bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rice Bran Phenolic Compounds Regulate Genes Associated with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells with Induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Saji Nancy , Francis Nidhish , Blanchard Christopher L. , Schwarz Lachlan J. , Santhakumar Abishek B.
Published: September 2019

Oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Phenolic extracts derived from rice bran (RB) are recognised to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the ability of RB-derived phenolic extracts to modulate genes associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under induced oxidative stress conditions. HUVECs under oxidative stress were treated with varying concentrations of RB phenolic extracts (25–250 µg/mL). Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, the expression of candidate genes that regulate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways were determined. This included nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (CD39) and ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73). Phenolic extracts derived from RB down-regulated the expression of four genes, ICAM1, CD39, CD73 and NOX4 and up-regulated the expression of another four genes, Nrf2, NQO1, HO1 and eNOS, indicating an antioxidant/ anti-inflammatory effect for RB against endothelial dysfunction.
Latest Advances in Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment for Tumor Suppression
Authors: Laplagne Chloé , Domagala Marcin , Le Naour Augustin , Quemerais Christophe , Hamel Dimitri , Fournié Jean-Jacques , Couderc Bettina , Bousquet Corinne , Ferrand Audrey , Poupot Mary
Published: September 2019

The tumor bulk is composed of a highly heterogeneous population of cancer cells, as well as a large variety of resident and infiltrating host cells, extracellular matrix proteins, and secreted proteins, collectively known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is essential for driving tumor development by promoting cancer cell survival, migration, metastasis, chemoresistance, and the ability to evade the immune system responses. Therapeutically targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), regulatory T-cells (T-regs), and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) is likely to have an impact in cancer treatment. In this review, we focus on describing the normal physiological functions of each of these cell types and their behavior in the cancer setting. Relying on the specific surface markers and secreted molecules in this context, we review the potential targeting of these cells inducing their depletion, reprogramming, or differentiation, or inhibiting their pro-tumor functions or recruitment. Different approaches were developed for this targeting, namely, immunotherapies, vaccines, small interfering RNA, or small molecules.
Blind Queries Applied to JSON Document Stores
Authors: Marrara Stefania , Pelucchi Mauro , Psaila Giuseppe
Published: September 2019

Social Media, Web Portals and, in general, information systems offer their own Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), used to provide large data sets concerning every aspect of day-by-day life. APIs usually provide data sets as collections of JSON documents. The heterogeneous structure of JSON documents returned by different APIs constitutes a barrier to effectively query and analyze these data sets. The adoption of NoSQL document stores, such as MongoDB, is useful for gathering these data sets, but does not solve the problem of querying the final heterogeneous repository. The aim of this paper is to provide analysts with a tool, named HammerJDB, that allows for blind querying collections of JSON documents within a NoSQL document database. The idea below is that users may know the application domain but it may be that they are not aware of the real structures of the documents stored in the database—the tool for blind querying tries to bridge the gap, by adopting a query rewriting mechanism. This paper is an evolution of a technique for blind querying Open Data portals and of its implementation within the Hammer framework, presented in some previous work. In this paper, we evolve that approach in order to query a NoSQL document database by evolving the Hammer framework into the HammerJDB framework, which is able to work on MongoDB databases. The effectiveness of the new approach is evaluated on a data set (derived from a real-life one), containing job-vacancy ads collected from European job portals.
Interactions between Fungal-Infected Helicoverpa armigera and the Predator Chrysoperla externa
Authors: Mingotti Dias Pamella , de Souza Loureiro Elisângela , Amorim Pessoa Luis Gustavo , Mendes de Oliveira Neto Francisco , de Souza Tosta Ricardo Alexandre , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: September 2019

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interactions between Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) and the eggs and first-instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner 1805) infected by entomopathogenic fungi. The H. armigera eggs and larvae were treated with sterile distilled water + 0.01% Tween 80 (T1, control), Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill (T2), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok (T3), or Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Samson. (T4) at different concentrations (1 × 107, 1 × 108, and 1 × 109 con. mL−1). For each treatment, a single third-instar C. externa was offered prey (a combination of 80 eggs and 50 first-instar H. armigera larvae) at 0, 24, and 48 h after inoculation. Ten trials were completed for each treatment, and the entire experiment was repeated three times. Neither the concentrations of fungi nor the application method affected consumption by C. externa. Because all the predator larvae reached the pupal phase, with 100% viability in adults, these results suggest that entomopathogenic fungi and C. externa are compatible and that the simultaneous use of these biological control agents is possible for managing H. armigera.
Using Noninvasive Genetic Sampling to Survey Rare Butterfly Populations
Authors: Storer Caroline , Daniels Jaret , Xiao Lei , Rossetti Kristin
Published: September 2019

Advances in nondestructive genetic sampling techniques continue to offer new opportunities for studying organisms, particularly those of conservation concern where more traditional invasive sampling methods are often not available. As part of a proof-of-concept, we investigated the effectiveness of using the chorion from residual butterfly egg debris as a source of viable genetic material for analysis. Laboratory material from a captive breeding population of the federally endangered Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) was used to test efficacy and refine the methodology. The resulting best practices were subsequently evaluated using field-collected material from extant north Florida populations of the at-risk frosted elfin butterfly (Callophyrs irus). Our results demonstrated that it is possible to extract DNA of sufficiently high quantity and quality for successful gene sequencing. We additionally describe a simple, low-cost, and reliable method of collecting and storing egg debris samples that can be consistently adopted for field or laboratory work as well as deployed with projects that have a larger geographic scope and/or involve citizen scientists. Potential limitations related to field sample collection are discussed as well as needs for future evaluation.
Stimulation of Human Osteoblast Differentiation in Magneto-Mechanically Actuated Ferromagnetic Fiber Networks
Authors: Katarivas Levy Galit , Birch Mark A. , Brooks Roger A. , Neelakantan Suresh , Markaki Athina E.
Published: September 2019

There is currently an interest in “active” implantable biomedical devices that include mechanical stimulation as an integral part of their design. This paper reports the experimental use of a porous scaffold made of interconnected networks of slender ferromagnetic fibers that can be actuated in vivo by an external magnetic field applying strains to in-growing cells. Such scaffolds have been previously characterized in terms of their mechanical and cellular responses. In this study, it is shown that the shape changes induced in the scaffolds can be used to promote osteogenesis in vitro. In particular, immunofluorescence, gene and protein analyses reveal that the actuated networks exhibit higher mineralization and extracellular matrix production, and express higher levels of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 1α1, runt-related transcription factor 2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 than the static controls at the 3-week time point. The results suggest that the cells filling the inter-fiber spaces are able to sense and react to the magneto-mechanically induced strains facilitating osteogenic differentiation and maturation. This work provides evidence in support of using this approach to stimulate bone ingrowth around a device implanted in bone and can pave the way for further applications in bone tissue engineering.
Association Between HDL Cholesterol and QTc Interval: A Population-Based Epidemiological Study
Authors: Del Giorno Rosaria , Gabutti Sofia , Troiani Chiara , Stefanelli Kevyn , Falciano Raffaele , Graziano Elisa , Rochat Negro Tommaso , Gabutti Luca
Published: September 2019

Previous experimental studies showed that increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol shortens cardiac ventricular repolarization and the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc). However, little is known about the epidemiological relationship between HDL and QTc. The potential antiarrhythmic effect of HDL cholesterol remains a speculative hypothesis. In this cross-sectional population based study in adults living in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, we aimed to explore the association between HDL cholesterol and the QTc interval in the general population. A total of 1202 subjects were screened. electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings, measurements of lipid parameters and other laboratory tests were performed. QTc was corrected using Bazett’s (QTcBaz) and Framingham (QTcFram) formulas. HDL was categorized according to percentile distributions: <25th (HDL-1; ≤1.39 mmol/L); 25th–<50th (HDL-2; 1.40–1.69 mmol/L); 50th–<75th (HDL-3; 1.69–1.99 mmol/L); and ≥75th (HDL-4; ≥2.0 mmol/L). After exclusion procedures, data of 1085 subjects were analyzed. Compared with the HDL reference group (HDL-1), HDL-2 and HDL-3 were associated with a reduction of QTcBaz and QTcFram duration in crude (HDL-2, QTcBaz/QTcFram: β-11.306/–10.186, SE 4.625/4.016; p = 0.016/0.012; HDL-3, β-12.347/–12.048, SE 4.875/4.233, p = 0.012/<0.001) and adjusted (HDL-2: β-11.697/–10.908, SE 4.333/4.151, p < 0.001/0.010; HDL-3 β-11.786/–11.002, SE 4.719/4.521, p = 0.014/0.016) linear regression models in women. In adjusted logistic regression models higher HDL, were also associated with lower risk of prolonged QTcBaz/QTcFram (HDL-2: OR 0.16/0.17, CI 0.03–0.83/0.47–0.65; HDL-3: OR 0.10/0.14, CI 0.10–0.64/0.03–0.63) in women. Restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a non linear association (p < 0.001). The present findings indicate an epidemiological association between HDL cholesterol and QTc duration. To draw firm conclusions, further investigations in other populations and with a prospective cohort design are needed.
Striking Differences in Platelet Distribution between Advanced-Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Concentrated Growth Factors: Effects of Silica-Containing Plastic Tubes
Authors: Tsujino Tetsuhiro , Masuki Hideo , Nakamura Masayuki , Isobe Kazushige , Kawabata Hideo , Aizawa Hachidai , Watanabe Taisuke , Kitamura Yutaka , Okudera Hajime , Okuda Kazuhiro , Nakata Koh , Kawase Tomoyuki
Published: September 2019

Compared with platelet-rich plasma, the preparation of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is simple and has not been overly modified. However, it was recently demonstrated that centrifugation conditions influence the composition of PRF and that silica microparticles from silica-coated plastic tubes can enter the PRF matrix. These factors may also modify platelet distribution. To examine these possibilities, we prepared PRF matrices using various types of blood-collection tubes (plain glass tubes and silica-containing plastic tubes) and different centrifugation speeds. The protocols of concentrated growth factors and advanced-PRF represented high- and low-speed centrifugation, respectively. Platelet distribution in the PRF matrix was examined immunohistochemically. Using low-speed centrifugation, platelets were distributed homogeneously within the PRF matrix regardless of tube types. In high-speed centrifugation, platelets were distributed mainly on one surface region of the PRF matrix in glass tubes, whereas in silica-coated tubes, platelet distribution was commonly more diffusive than in glass tubes. Therefore, both blood-collection tube types and centrifugal conditions appeared to influence platelet distribution in the PRF matrix. Platelets distributed in the deep regions of the PRF matrix may contribute to better growth factor retention and release. However, clinicians should be careful in using silica-coated tubes because their silica microparticles may be a health hazard.
Shape Similarity Measurement for Known-Object Localization: A New Normalized Assessment
Authors: Magnier Baptiste , Moradi Behrang
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a new, normalized measure for assessing a contour-based object pose. Regarding binary images, the algorithm enables supervised assessment of known-object recognition and localization. A performance measure is computed to quantify differences between a reference edge map and a candidate image. Normalization is appropriate for interpreting the result of the pose assessment. Furthermore, the new measure is well motivated by highlighting the limitations of existing metrics to the main shape variations (translation, rotation, and scaling), by showing how the proposed measure is more robust to them. Indeed, this measure can determine to what extent an object shape differs from a desired position. In comparison with 6 other approaches, experiments performed on real images at different sizes/scales demonstrate the suitability of the new method for object-pose or shape-matching estimation.
The Impact of Situational Test Anxiety on Retest Effects in Cognitive Ability Testing: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Jendryczko David , Scharfen Jana , Holling Heinz
Published: September 2019

When a cognitive ability is assessed repeatedly, test scores and ability estimates are often observed to increase across test sessions. This phenomenon is known as the retest (or practice) effect. One explanation for retest effects is that situational test anxiety interferes with a testee’s performance during earlier test sessions, thereby creating systematic measurement bias on the test items (interference hypothesis). Yet, the influence of anxiety diminishes with test repetitions. This explanation is controversial, since the presence of measurement bias during earlier measurement occasions cannot always be confirmed. It is argued that people from the lower end of the ability spectrum become aware of their deficits in test situations and therefore report higher anxiety (deficit hypothesis). In 2014, a structural equation model was proposed that specifically allows the comparison of these two hypotheses with regard to explanatory power for the negative anxiety–ability correlation found in cross-sectional assessments. We extended this model for usage in longitudinal studies to investigate the impact of test anxiety on test performance and on retest effects. A latent neighbor-change growth curve was implemented into the model that enables an estimation of retest effects between all pairs of successive test sessions. Systematic restrictions on model parameters allow testing the hypothetical reduction in anxiety interference over the test sessions, which can be compared to retest effect sizes. In an empirical study with seven measurement occasions, we found that a substantial reduction in interference upon the second test session was associated with the largest retest effect in a figural matrices test, which served as a proxy measure for general intelligence. However, smaller retest effects occurred up to the fourth test administration, whereas evidence for anxiety-induced measurement bias was only produced for the first two test sessions. Anxiety and ability were not negatively correlated at any time when the interference effects were controlled for. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Dysbiosis and Inter-Kingdom Synergy Model in Oropharyngeal Candidiasis, a New Perspective in Pathogenesis
Authors: Bertolini Martinna , Dongari-Bagtzoglou Anna
Published: September 2019

As more information emerges on oral microbiota using advanced sequencing methodologies, it is imperative to examine how organisms modulate the capacity of each other to colonize or trigger infection. Most mouse models of oral C. albicans infection have focused on interactions with single bacterial species. Thus, little is known about the microbiome-mediated interactions that control the switch of C. albicans from commensalism to infection. Evidence is accumulating that in immunosuppression where mucosal candidiasis is more prevalent, there is an altered oral bacterial microbiome with reduced diversity, but not an altered mycobiome. Oropharyngeal candidiasis in immunosuppressed humans and mice is associated with a further reduction in oral bacterial diversity and a dysbiotic shift with significant enrichment of streptococcal and enterococcal species. Our recent studies in a cancer chemotherapy mouse model supported the combined profound effect of immunosuppression and C. albicans in reducing oral bacterial diversity and provided the first direct evidence that these changes contribute to pathogenesis, representing dysbiosis. There is still a gap in understanding the relationship between Candida and the oral bacterial microbiome. We propose that certain oral commensal bacteria contribute to fungal pathogenesis and we identify gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in this cooperative virulence.
Risk Analysis and Portfolio Modelling
Authors: Allen David Edmund , Luciano Elisa
Published: September 2019

Financial risk measurement is a challenging task because both the types of risk and their measurement techniques evolve quickly. This book collects a number of novel contributions for the measurement of financial risk, which addresses partially explored risks or risk takers in a wide variety of empirical contexts.
Corporate Financial Distress of Industry Level Listings in Vietnam
Authors: Vo Duc Hong , Pham Binh Ninh Vo , Ho Chi Minh , McAleer Michael
Published: September 2019

Any critical analysis of the corporate financial distress of listed firms in international exchange would be incomplete without a serious dissection at the industry level, because of the different levels of risks concerned. This paper considers the financial distress of listed firms at the industry level in Vietnam over the last decade. Two periods are considered, namely during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) (2007–2009) and post-GFC (2010–2017). The logit regression technique is used to estimate alternative models based on accounting and market factors. The paper also extends the analysis to include selected macroeconomic factors that are expected to affect the corporate financial distress of listed firms at the industry level in Vietnam. The empirical findings confirm that the corporate financial distress prediction model, which includes accounting factors with macroeconomic indicators, performs much better than alternative models. In addition, the evidence confirms that the GFC had a damaging impact on each sector, with the Health & Education sector demonstrating the most impressive recovery post-GFC, and the Utilities sector recording a dramatic increase in bankruptcies post-GFC.
Predicting Urban Expansion and Urban Land Use Changes in Nakhon Ratchasima City Using a CA-Markov Model under Two Different Scenarios
Authors: Chotchaiwong Pakawan , Wijitkosum Saowanee
Published: September 2019

This study focused on the prediction of land-use changes in Nakhon Ratchasima city using a CA-Markov Model with GIS. Satellite images taken by Landsat-5 (1992), Landsat-7 (2002) and THEOS (2016) were used to predict land use in 2026. In 1992, the most proportion of land usage was built-up areas (47.76%) and followed by green areas (37.45%), bare lands (13.19%), and water bodies (1.60%), respectively. In 2002, the land use comprised built-up areas (56.04%), green areas (35.52%), bare lands (4.80%) and water bodies (3.63%). By 2016, urbanisation had changed the land use pattern, which comprised built-up areas (70.80%), green areas (20.78%), bare lands (6.37%), and water bodies (2.03%). The data were analysed using a change detection matrix and revealed an increase in built-up area at the expense of all other types, especially green areas. The results were in accordance with the prediction model created in two scenarios. Scenario 1 assumed city expansion following past trends, built-up areas (85.88%), green areas (11.67%), bare lands (2.15%), and water bodies (0.30%). Scenario 2 assumed city expansion in accordance with the national strategy, built-up areas (74.91%), green areas (15.77%), bare lands (8.48%), and water bodies (0.84%). The results indicated an expansion of built-up areas and a shrinking of green areas. In Scenario 2, urban expansion was less than in Scenario 1, and preserving the green area seemed more feasible due to governmental restrictions. The results indicated that planning the urbanisation according to the policies development plans, especially in specific areas, contributed to a more efficient urbanisation growth. The city should provide to promote the use of floor area ratio (FAR) and open space ratio (OSR) with urban planning measures as well as increasing the green areas.
Causes and Controlling Factors of Valley Bottom Gullies
Authors: Amare Selamawit , Keesstra Saskia , van der Ploeg Martine , Langendoen Eddy , Steenhuis Tammo , Tilahun Seifu
Published: September 2019

Valley bottomland provides diverse agricultural and ecosystem benefits. Due to concentrated flow paths, they are more vulnerable to gully erosion than hillslope areas. The objective of this review was to show what caused valley bottoms gullies and to present deficiencies in existing rehabilitation measures. From the literature review, we found the following general trends: watershed characteristics determine location of valley bottom gullies; an increase in water transported from the watershed initiates the formation of gullies; the rate of change of the valley bottom gullies, once initiated, depends on the amount of rainfall and the soil and bedrock properties. Especially in humid climates, the presence of subsurface flow greatly enhances bank slippage and advancement of gully heads. Valley bottom gully reclamation measures are generally effective in arid and semi-arid areas with the limited subsurface flow and deep groundwater tables, whereas, for (sub) humid regions, similar remedial actions are not successful as they do not account for the effects of subsurface flows. To ensure effective implementation of rehabilitation measures, especially for humid regions, an integrated landscape approach that accounts for the combined subsurface and surface drainage is needed.
Existence Results for Block Matrix Operator of Fractional Orders in Banach Algebras
Authors: Hashem Hind , El-Sayed Ahmed , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: September 2019

This paper is concerned with proving the existence of solutions for a coupled system of quadratic integral equations of fractional order in Banach algebras. This result is a direct application of a fixed point theorem of Banach algebras. Some particular cases, examples and remarks are illustrated. Finally, the stability of solutions for that coupled system are studied.
Lower and Upper Solutions for Even Order Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Cabada Alberto , López-Somoza Lucía
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we prove the existence of solutions of nonlinear boundary value problems of arbitrary even order using the lower and upper solutions method. In particular, we point out the fact that the existence of a pair of lower and upper solutions of a considered problem could imply the existence of solution of another one with different boundary conditions. We consider Neumann, Dirichlet, mixed and periodic boundary conditions.
Variational Methods for an Impulsive Fractional Differential Equations with Derivative Term
Authors: Zhao Yulin , Xu Jiafa , Chen Haibo
Published: September 2019

This paper is devoted to studying the existence of solutions to a class of impulsive fractional differential equations with derivative dependence. The used technical approach is based on variational methods and iterative methods. In addition, an example is given to demonstrate the main results.
Enumeration of Self-Dual Codes of Length 6 over ℤp
Authors: Choi Whan-Hyuk
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to classify and enumerate self-dual codes of length 6 over finite field

Z
p

. First, we classify these codes into three cases: decomposable, indecomposable non-MDS and MDS codes. Then, we complete the classification of non-MDS self-dual codes of length 6 over

Z
p

for all primes p in terms of their automorphism group. We obtain all inequivalent classes and find the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of each class. Finally, we obtain the number of MDS self-dual codes of length 6.
Automatic Melody Composition Using Enhanced GAN
Authors: Li Shuyu , Jang Sejun , Sung Yunsick
Published: September 2019

In traditional music composition, the composer has a special knowledge of music and combines emotion and creative experience to create music. As computer technology has evolved, various music-related technologies have been developed. To create new music, a considerable amount of time is required. Therefore, a system is required that can automatically compose music from input music. This study proposes a novel melody composition method that enhanced the original generative adversarial network (GAN) model based on individual bars. Two discriminators were used to form the enhanced GAN model: one was a long short-term memory (LSTM) model that was used to ensure correlation between the bars, and the other was a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that was used to ensure rationality of the bar structure. Experiments were conducted using bar encoding and the enhanced GAN model to compose a new melody and evaluate the quality of the composition melody. In the evaluation method, the TFIDF algorithm was also used to calculate the structural differences between four types of musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) file (i.e., randomly composed melody, melody composed by the original GAN, melody composed by the proposed method, and the real melody). Using the TFIDF algorithm, the structures of the melody composed were compared by the proposed method with the real melody and the structure of the traditional melody was compared with the structure of the real melody. The experimental results showed that the melody composed by the proposed method had more similarity with real melody structure with a difference of only 8% than that of the traditional melody structure.
Fixed Points for a Pair of F-Dominated Contractive Mappings in Rectangular b-Metric Spaces with Graph
Authors: Rasham Tahair , Marino Giuseppe , Shoaib Abdullah
Published: September 2019

Recently, George et al. (in Georgea, R.; Radenovicb, S.; Reshmac, K.P.; Shuklad, S. Rectangular b-metric space and contraction principles. J. Nonlinear Sci. Appl. 2015, 8, 1005–1013) furnished the notion of rectangular b-metric pace (RBMS) by taking the place of the binary sum of triangular inequality in the definition of a b-metric space ternary sum and proved some results for Banach and Kannan contractions in such space. In this paper, we achieved fixed-point results for a pair of F-dominated mappings fulfilling a generalized rational F-dominated contractive condition in the better framework of complete rectangular b-metric spaces complete rectangular b-metric spaces. Some new fixed-point results with graphic contractions for a pair of graph-dominated mappings on rectangular b-metric space have been obtained. Some examples are given to illustrate our conclusions. New results in ordered spaces, partial b-metric space, dislocated metric space, dislocated b-metric space, partial metric space, b-metric space, rectangular metric spaces, and metric space can be obtained as corollaries of our results.
Fixed Point Results for Generalized ℱ-Contractions in Modular b-Metric Spaces with Applications
Authors: Parvaneh Vahid , Hussain Nawab , Khorshidi Maryam , Mlaiki Nabil , Aydi Hassen
Published: September 2019

The aim of this paper is to generalize the F -contractive condition in the framework of α − ν-complete modular b-metric spaces. Some results in ordered modular b-metric spaces are also presented. Moreover, an illustrative example and some related applications are presented to support the obtained results.
Efficiently Anti-Obesity Effects of Unsaturated Alginate Oligosaccharides (UAOS) in High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Fed Mice
Authors: Li Shangyong , He Ningning , Wang Linna
Published: September 2019

Obesity and its related complications have become one of the leading problems affecting human health. However, current anti-obesity treatments are limited by high cost and numerous adverse effects. In this study, we investigated the use of a non-toxic green food additive, known as unsaturated alginate oligosaccharides (UAOS) from the enzymatic degradation of Laminaria japonicais, which showed effective anti-obesity effects in a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model. Compared with acid hydrolyzed saturated alginate oligosaccharides (SAOS), UAOS significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, including triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and free fatty acids (FFA), liver weight, liver TG and TC, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, adipose mass, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and accumulation induced in HFD mice. Moreover, the structural differences in β-d-mannuronate (M) and its C5 epimer α-l-guluronate (G) did not cause significant functional differences. Meanwhile, UAOS significantly increased both AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation in adipocytes, which indicated that UAOS had an anti-obesity effect mainly through AMPK signaling. Our results indicate that UAOS has the potential for further development as an adjuvant treatment for many metabolic diseases such as fatty liver, hypertriglyceridemia, and possibly diabetes.
On the Morphological Characterization Procedures of Multilayer Hydrophobic Ceramic Membranes for Membrane Distillation Operations
Authors: Fawzy Mohamed , Varela-Corredor Felipe , Bandini Serena
Published: September 2019

The paper introduces some aspects of the characterization of hydrophobized multilayer ceramic membranes intended for use in membrane distillation (MD) operations. Four-layer hydrophobic carbon-based titania membranes, manufactured by the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS, Hermsdorf, Germany), were tested according to the gas permeation technique. Gas permeance data were elaborated following the premises of the dusty gas model, to calculate the average pore size and the porosity-tortuosity ratio of each layer. Membrane testing was the opportunity to discuss which characterization method is more appropriate to obtain the membrane parameters necessary for the simulation of membranes in MD processes. In the case of multilayer membranes, the calculation of the morphological parameters should be performed for each layer. The “layer-by-layer gas permeation” method, previously introduced by other authors and completed in this work, is more appropriate for obtaining representative parameters of the membrane. Conversely, the calculation of morphological parameters, averaged over the entire membrane, might lead to heavy underestimations of the total membrane resistance and then to a heavy error on the transmembrane flux simulation.
Characterization of Streptomyces sporangiiformans sp. nov., a Novel Soil Actinomycete with Antibacterial Activity against Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Zhao Junwei , Han Liyuan , Yu Mingying , Cao Peng , Li Dongmei , Guo Xiaowei , Liu Yongqiang , Wang Xiangjing , Xiang Wensheng
Published: September 2019

Ralstonia solanacearum is a major phytopathogenic bacterium that attacks many crops and other plants around the world. In this study, a novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-SSA 1T, which exhibited antibacterial activity against Ralstonia solanacearum, was isolated from soil collected from Mount Song and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain coincided with those of the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate was most closely related to Streptomyces aureoverticillatus JCM 4347T (97.9%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with Streptomyces vastus JCM4524T (97.4%), S. cinereus DSM43033T (97.2%), S. xiangluensis NEAU-LA29T (97.1%) and S. flaveus JCM3035T (97.1%). The cell wall contained LL-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates were ribose, mannose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine (OH-PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), two phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs) and an unidentified phospholipid (PL). The menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6), and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C17:0, C16:0 and C17:1 ω9c. The DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol %. However, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB, and trpB), DNA–DNA relatedness, and physiological and biochemical data showed that the strain could be distinguished from its closest relatives. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-SSA 1T should be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces sporangiiformans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-SSA 1T (=CCTCC AA 2017028T = DSM 105692T).
A Crucial Role for Ergosterol in Plasma Membrane Composition, Localisation, and Activity of Cdr1p and H+-ATPase in Candida albicans
Authors: Suchodolski Jakub , Muraszko Jakub , Bernat Przemysław , Krasowska Anna
Published: September 2019

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans. Treatment of C. albicans infections relies on azoles, which target the lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Erg11p) encoded by the ERG11 gene. Our results show that targeted gene disruption of ERG11 can result in resistance to ergosterol-dependent drugs (azoles and amphotericin B), auxotrophy and aerobically viable erg11Δ/Δ cells. Abnormal sterol deposition and lack of ergosterol in the erg11Δ/Δ strain leads to reduced plasma membrane (PM) fluidity, as well as dysfunction of the vacuolar and mitochondrial membranes, resulting respectively in defects in vacuole fusion and a reduced intracellular ATP level. The altered PM structure of the erg11Δ/Δ strain contributes to delocalisation of H+-ATPase and the Cdr1 efflux pump from the PM to vacuoles and, resulting in a decrease in PM potential (Δψ) and increased sensitivity to ergosterol-independent xenobiotics. This new insight into intracellular processes under Erg11p inhibition may lead to a better understanding of the indirect effects of azoles on C. albicans cells and the development of new treatment strategies for resistant infections.
The Ecology of Subaerial Biofilms in Dry and Inhospitable Terrestrial Environments
Authors: Villa Federica , Cappitelli Francesca
Published: September 2019

The ecological relationship between minerals and microorganisms arguably represents one of the most important associations in dry terrestrial environments, since it strongly influences major biochemical cycles and regulates the productivity and stability of the Earth’s food webs. Despite being inhospitable ecosystems, mineral substrata exposed to air harbor form complex and self-sustaining communities called subaerial biofilms (SABs). Using life on air-exposed minerals as a model and taking inspiration from the mechanisms of some microorganisms that have adapted to inhospitable conditions, we illustrate the ecology of SABs inhabiting natural and built environments. Finally, we advocate the need for the convergence between the experimental and theoretical approaches that might be used to characterize and simulate the development of SABs on mineral substrates and SABs’ broader impacts on the dry terrestrial environment.
Metagenomic Insights and Genomic Analysis of Phosphogypsum and Its Associated Plant Endophytic Microbiomes Reveals Valuable Actors for Waste Bioremediation
Authors: Ben Mefteh Fedia , Chenari Bouket Ali , Daoud Amal , Luptakova Lenka , N. Alenezi Faizah , Gharsallah Neji , Belbahri Lassaad
Published: September 2019

The phosphogypsum (PG) endogenous bacterial community and endophytic bacterial communities of four plants growing in phosphogypsum-contaminated sites, Suaeda fruticosa (SF), Suaeda mollis (SM), Mesembryanthmum nodiflorum (MN) and Arthrocnemum indicum (AI) were investigated by amplicon sequencing. Results highlight a more diverse community of phosphogypsum than plants associated endophytic communities. Additionally, the bacterial culturable communities of phosphogypsum and associated plant endophytes were isolated and their plant-growth promotion capabilities, bioremediation potential and stress tolerance studied. Most of plant endophytes were endowed with plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities and phosphogypsum communities and associated plants endophytes proved highly resistant to salt, metal and antibiotic stress. They also proved very active in bioremediation of phosphogypsum and other organic and inorganic environmental pollutants. Genome sequencing of five members of the phosphogypsum endogenous community showed that they belong to the recently described species Bacillus albus (BA). Genome mining of BA allowed the description of pollutant degradation and stress tolerance mechanisms. Prevalence of this tool box in the core, accessory and unique genome allowed to conclude that accessory and unique genomes are critical for the dynamics of strain acquisition of bioremediation abilities. Additionally, secondary metabolites (SM) active in bioremediation such as petrobactin have been characterized. Taken together, our results reveal hidden untapped valuable bacterial actors for waste remediation.
Food Preservatives Induce Proteobacteria Dysbiosis in Human-Microbiota Associated Nod2-Deficient Mice
Authors: Hrncirova Lucia , Machova Vladimira , Trckova Eva , Krejsek Jan , Hrncir Tomas
Published: September 2019

The worldwide incidence of many immune-mediated and metabolic diseases, initially affecting only the wealthy Western countries, is increasing rapidly. Many of these diseases are associated with the compositional and functional alterations of gut microbiota, i.e., dysbiosis. The most consistent markers of the dysbiosis are a decrease in microbiota diversity and an expansion of Proteobacteria. The role of food preservatives as potential triggers of gut microbiota dysbiosis has been long overlooked. Using a human microbiota-associated mouse model, we demonstrate that a mixture of common antimicrobial food additives induces dysbiosis characterised by an overgrowth of Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in the Clostridiales order. Remarkably, human gut microbiota in a Nod2-deficient genetic background is even more susceptible to the induction of Proteobacteria dysbiosis by additives than the microbiota in a wild-type background. To conclude, our data demonstrate that antimicrobial food additives trigger gut microbiota dysbiosis in both wild-type and Nod2-deficient backgrounds and at the exposure levels reached in European populations. Whether this additive-modified gut microbiota plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated and metabolic diseases remains to be elucidated.
Data-Dependent Acquisition and Database-Driven Efficient Peak Annotation for the Comprehensive Profiling and Characterization of the Multicomponents from Compound Xueshuantong Capsule by UHPLC/IM-QTOF-MS
Authors: Zuo Tiantian , Qian Yuexin , Zhang Chunxia , Wei Yuxi , Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Hongda , Hu Ying , Li Weiwei , Wu Xiaohui , Yang Wenzhi
Published: September 2019

The state of the art ion mobility quadrupole time of flight (IM-QTOF) mass spectrometer coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) can offer four-dimensional information supporting the comprehensive multicomponent characterization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compound Xueshuantong Capsule (CXC) is a four-component Chinese patent medicine prescribed to treat ophthalmic disease and angina. However, research systematically elucidating its chemical composition is not available. An approach was established by integrating reversed-phase UHPLC separation, IM-QTOF-MS operating in both the negative and positive electrospray ionization modes, and a “Component Knockout” strategy. An in-house ginsenoside library and the incorporated TCM library of UNIFITM drove automated peak annotation. With the aid of 85 reference compounds, we could separate and characterize 230 components from CXC, including 155 ginsenosides, six astragalosides, 16 phenolic acids, 16 tanshinones, 13 flavonoids, six iridoids, ten phenylpropanoid, and eight others. Major components of CXC were from the monarch drug, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. This study first clarifies the chemical complexity of CXC and the results obtained can assist to unveil the bioactive components and improve its quality control.
Development and Evaluation of a HS-SPME GC-MS Method for Determining the Retention of Volatile Phenols by Cyclodextrin in Model Wine
Authors: Dang Chao , Wilkinson Kerry L. , Jiranek Vladimir , Taylor Dennis K.
Published: September 2019

Volatile phenols exist in wine and can be markers for Brettanomyces and smoke taint off-odors. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are found to be capable of forming inclusion complexes with volatile phenols. Cross peaks on 2D 1H ROESY nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra demonstrated inclusion of volatile phenols in the β-CD cavity, while difference tests confirmed this resulted in a perceptible reduction of their sensory impact. However, a conventional headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method using an isotopically labelled normalizing standard failed to quantify the residual volatile phenols by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) because of inclusion of the standard by the CDs. A new method involving an additional liquid phase was developed and validated for quantitation of volatile phenols in the presence of CDs. The retention of eight volatile phenols by α-, β-, and γ-CD was subsequently studied.
One-Step Synthesis of N-Succinimidyl-4-[18F]Fluorobenzoate ([18F]SFB)
Authors: Nymann Petersen Ida , Madsen Jacob , Bernard Matthijs Poulie Christian , Kjær Andreas , Manfred Herth Matthias
Published: September 2019

Herein, we present a one-step labeling procedure of N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]-fluorobenzoate ([18F]SFB) starting from spirocyclic iodonium ylide precursors. Precursor syntheses succeeded via a simple one-pot, two-step synthesis sequence, in yields of approximately 25%. Subsequent 18F-nucleophilic aromatic labeling was performed, and radiochemical incorporations (RCCs) from 5–35% were observed. Purification could be carried out using HPLC and subsequent solid phase extraction. Radiochemical purity (RCP) of >95% was determined. The total synthesis time, including purification and formulation, was no longer than 60 min. In comparison to the established 3-step synthesis route of [18F]SFB, this one-step approach avoids formation of volatile radioactive side-products and simplifies automatization.
Quickly Identifying High-Risk Variables of Ultrasonic Extraction Oil from Multi-Dimensional Risk Variable Patterns and a Comparative Evaluation of Different Extraction Methods on the Quality of Forsythia suspensa Seed Oil
Authors: Ming Liangshan , Huang Hao , Jiang Yumao , Cheng Gengjinsheng , Zhang Daoying , Li Zhe
Published: September 2019

Generally, essential oils and components of interest are extracted from plants using organic solvent, distillation, ultrasound and supercritical extraction methods. Ultrasonic extraction (UE) has the advantage of high efficiency, but its process is complicated and it has numerous variables. In this study, an L18-Hunter experimental design was applied for the first time to investigate the practicability of applying UE to Forsythia suspensa seed oil. Six potential high-risk variables, including numerical and non-numeric types, were obtained from the risk analysis and their impacts on global yield and antioxidant activity were screened. Furthermore, oils obtained by different extraction processes (i.e., UE, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), soxhlet extraction (SE) and hydrodistillation extraction (HD)) were analyzed. A comparative study of these oils was characterized and compared by FT-IR, GC-MS and antioxidant activity. The obtained results show that the type of solvent, solvent-to-solid ratio, extraction power and time were the significant variables affecting the extraction yield, whereas antioxidant activity was only affected by the type of solvent. The regression coefficients of the yield and antioxidant activity models were 0.79 and 0.91, and the ANOVA of the models were 0.013 and <0.0001, respectively. Beta-Pinene was the main abundant component in the oils for the UE, SFE, SE and HD methods and the content was about 46%~52.4%. In conclusion, the L18-Hunter design could be used as an effective experimental design method for rapid screening of high-risk variables. Regarding extraction efficiency, chemical composition and biological activity, UE not only offered a robust Forsythia suspensa seed oil extraction process, but also provided a time- and cost-effective advantage to the food and pharmaceutical industry when compared to the SFE, SE and HD extraction processes.
Solution-Based Synthesis and Characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Thin Films
Authors: Syafiq Ubaidah , Ataollahi Narges , Maggio Rosa Di , Scardi Paolo
Published: September 2019

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) ink was synthesized from metal chloride precursors, sulfur, and oleylamine (OLA), as a ligand by a simple and low-cost hot-injection method. Thin films of CZTS were then prepared by spin coating, followed by thermal annealing. The effects of the fabrication parameters, such as ink concentration, spinning rate, and thermal treatment temperatures on the morphology and structural, optical, and electrical properties of the films were investigated. As expected, very thin films, for which the level of transmittance and band-gap values increase, can be obtained either by reducing the concentration of the inks or by increasing the rate of spinning. Moreover, the thermal treatment affects the phase formation and crystallinity of the film, as well as the electrical conductivity, which decreases at a higher temperature.