bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complications in Total Joint Arthroplasties
Authors: Gómez-Barrena Enrique , García-Rey Eduardo
Published: November 2019

Total joint arthroplasties (TJA) are today considered highly successful operations [...]
Urinary Biomarkers α-GST and π-GST for Evaluation and Monitoring in Living and Deceased Donor Kidney Grafts
Authors: Katou Shadi , Globke Brigitta , Morgul M. Haluk , Vogel Thomas , Struecker Benjamin , Otto Natalie Maureen , Reutzel-Selke Anja , Marksteiner Marion , Brockmann Jens G. , Pascher Andreas , Schmitz Volker
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to analyze the value of urine α- and π-GST in monitoring and predicting kidney graft function following transplantation. In addition, urine samples from corresponding organ donors was analyzed and compared with graft function after organ donation from brain-dead and living donors. Urine samples from brain-dead (n = 30) and living related (n = 50) donors and their corresponding recipients were analyzed before and after kidney transplantation. Urine α- and π-GST values were measured. Kidney recipients were grouped into patients with acute graft rejection (AGR), calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNI), and delayed graft function (DGF), and compared to those with unimpaired graft function. Urinary π-GST revealed significant differences in deceased kidney donor recipients with episodes of AGR or DGF at day one after transplantation (p = 0.0023 and p = 0.036, respectively). High π-GST values at postoperative day 1 (cutoff: >21.4 ng/mg urine creatinine (uCrea) or >18.3 ng/mg uCrea for AGR or DGF, respectively) distinguished between rejection and no rejection (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 66.6%) as well as between DGF and normal-functioning grafts (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 62.6%). In living donor recipients, urine levels of α- and π-GST were about 10 times lower than in deceased donor recipients. In deceased donors with impaired graft function in corresponding recipients, urinary α- and π-GST were elevated. α-GST values >33.97 ng/mg uCrea were indicative of AGR with a sensitivity and specificity of 77.7% and 100%, respectively. In deceased donor kidney transplantation, evaluation of urinary α- and π-GST seems to predict different events that deteriorate graft function. To elucidate the potential advantages of such biomarkers, further analysis is warranted.
REDD+ Implementation in Community-Based Muyong Forest Management in Ifugao, Philippines
Authors: Avtar Ram , Tsusaka Kenichi , Herath Srikantha
Published: November 2019

Ifugao province of the Philippines has a traditional muyong forest system that supplies water and prevents soil erosion of the world-famous Ifugao rice terraces. The socio-political structure of Ifugao has been the key to the maintenance and communal use of land, as well as the muyong forest, without causing excessive damage to the land. Recently, the Ifugao is facing various challenges viz. deforestation, slash-and-burn, introduction of commercial rice, and climate change. The aim of the study is to qualitatively assess the forest management practices in the muyong forest and the way forward to implement the United Nations—Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism. Community forestry can be an interesting option to reduce CO2 emissions from deforestation in Ifugao. This study qualitatively explores the societal problems in the area using focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII). The results show that the terracing lifestyle is at risk, due to mounting economic pressures from the domestic economy. Societal changes are altering the perceptions of the youth in terms of muyong sustainable management. They are threatening the sustainability of the terraces in the long-term because of outward migration and less value given to traditional practices. Furthermore, integration of commercial rice is changing the traditional agricultural system and placing less focus on forest maintenance. This study also discusses potential challenges and opportunities of REDD+ intervention and the role of REDD+ to foster sustainable muyong forest management as well as to find new innovative ways to maintain the Ifugao traditional system while coping with the modernization of the Ifugao economy.
The Tenure Guidelines in Policy and Practice: Democratizing Land Control in Guatemala
Authors: Tramel Salena
Published: November 2019

This paper explores the challenges for democratizing land and natural resource control in Guatemala through use of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests (Tenure Guidelines). This international human rights instrument comes at a critical moment, in which the current global land rush has shaped contemporary agrarian transformation with serious implications for the right to food and control of natural resources. The Tenure Guidelines provide us with a unique opportunity to put land and natural resource tenure squarely under the prescriptions of international human rights law, rather than allowing tenure to be subsumed by a narrow understanding of property rights based on civil and merchant law. In Guatemala, we are witnessing a political opening, where the government has incorporated the language of the Tenure Guidelines into its regulatory framework unlike any other country in Latin America. At the same time, the world watches on while a slow-motion coup engulfs the Central American country, reflecting a global trend of gutting democracies and coopting the language and legislation meant to protect them. Thus, the implementation of the Tenure Guidelines is strongly contested by state and corporate actors seeking to use the instrument in order to gain political legitimacy for the expansion of agribusiness like oil palm and sugarcane, and other forms of extractive industry. This paper’s findings indicate that when applied together with a rights-based approach, the Tenure Guidelines are a powerful social and political tool. Such is especially true of the most marginalized populations who require protection and respect for their existing tenure rights, promotion of reforms for better access to and control over land and resources, and restoration of tenure rights resulting from displacement or dispossession.
Image Analysis of Sewage Sludge and Barley Straw as Biological Materials Composted under Different Conditions
Authors: Kujawa Sebastian , Janczak Damian , Mazur Andrzej
Published: November 2019

Composting is one of the most important methods of sewage sludge management. This paper describes the methods of computer image analysis used for objective comparison of the appearance of composted materials under diverse conditions in terms of size and thermal insulation of the composting chambers. The research material was a mixture of sewage sludge and barley straw. The composting process was performed under strictly controlled laboratory conditions, using 10 composting chambers with five different volumes. In half of them additional thermal insulation was used, while in the others no insulation was applied. A proper composting process run was observed only in the three chambers with the largest volume and with additional thermal insulation. The images of the materials were subjected to a wide analysis, wherein the values of 17 parameters regarding color and texture were estimated. Significant differences were observed in the appearances between materials obtained during the properly running composting processes and those obtained in the chambers of insufficient size and thermal insulation. The values of the considered parameters determined for images of the composted material under normal and abnormal conditions were significantly different from each other. Thus, these parameters may be used as indicators of a correctly conducted composting process. In the cases of 15 parameters, the values of these differences exceeded 10%, and in the cases of 10 parameters 50%, while in the cases of three parameters as much as 100%.
Interfacial Bonding and Abrasive Wear Behavior of Iron Matrix Composite Reinforced by Ceramic Particles
Authors: Li Yefei , Li Cong , Tang Shuli , Zheng Qiaoling , Wang Juan , Zhang Zhibo , Wang Zhicheng
Published: November 2019

Using zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) particles and Ni–Ti complex powders as raw materials, high-Cr cast iron reinforced by ZTA particles was prepared by an infiltration casting process. A continuous transition layer formed at the interface between ZTA particles and the Cr15 matrix, which proves that there is strong metallurgical interfacial bonding at the interface. The phases in the Ni–Ti layer of the ZTAP/Fe composite were preserved compared with the microstructure of sintered ZTA ceramic preform. The hardness of the Ni3Ti, TiO and AlNi2Ti phases in the interfacial transition layer was measured by the nano-indentation method, which is 12.5 GPa, 16.1 GPa and 9.2 GPa, respectively. The three-body wear resistance of the composite reached 12.6 times that of high-Cr cast iron.
Experimental Studies on Interfacial Shear Characteristics between Polypropylene Woven Fabrics
Authors: Yi Fu , Li Hui , Zhang Jia , Jiang Xutong , Guan Maocheng
Published: November 2019

Geotextile tubes are used in dam construction because fine tailings are difficult to use. The shear characteristics of geotextile tubes during dam operation are closely related to those of the materials used to construct the tubes. Pull-out tests can accurately reflect the interfacial shear characteristics between geosynthetics in practice, so pull-out tests were carried out for different interfacial types of polypropylene woven fabrics under dry and wet states. The effects of the type of interface and dry-wet states on the interfacial shear characteristics were investigated, and the impact mechanisms were also discussed. The results indicated that P-type interfaces (the warp yarn on the interface is parallel to the pulling direction) tended to harden. However, PTP-type (the warp yarn on the interface is perpendicular to each other) and T-type (the weft yarn on the interface is parallel to the pulling direction) interfaces softened first and then tended to plateau after reaching peak shear stress, and softening became more obvious at higher normal stresses. The displacement corresponding to peak shear stress (referred to as “peak displacement” in this paper) of interfaces was positively correlated with the normal stress, and the wet state reduced the interfacial peak displacement. For different types of interfaces, the peak displacement of the T-type interface was the largest, followed by PTP-type and P-type. Interfacial shear characteristics conformed to Mohr–Coulomb strength theory and, compared with quasi-cohesion values ranging from 1.334 to 3.606 kPa, the quasi-friction angle significantly contributed to the interfacial shear strength. The quasi-friction angle of the interface was composed of a sliding friction angle and an occlusal friction angle. The shear strength of the interface was more sensitive to the interface types than whether they were in the dry or wet state. For different types of interfaces and dry-wet states, the change in the interfacial shear strength is respectively affected by the occlusal friction angle and the sliding friction angle on the interface.
Superplastic Deformation and Dynamic Recrystallization of a Novel Disc Superalloy GH4151
Authors: Lv Shaomin , Jia Chonglin , He Xinbo , Wan Zhipeng , Li Xinxu , Qu Xuanhui
Published: November 2019

The superplastic deformation of a hot-extruded GH4151 billet was investigated by means of tensile tests with the strain rates of 10−4 s−1, 5 × 10−4 s−1 and 10−3 s−1 and at temperatures at 1060 °C, 1080 °C and 1100 °C. The superplastic deformation of the GH4151 alloy was reported here for the first time. The results reveal that the uniform fine-grained GH4151 alloy exhibited an excellent superplasticity and high strain rate sensitivity (exceeded 0.5) under all experimental conditions. It was found that the increase of strain rate resulted in an increased average activation energy for superplastic deformation. A maximum elongation of 760.4% was determined at a temperature of 1080 °C and strain rate of 10−3 s−1. The average activation energy under different conditions suggested that the superplastic deformation with 1 × 10−4 s−1 in this experiment is mainly deemed as the grain boundary sliding controlled by grain boundary diffusion. However, with a higher stain rate of 5 × 10−4 s−1 and 1 × 10−3 s−1, the superplastic deformation is considered to be grain boundary sliding controlled by lattice diffusion. Based on the systematically microstructural examination using optical microscope (OM), SEM, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and TEM techniques, the failure and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) nucleation mechanisms were proposed. The dominant nucleation mechanism of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is the bulging of original grain boundaries, which is the typical feature of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX), and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) is merely an assistant mechanism of DRX. The main contributions of DRX on superplasticity elongation were derived from its grain refinement process.
The Effect of SBA-15 Surface Modification on the Process of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Adsorption: Modeling of Experimental Adsorption Isotherm Data
Authors: Moritz Michał , Geszke-Moritz Małgorzata
Published: November 2019

This study aimed at the adsorption of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative of oleanane type, onto functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 silica and non-porous silica (Aerosil®) as the reference adsorbent. Although 18β-GA possesses various beneficial pharmacological properties including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity, it occurs is small amounts in plant materials. Thus, the efficient methods of this bioactive compound enrichment from vegetable raw materials are currently studied. Siliceous adsorbents were functionalized while using various alkoxysilane derivatives, such as (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS), [3-(methylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS), (N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (DMAPTMS), and [3-(2-aminothylamino)propyl] trimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS). The effect of silica surface modification with agents differing in the structure and the order of amine groups on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent and adsorption efficiency were thoroughly examined. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed while using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Dubinin-Astakhov isotherms. Both linear regression and nonlinear fitting analysis were employed in order to find the best-fitted model. The adsorption isotherms of 18β-GA onto silicas functionalized with APTMS, MAPTMS, and AEAPTMS indicate the Langmuir-type adsorption, whereas sorbents modified with DMAPTMS show the constant distribution of the adsorbate between the adsorbent and the solution regardless of silica type. The Dubinin-Astakhov, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Redlich-Peterson equations described the best the process of 18β-GA adsorption onto SBA-15 and Aerosil® silicas that were functionalized with APTMS, MAPTMS, and AEAPTMS, regardless of the method that was used for the estimation of isotherm parameters. Based on nonlinear fitting analysis (Dubinin-Astakhov model), it can be concluded that SBA-15 sorbent that was modified with APTMS, MAPTMS, and AEAPTMS is characterized by twice the adsorption capacity (202.8–237.3 mg/g) as compared to functionalized non-porous silica (118.2–144.2 mg/g).
Influence of Effective Grain Size on Low Temperature Toughness of High-Strength Pipeline Steel
Authors: Niu Yanlong , Jia Shujun , Liu Qingyou , Tong Shuai , Li Ba , Ren Yi , Wang Bing
Published: November 2019

In this study, the series temperature Charpy impact and drop-weight tear test (DWTT) were investigated, the misorientation angles among structural boundaries where the cleavage crack propagated were identified, and angles of {100} cleavage planes between adjacent grains along the cleavage crack propagated path were calculated in five directions (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° to the rolling direction) of high-grade pipeline steel. Furthermore, the effective grain size (grain with misorientation angles greater than 15°) was redefined, and the quantitative influences of the redefined effective grain size on Charpy impact and DWTT is also discussed synthetically. The results showed that the microstructure presented a typical acicular ferrite characteristic with some polygonal ferrite and M-A islands (composed of martensite and retained austenite), and the distribution of the high-angle grain boundaries were mainly distributed in the range of 45°–65° in different directions. The Charpy impact energy and percent shear area of DWTT in the five directions increased with refinement of the redefined effective grain size, composed of grains with {100} cleavage planes less than 35° between grain boundaries. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature also decreased with the refining of the redefined effective grain size. The redefined effective grain boundaries can strongly hinder fracture propagation through electron backscattered diffraction analysis of the cleavage crack path, and thus redefined effective grain can act as the effective microstructure unit for cleavage.
Structures and Bioactivities of Psolusosides B1, B2, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, and Q from the Sea Cucumber Psolus fabricii. The First Finding of Tetrasulfated Marine Low Molecular Weight Metabolites
Authors: Silchenko Alexandra S. , Kalinovsky Anatoly I. , Avilov Sergey A. , Kalinin Vladimir I. , Andrijaschenko Pelageya V. , Dmitrenok Pavel S. , Popov Roman S. , Chingizova Ekaterina A.
Published: November 2019

Ten new di-, tri- and tetrasulfated triterpene glycosides, psolusosides B1 (1), B2 (2), J (3), K (4), L (5), M (6), N (7), O (8), P (9), and Q (10), were isolated from the sea cucumber Psolus fabricii collected in the Sea of Okhotsk near the Kurile Islands. Structures of these glycosides were established by two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI mass-spectrometry. It is particularly interesting that highly polar compounds 9 and 10 contain four sulfate groups in their carbohydrate moieties, including two sulfates in the same terminal glucose residue. Glycoside 2 has an unusual non-holostane aglycone with 18(16)-lactone and a unique 7,8-epoxy fragment. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–10 against several mouse cell lines such as Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, neuroblastoma Neuro 2A, normal epithelial JB-6 cells, and erythrocytes were quite different depending both on structural peculiarities of these glycosides and the type of cells subjected to their actions. Psolusoside L (5), pentaoside, with three sulfate groups at C-6 of two glucose and one 3-O-methylglucose residue and holostane aglycone, is the most active compound in the series. The presence of a sulfate group at C-2 of the terminal glucose residue attached to C-4 of the first (xylose) residue significantly decreases activities of the corresponding glycosides. Psolusosides of group B (1, 2, and known psolusoside B) are inactive in all tests due to the presence of non-holostane aglycones and tetrasaccharide-branched sugar chains sulfated by C-2 of Glc4.
Pure Aluminum Structure and Mechanical Properties Modified by Al2O3 Nanoparticles and Ultrasonic Treatment
Authors: Zhukov Ilya A. , Kozulin Alexander A. , Khrustalyov Anton P. , Kahidze Nikolay I. , Khmeleva Marina G. , Moskvichev Evgeny N. , Lychagin Dmitry V. , Vorozhtsov Alexander B.
Published: November 2019

This paper examines dispersion hardened alloys based on commercial-purity aluminum obtained by permanent mold casting with the addition of aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Ultrasonic treatment provides a synthesis of non-porous materials and a homogeneous distribution of strengthening particles in the bulk material, thereby increasing the mechanical properties of pure aluminum. It is shown that the increase in the alloy hardness, yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, and lower plasticity depend on the average grain size and a greater amount of nanoparticles in the alloy.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction: New Insight from the Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Priante Elena , Verlato Giovanna , Giordano Giuseppe , Stocchero Matteo , Visentin Silvia , Mardegan Veronica , Baraldi Eugenio
Published: November 2019

Recognizing intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a matter of great concern because this condition can significantly affect the newborn’s short- and long-term health. Ever since the first suggestion of the “thrifty phenotype hypothesis” in the last decade of the 20th century, a number of studies have confirmed the association between low birth weight and cardiometabolic syndrome later in life. During intrauterine life, the growth-restricted fetus makes a number of hemodynamic, metabolic, and hormonal adjustments to cope with the adverse uterine environment, and these changes may become permanent and irreversible. Despite advances in our knowledge of IUGR newborns, biomarkers capable of identifying this condition early on, and stratifying its severity both pre- and postnatally, are still lacking. We are also still unsure about these babies’ trajectory of postnatal growth and their specific nutritional requirements with a view to preventing, or at least limiting, long-term complications. In this setting, untargeted metabolomics—a relatively new field of ‘-omics’ research—can be a good way to investigate the metabolic perturbations typically associated with IUGR. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a general overview of the pathophysiological and clinical aspects of IUGR, focusing on evidence emerging from metabolomic studies. Though still only preliminary, the reports emerging so far suggest an “early” pattern of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, catabolite accumulation, and altered amino acid metabolism in IUGR neonates. Further, larger studies are needed to confirm these results and judge their applicability to clinical practice.
Untargeted Urinary 1H NMR-Based Metabolomic Pattern as a Potential Platform in Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Silva Catarina L. , Olival Ana , Perestrelo Rosa , Silva Pedro , Tomás Helena , Câmara José S.
Published: November 2019

Breast cancer (BC) remains the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. An emerging approach based on the identification of endogenous metabolites (EMs) and the establishment of the metabolomic fingerprint of biological fluids constitutes a new frontier in medical diagnostics and a promising strategy to differentiate cancer patients from healthy individuals. In this work we aimed to establish the urinary metabolomic patterns from 40 BC patients and 38 healthy controls (CTL) using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) as a powerful approach to identify a set of BC-specific metabolites which might be employed in the diagnosis of BC. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied to a 1H-NMR processed data matrix. Metabolomic patterns distinguished BC from CTL urine samples, suggesting a unique metabolite profile for each investigated group. A total of 10 metabolites exhibited the highest contribution towards discriminating BC patients from healthy controls (variable importance in projection (VIP) >1, p < 0.05). The discrimination efficiency and accuracy of the urinary EMs were ascertained by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis that allowed the identification of some metabolites with the highest sensitivities and specificities to discriminate BC patients from healthy controls (e.g. creatine, glycine, trimethylamine N-oxide, and serine). The metabolomic pathway analysis indicated several metabolism pathway disruptions, including amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms, in BC patients, namely, glycine and butanoate metabolisms. The obtained results support the high throughput potential of NMR-based urinary metabolomics patterns in discriminating BC patients from CTL. Further investigations could unravel novel mechanistic insights into disease pathophysiology, monitor disease recurrence, and predict patient response towards therapy.
Design and Characteristic Analysis of a MEMS Piezo-Driven Recirculating Inkjet Printhead Using Lumped Element Modeling
Authors: Shah Muhammad Ali , Lee Duck-Gyu , Hur Shin
Published: November 2019

The recirculation of ink in an inkjet printhead system keeps the ink temperature and viscosity constant, and leads to the development of a high-performance device. Herein, we propose a recirculating piezo-driven micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based inkjet printhead that has a pressure chamber, a nozzle, and double restrictors. The design and characteristic analysis are performed using a two-port lumped element model (LEM) to investigate the effect of design parameters on the system responses. Using LEM, the jetting pressure at the pressure chamber, velocity at the nozzle inlet, meniscus pressure, and Helmholtz resonance frequency are predicted and the comparative analysis of the jetting pressure and velocity between LEM and the finite element method (FEM) simulation is conducted to validate our proposed LEM method. Furthermore, the effect of a change in major design parameters on the jetting pressure, velocity, and Helmholtz resonance frequency is analyzed. On the basis of this analysis, the optimized device dimensions are finalized. From our analysis, it is also concluded that the restrictor is more sensitive than the pressure chamber in terms of their variations in depth. As the cross-talk effect can occur due to an array of hundreds or thousands of nozzles, we investigated the effect of a single activated nozzle on the non-activated neighboring nozzles, as well as the effect of multi-activated nozzles on a single central nozzle using our proposed LEM.
Halogenating Enzymes for Active Agent Synthesis: First Steps Are Done and Many Have to Follow
Authors: Fejzagić Alexander Veljko , Gebauer Jan , Huwa Nikolai , Classen Thomas
Published: November 2019

Halogens can be very important for active agents as vital parts of their binding mode, on the one hand, but are on the other hand instrumental in the synthesis of most active agents. However, the primary halogenating compound is molecular chlorine which has two major drawbacks, high energy consumption and hazardous handling. Nature bypassed molecular halogens and evolved at least six halogenating enzymes: Three kind of haloperoxidases, flavin-dependent halogenases as well as α-ketoglutarate and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent halogenases. This review shows what is known today on these enzymes in terms of biocatalytic usage. The reader may understand this review as a plea for the usage of halogenating enzymes for fine chemical syntheses, but there are many steps to take until halogenating enzymes are reliable, flexible, and sustainable catalysts for halogenation.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolopyrimidines Incorporated with Mono- and Diphenylsulfonyl Groups
Authors: Alsaedi Amani M. R. , Farghaly Thoraya. A. , Shaaban Mohamed R.
Published: November 2019

A novel series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring systems containing phenylsulfonyl moiety have been synthesized via the reaction of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl) phenyl)ethan-1-one, 2-benzenesulfonyl-1-(4-benzenesulfonyl-phenyl)-3-dimethylamino-propenone and 3-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one each with various substituted aminoazopyrazole derivatives in one pot reaction strategy. The proposed structure as well as the mechanism of their reactions were discussed and proved with all possible spectral data. The results of antimicrobial activities of the new sulfone derivatives revealed that several derivatives showed activity exceeding the activity of reference drug. Contrary to expectations, we found that derivatives containing one sulfone group are more effective against all bacteria and fungi used than those contain two sulfone groups.
Andean Prumnopitys Andina (Podocarpacae) Fruit Extracts: Characterization of Secondary Metabolites and Potential Cytoprotective Effect
Authors: Jiménez-Aspee Felipe , Theoduloz Cristina , Pormetter Lisa , Mettke Judith , Ávila Felipe , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo
Published: November 2019

The fruits from the Chilean Podocarpaceae Prumnopitys andina have been consumed since pre-Hispanic times. Little is known about the composition and biological properties of this fruit. The aim of this work was to identify the secondary metabolites of the edible part of P. andina fruits and to assess their antioxidant activity by means of chemical and cell-based assays. Methanol extracts from P. andina fruits were fractionated on a XAD7 resin and the main compounds were isolated by chromatographic means. Antioxidant activity was determined by means of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), ferric reducing power (FRAP), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. The cytoprotective activity of the extract against oxidative and dicarbonyl stress was evaluated in human gastric epithelial cells (AGS). The total intracellular antioxidant activity (TAA) of the extract was determined in AGS cells. The inhibition of meat lipoperoxidation was evaluated under simulated gastric digestion conditions. Rutin, caffeic acid β-glucoside and 20-hydroxyecdysone were identified as major components of the fruit extract. Additional compounds were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography diode-array detector mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MSn) and/or co-injection with standards. Extracts showed dose-dependent cytoprotective effects against oxidative and dicarbonyl-induced damage in AGS cells. The TAA increased with the pre-incubation of AGS cells with the extract. This is the first report on the composition and biological activity of this Andean fruit.
Ion Release and Surface Characterization of Nanostructured Nitinol during Long-Term Testing
Authors: Nasakina Elena O. , Sudarchikova Maria A. , Sergienko Konstantin V. , Konushkin Sergey V. , Sevost’yanov Mikhail A.
Published: November 2019

The corrosion resistance of nanostructured nitinol (NiTi) was investigated using long-term tests in solutions simulating physiological fluids at static conditions, reflecting the material structure and metal concentration in the solutions. Mechanical polishing reduced the ion release by a factor of two to three, whereas annealing deteriorated the corrosion resistance. The depassivation and repassivation of nitinol surfaces were considered. We found that nanostructured nitinol might increase the corrosion leaching of titanium into solutions, although the nickel release decreased. Metal dissolution did not occur in the alkaline environment or artificial plasma. A Ni-free surface with a protective 25 nm-thick titanium oxide film resulted from soaking mechanically treated samples of the NiTi wire in a saline solution for two years under static conditions. Hence, the medical application of nanostructured NiTi, such as for the production of medical devices and implants such as stents, shows potential compared with microstructured NiTi.
Impact of Donor Human Milk in the Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Gut Transcriptome Profile by Use of Exfoliated Intestinal Cells
Authors: Parra-Llorca Anna , Gormaz María , Lorente-Pozo Sheila , Cernada Maria , García-Robles Ana , Torres-Cuevas Isabel , Kuligowski Julia , Collado Maria Carmen , Serna Eva , Vento Máximo
Published: November 2019

Background: Own mother’s milk (OMM) is the optimal nutrition for preterm infants. However, pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) is a valid alternative. We explored the differences of the transcriptome in exfoliated epithelial intestinal cells (EEIC) of preterm infants receiving full feed with OMM or DHM. Methods: The prospective observational study included preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks’ gestation and/or ≤1500 g birthweight. Total RNA from EEIC were processed for genome-wide expression analysis. Results: Principal component analysis and unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis revealed two clustered groups corresponding to the OMM and DHM groups that showed differences in the gene expression profile in 1629 transcripts. The OMM group overexpressed lactalbumin alpha gene (LALBA), Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) and caseins kappa gene (CSN3), beta gene (CSN2) and alpha gene (CSN1S1) and underexpressed Neutrophil Cytosolic Factor 1 gene (NCF1) compared to the DHM group. Conclusions: The transcriptomic analysis of EEIC showed that OMM induced a differential expression of specific genes that may contribute to a more efficient response to a pro-oxidant challenge early in the postnatal period when preterm infants are at a higher risk of oxidative stress. The use of OMM should be strongly promoted in preterm infants.
A Critical Appraisal of Strategies to Optimize Vitamin D Status in Germany, a Population with a Western Diet
Authors: Saternus Roman , Vogt Thomas , Reichrath Jörg
Published: November 2019

During the last decade, our scientific knowledge of the pleiotropic biological effects of vitamin D metabolites and their relevance to human health has expanded widely. Beyond the well-known key role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis and bone health, it has been shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a broad variety of independent diseases, including several types of cancer, and with increased overall mortality. Moreover, recent findings have demonstrated biological effects of the vitamin D endocrine system that are not mediated via activation of the classical nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) by binding with high affinity to its corresponding ligand, the biologically active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). In contrast, many of these new biological effects of vitamin D compounds, including regulation of the circadian clock and many metabolic functions, are mediated by other vitamin D metabolites, including 20-hydroxyvitamin D and 20,23-dihydroxyvitamin D, and involve their binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and retinoid-orphan receptor (ROR). In most populations, including the German population, UVB-induced cutaneous vitamin D production is the main source for fulfilling the human body’s requirements of vitamin D. However, this causes a dilemma because solar or artificial UVR exposure is associated with skin cancer risk. In addition to UVB-induced vitamin D production in skin, in humans, there are two other possible sources of vitamin D: from diet and supplements. However, only a few natural foods contain substantial amounts of vitamin D, and in most populations, the dietary source of vitamin D cannot fulfill the body´s requirements. Because an increasing body of evidence has convincingly demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is very common worldwide, it is the aim of this paper to (i) give an update of the vitamin D status in a population with a western diet, namely, the German population, and to (ii) develop strategies to optimize the vitamin D supply that consider both the advantages as well as the disadvantages/risks of different approaches, including increasing vitamin D status by dietary intake, by supplements, or by UVB-induced cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D.
The Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise-Induced Dehydration
Authors: Adams William M. , Vandermark Lesley W. , Belval Luke N. , Casa Douglas J.
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of thirst as a marker of hydration status following prolonged exercise in the heat. Twelve men (mean ± SD; age, 23 ± 4 y; body mass, 81.4 ± 9.9 kg; height, 182 ± 9 cm; body fat, 14.3% ± 4.7%) completed two 180 min bouts of exercise on a motorized treadmill in a hot environment (35.2 ± 0.6 °C; RH, 30.0 ± 5.4%), followed by a 60 min recovery period. Participants completed a euhydrated (EUH) and hypohydrated (HYPO) trial. During recovery, participants were randomly assigned to either fluid replacement (EUHFL and HYPOFL; 10 min ad libitum consumption) or no fluid replacement (EUHNF and HYPONF). Thirst was measured using both a nine-point scale and separate visual analog scales. The percent of body mass loss (%BML) was significantly greater immediately post exercise in HYPO (HYPOFL, 3.0% ± 1.2%; HYPONF, 2.6% ± 0.6%) compared to EUH (EUHFL, 0.2% ± 0.7%; EUHNF, 0.6% ± 0.5%) trials (p < 0.001). Following recovery, there were no differences in %BML between HYPOFL and HYPONF (p > 0.05) or between EUHFL and EUHNF (p > 0.05). Beginning at minute 5 during the recovery period, thirst perception was significantly greater in HYPONF than EUHFL, EUHNF, and HYPOFL (p < 0.05). A 10 min, ad libitum consumption of fluid post exercise when hypohydrated (%BML > 2%), negated differences in perception of thirst between euhydrated and hypohydrated trials. These results represent a limitation in the utility of thirst in guiding hydration practices.
A Systematic Review of Ecological Momentary Assessment of Diet: Implications and Perspectives for Nutritional Epidemiology
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina
Published: November 2019

The ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of eating behaviors represents an innovative, detailed and valid approach to capture the complexity of food intake and to overcome limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods. Moreover, EMA studies might generate a large variety of data (e.g., dietary, behavioral, physical, sociopsychological, and contextual information), thereby enabling to examine concurrent exposures and events. Due to the increasing number of studies in this field of research, here we systematically reviewed EMA methods for the assessment of dietary intake in epidemiological studies, and discussed implications and perspectives for future research. Our study summarized several protocols and platforms that may be applied to assess diet in terms of eating frequency, choices, and habits. Nearly 38% of studies used an event-contingent strategy by asking participants to report foods and beverages consumed in real-time at each eating occasion. Instead, approximately 55% of studies used a signal-contingent prompting approach that notified the participants to record their dietary consumption. The remaining studies used a combination of event- and signal-contingent protocols to compare their accuracy or to improve the assessment of dietary data. Although both approaches might improve the accuracy and ecological validity of dietary assessment—also reducing the burden for participants—some limitations should nevertheless be considered. Despite these limitations, our systematic review pointed out that EMA can be applied in various fields of nutritional epidemiology, from the identification of determinants of dietary habits in healthy people to the management of patients with eating or metabolic disorders. However, more efforts should be encouraged to improve the validity and the reliability of EMA and to provide further technological innovations for public health research and interventions.
Letter to the Editor Re: Scott S.N., et al. Nutrients 2019, 11(5), 1022
Authors: Kushner Jake A.
Published: November 2019

I read with great interest the thoughtful review concerning the potential impact of carbohydrate restriction in type 1 diabetes on glycaemic parameters and athletic performance [...]
Bucillamine Prevents Afatinib-Mediated Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling
Authors: Nishiya Naoyuki , Murai Moeka , Hosoda Ayumi , Yonezawa Honami , Omori Norikazu
Published: November 2019

Molecular targeting therapies often cause characteristic adverse effects, such as skin rash during anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies, making treatment continuation difficult. In contrast, skin symptoms induced by EGFR inhibition are strongly correlated with the overall survival of the therapies. Therefore, controlling adverse effects not only facilitates treatment continuation but also increases clinical benefits. In this study, we proposed a novel strategy for reducing EGFR–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-induced adverse effects in nontumorous organs by repositioning approved medicines using a zebrafish model. We developed a model system for evaluating chemical quenchers of afatinib, a clinically available irreversible EGFR-TKI, by scoring the inhibition of afatinib-induced hyperformation of lateral line neuromasts in zebrafish larvae. Bucillamine, an antirheumatic drug, was identified as an afatinib quencher in the zebrafish system and inhibited TKI activity in vitro. In addition, bucillamine restored EGFR autophosphorylation and downstream signaling in afatinib-treated A431 cells. Thus, topical bucillamine is a potential reliever of irreversible EGFR-TKI-induced skin rash. The zebrafish model can be applied to a screening for quenchers of other anti-EGFR-targeting therapies, including reversible TKIs and biologics.
Two SNP Mutations Turned off Seed Shattering in Rice
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhou Jiawu , Yang Ying , Elgamal Walid Hassan , Xu Peng , Li Jing , El-Refaee Yasser Z. , Hao Suding , Tao Dayun
Published: November 2019

Seed shattering is an important agronomic trait in rice domestication. In this study, using a near-isogenic line (NIL-hs1) from Oryza barthii, we found a hybrid seed shattering phenomenon between the NIL-hs1 and its recurrent parent, a japonica variety Yundao 1. The heterozygotes at hybrid shattering 1 (HS1) exhibited the shattering phenotype, whereas the homozygotes from both parents conferred the non-shattering. The causal HS1 gene for hybrid shattering was located in the region between SSR marker RM17604 and RM8220 on chromosome 4. Sequence verification indicated that HS1 was identical to SH4, and HS1 controlled the hybrid shattering due to harboring the ancestral haplotype, the G allele at G237T site and C allele at C760T site from each parent. Comparative analysis at SH4 showed that all the accessions containing ancestral haplotype, including 78 wild relatives of rice and 8 African cultivated rice, had the shattering phenotype, whereas all the accessions with either of the homozygous domestic haplotypes at one of the two sites, including 17 wild relatives of rice, 111 African cultivated rice and 65 Asian cultivated rice, showed the non-shattering phenotype. Dominant complementation of the G allele at G237T site and the C allele at C760T site in HS1 led to a hybrid shattering phenotype. These results help to shed light on the nature of seed shattering in rice during domestication and improve the moderate shattering varieties adapted to mechanized harvest.
Interaction of Carbohydrate Coated Cerium-Oxide Nanoparticles with Wheat and Pea: Stress Induction Potential and Effect on Development
Authors: Milenković Ivana , Mitrović Aleksandra , Algarra Manuel , Lázaro-Martínez Juan M. , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Maksimović Vuk , Spasić Slađana Z. , Beškoski Vladimir P. , Radotić Ksenija
Published: November 2019

: Reports about the influence of cerium-oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) on plants are contradictory due to their positive and negative effects on plants. Surface modification may affect the interaction of nCeO2 with the environment, and hence its availability to plants. In this study, the uncoated and glucose-, levan-, and pullulan-coated nCeO2 were synthesized and characterized. The aim was to determine whether nontoxic carbohydrates alter the effect of nCeO2 on the seed germination, plant growth, and metabolism of wheat and pea. We applied 200 mgL-1 of nCeO2 on plants during germination (Ger treatment) or three week-growth (Gro treatment) in hydroponics. The plant response to nCeO2 was studied by measuring changes in Ce concentration, total antioxidative activity (TAA), total phenolic content (TPC), and phenolic profile. Our results generally revealed higher Ce concentration in plants after the treatment with coated nanoparticles compared to uncoated ones. Considering all obtained results, Ger treatment had a stronger impact on the later stages of plant development than Gro treatment. The Ger treatment had a stronger impact on TPC and plant elongation, whereas Gro treatment affected more TAA and phenolic profile. Among nanoparticles, levan-coated nCeO2 had the strongest and positive impact on tested plants. Wheat showed higher sensitivity to all treatments.
Habitat Affects the Chemical Profile, Allelopathy, and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils and Phenolic Enriched Extracts of the Invasive Plant Heliotropium Curassavicum
Authors: Abd-ElGawad Ahmed M. , Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , Al-Rowaily Saud L. , El-Amier Yasser A.
Published: November 2019

The variation in habitat has a direct effect on the plants and as a consequence, changes their content of the bioactive constituents and biological activities. The present study aimed to explore the variation in the essential oils (EOs) and phenolics of Heliotropium curassavicum collected from the coastal and inland habitats. Additionally, we determined their antioxidant and allelopathic activity against the weed, Chenopodium murale. Fifty-six compounds were identified as overall from EOs, from which 25 components were identified from the coastal sample, and 52 from the inland one. Sesquiterpenes were the main class in both samples (81.67% and 79.28%), while mono (3.99% and 7.21%) and diterpenes (2.9% and 1.77%) represented minors, respectively. Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, (-)-caryophyllene oxide, farnesyl acetone, humulene oxide, farnesyl acetone C, and nerolidol epoxy acetate were identified as major compounds. The HPLC analysis of MeOH extracts of the two samples showed that chlorogenic acid, rutin, and propyl gallate are major compounds in the coastal sample, while vanilin, quercetin, and 4′,7-dihydroxyisoflavone are majors in the inland one. The EOs showed considerable phytotoxicity against C. murale with IC50 value of 2.66, 0.59, and 0.70 mg mL−1 for germination, root, and shoot growth, respectively from the inland sample. While the coastal sample attained the IC50 values of 1.58, 0.45, and 0.66 mg mL−1. MeOH extracts revealed stronger antioxidant activity compared to the EOs. Based on IC50 values, the ascorbic acid revealed 3-fold of the antioxidant compared to the EO of the coastal sample and 4-fold regarding the inland sample. However, the ascorbic acid showed 3-fold of the antioxidant activity of the MeOH extracts of coastal and inland samples. Although H. curassavicum is considered as a noxious, invasive plant, the present study revealed that EO and MeOH extracts of the H. curassavicum could be considered as promising, eco-friendly, natural resources for antioxidants as well as weed control, particularly against the weed, C. murale.
Effect of PVP-Capped ZnO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Charge Transport on the Performance of P3HT/PCBM Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Kim OkSik , Kwon JinBeom , Kim SaeWan , Xu Binrui , Seo KyeongHo , Park CheolEon , Do WooJong , Bae JinHyuk , Kang ShinWon
Published: November 2019

We attempted surface modification in ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by the sol–gel process with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) applied to bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) as an electron transport layer (ETL). In general, ZnO NPs have trap sites due to oxygen vacancies which capture electrons and degrade the performance of the PSCs. Devices with six different PVP:Zn ratios (0.615 g, 1.230 g, 1.846 g, 2.460 g, 3.075 g, and 3.690 g) were fabricated for surface modification, and the optimized PVP:Zn ratio (2.460 g) was found for PSCs based on P3HT/PCBM. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the fabricated PSCs with PVP-capped ZnO exhibited a significant increase of approximately 21% in PCE and excellent air-stability as compared with the uncapped ZnO-based PSCs.