bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes toward Nutrition Care among General Practitioners in Croatia
Authors: Dumic Albina , Miskulin Ivan , Pavlovic Nika , Cacic Kenjeric Daniela , Orkic Zelimir , Miskulin Maja
Published: March 2018

Nutrition care should be an integral part of general practitioners’ (GPs’) daily work with patients. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Croatian GPs toward nutrition and nutrition care, and to evaluate the interconnection between their attitudes and implementation of nutrition care in GPs offices. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 17.0% of randomly selected GPs, from May to July of 2013, via a specially designed anonymous questionnaire. The study showed that 36.0% of the Croatian GPs had satisfactory number of positive attitudes (5 or more) toward nutrition and nutrition care. There was statistically significant difference in the median number of positive attitudes based on the additional education of GPs in nutrition and their ailment from chronic diseases (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022, respectively). The Spearman rank correlation between GPs’ attitudes toward nutrition and nutrition care and their practice, i.e., the implementation of nutrition care in GPs’ everyday work with patients was rs = −0.235 (p < 0.001). In order to provide nutrition care in GPs’ offices in Croatia, strategies for changing GPs’ attitudes toward nutrition and nutrition care are needed.
Actual vs. Perceived Motor Competence in Children (8–10 Years): An Issue of Non-Veridicality
Authors: Clark Cain , Moran Jason , Drury Benjamin , Venetsanou Fotini , Fernandes John
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the between- and within-sex differences in actual and perceived locomotor and object control skills in children (8–10 year). All participants (58 children (29 boys; 9.5 ± 0.6 years; 1.44 ± 0.09 m; 39.6 ± 9.5 kg; body mass index; 18.8 ± 3.1 kg·m2)) completed the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd edition) and the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children. Between- and within-sex differences were assessed using independent and paired samples t-tests, respectively. For all tests, effect sizes and Bayes factors were calculated. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) between sexes for perceived locomotor and perceived object control skills (boys > girls), with Bayes factors extremely in favour of the alternate hypothesis (BF: 55,344 and 460, respectively). A significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between girls’ actual and perceived locomotor skills (d = −0.88; 95% confidence interval: −0.46 to −1.34), with Bayes factors extremely in favour of the alternate hypothesis (BF: 483). A significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between boys’ actual and perceived object control skills (d = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.2 to 1.12), with Bayes factors very strongly in favour of the alternate hypothesis (BF: 41). These findings suggest that there exists an issue of non-veridicality between actual and perceived motor competence skills, and their subsets, and a sex-mediated discord in children (8–10 years).
Opportunistic Design Margining for Area and Power Efficient Processor Pipelines in Real Time Applications
Authors: Jayakrishnan Mini , Chang Alan , Kim Tony
Published: March 2018

The semiconductor industry is strategically focusing on automotive markets, and significant investment is targeted to addressing these markets. Runtime better-than-worst-case designs like Razor lead to massive timing errors upon breaching the critical operating point and have significant area overheads. As we scale to higher-reliability automotive and industrial markets we need alternative techniques that will allow full extraction of the power benefits without sacrificing reliability. The proposed method utilizes positive slack available in the pipeline stages and re-distributes it to the preceding critical logic stage using Slack Balancing Flip-Flops (SBFFs). We use opportunistic under designing to get rid of the area, power and error correction overheads associated with the speculative hardware of runtime techniques. The proposed logic reshaping results in 12 percent and eight percent power and area savings respectively compared to the worst-case design approach. Compared to runtime better-than-worst-case designs, we get 51 percent and 10 percent power and area savings, respectively. In addition, the timing budgeting and timing correction using opportunistic slack eliminate critical operating point behavior, metastability issues and hold buffer overheads encountered in existing runtime resilience techniques.
Burden of Fungal Infections in Colombia
Authors: Alvarez-Moreno Carlos , Cortes Jorge , Denning David
Published: March 2018

Data with respect to the epidemiological situation of fungal diseases in Colombia is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study is to estimate the burden of fungal infections. A population projection for 2017 from the Colombian Department for National Statistics was used, as well as official information from the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Health. A bibliographical search for Colombian data on mycotic diseases and population at risk (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV infection/AIDS, cancer, and transplant patients) was done. The Colombian population for 2017 was estimated at 49,291,609 inhabitants, and the estimated number of fungal infections for Colombia in 2017 was between 753,523 and 757,928, with nearly 600,000 cases of candidiasis, 130,000 cases of aspergillosis, and 16,000 cases of opportunistic infection in HIV, affecting around 1.5% of the population. In conclusion, fungal infections represent an important burden of disease for the Colombian population. Different clinical, epidemiological, and developmental scenarios can be observed in which fungal infections occur in Colombia.
Silica Modified with Polyaniline as a Potential Sorbent for Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) and Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction (d-SPE) of Plant Samples
Authors: Sowa Ireneusz , Wójciak-Kosior Magdalena , Strzemski Maciej , Sawicki Jan , Staniak Michał , Dresler Sławomir , Szwerc Wojciech , Mołdoch Jarosław , Latalski Michał
Published: March 2018

Polyaniline (PANI) is one of the best known conductive polymers with multiple applications. Recently, it was also used in separation techniques, mostly as a component of composites for solid-phase microextraction (SPME). In the present paper, sorbent obtained by in situ polymerization of aniline directly on silica gel particles (Si-PANI) was used for dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) and matrix solid–phase extraction (MSPD). The efficiency of both techniques was evaluated with the use of high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) quantitative analysis. The quality of the sorbent was verified by Raman spectroscopy and microscopy combined with automated procedure using computer image analysis. For extraction experiments, triterpenes were chosen as model compounds. The optimal conditions were as follows: protonated Si-PANI impregnated with water, 160/1 sorbent/analyte ratio, 3 min of extraction time, 4 min of desorption time and methanolic solution of ammonia for elution of analytes. The proposed procedure was successfully used for pretreatment of plant samples.
Growth and Brilliant Photo-Emission of Crystalline Hexagonal Column of Alq3 Microwires
Authors: Kim Seokho , Kim Do , Choi Jinho , Lee Hojin , Kim Sun-Young , Park Jung , Park Dong
Published: March 2018

We report the growth and nanoscale luminescence characteristics of 8-hydroxyquinolinato aluminum (Alq3) with a crystalline hexagonal column morphology. Pristine Alq3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a conventional reprecipitation method. Crystal hexagonal columns of Alq3 were grown by using a surfactant-assisted self-assembly technique as an adjunct to the aforementioned reprecipitation method. The formation and structural properties of the crystalline and non-crystalline Alq3 NPs were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) characteristics and the luminescence color of the Alq3 single NPs and their crystal microwires (MWs) were evaluated from color charge-coupled device images acquired using a high-resolution laser confocal microscope. In comparison with the Alq3 NPs, the crystalline MWs exhibited a very bright and sharp emission. This enhanced and sharp emission from the crystalline Alq3 single MWs originated from effective π-π stacking of the Alq3 molecules due to strong interactions in the crystalline structure.
Preparation and Sound Absorption Properties of a Barium Titanate/Nitrile Butadiene Rubber–Polyurethane Foam Composite with Multilayered Structure
Authors: Jiang Xueliang , Yang Zhen , Wang Zhijie , Zhang Fuqing , You Feng , Yao Chu
Published: March 2018

Barium titanate/nitrile butadiene rubber (BT/NBR) and polyurethane (PU) foam were combined to prepare a sound-absorbing material with an alternating multilayered structure. The effects of the cell size of PU foam and the alternating unit number on the sound absorption property of the material were investigated. The results show that the sound absorption efficiency at a low frequency increased when decreasing the cell size of PU foam layer. With the increasing of the alternating unit number, the material shows the sound absorption effect in a wider bandwidth of frequency. The BT/NBR-PU foam composites with alternating multilayered structure have an excellent sound absorption property at low frequency due to the organic combination of airflow resistivity, resonance absorption, and interface dissipation.
Corrosion Development of Carbon Steel Grids and Shear Connectors in Cracked Composite Beams Exposed to Wet–Dry Cycles in Chloride Environment
Authors: Xue Wen , Chen Ju , Xu Fei , Jiang Ao-yu
Published: March 2018

The corrosion development of the reinforcement and shear stud connectors in the cracked steel–concrete composite beams under the salt-fog wet–dry cycles is presented in this investigation. Seven identical composite beams with load-induced concrete cracks were exposed to an aggressive chloride environment. The reinforcement and shear connectors were retrieved after specimens underwent a specified number of wet–dry cycles to obtain the corrosion pattern and the cross-section loss at different exposure times and their evolutions. The crack map, the corrosion pattern and the cross-section loss were measured and presented. Based on the experimental results, the influence of crack characteristics, including crack widths, orientations and positions on the corrosion rate and distribution, were accessed. Moreover, the effects of the connecting weldments on the corrosion initiations and patterns were analyzed. It was shown that the corrosion rate would increase with the number of wet–dry cycles. The characteristics of load-induced cracks could have different influences on the steel grids and shear stud connectors. The corrosion tended to initiate from the connecting weldments, due to the potential difference with the parent steel and the aggressive exposure environment, leading to a preferential weldment attack.
An Improved Digital Signature Protocol to Multi-User Broadcast Authentication Based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)
Authors: Bashirpour Hamed , Bashirpour Saman , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Chronopoulos Anthony
Published: March 2018

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), users can use broadcast authentication mechanisms to connect to the target network and disseminate their messages within the network. Since data transfer for sensor networks is wireless, as a result, attackers can easily eavesdrop deployed sensor nodes and the data sent between them or modify the content of eavesdropped data and inject false data into the sensor network. Hence, the implementation of the message authentication mechanisms (in order to avoid changes and injecting messages into the network) of wireless sensor networks is essential. In this paper, we present an improved protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) to accelerate authentication of multi-user message broadcasting. In comparison with previous ECC-based schemes, complexity and computational overhead of proposed scheme is significantly decreased. Also, the proposed scheme supports user anonymity, which is an important property in broadcast authentication schemes for WSNs to preserve user privacy and user untracking.
Immunomodulatory and Antibacterial Properties of the Chumash Medicinal Plant Trichostema lanatum
Authors: Fleming Matthew , Hester Victoria , Allison Brittany , Foster Majie , Nofziger Donna , Joyner P.
Published: March 2018

Background: The woody shrub Trichostema lanatum Benth. (Lamiaceae) is native to Southern California and was reportedly used by the Chumash people as a disinfectant and for the treatment of rheumatism. Based on its traditional uses, this study investigated the antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties of extracts from T. lanatum. Methods: A methanolic extract of the leaves and stems of T. lanatum was tested for immunomodulatory activity by measuring the proliferation of murine macrophage cell cultures and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α by the cells after treatment with T. lanatum. Antibacterial activity of the extract against a panel of six Gram-positive bacteria and two Gram-negative bacteria was evaluated using a disc-diffusion assay. Results: The T. lanatum extract inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative bacteria. Treatment of activated macrophage cell cultures with T. lanatum extract resulted in decreased proliferation of the activated macrophages and a decrease in the production of TNF-α. Conclusions: These results provide the first pharmacological support for the traditional use of T. lanatum by the Chumash people of Southern California as a disinfectant and treatment for rheumatism.
Socio-Economic Predictors and Distribution of Tuberculosis Incidence in Beijing, China: A Study Using a Combination of Spatial Statistics and GIS Technology
Authors: Mahara Gehendra , Yang Kun , Chen Sipeng , Wang Wei , Guo Xiuhua
Published: March 2018

Evidence shows that multiple factors, such as socio-economic status and access to health care facilities, affect tuberculosis (TB) incidence. However, there is limited literature available with respect to the correlation between socio-economic/health facility factors and tuberculosis incidence. This study aimed to explore the relationship between TB incidence and socio-economic/health service predictors in the study settings. A retrospective spatial regression analysis was carried out based on new sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB cases in Beijing districts. Global Moran’s I analysis was adopted to detect the spatial dependency followed by spatial regression models (spatial lag model, and spatial error model) along with the ordinary least square model were applied to examine the correlation between TB incidence and predictors. A high incidence of TB was seen in densely populated districts in Beijing, e.g., Haidian, Mentougou, and Xicheng. After comparing the R2, log-likelihood, and Akaike information criterion (AIC) values among three models, the spatial error model (R2 = 0.413; Log Likelihood = −591; AIC = 1199.76) identified the best model fit for the spatial regression model. The study showed that the number of beds in health institutes (p < 0.001) and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) (p = 0.025) had a positive effect on TB incidence, whereas population density (p < 0.001) and migrated population (p < 0.001) had an adverse impact on TB incidence in the study settings. High TB incidence districts were detected in urban and densely populated districts in Beijing. Our findings suggested that socio-economic predictors influence TB incidence. These findings may help to guide TB control programs and promote targeted intervention.
Mechanical Properties and In Vitro Behavior of Additively Manufactured and Functionally Graded Ti6Al4V Porous Scaffolds
Authors: Onal Ezgi , Frith Jessica , Jurg Marten , Wu Xinhua , Molotnikov Andrey
Published: March 2018

Functionally graded lattice structures produced by additive manufacturing are promising for bone tissue engineering. Spatial variations in their porosity are reported to vary the stiffness and make it comparable to cortical or trabecular bone. However, the interplay between the mechanical properties and biological response of functionally graded lattices is less clear. Here we show that by designing continuous gradient structures and studying their mechanical and biological properties simultaneously, orthopedic implant design can be improved and guidelines can be established. Our continuous gradient structures were generated by gradually changing the strut diameter of a body centered cubic (BCC) unit cell. This approach enables a smooth transition between unit cell layers and minimizes the effect of stress discontinuity within the scaffold. Scaffolds were fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) and underwent mechanical and in vitro biological testing. Our results indicate that optimal gradient structures should possess small pores in their core (~900 µm) to increase their mechanical strength whilst large pores (~1100 µm) should be utilized in their outer surface to enhance cell penetration and proliferation. We suggest this approach could be widely used in the design of orthopedic implants to maximize both the mechanical and biological properties of the implant.
Robotic Cell Rotation Based on Optimal Poking Direction
Authors: Zhao Chunlin , Liu Yaowei , Sun Mingzhu , Zhao Xin
Published: March 2018

It is essential to have three-dimensional orientation of cells under a microscope for biological manipulation. Conventional manual cell manipulation is highly dependent on the operator’s experience. It has some problems of low repeatability, low efficiency, and contamination. The current popular robotic method uses an injection micropipette to rotate cells. However, the optimal poking direction of the injection micropipette has not been established. In this paper, a strategy of robotic cell rotation based on optimal poking direction is proposed to move the specific structure of the cell to the desired orientation. First, analysis of the force applied to the cell during rotation was done to find the optimal poking direction, where we had the biggest moment of force. Then, the moving trajectory of the injection micropipette was designed to exert rotation force based on optimal poking direction. Finally, the strategy was applied to oocyte rotation in nuclear transfer. Experimental results show that the average completion time was up to 23.6 s and the success rate was 93.3% when the moving speed of the injection micropipette was 100 μm/s, which demonstrates that our strategy could overcome slippage effectively and with high efficiency.
Symbiotic Plant-Bacterial Endospheric Interactions
Authors: Doty Sharon
Published: March 2018

While plant-microbe symbioses involving root nodules (Rhizobia and Frankia) or the root-soil interface (rhizosphere) have been well studied, the intimate interaction of microbial endophytes with the plant host is a relatively new field of research.[...]
Influence of Particle Size in Talc Suppression by a Galactomannan Depressant
Authors: Chen Zhixiang , Gu Guohua , Li Shuangke , Song Siyu , Wang Chongqing
Published: March 2018

Flotation behavior of different sizes of particles may follow different trends. The influence of particle size in talc suppression by a depressant galactomannan was studied in this research. The flotation response and mechanism were examined by flotation tests, modified flotation rate constant and entrainment recovery calculation, laser particle size experiments, adsorption tests, and advancing contact angle measurement as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The maximum recovery increased with particle size increases in the absence of galactomannan FPY (Fenugreek polysaccharide). The obviously suppressed effect was observed for the size fraction of −74 + 38 μm after reacting with FPY, but low efficiency was received for −38 μm and −10 μm, respectively. Laser particle size analysis indicated that the FPY has a certain function for the flocculation of fine particles. It is beneficial for reducing recovery by entrainment. EDS and advancing contact angle test results showed that the difference in contact angles probably is a result of genuine differences in the quantity of O and Mg bearing surface species, while the contact angle varied with particle size fraction in the absence of FPY. Adsorption and SEM test results demonstrated that in the case of −74 + 38 μm, the depressant adsorption density on the mineral surface is higher than the other two size fractions. On the whole, FPY probably is not enough of a depressant for talc suppression.
Digestibility of Bovine Serum Albumin and Peptidomics of the Digests: Effect of Glycation Derived from α-Dicarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Sheng Bulei , Larsen Lotte , Le Thao , Zhao Di
Published: March 2018

α-Dicarbonyl compounds, which are widely generated during sugar fragmentation and oil oxidation, are important precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In this study, the effect of glycation derived from glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO) and diacetyl (DA) on the in vitro digestibility of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated. Glycation from α-dicarbonyl compounds reduced digestibility of BSA in both gastric and intestinal stage of digestion according to measurement of degree of hydrolysis. Changes in peptide composition of digests induced by glycation were displayed, showing absence of peptides, occurrence of new peptides and formation of peptide-AGEs, based on the results obtained using liquid chromatography electron-spray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Crosslinked glycation structures derived from DA largely reduced the sensitivity of glycated BSA towards digestive proteases based on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results. Network structures were found to remain in the digests of glycated samples by transmission electron microscope (TEM), thus the impact of AGEs in unabsorbed digests on the gut flora should be an interest for further studies.
Selection and Characterization of Single-Stranded DNA Aptamers Binding Human B-Cell Surface Protein CD20 by Cell-SELEX
Authors: Haghighi Mansoureh , Khanahmad Hossein , Palizban Abbasali
Published: March 2018

The B-lymphocyte antigen (CD20) is a suitable target for single-stranded (ss) nucleic acid oligomer (aptamers). The aim of study was selection and characterization of a ssDNA aptamer against CD20 using Cell-Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (Cell-SELEX). The cDNA clone of CD20 (pcDNA-CD20) was transfected to human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells. Ten rounds of Cell-SELEX was performed on recombinant HEK-CD20 cells. The final eluted ssDNA pool was amplified and ligated in T/A vector for cloning. The plasmids of positive clones were extracted, sequenced and the secondary structures of the aptamers predicted using DNAMAN® software. The sequencing results revealed 10 different types; three of them had the highest thermodynamic stability, named AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3. The AP-1 aptamer was the most thermodynamically stable one (ΔGAP-1 = −10.87 kcal/mol) with the highest binding affinity to CD20 (96.91 ± 4.5 nM). Since, the CD20 is a suitable target for recognition of B-Cell. The selected aptamers could be comparable to antibodies with many advantages. The AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3 could be candidate instead of antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in immune deficiency, autoimmune diseases, leukemia and lymphoma.
Heterophyllin B Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Macrophages by Suppressing the PI3K/Akt Pathways
Authors: Yang Chunjing , You Longtai , Yin Xingbin , Liu Yi , Leng Xin , Wang Wenping , Sai Na , Ni Jian
Published: March 2018

Heterophyllin B (HB), an active cyclic peptide, is a compound existing in the ethyl acetate extract of Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax and exhibited the activity of inhibiting the production of NO and cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-6, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, HB suppressed the production of ROS and the apoptosis induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The underlying mechanism was investigated in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The results showed that HB decreased the level of IL-1β and IL-6 expression by qRT-PCR analysis. HB up-regulated the relative ratio of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K as indicated by western blot analysis. In summary, HB inhibited the LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and represented a potential therapeutic target for treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Copper(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complexes and Their Proligands upon UVA Irradiation: An EPR and Spectrophotometric Steady-State Study
Authors: Hricovíni Michal , Mazúr Milan , Sîrbu Angela , Palamarciuc Oleg , Arion Vladimir , Brezová Vlasta
Published: March 2018

X- and Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to characterize polycrystalline Cu(II) complexes that contained sodium 5-sulfonate salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazones possessing a hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl substituent at the terminal nitrogen. The ability of thiosemicarbazone proligands to generate superoxide radical anions and hydroxyl radicals upon their exposure to UVA irradiation in aerated aqueous solutions was evidenced by the EPR spin trapping technique. The UVA irradiation of proligands in neutral or alkaline solutions and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) caused a significant decrease in the absorption bands of aldimine and phenolic chromophores. Mixing of proligand solutions with the equimolar amount of copper(II) ions resulted in the formation of 1:1 Cu(II)-to-ligand complex, with the EPR and UV-Vis spectra fully compatible with those obtained for the dissolved Cu(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes. The formation of the complexes fully inhibited the photoinduced generation of reactive oxygen species, and only subtle changes were found in the electronic absorption spectra of the complexes in aqueous and DMSO solutions upon UVA steady-state irradiation. The dark redox activity of copper(II) complexes and proligand/Cu(II) aqueous solutions towards hydrogen peroxide which resulted in the generation of hydroxyl radicals, was confirmed by spin trapping experiments.
Reparative Effects of Astaxanthin-Hyaluronan Nanoaggregates against Retrorsine-CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis and Necrosis
Authors: Wu Yi , Wu Yu , Chen I-Fen , Wu Yi-Lung , Chuang Chin , Huang Han , Kuo Shyh
Published: March 2018

Astaxanthin (Asta), a xanthophyll carotenoid, has been reported to be a strong antioxidative agent and has anti-inflammatory, antitumor and free radical-scavenging activities. However, inadequate stability and water solubility results in its low bioavailability. This study incorporated Asta into hydrophilic hyaluronan nanoparticles (HAn) to produce Asta-HAn aggregates (AHAna) using an electrostatic field system and investigated the restorative effects of AHAna on retrorsine-CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the prepared HAn were approximately 15 ± 2.1 nm in diameter and after the incorporation of Asta into HAn, the size increased to 210–500 nm. The incorporation efficiency of Asta was approximately 93% and approximately 54% of Asta was released after incubation for 18 h. Significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were observed after the rats were intraperitoneally injected with AHAna. Histopathological findings revealed the greatest reduction in hepatic fibrosis and hepatocyte necrosis in the rats after 2 weeks of intraperitoneal injection with AHAna, which is consistent with the data acquired from serum biochemical analysis. The restorative effects on liver damage displayed by AHAna in vivo demonstrated that Asta aggregated through HAn incorporation exerts therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis and necrosis.
Simultaneous Screening of Major Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Polymer Materials Using Pyrolyzer/Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py/TD–GC–MS)
Authors: Yanagisawa Hiroyuki , Kudo Yukihiko , Nakagawa Katsuhiro , Miyagawa Haruhiko , Maruyama Fumitaka , Fujimaki Shigehiko
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted with the aim of achieving the simultaneous screening of various additives in polymer materials by utilizing a solvent-free pyrolyzer/thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py/TD-GC–MS) method. As a first step to achieve this goal, simultaneous screening has been examined by selecting major substances representing plasticizers and flame retardants, such as short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). A quantitative MS analysis was performed to check for the peak areas and sensitivities. Since Py/TD-GC–MS is fraught with the risk of thermal degradation of the sample, temperatures during the analytical process were finely tuned for securing reliable results. The instrumental sensitivity was confirmed by the S/N ratio on each component. The detection limits of all components were less than 50 mg/kg, which are sufficiently lower than the regulatory criteria. With regard to reproducibility, a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 5% was confirmed by employing a spike recovery test on a polystyrene polymer solution containing mixed standard solution (ca. 1000 mg/kg). In conclusion, the results obtained in this study indicate that Py/TD-GC–MS is applicable for the screening of major flame retardants and plasticizers in real samples with sufficient reproducibility at regulatory levels.
Expression, Distribution, and Role of C-Type Lectin Receptors in the Human and Animal Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube: A Review
Authors: Jung Su , Kim Sung , Kim Young , Chung Hee , Kim Sang , Yeo Seung
Published: March 2018

Otitis media (OM) is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear (ME), regardless of cause or pathological mechanism. Among the molecular biological studies assessing the pathology of OM are investigations into the expression of C-type lectin receptors (CLR) in the ME and Eustachian tube (ET). To date, nine studies have evaluated CLR expression in the ME and ET. The expression of individual CLRs in mammalian ME and ET varies by species and model of OM. Assessments have shown that the patterns of CLR expression in the ME and ET vary; that CLR expression may vary by type of OM; and that the distribution and levels of expression of CLRs may depend on the presence or absence of inflammation, with variations even within the same species and same tissue. Infection of the ME and ET with various pathogens is a common cause of all types of OM, with host responses to pathogens mediated initially by the innate immune system. CLRs are important factors in the innate immune system because they act as both adhesion molecules and as pathogen recognition receptors. The expression of CLRs in OM tissues suggests that CLRs are associated with the pathogenesis of various types of OM.
A Metabolomics Approach Uncovers Differences between Traditional and Commercial Dairy Products in Buryatia (Russian Federation)
Authors: Pan Lin , Yu Jie , Mi Zhihui , Mo Lanxin , Jin Hao , Yao Caiqing , Ren Dongyan , Menghe Bilige
Published: March 2018

Commercially available and traditional dairy products differ in terms of their manufacturing processes. In this study, commercially available and traditionally fermented cheese, yogurt, and milk beverages were analyzed and compared. The metabolomic technique of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF) in the MSE mode was used in combination with statistical methods, including univariate analysis and chemometric analysis, to determine the differences in metabolite profiles between commercially and traditionally fermented dairy products. The experimental results were analyzed statistically and showed that traditional and commercial dairy products were well differentiated in both positive and negative ion modes, with significant differences observed between the samples. After screening for metabolite differences, we detected differences between traditional milk beverages and yogurt and their commercial counterparts in terms of the levels of compounds such as l-lysine, l-methionine, l-citrulline, l-proline, l-serine, l-valine and l-homocysteine, and of short peptides such as Asp-Arg, Gly-Arg, His-Pro, Pro-Asn. The greatest difference between commercially available and traditional cheese was in the short peptide composition, as commercially available and traditional cheese is rich in short peptides.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography Separation of Epigenetic Cytosine Variants
Authors: Roberts Caroline , Raner Gregory , Isaacs Gary
Published: March 2018

Epigenetic modifications enable cells to genetically respond to chemical inputs from environmental sources. These marks play a pivotal role in normal biological processes (e.g., differentiation, host defense and metabolic programs) but also contribute to the development of a wide variety of pathological conditions (e.g., cancer and Alzheimer’s disease). In particular, DNA methylation represents very stable epigenetic modification of cytosine bases that is strongly associated with a reduction in gene activity. Although High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methodologies have been used to resolve methylated cytosine from unmodified cytosine bases, these represent only two of the five major cytosine analogs in the cell. Moreover, failure to resolve these other cytosine analogs might affect an accurate description of the cytosine methylation status in cells. In this present study, we determined the HPLC conditions required to separate the five cytosine analogs of the methylation/demethylation pathway. This methodology not only provides a means to analyze cytosine methylation as a whole, but it could also be used to more accurately calculate the methylation ratio from biological samples.
Protein-Amino Acid Metabolism Disarrangements: The Hidden Enemy of Chronic Age-Related Conditions
Authors: Pasini Evasio , Corsetti Giovanni , Aquilani Roberto , Romano Claudia , Picca Anna , Calvani Riccardo , Dioguardi Francesco
Published: March 2018

Proteins are macro-molecules crucial for cell life, which are made up of amino acids (AAs). In healthy people, protein synthesis and degradation are well balanced. However, in the presence of hypercatabolic stimulation (i.e., inflammation), protein breakdown increases as the resulting AAs are consumed for metabolic proposes. Indeed, AAs are biochemical totipotent molecules which, when deaminated, can be transformed into energy, lipids, carbohydrates, and/or biochemical intermediates of fundamental cycles, such as the Krebs’ cycle. The biochemical consequence of hyper-catabolism is protein disarrangement, clinically evident with signs such as sarcopenia, hypalbuminemia, anaemia, infection, and altered fluid compartmentation, etc. Hypercatabolic protein disarrangement (HPD) is often underestimated by clinicians, despite correlating with increased mortality, hospitalization, and morbidity quite independent of the primary disease. Simple, cheap, repeatable measurements can be used to identify HPD. Therefore, identification and treatment of proteins’ metabolic impairment with appropriate measurements and therapy is a clinical strategy that could improve the prognosis of patients with acute/chronic hypercatabolic inflammatory disease. Here, we describe the metabolism of protein and AAs in hypercatabolic syndrome, illustrating the clinical impact of protein disarrangement. We also illustrate simple, cheap, repeatable, and worldwide available measurements to identify these conditions. Finally, we provide scientific evidence for HPD nutritional treatment.
Effects of Dietary Fatty Acids in Pancreatic Beta Cell Metabolism, Implications in Homeostasis
Authors: Acosta-Montaño Paloma , García-González Víctor
Published: March 2018

Fatty acids are involved in several metabolic processes, including the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years a disease that has received escalated interest is type 2 diabetes (T2D). Many contributing factors including a high-caloric diet rich in dietary saturated fats have been broadly characterized as triggers of T2D. Insulin resistance resulting from a high saturated fat diet leads to alterations in lipid cellular intake and accumulation which generate lipotoxic conditions, a key phenomenon in the metabolism of β-cells. Alternatively, unsaturated fatty acids have been described to show opposite effects in pancreatic β-cells. The purpose of this work is to perform a critical analysis of the complex role of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in β-cell metabolism. We discuss the diverse effects main dietary fatty acids have upon pancreatic β-cell metabolism as a key factor to maintain homeostasis by focusing in the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of T2D. For instance, modifications in protein homeostasis as well as the intracellular management of lipid metabolism which are associated with inflammatory pathways. These conditions initiate critical metabolic rearrangements, that in turn have repercussions on insulin β-cell metabolism. This review allows an integral and broad understanding of different functions of fatty acids inside β-cells, being important metabolites for novel therapeutic targets in T2D treatment.
Empathy and Vicarious Experience. Congruence or Identical Emotion?
Authors: Brunsteins Patricia
Published: March 2018

Feeling empathy is something that happens, an experience we can remember once we have had it, or an experience we would like to have. I consider empathy, from an integral point of view (i.e., cognitive and emotive aspects are part of empathy), as the capacity of putting oneself in the place of others. Although, by this time, my general characterization of empathy will not be discussed, I will focus on one question about empathy for which there is still no agreement: whether the emotion of the person experiencing empathy must be identical or not to the emotion felt by the person being empathized with. The aim of this work is, firstly, to reduce the four possibilities about the relationship between the empathizer’s emotion and the emotion felt by the person who is the target of empathy to two exhaustive and exclusive views: (1) the idea of identity of emotions between the empathizer and the target and (2) the point of view of the congruence of emotions between the empathizer and the target, both being cases of personal emotional experiences. Secondly, I suggest that these possibilities may make up an exclusive disjunctive argument, showing that problems with the first part of the argument or the premise would lead us to accept the second part: to feel empathy we do not need to feel exactly the same emotion that the object of empathy feels.
Response of Weeping Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) to Compost-Based Growing Media and Electrical Conductivity Level in Soilless Culture: First Evidence
Authors: Cristiano Giuseppe , Vuksani Gjok , Tufarelli Vincenzo , De Lucia Barbara
Published: March 2018

The most common substrate for potted ornamental plants is prepared with Sphagnum peat; however, the cost and declining availability of high-quality peat, due to environmental constraints, make it necessary to investigate for alternative organic materials. The present study aimed to determine the effects of partial compost replacement with peat and the optimum electrical conductivity (EC) level of the nutrient solution in potted weeping lantana [L. montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq.] under a recirculating soilless system. Three compost-based substrates were prepared by mixing peat (Pe) with sewage sludge-based compost (Co.) at a rate of 0% (Pe90Co0Pu10, control), 30% (Pe60Co30Pu10), or 60% (Pe30Co60Pu10), respectively. The soilless recirculated closed system was equipped with two different EC levels (high and low) of nutrient solution. Growing media main characteristics and plant bio-morphometric parameters were evaluated. Our first evidence clearly demonstrates that the replacement of peat with compost at doses of 30% and 60% gave the poorest results for plant diameter, shoots, leaves, flowers, and fresh and dry mass, probably indicating that the physical characteristics of the compost based substrates may be the major factor governing plant growth rate. Compost media pH and EC values, too, showed negative effects on plant growth. Considering the effect of EC level, all morphological traits were significantly improved by high EC compared to low EC in weeping lantana. Thus, based on first evidence, further research is needed on organic materials for the establishment of ecological substrates with optimal physicochemical characteristics for the growth of weeping lantana.
Flexible Adhesive in Composite-to-Brick Strengthening—Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Kwiecień Arkadiusz , Krajewski Piotr , Hojdys Łukasz , Tekieli Marcin , Słoński Marek
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates composite-to-brick strengthening systems with flexible adhesive made of polyurethane (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polyurethane (CFRPU) and Steel Reinforced Polyurethane (SRPU)) and epoxy resin (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and Steel Reinforced Polymer (SRP). The specimens were tested in a single lap shear test (SLST). LVDT displacement transducers (LVDT – Linear Variable Differential Transformer) and digital image correlation method (DIC) based measurement systems were used to measure displacements and strains. The obtained results were applied in a numerical analysis of the 3D model of the SLST specimen, with flexible adhesives modeled as a hyper-elastic model. The DIC and LVDT based systems demonstrated a good correlation. Experimental and numerical analysis confirmed that composite-to-brick strengthening systems with flexible adhesives are more effective on brittle substrates than stiff ones, as they are able to reduce stress concentrations and more evenly distribute stress along the entire bonded length, thus having a higher load carrying capacity.
Assessment of On-Site Treatment Process of Institutional Building’s Wastewater
Authors: Saidan Motasem , Al-Yazjeen Haifa , Abdalla Ahlam , Khasawneh Hussam , Al-Naimat Hanan , Al Alami Nivin , Adawy Malik , Jaber Mahmoud , Sowan Nidal
Published: March 2018

This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-site wastewater treatment unit on the basis of the testing and measurement data of the samples that were taken during the study monitored period (August 2017 to January 2018). For this purpose, samples were taken on a weekly basis from the treated wastewater effluent and five quality parameters (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, E-coli counts) were monitored and measured. The average values of the five parameters were compared with the Jordanian standard maximum values, and water reuse in irrigation of plants classifications have been assessed and investigated. Average values of BOD, COD, TSS, pH, and E-coli in treated wastewater were 11 mg/L, 104 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 7.51, and 387 counts, respectively. The installation of in-line ultraviolet (UV) unit in recirculating delivery system played a vital role in the reduction of counts far below the permissible maximum level (1000 counts). Based on national and international standards and criteria, results showed that the treated wastewater is suitable for the irrigation of two classifications of plants: (i) Fruit trees, road-green sides outside cities, and green landscape; (ii) Crops, commercial crops, and forest trees. Hence, such very low water flow rate treatment system can be utilized in refugees’ camps and water scarce residential areas in Jordan.
The Secretome and N-Glycosylation Profiles of the Charophycean Green Alga, Penium margaritaceum, Resemble Those of Embryophytes
Authors: Ruiz-May Eliel , Sørensen Iben , Fei Zhangjun , Zhang Sheng , Domozych David , Rose Jocelyn
Published: March 2018

The secretome can be defined as the population of proteins that are secreted into the extracellular environment. Many proteins that are secreted by eukaryotes are N-glycosylated. However, there are striking differences in the diversity and conservation of N-glycosylation patterns between taxa. For example, the secretome and N-glycosylation structures differ between land plants and chlorophyte green algae, but it is not clear when this divergence took place during plant evolution. A potentially valuable system to study this issue is provided by the charophycean green algae (CGA), which is the immediate ancestors of land plants. In this study, we used lectin affinity chromatography (LAC) coupled with mass spectrometry to characterize the secretome including secreted N-glycoproteins of Penium margaritaceum, which is a member of the CGA. The identified secreted proteins and N-glycans were compared to those known from the chlorophyte green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the model land plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, to establish their evolutionary context. Our approach allowed the identification of cell wall proteins and proteins modified with N-glycans that are identical to those of embryophytes, which suggests that the P. margaritaceum secretome is more closely related to those of land plants than to those of chlorophytes. The results of this study support the hypothesis that many of the proteins associated with plant cell wall modification as well as other extracellular processes evolved prior to the colonization of terrestrial habitats.
Transcending Gender: Female Non-Buddhists’ Experiences of the Vipassanā Meditation Retreat
Authors: Schedneck Brooke
Published: March 2018

Female non-Buddhists have been writing detailed descriptions of their personal experiences in vipassanā meditation retreats since the 1960s. These memoirists relate to the English-speaking world their experience of the retreat process and self-transformations. Early memoirists traveled Asia in order to learn and practice vipassanā meditation. These memoirs are as much about the meditation practice itself as living in an Asian culture. The mindfulness craze, beginning in the late 2000s, brought with it increased awareness of vipassanā practice. At this time we see a renewed interest in recording vipassanā retreat experiences, but these are even more personal and not concerned with travel, as many vipassanā meditation retreats are now available outside of Asia. I consider four female memoirists: Marie Byles and Jane Hamilton-Smith, writing in the 1960s and 1970s, and Raji Lukkoor, and Jennifer Howd, whose memoirs appeared in 2010 and 2014, respectively. These women’s writings demonstrate that, although non-Buddhist female meditators understand vipassanā meditation as a nongendered practice, it is still an embodied, gendered experience. Each of these women has different reactions to the female gender on the retreat, from outrage at gender discrimination to acceptance of it, from judgment of female teachers and meditators to revealing a more feminine self.