bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential Protective Effects of the Water‐Soluble Chinese Propolis on Hypertension Induced by High‐Salt Intake
Authors: Zhou Hua , Wang Haihua , Shi Na , Wu Fang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHigh‐salt (HS) intake is closely associated with the ignition and progression of hypertension. The mechanisms might be involved in endothelial dysfunction, nitric oxide deficiency, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory cytokines. Propolis is widely used as a natural antioxidant and is a well‐known functional food for its biological activities, which includes anti‐inflammation, antimicrobial, and liver detoxification. In this study, we successfully replicated a HS diet‐induced hypertensive rat model. We found that in the long‐term HS diet group, the myocardial function of the rats was altered and led to a significant decrease (around 49%) in heart function. However, doses of Chinese water‐soluble propolis (WSP) were found directly proportional (11%, 60%, 91%, respectively) to the myocardial function improvement in hypertensive rats. The results from the blood circulation test and hematoxylin‐eosin stains showed that propolis had protective effects on myocardial functions and blood vessels in hypertensive rats. Also, based on the results of western blot and polymerase chain reaction, WSP effectively regulated Nox2 and Nox4 levels and was responsible for a decrease in reactive oxygen species synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that Chinese WSP has a significant effect on the blood pressure of hypertensive rats and their cardiovascular functions that improved significantly. The improvement in the cardiovascular functions might be related to the process of anti‐oxidation, anti‐inflammation, and the improvements of the endothelial function in hypertensive rats.
Prediction of Survival Benefit of Filgrastim in Adult and Pediatric Patients With Acute Radiation Syndrome
Authors: Harrold John , Gisleskog Per Olsson , Perez‐Ruixo Juan Jose , Delor Isabelle , Chow Andrew , Jacqmin Philippe , Melhem Murad 
Published: February 2020

Acute exposure to high doses of radiation leads to severe myelosuppression, but few treatments are currently available to treat hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome. Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (e.g., filgrastim) stimulate proliferation of neutrophil precursors and enhance mature neutrophil function. Owing to ethical constraints on conducting clinical research in lethally irradiated humans, we developed a model‐based strategy to integrate preclinical experience in irradiated nonhuman primates (NHPs) and other clinical myelosuppressive conditions to inform filgrastim dosing to treat hematopoietic syndrome of acute radiation syndrome. Models predicting neutrophil counts and overall survival based on drug exposures were calibrated and scaled from NHPs to adult and pediatric human subjects. Several scenarios were examined investigating variations in filgrastim doses, dose frequency, treatment initiation, and duration, as well as the effect of age and radiation dose rate. Model‐based simulations and established safety profiles supported that a subcutaneous filgrastim dose of 10 µg/kg once daily provides a significant survival benefit (50%) over placebo in both adults and children, provided that the treatment is initiated within 1–14 days after radiation exposure and lasts 2–3 weeks. For treatment durations of longer than 3 weeks, filgrastim treatment is not expected to provide significantly greater benefit. This survival benefit is expected to hold for the wide range of radiation doses and dose rates (0.01–1,000 Gy/hours) examined.
Predictors of mathematics in primary school: Magnitude comparison, verbal and spatial working memory measures
Authors: Caviola Sara , Colling Lincoln J. , Mammarella Irene C. , Szűcs Dénes 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe determined the relative importance of the so‐called approximate number system (ANS), symbolic number comparison (SNC) and verbal and spatial short‐term and working memory (WM) capacity for mathematics achievement in 1,254 Grade 2, 4 and 6 children. The large sample size assured high power and low false report probability and allowed us to determine effect sizes precisely. We used reading decoding as a control outcome measure to test whether findings were specific to mathematics. Bayesian analysis allowed us to provide support for both null and alternative hypotheses. We found very weak zero‐order correlations between ANS measures and math achievement. These correlations were not specific to mathematics, became non‐significant once intelligence was considered and ANS measures were not selected as predictors of math by regression models. In contrast, overall SNC accuracy and spatial WM measures were reliable and mostly specific predictors of math achievement. Verbal short‐term and WM and SNC reaction time were predictors of both reading and math achievement. We conclude that ANS tasks are not suitable as measures of math development in school‐age populations. In contrast, all other cognitive functions we studied are promising markers of mathematics development.
Developmental regulation of olfactory circuit formation in mice
Authors: Sakano Hitoshi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn mammals, odorants induce various behavioral responses that are critical to the survival of the individual and species. Binding signals of odorants to odorant receptors (ORs) expressed in the olfactory epithelia are converted to an odor map, a pattern of activated glomeruli, in the olfactory bulb (OB). This topographic map is used to identify odorants for memory‐based learned decisions. In the embryo, a coarse olfactory map is generated in the OB by a combination of dorsal‐ventral and anterior‐posterior targeting of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), using specific sets of axon‐guidance molecules. During the process of OSN projection, odor signals are sorted into distinct odor qualities in separate functional domains in the OB. Odor information is then conveyed by the projection neurons, mitral/tufted cells, to various regions in the olfactory cortex, particularly to the amygdala for innate olfactory decisions. Although the basic architecture of hard‐wired circuits is generated by a genetic program, innate olfactory responses are modified by neonatal odor experience in an activity‐dependent manner. Stimulus‐driven OR activity promotes post‐synaptic events and dendrite selection in the responding glomeruli making them larger. As a result, enhanced odor inputs in neonates establish imprinted olfactory memory that induces attractive responses in adults, even when the odor quality is innately aversive. In this paper, I will provide an overview of the recent progress made in the olfactory circuit formation in mice.
High burden of cardiometabolic risk factors in spouses of Indian women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy
Authors: Gupta Y. , Goyal A. , Kalaivani M. , Singhal S. , Bhatla N. , Gupta N. , Tandon N. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimTo evaluate the burden and association of cardiometabolic risk factors in the spouses of women with and without hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.MethodsWomen with (n = 204) and without (n = 197) hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, along with their spouses, participated in this cross‐sectional study. The hyperglycaemia in pregnancy group included women with gestational diabetes and diabetes in pregnancy. A detailed questionnaire was completed for all participants (men and women), documenting relevant personal and medical history, along with biochemical investigations (men).ResultsA total of 401 couples were evaluated at the time point during the pregnancy of 24.7 ± 5.2 gestational weeks (mean ± sd). Dysglycaemia (prediabetes or diabetes), overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) and metabolic syndrome were detected in 120 (58.9%), 123 (60.3%) and 98 spouses (48.3%) of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, an increased risk of dysglycaemia [odds ratio 1.43 (95% CI 0.95–2.17); P = 0.088], overweight/obesity [odds ratio 1.49 (95% CI 0.98–2.27); P = 0.064] and metabolic syndrome [odds ratio 2.00 (95% CI 1.30–3.07); P = 0.001] was seen in the spouses of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. The prevalence of these metabolic conditions was higher in spouses of women with diabetes in pregnancy compared to spouses of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.ConclusionsA high burden of cardiometabolic risk factors was observed in the spouses of women with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. The opportunity provided by pregnancy could be used by the healthcare system not only to improve the health of the woman and her offspring, but also her spouse.
Burden of disease of type 2 diabetes mellitus: cost of illness and quality of life estimated using the Maastricht Study
Authors: Janssen L. M. M. , Hiligsmann M. , Elissen A. M. J. , Joore M. A. , Schaper N. C. , Bosma J. H. A. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Sep S. J. S. , Koster A. , Schram M. T. , Evers S. M. A. A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimsTo estimate the societal costs and quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes and to compare these results with those of people with normal glucose tolerance or prediabetes.MethodsData from 2915 individuals from the population‐based Maastricht Study were included. Costs were assessed through a resource‐use questionnaire completed by the participants; cost prices were based on Dutch costing guidelines. Quality of life was expressed in utilities using the Dutch EuroQol 5D‐3L questionnaire and the SF‐36 health survey. Based on normal fasting glucose and 2‐h plasma glucose values, participants were classified into three groups: normal glucose tolerance (n = 1701); prediabetes (n = 446); or type 2 diabetes (n = 768).ResultsParticipants with type 2 diabetes had on average 2.2 times higher societal costs than those with normal glucose tolerance (€3,006 and €1,377 per 6 months, respectively) and had lower utilities (0.77 and 0.81, respectively). No significant differences were found between participants with normal glucose tolerance and those with prediabetes. Subgroup analyses showed that higher age, being female and having two or more diabetes‐related complications resulted in higher costs (P < 0.05) and lower utilities.ConclusionsThis study showed that people with type 2 diabetes have substantially higher societal costs and lower quality of life than people with normal glucose tolerance. The results provide important input for future model‐based economic evaluations and for policy decision‐making.
Carotid intima‐media thickness predicts carotid plaque development: Meta‐analysis of seven studies involving 9341 participants
Authors: Tschiderer Lena , Klingenschmid Gerhard , Seekircher Lisa , Willeit Peter 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundCarotid intima‐media thickness and carotid plaque are well‐established imaging markers used to capture different stages of the atherosclerotic disease process. We aimed to quantify to which extent carotid intima‐media thickness predicts incidence of first‐ever carotid plaque.Materials and methodsTwo independent reviewers conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Web of Science. To be eligible for inclusion, prospective studies were required to involve participants free of carotid plaque at baseline and report on the association of baseline carotid intima‐media thickness with development of first‐ever carotid plaque. Study‐specific relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were collected and pooled using random‐effects meta‐analysis.ResultsWe identified seven relevant prospective studies involving a total of 9341 participants. Individuals were recruited between 1987 and 2012, average age at baseline was 54 years, and 63% were female. Studies reported on 1288 incident first‐ever carotid plaques, occurring over an average maximum follow‐up of 8.7 years. When individuals in the top fourth of baseline carotid intima‐media thickness distribution were compared with those in the bottom fourth, the pooled relative risk for incidence of first‐ever carotid plaque was 1.78 (95% confidence interval: 1.53‐2.07, P < .001, I2 = 2.8%). The strength of association was not modified by mean baseline age, proportion of female participants, length of follow‐up, year of baseline, and geographical location of the studies.ConclusionsIn general population studies, elevated baseline carotid intima‐media thickness is associated with incidence of carotid plaque in individuals free of carotid plaque at baseline.
Tillage and cropping effects on soil organic carbon: Biodegradation and storage in density and size fractions
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Xiujun , Gregorich Ed , McLaughlin Neil , Zhang Xiaoping , Guo Yafei , Gao Yan , Liang Aizhen 
Published: February 2020

AbstractImprovements in management practices can prevent the decline of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage caused by conventional tillage practice in Northeast China. Density and size fractionation can track the transformation of plant residue into SOC and its location in the soil matrix. We used a long‐term field study in China to evaluate these changes as a result of improved management involving tillage and cropping systems. Experimental treatments included no‐till (NT) and mouldboard ploughing (MP) under monoculture maize (Zea mays L.) (MM) and maize‐soybean (Glycine max Merr.) rotation (MS); these were compared to the traditional management involving conventional tillage (CT) under MM. An incubation study was conducted to evaluate mineralization and the biodegradability of SOC. The soils were also physically fractionated by density (light fraction, LF) and size (sand, silt and clay). With improved management, the SOC storage in the clay size fraction showed the largest increase across all fractions. This increase was greater for MS than MM. The NTMS treatment resulted in a decline in silt‐OC storage compared to CTMM. The SOC mineralization (mg CO2‐C g−1 soil) was affected by tillage and driven by LF‐OC and was observed in the order: NTMM (2.06) > MPMM (1.72) ≈ NTMS (1.71) > CTMM (1.52) ≈ MPMS (1.41). Both cropping and depth affected the biodegradability of SOC. Considering the plough layer (0–20 cm), treatments under MM had a larger proportion of biodegradable SOC than those under MS. We conclude that the significant differences in SOC storage in physical fractions and SOC biodegradation were caused by differences in soil management.Highlights
Clay size fraction showed the largest increase in SOC storage when residue was returned.
Silt size fraction lost SOC in no‐till maize‐soybean compared with traditional farming practice.
Potential SOC mineralization depended on quantity of SOC in the LF.
Biodegradability of the SOC was driven by cropping system not tillage.
A century of liming affects the Mg isotopic composition of the soil and crops in a long‐term agricultural field at Berlin‐Dahlem, Germany
Authors: Wang Yi , Wu Bei , Berns Anne E. , Bol Roland , Wombacher Frank , Ellmer Frank , Amelung Wulf 
Published: February 2020

AbstractLiming is widely used to alleviate soil acidity in western and central Europe, but its role in the cycling of magnesium (Mg) in arable soil–plant systems is still ambiguous. Here, we systematically analysed Mg concentrations and the natural Mg stable isotope compositions (δ26Mg) of two Mg pools in soil profiles and a major crop (winter rye) in a long‐term German agricultural experimental field that has been managed with and without liming since 1923. The results showed that the δ26Mg signatures of the bulk soil Mg pool in the studied Albic Luvisol displayed limited variation with depth and between the liming treatments. In contrast, the exchangeable soil Mg pool exhibited an increase in δ26Mg values with depth down to 50 cm, which was more pronounced in the limed plots. We attributed this enrichment of light Mg isotopes in upper layers to the Mg addition from “Dolokorn 90” lime, as well as to the removal of heavy Mg isotopes by plant uptake. The subsequent use of a simple isotope‐mixing model suggested that only 25% of the remaining Mg in the soil exchangeable pool stemmed from the last liming practice. The other parts of the exchangeable soil Mg pool had either interacted with the bulk soil matrix or had been utilized by the plants. Almost 100 years of liming enhanced Mg uptake by the vegetation, probably via elevated Mg contents in the grain, and reflected by the stronger depletion of heavy Mg isotopes in the soil exchangeable Mg pool relative to non‐limed plots. Whole winter rye plants were enriched in heavy Mg isotopes but they displayed similar Mg isotope compositions among plant organs in all plots, indicating identical Mg uptake and translocation strategies in the different trials. Tracing the stable isotope compositions of soil and plant Mg thus opens novel opportunities to evaluate soil management impacts on the cycling and fate of this essential nutrient in agricultural systems.Highlights
Mg concentrations and stocks in an Albic Luvisol were more heterogeneous in subsoils than in topsoils
The variation of Mg isotope compositions of bulk soil was limited with depth and between liming treatments
Liming induced a pronounced negative shift of δ26Mg values in soil exchangeable Mg pools down to a 50‐cm soil depth
Uptake of Mg by plants in limed plots was enhanced relative to that in non‐limed plots
Effect of grazing exclusion and rotational grazing on labile soil organic carbon in north China
Authors: Dong Lei , Martinsen Vegard , Wu Yantao , Zheng Ying , Liang Cunzhu , Liu Zhongling , Mulder Jan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOvergrazing has caused serious grassland soil deterioration and significant soil organic carbon (SOC) losses. Controlled grazing is recommended for restoring grassland and enhancing SOC stocks. Studies have suggested that, in particular, labile organic carbon (C) is a sensitive indicator for soil degradation and SOC recovery, but few studies of the effect of different grassland management practices have been published so far. Here, we investigate the effects of long‐term grazing exclusion and short‐term rotational grazing with different grazing intensities on labile SOC, including hot water extractable organic C (HWEC) and particulate organic C (POC), as well as potential N mineralization (Nmin) rate in soils (0–10 cm) of two grasslands in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia. Treatments include long‐term (34 years) exclusion, medium‐term (21 years) exclusion and continuous grazing (ambient grazing) at one of the sites, and we investigate no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing and high‐grazing intensity at the study site for rotational grazing. Our results show that grazing exclusion significantly enhances labile SOC stocks and potential Nmin rate compared to ambient grazing (e.g., POC stock at long‐ and medium‐term exclusion and ambient grazing are 5.71 ± 0.94 Mg C ha−1, 3.25 ± 0.30 Mg C ha−1 and 2.12 ± 0.38 Mg C ha−1, respectively). However, after two decades of exclusion, the potential for further C sequestration is limited. Five years of rotational grazing significantly enhances HWEC, but not POC and potential Nmin rate, when comparing the highest grazing intensity (1.88 sheep ha−1 yr−1) with grazing exclusion during the same period. We conclude that rotational grazing may be a viable alternative to exclusion, offering a more rational use of grassland without causing soil C loss. We also show that HWEC is a particularly sensitive labile SOC indicator and is tightly correlated to POC and potential Nmin rate.Highlights
We investigated effects of grazing exclusion and rotational grazing on labile soil organic carbon.
Grazing exclusion increased labile SOC and the highest level appeared in medium‐term exclusion.
Five years of high‐intensity rotational grazing increased HWEC with no significant effects on POC.
Rotational grazing is a viable alternative to grazing exclusion management.
Have we reached the turning point? Looking for evidence of SOC increase under conservation agriculture and cover crop practices
Authors: Camarotto Carlo , Piccoli Ilaria , Dal Ferro Nicola , Polese Riccardo , Chiarini Francesca , Furlan Lorenzo , Morari Francesco 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIncreasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural soils is currently of special interest because it can help mitigate global warming through atmospheric carbon (C) sequestration. Recommended management practices, such as conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage with cover crops (CC), could have significant implications for C sequestration potential. A field experiment was carried out in northeast Italy to compare the implementation of CA and CC with conventional agriculture (CV). The experiment began in 2010 on three farms to evaluate SOC stock variation over a 6‐year period. Two extensive soil sampling operations were conducted in 2011 and 2017 in 240 locations, for a total of 1,440 analysed soil samples, considering the SOC stratification within a 0–50‐cm profile. The results suggested that CA changed the SOC distribution rather than the total amount of SOC. Compared to CV, after the introduction of CA, a general increase in SOC (0.25 Mg C ha−1 y−1) was observed in the 0–30‐cm layer, whereas no stock variation was observed in the 0–50‐cm layer. In contrast, compared to CV, the use of CC decreased the SOC stocks by 0.74 Mg C ha−1 y−1 in the 0–50‐cm layer. Over a 6‐year period, no benefit in SOC sequestration was observed with CA and CC. However, we hypothesize that these findings could still be affected by transitory dynamics, highlighting the low soil reactivity to soil‐improving agricultural systems. A longer study period would be required to better understand the potential benefits of CA and CC on SOC sequestration.Highlights
We hypothesized that conservation practices increase SOC after a 6‐year adoption
No‐tillage enhanced SOC stratification in conservation agriculture
C addition with cover crops induced SOC stock reductions due to a priming effect
An SOC increase was not observed after 6 years of conservation practices