bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of High-Voltage Electric Field Cold Plasma (HVCP) Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) as a Plasma Source on the Quality Parameters of Carrot Juice
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Jabbar Saqib , Nasiru Mustapha , Sultana Tayyaba , Senan Ahmed , Awad Faisal , Hong Zhuang , Zhang Jianhao
Published: November 2019

The main aim of the current investigation was to contemplate the impact of high-voltage electric field cold plasma (HVCP) on different quality characteristics (enzymes, microbial activities, coloring pigments, ascorbic acid, polyphenolic compounds, °Brix, acidity, and color index) of carrot juice in correlation with thermal processing. A carrot juice (250 mL) sample sealed in pre-sterilized food-grade bottles, which placed between two dielectric quartz plates for HVCP treatment. The gap between the plates was 30 mm, and a stable and uniform plasma dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) generated for 3 and 4 min at 60, 70, and 80 kV. Air was used as a working gas during the DBD-based plasma treatment. The observed rise in temperature was 2–5 °C during the HVCP treatment. A water bath was used to carry out thermal treatment (100 °C for 5 min). The maximum inactivation of enzymes and microorganisms was achieved with thermal treatment and then with HVCP treatment at 70 kV for 4 min. However, maximum retention of coloring compounds, ascorbic acid, total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins was found following HVCP (70 kV for 4 min) treatment compared to thermal treatment. The °Brix, pH, and acidity remained unchanged irrespective of treatments. These findings suggest that HVCP treatment at 70 kV for 4 min may be a good alternative to thermal treatment, and it may successfully be applied in carrot juice production, resulting in reduced enzymes, lower microbial activity, and improved bioactive compounds. The prospects of overcoming the existing conventional physical and chemical methods for sterilization make it a novel and more economical technique to maintain food’s natural nourishment, composition, appearance, structure, and freshness.
Saffron Processing Wastes as a Bioresource of High-Value Added Compounds: Development of a Green Extraction Process for Polyphenol Recovery Using a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Lakka Achillia , Grigorakis Spyros , Karageorgou Ioanna , Batra Georgia , Kaltsa Olga , Bozinou Eleni , Lalas Stavros , Makris Dimitris P.
Published: November 2019

The current investigation was undertaken to examine saffron processing waste (SPW) as a bioresource, which could be valorized to produce extracts rich in antioxidant polyphenols, using a green, natural deep eutectic solvent (DES). Initially, there was an appraisal of the molar ratio of hydrogen bond donor/hydrogen bond acceptor in order to come up with the most efficient DES composed of L-lactic acid/glycine (5:1). The following step was the optimization of the extraction process using response surface methodology. The optimal conditions thus determined were a DES concentration of 55% (w/v), a liquid-to-solid ratio of 60 mL g−1, and a stirring speed of 800 rounds per minute. Under these conditions, the extraction yield in total polyphenols achieved was 132.43 ± 10.63 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of dry mass. The temperature assay performed within a range of 23 to 80 °C, suggested that extracts displayed maximum yield and antioxidant activity at 50–60 °C. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the SPW extract obtained under optimal conditions showed that the predominant flavonol was kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside and the major anthocyanin delphinidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside. The results indicated that SPW extraction with the DES used is a green and efficient methodology and may afford extracts rich flavonols and anthocyanins, which are considered to be powerful antioxidants.
Simplified Admix Archaeal Glycolipid Adjuvanted Vaccine and Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Combination Enhances Protection from Murine Melanoma
Authors: Stark Felicity C. , Agbayani Gerard , Sandhu Jagdeep K. , Akache Bassel , McPherson Charis , Deschatelets Lise , Dudani Renu , Hewitt Melissa , Jia Yimei , Krishnan Lakshmi , McCluskie Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Archaeosomes are liposomes composed of natural or synthetic archaeal lipids that when used as adjuvants induce strong long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against entrapped antigens. However, traditional entrapped archaeosome formulations have only low entrapment efficiency, therefore we have developed a novel admixed formulation which offers many advantages, including reduced loss of antigen, consistency of batch-to-batch production as well as providing the option to formulate the vaccine immediately before use, which is beneficial for next generation cancer therapy platforms that include patient specific neo-antigens or for use with antigens that are less stable. Herein, we demonstrate that, when used in combination with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy, this novel admixed archaeosome formulation, comprised of preformed sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) archaeosomes admixed with OVA antigen (SLA–OVA (adm)), was as effective at inducing strong CD8+ T cell responses and protection from a B16-OVA melanoma tumor challenge as the traditionally formulated archaeosomes with encapsulated OVA protein. Furthermore, archaeosome vaccine formulations combined with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapy, induced OVA-CD8+ T cells within the tumor and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of CD8+ T cells associated with dying or dead tumor cells as well as within or around tumor blood vessels. Overall, archaeosomes constitute an attractive option for use with combinatorial checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy platforms.
Functional Connectivity between the Resting-State Olfactory Network and the Hippocampus in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Lu Jiaming , Testa Nicole , Jordan Rebecca , Elyan Rommy , Kanekar Sangam , Wang Jianli , Eslinger Paul , Yang Qing X. , Zhang Bing , Karunanayaka Prasanna R.
Published: November 2019

Olfactory impairment is associated with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is a risk factor for the development of dementia. AD pathology is known to disrupt brain regions instrumental in olfactory information processing, such as the primary olfactory cortex (POC), the hippocampus, and other temporal lobe structures. This selective vulnerability suggests that the functional connectivity (FC) between the olfactory network (ON), consisting of the POC, insula and orbital frontal cortex (OFC) (Tobia et al., 2016), and the hippocampus may be impaired in early stage AD. Yet, the development trajectory of this potential FC impairment remains unclear. Here, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) to investigate FC changes between the ON and hippocampus in four groups: aged-matched cognitively normal (CN), early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI), late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI), and AD. FC was calculated using low frequency fMRI signal fluctuations in the ON and hippocampus (Tobia et al., 2016). We found that the FC between the ON and the right hippocampus became progressively disrupted across disease states, with significant differences between EMCI and LMCI groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences in gray matter hippocampal volumes between EMCI and LMCI groups. Lastly, the FC between the ON and hippocampus was significantly correlated with neuropsychological test scores, suggesting that it is related to cognition in a meaningful way. These findings provide the first in vivo evidence for the involvement of FC between the ON and hippocampus in AD pathology. Results suggest that functional connectivity (FC) between the olfactory network (ON) and hippocampus may be a sensitive marker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression, preceding gray matter volume loss.
Structure and Function of the Nuclear Receptor Superfamily and Current Targeted Therapies of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Porter Baylee A. , Ortiz Maria A. , Bratslavsky Gennady , Kotula Leszek
Published: November 2019

The nuclear receptor superfamily comprises a large group of proteins with functions essential for cell signaling, survival, and proliferation. There are multiple distinctions between nuclear superfamily classes defined by hallmark differences in function, ligand binding, tissue specificity, and DNA binding. In this review, we utilize the initial classification system, which defines subfamilies based on structure and functional difference. The defining feature of the nuclear receptor superfamily is that these proteins function as transcription factors. The loss of transcriptional regulation or gain of functioning of these receptors is a hallmark in numerous diseases. For example, in prostate cancer, the androgen receptor is a primary target for current prostate cancer therapies. Targeted cancer therapies for nuclear hormone receptors have been more feasible to develop than others due to the ligand availability and cell permeability of hormones. To better target these receptors, it is critical to understand their structural and functional regulation. Given that late-stage cancers often develop hormone insensitivity, we will explore the strengths and pitfalls of targeting other transcription factors outside of the nuclear receptor superfamily such as the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT).
Association of ATG4B and Phosphorylated ATG4B Proteins with Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Pei-Feng , Chen Hung-Chih , Cheng Jin-Shiung , Tsai Wei-Lun , Lee Huai-Pao , Wang Shu-Chi , Peng Wei-Hao , Lee Cheng-Hsin , Ger Luo-Ping , Shu Chih-Wen
Published: November 2019

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the major leading causes of cancer death worldwide due to the limited availability of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Autophagy related protease 4B (ATG4B) is an essential protease for the autophagy machinery, and ATG4B phosphorylation at Ser383/392 increases its proteolytic activity. ATG4B expression and activation are crucial for cancer cell proliferation and invasion. However, the clinical relevance of ATG4B and phospho-Ser383/392-ATG4B for OSCC remains unknown, particularly in buccal mucosal SCC (BMSCC) and tongue SCC (TSCC). With a tissue microarray comprising specimens from 498 OSCC patients, including 179 BMSCC and 249 TSCC patients, we found that the protein levels of ATG4B and phospho-Ser383/392-ATG4B were elevated in the tumor tissues of BMSCC and TSCC compared with those in adjacent normal tissues. High protein levels of ATG4B were significantly associated with worse disease-specific survival (DSS) in OSCC patients, particularly in patients with tumors at advanced stages. In contrast, phospho-Ser383/392-ATG4B expression was correlated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) in TSCC patients. Moreover, ATG4B protein expression was positively correlated with phospho-Ser383/392-ATG4B expression in both BMSCC and TSCC. However, high coexpression levels of ATG4B and phospho-Ser383/392-ATG4B were associated with poor DFS only in TSCC patients, whereas they had no significant association with DSS in BMSCC and TSCC patients. In addition, silencing ATG4B with an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) diminished cell proliferation of TW2.6 and SAS oral cancer cells. Further, knockdown of ATG4B reduced cell migration and invasion of oral cancer cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that ATG4B might be a biomarker for diagnosis/prognosis of OSCC and a potential therapeutic target for OSCC patients.
Incidental Use of Beta-Blockers Is Associated with Outcome of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Bevacizumab-Based Therapy: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis of 514 Patients
Authors: Fiala Ondrej , Ostasov Pavel , Sorejs Ondrej , Liska Vaclav , Buchler Tomas , Poprach Alexandr , Finek Jindrich
Published: November 2019

Background: Beta-adrenergic signalling plays an important role in several cancer-related processes, including angiogenesis. The impact of beta-blocker use on prognosis of cancer patients treated with antiangiogenic agents is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the incidental use of beta-blockers and the outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with bevacizumab-based therapy. Methods: Clinical data from 514 mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab between 2005 and 2019 were analysed retrospectively. The association of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with the incidental use of beta-blockers and other common antihypertensive drugs was assessed. Results: The median PFS and OS for patients using beta-blockers was 11.40 (95% confidence interval (CI) 10.10–13.61) months and 26.8 (95% CI 22.2–32.2) months compared with 8.30 (95% CI 7.80–9.57) and 21.0 (95% CI 17.8–23.8) months for patients not using beta-blockers (p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the use of beta-blockers was a significant factor predicting both PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.763 (95% CI 0.606–0.960), p = 0.021) and OS (HR = 0.730 (95% CI 0.560–0.951), p = 0.020). Conclusions: The results of the present retrospective study suggest that there is a significant association between the use of beta-blockers and favourable outcomes of mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy.
Automated Gleason Scoring and Tumor Quantification in Prostate Core Needle Biopsy Images Using Deep Neural Networks and Its Comparison with Pathologist-Based Assessment
Authors: Ryu Han Suk , Jin Min-Sun , Park Jeong Hwan , Lee Sanghun , Cho Joonyoung , Oh Sangjun , Kwak Tae-Yeong , Woo Junwoo Isaac , Mun Yechan , Kim Sun Woo , Hwang Soohyun , Shin Su-Jin , Chang Hyeyoon
Published: November 2019

The Gleason grading system, currently the most powerful prognostic predictor of prostate cancer, is based solely on the tumor’s histological architecture and has high inter-observer variability. We propose an automated Gleason scoring system based on deep neural networks for diagnosis of prostate core needle biopsy samples. To verify its efficacy, the system was trained using 1133 cases of prostate core needle biopsy samples and validated on 700 cases. Further, system-based diagnosis results were compared with reference standards derived from three certified pathologists. In addition, the system’s ability to quantify cancer in terms of tumor length was also evaluated via comparison with pathologist-based measurements. The results showed a substantial diagnostic concordance between the system-grade group classification and the reference standard (0.907 quadratic-weighted Cohen’s kappa coefficient). The system tumor length measurements were also notably closer to the reference standard (correlation coefficient, R = 0.97) than the original hospital diagnoses (R = 0.90). We expect this system to assist pathologists to reduce the probability of over- or under-diagnosis by providing pathologist-level second opinions on the Gleason score when diagnosing prostate biopsy, and to support research on prostate cancer treatment and prognosis by providing reproducible diagnosis based on the consistent standards.
Cytoplasmic Restriction of Mutated SOD1 Impairs the DNA Repair Process in Spinal Cord Neurons
Authors: Li Jiaojie , Song Miyoung , Moh Sanghyun , Kim Heemin , Kim Dae-Hwan
Published: November 2019

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), affects various cellular processes and results in the death of motor neurons with fatal defects. Currently, several neurological disorders associated with DNA damage are known to directly induce neurodegenerative diseases. In this research, we found that cytoplasmic restriction of SOD1G93A, which inhibited the nucleic translocation of SOD1WT, was directly related to increasing DNA damage in SOD1- mutated ALS disease. Our study showed that nucleic transport of DNA repair- processing proteins, such as p53, APEX1, HDAC1, and ALS- linked FUS were interfered with under increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the presence of SOD1G93A. During aging, the unsuccessful recognition and repair process of damaged DNA, due to the mislocalized DNA repair proteins might be closely associated with the enhanced susceptibility of DNA damage in SOD1- mutated neurons. In addition, the co-expression of protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) directly interacting with SOD1 protein in neurons enhances the nucleic transport of cytoplasmic- restricted SOD1G93A. Therefore, our results showed that enhanced DNA damage by SOD1 mutation-induced ALS disease and further suggested that PDI could be a strong candidate molecule to protect neuronal apoptosis by reducing DNA damage in ALS disease.
Cobalamin Deficiency: Effect on Homeostasis of Cultured Human Astrocytes
Authors: Rzepka Zuzanna , Rok Jakub , Respondek Michalina , Pawlik Justyna , Beberok Artur , Gryko Dorota , Wrześniok Dorota
Published: November 2019

Cobalamin deficiency is an important health problem. The major non-hematological symptoms of hypocobalaminemia are nervous system disorders, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not yet been fully explained. Increasing scientific evidence is stressing the pivotal role of astrocyte dysfunction in the pathogenesis of a wide range of neurological disorders. In light of the above, the aim of this study was to develop an in vitro model of cobalamin deficiency by optimizing the conditions of astrocyte culture in the presence of vitamin B12 antagonist, and then the model was used for multidirectional analysis of astrocyte homeostasis using image cytometry, immunoenzymatic and colorimetric assays, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicated that long-term incubation of normal human astrocytes with hydroxycobalamin(c-lactam) causes an increase of extracellular homocysteine level, a reduction of cell proliferation, and an accumulation of cells in the G2/M cell cycle phase. Moreover, we observed dramatic activation of caspases and an increase of catalase activity. Interestingly, we excluded extensive apoptosis and oxidative stress. The study provided significant evidence for astrocyte homeostasis disturbance under hypocobalaminemia, thus indicating an important element of the molecular mechanism of nervous system diseases related to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Analysis of Existing Thermodynamic Models of the Liquid Drop Deposited on the Substrate—A Sufficient Condition of the Minimum Free Energy of the System
Authors: Torbus Slawomir , Dolata Miroslaw , Jakiela Slawomir , Michalski Jacek A.
Published: November 2019

On the basis of the principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, the following condition was determined: necessary and sufficient for the occurrence of a minimum free energy of a liquid droplet deposited on a solid substrate in a gaseous environment in an isothermal and isochoric system. Only for positive values of the energy of three-phase tension line (shrinking the wetting circumference) for small and large contact angles can the system not reach this minimum. Without exceeding a certain free energy limit, it is not possible for the drop to spontaneously spread over the surface. For zero and negative energy of three-phase tension line (stretching the wetting circumference), the system can always reach a minimum of free energy. The developed equations allow determining the change of free energy occurring between any two stationary states when the droplet volume and physicochemical parameters characterizing energies at the interfaces are known. For a known set of such parameters, the equations allow determining the trajectory of free energy changes in the system as a function of the contact angle from the moment the drop comes into contact with the substrate. The application of the principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics makes it possible to treat a real system as one in which the drops do not evaporate. However, the system has to be isothermal.
A Graph Theory-Based Method for Regional Integrated Energy Network Planning: A Case Study of a China–U.S. Low-Carbon Demonstration City
Authors: Chen Yingying , Zhu Jian
Published: November 2019

With the significant attention on global climate change, regional integrated energy systems (RIES) in low-carbon city planning has become one of the most important ways for global cities to achieve the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction. However, the planning strategy used in the primary stage of RIES establishment will greatly affect the system economy and environment. In view of the lack of planning guidance mechanisms for the large-scale RIES in China, a method for RIES preliminary overall planning, focused on energy types and use, is proposed in this paper. A graph theory-based mathematical optimal model was established with the lifetime costs of the whole system as the economic goal, and an improved Prim algorithm was put forward to solve the costs of the transmission and distribution network with the dynamic weight set of pipeline flow. The model was solved by an algorithm based on the idea of a dynamic minimum spanning tree and optimal path planning. The model and method were applied in a China–U.S. low-carbon demonstration city to verify feasibility and validity. The results could help us to comprehensively integrate regional energy and accurately plan future cities.
Effect of Phosphinothricin on Transgenic Downy Birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) Containing bar or GS1 Genes
Authors: Lebedev Vadim G. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Shestibratov Konstantin A.
Published: November 2019

Weeds are a big problem in agriculture and forestry, and herbicides are the main tools to control them. Phosphinotricin (ammonium glufosinate, PPT) is one of the most effective non-selective herbicides, to which weeds hardly gain resistance, but the reasons for its effect and toxicity to plants are still unclear, and especially, it is little studied in trees, including transgenic ones. We studied the physiological responses of downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) containing the herbicide resistance bar gene or the cytosol glutamine synthetase GS1 gene (the target enzyme of the herbicide) to PPT-based Basta herbicide treatment in various doses under open-air conditions during two years. Birch saplings with the bar gene were resistant to a double field dose (10 L/ha), but the expression of the GS1 gene only slightly increased resistance compared to the control. Herbicide treatment increased the ammonium level in leaf tissue by 3–8 times, but this, apparently, was not the main cause of plant death. Among leaf pigments, chlorophyll B was the most resistant to PPT, and carotenoids were the most sensitive. Responses of birch trees with the GS1 gene (accumulation of ammonium, pigment content, and dehydration) during treatment with a low dose of herbicide were less pronounced than in control plants. One-year-old control and transgenic plants with the GS gene died after 2.5 L/ha treatment, and two-year-old plants lost foliage after such treatment but remained alive and developed buds four weeks after treatment. Herbicide treatment of plants with the bar gene did not cause significant deviations in height (first year) or the accumulation of aboveground biomass (second year). The obtained results improve our understanding of the effect of PPT on woody plants and can be used both to clarify mechanisms of herbicide action and in plantation forestry.
Slow Recovery of Major Soil Nutrient Pools during Reclamation in a Sub-Alpine Copper Mine Area, Southeastern Edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan Province, SW China
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhang Jifei
Published: November 2019

Improvement of soil nutrients is crucial for the long-term development and stability of restored ecosystems in mine areas. However, knowledge about the variation in soil nutrients and their influencing factors during the reclamation of sub-alpine metal mine soil is still scarce. We assess the status of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), N fractions, total phosphorus (TP), and available P in reclaimed soil at a copper mine site (2702 m above sea level) in the southeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, southwest China. The mine area had been reclaimed by distributing stockpiled topsoil (~15 cm) in 2008, sowing seeds of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in 2009, and planting seedlings of A. ferdinandi-coburgii and Rosa omeiensis f. pteracantha in 2010. We found that, eight years after the reclamation, although the concentrations of SOC (24.3 g kg−1) and TN (2.21 g kg−1) in the reclaimed soil increased by 25% and 29% compared with the stockpiled topsoil, respectively, they only accounted for about half of the levels in the undisturbed topsoil. In contrast, the concentration of TP (498–570 mg kg−1) did not significantly change between the reclaimed and stockpiled topsoil. The concentrations of NH4-N (30.1 g kg−1), NO3-N (17.2 g kg−1), and available P (11.1 mg kg−1) in the reclaimed soil were 2.2, 1.3, and 1.6 times the levels in stockpiled topsoil, respectively, but still lower than those in undisturbed soil. The concentrations of microbial C, N, and P in the reclaimed soil had a similar variation pattern to the available nutrients. The soil C:P and N:P ratios and microbial biomass C:P and N:P ratios in the reclaimed soil were significantly lower than the levels in the undisturbed forest soil. The average accumulation rates of SOC and TN in the reclaimed soil were 85.3 and 11.4 g m−2 year−1, respectively. The rates are much lower than those of reclaimed mine soils with similar reclaim duration but better climate conditions. Relatively slow development of vegetation and soil microorganisms and leaching due to a freeze–thaw cycle controlled by the sub-alpine climate are likely responsible for the slow recovery of soil SOC and TN.
Interactive Effects of Climatic Factors on Seasonal Vegetation Dynamics in the Central Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhu Xian , He Hong S. , Zhang Shuoxin , Dijak William D. , Fu Yuanyuan
Published: November 2019

The interactive effects of climatic factors (precipitation and temperature) on vegetation growth can be characterized by their effect on vegetation seasonal dynamics. The interactive effects, seasonal trend of vegetation growth, and its future consistency (potential for future trend) have not been adequately studied in the literature. In this work, using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and gridded climate data at a resolution of 250 m in the central Loess Plateau region, we examined seasonal vegetation dynamics with climate changes and the interactive effects of climatic factors on vegetation growth at the pixel and regional scales from the period 2000 to 2015. Vegetation cover in the Central Loess Plateau in China has dramatically changed due to the Grain-for-Green (GFG) ecological restoration program, which was designed to convert cropland to forestland or grassland since 1999. Our results show that the EVI increased significantly during the 16 year period and is likely to continue to increase in the near future. Relatively small Hurst exponents for forestland suggests that the potential for a future increased trend will be weak for the forest. Large Hurst exponents for grassland indicate its strong potential of further increase. Significant increases in spring precipitation have promoted vegetation growth, while significant decreases in summer temperature have had negative effects on vegetation growth. For temperatures between 10 to 20 °C, the impact of temperature on vegetation growth has a clear positive relationship with the moderator variable precipitation. For precipitation < 200 mm in the growing season, the impact of precipitation on vegetation growth has a clearly positive relationship with the moderator variable temperature. Results of this study will provide useful and important guidelines for designing forestland and grassland restoration plans in arid, semiarid and sub-humid regions.
Accessing the Life in Smoke: A New Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Sample Wildland Fire Bioaerosol Emissions and Their Environment
Authors: Kobziar Leda N. , Pingree Melissa R. A. , Watts Adam C. , Nelson Kellen N. , Dreaden Tyler J. , Ridout Mary
Published: November 2019

Wildland fire is a major producer of aerosols from combustion of vegetation and soils, but little is known about the abundance and composition of smoke’s biological content. Bioaerosols, or aerosols derived from biological sources, may be a significant component of the aerosol load vectored in wildland fire smoke. If bioaerosols are injected into the upper troposphere via high-intensity wildland fires and transported across continents, there may be consequences for the ecosystems they reach. Such transport would also alter the concept of a wildfire’s perimeter and the disturbance domain of its impact. Recent research has revealed that viable microorganisms are directly aerosolized during biomass combustion, but sampling systems and methodology for quantifying this phenomenon are poorly developed. Using a series of prescribed fires in frequently burned forest ecosystems, we report the results of employing a small rotary-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to concurrently sample aerosolized bacteria and fungi, particulate matter, and micrometeorology in smoke plumes versus background conditions. Airborne impaction-based bioaerosol sampling indicated that microbial composition differed between background air and smoke, with seven unique organisms in smoke vs. three in background air. The air temperature was negatively correlated with the number of fungal colony-forming units detected. Our results demonstrate the utility of a UAS-based sampling platform for active sampling of viable aerosolized microbes in smoke arising from wildland fires. This methodology can be extended to sample viable microbes in a wide variety of emissions sampling pursuits, especially those in hazardous and inaccessible environments.
Brosimum alicastrum Sw. (Ramón): An Alternative to Improve the Nutritional Properties and Functional Potential of the Wheat Flour Tortilla
Authors: Subiria-Cueto Rodrigo , Larqué-Saavedra Alfonso , Reyes-Vega María L. , de la Rosa Laura A. , Santana-Contreras Laura E. , Gaytán-Martínez Marcela , Vázquez-Flores Alma A. , Rodrigo-García Joaquín , Corral-Avitia Alba Y. , Núñez-Gastélum José A. , Martínez-Ruiz Nina R.
Published: November 2019

The wheat flour tortilla (WFT) is a Mexican food product widely consumed in the world, despite lacking fiber and micronutrients. Ramón seed flour (RSF) is an underutilized natural resource rich in fiber, minerals and bioactive compounds that can be used to improve properties of starchy foods, such as WFT. The study evaluated the impact of partial replacement of wheat flour with RSF on the physicochemical, sensory, rheological and nutritional properties and antioxidant capacity (AC) of RSF-containing flour tortilla (RFT). Results indicated that RFT (25% RSF) had higher dietary fiber (4.5 times) and mineral (8.8%; potassium 42.8%, copper 33%) content than WFT. Two sensory attributes were significantly different between RTF and WFT, color intensity and rollability. RFT was soft and it was accepted by the consumer. Phenolic compounds (PC) and AC were higher in RFT (11.7 times, 33%–50%, respectively) than WFT. PC identification by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) showed that phenolic acids esterified with quinic acid, such as chlorogenic and other caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives were the major PC identified in RSF, resveratrol was also detected. These results show that RSF can be used as an ingredient to improve nutritional and antioxidant properties of traditional foods, such as the WFT.
Propolis Extract as Antioxidant to Improve Oxidative Stability of Fresh Patties during Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Vargas-Sánchez Rey , Torrescano-Urrutia Gastón , Torres-Martínez Brisa , Pateiro Mirian , Lorenzo José , Sánchez-Escalante Armida
Published: November 2019

The effect of propolis ethanol extract (PEE), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ascorbic acid (Asc) against lipid (Lox) and protein oxidation (Pox), color deterioration, and the antioxidant stabilizer of raw beef and pork patties during chilled storage (9 days at 2 °C/under darkness) was investigated. Total phenolic content (TPC), reducing power ability (RPA), DPPH● radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of the PEE was evaluated. Meat samples were evaluated for pH, Lox (TBARS), Pox (Carbonyls), color (L*, a*, b*, C*, and h*), metmyoglobin formation (MMb), TPC, RPA, and FRSA. Results indicated that PEE is rich in phenolic content and antioxidant activity, and their incorporation in beef and pork patties reduced (p < 0.05) Lox and Pox (TBARS-88.7 and 80% inhibition; Pox-47.3 and 30.6% inhibition, respectively), as well as loss of color and increased the oxidative stability throughout storage.
Yogurt Acid Whey Utilization for Production of Baked Goods: Pancakes and Pizza Crust
Authors: Camacho Flinois Julie , Dando Robin , Padilla-Zakour Olga I.
Published: November 2019

The increased production of Greek-style yogurt in the past decade has induced the need for the reintroduction of the nutrients of its byproduct, yogurt acid whey (YAW), into the food system to combat food waste and aid sustainability. However, the processing and treatment of acid whey, which can be environmentally damaging if disposed of incorrectly, can be costly and complex. Upscaling YAW as an ingredient in food products with minimal re-processing is a cost-effective way to bypass the need for further abatement. To span a broad spectrum of baked products (sweet and savory, biologically and chemically leavened, dairy or water based, oven or surface baked, batter or dough, etc.), pilot commercial pizza crust and pancake formulations incorporating acid whey as a functional ingredient were developed. Dimensions and physico-chemical properties of samples were measured at production and over shelf life at room temperature (23 °C). Consumer sensory testing (n = 120 and n = 108, respectively, Just About Right (JAR), nine-point hedonic, purchase intent, and demographics) were conducted for both products. All instrumental trials and analyses (°Brix, aw, color attributes, viscosity, dimension measurements, and texture analysis) were conducted in triplicate for statistical analysis. Cochran’s Q and post-hoc tests on sensory data showed that liking for at least one experimental YAW sample for each of the pizza and pancake formulations were on par with their respective commercial product, despite the reduction of buttermilk, salt and sugar from the YAW formulations. Adding sustainability claims brought the purchase intent on par with the controls. Replacement of water by weight of YAW was more appropriate than by water content of the YAW. Sourness was the main undesirable trait of YAW samples based on penalty analysis. The use of YAW improved the shelf life of baked goods based on their respective failure mechanisms (textural properties and mold growth). YAW is a suitable ingredient in the formulation of sustainable, healthy, safe, and commercially successful baked products that have a tolerance or can benefit from a sour flavor profile.
Effect of Creatine and Glucose on Formation of Heterocyclic Amines in Grilled Chicken Breasts
Authors: Gibis Monika , Loeffler Myriam
Published: November 2019

The occurrence of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in grilled chicken breasts was investigated. All samples contained HAs, including MeIQx, PhIP, and the β-carbolines harman and norharman. In particular, PhIP was found in concentrations of 1.5–9.1 ng/g, and MeIQx was detected at very low concentrations (n.d.–1.1 ng/g). The concentrations of two co-mutagenic β-carbolines, harman and norharman, ranged from 0.8 to 2.3 ng/g when the content of the precursor glucose was varied from 100 to 620 mg/kg. In contrast, the content of the precursor creatine in non-grilled chicken breasts varied by only 8.6%. A significant linear correlation existed between the molar concentration of PhIP and the molar ratio of creatine/glucose (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). We, thus, conclude that the formation of PhIP may be inhibited with increasing concentrations of glucose in chicken breast. Chicken patties coated with ribose or glucose-containing water in oil emulsions confirmed that both reducing sugars decreased PhIP formation with the preferred concentrations (sensory analysis) of 0.5–1% for ribose and 1% for glucose leading to a reduction of PhIP formation by 28–34% and 39%, respectively.
An In-Depth Investigation of Faraday Depth Spectrum Using Synthetic Observations of Turbulent MHD Simulations
Authors: Basu Aritra , Fletcher Andrew , Mao Sui Ann , Burkhart Blakesley , Beck Rainer , Schnitzeler Dominic
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of the Faraday depth (FD) spectrum and its clean components obtained through the application of the commonly used technique of Faraday rotation measure synthesis to analyze spectro-polarimetric data. To directly compare the Faraday depth spectrum with physical properties of a magneto-ionic medium, we generated synthetic broad-bandwidth spectro-polarimetric observations from magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of a transonic, isothermal, compressible turbulent medium. We find that correlated magnetic field structures give rise to a combination of spiky, localized peaks at certain FD values, and broad structures in the FD spectrum. Although most of these spiky FD structures appear narrow, giving an impression of a Faraday thin medium, we show that they arise from strong synchrotron emissivity at that FD. Strong emissivity at a FD can arise because of both strong spatially local polarized synchrotron emissivity at a FD or accumulation of weaker emissions along the distance through a medium that have Faraday depths within half the width of the rotation measure spread function. Such a complex Faraday depth spectrum is a natural consequence of MHD turbulence when the lines of sight pass through a few turbulent cells. This therefore complicates the convention of attributing narrow FD peaks to the presence of a Faraday-rotating medium along the line of sight. Our work shows that it is difficult to extract the FD along a line of sight from the Faraday depth spectrum using standard methods for a turbulent medium in which synchrotron emission and Faraday rotation occur simultaneously.
Network Modeling Approaches and Applications to Unravelling Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Blencowe Montgomery , Karunanayake Tilan , Wier Julian , Hsu Neil , Yang Xia
Published: November 2019

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive condition of the liver encompassing a range of pathologies including steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Research into this disease is imperative due to its rapid growth in prevalence, economic burden, and current lack of FDA approved therapies. NAFLD involves a highly complex etiology that calls for multi-tissue multi-omics network approaches to uncover the pathogenic genes and processes, diagnostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we first present a basic overview of disease pathogenesis, risk factors, and remaining knowledge gaps, followed by discussions of the need and concepts of multi-tissue multi-omics approaches, various network methodologies and application examples in NAFLD research. We highlight the findings that have been uncovered thus far including novel biomarkers, genes, and biological pathways involved in different stages of NAFLD, molecular connections between NAFLD and its comorbidities, mechanisms underpinning sex differences, and druggable targets. Lastly, we outline the future directions of implementing network approaches to further improve our understanding of NAFLD in order to guide diagnosis and therapeutics.
Novel TNXB Variants in Two Italian Patients with Classical-Like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Authors: Micale Lucia , Guarnieri Vito , Augello Bartolomeo , Palumbo Orazio , Agolini Emanuele , Sofia Valentina Maria , Mazza Tommaso , Novelli Antonio , Carella Massimo , Castori Marco
Published: November 2019

TNXB-related classical-like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (TNXB-clEDS) is an ultrarare type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome due to biallelic null variants in TNXB, encoding tenascin-X. Less than 30 individuals have been reported to date, mostly of Dutch origin and showing a phenotype resembling classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome without atrophic scarring. TNXB-clEDS is likely underdiagnosed due to the complex structure of the TNXB locus, a fact that complicates diagnostic molecular testing. Here, we report two unrelated Italian women with TNXB-clEDS due to compound heterozygosity for null alleles in TNXB. Both presented soft and hyperextensible skin, generalized joint hypermobility and related musculoskeletal complications, and chronic constipation. In addition, individual 1 showed progressive finger contractures and shortened metatarsals, while individual 2 manifested recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages and an event of spontaneous rupture of the brachial vein. Molecular testing found the two previously unreported c.8278C > T p.(Gln2760*) and the c.(2358 + 1_2359 − 1)_(2779 + 1_2780 − 1)del variants in Individual 1, and the novel c.1150dupG p.(Glu384Glyfs*57) and the recurrent c.11435_11524+30del variants in Individual 2. mRNA analysis confirmed that the c.(2358 + 1_2359 − 1)_(2779 + 1_2780 − 1)del variant causes a frameshift leading to a predicted truncated protein [p.(Thr787Glyfs*40)]. This study refines the phenotype recently delineated in association with biallelic null alleles in TNXB, and adds three novel variants to its mutational repertoire. Unusual digital anomalies seem confirmed as possibly peculiar of TNXB-clEDS, while vascular fragility could be more than a chance association also in this Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type.
Diagnostic Cytokines and Comparative Analysis Secreted from Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth, Dental Pulp, and Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Functional Cell-Based Therapy
Authors: Yamada Yoichi , Nakamura-Yamada Sayaka , Umemura-Kubota Eri , Baba Shunsuke
Published: November 2019

The aim of the study was to clarify the distinctive features of stem cells for effective cell-based therapy strategies in regenerative medicine. The expression levels of cytokines secreted from stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were examined to identify the details of their characteristics. A total of 174 cytokines were analyzed using cytokine antibody array, and their expression levels were confirmed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These results indicated that 11 cytokines that were related to tissue regeneration, including growth factors, chemokines, and inflammatory cytokines, were identical in SHED, DPSCs, and BMMSCs. The comparative analyses between SHED and BMMSCs revealed that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), matrix metalloproteinase-3, and stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) were expressed 6.7-, 2.5-, and 2.1-fold higher, respectively, in SHEDs. HGF was also expressed 3.4-fold higher in DPSCs than BMMSCs. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and-3 were expressed more strongly in BMMSCs. SHED contained significantly higher SDF-1 levels than DPSCs. The distinct cytokine secretion indicated that they had different character besides basic MSC features. This knowledge of diagnostic cytokines analysis secreted from SHED, DPSCs, and BMMSCs extends our understanding, and can provide a novel therapeutic paradigm shift for functional cell-based therapy.
Identification of Insider Trading Using Extreme Gradient Boosting and Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Deng Shangkun , Wang Chenguang , Li Jie , Yu Haoran , Tian Hongyu , Zhang Yu , Cui Yong , Ma Fangjie , Yang Tianxiang
Published: November 2019

Illegal insider trading identification presents a challenging task that attracts great interest from researchers due to the serious harm of insider trading activities to the investors’ confidence and the sustainable development of security markets. In this study, we proposed an identification approach which integrates XGboost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) and NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) for insider trading regulation. First, the insider trading cases that occurred in the Chinese security market were automatically derived, and their relevant indicators were calculated and obtained. Then, the proposed method trained the XGboost model and it employed the NSGA-II for optimizing the parameters of XGboost by using multiple objective functions. Finally, the testing samples were identified using the XGboost with optimized parameters. Its performances were empirically measured by both identification accuracy and efficiency over multiple time window lengths. Results of experiments showed that the proposed approach successfully achieved the best accuracy under the time window length of 90-days, demonstrating that relevant features calculated within the 90-days time window length could be extremely beneficial for insider trading regulation. Additionally, the proposed approach outperformed all benchmark methods in terms of both identification accuracy and efficiency, indicating that it could be used as an alternative approach for insider trading regulation in the Chinese security market. The proposed approach and results in this research is of great significance for market regulators to improve their supervision efficiency and accuracy on illegal insider trading identification.
Methyl Salicylate Increases Attraction and Function of Beneficial Arthropods in Cranberries
Authors: Salamanca Jordano , Souza Brígida , Kyryczenko-Roth Vera , Rodriguez-Saona Cesar
Published: November 2019

Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is an herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) known to attract the natural enemies of herbivores in agro-ecosystems; however, whether this attraction leads to an increase in natural enemy functioning, i.e., predation, remains largely unknown. Here, we monitored for 2 years (2011–2012) the response of herbivores and natural enemies to MeSA lures (PredaLure) by using sticky and pitfall traps in cranberry bogs. In addition, European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, egg masses were used to determine whether natural enemy attraction to MeSA leads to higher predation. In both years, MeSA increased adult hoverfly captures on sticky traps and augmented predation of O. nubilalis eggs. However, MeSA also attracted more phytophagous thrips and, in 2012, more plant bugs (Miridae) to sticky traps. Furthermore, we used surveillance cameras to record the identity of natural enemies attracted to MeSA and measure their predation rate. Video recordings showed that MeSA lures increase visitation by adult lady beetles, adult hoverflies, and predatory mites to sentinel eggs, and predation of these eggs doubled compared to no-lure controls. Our data indicate that MeSA lures increase predator attraction, resulting in increased predation; thus, we provide evidence that attraction to HIPVs can increase natural enemy functioning in an agro-ecosystem.
Mitochondria as the Linchpin of General Intelligence and the Link between g, Health, and Aging
Authors: Geary David
Published: November 2019

In a recent theoretical article, I proposed that the efficiency of mitochondrial functioning is the most fundamental biological mechanism contributing to individual differences in general intelligence (g; Geary, 2018). The hypothesis accommodates other contributing mechanisms at higher levels of analysis (e.g., brain networks), and is attractive because mitochondrial energy production undergirds the developmental, maintenance, and expression of these other mechanisms and provides a means to link individual differences in g to individual differences in health and successful aging in adulthood. I provide a brief summation here and a few clarifications to the original article.