bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approach to Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: A Comprehensive Update
Authors: Majumdar Shamaita , McWilliams Justin P.
Published: June 2020

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are abnormal direct vascular communications between pulmonary arteries and veins which create high-flow right-to-left shunts. They are most frequently congenital, usually in the setting of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). PAVMs may be asymptomatic or present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations such as dyspnea, hypoxemia, or chest pain. Even when asymptomatic, presence of PAVMs increases patients’ risk of serious, potentially preventable complications including stroke or brain abscess. Transcatheter embolotherapy is considered the gold standard for treatment of PAVMs. Though previous guidelines have been published regarding the management of PAVMs, several aspects of PAVM screening and management remain debated among the experts, suggesting the need for thorough reexamination of the current literature. The authors of this review present an updated approach to the diagnostic workup and management of PAVMs, with an emphasis on areas of controversy, based on the latest literature and our institutional experience.
Surrogate Assisted Optimization for Low-Voltage Low-Power Circuit Design
Authors: Garbaya Amel , Kotti Mouna , Fakhfakh Mourad , Tlelo-Cuautle Esteban
Published: June 2020

Low-voltage low-power (LVLP) circuit design and optimization is a hard and time-consuming task. In this study, we are interested in the application of the newly proposed meta-modelling technique to alleviate such burdens. Kriging-based surrogate models of circuits’ performances were constructed and then used within a metaheuristic-based optimization kernel in order to maximize the circuits’ sizing. The JAYA algorithm was used for this purpose. Three topologies of CMOS current conveyors (CCII) were considered to showcase the proposed approach. The achieved performances were compared to those obtained using conventional LVLP circuit sizing techniques, and we show that our approach offers interesting results.
Evolutionary Multi-Objective Energy Production Optimization: An Empirical Comparison
Authors: Vargas-Hákim Gustavo-Adolfo , Mezura-Montes Efrén , Galván Edgar
Published: June 2020

This work presents the assessment of the well-known Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) and one of its variants to optimize a proposed electric power production system. Such variant implements a chaotic model to generate the initial population, aiming to get a better distributed Pareto front. The considered power system is composed of solar, wind and natural gas power sources, being the first two renewable energies. Three conflicting objectives are considered in the problem: (1) power production, (2) production costs and (3) CO2 emissions. The Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm based on Decomposition (MOEA/D) is also adopted in the comparison so as to enrich the empirical evidence by contrasting the NSGA-II versions against a non-Pareto-based approach. Spacing and Hypervolume are the chosen metrics to compare the performance of the algorithms under study. The obtained results suggest that there is no significant improvement by using the variant of the NSGA-II over the original version. Nonetheless, meaningful performance differences have been found between MOEA/D and the other two algorithms.
The Complementary q-Lidstone Interpolating Polynomials and Applications
Authors: Mansour Zeinab , Al-Towailb Maryam
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we introduce the complementary q-Lidstone interpolating polynomial of degree 2 n , which involves interpolating data at the odd-order q-derivatives. For this polynomial, we will provide a q-Peano representation of the error function. Next, we use these results to prove the existence of solutions of the complementary q-Lidstone boundary value problems. Some examples are included.
Risk Factors and Management of Osteoporosis Post-Transplant
Authors: Kovvuru Karthik , Kanduri Swetha Rani , Vaitla Pradeep , Marathi Rachana , Gosi Shiva , Garcia Anton Desiree F. Garcia , Cabeza Rivera Franco H. Cabeza , Garla Vishnu
Published: June 2020

Bone and mineral disorders are common after organ transplantation. Osteoporosis post transplantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pathogenesis of bone disorders in this particular sub set of the population is complicated by multiple co-existing factors like preexisting bone disease, Vitamin D deficiency and parathyroid dysfunction. Risk factors include post-transplant immobilization, steroid usage, diabetes mellitus, low body mass index, older age, female sex, smoking, alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle. Immunosuppressive medications post-transplant have a negative impact on outcomes, and further aggravate osteoporotic risk. Management is complex and challenging due to the sub-optimal sensitivity and specificity of non-invasive diagnostic tests, and the underutilization of bone biopsy. In this review, we summarize the prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnostic tests and management of osteoporosis in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.
ZrO2-TiO2 Incorporated PVDF Dual-Layer Hollow Fiber Membrane for Oily Wastewater Treatment: Effect of Air Gap
Authors: Yaacob Nurshahnawal , Goh Pei Sean , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Mohd Nazri Noor Aina , Ng Be Cheer , Zainal Abidin Muhammad Nizam , Yogarathinam Lukka Thuyavan
Published: June 2020

Dual-layer hollow fiber (DLHF) nanocomposite membrane prepared by co-extrusion technique allows a uniform distribution of nanoparticles within the membrane outer layer to enhance the membrane performance. The effects of spinning parameters especially the air gap on the physico-chemical properties of ZrO2-TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated PVDF DLHF membranes for oily wastewater treatment have been investigated in this study. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was measured to be around –16.5 mV. FESEM–EDX verified the uniform distribution of Ti, Zr, and O elements throughout the nanoparticle sample and the TEM images showed an average nanoparticles grain size of ~12 nm. Meanwhile, the size distribution intensity was around 716 nm. A lower air gap was found to suppress the macrovoid growth which resulted in the formation of thin outer layer incorporated with nanoparticles. The improvement in the separation performance of PVDF DLHF membranes embedded with ZrO2-TiO2 nanoparticles by about 5.7% in comparison to the neat membrane disclosed that the incorporation of ZrO2-TiO2 nanoparticles make them potentially useful for oily wastewater treatment.
Modelling and Experimental Validation of the Porosity Effect on the Behaviour of Nano-Crystalline Materials
Authors: Bazios Panagiotis , Tserpes Konstantinos , Pantelakis Spiros
Published: June 2020

Nano-crystalline metals have attracted considerable attention over the past two decades due to their increased mechanical properties as compared to their microcrystalline counterparts. However, the behaviour of nano-crystalline metals is influenced by imperfections introduced during synthesis or heat treatment. These imperfections include pores, which are mostly located in the area of grain boundaries. To study the behaviour of multiphase nano-crystalline materials, a novel fully parametric algorithm was developed. The data required for implementing the developed numerical model were the volume fraction of the alloying elements and their basic properties as well as the density and the size of randomly distributed pores. To validate the developed algorithm, the alloy composition 75 wt% tungsten and 25 wt% copper was examined experimentally under compression tests. For the investigation, two batches of specimens were used; a batch having a coarse-grained microstructure with an average grain diameter of 150 nm and a nanocrystalline batch having a grain diameter of 100 nm, respectively. The porosity of both batches was derived to range between 9% and 10% based on X-ray diffraction analyses. The results of quasi-static compression testing revealed that the nanocrystalline W-Cu material exhibited brittle behaviour which was characterised by an elastic deformation that led to fracture without remarkable plasticity. A compressive strength of about 1100 MPa was derived which was more than double compared to conventional W-Cu samples. Finite element simulations of the behaviour of porous nano-crystalline materials were performed and compared with the respective experimental compression tests. The numerical model and experimental observations were in good agreement.
Resolving Metabolic Heterogeneity in Experimental Models of the Tumor Microenvironment from a Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics Perspective
Authors: Fan Teresa W. -M. , Higashi Richard M. , Chernayavskaya Yelena , Lane Andrew N.
Published: June 2020

The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises complex interactions of multiple cell types that determines cell behavior and metabolism such as nutrient competition and immune suppression. We discuss the various types of heterogeneity that exist in solid tumors, and the complications this invokes for studies of TME. As human subjects and in vivo model systems are complex and difficult to manipulate, simpler 3D model systems that are compatible with flexible experimental control are necessary for studying metabolic regulation in TME. Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics (SIRM) is a valuable tool for tracing metabolic networks in complex systems, but at present does not directly address heterogeneous metabolism at the individual cell level. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of different model systems for SIRM experiments, with a focus on lung cancer cells, their interactions with macrophages and T cells, and their response to modulators in the immune microenvironment. We describe the experimental set up, illustrate results from 3D cultures and co-cultures of lung cancer cells with human macrophages, and outline strategies to address the heterogeneous TME.
Microbial Metabolite Urolithin B Inhibits Recombinant Human Monoamine Oxidase A Enzyme
Authors: Singh Rajbir , Chandrashekharappa Sandeep , Vemula Praveen Kumar , Haribabu Bodduluri , Jala Venkatakrishna Rao
Published: June 2020

Urolithins are gut microbial metabolites derived from ellagitannins (ET) and ellagic acid (EA), and shown to exhibit anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-glycative and anti-oxidant activities. Similarly, the parent molecules, ET and EA are reported for their neuroprotection and antidepressant activities. Due to the poor bioavailability of ET and EA, the in vivo functional activities cannot be attributed exclusively to these compounds. Elevated monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities are responsible for the inactivation of monoamine neurotransmitters in neurological disorders, such as depression and Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of urolithins (A, B and C) and EA on MAO activity using recombinant human MAO-A and MAO-B enzymes. Urolithin B was found to be a better MAO-A enzyme inhibitor among the tested urolithins and EA with an IC50 value of 0.88 µM, and displaying a mixed mode of inhibition. However, all tested compounds exhibited higher IC50 (>100 µM) for MAO-B enzyme.
Effect of Supplementation with Hydroethanolic Extract of Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg.) Leaves and Two Isolated Substances from the Extract on Metabolic Parameters of Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Cardozo Carla Maiara Lopes , Inada Aline Carla , Cardoso Claudia Andrea Lima , Filiú Wander Fernando de Oliveira , Farias Bernardo Barcelar de , Alves Flávio Macedo , Tatara Mariana Bento , Croda Júlio Henrique Rosa , Guimarães Rita de Cássia Avellaneda , Hiane Priscila Aiko , Freitas Karine de Cássia
Published: June 2020

There are still controversies regarding the correlation between the beneficial effects for health and the administration of isolated compounds or crude extracts in therapeutic applications. Campomanesia xanthocarpa, found in the Brazilian Cerrado, demonstrated beneficial effects in metabolic disorders associated with obesity. We investigated the effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa hydroethanolic extract and two isolated substances from the extract (S1 and S2) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model. Male Swiss mice were divided into five groups: (1) American Institute of Nutrition (AIN-93M) diet, (2) high-fat diet (HF), (3) HF supplemented with C. xanthocarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract at 100 mg/kg (HFE), (4) HF supplemented with S1 at 1 mg/kg (HFS1) and (5) HF supplemented with S2 at 1 mg/kg (HFS2). The HFS1, HFS2 and HFE groups did not present decreasing body weight or visceral adiposity gain. No differences in glycemic and lipid parameters, or in the expression of protein content in two cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10), were observed. Only the HFS1 group displayed decreased food intake. Even though substantial effects such as an improvement in obesity features or the metabolic and histological parameters promoted by S1, S2 and the extract were not observed, further investigations are necessary to evaluate the principal genes and protein expressions involved in regulating food behavior promoted by S1.
Erratum: Dragan, E.S., et al., Contribution of Cross-Linker and Silica Morphology on Cr(VI) Sorption Performances of Organic Anion Exchangers Embedded into Silica Pores. Molecules 2020, 25, 1249
Authors: Dragan Ecaterina Stela , Humelnicu Doina
Published: June 2020

The authors wish to make a change to the published paper [...]
Chemical and Electrochemical Recycling of End-Use Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) Plastics in Batch, Microwave and Electrochemical Reactors
Authors: Myren Tessa H. T. , Stinson Taylor A. , Mast Zachary J. , Huntzinger Chloe G. , Luca Oana R.
Published: June 2020

This work describes new methods for the chemical recycling of end-use poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in batch, microwave and electrochemical reactors. The reactions are based on basic hydrolysis of the ester moieties in the polymer framework and occur under mild reaction conditions with low-cost reagents. We report end-use PET depolymerization in refluxing methanol with added NaOH with 75% yield of terephthalic acid in batch after 12 h, while yields up to 65% can be observed after only 40 min under microwave irradiation at 85 °C. Using basic conditions produced in the electrochemical reduction of protic solvents, electrolytic experiments have been shown to produce 17% terephthalic acid after 1 h of electrolysis at −2.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 50% water/methanol mixtures with NaCl as a supporting electrolyte. The latter method avoids the use of caustic solutions containing high-concentration NaOH at the outset, thus proving the concept for a novel, environmentally benign method for the electrochemical recycling of end-use PET based on low-cost solvents (water and methanol) and reagents (NaCl and electricity).
Production and Potential Applications of Bioconversion of Chitin and Protein-Containing Fishery Byproducts into Prodigiosin: A Review
Authors: Wang San-Lang , Nguyen Van Bon , Doan Chien Thang , Tran Thi Ngoc , Nguyen Minh Trung , Nguyen Anh Dzung
Published: June 2020

The technology of microbial conversion provides a potential way to exploit compounds of biotechnological potential. The red pigment prodigiosin (PG) and other PG-like pigments from bacteria, majorly from Serratia marcescens, have been reported as bioactive secondary metabolites that can be used in the broad fields of agriculture, fine chemicals, and pharmacy. Increasing PG productivity by investigating the culture conditions especially the inexpensive carbon and nitrogen (C/N) sources has become an important factor for large-scale production. Investigations into the bioactivities and applications of PG and its related compounds have also been given increased attention. To save production cost, chitin and protein-containing fishery byproducts have recently been investigated as the sole C/N source for the production of PG and chitinolytic/proteolytic enzymes. This strategy provides an environmentally-friendly selection using inexpensive C/N sources to produce a high yield of PG together with chitinolytic and proteolytic enzymes by S. marcescens. The review article will provide effective references for production, bioactivity, and application of S. marcescens PG in various fields such as biocontrol agents and potential pharmaceutical drugs.
Extract of Juniperus indica Bertol Synergizes with Cisplatin to Inhibit Oral Cancer Cell Growth via Repression of Cell Cycle Progression and Activation of the Caspase Cascade
Authors: Huang Xiao-Fan , Chang Kai-Fu , Lee Shan-Chih , Li Chia-Yu , Liao Hung-Hsiu , Hsieh Ming-Chang , Tsai Nu-Man
Published: June 2020

Oral cancer—a type of head and neck cancer—is estimated to be the fifth most common cancer in Taiwan. However, efficacious therapies for oral cancer are still lacking due to drug resistance and recurrence. Consequently, the identification of new anticancer agents for clinical treatment is needed. Juniperus indica Bertol is a plant of the Juniperus genus often used as a treatment in traditional medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and diuretic functions. The biofunctions of Juniperus indica Bertol including its anticancer potential, have not been fully explored. As a result, the aim of this research was to investigate the anticancer activity of Juniperus indica Bertol extract (JIB extract) and determine whether JIB extract has synergistic effects with cisplatin in oral cancer. These results are the first to demonstrate that JIB extract exhibits anticancer capacity and synergizes with cisplatin to treat oral cancer. Our findings indicate that JIB extract has a potential to develop anticancer agent and chemo therapeutic adjuvant for oral cancer.
Molecular Image-Based Prediction Models of Nuclear Receptor Agonists and Antagonists Using the DeepSnap-Deep Learning Approach with the Tox21 10K Library
Authors: Matsuzaka Yasunari , Uesawa Yoshihiro
Published: June 2020

The interaction of nuclear receptors (NRs) with chemical compounds can cause dysregulation of endocrine signaling pathways, leading to adverse health outcomes due to the disruption of natural hormones. Thus, identifying possible ligands of NRs is a crucial task for understanding the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) for human toxicity as well as the development of novel drugs. However, the experimental assessment of novel ligands remains expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, an in silico approach with a wide range of applications instead of experimental examination is highly desirable. The recently developed novel molecular image-based deep learning (DL) method, DeepSnap-DL, can produce multiple snapshots from three-dimensional (3D) chemical structures and has achieved high performance in the prediction of chemicals for toxicological evaluation. In this study, we used DeepSnap-DL to construct prediction models of 35 agonist and antagonist allosteric modulators of NRs for chemicals derived from the Tox21 10K library. We demonstrate the high performance of DeepSnap-DL in constructing prediction models. These findings may aid in interpreting the key molecular events of toxicity and support the development of new fields of machine learning to identify environmental chemicals with the potential to interact with NR signaling pathways.
Synthesis and Anthelmintic Activity of New Thiosemicarbazide Derivatives—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Dziduch Katarzyna , Kołodziej Przemysław , Paneth Agata , Bogucka-Kocka Anna , Wujec Monika
Published: June 2020

Parasitic infections caused by different species of intestinal helminths still poses a threat to public health. There is a need to search for new, effective anthelmintic drugs. A series of novel thiosemicarbazides were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anthelmintic activity. The preliminary results showed that the most of synthesized compounds were very active. 4-Phenyl-1-[(1-methyl-4-nitroimidazol-2-yl)carbonyl]thiosemicarbazide and 4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-[(1-methyl-4-nitroimidazol-2-yl)carbonyl]thiosemicarbazide showed a 100% mortality of nematodes and a high anthelmintic activity in both tested concentrations.
Herbicidal Activity of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. Essential Oil
Authors: Verdeguer Mercedes , Torres-Pagan Natalia , Muñoz Marta , Jouini Amira , García-Plasencia Susana , Chinchilla Pablo , Berbegal Mónica , Salamone Adele , Agnello Santo , Carrubba Alessandra , Cabeiras-Freijanes Luz , Regueira-Marcos Lois , Sánchez-Moreiras Adela M. , Blázquez María Amparo
Published: June 2020

The bioherbicidal potential of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. essential oil (EO) and its main compound carvacrol was investigated. In in vitro assays, the EO blocked the germination and seedling growth of Erigeron canadensis L., Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L., and Chenopodium album L. at 0.125 µL/mL, of Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv., Avena fatua L., and Solanum nigrum L. at 0.5 µL/mL, of Amaranthus retroflexus L. at 1 µL/mL and of Portulaca oleracea L., and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. at 2 µL/mL. Under greenhouse conditions, T. capitata EO was tested towards the emergent weeds from a soil seedbank in pre and post emergence, showing strong herbicidal potential in both assays at 4 µL/mL. In addition, T. capitata EO, applied by spraying, was tested against P. oleracea, A. fatua and E. crus-galli. The species showed different sensibility to the EO, being E. crus-galli the most resistant. Experiments were performed against A. fatua testing T. capitata EO and carvacrol applied by spraying or by irrigation. It was verified that the EO was more active at the same doses in monocotyledons applied by irrigation and in dicotyledons applied by spraying. Carvacrol effects on Arabidopsis root morphology were also studied.
Costunolide Plays an Anti-Neuroinflammation Role in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced BV2 Microglial Activation by Targeting Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2
Authors: Liu Yan-Chen , Feng Na , Li Wei-Wei , Tu Peng-Fei , Chen Jian-Ping , Han Jing-Yan , Zeng Ke-Wu
Published: June 2020

Hyperactivation of microglia in the brain is closely related to neuroinflammation and leads to neuronal dysfunction. Costunolide (CTL) is a natural sesquiterpene lactone with wide pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation and antioxidation. In this study, we found that CTL significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia. Moreover, CTL effectively attenuated IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. To identify direct cellular target of CTL, we performed high-throughput reverse virtual screening assay using scPDB protein structure library, and found cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) was the most specific binding protein for CTL. We further confirmed the binding ability of CTL with CDK2 using cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assays. Surface plasmon resonance analysis also supported that CTL specifically bound to CDK2 with a dissociation constant at micromole level. Furthermore, knocking down CDK2 obviously reversed the anti-inflammation effect of CTL via AKT/IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway on BV-2 cells. Collectively, these results indicate that CTL inhibits microglia-mediated neuroinflammation through directly targeting CDK2, and provide insights into the role of CDK2 as a promising anti-neuroinflammation therapeutic target.
Preparative Separation of Procyanidins from Cocoa Polyphenolic Extract: Comparative Study of Different Fractionation Techniques
Authors: Toro-Uribe Said , Herrero Miguel , Decker Eric A. , López-Giraldo Luis Javier , Ibáñez Elena
Published: June 2020

To provide further insight into the antioxidant potential of procyanidins (PCs) from cocoa beans, PC extract was fractionated by several methodologies, including solid phase extraction, Sephadex LH-20 gel permeation, and preparative HPLC using C18 and diol stationary phases. All the isolated fractions were analyzed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS to determine their relative composition. According to our results, classical techniques allowed good separation of alkaloids, catechins, dimers, and trimers, but were inefficient for oligomeric PCs. Preparative C18-HPLC method allowed the attainment of high relative composition of fractions enriched with alkaloids, catechins, and PCs with degree of polymerization (DP) < 4. However, the best results were obtained by preparative diol-HPLC, providing a separation according to the increasing DP. According to the mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern, the nine isolated fractions (Fractions II–X) consisted of exclusively individual PCs and their corresponding isomers (same DP). In summary, an efficient, robust, and fast method using a preparative diol column for the isolation of PCs is proposed. Regarding DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity, it increases according to the DP; therefore, the highest activity was for cocoa extract > PCs > monomers. Thereby, cocoa procyanidins might be of interest to be used as alternative antioxidants.
Optimization of Oyster (Crassostrea talienwhanensis) Protein Hydrolysates Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Yu Huahua , Xing Ronge , Liu Song , Chen Xiaolin , Li Pengcheng
Published: June 2020

Oyster (Crassostrea talienwhanensis) protein was hydrolyzed by trypsin to produce peptides with different response values, and response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the hydrolysis conditions. The highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the oyster peptide (OP) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 1593.2 U/g, a pH of 8.2, a hydrolysis temperature of 40.1 °C, a hydrolysis time of 6.0 h, and a water/material ratio of 8.2. The greatest hydroxyl-radical-scavenging activity of OP was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 1546.3 U/g, a pH of 9.0, a hydrolysis temperature of 50.2 °C, a hydrolysis time of 5.1 h, and a water/material ratio of 5.6. The largest branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) content of OP was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 1323.8 U/g, a pH of 8.3, a hydrolysis temperature of 41.7 °C, a hydrolysis time of 6.7 h, and a water/material ratio of 4.8. The three experimental values were significantly in agreement with the predicted values within the 95% confidence interval. Furthermore, ultrafiltration and chromatographic methods were used to purify the OP, and 13 peptides that were rich in Lys, Arg, His, and Thr were identified by LC-MS/MS. The results of this study offer different optimum hydrolysis conditions to produce target peptides from oyster protein by using RSM, and this study provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of oyster protein.
Effect of Carotenoids from Phaeodactylum tricornutum on Palmitate-Treated HepG2 Cells
Authors: Mayer Claire , Côme Martine , Blanckaert Vincent , Chini Zittelli Graziella , Faraloni Cecilia , Nazih Hassan , Ouguerram Khadija , Mimouni Virginie , Chénais Benoît
Published: June 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represents the most common liver disease and is characterized by an excess of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, mainly stored as triglycerides. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine microalga, which is rich in bioactive molecules known to be hepatoprotective, such as n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and fucoxanthin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a carotenoid extract from P. tricornutum in a cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by palmitate treatment. The combined effects of carotenoids and lipids, especially n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, were also investigated by using a total lipophilic extract. HepG2 cells were exposed for 24 h to 250 µM palmitate with or without the addition of carotenoid extract (6 μg/mL) or total lipophilic extract (100 μg/mL). The addition of carotenoid extract or total lipophilic extract prevented the accumulation of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol esters. The carotenoid extract and total lipophilic extract also decreased the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in lipogenesis (ACACA, FASN, SCD and DGAT1) and cholesterol esterification (ACAT1/SOAT1). In addition, the total lipophilic extract also downregulated the LXR/NR1H3 and SREBF1 genes, which are involved in lipogenesis regulation. By contrast, the carotenoid extract increased the mRNA level of CPT1A, a β-oxidation related gene, and reduced the lipid droplet accumulation. In conclusion, this study highlights the preventive effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease of the two microalga extracts.
Antifungal and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Photochemically Synthesized Heparin-Coated Gold and Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Rodriguez-Torres María del Pilar , Díaz-Torres Luis Armando , Millán-Chiu Blanca E. , García-Contreras René , Hernández-Padrón Genoveva , Acosta-Torres Laura Susana
Published: June 2020

Heparin-based silver nanoparticles (AgHep-NPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuHep-NPs) were produced by a photochemical method using silver nitrate and chloroauric acid as metal precursors and UV light at 254 nm. UV–Vis spectroscopy graphs showed absorption for AgHep-NPs and AuHep-NPs at 420 nm and 530 nm, respectively. TEM revealed a pseudospherical morphology and a small size, corresponding to 10–25 nm for AgHep-NPs and 1.5–7.5 nm for AuHep-NPs. Their antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Issatchenkia orientalis (Candida krusei), and Candida parapsilosis was assessed by the microdilution method. We show that AgHep-NPs were effective in decreasing fungus density, whereas AuHep-NPs were not. Additionally, the viability of human gingival fibroblasts was preserved by both nanoparticle types at a level above 80%, indicating a slight cytotoxicity. These results are potentially useful for applications of the described NPs mainly in dentistry and, to a lesser extent, in other biomedical areas.
White Light Emission by Simultaneous One Pot Encapsulation of Dyes into One-Dimensional Channelled Aluminophosphate
Authors: Sola-Llano Rebeca , Oliden-Sánchez Ainhoa , Alfayate Almudena , Gómez-Hortigüela Luis , Pérez-Pariente Joaquín , Arbeloa Teresa , Hofkens Johan , Fron Eduard , Martínez-Martínez Virginia
Published: June 2020

By simultaneous occlusion of rationally chosen dyes, emitting in the blue, green and red region of the electromagnetic spectrum, into the one-dimensional channels of a magnesium-aluminophosphate with AEL-zeolitic type structure, MgAPO-11, a solid-state system with efficient white light emission under UV excitation, was achieved. The dyes herein selected—acridine (AC), pyronin Y (PY), and hemicyanine LDS722—ensure overall a good match between their molecular sizes and the MgAPO-11 channel dimensions. The occlusion was carried out via the crystallization inclusion method, in a suitable proportion of the three dyes to render efficient white fluorescence systems by means of fine-tuned FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) energy transfer processes. The FRET processes are thoroughly examined by the analysis of fluorescence decay traces using the femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion technique.
Serologic and Molecular Diagnosis of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis Infection in Dogs in an Endemic Region
Authors: Lara Bianca , Conan Anne , Thrall Mary Anna , Ketzis Jennifer K. , Branford Gillian Carmichael , Rajeev Sreekumari
Published: June 2020

Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis are obligate intracellular, tick-borne rickettsial pathogens of dogs that may cause life-threatening diseases. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of PCR and a widely used commercial antibody-based point-of-care (POC) test to diagnose A. platys and E. canis infection and updated the prevalence of these pathogens in dogs inhabiting the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts. We detected A. platys in 62/227 (27%), E. canis in 84/227 (37%), and the presence of both in 43/227 (19%) of the dogs using PCR. POC testing was positive for A. platys in 53/187 (28%), E. canis in 112/187 (60%), and for both in 42/187 (22%) of the samples tested. There was only a slight agreement between A. platys PCR and POC test results and a fair agreement for E. canis PCR and POC test results. Our study suggests that PCR testing may be particularly useful in the early stage of infection when antibody levels are low or undetectable, whereas, POC test is useful when false-negative PCR results occur due to low bacteremia. A combination of PCR and POC tests may increase the ability to diagnose A. platys and E. canis infection and consequently will improve patient management.
In Vitro Incorporation of Helicobacter pylori into Candida albicans Caused by Acidic pH Stress
Authors: Sánchez-Alonzo Kimberly , Parra-Sepúlveda Cristian , Vega Samuel , Bernasconi Humberto , Campos Víctor L. , Smith Carlos T. , Sáez Katia , García-Cancino Apolinaria
Published: June 2020

Yeasts can adapt to a wide range of pH fluctuations (2 to 10), while Helicobacter pylori, a facultative intracellular bacterium, can adapt to a range from pH 6 to 8. This work analyzed if H. pylori J99 can protect itself from acidic pH by entering into Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Growth curves were determined for H. pylori and C. albicans at pH 3, 4, and 7. Both microorganisms were co-incubated at the same pH values, and the presence of intra-yeast bacteria was evaluated. Intra-yeast bacteria-like bodies were detected using wet mounting, and intra-yeast binding of anti-H. pylori antibodies was detected using immunofluorescence. The presence of the H. pylori rDNA 16S gene in total DNA from yeasts was demonstrated after PCR amplification. H. pylori showed larger death percentages at pH 3 and 4 than at pH 7. On the contrary, the viability of the yeast was not affected by any of the pHs evaluated. H. pylori entered into C. albicans at all the pH values assayed but to a greater extent at unfavorable pH values (pH 3 or 4, p = 0.014 and p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, it is possible to suggest that H. pylori can shelter itself within C. albicans under unfavorable pH conditions.
The Vaginal-PVPA: A Vaginal Mucosa-Mimicking In Vitro Permeation Tool for Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Formulations
Authors: Falavigna Margherita , Pattacini Martina , Wibel Richard , Sonvico Fabio , Škalko-Basnet Natasa , Flaten Gøril Eide
Published: June 2020

Drug administration to the vaginal site has gained increasing attention in past decades, highlighting the need for reliable in vitro methods to assess the performance of novel formulations. To optimize formulations destined for the vaginal site, it is important to evaluate the drug retention within the vagina as well as its permeation across the mucosa, particularly in the presence of vaginal fluids. Herewith, the vaginal-PVPA (Phospholipid Vesicle-based Permeation Assay) in vitro permeability model was validated as a tool to evaluate the permeation of the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen from liposomal formulations (i.e., plain and chitosan-coated liposomes). Drug permeation was assessed in the presence and absence of mucus and simulated vaginal fluid (SVF) at pH conditions mimicking both the healthy vaginal premenopausal conditions and vaginal infection/pre-puberty/post-menopause state. The permeation of ibuprofen proved to depend on the type of formulation (i.e., chitosan-coated liposomes exhibited lower drug permeation), the mucoadhesive formulation properties and pH condition. This study highlights both the importance of mucus and SVF in the vaginal model to better understand and predict the in vivo performance of formulations destined for vaginal administration, and the suitability of the vaginal-PVPA model for such investigations.
Microneedle-Based Delivery: An Overview of Current Applications and Trends
Authors: Guillot Antonio José , Cordeiro Ana Sara , Donnelly Ryan F. , Montesinos M. Carmen , Garrigues Teresa M. , Melero Ana
Published: June 2020

Microneedle arrays (MNA) are considered as one of the most promising resources to achieve systemic effects by transdermal delivery of drugs. They are designed as a minimally invasive, painless system which can bypass the stratum corneum, overcoming the potential drawbacks of subcutaneous injections and other transdermal delivery systems such as chemical enhancers, nano and microparticles, or physical treatments. As a trendy field in pharmaceutical and biomedical research, its applications are constantly evolving, even though they are based on very well-established techniques. The number of molecules administered by MNA are also increasing, with insulin and vaccines administration being the most investigated. Furthermore, MNA are being used to deliver cells and applied in other organs and tissues like the eyes and buccal mucosae. This review intends to offer a general overview of the current state of MNA research, focusing on the strategies, applications, and types of molecules delivered recently by these systems. In addition, some information about the materials and manufacturing processes is presented and safety data is discussed.
A Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model of CKD-519
Authors: Kim Choon Ok , Jeon Sangil , Han Seunghoon , Park Min Soo , Yim Dong-Seok
Published: June 2020

CKD-519 is a selective and potent cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor that is being developed for dyslipidemia. Even though CKD-519 has shown potent CETP inhibition, the exposure of CKD-519 was highly varied, depending on food and dose. For highly variable exposure drugs, it is crucial to use modeling and simulation to plan proper dose selection. This study aimed to develop population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) models of CKD-519 and to predict the proper dose of CKD-519 to achieve target levels for HDL-C and LDL-C using results from multiple dosing study of CKD-519 with a standard meal for two weeks in healthy subjects. The results showed that a 3-compartment with Erlang’s distribution, followed by the first-order absorption, adequately described CKD-519 PK, and the bioavailability, which decreased by dose and time was incorporated into the model (NONMEM version 7.3). After the PK model development, the CETP activity and cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) levels were sequentially modeled using the turnover model, including the placebo effect. According to PK-PD simulation results, 200 to 400 mg of CKD-519 showing a 40% change in HDL-C and LDL-C from baselines was recommended for proof of concept studies in patients with dyslipidemia.
Pharmacy Education; Competency and Beyond
Authors: Henman Martin C.
Published: June 2020

Competency-based curricula are the dominant approach in the education of healthcare professionals around the world today [...]
How Can You Know the Bible and Not Believe in Our Lord? Guiding Pilgrims across the Jewish–Christian Divide
Authors: Feldman Jackie
Published: June 2020

Drawing on auto-ethnographic descriptions from four decades of my own work as a Jewish guide for Christian Holy Land pilgrims, I examine how overlapping faiths are expressed in guide–group exchanges at Biblical sites on Evangelical pilgrimages. I outline several faith interactions: Between reading the Bible as an affirmation of Christian faith or as a legitimation of Israeli heritage, between commitments to missionary Evangelical Christianity and to Judaism, between Evangelical practice and those of other Christian groups at holy sites, and between faith-based certainties and scientific skepticism. These encounters are both limited and enabled by the frames of the pilgrimage: The environmental bubble of the guided tour, the Christian orientations and activities in the itinerary, and the power relations of hosts and guests. Yet, unplanned encounters with religious others in the charged Biblical landscape offer new opportunities for reflection on previously held truths and commitments. I conclude by suggesting that Holy Land guided pilgrimages may broaden religious horizons by offering an interreligious model of faith experience based on encounters with the other.
Ecce Homo—Behold the Human! Reading Life-Narratives in Times of Colonial Modernity
Authors: Bhattacharya Nandini
Published: June 2020

The essay explores Bankimchandra Chatterjee’s Krishnacaritra—published in 1886—the life of a humanised god, as engaged in cross cultural dialogues with John Robert Seeley’s Ecce Homo, Natural Religion, and The Expansion of England in particular, and the broader European tendency of naturalising religions in general. It contends that the rise of historicised life writing genres in Europe was organically related to the demythologised, verifiable god-lives writing project. Bankimchandra’s Krishnacarita is embedded within a dense matrix of nineteenth century Indian secular life writing projects and its projection of Krishna as a cultural icon within an incipient nationalist imagining. The essay while exploring such fraught writing projects in Victorian England and nineteenth century colonial Bengal, concludes that ‘secularism’ arrives as not as religion’s Other but as its camouflaging in ethico-cultural guise. Secularism rides on the backs of such demystified god life narratives to rationalise ethico-culturally informed global empires.
Cr-Doped Urchin-Like WO3 Hollow Spheres: The Cooperative Modulation of Crystal Growth and Energy-Band Structure for High-Sensitive Acetone Detection
Authors: Ding Qiongling , Wang Yanrong , Guo Pengqian , Li Jianjun , Chen Chen , Wang Ting , Sun Kai , He Deyan
Published: June 2020

Acetone is a biomarker in the exhaled breath of diabetic patients; sensitive and selective detection of acetone in human exhaled breath plays an important role in noninvasive diagnosis. Tungsten oxide (especially for γ-WO3) is a promising material for the detection of breath acetone. It is generally believed that the stable metastable phase of WO3 (ε-WO3) is the main reason for the improved response to acetone detection. In this work, pure and Cr-doped urchin-like WO3 hollow spheres were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach. Analyses of the resulting materials via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman confirmed that they are mainly composed by γ-WO3. The gas sensing performances of pure and Cr-doped WO3 to acetone were systematically tested. Results show that the sensor based on pure WO3 annealed at 450 °C has a high response of 20.32 toward 100 ppm acetone at a working temperature of 250 °C. After doped with Cr, the response was increased 3.5 times higher than the pure WO3 sensor. The pure and Cr-doped WO3 sensors both exhibit a tiny response to other gases, low detection limits (ppb-level) and an excellent repeatability. The improvement of gas sensing properties could be attributed to an optimized morphology of Cr-doped WO3 by regulating the crystal growth and reducing the assembled nanowires’ diameter. The increasing number of oxygen vacancy and the introduction of impurity energy level with trap effect after Cr doping would lead to the wider depletion layer as well as a better gas sensing performance. This work will contribute to the development of new WO3 acetone sensors with a novel morphology and will explain the increased response after Cr doping from a new perspective.
Implementation and Optimization of a Dual-confocal Autofocusing System
Authors: Jan Chia-Ming , Liu Chien-Sheng , Yang Jyun-Yi
Published: June 2020

This paper describes the implementation and optimization of a dual-confocal autofocusing system that can easily describe a real-time position by measuring the response signal (i.e., intensity) of the front and the rear focal points of the system. This is a new and systematic design strategy that would make it possible to use this system for other applications while retrieving their characteristic curves experimentally; there is even a good chance of this technique becoming the gold standard for optimizing these dual-confocal configurations. We adopt two indexes to predict our system performance and discover that the rear focal position and its physical design are major factors. A laboratory-built prototype was constructed and demonstrated to ensure that its optimization was valid. The experimental results showed that a total optical difference from 150 to 400 mm significantly affected the effective volume of our designed autofocusing system. The results also showed that the sensitivity of the dual-confocal autofocusing system is affected more by the position of the rear focal point than the position of the front focal point. The final optimizing setup indicated that the rear focal length and the front focal length should be set at 200 and 100 mm, respectively. In addition, the characteristic curve between the focus error signal and its position could successfully define the exact position by a polynomial equation of the sixth order, meaning that the system can be straightforwardly applied to an accurate micro-optical auto-focusing system.
A Novel Method to Identify Pneumonia through Analyzing Chest Radiographs Employing a Multichannel Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Nahid Abdullah-Al , Sikder Niloy , Bairagi Anupam Kumar , Razzaque Md. Abdur , Masud Mehedi , Z. Kouzani Abbas , Mahmud M. A. Parvez
Published: June 2020

Pneumonia is a virulent disease that causes the death of millions of people around the world. Every year it kills more children than malaria, AIDS, and measles combined and it accounts for approximately one in five child-deaths worldwide. The invention of antibiotics and vaccines in the past century has notably increased the survival rate of Pneumonia patients. Currently, the primary challenge is to detect the disease at an early stage and determine its type to initiate the appropriate treatment. Usually, a trained physician or a radiologist undertakes the task of diagnosing Pneumonia by examining the patient’s chest X-ray. However, the number of such trained individuals is nominal when compared to the 450 million people who get affected by Pneumonia every year. Fortunately, this challenge can be met by introducing modern computers and improved Machine Learning techniques in Pneumonia diagnosis. Researchers have been trying to develop a method to automatically detect Pneumonia using machines by analyzing and the symptoms of the disease and chest radiographic images of the patients for the past two decades. However, with the development of cogent Deep Learning algorithms, the formation of such an automatic system is very much within the realms of possibility. In this paper, a novel diagnostic method has been proposed while using Image Processing and Deep Learning techniques that are based on chest X-ray images to detect Pneumonia. The method has been tested on a widely used chest radiography dataset, and the obtained results indicate that the model is very much potent to be employed in an automatic Pneumonia diagnosis scheme.
Measurement of Shear Strain Field in a Soft Material Using a Sensor System Consisting of Distributed Piezoelectric Polymer Film
Authors: Li Fengyu , Akiyama Yasuhiro , Wan Xianglong , Okamoto Shogo , Yamada Yoji
Published: June 2020

Measurement of the internal stress and strain distributions within soft materials is necessary in the field of skin contact safety. However, conventional interactive force sensors cannot efficiently obtain or estimate these distributions. Herein, a shear strain sensor system consisting of distributed built-in piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer films was developed to measure the internal shear strain field of a soft material. A shear strain sensing model was mathematically established, based on the piezoelectricity and mechanical behavior of a bending cantilever beam, to explain the sensing principle. An experiment in three-dimensional measurement of the shear strain distribution within an artificial skin was designed and conducted to assess the sensitivity of the sensing model. This sensor system could visualize the shear strain field and was sensitive to different contact conditions. The measurement results agreed well with the results of numerical simulation of the substrate, based on contact mechanics. The proposed sensor system was confirmed to provide a new sensing method for the field of shape analysis. The sensor system can be applied to develop sufficiently sensitive electronic skin and can significantly contribute to skin damage analysis and skin contact safety assessment.