bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activities of the immune‐challenged silkworm (Bombyx mori) hemolymph with Lactobacillus cell wall extracts
Authors: Kim Seong Ryul , Hong Seung‐Jin , Choi Kwangho , Kim Seong Wan , Jeong Seong Tae , Park Seung‐Won 
Published: June 2019

AbstractInsects have been used by humans as food and traditional medicines for many years. Their antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory activities are a main focus of medicinal insect research. In a previous study, hemocyte extracts prepared from Bombyx mori larvae were found to have anti‐inflammatory effects. Therefore, we injected Lactobacillus cell wall extracts dorsolaterally into the hemocoel to increase antimicrobial peptides produced by silkworm larva. The best overall antimicrobial activities were observed against E. coli after injection of 10 μL hemolymph from immune‐challenged larvae, although the tested extract did not affect the cell proliferation rate. The effects of the immune‐challenged B. mori hemolymph on anti‐inflammatory pathways were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting to assess the expression of pro‐inflammatory molecules in macrophage‐like human monocytic leukemia THP‐1 cells following treatment with phorbol myristate acetate. The results demonstrated that the hemolymph of immune‐challenged silkworms had antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory effects. The effects of silkworms with immune‐challenged hemolymph could facilitate the development of new types of functional foods, feed additives, and biomaterials with antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Acid Inhibition on Polyphenol Oxidase and Peroxidase in Processing of Anthocyanin‐Rich Juice and Co‐product Recovery from Purple‐Fleshed Sweetpotatoes
Authors: Truong An N. , Thor Yiwen , Harris G. Keith , Simunovic Josip , Truong Van‐Den 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWith high phytochemical and starch contents, purple‐fleshed sweetpotatoes (PFSP) have been processed into various functional ingredients and food products including juices and natural colorants. For juice processing, PFSP are usually subjected to heat treatment for inactivation of pigment‐degrading enzymes. However, heating of sweetpotatoes gelatinizes starch and produces thick slurry with cooked flavor, which are the drawbacks. Development of alternative processes to overcome the stated problems will be beneficial to sweetpotato processors. This study demonstrated that acidified water (≥3% w/v citric acid) was effective in inhibiting polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in raw PFSP resulting in an attractive reddish juice. About 93% total phenolics (TP) and 83% total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) in PFSP were extracted by two repeated extractions. The combined PFSP juice (3.2 L/kg PFSP) had high levels of TP (1,850 mg/L) and TMA (475 mg/L). With the developed process, 167 g dried starch, and 140 g dried high‐fiber pomace were obtained for each kg raw PFSP, besides the highly pigmented juice. Pasteurization of the PFSP juice samples (pH 3.2) at 80 °C for 12 s resulted in 15% loss in TMA and had no effect on TP. The results indicated an efficient process to produce sweetpotato juice with high bioactive compounds and recovery of starch and high dietary fiber pomace as co‐products.Practical ApplicationPurple‐fleshed sweetpotatoes (PFSP) are rich in polyphenolics and antioxidant activities. In PFSP juice extraction, heat treatment to inactivate the pigment‐degrading enzymes results in starch gelatinization and cooked flavor. A nonthermal process using acidified water was developed for producing anthocyanin‐rich juice from PFSP and concurrently recovering native starch and dried pomace, which would increase the economic feasibility of the developed process. The results demonstrate an efficient process for the sweetpotato industry in producing PFSP pigmented juice and co‐products for various food applications.
Studies on the Anti‐Angiogenic Activities of Wild and Cultivated Orostachys japonicus Extracts in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Cho Hyun‐Dong , Lee Kwan‐Woo , Won Yeong‐Seon , Shin Dong‐Young , Seo Kwon‐Il 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOrostachys japonicus has traditionally been used as a food product and a fork medicine in Asia to treat various diseases. Angiogenesis is a critical process that contributes to various chronic diseases via excessive delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Common anti‐angiogenic drugs have serious problems related to high costs and side effects; thus, natural products with low costs and no cytotoxicity have garnered increasing interest. In this study, we evaluated and compared the anti‐angiogenic effects and phenolic compound contents between wild (WOEs) and cultivated O. japonicus extracts (COEs) prepared under various extract conditions. WOEs and COEs suppressed cell proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor‐induced chemotactic migration, invasion, and capillary‐like tube formation in HUVECs. Among COEs, that prepared by 70% EtOH (70% CE) showed the most effective anti‐angiogenic activity in HUVECs. When compared to WOEs, total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were 1.28 to 4.38 times higher in COEs, and 70% CE contained the greatest flavonoid contents (28.28 ± 0.93 mg%), as well as the highest levels of major phenolic compounds including gallic acid (21.84 µg/mL), epicatechin‐gallate (6.58 µg/mL), kaempferol (6.32 µg/mL), and quercetin (8.55 µg/mL). Although further studies are required to identify the molecular mechanisms behind these anti‐angiogenic effects, 70% CE could be used as an herbal medicine, functional food ingredient, and potent angiogenesis inhibitor.Practical ApplicationEnvironmental factors such as altitude, nutrients, exposure to sunlight, and temperature can influence the type and quantity of bioactive components in plants. The advantage of cultivated plants is that the above‐mentioned factors can be artificially adjusted compared to wild plants. Based on economic efficiency, productivity, and consistent quality, anti‐angiogenesis activity of cultivated O. japonicus is of greater commercial value as a functional food than wild O. japonicus.
Norm‐making and the Global South: Attempts to Regulate Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Authors: Bode Ingvild 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe international community has been debating lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) under the auspices of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (UN‐CCW) since 2014. Here, a growing number of states from the Global South have been active participants and expressly support a preventive legal ban of fully autonomous systems. This is an interesting observation for two reasons: first, their vocal activism within a UN disarmament forum is noteworthy as these sites have often not been associated with significant representation from the Global South, not least due to financial pressures. Second, their engagement speaks to an evolving critical agenda in norm research, recognising developing states as norm‐makers rather than norm‐takers and thereby counteracting a long‐standing hierarchical depiction of norm promotion, development, and diffusion. The article therefore studies ongoing international deliberations on LAWS from the perspective of the Global South as potential norm‐makers.
Risk factors associated with subgaleal hemorrhage in neonates exposed to vacuum extraction
Authors: Levin Gabriel , Elchalal Uriel , Yagel Simcha , Eventov‐Friedman Smadar , Ezra Yossef , Sompolinsky Yishay , Mankuta David , Rottenstreich Amihai 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionSubgaleal hemorrhage (SGH) is a life‐threatening neonatal condition that is strongly associated with vacuum assisted delivery (VAD). The factors associated with the development of SGH following VAD are not well‐established. We aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the development of SGH following attempted VAD.Material and methodsA retrospective case‐control study of women who delivered at a tertiary university‐affiliated medical center in Jerusalem, Israel, during 2009‐2018. Cases comprised all parturients with singleton pregnancies for whom attempted VAD resulted in neonatal SGH. A control group of VAD attempts was established by matching one‐to‐one according to gestational age at delivery, parity and year of delivery. Fetal, intrapartum and vacuum procedure characteristics were compared between the groups.ResultsIn all, 313 (89.5%) of the 350 attempted VAD were nulliparous. Baseline maternal and fetal characteristics were similar between the groups except for higher neonatal birthweight in the SGH group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only six independent risk factors were significantly associated with the development of SGH: second‐stage duration (for each 30‐minute increase, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.13; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.04‐1.25; P = .006), presence of meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (adjusted OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.52‐4.48; P = .001), presence of caput succedaneum (adjusted OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.11‐2.88; P = .01), duration of VAD (for each 3‐minute increase, adjusted OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.72, 2.38; P < .001), number of dislodgments (adjusted OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.66‐3.44; P < .001), and fetal head station (adjusted OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.42‐8.33; P = .006). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that VAD duration of ≥15 minutes had a 96.7% sensitivity and 75.0% specificity in predicting SGH formation, with an area under the curve equal to .849.ConclusionsVacuum duration, the number of dislodgments, the duration of second stage of delivery, fetal head station, the presence of caput succedaneum and the presence of meconium were found to be independently associated with SGH formation.
Long‐term functional and oncological outcomes of nerve‐sparing and prostate capsule‐sparing cystectomy: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Saad Mohamed , Moschini Marco , Stabile Armando , Macek Petr , Lanz Camille , Prapotnich Dominique , Rozet Francois , Cathala Nathalie , Mombet Annick , Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Cathelineau Xavier 
Published: June 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate the technical feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes of nerve sparing cystoprostatectomy (NSCP) and prostate capsule‐sparing cystectomy (PCSC) for the treatment of organ‐confined bladder cancer at a single referral centre.Patients and MethodsFrom April 2001 to June 2012, 60 patients underwent PCSC and 47 were treated with NSCP. Inclusion criteria for PCSC were: fully informed consent for the well‐motivated patient; negative transurethral resection of the bladder neck; normal prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level (defined as <4 ng/dL during the first year of the study, which was later lowered to 2.5 ng/dL); and normal transrectal ultrasonography, with biopsy for any suspicious nodule. Patients received a complete oncological and functional follow‐up. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to depict survival outcomes after surgery.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 73 and 62 months for PCSC and NSCP, respectively, the 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was 90% for the PCSC group and 78% for the NSCP group (P = 0.055). Considering complications within 30 days after surgery, 13% and 21% patients had Clavien ≥III complications in the PCSC and NSCP groups, respectively (P = 0.2). For functional outcomes, at 3 months after surgery, 54 (90%) and 24 (51%) patients reported full recovery of daytime urinary continence in the PCSC and NSCP groups, respectively (P < 0.001); and for erectile function recovery, 32 (53%) and four (9%) patients in the PCSC group and in the NSCP group were respectively potent without any treatment (P < 0.001).ConclusionsNSCP and PCSC are appropriate for a subset of patients with bladder cancer, with excellent oncological and functional results. These surgical procedures should be proposed to well‐motivated patients.
Towards more effective integration of tropical forest restoration and conservation
Authors: Chazdon Robin L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractConservation and restoration interventions can be mutually reinforcing and are converging through an increased focus on social dimensions. This paper examines how to more effectively integrate the complementary goals of conservation and restoration of tropical forests. Forest conservation and restoration interventions are integral components of a broad approach to forest ecosystem and landscape management that aims to maintain and restore key ecological processes and enhance human well‐being, while minimizing biodiversity loss. The forest transition model provides a useful framework for understanding the relative importance of forest conservation and restoration interventions in different regions. Harmonizing conservation and restoration presents serious challenges for forest policy in tropical countries, particularly regarding the use and management of secondary forests, fallow vegetation, and forests degraded by logging and fire. Research to implement restoration more effectively in tropical regions can be stimulated by transforming questions that initially focused on conservation issues. Examination of papers published in Biotropica from 2000–2018 shows that most studies relevant to tropical forest conservation do not address forest restoration issues. Forest restoration studies, on the other hand, show a consistent association with conservation issues. There is much scope for further integration of conservation and restoration in research, practice, and policy. Securing a sustainable future for tropical forests requires developing and applying integrated approaches to landscape management that effectively combine knowledge and tools from multiple disciplines with practical experience and engagement of local stakeholders.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Randomized phase II trial of survivin 2B peptide vaccination for patients with HLA‐A24‐positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shima Hiroaki , Tsurita Giichiro , Wada Satoshi , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Yasui Hiroshi , Hayashi Hiroshi , Miyakoshi Takashi , Watanabe Kazue , Murai Aiko , Asanuma Hiroko , Tokita Serina , Kubo Terufumi , Nakatsugawa Munehide , Kanaseki Takayuki , Tsukahara Tomohide , Nakae Yutaka , Sugita Osamu , Ito Yoichi M. , Ota Yasunori , Kimura Yasutoshi , Kutomi Goro , Hirata Koichi , Mizuguchi Toru , Imai Kohzoh , Takemasa Ichiro , Sato Noriyuki , Torigoe Toshihiko 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe prognosis of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is still extremely poor. This study sought to determine the efficacy of, and immunological response to, peptide vaccination therapy in patients with this disease. In this multicenter randomized phase II study, patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma after gemcitabine and/or tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil were randomly assigned to 3 groups that each received a 2‐step treatment course. In Step 1, the groups received treatments of: (i) survivin 2B peptide (SVN‐2B) plus interferon‐β (IFNβ); (ii) SVN‐2B only; or (iii) placebo until the patients show progression. In Step 2, all patients who consented to participate received 4 treatments with SVN‐2B plus IFNβ. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS) after initiation of Step 1 treatment. Secondary endpoints included immunological effects assessed by analysis of PBMCs after Step 1. Eighty‐three patients were randomly assigned to receive SVN‐2B plus IFNβ (n = 30), SVN‐2B (n = 34), or placebo (n = 19). No significant improvement in PFS was observed. Survivin 2B‐specific CTLs were found to be increased in the SVN‐2B plus IFNβ group by tetramer assay. Among patients who participated in Step 2, those who had received SVN‐2B plus IFNβ in Step 1 showed better overall survival compared with those who had received placebo in Step 1. Patients vaccinated with SVN‐2B plus IFNβ did not have improved PFS, but showed significant immunological reaction after vaccination. Subgroup analysis suggested that a longer SVN‐2B plus IFNβ vaccination protocol might confer survival benefit. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000012146).
L‐glutamine protects mouse brain from ischemic injury via up‐regulating heat shock protein 70
Authors: Luo Long‐Long , Li Yong‐Fang , Shan Hui‐Min , Wang Li‐Ping , Yuan Fang , Ma Yuan‐Yuan , Li Wan‐Lu , He Ting‐Ting , Wang Yu‐Yang , Qu Mei‐Jie , Liang Huai‐Bin , Zhang Zhi‐Jun , Yang Guo‐Yuan , Tang Yao‐Hui , Wang Yong‐Ting 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionL‐glutamine is an antioxidant that plays a role in a variety of biochemical processes. Given that oxidative stress is a key component of stroke pathology, the potential of L‐glutamine in the treatment of ischemic stroke is worth exploring.AimsIn this study, we investigated the effect and mechanisms of action of L‐glutamine after cerebral ischemic injury.ResultsL‐glutamine reduced brain infarct volume and promoted neurobehavioral recovery in mice. L‐glutamine administration increased the expression of heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP70) in astrocytes and endothelial cells. Such effects were abolished by the coadministration of Apoptozole, an inhibitor of the ATPase activity of HSP70. L‐glutamine also reduced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis, and increased the level of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. Cotreatment with Apoptozole abolished these effects. Cell culture study further revealed that the conditioned medium from astrocytes cultured with L‐glutamine reduced the apoptosis of neurons after oxygen‐glucose deprivation.ConclusionL‐glutamine attenuated ischemic brain injury and promoted functional recovery via HSP70, suggesting its potential in ischemic stroke therapy.
Rainfall and host reproduction regulate population dynamics of a specialist seed predator
Authors: Bogdziewicz Michał , Canelo Tara , Bonal Raul 
Published: June 2019

1. Mast seeding is a widespread resource pulse caused by synchronized and intermittent production of a large seed crop by plant populations. The effects of masting on wildlife have been well documented in granivorous vertebrates, but less is known about its impact on population dynamics of insects.2. This study investigated, over 6 years, variation in abundance of a specialist weevil (Curculio elephas) preying on holm oak (Quercus ilex) acorns.3. An immediate bottom‐up effect of seed production on weevil larval abundance was detected, which was driven by an increase in realised fecundity and aggregation at seed‐rich trees. Moreover, trees producing on average more and larger acorns sustained larger weevil populations. However, no correlation was found between current and previous year adult abundance, suggesting that C. elephas did not capitalise on the reproductive bottom‐up effect.4. It was rainfall, not masting, that most strongly shaped the temporal variation in insect abundance. Rainfall facilitates emergence after diapause at underground earth cells and was also responsible for among‐tree synchronisation in adult weevil population dynamics.5. In spite of their trophic specialisation, not only food availability, but also weather affects weevil numbers. The present results indicate that moving beyond bottom‐up effects is required to better understand complex systems that involve masting plants and insects that consume their seeds.
The Evolving Judicial Politics of European Integration: The European Court of Justice and national courts revisited
Authors: Pavone Tommaso , Kelemen R. Daniel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis article analyzes how the judicial politics sparked by the European Union's (EU) legal development have evolved over time. Existing studies have traced how lower national courts began cooperating with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to apply EU law because this empowered them to challenge government policies and the decisions of their domestic judicial superiors. We argue that the institutional dynamics identified by this ‘judicial empowerment thesis’ proved self‐eroding over time, incentivizing domestic high courts to reassert control over national judicial hierarchies and to influence the development EU law in ways that were also encouraged by the ECJ. We support our argument by combining an analysis of a dataset of cases referred to the ECJ with comparative case study and interview evidence. We conclude that while these evolving judicial politics signal the institutional maturation of the EU legal order, they also risk weakening the decentralized enforcement of European law.
Effect of fatigue loading on stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and matrix cracking damage of CFRP [±45]3Scomposite laminate
Authors: Behera Alok , Dupare Prasanna , Thawre Manjusha M. , Ballal Atul R. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this study, a concept of using experimental matrix crack density, residual stiffness, and energy dissipation as a comparative life monitoring tool for any arbitrary stacking sequence is proposed. First, IMA/M21 [±45]3Scarbon fibre‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) multidirectional (MD) laminates were fabricated by autoclaving technique. The static tension and compression tests were conducted to determine the fatigue stress levels. Then, constant amplitude tension–tension fatigue tests were carried out at two stress ratios (R = σmin/σmax) of 0.1 and 0.5. Three stress levels on the basis of cycles to failure (Nf) were chosen, ie, lower stress run‐out (LSR), lower stress fractured (LSF), and higher stress fractured (HSF). The LSF and LSR specimens primarily degraded due to matrix cracking that caused higher stiffness degradation and lower energy parameter, whereas HSF specimens having the least possibility of matrix crack growth showed lower stiffness degradation and higher energy parameter in a fibre‐dominated failure.
Advocacy channels and political resource dependence in authoritarianism: Nongovernmental organizations and environmental policies in China
Authors: Liu Dongshu 
Published: June 2019

AbstractNongovernmental organizations are important in policy processes, but most studies supporting this argument are conducted in democracies. This article, therefore, focuses on China's environmental policy to discuss how environmental NGOs (eNGOs) conduct policy advocacy in authoritarian contexts. Based on interviews with eNGOs and scholars in China, I provide a typology to describe policy advocacy channels based on their formality and consistency and explain how channels are selected based on the political resources of eNGOs. This article reveals how policy advocacy is affected by one of the prominent features of authoritarian states—a monopoly of political power—and indicates that many tactics identified in current literature can be explained by the political resource endowments of NGOs. Additionally, this article also provides insights on the potential changes of the advocacy channels when the political control is tightened in the Xi era and how eNGOs cope with the new political situation.