bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EPIDIDYMOORCHITIS AS AN EXTRAINTESTINAL MANIFESTATION OF CROHN’S DISEASE (case report)
Authors: Khubezov D. A. , Trushin S. N. , Ogoreltsev A. Y. , Semionkin E. I.
Published: August 2019

Extraintestinal manifestations are found at least in a quarter of patients with Crohn's disease. In contrast to eyes lesions, joints and skin, epididymoorchitis caused by Crohn's disease is extremely rare and is described in few papers. However, orchitis and epididymitis are described in another autoimmune disease, ankylosing spondylitis and, although the incidence of asymptomatic orchitis in ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, it is often diagnosed during examinations for male infertility. A clinical case report of a 26-year-old patient suffering from Crohn's disease with extraintestinal manifestations in the form of orchiepididymitis is presented. While receiving treatment in the urological unit, the patient underwent several procedures, including a right-side orchiectomy, but the inflammatory process progressed with the risk of losing the only remaining testicle. Only after ileocecal resection for the penetrating Crohn's disease with ileosigmoid fistula and following biological therapy, it was possible to achieve remission and preserve a single testicle.
Human Skin Lightening Efficacy of Resveratrol and Its Analogs: From in Vitro Studies to Cosmetic Applications
Authors: Boo Yong Chool
Published: August 2019

Antioxidants are deemed useful in controlling oxidative stress associated with extrinsic skin aging and pigmentation disorders. Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound found in many edible plants such as Vitis vinifera, and its inhibitory effects on the catalytic activity, gene expression, and posttranslational modifications of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the melanin biosynthetic pathway, provide a mechanistic basis for its antimelanogenic effects seen in melanocytic cells, three-dimensionally reconstituted skin models, and in vivo animal models. As a potent antioxidant and a modulator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and sirtuin 1, resveratrol can also regulate multiple signaling pathways associated with inflammation and premature aging. Recent clinical studies have supported the efficacy of resveratrol and its analogs, such as resveratryl triacetate (RTA) and resveratryl triglycolate (RTG), in human skin lightening and antiaging. These findings suggest that resveratrol and its analogs are potentially useful as skin lightening and antiaging agents in cosmetics.
Limited Oxidative Stress Favors Resistance to Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Hibernating Brown Bears (Ursus Arctos)
Authors: Chazarin Blandine , Ziemianin Anna , Evans Alina L. , Meugnier Emmanuelle , Loizon Emmanuelle , Chery Isabelle , Arnemo Jon M. , Swenson Jon E. , Gauquelin-Koch Guillemette , Simon Chantal , Blanc Stéphane , Lefai Etienne , Bertile Fabrice
Published: August 2019

Oxidative stress, which is believed to promote muscle atrophy, has been reported to occur in a few hibernators. However, hibernating bears exhibit efficient energy savings and muscle protein sparing, despite long-term physical inactivity and fasting. We hypothesized that the regulation of the oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxidative stress could favor skeletal muscle maintenance in hibernating brown bears. We showed that increased expressions of cold-inducible proteins CIRBP and RBM3 could favor muscle mass maintenance and alleviate oxidative stress during hibernation. Downregulation of the subunits of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain complexes I, II, and III, and antioxidant enzymes, possibly due to the reduced mitochondrial content, indicated a possible reduction of the production of reactive oxygen species in the hibernating muscle. Concomitantly, the upregulation of cytosolic antioxidant systems, under the control of the transcription factor NRF2, and the maintenance of the GSH/GSSG ratio suggested that bear skeletal muscle is not under a significant oxidative insult during hibernation. Accordingly, lower levels of oxidative damage were recorded in hibernating bear skeletal muscles. These results identify mechanisms by which limited oxidative stress may underlie the resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy in hibernating brown bears. They may constitute therapeutic targets for the treatment of human muscle atrophy.
Organometallic Compounds and Metal Complexes in Current and Future Treatments of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer—a Critical Review
Authors: Szczepaniak Adrian , Fichna Jakub
Published: August 2019

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the clinical use of organometallic compounds and metal complexes for therapeutic purposes including treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Their action is based on the inhibition of the inflow of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the elimination of free radicals or the modulation of intestinal microbiota. In addition, these compounds are intended for use in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) which is often a consequence of IBD. The aim of this study is to critically discuss recent findings on the use of organometallic compounds and metal complexes in the treatment of IBD and CRC and suggest future trends in drug design.
Mechanisms of Fasting-Mediated Protection against Renal Injury and Fibrosis Development after Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Rojas-Morales Pedro , Tapia Edilia , León-Contreras Juan Carlos , González-Reyes Susana , Jiménez-Osorio Angélica Saraí , Trujillo Joyce , Pavón Natalia , Granados-Pineda Jessica , Hernández-Pando Rogelio , Sánchez-Lozada Laura Gabriela , Osorio-Alonso Horacio , Pedraza-Chaverri José
Published: August 2019

Ischemia-reperfusion injury of the kidney may lead to renal fibrosis through a combination of several mechanisms. We recently demonstrated that fasting protects the rat kidney against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in early acute kidney injury, and also against fibrosis development. Here we show that preoperative fasting preserves redox status and mitochondrial homeostasis at the chronic phase of damage after severe ischemia. Also, the protective effect of fasting coincides with the suppression of inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress, as well as the down-regulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways in the fibrotic kidney. Our results demonstrate that fasting targets multiple pathophysiological mechanisms to prevent renal fibrosis and damage that results after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Educational Attainment and Subjective Health and Well-Being; Diminished Returns of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals
Authors: Assari Shervin , Bazargan Mohsen
Published: August 2019

Background: Educational attainment is one of the strongest determinants of subjective health and well-being. Minorities’ Diminished Returns, however, suggests that such an effect may be smaller for the members of racial/ethnic minorities such as Blacks and Hispanics relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Only one study has previously shown that minorities’ diminished returns may also apply to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals; however, that study has focused on other outcomes (i.e., obesity). Aims: To compare LGB and non-LGB American adults for the effects of educational attainment on subjective health and well-being. Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data of 31,480 adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH, 2013), a nationally representative study in the United States. The independent variable was educational attainment. The dependent variable was subjective health and well-being, measured using four items. Race, ethnicity, age, gender, poverty status, and employment were the covariates. LGB status was the moderator. Results: Overall, individuals with higher educational attainment had better subjective health and well-being. We found a significant interaction between LGB status and educational attainment which was suggestive of that the boosting effect of high educational attainment on better subjective health and well-being was systemically smaller for LGB than non-LGB individuals. Conclusions: In the United States, highly educated LGB adults experience poor subjective health and well-being, a status that is disproportionate to their educational attainment.
Effects of Basic Promoters on the Catalytic Performance of Cu/SiO2 in the Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Maleate
Authors: Ying Juntao , Han Xueqing , Ma Lei , Lu Chunshan , Feng Feng , Zhang Qunfeng , Li Xiaonian
Published: August 2019

Continuous hydrogenation of dimethyl maleate (DMM) toγ-butyrolactone (GBL), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a promising process in industry. In this study, Cu-M/SiO2 catalysts modified by basic promoters (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, La) were prepared, and characterized by physical adsorption of N2, in situ XRD, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD. With the addition of basic promoters, the basicity of Cu-M/SiO2 catalysts was improved. The particle size of CuO on Cu-M/SiO2 catalyst was increased after modified by Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba. However, the CuO particle was decreased on the Cu-La/SiO2 catalyst. The series of Cu-M/SiO2 catalyst was applied to the hydrogenation of DMM. The addition of basic promoters increased the selectivity of GBL during the hydrogenation for the basic promoters improved the dehydrogenation of BDO to GBL in alkaline sites. Furthermore, Cu-La/SiO2 presented a higher activity in the hydrogenation of DMM, due to its higher dispersion of Cu.
A Two-Hops State-Aware Routing Strategy Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning for LEO Satellite Networks
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wang Huiwen , Wang Weidong
Published: August 2019

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks can provide complete connectivity and worldwide data transmission capability for the internet of things. However, arbitrary flow arrival and uneven traffic load among areas bring about unbalanced traffic distribution over the LEO constellation. Therefore, the routing strategy in LEO networks should have the ability to adjust routing paths based on changes in network status adaptively. In this paper, we propose a Two-Hops State-Aware Routing Strategy Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL-THSA) for LEO satellite networks. In this strategy, each node only needs to obtain the link state within the range of two-hop neighbors, and the optimal next-hop node can be output. The link state is divided into three levels, and the traffic forwarding strategy for each level is proposed, which allows DRL-THSA to cope with link outage or congestion. The Double-Deep Q Network (DDQN) is proposed in DRL-THSA to figure out the optional next hop by inputting the two-hops link states. The DDQN is analyzed from three aspects: model setting, training process and running process. The effectiveness of DRL-THSA, in terms of end-to-end delay, throughput, and packet drop rate, is verified via a set of simulations using the Network Simulator 3 (NS3).
Enhancing Stability of Microalgae Biocathode by a Partially Submerged Carbon Cloth Electrode for Bioenergy Production from Wastewater
Authors: Ling Jiayin , Xu Yanbin , Lu Chuansheng , Lai Weikang , Xie Guangyan , Zheng Li , Talawar Manjunatha P. , Du Qingping , Li Gangyi
Published: August 2019

The electricity output from microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a microalgae assisted cathode is usually higher than that with an air cathode. The output of electricity from a photosynthetic microalgae MFC was positively correlated with the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the microalgae assisted biocathode. However, DO is highly affected by the photosynthesis of microalgae, leading to the low stability in the electricity output that easily varies with the change in microalgae growth. In this study, to improve the electricity output stability of the MFC, a partially submerged carbon cloth cathode electrode was first investigated to use oxygen from both microalgae and air, with synthetic piggery wastewater used as the anolyte and anaerobically digested swine wastewater as the catholyte. When the DO levels dropped from 13.6–14.8 to 1.0–1.6 mg/L, the working voltages in the MFCs with partially submerged electrodes remained high (256–239 mV), whereas that for the conventional completely submerged electrodes dropped from 259 to 102 mV. The working voltages (average, 297 ± 26 mV) of the MFCs with the 50% submerged electrodes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than with other partially or completely submerged electrodes. The associated maximum lipid production from wastewater was 250 ± 42 mg/L with lipid content of 41 ± 6% dry biomass. Although the partially submerged electrode had no significant effects on lipid production or nitrogen removal in wastewater, there was significant improvement in the stability of the electricity generated under variable conditions.
Research on Multi-Time Scale Optimization Strategy of Cold-Thermal-Electric Integrated Energy System Considering Feasible Interval of System Load Rate
Authors: Ouyang Bin , Yuan Zhichang , Lu Chao , Qu Lu , Li Dongdong
Published: August 2019

The integrated energy system coupling multi-type energy production terminal to realize multi-energy complementarity and energy ladder utilization is of great significance to alleviate the existing energy production crisis and reduce environmental pollution. In this paper, the topology of the cold-thermal-electricity integrated energy system is built, and the decoupling method is adopted to analyze the feasible interval of load rate under the strong coupling condition, so as to ensure the “source-load” power balance of the system. Establishing a multi-objective optimization function with the lowest system economic operation and pollution gas emission, considering the attribute differences and energy scheduling characteristics of different energy sources of cold, heat and electricity, and adopting different time scales to optimize the operation of the three energy sources of cold, heat and electricity, wherein the operation periods of electric energy, heat energy and cold energy are respectively 15 min, 30 min and 1 h; The multi-objective problem is solved by standard linear weighting method. Finally, the mixed integer nonlinear programming model is calculated by LINGO solver. In the numerical simulation, the hotel summer front load parameters of Zhangjiakou, China are selected for simulation and compared with a single time scale system. The simulation results show that the multi-time scale system reduces the economic operation cost by 15.6% and the pollution gas emission by 22.3% compared with the single time scale system, it also has a wider feasible range of load rate, flexible time allocation, and complementary energy selection.
Fault-Tolerant Control of Doubly-Fed Wind Turbine Generation Systems under Sensor Fault Conditions
Authors: You Guodong , Xu Tao , Su Honglin , Hou Xiaoxin , Wang Xue , Fang Chengxin , Li Jisheng
Published: August 2019

This paper studies the fault-tolerant control problem of uncertain doubly-fed wind turbine generation systems with sensor faults. Considering the uncertainty of the system, a fault-tolerant control strategy based on a T-S fuzzy observer is proposed. The fuzzy observer is established based on the T-S fuzzy model of the uncertain nonlinear system. According to the comparison and analysis of residual between the state estimation of the fuzzy observer output and the measured value of the real sensor, a fault detection and isolation (FDI) based on T-S fuzzy observer is designed. Then by using a Parallel Distributed Compensation (PDC) method we design the robust fuzzy controller. Finally, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the closed-loop system are proved by quoting Lyapunov stability theory. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
A Unified Method for Online Detection of Phase Variables and Symmetrical Components of Unbalanced Three-Phase Systems with Harmonic Distortion
Authors: Hackl Christoph M. , Landerer Markus
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a method for online detection of symmetrical components of arbitrarily distorted and biased three-phase input signals. This method is based on Second-Order Generalized Integrators (SOGIs), for which a new tuning based on a gradient search is presented to achieve the fastest possible estimation. Frequency estimation is achieved by a Frequency Locked Loop (FLL) with Gain Normalization (GN) for which an Output Saturation (OS) is applied; this OS guarantees stability of the overall system. Offset detection is implemented by a combination of High-Pass Filter (HPF) and HPF-Amplitude Phase Correction (APC HPF ); the HPF filters out any offset, where the APC reconstructs the original offset-free signal. An identical method (APC LPF ) can be used for the implemented Low-Pass Filter (LPF) used for noise filtering. The resulting estimates are then used for Harmonic Sequence Detection (HSD) of each harmonic. For the overall system, stability is proven. The estimation performances of the proposed overall system are verified by simulation results. The improvements in tuning and offset detection are compared to standard approaches.
Testing and Calibration of CDs as Radon Detectors at Highly Variable Radon Concentrations and Temperatures
Authors: Pressyanov Dobromir , Quindos Poncela Luis Santiago , Georgiev Strahil , Dimitrova Ivelina , Mitev Krasimir , Sainz Carlos , Fuente Ismael , Rabago Daniel
Published: August 2019

The application of the compact disk (CD) method for radon measurements at mines, caves and other workplaces needs testing under highly variable exposure conditions. We present the results from a blind comparison of CDs exposed in the Laboratory of Natural Radiation (Saelices el Chico, Spain). During the exposure the temperature varied from 6.5 to 24.9 °C (average 12.6 °C) and the 222Rn activity concentrations varied from <10 Bq m−3 to 147 kBq m−3. Good correspondence was observed between the integrated 222Rn activity concentration determined by the reference instruments in the laboratory (122,500 ± 6100 kBq h m−3) and that assessed by analysis of the CDs at a depth 80 µm beneath the front surface (118,000 ± 12,000 kBq h m−3) and at a depth of 120 µm (106,000 ± 12,000 kBq h m−3). The theoretical modeling of the CD response under variable temperature and radon concentration suggested that the small bias is probably due to the time variation of the calibration factor because of the time variations of the temperature.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Son Youn-Jung , Baek Kyoung-Hwa , Lee Suk Jeong , Seo Eun Ji
Published: August 2019

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the factors influencing HRQoL in patients with AF are not well understood. The purpose of integrative review was to investigate the factors affecting HRQoL in patients with AF based on the six domains of Ferrans and colleagues’ HRQoL model. A total of 23 relevant articles published between January 2000 and March 2018 were identified using four databases and analyzed in this study. Our review showed that the HRQoL in patients with AF was consistently lower than both healthy individuals and patients with other cardiovascular diseases. The most common factor associated with HRQoL in patients with AF was anxiety-specific to AF in the symptoms domain, followed by frequency and severity of symptoms and the New York Heart Association functional class. This study highlights that monitoring and assessing patients’ symptoms is vital for improving HRQoL in patients with AF. Disease-specific and cross-culturally validated tools can allow healthcare professionals to provide tailored interventions for patients with AF.
Chromatin Remodeling and Epigenetic Regulation in Plant DNA Damage Repair
Authors: Kim Jin-Hong
Published: August 2019

DNA damage response (DDR) in eukaryotic cells is initiated in the chromatin context. DNA damage and repair depend on or have influence on the chromatin dynamics associated with genome stability. Epigenetic modifiers, such as chromatin remodelers, histone modifiers, DNA (de-)methylation enzymes, and noncoding RNAs regulate DDR signaling and DNA repair by affecting chromatin dynamics. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the understanding of plant DDR and DNA repair. SUPPRESSOR OF GAMMA RESPONSE1, RETINOBLASTOMA RELATED1 (RBR1)/E2FA, and NAC103 have been proven to be key players in the mediation of DDR signaling in plants, while plant-specific chromatin remodelers, such as DECREASED DNA METHYLATION1, contribute to chromatin dynamics for DNA repair. There is accumulating evidence that plant epigenetic modifiers are involved in DDR and DNA repair. In this review, I examine how DDR and DNA repair machineries are concertedly regulated in Arabidopsis thaliana by a variety of epigenetic modifiers directing chromatin remodeling and epigenetic modification. This review will aid in updating our knowledge on DDR and DNA repair in plants.
In Silico Prediction of Drug-Induced Liver Injury Based on Ensemble Classifier Method
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Xiao Qingxin , Chen Peng , Wang Bing
Published: August 2019

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major factor in the development of drugs and the safety of drugs. If the DILI cannot be effectively predicted during the development of the drug, it will cause the drug to be withdrawn from markets. Therefore, DILI is crucial at the early stages of drug research. This work presents a 2-class ensemble classifier model for predicting DILI, with 2D molecular descriptors and fingerprints on a dataset of 450 compounds. The purpose of our study is to investigate which are the key molecular fingerprints that may cause DILI risk, and then to obtain a reliable ensemble model to predict DILI risk with these key factors. Experimental results suggested that 8 molecular fingerprints are very critical for predicting DILI, and also obtained the best ratio of molecular fingerprints to molecular descriptors. The result of the 5-fold cross-validation of the ensemble vote classifier method obtain an accuracy of 77.25%, and the accuracy of the test set was 81.67%. This model could be used for drug-induced liver injury prediction.
Perineuronal Nets and Their Role in Synaptic Homeostasis
Authors: Bosiacki Mateusz , Gąssowska-Dobrowolska Magdalena , Kojder Klaudyna , Fabiańska Marta , Jeżewski Dariusz , Gutowska Izabela , Lubkowska Anna
Published: August 2019

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules that are released by neurons and glial cells form perineuronal nets (PNNs) and modulate many neuronal and glial functions. PNNs, whose structure is still not known in detail, surround cell bodies and dendrites, which leaves free space for synapses to come into contact. A reduction in the expression of many neuronal ECM components adversely affects processes that are associated with synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. At the same time, increased ECM activity, e.g., as a result of astrogliosis following brain damage or in neuroinflammation, can also have harmful consequences. The therapeutic use of enzymes to attenuate elevated neuronal ECM expression after injury or in Alzheimer’s disease has proven to be beneficial by promoting axon growth and increasing synaptic plasticity. Yet, severe impairment of ECM function can also lead to neurodegeneration. Thus, it appears that to ensure healthy neuronal function a delicate balance of ECM components must be maintained. In this paper we review the structure of PNNs and their components, such as hyaluronan, proteoglycans, core proteins, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans, tenascins, and Hapln proteins. We also characterize the role of ECM in the functioning of the blood-brain barrier, neuronal communication, as well as the participation of PNNs in synaptic plasticity and some clinical aspects of perineuronal net impairment. Furthermore, we discuss the participation of PNNs in brain signaling. Understanding the molecular foundations of the ways that PNNs participate in brain signaling and synaptic plasticity, as well as how they change in physiological and pathological conditions, may help in the development of new therapies for many degenerative and inflammatory diseases of the brain.
Induction of Necrosis in Human Macrophage Cell Lines by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans Strains Isolated from Fatal Cases of Systemic Infections
Authors: Weerasekera Dulanthi , Hahn Jonas , Herrmann Martin , Burkovski Andreas
Published: August 2019

When infecting a human host, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans are able to impair macrophage maturation and induce cell death. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. As a framework for this project, a combination of fluorescence microscopy, cytotoxicity assays, live cell imaging, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting was applied to understand the pathogenicity of two Corynebacterium strains isolated from fatal cases of systemic infections. The results showed a clear cytotoxic effect of the bacteria. The observed survival of the pathogens in macrophages and, subsequent, necrotic lysis of cells may be mechanisms explaining dissemination of C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans to distant organs in the body.
Skipping Breakfast and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death: A Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies in Primary Prevention Settings
Authors: Ofori-Asenso Richard , Owen Alice J. , Liew Danny
Published: August 2019

Several studies have associated skipping (not having) breakfast with cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, unfavorable lipid profiles, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. We examined the available evidence regarding the effect of skipping breakfast on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as well as all-cause mortality. Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception until May 2019 to identify prospective cohort studies that examined the association between skipping breakfast and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and all-cause death. Electronic searches were supplemented by manual screening of the references of retrieved studies. Out of 456 citations identified, four studies (from Japan and the US) were included. The included studies involved a total of 199,634 adults (aged ≥40 years; 48.5% female) without known cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline followed over a median duration of 17.4 years. The pooled data suggested that people who regularly skipped breakfast were about 21% more likely (hazard ratio (HR) 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.35; I2 = 17.3%, p = 0.304) to experience incident CVD or die from it than people who regularly consumed breakfast. Also, the risk of all-cause death was 32% higher (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17–1.48; I2 = 7.6%, p = 0.339) in people who regularly skipped breakfast than in people who regularly consumed breakfast. However, the definition of skipping breakfast was heterogenous and adjustment for confounders varied significantly. Therefore, residual confounding could not be ruled out and caution is required in the interpretation of the findings. Hence, large prospective studies with a consistent definition of skipping breakfast, and conducted across different populations, are needed to provide more robust evidence of the health effects of skipping breakfast.
Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters as Predictors of Treatment Response to Eplerenone in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Borrelli Enrico , Zuccaro Biancamaria , Zucchiatti Ilaria , Parravano Mariacristina , Querques Lea , Costanzo Eliana , Sacconi Riccardo , Prascina Francesco , Scarinci Fabio , Bandello Francesco , Querques Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Purpose: To present data on clinical response to eplerenone over a 1-year period in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and to evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) variables as predictors of treatment response at 3- and 12-month follow-up visits. Methods: Patients with acute or chronic CSC treated with eplerenone were retrospectively included. Clinical and imaging characteristics were recorded at baseline and at the 3-month and 12-month follow-up visits. Changes from baseline in quantitative measurements were calculated at each follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was computed to correlate clinical and OCT parameters at baseline with response to treatment at 3 and 12 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 50 eyes of 50 patients were included in the study. Mean ± SD best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.20 ± 0.14 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) at baseline and significantly improved at both the 3-month (0.12 ± 0.13 LogMAR, p < 0.0001) and 12-month (0.10 ± 0.12 LogMAR, p < 0.0001) follow-up visits. At the 3-month follow-up visit, 25 out of 50 eyes (50.0%) demonstrated macular complete subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution, while 13 eyes (26.0%) showed macular partial SRF resolution, and 12 eyes (24%) had neither partial nor complete macular SRF resolution. Among those patients with macular partial or complete SRF resolution at 3 months and thus not shifted to photodynamic therapy, 36 out of 38 cases had macular complete SRF resolution at the 12-month follow-up visit. There was a significant change from baseline at both follow-up visits in all anatomical OCT parameters (except for reduction in choroidal thickness that did not reach the statistical significance at the 12-month follow-up visit). Several OCT parameters at baseline were independently significant predictors for macular subretinal fluid complete resolution at 3 months, including (i) a thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness; (ii) a smaller subretinal fluid maximum diameter; (iii) a lower number of serous pigment epithelium detachments; and (iv) a lower number of intraretinal hyperreflective foci. Conclusion: Treatment with eplerenone in CSC patients is confirmed to be beneficial for both anatomical and functional outcomes. We identified attractive OCT metrics that could potentially be used as a tool to select patients who might mainly benefit from this treatment.
Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography According to the Type of Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Yeo Joon Hyung , Chung Hum , Kim Jee Taek
Published: August 2019

We analyzed and compared the sensitivity of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) detection according to CNV type in patients with active neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA). A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with neovascular AMD. OCTA images were classified into three groups: Group A (well-circumscribed vascular complex); Group B (moderately circumscribed vascular complex); and Group C (poorly circumscribed vascular complex), according to CNV appearance. Demographic characteristics, OCT parameters, neovascularization subtypes, and OCTA image quality were analyzed to determine the effect on visualization of the neovascular complex. A total of 130 patients with CNV secondary to active neovascular AMD were analyzed. Among them, 52 eyes from 47 patients were included in the study. Eighteen eyes (34.6%) were classified into Group A, 24 (46.2%) into Group B, and 10 (19.2%) into Group C. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics or OCT parameters between the three groups. Overall sensitivity of active CNV detection was 80.7% (42/52 eyes). In 73.5% (25/34) of eyes with type 1 CNV (sub-retinal pigment epithelial type), 100.0% (9/9) of eyes with type 2 CNV (sub-retinal type), and 88.9% (8/9) of eyes with type 3 CNV (retinal angiomatous proliferation type), the vascular complex was well visualized on OCTA. OCTA provides adequate noninvasive imaging of CNV in patients with neovascular AMD, which may assist in CNV diagnosis and activity monitoring. In particular, type 2 CNV was well detected in OCTA in comparison with type 1 and type 3 CNV.
Sodium Alginate/Gelatine Hydrogels for Direct Bioprinting—The Effect of Composition Selection and Applied Solvents on the Bioink Properties
Authors: Bociaga Dorota , Bartniak Mateusz , Grabarczyk Jacek , Przybyszewska Karolina
Published: August 2019

Hydrogels tested and evaluated in this study were developed for the possibility of their use as the bioinks for 3D direct bioprinting. Procedures for preparation and sterilization of hydrogels and the speed of the bioprinting were developed. Sodium alginate gelatine hydrogels were characterized in terms of printability, mechanical, and biological properties (viability, proliferation ability, biocompatibility). A hydrogel with the best properties was selected to carry out direct bioprinting tests in order to determine the parameters of the bioink, adapted to print with use of the designed and constructed bioprinter and provide the best conditions for cell growth. The obtained results showed the ability to control mechanical properties, biological response, and degradation rate of hydrogels through the use of various solvents. The use of a dedicated culture medium as a solvent for the preparation of a bioink, containing the predicted cell line, increases the proliferation of these cells. Modification of the percentage of individual components of the hydrogel gives the possibility of a controlled degradation process, which, in the case of printing of temporary medical devices, is a very important parameter for the hydrogels’ usage possibility—both in terms of tissue engineering and printing of tissue elements replacement, implants, and organs.
The Utilization of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in the Intracellular Delivery of Viral Nanoparticles
Authors: Váňová Jana , Hejtmánková Alžběta , Kalbáčová Marie Hubálek , Španielová Hana
Published: August 2019

Viral particles (VPs) have evolved so as to efficiently enter target cells and to deliver their genetic material. The current state of knowledge allows us to use VPs in the field of biomedicine as nanoparticles that are safe, easy to manipulate, inherently biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of transporting various cargoes into specific cells. Despite the fact that these virus-based nanoparticles constitute the most common vectors used in clinical practice, the need remains for further improvement in this area. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential for enhancing the efficiency and versatility of VPs via their functionalization with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), short peptides that are able to translocate across cellular membranes and to transport various substances with them. The review provides and describes various examples of and means of exploitation of CPPs in order to enhance the delivery of VPs into permissive cells and/or to allow them to enter a broad range of cell types. Moreover, it is possible that CPPs are capable of changing the immunogenic properties of VPs, which could lead to an improvement in their clinical application. The review also discusses strategies aimed at the modification of VPs by CPPs so as to create a useful cargo delivery tool.
Comparison of the Effect of Proanthocyanidin Surface Treatments on Shear Bond Strength of Different Cements
Authors: Atabek Şifa , Özden A. Nehir
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to compare the effect of proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (Pa-rich GSE) in two different concentrations on the bond strength to dentin tissue for four different cement groups (resin cement (P), resin modified glass ionomer cement (K), calcium aluminate glass ionomer cement (C), glass ionomer cement (G)). One hundred and eighty dentin surfaces of the extracted molar teeth placed on acrylic cylinders were divided into 12 groups randomly (n = 15). Each cement group was further divided into control (CP, CC, CK, CG), 6.5% Pa-rich GSE (P6.5, C6.5, K6.5, G6.5) and 12.5% Pa-rich GSE (P12.5, C12.5, K12.5, G12.5) subgroups. In accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations the cements were applied. After shear bond tests, surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope. Median shear bond strength (in MPa) of CP, CK, CC, CG groups were 14.13, 7.05, 4.87, 3.86; for the P6.5, G6.5, C6.5, K6.5 groups they were 13.98, 13.42, 6.21, 3.27; and for the P12.5, C12.5, K12.5, G12.5 groups they were 15.08, 5.40, 3.10, 0.00, respectively. CK and K6.5 groups showed a significant difference from the K12.5 group (p < 0.05). Also, CG, G6.5 and G12.5 groups were found statistically different from each other (p < 0.05). Applied to the dentin surface, 6.5% Pa-rich GSE enhanced the bond strength of glass ionomer cements.
Effective Photocatalytic Activity of Sulfate-Modified BiVO4 for the Decomposition of Methylene Blue Under LED Visible Light
Authors: Nguyen Vinh Huu , Bui Quynh Thi Phuong , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Lim Kwon Taek , Bach Long Giang , Do Sy Trung , Nguyen Tuyen Van , Doan Van-Dat , Nguyen Thanh-Danh , Nguyen Trinh Duy
Published: August 2019

In this study, we investigated sulfate-modified BiVO4 with the high photocatalytic activity synthesized by a sol-gel method in the presence of thiourea, followed by the annealing process at different temperatures. Its structure was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The BiVO4 synthesized in the presence of thiourea and calcined at 600 °C (T-BVO-600) exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB) in water; 98.53% MB removal was achieved within 240 min. The reaction mechanisms that affect MB photocatalytic degradation on the T-BVO-600 were investigated via an indirect chemical probe method, using chemical agents to capture the active species produced during the early stages of photocatalysis, including 1,4-benzoquinone (scavenger for O2−), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (scavenger for h+), and tert-butanol (scavenger for HO•). The results show that holes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•) are the dominant species of MB decomposition. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement results of terephthalic acid solutions in the presence of BiVO4 samples and BiVO4 powders confirm the involvement of hydroxyl radicals and the separation efficiency of electron-hole pairs in MB photocatalytic degradation. Besides, the T-BVO-600 exhibits good recyclability for MB removal, achieving a removal rate of above 83% after five cycles. The T-BVO-600 has the features of high efficiency and good recyclability for MB photocatalytic degradation. These results provide new insight into the purpose of improving the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4 catalyst.
Composition Design and Performance Evaluation of Emulsified Asphalt Cold Recycled Mixtures
Authors: Pi Yuhui , Huang Zhe , Pi Yingxing , Li Guangcan , Li Yan
Published: August 2019

Based on an analysis of the cold regeneration mechanism of emulsified asphalt, the emulsified asphalt binders and cement were applied to prepare the cold recycled mixtures, and the main technical performances of the designed mixtures were evaluated, including high-temperature stability, water stability, and fatigue characteristics. A high content of 65% recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) material was used with some new aggregates and mineral powders, and the optimal emulsified asphalt binder and cement dosages were determined as 2.9% and 1.5% respectively. The technical performance test results show that: (1) The well-designed emulsified asphalt cold recycled mixtures have good high-temperature stability and water stability, and can meet the requirements of the road base layer and the lower layer. (2) When the stress level is lower, the fatigue performance of mixtures with lower emulsified asphalt binder dosage and lower cement content is better, but when the stress level is higher, the high dosage of emulsified asphalt binder is more favorable, while the cement content has little effect on the fatigue property. (3) The emulsified asphalt cold recycled mixtures have relatively poor fatigue resistance, and their fatigue life is significantly lower than that of the hot mixed asphalt mixtures.
Operando Laboratory X-Ray Imaging of Silver-Based Gas Diffusion Electrodes during Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Highly Alkaline Media
Authors: Paulisch Melanie Cornelia , Gebhard Marcus , Franzen David , Hilger André , Osenberg Markus , Kardjilov Nikolay , Ellendorff Barbara , Turek Thomas , Roth Christina , Manke Ingo
Published: August 2019

Operando laboratory X-ray radiographies were carried out for imaging of two different silver-based gas diffusion electrodes containing an electroconductive Ni mesh structure, one gas diffusion electrode composed of 95 wt.% Ag and 5 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene and one composed of 97 wt.% Ag and 3 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene, under different operating parameters. Thereby, correlations of their electrochemical behavior and the transport of the 30 wt.% NaOH electrolyte through the gas diffusion electrodes were revealed. The work was divided into two parts. In the first step, the microstructure of the gas diffusion electrodes was analyzed ex situ by a combination of focused ion beam technology and synchrotron as well as laboratory X-ray tomography and radiography. In the second step, operando laboratory X-ray radiographies were performed during chronoamperometric measurements at different potentials. The combination of the ex situ microstructural analyses and the operando measurements reveals the impact of the microstructure on the electrolyte transport through the gas diffusion electrodes. Hence, an impact of the Ni mesh structure within the gas diffusion electrode on the droplet formation could be shown. Moreover, it could be observed that increasing overpotentials cause increasing electrolyte transport velocities and faster droplet formation due to electrowetting. In general, higher electrolyte transport velocities were found for the gas diffusion electrode with 97 wt.% Ag in contrast to that with 95 wt.% Ag.
Sputtered LiCoO2 Cathode Materials for All-Solid-State Thin-Film Lithium Microbatteries
Authors: Julien Christian M. , Mauger Alain , Hussain Obili M.
Published: August 2019

This review article presents the literature survey on radio frequency (RF)-magnetron sputtered LiCoO2 thin films used as cathode materials in all-solid-state rechargeable lithium microbatteries. As the process parameters lead to a variety of texture and preferential orientation, the influence of the sputtering conditions on the deposition of LiCoO2 thin films are considered. The electrochemical performance is examined as a function of composition of the sputter Ar/O2 gas mixture, gas flow rate, pressure, nature of substrate, substrate temperature, deposition rate, and annealing temperature. The state-of-the-art of lithium microbatteries fabricated by the rf-sputtering method is also reported.
Multiscale Thermoelastic Analysis of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient and of Microscopic Thermal Stresses of Mature Concrete
Authors: Wang Hui , Mang Herbert , Yuan Yong , Pichler Bernhard L. A.
Published: August 2019

The thermal expansion coefficient and the microscopic thermal stresses of mature concrete depend on its microstructural composition and the internal relative humidity. This dependence is determined by means of thermoelastic multiscale analysis of concrete. The underlying multiscale model enables two types of scale transition. Firstly, bottom-up homogenization allows for the quantification of the thermal expansion coefficient and the elastic stiffness of concrete based on the Mori-Tanaka scheme. Secondly, top-down scale concentration gives access to the volume averaged stresses experienced by the cement paste, the fine and the coarse aggregates and, furthermore, to the stress states of the interfacial transition zones covering the aggregates. The proposed model is validated by comparing the predicted thermal expansion coefficient of concrete with independent sets of experimental measurements. Finally, sensitivity analyses are carried out to evaluate the influence of the volumetric composition and the internal relative humidity of concrete on the thermal expansion coefficient and the microscopic thermal stresses.
The Performance of TiAlSiN Coated Cemented Carbide Tools Enhanced by Inserting Ti Interlayers
Authors: Li Guodong , Li Liuhe , Han Mingyue , Luo Sida , Jin Jie , Wang Lei , Gu Jiabin , Miao Hu
Published: August 2019

To enhance the cutting performance of TiAlSiN coated cemented carbide tools by inserting Ti interlayers and to explore their mechanism, TiAlSiN/Ti multilayer coatings with different Ti thicknesses, including 0 nm, 25 nm, 50 nm, 100 nm, and 150 nm, were deposited onto cemented carbide (WC-10 wt%, Co) substrates by high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The microstructure, hardness, grain orientation, residual stress, adhesion, and toughness of those coatings were measured, and the cutting performance against Inconel 718 was analyzed. Meanwhile, finite element method (FEM) indentation simulations were performed to gain detailed insight into the effects of Ti interlayer thickness on mechanical properties of TiAlSiN/Ti multilayer coatings. Results demonstrated that mechanical properties of TiAlSiN multilayer coatings were significantly changed after the Ti interlayer was introduced, and the multilayer coating #M2 with 25 nm Ti layer showed the excellent toughness and adhesion without sacrificing hardness too much. As Ti interlayer thickness increased, both toughness and adhesion decrease owing to the plastic mismatch between individual layers, and these changes were discussed detailedly with finite element method. Moreover, the result of the cutting experiment also revealed that the tool flank wear Vb can be reduced by the multilayer structure. This improvement is believed to be due to the increasing toughness, which alleviated the damage caused by the continuous impact load of hard phases generated by Inconel 718 during cutting.
Encapsulation of Metal Nanoparticles within Metal–Organic Frameworks for the Reduction of Nitro Compounds
Authors: Navalón Sergio , Álvaro Mercedes , Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , García Hermenegildo
Published: August 2019

Nitro group reduction is a reaction of a considerable importance for the preparation of bulk chemicals and in organic synthesis. There are reports in the literature showing that incorporation of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) inside metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a suitable strategy to develop catalysts for these reactions. Some of the examples reported in the literature have shown activity data confirming the superior performance of MNPs inside MOFs. In the present review, the existing literature reports have been grouped depending on whether these MNPs correspond to a single metal or they are alloys. The final section of this review summarizes the state of the art and forecasts future developments in the field.