bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Six-lncRNA Signature for Immunophenotype Prediction of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Gao Ming , Wang Xinzhuang , Han Dayong , Lu Enzhou , Zhang Jian , Zhang Cheng , Wang Ligang , Yang Quan , Jiang Qiuyi , Wu Jianing , Chen Xin , Zhao Shiguang
Published: January 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system. As biomedicine advances, the researcher has found the development of GBM is closely related to immunity. In this study, we evaluated the GBM tumor immunoreactivity and defined the Immune-High (IH) and Immune-Low (IL) immunophenotypes using transcriptome data from 144 tumors profiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project based on the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) of five immune expression signatures (IFN-γ response, macrophages, lymphocyte infiltration, TGF-β response, and wound healing). Next, we identified six immunophenotype-related long non-coding RNA biomarkers (im-lncRNAs, USP30-AS1, HCP5, PSMB8-AS1, AL133264.2, LINC01684, and LINC01506) by employing a machine learning computational framework combining minimum redundancy maximum relevance algorithm (mRMR) and random forest model. Moreover, the expression level of identified im-lncRNAs was converted into an im-lncScore using the normalized principal component analysis. The im-lncScore showed a promising performance for distinguishing the GBM immunophenotypes with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.928. Furthermore, the im-lncRNAs were also closely associated with the levels of tumor immune cell infiltration in GBM. In summary, the im-lncRNA signature had important clinical implications for tumor immunophenotyping and guiding immunotherapy in glioblastoma patients in future.
Comparative Transcriptome Profile Analysis of Longissimus dorsi Muscle Tissues From Two Goat Breeds With Different Meat Production Performance Using RNA-Seq
Authors: Shen Jiyuan , Hao Zhiyun , Wang Jiqing , Hu Jiang , Liu Xiu , Li Shaobin , Ke Na , Song Yize , Lu Yujie , Hu Liyan , Qiao Lirong , Wu Xinmiao , Luo Yuzhu
Published: January 2021

Carcass weight, meat quality and muscle components are important traits economically and they underpin most of the commercial return to goat producers. In this study, theLongissimus dorsimuscle tissues were collected from five Liaoning cashmere (LC) goats and five Ziwuling black (ZB) goats with phenotypic difference in carcass weight, some meat quality traits and muscle components. The histological quantitative of collagen fibers and the transcriptome profiles in theLongissimus dorsimuscle tissues were investigated using Masson-trichrome staining and RNA-Seq, respectively. The percentage of total collagen fibers in theLongissimus dorsimuscle tissues from ZB goats was less than those from LC goats, suggesting that these ZB goats had more tender meat. An average of 15,919 and 15,582 genes were found to be expressed inLongissimus dorsimuscle tissues from LC and ZB goats, respectively. Compared to LC goats, the expression levels of 78 genes were up-regulated in ZB goats, while 133 genes were down-regulated. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in GO terms related to the muscle growth and development and the deposition of intramuscular fat and lipid metabolism, hippo signaling pathway and Jak-STAT signaling pathway. The results provide an improved understanding of the genetic mechanisms regulating meat production performance in goats, and will help us improve the accuracy of selection for meat traits in goats using marker-assisted selection based on these differentially expressed genes obtained.
Involvement of the Mitochondrial Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PTPM1 in the Promotion of Conidiation, Development, and Pathogenicity in Colletotrichum graminicola
Authors: Wang Shaowei , Li Guihua , Wei Yi , Wang Gang , Dang Yuejia , Zhang Penghui , Zhang Shi-Hong
Published: January 2021

The phosphorylation status of proteins, which is determined by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), governs many cellular actions. In fungal pathogens, phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction has been considered to be one of the most important mechanisms in pathogenicity. Colletotrichum graminicola is an economically important corn pathogen. However, whether phosphorylation is involved in its pathogenicity is unknown. A mitochondrial protein tyrosine phosphatase gene, designated CgPTPM1, was deduced in C. graminicola through the use of bioinformatics and confirmed by enzyme activity assays and observation of its subcellular localization. We then created a CgPTPM1 deletion mutant (ΔCgPTPM1) to analyze its biological function. The results indicated that the loss of CgPTPM1 dramatically affected the formation of conidia and the development and differentiation into appressoria. However, the colony growth and conidial morphology of the ΔCgPTPM1 strains were unaffected. Importantly, the ΔCgPTPM1 mutant strains exhibited an obvious reduction of virulence, and the delayed infected hyphae failed to expand in the host cells. In comparison with the wild-type, ΔCgPTPM1 accumulated a larger amount of H2O2 and was sensitive to exogenous H2O2. Interestingly, the host cells infected by the mutant also exhibited an increased accumulation of H2O2 around the infection sites. Since the expression of the CgHYR1, CgGST1, CgGLR1, CgGSH1 and CgPAP1 genes was upregulated with the H2O2 treatment, our results suggest that the mitochondrial protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPM1 plays an essential role in promoting the pathogenicity of C. graminicola by regulating the excessive in vivo and in vitro production of H2O2.
miR-193a-3p Mediates Placenta Accreta Spectrum Development by Targeting EFNB2 via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Pathway Under Decidua Defect Conditions
Authors: Li Na , Hou Rui , Yang Tian , Liu Caixia , Wei Jun
Published: January 2021

Objective: To clarify the role of microRNA-193a-3p (miR-193a-3p) in the pathogenesis of placenta accreta spectrum.

Methods: The placental tissue expression levels of miR-193a-3p and Ephrin-B2 (EFNB2) were compared between a placenta accreta spectrum group and a control group. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to verify the effect of miR-193a-3p and EFNB2 on HTR-8/SVneo cells cultured in human endometrial stromal cell (hESC)-conditioned medium. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were examined by western blotting to establish whether the EMT pathway was altered in placenta accreta spectrum. To determine whether EFNB2 is a target gene of miR-193a-3p, luciferase activity assays were performed.

Results: miR-193a-3p was upregulated but EFNB2 downregulated in the placenta accreta spectrum group and EFNB2 was a direct target of miR-193a-3p. Overexpression or inhibition of miR-193a-3p revealed that miR-193a-3p promoted the migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells cultured in hESC-conditioned medium. Furthermore, EMT was induced, as shown by increased N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP2, and MMP9 and decreased E-cadherin in the placenta accreta spectrum group and in HTR-8/SVneo cells transfected with miR-193a-3p mimics or si-EFNB2. The negative effect of miR-193a-3p inhibitor was reversed by co-transfection with si-EFNB2 in function studies and in analyses of EMT-related proteins in vitro.

Conclusion: miR-193a-3p which upregulated in placenta accreta spectrum group increases HTR-8/SVneo cell migration and invasion by targeting EFNB2 via the EMT pathway under decidua defect conditions to lead to placenta accreta spectrum.
Ethnic Differences in Attending a Tertiary Dementia Clinic in Israel
Authors: Specktor Polina , Ben Hayun Rachel , Yarovinsky Natalia , Fisher Tali , Aharon Peretz Judith
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Variations in lifestyle, socioeconomic status and general health likely account for differences in dementia disparities across racial groups. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of Arab (AS) and Jewish (JS) subjects attending a tertiary dementia clinic in Israel.

Methods: Retrospective data regarding subjects attending the Cognitive Neurology Institute at Rambam Health Care Campus between April 1, 2010, and April 31, 2016, for complaints of cognitive decline were collected from the institutional registry. AS and consecutive JS, aged ≥50 years without a previous history of structural brain disease, were included.

Results: The records of 6,175 visits were found; 3,246 subjects were ≥50 years at the initial visit. One hundred and ninety-nine AS and consecutive JS cases were reviewed. Mean age at first visit was 68.4 ± 8.8 for AS and 74.3 for JS (p < 0.0001). Mean education was 7.7 ± 4.8 years for AS and 11.3 years for JS (p < 0.0001). Mean duration of cognitive complaints prior to first visit did not differ between the groups. Initial complaints of both ethnicities were failing memory (97%) and behavioral changes (59%). Functional impairment was reported by 59% of AS and 45% of JS (p = 0.005). MMSE on first evaluation was 19.2 ± 7 for AS and 23.1 ± 5.9 for JS; p = 0.001. Alzheimer's disease was diagnosed in 32% AS and 23% JS, mild cognitive impairment in 12% AS and 21% JS. Normal cognition was diagnosed in 2% AS and 9% JS; p = 0.0001.

Conclusions: Compared to JS, AS attend a tertiary clinic when their cognitive impairment already affects their functional abilities providing a comprehensive benchmark for social health care interventions to reduce disparities.
Cognitive Telerehabilitation for Older Adults With Neurodegenerative Diseases in the COVID-19 Era: A Perspective Study
Authors: Bernini Sara , Stasolla Fabrizio , Panzarasa Silvia , Quaglini Silvana , Sinforiani Elena , Sandrini Giorgio , Vecchi Tomaso , Tassorelli Cristina , Bottiroli Sara
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health problem that is radically transforming public and private healthcare organizations around the world, negatively affecting the rehabilitative treatments of non-COVID pathologies as well. In this situation, it becomes crucial to be able to guarantee the continuity of care also to all those patients with neurodegenerative diseases unable to reach healthcare services. Remote communication technologies are gaining momentum as potentially effective options to support health care interventions—including cognitive rehabilitation—while patients can stay safely at home. In this context, we are implementing HomeCoRe (i.e., Home Cognitive Rehabilitation software) in order to offer an innovative approach and a valid support for home-based cognitive rehabilitation in neurodegenerative diseases, such as mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. HomeCoRe has been developed within a research project between engineers and clinicians in order to obtain a usable and safe cognitive rehabilitation tool. This software has multiple advantages for patients and therapists over traditional approaches, as shown in its use in hospital settings. HomeCoRe could then represent an opportunity for accessing cognitive rehabilitation in all those situations where patients and therapists are not in the same location due to particular restrictions, such as COVID-19 pandemic.
“Holding–Cuddling” and Sucrose for Pain Relief During Venepuncture in Newborn Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (CÂSA)
Authors: Hoarau Karole , Payet Marie Line , Zamidio Laurence , Bonsante Francesco , Iacobelli Silvia
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Oral sucrose is commonly used to provide analgesia to neonates during painful procedures, such as venepuncture. The additional benefits of reducing pain during venepuncture when oral sucrose is combined with nonpharmacological strategies have not been extensively studied. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of oral sucrose with nonnutritive sucking vs. oral sucrose with nonnutritive sucking plus “holding–cuddling” for pain management during venepuncture in term infants from birth to 3 months of life.

Methods: Seventy-eight infants were equally randomized to receive 24% oral sucrose with nonnutritive sucking (control group) or 24% oral sucrose with nonnutritive sucking plus “holding–cuddling” (being held in a secure, cuddling position; experimental group) before venepuncture. Behavioral response to pain was measured by the 0–10 ranking scale “acute pain for neonates (APN)” at 30 and 60 s after venepuncture.

Results: Within the study sample, APN scores were ≥ 2 for 32/68 (47%) infants. “Holding–cuddling” did not significantly reduce mean APN scores at 30 and 60 s, but the rate of infants experiencing a high pain score (APN ≥ 8) at 60 s after the venepuncture was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to controls [4/34 vs. 12/34 (p = 0.04)].

Conclusions: Venepuncture is a painful procedure in newborn and young infants. The implementation of behavioral strategies in association with oral sucrose may mitigate pain during this procedure.

Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT number 02803723).
Program of Seven 45-min Dry Immersion Sessions Improves Choice Reaction Time in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Meigal Alexander Yu. , Tretjakova Olesya G. , Gerasimova-Meigal Liudmila I. , Sayenko Irina V.
Published: January 2021

The study hypothesis held that in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD), the reaction time (RT) tests of the higher cognition demand would have more readily improved under the program of analog microgravity (μG) modeled with “dry” immersion (DI). To test this hypothesis, 10 subjects with PD have passed through a program of seven DI sessions (each 45 min long) within 25–30 days, with overall μG dose 5 1/4 h. Five patients were enrolled as controls, without DI (noDI group). Simple RT (SRT), disjunctive RT (DRT), and choice RT (CRT) were assessed in four study points: before the DI program (preDI), 1 day after the DI program (postDI), 2 weeks after the DI program (DI2w), and 2 months after the DI program (DI2m). The motor time (MT) was assessed with the tapping test (TT). Additionally, signal detection time (SDT) and central processing time (CPT) were extracted from the data. Before the program of DI, the RT tests are in accordance with their cognition load: SRT (284 ± 37 ms), DRT (338 ± 38 ms), and CRT (540 ± 156 ms). In accordance with the hypothesis, CRT and DRT have improved under DI by, respectively, 20 and 8% at the study point “DI2w,” whereas SRT, SDT, and MT did not change (<5% in the preDI point, p > 0.05). Thus, the program of DI provoked RT improvement specifically in the cognitively loaded tasks, in a “dose of cognition-reaction” manner. The accuracy of reaction has changed in none of the RT tests. The neurophysiologic, hormonal/neuroendocrine, behavioral, neural plasticity, and acclimation mechanisms may have contributed to such a result.
Human-Mediated Land Use Change Drives Intraspecific Plant Trait Variation
Authors: Schroeder Hayley , Grab Heather , Kessler André , Poveda Katja
Published: January 2021

In the Anthropocene, more than three quarters of ice-free land has experienced some form of human-driven habitat modification, with agriculture dominating 40% of the Earth’s surface. This land use change alters the quality, availability, and configuration of habitat resources, affecting the community composition of plants and insects, as well as their interactions with each other. Landscapes dominated by agriculture are known to support a lower abundance and diversity of pollinators and frequently larger populations of key herbivore pests. In turn, insect communities subsidized by agriculture may spill into remaining natural habitats with consequences for wild plants persisting in (semi) natural habitats. Adaptive responses by wild plants may allow them to persist in highly modified landscapes; yet how landscape-mediated variation in insect communities affects wild plant traits related to reproduction and defense remains largely unknown. We synthesize the evidence for plant trait changes across land use gradients and propose potential mechanisms by which landscape-mediated changes in insect communities may be driving these trait changes. Further, we present results from a common garden experiment on three wild Brassica species demonstrating variation in both defensive and reproductive traits along an agricultural land use gradient. Our framework illustrates the potential for plant adaptation under land use change and predicts how defense and reproduction trait expression may shift in low diversity landscapes. We highlight areas of future research into plant population and community effects of land use change.
Building a Population Representative Pediatric Biobank: Lessons Learned From the Greater Cincinnati Childhood Cohort
Authors: Martin Lisa J. , Murrison Liza Bronner , Butsch Kovacic Melinda
Published: January 2021

Background: Biobanks can accelerate research by providing researchers with samples and data. However, hospital-based recruitment as a source for controls may create bias as who comes to the hospital may be different from the broader population.

Methods: In an effort to broadly improve the quality of research studies and reduce costs and challenges associated with recruitment and sample collection, a group of diverse researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center led an institution-supported initiative to create a population representative pediatric “Greater Cincinnati Childhood Cohort (GCC).” Participants completed a detailed survey, underwent a brief physician-led physical exam, and provided blood, urine, and hair samples. DNA underwent high-throughput genotyping.

Results: In total, 1,020 children ages 3–18 years living in the 7 county Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan region were recruited. Racial composition of the cohort was 84% non-Hispanic white, 15% non-Hispanic black, and 2% other race or Hispanic. Participants exhibited marked demographic and disease burden differences by race. Overall, the cohort was broadly used resulting in publications, grants and patents; yet, it did not meet the needs of all potential researchers.

Conclusions: Learning from both the strengths and weaknesses, we propose leveraging a community-based participatory research framework for future broad use biobanking efforts.
How Rare Are Rare-Earth Elements in Living Things?
Authors: Bustillos-Cristales Rocío , Pedraza-Pérez Yagul , Fuentes-Ramírez Luis Ernesto
Published: January 2021

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of metallic chemical elements that share some properties and that despite their name are not too rare in the Earth’s crust. Until recently, we did not know of any REEs that were necessary for any living organism. Now we know that there are some bacteria that use REEs to perform reactions that let them consume alcohol. Humans are also interested in REEs because these elements are valuable for many technological applications. In this article, we will explain the only known participation of REEs in living organisms and explain why future research on REEs is important.
Effects of Betaine Supplementation on Live Performance, Selected Blood Parameters, and Expression of Water Channel and Stress-Related mRNA Transcripts of Delayed Placement Broiler Chicks
Authors: Al-Sagan Ahmed Abdulaziz , Al-Abdullatif Abdulaziz , Hussein Elsayed O. S. , Saadeldin Islam M. , Al-Mufarrej Saud I. , Qaid Mohammed , Albaadani Hani H. , Swelum Ayman Abdel-Aziz , Alhotan Rashed
Published: January 2021

This study examined the effect of supplemental betaine on live performance, selected blood parameters, and gene expression of water channel proteins (Aquaporins, AQP) of broiler chicks delayed in placement for 48 h post-hatch. In total, 540 newly-hatched male broiler chicks were obtained from a local hatchery and were randomly allotted to one of five treatments with nine replicates per treatment (12 chicks per replicate). Chicks were either placed immediately, control; held for 48 h post-hatch with no access to feed or water, Holdnull; held for 48 h with free access to drinking water only, HoldW; held for 48 h with free access to drinking water supplemented with 1 ml per L of betaine solution (40% betaine), HoldB1; or held for 48 h with free access to drinking water supplemented with 2 ml per L of betaine solution (40% betaine), HoldB2 group. The results showed that post-hatch holding for 48 h depressed feed intake and body weight gain during the entire 15 d study period with no beneficial effect of supplemental betaine. Chicks in the HoldB2 group had elevated serum glucose, triglycerides, and aspartate aminotransferase 48 h post-hatch. Early water deprivation directly affected the brain proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and hepatic glucocorticoid receptors (GR) expression and induced significant changes in various aquaporins (AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, and AQP9). In conclusion, betaine supplementation to chicks held for 48 h post-hatch resulted in some changes in blood biochemical indices with no effects on performance during the first 15 days of life. The results suggest that betaine supplementation could ameliorate the stressful effects of water deprivation on POMC and GR expression and maintain cellular osmosis through interactions with variable aquaporins expression, particularly the AQP1 and AQP2. Further investigations are required to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the selective regulatory expression of different aquaporins in relation to betaine supplementation.
A Hybrid Approach for Time-Varying Harmonic and Interharmonic Detection Using Synchrosqueezing Wavelet Transform
Authors: Chang Gary W. , Lin Yu-Luh , Liu Yu-Jen , Sun Gary H. , Yu Johnson T.
Published: January 2021

With widespread non-linear loads and the increasing penetration of distributed generations in the power system, harmonic pollution has become a great concern. The causes of harmonic pollution not only include the integer harmonics, but also interharmonics, which exacerbate the complexity of harmonic analysis. In addition, the output variability of highly non-linear loads and renewables such as electric arc furnaces and photovoltaic solar or wind generation may lead to weakly time-varying harmonics and interharmonics in both frequency and magnitude. These features present challenges for accurate assessment of associated power-quality (PQ) disturbances. To tackle such increasing time-varying PQ problems, a hybrid detection method using synchrosqueezing wavelet transform (SSWT) is proposed. The proposed method first obtains the proper parameter values for the mother wavelet according to numerical computations. The wavelet transform-based synchrosqueezing and a clustering method are applied to determine each frequency component of the waveform under assessment. The time-domain waveform and the associated magnitude of each frequency component is then reconstructed by the inverse SSWT operation. The novelty of the proposed method is that it can decompose the measured waveform containing both harmonics and interharmonics into intrinsic mode functions without the need for fundamental frequency detection. Compared to other time–frequency analysis methods, SSWT has better anti-noise and higher resolution of time–frequency curves; even the measured signal has close frequency components. Simulation results and actual measurement validations show that the proposed method is effective and relatively accurate in time-varying harmonic and interharmonic detection and is suitable for applications in power networks and microgrids that have high penetration of renewables or non-linear loads causing time-varying voltage or current waveforms.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Big Data and Cognitive Computing in 2020
Authors:   Big Data and Cognitive Computing Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Rigorous peer-review is the corner-stone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
A Revisit to CMFD Schemes: Fourier Analysis and Enhancement
Authors: Wang Dean , Zhu Zuolong
Published: January 2021

The coarse-mesh finite difference (CMFD) scheme is a very effective nonlinear diffusion acceleration method for neutron transport calculations. CMFD can become unstable and fail to converge when the computational cell optical thickness is relatively large in k-eigenvalue problems or diffusive fixed-source problems. Some variants and fixups have been developed to enhance the stability of CMFD, including the partial current-based CMFD (pCMFD), optimally diffusive CMFD (odCMFD), and linear prolongation-based CMFD (lpCMFD). Linearized Fourier analysis has proven to be a very reliable and accurate tool to investigate the convergence rate and stability of such coupled high-order transport/low-order diffusion iterative schemes. It is shown in this paper that the use of different transport solvers in Fourier analysis may have some potential implications on the development of stabilizing techniques, which is exemplified by the odCMFD scheme. A modification to the artificial diffusion coefficients of odCMFD is proposed to improve its stability. In addition, two explicit expressions are presented to calculate local optimal successive overrelaxation (SOR) factors for lpCMFD to further enhance its acceleration performance for fixed-source problems and k-eigenvalue problems, respectively.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Information in 2020
Authors:   Information Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Information maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
The Potential Benefit of Expedited Development and Approval Programs in Precision Medicine
Authors: Kantor Ariel , Haga Susanne B.
Published: January 2021

Background: Increased understanding of the molecular causes of disease has begun to fulfill the promise of precision medicine with the development of targeted drugs, particularly for serious diseases with unmet needs. The drug approval regulatory process is a critical component to the continued growth of precision medicine drugs and devices. To facilitate the development and approval process of drugs for serious unmet needs, four expedited approval programs have been developed in the US: priority review, accelerated approval, fast track, and breakthrough therapy programs. Methods: To determine if expedited approval programs are fulfilling the intended goals, we reviewed drug approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2011 and 2017 for new molecular entities (NMEs). Results: From 2011 through 2017, the FDA approved 250 NMEs, ranging from 27 approvals in 2013 to 46 in 2017. The NME approvals spanned 22 different disease classes; almost one-third of all NMEs were for oncology treatments. Conclusions: As these pathways are utilized more, additional legislative changes may be needed to re-align incentives to promote continued development of innovative drugs for serious unmet needs in a safe, efficacious, and affordable manner.
Synthesis, Stability, and Antidiabetic Activity Evaluation of (−)-Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Palmitate Derived from Natural Tea Polyphenols
Authors: Liu Bingbing , Kang Zhengzhong , Yan Weidong
Published: January 2021

This work describes a novel approach for the synthesis of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) palmitate by a chemical-synthesis method, where the elevated stability of the EGCG derivative is achieved. Various parameters affecting the acylation process, such as the base, solvent, as well as the molar ratio of palmitoyl chloride, have been studied to optimize the acylation procedure. The optimized reaction condition was set as follows: EGCG/palmitoyl chloride/sodium acetate was under a molar ratio of 1:2:2, with acetone as the solvent, and the reaction temperature was 40 °C. Under the optimized condition, the yield reached 90.6%. The EGCG palmitate (PEGCG) was isolated and identified as 4′-O-palmitoyl EGCG. Moreover, the stability of PEGCG under different conditions was proved significantly superior to EGCG. Finally, PEGCG showed better inhibition towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which was 4.5 and 52 times of EGCG, respectively. Molecular docking simulations confirmed the in vitro assay results. This study set a novel and practical synthetic approach for the derivatization of EGCG, and suggest that PEGCG may act as an antidiabetic agent.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Iminosugars Prepared from Natural Amino Acids
Authors: Puet Alejandro , Domínguez Gema , Cañada Francisco Javier , Pérez-Castells Javier
Published: January 2021

Cyclopropanated iminosugars have a locked conformation that may enhance the inhibitory activity and selectivity against different glycosidases. We show the synthesis of new cyclopropane-containing piperidines bearing five stereogenic centers from natural amino acids l-serine and l-alanine. Those prepared from the latter amino acid may mimic l-fucose, a natural-occurring monosaccharide involved in many molecular recognition events. Final compounds prepared from l-serine bear S configurations on the C5 position. The synthesis involved a stereoselective cyclopropanation reaction of an α,β-unsaturated piperidone, which was prepared through a ring-closing metathesis. The final compounds were tested as possible inhibitors of different glycosidases. The results, although, in general, with low inhibition activity, showed selectivity, depending on the compound and enzyme, and in some cases, an unexpected activity enhancement was observed.
Screening of Wood/Forest and Vine By-Products as Sources of New Drugs for Sustainable Strategies to Control Fusarium graminearum and the Production of Mycotoxins
Authors: Montibus Mathilde , Vitrac Xavier , Coma Véronique , Loron Anne , Pinson-Gadais Laetitia , Ferrer Nathalie , Verdal-Bonnin Marie-Noëlle , Gabaston Julien , Waffo-Téguo Pierre , Richard-Forget Florence , Atanasova Vessela
Published: January 2021

Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that can colonize small-grain cereals and maize and secrete type B trichothecene (TCTB) mycotoxins. The development of environmental-friendly strategies guaranteeing the safety of food and feed is a key challenge facing agriculture today. One of these strategies lies on the promising capacity of products issued from natural sources to counteract crop pests. In this work, the in vitro efficiency of sixteen extracts obtained from eight natural sources using subcritical water extraction at two temperatures was assessed against fungal growth and TCTB production by F. graminearum. Maritime pine sawdust extract was shown to be extremely efficient, leading to a significant inhibition of up to 89% of the fungal growth and up to 65% reduction of the mycotoxin production by F. graminearum. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of this active extract revealed the presence of three families of phenolics with a predominance of methylated compounds and suggested that the abundance of methylated structures, and therefore of hydrophobic compounds, could be a primary factor underpinning the activity of the maritime pine sawdust extract. Altogether, our data support that wood/forest by-products could be promising sources of bioactive compounds for controlling F. graminearum and its production of mycotoxins.
Ubiquitin Ligases at the Heart of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Control
Authors: Peris-Moreno Dulce , Cussonneau Laura , Combaret Lydie , Polge Cécile , Taillandier Daniel
Published: January 2021

Skeletal muscle loss is a detrimental side-effect of numerous chronic diseases that dramatically increases mortality and morbidity. The alteration of protein homeostasis is generally due to increased protein breakdown while, protein synthesis may also be down-regulated. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a master regulator of skeletal muscle that impacts muscle contractile properties and metabolism through multiple levers like signaling pathways, contractile apparatus degradation, etc. Among the different actors of the UPS, the E3 ubiquitin ligases specifically target key proteins for either degradation or activity modulation, thus controlling both pro-anabolic or pro-catabolic factors. The atrogenes MuRF1/TRIM63 and MAFbx/Atrogin-1 encode for key E3 ligases that target contractile proteins and key actors of protein synthesis respectively. However, several other E3 ligases are involved upstream in the atrophy program, from signal transduction control to modulation of energy balance. Controlling E3 ligases activity is thus a tempting approach for preserving muscle mass. While indirect modulation of E3 ligases may prove beneficial in some situations of muscle atrophy, some drugs directly inhibiting their activity have started to appear. This review summarizes the main signaling pathways involved in muscle atrophy and the E3 ligases implicated, but also the molecules potentially usable for future therapies.
Beneficial Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate, Chlorogenic Acid, Resveratrol, and Curcumin on Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Fukutomi Ryuuta , Ohishi Tomokazu , Koyama Yu , Pervin Monira , Nakamura Yoriyuki , Isemura Mamoru
Published: January 2021

Many observational and clinical studies have shown that consumption of diets rich in plant polyphenols have beneficial effects on various diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Animal and cellular studies have indicated that these polyphenolic compounds contribute to such effects. The representative polyphenols are epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate in tea, chlorogenic acids in coffee, resveratrol in wine, and curcumin in curry. The results of human studies have suggested the beneficial effects of consumption of these foods on NDDs including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and cellular animal experiments have provided molecular basis to indicate contribution of these representative polyphenols to these effects. This article provides updated information on the effects of these foods and their polyphenols on NDDs with discussions on mechanistic aspects of their actions mainly based on the findings derived from basic experiments.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Tumor Resistance Reversal Activity Evaluation of Matrine Derivative with Thiophene Structure
Authors: Wei Jinrui , Liang Yuehui , Wu Lichuan
Published: January 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) frequently occurs in Southern China. The main treatments of NPC are chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, chemo-resistance arises as a big obstacle in treating NPC. Therefore, there is a great need to develop new compounds that could reverse tumor drug resistance. In this study, eight matrine derivatives containing thiophene group were designed and synthesized. Structures of these 8 compounds were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). The cytotoxicity and preliminary synergistic effects of these 8 compounds were detected against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and cisplatin-resistant NPC cells (CNE2/CDDP), respectively. Furthermore, the in vivo and in vitro tumor resistance reversal effects of compound 3f were evaluated. Moreover, docking studies were performed in Bclw (2Y6W). The results displayed that compound 3f showed synergistic inhibitory effects with cisplatin against CNE2/CDDP cells proliferation via apoptosis induction. Docking results revealed that compound 3f may exert its effects via inhibiting anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-w.
Nanoenergy Advances—A New Open Access Journal to Report Nanoenergy Materials and Devices
Authors: Yang Ya
Published: January 2021

There are various types of nano-energies in our surroundings, such as mechanical energy produced by human motions, solar energy, thermal energy, and so on [...]
Zebrafish Melanophores Suggest Novel Functions of Cell Chirality in Tissue Formation
Authors: Yamanaka Hiroaki , Kondo Shigeru
Published: January 2021

Several types of cells show left–right asymmetric behavior, unidirectional rotation, or spiral movements. For example, neutrophil-like differentiated HL60 (dHL60) cells show leftward bias in response to chemoattractant. Neurons extend neurites, creating a clockwise spiral. Platelet cells shows unidirectional spiral arrangements of actin fibers. In the microfabricated culture environment, groups of C2C12 cells (mouse myoblast cell line) were autonomously aligned in a counter-clockwise spiral pattern, and isolated C2C12 cells showed unidirectional spiral pattern of the actin skeleton. This biased directionality suggested that these cells have inherent cell chirality. In addition to these cells, we recently found that melanophores of zebrafish also have an intrinsic cellular chirality that was shown by their counter-clockwise self-rotation. Although this cell chirality is obvious, the function of the cell chirality is still unclear. In this review, we compare the cell chirality of melanophores of zebrafish with other cell chirality and consider the function of cell chirality in morphogenesis.
State Aviation Risk Assessment Level Determination Using Hierarchical Fuzzy Inference System Based on Cognitive Maps
Authors:   Gestão e Apoio à Decisão / Ciências Fundamentais / Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Junior Alvimar de Lucena Costa , Belderrain Mischel Carmen Neyra ,   Gestão e Apoio à Decisão / Ciências Fundamentais / Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Junior Moacyr Machado Cardoso ,   CNPJ: 64.037.492/0001-72 / ITA/FCMF / Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica / Fundação Casimiro Montenegro Filho
Published: January 2021

During 2018, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized UN organization) made available the results of its USOAP (Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program): the ratio of compliance for each ICAO member State to 1047 aviation safety-related protocol questions, divided into eight audit areas. Numbers itself has little meaning, even for aviation personnel. Using Cognitive Mapping (CogMap), a Problem Structuring Method tool, this paper develops a framework to extract and organize information from aviation specialists, allowing define Risk Assessment Level for each State, and for each Aviation Safety Branch defined. Using Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS), helpful supporting decision making, Big Data available from ICAO is converted to Risk Levels for each State and audit area, what may be used to make informed better Safety decisions on the World Aviation Market. Up to the moment, there’s no evidence on the literature of using CogMap to establish a FIS.
Resiliência e Gestão do Risco
Authors: Betâmio de Almeida António
Published: January 2021

O autor teve o privilégio de participar no XIII Encontro Nacional de Riscos que se realizou na cidade do Funchal em Fevereiro de 2020 sob a designação genérica de “Madeira Região Resiliente”. O presente texto é um resumo da sua apresentação com o título “Resiliência e Gestão do Risco” a qual incidiu nos seguintes tópicos: Etimologia e divulgação do termo resiliência; Definição e conceptualização de uma métrica de resiliência; e Resiliência e Gestão do Risco.
Contributos para uma estratégia integrada de gestão do risco de aluviões na ilha da Madeira
Authors: Proença de Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: January 2021

As condições naturais da Madeira implicam a convivência com o risco de cheias e de aluviões e uma abordagem integrada para a sua gestão que inclui um ordenamento do território eficaz, intervenções estruturais em locais onde o risco é maior e não pode ser significativamente reduzido por outras vias e, ainda, um sistema de previsão, alerta e gestão das emergências que venham a ocorrer. A prossecução destes objetivos é da responsabilidade de um conjunto diverso de instituições, sendo por isso necessário garantir a sua articulação e eficácia conjunta.
Ostvarenje nove evangelizacije u odnosu na tipologiju svećenika evangelizatora
Authors: Bendra Ivana , Šota Stanislav
Published: January 2021

Katolička Crkva u suvremenom hrvatskom društvu nalazi se pred mnogostranim izazovima. Naime, premda se suvremeno hrvat­sko društvo još uvijek može okarakterizirati kao ono u kojemu, među većinskim katoličkim stanovništvom, i dalje dominira tradicionalna institucionalna religioznost u njemu se sve više uprisutnjuje i postmo­derna individualizirana religioznost. Promičući novu evangelizaciju kojoj je cilj oživljavanje župnih zajednica, uz pronalaženje novih metoda pastoralno-katehetsko-evangelizacijskog djelovanja, Katolička Crkva nastoji se približiti vjerniku suvremenog hrvatskog društva te oduprijeti negativnim posljedicama koje takav oblik religioznosti ostavlja na društvo, na pojedinca te na kršćanstvo u cijelosti, koje je u svojoj biti zajednica vjernika. U okviru takvih nastojanja Đakovačko-osječka nadbiskupija izdala je 2008. godine Izjave i odluke Druge biskupijske sinode đakovačke i srijemske, naslovljene „Ti si Krist – za nas i za sve ljude“. Cilj je ovoga rada pokazati na koji način fenomen višeoblične tipologije svećenika evangelizatora utječe na uspjeh u ostva­renju sinodskih izjava i odluka, kao danih smjernica za ostvarenje nove evangelizacije. Navedeno će se prikazati temeljem predstavljanja rezultata istraživanja provedenog u razdoblju od ožujka do svibnja 2018. godine kvalitativnom metodom dubinskih intervjua nad ukupno 19 župnika s područja Đakovačko-osječke nadbiskupije. Rezultati pokazuju da najveći broj župnika s područja Đakovačko-osječke nadbiskupije pripada kategoriji tradicionalističko-konzervativnih evangelizatora (42 %), odnosno progresivističko-puko-aktiviziranih (31 %) te rezignirano-dezerterskih (21%), dok samo jedan župnik pokazuje karakteristike Duhom Dobrog Pastira poosobljenog evangelizatora (0,05 %), što posljedično negativno utječe na mogućnosti djelovanja ove partikularne Crkve na promjene u religijskoj situaciji hrvatskog društva, a time i na ostvarenje nove evangelizacije.
Wisdom in the Process of Humanizing Culture. Some Thomistic Insights
Authors: Roszak Piotr
Published: January 2021

In the light of Vatican II, the Christian contribution to contemporary culture can be characterized by the sapiential approach. Having determined the main obstacle or traps of the current cultural situation, as reported by B. Welte in terms of “unwesen”, this paper proposes the recovery of wisdom as the ultimate horizon of human activities. This approach can be developed in three ways, according to Aquinas’ characteristics of wisdom: enlargement of perspectives, ordering of the big picture and tasting which consists in restoring the distorted taste of things. Finally, possible conclusions for the Christian presence in the world are proposed.
Filozofski rad fra Krste Kržanića
Authors: Macut Ivan
Published: January 2021

Rad se bavi filozofskim radovima fra Krste Kržanića. U prvom poglavlju daje se kratak osvrt na njegov životu i djelovanje, u drugom poglavlju riječ je o njegovom filozofskom stvaralaštvu. Detaljnije predstavljamo njegova četiri značajnija filozofska rada, i to dva na talijanskom, La scuola francescana e l’averroismo (Franjevačka škola i averoizam), Grandi lottatori contro l’averroismo (Veliki borci protiv averoizma), te dva na hrvatskom jeziku, Glavne ideje Augustinove filozofije i knjiga iz 1934. godine pod naslovom Baruh Benedikt Spinoza: život i filozofija. U zaključku rada donosimo nekoliko ocjena Kržanićeva filozofskog rada, a na poseban način kratko vrednujemo njegov filozofski rad u kontekstu franjevaca Franjevačke provincije Presvetoga Otkupitelja u dvadesetom stoljeću koji su se bavili i filozofijom.
How Election Process is Rent-Seeking in Pakistan? A Case Study of Local Bodies Election in District Pakpattan
Authors: Shah Anwar , Habib Nasrullah , Younas Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: January 2021

This study examines the difference between the total spending on the election campaign in 54 Union councils during local bodies’ election and the expected developmental fund for the same area. The study is based on primary data collected from 324 contesting candidates for the chairmanship/vice-chairmanship of 54 union councils (UCs) in district Pakpattan during the local bodies’ election of 2015 in Punjab, Pakistan. Per local bodies council rules, a winning chairman of UC has to allocate developmental funds in the area. So, the whole process of local bodies’ election is for the finalization of a person among the people, who could be given the mandate to use the developmental funds. In this regard, we assume that the prevailing process of election is rent-seeking for society, in the sense that the total cost of the election process for society is greater than the developmental funds for which the same process is conducted. Candidates consume more than the allowed limit set by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Hence, society bears the monetary cost of spending more than the set limit and non-monetary costs like rivalry, foes, conflicts, etc. The analysis of data shows that the total amount of campaign spending is 473.27 million rupees which are significantly more than the allowed limit, set by ECP as well as the total allocated developmental funds (128 million) of 54 union councils. The study shows that the whole process of local bodies’ election is putting rent of 345 million on society. Apart from monetary cost, this process brings those people to the power corridors who themselves break ECP rules. The study suggests comprehensive reforms in the process of the election campaign for saving society from its associated cost.
A Comperative Study on the Influence of Mineral Additives to the Physicomechanical Properties of NHL Mortars Cured in Water
Authors: GÜR Dilara , ACUN ÖZGÜNLER Seden
Published: January 2021

This paper focuses on producing a natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortar with metakaolin, expanded perlite and tuff additives for the purpose of repairing historic masonry. The experimental study was based on laboratory tests for determining the mechanical and physical properties of NHL mortars with mineral additives, under standard and water curing conditions at 7, 28 and 90-day testing periods. Following preliminary tests for selecting most favourable materials; flexural strength, compressive strength, adhesion strength, modulus of elasticity and ultrasound tests were conducted for obtaining mechanical performance. Adhesion strength of mortars were determined by applying each mortar to the most common historic masonry materials. Physical performance of the pozzolan added mortars were investigated through; apparent density, bulk density, water permeability, capillary absorption, water vaporpermeability, porosity tests. Regardless of mineral additive type; water cured mortars reached higher physico-mechanical properties in comparison with the ones cured in relative humidity. Overall, water cured natural hydraulic lime mortars with specific amounts of mineral addition are found promising for the repair of historic masonry.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROMOTING THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN KOREA
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen Thi Phuong
Published: January 2021

Sustainable development of a nations’ culture is not only a spiritual foundation and a driving force for development, but also a means and method for the nation to move forward rapidly and firmly on the path of development. Pertaining to international experience, this article addresses general issues related to the role of culture in sustainable development in Vietnam and Koreas experience in cultural industry development which includes four main issues: (i) determining the role of the cultural industry in the country’s development; (ii) developing national soft power, building national brands in economic development, protecting cultural values against cultural invasion in the context of integration; (iii) Establishing an appropriate policy system, creating a legal framework to encourage the development of cultural production industries; (iiii) Creating advantages to promote key industries that dominate, and have opportunities for international development and competition.