bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of different SSF conditions on ethanol production from corn stover at high solids loadings
Authors: Gladis Arne , Bondesson Pia‐Maria , Galbe Mats , Zacchi Guido
Published: August 2015

In this study, three different kinds of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of washed pretreated corn stover with water‐insoluble solids (WIS) content of 20% were investigated to find which one resulted in highest ethanol yield at high‐solids loadings. The different methods were batch SSF, prehydrolysis followed by batch SSF and fed‐batch SSF. Batch‐SSF resulted in an ethanol yield of 75–76% and an ethanol concentration of 53 g/L. Prehydrolysis prior to batch SSF did not improve the ethanol yield compared with batch SSF. Fed‐batch SSF, on the other hand, increased the yield, independent of the feeding conditions used (79–81%, 57–60 g/L). If the initial amount of solids during fed‐batch SSF was lowered, the yield could be improved to some extent. When decreasing the enzyme dosage, the greatest decrease in yield was seen in the fed‐batch mode (75%), while lower or the same yield was seen in batch mode with and without prehydrolysis (73%). This resulted in similar ethanol yields in all methods. However, the residence time to achieve the final ethanol yield was shorter using fed‐batch. This shows that fed‐batch can be a better alternative also at a lower enzyme loading.
Compositional changes of selected amino acids, organic acids, and soluble sugars in the xylem sap of N, P, or K‐deficient tomato plants
Authors: Sung Jwakyung , Sonn Yeonkyu , Lee Yejin , Kang Seongsoo , Ha Sangkeun , Krishnan Hari B. , Oh Taek‐Keun
Published: August 2015

Xylem sap plays a major role in long‐distance transport of water, nutrients, and metabolites. However, there is little information on the behavior of metabolites in mineral‐deficient xylem sap. For this reason, the time‐dependent changes in selected metabolites (amino acids, organic acids, and soluble sugars) from tomato xylem sap in response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K)‐deficient condition were investigated. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were grown hydroponically in liquid culture under three different mineral regimes: N‐deficient [0.5 mM Ca(NO3)2 and 0.5 mM KNO3], P‐deficient (0.05 mM KH2PO4), and K‐deficient (0.5 mM KNO3), respectively. Xylem sap was collected at 10:00 am after 1, 5, 15, and 30 d, and the selected metabolites were analyzed with liquid chromatography. All N, P, or K deficiencies led to a substantial increase in metabolites in the xylem sap. The predominant amino acid in the xylem sap was glutamine and, interestingly, all mineral deficiencies resulted in a substantial amount of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Additionally, organic acids (citrate and malate) and soluble sugars were strongly increased in all mineral deficiencies, and, in particular, the level of shikimate was greatly affected by N deficiency. Based on these data, it is necessary to clearly elucidate an unknown event taking place in xylem loading in a variety of environmental impacts, and we are now studying to expand our knowledge on metabolic and proteomic responses using GC‐MS and LC‐MS.
Si‐nanoparticle synthesis using ion implantation and MeV ion irradiation
Authors: Chulapakorn T. , Sychugov I. , Suvanam S. S. , Linnros J. , Wolff M. , Primetzhofer D. , Possnert G. , Hallén A.
Published: August 2015

A dielectric matrix with embedded Si‐nanoparticles may show strong luminescence depending on nanoparticles size, surface properties, Si‐excess concentration and matrix type. Ion implantation of Si ions with energies of a few tens to hundreds of keV in a SiO2 matrix followed by thermal annealing was identified as a powerful method to form such nanoparticles. The aim of the present work is to optimize the synthesis of Si‐nanoparticles produced by ion implantation in SiO2 by employing MeV ion irradiation as an additional annealing process. The luminescence properties are measured by spectrally resolved photoluminescence including PL lifetime measurement, while X‐ray reflectometry, atomic force microscopy and ion beam analysis are used to characterize the nanoparticle formation process. The results show that the samples implanted at 20%‐Si excess atomic concentration display the highest luminescence and that irradiation of 36 MeV 127I ions affects the luminosity in terms of wavelength and intensity. It is also demonstrated that the nanoparticle luminescence lifetime decreases as a function of irradiation fluence. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Addition of growth hormone to the microflare stimulation protocol among women with poor ovarian response
Authors: Bayoumi Yomna A. , Dakhly Dina M.R. , Bassiouny Yasmin A. , Hashish Nawara M.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To assess the efficacy of adding growth hormone (GH) to the microflare stimulation protocol among women with poor ovarian response.

Methods

A parallel, open‐label, randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with poor ovarian response who attended a center in Cairo, Egypt, between July 10 and December 31, 2014. Participants were randomly assigned using a computer program (random block size of 4–8) to undergo the microflare protocol with or without GH. Primary outcomes were the mean numbers of mature oocytes retrieved and fertilized. Analyses were done per protocol: women with cycle cancellations were excluded.

Results

The analysis included 72 women in the GH group and 73 in the microflare only group. The mean number of oocytes collected was 7.2 ± 1.5 in the GH group versus 4.7 ± 1.2 in the microflare only group (P < 0.001). The mean number of metaphase II oocytes was 5.2 ± 1.2 in the GH group and 2.8 ± 1.0 in the microflare only group (P < 0.001). The mean number of fertilized oocytes was higher in the GH group (4.2 ± 1.1) than in the microflare only group (2.5 ± 0.7; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Addition of GH to the microflare stimulation protocol provided some potential benefits to women with poor ovarian response. However, further studies are required before it could be recommended for routine clinical use.

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02185326.
The Evolution of Bank Supervisory Institutions: Evidence from American States
Authors: Mitchener Kris James , Jaremski Matthew
Published: August 2015

We use a novel data set spanning 1820–1910 to assess the factors leading to the creation of formal bank supervisory institutions across American states. We show that it took more than a century for all states to create separate agencies tasked with monitoring the safety and soundness of banks. State legislatures initially pursued cheaper regulatory alternatives, such as double liability laws; however, banking distress at the state level as well as the structural shift from note-issuing to deposit-taking commercial banks and competition with national banks propelled policymakers to adopt costly and permanent supervisory institutions.
Mutual Assistance between Federal Reserve Banks: 1913–1960 as Prolegomena to the TARGET2 Debate
Authors: Eichengreen Barry , Mehl Arnaud , Chitu Livia , Richardson Gary
Published: August 2015

This article reconstructs the history of mutual assistance among Federal Reserve Banks. We present data on accommodation operations through which Reserve Banks mutualized gold reserves in emergency situations between 1913 and 1960. Reserve sharing was important in response to liquidity crises and bank runs. Such cooperation was essential for the cohesion of the U.S. monetary union. But fortunes could change, with emergency recipients of gold becoming providers. Because imbalances did not endlessly grow, instead narrowing when region-specific shocks subsided, mutual assistance created only limited tensions. These findings speak to the current debate over TARGET2 balances in Europe.
Assessing foods offered in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) using the Healthy Eating Index 2010
Authors: Byker Shanks Carmen , Smith Teresa , Ahmed Selena , Hunts Holly
Published: August 2015

Objective

To assess the nutritional quality of food packages offered in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010).

Design

Data were collected from the list of the food products provided by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Handbook 501 for FDPIR. Nutritional quality was measured through a cross-sectional analysis of five randomly selected food packages offered through FDPIR. HEI-2010 component and total scores were calculated for each food package. ANOVA and t tests assessed significant differences between food packages and HEI-2010 maximum scores, respectively.

Setting

This study took place in the USA.

Subjects

Study units included food products offered through FDPIR.

Results

The mean total HEI-2010 score for the combined FDPIR food packages was significantly lower than the total HEI-2010 maximum score of 100 (66·38 (sd 11·60); P<0·01). Mean scores for total fruit (3·52 (sd 0·73); P<0·05), total vegetables (2·58 (sd 0·15); P<0·001), greens and beans (0·92 (sd 1·00); P<0·001), dairy (5·12 (sd 0·63); P<0·001), total protein foods (4·14 (sd 0·56); P<0·05) and refined grains (3·04 (sd 2·90); P<0·001) were all significantly lower than the maximum values.

Conclusions

The FDPIR food package HEI-2010 score was notably higher than other federal food assistance and nutrition programmes. Study findings highlight opportunities for the FDPIR to modify its offerings to best support lifestyles towards prevention of diet-related chronic disease.
Shared mental healthcare and somatization: changes in patient symptoms and disability
Authors: Haggarty John M. , O’Connor Brian P. , Mozzon Jeremy B. , Bailey S. Kathleen
Published: August 2015

Aim

To describe the symptoms and functional changes in patients with high levels of somatization who were referred to an outpatient, multidisciplinary, shared mental healthcare (SMHC) service that primarily offered cognitive behavioural therapy. Second, we wished to compare the levels of somatization in this outpatient clinical sample with previously published community norms.

Background

Somatization is common in primary care, and it can lead to significant impairment, disproportionate resource use, and poses a challenge for management.

Methods

All the patients (18+ years,n=508) who attended three or more treatment sessions in SMHC primary care over a seven-year period were eligible for inclusion to this pre–post study. Self-report measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire’s somatic symptom severity scale (PHQ-15) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS II). Normative comparisons were used to assess the degree of symptoms and functional changes.

Findings

Clinically significant levels of somatization before treatment were common (n=138, 27.2%) and were associated with a significant reduction in somatic symptom severity (41.3% reduction;P<0.001) and disability (44% reduction;P<0.001) after treatment. Patients’ levels of somatic symptom severity and disability approached but did not quite reach the community sample norms following treatment. Multidisciplinary short-term SMHC was associated with significant improvement in patient symptoms and disability, and shows promise as an effective treatment for patients with high levels of somatization. Including a control group would allow more confidence regarding the conclusions about the effectiveness of SMHC for patients impaired by somatization.
Why is there motor deterioration in Parkinson’s disease during systemic infections-a hypothetical view
Authors: Brugger Florian , Erro Roberto , Balint Bettina , Kägi Georg , Barone Paolo , Bhatia Kailash P
Published: August 2015

Clinicians are well aware of the fact that patients with Parkinson’s disease may significantly deteriorate following a systemic infection or, in its most severe case, may even develop an akinetic crisis. Although this phenomenon is widely observed and has a major impact on the patients’ condition, the knowledge about the underlying mechanisms behind is still sparse. Possible explanations encompass changes in the pharmacodynamics of the dopaminergic drugs, altered dopamine metabolism in the brain, alterations in the dopaminergic transmission in the striatum or an enhancement of neurodegeneration due to remote effects of peripheral inflammatory processes or circulating bacterial toxins. This article provides possible explanatory concepts and may hence support formulating hypothesis for future studies in this field.
Bis(paracetamol) pyridine – a new elusive paracetamol solvate: from modeling the phase diagram to successful single-crystal growth and structure–property relations
Authors: Zakharov Boris A. , Ogienko Andrey G. , Yunoshev Alexander S. , Ancharov Alexey I. , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: August 2015

In addition to the synthon approach, it is equally important to consider phase diagrams when searching for practical methods of crystallising multi-component crystals, either as single crystals or as powders.
Mechanistic insights into perovskite photoluminescence enhancement: light curing with oxygen can boost yield thousandfold
Authors: Tian Yuxi , Peter Maximilian , Unger Eva , Abdellah Mohamed , Zheng Kaibo , Pullerits Tõnu , Yartsev Arkady , Sundström Villy , Scheblykin Ivan G.
Published: August 2015

Propagation of the light-induced trap passivation reaction through a thick perovskite crystal.
Fluid displacement during droplet formation at microfluidic flow-focusing junctions
Authors: Huang Haishui , He Xiaoming
Published: August 2015

Fluid displacement during droplet formation at microfluidic flow-focusing junctions was revealed and controlled to generate hydrogel microparticles of various morphologies.
Mechanosynthesis of the hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbI3: characterization and the corresponding solar cell efficiency
Authors: Prochowicz D. , Franckevičius M. , Cieślak A. M. , Zakeeruddin S. M. , Grätzel M. , Lewiński J.
Published: August 2015

We present a facile mechanochemical route for the preparation of hybrid CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite particles with the size of several hundred nanometers for high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaic devices.
Designing one-dimensional supercapacitors in a strip shape for high performance energy storage fabrics
Authors: Cheng Xunliang , Fang Xin , Chen Peining , Doo Seok-Gwang , Son In Hyuk , Huang Xianliang , Zhang Ye , Weng Wei , Zhang Zhitao , Deng Jue , Sun Xuemei , Peng Huisheng
Published: August 2015

Strip-shaped supercapacitors are created and further woven into a novel energy storage fabric with remarkable electrochemical performances.
Use of Modified γ-Alumina Nanoparticles for the Extraction and Preconcentration of Trace Amounts of Cadmium Ions
Authors: Mirabi Ali , Rad Ali Shokuhi , Jamali Mohammad Reza , Danesh Nasim
Published: August 2015

We used γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate–4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (SDS–PAR) as an innovative sorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium cations. The properties of the prepared sorbent were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The effects of different parameters towards the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium ions, such as the quantity of sorbent, the pH value, and choice of solvent for recovery of the sorbent, were investigated. Under optimum operating conditions, a cadmium ion enrichment factor of 20 was obtained using 10.0 mL of sample. The detection limit of this method for CdII cations was 0.2 ng mL–1 (n = 7) within a linear range of 0.6–340 ng mL–1 and a relative standard deviation of 1.8 % (n = 10). The method was effectively applied to the analysis of cadmium ions in food and herbal and water samples.
Simultaneous recording of diurnal changes in leaf turgor pressure and stem water status of bread wheat reveal variation in hydraulic mechanisms in response to drought
Authors: Bramley Helen , Bitter Rebecca , Zimmermann Gertraud , Zimmermann Ulrich
Published: August 2015

Information about water relations within crop canopies is needed to improve our understanding of canopy resource distribution and crop productivity. In this study, we examined the dehydration/rehydration kinetics of different organs of wheat plants using ZIM-probes that continuously monitor water status non-destructively. ZIM-probes were clamped to the flag leaf and penultimate leaf of the same stem to monitor changes in turgor pressure, and a novel stem probe was clamped to the peduncle (just below the spike of the same stem) to monitor changes in stem water status. All organs behaved similarly under well-watered conditions, dehydrating and recovering at the same times of day. When water was withheld, the behaviour diverged, with the leaves showing gradual dehydration and incomplete recovery in leaf turgor pressure during the night, but the stem was affected to a lesser extent. Penultimate leaves were the most severely affected, reaching turgor loss point before the flag leaf. Upon rewatering, turgor pressure recovered but the output patch-pressure of the probes (Pp) oscillated at ~30 min periods in all organs of most plants (n = 4). Oscillations in Pp were attributed to oscillations in stomatal opening and appear to only occur above a threshold light intensity. The mechanisms identified in this study will be beneficial for crop productivity because the flag leaf is the source of most photoassimilates in developing grains, so the plant’s ability to maintain flag leaf hydration at the expense of older leaves should moderate the impact of drought on yield. Stomatal oscillations could increase water use efficiency as the plant attempts to rehydrate after drought.
Cellular pathways of source leaf phloem loading and phloem unloading in developing stems of Sorghum bicolor in relation to stem sucrose storage
Authors: Milne Ricky J. , Offler Christina E. , Patrick John W. , Grof Christopher P. L.
Published: August 2015

Cellular pathways of phloem loading in source leaves and phloem unloading in stems of sweet Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench were deduced from histochemical determinations of cell wall composition and from the relative radial mobilities of fluorescent tracer dyes exiting vascular pipelines. The cell walls of small vascular bundles in source leaves, the predicted site of phloem loading, contained minimal quantities of lignin and suberin. A phloem-loaded symplasmic tracer, carboxyfluorescein, was retained within the collection phloem, indicating symplasmic isolation. Together, these findings suggested that phloem loading in source leaves occurs apoplasmically. Lignin was restricted to the walls of protoxylem elements located in meristematic, elongating and recently elongated regions of the stem. The apoplasmic tracer, 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, moved radially from the transpiration stream, consistent with phloem and storage parenchyma cells being interconnected by an apoplasmic pathway. The major phase of sucrose accumulation in mature stems coincided with heavy lignification and suberisation of sclerenchyma sheath cell walls restricting apoplasmic tracer movement from the phloem to storage parenchyma apoplasms. Phloem unloading at this stage of stem development followed a symplasmic route linking sieve elements and storage parenchyma cells, as confirmed by the phloem-delivered symplasmic tracer, 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, moving radially from the stem phloem.
Swim-up of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) spermatozoa in Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham (BWW) medium: maximisation of sperm motility, minimisation of impairment of sperm metabolism and induction of sperm hyperactivation
Authors: Lin Minjie , Zhang Xiyi , Murdoch Ray N. , Aitken R. John
Published: August 2015

A variety of media were compared for their ability to sustain the motility of tammar wallaby spermatozoa over an 8-h period following swim–up from coagulated semen. The study demonstrated that a modified Tyrode’s solution, Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham medium (BWW) was significantly better than any of the other assessed media in supporting wallaby sperm motility. After 8 h of incubation in BWW, motility was maintained at 79.3 ± 9.3%, with 77.0 ± 10.4% rapid and 65.7 ± 8.7% progressively motile spermatozoa. By contrast, motility was <10% at the same 8-h time point in all of the other media assessed. After 2 h of incubation in BWW, tammar spermatozoa consumed more oxygen than their counterparts in PBS (52.0 ± 2.7 vs 75.0 ± 6.6 μL per 108 spermatozoa per 2 h; P < 0.001). Motility was not enhanced in any of these media by the addition of 5 mM N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, the major energy substrate in wallaby semen. However, addition of dibutyryl cAMP and pentoxifylline in BWW resulted in the extremely rapid induction of hyperactivated motility in the entire sperm population. This burst of hyperactivated motility was entirely dependent on calcium in BWW and significantly inhibited by calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor. A set of computer-assisted sperm analysis parameters were identified that permitted the accurate quantification of hyperactivation rates in this species. This is the first comparative analysis of media for harvesting and incubating marsupial spermatozoa and the first record of hyperactivated motility in any marsupial species.
Effect of seminal plasma proteins on the motile sperm subpopulations in ram ejaculates
Authors: Luna Carolina , Yeste Marc , Rivera del Alamo María M. , Domingo Juan , Casao Adriana , Rodriguez-Gil Joan E. , Pérez-Pé Rosaura , Cebrián-Pérez José A. , Muiño-Blanco Teresa
Published: August 2015

It has been proposed that seminal plasma proteins (SPP) support survival of ram spermatozoa, exerting a dual effect, both capacitating and decapacitating. In this study, changes in motility patterns of ram spermatozoa capacitated in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) were evaluated. Clustering procedures were used to determine the presence of sperm subpopulations with specific motion characteristics. Four sperm subpopulations (SP) were defined after the application of a principal component analysis procedure. Progressive spermatozoa with high straightness (STR) were found in SP1, reflected in the high linearity (LIN) and STR values and low amplitude of lateral head movement (ALH; rapid, non-hyperactivated spermatozoa). SP2 spermatozoa seemed to be starting to acquire hyperactivated motility, while the SP3 group consisted of rapid, hyperactivated spermatozoa. SP4 showed less-vigorous spermatozoa, with non-linear motility. The addition of SPP before in vitro capacitation with EGF induced a decrease in SP1 and an increase in SP3. However, a reduction in the chlortetracycline-capacitated sperm rate and protein tyrosine phosphorylation was found, which corroborates with the hypothesis that the SPP protective effect on spermatozoa is related to their decapacitating role. These findings allow us to deduce that ram spermatozoa are able to undergo capacitation with no hyperactivation and that SPP are able to induce hyperactivation in spermatozoa but maintain them in a decapacitated state.
Biotransformation of (−)-epicatechin, (+)-epicatechin, (−)-catechin, and (+)-catechin by intestinal bacteria involved in isoflavone metabolism
Authors: Takagaki Akiko , Nanjo Fumio
Published: August 2015

Isoflavone-metabolizing bacteria, Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, Asaccharobacter celatus, Slackia equolifaciens, and Slackia isoflavoniconvertens catalyzed C-ring cleavage of (–)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, (+)-epicatechin, and (–)-catechin in varying degrees. The cleaving abilities of (–)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin were enhanced by hydrogen, except (+)-catechin cleavage by S. equolifaciens, which was not accelerated. (−)-Catechin cleavage by Ad. equolifaciens was remarkably accelerated by hydrogen.
Apolar and polar transitions drive the conversion between amoeboid and mesenchymal shapes in melanoma cells
Authors: Cooper Sam , Sadok Amine , Bousgouni Vicky , Bakal Chris
Published: August 2015

Melanoma cells can adopt two functionally distinct forms, amoeboid and mesenchymal, which facilitates their ability to invade and colonize diverse environments during the metastatic process. Using quantitative imaging of single living tumor cells invading three-dimensional collagen matrices, in tandem with unsupervised computational analysis, we found that melanoma cells can switch between amoeboid and mesenchymal forms via two different routes in shape space—an apolar and polar route. We show that whereas particular Rho-family GTPases are required for the morphogenesis of amoeboid and mesenchymal forms, others are required for transitions via the apolar or polar route and not amoeboid or mesenchymal morphogenesis per se. Altering the transition rates between particular routes by depleting Rho-family GTPases can change the morphological heterogeneity of cell populations. The apolar and polar routes may have evolved in order to facilitate conversion between amoeboid and mesenchymal forms, as cells are either searching for, or attracted to, particular migratory cues, respectively.
Water: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Finney John
Published: August 2015

Water dominates the surface of Earth and is vital to life on our planet. It is a remarkable liquid that shows anomalous behaviour. Water: A Very Short Introduction introduces the science of water, and explores how the structure of water molecules gives rise to its physical and chemical properties. Considering water in all three of its states—ice, steam, and liquid—it explains the great importance of understanding its structure and behaviour for fields such as chemistry, astrophysics, and earth and environmental sciences. The role of water in biology is also described, and it concludes with a discussion of the outstanding controversies concerning water, and some of the ‘magical’ properties that have been claimed for it.
Snake venom gland cDNA sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore MinION portable DNA sequencer
Authors: Hargreaves Adam D , Mulley John F
Published: August 2015

Portable DNA sequencers such as the Oxford Nanopore MinION device have the potential to be truly disruptive technologies, facilitating new approaches and analyses and, in some cases, taking sequencing out of the lab and into the field. However, the capabilities of these technologies are still being revealed. Here we show that single-molecule cDNA sequencing using the MinION accurately characterises venom toxin-encoding genes in the painted saw-scaled viper, Echis coloratus. We find the raw sequencing error rate to be around 12%, improved to 0–2% with hybrid error correction and 3% with de novo error correction. Our corrected data provides full coding sequences and 5′ and 3′ UTRs for 29 of 33 candidate venom toxins detected, far superior to Illumina data (13/40 complete) and Sanger-based ESTs (15/29). We suggest that, should the current pace of improvement continue, the MinION will become the default approach for cDNA sequencing in a variety of species.
Microbiome change by symbiotic invasion in lichens
Authors: Wedin Mats , Maier Stefanie , Fernandez‐Brime Samantha , Cronholm Bodil , Westberg Martin , Grube Martin
Published: August 2015

Lichens are obligate symbioses between fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria. Most lichens resynthesize their symbiotic thalli from propagules, but some develop within the structures of already existing lichen symbioses. Diploschistes muscorum starts as a parasite infecting the lichen Cladonia symphycarpa and gradually develops an independent Diploschistes lichen thallus. Here we studied how this process influences lichen‐associated microbiomes and photobionts by sampling four transitional stages, at sites in Sweden and Germany, and characterizing their microbial communities using high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene and photobiont‐specific ITS rDNA sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A gradual microbiome shift occurred during the transition, but fractions of Cladonia‐associated bacteria were retained during the process of symbiotic reorganization. Consistent changes observed across sites included a notable decrease in the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria with a concomitant increase in Betaproteobacteria. Armatimonadia, Spartobacteria and Acidobacteria also decreased during the infection of Cladonia by Diploschistes. The lichens differed in photobiont specificity. Cladonia symphycarpa was associated with the same algal species at all sites, but Diploschistes muscorum had a flexible strategy with different photobiont combinations at each site. This symbiotic invasion system suggests that partners can be reorganized and selected for maintaining potential roles rather than depending on particular species.
Updated cannulation technique for tissue plasminogen activator injection into peripapillary retinal vein for central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: van Overdam Koen A. , Missotten Tom , Spielberg Leigh H.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

To update the surgical technique in which a vitrectomy is performed and a retinal branch vein is cannulated and infused with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (RTPA) to treat central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in patients who present with very low visual acuity (VA).

Methods

Twelve consecutive patients (12 eyes) with CRVO and low VA (logMAR >1.00) at presentation were treated using this method.

Results

Cannulation of a peripapillary retinal vein and stable injection of RTPA was successfully performed without surgery‐related complications in all 12 eyes. At 12 months after surgery, 8 of the 12 patients (67%) experienced at least one line of improvement in best corrected visual acuity; 6 of the 12 (50%) improved ≥5 lines and 2 (17%) improved ≥8 lines. After additional grid laser and/or subconjunctival or intravitreal corticosteroids, the mean decrease in central foveal thickness was 260 μm, and the mean total macular volume decreased from 12.10 mm3 to 9.24 mm3. Four patients received panretinal photocoagulation to treat either iris neovascularization (n = 2) or neovascularization of the retina and/or disc (n = 2).

Conclusion

Administration of RTPA via a peripapillary vein using this updated technique provides an alternative or additional treatment option for patients with very low VA after CRVO.
Complex tritrophic interactions in response to crop domestication: predictions from the wild
Authors: Chen Yolanda H. , Gols Rieta , Stratton Chase A. , Brevik Kristian A. , Benrey Betty
Published: August 2015

Crop domestication is the process of artificially selecting plants to increase their suitability to human tastes and cultivated growing conditions. There is increasing evidence that crop domestication can profoundly alter interactions among plants, herbivores, and their natural enemies. However, there are few generalizable predictions on how insect herbivores and natural enemies should respond to artificial selection of specific plant traits. We reviewed the literature to determine how different insect herbivore feeding guilds and natural enemy groups (parasitoids and predators) respond to existing variation in wild and cultivated plant populations for plant traits typically targeted by domestication. Our goal was to look for broad patterns in tritrophic interactions to generate support for a range of potential outcomes from human‐mediated selection. Overall, we found that herbivores benefit from directional selection on traits that have been targeted by domestication, but the effects on natural enemies were less studied and less consistent. In general, herbivores appear to mirror human preferences for higher nutritional content and larger plant structures. In contrast, the general effect of lowered plant secondary metabolites did not always influence herbivores consistently. Given that crop domestication appears to be a transformative process that fundamentally alters insect–plant interactions, we believe that a more detailed understanding of the community‐wide effects of crop domestication is needed to simultaneously stimulate both biological control and plant breeding efforts to enhance sustainable pest control.
Effectiveness of probiotics for preventing infections in the elderly: Systematic review and meta‐analysis – study protocol
Authors: Wachholz P. A. , Nunes V. S. , Nunes H. R. C. , Valle A. P. , Villas Boas P. J. F.
Published: August 2015

Older persons have greater susceptibility to infections than younger adults, with generally more severe and atypical episodes. Probiotics are living microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in sufficient quantities. Studies in older people receiving probiotic supplementation suggest a potential role of probiotics in infection prevention. We present a systematic review protocol aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of community acquired infection in elderly people living either in the community or in long‐term care facilities. We will include only randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We will comply with the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration and the principles PRISMA Statement. This protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42014013707).
Is tea a healthy source of hydration?
Authors: Ruxton C. , Phillips F. , Bond T.
Published: August 2015

After water, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage worldwide, with over 80% of adults drinking tea in the UK. Lay concerns about caffeine have led to questions about the suitability of tea as a source of hydration. Several controlled trials have examined the effect of moderate caffeine consumption on fluid balance, from tea or other sources, concluding that intakes of up to 400 mg of caffeine, or six to eight servings of tea daily, are consistent with normal hydration. Unlike water, or other caffeinated beverages, tea is rich in flavonoids: plant compounds associated with health. There is now a growing body of evidence linking regular tea consumption with heart health, cognitive health, dental benefits and bodyweight management suggesting that tea may offer a healthy source of hydration. These studies are discussed in the context of typical tea intakes in the UK.
An analysis of potato consumption habits and diet quality among adults and children in the UK
Authors: Gibson S. , Francis L.
Published: August 2015

Many people are confused about the nutritional role of potatoes in a healthy, balanced diet. Starchy foods are often under‐regarded by the public and maligned by proponents of low carbohydrate diets, yet carbohydrate should supply around 50% of dietary energy, preferably from sources such as potatoes, pulses and wholegrains. Potatoes provide significant quantities of shortfall micronutrients, yet they do not count as vegetables in 5 A DAY targets. To provide balanced advice, research is needed on potato consumption and its possible nutritional consequences. Therefore we analysed individual dietary records from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008–2012 to investigate potato consumption patterns and associations with nutrient intakes. We hypothesised that high consumption of potatoes would be associated with higher total intakes of potassium, B vitamins and fibre. Across the whole population, potatoes provided 7% of energy, 15% of potassium, 13% of dietary fibre (non‐starch polysaccharide) and vitamin C, 14% of vitamin B6, 10% of folate, 8% of magnesium and 6% of iron. Both very low and very high consumption of potatoes (Q1 and Q5) was associated with lower energy and nutrient intakes, compared with average consumers. Lower micronutrient intakes were most pronounced in Q5 (mean 14.8% energy from potatoes), although Q1 had lowest intakes of potassium, vitamin B6 and thiamin. Food intakes suggest a less healthy, varied dietary pattern among high potato consumers. Conversely, low consumers of potatoes had lower intakes of potassium, thiamin and vitamin B6 (all found in potatoes) despite an apparently health‐conscious dietary pattern that included higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish. Our study suggests that based on current habits, a broad range of potato consumption is compatible with good nutrition, while high reliance on potatoes may be associated with an unbalanced diet. To help raise intakes of shortfall nutrients such as potassium and fibre, consumption of potatoes could be encouraged alongside existing healthy eating messages relating to vegetables, fruit and wholegrain foods.
Dietary intervention for osteoarthritis: Clinical trials after the ‘Bone and Joint Decade’
Authors: Davidson R. K. , Clark I. M.
Published: August 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major social and economic burden that continues to grow globally with no effective disease modifying therapies in the pipeline. Current therapeutic strategies to address pain are largely insufficient and joint replacement for end stage disease is unsustainable. Drug development is particularly difficult and expensive due to the complexity of balancing efficacy and toxicity for chronic diseases. The main risk factors for developing OA are increasing age and obesity. Diet has a clear link to the latter, but also impacts strongly on the ageing process. There is no paucity of pre‐clinical data investigating dietary bioactives and their impact on OA disease models. However clinical trials that test these data using relevant trial design and validated outcome measures are scarce. Current trials focus on vitamin D, fish oil omega fatty acids and curcumin. This review examines recently completed, current or proposed clinical trials of dietary bioactives and their utility in developing an OA therapeutic strategy either prophylactically or as a means of OA management. The number of scientifically high quality trials in the pipeline is low. There is an unmet need for investment in clinical trials of dietary intervention, for developing disease biomarkers (both biochemical and imaging) and refining the definition of OA so that clinically relevant outcome measures can be improved.
Nutrition and health claims in practice
Authors: Buttriss J. L.
Published: August 2015

The European Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation ensures that any claims on European Union food labels are substantiated by robust scientific evidence; is this promoting innovation in the food industry and enabling consumers to make meaningful food choices? This paper provides an overview of the Regulation and some of the issues that have arisen since its implementation in 2007, with examples. It also discusses several European Commission‐funded projects that are underway, in particular BACCHUS (FP7/2007–2013; 312090: www.bacchus‐fp7.eu) that is providing support to small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises that are considering whether to use or apply for health claims.
Food composition data and public health
Authors: Swan G. , Dodhia S. , Farron‐Wilson M. , Powell N. , Bush M.
Published: August 2015

Government has funded a programme of nutrient analysis of foods for many decades and resulting data have been published in successive editions of McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods. Latest data were published in the seventh summary edition of The Composition of Foods in 2014 and in a revised Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset in 2015. The main purpose of the nutrient analysis programme is to provide data to support estimation of nutrient intakes in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and other dietary surveys. Changes in the nutrient content of the UK food supply over time are driven by a number of factors including reformulation of processed foods resulting from policies to improve public health. Up‐to‐date nutrient composition data are key to ensuring that estimates of nutrient intakes in UK dietary surveys remain robust.
The ODIN project: Development of food‐based approaches for prevention of vitamin D deficiency throughout life
Authors: Kiely M. , Cashman K. D. ,   the ODIN Consortium
Published: August 2015

Vitamin D deficiency has significant implications for human health throughout life and impacts on healthy growth and development and successful ageing. Persistent knowledge gaps are barriers to developing and implementing a safe and effective public health strategy to prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain nutritional adequacy throughout the year. The European Commission‐funded ODIN project (Food‐based solutions for optimal vitamin D nutrition and health through the life cycle) will provide the evidence base to prevent vitamin D deficiency and improve nutrition and public health through food. ODIN will deliver the first internationally comparable dataset of vitamin D status and report the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across Europe for the first time. In a series of dose‐response randomised controlled trials, ODIN will estimate dietary requirements for vitamin D in pregnant women, children, adolescents and adults of South Asian and East African origin resident in Northern European countries. Using clinically validated, disease‐specific cohorts with standardised 25(OH)D data, ODIN will investigate associations between vitamin D status and perinatal outcomes, atopic disease and bone growth in children, and cardiovascular and mortality risk in older adults. We will publish estimates of the distribution of vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH)D concentration resulting from changes in vitamin D in the food supply, accounting for latitude, sun exposure and diet. Utilising advanced food production systems and targeted animal and human feeding studies, ODIN will propose safe, novel and effective food‐based strategies to eradicate vitamin D deficiency that are inclusive, sustainable and affordable.
Gestational age at initial exposure to in utero inflammation influences the extent of diaphragm dysfunction in preterm lambs
Authors: Karisnan Kanakeswary , Bakker Anthony J. , Song Yong , Noble Peter B. , Pillow J. Jane , Pinniger Gavin Jon
Published: August 2015

Background and objective

In utero infection may critically influence diaphragm development and predispose preterm infants to postnatal respiratory failure. We aimed to determine how frequency and gestational age (GA) at time of intra‐amniotic (IA) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure affects preterm diaphragm function.

Methods

Pregnant ewes received IA injections of saline or 10‐mg LPS at 7 days or 21 days or weekly injections 21, 14 and 7 days before delivery at 121‐day GA. Foetal lambs were killed with pentobarbitone (150 mg/kg; intravenous). Diaphragm contractile function was measured in vitro. Muscle fibre type, activation of protein synthesis and degradation pathways, pro‐inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining, RT‐qPCR, ELISA, Western blotting and biochemical assay.

Results

In utero LPS exposure significantly impaired diaphragm contractile function. LPS exposure 7 days before delivery caused maximum specific twitch and tetanic forces 30% lower than controls. When the initial LPS exposure occurred 21 days before delivery maximum specific forces were 40% lower than controls. Earlier LPS exposure also prolonged twitch contraction time, increased fatigue resistance and elevated protein carbonyl content. Despite increased white blood cell counts and interleukin‐6 mRNA expression following weekly LPS exposure, there were no significant differences in contractile properties between exposure 21 days before delivery and repeated LPS groups suggesting that frequency of inflammatory exposure does not influence the severity of contractile dysfunction.

Conclusions

GA at time of initial LPS exposure, rather than frequency of exposure, determines the extent of inflammation‐induced diaphragm dysfunction.
D‐Root: a system for cultivating plants with the roots in darkness or under different light conditions
Authors: Silva‐Navas Javier , Moreno‐Risueno Miguel A. , Manzano Concepción , Pallero‐Baena Mercedes , Navarro‐Neila Sara , Téllez‐Robledo Bárbara , Garcia‐Mina Jose M. , Baigorri Roberto , Gallego Francisco Javier , del Pozo Juan C.
Published: August 2015

In nature roots grow in the dark and away from light (negative phototropism). However, most current research in root biology has been carried out with the root system grown in the presence of light. Here, we have engineered a device, called Dark‐Root (D‐Root), to grow plants in vitro with the aerial part exposed to the normal light/dark photoperiod while the roots are in the dark or exposed to specific wavelengths or light intensities. D‐Root provides an efficient system for cultivating a large number of seedlings and easily characterizing root architecture in the dark. At the morphological level, root illumination shortens root length and promotes early emergence of lateral roots, therefore inducing expansion of the root system. Surprisingly, root illumination also affects shoot development, including flowering time. Our analyses also show that root illumination alters the proper response to hormones or abiotic stress (e.g. salt or osmotic stress) and nutrient starvation, enhancing inhibition of root growth. In conclusion, D‐Root provides a growing system closer to the natural one for assaying Arabidopsis plants, and therefore its use will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in root development, hormonal signaling and stress responses.
Modeling the Dynamics of Arboviral Diseases with Vaccination Perspective
Authors: Abboubakar Hamadjam , Kamgang Jean Claude , Nkamba Nkague Leontine , Tieudjo Daniel , Emini Lucas
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we propose a model of transmission of arboviruses, which take into account a future vaccination strategy in human population. A qualitative analysis based on stability and bifurcation theory reveals that the phenomenon of backward bifurcation may occur; the stable disease-free equilibrium of the model coexists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. We show that the backward bifurcation phenomenon is caused by the arbovirus induced mortality in humans. Using theВ direct Lyapunov method, we show the global stability of the trivial equilibrium. Through global sensitivity analysis, wedetermine the relative importance of model parameters for disease transmission. Simulation results using a qualitatively stable numerical scheme, are provide to illustrate the impact of vaccination strategy in human community.