bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Honey can inhibit and eliminate biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lu Jing , Cokcetin Nural N. , Burke Catherine M. , Turnbull Lynne , Liu Michael , Carter Dee A. , Whitchurch Cynthia B. , Harry Elizabeth J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChronic wound treatment is becoming increasingly difficult and costly, further exacerbated when wounds become infected. Bacterial biofilms cause most chronic wound infections and are notoriously resistant to antibiotic treatments. The need for new approaches to combat polymicrobial biofilms in chronic wounds combined with the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis means that honey is being revisited as a treatment option due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low propensity for bacterial resistance. We assessed four well-characterised New Zealand honeys, quantified for their key antibacterial components, methylglyoxal, hydrogen peroxide and sugar, for their capacity to prevent and eradicate biofilms produced by the common wound pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We demonstrate that: (1) honey used at substantially lower concentrations compared to those found in honey-based wound dressings inhibited P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and significantly reduced established biofilms; (2) the anti-biofilm effect of honey was largely driven by its sugar component; (3) cells recovered from biofilms treated with sub-inhibitory honey concentrations had slightly increased tolerance to honey; and (4) honey used at clinically obtainable concentrations completely eradicated established P. aeruginosa biofilms. These results, together with their broad antimicrobial spectrum, demonstrate that manuka honey-based wound dressings are a promising treatment for infected chronic wounds, including those with P. aeruginosa biofilms.
Indirubin-pregnane X receptor-JNK axis accelerates skin wound healing
Authors: Tanaka Yuka , Uchi Hiroshi , Ito Takamichi , Furue Masutaka 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIndirubin is a potent anti-inflammatory phytochemical derived from indigo naturalis. It is also endogenously produced in the intestine and detected in the circulation in mammals. Indirubin exerts its biological functions via two xenobiotic receptor systems: aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR); however, its effects on wound healing remain elusive. To investigate whether indirubin promotes wound healing, we utilized an in vitro scratch injury assay and in vivo full-thickness mouse skin ulcer model and assessed wound closure. Indirubin significantly accelerated wound closure in both the scratch assay and the skin ulcer model. Using inhibitors of cell proliferation or migration, indirubin was found to upregulate the migratory but not the proliferative capacity of keratinocytes. Activation of AHR/PXR by indirubin was confirmed by their nuclear translocation and subsequent upregulation of CYP1A1 (AHR), or UGT1A1 mRNA (PXR) and also by luciferase reporter assay (PXR). Although both AHR and PXR were activated by indirubin, its pro-migratory capacity was canceled by PXR inhibition but not by AHR inhibition and was dependent on the JNK pathway. Moreover, activated PXR was detected in the nuclei of re-epithelialized keratinocytes in human skin ulcers. In conclusion, this study shows that the indirubin-PXR-JNK pathway promotes skin wound healing.
Draft genome of Tanacetum cinerariifolium, the natural source of mosquito coil
Authors: Yamashiro Takanori , Shiraishi Akira , Satake Honoo , Nakayama Koji 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium), which is a perennial Asteraceae plant with white daisy-like flowers, is the original source of mosquito coils and is known for the biosynthesis of the pyrethrin class of natural insecticides. However, the molecular basis of the production of pyrethrins by T. cinerariifolium has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we present the 7.1-Gb draft genome of T. cinerariifolium, consisting of 2,016,451 scaffolds and 60,080 genes predicted with high confidence. Notably, analyses of transposable elements (TEs) indicated that TEs occupy 33.84% of the genome sequence. Furthermore, TEs of the sire and oryco clades were found to be enriched in the T. cinerariifolium-specific evolutionary lineage, occupying a total of 13% of the genome sequence, a proportion approximately 8-fold higher than that in other plants. InterProScan analysis demonstrated that biodefense-related toxic proteins (e.g., ribosome inactivating proteins), signal transduction-related proteins (e.g., histidine kinases), and metabolic enzymes (e.g., lipoxygenases, acyl-CoA dehydrogenases/oxygenases, and P450s) are also highly enriched in the T. cinerariifolium genome. Molecular phylogenetic analysis detected a variety of enzymes with genus-specific multiplication, including both common enzymes and others that appear to be specific to pyrethrin biosynthesis. Together, these data identify possible novel components of the pyrethrin biosynthesis pathway and provide new insights into the unique genomic features of T. cinerariifolium.
Immunological effects of shift work in healthcare workers
Authors: Loef Bette , Nanlohy Nening M. , Jacobi Ronald H. J. , van de Ven Chantal , Mariman Rob , van der Beek Allard J. , Proper Karin I. , van Baarle Debbie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe immune system potentially plays an important mechanistic role in the relation between shift work and adverse health effects. To better understand the immunological effects of shift work, we compared numbers and functionality of immune cells between night-shift and non-shift workers. Blood samples were collected from 254 night-shift and 57 non-shift workers employed in hospitals. Absolute numbers of monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were assessed. As read out of immune function, monocyte cytokine production and proliferative capacity of CD4 and CD8 T cells in response to various stimuli were analysed. The mean number of monocytes was 1.15 (95%-CI = 1.05–1.26) times higher in night-shift than in non-shift workers. Furthermore, night-shift workers who worked night shifts in the past three days had a higher mean number of lymphocytes (B = 1.12 (95%-CI = 1.01–1.26)), T cells (B = 1.16 (95%-CI = 1.03–1.31)), and CD8 T cells (B = 1.23 (95%-CI = 1.05–1.45)) compared to non-shift workers. No differences in functional parameters of monocytes and lymphocytes were observed. The differences in numbers of monocytes and T cells suggest that chronic exposure to night-shift work as well as recent night-shift work may influence the immune status of healthcare workers. This knowledge could be relevant for preventive initiatives in night-shift workers, such as timing of vaccination.
Air pollution significantly associated with severe ocular allergic inflammatory diseases
Authors: Miyazaki Dai , Fukagawa Kazumi , Fukushima Atsuki , Fujishima Hiroshi , Uchio Eiichi , Ebihara Nobuyuki , Shoji Jun , Takamura Etsuko , Namba Kenichi , Ohashi Yuichi , Okamoto Shigeki , Satake Yoshiyuki , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Shimizu Yumiko , Inoue Yoshitsugu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAmbient air pollution is a well-recognized risk for various diseases including asthma and heart diseases. However, it remains unclear whether air pollution may also be a risk of ocular allergic diseases. Using a web-based, nation-wide, cross-sectional study design, we examined whether the level of ambient air pollution is significantly associated with the prevalence of ocular allergic diseases. A web-based questionnaire was posted to invite the participants who are members of the Japan Ophthalmologist Association and their family members. The answers from 3004 respondents were used to determine whether there were significant associations between the level of the pollutants and the prevalence of ocular allergic diseases. The study period was between March to May 2017. The data of the air pollutants during 2012 to 2016 were obtained from the National Institute for Environmental Studies. The prevalence of allergic diseases was calculated by post stratification and examined for significant associations with the level of pollutants using multiple logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan was 45.4%, 14.0%, 5.3%, and 1.2%, respectively. The high prevalence of the severe forms of allergic conjunctivitis, including AKC and VKC, were significantly associated with the levels of the air pollutants. The prevalence of AKC was significantly associated with the levels of NO2 with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.23 (per quintile). The prevalence of VKC was significantly associated with the levels of NOx and PM10 with ORs of 1.72 and 1.54 respectively. The significant associations between the prevalence of AKC and VKC and the levels of air pollutants indicate that clinicians need to be aware that air pollutants may pose serious risks of vision threatening severe ocular allergy.
Copper-binding energetics of amicyanin in different folding states
Authors: Jeoung Seounghun , Shin Sooim , Choi Moonsung 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Amicyanin is a type I copper protein that mediates electron transfer between methylamine dehydrogenase and cytochrome c-551i for energy production in Paracoccus denitrificans. Although the Met98 axial ligand of amicyanin has been shown to dictate metal selectivity and specificity during protein folding, the mechanism involved in copper-mediated amicyanin folding is unknown. Here, we kinetically and spectroscopically described reaction steps for incorporating copper into fully and less folded apo-amicyanin and established thermodynamic parameters for two amicyanin folding states. The rate constant for the incorporation of copper into fully folded apo-amicyanin at 25 °C was almost 1.5-fold lower than that for the initial phase of copper addition to the less folded apo-amicyanin. However, the rate constant was 10-fold higher than that of the second phase of copper addition to less folded apo-amicyanin at 25 °C. When overall binding energetic parameters (ΔH° and ΔS°) for the incorporation of copper into fully folded apo-amicyanin were measured by the van’t Hoff method and isothermal titration calorimetry, the values were more positive than those determined for less folded apo-amicyanin. This indicates that during amicyanin biogenesis, copper rapidly binds to an unfolded apo-amicyanin active site, inducing protein folding and favorably influencing subsequent organization of copper ligands.
Use of hemostatic powder in treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Rezende Daniel Tavares , Brunaldi Vitor Ottoboni , Bernardo Wanderley Marques , Ribeiro Igor Braga , Mota Raquel Cristina Lins , Baracat Felipe Iankelevich , de Moura Diogo Turiani Hourneaux , Baracat Renato , Matuguma Sergio Eiji , de Moura Eduardo Guimarães Hourneaux 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background and study aims TC-325 is a novel mineral hemostatic powder that creates a mechanical barrier by absorbing blood components and promoting clotting. Recently approved for use in humans, it has shown promise for treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). However, because there have been no large studies of TC-325, its true efficacy and safety profile remain unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the safety and efficacy of TC-325 in treating UGIB, based on rates of initial hemostasis, rebleeding, and adverse events (AEs).
Methods We searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases, as well as the gray literature, to identify articles describing use of TC-325 up to October 2018. Primary outcomes were initial hemostasis and rebleeding. AEs were described as a secondary outcome. Risk of bias was assessed with international scores.
Results We identified 2077 records after removal of duplicates. We included 50 studies, involving a collective total of 1445 patients, in the quantitative synthesis. Primary hemostasis and rebleeding rates were 90.7 % and 26.1 %, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed similar results. Only eight AEs were reported.
Conclusions TC-325 appears to be a safe, effective treatment for UGIB. The overall rate of initial hemostasis after TC-325 use is high, regardless of etiology of bleeding or whether TC-325 is used as a primary or rescue therapy. Although it is also associated with high rebleeding rates, rates of AEs and equipment failure after TC-325 use are extremely low.
Akupunktur bei Kopfschmerzen im Kindesalter
Authors: Pothmann Raymund 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungKopfschmerzen gehören bei Schulkindern zu den häufigsten Beschwerden. Der Einsatz von Akupunktur und verwandten Verfahren hängt mehr von der Verfügbarkeit eines qualifizierten Therapeuten als von einer wirksamen Indikation ab. Die Therapie sollte eingebettet sein in ein Gesamtkonzept, das auch ausgewogene triggerarme Kost in Anlehnung an traditionelle chinesische Vorgaben und ein verhaltenstherapeutisches Setting berücksichtigt. Auch TENS kann als technische Weiterentwicklung der Akupunktur zum Einsatz kommen, da sie vor allem auch als Kassenleistung anerkannt ist. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Kopfschmerzsymptomatik aus Sicht der TCM, wie die Akupunktur in Akutfällen sowie kurativ helfen kann, und untermauert dies mit vielen klinischen Studien.
Effect of Implant Platform Connection and Abutment Material on Removal Torque and Implant Hexagon Plastic Deformation
Authors: Pereira Paulo Henrique de Souza , Amaral Marina , Baroudi Kusai , Vitti Rafael Pino , Nassani Mohammad Zakaria , Silva-Concílio Laís Regiane da 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the plastic deformation of the hexagonal connection, and the removal torque of the implant-abutment joint of two dental implants combined with internal or external hexagonal connection implants after mechanical cycling.
Materials and Methods Twenty-four dental implants were used in the study. Half of the implants had internal hexagonal connections (IH; Titamax II Plus) and the other half had external hexagonal connections (EH; Titamax Ti Ex). Four groups of two types of dental implant abutments (titanium: Ti, UCLA II Plus and zirconia: Zr, fabricated by CAD/CAM; n = 6) were investigated. The abutments received a metallic crown and the settings were submitted to mechanical cycling (MC; 106 cycles, axial load, 120N). The connection surface area was measured by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The removal torque was evaluated and the plastic deformation of the hexagonal surface of the implant was measured by comparing the images before and after MC.
Statistical Analysis Paired-t test was used to analyze the data statistically at a significance level of α = 0.05.
Results The torque values decreased for all groups after MC, and the hexagonal surface area decreased due to plastic deformation for IH and EH associated with Zr abutments.
Conclusions Zirconia abutments showed the worst plastic deformation of the implant connection surface and torque loosening when associated with IH implant.
Subglacial meltwater supported aerobic marine habitats during Snowball Earth
Authors: Lechte Maxwell A. , Wallace Malcolm W. , Hood Ashleigh van Smeerdijk , Li Weiqiang , Jiang Ganqing , Halverson Galen P. , Asael Dan , McColl Stephanie L. , Planavsky Noah J. 
Published: December 2019

Significance
The “Snowball Earth” ice ages featured global ice sheets for millions of years, leading to oceanic anoxia and threatening the perseverance of aerobic life on Earth. Crucially, aerobic eukaryotes survived, possibly including early animals. Iron-rich chemical sediments preserved in glacial deposits offer insights into the synglacial marine redox state. We provide evidence for oxygenated waters near ice sheet grounding lines, where oxic subglacial meltwater would be supplied to the anoxic oceans. The energy released from this mixing of oxic and anoxic waters could have fueled microbial communities and sustained localized aerobic ecosystems. This meltwater oxygen pump may therefore have been critical in the survival and evolution of aerobic eukaryotes during episodes of extreme glaciation.
Treg-inducing microparticles promote donor-specific tolerance in experimental vascularized composite allotransplantation
Authors: Fisher James D. , Balmert Stephen C. , Zhang Wensheng , Schweizer Riccardo , Schnider Jonas T. , Komatsu Chiaki , Dong Liwei , Erbas Vasil E. , Unadkat Jignesh V. , Aral Ali Mübin , Acharya Abhinav P. , Kulahci Yalcin , Turnquist Heth R. , Thomson Angus W. , Solari Mario G. , Gorantla Vijay S. , Little Steven R. 
Published: December 2019

Significance
Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an emerging field that is particularly beneficial for select amputees and patients with devastating soft tissue loss that is not amenable to conventional reconstructive surgeries. As with solid organ transplantation, VCA recipients are subjected to a lifelong regimen of antirejection drugs with a well-established sequela. Herein, we report a synthetic, controlled-release microparticle system (referred to as TRI-MP) that aims to locally enrich naturally occurring, suppressive lymphocytes to prevent allograft rejection and promote tolerance. While this study exclusively focuses on VCA, this technology has implications for other conditions characterized by aberrant inflammation.
A comparison study on mechanical properties of virgin and recycled polylactic acid (PLA)
Authors: Budin S , Maideen N C , Koay M H , Ibrahim D , Yusoff H 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Huge usage of Polylactic Acid (PLA) has contributed to the high wastes which mainly come from the worn parts. Recycling of the wastes is seen to be a permissible solution to reduce the quantity of wastes in the landfills. This work aims to compare the mechanical properties of virgin and recycled PLA. The recycled material is collected from the waste produces from the injection molding process. The mechanical testing samples for both virgin and recycled materials are prepared using an injection molding process. The results show that the mechanical properties of recycled PLA lower than the virgin PLA. The tensile strength of recycled PLA decreases by 11% as compared to virgin PLA. On the other hand, TRS is also observed drop by 5% for recycled PLA compared to virgin PLA. A similar trend is found in the impact strength and hardness of properties where its impact strength drops by 50% of recycled PLA. For hardness property, it is noted that the hardness decreases by 4% of the recycled PLA. The decreasing value of the mechanical properties is due to thermal degradation of the PLA molecular chain during the injection molding process which has consequently affected the mechanical properties of the recycled PLA.
Quantitative HPLC analysis of flavonoid in three different solvent extracts in leaves of Gynura procumbens
Authors: Adeib Idris S , Markom M , Abd Rahman N , Mohd Ali J 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In Malaysia, traditional folks call Gynura procumbens as Sambung nyawa or translated as longevity life. The name given might be because of the claim made by them that the leaves extracts seems to be valuable and possesses high theuraphatic potential treatment of various diseases. Extraction of the leaves have been conducted by many researchers to identify the properties for antidiabetic/antihyperglygemic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiimflammatory, antiulcer, anticancer, antiherpes and immunomodulatory. Extracts have been obtained using different solvent. Four alcoholic extracts and one water extract were studied separately. Soxhlet extraction was conducted in the following manner: plant material (3.0 g) was placed in the Soxhlet apparatus. Extraction process was carried out for three hours using 99.9% ethanol, methanol and water as a solvent (250 mL) until the solvent discoloration (3 hours). Yield of extraction techniques was determined by evaporating the solvent under vacuum using rotary evaporator. Previous research on solvent extraction of Gynura procumbens were also compared to whereby the methanol extract obtained by other researcher was 12.2%, ethanol extract with 14.73% and 27.83%. There is also one study extracting Gynura procumbens extracts via water, however the yield is not mentioned. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ultra violet (UV) detector has been used for the separation and quantification of kaempferol from the Gynura procumbens leaves extract. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography separation was performed, using 0.1% phosphoric acid:acetonitrile as eluent in mobile phase. Our results confirm previous reports concerning the presence of several flavonoids.
Strain Softening Prediction Using Normalized Method
Authors: Ahmad J , Md-Noor M J , Md-Jais I B , Rosli M I F , Abdul-Rahman A S , Abdul-Hadi B 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This study assessed the applicability of normalized method in predicting the stress-strain curve at the strain softening phase. The methodology is based on standard test and easily replicable which is conventional triaxial test. The soil sample from Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia was taken for the test. The drained triaxial test was conducted on four samples with various effective stresses (50, 100, 200 and 300kPa). The results showed that the soil is classified as silty clay with high plasticity. Based from the results, the stress-strain curves indicate strain softening clearly. The normalized method is applied in this study. It is based from Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework (RMYSF). However, RMYSF is applied to predict the stress-strain curves for unsaturated soil and limited to strain hardening only. Extension work is conducted to the existing method by predicting the strain softening phase for saturated soil. It can be concluded that normalized method is successfully predicted the strain softening phase of the soil. The main advantage of this method is that it can be applied to predict the soil strength parameter for various effective stresses without having to conduct many tests. Therefore, this method will help to cut the time and cost of testing effectively.
A preliminary study of safety management practices on Pan-Borneo highway construction sites in Kuching, Malaysia
Authors: Anak Ikau R , Rashid A F A , Muhammad W M N W , Wahi N 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Construction site safety is a vital issue in construction safety management. The causes of accidents in the construction industry, among others are due to individual behaviour, complicated work-site surroundings and inadequate safety supervision at the construction site. The case study, namely Pan-Borneo Highway (PBH), was initiated through the Economic Transformation Programme to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation. The PBH is an option travel mode highway alongside Borneo road linking the states of Sarawak and Sabah with Brunei. The iconic project started from Sematan, Sarawak to Tawau, Sabah. This paper aimed to evaluate the current safety management practices on PBH construction sites in Kuching, Sarawak, as well as to emphasise the significance of road construction safety supervision. Questionnaires were distributed to 30 respondents, and the survey responses were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The result suggested that the most important safety practices are the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), followed by accident reporting and maintenance report and provision of safety policy. Proper safety management on the construction site can minimise accidents and protect all parties involved in the construction industry.