bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of above‐ground understorey biomass and nutrient stocks in temperate deciduous forests
Authors: Landuyt Dries , Maes Sybryn L. , Depauw Leen , Ampoorter Evy , Blondeel Haben , Perring Michael P. , Brūmelis Guntis , Brunet Jörg , Decocq Guillaume , den Ouden Jan , Härdtle Werner , Hédl Radim , Heinken Thilo , Heinrichs Steffi , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Kirby Keith J. , Kopecký Martin , Máliš František , Wulf Monika , Verheyen Kris 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe understorey in temperate forests can play an important functional role, depending on its biomass and functional characteristics. While it is known that local soil and stand characteristics largely determine the biomass of the understorey, less is known about the role of global change. Global change can directly affect understorey biomass, but also indirectly by modifying the overstorey, local resource availability and growing conditions at the forest floor.In this observational study across Europe, we aim at disentangling the impact of global‐change drivers on understorey biomass and nutrient stocks, from the impact of overstorey characteristics and local site conditions. Using piecewise structural equation modelling, we determine the main drivers of understorey biomass and nutrient stocks in these forests and examine potential direct and indirect effects of global‐change drivers.Tree cover, tree litter quality and differences in former land use were the main drivers of understorey biomass and nutrient stocks, via their influence on understorey light and nitrogen availability and soil acidity. Other global‐change drivers, including climate and nitrogen deposition, had similar indirect effects, but these were either weak or only affecting nutrient concentrations, not stocks.Synthesis.We found that direct effects of global‐change drivers on understorey biomass and nutrient stocks were absent. The indirect effects of global change, through influencing resource availability and growing conditions at the forest floor, were found to be less important than the effects of overstorey cover and composition. These results suggest that understorey biomass and nutrient stocks might respond less to global change in the presence of a dense overstorey, highlighting the buffering role of the overstorey in temperate forests.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Protein Extraction Conditions Affect Extraction Yield and Protein Quality
Authors: Potin François , Lubbers Samuel , Husson Florence , Saurel Rémi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this paper was to study the extraction conditions of hemp proteins from undelipidated press‐cakes. The effects of different hydration conditions on protein recovery yield and polypeptide profile were evaluated: pH (2 to 12), ionic strength (0 to 500 mM NaCl) and press‐cake/liquid weight ratio (2% to 22%). pH was the most impacting factor. At acidic pH (2 to 7) the extraction yields were low and quite constant (<7%), corresponding mainly to hemp albumins solubilization. The extraction of globulins started to increase significantly from pH 8, with protein extraction yield varying from 8.3% at pH 8 to 67.1% at pH 12 for a 10% press‐cake/liquid weight ratio. The addition of NaCl in press‐cake suspensions did not increase the total nitrogen content in aqueous extracts at alkaline pH while the lowest press‐cake/liquid weight ratios (5% to 10%) were revealed optimal regarding protein recovery rate. The intense coloration observed on the aqueous extracts above pH 8 was assigned to solubilization and oxidation of phenolic compounds whose concentration increased about sevenfolds from pH 2 to 12. At the highest applied pH (11 to 12), the formation of covalent complexes between phenolic compounds and some hemp polypeptides was hypothesized. Aqueous extraction at strong alkaline pH (>9) without salt addition and respecting a 10% press‐cake/liquid weight ratio should be retained to optimize protein extraction yield. However, further purification steps are required to evaluate the nutritional, organoleptic, and techno‐functional properties of hemp proteins extracted in such conditions.Practical ApplicationThe traditional extraction process of hemp proteins by alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation, mostly from delipidated hemp press‐cake, leads to limited quantity and poor solubility of extracted proteins, and data related to extraction conditions are insufficiently available to optimize this process. This article aims to find optimal hydration conditions (pH, ionic strength, press‐cake to liquid ratio) for protein extraction from undelipidated hemp press‐cake, allowing high protein recovery and preserving protein quality. The results obtained represent very useful data for developing an economically viable and sustainable extraction process of proteins from raw hemp press‐cake.
The fungal community and its interaction with the concentration of short‐chain fatty acids in the faeces of Chenghua, Yorkshire and Tibetan pigs
Authors: Li Jiayan , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , He Jun , Huang Zhiqing , Mao Xiangbing , Zheng Ping , Yu Jie , Luo Junqiu , Tian Gang , Luo Yuheng 
Published: November 2019

SummaryDespite their important roles in host nutrition and metabolism, and potential to cause disease, our knowledge of the fungal community in the mammalian gut is quite limited. To date, diversity and composition of fungi in swine gut still remains unknown. Therefore, the first internal transcribed spacer of fungi in faecal samples from three breeds of pigs (10 pigs for each breed) was sequenced based on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform, and the relationship between the fungal community and the concentrations of main short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was also analysed. Results indicated that Chenghua (local, higher body fat rate), Yorkshire (foreign, higher lean meat and growth rate) and Tibetan (plateau, stronger disease resistance) pigs harboured distinct fungal community. The Basidiomycota and Ascomycota presented as the two predominant phyla, with Loreleia, Russula and Candida as the top three genera in all samples. Network analysis revealed a total of 35 correlations among different fungal genera, with 27 (77.14%) positive and 8 (22.86%) negative pairwise interactions. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that fungi in the faeces of pigs were more correlated to the concentration of acetate and butyrate rather than propionate. Spearman’s correlation further showed that Tomentella was positively correlated to both acetate and butyrate, and Loreleia was positively correlated to propionate (P < 0.05), while Nephroma and Taiwanofungus were negatively correlated to acetate and propionate (P < 0.05). These findings expanded our knowledge on the intestinal fungi in pigs with different genotypes and phenotypes, indicating that fungi may play an indispensable role during the metabolism of host and the maintenance of intestinal health. The cross‐feeding between fungi and other microorganisms may be crucial during the digestion of dietary carbohydrates and the associated physiological processes, which is worthy to be further studied.
Primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with a higher level of serum uric acid: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ponvilawan Ben , Charoenngam Nipith , Ungprasert Patompong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectivesStudies have suggested that primary hyperparathyroidism could be a risk factor for hyperuricemia although the results were not consistent across the studies. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed in order to identify all available studies and summarize their results together.MethodsA systematic review was performed using EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception to August 2018 to identify all cohort studies that consisted of 2 cohorts, a cohort of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and a cohort of individuals without hyperparathyroidism. Eligible studies had to provide data on mean serum uric acid level and standard deviation of both cohorts, which would be extracted to calculate mean difference (MD). Pooled MD was then calculated by combining MDs of each study using a random‐effects model. Funnel plot was used for evaluation for publication bias.ResultsA total of 9 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria and were included into the meta‐analysis. The pooled analysis found that patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had a significantly higher level of serum uric acid than individuals without hyperparathyroidism with the pooled MD of 65.00 μmol/L (95% CI 37.74‐92.25). The statistical heterogeneity was high with I2 of 90%. The funnel plot was relatively symmetric and did not provide evidence for publication bias.ConclusionPatients with primary hyperparathyroidism had a significantly higher level of serum uric acid compared to individuals without hyperparathyroidism.
Polymorphism in ASCL1 target gene DDC is associated with clinical outcomes of small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Lee Shin Yup , Choi Jin Eun , Do Sook Kyung , Lee Jang Hyuck , Hong Mi Jeong , Kang Hyo‐Gyoung , Lee Won Kee , Shin Kyung Min , Jeong Ji Yun , Choi Sun Ha , Lee Yong Hoon , Seo Hyewon , Yoo Seung Soo , Lee Jaehee , Cha Seung Ick , Kim Chang Ho , Park Jae Yong 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundAchaete‐scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) is a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor and is essential in the differentiation of neuroendocrine cells and neural tissues. ASCL1 is frequently overexpressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SCLC.MethodsThis study was conducted to identify the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ASCL1 target genes and clinical outcomes of patients with SCLC after chemotherapy. A total of 261 patients diagnosed with SCLC were enrolled in this study. The association between 103 SNPs in 58 ASCL1 target genes and the response to chemotherapy and survival of patients with SCLC were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 103 SNPs, 10 SNPs were significantly associated with the response to chemotherapy, and 19 SNPs were associated with OS in multivariate analyses. Among these, Dopa Decarboxylase (DDC) rs12666409A>T was significantly associated with both a worse response to chemotherapy and worse OS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.18–0.90, P = 0.03; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.10–2.10, P = 0.01, respectively, under a dominant model). In a stage‐stratified analysis, the association was significant only in the extensive disease subgroup (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.06–0.60, P = 0.01; aHR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.16–2.56, P = 0.01, respectively, under a dominant model), but not in the limited disease subgroup.ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that DDC rs12666409A>T may be useful markers for predicting the clinical outcomes of patients with SCLC undergoing chemotherapy.
Circulating plasma lncRNAs as novel markers of EGFR mutation status and monitors of epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy
Authors: Lv Panpan , Yang Shaoxing , Liu Wenjing , Qin Haifeng , Tang Xiuhua , Wu Fangfang , Liu Zeyuan , Gao Hongjun , Liu Xiaoqing 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations predict tumor response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, even patients with EGFR‐sensitive mutations in NSCLC have limited efficacy with EGFR‐TKI. Studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is related to diagnosis and prognosis with NSCLC. This study aimed to explore the correlation between lncRNA in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation status and EGFR‐TKI efficacy.MethodsThe amplification‐refractory mutation system method was used to test the EGFR mutation status in tumor tissues and pleural effusions of NSCLC patients. Three EGFR‐mutant patients and three EGFR wild‐type patients were selected. Differential lncRNA was performed on the pleural effusions of the two selected groups of patients using Clariom D Human chip technology. Five lncRNAs significantly associated with EGFR mutation status were screened by FC value and GO analysis, and then evaluated by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in NSCLC patients' pleural effusions. Three were further analyzed in NSCLC patients' plasma.ResultsThere were 61 significant differences in lncRNA between EGFR mutation‐positive and wild‐type patients. Among them, SCARNA7, MALAT1, NONHSAT017369, NONHSAT051892, and FTH1P2 were significantly associated with EGFR mutation status. SCARNA7, MALAT1, and NONHSAT017369 showed consistent results with plasma in pleural effusions compared to EGFR wild‐type, all upregulated in the EGFR mutation group.ConclusionThis study shows that lncRNAs can be used not only as potential biomarkers for predicting the mutation status of EGFR and the efficacy of EGFR‐TKI, but also for monitoring the efficacy of EGFR‐TKI.
The role of organic amendments to soil for crop protection: Induction of suppression of soilborne pathogens
Authors: Vida Carmen , de Vicente Antonio , Cazorla Francisco M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractApplication of external organic inputs to soils can be considered as one of the most ancient strategies in agriculture, and it has been commonly used since the very beginning of human‐based agricultural practices. During all this time, application of several organic matters to agricultural soils has demonstrated their benefit to plants and soils. Organic amendments have proved to be useful in recovering soil properties, improving soil quality and, in some cases, can be directly involved in providing beneficial effects to plants. All these obtained effects finally lead to an increase in crop protection and sustainability. One most expected effect caused by the application of organic amendments, is the suppression of a wide range of soilborne pathogens (mainly bacterial and fungal pathogens) due to the induction of physicochemical and biological changes in soils. In order to get insight into the nature of the induced soil suppression of soilborne plant pathogens, the analysis of the physical, chemical and the microbial changes, pointed to the key role of beneficial activities produced by soil microorganisms finally adapted to the environmental changes produced by the influence of organic amendments. As shown in the case studies reported here, participation of soil microbes specifically selected after organic amendment is crucial in the control of fungal soilborne diseases. Moreover, the development of “omics” approaches allowed these recent studies to go one step further, revealing the main actors involved in the induced soil suppressiveness and their activities. Thus “omics” techniques will help to understand the soil and its microbiome as a whole system, and to assign the important roles of its biological components.
Dietary alpha‐ketoglutarate promotes beige adipogenesis and prevents obesity in middle‐aged mice
Authors: Tian Qiyu , Zhao Junxing , Yang Qiyuan , Wang Bo , Deavila Jeanene M. , Zhu Mei-Jun , Du Min 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAging usually involves the progressive development of certain illnesses, including diabetes and obesity. Due to incapacity to form new white adipocytes, adipose expansion in aged mice primarily depends on adipocyte hypertrophy, which induces metabolic dysfunction. On the other hand, brown adipose tissue burns fatty acids, preventing ectopic lipid accumulation and metabolic diseases. However, the capacity of brown/beige adipogenesis declines inevitably during the aging process. Previously, we reported that DNA demethylation in thePrdm16promoter is required for beige adipogenesis. DNA methylation is mediated by ten–eleven family proteins (TET) using alpha‐ketoglutarate (AKG) as a cofactor. Here, we demonstrated that the circulatory AKG concentration was reduced in middle‐aged mice (10‐month‐old) compared with young mice (2‐month‐old). Through AKG administration replenishing the AKG pool, aged mice were associated with the lower body weight gain and fat mass, and improved glucose tolerance after challenged with high‐fat diet (HFD). These metabolic changes are accompanied by increased expression of brown adipose genes and proteins in inguinal adipose tissue. Cold‐induced brown/beige adipogenesis was impeded in HFD mice, whereas AKG rescued the impairment of beige adipocyte functionality in middle‐aged mice. Besides, AKG administration up‐regulatedPrdm16expression, which was correlated with an increase of DNA demethylation in thePrdm16promoter. In summary, AKG supplementation promotes beige adipogenesis and alleviates HFD‐induced obesity in middle‐aged mice, which is associated with enhanced DNA demethylation of thePrdm16gene.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibition Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction and Exacerbates Hypotension Caused by Alcohol in Female Rats
Authors: Yao Fanrong , Abdel‐Rahman Abdel A. 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundAldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) protects against alcohol‐evoked cardiac dysfunction in male rodents, but its role in the estrogen (E2)‐dependent hypersensitivity of female rats to alcohol‐evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction is not known.MethodsWe addressed this question by studying the effect of cyanamide (ALDH2 inhibitor) on cardiac function, blood pressure, alcohol‐metabolizing enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 2E1, catalase, and ALDH2) activities, and cardiac redox status (reactive oxygen species, ROS; malondialdehyde, MDA) in the absence or presence of ethanol (EtOH) in female sham‐operated (SO) and ovariectomized (OVX) rats.ResultsCyanamide attenuated the EtOH‐evoked myocardial dysfunction (reduced dP/dtmax and LVDP) in SO rats. EtOH, cyanamide, or their combination did not alter dP/dtmax or LVDP in OVX rats. Cyanamide induced cardiac oxidative stress and abrogated the subsequent alcohol‐evoked increases in ROS and MDA levels in SO rats. Neither EtOH nor cyanamide influenced ROS or MDA levels in OVX rats. Importantly, cyanamide exaggerated EtOH‐evoked hypotension in SO and uncovered this hypotensive response in OVX rats, which implicates ALDH2 in the vasodilating effect of EtOH.ConclusionsContrary to our hypothesis, cyanamide attenuated the E2‐dependent cardiac dysfunction caused by alcohol, likely by preconditioning the heart to oxidative stress, while exacerbating the vasodilating effect of alcohol. The latter might predispose to syncope when cyanamide and alcohol are combined in females.
Drinking, Social Abstaining, and Refusing Invitations: Demographic Differences Persist Across College
Authors: Greene Kaylin M. , Maggs Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundAlcohol use and misuse are prevalent on many college campuses. The current study examined participation in college environments where alcohol is present and being consumed. We documented students’ alcohol consumption, social abstaining (i.e., attending an alcohol‐present event, but not drinking), and refusing invitations to drinking events. We tested for differences by parental education, immigrant status, race–ethnicity, and gender. We charted longitudinal change across college.MethodsFirst‐year students attending a large public US university (n = 681, 18% first‐generation college student, 16% first‐generation immigrant, 73% racial–ethnic minority group member, 51% women) were recruited and followed longitudinally for 7 semesters. Each semester, students completed up to 14 daily surveys; responses were aggregated to the semester level (n = 4,267).ResultsMultilevel logistic regression models demonstrated that first‐generation college students were less likely to drink and refuse invitations to drinking events than students with a college‐educated parent (Adjusted Odds Ratios [AORs]: 0.66, 0.72, respectively). Similarly, first‐generation immigrants were less likely to drink, socially abstain, and refuse invitations (AORs: 0.58 to 0.73). Compared with White students, Black and Asian American students were less likely to drink (AORs: 0.55, 0.53) and refuse invitations to drinking events (AORs: 0.68, 0.66). The proportion of days spent drinking increased across college, and refusing invitations was the most common at the start and end of college.ConclusionsFirst‐generation college students, first‐generation immigrant students, and Black and Asian students participated less in prodrinking environments during college. These findings indicate that on drinking and nondrinking days, students’ participation in alcohol‐present situations differed by background. Furthermore, our results indicate that the students who are most likely to refuse invitations to drinking events are the same students who drink most frequently.
Beyond cheap talk: management's informative tone in corporate disclosures
Authors: Li Maoliang , Wu Huiying , Xiao Min , You Jiaxing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the information content of Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) reports of listed Chinese companies. We develop a Chinese word dictionary and measure the tones of MD&As. Our results indicate that tone is positively associated with future earnings and is particularly useful when a firm's future prospect is uncertain, accounting information is difficult to understand, or board monitoring is strong. Further analyses show that tone also predicts future cash flow, future sales growth, market reactions, analysts’ revisions, and institutional investors’ shareholdings. Together, we provide robust evidence that in emerging markets such as China, management tone conveys valuable information beyond cheap talk.
The probability of informed trading and mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Bugeja Martin , Lu Meiting , Shan Yaowen , To Thomas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the role of the probability of informed trading (PIN) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We show that acquirers with higher PINs use more cash to finance their deals due to their higher cost of equity, and acquirers use more equity financing when acquiring targets with higher PINs to share the information risk with the target shareholders. We also find that acquirers and targets with higher PINs both experience higher announcement returns when cash financing is used, indicating that PINs are priced in the M&A market.