bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dissecting Molecular Features of Gliomas: Genetic Loci and Validated Biomarkers
Authors: Arcella Antonietta , Limanaqi Fiona , Ferese Rosangela , Biagioni Francesca , Oliva Maria Antonietta , Storto Marianna , Fanelli Mirco , Gambardella Stefano , Fornai Francesco
Published: January 2020

Recently, several studies focused on the genetics of gliomas. This allowed identifying several germline loci that contribute to individual risk for tumor development, as well as various somatic mutations that are key for disease classification. Unfortunately, none of the germline loci clearly confers increased risk per se. Contrariwise, somatic mutations identified within the glioma tissue define tumor genotype, thus representing valid diagnostic and prognostic markers. Thus, genetic features can be used in glioma classification and guided therapy. Such copious genomic variabilities are screened routinely in glioma diagnosis. In detail, Sanger sequencing or pyrosequencing, fluorescence in-situ hybridization, and microsatellite analyses were added to immunohistochemistry as diagnostic markers. Recently, Next Generation Sequencing was set-up as an all-in-one diagnostic tool aimed at detecting both DNA copy number variations and mutations in gliomas. This approach is widely used also to detect circulating tumor DNA within cerebrospinal fluid from patients affected by primary brain tumors. Such an approach is providing an alternative cost-effective strategy to genotype all gliomas, which allows avoiding surgical tissue collection and repeated tumor biopsies. This review summarizes available molecular features that represent solid tools for the genetic diagnosis of gliomas at present or in the next future.
The Roles of FoxO Transcription Factors in Regulation of Bone Cells Function
Authors: Ma Xiaoli , Su Peihong , Yin Chong , Lin Xiao , Wang Xue , Gao Yongguang , Patil Suryaji , War Abdul Rouf , Qadir Abdul , Tian Ye , Qian Airong
Published: January 2020

Forkhead box class O family member proteins (FoxOs) are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors for their highly conserved DNA-binding domain. In mammalian species, all the four FoxO members, FoxO1, FoxO3, FoxO4, and FoxO6, are expressed in different organs. In bone, the first three members are extensively expressed and more studied. Bone development, remodeling, and homeostasis are all regulated by multiple cell lineages, including osteoprogenitor cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclast progenitors, osteoclasts, and the intercellular signaling among these bone cells. The disordered FoxOs function in these bone cells contribute to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or other bone diseases. Here, we review the current literature of FoxOs for their roles in bone cells, focusing on helping researchers to develop new therapeutic approaches and prevent or treat the related bone diseases.
Chemically Crosslinked Bispecific Antibodies for Cancer Therapy: Breaking from the Structural Restrictions of the Genetic Fusion Approach
Authors: Ueda Asami , Umetsu Mitsuo , Nakanishi Takeshi , Hashikami Kentaro , Nakazawa Hikaru , Hattori Shuhei , Asano Ryutaro , Kumagai Izumi
Published: January 2020

Antibodies are composed of structurally and functionally independent domains that can be used as building blocks to construct different types of chimeric protein-format molecules. However, the generally used genetic fusion and chemical approaches restrict the types of structures that can be formed and do not give an ideal degree of homogeneity. In this study, we combined mutation techniques with chemical conjugation to construct a variety of homogeneous bivalent and bispecific antibodies. First, building modules without lysine residues—which can be chemical conjugation sites—were generated by means of genetic mutation. Specific mutated residues in the lysine-free modules were then re-mutated to lysine residues. Chemical conjugation at the recovered lysine sites enabled the construction of homogeneous bivalent and bispecific antibodies from block modules that could not have been so arranged by genetic fusion approaches. Molecular evolution and bioinformatics techniques assisted in finding viable alternatives to the lysine residues that did not deactivate the block modules. Multiple candidates for re-mutation positions offer a wide variety of possible steric arrangements of block modules, and appropriate linkages between block modules can generate highly bioactive bispecific antibodies. Here, we propose the effectiveness of the lysine-free block module design for site-specific chemical conjugation to form a variety of types of homogeneous chimeric protein-format molecule with a finely tuned structure and function.
Glial Cells—The Strategic Targets in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment
Authors: Filipi Tereza , Hermanova Zuzana , Tureckova Jana , Vanatko Ondrej , Anderova Miroslava
Published: January 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.
Expression of Taste Receptor 2 Subtypes in Human Testis and Sperm
Authors: Governini Laura , Semplici Bianca , Pavone Valentina , Crifasi Laura , Marrocco Camilla , De Leo Vincenzo , Arlt Elisabeth , Gudermann Thomas , Boekhoff Ingrid , Luddi Alice , Piomboni Paola
Published: January 2020

Taste receptors (TASRs) are expressed not only in the oral cavity but also throughout the body, thus suggesting that they may play different roles in organ systems beyond the tongue. Recent studies showed the expression of several TASRs in mammalian testis and sperm, indicating an involvement of these receptors in male gametogenesis and fertility. This notion is supported by an impaired reproductive phenotype of mouse carrying targeted deletion of taste receptor genes, as well as by a significant correlation between human semen parameters and specific polymorphisms of taste receptor genes. To better understand the biological and thus clinical significance of these receptors for human reproduction, we analyzed the expression of several members of the TAS2Rs family of bitter receptors in human testis and in ejaculated sperm before and after in vitro selection and capacitation. Our results provide evidence for the expression of TAS2R genes, with TAS2R14 being the most expressed bitter receptor subtype in both testis tissue and sperm cells, respectively. In addition, it was observed that in vitro capacitation significantly affects both the expression and the subcellular localization of these receptors in isolated spermatozoa. Interestingly, α-gustducin and α-transducin, two Gα subunits expressed in taste buds on the tongue, are also expressed in human spermatozoa; moreover, a subcellular redistribution of both G protein α-subunits to different sub-compartments of sperm was registered upon in vitro capacitation. Finally, we shed light on the possible downstream transduction pathway initiated upon taste receptor activation in the male reproductive system. Performing ultrasensitive droplets digital PCR assays to quantify RNA copy numbers of a distinct gene, we found a significant correlation between the expression of TAS2Rs and TRPM5 (r = 0.87), the cation channel involved in bitter but also sweet and umami taste transduction in taste buds on the tongue. Even if further studies are needed to clarify the precise functional role of taste receptors for successful reproduction, the presented findings significantly extend our knowledge of the biological role of TAS2Rs for human male fertility.
Comparative Genomic Mapping Implicates LRRK2 for Intellectual Disability and Autism at 12q12, and HDHD1, as Well as PNPLA4, for X-Linked Intellectual Disability at Xp22.31
Authors: Labonne Jonathan D. J. , Driessen Terri M. , Harris Marvin E. , Kong Il-Keun , Brakta Soumia , Theisen John , Sangare Modibo , Layman Lawrence C. , Kim Cheol-Hee , Lim Janghoo , Kim Hyung-Goo
Published: January 2020

We report a genomic and phenotypic delineation for two chromosome regions with candidate genes for syndromic intellectual disability at 12q12 and Xp22.31, segregating independently in one family with four affected members. Fine mapping of three affected members, along with six unreported small informative CNVs, narrowed down the candidate chromosomal interval to one gene LRRK2 at 12q12. Expression studies revealed high levels of LRRK2 transcripts in the whole human brain, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. RT-qPCR assays revealed that LRRK2 transcripts were dramatically reduced in our microdeletion patient DGDP289A compared to his healthy grandfather with no deletion. The decreased expression of LRRK2 may affect protein–protein interactions between LRRK2 and its binding partners, of which eight have previously been linked to intellectual disability. These findings corroborate with a role for LRRK2 in cognitive development, and, thus, we propose that intellectual disability and autism, displayed in the 12q12 microdeletions, are likely caused by LRRK2. Using another affected member, DGDP289B, with a microdeletion at Xp22.31, in this family, we performed the genomic and clinical delineation with six published and nine unreported cases. We propose HDHD1 and PNPLA4 for X-linked intellectual disability in this region, since their high transcript levels in the human brain substantiate their role in intellectual functioning.
Epidemiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Nosocomial Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Jean Shio-Shin , Chang Yin-Chun , Lin Wei-Cheng , Lee Wen-Sen , Hsueh Po-Ren , Hsu Chin-Wan
Published: January 2020

Septicaemia likely results in high case-fatality rates in the present multidrug-resistant (MDR) era. Amongst them are hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), two frequent fatal septicaemic entities amongst hospitalised patients. We reviewed the PubMed database to identify the common organisms implicated in HAP/VAP, to explore the respective risk factors, and to find the appropriate antibiotic choice. Apart from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae spp., MDR or extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-Acinetobacter baumannii complex spp., followed by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Chryseobacterium indologenes, and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica are ranked as the top Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) implicated in HAP/VAP. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae notably emerged as an important concern in HAP/VAP. The above-mentioned pathogens have respective risk factors involved in their acquisition. In the present XDR era, tigecycline, colistin, and ceftazidime-avibactam are antibiotics effective against the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase and oxacillinase producers amongst the Enterobacteriaceae isolates implicated in HAP/VAP. Antibiotic combination regimens are recommended in the treatment of MDR/XDR-P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii complex isolates. Some special patient populations need prolonged courses (>7-day) and/or a combination regimen of antibiotic therapy. Implementation of an antibiotic stewardship policy and the measures recommended by the United States (US) Institute for Healthcare were shown to decrease the incidence rates of HAP/VAP substantially.
Serum Exosomal MicroRNA, miR-10b-5p, as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cho Hyo , Eun Jung , Baek Geum , Seo Chul , Ahn Hye , Kim Soon , Cho Sung , Cheong Jae
Published: January 2020

Exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRs) have been promising cancer biomarkers. MiRs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell-derived exosomes (HEX) were analyzed to identify reliable serum biomarkers for HCC. To detect overexpressed miRs in HEX, extracted exosomal small RNAs from human HCC cell lines and normal hepatocytes were sequenced and analyzed. Clinical significance of the overexpressed miRs in HEX was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) on serum samples of a validation cohort consisting of 28 healthy individuals, 60 with chronic liver disease, and 90 with HCC. We found 49 significantly overexpressed miRs in HEX compared to a normal hepatocyte. Among them, miR-10b-5p, miR-18a-5p, miR-215-5p, and miR-940 were overexpressed in HCC tissues and also associated with prognosis of HCC in the analysis of a public omics database. qRT-PCR analysis of the four serum exo-miRs in the validation cohort revealed serum exo-miR-10b-5p as a promising biomarker for early-stage HCC with 0.934 area under the curve (AUC) (sensitivity, 90.7%; specificity, 75.0%; cutoff value, 1.8-fold). Overexpression of serum exo-miR-215-5p was found to be significantly associated with poor disease-free survival in patients with HCC. Serum exo-miR-10b-5p is a potential biomarker for early-stage HCC, while serum exo-miR-215-5p can be used as prognostic biomarker for HCC.
Editorial Statement for Mathematical Finance
Authors: Wong Wing-Keung
Published: January 2020

Mathematics plays a vital role in many areas of finance and provides the theories and tools that have been widely used in all areas of finance. In this editorial, we tell authors the ideas on what types of papers we will accept for publication in the area of mathematical finance. We will discuss some well-cited papers of mathematical finance.
Human Movement Monitoring and Analysis for Prehabilitation Process Management
Authors: Al-Naime Khalid , Al-Anbuky Adnan , Mawston Grant
Published: January 2020

Cancer patients assigned for abdominal surgery are often given exercise programmes (prehabilitation) prior to surgery, which aim to improve fitness in order to reduce pre-operative risk. However, only a small proportion of patients are able to partake in supervised hospital-based prehabilitation because of inaccessibility and a lack of resources, which often makes it difficult for health professionals to accurately monitor and provide feedback on exercise and activity levels. The development of a simple tool to detect the type and intensity of physical activity undertaken outside the hospital setting would be beneficial to both patients and clinicians. This paper aims to describe the key exercises of a prehabilitation programme and to determine whether the types and intensity of various prehabilitation exercises could be accurately identified using Fourier analysis of 3D accelerometer sensor data. A wearable sensor with an inbuilt 3D accelerometer was placed on both the ankle and wrist of five volunteer participants during nine prehabilitation exercises which were performed at low to high intensity. Here, the 3D accelerometer data are analysed using fast Fourier analysis, where the dominant frequency and amplitude components are extracted for each activity performed at low, moderate, and high intensity. The findings indicate that the 3D accelerometer located at the ankle is suitable for detecting activities such as cycling and rowing at low, moderate, and high exercise intensities. However, there is some overlap in the frequency and acceleration amplitude components for overland and treadmill walking at a moderate intensity.
Physicochemical Foundations of Life that Direct Evolution: Chance and Natural Selection are not Evolutionary Driving Forces
Authors: Auboeuf Didier
Published: January 2020

The current framework of evolutionary theory postulates that evolution relies on random mutations generating a diversity of phenotypes on which natural selection acts. This framework was established using a top-down approach as it originated from Darwinism, which is based on observations made of complex multicellular organisms and, then, modified to fit a DNA-centric view. In this article, it is argued that based on a bottom-up approach starting from the physicochemical properties of nucleic and amino acid polymers, we should reject the facts that (i) natural selection plays a dominant role in evolution and (ii) the probability of mutations is independent of the generated phenotype. It is shown that the adaptation of a phenotype to an environment does not correspond to organism fitness, but rather corresponds to maintaining the genome stability and integrity. In a stable environment, the phenotype maintains the stability of its originating genome and both (genome and phenotype) are reproduced identically. In an unstable environment (i.e., corresponding to variations in physicochemical parameters above a physiological range), the phenotype no longer maintains the stability of its originating genome, but instead influences its variations. Indeed, environment- and cellular-dependent physicochemical parameters define the probability of mutations in terms of frequency, nature, and location in a genome. Evolution is non-deterministic because it relies on probabilistic physicochemical rules, and evolution is driven by a bidirectional interplay between genome and phenotype in which the phenotype ensures the stability of its originating genome in a cellular and environmental physicochemical parameter-depending manner.
Wood Bottom Ash and GeoSilex: A By-Product of the Acetylene Industry as Alternative Raw Materials in Calcium Silicate Units
Authors: Felipe-Sesé Manuel Angel , Pérez-Villarejo Luis , Castro Eulogio , Eliche-Quesada Dolores
Published: January 2020

The main objective of this research was to obtain calcium silicate units from alternative raw materials, such as the bottom ashes from the combustion of wooden boards (WBA), as a source of silica, and GeoSilex (G), a by-product with low energy and environmental costs generated in the manufacture of acetylene, as a source of lime. Once the raw materials were physically, mineralogically and chemically characterized, calcium silicate units were obtained by mixing different amounts of WBA residue (90–20 wt%) and G by-product (10–80 wt%). The mixtures were compressed at 10 MPa and cured in water for 28 days. The calcium silicate units were subjected to a wide experimental program that included the determination of physical properties (bulk density, apparent porosity and water absorption), mechanical properties (compressive strength), and thermal properties (thermal conductivity). Optimum values are obtained for calcium silicate units that contain a 1/1 WBA/G weight ratio, which have an optimal amount of SiO2 and CaO for the cementation reaction. The 50WBA-50g units have compressive strength values of 46.9 MPa and a thermal conductivity value of 0.40 W/mK. However, all calcium silicate units obtained comply with the European Standard EN 771-2: 2011 to be used as structural building materials.
Investigation on Comparison of Morphological Characteristics of Various Coarse Aggregates before and after Abrasion Test
Authors: Zhang Saisai , Pei Jianzhong , Li Rui , Wen Yong , Zhang Jiupeng
Published: January 2020

Under the repeated loading, the continuous impact and friction of tires on aggregates resulted in some changes in their morphology, which may cause rutting, decrease in skid resistance, and fatigue damage of the road. In order to explore specific changes in coarse aggregate morphology, the Los Angeles abrasion test was used to simulate the force exerted on coarse aggregates and the morphologies of different aggregates before and after abrasion were compared. Four types of coarse aggregates were selected and their mineral compositions were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The morphological characteristics were measured using Aggregate Image Measurement System (AIMS-Ⅱ), including angularity, surface texture, sphericity and Flat and Elongation (F and E) ratio. Results showed that the angularity value for each type of aggregates significantly reduced after abrasion and the angularity reductions of various aggregates were consistent with the results of abrasion test, indicting the angularity reduction was the main component of abrasion loss. Whereas, there was no significant different between the surface texture of coarse aggregates before and after abrasion. For shape properties, both sphericity and F and E ratio results showed that aggregates with excessively high F and E ratio were easy to break, which might cause rutting and were harmful to pavement. Therefore, for pavements with high performance requirement, coarse aggregates with large angularity and low abrasion value should be preferred, whereas the quantity of particles with excessively high F and E ratio should be controlled.
Determination of Fracture Energy of Early Age Concrete through a Uniaxial Tensile Test on an Un-Notched Specimen
Authors: Ren Dongya , Houben Lambert
Published: January 2020

Unlike the notched specimens for conventional concrete fracture tests, this paper introduces a deformation-controlled uniaxial tensile test on an un-notched specimen. The surface of the dog bone-shaped specimen is a second order parabolic curve, and the gradual change in the specimen shape does not lead to extreme stress concentrations. Another significant feature of the tension test set-up is that it is built with three hinges, to accommodate the alignment of the specimens. The specimen preparation, test conditions, and the tension test set-up are explained in detail. The fracture energy of the concrete is determined by the obtained complete softening curves. The fracture energy is found to increase with age, going towards a horizontal asymptote as concrete hardened in a tested age range of 1 day to 90 days. Moreover, the rate of development of the fracture energy was found to be higher when compared to tensile strength and stiffness.
Effect of K2ZrF6 Concentration on the Two-Step PEO Coating Prepared on AZ91 Mg Alloy in Alkaline Silicate Solution
Authors: Ur Rehman Zeeshan , Heun Koo Bon , Jung Yeon-Gil , Lee Je Hyun , Choi Dongjin
Published: January 2020

In this study, a two-step Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) method with constant primary step parameters and varying K2ZrF6 concentration in the secondary electrolyte solution was carried out to obtain a hard and dense coating on AZ91D alloy. For lower concentrations of K2ZrF6, a mixture of granular and pancake structure with higher surface porosity was obtained. Increasing the concentration up to 6 g/L caused the granular structure to disappear and a significant decrease was observed in the surface porosity as well as inner layer damage. Due to the compact inner layer structure, significant improvement in the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the AZ91 was observed with K2ZrF6 concentration. Highest values of hardness and corrosion resistance, i.e., 1589.45 HV and 386.30 × 103 Ω cm2, respectively, were obtained for a 6 g/L K2ZrF6 concentration.
Impact of Cryogenic Treatment on HCF and FCP Performance of β-Solution Treated Ti-6Al-4V ELI Biomaterial
Authors: Singla Anil Kumar , Singh Jagtar , Sharma Vishal S. , Gupta Munish Kumar , Song Qinghua , Rozumek Dariusz , Krolczyk Grzegorz M.
Published: January 2020

The poor fatigue strength of Ti-6Al-4V ELI is a main cause of failure in structural implants. In this work, Ti-6Al-4V ELI was subjected to β-solution treatment to obtain martensite microstructure and further subjected to −196 °C for 24 h. Significant improvement in high cycle fatigue performance of martensite Ti-6Al-4V ELI was observed on exposure to cryogenic cycle. Resistance to fatigue crack growth of alloy was augmented in martensite structure as compared with mill annealed sample and the same was retained even after exposure to cryogenic treatment. The variation observed in fatigue behavior due to cryogenic treatment was correlated with fractography and metallurgical investigations. Improvement in high cycle fatigue performance can be attributed to a combined effect of a decrease in the size of prior β grain, formation of massive α patch and its subsequent transformation into ultra-fine α and β during the soaking period at −196 °C.
Comparison of Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Al2O3/TiO2/ZrO2 Layers in Oxide–Hydroxyapatite Sandwich Composite Coatings Deposited by Sol–Gel Method on Ti6Al7Nb Alloy
Authors: Pietrzyk Bożena , Kucharski Daniel , Kołodziejczyk Łukasz , Miszczak Sebastian , Fijalkowski Mateusz
Published: January 2020

In this study, coatings of different oxides (TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) as well as sandwich composite hydroxyapatite with an oxides sublayer (oxide+HAp) were deposited on Ti6Al7Nb alloy using the sol–gel dip-coating method. The coatings were characterized in terms of morphology (optical microscope), surface topography (AFM), thickness (ellipsometry), and crystal structure (XRD/GIXRD). The mechanical properties of the coatings—hardness, Young’s modulus, and adhesion to the substrate—were examined using nanoindentation and scratch tests. The barrier properties of the coatings against the migration of aluminum ions were examined by measuring their concentration after soaking in Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) with the use of optical emission spectrometry of inductively coupled plasma (ICPOES). It was found that all the oxide and HAp coatings reduced the permeation of Al ions from the Ti6Al7Nb alloy substrate. The best features revealed an Al2O3 layer that had excellent barrier properties and the best adhesion to the substrate. Al2O3 as a sublayer significantly improved the properties of the sandwich composite HAp coating.
Evaluation of the Environmental Impact and Efficiency of N-Doping Strategies in the Synthesis of Carbon Dots
Authors: Christé Suzanne , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C.G. , Pinto da Silva Luís
Published: January 2020

The efficiency and associated environmental impacts of different N-doping strategies of carbon dots (CDs) were evaluated. More specifically, N-doped CDs were prepared from citric acid via two main synthesis routes: Microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment with addition of N-containing small organic molecules (urea and ethylenediamine (EDA)); and microwave-assisted solvothermal treatment in N-containing organic solvents (n,n-dimethylformamide (DMF), acetonitrile and pyridine). These syntheses produced CDs with similar blue emission. However, XPS analysis revealed that CDs synthesized via both hydrothermal routes presented a better N-doping efficiency (~15 at.%) than all three solvothermal-based strategies (0.6–7 at.%). However, from the former two hydrothermal strategies, only the one involving EDA as a nitrogen-source provided a non-negligible synthesis yield, which indicates that this should be the preferred strategy. This conclusion was supported by a subsequent life cycle assessment (LCA) study, which revealed that this strategy is clearly the most sustainable one from all five studied synthesis routes.
Monitoring of Thermal and Moisture Processes in Various Types of External Historical Walls
Authors: Bajno Dariusz , Bednarz Lukasz , Matkowski Zygmunt , Raszczuk Krzysztof
Published: January 2020

In order to create and make available the following: Design guidelines, recommendations for energy audits, data for analysis and simulation of the condition of masonry walls susceptible to biological corrosion, deterioration of comfort parameters in rooms, or deterioration of thermal resistance, the article analyzes various types of masonry wall structures occurring in and commonly used in historical buildings over the last 200 years. The summary is a list of results of particular types of masonry walls and their mutual comparison. On this basis, a procedure path has been proposed which is useful for monitoring heat loss, monitoring the moisture content of building partitions, and improving the hygrothermal comfort of rooms. The durability of such constructions has also been estimated and the impact on the condition of the buildings that have been preserved and are still in use today was assessed.
Correlation between Buccal Bone Thickness at Implant Placement in Healed Sites and Buccal Soft Tissue Maturation Pattern: A Prospective Three-Year Study
Authors: Farronato Davide , Pasini Pietro Mario , Orsina Andrea Alain , Manfredini Mattia , Azzi Lorenzo , Farronato Marco
Published: January 2020

Background: Optimal aesthetic implant restoration is a combination of a visually pleasing prosthesis and adequate surrounding peri-implant soft tissue architecture. This study describes the influence of the residual buccal bone thickness (BBT), measured at the time of implant placement, on the soft tissue maturation during three years of follow-up. Methods: Seventy-eight implants were enrolled in the present study. The BBT was assessed at the surgical stage and each case assigned to Group 1 (BBT values ≤0.5 mm), Group 2 (BBT values >0.5 and <1.5 mm), or Group 3 (BBT values ≥1.5 mm). Only native bone and healed sites were included. The tooth height (TH), based on the distance between the buccal free gingival margin at the zenith level and the crown incisal edge, according to the main axis of the tooth, was monitored at one, two, and three years from the final prosthodontic rehabilitation to determine any occurrence of recession or coronal repositioning of the gums over time. A Pearson Two-Tailed test was applied and the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: For BBT values ≤0.5 mm, the buccal gum at three years showed an average recession of 1.22 ± 0.41 mm. For BBT values >0.5 and <1.5 mm, the buccal gum also showed recession of 0.64 ± 0.29 mm. In contrast, for BBT values ≥1.5 mm, the buccal gum showed coronal growth of 0.77 ± 0.22 mm. The differences between the groups were significant (p ≤ 0.01) at all times. Conclusion: The BBT at the time of implant placement was found to affect the buccal gingival margin stability over three years of observation.
An Inequality Approach to Approximate Solutions of Set Optimization Problems in Real Linear Spaces
Authors: Köbis Elisabeth , Köbis Markus A. , Qin Xiaolong
Published: January 2020

This paper explores new notions of approximate minimality in set optimization using a set approach. We propose characterizations of several approximate minimal elements of families of sets in real linear spaces by means of general functionals, which can be unified in an inequality approach. As particular cases, we investigate the use of the prominent Tammer–Weidner nonlinear scalarizing functionals, without assuming any topology, in our context. We also derive numerical methods to obtain approximate minimal elements of families of finitely many sets by means of our obtained results.
Using Cuckoo Search Algorithm with Q-Learning and Genetic Operation to Solve the Problem of Logistics Distribution Center Location
Authors: Li Juan , Xiao Dan-dan , Lei Hong , Zhang Ting , Tian Tian
Published: January 2020

Cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is a novel swarm intelligence optimization algorithm, which is successfully applied to solve some optimization problems. However, it has some disadvantages, as it is easily trapped in local optimal solutions. Therefore, in this work, a new CS extension with Q-Learning step size and genetic operator, namely dynamic step size cuckoo search algorithm (DMQL-CS), is proposed. Step size control strategy is considered as action in DMQL-CS algorithm, which is used to examine the individual multi-step evolution effect and learn the individual optimal step size by calculating the Q function value. Furthermore, genetic operators are added to DMQL-CS algorithm. Crossover and mutation operations expand search area of the population and improve the diversity of the population. Comparing with various CS algorithms and variants of differential evolution (DE), the results demonstrate that the DMQL-CS algorithm is a competitive swarm algorithm. In addition, the DMQL-CS algorithm was applied to solve the problem of logistics distribution center location. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by comparing with cuckoo search (CS), improved cuckoo search algorithm (ICS), modified chaos-enhanced cuckoo search algorithm (CCS), and immune genetic algorithm (IGA) for both 6 and 10 distribution centers.
On Differential Equations Characterizing Legendrian Submanifolds of Sasakian Space Forms
Authors: Ali Rifaqat , Mofarreh Fatemah , Alluhaibi Nadia , Ali Akram , Ahmad Iqbal
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we give an estimate of the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator on minimally immersed Legendrian submanifold N n in Sasakian space forms N ˜ 2 n + 1 ( ϵ ) . We prove that a minimal Legendrian submanifolds in a Sasakian space form is isometric to a standard sphere S n if the Ricci curvature satisfies an extrinsic condition which includes a gradient of a function, the constant holomorphic sectional curvature of the ambient space and a dimension of N n . We also obtain a Simons-type inequality for the same ambient space forms N ˜ 2 n + 1 ( ϵ ) .
Chitooligosaccharides Modulate Glucose-Lipid Metabolism by Suppressing SMYD3 Pathways and Regulating Gut Microflora
Authors: Wang Qiutong , Jiang Yajie , Luo Xuegang , Wang Chang , Wang Nan , He Hongpeng , Zhang Tongcun , Chen Liehuan
Published: January 2020

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) have a variety of biological activities due to their positively charged amino groups. Studies have shown that COS have antidiabetic effects, but their molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study confirmed that COS can reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, prevent obesity, and enhance histological changes in the livers of mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, treatment with COS can modulate the composition of the gut microbiota in the colon by altering the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. Furthermore, in T2DM mice, treatment with COS can upregulate the cholesterol-degrading enzymes cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) while specifically inhibiting the transcription and expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Furthermore, using an oleic acid-induced hepatocyte steatosis model, we found that HMGCR can be directly transactivated by SET and MYND domain containing 3 (SMYD3), a transcriptional regulator, via 5′-CCCTCC-3′ element in the promoter. Overexpression of SMYD3 can suppress the inhibitory effect of COS on HMGCR, and COS might regulate HMGCR by inhibiting SMYD3, thereby exerting hypolipidemic functions. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to illustrate that COS mediate glucose and lipid metabolism disorders by regulating gut microbiota and SMYD3-mediated signaling pathways.
Infracyanine Green vs. Brilliant Blue G in Inverted Flap Surgery for Large Macular Holes: A Long-Term Swept-Source OCT Analysis
Authors: Cillino Salvatore , Castellucci Massimo , Cillino Giovanni , Sunseri Valentina , Novara Costanza , Di Pace Francesco , Vadalà Maria , Bonfiglio Vincenza , Casuccio Alessandra
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives: To compare the long-term toxicity of infracyanine green (IFCG) to brilliant blue G (BBG) in inverted internal limiting membrane flap surgery (I-ILMFS) for large, full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Materials and Methods: Prospective randomized study including 39 eyes with ≥ 400 µm idiopathic FTMH who underwent I-ILMFS with either IFCG or BBG. Postoperative 6- and 12-month corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), closure rate, and swept-source optical coherence tomography parameters, including ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) mean defect length, central foveal thicknesses (CFT), parafoveal macular thickness (MT), ganglion cells and inner plexiform layer (GCL++) thickness, and peripapillary nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, were compared. Results: Nineteen eyes were included in the IFCG group and 20 eyes in the BBG group. In all cases a FTMH closure was found. CDVA improved at 6 and 12 months in both groups (p < 0.0005); the increase at 12 months was greater in the BBG group (p = 0.036). EZ and ELM defects did not differ between groups at either follow-up time. CFT at 12 months was greater in the BBG group (p = 0.041). A 12-months compared to 6-months MT decrease was present in both groups (p < 0.01). The GCL++ superior inner sector was thicker in the BBG group at 12 months (p = 0.036), as were the superior outer sector (p = 0.039 and p = 0.027 at 6 and 12 months, respectively) and inferior outer sector (p = 0.011 and p = 0.009 at 6 and 12 months, respectively). Conclusion: In our study BBG in I-ILMFS exhibits better long-term CDVA and retinal thickness than does IFCG, suggesting a lesser toxicity from BBG. These findings support the use of BBG over IFCG in I-ILMFS.
Influence of Different Repair Acrylic Resin and Thermocycling on the Flexural Strength of Denture Base Resin
Authors: AlQahtani Mohammed , Haralur Satheesh B.
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives: Fractured acrylic denture base is a common occurrence in clinical practice. The effective denture repair procedure is cost-effective, time conserving, and results in lesser time without denture for the patient. Along with various reinforcements and surface modifications; different acrylic resins are investigated in improving the flexural strength of the fractured site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base repaired with heat-polymerized (HPA), auto-polymerized (APA) and light-polymerized acrylic (LPA) resins after thermocycling. Materials and Methods: Forty rectangular shaped (50 mm × 25 mm × 3 mm) PMMA specimens were fabricated. Group 1 specimens (n = 10) were kept as controls and the remaining 30 samples were sectioned at the center with a repair site dimension of 3 mm. The samples from three groups (n = 10) were repaired with HPA, APA, and LPA resins, respectively. The specimens were thermocycled for 5000 cycles and subjected to a three-point flexural test. The maximum load required to fracture the specimens was recorded, and further analyzed with ANOVA and the Games-Howell Post hoc test at the significance level p = 0.05. Results: The average maximum load and flexural strength of the control group was 173.60 N and 13.02 Mpa and corresponding values for denture repaired with HPA was 87.36 N and 6.55 Mpa. The corresponding values for APA resin and LPA resins were 62.94 N, 57.51 N, and 4.72 Mpa, 4.06 Mpa, respectively. Conclusions: The PMMA specimens repaired with HPA resins resulted in a significantly higher load to fracture compared to APA resin and LPA resin.
Dynamical Control of Broadband Coherent Absorption in ENZ Films
Authors: Bruno Vincenzo , Vezzoli Stefano , DeVault Clayton , Roger Thomas , Ferrera Marcello , Boltasseva Alexandra , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Faccio Daniele
Published: January 2020

Interferometric effects between two counter-propagating beams incident on an optical system can lead to a coherent modulation of the absorption of the total electromagnetic radiation with 100% efficiency even in deeply subwavelength structures. Coherent perfect absorption (CPA) rises from a resonant solution of the scattering matrix and often requires engineered optical properties. For instance, thin film CPA benefits from complex nanostructures with suitable resonance, albeit at a loss of operational bandwidth. In this work, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a broadband CPA based on light-with-light modulation in epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) subwavelength films. We show that unpatterned ENZ films with different thicknesses exhibit broadband CPA with a near-unity maximum value located at the ENZ wavelength. By using Kerr optical nonlinearities, we dynamically tune the visibility and peak wavelength of the total energy modulation. Our results based on homogeneous thick ENZ media open a route towards on-chip devices that require efficient light absorption and dynamical tunability.
Investigation on the Electrochemical Micromachining of Micro Through-Hole by Using Micro Helical Electrode
Authors: Liu Baohui , Zou Hang , Luo Haixuan , Yue Xiaoming
Published: January 2020

The instability of machining process caused by the difficulty of the electrolyte refresh in electrochemical micromachining (EMM) of micro through-hole has been an unsolved problem. Thus, this paper investigates the electrochemical micromachining of micro through-hole by using a micro helical electrode combining with the jetting electrolyte. With the help of high-speed rotation of micro helical electrode and its spiral shape, the internal electrolyte can be stirred while the external jetting electrolyte can flow into the hole along the spiral groove to refresh the electrolyte effectively, thereby, improving the machining stability of EMM. Firstly, the influence of the process parameters on the fabrication of micro through-hole in the EMM by using micro helical electrode without non-conductive mask is investigated. Based on the optimization of the process parameters, a micro through-hole with an inlet dimension of 121.6 μm and an outlet dimension of 114.9 μm is obtained successfully. Furthermore, this paper also tries to use the micro helical electrode coated with the non-conductive mask to decrease the bad influence of the stray corrosion attack. It is found that the non-conductive mask coated on the surface of micro helical electrode can improve the machining accuracy significantly under the condition of low pulse frequency (≤1 KHz). However, its good effect on preventing the stray corrosion decreases along with the increase of the pulse frequency.
A Review of Applications Using Mixed Materials of Cellulose, Nanocellulose and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Miyashiro Daisuke , Hamano Ryo , Umemura Kazuo
Published: January 2020

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively studied as one of the most interesting nanomaterials for over 25 years because they exhibit excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties. In the past decade, the number of publications and patents on cellulose and nanocellulose (NC) increased tenfold. Research on NC with excellent mechanical properties, flexibility, and transparency is accelerating due to the growing environmental problems surrounding us such as CO2 emissions, the accumulation of large amounts of plastic, and the depletion of energy resources such as oil. Research on mixed materials of cellulose, NC, and CNTs has been expanding because these materials exhibit various characteristics that can be controlled by varying the combination of cellulose, NC to CNTs while also being biodegradable and recyclable. An understanding of these mixed materials is required because these characteristics are diverse and are expected to solve various environmental problems. Thus far, many review papers on cellulose, NC or CNTs have been published. Although guidance for the suitable application of these mixed materials is necessary, there are few reviews summarizing them. Therefore, this review introduces the application and feature on mixed materials of cellulose, NC and CNTs.
Impact of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery with Preoperative Whey Protein-Infused Carbohydrate Loading and Postoperative Early Oral Feeding among Surgical Gynecologic Cancer Patients: An Open-Labelled Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yi Ho Chiou , Ibrahim Zuriati , Abu Zaid Zalina , Mat Daud Zulfitri ‘Azuan , Md. Yusop Nor Baizura , Omar Jamil , Mohd Abas Mohd Norazam , Abdul Rahman Zuwariah , Jamhuri Norshariza
Published: January 2020

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) with sole carbohydrate (CHO) loading and postoperative early oral feeding (POEOF) shortened the length of postoperative (PO) hospital stays (LPOHS) without increasing complications. This study aimed to examine the impact of ERAS with preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF among surgical gynecologic cancer (GC) patients. There were 62 subjects in the intervention group (CHO-P), which received preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF; and 56 subjects formed the control group (CO), which was given usual care. The mean age was 49.5 ± 12.2 years (CHO-P) and 51.2 ± 11.9 years (CO). The trial found significant positive results which included shorter LPOHS (78.13 ± 33.05 vs. 99.49 ± 22.54 h); a lower readmission rate within one month PO (6% vs. 16%); lower weight loss (−0.3 ± 2.3 kg vs. −2.1 ± 2.3 kg); a lower C-reactive protein–albumin ratio (0.3 ± 1.2 vs. 1.1 ± 2.6); preserved muscle mass (0.4 ± 1.7 kg vs. −0.7 ± 2.6 kg); and better handgrip strength (0.6 ± 4.3 kg vs. −1.9 ± 4.7 kg) among CHO-P as compared with CO. However, there was no significant difference in mid-upper arm circumference and serum albumin level upon discharge. ERAS with preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF assured better PO outcomes.
Antihypertensive Effects of Virgin Olive Oil (Unfiltered) Low Molecular Weight Peptides with ACE Inhibitory Activity in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Alcaide-Hidalgo Juan María , Romero Miguel , Duarte Juan , López-Huertas Eduardo
Published: January 2020

The low molecular weight peptide composition of virgin olive oil (VOO) is mostly unknown. We hypothesised that unfiltered VOO could possess low molecular weight peptides with antihypertensive activity. We produced unfiltered VOO and obtained a water-soluble peptide extract from it. The peptides were separated by size-exclusion using fast protein liquid chromatography, and the low molecular weight fraction was analysed by nanoscale liquid chromatography-Orbitrap coupled with tandem mass spectrometry and de novo sequencing. We selected 23 peptide sequences containing between 6 and 9 amino acids and molecular masses ranging 698–1017 Da. Those peptides were chemically synthesised and their angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was studied in vitro. Seven peptides showed a strong activity, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) <10 µm. The antihypertensive effects of the four most active synthesised ACE inhibitor peptides were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Acute oral administration of synthetic peptides RDGGYCC and CCGNAVPQ showed antihypertensive activity in SHR. We conclude that unfiltered VOO naturally contains low molecular weight peptides with specific ACE inhibitory activity and antihypertensive effects in SHR.