bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Potential Anticarcinogenic Effects of Corilagin in Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: RENCUZOGULLARİ Cagla , CİNCİN Zeynep Birsu , IPLİK Elif Sinem , BARAN Yusuf , CAKMAKOGLU Bedia
Published: August 2019

Objective: Lung cancer (LC) is the most extensive reason of cancer associated deaths in men and women in the world. LC categorizes into two main groups due to their molecular clinicopathological features and therapeutic responses. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main subgroup that consists of nearly 85% of all lung cancer types. Corilagin, a biologically active ellagitannin, could be extracted from Phyllanthus species which are known as Chinese medicinal plant. It has been recently shown that Corilagin could exert anti-inflammatuar and antioxidative effects in different experimental cancer models. However, the molecular effects of Corilagin in NSCLC remain unclear.Methods: In this study, the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of Corilagin were identified by caspase-3 molecule and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).Results: We found that Corilagin significiantly suppressed the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, we also showed that Corilagin could contribute apoprosis by inducing activity of caspase-3 molecule and loss of MMP.Conclusion: Taken together, our study first showed that Corilagin could be a new treatment method for NSCLC after verifying its effects with in vivo and clinical studies.
Perennial Energy Grasses: Resilient Crops in a Changing European Agriculture
Authors: Scordia Danilo , Cosentino Salvatore
Published: August 2019

This review describes the multiple utilization of perennial grasses as resilient crops for a multifunctional agriculture. Beyond its role of producing food, feed and fiber, the concept of multifunctional agriculture includes many other functions, such as ecosystem services, renewable energy production and a contribution to the socio-economic viability of rural areas. Traditionally used for feed, some perennial grasses—known as perennial energy grasses (e.g., miscanthus—Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter, giant reed—Arundo donax L., switchgrass—Panicun virgatum L., reed canary grass—Phalaris arundinacea L.)—have been recommended as a biomass source for both energy and non-energy applications, and ecosystem services. Perennial grasses are lignocellulosic, low-cost feedstock, able to grow in variable environments including marginal lands. Due to their high yield, resilient traits, biomass composition, energy and environmental sustainability, perennial grasses are a candidate feedstock to foster the bio-based economy and adapt to a changing agriculture. However, perennial grasses for biomass production are largely undomesticated crops, or are at early stages of development. Hence, a great potential for improvements is expected, provided that research on breeding, agronomy, post-harvest logistic and bioconversion is undertaken in order to deliver resilient genotypes growing and performing well across a broad range of environmental conditions, climatic uncertainty, marginal land type and end-use destinations.
Development of Navigator Behavior Models for the Evaluation of Collision Avoidance Behavior in the Collision-Prone Navigation Environment
Authors: Yim Jeong-Bin , Park Deuk-Jin , Youn Ik-Hyun
Published: August 2019

In order to prevent ship collisions, it is important to understand the behavior of navigators that leads to these collisions. The main cause of marine accidents in the Republic of Korea is attributed to navigator error, particularly in collisions. Hence, reducing navigator error is a key issue that needs to be addressed to prevent accidents. However, the lack of objective measure to quantify navigator error remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to develop an objective identification of a navigator’s behavior in a collision encountering situation. Two behavior models for the success and failure of collision avoidance are developed by collecting participants’ actions, using a ship maneuvering simulator within a given scenario. These maneuvering behavior models are validated in terms of their discrimination powers. The results show that maneuvering behavior is clearly identified in the data processing and model development phases. The proposed behavior models are expected to provide a better understanding of how navigators behave to help reduce collision accidents.
Periodic Surface Defect Detection in Steel Plates Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Liu Yang , Xu Ke , Xu Jinwu
Published: August 2019

It is difficult to detect roll marks on hot-rolled steel plates as they have a low contrast in the images. A periodical defect detection method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) is proposed to detect periodic defects, such as roll marks, according to the strong time-sequenced characteristics of such defects. Firstly, the features of the defect image are extracted through a CNN network, and then the extracted feature vectors are inputted into an LSTM network for defect recognition. The experiment shows that the detection rate of this method is 81.9%, which is 10.2% higher than a CNN method. In order to make more accurate use of the previous information, the method is improved with the attention mechanism. The improved method specifies the importance of inputted information at each previous moment, and gives the quantitative weight according to the importance. The experiment shows that the detection rate of the improved method is increased to 86.2%.
Color–Texture Pattern Classification Using Global–Local Feature Extraction, an SVM Classifier, with Bagging Ensemble Post-Processing
Authors: Navarro Carlos F. , Perez Claudio A.
Published: August 2019

Many applications in image analysis require the accurate classification of complex patterns including both color and texture, e.g., in content image retrieval, biometrics, and the inspection of fabrics, wood, steel, ceramics, and fruits, among others. A new method for pattern classification using both color and texture information is proposed in this paper. The proposed method includes the following steps: division of each image into global and local samples, texture and color feature extraction from samples using a Haralick statistics and binary quaternion-moment-preserving method, a classification stage using support vector machine, and a final stage of post-processing employing a bagging ensemble. One of the main contributions of this method is the image partition, allowing image representation into global and local features. This partition captures most of the information present in the image for colored texture classification allowing improved results. The proposed method was tested on four databases extensively used in color–texture classification: the Brodatz, VisTex, Outex, and KTH-TIPS2b databases, yielding correct classification rates of 97.63%, 97.13%, 90.78%, and 92.90%, respectively. The use of the post-processing stage improved those results to 99.88%, 100%, 98.97%, and 95.75%, respectively. We compared our results to the best previously published results on the same databases finding significant improvements in all cases.
Impact of the Mode of Extraction on the Lipidomic Profile of Oils Obtained from Selected Amazonian Fruits
Authors: Cardona Jaramillo Juliana Erika Cristina , Carrillo Bautista Marcela Piedad , Alvarez Solano Oscar Alberto , Achenie Luke E. K. , González Barrios Andrés Fernando
Published: August 2019

Oils and fats are important raw materials in food products, animal feed, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals among others. The market today is dominated by oils derive, d from African palm, soybean, oilseed and animal fats. Colombia’s Amazon region has endemic palms such as Euterpe precatoria (açai), Oenocarpus bataua (patawa), and Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) which grow in abundance and produce a large amount of ethereal extract. However, as these oils have never been used for any economic purpose, little is known about their chemical composition or their potential as natural ingredients for the cosmetics or food industries. In order to fill this gap, we decided to characterize the lipids present in the fruits of these palms. We began by extracting the oils using mechanical and solvent-based approaches. The oils were evaluated by quantifying the quality indices and their lipidomic profiles. The main components of these profiles were triglycerides, followed by diglycerides, fatty acids, acylcarnitine, ceramides, ergosterol, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and sphingolipids. The results suggest that solvent extraction helped increase the diglyceride concentration in the three analyzed fruits. Unsaturated lipids were predominant in all three fruits and triolein was the most abundant compound. Characterization of the oils provides important insights into the way they might behave as potential ingredients of a range of products. The sustainable use of these oils may have considerable economic potential.
Highly Glycolytic Immortalized Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells are Able to Grow in Glucose-Starved Conditions
Authors: Ocaña Mª Carmen , Martínez-Poveda Beatriz , Quesada Ana R. , Medina Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2019

Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels, in a process known as angiogenesis. Excessive angiogenesis is a hallmark of several diseases, including cancer. The number of studies in endothelial cell metabolism has increased in recent years, and new metabolic targets for pharmacological treatment of pathological angiogenesis are being proposed. In this work, we wanted to address experimental evidence of substrate (namely glucose, glutamine and palmitate) dependence in immortalized dermal microvascular endothelial cells in comparison to primary endothelial cells. In addition, due to the lack of information about lactate metabolism in this specific type of endothelial cells, we also checked their capability of utilizing extracellular lactate. For fulfilling these aims, proliferation, migration, Seahorse, substrate uptake/utilization, and mRNA/protein expression experiments were performed. Our results show a high glycolytic capacity of immortalized dermal microvascular endothelial cells, but an early independence of glucose for cell growth, whereas a total dependence of glutamine to proliferate was found. Additionally, in contrast with reported data in other endothelial cell lines, these cells lack monocarboxylate transporter 1 for extracellular lactate incorporation. Therefore, our results point to the change of certain metabolic features depending on the endothelial cell line.
Role of the RAB7 Protein in Tumor Progression and Cisplatin Chemoresistance
Authors: Guerra Flora , Bucci Cecilia
Published: August 2019

RAB7 is a small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) extensively studied as regulator of vesicular trafficking. Indeed, its role is fundamental in several steps of the late endocytic pathway, including endosome maturation, transport from early endosomes to late endosomes and lysosomes, clustering and fusion of late endosomes and lysosomes in the perinuclear region and lysosomal biogenesis. Besides endocytosis, RAB7 is important for a number of other cellular processes among which, autophagy, apoptosis, signaling, and cell migration. Given the importance of RAB7 in these cellular processes, the interest to study the role of RAB7 in cancer progression is widely grown. Here, we describe the current understanding of oncogenic and oncosuppressor functions of RAB7 analyzing cellular context and other environmental factors in which it elicits pro and/or antitumorigenic effects. We also discuss the role of RAB7 in cisplatin resistance associated with its ability to regulate the late endosomal pathway, lysosomal biogenesis and extracellular vesicle secretion. Finally, we examined the potential cancer therapeutic strategies targeting the different molecular events in which RAB7 is involved.
Preparation of Layered Double Hydroxides toward Precisely Designed Hierarchical Organization
Authors: Wijitwongwan Rattanawadee (Ploy) , Intasa-ard Soontaree (Grace) , Ogawa Makoto
Published: August 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of materials with useful properties associated with their anion exchange abilities for a wide range of materials’ applications including adsorbent, catalyst and its support, ceramic precursor, and drug carrier. In order to satisfy the requirements for the detailed characterization and the practical application, the preparation of LDHs with varied composition and particle morphology has been examined extensively. The versatility of the preparation methods led LDHs with varied composition and micro/macroscopic morphology, which makes the application of LDHs more realistic. In the present review article, synthetic methods of LDHs are overviewed in order to highlight the present status of the LDHs for practical application.
Combined Strategies with Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: A Literature Review
Authors: Boussios Stergios , Karihtala Peeter , Moschetta Michele , Karathanasi Afroditi , Sadauskaite Agne , Rassy Elie , Pavlidis Nicholas
Published: August 2019

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are the first clinically approved drugs designed to exploit synthetic lethality, and were first introduced as a cancer-targeting strategy in 2005. They have led to a major change in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, and altered the natural history of a disease with extreme genetic complexity and defective DNA repair via homologous recombination (HR) pathway. Furthermore, additional mechanisms apart from breast related cancer antigens 1 and 2 (BRCA1/2) mutations can also result in HR pathway alterations and consequently lead to a clinical benefit from PARP inhibitors. Novel combinations of PARP inhibitors with other anticancer therapies are challenging, and better understanding of PARP biology, DNA repair mechanisms, and PARP inhibitor mechanisms of action is crucial. It seems that PARP inhibitor and biologic agent combinations appear well tolerated and clinically effective in both BRCA-mutated and wild-type cancers. They target differing aberrant and exploitable pathways in ovarian cancer, and may induce greater DNA damage and HR deficiency. The input of immunotherapy in ovarian cancer is based on the observation that immunosuppressive microenvironments can affect tumour growth, metastasis, and even treatment resistance. Several biologic agents have been studied in combination with PARP inhibitors, including inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; bevacizumab, cediranib), and PD-1 or PD-L1 (durvalumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab), anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibodies (tremelimumab), mTOR-(vistusertib), AKT-(capivasertib), and PI3K inhibitors (buparlisib, alpelisib), as well as MEK 1/2, and WEE1 inhibitors (selumetinib and adavosertib, respectively). Olaparib and veliparib have also been combined with chemotherapy with the rationale of disrupting base excision repair via PARP inhibition. Olaparib has been investigated with carboplatin and paclitaxel, whereas veliparib has been tested additionally in combination with temozolomide vs. pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, as well as with oral cyclophosphamide, and topoisomerase inhibitors. However, overlapping myelosuppression observed with PARP inhibitor and chemotherapy combinations requires further investigation with dose escalation studies. In this review, we discuss multiple clinical trials that are underway examining the antitumor activity of such combination strategies.
Flexural Performance of Built-Up Beams Made with Plantation Wood
Authors: Chien Tsai-Po , Yang Te-Hsin , Chang Feng-Cheng
Published: August 2019

In this study, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don) harvested from a plantation in Taiwan was used to develop built-up beams using self-tapping screws as metal connectors and resorcinol formaldehyde resin as glue to assemble components based on various assembly configurations. Results showed that adding glue provided flexural rigidity, whereas assembly using self-tapping screws resulted in built-up beams with high ductility but relatively low flexural bearing capacity. Beams used glue exhibited approximately linear behavior, whereas those using only screws exhibited some undulating and stepwise responses, implying that shear force between the flanges and the web may cause buckling as well as the dislocation of the self-tapping screws. When using components of similar grades, adding another web can improve the performance. Furthermore, the grades of flanges can strongly influence the flexural load-bearing capacity. In addition, a smaller spacing between the screws can improve the flexural load-bearing performance, but also cause wooden components to crack. Typical bending failure modes were observed in the developed built-up beams, indicating tension failure of the bottom flange as well as slippage between flanges and the web due to horizontal shear, which also caused buckling deformations in the screws.
Pine Pitch Canker and Insects: Regional Risks, Environmental Regulation, and Practical Management Options
Authors: Fernández-Fernández Mercedes , Naves Pedro , Musolin Dmitry L. , Selikhovkin Andrey V. , Cleary Michelle , Chira Danut , Paraschiv Marius , Gordon Tom , Solla Alejandro , Papazova-Anakieva Irena , Drenkhan Tiia , Georgieva Margarita , Altunisik Aliye , Morales-Rodríguez Carmen , Tabaković-Tošić Mara , Avtzis Dimitrios N. , Georgiev Georgi , Doychev Danail D. , Nacheski Sterja , Trestic Tarik , Elvira-Recuenco Margarita , Diez Julio J. , Witzell Johanna
Published: August 2019

Pine pitch canker (PPC), caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium circinatum (Nirenberg and O’ Donnell), is a serious threat to pine forests globally. The recent introduction of the pathogen to Southern Europe and its spread in Mediterranean region is alarming considering the immense ecological and economic importance of pines in the region. Pines in forests and nurseries can be infected, resulting in severe growth losses and mortality. The pathogen is known to spread in plants for planting and in seeds, and results from recent studies have indicated that F. circinatum may also spread through phoretic associations with certain insects. With this review, we aim to expand the current understanding of the risk of insect-mediated spread of PPC in different parts of Europe. Through the joint action of a multinational researcher team, we collate the existing information about the insect species spectrum in different biogeographic conditions and scrutinize the potential of these insects to transmit F. circinatum spores in forests and nurseries. We also discuss the impact of environmental factors and forest management in this context. We present evidence for the existence of a high diversity of insects with potential to weaken pines and disseminate PPC in Europe, including several common beetle species. In many parts of Europe, temperatures are projected to rise, which may promote the activity of several insect species, supporting multivoltinism and thus, further amplifying the risk of insect-mediated dissemination of PPC. Integrated pest management (IPM) solutions that comply with forest management practices need to be developed to reduce this risk. We recommend careful monitoring of insect populations as the basis for successful IPM. Improved understanding of environmental control of the interaction between insects, the pathogen, and host trees is needed in order to support development of bio-rational strategies to safeguard European pine trees and forests against F. circinatum in future.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Blood Flow in μ-vessels: Influence of the Fahraeus–Lindqvist Effect
Authors: Stergiou Yorgos G. , Keramydas Aggelos T. , Anastasiou Antonios D. , Mouza Aikaterini A. , Paras Spiros V.
Published: August 2019

The study of hemodynamics is particularly important in medicine and biomedical engineering as it is crucial for the design of new implantable devices and for understanding the mechanism of various diseases related to blood flow. In this study, we experimentally identify the cell free layer (CFL) width, which is the result of the Fahraeus–Lindqvist effect, as well as the axial velocity distribution of blood flow in microvessels. The CFL extent was determined using microscopic photography, while the blood velocity was measured by micro-particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV). Based on the experimental results, we formulated a correlation for the prediction of the CFL width in small caliber (D < 300 μm) vessels as a function of a modified Reynolds number (Re∞) and the hematocrit (Hct). This correlation along with the lateral distribution of blood viscosity were used as input to a “two-regions” computational model. The reliability of the code was checked by comparing the experimentally obtained axial velocity profiles with those calculated by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. We propose a methodology for calculating the friction loses during blood flow in μ-vessels, where the Fahraeus–Lindqvist effect plays a prominent role, and show that the pressure drop may be overestimated by 80% to 150% if the CFL is neglected.
Direct Numerical Simulation of a Warm Cloud Top Model Interface: Impact of the Transient Mixing on Different Droplet Population
Authors: Bhowmick Taraprasad , Iovieno Michele
Published: August 2019

Turbulent mixing through atmospheric cloud and clear air interface plays an important role in the life of a cloud. Entrainment and detrainment of clear air and cloudy volume result in mixing across the interface, which broadens the cloud droplet spectrum. In this study, we simulate the transient evolution of a turbulent cloud top interface with three initial mono-disperse cloud droplet population, using a pseudo-spectral Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) along with Lagrangian droplet equations, including collision and coalescence. Transient evolution of in-cloud turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), density of water vapour and temperature is carried out as an initial value problem exhibiting transient decay. Mixing in between the clear air and cloudy volume produced turbulent fluctuations in the density of water vapour and temperature, resulting in supersaturation fluctuations. Small scale turbulence, local supersaturation conditions and gravitational forces have different weights on the droplet population depending on their sizes. Larger droplet populations, with initial 25 and 18 μ m radii, show significant growth by droplet-droplet collision and a higher rate of gravitational sedimentation. However, the smaller droplets, with an initial 6 μ m radius, did not show any collision but a large size distribution broadening due to differential condensation/evaporation induced by the mixing, without being influenced by gravity significantly.
Aeration, Agitation and Cell Immobilization on Corncobs and Oak Wood Chips Effects on Balsamic-Styled Vinegar Production
Authors: Hutchinson Ucrecia F. , Gqozo Sivuyile , Jolly Neil P. , Chidi Boredi S. , Du Plessis Heinrich W. , Mewa-Ngongang Maxwell , Ntwampe Seteno K. O.
Published: August 2019

Optimum fermentor conditions are essential for desired microbial growth and activity in fermentations. In balsamic vinegar fermentation systems, the microorganisms used must endure several stressful conditions including high sugar concentration, low water activity, high osmotic pressure and high acetic acid concentration. Consequently, the present study was aimed at improving the performance of a microbial consortium of non-Saccharomyces yeast and acetic acid bacteria during balsamic-styled vinegar fermentation. Cell immobilization via adsorption on corncobs and oak wood chips in combination with aeration and agitation effects, have never been tested during balsamic-styled vinegar fermentation. Therefore, fermentations were initially conducted under static conditions without aeration with successive fermentations also being subjected to low (0.15 vvm min−1) and high (0.3 vvm min−1) aeration. The results showed improved acetification rates when cells were immobilized on corncobs under static conditions. Low aeration showed better acetification rates (1.45–1.56 g·L·day−1), while only free-floating cells were able to complete fermentations (1.2 g·L·day−1) under high aeration conditions. Overall, cells immobilized on corncobs showed higher acetification rates of 1.56 and 2.7 g·L·day−1 under low aeration and static fermentations, respectively. Oak wood chips were determined to be less efficient adsorbents due to their relatively smooth surface, while the rough surface and porosity of corncobs led to improved adsorption and, therefore, enhanced acetification rates.
Unnatural Death among Treatment Seeking Substance Users in Singapore: A Retrospective Study
Authors: PV Asharani , Jun Wen Tan , Karuvetil Mohamed Zakir , Cheong Alvin , Cheok Christopher , Kandasami Gomathinayagam
Published: August 2019

Substance use carries a higher risk of unnatural death. A retrospective analysis of 42 treatment seekers between 2011–2015 was conducted through medical record review to understand the profile and circumstances leading to premature deaths. Ninety percent of the subjects were males. The mean age at death was 44.9 (SD ± 13.1). Opioids (52.4%), benzodiazepines (45.2%) and alcohol (35.7%) were the main substances used by the group. Suicide was the most common cause of death (n = 27, 64.3%) followed by accidents (n = 15; 35.7%). Among the suicide cases, alcohol was the main substance used (33.3%) followed by opioids (25.9%). A total of 58.5% (n = 24) deaths occurred within a year of their last visit while 41.5% (n = 17) were dead more than a year after their last visit. Of the total cases (n = 41), 63% had a history of mental illness with depressive disorder (53.8%) being the most common. History of suicide attempts were reported in 34.1% (n = 14) of cases and 50% of the subjects (n = 21) had a history of suicidal ideation. Drug related offences were reported in 57.1% of the subjects, of which 60% (n = 18) committed suicide. The findings support the need for appropriate treatment resources to reduce the untimely deaths among substance users.
Accuracy of Predictive Resting-Metabolic-Rate Equations in Chinese Mainland Adults
Authors: Xue Jingjing , Li Shuo , Zhang Yong , Hong Ping
Published: August 2019

Accurate measurement of the resting metabolic rate (RMR) is necessary when we make energy requirements and nutrition suggestions in clinical. However, indirect calorimetry is not always available. The objectives of this study were to make a comparison between RMR measured by indirect calorimetry and RMR predicted by different kinds of equations, and to develop new predictive equations for Chinese mainland adults. In this study, 315 Chinese mainland adults from different provinces all over China were recruited. Subjects underwent half a day of testing, which consisted of anthropometric assessment and RMR measurement. Measured and predicted RMR were compared; new optimal equations for Chinese mainland adults were developed and tested by splitting the subjects into a development and validation group. The measured RMR was in the range of 831–2776 kcal/day (mean 1651 ± 339 kcal/day). Our findings indicated that, except for the Harris–Benedict and Schofield equations, three Chinese equations and two fat-free mass (FFM) modeling equations all significantly underestimated RMR compared to the measured value (all p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between predicted and measured RMR using the new equations for females and males. Of the pre-existing equations, Schofield’s is the most suitable for Chinese mainland adults. However, the two new equations developed in this study seem to be more effective for predicting the RMR of Chinese mainland adults, and need to be validated by a larger independent sample with different physiological and anthropometric characteristics.
Long-Term Food Insecurity, Hunger and Risky Food Acquisition Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study of Food Charity Recipients in an Australian Capital City
Authors: Pollard Christina M. , Booth Sue , Jancey Jonine , Mackintosh Bruce , Pulker Claire E. , Wright Janine L. , Begley Andrea , Imtiaz Sabrah , Silic Claire , Mukhtar S. Aqif , Caraher Martin , Berg Joel , Kerr Deborah A.
Published: August 2019

Inadequate social protection, stagnant wages, unemployment, and homelessness are associated with Australian household food insecurity. Little is known about the recipients of food charity and whether their needs are being met. This cross-sectional study of 101 food charity recipients in Perth, Western Australia, measured food security, weight status, sociodemographic characteristics and food acquisition practices. Seventy-nine percent were male, aged 21–79 years, 90% were unemployed, 87% received social assistance payments, and 38% were homeless. Ninety-one percent were food insecure, 80% with hunger, and 56% had gone a day or more without eating in the previous week. Fifty-seven percent had used food charity for ≥1 year, and, of those, 7.5 years was the mode. Charitable services were the main food source in the previous week, however 76% used multiple sources. Begging for money for food (36%), begging for food (32%), stealing food or beverages (34%), and taking food from bins (28%) was commonplace. The omnipresence and chronicity of food insecurity, reliance on social security payments, and risky food acquisition suggest that both the social protection and charitable food systems are failing. Urgent reforms are needed to address the determinants of food insecurity (e.g., increased social assistance payments, employment and housing support) and the adequacy, appropriateness and effectiveness of food charity.
Neuroprotective Peptides in Retinal Disease
Authors: Cervia Davide , Catalani Elisabetta , Casini Giovanni
Published: August 2019

In the pathogenesis of many disorders, neuronal death plays a key role. It is now assumed that neurodegeneration is caused by multiple and somewhat converging/overlapping death mechanisms, and that neurons are sensitive to unique death styles. In this respect, major advances in the knowledge of different types, mechanisms, and roles of neurodegeneration are crucial to restore the neuronal functions involved in neuroprotection. Several novel concepts have emerged recently, suggesting that the modulation of the neuropeptide system may provide an entirely new set of pharmacological approaches. Neuropeptides and their receptors are expressed widely in mammalian retinas, where they exert neuromodulatory functions including the processing of visual information. In multiple models of retinal diseases, different peptidergic substances play neuroprotective actions. Herein, we describe the novel advances on the protective roles of neuropeptides in the retina. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms by which peptides affect neuronal death/survival and the vascular lesions commonly associated with retinal neurodegenerative pathologies. The goal is to highlight the therapeutic potential of neuropeptide systems as neuroprotectants in retinal diseases.
Impact of Cefotaxime Non-susceptibility on the Clinical Outcomes of Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Authors: Cillóniz Catia , de la Calle Cristina , Dominedò Cristina , García-Vidal Carolina , Cardozo Celia , Gabarrús Albert , Marco Francesc , Torres Antoni , Soriano Alex
Published: August 2019

Background: We aimed to analyze the impact of cefotaxime non-susceptibility on the 30-day mortality rate in patients receiving a third-generation cephalosporin for pneumococcal bacteremic pneumonia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. All adult patients with monomicrobial bacteremic pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and treated with a third-generation cephalosporin from January 1991 to December 2016 were included. Risk factors associated with 30-day mortality were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: During the study period, 721 eligible episodes were identified, and data on the susceptibility to cefotaxime was obtainable for 690 episodes. Sixty six (10%) cases were due to a cefotaxime non-susceptible strain with a 30-day mortality rate of 8%. Variables associated with 30-day mortality were age, chronic liver disease, septic shock, and the McCabe score. Infection by a cefotaxime non-susceptible S. pneumoniae did not increase the mortality rate. Conclusion: Despite the prevalence of cefotaxime, non-susceptible S. pneumoniae has increased in recent years. We found no evidence to suggest that patients hospitalized with bacteremic pneumonia due to these strains had worse clinical outcomes than patients with susceptible strains.
Facile Synthesis and Surface Characterization of Titania-Incorporated Mesoporous Organosilica Materials
Authors: Gunathilake Chamila , Kalpage Chandrakantha , Kadanapitiye Murthi , Dassanayake Rohan S. , Manchanda Amanpreet S. , Gangoda Mahinda
Published: August 2019

Titania-incorporated organosilica-mesostructures (Ti-MO) were synthesized using tris [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]isocyanurate, tetraethylorthosilicate as silica precursors, and titanium isopropoxide as the titanium precursor via a co-condensation method in the presence of the triblock copolymer, Pluronic P123. The triblock copolymer was completely removed by extraction with a 95% ethanol solution, followed by a thermal treatment at 350 °C under flowing nitrogen without decomposing isocyanurate bridging groups. The molar ratio of titanium to silica in the mesostructures was gradually changed by increasing the amount of tetraethylorthosilicate in the initial reaction mixture. Our synthesis strategy also allowed us to tailor both adsorption and structural properties, including a well-developed specific surface area, high microporosity, and large pore volume. A portion of the samples was thermally treated at 600 °C to remove both the block copolymer and bridging groups. The thermal treatment at 600 °C was used to convert the amorphous titania into a crystalline anatase form. The Ti-MO materials were characterized using a N2 adsorption desorption analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). CO2 adsorption studies were also conducted to determine the basicity of the Ti-MO materials. The effect of the surface properties on the CO2 sorption was also identified.
Further Improvement of Debayering Performance of RGBW Color Filter Arrays Using Deep Learning and Pansharpening Techniques
Authors: Kwan Chiman , Chou Bryan
Published: August 2019

The RGBW color filter arrays (CFA), also known as CFA2.0, contains R, G, B, and white (W) pixels. It is a 4 × 4 pattern that has 8 white pixels, 4 green pixels, 2 red pixels, and 2 blue pixels. The pattern repeats itself over the whole image. In an earlier conference paper, we cast the demosaicing process for CFA2.0 as a pansharpening problem. That formulation is modular and allows us to insert different pansharpening algorithms for demosaicing. New algorithms in interpolation and demosaicing can also be used. In this paper, we propose a new enhancement of our earlier approach by integrating a deep learning-based algorithm into the framework. Extensive experiments using IMAX and Kodak images clearly demonstrated that the new approach improved the demosaicing performance even further.
Mechanical Tests and Numerical Simulations for Mining Seafloor Massive Sulfides
Authors: Dai Yu , Ma Feiyue , Zhu Xiang , Liu He , Huang Zhonghua , Xie Ya
Published: August 2019

With the decrease of primary resources in recent years, deep seabed mineral resources, especially the massive sulfides, are of extensive research significance. In this paper, firstly, the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test and triaxial compressive strength (TCS) test on the seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) samples from three different segments are conducted to obtain the key mechanical properties, including the cohesive force, internal friction angle, compressive strength, elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Then, by leveraging the PFC3D code, the uniaxial and triaxial numerical simulations of SMS are performed. During this process, the micro properties in the simulation are altered through a calibration process until they match the macro properties of the SMS samples measured in the laboratory tests. Finally, the micro properties are applied to simulate the cutting process of single cutting pick and two adjacent cutting picks; meanwhile, the cutting force in the fragmentation process of SMS is monitored and collected. This research can provide some guidance for the mining simulation of SMS and effectively predicting the maximum force on the cutting pick.
Evolution of Oxygen–Ion and Proton Conductivity in Ca-Doped Ln2Zr2O7 (Ln = Sm, Gd), Located Near Pyrochlore–Fluorite Phase Boundary
Authors: Shlyakhtina A.V. , Abrantes J.C.C. , Gomes E. , Lyskov N.V. , Konysheva E.Yu. , Chernyak S.A. , Kharitonova E.P. , Karyagina O.K. , Kolbanev I.V. , Shcherbakova L.G.
Published: August 2019

Sm2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1) and Gd2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) mixed oxides in a pyrochlore–fluorite morphotropic phase region were prepared via the mechanical activation of oxide mixtures, followed by annealing at 1600 °C. The structure of the solid solutions was studied by X-ray diffraction and refined by the Rietveld method, water content was determined by thermogravimetry (TG), their bulk and grain-boundary conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy in dry and wet air (100–900 °C), and their total conductivity was measured as a function of oxygen partial pressure in the temperature range: 700–950 °C. The Sm2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) pyrochlore solid solutions, lying near the morphotropic phase boundary, have proton conductivity contribution both in the grain bulk and on grain boundaries below 600 °C, and pure oxygen–ion conductivity above 700 °C. The 500 °C proton conductivity contribution of Sm2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) is ~ 1 × 10−4 S/cm. The fluorite-like Gd2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.1) solid solution has oxygen-ion bulk conductivity in entire temperature range studied, whereas proton transport contributes to its grain-boundary conductivity below 700 °C. As a result, of the morphotropic phase transition from pyrochlore Sm2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) to fluorite-like Gd2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1), the bulk proton conductivity disappears and oxygen-ion conductivity decreases. The loss of bulk proton conductivity of Gd2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (x = 0.05, 0.1) can be associated with the fluorite structure formation. It is important to note that the degree of Ca substitution in such solid solutions (Ln2−xCax)Zr2O7−δ (Ln = Sm, Gd) is low, x < 0.1. In both series, grain-boundary conductivity usually exceeds bulk conductivity. The high grain-boundary proton conductivity of Ln2−xCaxZr2O7−x/2 (Ln = Sm, Gd; x = 0.1) is attributable to the formation of an intergranular CaZrO3-based cubic perovskite phase doped with Sm or Gd in Zr sublattice.
Connection between Carbon Incorporation and Growth Rate for GaN Epitaxial Layers Prepared by OMVPE
Authors: Ciarkowski Timothy , Allen Noah , Carlson Eric , McCarthy Robert , Youtsey Chris , Wang Jingshan , Fay Patrick , Xie Jinqiao , Guido Louis
Published: August 2019

Carbon, a compensator in GaN, is an inherent part of the organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) environment due to the use of organometallic sources. In this study, the impact of growth conditions are explored on the incorporation of carbon in GaN prepared via OMVPE on pseudo-bulk GaN wafers (in several cases, identical growths were performed on GaN-on-Al2O3 templates for comparison purposes). Growth conditions with different growth efficiencies but identical ammonia molar flows, when normalized for growth rate, resulted in identical carbon incorporation. It is concluded that only trimethylgallium which contributes to growth of the GaN layer contributes to carbon incorporation. Carbon incorporation was found to decrease proportionally with increasing ammonia molar flow, when normalized for growth rate. Ammonia molar flow divided by growth rate is proposed as a reactor independent predictor of carbon incorporation as opposed to the often-reported input V/III ratio. A low carbon concentration of 7.3 × 1014 atoms/cm3 (prepared at a growth rate of 0.57 µm/h) was obtained by optimizing growth conditions for GaN grown on pseudo-bulk GaN substrates.
Nutritional Aspects in Diabetic CKD Patients on Tertiary Care
Authors: D’Alessandro Claudia , Barsotti Massimiliano , Cianchi Caterina , Mannucci Claudia , Morganti Riccardo , Tassi Serena , Cupisti Adamasco
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives: Diabetes is largely prevalent in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. Both conditions have metabolic and nutritional abnormalities that affect body composition and the presence of diabetes makes the dietary management of CKD patients more difficult. The aim of this study was to assess peculiar nutritional and functional aspects of diabetic patients in an adult/elderly CKD population, and their predictive significance. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included 144 out-patients aged >55 years, affected by stage 3b-4 CKD, on tertiary care clinic; 48 (40 males) were type 2 diabetics and 96 (80 males) were nondiabetics. The two groups have similar age, gender, and residual renal function (30 ± 9 vs. 31 ± 11 mL/min×1.73). All patients underwent a comprehensive nutritional and functional assessment and were followed for 31 ± 14 months. Results: Diabetic CKD patients showed higher waist circumference and fat body mass, lower muscle mass, and lower number of steps per day and average daily METs. Meanwhile, resting energy expenditure (REE), as assessed by indirect calorimetry, and dietary energy intake were similar as well as hand-grip and 6 min walking test. Diabetic patients did not show a greater risk for all-cause mortality and renal death with respect to nondiabetics. Middle arm muscle circumference, phase angle, serum cholesterol, and serum albumin were negatively related to the risk of mortality and renal death after adjustment for eGFR. Conclusions: CKD diabetic patients differed from nondiabetics for a greater fat mass, lower muscle mass, and lower physical activity levels. This occurred at the same REE and dietary energy intake. The outcome of diabetic or nondiabetic CKD patients on tertiary care management was similar in terms of risk for mortality or renal death. Given the same residual renal function, low levels of muscle mass, phase angle, serum albumin, and cholesterol were predictive of poor outcome. Overall, a malnutrition phenotype represents a major predictor of poor outcome in diabetic and nondiabetic CKD patients.
Non-Conventional Metal Ion Cofactor Requirement of Dinoflagellate Alkaline Phosphatase and Translational Regulation by Phosphorus Limitation
Authors: Lin Xin , Guo Chentao , Li Ling , Li Tangcheng , Lin Senjie
Published: August 2019

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) enables marine phytoplankton to utilize dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) when dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) is depleted in the ocean. Dinoflagellate AP (Dino-AP) represents a newly classified atypical type of AP, PhoAaty. Despite While being a conventional AP, PhoAEC is known to recruit Zn2+ and Mg2+ in the active center, and the cofactors required by PhoAaty have been contended and remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the metal ion requirement of AP in five dinoflagellate species. After AP activity was eliminated by using EDTA to chelate metal ions, the enzymatic activity could be recovered by the supplementation of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ in all cases but not by that of Zn2+. Furthermore, the same analysis conducted on the purified recombinant ACAAP (AP of Amphidinium carterae) verified that the enzyme could be activated by Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ but not Zn2+. We further developed an antiserum against ACAAP, and a western blot analysis using this antibody showed a remarkable up-regulation of ACAAP under a phosphate limitation, consistent with elevated AP activity. The unconventional metal cofactor requirement of Dino-AP may be an adaptation to trace metal limitations in the ocean, which warrants further research to understand the niche differentiation between dinoflagellates and other phytoplankton that use Zn–Mg AP in utilizing DOP.
Application of Dithiocarbamates as Potential New Antitrypanosomatids-Drugs: Approach Chemistry, Functional and Biological
Authors: Oliveira Johny Wysllas de Freitas , Rocha Hugo Alexandre Oliveira , de Medeiros Wendy Marina Toscano Queiroz , Silva Marcelo Sousa
Published: August 2019

Dithiocarbamates represent a class of compounds that were evaluated in different biomedical applications because of their chemical versatility. For this reason, several pharmacological activities have already been attributed to these compounds, such as antiparasitic, antiviral, antifungal activities, among others. Therefore, compounds that are based on dithiocarbamates have been evaluated in different in vivo and in vitro models as potential new antimicrobials. Thus, the purpose of this review is to present the possibilities of using dithiocarbamate compounds as potential new antitrypanosomatids-drugs, which could be used for the pharmacological control of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and African trypanosomiasis.
Soy Isoflavones Ameliorate Fatty Acid Metabolism of Visceral Adipose Tissue by Increasing the AMPK Activity in Male Rats with Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO)
Authors: Tan Jinlong , Huang Chao , Luo Qihui , Liu Wentao , Cheng Dongjing , Li Yifan , Xia Yu , Li Chao , Tang Li , Fang Jing , Pan Kangcheng , Ou Yangping , Cheng Anchun , Chen Zhengli
Published: August 2019

Soy isoflavones are natural active ingredients of soy plants that are beneficial to many metabolic diseases, especially obesity. Many studies have reported that obesity is closely related to visceral fatty acid metabolism, but the effect has not been well defined. In this study, we show that soy isoflavones improve visceral fatty acid metabolism in diet-induced obese male rats, which was indicated by reduced body weight and visceral fat cell area, as well as suppressed visceral fat synthesis and accelerated fat hydrolysis. We also found that common components of soy isoflavones, daidzein and genistein, were able to inhibit the lipid accumulation process in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, we showed that soy isoflavones can promote on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity both in vivo and in vitro, which may be implicated in lipid metabolism regulation of soy isoflavones. Our study demonstrates the potential of soy isoflavones as a mechanism for regulating lipid homeostasis in visceral adipose tissue, proven to be beneficial for obesity treatment.
Multi-Level Comparison of Machine Learning Classifiers and Their Performance Metrics
Authors: Rácz Anita , Bajusz Dávid , Héberger Károly
Published: August 2019

Machine learning classification algorithms are widely used for the prediction and classification of the different properties of molecules such as toxicity or biological activity. The prediction of toxic vs. non-toxic molecules is important due to testing on living animals, which has ethical and cost drawbacks as well. The quality of classification models can be determined with several performance parameters. which often give conflicting results. In this study, we performed a multi-level comparison with the use of different performance metrics and machine learning classification methods. Well-established and standardized protocols for the machine learning tasks were used in each case. The comparison was applied to three datasets (acute and aquatic toxicities) and the robust, yet sensitive, sum of ranking differences (SRD) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied for evaluation. The effect of dataset composition (balanced vs. imbalanced) and 2-class vs. multiclass classification scenarios was also studied. Most of the performance metrics are sensitive to dataset composition, especially in 2-class classification problems. The optimal machine learning algorithm also depends significantly on the composition of the dataset.