bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Gut Dysbiosis in Liver Diseases: What Have We Learned So Far?
Authors: Fukui Hiroshi
Published: November 2019

Accumulating evidence supports that gut dysbiosis may relate to various liver diseases. Alcoholics with high intestinal permeability had a decrease in the abundance of Ruminnococcus. Intestinal dysmotility, increased gastric pH, and altered immune responses in addition to environmental and genetic factors are likely to cause alcohol-associated gut microbial changes. Alcohol-induced dysbiosis may be associated with gut barrier dysfunction, as microbiota and their products modulate barrier function by affecting epithelial pro-inflammatory responses and mucosal repair functions. High levels of plasma endotoxin are detected in alcoholics, in moderate fatty liver to advanced cirrhosis. Decreased abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, an anti-inflammatory commensal, stimulating IL-10 secretion and inhibiting IL-12 and interferon-γ expression. Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia were reported to be increased in NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) patients. Increased abundance of fecal Escherichia to elevated blood alcohol levels in these patients and gut microbiota enriched in alcohol-producing bacteria produce more alcohol (alcohol hypothesis). Some undetermined pathological sequences related to gut dysbiosis may facilitate energy-producing and proinflammatory conditions for the progression of NAFLD. A shortage of autochthonous non-pathogenic bacteria and an overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria are common findings in cirrhotic patients. The ratio of the amounts of beneficial autochthonous taxa (Lachnospiraceae + Ruminococaceae + Veillonellaceae + Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XIV) to those of potentially pathogenic taxa (Enterobacteriaceae + Bacteroidaceae) was low in those with early death and organ failure. Cirrhotic patients with decreased microbial diversity before liver transplantation were more likely to develop post-transplant infections and cognitive impairment related to residual dysbiosis. Patients with PSC had marked reduction of bacterial diversity. Enterococcus and Lactobacillus were increased in PSC patients (without liver cirrhosis.) Treatment-naive PBC patients were associated with altered composition and function of gut microbiota, as well as a lower level of diversity. As serum anti-gp210 antibody has been considered as an index of disease progression, relatively lower species richness and lower abundance of Faecalibacterium spp. in gp210-positive patients are interesting. The dysbiosis-induced altered bacterial metabolites such as a hepatocarcinogenesis promotor DCA, together with a leaky gut and bacterial translocation. Gut protective Akkermansia and butyrate-producing genera were decreased, while genera producing-lipopolysaccharide were increased in early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.
Compact Wearable Meta Materials Antennas for Energy Harvesting Systems, Medical and IOT Systems
Authors: Sabban Albert
Published: November 2019

Demand for green technologies and green energy is in continuous growth in the last decade. Compact efficient radiators are very important for energy harvesting portable systems. Small antennas have low efficiency. The efficiency of communication and energy harvesting systems may increase by using efficient passive and active antennas. The system dynamic range may be improved by connecting amplifiers to the printed antenna feed line. Design, design considerations, computed and measured results of wearable meta-materials antennas with high efficiency for energy harvesting applications are presented in this paper. The antennas electrical parameters on human body were analyzed by using commercial full-wave software. The wearable antennas are compact and flexible and are 1.6 mm thick. The directivity and gain of the antennas with Split-ring resonators (SRR), is higher by 2 dB to 3 dB than the antennas without SRR. The resonant frequency of the antennas without SRR is higher by 5% to 10% than the antennas with SRR.
Vertical Distribution and Elevation Preference for the Breeding of Fairy Pittas on Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Kim Eun-Mi , Kang Chang-Wan , Choi Chang-Yong , Chun Jung-Hwa , Nam Hyun-Young
Published: November 2019

Elevation often becomes an important component in the breeding site selection of forest birds because it may affect individual fitness. To understand how the threatened fairy pitta (Pitta nympha Temminck & Schlegel) selects a particular elevation for breeding and whether the pitta achieves better reproductive performance in its preferred elevation, we surveyed for the presence of breeding pittas and recorded their reproductive performances at six different elevation zones on Mount Halla in Jeju Island, Korea. We expected that preference for breeding sites and reproductive performance would gradually decrease with increasing elevation. In fact, 73 presence and 78 absence records indicated no preference for breeding sites at elevations lower than 400 m. However, forest habitats between 400 and 600 m were strongly preferred, while locations above 800 m were clearly avoided. The egg-laying date was significantly earlier at lower elevations, but other measures of reproductive performance did not differ between the preferred and non-preferred elevations. Contrary to our expectations, this indicates that there was no clear advantage to a pitta’s reproductive performance based on elevation preference. Our findings suggest that the inherent optimal selection for the best reproductive outcomes was not a key driving factor for the pattern of elevation preference observed, and that the pitta’s preference might be a response to external and environmental factors such as climate conditions. The reduction of anthropogenic impacts by mitigating human–pitta conflicts at lower elevations, such as accidental non-reproductive mortality and forest loss, would help enhance the conservation of the fairy pitta on Jeju Island, a stronghold of this threatened species in Korea.
Towards the Biological Control of Devastating Forest Pathogens from the Genus Armillaria
Authors: Chen Liqiong , Bóka Bettina , Kedves Orsolya , Nagy Viktor Dávid , Szűcs Attila , Champramary Simang , Roszik Róbert , Patocskai Zoltán , Münsterkötter Martin , Huynh Thu , Indic Boris , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Sipos György , Kredics László
Published: November 2019

Research Highlights: A large scale effort to screen, characterize, and select Trichoderma strains with the potential to antagonize Armillaria species revealed promising candidates for field applications. Background and Objectives: Armillaria species are among the economically most relevant soilborne tree pathogens causing devastating root diseases worldwide. Biocontrol agents are environment-friendly alternatives to chemicals in restraining the spread of Armillaria in forest soils. Trichoderma species may efficiently employ diverse antagonistic mechanisms against fungal plant pathogens. The aim of this paper is to isolate indigenous Trichoderma strains from healthy and Armillaria-damaged forests, characterize them, screen their biocontrol properties, and test selected strains under field conditions. Materials and Methods: Armillaria and Trichoderma isolates were collected from soil samples of a damaged Hungarian oak and healthy Austrian spruce forests and identified to the species level. In vitro antagonism experiments were performed to determine the potential of the Trichoderma isolates to control Armillaria species. Selected biocontrol candidates were screened for extracellular enzyme production and plant growth-promoting traits. A field experiment was carried out by applying two selected Trichoderma strains on two-year-old European Turkey oak seedlings planted in a forest area heavily overtaken by the rhizomorphs of numerous Armillaria colonies. Results: Although A. cepistipes and A. ostoyae were found in the Austrian spruce forests, A. mellea and A. gallica clones dominated the Hungarian oak stand. A total of 64 Trichoderma isolates belonging to 14 species were recovered. Several Trichoderma strains exhibited in vitro antagonistic abilities towards Armillaria species and produced siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid. Oak seedlings treated with T. virens and T. atrobrunneum displayed better survival under harsh soil conditions than the untreated controls. Conclusions: Selected native Trichoderma strains, associated with Armillaria rhizomorphs, which may also have plant growth promoting properties, are potential antagonists of Armillaria spp., and such abilities can be exploited in the biological control of Armillaria root rot.
An Emerging Pathogen from Rotted Chestnut in China: Gnomoniopsis daii sp. nov.
Authors: Jiang Ning , Tian Chengming
Published: November 2019

Nut quality is fundamental to the economic viability of the Chinese sweet chestnut industry, but fruit rot disease significantly reduces this quality. In this study, we investigated chestnut rot in Anhui and Hubei provinces in China. Typical brown rot symptoms were observed, affecting nuts from different plantations. Isolates were obtained from symptomatic tissues of rotted fruits that were identified based on morphological comparison and phylogenetic analyses of partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and tef1 and tub2 gene sequences. The inoculation results showed that the tested fungal species is pathogenic to chestnut fruits. Hence, a new and severe pathogen that causes Chinese sweet chestnut brown rot, Gnomoniopsis daii sp. nov., is introduced herein.
Global Vectors Representation of Protein Sequences and Its Application for Predicting Self-Interacting Proteins with Multi-Grained Cascade Forest Model
Authors: Chen Zhan-Heng , You Zhu-Hong , Zhang Wen-Bo , Wang Yan-Bin , Cheng Li , Alghazzawi Daniyal
Published: November 2019

Self-interacting proteins (SIPs) is of paramount importance in current molecular biology. There have been developed a number of traditional biological experiment methods for predicting SIPs in the past few years. However, these methods are costly, time-consuming and inefficient, and often limit their usage for predicting SIPs. Therefore, the development of computational method emerges at the times require. In this paper, we for the first time proposed a novel deep learning model which combined natural language processing (NLP) method for potential SIPs prediction from the protein sequence information. More specifically, the protein sequence is de novo assembled by k-mers. Then, we obtained the global vectors representation for each protein sequences by using natural language processing (NLP) technique. Finally, based on the knowledge of known self-interacting and non-interacting proteins, a multi-grained cascade forest model is trained to predict SIPs. Comprehensive experiments were performed on yeast and human datasets, which obtained an accuracy rate of 91.45% and 93.12%, respectively. From our evaluations, the experimental results show that the use of amino acid semantics information is very helpful for addressing the problem of sequences containing both self-interacting and non-interacting pairs of proteins. This work would have potential applications for various biological classification problems.
Synthesis of Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron (nZVI) Supported on Biochar for Chromium Remediation from Aqueous Solution and Soil
Authors: Wang Haixia , Zhang Mingliang , Li Hongyi
Published: November 2019

Maize straw biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (MSB-nZVI) was prepared for efficient chromium (Cr) removal through alleviating the aggregation of zero-valent iron particles. The removal mechanism of MSB-nZVI was investigated by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution by MSB-nZVI was greatly affected by pH and initial concentration. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) decreased with increasing pH, and the removal kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model. XRD patterns of MSB-nZVI before and after reaction showed that reduction and precipitation/co-precipitation (FeCr2O4, Fe3O4, Fe2O3) occurred with the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and Fe(0) to Fe(II)/Fe(III). The produced precipitation/co-precipitation could be deposited on the MSB surface rather than being only coated on the surface of nZVI particles, which can alleviate passivation of nZVI. For remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated saline–alkali soil (pH 8.6–9.0, Cr 341 mg/kg), the released amount of Cr(VI) was 70.7 mg/kg, while it sharply decreased to 0.6–1.7 mg/kg at pH 4.0–8.0, indicating that the saline–alkali environment inhibited the remediation efficiency. These results show that MSB-nZVI can be used as an effective material for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution and contaminated soil.
Previous Use of Mammography as a Proxy for General Health Checks in Association with Better Outcomes after Major Surgeries
Authors: Tai Ying-Hsuan , Chen Ta-Liang , Cherng Yih-Giun , Yeh Chun-Chieh , Chang Chuen-Chau , Liao Chien-Chang
Published: November 2019

Although previous studies have shown that health checks may improve several risk factors for chronic diseases, the effect of preoperative health checks on postoperative recovery in surgical patients remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between preoperative use of mammography and the risk of perioperative complications. We conducted a matched cohort study of 152,411 patients aged ≥47 years who received mammography screening and later underwent major surgery from 2008 to 2013. Using a propensity score matching procedure adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical condition, surgery type, and anesthesia type, 152,411 controls who underwent surgery but were not screened were selected. We collected patients’ characteristics and medical conditions from claims data of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality associated with mammography screening. Patients receiving mammography prior to major surgery had significantly lower risks of perioperative complications, including pneumonia, septicemia, acute renal failure, stroke, urinary tract infection, deep wound infection, acute myocardial infarction, intensive care unit stay, and 30 day in-hospital mortality (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.38–0.53). The association was consistent across each stratum of age, number of hospitalizations, emergency visits, and comorbidities. In conclusion, preoperative use of mammography was strongly associated with fewer perioperative complications and less in-hospital mortality after major surgeries. The evidence provided by this study justifies the implementation of preoperative health checks in clinical practice.
Influence of Electronic Cigarettes on Selected Antibacterial Properties of Saliva
Authors: Cichońska Dominika , Kusiak Aida , Kochańska Barbara , Ochocińska Jolanta , Świetlik Dariusz
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to estimate changes in selected physicochemical properties of saliva collected from users of electronic cigarettes. Methods: The study population consisted of 120 patients (40 users of electronic cigarettes, 40 smokers of traditional cigarettes and 40 non-smokers). Laboratory tests included verification of saliva amount of lysozyme, lactoferrin and IgA. Results: Among e-cigarette users, statistically significant differences were observed in values of lysozyme and lactoferrin; however, no statistically significant differences for the IgA value were found. In the group of traditional cigarette smokers, statistically significant differences were observed among all tested parameters in relation to the control group. In relation to IgA, statistically significant differences were found between e-cigarette users and traditional cigarette smokers, to the disadvantage of the latter. Conclusion: Saliva of e-cigarette users showed changes of antibacterial properties in comparison to the control group and traditional cigarette smokers. Further longitudinal studies on larger study groups should be conducted in order to assess the effect of observed changes in the antibacterial properties of saliva on oral health.
Influence of Running Phases on the Postural Balance of Modern Pentathlon Athletes in a Laser Run Event
Authors: Sadowska Dorota , Lichota Małgorzata , Sacewicz Tomasz , Krzepota Justyna
Published: November 2019

Background: The Laser Run combined event is part of the modern pentathlon, consisting of successive shooting and running phases. The main factor hindering accurate and fast shooting is the increasing fatigue caused by running effort. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the running phases on the postural balance in the shooting position of pentathletes in a Laser Run event. Methods: 25 modern pentathletes (18.6 ± 1.7 years), members of the Polish Association of Modern Pentathlon, completed a Laser Run event. During each shooting series, a Zebris dynamometric platform recorded the displacement of the centre of pressure (COP). Results: Significant changes in the average velocity of the COP (F = 3.43; p = 0.0223) and the width of the ellipse of the COP shifts area WoE (F = 3.30; p = 0.0259) between the first and the second shooting series were observed. The average velocity of the COP in series I was 72.6 m/s and increased to 84.3 m/s in series II. In turn, the average width of the ellipse of the COP in series I reached 29.1 mm and in series II, 34.1 mm. Conclusions: The fatigue caused by the running phases in the Laser Run affects the stability of the shooting position of pentathletes. Disturbances that occur after the first running phase are maintained at the same level during the subsequent shooting series. The fatigue level does not affect the magnitude of the disturbances of the postural balance in the shooting position.
The Current and Retrospective Intentional Nature Exposure Scales: Development and Factorial Validity
Authors: Wood Carly , Barron David , Smyth Nina
Published: November 2019

Both nature exposure and green exercise (GE) can improve health. However, there are no scales examining frequency of engagement; or that consider interaction with nature. There are also no scales assessing these variables during childhood. The aim of this study was to develop a modified (NES-II) and retrospective (RNES-II) version of the Nature Exposure Scale to incorporate GE and to examine their factor structure and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) explored the factor structure of the scales; followed by confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the model fit. Fit indices for the one factor five item NES-II and RNES-II models identified by EFA were poor. Use of modification indices resulted in a good model fit; NES-II: χ(5, n = 385) = 2.638; χnormed = 0.879; CFI= 1.000; RMSEA < 0.001 with 90%CI = 0.000–0.082; SRMR = 0.009; AIC = 36.638. RNES-II: χ(2, n = 385) = 7.149; χnormed = 3.574; CFI = 0.995; RMSEA = 0.082 with 90%CI = 0.023–0.151; SRMR = 0.015; AIC = 43.149. Both models demonstrated very good reliability (α = 0.84; 89 respectively). These findings indicate that the scales can be used to assess current and retrospective nature exposure. However, due to the removal of item one, the authors recommend that the scales be named the ‘intentional nature exposure scale’ and ‘retrospective intentional nature exposure scale’.
Resveratrol Supplementation Protects against Nicotine-Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Ramalingam Anand , Santhanathas Thulasiprevinnah , Shaukat Ali Shafreena , Zainalabidin Satirah
Published: November 2019

Prolonged exposure to nicotine accelerates onset and progression of renal diseases in habitual cigarette smokers. Exposure to nicotine, either via active or passive smoking is strongly shown to enhance renal oxidative stress and augment kidney failure in various animal models. In this study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol supplementation on nicotine-induced kidney injury and oxidative stress in a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given nicotine (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in combination with either resveratrol (8 mg/kg, i.p.), or angiotensin II type I receptor blocker, irbesartan (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days. Upon completion of treatment, kidneys were investigated for changes in structure, kidney injury markers and oxidative stress. Administration of nicotine alone for 28 days resulted in significant renal impairment as shown by marked increase in plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and oxidative stress. Co-administration with resveratrol however successfully attenuated these changes, with a concomitant increase in renal antioxidants such as glutathione similar to the conventionally used angiotensin II receptor blocker, irbesartan. These data altogether suggest that targeting renal oxidative stress with resveratrol could alleviate nicotine-induced renal injury. Antioxidants may be clinically important for management of renal function in habitual smokers.
It’s Time to Replace the Term “Heavy Metals” with “Potentially Toxic Elements” When Reporting Environmental Research
Authors: Pourret Olivier , Hursthouse Andrew
Published: November 2019

Even if the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is relatively well defined, some controversial terms are still in use. Indeed, the term “heavy metal” is a common term used for decades in the natural sciences, and even more in environmental sciences, particularly in studies of pollution impacts. As the use of the term appears to have increased, we highlight the relevance of the use of the term “Potentially Toxic Element(s)”, which needs more explicit endorsement, and we illustrate the chemical elements that need to be considered.
Analysis of Toxic Metals in Liquid from Electronic Cigarettes
Authors: Gray Naudia , Halstead Mary , Gonzalez-Jimenez Nathalie , Valentin-Blasini Liza , Watson Clifford , Pappas R. Steven
Published: November 2019

As the technology of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, evolves, assessing metal concentrations in liquids among brands over time becomes challenging. A method for quantification of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin, and lead in ENDS liquids using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The method’s limits of detection (LODs) were 0.031, 0.032, 3.15, 1.27, 0.108, 0.099, 0.066 µg/g for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, and Pb respectively. Liquids analyzed were from different brands and flavors of refill bottles or single-use, rechargeable, and pod devices from different years. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy further evaluated the device components’ compositions. Refill liquids before contacting a device were below lowest reportable levels (LRL) for all metals. Copper and zinc were elevated in liquids from devices containing brass. Cadmium was <LRL in all liquids and was not observed in device components. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb, reported in µg/g, ranged from <LRL to 0.396, 4.04, 903, 454, 0.898, and 13.5 respectively. Elevated metal concentrations in the liquid were also elevated in aerosol from the corresponding device. The data demonstrates the impact of device design and materials on toxic metals in ENDS liquid.
Implementing Green Supply Chain Management for Online Pharmacies through a VADD Inventory Model
Authors: Chen Yan-Kwang , Chiu Fei-Rung , Chang Yu-Cheng
Published: November 2019

Online pharmacies are an important part of the modern healthcare system. They interact with customers through well-designed web interfaces to deliver the healthcare customers need. In addition to well-designed web interfaces, online pharmacies rely on an effective supply chain system to provide medical supplies and services, and especially effective inventory management for supply systems. As green supply chain management (GSCM) becomes increasingly considered by countries, how to develop a sustainable inventory model that takes into account the revenue growth of an online pharmacy while preventing waste and reducing energy costs has become very important. In line with this trend, the study develops a sustainable inventory model that focuses on both economic aspect (profit) and environmental aspect (losses from excessive inventory) within a framework of a single period multi-product inventory model. Specifically, the sustainable inventory model applies the visual-attention-dependent demand (VADD) rate to characterize customer demand in an online trading environment, thereby seeking a profitable marketing strategy and reducing losses due to excessive inventory. Since the complexity of model optimization will drastically increase due to the inclusion of many products in the problem, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based solution procedure is proposed to increase the feasibility of the proposed model in solving real problems. The sustainable inventory model and the solution procedure are illustrated, compared, and discussed with an online pharmacy example. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is formulated to study the influence of model parameters on the model solution, the loss of unsold inventory that results in a waste of resources and energy, and the profit of online pharmacies.
Towards Precision Nutrition: A Novel Concept Linking Phytochemicals, Immune Response and Honey Bee Health
Authors: Negri Pedro , Villalobos Ethel , Szawarski Nicolás , Damiani Natalia , Gende Liesel , Garrido Melisa , Maggi Matías , Quintana Silvina , Lamattina Lorenzo , Eguaras Martin
Published: November 2019

The high annual losses of managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) has attracted intensive attention, and scientists have dedicated much effort trying to identify the stresses affecting bees. There are, however, no simple answers; rather, research suggests multifactorial effects. Several works have been reported highlighting the relationship between bees’ immunosuppression and the effects of malnutrition, parasites, pathogens, agrochemical and beekeeping pesticides exposure, forage dearth and cold stress. Here we analyze a possible connection between immunity-related signaling pathways that could be involved in the response to the stress resulted from Varroa-virus association and cold stress during winter. The analysis was made understanding the honey bee as a superorganism, where individuals are integrated and interacting within the colony, going from social to individual immune responses. We propose the term “Precision Nutrition” as a way to think and study bees’ nutrition in the search for key molecules which would be able to strengthen colonies’ responses to any or all of those stresses combined.
Cushing’s Disease
Authors: Nishioka Hiroshi , Yamada Shozo
Published: November 2019

In patients with Cushing’s disease (CD), prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for favorable long-term outcomes, although this remains a challenging task. The differential diagnosis of CD is still difficult in some patients, even with an organized stepwise diagnostic approach. Moreover, despite the use of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with advanced fine sequences, some tumors remain invisible. Surgery, using various surgical approaches for safe maximum tumor removal, still remains the first-line treatment for most patients with CD. Persistent or recurrent CD after unsuccessful surgery requires further treatment, including repeat surgery, medical therapy, radiotherapy, or sometimes, bilateral adrenalectomy. These treatments have their own advantages and disadvantages. However, the most important thing is that this complex disease should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with collaborating experts. In addition, a personalized and individual-based approach is paramount to achieve high success rates while minimizing the occurrence of adverse events and improving the patients’ quality of life. Finally, the recent new insights into the pathophysiology of CD at the molecular level are highly anticipated to lead to the introduction of more accurate diagnostic tests and efficacious therapies for this devastating disease in the near future.
Fracture and Fatigue of Titanium Narrow Dental Implants: New Trends in Order to Improve the Mechanical Response
Authors: Velasco-Ortega Eugenio , Flichy-Fernández Antonio , Punset Miquel , Jiménez-Guerra Alvaro , Manero José María , Gil Javier
Published: November 2019

Sixty-four fractured commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) narrow dental implants (NDIs) with similar macrogeometry and connection designs were studied after different implantation times in humans in order to determine their reliability and to evaluate the causes of the fracture. These NDIs were compared with other similar implants, made with alloyed titanium with 15% Zr and with 12% strained titanium. Original implants were tested under static and fatigue conditions, simulating the tri-axial loads in the mouth by means of a Bionix hydraulic test machine. Fractography was studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM). The results showed that cp-Ti NDI exhibits low strength for mechanical cycling, and the alloyed Ti and strained titanium increase the mechanical strength, guaranteeing long term mechanical behavior. NDIs fractured due to fatigue, and, in some cases, the presence of cracks in the original NDIs quickly led to fracture. These cracks were attributed to plastic deformation during machining were found to be exacerbated due to acid etching in the passivation process. All cases of fracture were cp-Ti dental implants due to the low fatigue limit. The results show that, when titanium is alloyed or cold-worked, the fatigue limit is higher than cp-Ti. This in vitro research will help clinicians to select a better NDI system for safer treatment.
Microstructure and Formation Mechanism of Ultrasound-Assisted Transient Liquid Phase Bonded Magnesium Alloys with Ni Interlayer
Authors: Li Yinan , Yang Chengfei , Peng Zilong , Wu Zhiyuan , Cui Zhuang
Published: November 2019

Ultrasound-assisted transient liquid phase bonding (U-TLP) has been regarded as a promising brazing process to join magnesium alloys with a Sn and Zn interlayer; however, the formation of brittle magnesium intermetallic compounds (Mg2Sn, MgZn, and MgZn2) compromises the mechanical properties of the joints. In this study, Mg alloy U-TLP joints with a Ni interlayer were evaluated based on shear strength and hardness measurement. Microstructural evolution along with ultrasonic duration time and intermetallic compound formation were characterized using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy methods. The results show that incremental ultrasonic durations of up to 30 s lead to the microstructural evolution from the Mg2Ni layer, eutectic compounds (Mg2Ni and α-Mg) to α-Mg (Ni), accompanied by shear strength increases. The maximum value of the shear strength is 107 MPa. The role that ultrasound vibration played in brazing was evaluated, and showed that the MgO film was broken by the acoustic softening effect when the interlayer and base metal were solid. As the MgO and Mg substrate have different stress reduction τ, this plastic mismatch helps to break the oxide film. Additionally, the diffusion between the solid Mg substrate and Ni interlayer is accelerated greatly by the acoustic pressure based on the DICTRA dynamic calculation.
Advances in the Stability of Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Liu Maning , Matuhina Anastasia , Zhang Haichang , Vivo Paola
Published: November 2019

Colloidal halide perovskite nanocrystals are promising candidates for next-generation optoelectronics because of their facile synthesis and their outstanding and size-tunable properties. However, these materials suffer from rapid degradation, similarly to their bulk perovskite counterparts. Here, we survey the most recent strategies to boost perovskite nanocrystals stability, with a special focus on the intrinsic chemical- and compositional-factors at synthetic and post-synthetic stage. Finally, we review the most promising approaches to address the environmental extrinsic stability of perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs). Our final goal is to outline the most promising research directions to enhance PNCs’ lifetime, bringing them a step closer to their commercialization.
Resistive Switching and Charge Transport in Laser-Fabricated Graphene Oxide Memristors: A Time Series and Quantum Point Contact Modeling Approach
Authors: Rodriguez N. , Maldonado D. , Romero F. J. , Alonso F. J. , Aguilera A. M. , Godoy A. , Jimenez-Molinos F. , Ruiz F. G. , Roldan J. B.
Published: November 2019

This work investigates the sources of resistive switching (RS) in recently reported laser-fabricated graphene oxide memristors by means of two numerical analysis tools linked to the Time Series Statistical Analysis and the use of the Quantum Point Contact Conduction model. The application of both numerical procedures points to the existence of a filament connecting the electrodes that may be interrupted at a precise point within the conductive path, resulting in resistive switching phenomena. These results support the existing model attributing the memristance of laser-fabricated graphene oxide memristors to the modification of a conductive path stoichiometry inside the graphene oxide.
Influence of Density-Based Topology Optimization Parameters on the Design of Periodic Cellular Materials
Authors: Alvarez Hugo A. , Zambrano Habib R. , Silva Olavo M.
Published: November 2019

The density based topology optimization procedure represented by the SIMP (Solid isotropic material with penalization) method is the most common technique to solve material distribution optimization problems. It depends on several parameters for the solution, which in general are defined arbitrarily or based on the literature. In this work the influence of the optimization parameters applied to the design of periodic cellular materials were studied. Different filtering schemes, penalization factors, initial guesses, mesh sizes, and optimization solvers were tested. In the obtained results, it was observed that using the Method of Moving Asymptotes (MMA) can be achieved feasible convergent solutions for a large amount of parameters combinations, in comparison, to the global convergent method of moving asymptotes (GCMMA) and optimality criteria. The cases of studies showed that the most robust filtering schemes were the sensitivity average and Helmholtz partial differential equation based filter, compared to the Heaviside projection. The choice of the initial guess demonstrated to be a determining factor in the final topologies obtained.
The Effect of Co-Doping at the A-Site on the Structure and Oxide Ion Conductivity in (Ba0.5−xSrx)La0.5InO3−δ: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Hwang Kuk-Jin , Hwang Hae-Jin , Lee Myung-Hyun , Jeong Seong-Min , Shin Tae
Published: November 2019

A molecular dynamics simulation was used to investigate the structural and transport properties of a (Ba0.5−xSrx)La0.5InO3−δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2) oxygen ion conductor. Previous studies reported that the ionic conductivity of Ba-doped LaInO3 decreases because Ba dopant forms a narrow oxygen path in the lattice, which could hinder the diffusion of oxygen ions. In this study, we reveal the mechanism to improve ionic conductivity by Ba and Sr co-doping on an La site in LaInO3 perovskite oxide. The results show that the ionic conductivity of (Ba0.5−xSrx)La0.5InO3−δ increases with an increasing number of Sr ions because oxygen diffusion paths which contain Sr ions have a larger critical radius than those containing Ba ions. The radial distribution function (RDF) calculations show that the peak heights in compositions including Sr ions were lower and broadened, meaning that the oxygen ions moved easily into other oxygen sites.
Bare Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Surface Tunability for Biomedical, Sensing and Environmental Applications
Authors: Magro Massimiliano , Vianello Fabio
Published: November 2019

Surface modification is widely assumed as a mandatory prerequisite for the real applicability of iron oxide nanoparticles. This is aimed to endow prolonged stability, electrolyte and pH tolerance as well as a desired specific surface chemistry for further functionalization to these materials. Nevertheless, coating processes have negative consequences on the sustainability of nanomaterial production contributing to high costs, heavy environmental impact and difficult scalability. In this view, bare iron oxide nanoparticles (BIONs) are arousing an increasing interest and the properties and advantages of pristine surface chemistry of iron oxide are becoming popular among the scientific community. In the authors’ knowledge, rare efforts were dedicated to the use of BIONs in biomedicine, biotechnology, food industry and environmental remediation. Furthermore, literature lacks examples highlighting the potential of BIONs as platforms for the creation of more complex nanostructured architectures, and emerging properties achievable by the direct manipulation of pristine iron oxide surfaces have been little studied. Based on authors’ background on BIONs, the present review is aimed at providing hints on the future expansion of these nanomaterials emphasizing the opportunities achievable by tuning their pristine surfaces.
Nutritional Content According to the Presence of Front of Package Marketing Strategies: The Case of Ultra-Processed Snack Food Products Purchased in Costa Rica
Authors: Gamboa-Gamboa Tatiana , Blanco-Metzler Adriana , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Ramirez-Zea Manuel , Kroker-Lobos Maria F.
Published: November 2019

The industry uses nutrition and health claims, premium offers, and promotional characters as marketing strategies (MS). The inclusion of these MS on ultra-processed products may influence child and adolescent purchase behavior. This study determined the proportion of foods carrying claims and marketing strategies, also the proportion of products with critical nutrients declaration, and nutritional profile differences between products that carry or not claims and MS on the front-of-package (FoP) of ultra-processed food products sold in Costa Rica. Data were obtained from 2423 photographs of seven food groups consumed as snacks that were sold in one of the most widespread and popular hypermarket chains in Costa Rica in 2015. Ten percent of products lacked a nutrition facts panel. Sodium was the least reported critical nutrient. Energy and critical nutrients were significantly highest in products that did not include any nutrition or health claim and in products that included at least one MS. Forty-four percent and 10% of all products displayed at least one nutrition or at least one health claim, respectively, and 23% displayed at least one MS. In conclusion, regulations are needed to restrict claims and marketing on ultra-processed food packages to generate healthier food environments and contribute to the prevention of childhood and adolescent obesity in Costa Rica.
Nutritional Assessment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)—Development of the Groningen IBD Nutritional Questionnaires (GINQ)
Authors: Peters Vera , Alizadeh Behrooz Z , de Vries Jeanne HM , Dijkstra Gerard , Campmans-Kuijpers Marjo JE
Published: November 2019

Diet plays a key role in the complex etiology and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Most existing nutritional assessment tools neglect intake of important foods consumed or omitted specifically by IBD patients or incorporate non-Western dietary habits, making the development of appropriate dietary guidelines for (Western) IBD patients difficult. Hence, we developed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the Groningen IBD Nutritional Questionnaires (GINQ-FFQ); suitable to assess dietary intake in IBD patients. To develop the GINQ-FFQ, multiple steps were taken, including: identification of IBD specific foods, a literature search, and evaluation of current dietary assessment methods. Expert views were collected and in collaboration with Wageningen University, division of Human Nutrition and Health, this semi-quantitative FFQ was developed using standard methods to obtain a valid questionnaire. Next, the GINQ-FFQ was digitized into a secure web-based environment which also embeds additional nutritional and IBD related questions. The GINQ-FFQ is an online self-administered FFQ evaluating dietary intake, taking the previous month as a reference period. It consists of 121 questions on 218 food items. This paper describes the design process of the GINQ-FFQ which assesses dietary intake especially (but not exclusively) in IBD patients. Validation of the GINQ-FFQ is needed and planned in the near future.
Meeting Minimum ESPEN Energy Recommendations Is Not Enough to Maintain Muscle Mass in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: McCurdy Benjamin , Nejatinamini Sara , Debenham Brock J. , Álvarez-Camacho Mirey , Kubrak Catherine , Wismer Wendy V. , Mazurak Vera C.
Published: November 2019

The relationship between dietary intake and body composition changes during cancer treatment has not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake at diagnosis and end of treatment in relation to changes in muscle mass and adiposity in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Dietary intakes (three-day food record) and body composition using computed tomography (CT) were assessed at diagnosis (baseline) and after treatment completion (post-treatment). Skeletal muscle (SM) loss was explored as a consequence of energy and protein intake in relation to the minimum and maximum European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) guidelines. Higher energy intakes (kcal/kg/day) and increases in energy intake (%) from baseline to post-treatment were correlated with attenuated muscle loss (r = 0.62, p < 0.01; r = 0.47, p = 0.04, respectively). Post-treatment protein intake demonstrated a weak positive correlation (r = 0.44, p = 0.05) with muscle loss, which did not persist when controlling for covariates. Meeting minimum ESPEN energy guidelines (25 kcal/kg/day) did not attenuate SM loss, whereas intakes >30 kcal/kg/day resulted in fewer participants losing muscle. Greater baseline adiposity correlated with greater SM loss (p < 0.001). Energy intakes of 30 kcal/kg/day may be required to protect against SM loss during treatment in HNC patients. The influence of adiposity on SM loss requires further exploration.
Effects of Some Food Components on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Severity: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mirizzi Antonella , Franco Isabella , Leone Carla Maria , Bonfiglio Caterina , Cozzolongo Raffaele , Notarnicola Maria , Giannuzzi Vito , Tutino Valeria , De Nunzio Valentina , Bruno Irene , Buongiorno Claudia , Campanella Angelo , Deflorio Valentina , Pascale Annamaria , Procino Filippo , Sorino Paolo , Osella Alberto Rubén
Published: November 2019

Background: The high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) observed in Western countries is due to the concurrent epidemics of overweight/obesity and associated metabolic complications, both recognized risk factors. A Western dietary pattern has been associated with weight gain and obesity, and more recently with NAFLD. Methods: This is a baseline cross-sectional analysis of 136 subjects (79 males) enrolled consecutively in the NUTRIATT (NUTRItion and Ac-TiviTy) study. Study subjects had moderate or severe NAFLD diagnosed by using Fibroscan-CAP. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to obtain information about food intake. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: The mean age was 49.58 (±10.18) with a mean BMI of 33.41 (±4.74). A significant inverse relationship was revealed between winter ice-cream intake and NAFLD severity (O.R. 0.65, 95% C.I. 0.95–0.99); chickpeas intake and NAFLD severity (O.R. 0.57, 95% C.I. 0.34–0.97), and not industrial aged-cheeses type (O.R. 0.85, 95% C.I. 0.74–0.98). A statistically significant positive association also emerged between rabbit meat (O.R. 1.23, 95% C.I. 1.01–1.49), industrial type aged cheeses (O.R. 1.17, 95% C.I. 1.01–1.35), milk-based desserts (no winter ice cream) (O.R. 1.11, 95% C.I. 1.01–1.21), fats (O.R. 1.12, 95% C.I. 1.01–1.25), and NAFLD severity. Conclusion: The fresh foods from non-intensive farming and high legume intake that characterize the Mediterranean diet would seem to be beneficial for patients with NAFLD.
Effects of Doenjang, a Traditional Korean Soybean Paste, with High-Salt Diet on Blood Pressure in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Mun Eun-Gyung , Park Jung Eun , Cha Youn-Soo
Published: November 2019

Fermented foods in Korea contain a lot of salt. Although salt is reported to exacerbate health trouble, fermented foods have beneficial effects. We hypothesized that doenjang could reduce blood pressure in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats fed a high-salt diet. Eighteen SD rats were divided into three groups: normal-salt (NS) group, high-salt (HS) group, and high-salt with doenjang (HSD) group. The salinity of doenjang and saltwater was adjusted to 8% using Mohr’s method. Blood pressure was significantly reduced in the HSD group compared with the HS group. Water intake and urine excretion volume has significantly increased in the HS group compared with the HSD group. The excreted concentrations of urine sodium, urine potassium, and feces potassium significantly increased in the HSD group compared with the HS and NS groups. Renin level was significantly decreased in the HSD group compared to the other groups. These results indicate that eating traditional salty fermented food is not a direct cause of hypertension, and the intake of doenjang in normal healthy animals improved blood pressure.
Effect of Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake on the Mobilization of Bone Lead among Middle-Aged and Older Men: The Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study
Authors: Wang Xin , Kim Douglas , Tucker Katherine L. , Weisskopf Marc G. , Sparrow David , Hu Howard , Park Sung Kyun
Published: November 2019

Bone is a major storage site as well as an endogenous source of lead in the human body. Dietary sodium and potassium intake may play a role in the mobilization of lead from bone to the circulation. We examined whether association between bone lead and urinary lead, a marker of mobilized lead in plasma, was modified by dietary intake of sodium and potassium among 318 men, aged 48–93 years, in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Normative Aging Study. Dietary sodium and potassium were assessed by flame photometry using 24-h urine samples, and a sodium-to-potassium ratio was calculated from the resulting measures. Patella and tibia bone lead concentrations were measured by K-shell-x-ray fluorescence. Urinary lead was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy in 24-h urine samples. Linear regression models were used to regress creatinine clearance-corrected urinary lead on bone lead, testing multiplicative interactions with tertiles of sodium, potassium, and sodium-to-potassium ratio, separately. After adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, vitamin C intake, calcium, and total energy intake, participants in the highest tertile of sodium-to-potassium ratio showed 28.1% (95% CI: 12.5%, 45.9%) greater urinary lead per doubling increase in patella lead, whereas those in the second and lowest tertiles had 13.8% (95% CI: −1.7%, 31.7%) and 5.5% (95% CI: −8.0%, 21.0%) greater urinary lead, respectively (p-for-interaction = 0.04). No statistically significant effect modification by either sodium or potassium intake alone was observed. These findings suggest that relatively high intake of sodium relative to potassium may play an important role in the mobilization of lead from bone into the circulation.