bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunomodulatory Activities of Selected Essential Oils
Authors: Sandner Georg , Heckmann Mara , Weghuber Julian
Published: August 2020

Recently, the application of herbal medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases has gained increasing attention. Essential oils (EOs) are generally known to exert various pharmacological effects, such as antiallergic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Current literature involving in vitro and in vivo studies indicates the potential of various herbal essential oils as suitable immunomodulators for the alternative treatment of infectious or immune diseases. This review highlights the cellular effects induced by EOs, as well as the molecular impacts of EOs on cytokines, immunoglobulins, or regulatory pathways. The results reviewed in this article revealed a significant reduction in relevant proinflammatory cytokines, as well as induction of anti-inflammatory markers. Remarkably, very little clinical study data involving the immunomodulatory effects of EOs are available. Furthermore, several studies led to contradictory results, emphasizing the need for a multiapproach system to better characterize EOs. While immunomodulatory effects were reported, the toxic potential of EOs must be clearly considered in order to secure future applications.
Resveratrol Modulates Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) Signaling Pathway for Disease Therapy: A New Insight into Its Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Milad , Najafi Masoud , Orouei Sima , Zabolian Amirhossein , Saleki Hossein , Azami Negar , Sharifi Negin , Hushmandi Kiavash , Zarrabi Ali , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: August 2020

Resveratrol (Res) is a well-known natural product that can exhibit important pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory. An evaluation of its therapeutic effects demonstrates that this naturally occurring bioactive compound can target different molecular pathways to exert its pharmacological actions. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is an important molecular pathway that is capable of regulating different cellular mechanisms such as proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. TGF-β has been reported to be involved in the development of disorders such as diabetes, cancer, inflammatory disorders, fibrosis, cardiovascular disorders, etc. In the present review, the relationship between Res and TGF-β has been investigated. It was noticed that Res can inhibit TGF-β to suppress the proliferation and migration of cancer cells. In addition, Res can improve fibrosis by reducing inflammation via promoting TGF-β down-regulation. Res has been reported to be also beneficial in the amelioration of diabetic complications via targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway. These topics are discussed in detail in this review to shed light on the protective effects of Res mediated via the modulation of TGF-β signaling.
Lipid Metabolism in Macrophages: Focus on Atherosclerosis
Authors: Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Khotina Victoria A. , Chegodaev Yegor S. , Ivanova Ekaterina , Sobenin Igor A. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: August 2020

Mechanisms of lipid homeostasis and its impairment are of crucial importance for atherogenesis, and their understanding is necessary for successful development of new therapeutic approaches. In the arterial wall, macrophages play a prominent role in intracellular lipid accumulation, giving rise to foam cells that populate growing atherosclerotic plaques. Under normal conditions, macrophages are able to process substantial amounts of lipids and cholesterol without critical overload of the catabolic processes. However, in atherosclerosis, these pathways become inefficient, leading to imbalance in cholesterol and lipid metabolism and disruption of cellular functions. In this review, we summarize the existing knowledge on the involvement of macrophage lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis development, including both the results of recent studies and classical concepts, and provide a detailed description of these processes from the moment of lipid uptake with lipoproteins to cholesterol efflux.
The Current Trends of Biosensors in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Li Yi-Chen Ethan , Lee I-Chi
Published: August 2020

Biosensors constitute selective, sensitive, and rapid tools for disease diagnosis in tissue engineering applications. Compared to standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analytical technology, biosensors provide a strategy to real-time and on-site monitor micro biophysiological signals via a combination of biological, chemical, and physical technologies. This review summarizes the recent and significant advances made in various biosensor technologies for different applications of biological and biomedical interest, especially on tissue engineering applications. Different fabrication techniques utilized for tissue engineering purposes, such as computer numeric control (CNC), photolithographic, casting, and 3D printing technologies are also discussed. Key developments in the cell/tissue-based biosensors, biomolecular sensing strategies, and the expansion of several biochip approaches such as organs-on-chips, paper based-biochips, and flexible biosensors are available. Cell polarity and cell behaviors such as proliferation, differentiation, stimulation response, and metabolism detection are included. Biosensors for diagnosing tissue disease modes such as brain, heart, lung, and liver systems and for bioimaging are discussed. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced by current biosensing techniques and highlight future prospects of biosensors for tissue engineering applications.
Current Treatment of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: Single Center Study
Authors: Navrátil Ondřej , Ďuriš Kamil , Juráň Vilém , Svoboda Karel , Hustý Jakub , Hovorka Evžen , Neuman Eduard , Mrlian Andrej , Smrčka Martin
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Anterior communicating artery aneurysms (ACoAAs) are the most frequent intracranial aneurysms treated at neurosurgical departments with a vascular program. Material and methods: We reviewed patients with ACoAAs in a single institution over ten years (2008–2017). The focus was on the final outcome; complications, age, and clinical condition with respect to modalities were analyzed. Results: A total of 198 patients treated during this period was included in the study: 176 patients had a ruptured ACoAA and 22 had an unruptured ACoAA. Then, 127 (71%) were treated surgically and 51 (29%) by endovascular means. Out of the whole series, a good recovery occurred in 123 patients (62%), moderate disability in 11 (5.5%), severe disability in 19 (10%), vegetative state in 11 (5.5%), and death in 34 (17%). In the 157 patients (72.5%) with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), both modalities had a favorable outcome: 27.5% had an unfavorable outcome, 12% had complications in surgery versus 17.6% during endovascular treatment. No statistical difference in outcome, complications, and age was noted between modalities. Surgical treatment was more frequently adopted for patients in a better clinical condition (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: More than two thirds of the patients (72.5%) reached a favorable outcome. There was no difference in age between the treatment modalities. Risks of complications are present and specific for both modalities.
Autistic-Like Features in Visually Impaired Children: A Review of Literature and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Molinaro Anna , Micheletti Serena , Rossi Andrea , Gitti Filippo , Galli Jessica , Merabet Lotfi B. , Fazzi Elisa Maria
Published: August 2020

There remains great interest in understanding the relationship between visual impairment (VI) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to the extraordinarily high prevalence of ASD in blind and visually impaired children. The broad variability across individuals and assessment methodologies have made it difficult to understand whether autistic-like symptoms shown by some children with VI might reflect the influence of the visual deficit, or represent a primary neurodevelopmental condition that occurs independently of the VI itself. In the absence of a valid methodology adapted for the visually impaired population, diagnosis of ASD in children with VI is often based on non-objective clinical impression, with inconclusive prevalence data. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge and suggest directions for future research.
DNA Methyltransferases in Cancer: Biology, Paradox, Aberrations, and Targeted Therapy
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Yang Cheng , Wu Chunfu , Cui Wei , Wang Lihui
Published: August 2020

DNA methyltransferases are an essential class of modifiers in epigenetics. In mammals, DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B participate in DNA methylation to regulate normal biological functions, such as embryo development, cell differentiation and gene transcription. Aberrant functions of DNMTs are frequently associated with tumorigenesis. DNMT aberrations usually affect tumor-related factors, such as hypermethylated suppressor genes and genomic instability, which increase the malignancy of tumors, worsen the prognosis for patients, and greatly increase the difficulty of cancer therapy. However, the impact of DNMTs on tumors is still controversial, and therapeutic approaches targeting DNMTs are still under exploration. Here, we summarize the biological functions and paradoxes associated with DNMTs and we discuss some emerging strategies for targeting DNMTs in tumors, which may provide novel ideas for cancer therapy.
Genomic Database Analysis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Mutational Profile
Authors: Astolfi Annalisa , Nannini Margherita , Indio Valentina , Schipani Angela , Rizzo Alessandro , Perrone Anna Myriam , De Iaco Pierandrea , Pirini Maria Giulia , De Leo Antonio , Urbini Milena , Secchiero Paola , Pantaleo Maria Abbondanza
Published: August 2020

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is by far the most common type of uterine sarcoma, characterized by an aggressive clinical course, a heterogeneous genetic profile and a very scarce response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The genetic make-up of uLMS is an area of active study that could provide essential cues for the development of new therapeutic approaches. A total of 216 patients with uLMS from cBioPortal and AACR-GENIE databases were included in the study. The vast majority of patients (81%) carried at least one mutation in either TP53, RB1, ATRX or PTEN. The most frequently mutated gene was TP53, with 61% of the patients harboring at least one mutation, followed by RB1 at 48%. PTEN alteration was more frequent in metastases than in primary lesions, consistent with a later acquisition during tumor progression. There was a significant trend for TP53 and RB1 mutations to occur together, while both TP53 and RB1 were mutually exclusive with respect to CDKN2A/B inactivation. Overall survival did not show significant correlation with the mutational status, even if RB1 mutation emerged as a favorable prognostic factor in the TP53-mutant subgroup. This comprehensive analysis shows that uLMS is driven almost exclusively by the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and suggests that future therapeutic strategies should be directed at targeting the main genetic drivers of uLMS oncogenesis.
Optimizing Sequential Systemic Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Decision Analysis
Authors: Cabibbo Giuseppe , Celsa Ciro , Enea Marco , Battaglia Salvatore , Rizzo Giacomo Emanuele Maria , Grimaudo Stefania , Matranga Domenica , Attanasio Massimo , Bruzzi Paolo , Craxì Antonio , Cammà Calogero
Published: August 2020

Background: An optimal sequential systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been discovered. We developed a decision model based on available clinical trials to identify an optimal risk/benefit strategy for sequences of novel systemic agents. Methods: A Markov model was built to simulate overall survival (OS) among patients with advanced HCC. Three first-line (single-agent Sorafenib or Lenvatinib, and combination of Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab) followed by five second-line treatments (Regorafenib, Cabozantinib, Ramucirumab, Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab) were compared in fifteen sequential strategies. The likelihood of transition between states (initial treatment, cancer progression, death) was derived from clinical trials. Life-year gained (LYG) was the main outcome. Rates of severe adverse events (SAEs) (≥grade 3) were calculated. The innovative measure, called incremental safety-effectiveness ratio (ISER), of the two best sequential treatments was calculated as the difference in probability of SAEs divided by LYG. Results: Lenvatinib followed by Nivolumab (median OS, 27 months) was the most effective sequence, producing a LYG of 0.75, while Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab followed by Nivolumab was the safest sequence (SAEs 40%). Accordingly, the net health benefit assessed by ISER favored Lenvatinib followed by Nivolumab, compared to Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab, followed by Nivolumab in 52% of cases. Conclusion: Further sequential clinical trials or large-scale real-world studies may prove useful to evaluate the net health benefit of the best sequential treatment for advanced HCC.
PLEKHS1 Over-Expression is Associated with Metastases and Poor Outcomes in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Xing Xiangling , Mu Ninni , Yuan Xiaotian , Wang Na , Juhlin C. Christofer , Strååt Klas , Larsson Catharina , Xu Dawei
Published: August 2020

Pleckstrin homology domain containing S1 (PLEKHS1) is a poorly characterized factor, although its promoter mutations were identified in human malignancies including thyroid carcinoma (TC). This study was designed to determine PLEKHS1 promoter hotspot mutations in papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (PTCs and ATCs) and to evaluate if PLEKHS1 expression influences clinical outcome. The PLEKHS1 promoter mutation was observed in 1/93 of PTCs and none of 18 ATCs in our cohort; however, PLEKHS1 expression was aberrantly up-regulated in TCs compared to adjacent non-tumorous thyroid tissues. ATC tumors, an undifferentiated TC, exhibited the highest PLEKHS1 expression. In both TCGA and present cohorts of PTCs, PLEKHS1 gene methylation density was inversely correlated with its mRNA expression and demethylation at the PLEKHS1 locus occurred at two CpGs. Higher PLEKHS1 expression was associated with lymph node and distant metastases, and shorter overall and disease-free survival in our cohort of PTC patients. Importantly, PLEKHS1 over-expression predicted shorter patient survival in PTCs lacking TERT promoter mutations. Cellular experiments showed that PLEKHS1 over-expression enhanced AKT phosphorylation and invasiveness. Collectively, the PLEKHS1 gene demethylation causes its over-expression in PTCs. PLEKHS1 promotes aggressive behavior of TCs possibly by increasing AKT activity, and its over-expression predicts poor patient outcomes.
Optimization of a Luciferase-Expressing Non-Invasive Intrapleural Model of Malignant Mesothelioma in Immunocompetent Mice
Authors: Digifico Elisabeth , Erreni Marco , Colombo Federico Simone , Recordati Camilla , Migliore Roberta , Frapolli Roberta , D’Incalci Maurizio , Belgiovine Cristina , Allavena Paola
Published: August 2020

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor of the pleural lining that is usually identified at advanced stages and resistant to current therapies. Appropriate pre-clinical mouse tumor models are of pivotal importance to study its biology. Usually, tumor cells have been injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. Using three available murine mesothelioma cell lines with different histotypes (sarcomatoid, biphasic, epithelioid), we have set up a simplified model of in vivo growth orthotopically by inoculating tumor cells directly in the thorax with a minimally invasive procedure. Mesothelioma tumors grew along the pleura and spread on the superficial areas of the lungs, but no masses were found outside the thoracic cavity. As observed in human MPM, tumors were highly infiltrated by macrophages and T cells. The luciferase-expressing cells can be visualized in vivo by bioluminescent optical imaging to precisely quantify tumor growth over time. Notably, the bioluminescence signal detected in vivo correctly matched the tumor burden quantified with classical histology. In contrast, the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal growth of these mesothelioma cells was considered either non-representative of the human disease or unreliable to precisely quantify tumor load. Our non-invasive in vivo model of mesothelioma is simple and reproducible, and it reliably recapitulates the human disease.
Extracellular Vesicle Transfer from Endothelial Cells Drives VE-Cadherin Expression in Breast Cancer Cells, Thereby Causing Heterotypic Cell Contacts
Authors: Rezaei Maryam , Martins Cavaco Ana C. , Stehling Martin , Nottebaum Astrid , Brockhaus Katrin , Caliandro Michele F. , Schelhaas Sonja , Schmalbein Felix , Vestweber Dietmar , Eble Johannes A.
Published: August 2020

Cadherins mediate cohesive contacts between isotypic cells by homophilic interaction and prevent contact between heterotypic cells. Breast cancer cells neighboring endothelial cells (ECs) atypically express vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. To understand this EC-induced VE-cadherin expression in breast cancer cells, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells expressing different endogenous cadherins were co-cultured with ECs and analyzed for VE-cadherin at the transcriptional level and by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and immunoblotting. After losing their endogenous cadherins and neo-expression of VE-cadherin, these cells integrated into an EC monolayer without compromising the barrier function instantly. However, they induced the death of nearby ECs. EC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) contained soluble and membrane-anchored forms of VE-cadherin. Only the latter was re-utilized by the cancer cells. In a reporter gene assay, EC-adjacent cancer cells also showed a juxtacrine but no paracrine activation of the endogenous VE-cadherin gene. This cadherin switch enabled intimate contact between cancer and endothelial cells in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane tumor model showing vasculogenic mimicry (VM). This EV-mediated, EC-induced cadherin switch in breast cancer cells and the neo-expression of VE-cadherin mechanistically explain the mutual communication in the tumor microenvironment. Hence, it may be a target to tackle VM, which is often found in breast cancers of poor prognosis.
lncRNA and Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Cancers of the Genitourinary System
Authors: Barth Dominik A. , Juracek Jaroslav , Slaby Ondrej , Pichler Martin , Calin George A.
Published: August 2020

Available systemic treatment options for cancers of the genitourinary system have experienced great progress in the last decade. However, a large proportion of patients eventually develop resistance to treatment, resulting in disease progression and shorter overall survival. Biomarkers indicating the increasing resistance to cancer therapies are yet to enter clinical routine. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are non-protein coding RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that exert multiple types of regulatory functions of all known cellular processes. Increasing evidence supports the role of lncRNAs in cancer development and progression. Additionally, their involvement in the development of drug resistance across various cancer entities, including genitourinary malignancies, are starting to be discovered. Consequently, lncRNAs have been suggested as factors in novel therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance in cancer. In this review, the existing evidences on lncRNAs and their involvement in mechanisms of drug resistance in cancers of the genitourinary system, including renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, will be highlighted and discussed to facilitate and encourage further research in this field. We summarize a significant number of lncRNAs with proposed pathways in drug resistance and available reported studies.
The Perfect Combination: Enhancing Patient Response to PD-1-Based Therapies in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: James Nicole E. , Woodman Morgan , DiSilvestro Paul A. , Ribeiro Jennifer R.
Published: August 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with an overall 5-year survival of only 47%. As the development of novel targeted therapies is drastically necessary in order to improve patient survival, current EOC clinical trials have heavily focused on immunotherapeutic approaches, centered upon programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. While PD-1 monotherapies have only exhibited modest responses for patients, it has been theorized that in order to enhance EOC patient response to immunotherapy, combinatorial regimens must be investigated. In this review, unique challenges to EOC PD-1 response will be discussed, along with a comprehensive description of both preclinical and clinical studies evaluating PD-1-based combinatorial therapies. Promising aspects of PD-1-based combinatorial approaches are highlighted, while also discussing specific preclinical and clinical areas of research that need to be addressed, in order to optimize EOC patient immunotherapy response.
Newly Isolated Alkane Hydroxylase and Lipase Producing Geobacillus and Anoxybacillus Species Involved in Crude Oil Degradation
Authors: Yusoff Durratul Fatini , Raja Abd Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha , Masomian Malihe , Ali Mohd Shukuri Mohamad , Leow Thean Chor
Published: August 2020

Isolation and studies of novel, crude oil biodegrading thermophilic strains may provide a wider knowledge in understanding their role in petroleum degradation. In this study, the screening of ten new thermophilic strains revealed that all strains were alkane hydroxylase producers and seven of them produced lipase concurrently. Three best strains were characterized and identified through 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Geobacillus sp. D4, Geobacillus sp. D7, and Anoxybacillus geothermalis D9 with GenBank accession numbers MK615934.1, MK615935.1, and MK615936.1, respectively. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis showed that all three strains were able to breakdown various compounds in crude oil such as alkanes, toxic poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organosulfur, carboxylic acids, alkene, resins, organosilicon, alcohol, organochlorine, and ester. For the first time, alkane hydroxylase and lipase activity as well as crude oil degradation by A. geothermalis species were reported. Geobacillus sp. D7 is the best alkane degrader followed by A. geothermalis D9 and Geobacillus sp. D4 with 17.3%, 13.1%, and 12.1% biodegradation efficiency (BE%), respectively. The potential of thermophiles isolated can be explored further for bioremediation of sites polluted by petroleum and oil spills.
Alloying Effect of Silver on Zirconia Support Manipulated Palladium Catalyst for Methane Combustion
Authors: Chu Mengmeng , Cai Fan , Cao Xiaohong , Xing Li , Yang Lefu , Yi Xiaodong , Fang Weiping
Published: August 2020

PdAg/ZrO2 alloy catalysts calcined at different temperatures were employed to elucidate the effect of support-metal interaction (SMI) on methane combustion. Combustion activity was depressed when the sample was calcined at an elevated temperature from 500 °C to 700 °C. However, calcination at 850 °C enhanced the beneficial SMI, which facilitated a more active phase for the oxidation reaction. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy experiments show that a special micro-domain structure at the interface is formed during the reduction pretreatment. H2-TPR and O2-TPD measurements illustrate that the active phase would undergo reconstruction upon redox cycles. The active phase manipulated by the support is more suitable for combustion reaction in the course of temperature altering.
Effect of H-ZSM-5 and Al-MCM-41 Proportions in Catalyst Mixtures on the Composition of Bio-Oil in Ex-Situ Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulose Biomass
Authors: Ratnasari Devy Kartika , Bijl Anton , Yang Weihong , Jönsson Pär Göran
Published: August 2020

The present work is an attempt to optimize the proportion of H-ZSM-5 and Al-MCM-41 in the catalyst mixtures for lignocellulose biomass catalytic pyrolysis. The H-ZSM-5 proportions of 50.0, 66.7, 75.0, and 87.5 wt.% were examined for the upgrading of biomass pyrolysis vapors in the fixed bed reactor. The catalyst mixture of 87.5 wt.% H-ZSM-5 and 12.5 wt.% Al-MCM-41 was found most effective in this study, giving a 65.75% deoxygenation degree. An organic-rich bio-oil was obtained with 74.90 wt.% of carbon content, 8 wt.% of hydrogen content, 15 wt.% oxygen content, a 0.39 wt.% water content, and a high heating value of 34.15 MJ/kg. The highest amount of desirable compounds among the studied catalytic experiments, which include hydrocarbons, phenols, furans, and alcohols, was obtained with a value of 95.89%. A significant improvement in the quality of bio-oil with the utilization of H-ZSM-5 and Al-MCM-41 catalyst mixtures was the rise of desirable compounds in bio-oil.
Alveolar Type II Cells or Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Comparison of Two Different Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury in Rats
Authors: Guillamat-Prats Raquel , Camprubí-Rimblas Marta , Puig Ferranda , Herrero Raquel , Tantinyà Neus , Serrano-Mollar Anna , Artigas Antonio
Published: August 2020

The use of cell therapies has recently increased for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and alveolar type II cells (ATII) are the main cell-based therapies used for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Many pre-clinical studies have shown that both therapies generate positive outcomes; however, the differences in the efficiency of MSCs or ATII for reducing lung damage remains to be studied. We compared the potential of both cell therapies, administering them using the same route and dose and equal time points in a sustained acute lung injury (ALI) model. We found that the MSCs and ATII cells have similar therapeutic effects when we tested them in a hydrochloric acid and lipopolysaccharide (HCl-LPS) two-hit ALI model. Both therapies were able to reduce proinflammatory cytokines, decrease neutrophil infiltration, reduce permeability, and moderate hemorrhage and interstitial edema. Although MSCs and ATII cells have been described as targeting different cellular and molecular mechanisms, our data indicates that both cell therapies are successful for the treatment of ALI, with similar beneficial results. Understanding direct cell crosstalk and the factors released from each cell will open the door to more accurate drugs being able to target specific pathways and offer new curative options for ARDS.
Probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Strains Counteract Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) Virulence and Hamper IL-23/Th17 Axis in Ulcerative Colitis, but Not in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Leccese Gabriella , Bibi Alessia , Mazza Stefano , Facciotti Federica , Caprioli Flavio , Landini Paolo , Paroni Moira
Published: August 2020

Hypersecretion of proinflammatory cytokines and dysregulated activation of the IL-23/Th17 axis in response to intestinal microbiota dysbiosis are key factors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In this work, we studied how Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains affect AIEC-LF82 virulence mechanisms and the consequent inflammatory response linked to the CCR6–CCL20 and IL-23/Th17 axes in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. All Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains significantly reduced the LF82 adhesion and persistence within HT29 intestinal epithelial cells, inhibiting IL-8 secretion while not affecting the CCR6–CCL20 axis. Moreover, they significantly reduced LF82 survival within macrophages and dendritic cells, reducing the secretion of polarizing cytokines related to the IL-23/Th17 axis, both in healthy donors (HD) and UC patients. In CD patients, however, only B. breve Bbr8 strain was able to slightly reduce the LF82 persistence within dendritic cells, thus hampering the IL-23/Th17 axis. In addition, probiotic strains were able to modulate the AIEC-induced inflammation in HD, reducing TNF-α and increasing IL-10 secretion by macrophages, but failed to do so in IBD patients. Interestingly, the probiotic strains studied in this work were all able to interfere with the IL-23/Th17 axis in UC patients, but not in CD patients. The different interaction mechanisms of probiotic strains with innate immune cells from UC and CD patients compared to HD suggest that testing on CD-derived immune cells may be pivotal for the identification of novel probiotic strains that could be effective also for CD patients.
Operating Small Hydropower Plants in Greece under Intermittent Flow Uncertainty: The Case of Tsiknias River (Lesvos)
Authors: Tzoraki Ourania
Published: August 2020

In arid and semi-arid parts of the world, river exploitation is intensive, involving water storage for irrigation or hydropower generation. In Greece, 100 small hydropower plants (SHPs) take advantage of less than 10% of the hydropower potential of low flow streams (<2 m3/s), a very small amount in relation to the 70% of the European Union. The energy policy of complete decarbonization of the country by 2023 on a national scale opens the road for new investments in SHP projects, especially in intermittent-flow streams of the Greek islands. Simulated flows by the Modello Idrologico SemiDistribuito in continuo (MISDc model) are used to construct the annual flow duration curve (FDC) to study and assess the hydropower potential of an intermittent stream (Tsiknias river, Lesvos, Greece). For Tsiknias River, but also for six other intermittent-flow rivers of Crete island, the capacity factor (CF), which represents the mean annual power of the hydropower plant, should remain >75% to exploit the river’s potential. The FDC and CF are essential in designing SHP projects in intermittent-flow streams with long no-flow periods. The development of public participatory approaches and a closer cooperation among policy makers and stakeholders should work to promote hydropower exploitation and accelerate licensing procedures.
Study on Ultrasonic Assisted Electrochemical Drill-Grinding of Superalloy
Authors: Kong Huanghai , Liu Yong , Zhu Xiangming , Peng Tengfei
Published: August 2020

Electrochemical grinding (ECG) technique composed of electrochemical machining (ECM) and mechanical grinding is a proper method for machining of difficult-to-cut alloys. This paper presents a new ultrasonic assisted electrochemical drill-grinding (UAECDG) technique which combines electrochemical drilling, mechanical grinding, and ultrasonic vibration to fabricating high-quality small holes on superalloy. By applying ultrasonic vibration to high-speed rotating electrode in ECG, machining stability, efficiency, and surface quality can be obviously improved. Firstly, the electrochemical passive behavior of superalloy is studied, the mathematical model and simulation of gap electric field are established. Then, several experiments are conducted to investigate the influence of applied voltage, feed rate and ultrasonic amplitude on the machining quality. The balance of material removal between electrochemical reaction and mechanical grinding is achieved by optimizing the machining parameters. It reveals that the surface quality as well as machining stability and efficiency can be significantly improved by applying rotating ultrasonic vibration to the ECG process. Finally, several small holes of high quality have been machined successfully along with surface roughness of hole sidewall decreases from Ra 0.99 μm to Ra 0.14 μm by UAECDG.
Versatility of Nanocrystalline Silicon Films: from Thin-Film to Perovskite/c-Si Tandem Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Mazzarella Luana , Morales-Vilches Anna , Korte Lars , Schlatmann Rutger , Stannowski Bernd
Published: August 2020

Doped hydrogenated nanocrystalline (nc-Si:H) and silicon oxide (nc-SiOx:H) materials grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition have favourable optoelectronic properties originated from their two-phase structure. This unique combination of qualities, initially, led to the development of thin-film Si solar cells allowing the fabrication of multijunction devices by tailoring the material bandgap. Furthermore, nanocrystalline silicon films can offer a better carrier transport and field-effect passivation than amorphous Si layers could do, and this can improve the carrier selectivity in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. The reduced parasitic absorption, due to the lower absorption coefficient of nc-SiOx:H films in the relevant spectral range, leads to potential gain in short circuit current. In this work, we report on development and applications of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc-SiOx:H) from material to device level. We address the potential benefits and the challenges for a successful integration in SHJ solar cells. Finally, we prove that nc-SiOx:H demonstrated clear advantages for maximizing the infrared response of c-Si bottom cells in combination with perovskite top cells.
Efficient Oil Removal of Polymer Flooding Produced Sewerage Using Super-Hydrophobic Mesh Filtration Method
Authors: Kang Wanli , Kang Xin , Yang Hongbin , Gebremariam Hailu , Li Zhe
Published: August 2020

During the past 20 years, polymer flooding has become a successful enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique for mature reservoirs with high water cut and recovery percent around the world. However, the high bulk viscosity of polymer solutions could slow down the separation rate of the crude oil emulsion and make it difficult to treat the produced fluid. Consequently, the efficient removal of oil from the polymer flooding produced sewerage has still drawn significant concern. In this research, a high flux super-hydrophobic copper mesh was prepared using two-stage processes to treat the sewerage from polymer flooding. The surface of the super-hydrophobic mesh was characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscope (SEM), OCA 20-contact angle goniometer, etc. Accordingly, the static contact angle of the super-hydrophobic copper mesh reached up to 165°. Moreover, the performances of the mesh were systematically evaluated under different internal and external factors such as oil to water volume ratio, polymer concentration, shear rate, and pH. The corresponding configuration and separation mechanisms are further explained in detail. The prepared superhydrophobic mesh can be a potential candidate for sewerage with both a polymer solution and crude oil.
Nanoscale Mapping of Heterogeneous Strain and Defects in Individual Magnetic Nanocrystals
Authors: Shi Xiaowen , Harder Ross , Liu Zhen , Shpyrko Oleg , Fullerton Eric , Kiefer Boris , Fohtung Edwin
Published: August 2020

We map the three-dimensional strain heterogeneity within a single core-shell Ni nanoparticle using Bragg coherent diffractive imaging. We report the direct observation of both uniform displacements and strain within the crystalline core Ni region. We identify non-uniform displacements and dislocation morphologies across the core–shell interface, and within the outer shell at the nanoscale. By tracking individual dislocation lines in the outer shell region, and comparing the relative orientation between the Burgers vector and dislocation lines, we identify full and partial dislocations. The full dislocations are consistent with elasticity theory in the vicinity of a dislocation while the partial dislocations deviate from this theory. We utilize atomistic computations and Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert simulation and density functional theory to confirm the equilibrium shape of the particle and the nature of the (111) displacement field obtained from Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) experiments. This displacement field distribution within the core-region of the Ni nanoparticle provides a uniform distribution of magnetization in the core region. We observe that the absence of dislocations within the core-regions correlates with a uniform distribution of magnetization projections. Our findings suggest that the imaging of defects using BCDI could be of significant importance for giant magnetoresistance devices, like hard disk-drive read heads, where the presence of dislocations can affect magnetic domain wall pinning and coercivity.
Plasmonic Photomobile Polymer Films
Authors: Castagna Riccardo , Rippa Massimo , Simoni Francesco , Villani Fulvia , Nenna Giuseppe , Petti Lucia
Published: August 2020

In this work, we introduce the approaches currently followed to realize photomobile polymer films and remark on the main features of the system based on a biphasic structure recently proposed. We describe a method of making a plasmonic nanostructure on the surface of photomobile films. The characterization of the photomobile film is performed by means of Dark Field Microscopy (DFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Preliminary observations of the light-induced effects on the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance are also reported.
Fluorescence Phenomena in Amyloid and Amyloidogenic Bionanostructures
Authors: Apter B. , Lapshina N. , Barhom H. , Fainberg B. , Handelman A. , Accardo A. , Diaferia C. , Ginzburg P. , Morelli G. , Rosenman G.
Published: August 2020

Nanoscale optical labeling is an advanced bioimaging tool. It is mostly based on fluorescence (FL) phenomena and enables the visualization of single biocells, bacteria, viruses, and biological tissues, providing monitoring of functional biosystems in vitro and in vivo, and the imaging-guided transportation of drug molecules. There is a variety of FL biolabels such as organic molecular dyes, genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (green fluorescent protein and homologs), semiconductor quantum dots, carbon dots, plasmonic metal gold-based nanostructures and more. In this review, a new generation of FL biolabels based on the recently found biophotonic effects of visible FL are described. This intrinsic FL phenomenon is observed in any peptide/protein materials folded into β-sheet secondary structures, irrespective of their composition, complexity, and origin. The FL effect has been observed both in natural amyloid fibrils, associated with neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more), and diverse synthetic peptide/protein structures subjected to thermally induced biological refolding helix-like→β-sheet. This approach allowed us to develop a new generation of FL peptide/protein bionanodots radiating multicolor, tunable, visible FL, covering the entire visible spectrum in the range of 400–700 nm. Newly developed biocompatible nanoscale biomarkers are considered as a promising tool for emerging precise biomedicine and advanced medical nanotechnologies (high-resolution bioimaging, light diagnostics, therapy, optogenetics, and health monitoring).
Green Synthesis of Hydrocalumite (CaAl-OH-LDH) from Ca(OH)2 and Al(OH)3 and the Parameters That Influence Its Formation and Speciation
Authors: Gevers Bianca R. , Labuschagné Frederick J.W.J.
Published: August 2020

Hydrocalumite is a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that is finding increased application in numerous scientific fields. Typically, this material is produced through environmentally polluting methods such as co-precipitation, sol-gel synthesis and urea-hydrolysis. Here, the hydrothermal green (environmentally friendly) synthesis of hydrocalumite (CaAl-OH) from Ca(OH)2 and Al(OH)3 in water and the parameters that influence its formation are discussed. The parameters investigated include the reaction temperature, reaction time, molar calcium-to-aluminium ratio, the morphology/crystallinity of reactants used, mixing and the water-to-solids ratio. Hydrocalumite formation was favoured in all experiments, making up between approximately 50% and 85% of the final crystalline phases obtained. Factors that were found to encourage higher hydrocalumite purity include a low water-to-solids ratio, an increase in the reaction time, sufficient mixing, the use of amorphous Al(OH)3 with a high surface area, reaction at an adequate temperature and, most surprisingly, the use of a calcium-to-aluminium ratio that stoichiometrically favours katoite formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement were used to determine the composition and crystal structures of the materials formed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine morphological differences and Fourier-transform infrared analysis with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) was used to identify possible carbonate contamination, inter alia. While the synthesis was conducted in an inert environment, some carbonate contamination could not be avoided. A thorough discussion on the topic of carbonate contamination in the hydrothermal synthesis of hydrocalumite was given, and the route to improved conversion as well as the possible reaction pathway were discussed.
Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Pulmonary Circulation. The Particular Scenario of Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Nuche Jorge , Segura de la Cal Teresa , Jiménez López Guarch Carmen , López-Medrano Francisco , Delgado Carmen Pérez-Olivares , Ynsaurriaga Fernando Arribas , Delgado Juan F. , Ibáñez Borja , Oliver Eduardo , Subías Pilar Escribano
Published: August 2020

The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has supposed a global health emergency affecting millions of people, with particular severity in the elderly and patients with previous comorbidities, especially those with cardiovascular disease. Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) could represent an especially vulnerable population because of the high mortality rates reported for respiratory infections. However, the number of COVID-19 cases reported among PAH and CTEPH patients is surprisingly low. Furthermore, the clinical picture that has been described in these patients is far from the severity that experts would expect. Endothelial dysfunction is a common feature between patients with PAH/CTEPH and COVID-19, leading to ventilation/perfusion mismatch, vasoconstriction, thrombosis and inflammation. In this picture, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 plays an essential role, being directly involved in the pathophysiology of both clinical entities. Some of these common characteristics could explain the good adaptation of PAH and CTEPH patients to COVID-19, who could also have obtained a benefit from the disease’s specific treatments (anticoagulant and pulmonary vasodilators), probably due to its protective effect on the endothelium. Additionally, these common features could also lead to PAH/CTEPH as a potential sequelae of COVID-19. Throughout this comprehensive review, we describe the similarities and differences between both conditions and the possible pathophysiological and therapeutic-based mechanisms leading to the low incidence and severity of COVID-19 reported in PAH/CTEPH patients to date. Nevertheless, international registries should look carefully into this population for better understanding and management.
Comparative Evaluation of Digitization of Diagnostic Dental Cast (Plaster) Models Using Different Scanning Technologies
Authors: Emara Aalaa , Sharma Neha , Halbeisen Florian S. , Msallem Bilal , Thieringer Florian M.
Published: August 2020

Rapidly developing digital dental technologies have substantially simplified the documentation of plaster dental models. The large variety of available scanners with varying degrees of accuracy and cost, however, makes the purchase decision difficult. This study assessed the digitization accuracy of a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and an intraoral scanner (IOS), as compared to a desktop optical scanner (OS). Ten plaster dental models were digitized three times (n = 30) with each scanner. The generated STL files were cross-compared, and the RMS values were calculated. Conclusions were drawn about the accuracy with respect to precision and trueness levels. The precision of the CBCT scanner was similar to the desktop OS reference, which both had a median deviation of 0.04 mm. The IOS had statistically significantly higher deviation compared to the reference OS, with a median deviation of 0.18 mm. The trueness values of the CBCT was also better than that of IOS—median differences of 0.14 and 0.17 mm, respectively. We conclude that the tested CBCT scanner is a highly accurate and user-friendly scanner for model digitization, and therefore a valuable alternative to the OS. The tested IOS was generally of lower accuracy, but it can still be used for plaster dental model digitization.
Prevalence of Peri-Implantitis: A Multi-Centered Cross-Sectional Study on 248 Patients
Authors: Weinstein Tommaso , Clauser Tommaso , Del Fabbro Massimo , Deflorian Matteo , Parenti Andrea , Taschieri Silvio , Testori Tiziano , Francetti Luca
Published: August 2020

The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of peri-implantitis and to assess its association with several patient- and implant-related factors. Patients with at least one implant, who came for a recall visit to one of the four centers over a period of five months, were enrolled. Presence of peri-implantitis (defined as bleeding on probing, exudate/suppuration, bone loss > 0.2 mm/year and increased pocket depth) and several other variables (e.g., smoking habits, history of periodontitis, diabetes) were recorded. Out of 248 enrolled patients (1162 implants), 10 patients had at least one implant with peri-implantitis (4.03%); a total of 14 implants were affected (1.20%). A statistically significant association between peri-implantitis and diabetes was found (OR 8.65; CI: 1.94–38.57). Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day (OR: 0.53; CI 0.03–9.45) and history of periodontitis (OR: 2.42; CI: 0.49–11.89) were not found to be statistically associated with peri-implantitis. Even if implant therapy is a consolidated treatment, biological complications do happen. Strict supportive therapy recalls could lead to lower rates of peri-implantitis and earlier diagnosis.
Efficient Facial Landmark Localization Based on Binarized Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Hanlin , Zhang Xudong , Ma Teli , Yue Haosong , Wang Xin , Zhang Baochang
Published: August 2020

Facial landmark localization is a significant yet challenging computer vision task, whose accuracy has been remarkably improved due to the successful application of deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). However, CNNs require huge storage and computation overhead, thus impeding their deployment on computationally limited platforms. In this paper, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that an efficient facial landmark localization is implemented via binarized CNNs. We introduce a new network architecture to calculate the binarized models, referred to as Amplitude Convolutional Networks (ACNs), based on the proposed asynchronous back propagation algorithm. We can efficiently recover the full-precision filters only using a single factor in an end-to-end manner, and the efficiency of CNNs for facial landmark localization is further improved by the extremely compressed 1-bit ACNs. Our ACNs reduce the storage space of convolutional filters by a factor of 32 compared with the full-precision models on dataset LFW+Webface, CelebA, BioID and 300W, while achieving a comparable performance to the full-precision facial landmark localization algorithms.