bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spent sulfuric acid plant catalyst: valuable resource of vanadium or risky residue? Process comparison for environmental implications
Authors: Mikoda Bartosz , Potysz Anna , Gruszecka-Kosowska Agnieszka , Kmiecik Ewa , Tomczyk Anna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe enormous amount of spent catalysts generated worldwide may pose a risk to the environment because of their high load of metals, including vanadium. The latter may be mobilized and released to the environment if managed improperly. Moreover, the catalysts could be considered as secondary resources rather than waste. This study aimed at the efficient extraction of vanadium from spent desulfurization catalyst (SDC) from a sulfuric acid production plant. The raw SDC and the post-extraction residues were characterized in terms of their chemical and phase composition. The metal mobility from the materials was examined with both single-step and multi-step extractions. The environmental risk assessment was performed using sequential extraction. The study revealed that both tested methods (citric acid leaching and bioleaching with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans) enable the extraction of nearly 96% of V from SDC with a simultaneous reduction of metal mobility. However, the bacterial treatment was found more suitable. The leached residue was mostly (> 90%) composed of SiO2, which makes it a potential candidate for application in construction (e.g., concrete mixtures) after additional examinations. The study highlights the need to develop a metal extraction process for SDC in a way that metal-free residue could be a final product.
Tissue and circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of response to obesity treatment strategies
Authors: Catanzaro G. , Filardi T. , Sabato C. , Vacca A. , Migliaccio S. , Morano S. , Ferretti E. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Obesity, characterized by an increased amount of adipose tissue, is a metabolic chronic alteration which has reached pandemic proportion. Lifestyle changes are the first line therapy for obesity and a large variety of dietary approaches have demonstrated efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving obesity-related metabolic alterations. Besides diet and physical activity, bariatric surgery might be an effective therapeutic strategy for morbid obese patients. Response to weight-loss interventions is characterised by high inter-individual variability, which might involve epigenetic factors. microRNAs have critical roles in metabolic processes and their dysregulated expression has been reported in obesity.

Aim
The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current studies evaluating changes in microRNA expression in obese patients undergoing lifestyle interventions or bariatric surgery.

Results
A considerable number of studies have reported a differential expression of circulating microRNAs before and after various dietary and bariatric surgery approaches, identifying several candidate biomarkers of response to weight loss. Significant changes in microRNA expression have been observed at a tissue level as well, with entirely different patterns between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Interestingly, relevant differences in microRNA expression have emerged between responders and non-responders to dietary or surgical interventions. A wide variety of dysregulated microRNA target pathways have also been identified, helping to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Conclusions
Although further research is needed to draw firm conclusions, there is increasing evidence about microRNAs as potential biomarkers for weight loss and response to intervention strategies in obesity.
Right people, right time? a qualitative study of service access experiences of adults with acquired brain injury following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Foster Michele , Legg Melissa , Hummell Eloise , Burridge Letitia , Laurie Kirsty 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurpose:The intention of this paper is to develop the personal concept of appropriate access. We report on the service access experiences and opportunities of adults with an acquired brain injury after leaving inpatient rehabilitation. The benefits of appropriate access underpin standards in early and long-term recovery, though users’ access needs are highly personal.Methods:The study used a qualitative design involving 16 semi-structured interviews with Australian adults with an acquired brain injury after discharge from inpatient brain rehabilitation. Data were thematically analysed.Results:Three main themes were derived from the analysis. Theme 1 shows that participants valued being steered to services that providers thought appropriate for them early after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Theme 2 highlights the tensions between timing and personal recovery and perceived needs. Theme 3 captures participants’ insights into the challenges of gaining access vis-a-vis what the system offers and the enablers of actualising appropriate access.Conclusion:The positive experiences of being directed to specialist services early after discharge suggest that continuity of care constitutes appropriateness of access for participants in this study. However, it is also clear that continuity should not displace flexibility in the timing of services, to accord with individuals’ perceived needs. This, in addition to enablement of access opportunities, through funding and transport, are important in maintaining a personalised approach.
Neural substrates of expectancy violation associated with social feedback in individuals with subthreshold depression
Authors: He Zhenhong , Ao Xiang , Muhlert Nils , Elliott Rebecca , Zhang Dandan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAbnormal processing of social feedback is an important contributor to social dysfunction in depression, however the exact mechanisms remain unclear. One important factor may be the extent to which social processing depends on expectations, in particular whether social feedback confirms or violates expectations.MethodsTo answer this question, we studied behavioral and brain responses during the evaluative processing of social feedback in 25 individuals with subthreshold depression (SD) and 25 healthy controls (HCs). Participants completed a Social Judgment Task in which they first indicated expectation about whether a peer would like them or not, and then received peer's feedback indicating acceptance or rejection.ResultsIndividuals with SD who reported greater depressive symptoms gave fewer positive expectations. Compared to HCs, individuals with SD showed reduced activation in the medial prefrontal cortex when expecting positive feedback. They also exhibited increased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex after receipt of unexpected social rejection, and reduced ventral striatum activity after receipt of unexpected social acceptance.ConclusionsThe observed alternations are specific to unexpected social feedback processing and highlight an important role of expectancy violation in the brain dysfunction of social feedback perception and evaluation in individuals at risk for depression.
Cooperatives as a Buffer Between Capitalism’s Conflicting Classes: The Pioneering Case of the Portuguese Cooperative Societies Act
Authors: SPOGNARDI ANDRÉS 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPortugal was a pioneer in state-led cooperative development. In 1867, the parliament passed legislation encouraging workers to organize their own collective businesses. In the view of the ruling elite, this would prevent the emergence of a class cleavage between labor and capital, contributing to the stability of the liberal economic and political order. Combining the historical method with John Kingdon’s multiple-streams approach to policy formulation, this article examines the complex array of domestic and external factors that shaped this policy intervention. Additionally, the study explores the impact of the policy on the involved stakeholders. Far from fulfilling the expectations of its promoters, the law on cooperatives seems to have only marginally stimulated the growth of the sector. Moreover, the government’s support to cooperatives seems to have undermined the legitimacy of the model in the eyes of a labor movement that was starting to see its interests as opposed to those of the ruling class.
La Niña weather impacts dietary patterns and dietary diversity among children in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Ambikapathi Ramya , Kosek Margaret N , Lee Gwenyth O , Olortegui Maribel Paredes , Zaitchik Benjamin , Peñataro Yori Pablo , Bauck Aubrey , Caulfield Laura E 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjective:In 2011–2012, severe El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions (La Niña) led to massive flooding and temporarily displacement in the Peruvian Amazon. Our aims were to examine the impact of this ENSO exposure on child diets, in particular: (1) frequency of food consumption patterns, (2) the amount of food consumed (g/d), (3) dietary diversity (DD), (4) consumption of donated foods, among children aged 9–36 months living in the outskirts of City of Iquitos in the Amazonian Peru.Design:This was a longitudinal study that used quantitative 24-h recall dietary data collection from children aged 9–36 months from 2010 to 2014 as part of the MAL-ED birth cohort study.Setting:Iquitos, Loreto, Peru.Participants:Two hundred and fifty-two mother–child dyads.Results:The frequency of grains, rice, dairy and sugar in meals reduced by 5–7 %, while the frequency of plantain in meals increased by 24 % after adjusting for covariates. ENSO exposure reduced girl’s intake of plantains and sugar. Despite seasonal fluctuations in the availability of fruits, vegetables and fish, DD remained constant across seasons and as children aged. However, DD was significantly reduced under moderate La Niña conditions by 0·32 (P < 0·05) food groups. Adaptive social strategies such as consumption of donated foods were significantly higher among households with girls.Conclusions:This is the first empirical study to show differential effect of the ENSO on the dietary patterns of children, highlighting differences by gender. Public health nutrition programmes should be climate- and gender-sensitive in their efforts to safeguard the diets of vulnerable populations.
Extended light period in the maternal circadian cycle impairs the reproductive system of the rat male offspring
Authors: Ogo Fernanda Mithie , Siervo Glaucia Eloisa Munhoz Lion , de Moraes Ana Maria Praxedes , Machado Katia Gama de Barros , Scarton Suellen Ribeiro da Silva , Guimarães Ana Tereza Bittencourt , Cecchini Alessandra Lourenço , Simão Andréa Name Colado , Mathias Paulo Cezar de Freitas , Fernandes Glaura Scantamburlo Alves 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlterations in the circadian cycle are known to cause physiological disorders in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes in adult individuals. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate whether exposure of pregnant rats to constant light can alter the reproductive system development of male offspring. The dams were divided into two groups: a light–dark group (LD), in which pregnant rats were exposed to an LD photoperiod (12 h/12 h) and a light–light (LL) group, in which pregnant rats were exposed to a photoperiod of constant light during the gestation period. After birth, offspring from both groups remained in the normal LD photoperiod (12 h/12 h) until adulthood. One male of each litter was selected and, at adulthood (postnatal day (PND) 90), the trunk blood was collected to measure plasma testosterone levels, testes and epididymis for sperm count, oxidative stress and histopathological analyses, and the spermatozoa from the vas deferens to perform the morphological and motility analyses. Results showed that a photoperiod of constant light caused a decrease in testosterone levels, epididymal weight and sperm count in the epididymis, seminiferous tubule diameter, Sertoli cell number, and normal spermatozoa number. Histopathological damage was also observed in the testes, and stereological alterations, in the LL group. In conclusion, exposure to constant light during the gestational period impairs the reproductive system of male offspring in adulthood.
Platelets enhance malignant behaviours of gastric cancer cells via direct contacts
Authors: Saito Ryo , Shoda Katsutoshi , Maruyama Suguru , Yamamoto Atsushi , Takiguchi Koichi , Furuya Shinji , Hosomura Naohiro , Akaike Hidenori , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Amemiya Hidetake , Kawaida Hiromichi , Sudo Makoto , Inoue Shingo , Kono Hiroshi , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue , Ichikawa Daisuke 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to analyse human cancer cell–platelet interactions in functional cell analyses and explore the molecular mechanisms behind tumour progression. Various functional analyses of gastric cancer (GC) cells were performed after direct/indirect co-incubation with platelets derived from GC patients. Further detailed expression and signalling analyses were performed after co-culture with direct and indirect GC cells–platelet contact. Malignant behaviours of cancer cells, such as proliferation, migration, invasion and adhesion, were significantly enhanced after direct co-incubation with platelets. Microarray analyses demonstrated changes in multiple genes, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes. Among them, matrix metalloproteinase 9 was notably upregulated, which was validated by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Further, this change was only observed after direct co-incubation with platelets. This study demonstrated that platelets from GC patients promote malignant behaviours of GC cells through EMT-related signalling, especially by direct contact with tumour cells.
Indole hydrazide compound ZJQ-24 inhibits angiogenesis and induces apoptosis cell death through abrogation of AKT/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jing , Liu Ying , Zhang Jianqiang , Liu Dan , Bao Yafeng , Chen Tianxing , Tang Tao , Lin Jun , Luo Ying , Jin Yi , Zhang Jihong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAngiogenesis and the activation of AKT/mTOR pathway are crucial for hepatocarcinoma development and progression, the activation of mTORC1/2 and relevant substrates have been confirmed in clinical hepatocarcinoma samples. Therefore, AKT/mTOR pathway represents the major targets for anti-cancer drugs development. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity and mechanisms of ZJQ-24 in hepatocellular carcinoma, both in vivo and in vitro. A hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model showed that ZJQ-24 significantly inhibited tumor growth with few side effects. MTT assays, flow cytometric analysis, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry identified that ZJQ-24 effectively suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation via G2/M phase arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis but had no cytotoxic on normal cells. Furthermore, ZJQ-24 significantly blocked AKT/mTOR signaling by down-regulation of mTORC1 molecules, including phospho-p70S6K (Thr389) and phospho-4EBP-1 (Ser65, Thr37/46, Thr70) and phospho-AKT (Ser473) in HCC cells. It is very important that the ZJQ-24 did not induce the mTORC1-depdent PI3K/Akt feedback activation through JNK excitation. Moreover, ZJQ-24 inhibited the cap-dependent translation initiation by impairing the assembly of the eIF4E/eIF4G complex. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed ZJQ-24 inhibited the tumor growth through suppression of VEGF and AKT/mTOR pathways in vivo. Thus, the present study is the first to illustrate that ZJQ-24 triggers antiangiogenic activity and apoptosis via inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, providing basic scientific evidence that ZJQ-24 shows great potential function as inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Patterns of viral pathogens causing upper respiratory tract infections among symptomatic children in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Kwiyolecha Elizabeth , Groendahl Britta , Okamo Bernard , Kayange Neema , Manyama Festo , Kidenya Benson R. , Mahamba Dina C. , Msanga Delfina R. , Gehring Stephan , Majigo Mtebe , Mshana Stephen E. , Mirambo Mariam M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUpper-respiratory tract infections (URTI) are the leading causes of childhood morbidities. This study investigated etiologies and patterns of URTI among children in Mwanza, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study involving 339 children was conducted between October-2017 and February-2018. Children with features suggestive of URTI such as nasal congestion, dry cough, painful swallowing and nasal discharge with/without fever were enrolled. Pathogens were detected from nasopharyngeal and ear-swabs by multiplex-PCR and culture respectively. Full blood count and C-reactive protein analysis were also done. The median age was 16 (IQR: 8–34) months. Majority (82.3%) had fever and nasal-congestion (65.5%). Rhinitis (55.9%) was the commonest diagnosis followed by pharyngitis (19.5%). Viruses were isolated in 46% of children, the commonest being Rhinoviruses (23.9%). Nineteen percent of children had more than 2 viruses; Rhinovirus and Enterovirus being the commonest combination. The commonest bacteria isolated from ears were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Children with viral pathogens had significantly right shift of lymphocytes (73%—sensitivity). Majority (257/339) of children were symptoms free on eighth day. Viruses are the commonest cause of URTI with Rhinitis being the common diagnosis. Rapid diagnostic assays for URTI pathogens are urgently needed in low-income countries to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions which is associated with antibiotic resistance.
The role of anterior and posterior insula in male genital response and in visual attention: an exploratory multimodal fMRI study
Authors: Cera Nicoletta , Castelhano João , Oliveira Cátia , Carvalho Joana , Quinta Gomes Ana Luísa , Peixoto Maria Manuela , Pereira Raquel , Janssen Erick , Castelo-Branco Miguel , Nobre Pedro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSeveral studies highlighted the role of insula on several functions and in sexual behavior. This exploratory study examines the relationships among genital responses, brain responses, and eye movements, to disentangle the role played by the anterior and posterior insula during different stages of male sexual response and during visual attention to sexual stimuli. In 19 healthy men, fMRI, eye movement, and penile tumescence data were collected during a visual sexual stimulation task. After a whole-brain analysis comparing neutral and sexual clips and confirming a role for the bilateral insulae, we selected two bilateral seed regions in anterior and posterior insula for functional connectivity analysis. Single-ROI-GLMs were run for the FC target regions. Single-ROI-GLMs were performed based on areas to which participants fixate: “Faces”, “Genitals,” and “Background” with the contrast “Genitals > Faces”. Single-ROI-GLMs with baseline, onset, and sustained PT response for the sexual clips were performed. We found stronger effects for the posterior than the anterior insula. In the target regions of the posterior insula, we found three different pathways: the first involved in visual attention, onset of erection, and sustained erection; the second involved only in the onset of erection, and the third limited to sustained erection.
Exopolysaccharides directed embellishment of diatoms triggered on plastics and other marine litter
Authors: Khan Mohd Jahir , Singh Ramesh , Shewani Kunal , Shukla Prashant , Bhaskar P. V. , Joshi Khashti Ballabh , Vinayak Vandana 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn the present study, embellishment or beautification of diatoms on substrates like plastics, polydimethylsiloxane, graphite, glass plate, and titanium dioxide, triggered by exopolysaccharides was examined under laboratory conditions. Exopolysaccharides are secreted mainly by primary colonisers, bacteria, which is succeeded by secondary colonisers i.e. diatoms. Both diatom (Nitzschia sp.4) and bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) were exposed with substrates separately for 30 days. Diatoms adhere on substrates strongly, not only because of surface roughness of different substrates but also the nanoporous architecture of diatoms which enhanced their embellishment. This study attempted to identify the substrates that adhere to diatoms strongly and was mainly analyzed by scanning electron microscope and further the observations are well supported by math work software (MATLAB). The variation of diatom’s binding on different substrates is due to the influence of marine litters on diatom population in ocean beds where they undergo slow degradation releasing macro, micro and nanoparticles besides radicals and ions causing cell death. Therefore a proof-of-concept model is developed to successfully deliver a message concerning benefit of using different diatom species.
Graphene Oxide affects Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa dual species biofilm in Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm model
Authors: Di Giulio Mara , Di Lodovico Silvia , Fontana Antonella , Traini Tonino , Di Campli Emanuela , Pilato Serena , D’Ercole Simonetta , Cellini Luigina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChronic wound management becomes a complex procedure because of the persistence of forming biofilm pathogens that do not respond to antimicrobial treatment. The aim of this paper is to detect the Graphene Oxide-GO effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa dual species wound biofilm in Lubbock Chronic Wound Biofilm-LCWB model. LCWB is a recognized model that mimics the spatial microbial colonization into chronic wounds and reproduces the wound and its clot. Staphylococcus aureus PECHA 10 and P. aeruginosa PECHA 4, are the pathogens used in the study. The GO effect on both in forming and mature biofilms, is detected by the evaluation of the CFU/mg reduction, the cell viability and ultrastructural analysis of the treated LCWBs. Graphene Oxide, at 50 mg/l, shows a significant antibiofilm effect in forming and mature LCWBs. In particular, during the biofilm formation, GO reduces the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth of 55.05% ± 4.73 and 44.18% ± 3.91 compared to the control. In mature biofilm, GO affects S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by reducing their growth of 70.24% ± 4.47 and 63.68% ± 17.56, respectively. Images taken by SEM show that GO display a disaggregated microbial effect also disrupting the fibrin network of the wound-like biofilm framework. In conclusion, GO used against microorganisms grown in LCWB, displays a significant inhibitory action resulting in a promising tool for potential application in wound management.
Numerical investigation for rotating flow of MHD hybrid nanofluid with thermal radiation over a stretching sheet
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Sabir Muhammad Touseef , Islam Saeed , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom , Alrabaiah Hussam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis research investigates the heat and mass transfer in 3-D MHD radiative flow of water based hybrid nanofluid over an extending sheet by employing the strength of numerical computing based Lobatto IIIA method. Nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silver (Ag) are being used with water (H2O) as base fluid. By considering the heat transfer phenomenon due to thermal radiation effects. The physical flow problem is then modeled into set of PDEs, which are then transmuted into equivalent set of nonlinear ODEs by utilizing the appropriate similarity transformations. The system of ODEs is solved by the computational strength of Lobatto IIIA method to get the various graphical and numerical results for analyzing the impact of various physical constraints on velocity and thermal profiles. Additionally, the heat transfers and skin friction analysis for the fluid flow dynamics is also investigated. The relative errors up to the accuracy level of 1e-15, established the worth and reliability of the computational technique. It is observed that heat transfer rate increases with the increase in magnetic effect, Biot number and rotation parameter.