflammatory response.
Association of Depression and Cervical Spondylosis: A Nationwide Retrospective Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Shih-Yi , Sung Fung-Chang , Lin Cheng-Li , Chou Li-Wei , Hsu Chung-Y. , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: October 2018

Objective: Depression is a psychiatric disorder associated with poorer health outcomes. Inappropriate mechanical stress and aging are factors associated with developing cervical spondylosis. The connection between cervical spondylosis and depression is not developed. Methods: From the health insurance claims data of Taiwan, we identified 34,166 persons newly diagnosed with depression in 2000–2010 and 34,166 persons without the disorder frequency matched by sex, age and diagnosis year. Both cohorts were followed up to the end of 2013 to estimate incident cervical spondylosis. We further examined the risk of cervical spondylosis in depressed people taking antidepressants. Results: The incidence of cervical spondylosis was 1.8-fold greater in the depression cohort than in comparison cohort (9.46 vs. 5.36 per 1000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.66–1.92). The incidence of cervical spondylosis increased in patients who had taken medications of serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or of non-SSRIs than in those without these medicines (9.13 or 11.5 vs. 6.54 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Conclusions: Patients with depression are at an increased risk of developing cervical spondylosis. Additional efforts in reducing the risk of cervical spondylosis might be required in depressed individuals undergoing anti-depressive therapy.
Acute Exercise Facilitates the N450 Inhibition Marker and P3 Attention Marker during Stroop Test in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Hsieh Shu-Shih , Huang Chung-Ju , Wu Chien-Ting , Chang Yu-Kai , Hung Tsung-Min
Published: October 2018

While considerable evidence supporting the positive influence of acute exercise on cognitive inhibition, little is known regarding the underlying cognitive processes. There is also little neuroelectric evidence regarding the effects on older adults of acute exercise-elicited cognitive benefits. Thus, our objective was to explore the possible neural markers underlying improved cognitive inhibition, with particular attention to the N450 and P3 components, following acute exercise. Another aim was to investigate whether cognitive gains seen in young adults are replicated in older adults. Twenty-four young males and 20 older males underwent either a single bout of aerobic exercise or video-watching in counterbalanced order. Afterwards, cognitive inhibition was assessed by the Stroop test. Results revealed that acute exercise resulted in shorter response time regardless of age or congruency. Regarding the neuroeletric data, acute exercise resulted in larger P3 amplitude and smaller N450 amplitude regardless of congruency or age. Further, following exercise, changes in response time interference were correlated with changes in incongruent N450 amplitude. Collectively, acute exercise-facilitated conflict monitoring and attention control, as signified by the N450 and P3 components, may be the underlying processes leading to better Stroop performance, with conflict monitoring having a stronger association with task performance. Further, cognitive gains resulting from acute exercise were found to the same extent in both young and older adults.
A Novel Approach to Design SRAM Cells for Low Leakage and Improved Stability
Authors: Tripathi Tripti , Chauhan Durg Singh , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: October 2018

The semiconductor electronic industry is advancing at a very fast pace. The size of portable and handheld devices are shrinking day by day and the demand for longer battery backup is also increasing. With these requirements, the leakage power in stand-by mode becomes a critical concern for researchers. In most of these devices, memory is an integral part and its size also scales down as the device size is reduced. So, low power and high speed memory design is a prime concern. Another crucial factor is the stability of static random-access memory (SRAM) cells. This paper combines multi threshold and fingering techniques to propose a modified 6T SRAM cell which has high speed, improved stability and low leakage current in stand-by mode of the memory cell. The simulations are done using the Cadence Virtuoso tool on UMC 55 nm technology.
Identification of Core Suppliers Based on E-Invoice Data Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Hong Jung-sik , Yeo Hyeongyu , Cho Nam-Wook , Ahn Taeuk
Published: October 2018

Since not all suppliers are to be managed in the same way, a purchasing strategy requires proper supplier segmentation so that the most suitable strategies can be used for different segments. Most existing methods for supplier segmentation, however, either depend on subjective judgements or require significant efforts. To overcome the limitations, this paper proposes a novel approach for supplier segmentation. The objective of this paper is to develop an automated and effective way to identify core suppliers, whose profit impact on a buyer is significant. To achieve this objective, the application of a supervised machine learning technique, Random Forests (RF), to e-invoice data is proposed. To validate the effectiveness, the proposed method has been applied to real e-invoice data obtained from an automobile parts manufacturer. Results of high accuracy and the area under the curve (AUC) attest to the applicability of our approach. Our method is envisioned to be of value for automating the identification of core suppliers. The main benefits of the proposed approach include the enhanced efficiency of supplier segmentation procedures. Besides, by utilizing a machine learning method to e-invoice data, our method results in more reliable segmentation in terms of selecting and weighting variables.
Multifunctional, Polyurethane-Based Foam Composites Reinforced by a Fabric Structure: Preparation, Mechanical, Acoustic, and EMI Shielding Properties
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Li Ting-Ting , Wu Liwei , Lou Ching-Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: October 2018

This study proposes multifunctional, fabric-reinforced composites (MFRCs) based on a bionic design, which are prepared by two-step foaming and a combination of different fabric constructs. MFRCs are evaluated in terms of sound absorption, compression resistance, electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), and drop impact, thereby examining the effects of fabric structures. The test results indicate that the enhanced composites have superiority functions when combined with carbon fabric in the upper layer and spacer fabric in the lower layer. They have maximum compression resistance, which is 116.9 kPa at a strain of 60%, and their compression strength is increased by 135.9% compared with the control specimen. As a result of the fabric structure on the cell morphology, the maximum resonance peak shifts toward high frequency when using spacer fabric as the intermediate layer. The average sound absorption coefficient is above 0.7 at 1000–4000 Hz. The reinforced composites possessed EMI SE of 50 dB at 2 GHz; an attenuation rate of 99.999% was obtained, suggesting a good practical application value. Furthermore, the cushioning effect of the MFRCs improved significantly, and the maximum dynamic contact force during the impact process was reduced by 57.28% compared with composites without any fabric structure. The resulting MFRCs are expected to be used as sound absorbent security walls, machinery equipment, and packaging for commercial EMI shielding applications in the future.