bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ЗМІН ЖИРНОКИСЛОТНОГО СКЛАДУ ФОСФОЛІПІДІВ ТА СТРУКТУР ПЕЧІНКИ ПРИ РЕЗЕКЦІЇ РІЗНИХ ОБ’ЄМІВ ЇЇ ПАРЕНХІМИ
Authors: Tatarchuk L. V. , Monastyryska N. Ya. , Hnatiuk M. S.
Published: December 2020

Вступ. Пострезекційна портальна гіпертензія призводить до структурної перебудови судин та органів басейну ворітної печінкової вени, а також функціонально-морфологічних змін печінки, які при цьому вивчено недостатньо.

Мета дослідження –вивчити особливості змін жирнокислотного складу фосфоліпідів та структур печінки при резекції різних об’ємів її паренхіми.

Методи дослідження. Біохімічними і морфологічними методами вивчено жирнокислотний склад фосфоліпідів та структури печінки 45-ти лабораторних статевозрілих білих щурів-самців, яких поділили на 3 групи. До 1-ї (контрольної) групи входили 15 інтактних тварин, до 2-ї – 15 щурів після резекції лівої бокової частки (31,5 % паренхіми печінки), до 3-ї – 15 тварин після видалення лівої і правої бокових часток печінки (58,1 %). Евтаназію щурів здійснювали шляхом кровопускання за умов тіопенталового наркозу через 1 місяць від початку експерименту. Біохімічно визначали жирнокислотний склад деяких фосфоліпідів печінки. З печінки виготовляли гістологічні мікропрепарати. Проводили морфометрію гепатоцитів та гілок ворітної печінкової вени. Кількісні величини обробляли статистично.

Результати й обговорення. Встановлено, що видалення лівої і правої часток печінки в білих щурів призводило до пострезекційної портальної гіпертензії, виражених змін жирнокислотного складу фосфоліпідів та структур печінки. Найбільш виражені зміни виявлено в гілках ворітної печінкової вени. Встановлено кореляційні зв’язки між жирнокислотним складом фосфоліпідів та структурами печінки.

Висновки. Видалення лівої і правої часток печінки в білих щурів призводить до пострезекційної портальної гіпертензії, виражених змін жирнокислотного складу фосфоліпідів та структур печінки, які морфометрично характеризуються суттєвим зростанням розмірів гепатоцитів, їх ядер, ядерно-цитоплазматичних і стромально-паренхіматозних відношень, збільшенням відносних об’ємів пошкоджених паренхіматозних клітин, ендотеліоцитів, інфільтративних та склеротичних процесів. Домінують структурні зміни в гілках ворітної печінкової вени.
DEVELOPMENT AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE ESTIMATION OF LISINOPRIL AND ATORVASTATIN IN PHARMACEUTICALS
Authors: Koval D. B. , Shulyak N. S. , Logoyda L. S.
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The cause of hypertension and coronary heart disease in most cases is hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, for the treatment and prevention of most pharmacotherapy regimens, antiatherosclerotic drugs are used. With a high class of recommendations and level of evidence, high efficiency for primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, statins are widely used in clinical practice.

The aim of the study – to improve more rapid, simple, selective, less expensive methods of thin layer chromatography analysis of simultaneous determination of lisinopril and atorvastatin in pharmaceuticals.

Research Methods. The present study assessed mobile phases of lisinopril and atorvastatin for TLC.

Results and Discussion. Thin layer chromatography can be used to: monitor the progress of a reaction, identify compounds, determine the purity of a substance. Method of simultaneous identification of lisinopril and atorvastatin by TLC was developed. We investigated different mobile phases to optimize the development of analytical methods of lisinopril and atorvastatin by TLC. It was established that the most optimal Rf observed using mobile phase ammonia R (25 %) – propanol R (30:70, v/v). We explored the validation characteristics – specificity and suitability of the chromatographic system that met, the eligibility criteria established by the SPhU.

Conclusions. We developed chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of lisinopril and atorvastatin. Propects for future research will be aimed at developing analytical methods of analysis.
ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ АМІНОКИСЛОТНОГО СКЛАДУ СИРОВИНИ МАТІОЛИ ДВОРОГОЇ (MATTHIOLA BICORNIS (SIBTH. & SM.) DC.) СОРТУ ЦАРИЦЯ НОЧІ
Authors: Pinkevych V. O. , Zhuravel I. O. , Burda N. Ye.
Published: December 2020

Вступ. Амінокислоти – фізіологічно важлива група сполук, що бере участь у синтезі й метаболізмі багатьох речовин, здатна підтримувати нормальне функціонування органів і систем організму. Амінокислоти та їх похідні давно й ефективно застосовують у медицині. Рослини синтезують усі необхідні їм амінокислоти. Організм людини не може синтезувати всі амінокислоти, яких потребує, частину з них він одержує з їжею. Тому актуальним є дослідження амінокислотного складу рослин.

Мета дослідження – вивчити якісний склад та визначити кількісний вміст амінокислот у сировині матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі.

Методи дослідження. Об’єктами дослідження були обмолочена трава, стебла, корені та насіння матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі. Амінокислотний склад досліджуваних видів сировини визначали методом іонообмінної рідинно-колонкової хроматографії на автоматичному аналізаторі амінокислот.

Результати й обговорення. У сировині матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі, взятої для дослідження, встановлено наявність 18 амінокислот: 7 незамінних, 3 напівзамінних та 8 замінних. Найвищий вміст амінокислот спостерігали в насінні та обмолоченій траві, найнижчий – у коренях. За кількістю в надземній частині рослини домінував пролін. У коренях та насінні найбільше накопичувалася глутамінова кислота. Цистин у обмолоченій траві й стеблах було виявлено в найменшій кількості, гістидин – у коренях, а γ-аміномасляну кислоту – в насінні. Сума незамінних амінокислот у досліджуваних видах сировини матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі становила майже 1/3 від загальної суми амінокислот (31,28, 24,69, 28,63 та 29,77 % відповідно). Серед незамінних амінокислот у обмолоченій траві, стеблах та коренях за вмістом переважали лейцин і лізин, у насінні – лейцин та фенілаланін. У найменшій кількості в коренях містилися метіонін та фенілаланін, а в обмолоченій траві, стеблах і насінні – метіонін та ізолейцин.

Висновок. Одержані результати буде використано для стандартизації сировини та розробки нових лікарських препаратів рослинного походження на основі комплексу амінокислот матіоли дворогої.
КІЛЬКІСНИЙ ВМІСТ СУМИ ОРГАНІЧНИХ КИСЛОТ У СЕРІЯХ СИРОВИНИ ДЕЯКИХ ПРЕДСТАВНИКІВ РОДИН POLYGONACEAE, ROSACEAE ТА ASTERACEAE
Authors: Oproshanska T. V. , Khvorost О. P. , Kudrіa V. V.
Published: December 2020

Вступ. Зважаючи на фізіологічну активність органічних кислот в організмі людини, пошук нових рослинних джерел цієї групи біологічно активних речовин є актуальним.

Мета дослідження – визначити кількісний вміст суми органічних кислот у кореневищах з коренями щавлю кінського, кореневищах з коренями родовика лікарського, коренях шипшини коричної, коренях шипшини собачої, коренях лопуха малого, коренях лопуха павутинистого і траві череди трироздільної за методиками монографій ДФУ 2.0.

Методи дослідження. Кількісний вміст суми органічних кислот визначали за методиками монографій ДФУ 2.0 “Шипшини плоди” (в перерахунку на яблучну кислоту) та “Калини плоди” (в перерахунку на лимонну кислоту).

Результати й обговорення. При використанні методики монографії “Шипшини плоди” було одержано дещо вищі результати визначення кількісного вмісту суми органічних кислот у сировині, яку вивчали, ніж дані, отримані при застосуванні методики монографії “Калини плоди”. Це, найімовірніше, пов’язано з пробопідготовкою та гістологічними особливостями підземних органів, до складу яких входить значний відсоток здерев’янілих тканин. Водночас результати кількісного визначення цієї групи сполук у серіях трави череди трироздільної за двома методиками були зіставними. Кількісний вміст суми органічних кислот у різних серіях одного виду сировини в рамках використання кожної методики коливався незначно.

Висновки. Уперше визначено кількісний вміст суми органічних кислот у кореневищах з коренями щавлю кінського, кореневищах з коренями родовика лікарського, коренях шипшини коричної, коренях шипшини собачої, коренях лопуха малого, коренях лопуха павутинистого і траві череди трироздільної з використанням методик монографій ДФУ 2.0. Встановлено, що вміст суми органічних кислот у всіх об’єктах, які досліджували, більший при застосуванні методики монографії “Шипшини плоди”, в підземних органах родовика лікарського та щавлю кінського він був найвищий і становив не менше 3,7 та 3,5 % відповідно. Отримані результати буде використано в подальших дослідженнях.
Fragilidade em idosos comunitários
Authors: Carneiro Jair Almeida , Souza Andressa Samantha Oliveira , Maia Luciana Colares , Costa Fernanda Marques da , Moraes Edgar Nunes de , Caldeira Antônio Prates
Published: December 2020

OBJETIVO: Comparar os instrumentos Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) e Índice de Vulnerabilidade Clínico-Funcional-20 (IVCF-20) quanto ao grau de concordância e de correlação, bem como comparar modelos descritivos com variáveis associadas à fragilidade em idosos brasileiros comunitários. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, aninhado a uma coorte de base populacional e domiciliar. A amostragem na linha de base foi probabilística, por conglomerados, em dois estágios. No primeiro, utilizou-se como unidade amostral o setor censitário. No segundo, definiu-se o número de domicílios segundo a densidade populacional de indivíduos com idade ≥ a 60 anos. A estatística Kappa analisou a concordância, e o coeficiente de Pearson avaliou a correlação entre os instrumentos. Os fatores associados à fragilidade e ao alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínicofuncional foram identificados por análise múltipla de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS: A estatística Kappa foi 0,599, e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi de 0,755 (p < 0,001). A prevalência da fragilidade foi de 28,2% pela EFS, e a prevalência do alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional foi de 19,5% pelo IVCF-20. As variáveis associadas à fragilidade, após análise múltipla, em ambos os instrumentos, foram: idade igual ou superior a 80 anos, histórico de acidente vascular encefálico, polifarmácia, autopercepção negativa de saúde, queda nos últimos 12 meses e internação nos últimos 12 meses. Escolaridade inferior a quatro anos, doença osteoarticular e perda de peso foram associadas a fragilidade apenas pela EFS, enquanto possuir cuidador esteve associado a alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínicofuncional somente pelo IVCF-20. CONCLUSÕES: Embora as análises revelem concordância moderada e forte correlação positiva entre os instrumentos, a prevalência de fragilidade apontada é discrepante. O resultado destaca a necessidade de padronizar o instrumento para aferir a fragilidade em idosos comunitários.
Assessing the Effects of Donkey-Assisted Therapy on Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Using the ICF Framework
Authors: Colombo Eleonora , Manti Franco , Milani Luca , Bernardini Daniele
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nine weekly sessions of Donkey-Assisted Therapy (DAT) on the functional status of 37 adults with an intellectual disability (ID) and to analyze the moderator role of the duration of sessions on the expected positive outcomes. A new tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) was employed to measure functional changes in subjects undergoing DAT. The tool was administered at three different times (T0, T1, T2) by health care professionals and instructors who rated participants’ performance during DAT. Findings showed a significant improvement in the psycho-social functioning of patients undergoing DAT, especially for participants provided with longer sessions. The results of this study provide further evidence that DAT may be considered as a suitable therapeutic option for people with ID.
Restructuring Privatisation Programmes in the Gulf Cooperation Council: Lessons from the Kuwait Stock Exchange
Authors: AlKandari Sarah Fayez
Published: December 2020

Amid the eruption of a fiscal crisis from declining oil prices and the rise of economic diversification initiatives to foster private-sector development, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have increasingly recognised the importance of privatisation as a reform measure for underperforming state-owned entities. This article reviews the surrounding objectives of privatisation and presents an optimal privatisation programme structure for GCC policymakers that caters to the requirements of the modern day. Lessons learnt from privatisations of developed countries may not be directly applicable; thus, the recent success case in the region embodied by the Kuwait Stock Exchange privatisation is incorporated to settle upon a recommended privatisation programme structure relevant to the GCC. Though the fiscal crisis for the GCC is only beginning, rushing towards privatisation without careful planning of the programme is inexcusable.
The Downfall of the Diorama
Authors: Scripps Sarah Michel
Published: December 2020

Over the course of the twentieth century, millions of American children conducted their first science experiments by participating in science fairs. In tracing the development of a new visual medium of the 20th century – the science fair display – this paper captures the unruliness of scientific representation from a child’s eye view. The essay traces this phenomenon against the backdrop of broader debates regarding the role scientifically inclined youth would play in shaping the nation’s future. Science fairs also raise important philosophical questions regarding the epistemology of children’s experimentation. Over the course of fifty years, three-dimensional dioramas of the Progressive era were supplanted by postwar argument-driven text panels, capturing a distinct rupture in scientific representation. The essay argues that science fair displays provide an entry point for understanding how adolescents conceived of science on visual, material, social, and epistemological terms.
Why Were Greek Mathematical Diagrams Schematic?
Authors: Netz Reviel
Published: December 2020

This article presents the case for the claim that Greek mathematical diagrams were schematic. Following a deep dive into the practices and the process of transmission of those diagrams, the article situates Greek diagrammatic practices within the broader context of Greek scribal and readerly practices. The literary papyrus bookroll was produced and read as a tool for the projection of an imagined performance; so was the specialized type of bookroll containing mathematical proofs.
THE INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS WITHIN THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW REGIME: WHICH SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COURTS?
Authors: Petersmann Marie-Catherine
Published: December 2020

This contribution aims to identify the numerous conflicts that arise between environmental protection regulations and specific human rights. By focusing on the case law of regional human rights mechanisms, it highlights the “positive” and the “negative” integration of international environmental law (IEL) within the human rights law (HRL) regime. It argues that these supposedly separate bodies of law are in reality intertwined. The case law analysis of the negative integration of IEL within the HRL regime teaches us that HRL adjudicators have done more than neutrally measure conformity of environmental protection regulations with the HRL regime. While some cases add specific procedural requirements to these environmental protection regulations – Xàkmok Kàsek case – others establish a hierarchy between IEL and HRL – Fredin and Turgut cases – and yet others engage in defining and arguably even producing environmental rights – Herrick and Chapman cases. This contribution provides specific insights into how regional human rights adjudicators resolve conflicts and what consequences result from the judicial techniques in terms of both the content of the respective legal regimes and their hierarchical relationship. It argues that both content and implementation of IEL cannot be understood without integrating HRL adjudicators into the analytical framework.
IS THERE A WAY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM?
Authors: Fontana-Giusti Clémentine Bories
Published: December 2020

Ensuring the protection of the various cultural identities at stake in the Old City of Jerusalem is a tricky issue given the importance of the site for the three represented monotheistic religions, the uncertain political status of the site, and the consequences that every event occurring in this symbolic city might have for the world as a whole. Until now the duties to protect such identities have been fragmented as the various communities are in charge of what is mostly considered to be their own heritage. This paper discusses the question of whether more neutral and internationalized protection, that would go further than the World Heritage Convention regime, is advisable and feasible.
THE LEGAL REGIME OF WRECKS OF WARSHIPS AND OTHER STATE-OWNED SHIPS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE 2015 RESOLUTION OF THE INSTITUT DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL
Authors: Dromgoole Sarah
Published: December 2020

The status in international law of operational warships and other ships used only on governmental non-commercial service has been long established. In contrast, the status of such vessels after they have sunk has been, and remains, a matter of considerable uncertainty. The uncertainty arises in no small part from the absence of any provision in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to sunken State vessels or, indeed, to wrecks more generally. Over the last 30 years, technological advances have led to the discovery of many new wreck sites, fuelling international interest in the status of sunken State wrecks. At its Santiago Session in 2007, the Institut de droit international established its 9th Scientific Commission to look into the matter. A Preliminary Report, drafted by the Commission’s Rapporteur, Professor Natalino Ronzitti, was discussed at the Rhodes Session in 2011 and, after further deliberations, a Resolution entitled “The Legal Regime of Wrecks of Warships and Other State-Owned Ships in International Law” was adopted by the Tallinn Session in August 2015. This contribution sets out the background to the work of the 9th Commission, outlines the substance of the Resolution, and offers some observations thereon.
CONVENTIONALITY CONTROL OF DOMESTIC “ABUSE OF POWER”: MAINTAINING HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Authors: Negishi Yota
Published: December 2020

Human rights courts often behave as constitutional courts especially when they have the ability to control the “separation of powers” in States in accordance with human rights conventions (“conventionality control”). This study comments on the latest “abuse of power” jurisprudence of the European and Inter-American courts of human rights, which embraces rich implications for re-evaluating general and specific provisions that place democratic limitations on human rights violations. The first section confirms that the courts have recently implemented conventionality control of “abuse of power” against judicial independence, voices of political opposition and media pluralism, in all such unfair exercises of authority adverse influences are exerted on individual (human rights) and collective (democracy) aspects. The next section justifies or criticises the courts’ decisions on the pro-democratic fair balance tests (legality, legitimacy and proportionality) embodied in human rights conventions’ general and specific limitation clauses, which have rarely been scrutinised until recent cases of “abuse of power”. In essence, this study shows that value-oriented momenta in their practical decisions can contribute to a future mapping of constitutionalism beyond the State (ius constitutionale commune), limiting domestic abuse of kratos (power) of the demos (people) in terms of international human rights sources.
The Protection of the Environment in International Investment Agreements – Recent Developments and Prospects for Reform
Authors: Rees-Evans Laura
Published: December 2020

Foreign investors benefit from rights to the protection of their foreign investments under a web of thousands of international investment agreements (IIA S). Those IIA s traditionally, however, contain no corresponding duties. The presence of rights without corresponding obligations in the global system of investment protection has attracted significant criticism. This is particularly true in the field of environmental protection (including the fight against climate change), where the concern is that the promotion and protection of investment may unduly restrict a State’s ability to take measures that promote environmental objectives. This article analyses what IIA S do or could do to contribute to the goal of environmental protection, in three parts: first, it identifies provisions of “old generation” IIA S (i.e., those concluded prior to 2010) that provide scope for environmental considerations to be taken into account; second, it analyses the trend in recent IIA S and model bilateral investment treaties (BIT S) to incorporate mechanisms aimed at promoting environmental protection in relation to the regulation of foreign investment; and third, it analyses various possibilities for reform of international investment law to further promote the protection of the environment in the field of foreign investment. It concludes that while the texts of the vast majority of IIA S currently in force appear to do little directly to promote environmental objectives, some contain certain mechanisms that are capable of allowing tribunals to give environmental concerns the weight they deserve. In relation to new and renegotiated IIA S, there are a wide variety of mechanisms that can be used to enhance the contribution they make to promoting sustainable investment and investment in green industries.
On Bad Faith and Authenticity
Authors: Burke Megan
Published: December 2020

This article considers the ethical dimension of contemporary first-person avowals of genderless or agender subjectivity. Drawing on Talia Mae Bettcher’s transfeminist account of transgender first-person authority and Simone de Beauvoir’s existentialist notion of choice, the author argues that authentic first-person avowals of genderlessness are gestures that pursue ethical self–other relations. In doing so, this article reconciles Beauvoir’s claim that a woman who says she is “just human” is in bad faith with genderless trans subjectivities.
The effect of polyurethane binder and glass fiber reinforcement on physical and mechanical properties of mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) leaves waste biocomposite
Authors: Masturi  , Alighiri Dante , Maulana Riful Mazid , Susilawati  , Drastisianti Apriliana , Sunarno
Published: December 2020

In this work, the effect of polyurethane binder and glass fiber as reinforcement on the physical and mechanical properties of mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) leaves waste as biocomposite was investigated. Mahogany leaves waste has been successfully synthesized into a strong and lightweight biocomposite material by using a polyurethane binder and glass fiber as reinforcement. The mass content of polyurethane was varied between 0.25?1.50 g to obtain the optimum conditions. The contents of glass fiber added were between 0.1?0.5 g for biocomposite reinforcement. The addition of polyurethane and glass fiber mass fraction on biocomposite from mahogany leaves waste affected the physical and mechanical properties. The optimum ratio of mahogany leaves waste and polyurethane binder to produce biocomposite showed a compressive strength of 41.59 MPa, a density of 1.060 g/cm3, water absorption of 6.98%, and a thickness development of 7.27%. The addition of glass fiber material was proven to increase the compressive strength of biocomposites to 57.68 MPa. The addition of glass fiber to biocomposites also succeeded in improving physical properties. The testing of glass fiber reinforced biocomposites resulted in a density of 1.140 g/cm3, water absorption of 5.42%, and thickness development of 8.18%.
Study on facial nerve activation pathway based on nanometric magnetic beads
Authors: Yuan Yang , Li Liheng , Liu Wenwen , Liu Hong , Fan Qijun , Yu Zhaoyan , Wang Man , Wang Xue , Han Yuechen , Wang Haibo
Published: December 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of facial nerve recovery through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) after facial nerve trunk damage. Facial nerve surgery was performed on rats to establish a paralyzed animal model with or without
intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Pam3CSK4 (TLR2 agonist). All nucleic acids were extracted using nanometer magnetic beads. At 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16 days after the surgery, the score of the blink reflex, the motion of vibrissae, and the motion of nose were analyzed to assess the function
of facial nerves. Evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining (IF), Morphological changes in facial nerve and brainstem were analyzed. The expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 in the brainstem were detected by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase
Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, and IF. TEM revealed that the facial nerve fiber diameter was shortened, and the organelle was swollen and demyelinated in the operation group. The IF results revealed that the expressions of NF-κB p65 and TLR2 in the brainstem were increased
significantly in the operation group together with the control group. RT-PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 in the brainstem were low in the control group, as well as in the sham group, whereas there were significant increases in the mRNA expressions
of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 in the operation group. Western blotting revealed a significant increase in the expression of TLR2 protein after the surgery compared to that in the control group. After subjecting the rats to facial nerve surgery and i.p. injection of Pam3CSK4, the protein
expressions of TLR2 and NF-κB p65 were upregulated dramatically in the Pam3CSK4-operation group compared to that in the control group and were also significantly increased than those in the operation group. Both facial nerve dysfunction caused due to facial nerve surgery (exacerbated
by co-treatment with Pam3CSK4) and the expressions of NF-κB p65 and TLR2 were increased significantly. TLR2 might be an innovative gene target and a novel option for the clinical applications of facial paralysis immunotherapy.
The effects of nanofatty acids on the nervous system
Authors: Hao Wei , Wang Cuiui , Song Jia , Zhao Ping , Li Gang
Published: December 2020

To investigate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (nanofatty acids) on the nervous system, 90 clean female mice aged 3?5 weeks old were randomly divided into two groups (n = 45). The experimental group was injected with nanofatty acids once every other day for a total
of three times, while the control group was injected with the same volume of normal saline. The behavior, weight, plasma, malondialdehyde content in the brain homogenate, and total superoxide disodium alcohol were assessed after the treatments. Mice treated with nanofatty acid were easily
provoked, hyperactive, and had significantly reduced body weight as compared to the control mice (P <0.05). These findings suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acid can reduce the levels of lipid peroxidation and the activity of total superoxide dismutase in mice. Our results suggest
that nanofatty acid exposure has a protect effect on the nervous system.
Dihydroartemisinin ameliorates murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through enhancing co-inhibitory signals
Authors: Ran Qingsen , Li Qi , Liu Li , Sun Lidong , Yang Qing , Li Yujie , Chen Ying , Weng Xiaogang , Wang Yajie , Cai Weiyan , Zhu Xiaoxin
Published: December 2020

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has shown a significant effect in anti-inflammation. This study is aimed at detecting the effect of DHA in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is characterized by neuroinflammation and demyelination using Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
(MOG35-55) to induce EAE model in female C57BL/6 mice. The physical functions and histopathological structures were analyzed during the acute phase. Furthermore, flow cytometry was used to test the functionality of the immunological response in splenocytes. Western blot and qRT-PCR
assays were used to investigate protein levels and gene expression, respectively. Pharmacologically, mice treated with DHA had smaller spinal cord lesions with fewer inflammatory cuffs than those EAE mice had. Mechanically, DHA enhanced the expression of both Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Antigen 4
(CTLA4) and Programmed cell Death 1 (PD1) in splenocytes. Moreover, DHA up-regulated the expression of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) and the phosphorylation of Signal Transduction and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1). In conclusion, DHA can ameliorate EAE and up-regulate the
expression of CTLA4 and PD1 on T cells via STAT1/SOCS3 pathway, indicating that DHA has huge potential for development as a therapeutic agent for MS.
Green preparation of carbon dots for Hg2+ detection and cell imaging
Authors: Xie Yadian , Wang Shanshan , Fu Ning , Yang Yan , Liu Xingliang , Sun Wenliang , Gong Li , Li Wenlin , Han Aixia
Published: December 2020

Carbon dots (CDs) also nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs) were produced by green hydrothermal synthesis using Pea and ethanediamine as the carbon and nitrogen source, separately. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images displayed that the prepared CDs and N-CDs were well dispersed, had
a spherical morphology. X-ray diffraction (XRD) figures of CDs and N-CDs presented a graphitic amorphous structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) verified that CDs and N-CDs carried many different hydrophilic groups (for example hydroxyl, carboxyl/carbonyl, amide, amino groups)
on the surface, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) together verified this result. However, the optical properties and fluorescence quantum yield for N-CDs were obviously superior to those of CDs. Furthermore, the prepared N-CDs displayed outstanding advantages including low toxicity, satisfactory
biocompatibility, and excellent chemical stability. More prominently, the prepared N-CDs could detect Hg2+ ions with high sensitivity and selectivity in both water samples and HeLa cells.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of a high-carbon bainitic steel containing Si/Al by different heat treatment processes
Authors: Naseem Sufyan , Liu Enzuo , Huang Xuefei , Huang Weigang
Published: December 2020

The present study aims to investigate the microstructure and mechanical properties of 0.79 C wt% bainitic steel containing Si and Al by three heat treatment processes: austempering and tempering (B-T), two-step austempering (2S-A) and the austempering-quenching-partitioning (AQP). The
optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were employed to analyze the microstructure of samples. The results demonstrate that the sample subjected to the AQP process
exhibited a multiphase microstructure with martensite, filmy retained austenite (RA) and fine bainitic laths. The AQP sample evidenced a high tensile strength of 1705 MPa, yield strength of 1254 MPa, a better total elongation of 16.6%, product of strength and elongation (PSE) of 28 GPa% and
the impact toughness of 33 J among all heat treatment processes. The higher strength and toughness could be ascribed to the fine bainitic ferrite as well as an appropriate amount of filmy retained austenite. A fraction of martensite that was formed during the quenching step at 110 °C possibly
divided the untransformed austenite into small areas, which could refine the microstructure. EBSD analysis showed that the AQP sample exhibited a higher proportion (64%) of boundary misorientation angle greater than 15° than that of the 2S-A. These high angle boundaries can improve the
toughness of steel.
Moisture Transport during Large Snowfall Events in the New Zealand Southern Alps: The Role of Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Porhemmat Rasool , Purdie Heather , Zawar-Reza Peyman , Zammit Christian , Kerr Tim
Published: December 2020

Synoptic-scale moisture transport during large snowfall events in the New Zealand Southern Alps is largely unknown due to a lack of long-term snow observations. In this study, records from three recently developed automatic weather stations (Mahanga, Mueller Hut, and Mt Larkins) near the Main Divide of the Southern Alps were used to identify large snowfall events between 2010 and 2018. The large snowfall events are defined as those events with daily snow depth increase by greater than the 90th percentile at each site. ERA-Interim reanalysis data were used to characterize the hydrometeorological features of the selected events. Our findings show that large snowfall events in the Southern Alps generally coincide with strong fields of integrated vapor transport (IVT) within a northwesterly airflow and concomitant deepening low pressure systems. Considering the frequency of large snowfall events, approximately 61% of such events at Mahanga were associated with narrow corridors of strong water vapor flux, known as atmospheric rivers (ARs). The contributions of ARs to the large snowfall events at Mueller Hut and Mt Larkins were 70% and 71%, respectively. Analysis of the vertical profiles of moisture transport dynamics during the passage of a landfalling AR during 11–12 October 2016 revealed the key characteristics of a snow-generating AR in the Southern Alps. An enhanced presence of low- and midlevel moisture between 700 and 850 hPa and pronounced increases of wind velocities (more than 30 m s−1) with high values of the meridional component between 750 and 850 hPa were identified over the Southern Alps during the event.
Effect of nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of kenaf fiber-reinforced bio-based epoxy resin
Authors: Franco-Urquiza EA , Rentería-Rodríguez AV
Published: December 2020

Ecological composites materials have become a topic of interest in materials science and engineering in recent years because of the growing need for environment-friendly composites that maintain properties like light weight, but gain biodegradability and renewability. Bio-composites of kenaf fiber-reinforced bio-based epoxy resin filled with different kind of nanoparticles were prepared in this work using a hybrid manufacturing process combining vacuum-assisted resin infusion and an autoclave. Nanoparticles of carbon, metal oxides and layered silicates were employed in this work to analyze their effect on the mechanical properties of bio-kenaf composites. Nanoparticles were synthesized and heat-treated according to their nature, and Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups. Laminar structures, such as graphene or layered silicates, had more influence on the bio-kenaf composite toughness than the particle-like morphology of metal oxides. However, the nanoparticles influenced the strength because of their effective stress transfer mechanism. Despite voids of different sizes, which were detected using scanning tomography, they did not influence the mechanical properties of the bio-kenaf composites, showing that the filler effect of the nanoparticles is the dominant mechanism.
Developmental exposure to diesel exhaust upregulates transcription factor expression, decreases hippocampal neurogenesis, and alters cortical lamina organization: relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Cole Toby B. , Chang Yu-Chi , Dao Khoi , Daza Ray , Hevner Robert , Costa Lucio G.
Published: December 2020

Background

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during development and/or in adulthood has been associated in many human studies with both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods

In the present study, C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to environmentally relevant levels (250+/−50 μg/m3) of diesel exhaust (DE) or filtered air (FA) during development (E0 to PND21). The expression of several transcription factors relevant for CNS development was assessed on PND3. To address possible mechanistic underpinnings of previously observed behavioral effects of DE exposure, adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and laminar organization of neurons in the somatosensory cortex were analyzed on PND60. Results were analyzed separately for male and female mice.

Results

Developmental DE exposure caused a male-specific upregulation of Pax6, Tbr1, Tbr2, Sp1, and Creb1 on PND3. In contrast, in both males and females, Tbr2+ intermediate progenitor cells in the PND60 hippocampal dentate gyrus were decreased, as an indication of reduced adult neurogenesis. In the somatosensory region of the cerebral cortex, laminar distribution of Trb1, calbindin, and parvalbumin (but not of Ctip2 or Cux1) was altered by developmental DE exposure.

Conclusions

These results provide additional evidence to previous findings indicating the ability of developmental DE exposure to cause biochemical/molecular and behavioral alterations that may be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
Translational outcomes relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders following early life exposure of rats to chlorpyrifos
Authors: Berg Elizabeth L. , Ching Tianna M. , Bruun Donald A. , Rivera Josef K. , Careaga Milo , Ellegood Jacob , Lerch Jason P. , Wöhr Markus , Lein Pamela J. , Silverman Jill L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are pervasive, lifelong disorders for which pharmacological interventions are not readily available. Substantial increases in the prevalence of NDDs over a relatively short period may not be attributed solely to genetic factors and/or improved diagnostic criteria. There is now a consensus that multiple genetic loci combined with environmental risk factors during critical periods of neurodevelopment influence NDD susceptibility and symptom severity. Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides have been identified as potential environmental risk factors. Epidemiological studies suggest that children exposed prenatally to the OP pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) have significant mental and motor delays and strong positive associations for the development of a clinical diagnosis of intellectual delay or disability, ADHD, or ASD.

Methods

We tested the hypothesis that developmental CPF exposure impairs behavior relevant to NDD phenotypes (i.e., deficits in social communication and repetitive, restricted behavior). Male and female rat pups were exposed to CPF at 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg (s.c.) from postnatal days 1-4.

Results

These CPF doses did not significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in the blood or brain but significantly impaired pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in both sexes. Social communication in juveniles via positive affiliative 50-kHz USV playback was absent in females exposed to CPF at 0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg. In contrast, this CPF exposure paradigm had no significant effect on gross locomotor abilities or contextual and cued fear memory. Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging largely found no differences between the CPF-exposed rats and the corresponding vehicle controls using strict false discovery correction; however, there were interesting trends in females in the 0.3 mg/kg dose group.

Conclusions

This work generated and characterized a rat model of developmental CPF exposure that exhibits adverse behavioral phenotypes resulting from perinatal exposures at levels that did not significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain or blood. These data suggest that current regulations regarding safe levels of CPF need to be reconsidered.
Combining sequence and network information to enhance protein–protein interaction prediction
Authors: Liu Leilei , Zhu Xianglei , Ma Yi , Piao Haiyin , Yang Yaodong , Hao Xiaotian , Fu Yue , Wang Li , Peng Jiajie
Published: December 2020

Background

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are of great importance in cellular systems of organisms, since they are the basis of cellular structure and function and many essential cellular processes are related to that. Most proteins perform their functions by interacting with other proteins, so predicting PPIs accurately is crucial for understanding cell physiology.

Results

Recently, graph convolutional networks (GCNs) have been proposed to capture the graph structure information and generate representations for nodes in the graph. In our paper, we use GCNs to learn the position information of proteins in the PPIs networks graph, which can reflect the properties of proteins to some extent. Combining amino acid sequence information and position information makes a stronger representation for protein, which improves the accuracy of PPIs prediction.

Conclusion

In previous research methods, most of them only used protein amino acid sequence as input information to make predictions, without considering the structural information of PPIs networks graph. We first time combine amino acid sequence information and position information to make representations for proteins. The experimental results indicate that our method has strong competitiveness compared with several sequence-based methods.
Analysis of codon usage patterns in citrus based on coding sequence data
Authors: Shen Zenan , Gan Zhimeng , Zhang Fa , Yi Xinyao , Zhang Jinzhi , Wan Xiaohua
Published: December 2020

Background

Codon usage is an important determinant of gene expression levels that can help us understand codon biology, evolution and mRNA translation of species. The majority of previous codon usage studies have focused on single species analysis, although few studies have focused on the species within the same genus. In this study, we proposed a multispecies codon usage analysis workflow to reveal the genetic features and correlation in citrus.

Results

Our codon usage analysis workflow was based on the GC content, GC plot, and relative synonymous codon usage value of each codon in 8 citrus species. This approach allows for the comparison of codon usage bias of different citrus species. Next, we performed cluster analysis and obtained an overview of the relationship in citrus. However, traditional methods cannot conduct quantitative analysis of the correlation. To further estimate the correlation among the citrus species, we used the frequency profile to construct feature vectors of each species. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to quantitatively analyze the distance among the citrus species. This result was consistent with the cluster analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings showed that the citrus species are conserved at the genetic level and demonstrated the existing genetic evolutionary relationship in citrus. This work provides new insights into codon biology and the evolution of citrus and other plant species.
Functional and genetic markers of niche partitioning among enigmatic members of the human oral microbiome
Authors: Shaiber Alon , Willis Amy D. , Delmont Tom O. , Roux Simon , Chen Lin-Xing , Schmid Abigail C. , Yousef Mahmoud , Watson Andrea R. , Lolans Karen , Esen Özcan C. , Lee Sonny T. M. , Downey Nora , Morrison Hilary G. , Dewhirst Floyd E. , Mark Welch Jessica L. , Eren A. Murat
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Microbial residents of the human oral cavity have long been a major focus of microbiology due to their influence on host health and intriguing patterns of site specificity amidst the lack of dispersal limitation. However, the determinants of niche partitioning in this habitat are yet to be fully understood, especially among taxa that belong to recently discovered branches of microbial life.

Results

Here, we assemble metagenomes from tongue and dental plaque samples from multiple individuals and reconstruct 790 non-redundant genomes, 43 of which resolve to TM7, a member of the Candidate Phyla Radiation, forming six monophyletic clades that distinctly associate with either plaque or tongue. Both pangenomic and phylogenomic analyses group tongue-specific clades with other host-associated TM7 genomes. In contrast, plaque-specific TM7 group with environmental TM7 genomes. Besides offering deeper insights into the ecology, evolution, and mobilome of cryptic members of the oral microbiome, our study reveals an intriguing resemblance between dental plaque and non-host environments indicated by the TM7 evolution, suggesting that plaque may have served as a stepping stone for environmental microbes to adapt to host environments for some clades of microbes. Additionally, we report that prophages are widespread among oral-associated TM7, while absent from environmental TM7, suggesting that prophages may have played a role in adaptation of TM7 to the host environment.

Conclusions

Our data illuminate niche partitioning of enigmatic members of the oral cavity, including TM7, SR1, and GN02, and provide genomes for poorly characterized yet prevalent members of this biome, such as uncultivated Flavobacteriaceae.
Laparoscopic management of persistent gastrocutaneous fistula after feeding gastrostomy appliance removal in children
Authors: Khirallah Mohammad Gharieb , Bustangi Nasir
Published: December 2020

Background

Feeding gastrostomy is widely used in children that have troubles of swallowing and need to stablish enteral feeding. There are several methods for creation of that stoma. After the children gain their normal ability of swallowing, this tube or appliance is removed. Failure of spontaneous closure of gastrostomy opening after removal of the tube was reported with an incidence of 0.5 to 3.9%. The purpose of authors was to study laparoscopic management of persistent gastrocutaneous fistula after failure of conservative measures.

Results

There were 19 patients, 12 males. Main cause for feeding gastrostomy was neurological. Most feeding gastrostomy tubes were inserted endoscopically. The mean operative time was 57 ± 10.2 min. The mean time of full oral intake was 24 ± 3.5 h. No wound infection had developed. There was no recurrence of fistula after management.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic management of persistent gastrocutaneous fistula is safe, feasible, and associated with no recurrence of fistula.