bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrostatic High-Pressure Post-Processing of Specimens Fabricated by DLP, SLA, and FDM: An Alternative for the Sterilization of Polymer-Based Biomedical Devices
Authors: Linares-Alvelais José A. Robles , Figueroa-Cavazos J. Obedt , Chuck-Hernandez C. , Siller Hector R. , Rodríguez Ciro A. , Martínez-López J. Israel
Published: December 2018

In this work, we assess the effects of sterilization in materials manufactured using additive manufacturing by employing a sterilization technique used in the food industry. To estimate the feasibility of the hydrostatic high-pressure (HHP) sterilization of biomedical devices, we have evaluated the mechanical properties of specimens produced by commercial 3D printers. Evaluations of the potential advantages and drawbacks of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology, and Stereolithography (SLA) were considered for this study due to their widespread availability. Changes in mechanical properties due to the proposed sterilization technique were compared to values derived from the standardized autoclaving methodology. Enhancement of the mechanical properties of samples treated with Hydrostatic high-pressure processing enhanced mechanical properties, with a 30.30% increase in the tensile modulus and a 26.36% increase in the ultimate tensile strength. While traditional autoclaving was shown to systematically reduce the mechanical properties of the materials employed and damages and deformation on the surfaces were observed, HHP offered an alternative for sterilization without employing heat. These results suggest that while forgoing high-temperature for sanitization, HHP processing can be employed to take advantage of the flexibility of additive manufacturing technologies for manufacturing implants, instruments, and other devices.
A New Method for Estimating the Clamping Force of Shrink Sleeve Labels
Authors: Szusta Jarosław , Tomczyk Adam , Karakaş Özler
Published: December 2018

The paper presents an original method for estimating the shrink sleeve label compressive force on packaging. One of the most popular methods of measuring deformations was used, i.e., the electrical resistance strain gauge measurement. It was assumed that the packaging was a thin-walled axially symmetrical vessel. The packing walls on one side are loaded with internal pressure generated by heating the liquid contained inside the packaging. On the other side, the film shrinking on the packaging generates additional deformation. By measuring the changes in circumferential deformations in the shrinking process at various packaging heights, it is possible to infer the uniformity of the film compressive force. Results of research on changes of these deformations over time with different intensity values of the shrinkage medium were presented.
Creation of Superhydrophobic and Superhydrophilic Surfaces on ABS Employing a Nanosecond Laser
Authors: Lavieja Cristian , Oriol Luis , Peña José-Ignacio
Published: December 2018

A nanosecond green laser was employed to obtain both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces on a white commercial acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). These wetting behaviors were directly related to a laser-induced superficial modification. A predefined pattern was not produced by the laser, rather, the entire surface was covered with laser pulses at 1200 DPI by placing the sample at different positions along the focal axis. The changes were related to the laser fluence used in each case. The highest fluence, on the focal position, induced a drastic heating of the material surface, and this enabled the melted material to flow, thus leading to an almost flat superhydrophilic surface. By contrast, the use of a lower fluence by placing the sample 0.8 µm out of the focal position led to a poor material flow and a fast cooling that froze in a rugged superhydrophobic surface. Contact angles higher than 150° and roll angles of less than 10° were obtained. These wetting behaviors were stable over time.
Automatic Test and Sorting System for the Slide Valve Body of Oil Control Valve Based on Cartesian Coordinate Robot
Authors: Liu Pingping , Li Gangjun , Su Rui , Wen Guang
Published: December 2018

Current industrial robotics technology is often not well integrated with the enterprise’s on-site environment and actual working conditions and small and medium-sized enterprises are unable to achieve product automation due to production cost constraints. In order to meet the medium and small scale production of the slide valve body of OCV (Oil Control Valve) of a certain enterprise and its special process requirements, the automatic test system and sorting system based on the production environment of the enterprise are studied and designed. Firstly, according to the production conditions and process requirements of the enterprise, the overall design scheme of the automatic production line is put forward based on the existing automatic assembly system. Secondly, the test description is further improved by analysing and interpreting the test requirements of the products in detail and the automatic test system and test process are designed. Finally, according to the sorting process requirements, a Cartesian coordinate robot sorting system with two-terminal manipulators parallel operation is designed and its sorting motion scheme is optimized. The automatic test system and sorting system are seamlessly connected with the automatic assembly system, which can efficiently complete the automatic test and sorting of products and meet the production cycle time.
Nile Tilapia Derived TP4 Shows Broad Cytotoxicity toward to Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Ting Chen-Hung , Chen Jyh-Yih
Published: December 2018

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is among the leading causes of human mortality due to a lack of effective treatments. Conventional chemotherapies affect healthy cells and cause multidrug resistance, while tumors may eventually develop resistance to less-toxic targeted therapies. Thus, the need to develop novel therapies for NSCLC is urgent. Here, we show that Nile tilapia-derived Tilapia piscidin (TP) 4 is cytotoxic to a panel of NSCLC cells with different genetic profiles. We observed that TP4 triggers NSCLC cell death through the necrosis and combining TP4 with potent Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI)s, Erlotinib, and Gefitinib, improved drug responses in EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells, but not in EGFR-wild-type NSCLC cells. This work provides novel insights into potential NSCLC treatments, which may utilize antimicrobial peptide TP4 as monotherapy or in combination with EGFR-TKIs.
Alkali Attack on Anion Exchange Membranes with PVC Backing and Binder: II Prediction of Electrical and Mechanical Performances from Simple Optical Analyses
Authors: Doi Shoichi , Kinoshita Maki , Yasukawa Masahiro , Higa Mitsuru
Published: December 2018

Performance of anion exchange membranes (AEMs), including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as backing and binder, decreases during a repetitive cleaning-in-place (CIP) treatment using alkali. In this study, we have systematically performed two optical analyses, relative total visible (VIS) reflectance and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF), for alkali-attacked commercially available AEM (Neosepta® AMX, Tokyo, Japan) with different NaOH immersion conditions (0–1.0 M NaOH at 40–80 °C for 0–168 h). The VIS reflectance and XRF data were then compared with the electrical and mechanical performances (i.e., membrane resistance, proton rejection, amount of fixed-charge sites, and Young’s modulus) of the alkali-attacked AMXs. The result indicated that there are clear linear relationships between their performances and both VIS reflectance and XRF data especially at 40 °C, indicating both optical analyses have a good possibility as a quick diagnosis-in-place (DIP) to predict the resulting performance of the alkali-attacked AMXs. In addition, we also found a clear linear relationship between VIS reflectance and XRF data, so that polyene formations through dehydrochlorination of PVC during alkali attack is one of dominant mechanisms for the performance reduction of the alkali-attacked AMX at 40 °C. These results are promising to be useful for the analysis of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) used in real commercial processes on-site in future.
Structure and Selected Properties of Arc Sprayed Coatings Containing In-Situ Fabricated Fe-Al Intermetallic Phases
Authors: Chmielewski Tomasz , Siwek Piotr , Chmielewski Marcin , Piątkowska Anna , Grabias Agnieszka , Golański Dariusz
Published: December 2018

The paper presents the results of research on the production by means of arc spraying of composite coatings from the Fe-Al system with participation of in-situ intermetallic phases. The arc spraying process was carried out by simultaneously melting two different electrode wires, aluminum and steel. The aim of the research is to create protective coatings with a composite structure with a significant participation of FexAly as an intermetallic phases reinforcement. The synthesis of intermetallic phases takes place during the (in-situ) spraying process. Currently most coatings involving intermetallic phases are manufactured by different thermal spraying methods using coating materials in the form of prefabricated powders containing intermetallic phases. The obtained results showed the local occurrence of intermetallic phases from the Fe-Al system, and the dominant components of the structure have two phases, aluminum solid solutions in iron and iron in aluminum. The participation of intermetallic phases in the coating is relatively low, but its effect on the properties of the coating material is significant.
Phase Stability and Microstructure Evolution of Solution-Hardened 316L Powder Feedstock for Thermal Spraying
Authors: Lindner Thomas , Löbel Martin , Lampke Thomas
Published: December 2018

A solution-hardening of AISI 316L stainless-steel powder was conducted. The expansion of the crystal lattice and a strong increase in the nanoindentation hardness confirm the successful diffusion of carbon and nitrogen in the interstices. A multiphase state of the powder feedstock with phase fractions of the metastable S-phase (expanded austenite) mainly at the particle’s edge, and the initial austenitic phase within the core was found. Thermal spraying using high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) prove the sufficient thermal stability of the Sphase. Microstructural investigations of the HVOF coating reveal the ductility of the S-phase layer, while the higher heat load within the APS cause diffusion processes with the initial austenitic phase. The lattice expansion and the nanoindentation hardness decrease during thermal spraying. However, the absence of precipitates ensures the sufficient heat stability of the metastable S-phase. Even though further efforts are required for the thermochemical treatment of powder feedstock, the results confirm the feasibility of the novel powder treatment approach.
Formation and Evolution of Inclusions with Different Adding Order of Magnesium and Sulfur in Al-Killed Free-Cutting Steel
Authors: Min Yi , Zhang Qingsong , Xu Haisheng , Xu Jiujian , Liu Chengjun
Published: December 2018

To reveal the effect of adding order of magnesium and sulfur on the evolution of inclusions in Al-killed free-cutting steel, both deoxidized experiments and thermodynamic calculations were carried out in this paper. The samples, which were extracted from the liquid steel at different time after magnesium and sulfur addition, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results showed that the adding order had a significant influence on the formation and evolution of inclusions. In the case of magnesium added before sulfur, MgO formed immediately after magnesium addition and then transformed to spinel accompanied by MeS (Mg0.9Mn0.1S) after sulfur addition. In the case of sulfur added prior to magnesium, MgO and MeS precipitated simultaneously after magnesium addition. During the equilibrium solidification, the transformation of MgO to spinel was calculated to take place before MnS precipitated from the saturated liquid steel.
In Situ Formation of a Metastable β-Ti Alloy by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) of Vanadium and Iron Modified Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Huber Florian , Papke Thomas , Scheitler Christian , Hanrieder Lukas , Merklein Marion , Schmidt Michael
Published: December 2018

The aim of this work is to investigate the β-Ti-phase-stabilizing effect of vanadium and iron added to Ti-6Al-4V powder by means of heterogeneous powder mixtures and in situ alloy-formation during laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The resulting microstructure was analyzed by metallographic methods, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The mechanical properties were characterized by compression tests, both prior to and after heat-treating. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed a homogeneous element distribution, proving the feasibility of in situ alloying by LPBF. Due to the β-phase-stabilizing effect of V and Fe added to Ti-6Al-4V, instead of an α’-martensitic microstructure, an α/β-microstructure containing at least 63.8% β-phase develops. Depending on the post L-PBF heat-treatment, either an increased upsetting at failure (33.9%) compared to unmodified Ti-6Al-4V (28.8%), or an exceptional high compressive yield strength (1857 ± 35 MPa compared to 1100 MPa) were measured. The hardness of the in situ alloyed material ranges from 336 ± 7 HV0.5, in as-built condition, to 543 ± 13 HV0.5 after precipitation-hardening. Hence, the range of achievable mechanical properties in dependence of the post-L-PBF heat-treatment can be significantly expanded in comparison to unmodified Ti-6Al-4V, thus providing increased flexibility for additive manufacturing of titanium parts.
The Metabolome and Osteoarthritis: Possible Contributions to Symptoms and Pathology
Authors: Rockel Jason S. , Kapoor Mohit
Published: December 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, deteriorative disease of articular joints. Although traditionally viewed as a local pathology, biomarker exploration has shown that systemic changes can be observed. These include changes to cytokines, microRNAs, and more recently, metabolites. The metabolome is the set of metabolites within a biological sample and includes circulating amino acids, lipids, and sugar moieties. Recent studies suggest that metabolites in the synovial fluid and blood could be used as biomarkers for OA incidence, prognosis, and response to therapy. However, based on clinical, demographic, and anthropometric factors, the local synovial joint and circulating metabolomes may be patient specific, with select subsets of metabolites contributing to OA disease. This review explores the contribution of the local and systemic metabolite changes to OA, and their potential impact on OA symptoms and disease pathogenesis.
Characterization of Plant Volatiles Reveals Distinct Metabolic Profiles and Pathways among 12 Brassicaceae Vegetables
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhang Hui , Umashankar Shivshankar , Liang Xu , Lee Hui Wen , Swarup Sanjay , Ong Choon Nam
Published: December 2018

Plants emit characteristic organic volatile compounds (VOCs) with diverse biological/ecological functions. However, the links between plant species/varieties and their phytochemical emission profiles remain elusive. Here, we developed a direct headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique and combined with non-targeted gas chromatography‒high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) platform to investigate the VOCs profiles of 12 common Brassicaceae vegetables (watercress, rocket, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kai lan, choy sum, pak choi, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, radish and cherry radish). The direct HS-SPME sampling approach enabled reproducible capture of the rapid-emitting VOCs upon plant tissue disruption. The results revealed extensive variation in VOCs profiles among the 12 Brassicaceae vegetables. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the VOC profiles could clearly distinguish the 12 Brassicaceae vegetables, and that these profiles well reflected the classical morphological classification. After multivariate statistical analysis, 44 VOCs with significant differences among the Brassicaceae vegetables were identified. Pathway analysis showed that three secondary metabolism pathways, including the fatty acid pathway, methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway and glucosinolate (GLS) pathway, behave distinctively in these vegetables. These three pathways are responsible for the generation and emission of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), terpenes and isothiocyanates (ITCs), respectively. Correlation analysis further showed that volatile metabolites formed via the common pathway had significantly positive correlations, whereas metabolites from different pathways had either non-significant or significantly negative correlations. Genetic influences on these metabolites across various vegetable types were also evaluated. These findings extend our phytochemical knowledge of the 12 edible Brassicaceae vegetables and provide useful information on their secondary metabolism.
Editorial for the Special Issue: Experimental and Thermodynamic Modeling of Ore-Forming Processes in Magmatic and Hydrothermal Systems
Authors: Palyanova Galina
Published: December 2018

A number of excellent books and articles on the ore-forming processes, magmatic and hydrothermal systems, physicochemical conditions of the ore-forming fluids, and thermodynamic modeling in the geosciences have been published over the past 50 years [...]
Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effects of Genipin on the Fluoxetine-Induced Invasive and Metastatic Model in Human HepG2 Cells
Authors: Tian Yu-Syuan , Chen Kuan-Chou , Zulkefli Nor Diana , Maner Rida S. , Hsieh Chiu-Lan
Published: December 2018

Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually unrecognized before any pathological examination, resulting in time-taking treatment and poor prognosis. As a consequence, HCC patients usually show symptoms of depression. In order to suppress such psychiatric disorders and to facilitate better treatment outcome, antidepressants are prescribed. Up to present, information about the effect of antidepressants on HCC is still lacking. Therefore, we chose fluoxetine (FXT), one of the top five psychiatric prescriptions in the United States, together with the HepG2 cell model to explore its effect on HCC. Our study found that FXT (5 µM) increased the migratory distance of HepG2 cells by a factor of nearly 1.7 compared to control. In addition, our study also investigated the effect of genipin (GNP), which is an active compound from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit (family Rubiaceae), on the FXT-induced HepG2 cells. Our study found that 30 and 60 µM GNP reduced the migratory distance by 42% and 74% respectively, compared to FXT treatment alone. Furthermore, we also found that FXT upregulated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) genes, increased the protein expression of MMPs, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), activator protein 1 (AP-1), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (P-p38), phosphorylated protein kinase B (P-Akt), downregulated tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases (TIMPs) genes and decreased the TIMPs proteins expression whereas, GNP fully counteracted the action of FXT. Conclusively, this study has provided valuable information regarding the possible molecular mechanisms through which FXT affects the metastatic invasiveness of HepG2 cells and evidences to support that GNP counteracts such effect via the same molecular mechanisms.
Micro-Mechanism of Interfacial Separation and Slippage of Graphene/Aluminum Nanolaminated Composites
Authors: Zhu Jia-Qi , Yang Qing-Sheng , He Xiao-Qiao , Fu Kun-Kun
Published: December 2018

Due to their excellent properties and two-dimensional geometry, graphenes (Grs) have been widely used as reinforced fillers in graphene/aluminum nanolaminated composite (GANC). The separation and slippage behavior of the GANC is highly dependent on the interfacial properties between Gr and aluminum (Al). In this study, two interfacial failures of GANCs, i.e., pull-up failure and pull-out failure, were investigated using a molecular dynamics (MD) method. The effects of the crystal orientation of single-crystal Al component and the geometry of the Gr component on the normal and shear interfacial properties of the GANC were examined. It was evident that the interfacial pull-up resistance resulted from the atomic forces of all the atoms at the interface, whereas the interfacial shear force during pull-out stems from the atomic forces of the atoms at the crack tip. In addition, the studies revealed that the interface bonding strength between the Gr and Al was sensitive to both the crystal orientation of the Al and the environmental temperature. Finally, the cohesive law was used to describe the interfacial behavior of the Gr and Al, providing the interfacial data for the finite element modeling of composites with Gr and Al interface.
An Ab Initio Study of Pressure-Induced Reversal of Elastically Stiff and Soft Directions in YN and ScN and Its Effect in Nanocomposites Containing These Nitrides
Authors: Friák Martin , Kroupa Pavel , Holec David , Šob Mojmír
Published: December 2018

Using quantum-mechanical calculations of second- and third-order elastic constants for YN and ScN with the rock-salt (B1) structure, we predict that these materials change the fundamental type of their elastic anisotropy by rather moderate hydrostatic pressures of a few GPa. In particular, YN with its zero-pressure elastic anisotropy characterized by the Zener anisotropy ratio A Z = 2 C 44 / ( C 11 − C 12 ) = 1.046 becomes elastically isotropic at the hydrostatic pressure of 1.2 GPa. The lowest values of the Young’s modulus (so-called soft directions) change from ⟨100⟩ (in the zero-pressure state) to the ⟨111⟩ directions (for pressures above 1.2 GPa). It means that the crystallographic orientations of stiffest (also called hard) elastic response and those of the softest one are reversed when comparing the zero-pressure state with that for pressures above the critical level. Qualitatively, the same type of reversal is predicted for ScN with the zero-pressure value of the Zener anisotropy factor A Z = 1.117 and the critical pressure of about 6.5 GPa. Our predictions are based on both second-order and third-order elastic constants determined for the zero-pressure state but the anisotropy change is then verified by explicit calculations of the second-order elastic constants for compressed states. Both materials are semiconductors in the whole range of studied pressures. Our phonon calculations further reveal that the change in the type of the elastic anisotropy has only a minor impact on the vibrational properties. Our simulations of biaxially strained states of YN demonstrate that a similar change in the elastic anisotropy can be achieved also under stress conditions appearing, for example, in coherently co-existing nanocomposites such as superlattices. Finally, after selecting ScN and PdN (both in B1 rock-salt structure) as a pair of suitable candidate materials for such a superlattice (due to the similarity of their lattice parameters), our calculations of such a coherent nanocomposite results again in a reversed elastic anisotropy (compared with the zero-pressure state of ScN).
Enhanced Radiation Tolerance of Tungsten Nanoparticles to He Ion Irradiation
Authors: Aradi Emily , Lewis-Fell Jacob , Harrison Robert W. , Greaves Graeme , Mir Anamul H. , Donnelly Stephen E. , Hinks Jonathan A.
Published: December 2018

Materials exposed to plasmas in magnetic confinement nuclear reactors will accumulate radiation-induced defects and energetically implanted gas atoms (from the plasma and transmutations), of which insoluble helium (He) is likely to be the most problematic. The large surface-area-to-volume ratio exhibited by nanoporous materials provides an unsaturable sink with the potential to continuously remove both point defects and He. This property enhances the possibilities for these materials to be tailored for high radiation-damage resistance. In order to explore the potential effect of this on the individual ligaments of nanoporous materials, we present results on the response of tungsten (W) nanoparticles (NPs) to 15 keV He ion irradiation. Tungsten foils and various sizes of NPs were ion irradiated concurrently and imaged in-situ via transmission electron microscopy at 750 °C. Helium bubbles were not observed in NPs with diameters less than 20 nm but did form in larger NPs and the foils. No dislocation loops or black spot damage were observed in any NPs up to 100 nm in diameter but were found to accumulate in the W foils. These results indicate that a nanoporous material, particularly one made up of ligaments with characteristic dimensions of 30 nm or less, is likely to exhibit significant resistance to He accumulation and structural damage and, therefore, be highly tolerant to radiation.
Bread Consumption Is Associated with Elevated Blood Pressure among Adults Living in Mexico City–A Sub-Analysis of the Tlalpan 2020 Study
Authors: Ponce-Martínez Xochitl , Colin-Ramirez Eloisa , Sánchez-Puerto Paulina , Rivera-Mancía Susana , Cartas-Rosado Raúl , Infante-Vázquez Oscar , Vallejo-Allende Maite , Vargas-Barrón Jesús
Published: December 2018

Excessive dietary sodium is associated with elevated blood pressure (EBP). Bread products are identified as one of the main sources of daily sodium intake. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between bread and others cereal products consumption with EBP. Frequency intake of a standard serving of bread and other cereal products was recorded and categorized as: ≤3 times/month or never (reference category group) and ≥ once/week. EBP was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥120 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥80 mmHg. Raw and adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the association between consumption of the studied food products and blood pressure status were estimated. Overall, 2011 participants aged 37.3 ± 9.1 years old were included. In the models adjusted for relevant covariates, consumption of one piece of bolillo or telera (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.01–1.89) ≥ once/week was associated with an increased risk of EBP, compared to the reference category. Also, participants consuming one bowl of high-fiber breakfast cereal once/week were less likely to have EBP (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.53–0.98). Initiatives to reduce sodium levels in bread products such as bolillo and telera are needed in Mexico to help manage the cardiovascular risk at the population level.
Gender- and Age-Related Changes in Trunk Muscle Composition Using Chemical Shift Encoding-Based Water–Fat MRI
Authors: Burian Egon , Syväri Jan , Holzapfel Christina , Drabsch Theresa , Kirschke Jan S. , Rummeny Ernst J. , Zimmer Claus , Hauner Hans , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Baum Thomas , Franz Daniela
Published: December 2018

Ageing, sarcopenia, and malnutrition are associated with quantitative and qualitative changes of body composition. There are several imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for the assessment of trunk muscle tissue composition. In this study, we investigated the gender- and age-related changes in trunk muscle composition using chemical shift encoding-based water–fat MRI. A total of 79 healthy volunteers (26 men: 38.9 ± 10.4 years; 53 women: 39.5 ± 15.0 years) underwent 3T axial MRI using a six-echo multi-echo 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence, allowing for the calculation of the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) in the trunk muscles. PDFF of the abdominal, psoas, and erector spinae muscles were determined. We detected significant positive correlations for abdominal muscle PDFF with age (r = 0.638, p = 0.0001) in men, and for abdominal muscle PDFF (r = 0.709, p = 0.0001) and erector spinae muscle PDFF (r = 0.674, p = 0.0001) with age in women. After adjustment for body mass index (BMI), only the correlation of age and abdominal muscle PDFF in women remained significant (r = 0.631, p = 0.0001). The findings of this study suggest that an increasing fat deposition in muscle is driven primarily by age, rather than BMI, in women. These results further support that PDFF can be considered a valid imaging biomarker of trunk muscle composition.
Association between Spatial Access to Food Outlets, Frequency of Grocery Shopping, and Objectively-Assessed and Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: McGuirt Jared , Jilcott Pitts Stephanie , Gustafson Alison
Published: December 2018

Because supermarkets are a critical part of the community food environment, the purpose of this paper is to examine the association between accessibility to the supermarket where participants were surveyed, frequency of shopping at the supermarket, and self-reported and objectively-assessed fruit and vegetable consumption. Accessibility was assessed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) measured distance and multiple versions of the modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI), including a localized road network buffer version. Frequency of shopping was assessed using self-report. The National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable screener was used to calculate daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Skin carotenoids were assessed using the “Veggie Meter™” which utilizes reflection spectroscopy to non-invasively assess skin carotenoids as an objective measure of fruit and vegetable consumption. Bivariate and multivariable statistics were used to examine the associations in RStudio. There was a positive association between skin carotenoids and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) and mRFEI scores, suggesting that WIC participation and a healthier food environment were associated with objectively-assessed fruit and vegetable consumption (skin carotenoids). Future research should examine these associations using longitudinal study designs and larger sample sizes.
Effect of Wheat Bran on Fecal Butyrate-Producing Bacteria and Wheat Bran Combined with Barley on Bacteroides Abundance in Japanese Healthy Adults
Authors: Aoe Seiichiro , Nakamura Fumiko , Fujiwara Suguru
Published: December 2018

Wheat bran (WB) is rich in insoluble arabinoxylan, while BARLEYmax (BM) is a barley line that is rich in fructan, resistant starch, and β-glucan. In the present study, we investigated which of these two fiber sources would produce more favorable changes in the fecal variables of healthy subjects. Sixty healthy subjects were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) and fed twice daily for 4 weeks with baked cereal bars containing neither WB nor BM (WB−BM−), WB without BM (WB+BM−), BM without WB (WB−BM+), or WB and BM (WB+BM+). At baseline and after 4 weeks, the fecal microbiota composition and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were measured. A significant interactive effect of WB and BM on the abundance of genus Bacteroides was observed at week 4. The abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria and the fecal concentration of n-butyrate were significantly higher in the WB+ groups than in the WB− groups. In conclusion, WB was associated with elevated fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids including butyrate owing to an increase in the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. Additionally, the combination of WB and BM was associated with an increase in the abundance of genus Bacteroides. Therefore, both WB alone and WB combined with BM favorably influenced the fecal variables of healthy subjects.
Drug-Loaded Biomimetic Ceramics for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Diaz-Rodriguez Patricia , Sánchez Mirian , Landin Mariana
Published: December 2018

The mimesis of biological systems has been demonstrated to be an adequate approach to obtain tissue engineering scaffolds able to promote cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation abilities similar to those of autologous tissues. Bioceramics are commonly used for this purpose due to their similarities to the mineral component of hard tissues as bone. Furthermore, biomimetic scaffolds are frequently loaded with diverse therapeutic molecules to enhance their biological performance, leading to final products with advanced functionalities. In this review, we aim to describe the already developed bioceramic-based biomimetic systems for drug loading and local controlled release. We will discuss the mechanisms used for the inclusion of therapeutic molecules on the designed systems, paying special attention to the identification of critical parameters that modulate drug loading and release kinetics on these scaffolds.
Effect of Penetration Enhancers on Drug Nail Permeability from Cyclodextrin/Poloxamer-Soluble Polypseudorotaxane-Based Nail Lacquers
Authors: Cutrín-Gómez Elena , Anguiano-Igea Soledad , Delgado-Charro M. Begoña , Gómez-Amoza José Luis , Otero-Espinar Francisco J.
Published: December 2018

Nail delivery has interest for local treatment of nail diseases. Nevertheless, the low permeability of drugs in the nail plaque precludes the efficacy of local treatments. The use of penetration enhancers can increase drug permeability and improve the efficacy of the treatment of nail pathologies. In this work, different chemical substances have been evaluated as potential penetration enhancers. With this aim, the effect of different substances such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG 300), carbocysteine, N-acetylcysteine, lactic acid, potassium phosphate, Labrasol® and Labrafil® in the microstructure, nail surface and drug permeability has been evaluated. The models obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry and PoreXpert™ software show a more porous structure in nails treated with different enhancers. Permeation studies with bovine hooves and nails revealed that all the hydroalcoholic lacquers developed, and particularly those prepared with SLS, provide better nail penetration of the drugs ciclopirox olamine and clobetasol propionate. Results have shown that the increase of the drug penetration in the nail is caused by the formation of a porous random microstructure and by the decrease of the contact angle between lacquers and the surface or the nail plaque. The presence of SLS produces an improvement in the spreading of the solution on the nail surface and promotes the penetration of the solution into the nail pores. The hydroalcoholic lacquer, elaborated with cyclodextrin/poloxamer soluble polypseudorotaxane and sodium lauryl sulfate as an enhancer, allowed the rate of diffusion and penetration of the active ingredient within the nail to be significantly higher than obtained with the reference lacquers when using either ciclopirox olamine or clobetasol propionate as the active ingredient.
Polyurethanes as New Excipients in Nail Therapeutics
Authors: Valdes Barbara S. Gregorí , Serro Ana Paula , Marto Joana , Galhano dos Santos Rui , Cutrín Gómez Elena , Otero-Espinar Francisco J. , Moura Bordado João , Margarida Ribeiro Helena
Published: December 2018

Onychomycosis affects about 15% of the population. This disease causes physical and psychosocial discomfort to infected patients. Topical treatment (creams, solutions, gels, colloidal carriers, and nail lacquers) is usually the most commonly required due to the high toxicity of oral drugs. Currently, the most common topical formulations (creams and lotions) present a low drug delivery to the nail infection. Nail lacquers appear to increase drug delivery and simultaneously improve the effectiveness of treatment with increased patient compliance. These formulations leave a polymer film on the nail plate after solvent evaporation. The duration of the film residence in the nail constitutes an important property of nail lacquer formulation. In this study, a polyurethane polymer was used to delivery antifungals drugs, such as terbinafine hydrochloride (TH) and ciclopirox olamine (CPX) and the influence of its concentration on the properties of nail lacquer formulations was assessed. The nail lacquer containing the lowest polymer concentration (10%) was the most effective regarding the in vitro release, permeation, and antifungal activity. It has also been demonstrated that the application of PU-based nail lacquer improves the nail plate, making it smooth and uniform and reduces the porosity contributing to the greater effectiveness of these vehicles. To conclude, the use of polyurethane in nail formulations is promising for nail therapeutics.
Comparative Pharmacognosy, Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts from Phania matricarioides (Spreng.) Griseb. Collected from Different Localities in Cuba
Authors: Gutiérrez Yamilet I. , Scull Ramón , Monzote Lianet , Rodríguez Katia M. , Bello Adonis , Setzer William N.
Published: December 2018

Phania matricarioides (Spreng.) Griseb. is a traditionally used plant with various pharmacological properties. However, there are only scarce reports about the phytochemistry and biological activity of this plant. In this work, P. matricarioides was collected from three different localities of Cuba: PmB (collected in Bauta, Artemisa), PmC (collected in Cangrejeras, Artemisa), and PmI (collected in La Lisa, Havana), extracted with aqueous ethanol, and analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. The extracts were screened for phytochemical contents, analyzed by TLC and HPLC, and screened for antioxidant activity using the FRAP and DPPH assays. Macroscopic analysis showed similar results for all samples; however, microscopic, physicochemical and phytochemical studies showed appreciable differences. In particular, the total solid of PmC extract was higher (1.94 ± 0.03%) than the other samples. In HPLC profiles, quercetin was identified in the three samples and a greater similarity between samples PmB and PmI was observed. All samples demonstrated radical-scavenging antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay, which PmC also demonstrated the smaller (p < 0.05) value (IC50 = 27.4 ± 0.1 µg/mL), but was statistically superior (p < 0.05) to vitamin C (IC50 = 23.7 ± 0 µg/mL). Also, in the FRAP assay, a higher vitamin C equivalent of PmC was significantly superior (p < 0.05) to the other extracts at the evaluated concentrations, which is likely due to a higher concentration of quercetin. In conclusion, P. matricarioides could constitute a potential resource in the field of phytotherapeutic products, and the results obtained can contribute to the development of the quality control norms for this species.
Microporous Materials Based on Norbornadiene-Based Cross-Linked Polymers
Authors: Alentiev Dmitry A. , Dzhaparidze Dariya M. , Gavrilova Natalia N. , Shantarovich Victor P. , Kiseleva Elena V. , Topchiy Maxim A. , Asachenko Andrey F. , Gribanov Pavel S. , Nechaev Mikhail S. , Legkov Sergey A. , Bondarenko Galina N. , Bermeshev Maxim V.
Published: December 2018

New microporous homopolymers were readily prepared from norbornadiene-2,5, its dimer and trimer by addition (vinyl) polymerization of the corresponding monomers with 60–98% yields. As a catalyst Pd-N-heterocyclic carbene complex or Ni(II) 2-ethylhexanoate activated with Na+[B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4]− or methylaluminoxane was used. The synthesized polynorbornenes are cross-linked and insoluble. They are glassy and amorphous polymers. Depending on the nature of the catalyst applied, BET surface areas were in the range of 420–970 m2/g. The polymers with the highest surface area were obtained in the presence of Pd-catalysts from the trimer of norbornadiene-2,5. The total pore volume of the polymers varies from 0.39 to 0.79 cm3/g, while the true volume of micropores was 0.14–0.16 cm3/g according to t-plot. These polymers gave CO2 uptake from 1.2 to 1.9 mmol/g at 273 K and 1 atm. The porous structure of new polymers was also studied by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.
Electrospun Polycaprolactone Nanofibers as a Reaction Membrane for Lateral Flow Assay
Authors: Yew Chee Hong Takahiro , Azari Pedram , Choi Jane Ru , Muhamad Farina , Pingguan-Murphy Belinda
Published: December 2018

Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers have emerged as a promising material in diverse biomedical applications due to their various favorable features. However, their application in the field of biosensors such as point-of-care lateral flow assays (LFA) has not been investigated. The present study demonstrates the use of electrospun PCL nanofibers as a reaction membrane for LFA. Electrospun PCL nanofibers were treated with NaOH solution for different concentrations and durations to achieve a desirable flow rate and optimum detection sensitivity in nucleic acid-based LFA. It was observed that the concentration of NaOH does not affect the physical properties of nanofibers, including average fiber diameter, average pore size and porosity. However, interestingly, a significant reduction of the water contact angle was observed due to the generation of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the nanofibers, which increased their hydrophilicity. The optimally treated nanofibers were able to detect synthetic Zika viral DNA (as a model analyte) sensitively with a detection limit of 0.5 nM. Collectively, the benefits such as low-cost of fabrication, ease of modification, porous nanofibrous structures and tunability of flow rate make PCL nanofibers a versatile alternative to nitrocellulose membrane in LFA applications. This material offers tremendous potential for a broad range of point-of-care applications.
Preparation of Pt-Catalyst by Poly(p-phenylenediamine) Nanocomposites Assisted by Microwave Radiation for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Wang Yen-Zen , Ko Tsung-Han , Huang Wen-Yao , Hsieh Tar-Hwa , Ho Ko-Shan , Chen Yi-Yin , Hsieh Siang-Jhih
Published: December 2018

The Pt elements are prepared via the redox reaction with microwave (MW) irradiation in the presence of poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) which is polymerized on XC72 carbon matrix (PpPD/XC72), behaving as reducing agent. The free primary amines of PpPD are actually converted (oxidized) to secondary ones (5,10-dihydrophenazine) after MW irradiation. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) micrographs reveal the prepared Pt nanoparticles are well-dispersed on the carbon matrix like commercial Pt-implanted carbon nanocomposite (Pt/C). From the residue weights of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) thermograms of Pt-loaded PpPD/XC72 (PpPD/XC72-Pt-MW), more Pt (18.49 wt %) nanoparticles are implanted on PpPD/XC72 composite. The Pt-implanted wt % on PpPD/XC72 matrix is just slightly lower than that of commercial Pt/C (22.30 wt %). The Pt-catalyst supports of PpPD/XC72-Pt-MW illustrate typical cyclic voltammograms (C-V) of Pt-catalyst, including significant Pt–H oxidation and Pt–O reduction peaks. The electrochemical active surface area of PpPD/XC72-Pt-MW is found to be as high as 60.1 m2 g−1. Max. number of electron transfer during oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) approaches 3.83 for PpPD/XC72-Pt-MW, higher than that of commercial Pt/C (3.62). Single cell based on PpPD/XC72-Pt-MW demonstrates much higher specific max. power density to be 34.6 mW cm−2 Pt, higher than that single cell prepared with commercial Pt/C electrode (30.6 mW cm−2 Pt).
Synthesis and Characterization of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer of Spermidine and the Exploration of Its Molecular Recognition Properties
Authors: Huang Yu-Jie , Chang Rui , Zhu Qiu-Jin
Published: December 2018

Spermidine is a functional ingredient that can extend the lifespan of many foods and indicate meat safety. However, its synthesis and enrichment is expensive and complex. To develop an effective separation material that can offer highly selective recognition of spermidine, we first applied non-covalent molecular imprinting technology using methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker. The adsorption properties of the polymers were analyzed using the Scatchard equation, the Lagergren kinetic equation, and the static distribution coefficient. The optimal polymerization molar ratio of the template molecule spermidine to the functional monomer was 1:4, the maximum adsorption amount was 97.75 μmol/g, and the adsorption equilibrium time was 300 min. The selective experiment showed that the interfering substances tyramine and histamine had selectivity factor α values of 2.01 and 1.78, respectively, indicating that the prepared polymer had good spermidine recognition ability. The density function theory calculations showed that the hydrogen bond strength, steric effect, and product energy caused adsorption and separation differences among the different imprinted polymer complexes.
Scientific Communication—A Vision for Tomorrow
Authors: Weilenmann Anne-Katharina
Published: December 2018

“Publishing is not evolving. [...]
Assessment and Correction of the PERSIANN-CDR Product in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin, China
Authors: Liu Jiangtao , Xu Zongxue , Bai Junrui , Peng Dingzhi , Ren Meifang
Published: December 2018

Satellite products can provide spatiotemporal data on precipitation in ungauged basins. It is essential and meaningful to assess and correct these products. In this study, the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR) product was evaluated and corrected using the successive correction method. A simple hydrological model was driven by the corrected PERSIANN-CDR data. The results showed that the accuracy of the original PERSIANN-CDR data was low on a daily scale, and the accuracy decreased gradually from the east to the west of the basin. With one correction step, the accuracy of the corrected PERSIANN-CDR data was significantly higher than that of the initial data. The correlation coefficient increased from 0.58 to 0.73, and the probability of detection (POD) value of the corrected product was 18.2% higher than the original product. The temporal-spatial resolution influenced the performance of the satellite product. As the resolution became coarser, the correlation coefficient between the corrected PERSIANN-CDR data and the gauged data gradually became lower. The Identification of unit Hydrographs and Component flows from Rainfall, Evapotranspiration, and Streamflow (IHACRES) model could be satisfactorily applied in the Lhasa River basin with corrected PERSIANN-CDR data. The successive correction method was an effective way to correct the bias of the PERSIANN-CDR product.