bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Structure and Expression Analysis of the MADS-Box Gene Family Indicate Their Function in the Development of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Bai Ge , Yang Da-Hai , Cao Peijian , Yao Heng , Zhang Yihan , Chen Xuejun , Xiao Bingguang , Li Feng , Wang Zhen-Yu , Yang Jun , Xie He
Published: October 2019

MADS-box genes play a pivotal role in various processes, including floral and seed development, controlling flowering time, regulation of fruits ripening, and respond to abiotic and biotic stressors in planta. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) has been widely used as a model plant for analyzing the gene function, however, there has been less information on the regulation of flowering, and the associated genes. In the present study, a total of 168 NtMADS-box genes were identified from tobacco, and their phylogenetic relationship, chromosome locations, and gene structures were further analyzed. NtMADS-box genes can be clustered into four sub-families of Mα, Mγ, MIKC*, and MIKCC. A total of 111 NtMADS-box genes were distributed on 20 chromosomes, and 57 NtMADS-box genes were located on the unanchored scaffolds due to the complex and incomplete assembly of the tobacco genome. Expression profiles of NtMADS-box genes by microarray from 23 different tissues indicated that members in different NtMADS-box gene subfamilies might play specific roles in the growth and flower development, and the transcript levels of 24 NtMADS-box genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Importantly, overexpressed NtSOC1/NtMADS133 could promote early flowering and dwarfism in transgenic tobacco plants. Therefore, our findings provide insights on the characterization of NtMADS-box genes to further study their functions in plant development.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Selected Forms of Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Nalewajska Magdalena , Gurazda Klaudia , Styczyńska-Kowalska Ewa , Marchelek-Myśliwiec Małgorzata , Pawlik Andrzej , Dziedziejko Violetta
Published: October 2019

Glomerulonephritis (GN) represents a collection of kidney diseases characterized by inflammation within the renal glomeruli and small blood vessels. The lesions that occur in other nephron structures mainly result from the harmful effects of proteinuria. In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on gaining a better insight into the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of GN in order to facilitate diagnoses and provide efficient and targeted treatments of the disease. Owing to the advanced molecular and genetic diagnostic techniques available today, researchers have been able to elucidate that most cases of GN are determined by genetic risk factors and are associated with the abnormal functioning of the immune system (the immunologically mediated forms of GN). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of single-stranded, non-coding molecules, approximately 20 nucleotides in length, that act as regulatory factors in the post-transcriptional processes capable of regulating the expression of multiple genes. In this paper we present the available research aiming to determine effects of miRNAs on the development and progression of GN and discuss the potential role of miRNAs as new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Impact of Serum Source on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenic Differentiation in Culture
Authors: Popov Alexander , Scotchford Colin , Grant David , Sottile Virginie
Published: October 2019

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for musculoskeletal repair applications. Animal-derived serum is extensively used for MSC culture as a source of nutrients, extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors. However, the routine use of fetal calf serum (FCS) is not innocuous due to its animal antigens and ill-defined composition, driving the development of alternatives protocols. The present study sought to reduce exposure to FCS via the transient use of human serum. Transient exposure to animal serum had previously proved successful for the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs but had not yet been tested with alternative serum sources. Here, human serum was used to support the proliferation of MSCs, which retained surface marker expression and presented higher alkaline phosphatase activity than those in FCS-based medium. Addition of osteogenic supplements supported strong mineralisation over a 3-week treatment. When limiting serum exposure to the first five days of treatment, MSCs achieved higher differentiation with human serum than with FCS. Finally, human serum analysis revealed significantly higher levels of osteogenic components such as alkaline phosphatase and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, consistent with the enhanced osteogenic effect. These results indicate that human serum used at the start of the culture offers an efficient replacement for continuous FCS treatment and could enable short-term exposure to patient-derived serum in the future.
Exploration and Development of PPAR Modulators in Health and Disease: An Update of Clinical Evidence
Authors: Cheng Hong Sheng , Tan Wei Ren , Low Zun Siong , Marvalim Charlie , Lee Justin Yin Hao , Tan Nguan Soon
Published: October 2019

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that govern the expression of genes responsible for energy metabolism, cellular development, and differentiation. Their crucial biological roles dictate the significance of PPAR-targeting synthetic ligands in medical research and drug discovery. Clinical implications of PPAR agonists span across a wide range of health conditions, including metabolic diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, infections, autoimmune diseases, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and malignancies. In this review we aim to consolidate existing clinical evidence of PPAR modulators, highlighting their clinical prospects and challenges. Findings from clinical trials revealed that different agonists of the same PPAR subtype could present different safety profiles and clinical outcomes in a disease-dependent manner. Pemafibrate, due to its high selectivity, is likely to replace other PPARα agonists for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. PPARγ agonist pioglitazone showed tremendous promises in many non-metabolic disorders like chronic kidney disease, depression, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. The clinical niche of PPARβ/δ agonists is less well-explored. Interestingly, dual- or pan-PPAR agonists, namely chiglitazar, saroglitazar, elafibranor, and lanifibranor, are gaining momentum with their optimistic outcomes in many diseases including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and primary biliary cholangitis. Notably, the preclinical and clinical development for PPAR antagonists remains unacceptably deficient. We anticipate the future design of better PPAR modulators with minimal off-target effects, high selectivity, superior bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics. This will open new possibilities for PPAR ligands in medicine.
Highlights on Gold TADF Complexes
Authors: Lima João , Rodríguez Laura
Published: October 2019

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and TADF-organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) systems are being given increasing attention in research nowadays. Much more work has been done for organic-based materials in this field, but the use of TADF organometallic systems has also emerged in recent years. In particular, TADF-based gold compounds have not been particularly well-explored, with a higher number of examples of Au(I)-molecules and fewer for the higher oxidation state Au(III) derivatives. Nevertheless, the novelty and observed results deserve attention. A careful analysis has been performed in this review by classifying the reported compounds into two different groups regarding the oxidation state of the metal, and within each group, the ancillary ligands. Specific examples to illustrate their potential applications are included in the different sections.
Neuroethology of the Waggle Dance: How Followers Interact with the Waggle Dancer and Detect Spatial Information
Authors: Ai Hiroyuki , Okada Ryuichi , Sakura Midori , Wachtler Thomas , Ikeno Hidetoshi
Published: October 2019

Since the honeybee possesses eusociality, advanced learning, memory ability, and information sharing through the use of various pheromones and sophisticated symbol communication (i.e., the “waggle dance”), this remarkable social animal has been one of the model symbolic animals for biological studies, animal ecology, ethology, and neuroethology. Karl von Frisch discovered the meanings of the waggle dance and called the communication a “dance language.” Subsequent to this discovery, it has been extensively studied how effectively recruits translate the code in the dance to reach the advertised destination and how the waggle dance information conflicts with the information based on their own foraging experience. The dance followers, mostly foragers, detect and interact with the waggle dancer, and are finally recruited to the food source. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the neural processing underlying this fascinating behavior.
The Impact of Moyamoya Disease and RNF213 Mutations on the Spectrum of Plasma Protein and MicroRNA
Authors: Lee Ming-Jen , Fallen Shannon , Zhou Yong , Baxter David , Scherler Kelsey , Kuo Meng-Fai , Wang Kai
Published: October 2019

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder characterized by occlusion of bilateral internal carotid and intracerebral arteries with the compensatory growth of fragile small vessels. MMD patients develop recurrent infarctions in the basal ganglia and subcortical regions. Symptoms include transient ischemic attack or stroke, seizures, and headaches, which may occur suddenly or in a stepwise progression. Mutations in Ring Finger Protein 213 (RNF213), a Zinc ring finger protein, have been identified in some MMD patients but the etiology of MMD is still largely unknown. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of MMD, we characterized the impact of the RNF213 mutations on plasma protein and RNA profiles. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation and proximity extension assay were used to characterize the plasma proteome. Next generation sequencing-based small RNAseq was used to analyze the cell-free small RNAs in whole plasma and RNA encapsulated in extracellular vesicles. The changes of miRNAs and proteins identified are associated with signaling processes including angiogenesis and immune activities which may reflect the pathology and progression of MMD.
Meropenem-Vaborbactam in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Infections
Authors: Lai Chih-Cheng , Chen Chi-Chung , Tang Hung-Jen
Published: October 2019

This study reports the integrated analysis of two phase III studies of meropenem-vaborbactam in the treatment of acute bacterial infections. Targeting Antibiotic Non-Susceptible Gram-Negative Organisms (TANGO) I compared the clinical efficacy and tolerability of meropenem-vaborbactam and piperacillin-tazobactam in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI)/acute pyelonephritis (APN). TANGO II compared the effect and safety of meropenem-vaborbactam and best-available therapy in the treatment confirmed/suspect carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections. The clinical cure rates at end of treatment (EOT) and test of cure (TOC) among the meropenem-vaborbactam group were non-inferior to those of the control group (at EOT, 92.5% versus 89.3%, risk ratio (RR) 1.27, 95% CI 0.64–2.50; at TOC, 86.2% versus 81.7%, RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.62–3.01). Meropenem-vaborbactam was non-inferior to comparators for microbiological eradication at EOT and TOC (at EOT, 93.3% versus 88.3%, RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.74–1.97; at TOC, 66.5% versus 59.9%, RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.97–1.30). In the subgroup of patients with cUTI/APN, meropenem-vaborbactam had similar overall success rate to the control group at EOT (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09) and at TOC (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.93–1.19). Meropenem-vaborbactam had a similar risk of treatment-emergent adverse events, events leading to discontinuation of the study drug, any serious adverse events, life-threatening adverse events, drug-related adverse events, and risk of death to comparators. In conclusion, meropenem-vaborbactam was noninferior to comparators for clinical cure and microbiological eradication in the treatment of acute bacterial infection, particularly cUTI/APN, and meropenem-vaborbactam was as tolerable as comparators.
ZIEL: Internet-Based Self-Help for Adjustment Problems: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moser Christian , Bachem Rahel , Berger Thomas , Maercker Andreas
Published: October 2019

Adjustment Disorder (AjD) represents a healthcare paradox. On the one hand, it is one of the most diagnosed mental disorders worldwide. On the other hand, AjD and its possible treatment options remain a severely neglected field of research. In this context, we developed a self-guided online intervention for adjustment problems, named ZIEL, and tested its efficacy. It is based on and extends a bibliotherapeutic treatment approach for symptoms of AjD. In our study, a total of 98 individuals who had experienced a life event in the last two years, were randomly assigned to care as usual (CAU) or an online intervention group (CAU + online intervention). The primary endpoint was AjD symptom severity measured by Adjustment Disorder–New Module 20 (ADNM-20). Secondary endpoints were depressive symptoms, quality of life and other variables such as satisfaction and usability. Both the intervention and the control group improved comparably well regarding the severity of adjustment disorder symptoms post-treatment. However, participants in the intervention group showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms and a significantly higher quality of life (Cohen’s d: 0.89 (BDI) and −0.49 (SF-12)). The intervention was well-received by users with an above average usability rating. Overall, the results suggest that the ZIEL intervention has the promise to contribute to the treatment of AjD and reduce symptom burden by means of a scalable low-barrier approach.
The Sulfate-Reducing Microbial Communities and Meta-Analysis of Their Occurrence during Diseases of Small–Large Intestine Axis
Authors: Kushkevych Ivan , Leščanová Oľga , Dordević Dani , Jančíková Simona , Hošek Jan , Vítězová Monika , Buňková Leona , Drago Lorenzo
Published: October 2019

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are often isolated from animals and people with ulcerative colitis and can be involved in the IBD development in the gut–intestine axis. The background of the research consisted of obtaining mixed cultures of SRB communities from healthy mice and mice with colitis, finding variation in the distribution of their morphology, to determine pH and temperature range tolerance and their possible production of hydrogen sulfide in the small–large intestinal environment. The methods: Microscopic techniques, biochemical, microbiological, and biophysical methods, and statistical processing of the results were used. The results: Variation in the distribution of sulfate-reducing microbial communities were detected. Mixed cultures from mice with ulcerative colitis had 1.39 times higher production of H2S in comparison with samples from healthy mice. The species of Desulfovibrio genus play an important role in diseases of the small–large intestine axis. Meta-analysis was also used for the observation about an SRB occurrence in healthy and not healthy individuals and the same as their metabolic processes. Conclusions: This finding is important for its possible correlation with inflammation of the intestine, where the present of SRB in high concentration plays a major part. It can be a good possible indicator of the occurrence of IBD.
Antioxidant Therapies for Neuroprotection—A Review
Authors: Teleanu Raluca , Chircov Cristina , Grumezescu Alexandru , Volceanov Adrian , Teleanu Daniel
Published: October 2019

Although moderate concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are crucial for various physiological processes within the human body, their overproduction leads to oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between the production and accumulation of ROS and the ability of the body to neutralize and eliminate them. In the brain, oxidative stress exhibits significant effects, due to its increased metabolical activity and limited cellular regeneration. Thus, oxidative stress is a major factor in the progressive loss of neurons structures and functions, leading to the development of severe neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, recent years have witnessed tremendous advancements in the field of antioxidant therapies, with a special emphasis for neuroprotection. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms and to present the most recent studies on antioxidant therapies for neuroprotection.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Ultrawide-Field Fundus Photography for the Staging of Sickle Cell Retinopathy in Real-Life Practice at Varying Expertise Level
Authors: Bunod Roxane , Mouallem-Beziere Alexandra , Amoroso Francesca , Capuano Vittorio , Bitton Karen , Kamami-Levy Cynthia , Jung Camille , Souied Eric H. , Miere Alexandra
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrawide-field fundus photography (UWF-FP) for the detection and classification of sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) by ophthalmologists with varying degrees of expertise in retinal disease. Methods: Patients presenting with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Créteil University Eye Clinic, having undergone UWF-FP and ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) on the same day, were retrospectively included. Eyes with previous retinal photocoagulation were excluded. SCR was graded independently by UWF-FP and UWF-FA using Goldberg classification by two ophthalmologists with varying expertise levels. Results: Sixty-six eyes of 33 patients were included in the study. The sensitivity of UWF-FP for the detection of proliferative SCR was 100%, (95% confidence interval [CI95%] 76.8–100) for the retinal specialist and 100% (CI95% 71.5–100) for the ophthalmology resident. The specificity of UWF-FP for the detection of proliferative SCR was 100% (CI95% 92.7–100) for the retinal specialist and 98.1% (CI95% 89.7–100) for the ophthalmology resident. Conclusions: UWF-FP is a valuable exam for proliferative SCR screening, with excellent sensitivity and specificity and a good inter-grader agreement for ophthalmologists with various degree of skills, and is easy to use in a real-life setting.
Analysis of Slope Failure Behaviour Based on Real-Time Measurement Using the x–MR Method
Authors: Park Sungyong , Lim Hyuntaek , Tamang Bibek , Jin Jihuan , Lee Seungjoo , Chang Sukhyun , Kim Yongseong
Published: October 2019

A real-scale slope failure model experiment is performed to analyze the movement behavior of the slope during failure, and the results are analyzed through the x–MR control chart method, along with inverse displacement and various analysis sections such as K-values. As a result, the portent of failure can be identified to be about 7.7–18.3 min prior to the final slope failure. As a result of the analyses of changes in the control limit in the various analyses sections, it is considered that the application of K = 3 to the x-MR control chart is effective. It is observed that using the x-MR control chart technique of the inverse displacement is useful for the early prediction of the anomalous behavior of a slope, through a more quick and objective judgment. Henceforth, it is necessary to establish clear techniques for prediction and analyses of slope failure through continuous research, and those results can be used as the basic data of a slope instrumentation management standard that can contribute to the mitigation of life and property damage caused by slope failure hazards.
Validation of Tidal Stream Turbine Wake Predictions and Analysis of Wake Recovery Mechanism
Authors: Salunkhe Sanchit , El Fajri Oumnia , Bhushan Shanti , Thompson David , O’Doherty Daphne , O’Doherty Tim , Mason-Jones Allan
Published: October 2019

This paper documents the predictive capability of rotating blade-resolved unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) computations for tidal stream turbine performance and intermediate wake characteristics. Ansys/Fluent and OpenFOAM simulations are performed using mixed-cell, unstructured grids consisting of up to 11 million cells. The thrust, power and intermediate wake predictions compare reasonably well within 10% of the experimental data. For the wake predictions, OpenFOAM performs better than Ansys/Fluent, and IDDES better than URANS when the resolved turbulence is triggered. The primary limitation of the simulations is under prediction of the wake diffusion towards the turbine axis, which in return is related to the prediction of turbulence in the tip-vortex shear layer. The shear-layer involves anisotropic turbulent structures; thus, hybrid RANS/LES models, such as IDDES, are preferred over URANS. Unfortunately, IDDES fails to accurately predict the resolved turbulence in the near-wake region due to the modeled stress depletion issue.
Construction of a Codon-Adapted Nourseotricin-Resistance Marker Gene for Efficient Targeted Gene Deletion in the Mycophenolic Acid Producer Penicillium brevicompactum
Authors: Mahmoudjanlou Yasaman , Hoff Birgit , Kück Ulrich
Published: October 2019

Penicillium brevicompactum is a filamentous ascomycete used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce mycophenolic acid, an immunosuppressant agent. To extend options for genetic engineering of this fungus, we have tested two resistance markers that have not previously been applied to P. brevicompactum. Although a generally available phleomycin resistance marker (ble) was successfully used in DNA-mediated transformation experiments, we were not able to use a commonly applicable nourseothricin resistance cassette (nat1). To circumvent this failure, we constructed a new nat gene, considering the codon bias for P. brevicompactum. We then used this modified nat gene in subsequent transformation experiments for the targeted disruption of two nuclear genes, MAT1-2-1 and flbA. For MAT1-2-1, we obtained deletion strains with a frequency of about 10%. In the case of flbA, the frequency was about 4%, and this disruption strain also showed reduced conidiospore formation. To confirm the deletion, we used ble to reintroduce the wild-type genes. This step restored the wild-type phenotype in the flbA deletion strain, which had a sporulation defect. The successful transformation system described here substantially extends options for genetically manipulating the biotechnologically relevant fungus P. brevicompactum.
Evaluation of a Novel Mitochondrial Pan-Mucorales Marker for the Detection, Identification, Quantification, and Growth Stage Determination of Mucormycetes
Authors: Caramalho Rita , Madl Lisa , Rosam Katharina , Rambach Günter , Speth Cornelia , Pallua Johannes , Larentis Thomas , Araujo Ricardo , Alastruey-Izquierdo Ana , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Lackner Michaela
Published: October 2019

Mucormycosis infections are infrequent yet aggressive and serious fungal infections. Early diagnosis of mucormycosis and its discrimination from other fungal infections is required for targeted treatment and more favorable patient outcomes. The majority of the molecular assays use 18 S rDNA. In the current study, we aimed to explore the potential of the mitochondrial rnl (encoding for large-subunit-ribosomal-RNA) gene as a novel molecular marker suitable for research and diagnostics. Rnl was evaluated as a marker for: (1) the Mucorales family, (2) species identification (Rhizopus arrhizus, R. microsporus, Mucor circinelloides, and Lichtheimia species complexes), (3) growth stage, and (4) quantification. Sensitivity, specificity, discriminatory power, the limit of detection (LoD), and cross-reactivity were evaluated. Assays were tested using pure cultures, spiked clinical samples, murine organs, and human paraffin-embedded-tissue (FFPE) samples. Mitochondrial markers were found to be superior to nuclear markers for degraded samples. Rnl outperformed the UMD universal® (Molyzm) marker in FFPE (71.5% positive samples versus 50%). Spiked blood samples highlighted the potential of rnl as a pan-Mucorales screening test. Fungal burden was reproducibly quantified in murine organs using standard curves. Identification of pure cultures gave a perfect (100%) correlation with the detected internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. In conclusion, mitochondrial genes, such as rnl, provide an alternative to the nuclear 18 S rDNA genes and deserve further evaluation.
Synthesis of Novel Phenyl Porous Organic Polymers and Their Excellent Visible Light Photocatalytic Performance on Antibiotics
Authors: Gao Xiang , Liu Jiao , Liu Zhaopeng , Deng Yuehua , Nie Wenjie , Zhang Lei , Xie Zufeng , Chen Leyuan , Zhou Anning
Published: October 2019

The efficient and green removal of residual antibiotics in the environment is an attractive topic. In this work, four different phenyl porous organic polymers (P-POPs) photocatalysts were successfully synthesized, and a series of techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption and desorption experimentation, and solid ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) were conducted to characterize the obtained P-POPs. Moreover, the photocatalytic property of P-POPs in the removal of tetracycline was studied, and the reaction conditions were optimized. Further study indicated that the P-POPs were also efficient for removing other antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, in a high removal rate of 77%. Furthermore, the separation of the photocatalysts from the solution was easy, and the photocatalysts could be reused at least four times without a considerable loss in catalytic activity.
The Generalized Solutions of the nth Order Cauchy–Euler Equation
Authors: Sangsuwan Amornrat , Nonlaopon Kamsing , Orankitjaroen Somsak , Mirumbe Ismail
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we use the Laplace transform technique to examine the generalized solutions of the nth order Cauchy–Euler equations. By interpreting the equations in a distributional way, we found that whether their solution types are classical, weak or distributional solutions relies on the conditions of their coefficients. To illustrate our findings, some examples are exhibited.
Long-Term Saccharin Consumption and Increased Risk of Obesity, Diabetes, Hepatic Dysfunction, and Renal Impairment in Rats
Authors: Azeez Omar Hasan , Alkass Suad Yousif , Persike Daniele Suzete
Published: October 2019

Background and objectives: This study evaluated the effect of chronic consumption of saccharin on important physiological and biochemical parameters in rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups: A control group and three experimental groups (groups 1, 2, and 3) were treated with different doses of saccharin at 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Each experimental group received sodium saccharin once per day for 120 days while the control group was treated with distilled water only. In addition to the evaluation of body weight, blood samples [total protein, albumin, glucose, lipid profile, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and uric acid] and urine (isoprostane) were collected in zero time, and after 60 and 120 days for biochemical evaluation. Liver (catalase activity) and brain (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) tissues were collected at time zero and after 120 days. Results: The data showed that saccharin at 5 mg/kg increased body weight of treated rats after 60 (59%) and 120 (67%) days of treatment. Increased concentration of serum glucose was observed after treatment with saccharin at 5 (75% and 62%) and 10 mg/kg (43% and 40%) following 60 and 120 days, respectively. The concentration of albumin decreased after treatment with saccharin at 2.5 (34% and 36%), 5 (39% and 34%), and 10 mg/kg (15% and 21%) after 60 and 120 days of treatment, respectively. The activity of LDH and uric acid increased proportionally with dosage levels and consumption period. There was an increased concentration of creatinine after treatment with saccharin at 2.5 (125% and 68%), 5 (114% and 45%), and 10 mg/kg (26% and 31%) following 60 and 120 days, respectively. Catalase activity and 8-OHdG increased by 51% and 49%, respectively, following 120 days of treatment with saccharin at 2.5 mg/kg. Elevation in the concentration of isoprostane was observed after treatment with saccharin at all doses. Conclusions: The administration of saccharin throughout the treatment period was correlated with impaired kidney and liver function. Both hyperglycemic and obesity-inducing side effects were observed. There was an increased oxidative status of the liver, as well as exposure to increased oxidative stress demonstrated through the increased levels of isoprostane, uric acid, 8-OHdG, and activity of catalase. Therefore, it is suggested that saccharin is unsafe to be included in the diet.
Controlled Release of Metformin Hydrochloride from Core-Shell Nanofibers with Fish Sarcoplasmic Protein
Authors: Sena Su , Sumeyra Korkmaz Nalan , Ulkugul Guven , Sema Arslan , Betul Karademir , Muge Sennaroglu Bostan , Sayip Eroglu Mehmet , Muhammet Uzun , Cevriye Kalkandelen , Mahir Mahirogullari , Titu Mihail Aurel , Ficai Denisa , Ficai Anton , Gunduz Oguzhan
Published: October 2019

Background and Objectives: A coaxial electrospinning technique was used to produce core/shell nanofibers of a polylactic acid (PLA) as a shell and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing metformin hydrochloride (MH) as a core. Materials and Methods: Fish sarcoplasmic protein (FSP) was extracted from fresh bonito and incorporated into nanofiber at various concentrations to investigate the influence on properties of the coaxial nanofibers. The morphology, chemical structure and thermal properties of the nanofibers were studied. Results: The results show that uniform and bead-free structured nanofibers with diameters ranging from 621 nm to 681 nm were obtained. A differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis shows that FSP had a reducing effect on the crystallinity of the nanofibers. Furthermore, the drug release profile of electrospun fibers was analyzed using the spectrophotometric method. Conclusions: The nanofibers showed prolonged and sustained release and the first order kinetic seems to be more suitable to describe the release. MTT assay suggests that the produced drug and protein loaded coaxial nanofibers are non-toxic and enhance cell attachment. Thus, these results demonstrate that the produced nanofibers had the potential to be used for diabetic wound healing applications.
In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Activities of an Extract from the Roots of Bupleurum rotundifolium
Authors: Cholet Juliette , Decombat Caroline , Vareille-Delarbre Marjolaine , Gainche Maël , Berry Alexandre , Senejoux François , Ripoche Isabelle , Delort Laetitia , Vermerie Marion , Fraisse Didier , Felgines Catherine , Ranouille Edwige , Berthon Jean-Yves , Priam Julien , Saunier Etienne , Tourrette Albert , Troin Yves , Thebaud Gilles , Chalard Pierre , Caldefie-Chezet Florence
Published: October 2019

Background: Some Bupleurum species, such as the Bupleurum chinense DC. or the Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd have been extensively studied (especially their roots) for the treatment of inflammation. In contrast, only compounds extracted from the aerial parts of Bupleurum rotundifolium have been studied and showed anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative activities. This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of Bupleurum rotundifolium roots. Methods: To tackle the various aspects of inflammation, we studied in vitro a methanolic extract from the roots of Bupleurum rotundifolium on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), and the monocytic cells THP-1. Its antioxidant capacities and iron-chelating activity were assessed. The extract was tested on THP-1 differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by leukocytes, neutrophils chemotaxis, cytokines, PGE2 production, and NF-κB activation in PBMCs. Results: The extract showed a decreased ROS production in stimulated cells. It increased PBMC chemokine secretion and up-regulated the differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophage-like cells, indicating a potential interest of the extract in the resolution of acute inflammation. In addition, the analysis of cytokine production suggests that Bupleurum rotundifolium has immunomodulatory properties. Conclusions: Cytokines secretion, especially IL-1β and IL-12p70, provided us with a set of indicators suggesting that the extract might be able to drive the polarization of macrophages and lymphocytes toward a Th2 anti-inflammatory profile in excessive inflammation.
Fatigue Behaviors of Resistance Spot Welds for 980 MPa Grade TRIP Steel
Authors: Cho Heewon , Nam Sangwoo , Hwang Insung , Oh Je Hoon , Kang Munjin , Kim Young-Min
Published: October 2019

The fatigue life of the resistance spot weld of 980 MPa grade transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was investigated and failure modes and fracture surfaces according to the fatigue load were analyzed. The fatigue life according to the nugget size was observed by using two electrodes with face diameters of 8 mm and 10 mm. When an electrode face diameter with 10 mm was used, the nugget size was large, and the fatigue life was further increased. After the fatigue test, three types of failure modes were observed, namely pull-out, plug, and heat affected zone (HAZ) failure, depending on the fatigue load. The fracture surfaces in each failure mode were analyzed. In all failure modes, a crack was initiated in the HAZ region, which is the interface between the two materials in all failure modes. In the case of pull-out failure, the crack propagates as if it surrounds the nugget at the outer edge of the nugget. In the case of HAZ failure, the crack propagates in the thickness direction of the material and outward in the nugget shell. Plug failure occurs with pull-out failure and HAZ failure mixed. The propagation patterns of cracks were different for each failure mode. The reason why the failure mode and the fracture surface are different according to the fatigue load is that the propagation speed of the fatigue crack is fast when the fatigue load is relatively large and is slow when the fatigue load is low.
Chemical Diversity and Classification of Secondary Metabolites in Nine Bryophyte Species
Authors: Peters Kristian , Treutler Hendrik , Döll Stefanie , Kindt Alida S. D. , Hankemeier Thomas , Neumann Steffen
Published: October 2019

The central aim in ecometabolomics and chemical ecology is to pinpoint chemical features that explain molecular functioning. The greatest challenge is the identification of compounds due to the lack of constitutive reference spectra, the large number of completely unknown compounds, and bioinformatic methods to analyze the big data. In this study we present an interdisciplinary methodological framework that extends ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS) with data-dependent acquisition (DDA-MS) and the automated in silico classification of fragment peaks into compound classes. We synthesize findings from a prior study that explored the influence of seasonal variations on the chemodiversity of secondary metabolites in nine bryophyte species. Here we reuse and extend the representative dataset with DDA-MS data. Hierarchical clustering, heatmaps, dbRDA, and ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD were used to determine relationships of the study factors species, seasons, and ecological characteristics. The tested bryophytes showed species-specific metabolic responses to seasonal variations (50% vs. 5% of explained variation). Marchantia polymorpha, Plagiomnium undulatum, and Polytrichum strictum were biochemically most diverse and unique. Flavonoids and sesquiterpenoids were upregulated in all bryophytes in the growing seasons. We identified ecological functioning of compound classes indicating light protection (flavonoids), biotic and pathogen interactions (sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids), low temperature and desiccation tolerance (glycosides, sesquiterpenoids, anthocyanins, lactones), and moss growth supporting anatomic structures (few methoxyphenols and cinnamic acids as part of proto-lignin constituents). The reusable bioinformatic framework of this study can differentiate species based on automated compound classification. Our study allows detailed insights into the ecological roles of biochemical constituents of bryophytes with regard to seasonal variations. We demonstrate that compound classification can be improved with adding constitutive reference spectra to existing spectral libraries. We also show that generalization on compound classes improves our understanding of molecular ecological functioning and can be used to generate new research hypotheses.
Design of Wearable Headset with Steady State Visually Evoked Potential-Based Brain Computer Interface
Authors: Lin Bor-Shyh , Lin Bor-Shing , Yen Tzu-Hsiang , Hsu Chien-Chin , Wang Yao-Chin
Published: October 2019

Brain–computer interface (BCI) is a system that allows people to communicate directly with external machines via recognizing brain activities without manual operation. However, for most current BCI systems, conventional electroencephalography (EEG) machines and computers are usually required to acquire EEG signal and translate them into control commands, respectively. The sizes of the above machines are usually large, and this increases the limitation for daily applications. Moreover, conventional EEG electrodes also require conductive gels to improve the EEG signal quality. This causes discomfort and inconvenience of use, while the conductive gels may also encounter the problem of drying out during prolonged measurements. In order to improve the above issues, a wearable headset with steady-state visually evoked potential (SSVEP)-based BCI is proposed in this study. Active dry electrodes were designed and implemented to acquire a good EEG signal quality without conductive gels from the hairy site. The SSVEP BCI algorithm was also implemented into the designed field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based BCI module to translate SSVEP signals into control commands in real time. Moreover, a commercial tablet was used as the visual stimulus device to provide graphic control icons. The whole system was designed as a wearable device to improve convenience of use in daily life, and it could acquire and translate EEG signal directly in the front-end headset. Finally, the performance of the proposed system was validated, and the results showed that it had excellent performance (information transfer rate = 36.08 bits/min).
A Misalignment Optical Guiding Module for Power Generation Enhancement of Fixed-Type Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Pan Cheng-Tang , Yen Chung-Kun , Wang Shao-Yu , Sun Pei-Yuan , Huang Sin-Yu , Hwang Yeong-Maw , Liu Zong-Hsin , Chu Li-Ming , Hoe Zheng-Yu
Published: October 2019

This study presents a misalignment light-guiding module to increase the effectiveness of absorbing light. For a general fixed-type photovoltaic (PV) panel, the misalignment light decreases the efficiency of the system. A solar tracking system was installed for obtaining higher power generation. However, the cost of the PV system and maintenance was 5–10 times higher than the general type. In this study, this module is composed of an array of misalignment light-guiding units that consist of a non-axisymmetric compound parabolic curve (NACPC) and a freeform surface collimator. The NACPC efficiently collects the misalignment light within ±30° and guides the light to the collimator. The light has a better uniformity and smaller angle at the exit aperture. The simulation results show that the optical efficiency of the unit was above 70% when the misalignment angle was smaller than 20°. The experimental results show that the power generation of the light-guiding unit was 1.8 times higher than the naked PV panel.
Comparative Analysis of Aerotolerance, Antibiotic Resistance, and Virulence Gene Prevalence in Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Retail Raw Chicken and Duck Meat in South Korea
Authors: Kim Jinshil , Park Hyeeun , Kim Junhyung , Kim Jong Hyun , Jung Jae In , Cho Seongbeom , Ryu Sangryeol , Jeon Byeonghwa
Published: October 2019

Human infections with Campylobacter are primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry meat. In this study, we isolated Campylobacter jejuni from retail raw chicken and duck meat in Korea and compared their aerotolerance, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene prevalence. Whereas C. jejuni isolates from chicken dominantly belonged to multilocus sequence typing (MLST) clonal complex (CC)-21, CC-45 is the common MLST sequence type in duck meat isolates. C. jejuni strains from both chicken and duck meat were highly tolerant to aerobic stress. The prevalence of virulence genes was higher in C. jejuni strains from chicken than those from duck meat. However, antibiotic resistance was higher in duck meat isolates than chicken isolates. Based on the prevalence of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance, fluoroquinolone-resistant C. jejuni strains harboring all tested virulence genes except virB11 were predominant on retail poultry. Fluoroquinolone-resistant C. jejuni strains carrying most virulence genes were more frequently isolated in summer than in winter. The comparative profiling analysis in this study successfully demonstrated that antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic strains of C. jejuni are highly prevalent on retail poultry and that retail duck meat is an important vehicle potentially transmitting C. jejuni to humans in Korea.
Ecophysiology of Chloromonas hindakii sp. nov. (Chlorophyceae), Causing Orange Snow Blooms at Different Light Conditions
Authors: Procházková Lenka , Remias Daniel , Řezanka Tomáš , Nedbalová Linda
Published: October 2019

Slowly melting snowfields in mountain and polar regions are habitats of snow algae. Orange blooms were sampled in three European mountain ranges. The cysts within the blooms morphologically resembled those of Chloromonas nivalis (Chlorophyceae). Molecular and morphological traits of field and cultured material showed that they represent a new species, Chloromonas hindakii sp. nov. The performance of photosystem II was evaluated by fluorometry. For the first time for a snow alga, cyst stages collected in a wide altitudinal gradient and the laboratory strain were compared. The results showed that cysts were well adapted to medium and high irradiance. Cysts from high light conditions became photoinhibited at three times higher irradiances (600 µmol photons m−2 s−1) than those from low light conditions, or likewise compared to cultured flagellates. Therefore, the physiologic light preferences reflected the conditions in the original habitat. A high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (about 60% of total lipids) and the accumulation of the carotenoid astaxanthin was observed. They are regarded as adaptations to cope with extreme environmental conditions of snow that include low temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, and variable light intensity. The intraspecific ability of adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus to different irradiance regimes seems to be advantageous for thriving in different snow habitats.
Characterization of the Immune Response during Infection Caused by Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Hamo Zohar , Azrad Maya , Nitzan Orna , Peretz Avi
Published: October 2019

The high risk of complications and death following Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) requires identifying patients with severe disease and treating them accordingly. We characterized the immune response of CDI patients in relation to infection severity. Concentrations of 28 cytokines and chemokines were measured in serum samples, obtained from 54 CDI patients within a median timeframe of 24–48 h after laboratory confirmation of C. difficile infection. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records. Disease severity score was determined by “Score indices for Clostridioides difficile infection severity”. Of 54 patients (mean age, 76.6 years, 61.1% female), 38 (70.4%) had mild disease and 16 (29.6%) had moderate disease. Seven cytokines were associated with a more severe CDI: granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (p = 0.0106), interleukin (IL)-1β (p = 0.004), IL-8 (p = 0.0098), IL-12p70 (p = 0.0118), interferon-α (p = 0.0282), IL-15 (p = 0.0015), and IL-2 (p = 0.0031). Additionally, there was an increased T-helper 1 response in more severe cases of CDI. Cytokines may serve as biomarkers for early prediction of CDI severity. Better and earlier assessment of illness severity will contribute to the adjustment of medical treatment, including monitoring and follow-up.
Enumeration of Escherichia coli in Probiotic Products
Authors: Zimmer Camille , Dorea Caetano
Published: October 2019

Probiotic products typically take the form of oral supplements or food-based products containing microorganisms, typically bacteria. The number of bacteria present in a dose of probiotic can be several orders of magnitude lower than the label claims, and in some cases, undetectable. The objective of this study was to assess probiotic products containing Escherichia coli to verify manufacturer claims, which have not yet been independently assessed, regarding the number of viable E. coli per suggested dose. It was found that the products tested contained E. coli in numbers several orders of magnitude less than claimed, and when subjected to simulated stomach conditions, the number of viable E. coli was significantly reduced.
Performance of Winter Wheat Cultivars Grown Organically and Conventionally with Focus on Fusarium Head Blight and Fusarium Trichothecene Toxins
Authors: Góral Tomasz , Łukanowski Aleksander , Małuszyńska Elżbieta , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga , Buśko Maciej , Perkowski Juliusz
Published: October 2019

Growing acreage and changing consumer preferences cause increasing interest in the cereal products originating from organic farming. Lack of results of objective test, however, does not allow drawing conclusions about the effects of cultivation in the organic system and comparison to currently preferred conventional system. Field experiment was conducted in organic and conventional fields. Thirty modern cultivars of winter wheat were sown. They were characterized for disease infection including Fusarium head blight, seed sowing value, the amount of DNA of the six species of Fusarium fungi as well as concentration of ergosterol and trichothecenes in grain. The intensity Fusarium head blight was at a similar level in both systems. However, Fusarium colonization of kernels expressed as ergosterol level or DNA concentration was higher for the organic system. It did not reflect in an increased accumulation of trichothecenes in grain, which was similar in both systems, but sowing value of organically produced seeds was lower. Significant differences between analyzed cropping systems and experimental variants were found. The selection of the individual cultivars for organic growing in terms of resistance to diseases and contamination of grain with Fusarium toxins was possible. Effects of organic growing differ significantly from the conventional and grain obtained such way can be recommended to consumers. There are indications for use of particular cultivars bred for conventional agriculture in the case of organic farming, and the growing organic decreases plant stress resulting from intense fertilization and chemical plant protection.