bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Esterase activity and interaction of human hemoglobin with diclofenac sodium: A spectroscopic and molecular docking study
Authors: Dohare Neeraj , Siddiquee Md. Abrar , Parray Mehrajud din , Kumar Amit , Patel Rajan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo get an idea about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, it is important to study the drug‐protein interaction. Therefore, herein, we studied the interaction of diclofenac sodium (DIC) with human hemoglobin. The binding study of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, DIC with human hemoglobin (HHB) was done by utilizing fluorescence, UV–visible, time‐resolved fluorescence and far‐UV circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Various thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) were also calculated. CD results showed that DIC induces secondary structure change in HHB. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was also performed. Additionally, it was also observed that DIC inhibits the esterase‐like enzymatic activity of HHB via competitive inhibition.
Fungal recovery and characterization from Hindu Kush mountain range, Tirich Mir glacier, and their potential for biotechnological applications
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad , Nadeem Shaukat , Hassan Noor , Hayat Muhammad , Sajjad Wasim , Zada Sahib , Sajjad Wasim , Hasan Fariha 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Hindu Kush mountains spread over Northern areas of Pakistan having hundreds of glaciers representing a unique ecosystem driven by the specific geochemistry and climate. The current study measured the distribution of culturable fungi in Tirich Mir glacier, Hindu Kush range, and the potential of these isolates to show antimicrobial activity and produce biotechnologically important enzymes. Samples of glacial ice, sediments, and meltwater were collected from Tirich Mir glacier, and 46 fungal strains were isolated and characterized for identity and biotechnological applications. The findings revealed Penicillium (10) as the most common genus, followed by Alternaria (9), Cladosporium (7), Coprinopsis, two isolates each belonging to genus Phoma, Ulocladium, Epicoccum, Onygenales, and Didymella, and one isolate of genus Davidiella, Aspergillus, Geomyces, Dothideomycetes, Pseudogymnoascus, Irpex, Scopulariopsis, Ascochyta, Tomicus, and Davidiellaceae. Davidiella tassiana HTF9 showed growth in the presence of 18% NaCl and pH 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The isolates Ulocladium sp. and Onygenales sp. inhibited the growth of test fungi, Gram‐negative and positive bacteria. Fungal strains were capable of producing cold‐active enzymes, including cellulase, lipase, amylase, and deoxyribonuclease. The isolate Penicillium chrysogenum HTF24 was an efficient producer of amylase, deoxyribonuclease, and cellulase. The fungi of high‐altitude glaciers are potent candidates for biotechnological applications; however, studies using more sensitive techniques are needed for further exploration.
Tuning cytokines enriches dendritic cells and regulatory T cells in the periodontium
Authors: Sands R. Warren , Verbeke Catia S. , Ouhara Kazuhisa , Silva Eduardo A. , Hsiong Susan , Kawai Toshihisa , Mooney David 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontal disease results from the pathogenic interactions between the tissue, immune system, and microbiota; however, standard therapy fails to address the cellular mechanism underlying the chronic inflammation. Dendritic cells (DC) are key regulators of T cell fate, and biomaterials that recruit and program DC locally can direct T cell effector responses. We hypothesized that a biomaterial that recruited and programmed DC toward a tolerogenic phenotype could enrich regulatory T cells within periodontal tissue, with the eventual goal of attenuating T cell mediated pathology.MethodsThe interaction of previously identified factors that could induce tolerance, granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), with the periodontitis network was confirmed in silico. The effect of the cytokines on DC migration was explored in vitro using time‐lapse imaging. Finally, regulatory T cell enrichment in the dermis and periodontal tissue in response to alginate hydrogels delivering TSLP and GM‐CSF was examinedin vivo in mice using immunohistochemistry and live‐animal imaging.ResultsThe GM‐CSF and TSLP interactome connects to the periodontitis network. GM‐CSF enhances DC migration in vitro. An intradermal injection of an alginate hydrogel releasing GM‐CSF enhanced DC numbers and the addition of TSLP enriched FOXP3+ regulatory T cells locally. Injection of a hydrogel with GM‐CSF and TSLP into the periodontal tissue in mice increased DC and FOXP3+ cell numbers in the tissue, FOXP3+ cells in the lymph node, and IL‐10 in the tissue.ConclusionLocal biomaterial‐mediated delivery of GM‐CSF and TSLP can enrich DC and FOXP3+ cells and holds promise for treating the pathologic inflammation of periodontal disease.
Design, synthesis, and antimicrobial behavior of novel oxadiazoles containing various N‐containing heterocyclic pendants
Authors: Zeng Dan , Wang Ming‐Wei , Xiang Meng , Liu Li‐Wei , Wang Pei‐Yi , Li Zhong , Yang Song 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe gradually elevated outbreak of plant bacterial diseases severely limits agricultural products and small amounts of pesticides can manage them. Our group has previously synthesized and screened the antimicrobial activity of diverse 1,3,4‐oxadiazole thioether/sulfone compounds bridged by a sulfur atom at the 2‐position of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of eliminating the sulfur atom on bioactivity. Herein, a novel type of N‐containing heterocyclic pendants‐tagged 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles bridged by alkyl chains only was systematically synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activities.RESULTSBioassay results revealed that antibacterial efficacy increased by 551‐ and 314‐fold against the corresponding phytopathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X. axonopodis pv. citri compared to commercial agents bismerthiazol and thiodiazole copper. In vivo trials showed that C
1 exerted remarkable curative activity against rice bacterial blight with a control effectiveness of 52.9% at 200 μg mL−1. Antibacterial mechanism research found that C
1 could reduce the hypersensitive response behavior and pathogenicity of Xoo through targeting the type III secretion system (T3SS) at a lower drug dose. This outcome was verified by observing the significantly down‐regulated proteins and representative genes from the related quantitative proteomics and qRT‐PCR assays.CONCLUSIONThis study can inspire the design of innovative molecular frameworks targeting the T3SS of phytopathogens for controlling bacterial infections. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Neighbourhood gentrification, displacement, and poverty dynamics in post‐recession England
Authors: Fransham Mark 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA recent “return to the city” by middle‐class professionals in England, with the increasing “suburbanisation” of poverty and an ongoing housing crisis, has increased the salience of concerns about neighbourhood gentrification via the involuntary displacement of established working class residents. This paper reports a systematic analysis of gentrification and income poverty in England that adopts innovative methodological approaches: a multivariate index of gentrification, propensity score matching to establish a comparison group, and sensitivity testing with respect to different “gentrification” definitions. The paper investigates three possible theoretical processes that could have driven the observed decline in income poverty rates in gentrifying areas: inward mobility to areas, outward mobility from areas, and in situ changes in poverty status. The post‐recession period 2010–2014 is studied using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. There is good evidence from aggregate and individual‐level analyses for a relationship between “inward” mobility, poverty status, and area gentrification. In addition, people moving to gentrifying areas were more likely to have a university degree and more likely to be in the professional occupational class than people who moved to nongentrifying comparison areas. On the other hand, no such relationships are found for “outward” mobility. The strongest evidence is found for “exclusionary displacement” (the restricted ability of low‐income households to move in to an area) rather than “direct displacement” (increased outward mobility of existing residents) as the dominant driver of gentrification in this period.
Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and acute anti‐inflammatory potential of two oral cannabidiol preparations in healthy adults
Authors: Hobbs Jack M. , Vazquez Allegra R. , Remijan Nicholas D. , Trotter Roxanne E. , Vincent Gear Thomas , Freedman Kimberly E. , Wei Yuren , Woelfel Keith A. , Arnold Olivia R. , Wolfe Lisa M. , Johnson Sarah A. , Weir Tiffany L. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCannabidiol (CBD) is a dietary supplement with numerous purported health benefits and an expanding commercial market. Commercially available CBD preparations range from tinctures, oils, and powders, to foods and beverages. Despite widespread use, information regarding bioavailability of these formulations is limited. The purpose of this study was to test the bioavailability of two oral formulations of CBD in humans and explore their potential acute anti‐inflammatory activity. We conducted a pilot randomized, parallel arm, double‐blind study in 10 healthy adults to determine differences in pharmacokinetics of commercially available water and lipid‐soluble CBD powders. Participants consumed a single 30 mg dose, which is within the range of typical commercial supplement doses, and blood samples were collected over 6 hr and analyzed for CBD concentrations. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at baseline and T = 90 min, cultured and stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response. Cell supernatants were assayed for IL‐10 and TNF, markers of inflammation, using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The water‐soluble powder had Cmax = 2.82 ng/ml, Tmax = 90 min, and was approximately ×4.5 more bioavailable than the lipid‐soluble form. TNF was decreased in LPS‐stimulated PBMCs collected 90 min after CBD exposure relative to cells collected at baseline. This study provides pilot data for designing and powering future studies to establish the anti‐inflammatory potential and bioavailability of a larger variety of commercial CBD products consumed by humans.
A dynamic sustainability framework for petroleum refinery projects with a life cycle attitude
Authors: Hasheminasab Hamidreza , Gholipour Yaghob , Kharrazi Mohammadreza , Streimikiene Dalia , Hashemkhani Sarfaraz 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFor developing countries, energy infrastructure projects are not only important from a political and strategic point of view, but they are also of major significance in terms of sustainability. Energy infrastructure projects have major impacts on all three pillars of sustainability, that is, social, economic, and environmental. Refinery projects can have an even bigger impact on all three pillars, in terms of magnitude and severity of the consequences. Therefore, it is important to introduce methods and solutions to improve the level of sustainability at which petroleum refinery projects are designed, constructed, and operated. Petroleum refinery projects are multidisciplinary, multiattribute, and multistakeholder projects and decisions in this regard are always difficult to make and unclear about sustainability in the life‐cycle of the project. To deal with these complexities, a dynamic sustainability assessment framework has been proposed in this study. In this framework, different petroleum refinery project's properties such as location, size, functions, stakeholders, products, environmental resiliency, and so on are considered in various life‐cycle phases and are used to come up with a customized framework. Accordingly, a hierarchy of the latest and the most suitable Multiple Criteria Decision Making methodologies are utilized for different decision‐making environments to realize the required dynamicity in these projects. The methods used here are Grey Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment, Fuzzy Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution, and Combinative Distance‐Based Assessment, each of which are proposed for different decision‐making levels. The proposed methodology is applied to a real petroleum refinery project as a case study. Based on the case study results, the economical pillar gets nearly 50% of the importance based on the project's specific situation. Also, health, atmosphere, and economic performance are the most important indicators among social, environmental, and economic pillars, respectively. At the lowest level, quantitative factors are also ranked and weighted. For instance, the frequency of labors' illness is the highest health factors in the social pillar of sustainability.
Characterization of Food Amyloid Protein Digestion by Conical Nanopore
Authors: Giamblanco Nicoletta , Janot Jean‐Marc , Gubbiotti Alberto , Chinappi Mauro , Balme Sebastien 
Published: March 2020

Abstractβ‐lactoglobulin aggregates are used as structuring agents in food processing. Their enzymatic degradation follows different pathways depending on the enzyme and the pH. The transient species produced during the degradation process are difficult to characterize under continuous measurement. Here, conical track‐etched nanopores are used to investigate the β‐lactoglobulin degradation by pepsin (pH 2) and trypsin (pH 9). Before enzyme addition, two distinct populations, oligomers and protofibrils, are identified. Just after enzyme addition, the aggregate size decreases. For pepsin, a phenomenon of reaggregation that does not occur for the trypsin is evidenced. In addition, after 140 min a larger population of aggregate appears. The experimental results are supported by a kinetic model. This work also demonstrates that conical nanopore allows following the kinetic of transient protein aggregate intermediates during enzymatic degradation.
An efficient scheme for secure feature location using data fusion and data mining in internet of things environment
Authors: N Balaji , S Lakshmi , M Anand , M Anbarasan , P Mathiyalagan 
Published: March 2020

SummaryFeature location (FL) is performed to find the relationships between domain concepts and other software artifacts. One major problem in maintaining a software system is to understand how many functional features exist in a system and how these features are implemented. Also, poor security is the prime problem in the FL system. However, the existing recent FL techniques use a textual and dynamic approach, which is not found to be secure, keeping in view the changes in the description of security attacks. To overcome this drawback, this work proposed a novel secure approach for FL utilizing data fusion as well as data mining for the internet of things environment. Firstly, the repeated test cases (TC) are eradicated as of the labeled TC. Next, important attributes are selected using the artificial flora optimization algorithm from the removed labeled TC. Then, association rule mining is performed to ascertain closed attributes. Subsequently, encrypt the closed attributes utilizing Caesar Cipher‐Rivest, Shamirs, as well as Adelman algorithm. After that, the score value of the closed attributes counts was found utilizing entropy calculation. Finally, the score value is given as input to the normalized‐K‐Means (N‐[K‐Means]) algorithm, where the score value is normalized utilizing min‐max normalization and then grouped utilizing K‐Means algorithm (KMA). It proffers better results for FL in the source code. The proposed N‐(K‐Means) performance is found better in comparison to the KMA and latent semantic indexing methods. The proposed system proffered better FL results in comparison to the other prevailing methods.
Effect of U‐shaped anchorages on concrete cover separation in carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer‐strengthened beams with notches at the sheet end
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Shi Haifeng , Ueda Tamon , Jin Weiliang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAnchorage systems have been proven to efficiently prevent or postpone debonding of reinforced concrete structures strengthened in flexure with fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate or sheet. Although extensive studies on the effect of anchorage systems on intermediate crack debonding and end debonding of strengthened members have been performed, the effect of U‐shaped anchorages on commonly faced concrete cover separation remains unclear, and a corresponding design proposal has not been completed, which limits the practical use of anchorage systems for strengthening. In this study, carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP)‐strengthened beams with notches at the sheet end and CFRP U‐shaped anchorages of various widths and heights were specially designed to investigate the effects of anchorages on strength of concrete cover separation. The height of the U‐shaped anchorage was proved more important than its width to improve concrete cover separation strength, and the related mechanism was discussed. Furthermore, an analytical model was developed to predict the initial and full separation load of concrete cover with U‐shaped anchorages. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed analytical procedure were verified against the test results.
Gametogenesis and Assessment of Nonlethal Tools to Assign Sex and Reproductive Condition in Burbot
Authors: McGarvey Lauren M. , Halvorson Leif J. , Ilgen Jason E. , Guy Christopher S. , McLellan Jason G. , Webb Molly A. H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNonlethal tools (plasma sex steroid concentrations and ultrasound) for assigning sex and reproductive condition in Burbot Lota lota from Lake Roosevelt, Washington, were assessed. Gonadal tissue, blood plasma, and gonadal sonograms were collected monthly from November 2016 to March 2018. Gametogenesis was described by gonadal histology during an entire reproductive cycle to confirm sex and reproductive condition. Plasma testosterone (T) and estradiol‐17β (E2) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Plasma sex steroid profiles, gonadosomatic index, and ovarian follicle diameter were also described during an entire reproductive cycle. Plasma 11‐KT concentration was used to assign sex with 82% accuracy during the entire reproductive cycle, and plasma 11‐KT and E2 concentrations were used to assign sex with 98% accuracy when fish were reproductive (i.e., November–March in Lake Roosevelt). Plasma T and E2 concentrations were used to assign reproductive condition in females with 98% accuracy, and plasma T concentration was used to assign reproductive condition in males with 90% accuracy. Ultrasound was used to assign sex with 96% accuracy but was not useful for assigning reproductive condition. Nonlethal tools to assign sex and reproductive condition will enable fisheries biologists to assess reproductive indices of the Burbot population in Lake Roosevelt to inform management decisions.
Methoxytetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate inhibits spinal cord injury in the rat model via PPAR‐γ/PI3K/p‐Akt activation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Gong Ming , Luo Xinle 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is the most commonly seen trauma leading to disability in people worldwide. The purpose of current study was to determine the protective effect of methoxytetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yl)methyl benzoate (HMPB) on SCI in rat model. TUNEL staining was used to examine apoptotic changes in spinal cord of SCI rats. The ELISA kits were employed to assess inflammatory processes and oxidative factors in the spinal cord tissues. Behavioral changes in SCI rats were assessed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system. Western blotting was used for assessment of proteins. The HMPB treatment of SCI rats reduced apoptotic cell number based on the concentration of dose administered. Treatment of SCI rats with HMPB enhanced BBB score and decreased accumulation of water content in SCI rats significantly. On treatment with HMPB the TNF‐α and interleukin‐6/1β/18 levels were suppressed in SCI rats. Treatment with HMPB induced excessive release of SOD, CAT, and GSH molecules and decreased overproduction of MDA. The SCI induced upregulation of caspase‐3/9 activity was completely alleviated by HMPB at 2 mg/kg dose. The HMPB treatment of SCI rats promoted peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPAR‐γ) expression, reduced cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 production and increased expression of p‐Akt and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (p‐PI3K). The study demonstrated that HMPB suppressed apoptosis, raised BBB score and inhibited inflammation in SCI rats. Moreover, activation of PI3K/Akt in the spinal cord tissues of SCI rats was promoted by HMPB. Therefore, HMPB has protective effect on SCI in the rat model.
Redundancy of foramen ovale flap may mimic fetal aortic coarctation
Authors: Vena F. , Donarini G. , Scala C. , Tuo G. , Paladini D. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the relationship between presence of a redundant foramen ovale flap (RFOF), in the absence of a clearly restrictive foramen ovale, and ventricular disproportion, in three groups of fetuses: (1) those with a final diagnosis of aortic coarctation (CoA); (2) those referred for suspicion of ventricular disproportion and/or CoA which did not develop CoA postnatally; and (3) normal fetuses.MethodsThis was a retrospective study including 73 fetuses: 12 with a final diagnosis of isolated CoA; 30 referred for suspicion of ventricular disproportion and/or CoA, which did not develop CoA postnatally; and 31 normal fetuses. Four‐dimensional volume datasets and clips were assessed offline. Maximum diameters of the FOF (FOFD), left atrium (LAD), right atrium, left and right ventricles and, when available, aortic isthmus, were measured, as were areas of the FOF (FOFA), left atrium (LAA) and right atrium. The left/right ratios for all segments of the heart, as well as the FOFD/LAD ratio and FOFA/LAA ratio, were calculated. Regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between RFOF and ventricular disproportion and means were compared by ANOVA.ResultsRepeatability was fair, with all variables having an intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 83%. In the pooled group of fetuses with no CoA found at birth (normal fetuses plus those with ventricular disproportion (n = 61)), there was a significant linear correlation between redundancy of the FOF and degree of ventricular disproportion (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for diameter and area ratios, respectively). Categorizing the FOF redundancy, FOFD/LAD ratio ≥ 0.65 was significantly associated with ventricular disproportion (P = 0.006). Based on the degree of FOF prominence, we described four categories of redundancy, ranging from no redundancy/ventricular disproportion (Stage 0) to severe redundancy/ventricular disproportion with transient obstruction of the foramen ovale or mitral orifice (Stage III). Comparing cases without neonatal evidence of coarctation but FOFD/LAD ratio ≥ 0.65 vs those with neonatal evidence of coarctation, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of ventricular disproportion or in the Z‐score of the aortic isthmus maximum diameter.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that: (1) there is an association between RFOF and ventricular disproportion, independent of the association with a restrictive foramen ovale, and (2) the presence of a RFOF may mimic CoA. In fact, it causes both ventricular disproportion and a significant reduction in the diameter of the aortic isthmus, associated in some cases also with reversed isthmic flow. Future prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether focusing the sonologist's attention on the appearance of the foramen ovale may reduce the rate of false‐positive diagnosis of CoA. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.