bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Burden of COPD Morbidity Attributable to the Interaction between Ambient Air Pollution and Temperature in Chengdu, China
Authors: Qiu Hang , Tan Kun , Long Feiyu , Wang Liya , Yu Haiyan , Deng Ren , Long Hu , Zhang Yanlong , Pan Jingping
Published: March 2018

Evidence on the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity attributable to the interaction between ambient air pollution and temperature has been limited. This study aimed to examine the modification effect of temperature on the association of ambient air pollutants (including particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3)) with risk of hospital admissions (HAs) for COPD, as well as the associated morbidity burden in urban areas of Chengdu, China, from 2015 to 2016. Based on the generalized additive model (GAM) with quasi-Poisson link, bivariate response surface model and stratification parametric model were developed to investigate the potential interactions between ambient air pollution and temperature on COPD HAs. We found consistent interactions between ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10 and SO2) and low temperature on COPD HAs, demonstrated by the stronger associations between ambient air pollutants and COPD HAs at low temperatures than at moderate temperatures. Subgroup analyses showed that the elderly (≥80 years) and males were more vulnerable to this interaction. The joint effect of PM and low temperature had the greatest impact on COPD morbidity burden. Using WHO air quality guidelines as reference concentration, about 17.30% (95% CI: 12.39%, 22.19%) and 14.72% (95% CI: 10.38%, 19.06%) of COPD HAs were attributable to PM2.5 and PM10 exposures on low temperature days, respectively. Our findings suggested that low temperature significantly enhanced the effects of PM and SO2 on COPD HAs in urban Chengdu, resulting in increased morbidity burden. This evidence has important implications for developing interventions to reduce the risk effect of COPD morbidity.
Policy Guidelines for Effective Inclusion and Reintegration of People with Chronic Diseases in the Workplace: National and European Perspectives
Authors: Vlachou Anastasia , Stavroussi Panayiota , Roka Olga , Vasilou Evdokia , Papadimitriou Dimitra , Scaratti Chiara , Kadyrbaeva Asel , Fheodoroff Klemens , Brecelj Valentina , Svestkova Olga , Tobiasz-Adamczyk Beata , Finnvold Jon , Gruber Sonja , Leonardi Matilde
Published: March 2018

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases among the European working age population, as well as the implications for the individual and societal level, underline the need for policy guidelines targeting the effective inclusion of persons with chronic diseases in the workplace. The aim of the present paper was to explore the perspectives of European and National-level stakeholders on existing strategies for work re-integration of persons with chronic diseases, and to provide policy guidelines. A highly-structured interview protocol was distributed to 58 National level stakeholders (policy makers, professionals and employers) from seven European countries. Additionally, 20 European organizations concerned with health-related issues and employment completed an online survey. The findings reveal that employment-related challenges remain largely unaddressed. Both national and European stakeholders considered the existing legislative frameworks inadequate and appraised the co-ordination for the implementation of employment re-integration policies as ineffective. Policies targeting at work re-integration of persons with chronic diseases at European and national level should focus on consistent cooperation among all key stakeholders, awareness raising to staff and management, dissemination of effective strategies, developing research and evaluation standards and establishing monitoring systems on inclusive labour markets.
Geochemical Assessment and Spatial Analysis of Heavy Metals in the Surface Sediments in the Eastern Beibu Gulf: A Reflection on the Industrial Development of the South China Coast
Authors: Chen Fajin , Lin Jing , Qian Bihua , Wu Zhai , Huang Peng , Chen Kai , Li Tianyao , Cai Minggang
Published: March 2018

The Beibu Gulf (also named the Gulf of Tonkin), located in the northwest of the South China Sea, is representative of a bay suffering from turbulence and contamination associated with rapid industrialization and urbanization. In this study, we aim to provide the novel baseline levels of heavy metals for the research area. Concentrations of five heavy metals (i.e., Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr) were determined in surface sediments from 35 sites in the eastern Beibu Gulf. The heavy metal content varied from 6.72 to 25.95 mg/kg for Cu, 16.99 to 57.98 mg/kg for Pb, 73.15 to 112.25 mg/kg for Zn, 0.03 to 0.12 mg/kg for Cd, and 20.69 to 56.47 mg/kg for Cr, respectively. With respect to the Chinese sediment quality criteria, sediments in the eastern Beibu Gulf have not been significantly affected by coastal metal pollutions. The results deduced from the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the study area has been slightly polluted by Pb, which might be caused by non-point sources. Relatively high concentrations of Cu, Pb and Cd were found around the coastal areas of Guangxi province, the Leizhou Peninsula and the northwest coast of Hainan Island, whereas the highest concentrations of Zn and Cr were found on the northwest coast of Hainan Island. Spatial distribution patterns of the heavy metals showed that bioavailable fractions of Pb were higher than in the residual fractions, while Cu and Cd concentrations in exchangeable and carbonate fractions were relatively higher than those in the bioavailable fractions. Hierarchical clustering analysis suggested that the sampling stations could be separated into three groups with different geographical distributions. Accompanying their similar spatial distribution in the study area, significant correlation coefficients among Cu, Cd and Pb were also found, indicating that these three metals might have had similar sources. Overall, the results indicated that the distribution of these heavy metals in the surface sediments collected from the Beibu Gulf was complex.
Feasibility of Integrating Residential Care Pharmacists into Aged Care Homes to Improve Quality Use of Medicines: Study Protocol for a Non-Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: McDerby Nicole , Naunton Mark , Shield Alison , Bail Kasia , Kosari Sam
Published: March 2018

Older adults are particularly susceptible to iatrogenic disease and communicable diseases, such as influenza. Prescribing in the residential aged care population is complex, and requires ongoing review to prevent medication misadventure. Pharmacist-led medication review is effective in reducing medication-related problems; however, current funding arrangements specifically exclude pharmacists from routinely participating in resident care. Integrating an on-site clinical pharmacist into residential care teams is an unexplored opportunity to improve quality use of medicines in this setting. The primary objective of this pilot study is to investigate the feasibility of integrating a residential care pharmacist into the existing care team. Secondary outcomes include incidence of pharmacist-led medication review, and incidence of potential medication problems based on validated prescribing measures. This is a cross-sectional, non-randomised controlled trial with a residential care pharmacist trialled at a single facility, and a parallel control site receiving usual care and services only. The results of this hypothesis-generating pilot study will be used to identify clinical outcomes and direct future larger scale investigations into the implementation of the novel residential care pharmacist model to optimise quality use of medicines in a population at high risk of medication misadventure.
A Distance-Adaptive Refueling Recommendation Algorithm for Self-Driving Travel
Authors: Xu Quanli , Yang Kun , Peng Shuangyun , Hong Liang
Published: March 2018

Taking the maximum vehicle driving distance, the distances from gas stations, the route length, and the number of refueling gas stations as the decision conditions, recommendation rules and an early refueling service warning mechanism for gas stations along a self-driving travel route were constructed by using the algorithm presented in this research, based on the spatial clustering characteristics of gas stations and the urgency of refueling. Meanwhile, by combining ArcEngine and Matlab capabilities, a scenario simulation system of refueling for self-driving travel was developed by using c#.net in order to validate and test the accuracy and applicability of the algorithm. A total of nine testing schemes with four simulation scenarios were designed and executed using this algorithm, and all of the simulation results were consistent with expectations. The refueling recommendation algorithm proposed in this study can automatically adapt to changes in the route length of self-driving travel, the maximum driving distance of the vehicle, and the distance from gas stations, which could provide variable refueling recommendation strategies according to differing gas station layouts along the route. Therefore, the results of this study could provide a scientific reference for the reasonable planning and timely supply of vehicle refueling during self-driving travel.
Transcriptome Analysis of a Premature Leaf Senescence Mutant of Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xia Chuan , Zhang Lichao , Dong Chunhao , Liu Xu , Kong Xiuying
Published: March 2018

Leaf senescence is an important agronomic trait that affects both crop yield and quality. In this study, we characterized a premature leaf senescence mutant of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) obtained by ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis, named m68. Genetic analysis showed that the leaf senescence phenotype of m68 is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. We compared the transcriptome of wheat leaves between the wild type (WT) and the m68 mutant at four time points. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis revealed many genes that were closely related to senescence genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that transcription factors and protein transport genes might function in the beginning of leaf senescence, while genes that were associated with chlorophyll and carbon metabolism might function in the later stage. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the genes that are involved in plant hormone signal transduction were significantly enriched. Through expression pattern clustering of DEGs, we identified 1012 genes that were induced during senescence, and we found that the WRKY family and zinc finger transcription factors might be more important than other transcription factors in the early stage of leaf senescence. These results will not only support further gene cloning and functional analysis of m68, but also facilitate the study of leaf senescence in wheat.
ARHGAP15 in Human Breast Carcinoma: A Potent Tumor Suppressor Regulated by Androgens
Authors: Takagi Kiyoshi , Miki Yasuhiro , Onodera Yoshiaki , Ishida Takanori , Watanabe Mika , Sasano Hironobu , Suzuki Takashi
Published: March 2018

Rho GTPase activating protein 15 (ARHGAP15) is a recently identified GTPase activating protein which enhances intrinsic hydrolysis of GTP-bound Ras-related C3 botulinus toxin substrate (Rac1), resulting in inactivation of Rac1. Although a lot of studies have pointed out the pivotal roles of the Rac1 pathway in the progression of breast carcinomas, the clinical significance of ARHGAP15 has remained largely unknown in human breast carcinomas. Therefore, we immunolocalized ARHGAP15 in one hundred breast carcinoma tissues. ARHGAP15 immunoreactivity was frequently detected in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells, and was positively correlated with that of Rac1 and androgen receptor labeling index. Furthermore, ARHGAP15 immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with decreased risk of recurrence and improved prognosis, and multivariate analyses demonstrated that ARHGAP15 immunoreactivity was an independent prognostic factor for both disease-free and breast-cancer-specific survival of the patients. In addition, exogenous overexpression of ARHGA15 suppressed cell proliferation and migration of MCF-7 cells and SK-BR-3 cells. On the other hand, ARHGAP15 mRNA was significantly induced by dihydrotestosterone. These findings suggest that ARHGAP15 is an androgen-induced gene and has anti-tumorigenic roles associated with the Rac1 pathway. ARHGAP15 immunoreactivity is therefore considered a potent prognostic factor in human breast carcinomas.
Recombination Events Involving the atp9 Gene Are Associated with Male Sterility of CMS PET2 in Sunflower
Authors: Reddemann Antje , Horn Renate
Published: March 2018

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems represent ideal mutants to study the role of mitochondria in pollen development. In sunflower, CMS PET2 also has the potential to become an alternative CMS source for commercial sunflower hybrid breeding. CMS PET2 originates from an interspecific cross of H. petiolaris and H. annuus as CMS PET1, but results in a different CMS mechanism. Southern analyses revealed differences for atp6, atp9 and cob between CMS PET2, CMS PET1 and the male-fertile line HA89. A second identical copy of atp6 was present on an additional CMS PET2-specific fragment. In addition, the atp9 gene was duplicated. However, this duplication was followed by an insertion of 271 bp of unknown origin in the 5′ coding region of the atp9 gene in CMS PET2, which led to the creation of two unique open reading frames orf288 and orf231. The first 53 bp of orf288 are identical to the 5′ end of atp9. Orf231 consists apart from the first 3 bp, being part of the 271-bp-insertion, of the last 228 bp of atp9. These CMS PET2-specific orfs are co-transcribed. All 11 editing sites of the atp9 gene present in orf231 are fully edited. The anther-specific reduction of the co-transcript in fertility-restored hybrids supports the involvement in male-sterility based on CMS PET2.
Inhibition of Intracellular ROS Accumulation by Formononetin Attenuates Cisplatin-Mediated Apoptosis in LLC-PK1 Cells
Authors: Lee Haesol , Lee Dahae , Kang Ki , Song Ji , Choi You-Kyoung
Published: March 2018

Cisplatin is a well-known anticancer drug frequently used for treating solid tumors, including ovarian, testicular, bladder, and cervical tumors. However, usage of cisplatin has been limited because of its adverse effects, particularly nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the protective effect of formononetin against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cells as well as the anticancer effect of cisplatin in three different human cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa, SiHa, and CaSKi cells. We first demonstrated that formononetin strongly prevented cisplatin-induced LLC-PK1 cell death. Although formononetin had no anticancer effect, it did not interrupt the anticancer effect of cisplatin in human cervical carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, the treatment with formononetin reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and chromatin condensation. The percentage of Annexin V-positive cells also increased following cisplatin treatment. Finally, formononetin-inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, cleavage of caspase-8 and caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 increased with cisplatin. Taken together, these findings suggest that formononetin may be a possible option to prevent nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin during treatment for cervical cancer.
Peiminine Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Inflammation-Induced Cell Death by Inhibiting the ERK1/2 and NF-κB Signalling Pathways
Authors: Chen Guangxin , Liu Juxiong , Jiang Liqiang , Ran Xin , He Dewei , Li Yuhang , Huang Bingxu , Wang Wei , Liu Dianfeng , Fu Shoupeng
Published: March 2018

Neuroinflammation, characterized marked by microglial activation, plays a very important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Upon activation, pro-inflammatory mediators are produced by microglia, triggering excessive inflammatory responses and ultimately damaging dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, the identification of agents that inhibit neuroinflammation may be an effective approach for developing novel treatments for PD. In this study, we sought to investigate whether peiminine protects dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting neuroinflammation. We evaluated the effects of peiminine on behavioural dysfunction, microglial activation and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PD. BV-2 cells were pretreated with peiminine for 1 h and then stimulated with LPS for different times. Then, inflammatory responses and the related signalling pathways were analysed. Peiminine markedly attenuated behavioural dysfunction and inhibited the loss of dopaminergic neurons and microglial activation in the LPS-induced PD rat model. In BV-2 cells, peiminine significantly decreased LPS-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, COX-2 and iNOS by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT and NF-κB p65. Based on these results demonstrated that peiminine has a role in protecting dopaminergic neurons in the LPS-induced PD rat model by inhibiting neuroinflammation.
Characterization of Ageing- and Diet-Related Swine Models of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity
Authors: Garcia-Contreras Consolacion , Vazquez-Gomez Marta , Torres-Rovira Laura , Gonzalez Jorge , Porrini Esteban , Gonzalez-Colaço Magali , Isabel Beatriz , Astiz Susana , Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio
Published: March 2018

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are currently considered major global threats for health and well-being. However, there is a lack of adequate preclinical models for their study. The present trial evaluated the suitability of aged swine by determining changes in adiposity, fatty acids composition, antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation, development of metabolic disturbances and structural changes in tissues and organs. Iberian sows with clinical evidence of aging-related sarcopenia were fed a standard diet fulfilling their maintenance requirements or an obesogenic diet for 100 days. Aging and sarcopenia were related to increased lipid accumulation and cellular dysfunction at both adipose tissue and non-adipose ectopic tissues (liver and pancreas). Obesity concomitant to sarcopenia aggravates the condition by increasing visceral adiposity and causing dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and lipotoxicity in non-adipose tissues. These results support that the Iberian swine model represents certain features of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in humans, paving the way for future research on physiopathology of these conditions and possible therapeutic targets.
An Anti-Collision Algorithm for RFID Based on an Array and Encoding Scheme
Authors: Liu Baolong , Su Xiaohao
Published: March 2018

In order to solve the problem of tag collision in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, the paper proposes a Multi-Bit Identification Collision Tree (MICT) algorithm based on a collision tree. The algorithm uses an array scheme to mark the collision bits in the identification process, and determines the collision information according to the first few bits of the tag, which can effectively reduce the number of recognitions and the amount of communication data. The testing results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the time complexity by about 38% and the communication complexity by about 27% compared to existing collision-tree-based algorithms. Through theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation, the MICT algorithm has obvious advantages in terms of time and communication complexity compared to the other typical algorithms. The algorithm can be applied to the field of RFID-related systems to significantly improve the system efficiency.
Strengthening of Aluminum Wires Treated with A206/Alumina Nanocomposites
Authors: Florián-Algarín David , Marrero Raúl , Li Xiaochun , Choi Hongseok , Suárez Oscar
Published: March 2018

This study sought to characterize aluminum nanocomposite wires that were fabricated through a cold-rolling process, having potential applications in TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding of aluminum. A206 (Al-4.5Cu-0.25Mg) master nanocomposites with 5 wt % γAl2O3 nanoparticles were first manufactured through a hybrid process combining semi-solid mixing and ultrasonic processing. A206/1 wt % γAl2O3 nanocomposites were fabricated by diluting the prepared master nanocomposites with a monolithic A206 alloy, which was then added to a pure aluminum melt. The fabricated Al–γAl2O3 nanocomposite billet was cold-rolled to produce an Al nanocomposite wire with a 1 mm diameter and a transverse area reduction of 96%. Containing different levels of nanocomposites, the fabricated samples were mechanically and electrically characterized. The results demonstrate a significantly higher strength of the aluminum wires with the nanocomposite addition. Further, the addition of alumina nanoparticles affected the wires’ electrical conductivity compared with that of pure aluminum and aluminum–copper alloys. The overall properties of the new material demonstrate that these wires could be an appealing alternative for fillers intended for aluminum welding.
Role of the Short Distance Order in Glass Reactivity
Authors: Vallet-Regi María , Salinas Antonio
Published: March 2018

In 2005, our group described for the first time the structural characterization at the atomic scale of bioactive glasses and the influence of the glasses’ nanostructure in their reactivity in simulated body fluids. In that study, two bioactive sol-gel glasses with composition 80%SiO2–20%CaO and 80%SiO2–17%CaO–3%P2O5 (in mol-%) were characterized by High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). Such characterization revealed unknown features of the glasses’ structure at the local scale that allowed the understanding of their different in vitro behaviors as a consequence of the presence or absence of P2O5. Since then, the nanostructure of numerous bioactive glasses, including melt-prepared, sol-gel derived, and mesoporous glasses, was investigated by HRTEM, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, and other experimental techniques. These studies have shown that although glasses are amorphous solids, a certain type of short distance order, which greatly influences the in vitro and in vivo reactivity, is always present. This paper reviews the most significant advances in the understanding of bioactive glasses that took place in the last years as a result of the growing knowledge of the glasses’ nanostructure.
The Impact of Iron Adsorption on the Electronic and Photocatalytic Properties of the Zinc Oxide (0001) Surface: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Cheng Jingsi , Wang Ping , Hua Chao , Yang Yintang , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: March 2018

The structural stability, electronic structure, and optical properties of an iron-adsorbed ZnO (0001) surface with three high-symmetry adsorption sites are investigated with first-principle calculations on the basis of density functional theory and the Hubbard-U method. It is found that the iron adatom in the H3 adsorption site of ZnO (0001) surface has the lowest adsorption energy of −5.665 eV compared with T4 and Top sites. For the Top site, compared with the pristine ZnO (0001) surface, the absorption peak located at 1.17 eV has a red shift, and the elevation of the absorption coefficient is more pronounced in the visible-light region, because the Fe-related levels are introduced in the forbidden band and near the Fermi level. The electrostatic potential computation reveals that the work function of the ZnO (0001) surface is significantly decreased from 2.340 to 1.768 eV when iron is adsorbed on the Top site. Furthermore, the degradation mechanism based on the band structure is analyzed. It can be concluded that the adsorption of iron will promote the separation of photoinduced carriers, thus improving the photocatalytic activity of ZnO (0001) surface. Our study benefits research on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO and the utilization rate of solar energy.
New Naphthoquinone Terpenoids from Marine Actinobacterium, Streptomyces sp. CNQ-509
Authors: Park Jin-Soo , Kwon Hak
Published: March 2018

A member of the marine streptomycete clade MAR4, Streptomyces sp. CNQ-509, has genetic potential for the biosynthesis of hybrid isoprenoids and produces several meroterpenoids such as naphterpin, nitropyrrolin and marinophenazine. Our research on the strain CNQ-509 led to the isolation of two new naphterpin derivatives (1 and 2) comprised of naphthoquinone and geranyl moieties along with the known terpenoid, debromomarinone. The two-dimensional structure of these compounds was determined through spectral data analysis using data from NMR, MS and UV spectroscopy. Furthermore, the full structures of 1 and 2 including absolute configurations were unequivocally established by a combination of NMR experiments and chemical modifications.
Microbes a Tool for the Remediation of Organotin Pollution Determined by Static Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Finnegan Christopher , Ryan David , Enright Anne-Marie , Garcia-Cabellos Guiomar
Published: March 2018

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of the most toxic anthropogenic compounds introduced into the marine environment. Despite its global ban in 2008, TBT is still a problem of great concern due to its high affinity for particulate matter, providing a direct and potentially persistent route of entry into benthic sediments. Bioremediation strategies may constitute an alternative approach to conventional physicochemical methods, benefiting from the microorganism’s potential to metabolize anthropogenic compounds. In this work, a simple, precise and accurate static headspace gas chromatography method was developed to investigate the ability of TBT degrading microbes in sedimentary microcosms over a period of 120 days. The proposed method was validated for linearity, repeatability, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection and limit of quantification. The method was subsequently successfully applied for the detection and quantification of TBT and degradation compounds in sediment samples on day 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 of the experiment employing the principles of green chemistry. On day 120 the concentration of TBT remaining in the microcosms ranged between 91.91 ng/g wet wt for the least effective microbial inoculant to 52.73 ng/g wet wt for the most effective microbial inoculant from a starting concentration of 100 ng/g wet wt.
Discovery of Oxime Ethers as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Inhibitors by Docking, Screening and In Vitro Investigation
Authors: Tan Jie , Zhou Min , Cui Xinhua , Wei Zhuocai , Wei Wanxing
Published: March 2018

A series of oxime ethers with C6-C4 fragment was designed and virtually bioactively screened by docking with a target, then provided by a Friedel–Crafts reaction, esterification (or amidation), and oximation from p-substituted phenyl derivatives (Methylbenzene, Methoxybenzene, Chlorobenzene). Anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities of all synthesized compounds were evaluated with HepG2.2.15 cells in vitro. Results showed that most of compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity on HepG2.2.15 cells and significant inhibition on the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg. Among them, compound 5c-1 showed the most potent activity on inhibiting HBsAg secretion (IC50 = 39.93 μM, SI = 28.51). Results of the bioactive screening showed that stronger the compounds bound to target human leukocyte antigen A protein in docking, the more active they were in anti-HBV activities in vitro.
An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Approach towards the Synthesis of Rugulactone
Authors: Tyrikos-Ergas Theodore , Giannopoulos Vasileios , Smonou Ioulia
Published: March 2018

Rugulactone is a natural product isolated from the plant Cryptocarya rugulosa. It has shown very important biological activity as an inhibitor of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation pathway. A new chemoenzymatic approach towards the synthesis of rugulactone is presented here. The chirality, induced to the key intermediate by a stereoselective enzymatic reduction utilizing NADPH-dependent ketoreductase, is described in detail.
RNA Surveillance by the Nuclear RNA Exosome: Mechanisms and Significance
Authors: Ogami Koichi , Chen Yaqiong , Manley James
Published: March 2018

The nuclear RNA exosome is an essential and versatile machinery that regulates maturation and degradation of a huge plethora of RNA species. The past two decades have witnessed remarkable progress in understanding the whole picture of its RNA substrates and the structural basis of its functions. In addition to the exosome itself, recent studies focusing on associated co-factors have been elucidating how the exosome is directed towards specific substrates. Moreover, it has been gradually realized that loss-of-function of exosome subunits affect multiple biological processes, such as the DNA damage response, R-loop resolution, maintenance of genome integrity, RNA export, translation, and cell differentiation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms of nuclear exosome-mediated RNA metabolism and discuss their physiological significance.
Effect of a Protein Supplement on the Gut Microbiota of Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Study
Authors: Moreno-Pérez Diego , Bressa Carlo , Bailén María , Hamed-Bousdar Safa , Naclerio Fernando , Carmona Manuel , Pérez Margarita , González-Soltero Rocío , Montalvo-Lominchar Maria , Carabaña Claudia , Larrosa Mar
Published: March 2018

Nutritional supplements are popular among athletes to improve performance and physical recovery. Protein supplements fulfill this function by improving performance and increasing muscle mass; however, their effect on other organs or systems is less well known. Diet alterations can induce gut microbiota imbalance, with beneficial or deleterious consequences for the host. To test this, we performed a randomized pilot study in cross-country runners whose diets were complemented with a protein supplement (whey isolate and beef hydrolysate) (n = 12) or maltodextrin (control) (n = 12) for 10 weeks. Microbiota, water content, pH, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed in fecal samples, whereas malondialdehyde levels (oxidative stress marker) were determined in plasma and urine. Fecal pH, water content, ammonia, and SCFA concentrations did not change, indicating that protein supplementation did not increase the presence of these fermentation-derived metabolites. Similarly, it had no impact on plasma or urine malondialdehyde levels; however, it increased the abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum and decreased the presence of health-related taxa including Roseburia, Blautia, and Bifidobacterium longum. Thus, long-term protein supplementation may have a negative impact on gut microbiota. Further research is needed to establish the impact of protein supplements on gut microbiota.
Saccharin Increases Fasting Blood Glucose but Not Liver Insulin Resistance in Comparison to a High Fructose-Fed Rat Model
Authors: Leibowitz Avshalom , Bier Ariel , Gilboa Mayan , Peleg Edna , Barshack Iris , Grossman Ehud
Published: March 2018

Recent data indicate that artificial sweeteners (AS) may have deleterious effects on glucose metabolism. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of AS and the effects of a high fructose diet (HFrD) on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (IR) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. SD rats were fed either regular chow, chow with saccharin (Sac) (0.1 mg/mL) placed in their water, or HFrD for seven weeks. Glucose, insulin, and triglycerides (Tg) levels were measured upon completion. A homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-IR index was used to determine insulin resistance. The liver was stained to detect signs of a fatty liver. Hepatic mRNA expression of glucose metabolism regulation genes, Srepb-1c (sterol regulatory element binding protein) and ChREB (α & β) (carbohydrate response element binding protein), as well as other glycolytic and lipogenic genes including glucose-6-phosphatase (G6pc), were considered IR markers. Both HFrD and Sac significantly increased fasting blood glucose levels compare to the control (140 ± 5 and 137 ± 6 vs. 118 ± 3 mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.05). However, only HFrD increased insulin secretion (0.99 ± 0.12 vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.1 ug/L), Tg levels (420 ± 43 vs. 152 ± 20 and 127 ± 13 mg/dL), and the HOMA-IR index (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.36 and 2.13 ± 0.3) (HFrD vs. control and sac, p < 0.05). Fatty liver changes were only observed in HFrD fed rats. The expression of ChREB β, Srepb-1c, and G6pc mRNA were only significantly elevated (between 2–10 times folds, p < 0.05) in HFrD fed rats. Sac may increase fasting blood glucose but has no effect on liver insulin resistance.
Association between Erythrocyte Membrane Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Sleep Disturbance in Chinese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Tang Jun , Yan Yinkun , Zheng Ju-Sheng , Mi Jie , Li Duo
Published: March 2018

The relationship between circulating fatty acid (FA) composition and childhood sleep disturbance remains largely unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of erythrocyte membrane FA composition with prevalence of sleep disturbance in Chinese children and adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2337 school-aged children and adolescents who completed a clinical assessment in Beijing, China. Presence of sleep disturbance was self-reported or parent-reported by questionnaires. Erythrocyte FAs were measured by gas chromatography, and desaturase activities were estimated by FA ratios. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sleep disturbance across FA quartiles were calculated by a logistical regression model. We found higher proportions of erythrocyte phospholipid 24:0, 24:1n-9, and lower proportions of total n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in participants with sleep disturbance compared with those without. In the logistical regression models, significant inverse associations were found for total n-3 PUFA, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, the highest versus lowest quartile ORs and 95% CIs were 0.57 (0.40, 0.82), 0.67 (0.47, 0.97) and 0.69 (0.49, 0.96), respectively. For per 1 SD difference of proportion, OR and 95% CI of prevalence of sleep disturbance was 0.91 (0.86, 0.97) for total n-3 PUFA, 0.90 (0.82, 0.98) for 22:5n-3, and 0.92 (0.86, 0.99) for 22:6n-3, respectively. No significant association was found for saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids or FA ratios. The present study suggested that erythrocyte n-3 PUFAs, especially 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, are inversely associated with prevalence of sleep disturbance in Chinese children and adolescents.
Validation of a Dietary Screening Tool in a Middle-Aged Appalachian Population
Authors: Ventura Marra Melissa , Thuppal Sowmyanarayanan , Johnson Elizabeth , Bailey Regan
Published: March 2018

Proactive nutrition screening is an effective public health strategy for identifying and targeting individuals who could benefit from making dietary improvements for primary and secondary prevention of disease. The Dietary Screening Tool (DST) was developed and validated to assess nutritional risk among rural older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility and validity of the DST to identify nutritional risk in middle-aged adults. This cross-sectional study in middle-aged adults (45–64 year olds, n = 87) who reside in Appalachia, examined nutritional status using an online health survey, biochemical measures, anthropometry, and three representative 24-h dietary recalls. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to describe overall diet quality. Adults identified by the DST with a nutrition risk had lower HEI scores (50 vs. 64, p < 0.001) and were much more likely to also be considered at dietary risk by the HEI (OR 11.6; 3.2–42.6) when compared to those not at risk. Those at risk had higher energy-adjusted total fat, saturated fat, and added sugar intakes and lower intakes of dietary fiber, and several micronutrients than those classified as not at risk by the DST. Similarly, the at-risk group had significantly lower serum levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin but did not differ in retinol or methylmalonic acid compared with those not at risk. The DST is a valid tool to identify middle-aged adults with nutritional risk.
Design Considerations for Integration of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy in Microfluidic Platforms
Authors: Al-Hujazy Rasha , Collier Christopher
Published: March 2018

Microfluidic platforms have received much attention in recent years. In particular, there is interest in combining spectroscopy with microfluidic platforms. This work investigates the integration of microfluidic platforms and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) systems. A semiclassical computational model is used to simulate the emission of THz radiation from a GaAs photoconductive THz emitter. This model incorporates white noise with increasing noise amplitude (corresponding to decreasing dynamic range values). White noise is selected over other noise due to its contributions in THz-TDS systems. The results from this semiclassical computational model, in combination with defined sample thicknesses, can provide the maximum measurable absorption coefficient for a microfluidic-based THz-TDS system. The maximum measurable frequencies for such systems can be extracted through the relationship between the maximum measurable absorption coefficient and the absorption coefficient for representative biofluids. The sample thickness of the microfluidic platform and the dynamic range of the THz-TDS system play a role in defining the maximum measurable frequency for microfluidic-based THz-TDS systems. The results of this work serve as a design tool for the development of such systems.
Ultrasound- and Thermo-Responsive Ionic Liquid Polymers
Authors: Itsuki Kohei , Kawata Yuuki , Sharker Komol , Yusa Shin-ichi
Published: March 2018

Poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (PAMPSNa) was prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization. An ionic liquid polymer (PAMPSP4448) was then prepared by exchanging the pendant counter cation from sodium (Na+) to tributyl-n-octylphosphonium (P4448+). We studied the ultrasound- and thermo-responsive behaviors of PAMPSP4448 in water. When the aqueous PAMPSP4448 solution was heated from 5 to 50 °C, the solution was always transparent with 100% transmittance. Unimers and interpolymer aggregates coexisted in water in the temperature range 5–50 °C. Generally, hydrogen bonding interactions are broken as the temperature increases due to increased molecular motion. Above 25 °C, the size of the interpolymer aggregates decreased, because hydrophobic interactions inside them were strengthened by dehydration accompanying cleavage of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and the pendant amide or sulfonate groups in PAMPSP4448. Above 25 °C, sonication of the aqueous solution induced an increase in the collision frequency of the aggregates. This promoted hydrophobic interactions between the aggregates to form larger aggregates, and the aqueous solution became turbid. When the temperature was decreased below 8 °C, hydrogen bonds reformed between water molecules and the pendant amide or sulfonate groups, allowing PAMPSP4448 to redissolve in water to form a transparent solution. The solution could be repeatedly controlled between turbidity and transparency by sonication and cooling, respectively.
Polymeric Materials for Conversion of Electromagnetic Waves from the Sun to Electric Power
Authors: Haque SK , Ardila-Rey Jorge , Umar Yunusa , Rahman Habibur , Mas’ud Abdullahi , Muhammad-Sukki Firdaus , Albarracín Ricardo
Published: March 2018

Solar photoelectric energy converted into electricity requires large surface areas with incident light and flexible materials to capture these light emissions. Currently, sunlight rays are converted to electrical energy using silicon polymeric material with efficiency up to 22%. The majority of the energy is lost during conversion due to an energy gap between sunlight photons and polymer energy transformation. This energy conversion also depends on the morphology of present polymeric materials. Therefore, it is very important to construct mechanisms of highest energy occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO)s and the lowest energy unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO)s to increase the efficiency of conversion. The organic and inorganic solar cells used as dyes can absorb more photons from sunlight and the energy gap will be less for better conversion of energy to electricity than the conventional solar cells. This paper provides an up-to-date review on the performance, characterization, and reliability of different composite polymeric materials for energy conversion. Specific attention has been given to organic solar cells because of their several advantages over others, such as their low-energy payback time, conversion efficiency and greenhouse emissions. Finally, this paper provides the recent progress on the application of both organic and inorganic solar cells for electric power generations together with several challenges that are currently faced.
The Invisible Path of Karma in a Himalayan Purificatory Rite
Authors: Moran Arik
Published: March 2018

Indic rites of purification aim to negate the law of karma by removing the residues of malignant past actions from their patrons. This principle is exemplified in the Kahika Mela, a rarely studied religious festival of the West Himalayan highlands (Himachal Pradesh, India), wherein a ritual specialist assumes karmic residues from large publics and then sacrificed to their presiding deity. British officials who had ‘discovered’ this purificatory rite at the turn of the twentieth century interpreted it as a variant of the universal ‘scapegoat’ rituals that were then being popularized by James Frazer and found it loosely connected to ancient Tantric practises. The However, observing a recent performance of the ritual significantly complicated this view. This paper proposes a novel reading of the Kahika Mela through the prism of karmic transference. Tracing the path of karmas from participants to ritual specialist and beyond, it delineates the logic behind the rite, revealing that the culminating act of human sacrifice is, in fact, secondary to the mysterious force that impels its acceptance.
High Turbidity Solis Clear Sky Model: Development and Validation
Authors: Ineichen Pierre
Published: March 2018

The Solis clear sky model is a spectral scheme based on radiative transfer calculations and the Lambert–Beer relation. Its broadband version is a simplified fast analytical version; it is limited to broadband aerosol optical depths lower than 0.45, which is a weakness when applied in countries with very high turbidity such as China or India. In order to extend the use of the original simplified version of the model for high turbidity values, we developed a new version of the broadband Solis model based on radiative transfer calculations, valid for turbidity values up to 7, for the three components, global, beam, and diffuse, and for the four aerosol types defined by Shettle and Fenn. A validation of low turbidity data acquired in Geneva shows slightly better results than the previous version. On data acquired at sites presenting higher turbidity data, the bias stays within ±4% for the beam and the global irradiances, and the standard deviation around 5% for clean and stable condition data and around 12% for questionable data and variable sky conditions.
Potential Investigation of Linking PROSAIL with the Ross-Li BRDF Model for Vegetation Characterization
Authors: Zhang Xiaoning , Jiao Ziti , Dong Yadong , Zhang Hu , Li Yang , He Dandan , Ding Anxin , Yin Siyang , Cui Lei , Chang Yaxuan
Published: March 2018

Methods that link different models for investigating the retrieval of canopy biophysical/structural variables have been substantially adopted in the remote sensing community. To retrieve global biophysical parameters from multiangle data, the kernel-driven bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model has been widely applied to satellite multiangle observations to model (interpolate/extrapolate) the bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) in an arbitrary direction of viewing and solar geometries. Such modeled BRFs, as an essential information source, are then input into an inversion procedure that is devised through a large number of simulation analyses from some widely used physical models that can generalize such an inversion relationship between the BRFs (or their simple algebraic composite) and the biophysical/structural parameter. Therefore, evaluation of such a link between physical models and kernel-driven models contributes to the development of such inversion procedures to accurately retrieve vegetation properties, particularly based on the operational global BRDF parameters derived from satellite multiangle observations (e.g., MODIS). In this study, the main objective is to investigate the potential for linking a popular physical model (PROSAIL) with the widely used kernel-driven Ross-Li models. To do this, the BRFs and albedo are generated by the physical PROSAIL in a forward model, and then the simulated BRFs are input into the kernel-driven BRDF model for retrieval of the BRFs and albedo in the same viewing and solar geometries. To further strengthen such an investigation, a variety of field-measured multiangle reflectances have also been used to investigate the potential for linking these two models. For simulated BRFs generated by the PROSAIL model at 659 and 865 nm, the two models are generally comparable to each other, and the resultant root mean square errors (RMSEs) are 0.0092 and 0.0355, respectively, although some discrepancy in the simulated BRFs can be found at large average leaf angle (ALA) values. Unsurprisingly, albedos generated by the method are quite consistent, and 99.98% and 97.99% of the simulated white sky albedo (WSA) has a divergence less than 0.02. For the field measurements, the kernel-driven model presents somewhat better model-observation congruence than the PROSAIL model. The results show that these models have an overall good consistency for both field-measured and model-simulated BRFs. Therefore, there is potential for linking these two models for looking into the retrieval of canopy biophysical/structural variables through a simulation method, particularly from the current archive of the global routine MODIS BRDF parameters that were produced by the kernel-driven BRDF model; however, erectophile vegetation must be further examined.
Urban Heat Island Analysis over the Land Use Zoning Plan of Bangkok by Means of Landsat 8 Imagery
Authors: Keeratikasikorn Chaiyapon , Bonafoni Stefania
Published: March 2018

Surface urban heat island (SUHI) maps retrieved from spaceborne sensor data are increasingly recognized as an efficient scientific support to be considered in sustainable urban planning. By means of reflective and thermal data from Landsat 8 imagery in the time interval 2014–2016, this work deals with the SUHI pattern identification within the different land use categories of Bangkok city plan. This study first provides an overview of the SUHI phenomenon in Bangkok, then singles out the surface heating behavior in each land use category. To describe the SUHI dynamics within the different classes, the main statistics of the SUHI intensity (mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum) are computed. Overall, the analysis points out that the categories placed in the city core (high-density residential; commercial; historical and military classes) exhibit the highest mean SUHI intensities (around 4 °C); whilst the vegetated pixels exert a less cool effect with respect to the greenery of categories mainly placed farther from the city center. The proposed analysis can help to identify if the land use plan requires targeted future actions for the SUHI mitigation; or if the maintenance of the current urban development model is in line with the environmental sustainability.