bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local Injection of Submicron Particle Docetaxel is Associated with Tumor Eradication, Reduced Systemic Toxicity and an Immunologic Response in Uro-Oncologic Xenografts
Authors: Maulhardt Holly A. , Hylle Lauren , Frost Michael V. , Tornio Ashley , Dafoe Sara , Drummond Leanne , Quinn David I. , Kamat Ashish M. , diZerega Gere S.
Published: April 2019

Intratumoral (IT) administration of submicron particle docetaxel (NanoDoce®, NanOlogy LLC, Fort Worth, TX, USA) and its efficacy against genitourinary-oncologic xenografts in rats and mice, xenograft-site docetaxel concentrations and immune-cell infiltration were studied. IT-NanoDoce®, IV-docetaxel and IT-vehicle were administered to clear cell renal carcinoma (786-O: rats), transitional cell bladder carcinoma (UM-UC-3: mice) and prostate carcinoma (PC-3: mice). Treatments were given every 7 days with 1, 2, or 3 doses administered. Animals were followed for tumor growth and clinical signs. At necropsy, 786-O and UM-UC-3 tumor-site tissues were evaluated by H&E and IHC and analyzed by LC-MS/MS for docetaxel concentration. Two and 3 cycles of IT-NanoDoce® significantly reduced UM-UC-3 tumor volume (p < 0.01) and eliminated most UM-UC-3 and 786-O tumors. In both models, NanoDoce® treatment was associated with (peri)tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Lymphoid structures were observed in IT-NanoDoce®-treated UM-UC-3 animals adjacent to tumor sites. IT-vehicle and IV-docetaxel exhibited limited immune-cell infiltration. In both studies, high levels of docetaxel were detected in NanoDoce®-treated animals up to 50 days post-treatment. In the PC-3 study, IT-NanoDoce® and IV-docetaxel resulted in similar tumor reduction. NanoDoce® significantly reduced tumor volume compared to IT-vehicle in all xenografts (p < 0.0001). We hypothesize that local, persistent, therapeutic levels of docetaxel from IT-NanoDoce® reduces tumor burden while increasing immune-cell infiltration. IT NanoDoce® treatment of prostate, renal and bladder cancer may result in enhanced tumoricidal effects.
p53-Dependent Apoptotic Effect of Puromycin via Binding of Ribosomal Protein L5 and L11 to MDM2 and Its Combination Effect with RITA or Doxorubicin
Authors: Jung Ji Hoon , Lee Hyemin , Kim Ju-Ha , Sim Deok Yong , Ahn Hyojin , Kim Bonglee , Chang Suhwan , Kim Sung-Hoon
Published: April 2019

Among ribosomal proteins essential for protein synthesis, the functions of ribosomal protein L5 (RPL5) and RPL11 still remain unclear to date. Here, the roles of RPL5 and RPL11 were investigated in association with p53/p21 signaling in the antitumor effect of puromycin mainly in HCT116 and H1299 cancer cells. Cell proliferation assays using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and colony formation assays, cell cycle analysis, Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed in cancer cells. Puromycin exerted cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in p53 wild-type HCT116 more than in p53 null H1299 cells. Consistently, puromycin increased sub-G1, cleaved Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), activated p53, p21, and Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), and attenuated expression of c-Myc in HCT116 cells. Notably, puromycin upregulated the expression of RPL5 and RPL11 to directly bind to MDM2 in HCT116 cells. Conversely, deletion of RPL5 and RPL11 blocked the activation of p53, p21, and MDM2 in HCT116 cells. Also, puromycin enhanced the antitumor effect with reactivating p53 and inducing tumor apoptosis (RITA) or doxorubicin in HCT116 cells. These findings suggest that puromycin induces p53-dependent apoptosis via upregulation of RPL5 or RPL11 for binding with MDM2, and so can be used more effectively in p53 wild-type cancers by combination with RITA or doxorubicin.
Acute Hypoxia Profile is a Stronger Prognostic Factor than Chronic Hypoxia in Advanced Stage Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: van der Heijden Martijn , de Jong Monique C. , Verhagen Caroline V. M. , de Roest Reinout H. , Sanduleanu Sebastian , Hoebers Frank , Leemans C. René , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Vens Conchita , Verheij Marcel , van den Brekel Michiel W. M.
Published: April 2019

Hypoxic head and neck tumors respond poorly to radiotherapy and can be identified using gene expression profiles. However, it is unknown whether treatment outcome is driven by acute or chronic hypoxia. Gene expression data of 398 head and neck cancers was collected. Four clinical hypoxia profiles were compared to in vitro acute and chronic hypoxia profiles. Chronic and acute hypoxia profiles were tested for their association to outcome using Cox proportional hazard analyses. In an initial set of 224 patients, scores of the four clinical hypoxia profiles correlated with each other and with chronic hypoxia. However, the acute hypoxia profile showed a stronger association with local recurrence after chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.02; HR = 3.1) than the four clinical (chronic hypoxia) profiles (p = 0.2; HR = 0.9). An independent set of 174 patients confirmed that acute hypoxia is a stronger prognostic factor than chronic hypoxia for overall survival, progression-free survival, local and locoregional control. Multivariable analyses accounting for known prognostic factors substantiate this finding (p = 0.045; p = 0.042; p = 0.018 and p = 0.003, respectively). In conclusion, the four clinical hypoxia profiles are related to chronic hypoxia and not acute hypoxia. The acute hypoxia profile shows a stronger association with patient outcome and should be incorporated into existing prediction models.
Differential Activation of ERK Signaling in HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Rong Chao , Muller Marie , Flechtenmacher Christa , Holzinger Dana , Dyckhoff Gerhard , Bulut Olcay Cem , Horn Dominik , Plinkert Peter , Hess Jochen , Affolter Annette
Published: April 2019

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) forms a distinct tumor entity with better survival clinical outcome. Numerous underlying molecular mechanisms have been postulated for differences in treatment response, but the impact of MEK/ERK signaling, a main driver of carcinogenesis in various cancers including OPSCC and key player mediating therapy resistance remains elusive. In a retrospective experimental cohort study, primary tumor samples from OPSCC patients (n = 124) were available on tissue microarrays (TMAs) and expression levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Correlations of pERK1/2 expression patterns with clinicopathological features and clinical outcome were evaluated by statistical analysis. A low pERK1/2 expression was strongly associated with HPV-related OPSCC, while primary tumors with high pERK1/2 staining showed a distinctly worse survival outcome and were associated with higher cellular differentiation. Co-activation of both ERK1/2 and AKT was a common event and was associated with unfavorable prognosis in our cohort. However, the combinatorial analysis of pAKT (Ser473) and pERK1/2 did not strengthen the predictive power of pERK1/2, suggesting that pERK1/2 plays a more significant function in OPSCC. In summary, our data provide a compelling experimental and statistical evidence that low levels of tumor cell intrinsic ERK1/2 activation contribute at least in part to the favorable outcome of HPV-related OPSCC. On the other hand, presented findings indicate that non-HPV-related OPSCC with elevated ERK phosphorylation are at high risk for treatment failure and might benefit from targeted therapy of MEK/ERK signaling.
Role of Hedgehog Signaling in Breast Cancer: Pathogenesis and Therapeutics
Authors: Riobo-Del Galdo Natalia , Lara Montero Ángela , Wertheimer Eva
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women, only followed by lung cancer. Given the importance of BC in public health, it is essential to identify biomarkers to predict prognosis, predetermine drug resistance and provide treatment guidelines that include personalized targeted therapies. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an essential role in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and stem cell renewal. Several lines of evidence endorse the important role of canonical and non-canonical Hh signaling in BC. In this comprehensive review we discuss the role of Hh signaling in breast development and homeostasis and its contribution to tumorigenesis and progression of different subtypes of BC. We also examine the efficacy of agents targeting different components of the Hh pathway both in preclinical models and in clinical trials. The contribution of the Hh pathway in BC tumorigenesis and progression, its prognostic role, and its value as a therapeutic target vary according to the molecular, clinical, and histopathological characteristics of the BC patients. The evidence presented here highlights the relevance of the Hh signaling in BC, and suggest that this pathway is key for BC progression and metastasis.
Mitochondrial DNA: Distribution, Mutations, and Elimination
Authors: Yan Chaojun , Duanmu Xiaoying , Zeng Ling , Liu Bing , Song Zhiyin
Published: April 2019

Mitochondrion harbors its own DNA (mtDNA), which encodes many critical proteins for the assembly and activity of mitochondrial respiratory complexes. mtDNA is packed by many proteins to form a nucleoid that uniformly distributes within the mitochondrial matrix, which is essential for mitochondrial functions. Defects or mutations of mtDNA result in a range of diseases. Damaged mtDNA could be eliminated by mitophagy, and all paternal mtDNA are degraded by endonuclease G or mitophagy during fertilization. In this review, we describe the role and mechanism of mtDNA distribution and elimination. In particular, we focus on the regulation of paternal mtDNA elimination in the process of fertilization.
Comparison of the Opn-CreER and Ck19-CreER Drivers in Bile Ducts of Normal and Injured Mouse Livers
Authors: Lesaffer Bram , Verboven Elisabeth , Van Huffel Leen , Moya Iván M. , van Grunsven Leo A. , Leclercq Isabelle A. , Lemaigre Frédéric P. , Halder Georg
Published: April 2019

Inducible cyclization recombinase (Cre) transgenic mouse strains are powerful tools for cell lineage tracing and tissue-specific knockout experiments. However, low efficiency or leaky expression can be important pitfalls. Here, we compared the efficiency and specificity of two commonly used cholangiocyte-specific Cre drivers, the Opn-iCreERT2 and Ck19-CreERT drivers, using a tdTomato reporter strain. We found that Opn-iCreERT2 triggered recombination of the tdTomato reporter in 99.9% of all cholangiocytes while Ck19-CreERT only had 32% recombination efficiency after tamoxifen injection. In the absence of tamoxifen, recombination was also induced in 2% of cholangiocytes for the Opn-iCreERT2 driver and in 13% for the Ck19-CreERT driver. For both drivers, Cre recombination was highly specific for cholangiocytes since recombination was rare in other liver cell types. Toxic liver injury ectopically activated Opn-iCreERT2 but not Ck19-CreERT expression in hepatocytes. However, ectopic recombination in hepatocytes could be avoided by applying a three-day long wash-out period between tamoxifen treatment and toxin injection. Therefore, the Opn-iCreERT2 driver is best suited for the generation of mutant bile ducts, while the Ck19-CreERT driver has near absolute specificity for bile duct cells and is therefore favorable for lineage tracing experiments.
Fuel Properties of Torrefied Biomass from Pruning of Oxytree
Authors: Świechowski Kacper , Liszewski Marek , Bąbelewski Przemysław , Koziel Jacek A. , Białowiec Andrzej
Published: April 2019

The very fast growing Oxytree (Paulownia Clon in Vitro 112) is marketed as a promising new energy crop. The tree has characteristically large leaves, thrives in warmer climates, and requires initial pruning for enhanced biomass production in later years. We explored valorizing the waste biomass of initial (first year) pruning via thermal treatment. Specifically, we used torrefaction (‘roasting’) to produce biochar with improved fuel properties. Here for the first time, we examined and summarized the fuel properties data of raw biomass of Oxytree pruning and biochars generated via torrefaction. The effects of torrefaction temperature (200~300 °C), process time (20~60 min), soil type, and agro-technical cultivation practices (geotextile and drip irrigation) on fuel properties of the resulting biochars were summarized. The dataset contains results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as proximate and ultimate analyses of Oxytree biomass and generated biochars. The presented data are useful in determining Oxytree torrefaction reaction kinetics and further techno-economical modeling of the feasibility of Oxytree valorization via torrefaction. Oxytree torrefaction could be exploited as part of valorization resulting from a synergy between a high yield crop with the efficient production of high-quality renewable fuel.
The Refined USSR Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Database for Borovoye Geophysical Observatory
Authors: Nepeina Kseniia , An Vadim
Published: April 2019

This paper shows the results of the refined locations for underground Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNEs). Peaceful nuclear explosions (PNEs) were made for industrial applications in the Soviet Union. This study is based on a comparison of PNEs’ parameters. These explosions were recorded by seismographic stations in Kazakhstan from 1966 to 1988. The monitoring/verification community generally utilizes PNE locations from Sultanov et al. (1999). In reality, there are errors and some PNEs are poorly located. Our locations were determined using an integrated approach encompassing published open literature sources and archive seismogram analysis from Borovoye Geophysical Observatory. Treated PNEs seismograms have been available to researchers since 2001. They became available after the cooperation between Russian and U.S. organizations. The first one was the Institute of Geosphere Dynamics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS), the organization that operated the Observatory in the Soviet era. The second one was the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC since 1992). The third one, from the U.S. side, was the Lamont‒Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO). We present two digital seismograms of old-style seismograms from a digitized archive in ASCII format. We provide travel times for P-waves, some seismograms, and additional source parameters.
Are Exports More Responsive to Clean or Dirty Energy? The Case of Vietnam’s Exports to 54 Countries
Authors: Narayan Seema , Nguyen Tri Tung
Published: April 2019

In this paper we examine the influence of clean (hydropower) or dirty (fossil fuel generated) energy on bilateral exports. We focus on bilateral exports from Vietnam, a developing nation with a fast-growing economy propelled by international trade, to her top 54 trading partners over the period 1986–2010. Our key results suggest that there is a significant, positive, and stable long-term relationship between electricity and exports, with some variations across the regional panels of the trading partners and electricity sources. Trading partners of Vietnam are sensitive to how electricity is generated. For trading partners from regions excluding low income Asia, bilateral exports respond more to renewables than fossil fuel generated electricity, which indicates that exports are sensitive to certain qualities of energy sources, namely reliability and price competitiveness.
Partially Penetrated Well Solution of Fractal Single-Porosity Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Posadas-Mondragón Ricardo , Camacho-Velázquez Rodolfo G.
Published: April 2019

In the oil industry, many reservoirs produce from partially penetrated wells, either to postpone the arrival of undesirable fluids or to avoid problems during drilling operations. The majority of these reservoirs are heterogeneous and anisotropic, such as naturally fractured reservoirs. The analysis of pressure-transient tests is a very useful method to dynamically characterize both the heterogeneity and anisotropy existing in the reservoir. In this paper, a new analytical solution for a partially penetrated well based on a fractal approach to capture the distribution and connectivity of the fracture network is presented. This solution represents the complexity of the flow lines better than the traditional Euclidean flow models for single-porosity fractured reservoirs, i.e., for a tight matrix. The proposed solution takes into consideration the variations in fracture density throughout the reservoir, which have a direct influence on the porosity, permeability, and the size distribution of the matrix blocks as a result of the fracturing process. This solution generalizes previous solutions to model the pressure-transient behavior of partially penetrated wells as proposed in the technical literature for the classical Euclidean formulation, which considers a uniform distribution of fractures that are fully connected. Several synthetic cases obtained with the proposed solution are shown to illustrate the influence of different variables, including fractal parameters.
A Review of the Complex Role of Family Caregivers as Health Team Members and Second-Order Patients
Authors: Sherman Deborah Witt
Published: April 2019

In Palliative Care, the unit of care is the patient and their family. Although members of the health care team often address the family caregiver’s opinions and concerns, the focus of care remains on the needs of the patient. The readiness and willingness of the family caregiver is often overlooked as they are expected to assume a complex caregiving role. When family caregivers are not intellectually or emotionally prepared or physically capable, the caregiver is at high risk for serious health issues and cognitive, emotional, and physical decline particularly as caregiving extends over time. Family caregivers are often a neglected and at-risk population. Illustrated through the use of a case study, this article addresses the complex role of family caregivers, as both health team members and second-order patients. It emphasizes the importance of family assessment and interventions to balance the burdens and benefits of family caregiving and protect caregivers’ health and well-being.
Bounding of Flow and Transport Analysis in Heterogeneous Saturated Porous Media: A Minimum Energy Dissipation Principle for the Bounding and Scale-Up
Authors: Nelson R. William , Williams Gustavious P.
Published: April 2019

We apply minimum kinetic energy principles from classic mechanics to heterogeneous porous media flow equations to derive and evaluate rotational flow components to determine bounding homogenous representations. Kelvin characterized irrotational motions in terms of energy dissipation and showed that minimum dynamic energy dissipation occurs if the motion is irrotational; i.e., a homogeneous flow system. For porous media flow, reductions in rotational flow represent heterogeneity reductions. At the limit, a homogeneous system, flow is irrotational. Using these principles, we can find a homogenous system that bounds a more complex heterogeneous system. We present mathematics for using the minimum energy principle to describe flow in heterogeneous porous media along with reduced special cases with the necessary bounding and associated scale-up equations. The first, simple derivation involves no boundary differences and gives results based on direct Kelvin-type minimum energy principles. It provides bounding criteria, but yields only a single ultimate scale-up. We present an extended derivation that considers differing boundaries, which may occur between scale-up elements. This approach enables a piecewise less heterogeneous representation to bound the more heterogeneous system. It provides scale-up flexibility for individual model elements with differing sizes, and shapes and supports a more accurate representation of material properties. We include a case study to illustrate bounding with a single direct scale-up. The case study demonstrates rigorous bounding and provides insight on using bounding flow to help understand heterogeneous systems. This work provides a theoretical basis for developing bounding models of flow systems. This provides a means to justify bounding conditions and results.
Wand-Like Interaction with a Hand-Held Tablet Device—A Study on Selection and Pose Manipulation Techniques
Authors: Samini Ali , Lundin Palmerius Karljohan
Published: April 2019

Current hand-held smart devices are supplied with powerful processors, high resolution screens, and sharp cameras that make them suitable for Augmented Reality (AR) applications. Such applications commonly use interaction techniques adapted for touch, such as touch selection and multi-touch pose manipulation, mapping 2D gestures to 3D action. To enable direct 3D interaction for hand-held AR, an alternative is to use the changes of the device pose for 6 degrees-of-freedom interaction. In this article we explore selection and pose manipulation techniques that aim to minimize the amount of touch. For this, we explore and study the characteristics of both non-touch selection and non-touch pose manipulation techniques. We present two studies that, on the one hand, compare selection techniques with the common touch selection and, on the other, investigate the effect of user gaze control on the non-touch pose manipulation techniques.
Chloride Penetration at Cold Joints of Structural Members with Dissimilar Concrete Incorporating UHPC
Authors: Farzad Mahsa , Fancy Saiada Fuadi , Lau Kingsley , Azizinamini Atorod
Published: April 2019

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has been introduced for reinforced concrete structures due to its enhanced mechanical performance, including high compressive strength and tensile capacity. In certain applications, such as closure joints, connections, and concrete repairs, reinforcing steel may be embedded in dissimilar concrete elements partially incorporating UHPC. Superficially, UHPC can be considered to provide enhanced corrosion durability in marine environments due to its low permeability which would mitigate chloride-induced corrosion of rebar in the bulk material. However, the chloride intrusion through cold joints can be faster than that in bulk concrete and may jeopardize the durability of structures. This research examines the possibility of enhanced chloride transport at the cold joint incorporating UHPC. The effectiveness of the bond on chloride penetration at the concrete interface with various levels of moisture availability for the substrate at the time of UHPC repair was examined. To this effect, the substrate concrete was conditioned to different moisture content including 0%, 75%, and 100% relative humidity, and soaked prior to UHPC repair concrete casting. Chloride penetration was accelerated by an impressed current source and assessed by silver nitrate solution sprayed on the cold joint. Moreover, the tensile bond strength between substrate concrete and UHPC was measured using the splitting tensile test.
Volatiles from Different Instars of Honeybee Worker Larvae and Their Food
Authors: Zhang Haohao , Hou Chunsheng , Dai Pingli , Liu Yongjun , Wu Yanyan , Pang Yonggang , Diao Qingyun
Published: April 2019

(E)-β-Ocimene was the only volatile chemical found to be emitted by whole, live worker larvae of Apis mellifera L. when sampling in the vapor phase. In addition to (E)-β-ocimene, there is evidence for the existence of other volatiles, but the changes in their composition and contents remain unknown during larval development, as are their differences from larvae to larval food. We investigated volatile components of worker larvae and larval food using solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nine compounds were identified with certainty and six tentatively, including terpenoids, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, an ester and a ketone. The contents of volatiles in the second-instar worker larvae differ greatly from those in larvae of other stages. This is mainly attributable to terpenoids, which resulted in the second-instar worker larvae having significantly higher amounts of overall volatiles. Larval food contained significantly higher amounts of aldehydes and hydrocarbons than the corresponding larvae from the fourth to fifth-instar. We discovered volatiles in worker larvae and their food that were never reported before; we also determined the content changes of these volatiles during larval development.
A Chemical, Mechanical, and Tribological Analysis of DLC Coatings Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Fiaschi Giulia , Rota Alberto , Ballestrazzi Antonio , Marchetto Diego , Vezzalini Enrico , Valeri Sergio
Published: April 2019

Diamond-like carbon is one of the most studied and used solid lubricants on the market. Despite this large use and its outstanding mechanical and tribological properties, there are still some unclear aspects related to its self-lubricant properties, and some drawbacks in the deposition methods. We deposited “soft” DLC films on Si(100), iron, and stainless steel substrates by PVD magnetron sputtering technique with a Cr/CrN adhesive interlayer. The DLC films were characterized from a chemical, mechanical, and tribological point of view. Our aim was to connect the coating chemical and mechanical characteristics to the different conditions used for the deposition, such as discharge power and substrate–target distance. We found a stronger sp3 dependence on the discharge power for DLC deposited closer to the target. The tribological results did not depend on the chosen substrate–target distance, but rather on the hardness of the substrate. This could be ascribed to the better mechanical coupling of soft DLC films on harder substrates.
Optimal Repeated Measurements for Two Treatment Designs with Dependent Observations: The Case of Compound Symmetry
Authors: Chalikias Miltiadis S.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we construct optimal repeated measurement designs of two treatments for estimating direct effects, and we examine the case of compound symmetry dependency. We present the model and the design that minimizes the variance of the estimated difference of the two treatments. The optimal designs with dependent observations in a compound symmetry model are the same as in the case of independent observations.
Friction Surfacing of Aluminium Alloy 5083 on DH36 Steel Plate
Authors: Li Hongjun , Qin Wei , Galloway Alexander , Toumpis Athanasios
Published: April 2019

In this work, friction surfacing (FS) of AA5083 on a DH36 steel substrate was experimentally studied. The process parameters such as rotation speed, travel speed and feed rate are of great significance to the success of the FS process. Seven friction surfaced plates with different combinations of parameters were examined. Optical microscopy, SEM and EDS were used to analyse the characteristics of the microstructure and composition of the interface between the surface and the substrate. The results show that the deposition surface quality decreased as the feed rate, travel speed and axial force increased. However, the bond strength increased with higher feed rate, higher rotation speed and lower travel speed. Elemental diffusion of Fe to AA5083 was established, and the intermetallic compound FeAl3 was produced in the interface.
Alkaline Extraction, Structural Characterization, and Bioactivities of (1→6)-β-d-Glucan from Lentinus edodes
Authors: Li Jia , Cai Chao , Zheng Mengmeng , Hao Jiejie , Wang Ya , Hu Minghua , Fan Luodi , Yu Guangli
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study is to develop a robust approach to obtain β glucans from Lentinus edodes and to characterize their structural and biological properties for sustainable utilization. The alkali extraction was optimized with an orthogonal experimental design, and a concise process for obtaining specific targeting polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes was developed in this study. After purification with a Q-Sepharose Fast Flow strong anion-exchange column, the monosaccharide composition, a methylation analysis, and NMR spectroscopy were employed for their structural characterizations. LeP-N2 was found to be composed of (1→6)-β-d-glucans with minor β-(1→3) glucosidic side chains. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography–refractive index–multi-angle laser light scattering (HPGPC-RI-MALLS) also revealed LeP-N2 exhibiting a compact unit in aqueous solution. This (1→6)-β-d-glucan was tested for antioxidant activities with IC50 at 157 μg/mL. Moreover, RAW 264.7 macrophage activation indicated that the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were markedly increased with no cytotoxicity at a dose of 100 μg/mL. These findings suggest that the (1→6)-β-d-glucans obtained from Lentinus edodes could serve as potential agents in the fields of functional foods or medicine.
The Anticonvulsant Effects of Baldrinal on Pilocarpine-Induced convulsion in Adult Male Mice
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Li Xing , Liu Ning , Zheng Ping , Ma Lin , Guo Fengying , Sun Tao , Zhou Ru , Yu Jianqiang
Published: April 2019

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that was reported to affect about 56 million people in the world. Approximately one-third of the epileptic patients that suffer from seizures do not receive effective medical treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the potential anticonvulsant activities of Baldrinal (BAL) with a mouse model of pilocarpine (PILO)-induced epilepsy. The mice were treated with different doses of BAL or sodium valproate prior to PILO injection. Spontaneous and evoked seizures were evaluated from EEG recordings, and their severity was tested by the Racine scale. In addition, the brain tissues were analyzed for histological changes, and the in situ levels of glutamic acid (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were also measured. Activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus was measured. PILO-treated mice showed a significant increase in Glu levels, which was restored by BAL. In addition, BAL treatment also reduced the rate of seizures in the epileptic mice, and ameliorated the increased levels of NMDAR1, BDNF, IL-1β and TNF-α. Taken together, BAL has a potential antiepileptic effect, which may be mediated by reducing the inflammatory response in the PILO-induced brain and restoring the balance of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons.
Interaction of Arsenic Species with Organic Ligands: Competitive Removal from Water by Coagulation-Flocculation-Sedimentation (C/F/S)
Authors: Inam Muhammad Ali , Khan Rizwan , Akram Muhammad , Khan Sarfaraz , Park Du Ri , Yeom Ick Tae
Published: April 2019

The co-occurrence of arsenic (As) and organic ligands in water bodies has raised environmental concerns due to their toxicity and adverse effects on human health. The present study aims to elucidate the influences of hydrophobic/hydrophilic organic ligands, such as humic acid (HA) and salicylic acid (SA), on the interactive behavior of As species in water. Moreover, the competitive removal behaviors of As(III, V) species and total organic carbon (TOC) were systematically investigated by coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (C/F/S) under various aqueous matrices. The results showed the stronger binding affinity of As(V) than As(III) species, with a higher complexation ability of hydrophobic ligands than hydrophilic. The media containing hydrophilic ligands require smaller ferric chloride (FC) doses to achieve the higher As(III, V) removal, while the optimum FC dose required for As(III) removal was found to be higher than that for As(V). Moreover, hydrophobic ligands showed higher TOC removal than hydrophilic ligands. The pronounced adverse effect of a higher concentration of hydrophobic ligands on the removal efficiencies of As(V) and TOC was observed. The adsorption of As(V) on Fe precipitates was better fitted with the Langmuir model but the Freundlich isotherm was more suitable for As(III) in the presence of hydrophilic SA. Moreover, TOC removal was substantially decreased in the As(V) system as compared to the As(III) system due to the dissolution of Fe precipitates at higher As(V) concentrations. The results of FC composite flocs demonstrated that the combined effect of oxidation, charge neutralization and adsorption played an important role in the removal of both toxicants during the C/F/S process. In summary, the findings of the present study provide insights into the fate, mobility and competitive removal behavior of As(III, V) species and organic ligands in the water treatment process.
Topical Application of Cinnamaldehyde Promotes Faster Healing of Skin Wounds Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ferro Thiago A.F. , Souza Eliene B. , Suarez Mariela A.M. , Rodrigues João F.S. , Pereira Domingos M.S. , Mendes Saulo J.F. , Gonzaga Laoane F. , Machado Márcia C.A.M. , Bomfim Maria R.Q. , Calixto João B. , Arbiser Jack L. , Monteiro-Neto Valério , André Eunice , Fernandes Elizabeth S.
Published: April 2019

Wound healing can be delayed following colonization and infection with the common bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While multiple therapies are used for their treatment, these are ineffective, expensive, and labour-intensive. Thus, there is an enormous unmet need for the treatment of infected wounds. Cinnamaldehyde, the major component of cinnamon oil, is well known for its antimicrobial properties. Herein, we investigated the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde in the virulence of P. aeruginosa. We also assessed its healing potential in P. aeruginosa-infected mouse skin wounds and the mechanisms involved in this response. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde reduced P. aeruginosa metabolic rate and its ability to form biofilm and to cause haemolysis. Daily topical application of cinnamaldehyde on P. aeruginosa-infected skin wounds reduced tissue bacterial load and promoted faster healing. Lower interleukin-17 (IL-17), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide levels were detected in cinnamaldehyde-treated wound samples. Blockage of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, the pharmacological target of cinnamaldehyde, abrogated its healing activity and partially reversed the inhibitory actions of this compound on VEGF and IL-17 generation. We suggest that topical application of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde may represent an interesting approach to improve the healing of P. aeruginosa-infected skin wounds.
Microfluidics-Based Fabrication of Cell-Laden Hydrogel Microfibers for Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Wang Gen , Jia Luanluan , Han Fengxuan , Wang Jiayuan , Yu Li , Yu Yingkang , Turnbull Gareth , Guo Mingyu , Shu Wenmiao , Li Bin
Published: April 2019

Fibrous hydrogel scaffolds have recently attracted increasing attention for tissue engineering applications. While a number of approaches have been proposed for fabricating microfibers, it remains difficult for current methods to produce materials that meet the essential requirements of being simple, flexible and bio-friendly. It is especially challenging to prepare cell-laden microfibers which have different structures to meet the needs of various applications using a simple device. In this study, we developed a facile two-flow microfluidic system, through which cell-laden hydrogel microfibers with various structures could be easily prepared in one step. Aiming to meet different tissue engineering needs, several types of microfibers with different structures, including single-layer, double-layer and hollow microfibers, have been prepared using an alginate-methacrylated gelatin composite hydrogel by merely changing the inner and outer fluids. Cell-laden single-layer microfibers were obtained by subsequently seeding mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) cells on the surface of the as-prepared microfibers. Cell-laden double-layer and hollow microfibers were prepared by directly encapsulating MC3T3-E1 cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the cores of microfibers upon their fabrication. Prominent proliferation of cells happened in all cell-laden single-layer, double-layer and hollow microfibers, implying potential applications for them in tissue engineering.
Modern Methods of Sample Preparation for the Analysis of Oxylipins in Biological Samples
Authors: Liakh Ivan , Pakiet Alicja , Sledzinski Tomasz , Mika Adriana
Published: April 2019

Oxylipins are potent lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, which play important roles in various biological processes. Being important regulators and/or markers of a wide range of normal and pathological processes, oxylipins are becoming a popular subject of research; however, the low stability and often very low concentration of oxylipins in samples are a significant challenge for authors and continuous improvement is required in both the extraction and analysis techniques. In recent years, the study of oxylipins has been directly related to the development of new technological platforms based on mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)/MS), as well as the improvement in methods for the extraction of oxylipins from biological samples. In this review, we systematize and compare information on sample preparation procedures, including solid-phase extraction, liquid–liquid extraction from different biological tissues.
Measuring Device and Material ZT in a Thin-Film Si-Based Thermoelectric Microgenerator
Authors: Ferrando-Villalba Pablo , Pérez-Marín Antonio Pablo , Abad Llibertat , Dalkiranis Gustavo Gonçalves , Lopeandia Aitor F. , Garcia Gemma , Rodriguez-Viejo Javier
Published: April 2019

Thermoelectricity (TE) is proving to be a promising way to harvest energy for small applications and to produce a new range of thermal sensors. Recently, several thermoelectric generators (TEGs) based on nanomaterials have been developed, outperforming the efficiencies of many previous bulk generators. Here, we presented the thermoelectric characterization at different temperatures (from 50 to 350 K) of the Si thin-film based on Phosphorous (n) and Boron (p) doped thermocouples that conform to a planar micro TEG. The thermocouples were defined through selective doping by ion implantation, using boron and phosphorous, on a 100 nm thin Si film. The thermal conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the electrical resistivity of each Si thermocouple was experimentally determined using the in-built heater/sensor probes and the resulting values were refined with the aid of finite element modeling (FEM). The results showed a thermoelectric figure of merit for the Si thin films of z T = 0.0093, at room temperature, which was about 12% higher than the bulk Si. In addition, we tested the thermoelectric performance of the TEG by measuring its own figure of merit, yielding a result of ZT = 0.0046 at room temperature.
Effect of Ultrasonic Surface Rolling Process on the Hot Compression Behavior of Inconel 718 Superalloy at 700 °C
Authors: Sun Zhiyan , Ren Shuai , Hu Timin , Li Bo
Published: April 2019

A series of hot compression tests at the temperature of 700 °C were applied to study the effect of the ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) on the hot compression behavior of Inconel 718 superalloy. The results indicated that the USRP-treated samples exhibited a better ability to withstand axial hot compression than the untreated samples. After the hot compression process, the size of the matrix grains was slightly decreased, and the volume fraction of ultra-fine recrystallized grains in the near-surface regions was increased for the USRP-treated samples. In addition, for USRP-treated samples, a large number of γ″ phases with size less than 100 nm were precipitated within the broadened grain boundaries in the near-surface regions rather than the inner grains. The enhanced ability to withstand axial compression at 700 °C for USRP-treated samples was related to the ultra-fine microstructure induced by USRP, combined with the precipitation of nano-γ″ phases within broadened grain boundaries and the increase of ultra-fine recrystallized grains in the near-surface regions during the hot compression process.
Effect of Topically Applied Wikstroemia dolichantha Diels on the Development of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Symptoms in Mice
Authors: Jegal Jonghwan , Park No-June , Kim Tae-Young , Choi Sangho , Lee Sang Woo , Hang Jin , Kim Su-Nam , Yang Min Hye
Published: April 2019

Plants of the genus Wikstroemia are traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases like bronchitis and rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, the anti-atopic effects of an EtOH extract of Wikstroemia dolichantha (WDE) on oxazolone- and DNCB (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene)-induced dermatitis in mice were investigated. Both ears of BALB/c mice were exposed to oxazolone, and dorsal skins of SKH-1 hairless mice were sensitized with DNCB to induce acute eczematous atopic skin lesions. 1% WDE was applied daily to oxazolone- and DNCB-induced AD mice for two or three weeks, respectively. Total IL-4 and IgE concentrations in serum, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration were assessed. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) was used to determine the composition of WDE. Dermal application of 1% WDE grossly and histopathologically improved oxazolone- and DNCB-induced AD skin symptoms. Epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration were significantly lower in animals treated with WDE than in vehicle controls. Furthermore, in addition to reducing DNCB-induced increases in serum IL-4 (interleukin 4) and IgE (immunoglobulin E) levels, WDE also decreased TEWL and increased skin hydration (indicative of improved skin barrier function). The four flavonoids taxifolin, aromadendrin, padmatin and chamaejasmine were tentatively identified in WDE by HPLC-DAD/QTOF-MS. The above results show WDE protected against oxazolone- and DNCB-induced AD in mice by down-regulating the TH2-associated cytokine IL-4 and improving skin barrier function and suggest WDE might be useful for the management of atopic dermatitis.
Antiperiodontitis Effects of Magnolia biondii Extract on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis in Rats
Authors: Lee Hae Jin , Lee Dong-Ryung , Choi Bong-Keun , Yang Seung Hwan
Published: April 2019

Over the past decades, periodontitis has become a rising health problem and caused various diseases. In the many studies shows that some extracts and compound to the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. This study focuses on the effects of inhibition of gingival damage and alveolar bone loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Magnolia biondii extract (MBE) against ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. A ligature was placed around the molar teeth for 8 weeks, and MBE was administered for 8 weeks. Gingival tissue damage and alveolar bone loss were measured by microcomputed tomography (CT) analysis and histopathological examination. Serum Interluekin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), and receptor activator of nuclear factor–κB ligand (RANKL) levels were investigated using commercial kits to confirm the antiperiodontitis effects of MBE. We confirmed that ligature-induced periodontitis resulted in gingival tissue damage and alveolar bone loss. However, treatment for 8 weeks with MBE protected from periodontal tissue damage and downregulated serum inflammatory cytokine factors and RANKL levels. These results suggest that MBE exerts antiperiodontitis effects by inhibiting gingival tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss through regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines in periodontitis-induced rats.
Exploiting the Nonlinear Dynamics of Optically Injected Semiconductor Lasers for Optical Sensing
Authors: Torre Maria , Masoller Cristina
Published: April 2019

Optically injected semiconductor lasers are known to display a rich variety of dynamic behaviours, including the emission of excitable pulses, and of rare giant pulses (often referred to as optical rogue waves). Here, we use a well-known rate equation model to explore the combined effect of excitability and extreme pulse emission, for the detection of variations in the strength of the injected field. We find parameter regions where the laser always responds to a perturbation by emitting an optical pulse whose amplitude is above a pre-defined detection threshold. We characterize the sensing capability of the laser in terms of the amplitude and the duration of the perturbation.
A Machine Learning-based Pipeline for the Classification of CTX-M in Metagenomics Samples
Authors: Ceballos Diego , López-Álvarez Diana , Isaza Gustavo , Tabares-Soto Reinel , Orozco-Arias Simón , Ferrin Carlos
Published: April 2019

Bacterial infections are a major global concern, since they can lead to public health problems. To address this issue, bioinformatics contributes extensively with the analysis and interpretation of in silico data by enabling to genetically characterize different individuals/strains, such as in bacteria. However, the growing volume of metagenomic data requires new infrastructure, technologies, and methodologies that support the analysis and prediction of this information from a clinical point of view, as intended in this work. On the other hand, distributed computational environments allow the management of these large volumes of data, due to significant advances in processing architectures, such as multicore CPU (Central Process Unit) and GPGPU (General Propose Graphics Process Unit). For this purpose, we developed a bioinformatics workflow based on filtered metagenomic data with Duk tool. Data formatting was done through Emboss software and a prototype of a workflow. A pipeline was also designed and implemented in bash script based on machine learning. Further, Python 3 programming language was used to normalize the training data of the artificial neural network, which was implemented in the TensorFlow framework, and its behavior was visualized in TensorBoard. Finally, the values from the initial bioinformatics process and the data generated during the parameterization and optimization of the Artificial Neural Network are presented and validated based on the most optimal result for the identification of the CTX-M gene group.
Phenomenological Over-Parameterization of the Triple-Fitting-Parameter Diffusion Models in Evaluation of Gas Diffusion in Coal
Authors: Zang Jie , Wang Kai , Liu Ang
Published: April 2019

Gas diffusivities of coal are not measured directly but are normally regressed by fitting mathematical diffusion models to fractional sorption data measured in sorption experiments. This paper firstly measured three fractional adsorption curves at various equilibrium pressures with the manometric method. The measured fractional adsorption curves were then modeled with one single-fitting-parameter (SFP) model and three triple-fitting-parameter (TFP) models. The modeling results showed that the TFP models were phenomenologically over-parameterized due to the usage of three fitting parameters, which may be excessive for curve fitting. The phenomenological over-parameterization resulted in multiple pressure-dependences of gas diffusivity for the TFP models. The TFP models should thus be carefully used. On the other hand, the dual-fitting-parameter (DFP) models also have excellent performance in curve fitting and can produce interpretable modeling results. The DFP models can be used as an alternative to the TFP model in the future.