bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of EMD-SVR-QGA Model for Electricity Consumption: Case of University Dormitory
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhou Min , Xia Qing , Hong Wei-Chiang
Published: December 2019

In the context of the nationwide call for “energy savings” in China, it is desirable to establish a more accurate forecasting model to manage the electricity consumption from the university dormitory, to provide a suitable management approach, and eventually, to achieve the “green campus” policy. This paper applies the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method and the quantum genetic algorithm (QGA) hybridizing with the support vector regression (SVR) model to forecast the daily electricity consumption. Among the decomposed intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), define three meaningful items: item A contains the terms but the residual term; item B contains the terms but without the top two IMFs (with high randomness); and item C contains the terms without the first two IMFs and the residual term, where the first two terms imply the first two high-frequency part of the electricity consumption data, and the residual term is the low-frequency part. These three items are separately modeled by the employed SVR-QGA model, and the final forecasting values would be computed as A + B − C. Therefore, this paper proposes an effective electricity consumption forecasting model, namely EMD-SVR-QGA model, with these three items to forecast the electricity consumption of a university dormitory, China. The forecasting results indicate that the proposed model outperforms other compared models.
Iterative Algorithms for Pseudomonotone Variational Inequalities and Fixed Point Problems of Pseudocontractive Operators
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Postolache Mihai , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we are interested in the pseudomonotone variational inequalities and fixed point problem of pseudocontractive operators in Hilbert spaces. An iterative algorithm has been constructed for finding a common solution of the pseudomonotone variational inequalities and fixed point of pseudocontractive operators. Strong convergence analysis of the proposed procedure is given. Several related corollaries are included.
Some Results on (s − q)-Graphic Contraction Mappings in b-Metric-Like Spaces
Authors: De la Sen Manuel , Nikolić Nebojša , Došenović Tatjana , Pavlović Mirjana , Radenović Stojan
Published: December 2019

In this paper we consider ( s − q ) -graphic contraction mapping in b-metric like spaces. By using our new approach for the proof that a Picard sequence is Cauchy in the context of b-metric-like space, our results generalize, improve and complement several approaches in the existing literature. Moreover, some examples are presented here to illustrate the usability of the obtained theoretical results.
Certain Unified Integrals Associated with Product of M-Series and Incomplete H-functions
Authors: Kumar Bansal Manish , Kumar Devendra , Khan Ilyas , Singh Jagdev , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we established some interesting integrals associated with the product of M-series and incomplete H-functions, which are expressed in terms of incomplete H-functions. Next, we give some special cases by specializing the parameters of M-series and incomplete H-functions (for example, Fox’s H-Function, Incomplete Fox Wright functions, Fox Wright functions and Incomplete generalized hypergeometric functions) and also listed few known results. The results obtained in this work are general in nature and very useful in science, engineering and finance.
Generalized High-Order Classes for Solving Nonlinear Systems and Their Applications
Authors: Chicharro Francisco I. , Cordero Alicia , Garrido Neus , Torregrosa Juan R.
Published: December 2019

A generalized high-order class for approximating the solution of nonlinear systems of equations is introduced. First, from a fourth-order iterative family for solving nonlinear equations, we propose an extension to nonlinear systems of equations holding the same order of convergence but replacing the Jacobian by a divided difference in the weight functions for systems. The proposed GH family of methods is designed from this fourth-order family using both the composition and the weight functions technique. The resulting family has order of convergence 9. The performance of a particular iterative method of both families is analyzed for solving different test systems and also for the Fisher’s problem, showing the good performance of the new methods.
Presence of B19V in Patients with Thyroid Gland Disorders
Authors: Gravelsina Sabine , Nora-Krukle Zaiga , Svirskis Simons , Cunskis Egils , Murovska Modra
Published: December 2019

Background and Objectives: Viral infections are frequently cited as a major environmental factor implicated in thyroid gland diseases. This work aimed to estimate the presence of B19V infection in patients with thyroid gland disorders. Materials and Methods: Thyroid gland tissue and blood samples of 50 patients with autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (AITDs), 76 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (non-AITDs), and 35 deceased subjects whose histories did not show any autoimmune or thyroid diseases (control group) were enrolled in the study. Virus-specific IgM and IgG were detected using ELISA, and the presence and viral load of B19V in the tissue and blood were detected using PCRs. Results: B19V IgG antibodies were detected in 35/50 AITDs patients and in 51/76 non-AITDs patients, and B19V IgM antibodies were detected in 1/50 patients with AITDs and in none of the 76 patients with non-AITDs. The B19V NS sequence was found in the tissue DNA of 10/50 patients with AITDs, in 30/76 with non-AITDs, and in 1/35 control group individuals. The median B19V load in the tissue of patients with AITDs and non-AITDs was 423.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 22.50–756.8) and 43.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 11.50–826.5), respectively. The viral load in one of the 35 nPCR B19V-positive thyroid tissue samples from the deceased subjects was 13.82 copies/µg DNA. The viral load in the tissue of patients with AITDs was higher than in whole blood, which possibly indicates B19V persistency in thyrocytes (p = 0.0076). Conclusion: The fact that the genoprevalence of B19V NS was significantly higher in patients with non-AITDs compared to the control group and in the thyroid gland tissue of patients with AITDs, and that the non-AITDs viral load was higher than in tissue derived from the control group individuals, suggest the possibility that B19V infection could be involved in the development of thyroid gland diseases.
Effect of Carbonic Anhydrase on CO2 Separation Performance of Thin Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer/Poly(ethylene glycol) Hybrid Membranes
Authors: Duan Shuhong , Kai Teruhiko , Nakao Shin-ichi
Published: December 2019

The effect of carbonic anhydrase (CA) on the separation performance of thin poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hybrid membranes was investigated. CA, a type of enzyme, was used to promote CO2 hydration and dehydration reactions and to assess whether these reactions were the rate-limiting step in CO2 permeation through the membrane. The relationship between the membrane thickness and the CO2 permeance was evaluated in CO2/H2 or CO2/He separation using PAMAM/PEG hybrid membranes (thickness: 10–100 μm) with and without CA. Without CA, the CO2 permeance of PAMAM/PEG hybrid membranes was not inversely proportional to the membrane thickness. On the other hand, with CA, the CO2 permeance was inversely proportional to the membrane thickness. It was implied that, without CA, the rate-limiting step of CO2 transport was either the CO2 hydration reaction at the feed side or the CO2 dehydration reaction at the permeate side. On the other hand, with CA addition, the rate-limiting step of CO2 transport was diffusion, and CO2 permeance could be increased without sacrificing the selectivity by reducing membrane thickness. The effect of the position of CA (i.e., on the surface and/or reverse surface) on CO2 separation performance was investigated to evaluate which reaction was the rate-limiting step of CO2 permeation through the membrane. It was suggested that the rate-limiting step of CO2 permeation was CO2 dehydration reaction at the permeate side.
Soft Sensor-Based Monitoring and Efficient Control Strategies of Biomass Concentration for Continuous Cultures of Haloferax mediterranei and Their Application to an Industrial Production Chain
Authors: Mainka Thomas , Mahler Nicole , Herwig Christoph , Pflügl Stefan
Published: December 2019

Continuous bioprocessing using cell retention allows the achievement of high space-time yields for slow-growing organisms such as halophiles. However, the lack of efficient methods for monitoring and control limits the application of biotechnological processes in the industry. The aim of this study was to implement a control and online monitoring strategy for biomass in continuous cultures. For the first time, a feedforward cultivation strategy in a membrane-based cell retention system allowed to control the biomass concentration of the extreme halophilic Haloferax mediterranei at defined levels. Moreover, soft sensor-based biomass estimation allowed reliable monitoring of biomass online. Application of the combined monitoring and control strategy using industrial process water containing formate, phenol, aniline and 4,4′-methylenedianiline could for the first time demonstrate high throughput degradation in this extremophilic bioremediation process, obtaining degradation efficiencies of up to 100%. This process demonstrates the usefulness of continuous halophilic cultures in a circular economy application.
Blastocystis Colonization Is Associated with Increased Diversity and Altered Gut Bacterial Communities in Healthy Malian Children
Authors: Kodio Aly , Coulibaly Drissa , Koné Abdoulaye Kassoum , Konaté Salimata , Doumbo Safiatou , Guindo Abdoulaye , Bittar Fadi , Gouriet Frédérique , Raoult Didier , Thera Mahamadou Aly , Ranque Stéphane
Published: December 2019

Blastocystis is the most common protozoan colonizing the gut of vertebrates. It modulates the human digestive microbiota in the absence of inflammation and gastrointestinal disease. Although it has been associated with human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, its pathogenicity remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the influence of Blastocystis on the gut bacterial communities in healthy children. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 147 Blastocystis-colonized and 149 Blastocystis-noncolonized Malian children, with Blastocystis colonization assessed by real-time PCR and gut microbial communities characterized via 16S rRNA gene (Illumina MiSeq) sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The gut microbiota diversity was higher in Blastocystis-colonized compared to Blastocystis-noncolonized children. The phyla Firmicutes, Elusimicrobia, Lentisphaerae, and Euryarchaeota were higher in Blastocystis-colonized children, whereas Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, unassigned bacteria, and Deinococcus–Thermus were higher in Blastocystis-noncolonized children. Moreover, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (family Ruminococcaceae) and Roseburia sp. (family Lachnospiraceae) abundance was higher in Blastocystis-colonized children. We conclude that Blastocystis colonization is significantly associated with a higher diversity of the gut bacterial communities in healthy children, while it is not associated with the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the human gut.
Association of Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase with Tuberculosis Susceptibility Using Genomic Data in Portugal
Authors: Rito Teresa , Ferreira Joana , Cavadas Bruno , Soares Pedro , Oliveira Olena , Richards Martin B. , Duarte Raquel , Pereira Luísa , Correia-Neves Margarida
Published: December 2019

Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is a key enzyme in the eicosanoid pathway. lta4h locus polymorphisms have previously been linked to tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility and disease outcome in a Vietnamese dataset, but further studies suggested that those results were poorly reproducible. We, therefore, compared the full set of variants (113 SNPs) within the gene in a Portuguese dataset of 112 TB patients and 120 controls, using both the frequency of SNPs and haplotypes, in order to assess their association with TB susceptibility. Although we obtained no significant differences between the TB patients and the control group, linkage analysis showed that an extensively typed polymorphism, rs17525495, was associated with 21 other SNPs, all displaying evidence of association to lower LTA4H expression. While the derived alleles of these SNPs showed a moderately higher frequency in the TB group, differences were not significant. In contrast to Asian populations, where these SNPs are much more frequent, the low frequencies of candidate SNPs in Europeans render them less pertinent in a public health context. Consequently, the typing of specific polymorphisms as a strategy to establish preventive measures and differential TB drug treatments is important but needs to take into consideration that haplotypic background and structure can be substantially different in distinct geographic regions.
The Non-Simultaneous Enhancement of Phosphorus Acquisition and Mobilization Respond to Enhanced Arbuscular Mycorrhization on Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Hu Junli , Cui Xiangchao , Wang Junhua , Lin Xiangui
Published: December 2019

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can ameliorate not only plant phosphorus (P) nutrition but also soil P mobilization, while P mobilization occurs secondarily and may in turn limit P acquisition at certain crop growth stages. It can be termed as the “mycorrhiza-inducible P limitation”, which has so far largely escaped study. A pot experiment was conducted to test the dynamic P acquisition of maize (Zea mays L.) at the vegetative growth stage and P mobilization in the soil in response to AM fungal inoculation in an unsterilized arable alkaline soil. The experiment included two fertilization levels and two AM inoculation levels, i.e., nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K) fertilization (NPK) and non-fertilization (control), as well as Funneliformis mosseae inoculation (+M) and non-inoculation (–M). Regardless of fertilization, +M increased mycorrhizal colonization and plant biomass at weeks 4 and 8 but increased tissue P concentration only at week 4 compared with those of –M. In addition, the plant P acquisition and shoot biomass in the control+M treatment at weeks 4 and 8 were close to and much lower than those of NPK–M, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in soil P mobilization potential, which was achieved by the accelerated soil alkaline phosphatase activity and the decreased soil pH, was lower than the increase in root P-acquiring efficiency, which was achieved by the enhanced mycorrhization and ZEAma;Pht1;6 (a mycorrhiza- inducible Pi transporter in maize root) expression. Regardless of fertilization, +M thus significantly decreased soil available P concentrations compared with those in the –M treatments. Therefore, there was a large, real gap between soil P mobilization and root P acquisition in response to enhanced root mycorrhizal colonization, substantially limiting plant P acquisition and growth.
Nutrient Excess Triggers the Expression of the Penicillium chrysogenum Antifungal Protein PAFB
Authors: Huber Anna , Lerchster Hannah , Marx Florentine
Published: December 2019

Nutrient limitation and nonfavorable growth conditions have been suggested to be major triggers for the expression of small, cysteine-rich antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) of fungal origin, e.g., the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF), the Aspergillus giganteus antifungal protein (AFP), the Aspergillus niger antifungal protein (AnAFP). Therefore, these AMPs have been considered to be fungal secondary metabolite products. In contrast, the present study revealed that the expression of the PAF-related AMP P. chrysogenum antifungal protein B (PAFB) is strongly induced under nutrient excess during the logarithmic growth phase, whereas PAFB remained under the detection level in the supernatant of cultures grown under nutrient limitation. The efficiency of the pafB-promoter to induce PAFB expression was compared with that of two P. chrysogenum promoters that are well established for recombinant protein production: the paf-promoter and the xylose-inducible promoter of the xylanase gene, xylP. The inducibility of the pafB-promoter was superior to that of the xylP-promoter yielding comparable PAFB amounts as under the regulation of the paf-promoter. We conclude that (i) differences in the expression regulation of AMPs suggest distinct functional roles in the producer beyond their antifungal activity; and (ii) the pafB-promoter is a promising tool for recombinant protein production in P. chrysogenum, as it guarantees strong gene expression with the advantage of inducibility.
Non-Lethal Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Xylella fastidiosa Strain De Donno Biofilm Formation and Detachment
Authors: Cattò Cristina , De Vincenti Luca , Cappitelli Francesca , D’Attoma Giusy , Saponari Maria , Villa Federica , Forlani Fabio
Published: December 2019

This study investigated in-vitro the non-lethal effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca strain De Donno (Xf-DD) biofilm. This strain was isolated from the olive trees affected by the olive quick decline syndrome in southern Italy. Xf-DD was first exposed to non-lethal concentrations of NAC from 0.05 to 1000 µM. Cell surface adhesion was dramatically reduced at 500 µM NAC (−47%), hence, this concentration was selected for investigating the effects of pre-, post- and co-treatments on biofilm physiology and structural development, oxidative homeostasis, and biofilm detachment. Even though 500 µM NAC reduced bacterial attachment to surfaces, compared to the control samples, it promoted Xf-DD biofilm formation by increasing: (i) biofilm biomass by up to 78% in the co-treatment, (ii) matrix polysaccharides production by up to 72% in the pre-treatment, and (iii) reactive oxygen species levels by 3.5-fold in the co-treatment. Xf-DD biofilm detachment without and with NAC was also investigated. The NAC treatment did not increase biofilm detachment, compared to the control samples. All these findings suggested that, at 500 µM, NAC diversified the phenotypes in Xf-DD biofilm, promoting biofilm formation (hyper-biofilm-forming phenotype) and discouraging biofilm detachment (hyper-attachment phenotype), while increasing oxidative stress level in the biofilm.
Microbial and Phenyl Acid Dynamics during the Start-up Phase of Anaerobic Straw Degradation in Meso- and Thermophilic Batch Reactors
Authors: Prem Eva Maria , Markt Rudolf , Lackner Nina , Illmer Paul , Wagner Andreas Otto
Published: December 2019

Aromatic compounds like phenyl acids derived from lignocellulose degradation have been suspected to negatively influence biogas production processes. However, results on this topic are still inconclusive. To study phenyl acid formation in batch reactors during the start-up phase of anaerobic degradation, different amounts of straw from grain were mixed with mesophilic and thermophilic sludge, respectively. Molecular biological parameters were assessed using next-generation sequencing and qPCR analyses. Metagenomic predictions were done via the program, piphillin. Methane production, concentrations of phenylacetate, phenylpropionate, phenylbutyrate, and volatile fatty acids were monitored chromatographically. Methanosarcina spp. was the dominant methanogen when high straw loads were effectively degraded, and thus confirmed its robustness towards overload conditions. Several microorganisms correlated negatively with phenyl acids; however, a negative effect, specifically on methanogens, could not be proven. A cascade-like increase/decrease from phenylacetate to phenylpropionate, and then to phenylbutyrate could be observed when methanogenesis was highly active. Due to these results, phenylacetate was shown to be an early sign for overload conditions, whereas an increase in phenylbutyrate possibly indicated a switch from degradation of easily available to more complex substrates. These dynamics during the start-up phase might be relevant for biogas plant operators using complex organic wastes for energy exploitation.
A Novel Flavonoid Kushenol Z from Sophora flavescens Mediates mTOR Pathway by Inhibiting Phosphodiesterase and Akt Activity to Induce Apoptosis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Hao , Yang Jie , Hao Ji , Lv Yibing , Chen Lu , Lin Qinxiong , Yuan Jingquan , Yang Xinzhou
Published: December 2019

The roots of Sophora flavescens (SF) are clinically used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various lung diseases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which SF inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. A new compound, kushenol Z (KZ), and 14 known flavonoids were isolated from SF. KZ, sophoraflavanone G, and kushenol A demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against NSCLC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner; KZ showed a wide therapeutic window. We also found that KZ induced NSCLC cell apoptosis by increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and by activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 leading to mitochondrial apoptosis, and upregulated CHOP and activatedcaspase-7 and caspase-12, which triggered the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. After KZ treatment, we observed cAMP accumulation, which reflected the inhibition of cAMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE), along with the increase in PKA activity; additionally, phospho-p70 S6 kinase was downregulated. KZ also attenuated the phosphorylation of Akt and PRAS40, which was partially rescued by an Akt activator. This suggested that KZ mediated the antiproliferative activity in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the mTOR pathway through the inhibition of cAMP-PDE and Akt. These findings suggested that KZ may be used as a promising cAMP-PDE and Akt inhibitor in targeted chemotherapeutic drug development.
Harvest Age Effect on Phytochemical Content of White and Black Glutinous Rice Cultivars
Authors: Tamprasit Kawintra , Weerapreeyakul Natthida , Sutthanut Khaetthareeya , Thukhammee Wipawee , Wattanathorn Jintanaporn
Published: December 2019

Many studies have been conducted on the bioactive compounds of rice seeds, however, there is limited information on the bioactive compounds of rice sprouts. This study focused on the age effect on the phytochemical content of white and black glutinous rice sprouts harvested between 5 and 25 days old. We assessed yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, total chlorophyll content, and proximate analysis. HPLC results identified protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, and rutin in the sprouts of both cultivars, ranging between 0.56–1.58, 0.65–7.69, and 0.47–1.68 mg/g extract, respectively. The amount of bioactive compounds and proximate compositions in black glutinous rice were generally higher than white glutinous rice in an age-dependent manner (p < 0.05). At 5–7 days, black glutinous rice contained the highest total anthocyanin content, while white glutinous rice contained the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (p < 0.05). High total chlorophyll content was initially detected in white glutinous rice at a younger age than black glutinous rice (p < 0.05), while total chlorophyll content in both cultivars was not significantly different. Our study confirms the presence of phytoconstituents in the rice sprouts of white and black glutinous rice and their potential as functional foods and for being further development as natural health products.
Synthesis and Electrochemistry of New Furylpyrazolino[60]fullerene Derivatives by Efficient Microwave Radiation
Authors: Al-Matar Hamad M. , BinSabt Mohammad H. , Shalaby Mona A.
Published: December 2019

Efficient one-pot synthesis of new series of furylpyrazolino[60]fullerene derivatives was prepared by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction mediated with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PhI(OAc)2) as an oxidant in o-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) under microwave irradiation. Different techniques have been used to confirm the structural identity including FT-IR, fast atom bombardment (FAB)-mass, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, in addition to investigating the photophysical properties and the electrochemical properties for the new compounds using UV-Vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry. Three of these pyrazolino[60]fullerene compounds showed better electron affinity than the parent C60 in the ground state.
Aucubin, An Active Ingredient in Aucuba japonica, Prevents N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced Retinal Degeneration in Mice
Authors: Jung Eunsoo , Park Su-Bin , Jung Woo Kwon , Kim Hyung Rae , Kim Junghyun
Published: December 2019

In the present study, we examined the potent retinoprotective effects of an ethanol-based extract of Aucuba japonica (AJE) and its active ingredient, aucubin, on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration in mice. Retinal degeneration was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of MNU (60 mg/kg). AJE (250 mg/kg) and aucubin (15 mg/kg) were orally administered for 1 week after the MNU injection. Electroretinography (ERG) and histological examinations were performed. Retinal apoptosis and oxidative DNA damage were also quantified. The retinoprotective abilities of AJE and aucubin were also assessed in primary cultured retinal cells. Morphologically, MNU induced a remarkable decrease in the outer nuclear layer, which contains photoreceptor cells. However, this layer was well preserved in the AJE- and aucubin-administered mice. The ERG responses significantly decreased in both a- and b-wave amplitudes in the MNU-injected mice. In the AJE and aucubin-treated mice, ERG responses were significantly increased. In addition, a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemical staining for 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) revealed that both AJE and aucubin attenuated MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis and oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, the in vitro assay also showed that AJE and aucubin have potent anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activities in primary cultured retinal cells. These results indicate that AJE and aucubin have potent retinoprotective effects, and that this retinoprotective activity is as a result of the potency of the bioactive compound, aucubin. These pharmacological characteristics suggest the additional application of AJE or aucubin in the treatment of patients with retinal degenerative diseases.
Ginseng Gintonin Enhances Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen Release from Human Dermal Fibroblasts Through Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor Interaction
Authors: Lee Rami , Lee Na-Eun , Hwang Hongik , Rhim Hyewhon , Cho Ik-Hyun , Nah Seung-Yeol
Published: December 2019

Gintonin is a newly discovered component of ginseng and acts as a ligand for G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. It is currently unclear whether gintonin has skin-related effects. Here, we examined the effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on [Ca2+]i transient induction in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). We found that GEF treatment transiently induced [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. GEF also increased cell viability and proliferation, which could be blocked by Ki16425, an LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, or 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), a calcium chelator. We further found that GEF stimulated hyaluronic acid (HA) release from HDFs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which could be attenuated by Ki16425, U73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), an IP3 receptor antagonist, and BAPTA-AM. Moreover, we found that GEF increased HA synthase 1 (HAS1) expression in a time-dependent manner. We also found that GEF stimulates collagen release and the expression of collagen 1, 3, and 7 synthases in a time-dependent manner. GEF-mediated collagen synthesis could be blocked by Ki16425, U73122, 2-APB, and BAPTA-AM. GEF treatment also increased the mRNA levels of LPA1-6 receptor subtypes at 8 h and increased the protein levels of LPA1-6 receptor subtypes at 8 h. Overall, these results indicate that the GEF-mediated transient induction of [Ca2+]i is coupled to HA and collagen release from HDFs via LPA receptor regulations. We can, thus, conclude that GEF might exert a beneficial effect on human skin physiology via LPA receptors.
Quantification of Water, Protein and Soluble Sugar in Mulberry Leaves Using a Handheld Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhang Guo-Zheng , Rita-Cindy Sedjoah Aye-Ayire
Published: December 2019

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are not only used as the main feed for silkworms (Bombyx mori) but also as an added feed for livestock and poultry. In order to rapidly select high-quality mulberry leaves, a hand-held near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression and wavelength optimization methods were used to establish a predictive model for the quantitative determination of water content in fresh mulberry leaves, as well as crude protein and soluble sugar in dried mulberry leaves. For the water content in fresh mulberry leaves, the R-square of the calibration set ( R C 2 ), R-square of the cross-validation set ( R C V 2 ) and R-square of the prediction set ( R P 2 ) are 0.93, 0.90 and 0.91, respectively, the corresponding root mean square error of calibration set (RMSEC), root mean square error of cross-validation set (RMSECV) and root mean square error of prediction set (RMSEP) are 0.96%, 1.13%, and 1.18%, respectively. The R C 2 , R C V 2 and R P 2 of the crude protein prediction model are 0.91, 0.83 and 0.92, respectively, and the corresponding RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP are 0.71%, 0.97% and 0.61%, respectively. The soluble sugar prediction model has R C 2 , R C V 2 , and R P 2 of 0.64, 0.51, and 0.71, respectively, and the corresponding RMSEC, RMSECV, and RMSEP are 2.33%, 2.73%, and 2.36%, respectively. Therefore, the use of handheld NIR spectrometers combined with wavelength optimization can fastly detect the water content in fresh mulberry leaves and crude protein in dried mulberry leaves. However, it is a slightly lower predictive performance for soluble sugar in mulberry leaves.
Production and Application of Biosurfactant Produced by Bacillus licheniformis Ali5 in Enhanced Oil Recovery and Motor Oil Removal from Contaminated Sand
Authors: Ali Nawazish , Wang Fenghuan , Xu Baocai , Safdar Bushra , Ullah Asad , Naveed Muhammad , Wang Ce , Rashid Muhammad Tayyab
Published: December 2019

The present study describes the production of biosurfactant from isolate B. licheniformis Ali5. Seven different, previously-reported minimal media were screened for biosurfactant production, and two selected media were further optimized for carbon source. Further, various fermentation conditions such as (pH 2–12, temperature 20–50 °C, agitation speed 100–300 rpm, NaCl (0–30 g·L−1) were investigated. The partially purified biosurfactant was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) and found a lipopeptide mixture, similar to lichenysin-A. Biosurfactant reduced surface tension from 72.0 to 26.21 ± 0.3 and interfacial tension by 0.26 ± 0.1 mN·m−1 respectively, biosurfactant yield under optimized conditions was 1 g·L−1, with critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 21 mg·L−1 with high emulsification activity of (E24) 66.4 ± 1.4% against crude oil. Biosurfactant was found to be stable over extreme conditions. It also altered the wettability of hydrophobic surface by changing the contact angle from 49.76° to 16.97°. Biosurfactant efficiently removed (70-79%) motor oil from sand, with an efficiency of more than 2 fold as compared without biosurfactant (36–38%). It gave 32% additional oil recovery over residual oil saturation upon application to a sand-packed column. These results are indicative of potential application of biosurfactant in wettability alteration and ex-situ microbial enhanced oil recovery.
Immunomodulatory Effects of the Meretrix Meretrix Oligopeptide (QLNWD) on Immune-Deficient Mice
Authors: Zhang Wen , Ye Lei , Wang Fenglei , Zheng Jiawen , Tian Xiaoxiao , Chen Yan , Ding Guofang , Yang Zuisu
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the immunomodulatory effects of the Meretrix meretrix oligopeptide (MMO, QLNWD) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immune-deficient mice. Compared to untreated, CTX-induced immune-deficient mice, the spleen and thymus indexes of mice given moderate (100 mg/kg) and high (200 mg/kg) doses of MMO were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and body weight loss was alleviated. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining revealed that MMO reduced spleen injury, thymus injury, and liver injury induced by CTX in mice. Furthermore, MMO boosted the production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and hemolysin in the serum and promoted the proliferation and differentiation of spleen T-lymphocytes. Taken together, our findings suggest that MMO plays a vital role in protection against immunosuppression in CTX-induced immune-deficient mice and could be a potential immunomodulatory candidate for use in functional foods or immunologic adjuvants.
Difference Analysis of Gas Molecules Diffusion Behavior in Natural Ester and Mineral Oil Based on Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Authors: Ye Wenyu , Hao Jian , Chen Yufeng , Zhu Mengzhao , Pan Zhen , Hou Fei
Published: December 2019

Natural ester, as a new environmentally green insulating oil, has been widely used in transformer. In an oil-immersed transformer, the normal aging, thermal failure, and discharge failure could easily lead to the decomposition of the oil-paper insulation system and produce different kinds of gases. Studying gas dissolution in natural ester and mineral oil could provide assistance in applying criteria to make a diagnosis of different kinds of faults in the transformer. In this paper, the molecular dynamics method was used to investigate the diffusion behavior of seven fault characteristic gases (including H2, CO, CH4, C2H2, CO2, C2H4, C2H6) in natural ester and mineral oil. The simulation parameters of free volume, interaction energy, mean square displacement, and diffusion coefficient were compared between the natural ester and mineral oil. Meanwhile, the influence of temperature on the diffusion of gas molecules in two kinds of oils was also analyzed. Results showed that the free volume, the interaction energy, and the relative molecular mass of gas molecules were the factors influenced by the diffusion of gas molecules in natural ester and mineral oil. The order of the diffusion coefficients of gas molecules in natural ester was as follows: H2 > CH4 > CO > C2H2 > C2H4 > CO2 > C2H6 and that in mineral oil was as follows: H2 > CH4 > CO> C2H2 > C2 H4 > C2H6 > CO2. By comparing the diffusion behavior of gas molecules in natural ester and mineral oil, it was found that the smaller free volume and higher interaction energy of gas molecules in natural ester were the major reasons for the gas molecules to be more difficult to diffuse in natural ester. The rising temperature could enhance the free volume and reduce the interaction energy between gas molecules and oil. The diffusion coefficient of gas molecules increased exponentially with the follow of temperature. However, the temperature didn’t affect the ordering of diffusion coefficient, free volume, and interaction energy of gas molecules in natural ester and mineral oil.
Dihydrochalcones: Methods of Acquisition and Pharmacological Properties—A First Systematic Review
Authors: Stompor Monika , Broda Daniel , Bajek-Bil Agata
Published: December 2019

Dihydrochalcones are a class of secondary metabolites, for which demand in biological and pharmacological applications is still growing. They posses several health-endorsing properties and, therefore, are promising candidates for further research and development. However, low content of dihydrochalcones in plants along with their low solubility and bioavailability restrict the development of these compounds as clinical therapeutics. Therefore, chemomicrobial and enzymatic modifications are required to expand their application. This review aims at analyzing and summarizing the methods of obtaining dihydrochalcones and of presenting their pharmacological actions that have been described in the literature to support potential future development of this group of compounds as novel therapeutic drugs. We have also performed an evaluation of the available literature on beneficial effects of dihydrochalcones with potent antioxidant activity and multifactorial pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic, antitumor, lipometabolism regulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory ones. In addition, we provide useful information on their properties, sources, and usefulness in medicinal chemistry.
Nutritional Rehabilitation in Patients with Malnutrition Due to Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Santarpia Lidia , Alfonsi Lucia , Castiglione Fabiana , Pagano Maria Carmen , Cioffi Iolanda , Rispo Antonio , Sodo Maurizio , Contaldo Franco , Pasanisi Fabrizio
Published: December 2019

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease frequently associated with malabsorption and secondary protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Methods: Biochemical and clinical data of 63 (34 females, 29 males) patients with PEM due to CD sent to our outpatient unit for nutritional evaluation were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, according to disease activity. Thirty-eight patients (group A) had the active disease, and 25 patients (group B) suffered from malabsorption resulting from past intestinal resections due to CD. After a physical and hemato-biochemical evaluation at the first visit, all patients received disease-specific personalized dietetic indications. When indicated, oral nutritional supplements, oral/parenteral vitamins, micronutrients, and electrolytes, up to parenteral nutrition, were prescribed. Results: After 1, 3, and 6 months of nutritional therapy, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and serum butyryl-cholinesterase significantly improved in both groups. In 8 out of 13 (61.5%) patients with a cutaneous stoma, intestinal continuity was restored. Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness of nutritional rehabilitation and provides information on the time required for nutritional treatment in patients with CD, both during the acute phase and after malabsorption due to intestinal resection.
Chili Intake Is Inversely Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease among Adults: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Shi Zumin , Zhang Ming , Liu Jianghong
Published: December 2019

We aimed to assess the association between chili consumption and kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data from 8429 adults attending the China Health and Nutrition Survey were used. Chili intake was assessed using a 3 day, 24 h food record in combination with household food inventory between 1991 and 2009. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, as measured in 2009. Logistic regression was used to assess the association. Of the 8429 participants, 1008 (12.0%) fit the definition of CKD. The prevalence of CKD was 13.1% in non-consumers of chili and 7.4% among those with chili intake above 50 g/day. After adjusting for demographics, lifestyle factors (i.e., smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity), dietary patterns, and chronic conditions, the odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) for CKD across chili consumption levels of none, 1–20 g/day, 20.1–50 g/day, ≥50.1 g/day were 1.00 (reference), 0.82 (0.67–1.01), 0.83 (0.65–1.05), and 0.51 (0.35–0.75), respectively (p for trend 0.001). There was no interaction between chili intake with gender, income, urbanization, hypertension, obesity, or diabetes. This longitudinal large population-based study suggests that chili consumption is inversely associated with CKD, independent of lifestyle, hypertension, obesity, and overall dietary patterns.
Organic Consumer Choices for Nutrient Labels on Dried Strawberries among Different Health Attitude Segments in Norway, Romania, and Turkey
Authors: Almli Valérie L. , Asioli Daniele , Rocha Celia
Published: December 2019

Consumer interest towards healthy food is driving the growth of the organic food market because consumers perceive organic food products to improve their personal health. Berries have well-known health benefits and show increasing market shares in European markets. This manuscript investigates for the first time how health attitudes relate to organic consumers’ choices for nutrient labels of organic dried strawberry products. We conducted an online survey with 614 consumers from Norway, Romania, and Turkey. All participants consumed and liked strawberries and purchased organic food at least once a month. Participants filled out attitudinal questionnaires and conducted an experimental choice task featuring paired images of packaged organic dried strawberries varying in nutrients content label and other factors. The pooled sample was split into three groups of varying health attitudes for profiling and choice analysis. The results show that broad variations exist in health attitudes among Norwegian, Romanian, and Turkish organic consumers. A non-linear effect of health attitude is revealed, where a moderate health attitude is more strongly associated with the selection of products with increased nutrients content than either a low or a high health attitude. The results highlight the complexity in targeting nutrition labels to organic consumers. Finally, implications and suggestions for organic food operators are discussed along with future research avenues.
Assessment of Vitamin C and Antioxidant Profiles in Saliva and Serum in Patients with Periodontitis and Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Isola Gaetano , Polizzi Alessandro , Muraglie Simone , Leonardi Rosalia , Lo Giudice Antonino
Published: December 2019

Vitamin C and antioxidants play a crucial role in endothelial function and may be a link for the known interaction of periodontitis and ischemic heart disease (CAD). This pilot study evaluates the association of gingival health, periodontitis, CAD, or both conditions with salivary and serum vitamin C and antioxidant levels. The clinical and periodontal characteristics, serum, and saliva samples were collected from 36 patients with periodontitis, 35 patients with CAD, 36 patients with periodontitis plus CAD, and 36 healthy controls. Levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, and C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed with a commercially available kit. The median concentrations of salivary and serum vitamin C and antioxidants (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene) were significantly lower in the CAD group (p < 0.001) and in the periodontitis plus CAD group (p < 0.001) compared to periodontitis patients and controls. In univariate models, periodontitis (p = 0.034), CAD (p < 0.001), and hs-CRP (p < 0.001) were significantly negatively associated with serum vitamin C; whereas, in a multivariate model, only hs-CRP remained a significant predictor of serum vitamin C (p < 0.001). In a multivariate model, the significant predictors of salivary vitamin C levels were triglycerides (p = 0.028) and hs-CRP (p < 0.001). Patients with CAD and periodontitis plus CAD presented lower levels of salivary and serum vitamin C compared to healthy subjects and periodontitis patients. hs-CRP was a significant predictor of decreased salivary and serum vitamin C levels.
Conflicting Messages on Food and Beverage Packages: Front-of-Package Nutritional Labeling, Health and Nutrition Claims in Brazil
Authors: Duran Ana Clara , Ricardo Camila Zancheta , Mais Laís Amaral , Martins Ana Paula Bortoletto , Taillie Lindsey Smith
Published: December 2019

We assessed the prevalence of front-of-package (FoP) claims in the Brazilian packaged food supply and examined whether foods with claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients. Using data from a random 30% subsample of 11,434 foods and beverages collected in the five largest food retailers in Brazil in 2017 (n = 3491), we classified claims into nutrition, health, and environment. We examined whether foods with claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients using 95% confidence intervals. Claims were found in 41.2% of the products. Nutrition claims were the most prevalent (28.5%), followed by health (22.1%), and environment-related claims (5.2%). More than 85% of the breakfast cereals, granola bars, and nectars contained claims, which were found in 51% of the dairy beverages. Foods with nutrition claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients (65.3%; 95% CI 62.3, 68.2% vs. 54.1% 95% CI 52.1, 56.0). Products with health (52.9%; 95% CI 49.3, 56.4% vs. 58.5%; 95% CI 56.6, 60.3) and environment-related claims (33.5%; 95% CI 27.0, 40.8% vs. 58.6%; 95% CI 56.9, 60.2%) were less likely to be high in critical nutrients. FoP claims are prevalent in Brazil, and nutrition claims are more likely to have a poorer nutritional profile. Policymakers should consider restricting the presence of claims on unhealthy products.
Dietary Curcumin Supplementation Increases Antioxidant Capacity, Upregulates Nrf2 and Hmox1 Levels in the Liver of Piglet Model with Intrauterine Growth Retardation
Authors: Niu Yu , He Jintian , Ahmad Hussain , Shen Mingming , Zhao Yongwei , Gan Zhending , Zhang Lili , Zhong Xiang , Wang Chao , Wang Tian
Published: December 2019

Curcumin has improved effects on antioxidant capacity via multiple mechanisms. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) has had adverse influences on human health. IUGR is always associated with elevated oxidative stress and deficiencies in antioxidant defense. Therefore, we chose IUGR piglets as a model to investigate the effects of IUGR on antioxidant capacity of newborn and weaned piglets and determine how these alterations were regulated after supplementation with curcumin in weaned IUGR piglets. In experiment 1, eight normal-birth-weight (NBW) and eight IUGR newborn piglets were selected to determine the effect of IUGR on the antioxidant capacity of neonatal piglets. In experiment 2, thirty-two weaned piglets from four experimental groups: NBW, NC (curcumin supplementation), IUGR, IC (curcumin supplementation) were selected. The results showed that both IUGR newborn and weaned piglets exhibited oxidative damage and lower antioxidant enzymes activities in the liver compared with the NBW piglets. Dietary curcumin supplementation increased body-weight gain, feed intake, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and the expressions of nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1) proteins in the liver of weaned piglets with IUGR. In conclusion, IUGR decreased the antioxidant capacity of newborn and weaned piglets. Curcumin could efficiently improve the growth, increase hepatic antioxidant capacity, and upregulate Nrf2 and Hmox1 levels in the liver of IUGR weaned piglets.