bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Endothelial Dysfunction in Eight Extreme-Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 Using the Anti-Adrenomedullin Antibody Adrecizumab (HAM8101)
Authors: Karakas Mahir , Jarczak Dominik , Becker Martin , Roedl Kevin , Addo Marylyn M. , Hein Frauke , Bergmann Andreas , Zimmermann Jens , Simon Tim-Philipp , Marx Gernot , Lütgehetmann Marc , Nierhaus Axel , Kluge Stefan
Published: August 2020

Recently, the stabilization of the endothelium has been explicitly identified as a therapeutic goal in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Adrecizumab (HAM8101) is a first-in-class humanized monoclonal anti-Adrenomedullin (anti-ADM) antibody, targeting the sepsis- and inflammation-based vascular and capillary leakage. Within a “treatment on a named-patient basis” approach, Adrecizumab was administered to eight extreme-critically ill COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patients received a single dose of Adrecizumab, which was administered between 1 and 3 days after the initiation of mechanical ventilation. The SOFA (median 12.5) and SAPS-II (median 39) scores clearly documented the population at highest risk. Moreover, six of the patients suffered from acute renal failure, of whom five needed renal replacement therapy. The length of follow-up ranged between 13 and 27 days. Following the Adrecizumab administration, one patient in the low-dose group died at day 4 due to fulminant pulmonary embolism, while four were in stable condition, and three were discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). Within 12 days, the SOFA score, as well as the disease severity score (range 0–16, mirroring critical resources in the ICU, with higher scores indicating more severe illness), decreased in five out of the seven surviving patients (in all high-dose patients). The PaO2/FiO2 increased within 12 days, while the inflammatory parameters C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6 decreased. Importantly, the mortality was lower than expected and calculated by the SOFA score. In conclusion, in this preliminary uncontrolled case series of eight shock patients with life-threatening COVID-19 and ARDS, the administration of Adrecizumab was followed by a favorable outcome. Although the non-controlled design and the small sample size preclude any definitive statement about the potential efficacy of Adrecizumab in critically ill COVID-19 patients, the results of this case series are encouraging.
Multi-Scale Understanding of NMDA Receptor Function in Schizophrenia
Authors: Hyun Jo Soo , Inoue Takafumi , Hayashi-Takagi Akiko
Published: August 2020

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder characterized by disturbances of thought, cognition, and behavior. Despite massive research efforts to date, the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia remain largely unknown. The difficulty of brain research is largely a result of complex interactions between contributory factors at different scales: susceptible gene variants (molecular scale), synaptopathies (synaptic, dendritic, and cell scales), and alterations in neuronal circuits (circuit scale), which together result in behavioral manifestations (individual scale). It is likely that each scale affects the others, from the microscale to the mesoscale to the macroscale, and vice versa. Thus, to consider the intricate complexity of schizophrenia across multiple layers, we introduce a multi-scale, hierarchical view of the nature of this disorder, focusing especially on N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). The reason for placing emphasis on NMDAR is its clinical relevance to schizophrenia, as well as its diverse functions in neurons, including the robust supralinear synaptic integration provided by N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate (NMDA) spikes and the Ca2+ permeability of the NMDAR, which facilitates synaptic plasticity via various calcium-dependent proteins. Here, we review recent evidence implicating NMDARs in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia from the multi-scale perspective. We also discuss recent advances from optical techniques, which provide a powerful tool for uncovering the mechanisms of NMDAR synaptic pathology and their relationships, with subsequent behavioral manifestations.
Treatment of Produced Water with Photocatalysis: Recent Advances, Affecting Factors and Future Research Prospects
Authors: Lin Lu , Jiang Wenbin , Chen Lin , Xu Pei , Wang Huiyao
Published: August 2020

Produced water is the largest byproduct of oil and gas production. Due to the complexity of produced water, especially dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons and high salinity, efficient water treatment technologies are required prior to beneficial use of such waste streams. Photocatalysis has been demonstrated to be effective at degrading recalcitrant organic contaminants, however, there is limited understanding about its application to treating produced water that has a complex and highly variable water composition. Therefore, the determination of the appropriate photocatalysis technique and the operating parameters are critical to achieve the maximum removal of recalcitrant compounds at the lowest cost. The objective of this review is to examine the feasibility of photocatalysis-involved treatment for the removal of contaminants in produced water. Recent studies revealed that photocatalysis was effective at decomposing recalcitrant organic compounds but not for mineralization. The factors affecting decontamination and strategies to improve photocatalysis efficiency are discussed. Further, recent developments and future research prospects on photocatalysis-derived systems for produced water treatment are addressed. Photocatalysis is proposed to be combined with other treatment processes, such as biological treatments, to partially reduce total organic carbon, break down macromolecular organic compounds, increase biodegradability, and reduce the toxicity of produced water.
Performance Improvement of Discretely Modulated Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Untrusted Source via Heralded Hybrid Linear Amplifier
Authors: Zhou Kunlin , Wu Xuelin , Mao Yun , Chen Zhiya , Liao Qin , Guo Ying
Published: August 2020

In practical quantum communication networks, the scheme of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) faces a challenge that the entangled source is controlled by a malicious eavesdropper, and although it still can generate a positive key rate and security, its performance needs to be improved, especially in secret key rate and maximum transmission distance. In this paper, we proposed a method based on the four-state discrete modulation and a heralded hybrid linear amplifier to enhance the performance of CVQKD where the entangled source originates from malicious eavesdropper. The four-state CVQKD encodes information by nonorthogonal coherent states in phase space. It has better transmission distance than Gaussian modulation counterpart, especially at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, the hybrid linear amplifier concatenates a deterministic linear amplifier (DLA) and a noiseless linear amplifier (NLA), which can improve the probability of amplification success and reduce the noise penalty caused by the measurement. Furthermore, the hybrid linear amplifier can raise the SNR of CVQKD and tune between two types of performance for high-gain mode and high noise-reduction mode, therefore it can extend the maximal transmission distance while the entangled source is untrusted.
Effect of the Great Crisis on Sectoral Female Employment in Europe: A Structural Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Barba Izaskun , Iraizoz Belen
Published: August 2020

Sectoral gender segregation in labor markets is a fact. This paper examines the female distribution of employment by sectors in the EU 28, thereby contributing to the literature on the effects of the recession and subsequent austerity measures on female employment. An input-output model and structural decomposition analysis are used to assess the contribution of factors such as technological change, productivity change and final demand change. The latter had a positive impact over the period of analysis by creating new job opportunities for women, especially in the public service sectors, whereas productivity growth had a negative impact, particularly in the private service sectors. These changes have resulted in a reduction in the level of gender sectoral segregation; change in household expenditure again is the main driver of this reduction. Changing trends in labor requirements and gross capital formation have the opposite effect; thus, these trends increase the level of sectoral segregation.
Short-Transient Discrete Time-Variant Filter Dedicated for Correction of the Dynamic Response of Force/Torque Sensors
Authors: Okoniewski Piotr , Osypiuk Rafał , Piskorowski Jacek
Published: August 2020

The perception of touch opens new perspectives for so-called ’intelligent robotics’. Force/torque sensors are currently a key component of autonomous assembly processes or of the dynamically developing sector of collaborative robots. Response time is a critical parameter of force control, which has a direct effect on impact forces when the robot initiates contact with the environment. This paper indicates parameters of one of commercial force/torque sensors by JR3, in particular, its pre-defined low-pass filters. Their stationary nature introduces i.e. significant delay in the time domain, resulting in a negative impact on the overall dynamics of force control. To remedy the problem, our proposed approach is to employ a novel discrete time-variant filter with appropriately modulated parameters, owing to which it is possible to suppress the amplitude of the transient response and, at the same time, to increase the pulsation of damped oscillations; this results in the improvement of the dynamic properties in terms of reducing the duration of transients. Differences between a commercial, stationary filter and the recommended discrete time-variant filter have been shown experimentally, using a dedicated test environment.
Series of Combined Pretreatment Can Affect the Solubilization of Waste-Activated Sludge
Authors: Mostafa Alsayed , Kim Min-Gyun , Im Seongwon , Lee Mo-Kwon , Kang Seoktae , Kim Dong-Hoon
Published: August 2020

Various pretreatment methods have been combined and employed for maximizing the solubilization of waste-activated sludge (WAS). However, the question “by changing the series of applied combined pretreatments (CPs), can the solubilization efficiency of WAS be affected?” has never been addressed. In this study, firstly, thermal (T), alkaline (A), and ultrasonic (U) pretreatments were individually applied at broad strengths (T = 80–120 °C for 30 min, A = pH 9–12, and U = 5–60 min at 300 W). Then, pretreatment conditions that caused similar solubilization (13.0%) (120 °C, pH 11, and 30 min for T, A, and U, respectively), were adopted for CP with reverse sequences of T&A, U&A, and T&U. A similar disintegration degree was observed in U→A and A→U, while a meaningful difference was found in T&A and T&U: T→A (28.3%), A→T (42.9%), T→U (22.9%), and U→T (27.1%). The difference in pretreatment series also affected the characteristics of soluble matters, which was analyzed by excitation emission matrix and molecular weight distribution. Due to these differences, the highest methane yield of 68.8% (based on (chemical oxygen demand) CODinput) was achieved at A→T, compared to T→A (62.3%). Our results suggested a simple strategy for increasing solubilization, at the same expense of energy, which might be beneficial in the following treatment process, such as dewatering and transportation.
Optimization of Apartment-Complex Layout Planning for Daylight Accessibility in a High-Density City with a Temperate Climate
Authors: Lee Sewon , Lee Kyung Sun
Published: August 2020

As interest in sustainable design increases, many methods have been suggested to develop an integrated sustainable design process. However, due to the lack of a scientific procedure using parametric tools for an objective evaluation, it is difficult to move forward with integrated sustainable design. In addition, the design priority of the indoor environment is still relatively low because of the score composition of the green-building certification system. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a simulation tool and method to help apartment-complex layout planning in urban contexts by focusing on the indoor daylight environment. In particular, Korean cities are densely formed with high-rise buildings in a small area, so the Korean Building Act has complicated provisions to reduce overshadowing between buildings. To reduce unnecessary wasted time while checking these complicated regulations, a simulation was used to automatically check building offsets. Galapagos, a component of Rhino-Grasshopper, was used to apply a genetic algorithm that discovered optimized results. A standard flat-type apartment complex in Seoul was analyzed with the developed tools in order to compare the existing plan with an optimized layout. The results of the simulation and the suggested analysis methods can help in the initial planning stages of an integrated sustainable design in a high-density city with a temperate climate. This allows architects to utilize the proposed results or use them as a reference for further modification and design.
Laboratory Testing of Novel Polyfraction Nanoemulsion for EOR Processes in Carbonate Formations
Authors: Kasza Piotr , Czupski Marek , Wilk Klaudia , Masłowski Mateusz , Moska Rafał , Leśniak Łukasz
Published: August 2020

Nanoemulsions and polymers are widely used for increasing the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. The application of both these additives enables the synergistic use of several physical phenomena that are crucial to the process. One of the methods used for assessing these processes is laboratory core flooding tests using natural cores. In various experiments, carbonate rocks are subjected to oil displacement under high pressure and temperature. Polymer solutions and a newly developed polyfraction nanoemulsion are tested. The test results confirm the usefulness of these products for EOR processes and demonstrate their stability under high pressure, high temperature, and in the presence of H2S. Under these conditions the polymers maintain high efficiency in displacing crude oil from carbonate rocks, while the tested nanoemulsion improves the wettability of carbonate rocks and reduces interfacial tension, factors which increase the efficiency of oil displacement.The best result in the laboratory EOR simulation was obtained for polymer and nanoemulsion concentrations in dilute reservoir water of 0.05% and 1%, respectively. In this case, the measured oil recovery was 37.5% higher than that obtained when using water without additives.
Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)
Authors: Krajter Ostoić Silvija , Marin Ana Marija , Kičić Martina , Vuletić Dijana
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.
Multifaceted Roles of DNA Methylation in Neoplastic Transformation, from Tumor Suppressors to EMT and Metastasis
Authors: Casalino Laura , Verde Pasquale
Published: August 2020

Among the major mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis, DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification impacting both genomic stability and gene expression. Methylation of promoter-proximal CpG islands (CGIs) and transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressors represent the best characterized epigenetic changes in neoplastic cells. The global cancer-associated effects of DNA hypomethylation influence chromatin architecture and reactivation of repetitive elements. Moreover, recent analyses of cancer cell methylomes highlight the role of the DNA hypomethylation of super-enhancer regions critically controlling the expression of key oncogenic players. We will first summarize some basic aspects of DNA methylation in tumorigenesis, along with the role of dysregulated DNA methyltransferases and TET (Ten-Eleven Translocation)-family methylcytosine dioxygenases. We will then examine the potential contribution of epimutations to causality and heritability of cancer. By reviewing some representative genes subjected to hypermethylation-mediated silencing, we will survey their oncosuppressor functions and roles as biomarkers in various types of cancer. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the gain of stem-like properties are critically involved in cancer cell dissemination, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. However, the driver vs passenger roles of epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation in EMT, are still poorly understood. Therefore, we will focus our attention on several aspects of DNA methylation in control of EMT and metastasis suppressors, including both protein-coding and noncoding genes.
Progesterone Receptor Coregulators as Factors Supporting the Function of the Corpus Luteum in Cows
Authors: Rekawiecki Robert , Dobrzyn Karolina , Kotwica Jan , Kowalik Magdalena K.
Published: August 2020

Progesterone receptor (PGR) for its action required connection of the coregulatory proteins, including coactivators and corepressors. The former group exhibits a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, while the latter cooperates with histone deacetylase (HDAC). Regulations of the coregulators mRNA and protein and HAT and HDAC activity can have an indirect effect on the PGR function and thus progesterone (P4) action on target cells. The highest mRNA expression levels for the coactivators—histone acetyltransferase p300 (P300), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1)—and nuclear receptor corepressor-2 (NCOR-2) were found in the corpus luteum (CL) on days 6 to 16 of the estrous cycle. The CREB protein level was higher on days 2–10, whereas SRC-1 and NCOR-2 were higher on days 2–5. The activity of HAT and HDAC was higher on days 6–10 of the estrous cycle. All of the coregulators were localized in the nuclei of small and large luteal cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the examined coactivators and corepressor changed with the P4 level. Thus, P4 may regulate CL function via the expression of coregulators, which probably affects the activity of the PGR.
Stopping the Drop: Examining the Impact of a Pilot Physical Literacy-Based Intervention Program on Physical Activity Behaviours and Fitness during the Transition into University
Authors: Kwan Matthew Y. W. , Graham Jeffrey D. , Healey Cierra , Paolucci Natalie , Brown Denver M.
Published: August 2020

The move to university is a major life transition associated with precipitous declines in physical activity (PA). While it remains unclear how these declines can be best attenuated, the concept of physical literacy (PL) or enhancements of PL may be a promising modality to promote PA during life transitions. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a pilot PL-based intervention on PA and fitness for students transitioning into university. Participants included 65 first-year students (Mage = 17.85 ± 0.51; n = 46 females), enrolled in a quasi-experimental study. Intervention participants (n = 26) participated in a 12-week novel movement skills program conducted in a group-based environment. Results from the 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA found moderate effects in the time by condition interaction F(1,56) = 2.70, p = 0.11, ηp2 = 0.08 for PA behaviors as well as for estimated cardiorespiratory fitness F(1,61) = 8.35, p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.12. Findings from our pilot program suggest that PL may be an effective modality to help first-year university students maintain fitness and attenuate the declines in PA behaviors when transitioning into university. Similar trials with larger samples are required.
Psychometric Properties of the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory in Ecuador
Authors: Aparicio-Flores María Pilar , Vicent María , Sanmartín Ricardo , Gonzálvez Carolina , Freire-Andino Roberto Ovidio , García-Fernández José Manuel
Published: August 2020

Perfectionistic Automatic Thoughts (PATs) are currently being studied due to their association with maladaptive variables. This study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) in a sample of Ecuadorian undergraduates as well as to analyze latent mean differences across sex. The sample was composed by 3060 undergraduates (Mage = 22.7, SD = 2.46). The Spanish model of the PCI composed by 17 items divided into three first-order dimensions (perfectionistic concerns, strivings, and demands) and a second-order factor was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Acceptable levels of reliability and factorial invariance across sex were observed. Higher latent mean scores for males in comparison with females in the second-order factor of the PCI were found. The three dimensions of the PCI significantly and positively correlated with interpersonal difficulties. Overall, results demonstrate that the Spanish version of the PCI is a valid and reliable measure to evaluate PATs in Ecuadorian undergraduates.
Doctors’ Extended Shifts as Risk to Practitioner and Patient: South Africa as a Case Study
Authors: Kotze Koot , van der Westhuizen Helene-Mari , van Loggerenberg Eldi , Jawitz Farah , Ehrlich Rodney
Published: August 2020

Extended shifts are common in medical practice. This is when doctors are required to work continuously for more than 16 h, with little or no rest, often without a maximum limit. These shifts have been a part of medical practice for more than a century. Research on the impact of fatigue presents compelling evidence that extended shifts increase the risk of harm to patients and practitioners. However, where the number of doctors is limited and their workloads are not easily reduced, there are numerous barriers to reform. Some of these include a perceived lack of safer alternatives, concerns about continuity of care, trainee education, and doctors’ preferences. As such, working hour reorganisation has been contentious globally. South Africa, a middle-income country where extended shifts are unregulated for most doctors, offers a useful case study of reform efforts. The South African Safe Working Hours campaign has promoted working hour reorganization through multi-level advocacy efforts, although extended shifts remain common. We propose that extended shifts should be regarded as an occupational hazard under health and safety legislation. We suggest options for managing the risks of extended shifts by adapting the hierarchy of controls for occupational hazards. Despite the challenges reform pose, the practice of unregulated extended shifts should not continue.
Reducing Consumer Uncertainty: Towards an Ontology for Geospatial User-Centric Metadata
Authors: Ziaimatin Hasti , Nili Alireza , Barros Alistair
Published: August 2020

With the increased use of geospatial datasets across heterogeneous user groups and domains, assessing fitness-for-use is emerging as an essential task. Users are presented with an increasing choice of data from various portals, repositories, and clearinghouses. Consequently, comparing the quality and evaluating fitness-for-use of different datasets presents major challenges for spatial data users. While standardization efforts have significantly improved metadata interoperability, the increasing choice of metadata standards and their focus on data production rather than potential data use and application, renders typical metadata documents insufficient for effectively communicating fitness-for-use. Thus, research has focused on the challenge of communicating fitness-for-use of geospatial data, proposing a more “user-centric” approach to geospatial metadata. We present the Geospatial User-Centric Metadata ontology (GUCM) for communicating fitness-for-use of spatial datasets to users in the spatial and other domains, to enable them to make informed data source selection decisions. GUCM enables metadata description for various components of a dataset in the context of different application domains. It captures producer-supplied and user-described metadata in structured format using concepts from domain-independent ontologies. This facilitates interoperability between spatial and nonspatial metadata on open data platforms and provides the means for searching/discovering spatial data based on user-specified quality and fitness-for-use criteria.
Neuroimmune Response in Natural Preclinical Scrapie after Dexamethasone Treatment
Authors: Guijarro Isabel M. , Garcés Moisés , Marín Belén , Otero Alicia , Barrio Tomás , Badiola Juan J. , Monzón Marta
Published: August 2020

A recently published report on chronic dexamethasone treatment for natural scrapie supported the hypothesis of the potential failure of astroglia in the advanced stage of disease. Herein, we aimed to extend the aforementioned study on the effect of this anti-inflammatory therapy to the initial phase of scrapie, with the aim of elucidating the natural neuroinflammatory process occurring in this neurodegenerative disorder. The administration of this glucocorticoid resulted in an outstanding reduction in vacuolation and aberrant protein deposition (nearly null), and an increase in glial activation. Furthermore, evident suppression of IL-1R and IL-6 and the exacerbation of IL-1α, IL-2R, IL-10R and IFNγR were also demonstrated. Consequently, the early stage of the disease is characterized by an intact neuroglial response similar to that of healthy individuals attempting to re-establish homeostasis. A complex network of neuroinflammatory markers is involved from the very early stages of this prion disease, which probably becomes impaired in the more advanced stages. The in vivo animal model used herein provides essential observations on the pathogenesis of natural scrapie, as well as the possibility of establishing neuroglia as potential target cells for anti-inflammatory therapy.
Predicting the Development of Anti-Drug Antibodies against Recombinant alpha-Galactosidase A in Male Patients with Classical Fabry Disease
Authors: van der Veen Sanne J. , Vlietstra Wytze J. , van Dussen Laura , van Kuilenburg André B.P. , Dijkgraaf Marcel G. W. , Lenders Malte , Brand Eva , Wanner Christoph , Hughes Derralynn , Elliott Perry M. , Hollak Carla E. M. , Langeveld Mirjam
Published: August 2020

Fabry Disease (FD) is a rare, X-linked, lysosomal storage disease that mainly causes renal, cardiac and cerebral complications. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant alpha-galactosidase A is available, but approximately 50% of male patients with classical FD develop inhibiting anti-drug antibodies (iADAs) that lead to reduced biochemical responses and an accelerated loss of renal function. Once immunization has occurred, iADAs tend to persist and tolerization is hard to achieve. Here we developed a pre-treatment prediction model for iADA development in FD using existing data from 120 classical male FD patients from three European centers, treated with ERT. We found that nonsense and frameshift mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene (p = 0.05), higher plasma lysoGb3 at baseline (p < 0.001) and agalsidase beta as first treatment (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with iADA development. Prediction performance of a Random Forest model, using multiple variables (AUC-ROC: 0.77) was compared to a logistic regression (LR) model using the three significantly associated variables (AUC-ROC: 0.77). The LR model can be used to determine iADA risk in individual FD patients prior to treatment initiation. This helps to determine in which patients adjusted treatment and/or immunomodulatory regimes may be considered to minimize iADA development risk.
A Multi-Keyword Searchable Encryption Scheme Based on Probability Trapdoor over Encryption Cloud Data
Authors: Ping Yuan , Song Wei , Zhang Zhili , Wang Weiping , Wang Baocang
Published: August 2020

With the rapid development of cloud computing, massive data are transferred to cloud servers for storage and management savings. For privacy concerns, data should be encrypted before being uploaded. In the encrypted-domain (ED), however, many data computing methods working in the plain-domain are no longer applicable. Data retrieval has become a significant obstacle to cloud storage services. To break through this limitation, we propose a multi-keyword searchable encryption scheme by introducing probability trapdoors. Firstly, a keywords probability trapdoor is established to ensure that the scheme can resist indistinguishable attacks. Based on the keywords trapdoor, we present the keywords vector to make the scheme realize multi-keyword search in the process of data retrieval in the ED. Both security and performance analysis confirm the advantages of the proposed scheme in terms of search functionality and complexity.
Metabolic Activity of Human Embryos after Thawing Differs in Atmosphere with Different Oxygen Concentrations
Authors: Ješeta Michal , Celá Andrea , Žáková Jana , Mádr Aleš , Crha Igor , Glatz Zdeněk , Kempisty Bartosz , Ventruba Pavel
Published: August 2020

The vitrification of human embryos is more and more frequently being utilized as a method of assisted reproduction. For this technique, gentle treatment of the embryos after thawing is crucial. In this study, the balance of amino acids released to/consumed from the cultivation media surrounding the warmed embryos was observed in the context of a cultivation environment, which was with the atmospheric oxygen concentration ≈20% or with a regulated oxygen level—hysiological (5%). It is the first time that total amino acid turnover in human embryos after their freezing at post compaction stages has been evaluated. During this study, progressive embryos (developed to blastocyst stage) and stagnant embryos (without developmental progression) were analyzed. It was observed that the embryos cultivated in conditions of physiological oxygen levels (5% oxygen) showed a significantly lower consumption of amino acids from the cultivation media. Progressively developing embryos also had significantly lower total amino acid turnovers (consumption and production of amino acids) when cultured in conditions with physiological oxygen levels. Based on these results it seems that a cultivation environment with a reduced oxygen concentration decreases the risk of degenerative changes in the embryos after thawing. Therefore, the cultivation of thawed embryos in an environment with physiological oxygen levels may preclude embryonal stagnation, and can support the further development of human embryos after their thawing.
Altered GH-IGF-1 Axis in Severe Obese Subjects is Reversed after Bariatric Surgery-Induced Weight Loss and Related with Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Juiz-Valiña Paula , Pena-Bello Lara , Cordido Maria , Outeiriño-Blanco Elena , Pértega Sonia , Varela-Rodriguez Barbara , Garcia-Brao Maria Jesus , Mena Enrique , Sangiao-Alvarellos Susana , Cordido Fernando
Published: August 2020

Endocrine disorders are common in obesity, including altered somatotropic axis. Obesity is characterized by reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion, although the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) values are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery in the GH–IGF-1 axis in extreme obesity, in order to investigate IGF-1 values and the mechanism responsible for the alteration of the GH–IGF-1 axis in obesity. We performed an interventional trial in morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. We included 116 patients (97 women) and 41 controls (30 women). The primary endpoint was circulating GH and IGF-1 values. Circulating IGF-1 values were lower in the obese patients than in the controls. Circulating GH and IGF-1 values increased significantly over time after surgery. Post-surgery changes in IGF-1 and GH values were significantly negatively correlated with changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and free T4 values. After adjusting for preoperative body mass index (BMI), free T4 and CRP in a multivariate model, only CRP was independently associated with IGF-1 values in the follow-up. In summary, severe obesity is characterized by a functional hyposomatotropism at central and peripheral level that is progressively reversible with weight loss, and low-grade chronic inflammation could be the principal mediator.
Oleic Acid Protects Against Insulin Resistance by Regulating the Genes Related to the PI3K Signaling Pathway
Authors: López-Gómez Carlos , Santiago-Fernández Concepción , García-Serrano Sara , García-Escobar Eva , Gutiérrez-Repiso Carolina , Rodríguez-Díaz Cristina , Ho-Plágaro Ailec , Martín-Reyes Flores , Garrido-Sánchez Lourdes , Valdés Sergio , Rodríguez-Cañete Alberto , Rodríguez-Pacheco Francisca , García-Fuentes Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Background: The effects of different types of fatty acids on the gene expression of key players in the IRS1/PI3K signaling pathway have been poorly studied. Material and Methods: We analyzed IRS1, p85α, and p110β mRNA expression and the fatty acid composition of phospholipids in visceral adipose tissue from patients with morbid obesity and from non-obese patients. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of those genes in visceral adipocytes incubated with oleic, linoleic, palmitic and dosahexaenoic acids. Results: We found a reduced IRS1 expression in patients with morbid obesity, independent of insulin resistance, and a reduced p110β expression in those with lower insulin resistance. A positive correlation was found between p85α and stearic acid, and between IRS1 and p110β with palmitic and dosahexaenoic acid. In contrast, a negative correlation was found between p85α and oleic acid, and between IRS1 and p110β with linoleic, arachidonic and adrenic acid. Incubation with palmitic acid decreased IRS1 expression. p85α was down-regulated after incubation with oleic and dosahexaenoic acid and up-regulated with palmitic acid. p110β expression was increased and decreased after incubation with oleic and palmitic acid, respectively. The ratio p85α/p110β was decreased by oleic and dosahexaenoic acid and increased by palmitic acid. Conclusions: Our in vitro results suggest a detrimental role of palmitic acid on the expression of gene related to insulin signaling pathway, with oleic acid being the one with the higher and more beneficial effects. DHA had a slight beneficial effect. Fatty acid-induced regulation of genes related to the IRS1/PI3K pathway may be a novel mechanism by which fatty acids regulate insulin sensitivity in visceral adipocytes.
Global Longitudinal Strain at Rest as an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Liver Transplant Candidates: A Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Mechelinck Mare , Hartmann Bianca , Hamada Sandra , Becker Michael , Andert Anne , Ulmer Tom Florian , Neumann Ulf Peter , Wirtz Theresa Hildegard , Koch Alexander , Trautwein Christian , Roehl Anna Bettina , Rossaint Rolf , Hein Marc
Published: August 2020

Speckle tracking echocardiography enables the detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction at rest in many heart diseases and potentially in severe liver diseases. It could also possibly serve as a predictor for survival. In this study, 117 patients evaluated for liver transplantation in a single center between May 2010 and April 2016 with normal left ventricular ejection fraction were included according to clinical characteristics of their liver disease: (1) compensated (n = 29), (2) clinically significant portal hypertension (n = 49), and (3) decompensated (n = 39). Standard echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed at rest and during dobutamine stress. Follow-up amounted to three years to evaluate survival and major cardiac events. Altogether 67% (78/117) of the patients were transplanted and 32% (31/96 patients) died during the three-year follow-up period. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest was significantly increased (became more negative) with the severity of liver disease (p < 0.001), but reached comparable values in all groups during peak stress. Low (less negative) GLS values at rest (male: >−17/female: >−18%) could predict patient survival in a multivariate Cox regression analysis (p = 0.002). GLS proved valuable in identifying transplant candidates with latent systolic dysfunction.
Current Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease: From CSF to Blood
Authors: Zou Kun , Abdullah Mohammad , Michikawa Makoto
Published: August 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and affects a large portion of the elderly population worldwide. Currently, a diagnosis of AD depends on the clinical symptoms of dementia, magnetic resonance imaging to determine brain volume, and positron emission tomography imaging to detect brain amyloid or tau deposition. The best characterized biological fluid markers for AD are decreased levels of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) 42 and increased levels of phosphorylated tau and total tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, less invasive and easily detectable biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD, especially at the early stage, are still under development. Here, we provide an overview of various biomarkers identified in CSF and blood for the diagnostics of AD over the last 25 years. CSF biomarkers that reflect the three hallmarks of AD, amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and neurodegeneration, are well established. Based on the need to start treatment in asymptomatic people with AD and to screen for AD risk in large numbers of young, healthy individuals, the development of biomarkers for AD is shifting from CSF to blood. Elements of the core pathogenesis of AD in blood, including Aβ42, tau proteins, plasma proteins, or lipids have shown their usefulness and capabilities in AD diagnosis. We also highlight some novel identified blood biomarkers (including Aβ42/Aβ43, p-tau 181, Aβ42/APP669-711, structure of Aβ in blood, and flotillin) for AD.
A Study on Laser Enhanced Electrodeposition for Preparation Fe-Ni Alloy
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyang , Wu Yucheng , Wang Anbin , Xu Kun , Dai Xueren , Zhu Hao , Yang Shuai
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a method of laser enhanced electrodeposition is used for preparation of Fe-Ni alloy, which exhibits a significant advantage in fabrication of alloys. The effect of laser energy on Fe-Ni alloy electrodeposition by the manner of reciprocating scanning is studied. Results show that laser irradiation can improve the surface morphology, micro-structure and mechanical properties of Fe-Ni alloy. The results are useful for the development of a new method to synthesize Fe-Ni alloy with better properties.
Bonferroni Probabilistic Ordered Weighted Averaging Operators Applied to Agricultural Commodities’ Price Analysis
Authors: Espinoza-Audelo Luis F. , Olazabal-Lugo Maricruz , Blanco-Mesa Fabio , León-Castro Ernesto , Alfaro-Garcia Victor
Published: August 2020

Financial markets have been characterized in recent years by their uncertainty and volatility. The price of assets is always changing so that the decisions made by consumers, producers, and governments about different products is not still accurate. In this situation, it is necessary to generate models that allow the incorporation of the knowledge and expectations of the markets and thus include in the results obtained not only the historical information, but also the present and future information. The present article introduces a new extension of the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator called the Bonferroni probabilistic ordered weighted average (B-POWA) operator. This operator is designed to unify in a single formulation the interrelation of the values given in a data set by the Bonferroni means and a weighted and probabilistic vector that models the attitudinal character, expectations, and knowledge of the decision-maker of a problem. The paper also studies the main characteristics and some families of the B-POWA operator. An illustrative example is also proposed to analyze the mathematical process of the operator. Finally, an application to corn price estimation designed to calculate the error between the price of an agricultural commodity using the B-POWA operator and a leading global market company is presented. The results show that the proposed operator exhibits a better general performance than the traditional methods.
Involvement of the cbb3-Type Terminal Oxidase in Growth Competition of Bacteria, Biofilm Formation, and in Switching between Denitrification and Aerobic Respiration
Authors: Kučera Igor , Sedláček Vojtěch
Published: August 2020

Paracoccus denitrificans has a branched electron transport chain with three terminal oxidases transferring electrons to molecular oxygen, namely aa3-type and cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidases and ba3-type ubiquinol oxidase. In the present study, we focused on strains expressing only one of these enzymes. The competition experiments showed that possession of cbb3-type oxidase confers significant fitness advantage during oxygen-limited growth and supports the biofilm lifestyle. The aa3-type oxidase was shown to allow rapid aerobic growth at a high oxygen supply. Activity of the denitrification pathway that had been expressed in cells grown anaerobically with nitrate was fully inhibitable by oxygen only in wild-type and cbb3 strains, while in strains aa3 and ba3 dinitrogen production from nitrate and oxygen consumption occurred simultaneously. Together, the results highlight the importance of the cbb3-type oxidase for the denitrification phenotype and suggest a way of obtaining novel bacterial strains capable of aerobic denitrification.
Impacts of Habitual Diets Intake on Gut Microbial Counts in Healthy Japanese Adults
Authors: Sugimoto Takuya , Shima Tatsuichiro , Amamoto Ryuta , Kaga Chiaki , Kado Yukiko , Watanabe Osamu , Shiinoki Junko , Iwazaki Kaoru , Shigemura Hiroko , Tsuji Hirokazu , Matsumoto Satoshi
Published: August 2020

Although diet is an important factor influencing gut microbiota, there are very few studies regarding that relationship in Japanese people. Here, we analyzed the relationship between habitual dietary intake surveyed by food frequency questionnaire and the quantitative features of gut bacteria by quantitative PCR and next generation sequencer in 354 healthy Japanese adults. The α-diversity of gut microbiota was positively correlated with the intake of mushrooms and beans and negatively correlated with the intake of grains. The β-diversity was significantly associated with the intake of fruits, mushrooms, seaweeds, seafoods, and alcoholic beverages. Multiple linear regression analysis of the relationship between food groups associated with the diversity of gut microbiota and the number of gut bacteria at the genus level found 24 significant associations, including a positive association between alcoholic beverages and the number of Fusobacterium. These results support that habitual dietary intake influenced the diversity of gut microbiota and was strongly associated with the number of specific gut bacteria. These results will help us to understand the complex relationship between habitual diet and gut microbiota of the Japanese.
Identifying the Compounds of the Metabolic Elicitors of Pseudomonas fluorescens N 21.4 Responsible for Their Ability to Induce Plant Resistance
Authors: Martin-Rivilla Helena , Gutierrez-Mañero F. Javier , Gradillas Ana , P. Navarro Miguel O. , Andrade Galdino , Lucas José A.
Published: August 2020

In this work, the metabolic elicitors extracted from the beneficial rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens N 21.4 were sequentially fragmented by vacuum liquid chromatography to isolate, purify and identify the compounds responsible for the extraordinary capacities of this strain to induce systemic resistance and to elicit secondary defensive metabolism in diverse plant species. To check if the fractions sequentially obtained were able to increase the synthesis of isoflavones and if, therefore, they still maintained the eliciting capacity of the live strain, rapid and controlled experiments were done with soybean seeds. The optimal action concentration of the fractions was established and all of them elicited isoflavone secondary metabolism—the fractions that had been extracted with n-hexane being more effective. The purest fraction was the one with the highest eliciting capacity and was also tested in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to induce systemic resistance against the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC 3000. This fraction was then analyzed by UHPLC/ESI–QTOF–MS, and an alkaloid, two amino lipids, three arylalkylamines and a terpenoid were tentatively identified. These identified compounds could be part of commercial plant inoculants of biological and sustainable origin to be applied in crops, due to their potential to enhance the plant immune response and since many of them have putative antibiotic and/or antifungal potential.