bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fully Bio-Based Hybrid Composites Made of Wood, Fungal Mycelium and Cellulose Nanofibrils
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Tajvidi Mehdi , Hunt Christopher G. , McIntyre Gavin , Gardner Douglas J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNovel hybrid panel composites based on wood, fungal mycelium, and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were developed and investigated in the present study. In one set of experiments, mycelium was grown on softwood particles to produce mycelium-modified wood which was then hybridized with various levels of CNF as binder. The other set of experiments were conducted on unmodified wood particles mixed with CNF and pure mycelium tissue. It was found that the composites made of mycelium-modified wood and CNF resulted in enhanced physical and mechanical properties compared to the ones made by physically mixing wood, mycelium, and CNF. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that mycelium modification covered wood particles with a network of fungal hyphae whereas CNF formed a uniform mycelial film over wood particles. Mycelium modification had a significant effect on reducing water absorption and thickness swelling of the hybrid composites and CNF increased the modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity, optimally at 2.5% addition. We also present results and analysis pertaining to the development of unique lightweight composite systems with physical and mechanical properties optimized at 5% CNF addition with potential to be used in packaging and furniture applications.
Production and Anticancer Activity of an L-Asparaginase from Bacillus licheniformis Isolated from the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alrumman S. A. , Mostafa Y. S. , Al-izran Kholood A. , Alfaifi M. Y. , Taha T. H. , Elbehairi S. E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMicrobial L-asparaginase (ASNase) is an important anticancer agent that is used extensively worldwide. In this study, 40 bacterial isolates were obtained from the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia and screened for ASNase production using a qualitative rapid plate assay, 28 of which were producing large L-asparagine hydrolysis zones. The ASNase production of the immobilized bacterial cells was more favorable than that of freely suspended cells. A promising isolate, KKU-KH14, was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus licheniformis. Maximal ASNase production was achieved using an incubation period of 72 h, with an optimum of pH 6.5, an incubation temperature of 37 °C, an agitation rate 250 rpm, and with glucose and (NH4)2SO4 used as the carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The glutaminase activity was not detected in the ASNase preparations. The purified ASNase showed a final specific activity of 36.08 U/mg, and the molecular weight was found to be 37 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. The maximum activity and stability of the purified enzyme occurred at pH values of 7.5 and 8.5, respectively, with maximum activity at 37 °C and complete thermal stability at 70 °C for 1 h. The Km and Vmax values of the purified enzyme were 0.049995 M and of 45.45 μmol/ml/min, respectively. The anticancer activity of the purified ASNase showed significant toxic activity toward HepG-2 cells (IC50 11.66 µg/mL), which was greater than that observed against MCF-7 (IC50 14.55 µg/mL) and HCT-116 cells (IC50 17.02 µg/mL). The results demonstrated that the Red Sea is a promising biological reservoir, as shown by the isolation of B. licheniformis, which produces a glutaminase free ASNase and may be a potential candidate for further pharmaceutical use as an anticancer drug.
A dichotomy between model responses of tropical ascent and descent to surface warming
Authors: Su Hui , Zhai Chengxing , Jiang Jonathan H. , Wu Longtao , Neelin J. David , Yung Yuk L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSimulations of tropical atmospheric circulation response to surface warming vary substantially across models, causing large uncertainties in projections of regional precipitation change. Understanding the physical processes that drive the model spread in tropical circulation changes is critically needed. Here we employ the basic mass balance and energetic constraints on tropical circulation to identify the dominant factors that determine multidecadal circulation strength and area changes in climate models. We show that the models produce a robust weakening of descent rate under warming regardless of surface warming patterns; however, ascent rate change exhibits inter-model spread twice as large as descent rate because of diverse model responses in the radiative effects of clouds, water vapor, and aerosols. As ascent area change is dictated by the disparate descent and ascent rate changes due to the mass budget and the inter-model spread in descent rate change is small, the model spread in ascent area change is dominated by that of ascent rate change, resulting in a strong anti-correlation of –0.85 between the fractional changes of ascent strength and area across 77 climate model simulations. This anti-correlation leads to a corresponding inverse relationship between the rates of precipitation intensifying and narrowing of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), suggesting tropical ascent area change can be potentially used to constrain the ITCZ precipitation change. Longwave cloud radiative effect at the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) in the convective region is identified to be a major source of uncertainties for tropical ascent rate change and thus for regional precipitation change.
Accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal cells and cancer risk
Authors: Takeshima Hideyuki , Ushijima Toshikazu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCancers develop due to the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Genetic alterations are induced by aging, mutagenic chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other factors; whereas, epigenetic alterations are mainly by aging and chronic inflammation. The accumulation and patterns of alterations in normal cells reflect our past exposure levels and life history. Most accumulated alterations are considered as passengers, but their accumulation is correlated with cancer drivers. This has been shown for aberrant DNA methylation but has only been speculated for genetic alterations. However, recent technological advancements have enabled measurement of rare point mutations, and studies have shown that their accumulation levels are indeed correlated with cancer risk. When the accumulation levels of aberrant DNA methylation and point mutations are combined, risk prediction becomes even more accurate. When high levels of alterations accumulate, the tissue has a high risk of developing cancer or even multiple cancers and is considered as a “cancerization field”, with or without expansion of physiological patches of clonal cells. In this review, we describe the formation of a cancerization field and how we can apply its detection in precision cancer risk diagnosis.
Modified lipoproteins in periodontitis: a link to cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Ljunggren Stefan , Bengtsson Torbjörn , Karlsson Helen , Starkhammar Johansson Carin , Palm Eleonor , Nayeri Fariba , Ghafouri Bijar , Davies Julia , Svensäter Gunnel , Lönn Johanna 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
There is a strong association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders. A key event in the development of atherosclerosis is accumulation of modified lipoproteins within the arterial wall. We hypothesise that patients with periodontitis have an altered lipoprotein profile towards an atherogenic form. Therefore, the present study aims at identifying modifications of plasma lipoproteins in periodontitis. Lipoproteins from ten female patients with periodontitis and gender- and age-matched healthy controls were isolated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation. Proteins were separated by 2D gel-electrophoresis and identified by map-matching or by nano-LC followed by MS. Apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I (ApoA-I) methionine oxidation, Oxyblot, total antioxidant capacity and a multiplex of 71 inflammation-related plasma proteins were assessed. Reduced levels of apoJ, phospholipid transfer protein, apoF, complement C3, paraoxonase 3 and increased levels of α-1-antichymotrypsin, apoA-II, apoC-III were found in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from the patients. In low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very LDL (VLDL), the levels of apoL-1 and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) as well as apo-B fragments were increased. Methionine oxidation of apoA-I was increased in HDL and showed a relationship with periodontal parameters. α-1 antitrypsin and α-2-HS glycoprotein were oxidised in LDL/VLDL and antioxidant capacity was increased in the patient group. A total of 17 inflammation-related proteins were important for group separation with the highest discriminating proteins identified as IL-21, Fractalkine, IL-17F, IL-7, IL-1RA and IL-2. Patients with periodontitis have an altered plasma lipoprotein profile, defined by altered protein levels as well as post-translational and other structural modifications towards an atherogenic form, which supports a role of modified plasma lipoproteins as central in the link between periodontal and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
A short peptide potentially promotes the healing of skin wound
Authors: Song Yongli , Wu Chunyun , Zhang Xinghe , Bian Wenxin , Liu Naixin , Yin Saige , Yang MeiFeng , Luo Mingying , Tang Jing , Yang Xinwang 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Skin wound, a common form of skin damage in daily life, remains a serious challenge in clinical treatment. Bioactive peptides with high efficiency have been considered as potential therapeutic candidates for wound healing. In this report, a novel short linear peptide, with mature peptide sequence of ‘GLLSGINAEWPC’ and no obvious similarity with other known bioactive peptides, was identified by genomic method from the skin of odorous frog, Odorrana andersonii. Our results suggested that OA-GL12 (OA: abbreviation of species (O. andersonii), GL: two initial amino acids, 12: peptide length) obviously accelerated the scratch-healing of keratinocytes and human fibroblasts in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, OA-GL12 showed significant effect in promoting the wound healing on the full-thickness skin wound model. Inflammatory assay results demonstrated that OA-GL12 induced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7), which might explain the powerful accelerating capacity of wound healing. Moreover, results also indicated that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was involved in the mechanisms underlying the scratch-healing promoting activity of OA-GL12. In addition, OA-GL12 showed obvious free radical scavenging activity. Results supported that OA-GL12 did not exert risk in acute toxicity, hemolytic activity, and direct antibacterial activity. The remarkable effect of OA-GL12 on promoting wound healing verified in this research made it potential to be a novel template for the development of wound healing-promoting agents.
Down-regulation of miR-543 expression increases the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-Fluorouracil through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Liu Gang , Zhou JianPing , Dong Ming 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy is one of main obstacles in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanisms are still unclear, and the treatment options are still limited. miR-543 has been indicated to act as an oncogene in some cancers, but its function in regulating chemoresistance has not been considered in CRC cells. This study investigated whether the down-regulation of miR-543 expression enhanced 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced apoptosis in HCT8/FU colon cancer cells. In our study, qRT-PCR revealed that miR-543 expression was up-regulated in the HCT8/FU colon cancer cell line compared with that of HCT8 colon cancer cell line. An miR-543 inhibitor or mimic was transfected, followed by MTT assay to detect 5-FU sensitivity in HCT8 and HCT8/FU cell lines, which showed that IC50 of 5-FU was positively correlated with miR-543 expression. Further studies showed that miR-543 enhanced drug resistance by down-regulating the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), which negatively regulates protein kinase B (AKT) activation. Additionally, an elevated expression of PTEN reversed the chemoresistance of miR-543-overexpressing HCT8 cells to 5-FU. These results indicate that miR-543 might be a target to increase the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Ultra‐low‐voltage CMOS ring oscillators
Authors: Ferreira J.V.T. , Galup‐Montoro C. 
Published: March 2019

This communication discusses the realisation of ultra‐low‐voltage CMOS ring oscillators (ROs) that are potentially capable of starting up from a supply voltage of around 40 mV. Experimental results for ROs based on the standard inverter and on the six‐transistor Schmitt trigger integrated in a 130 nm CMOS technology demonstrate a start‐up voltage very close to 50 mV.
Eliminating starting hesitation for reliable operation of switched reluctance motor without machine parameters for light electric vehicle applications
Authors: Jamil Muhammad Usman , Kongprawechnon Waree , Chayopitak Nattapon 
Published: March 2019

In this study, an initial rotor position estimation at standstill condition is presented for reliable operation of switched reluctance motor (SRM) without initialising machine parameters for light electric vehicle (LEV) applications. The prime objective of this method is to startup an SRM without using the mechanical position sensor, and eliminate the starting hesitation and starting jerk issues from standstill condition. In the proposed method, the initial rotor position at standstill is determined by injecting a single pulse dc voltage simultaneously into all stator phase windings for a very short period (microsecond). The obtained current envelope data is then used to calculate the initial rotor position with the quadratic polynomial interpolation technique without any prior knowledge of other motor parameters. The experimental results for a 3.5 kW, 6/4 SRM are provided to substantiate the overall good performance. The developed system can be considered as a strong candidate for high precision LEV applications.
Electron structure in modified BaTiO3 /poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposite with high dielectric property and energy density
Authors: Ye Huijian , Chen Hongyun , Zhang Xuanhe , Chen Yafei , Shao Wenzhu , Xu Lixin 
Published: March 2019

It's significantly urgent to develop the polymer film capacitor with large energy density and high charge‐discharge efficiency for the applications of portable electronics and power hybrid system. In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposite film incorporated with tetradecylphosphonic acid modified BaTiO3 was prepared via solution casting to achieve high dielectric property and large energy density. The strong interactions were formed between modifier and polymer segments, which was characterised by X‐ray absorption near edge structure of synchrotron radiation. The decrease of activation energy indicates that the functionalisation of BaTiO3 weakens the heterogeneous nucleation of nanoparticle. The dielectric constant of 30 vol.% nanocomposite film achieves 50.1 with low loss of 0.02 at 100 Hz, which is attributed to the strong interaction between the phosphonic acid and fluoride atoms of PVDF segments. The energy density of 20 vol.% nanocomposite is 4.4 J/cm3 with charge‐discharge efficiency of 78% at 120 MV/m due to the large interfacial polarisation. The functionalisation strategy of high‐k nanofillers enhances the compatibility in polymer nanocomposite, which contributes to the flexible polymer capacitor with large energy density and high charge‐discharge efficiency.
Enhancement of microcantilever beams fabrication and determination of their mechanical properties using nanoindentation
Authors: Chung Yung‐Chiang , Lin Cheng‐Feng 
Published: March 2019

Microcantilever beams were fabricated through a microelectromechanical system fabrication process; this process was improved by using etched slots. The actual mechanical properties of the cantilever beams can be estimated using a nanoindenter. Various cantilever beam widths and length‐to‐width ratios were used for evaluation. Five structures of cantilever beams were fabricated and compared. ANSYS software was used to simulate cantilever beam deflections. The etched slots increased the cantilever beam deflections, and the increase in deflection was apparent when the etched slot was located near the base of the beams. Type 4 was a cantilever beam with an etched slot of length L /2 near the base of the beam. The area of the etched slots of type 4 was larger, and the etched slot of type 4 was near the base of the cantilever beam. Type 4 had the shortest etching time, highest fabrication success rate, and greatest deflection. The difference between the measured and simulated (without parameter modification) deflections could exceed 10%. Modifying the force acting point and Young's modulus in the simulations reduced the difference between the measured and simulated deflections to 0.5%. This demonstrates that actual experimental conditions considerably influence simulation results, and this can be beneficial to subsequent studies.
Environmental Parasitology: intestinal helminth parasites of the siganid fishSiganus rivulatusas bioindicators for trace metal pollution in the Red Sea
Authors: Al-Hasawi Zaki M. 
Published: March 2019

Studies on host-parasite systems as bioindicators for monitoring trace metal pollution in marine environments are still scarce. Here, 11, 14 and 17 infrapopulations ofGyliauchen volubilis(Trematoda: Digenea),Procamallanus elatensis(Nematoda) andSclerocollum rubrimaris(Acanthocephala), respectively, were collected from the fishSiganus rivulatus(Siganidae) in the Red Sea, from a chronically polluted small bay at Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt. Water and sediment samples from the bay, tissue samples (intestines, liver, and muscle) from each fish, and samples from each parasite were taken for heavy metal analyses of cadmium and lead. Cadmium concentrations in intestines, liver and muscle of non-infected and infected fishes were much lower than those of lead, and both metal concentrations decreased in the order: liver > intestines > muscle. Cadmium and lead concentrations in the tissues of fishes infected withG. volubilisorP. elatensiswere slightly lower than those in non-infected ones, while in the tissues of fishes infected withSc. rubrimaris, they were much lower. Low concentrations of cadmium and lead inG. volubilisandP. elatensisare associated with their limited ability or capacity to accumulate trace metals. Therefore, bioconcentration factors corresponding to these species were relatively low, and both are herein considered as weak bioindicators. By contrast, high concentrations of cadmium and lead inS. rubrimarisare associated with its high ability to accumulate trace metals. Of the present three host–parasite systems, only theSiganus rivulatus–Sclerocollum rubrimarissystem seems to be promising for biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Red Sea.
Interkulturelle Adaptation des Lymph-ICF-Fragebogens für Patienten mit Lymphödemen der unteren Gliedmaßen in Deutschland
Authors: Allofs Jana , Johnsen Lutz , Devoogdt Nele , Stutterheim Eric , Hoppstädter Wiebke , Grüneberg Christian 
Published: March 2019

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Patienten mit Lymphödemen der unteren Gliedmaßen leiden unter körperlichen und psychosozialen Beeinträchtigungen. Das Erfassen von Einschränkungen bei Aktivitäten, Partizipation und Lebensqualität erfordert krankheitsspezifische und ICF-basierte Messinstrumente. In deutscher Sprache liegt ein solches Messinstrument bislang nicht vor.
Ziel Das Ziel der Studie war es, eine interkulturelle Adaptation und psychometrische Prüfung des Lymph-ICF-Fragebogens für Patienten mit Lymphödemen der unteren Gliedmaßen durchzuführen.
Methode In Phase 1 der Studie (n = 24) wurde der Fragebogen übersetzt und anschließend an Patienten mit Lymphödemen der unteren Gliedmaßen evaluiert. Dabei wurden die Augenschein- und Inhaltsvalidität sowie Praktikabilität untersucht. In Phase 2 (n = 11) wurden die Test-Retest-Reliabilität (ICC) und interne Konsistenz (Cronbach Alpha) getestet. Zur Überprüfung der Konstruktvalidität wurden Hypothesen über erwartete hohe Korrelationen zwischen Domänen des Lymph-ICF-UG (Störung, Einschränkung und Teilhabeproblem Fragebogen für Lymphödeme der unteren Gliedmaßen) und des SF-36 überprüft.
Ergebnisse Augenschein- und Inhaltsvalidität sowie Praktikabilität erzielten gute Ergebnisse. Die interne Konsistenz war moderat bis stark (Cronbach Alpha: 0,69 – 0,88), die Test-Retest-Reliabilität moderat bis sehr stark (ICC: 0,36 – 0,95). Mit 5 % angenommener Hypothesen war die Konstruktvalidität schwach.
Schlussfolgerung Der Lymph-ICF-UG ist der erste reliable und valide ICF-basierte Fragebogen für Patienten mit Lymphödemen der unteren Gliedmaßen in Deutschland.
An In-Vitro Assay Estimating Changes in Melanin Content of Melanoma Cells due to Ultra-Dilute, Potentized Preparations
Authors: Munshi Renuka , Joshi Samidha , Talele Gitanjali , Shah Rajesh 
Published: March 2019

Introduction The authors had previously conducted an in-vitro study to observe the effect of homeopathic medicines on melanogenesis, demonstrating anti-vitiligo potential by increasing the melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. A similar experiment was performed using further homeopathic preparations sourced from kojic acid (KA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; HP), 6-biopterin (BP), and [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (NLE), some of which are known to induce vitiligo or melano-destruction at physiological dose.
Materials and Methods The homeopathic preparations of BP, KA, NLE, and HP were used in 30c potency. Alcohol and potentized alcohol were used as vehicle controls. Prior to starting the main experiment, the viability of B16F10 melanoma cells after treatment with study preparations was assayed. Melanin content (at 48 h and 96 h) and tyrosinase activity in melanocytes were determined.
Results At the end of 48 hours, NLE and HP in 30c potency had a significantly greater melanin content (p = 0.015 and p = 0.039, respectively) compared with controls; BP and KA in 30c potency had no significant effects. No significant changes were seen at the end of 96 hours. KA, NLE, HP, and vehicle controls showed an inhibition of tyrosinase activity.
Conclusion The study demonstrated melanogenic effects of two homeopathic preparations. Further research to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of these medicines is warranted.
Progress in the genomics and genome-wide study of sake yeast
Authors: Akao Takeshi 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTCompletion of the whole genome sequence of a laboratory yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae in 1996 ushered in the development of genome-wide experimental tools and accelerated subsequent genetic study of S. cerevisiae. The study of sake yeast also shared the benefit of such tools as DNA microarrays, gene disruption-mutant collections, and others. Moreover, whole genome analysis of representative sake yeast strain Kyokai no. 7 was performed in the late 2000s, and enabled comparative genomics between sake yeast and laboratory yeast, resulting in some notable finding for of sake yeast genetics. Development of next-generation DNA sequencing and bioinformatics also drastically changed the field of the genetics, including for sake yeast. Genomics and the genome-wide study of sake yeast have progressed under these circumstances during the last two decades, and are summarized in this article.Abbreviations: AFLP: amplified fragment length polymorphism; CGH: comparative genomic hybridization; CNV: copy number variation; DMS: dimethyl succinate; DSW: deep sea water; LOH: loss of heterozygosity; NGS: next generation sequencer; QTL: quantitative trait loci; QTN: quantitative trait nucleotide; SAM: S-adenosyl methionine; SNV: single nucleotide variation