bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biofortification of Hens Eggs with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids by New Dietary Formulation: Supercritical Microalgal Extract
Authors: Michalak Izabela , Andrys Marita , Korczyński Mariusz , Opaliński Sebastian , Łęska Bogusława , Konkol Damian , Wilk Radosław , Rój Edward , Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: March 2020

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis, formulation containing microalgal extract, post-extraction residue, and formulation without algal extract (containing only emulsifier) on the content of FAs in the eggs of laying hens. The experiment was conducted on 90 laying hens (ISA Brown) as a completely randomized design. Hens were assigned to five experimental groups (six replicates). The FAs content in eggs was determined after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment. There were no statistically significant differences in FA profiles after 30 days of the experiment. It was shown that after 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment, the investigated additives had a significant impact on the content of such acids as: dodecanoic acid (C12:0), C15:0, nonadecanoic acid (C19:0), myristoleic acid (C14:1 n-5), α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3), DPA, C20:2 n-6, and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA C22:6 n-6). There were also significant differences in total PUFA n-3, PUFA n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratio in eggs. The obtained results suggest that the use of algae extract and emulsifier in laying hens nutrition has the greatest impact on the FA profile in the eggs.
Determination of Risk Factors Associated with Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreaks in Dairy Farms in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand
Authors: Sansamur Chalutwan , Arjkumpa Orapun , Charoenpanyanet Arisara , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak
Published: March 2020

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is considered a highly contagious transboundary disease of cloven-hoofed animals. FMD has become endemic to northern Thailand over the past decade. In 2016, FMD outbreaks were recorded in three districts in Chiang Mai Province. The objective of this study was to determine the farm-level risk factors associated with FMD outbreaks. This study was conducted via a face-to-face interview questionnaire survey at 140 FMD outbreak farms and 307 control farms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between potential risk factors and FMD outbreaks. The final logistic regression model identified factors associated with FMD outbreaks including the purchasing of a new cow without following quarantine protocol (odds ratio = 2.41, 95%CI = 1.45, 4.05), farms located near shared cattle grazing areas in a 10 km radius (OR = 1.83, 95%CI =1.11, 3.02), FMD vaccination administration by non-official livestock personnel (OR = 2.52, 95%CI = 1.39, 4.58), farms located in a 5 km radius of cattle abattoirs (OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 0.99, 3.40) and no history of FMD outbreaks over the previous 12 months in districts where farms were located (OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.22, 0.86). The risk factors identified in this study were related to farm biosecurity, FMD vaccination administration and distance from the farms to risk areas. Therefore, it was important to strengthen on-farm biosecurity and to improve farm management practices in order to reduce incidences of FMD at the farm level. Education or training programs for dairy farmers that would enhance knowledge and practices in relation to the assessed topics are needed.
Consumption of Antibiotics and Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile in the European Union in 2016—Opportunity for Practical Application of Aggregate ECDC Data
Authors: Jachowicz Estera , Różańska Anna , Pobiega Monika , Topolski Mariusz , Wójkowska-Mach Jadwiga
Published: March 2020

Background: The most important pathomechanism of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) is post-antibiotic intestinal dysbiosis. CDI affects both ambulatory and hospital patients. Aim: The objective of the study was to analyze the possibility of utilizing databases from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control subject to surveillance for the purpose of identifying areas that require intervention with respect to public health. Methods: The analysis encompassed data concerning CDI incidence and antibiotic consumption expressed as defined daily doses (DDD) and quality indicators for antimicrobial-consumption involving both ambulatory and hospital patients in 2016. Results: In 2016, in the European Union countries, total antibiotic consumption in hospital and outpatient treatment amounted to 20.4 DDD (SD 7.89, range 11.04–39.69); in ambulatory treatment using average of ten times more antibiotics than hospitals. In total, 44.9% of antibiotics used in outpatient procedures were broad-spectrum antibiotics. We have found a significant relationship between the quality of antibiotics and their consumption: The more broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribed, the higher the sales of antibiotics both in the community sector and in total. CDI incidence did not statistically significantly correlate with the remaining factors analyzed on a country-wide level. Conclusion: Antibiotic consumption and the CDI incidence may depend on many national variables associated with local systems of healthcare organization and financing. Their interpretation in international comparisons does not give clear-cut answers and requires caution.
Antioxidants Reduce Muscular Dystrophy in the dy2J/dy2J Mouse Model of Laminin α2 Chain-Deficient Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: M. Harandi Vahid , Moreira Soares Oliveira Bernardo , Allamand Valérie , Friberg Ariana , Fontes-Oliveira Cibely C. , Durbeej Madeleine
Published: March 2020

Congenital muscular dystrophy with laminin α2 chain-deficiency (LAMA2-CMD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder without a cure. Using transcriptome and proteome profiling as well as functional assays, we previously demonstrated significant metabolic impairment in skeletal muscle from LAMA2-CMD patients and mouse models. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase when oxygen homeostasis is not maintained and, here, we investigate whether oxidative stress indeed is involved in the pathogenesis of LAMA2-CMD. We also analyze the effects of two antioxidant molecules, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and vitamin E, on disease progression in the dy2J/dy2J mouse model of LAMA2-CMD. We demonstrate increased ROS levels in LAMA2-CMD mouse and patient skeletal muscle. Furthermore, NAC treatment (150 mg/kg IP for 6 days/week for 3 weeks) led to muscle force loss prevention, reduced central nucleation and decreased the occurrence of apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress in LAMA2-CMD muscle. In addition, vitamin E (40 mg/kg oral gavage for 6 days/week for 2 weeks) improved morphological features and reduced inflammation and ROS levels in dy2J/dy2J skeletal muscle. We suggest that NAC and to some extent vitamin E might be potential future supportive treatments for LAMA2-CMD as they improve numerous pathological hallmarks of LAMA2-CMD.
Effect of the Enrichment of Corn Oil With alpha- or gamma-Tocopherol on Its In Vitro Digestion Studied by 1H NMR and SPME-GC/MS; Formation of Hydroperoxy-, Hydroxy-, Keto-Dienes and Keto-E-epoxy-E-Monoenes in the More alpha-Tocopherol Enriched Samples
Authors: Alberdi-Cedeño Jon , Ibargoitia María L. , Guillén María D.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is the analysis of the in vitro digestion of corn oil, and of the effect of its enrichment with three levels of gamma- and alpha-tocopherol, by using, for the first time, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and a solid phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). The attention is focused on the hydrolysis degree, the degradation of oil’s main components, the occurrence of oxidation reactions and main compounds formed, as well as on the bioaccessibility of oil’s main components, of compounds formed in the oxidation, and, of gamma- and alpha-tocopherol. The lipolysis levels reached are high and show a similar pattern in all cases. The oxidation of corn oil components during in vitro digestion is proven, as is the action of gamma-tocopherol as an antioxidant and alpha-tocopherol as a prooxidant. In the more alpha-tocopherol enriched samples, hydroperoxy-, hydroxy-, and keto-dienes, as well as keto-epoxy-monoenes and aldehydes, are generated. The bioaccessibility of the oil’s main components is high. The compounds formed in the oxidation process during in vitro digestion can also be considered bioaccessible. The bioaccessibility of alpha-tocopherol is smaller than that of gamma-tocopherol. The concentration of this latter compound remains unchanged during the in vitro digestion of the more alpha-tocopherol enriched oil samples.
Effect of Acupuncture on Oxidative Stress Induced by Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Chen Chao-Hsien , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: March 2020

In this article, we review how acupuncture regulates oxidative stress to prevent ischemia–reperfusion injury. We electronically searched databases, including PubMed, Clinical Key and the Cochrane Library, from their inception to November 2019 by using the following medical subject headings and keywords: acupuncture, ischemia-reperfusion injury, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants. We concluded that acupuncture is effective in treating oxidation after ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition to increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and downregulating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), acupuncture also repairs the DNA, lipids, and proteins attacked by ROS and mediates downstream of the ROS pathway to apoptosis.
Optimization of the Secondary Optical Element of a Hybrid Concentrator Photovoltaic Module Considering the Effective Absorption Wavelength Range
Authors: Jeong Woo-Lim , Kim Kyung-Pil , Min Jung-Hong , Lee Jun-Yeob , Mun Seung-Hyun , Park Jeong-Hwan , Han Jang-Hwan , Park Won-Kyu , Yoon Sewang , Lee Dong-Seon
Published: March 2020

Hybrid concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) architectures that combine CPV modules with low-cost solar cells have the advantage of functioning well in modest direct normal irradiance (DNI) regions as well as high-DNI regions, where these architectures allow for higher performance in a limited space. For higher performance of a hybrid CPV module, we optimized the secondary optical element (SOE) using raytracing software and conducted experimental measurements that consider the effective wavelength range. Our experiments with the optimized SOE (θ = 30°, h = 15 mm) demonstrated a maximum output power on the triple-junction cell and polycrystalline silicon cell of 212.8 W/m2 and 5.14 W/m2, respectively.
Multiple Interactive Attention Networks for Aspect-Based Sentiment Classification
Authors: Zhang Dianyuan , Zhu Zhenfang , Lu Qiang , Pei Hongli , Wu Wenqing , Guo Qiangqiang
Published: March 2020

Aspect-Based (also known as aspect-level) Sentiment Classification (ABSC) aims at determining the sentimental tendency of a particular target in a sentence. With the successful application of the attention network in multiple fields, attention-based ABSC has aroused great interest. However, most of the previous methods are difficult to parallelize, insufficiently obtain, and fuse the interactive information. In this paper, we proposed a Multiple Interactive Attention Network (MIN). First, we used the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) model to pre-process the data. Then, we used the partial transformer to obtain a hidden state in parallel. Finally, we took the target word and the context word as the core to obtain and fuse the interactive information. Experimental results on the different datasets showed that our model was much more effective.
Optimizing Inverse Distance Weighting with Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Barbulescu Alina , Bautu Andrei , Bautu Elena
Published: March 2020

Spatial analysis of hydrological data often requires the interpolation of a variable from point samples. Commonly used methods for solving this problem include Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and Kriging (KG). IDW is easily extensible, has a competitive computational cost with respect to KG, hence it is usually preferred for this task. This paper proposes the optimization of finding the IDW parameter using a nature-inspired metaheuristic, namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The performance of the improved algorithm is evaluated in a complex scenario and benchmarked against the KG algorithm for 51 precipitation series from the Dobrogea region (Romania). Apart from facilitating the process of applying IDW, the PSO implementation for Optimizing IDW (OIDW) is computationally lighter than the traditional IDW approach. Compared to Kriging, OIDW is straightforward to be implemented and does not require the difficult process of identification of the most appropriate variogram for the given data.
Weak Multiple Fault Detection Based on Weighted Morlet Wavelet-Overlapping Group Sparse for Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Wan , Ding Yu , Yan Xiaoan , Jia Minping
Published: March 2020

As one of the important parts of a mechanical transmission system, a rolling bearing often has multiple faults coexisting, and the mutual coupling between multiple faults poses a challenge for accurate diagnosis of rolling bearings. Aiming at the above problems, this paper proposes a weighted Morlet wavelet-overlapping group sparse (WOGS) algorithm for the multiple fault diagnosis of rolling bearings. On the basis of the overlapping feature of Morlet wavelet transform coefficients, a WOGS optimization model was initially constructed. Thereafter, the weight coefficients in the model were constructed by analyzing the impulse features of the signal. Thus, majorization-minimization was used to solve the optimization problem. A case study on weak multiple fault diagnosis of rolling bearings was performed to validate the effectiveness of the WOGS algorithm. Quantitative indexes are used to further discuss the extraction accuracies of different algorithms, and the results show that the proposed algorithm exhibits better performance than other algorithms.
Optical Response of an Interacting Polaron Gas in Strongly Polar Crystals
Authors: Klimin Serghei , Tempere Jacques , Devreese Jozef T. , Franchini Cesare , Kresse Georg
Published: March 2020

Optical conductivity of an interacting polaron gas is calculated within an extended random phase approximation which takes into account mixing of collective excitations of the electron gas with longitudinal optical (LO) phonons. This mixing is important for the optical response of strongly polar crystals where the static dielectric constant is rather high, as in the case of strontium titanate. The present calculation sheds light on unexplained features of experimentally observed optical conductivity spectra in n-doped SrTiO 3 . These features appear to be due to dynamic screening of the electron–electron interaction by polar optical phonons and hence do not require additional mechanisms for their explanation.
Asymptotic Performance Analysis of the MUSIC Algorithm for Direction-of-Arrival Estimation
Authors: Jeong So-Hee , Son Byung-kwon , Lee Joon-Ho
Published: March 2020

We consider the performance analysis of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm for multiple incident signals when the uniform linear array (ULA) is adopted for estimation of the azimuth of each incident signal. We derive closed-form expression of the estimation error for each incident signal. After some approximations, we derive closed-form expression of the mean square error (MSE) for each incident signal. In the MUSIC algorithm, the eigenvectors of covariance matrix are used for calculation of the MUSIC spectrum. Our derivation is based on how the eigenvectors of the sample covariance matrix are related to those of the true covariance matrix. The main contribution of this paper is the reduction in computational complexity for the performance analysis of the MUSIC algorithm in comparison with the traditional Monte–Carlo simulation-based performance analysis. The validity of the derived expressions is shown using the numerical results. Future work includes an extension to performance analysis of the MUSIC algorithm for simultaneous estimation of the azimuth and the elevation.
The Effects of a Marathon Effort on Psychomotor Performance and Catecholamine Concentration in Runners over 50 Years of Age
Authors: Chmura Jan , Chmura Paweł , Konefał Marek , Batra Amit , Mroczek Dariusz , Kosowski Michał , Młynarska Katarzyna , Andrzejewski Marcin , Rokita Andrzej , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: March 2020

Long-distance running and, in particular, running marathons has become an increasingly popular activity among the elderly. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a marathon effort on the psychomotor performance and catecholamine concentration in runners over 50 years of age. The participants were male runners (n = 28) who completed the 32nd Wrocław Marathon in Poland. The runners’ psychomotor performance was assessed on the basis of their choice reaction times (CRT), heart rate (HR) and running speed measurements. In addition, the adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) as well as lactate (LA) levels and anaerobic threshold (AT) were measured. The runners’ CRT after crossing the finish line was significantly longer by 50 ms (p < 0.05) in response to each emitted audiovisual stimulus, as compared with baseline. The mean running speed was reduced by 1 km/h between the first speed measurement (5th km of the run) and the last (42.195 km) (p < 0.05). The observed three-fold increase in adrenaline and noradrenaline levels indicates an intense activity of the sympathetic–adrenergic system. The cognitive function levels in the studied marathon runners returned to baseline after 30 min of recovery, and the function of the sympathetic–adrenergic system by seven days after completing the marathon race.
Special Issue on Standalone Renewable Energy System: Modeling and Controlling
Authors: Dufo-López Rodolfo , Bernal-Agustín José L.
Published: March 2020

Standalone (off-grid) renewable energy systems supply electricity in places where there is no access to a standard electrical grid [...]
Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation Monitoring during Spinal Surgery in Order to Identify Patients at Risk for Cerebral Desaturation
Authors: Murniece Sniedze , Soehle Martin , Vanags Indulis , Mamaja Biruta
Published: March 2020

Background: Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices are non-invasive and monitor cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) continuously. NIRS interventional protocol is available in order to avoid hypoxic brain injury. Methods: We recruited patients scheduled for spinal surgery (n = 44). rScO2 was monitored throughout the surgery using INVOS 4100 cerebral oximeter. If the rScO2 values dropped more than 20% below baseline, or there was an absolute drop to below 50%, NIRS interventional protocol was followed. Results: In two patients rScO2 decreased by more than 20% from baseline values. In one patient rScO2 decreased to below 50%. NIRS protocol was initiated. As the first step, correct head position was verified–in one patient rScO2 increased above the threshold value. In the two remaining patients, mean arterial pressure was raised by injecting Ephedrin boluses as the next step. rScO2 raised above threshold. Patients with desaturation episodes had longer medium time of the operation (114 ± 35 versus 200 ± 98 min, p = 0.01). Pearson’s correlation showed a negative correlation between rScO2 and duration of operation (r = −0.9, p = 0.2). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed blood loss to be a strong predictor for possible cerebral desaturation (Area under the curve (AUC): 0.947, 95%CI: 0.836–1.000, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Patients with higher blood loss might experience cerebral desaturation more often than spinal surgery patients without significant blood loss.
SARA: A Microservice-Based Architecture for Cross-Platform Collaborative Augmented Reality
Authors: Vaquero-Melchor Diego , Bernardos Ana M. , Bergesio Luca
Published: March 2020

Augmented Reality (AR) functionalities may be effectively leveraged in collaborative service scenarios (e.g., remote maintenance, on-site building, street gaming, etc.). Standard development cycles for collaborative AR require to code for each specific visualization platform and implement the necessary control mechanisms over the shared assets. in order to face this challenge, this paper describes SARA, an architecture to support cross-platform collaborative Augmented Reality applications based on microservices. The architecture is designed to work over the concept of collaboration models which regulate the interaction and permissions of each user over the AR assets. Five of these collaboration models were initially integrated in SARA (turn, layer, ownership, hierarchy-based and unconstrained examples) and the platform enables the definition of new ones. Thanks to the reusability of its components, during the development of an application, SARA enables focusing on the application logic while avoiding the implementation of the communication protocol, data model handling and orchestration between the different, possibly heterogeneous, devices involved in the collaboration (i.e., mobile or wearable AR devices using different operating systems). to describe how to build an application based on SARA, a prototype for HoloLens and iOS devices has been implemented. the prototype is a collaborative voxel-based game in which several players work real time together on a piece of land, adding or eliminating cubes in a collaborative manner to create buildings and landscapes. Turn-based and unconstrained collaboration models are applied to regulate the interaction. the development workflow for this case study shows how the architecture serves as a framework to support the deployment of collaborative AR services, enabling the reuse of collaboration model components, agnostically handling client technologies.
An Integrated Algorithm for Intersection Queue Length Estimation Based on IoT in a Mixed Traffic Scenario
Authors: Gao Kai , Huang Shuo , Han Farong , Li Shuo , Wu Wenguang , Du Ronghua
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, traffic infrastructures and vehicles are connected through the network benefiting from the development of Internet of Things (IoT). Connected automated cars can provide some useful traffic information. An architecture and algorithm of mobile service computing are proposed for traffic state sensing by integration between IoT and transport system models (TSMs). The formation process of queue at this intersection is analyzed based on the state information of connected vehicles and the velocity of shockwave is calculated to predict queue length. The computing results can be delivered to the traffic information edge server. However, not all the vehicles are capable of connecting to the network and will affect the queue length estimation accuracy. At the same time, traffic cameras transmit the traffic image to the edge server and a deep neuron network (DNN) is constructed on the edge server to tackle the traffic image. It can recognize and classify the vehicles in the image but takes several seconds to work with the complex DNN. At last, the final queue length is determined according to the weight of the two computing results. The integrated result is delivered to the traffic light controller and traffic monitoring center cloud. It reveals that the estimation from DNN can compensate the estimation from shockwave when the penetration rate of connected vehicles is low. A testbed is built based on VISSIM, and the evaluation results demonstrate the availability and accuracy of the integrated queue length estimation algorithm.
Acoustic Data-Driven Subword Units Obtained through Segment Embedding and Clustering for Spontaneous Speech Recognition
Authors: Bang Jeong-Uk , Kim Sang-Hun , Kwon Oh-Wook
Published: March 2020

We propose a method to extend a phoneme set by using a large amount of broadcast data to improve the performance of Korean spontaneous speech recognition. In the proposed method, we first extract variable-length phoneme-level segments from broadcast data and then convert them into fixed-length embedding vectors based on a long short-term memory architecture. We use decision tree-based clustering to find acoustically similar embedding vectors and then build new acoustic subword units by gathering the clustered vectors. To update the lexicon of a speech recognizer, we build a lookup table between the tri-phone units and the units derived from the decision tree. Finally, the proposed lexicon is obtained by updating the original phoneme-based lexicon by referencing the lookup table. To verify the performance of the proposed unit, we compare the proposed unit with the previous units obtained by using the segment-based k-means clustering method or the frame-based decision-tree clustering method. As a result, the proposed unit is shown to produce better performance than the previous units in both spontaneous, and read Korean speech recognition tasks.
Agricultural Entrepreneurship in the European Union: Contributions for a Sustainable Development
Authors: Martinho Vítor João Pereira Domingues
Published: March 2020

Entrepreneurship is sometimes seen as a glimmer of hope which may bring about some contribution towards improving economic dynamics and performance, specifically in the creation of employment by young people, in general, with further educational training, greater flexibility and who are better prepared for working with new technologies. However, entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector is, in certain circumstances, viewed as being something incompatible or, at least, difficult to implement. More scientific studies in these fields could provide interesting contributions on the road to highlighting new ideas inside the farming sector. In this framework, the objective of this study is to explore the entrepreneurship dimensions within the European Union agriculture towards a more sustainable sector. In fact, without an economic dimension in farm management, its sustainability in the medium and long run may be compromised, increasing the abandonment of farming, namely in more disadvantaged regions. For this, the literature which is available on the platform Web of Science relating to the following three topics was initially analysed: entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the European Union. This literature was clustered through the VOSviewer software, an interesting tool for performing bibliometric analysis. Secondly, statistical information related to European Union agricultural entrepreneurship considering empirical approaches was also explored. The analysis carried out shows that the realities across European Union countries are, in fact, different, where the instruments from the common agricultural policies, for example, may play a crucial role in promoting more farming entrepreneurship in a more sustainable way.
Towards Causal Consistent Updates in Software-Defined Networks
Authors: Guidara Amine , Pomares Hernández Saúl E. , Rodríguez Henríquez Lil María X. , Hadj Kacem Hatem , Hadj Kacem Ahmed
Published: March 2020

A network paradigm called the Software-Defined Network (SDN) has recently been introduced. The idea of SDN is to separate the control logic from forwarding devices to enable a centralized control platform. However, SDN is still a distributed and asynchronous system: events can be triggered by any network entity, while messages and packets are prone to arbitrary and unpredictable transmission delays. Moreover, the absence of a global temporal reference results in a broad combinatorial range space of event order. During network updates, an out-of-order execution of events may result in a deviation from desirable consistent network update properties, leading, for example, to forwarding loops and forwarding black holes, among others. In this paper, we introduce a study of the Transient Forwarding Loop (TFL) phenomenon during SDN updates; for this, we define a formal model of the TFL based on causal dependencies that capture the conditions under which it may occur. Based on this model, we introduce an algorithm that ensures the causal dependencies of the system oriented toward TFL-free SDN updating. We formally prove that it is sufficient to ensure the causal dependencies in order to guarantee TFL-free network updates. Finally, we analytically evaluate our algorithm and discuss how it outperforms the state-of-the-art in terms of updating overhead.
Reducing Wooden Structure and Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Disaster Risk through Dynamic Risk Assessment and Management
Authors: Log Torgrim , Vandvik Vigdis , Velle Liv , Metallinou Maria-Monika
Published: March 2020

In recent years, severe and deadly wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires have resulted in an increased focus on this particular risk to humans and property, especially in Canada, USA, Australia, and countries in the Mediterranean area. Also, in areas not previously accustomed to wildfires, such as boreal areas in Sweden, Norway, and in the Arctic, WUI fires have recently resulted in increasing concern. January 2014, the most severe wooden town fire in Norway since 1923 raged through Lærdalsøyri. Ten days later, a wildfire raged through the scattered populated community of Flatanger and destroyed even more structures. These fires came as a surprise to the fire brigades and the public. We describe and analyze a proposed way forward for exploring if and how this increasing fire incidence can be linked to concomitant changes in climate, land-use, and habitat management; and then aim at developing new dynamic adaptive fire risk assessment and management tools. We use coastal Norway as an example and focus on temporal changes in fire risk in wooden structure settlements and in the Norwegian Calluna vulgaris L. dominated WUI. In this interface, the fire risk is now increasing due to a combination of land-use changes, resulting in large areas of early successional vegetation with an accumulation of biomass, and the interactive effects of climatic changes resulting in increased drought risk. We propose a novel bow-tie framework to explore fire risk and preventive measures at various timescales (years, months, weeks, hours) as a conceptual model for exploring risk contributing factors and possibilities for risk management. Ignition is the top event of the bow-tie which has the potential development towards a fire disaster as a worst case outcome. The bow-tie framework includes factors such as changes in the built environment and natural habitat fuel moisture content due to the weather conditions, WUI fuel accumulation, possibly improved ecosystem management, contribution by civic prescribed burner groups, relevant fire risk modeling, and risk communication to the fire brigades and the public. We propose an interdisciplinary research agenda for developing this framework and improving the current risk understanding, risk communication, and risk management. This research agenda will represent important contributions in paving the road for fire disaster prevention in Norway, and may provide a model for other systems and regions.
Putative Protein Biomarkers of Escherichia coli Antibiotic Multiresistance Identified by MALDI Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Sousa Telma , Viala Didier , Théron Laetitia , Chambon Christophe , Hébraud Michel , Poeta Patricia , Igrejas Gilberto
Published: March 2020

The commensal bacteria Escherichia coli causes several intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases, since it has virulence factors that interfere in important cellular processes. These bacteria also have a great capacity to spread the resistance genes, sometimes to phylogenetically distant bacteria, which poses an additional threat to public health worldwide. Here, we aimed to use the analytical potential of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) to characterize E. coli isolates and identify proteins associated closely with antibiotic resistance. Thirty strains of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli were sampled from various animals. The phenotypes of antibiotic resistance were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods, and they showed that all bacterial isolates were multi-resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and ampicillin. To identify peptides characteristic of resistance to particular antibiotics, each strain was grown in the presence or absence of the different antibiotics, and then proteins were extracted from the cells. The protein fingerprints of the samples were determined by MALDI-TOF MS in linear mode over a mass range of 2 to 20 kDa. The spectra obtained were compared by using the ClinProTools bioinformatics software, using three machine learning classification algorithms. A putative species biomarker was also detected at a peak m/z of 4528.00.
Role of 3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase in the Regulation of Proliferation, Migration, and Bioenergetics in Murine Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Augsburger Fiona , Randi Elisa B. , Jendly Mathieu , Ascencao Kelly , Dilek Nahzli , Szabo Csaba
Published: March 2020

3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST) has emerged as one of the significant sources of biologically active sulfur species in various mammalian cells. The current study was designed to investigate the functional role of 3-MST’s catalytic activity in the murine colon cancer cell line CT26. The novel pharmacological 3-MST inhibitor HMPSNE was used to assess cancer cell proliferation, migration and bioenergetics in vitro. Methods included measurements of cell viability (MTT and LDH assays), cell proliferation and in vitro wound healing (IncuCyte) and cellular bioenergetics (Seahorse extracellular flux analysis). 3-MST expression was detected by Western blotting; H2S production was measured by the fluorescent dye AzMC. The results show that CT26 cells express 3-MST protein and mRNA, as well as several enzymes involved in H2S degradation (TST, ETHE1). Pharmacological inhibition of 3-MST concentration-dependently suppressed H2S production and, at 100 and 300 µM, attenuated CT26 proliferation and migration. HMPSNE exerted a bell-shaped effect on several cellular bioenergetic parameters related to oxidative phosphorylation, while other bioenergetic parameters were either unaffected or inhibited at the highest concentration of the inhibitor tested (300 µM). In contrast to 3-MST, the expression of CBS (another H2S producing enzyme which has been previously implicated in the regulation of various biological parameters in other tumor cells) was not detectable in CT26 cells and pharmacological inhibition of CBS exerted no significant effects on CT26 proliferation or bioenergetics. In summary, 3-MST catalytic activity significantly contributes to the regulation of cellular proliferation, migration and bioenergetics in CT26 murine colon cancer cells. The current studies identify 3-MST as the principal source of biologically active H2S in this cell line.
A Model of a Zebrafish Avatar for Co-Clinical Trials
Authors: Usai Alice , Di Franco Gregorio , Colucci Patrizia , Pollina Luca Emanuele , Vasile Enrico , Funel Niccola , Palmeri Matteo , Dente Luciana , Falcone Alfredo , Morelli Luca , Raffa Vittoria
Published: March 2020

Animal “avatars” and co-clinical trials are being developed for possible use in personalized medicine in oncology. In a co-clinical trial, the cancer cells of the patient’s tumor are xenotransplanted into the animal avatar for drug efficacy studies, and the data collected in the animal trial are used to plan the best drug treatment in the patient trial. Zebrafish have recently been proposed for implementing avatar models, however the lack of a general criterion for the chemotherapy dose conversion from humans to fish is a limitation in terms of conducting co-clinical trials. Here, we validate a simple, reliant and cost-effective avatar model based on the use of zebrafish embryos. By crossing data from safety and efficacy studies, we found a basic formula for estimating the equivalent dose for use in co-clinical trials which we validated in a clinical study enrolling 24 adult patients with solid cancers (XenoZ, NCT03668418).
N-Ethyl-n-Nitrosourea Induced Leukaemia in a Mouse Model through Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Evading Apoptosis
Authors: Aliyu Abdullahi , Shaari Mohd Rosly , Ahmad Sayuti Nurul Syahirah , Reduan Mohd Farhan Hanif , Sithambaram Shanmugavelu , Noordin Mustapha Mohamed , Shaari Khozirah , Hamzah Hazilawati
Published: March 2020

Chemical carcinogens are commonly used to investigate the biology and prognoses of various cancers. This study investigated the mechanism of leukaemogenic effects of n-ethyl-n-nitrosourea (ENU) in a mouse model. A total of 14 3-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)-mice were used for the study. The mice were divided into groups A and B with seven mice each. Group A served as the control while group B received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 80 mg/kg ENU twice with a one-week interval and were monitored monthly for 3 months for the development of leukaemia via blood smear examination. The mice were sacrificed humanely using a CO2 chamber. Blood, spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidney and lung samples were collected for blood smear examination and histopathological evaluation. The expression of angiogenic protein (VEGF), and pro and anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL2 and BAX), was detected and quantified using Western blot technique. Leukaemia was confirmed by the presence of numerous blast cells in the peripheral blood smear in group B. Similarly, the VEGF and BCL2 proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in group B compared to A. It is concluded that IP administration of 80 mg/kg ENU induced leukaemia in ICR-mice 12 weeks post administration through upregulation of angiogenic and anti-apoptotic proteins: VEGF and BCL2.
Targeting Epigenetic Dependencies in Solid Tumors: Evolutionary Landscape Beyond Germ Layers Origin
Authors: Citron Francesca , Fabris Linda
Published: March 2020

Extensive efforts recently witnessed the complexity of cancer biology; however, molecular medicine still lacks the ability to elucidate hidden mechanisms for the maintenance of specific subclasses of rare tumors characterized by the silent onset and a poor prognosis (e.g., ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma). Recent mutational fingerprints of human cancers highlighted genomic alteration occurring on epigenetic modulators. In this scenario, the epigenome dependency of cancer orchestrates a broad range of cellular processes critical for tumorigenesis and tumor progression, possibly mediating escaping mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Indeed, in this review, we discuss the pivotal role of chromatin remodeling in shaping the tumor architecture and modulating tumor fitness in a microenvironment-dependent context. We will also present recent advances in the epigenome targeting, posing a particular emphasis on how this knowledge could be translated into a feasible therapeutic approach to individualize clinical settings and improve patient outcomes.
ATM-Deficient Cancers Provide New Opportunities for Precision Oncology
Authors: Jette Nicholas R. , Kumar Mehul , Radhamani Suraj , Arthur Greydon , Goutam Siddhartha , Yip Steven , Kolinsky Michael , Williams Gareth J. , Bose Pinaki , Lees-Miller Susan P.
Published: March 2020

Poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are currently used in the treatment of several cancers carrying mutations in the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, with many more potential applications under study and in clinical trials. Here, we discuss the potential for extending PARP inhibitor therapies to tumours with deficiencies in the DNA damage-activated protein kinase, Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM). We highlight our recent findings that PARP inhibition alone is cytostatic but not cytotoxic in ATM-deficient cancer cells and that the combination of a PARP inhibitor with an ATR (ATM, Rad3-related) inhibitor is required to induce cell death.
The Capacity of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cells to Form Multicellular Structures Spontaneously along Disease Progression Correlates with Their Orthotopic Tumorigenicity in Immunosuppressed Mice
Authors: Goyeneche Alicia , Lisio Michael-Anthony , Fu Lili , Srinivasan Rekha , Valdez Capuccino Juan , Gao Zu-hua , Telleria Carlos
Published: March 2020

Many studies have examined the biology, genetics, and chemotherapeutic response of ovarian cancer’s solid component; its liquid facet, however, remains critically underinvestigated. Floating within peritoneal effusions known as ascites, ovarian cancer cells form multicellular structures, creating a cancer niche in suspension. This study explores the pathobiology of spontaneously formed, multicellular, ovarian cancer structures derived from serous ovarian cancer cells isolated along disease evolution. It also tests their capacity to cause peritoneal disease in immunosuppressed mice. Results stem from an analysis of cell lines representing the most frequently diagnosed ovarian cancer histotype (high-grade serous ovarian cancer), derived from ascites of the same patient at distinct stages of disease progression. When cultured under adherent conditions, in addition to forming cellular monolayers, the cultures developed areas in which the cells grew upwards, forming densely packed multilayers that ultimately detached from the bottom of the plates and lived as free-floating, multicellular structures. The capacity to form foci and to develop multicellular structures was proportional to disease progression at the time of ascites extraction. Self-assembled in culture, these structures varied in size, were either compact or hollow, irregular, or spheroidal, and exhibited replicative capacity and an epithelial nature. Furthermore, they fully recreated ovarian cancer disease in immunosuppressed mice: accumulation of malignant ascites and pleural effusions; formation of discrete, solid, macroscopic, peritoneal tumors; and microscopic growths in abdominal organs. They also reproduced the histopathological features characteristic of high-grade serous ovarian cancer when diagnosed in patients. The following results encourage the development of therapeutic interventions to interrupt the formation and/or survival of multicellular structures that constitute a floating niche in the peritoneal fluid, which in turn halts disease progression and prevents recurrence.
Dual Targeting of the p38 MAPK-HO-1 Axis and cIAP1/XIAP by Demethoxycurcumin Triggers Caspase-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Chien Ming-Hsien , Yang Wei-En , Yang Yi-Chieh , Ku Chia-Chi , Lee Wei-Jiunn , Tsai Meng-Ying , Lin Chiao-Wen , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: March 2020

Demethoxycurcumin (DMC) is a curcumin analogue with better stability and higher aqueous solubility than curcumin after oral ingestion and has the potential to treat diverse cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects and underlying mechanisms of DMC against OSCC. We found that DMC suppressed cell proliferation via simultaneously inducing G2/M-phase arrest and cell apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations found that the downregulation of cellular IAP 1 (cIAP1)/X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP) and upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were critical for DMC-induced caspase-8/-9/-3 activation and apoptotic cell death. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 were activated by DMC treatment in OSCC cells, and only the inhibition of p38 MAPK significantly abolished DMC-induced HO-1 expression and caspase-8/-9/-3 activation. The analyses of clinical datasets revealed that patients with head and neck cancers expressing high HO-1 and low cIAP1 had the most favorable prognoses. Furthermore, a combinatorial treatment of DMC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of gefitinib on the proliferation of OSCC cells. Overall, the current study supported a role for DCM as part of a therapeutic approach for OSCC through suppressing IAPs and activating the p38-HO-1 axis.
An Integrated Meta-Analysis of Secretome and Proteome Identify Potential Biomarkers of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: de Oliveira Grasieli , Paccielli Freire Paula , Santiloni Cury Sarah , de Moraes Diogo , Santos Oliveira Jakeline , Dal-Pai-Silva Maeli , Reis Patrícia Pintor do , Francisco Carvalho Robson
Published: March 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is extremely aggressive, has an unfavorable prognosis, and there are no biomarkers for early detection of the disease or identification of individuals at high risk for morbidity or mortality. The cellular and molecular complexity of PDAC leads to inconsistences in clinical validations of many proteins that have been evaluated as prognostic biomarkers of the disease. The tumor secretome, a potential source of biomarkers in PDAC, plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and metastasis, as well as in resistance to treatments, which together contribute to a worse clinical outcome. The massive amount of proteomic data from pancreatic cancer that has been generated from previous studies can be integrated and explored to uncover secreted proteins relevant to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. The present study aimed to perform an integrated meta-analysis of PDAC proteome and secretome public data to identify potential biomarkers of the disease. Our meta-analysis combined mass spectrometry data obtained from two systematic reviews of the pancreatic cancer literature, which independently selected 20 studies of the secretome and 35 of the proteome. Next, we predicted the secreted proteins using seven in silico tools or databases, which identified 39 secreted proteins shared between the secretome and proteome data. Notably, the expression of 31 genes of these secretome-related proteins was upregulated in PDAC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) when compared to control samples from TCGA and The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). The prognostic value of these 39 secreted proteins in predicting survival outcome was confirmed using gene expression data from four PDAC datasets (validation set). The gene expression of these secreted proteins was able to distinguish high- and low-survival patients in nine additional tumor types from TCGA, demonstrating that deregulation of these secreted proteins may also contribute to the prognosis in multiple cancers types. Finally, we compared the prognostic value of the identified secreted proteins in PDAC biomarkers studies from the literature. This analysis revealed that our gene signature performed equally well or better than the signatures from these previous studies. In conclusion, our integrated meta-analysis of PDAC proteome and secretome identified 39 secreted proteins as potential biomarkers, and the tumor gene expression profile of these proteins in patients with PDAC is associated with worse overall survival.