bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Key pollen host plants provide balanced diets for wild bee larvae: A lesson for planting flower strips and hedgerows
Authors: Filipiak Michał 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Bee‐friendly plants are defined by the quantity of food they produce and the visitation rates of adult insects foraging for nectar. However, it is pollen nutritional quality that enables proper larval development of bees, affecting their populations. Not all plants produce pollen that satisfies the nutritional requirements of bee larvae, and we lack an understanding of how different plant pollens impact bee nutritional demands. This study examined whether nutritionally desirable key plant species may promote wild bee larval development, which is essential if the population is to thrive.

The generalist solitary mason bee Osmia bicornis L. was used as a model species to examine differences between bee larva nutritional demand and host plant nutrient supply; an ecological stoichiometry framework was applied. The stoichiometric ratios of 12 elements were investigated in bee bodies and cocoons (reflecting nutritional demand) and in the pollen supplied by the mother (nutritional supply; N = 15 × 2 sexes). Similarly, the stoichiometry of 62 pollen taxa, including native, alien, and garden plants and crops, was compared with the bee demand based on the literature.

Compared to males, females had higher demands for P, Cu and Zn and were supplied with pollen richer in these elements. Therefore, when collecting pollen for their progeny, Osmia provides daughters and sons with different pollen mixtures, reflecting sex‐specific nutritional demand.

Bees may be limited by the availability of P, Na, Mn, Mg, K, Fe, Ca, Zn and Cu, with high taxonomic variability in their concentrations in pollen. Female fitness may be particularly related to a high proportion of P in the diet.

Synthesis and applications. Access to key plant species that allow nutritionally balanced larval diets may be essential for bee development, whether food is gathered intentionally or randomly. Such plant species—and not only those rich in nectar and pollen—should be promoted in wild bee conservation efforts, including planting flower strips and hedgerows. Bee‐friendly plants should not be defined and planted solely based on the quantities of food they produce and on the visitation rates of adult insects foraging for energy.
Urbanization focuses carnivore activity in remaining natural habitats, increasing species interactions
Authors: Parsons Arielle W. , Rota Christopher T. , Forrester Tavis , Baker‐Whatton Megan C. , McShea William J. , Schuttler Stephanie G. , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Kays Roland 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Interspecific interactions can provoke temporal and spatial avoidance, ultimately affecting population densities and spatial distribution patterns. The ability (or inability) of species to coexist has consequences for diversity and ultimately ecosystem stability. Urbanization is predicted to change species interactions but its relative impact is not well known. Urbanization gradients offer the opportunity to evaluate the effect of humans on species interactions by comparing community dynamics across levels of disturbance.

We used camera traps deployed by citizen scientists to survey mammals along urbanization gradients of two cities (Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC, USA). We used a multispecies occupancy model with four competing predator species to test whether forest fragmentation, interspecific interactions, humans or prey had the greatest influence on carnivore distribution.

Our study produced 6,413 carnivore detections from 1,260 sites in two cities, sampling both private and public lands. All species used all levels of the urbanization gradient to a similar extent, but co‐occurrence of urban‐adapted foxes with less urban‐adapted bobcats and coyotes was dependent on the availability of green space, especially as urbanization increased. This suggests green space allows less urban‐adapted species to occupy suburban areas, but focuses their movements through remaining forest patches, leading to more species interactions.

Synthesis and applications. Species interactions, forest fragmentation and human‐related covariates were important determinants of carnivore occupancy across a gradient of urbanization with the relative importance of forest fragmentation being highest. We found evidence of both positive and negative interactions across the gradient with some dependent on available green space, suggesting that fragmentation leads to higher levels of spatial interaction. Where green space is adequate, there appears to be sufficient opportunity for coexistence between carnivore species in an urban landscape.
Effect of long‐term organic and mineral fertilization strategies on rhizosphere microbiota assemblage and performance of lettuce
Authors: Paul Chowdhury Soumitra , Babin Doreen , Sandmann Martin , Jacquiod Samuel , Sommermann Loreen , Sørensen Søren Johannes , Fliessbach Andreas , Mäder Paul , Geistlinger Joerg , Smalla Kornelia , Rothballer Michael , Grosch Rita 
Published: April 2019

SummaryLong‐term agricultural fertilization strategies gradually change soil properties including the associated microbial communities. Cultivated crops recruit beneficial microbes from the surrounding soil environment via root exudates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of long‐term fertilization strategies across field sites on the rhizosphere prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) community composition and plant performance. We conducted growth chamber experiments with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated in soils from two long‐term field experiments, each of which compared organic versus mineral fertilization strategies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed the assemblage of a rhizosphere core microbiota shared in all lettuce plants across soils, going beyond differences in community composition depending on field site and fertilization strategies. The enhanced expression of several plant genes with roles in oxidative and biotic stress signalling pathways in lettuce grown in soils with organic indicates an induced physiological status in plants. Lettuce plants grown in soils with different fertilization histories were visibly free of stress symptoms and achieved comparable biomass. This suggests a positive aboveground plant response to belowground plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Besides effects of fertilization strategy and field site, our results demonstrate the crucial role of the plant in driving rhizosphere microbiota assemblage.
ANCHOR: a 16S rRNA gene amplicon pipeline for microbial analysis of multiple environmental samples
Authors: Gonzalez Emmanuel , Pitre Frederic E. , Brereton Nicholas J. B. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryAnalysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplification data for microbial barcoding can be inaccurate across complex environmental samples. A method, ANCHOR, is presented and designed for improved species‐level microbial identification using paired‐end sequences directly, multiple high‐complexity samples and multiple reference databases. A standard operating procedure (SOP) is reported alongside benchmarking against artificial, single sample and replicated mock data sets. The method is then directly tested using a real‐world data set from surface swabs of the International Space Station (ISS). Simple mock community analysis identified 100% of the expected species and 99% of expected gene copy variants (100% identical). A replicated mock community revealed similar or better numbers of expected species than MetaAmp, DADA2, Mothur and QIIME1. Analysis of the ISS microbiome identified 714 putative unique species/strains and differential abundance analysis distinguished significant differences between the Destiny module (U.S. laboratory) and Harmony module (sleeping quarters). Harmony was remarkably dominated by human gastrointestinal tract bacteria, similar to enclosed environments on earth; however, Destiny module bacteria also derived from nonhuman microbiome carriers present on the ISS, the laboratory's research animals. ANCHOR can help substantially improve sequence resolution of 16S rRNA gene amplification data within biologically replicated environmental experiments and integrated multidatabase annotation enhances interpretation of complex, nonreference microbiomes.
Testing the Validity of the Simultaneous Openness Hypothesis in Nigeria (1990–2015)
Authors: Ajayi Michael Adebayo , Aluko Olufemi Adewale 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSince the seminal paper by Rajan and Zingales in 2003, a plethora of studies have been motivated to establish whether the simultaneous opening of trade and capital borders leads to financial sector development. We test whether the simultaneous openness hypothesis is valid for Nigeria, with a focus on the banking sector and stock market. Using annual data from 1990 to 2015 and an instrumental variable regression estimation technique, we show that the simultaneous increase of trade and financial openness limits banking sector and stock market development. Thus, there is no empirical evidence to validate the simultaneous openness hypothesis in Nigeria. It also shows that trade openness is more beneficial for banking sector and stock market development in Nigeria than financial openness.
Exploring the association of care fragmentation and patient ratings of care quality: A mediation analysis of women Veterans’ experience with VA care
Authors: Chanfreau‐Coffinier Catherine , Washington Donna L. , Chuang Emmeline , Brunner Julian , Darling Jill E. , Canelo Ismelda , Yano Elizabeth M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between care fragmentation and patient ratings of care quality and identify potentially actionable mediators.Data Sources/Study Setting2015 telephone survey of 1395 women Veterans with three or more visits in primary care and/or women's health care in the prior year at 12 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.Study DesignCross‐sectional analysis.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe operationalized lower care fragmentation as receiving VA‐only care versus dual use of VA/non‐VA care. Participants rated VA care quality (overall care, women's health care (WH), and primary care (PC)) and three aspects of their patient experience (ease of access to services, provider communication, and gender sensitivity of VA environments). We examined associations between care fragmentation and care ratings and applied the Karlson‐Holm‐Breen decomposition method to test for mediation by aspects of patients’ experience.Principal FindingsLower care fragmentation was associated with higher ratings of care quality (odds ratios [95% CI] for overall care: 1.57 [1.14;2.17]; WH: 1.65 [1.20;2.27]; PC: 1.41 [1.10;1.82]). Relationships were mediated by patient‐rated provider communication and gender sensitivity (26‐54 percent and 14‐15 percent of total effects, respectively). Ease of access was associated with higher care ratings (odds ratios [95% CI] for overall care: 2.93 [2.25;3.81]; WH: 2.81 [2.15;3.68]; PC: 2.33 [1.63;3.33], in models with the three types of patient care experiences included), but did not mediate the association of care fragmentation and care ratings.ConclusionsPotential negative effects of care fragmentation on care quality ratings could be mitigated by attention to quality of patient‐provider communication and gender sensitivity of VA environments.
Predictive Soil Provenancing (PSP): An Innovative Forensic Soil Provenance Analysis Tool
Authors: de Caritat Patrice , Simpson Timothy , Woods Brenda 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSoil is a common evidence type used in forensic and intelligence operations. Where soil composition databases are lacking or inadequate, we propose to use publicly available soil attribute rasters to reduce forensic search areas. Soil attribute rasters, which have recently become widely available at high spatial resolutions, typically three arc‐seconds (~90 m), are predictive models of the distribution of soil properties (with confidence limits) derived from data mining the inter‐relationships between these properties and several environmental covariates. Each soil attribute raster is searched for pixels that satisfy the compositional conditions of the evidentiary soil sample (target value ± confidence limits). We show through an example that the search area for an evidentiary soil sample can be reduced to <10% of the original investigation area. This Predictive Soil Provenancing (PSP) approach is a transparent, reproducible, and objective method of efficiently and effectively reducing the likely provenance area of forensic soil samples.
Potential Forensic Application of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) as a Novel Biomarker for Estimating Postmortem Interval
Authors: Cho Hye‐Won , Eom Yong‐Bin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractStudies which estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) based on diatoms or bacterial communities have been well‐conducted. However, predicting the PMI based on microorganisms has limited accuracy. The objective of this study was to discover specific biomarkers for estimating the PMI for drowning. The in vivo experimental model consisted of rats classified into nine groups (seven drowned groups from Day 1 to Day 7 and two control groups). Their lung tissues were analyzed for the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) mRNA expression determined by qRT‐PCR. RAGE protein levels were determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RAGE mRNA and protein levels gradually degraded over time. Immunostaining analysis revealed that RAGE in the Day 1 sample was significantly higher than that in the Day 6 or Day 7 samples. These results indicate that RAGE in drowned lungs could be a potential biomarker for the determination of the PMI after drowning.
Fluctuations in fruit fly abundance and infestation in sweet gourd fields in relation to varied meteorological factors
Authors: Amin Md Ruhul , Nancy Nabanita Paul , Miah Md Ramiz Uddin , Miah Md Giashuddin , Kwon Ohseok , Suh Sang Jae 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe study was conducted with the aim of furthering our understanding of seasonality in the population dynamics and infestation rates of the fruit fly Bactrocera spp. in sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata) during winter and summer in 2017. We also investigated the effects of using methyl eugenol traps on fly abundance and infestation. Two fruit fly species, namely, B. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis, were present in the sweet gourd field, and we observed fluctuations in their abundance. Compared to B. dorsalis, B. cucurbitae was significantly more abundant in both winter and summer. Infestation level was found to be the highest in fields lacking methyl eugenol traps in both seasons. Fruit fly larval population per infested fruit was higher in summer than in winter. Fly abundance was significantly and positively correlated with mean temperature and rainfall but significantly and negatively correlated with light intensity. Relative humidity was insignificantly but positively correlated with fly abundance. The temperature, light intensity, relative humidity, and rainfall individually explained 48.9, 24.1, 0.8, and 1.6% of variation in fruit fly abundance, respectively. The combined effect of the weather parameters on fruit fly abundance was 75.4% and was significant predictor of fruit fly abundance.
Comparison of the Effects of Roasted and Boiled Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Immunity in a High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Murine Obesity Model
Authors: Tanaka Miku , Honda Yuji , Miwa Shoji , Akahori Reina , Matsumoto Kenji 
Published: April 2019

AbstractConsumption of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is associated with beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism; however, the influence of the bean processing method on these health benefits is not well understood. To investigate this, we processed red kidney beans (RKBs), a variety of the common bean, by roasting and boiling and compared the physiological effects of the two preparations in male C57BL/6N mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The two RKB preparations differed mainly in their resistant starch content (roasted, 24.5%; boiled, 3.1%). Four groups of mice were fed for 12 weeks on a normal diet or a HFD (45 kcal% fat) supplemented with 10% control chow (HFD control group), 10% roasted RKB, or 10% freeze‐dried boiled RKB. We found that intake of roasted RKBs prevented hypercholesterolemia and increased fecal IgA and mucin content compared with the HFD control group, while intake of boiled RKBs improved glucose tolerance. Both RKB preparations suppressed the HFD‐associated increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, which are markers of liver injury. Mice fed roasted RKBs showed significantly increased hepatic expression of cholesterol 7‐alpha‐monooxygenase mRNA, suggesting that cholesterol suppression may be due to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. In contrast, mice fed boiled RKBs showed significantly increased cecal content of n‐butyric acid, which may be related to the improved glucose tolerance in this group. These results indicate that the method by which RKBs are processed can profoundly affect their health benefits.
Addition of Sesamol Increases the Oxidative Stability of Beeswax Organogels and Beef Tallow Matrix Under UV Light Irradiation and Thermal Oxidation
Authors: Hong Seungmi , Jo Seungbeen , Kim Mi‐Ja , Park Sungkwon , Lee Suyong , Lee Jonggil , Lee JaeHwan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTo enhance the oxidative stability of organogels made from canola oil, 40 ppm sesamol was added to beeswax‐based organogels stored under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and 60 or 100 °C thermal oxidation conditions. To study the practical application of organogels as animal fat substitutes, beef tallow was mixed with organogels and their oxidative stability was determined under oxidative stress conditions. Without sesamol addition, the organogels and beef tallow with organogel oxidized rapidly under UV irradiation and thermal oxidation. The addition of 40‐ppm sesamol decreased the consumption of headspace oxygen and the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products significantly (P < 0.05) compared with those in samples without the addition of sesamol, irrespective of oxidative stress. Sesamol improved the oxidative stability of organogels and beef tallow with organogel, which could be used in the meat industry.Practical ApplicationOrganogels may replace trans‐fat or highly saturated lipids in food products. The high degree of unsaturation and processing temperature mean that antioxidants are needed to extend the shelf life of organogels or organogel‐containing products. The addition of sesamol significantly enhanced the oxidative stability of organogels and of beef tallow‐containing organogels under UV irradiation and thermal oxidation conditions. Therefore, sesamol‐supplemented organogels could replace saturated fats in beef tallow and prolong the shelf‐life of meat products.
Structures and In Vitro Antihepatic Fibrosis Activities of Prenylated Dihydrostilbenes and Flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Leaves
Authors: Fan Yu‐Hong , Ye Rigui , Xu Hai‐Yan , Feng Xin‐Hong , Ma Chao‐Mei 
Published: April 2019

AbstractGlycyrrhiza uralensis is the major plant source of licorice. This study was to identify bioactive compounds from the plant's leaves in order to make better use of its aerial part. An ethanol extract of the leaves was subjected to repeated chromatography to yield 15 compounds. The structures were determined to be three novel dihydrostilbenes, based on their various spectroscopic data—glycypytilbene A (1), glycydipytilbene (2), and glycypytilbene B (3)—and 12 known compounds, α,α′‐dihydro‐3,5,4′‐trihydroxy‐4,3′‐diisopentenylstilbene (4), α,α′‐dihydro‐3,5,3′,4′‐tetrahydroxy‐2,5′‐diisopentenylstilbene (5), 6‐prenyleriodictyol (6), 5′‐prenyleriodictyol (7), 6‐prenylquercetin‐3‐Me ether (8), 5′‐prenylquercetin (9), 6‐prenylquercetin (10), 6‐prenylnaringenin (11), 3′‐prenylnaringenin (12), sigmoidin C (13), 8‐[(E)‐3‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐ butenyl]‐eriodictyol (14), and quercetin‐3‐Me ether (15). Most of these chemical constituents inhibited α‐glucosidase activity, with the two prenylated quercetin derivatives (9 to 10) being the greatest active (IC50 < 4.0 µg/mL). Compounds 1, 3 to 4, 6 to 7, 9 to 12 impeded the growth of human hepatic stellate cells, with the prenylated flavonoids (6 to 7, 9 to 12) being more robust than their unprenylated counterparts.Practical ApplicationsThis study found that Glycyrrhiza uralensis leaves contain prenylated dihydrostilbenes and flavonoids with inhibiting effects on α‐glucosidase and on the proliferation of human hepatic stellate cells, which should prompt the development of G. uralensis leaves for healthy products with anti‐diabetic or liver fibrosis‐preventing effects.
Lactobacillus casei expressing Internalins A and B reduces Listeria monocytogenes interaction with Caco‐2 cells in vitro
Authors: Mathipa Moloko G. , Thantsha Mapitsi S. , Bhunia Arun K. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryListeria monocytogenes has been implicated in a number of outbreaks including the recent largest outbreak in South Africa. Current methods for prevention of foodborne L. monocytogenes infection are inadequate, thus raising a need for an alternative strategy. Probiotic bioengineering is considered a prevailing approach to enhance the efficacy of probiotics for targeted control of pathogens. Here, the ability of Lactobacillus casei expressing the L. monocytogenes invasion proteins Internalins A and B (inlAB) to prevent infection was investigated. The inlAB operon was cloned and surface‐expressed on L. casei resulting in a recombinant strain, LbcInlAB, and subsequently, its ability to inhibit adhesion, invasion and translocation of L. monocytogenes through enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells was examined. Cell surface expression of InlAB on the LbcInlAB was confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The LbcInlAB strain showed significantly higher (P < 0.0001) adherence, invasion and translocation of Caco‐2 cells than the wild‐type L. casei strain (LbcWT), as well as reduced L. monocytogenes adhesion, invasion and transcellular passage through the cell monolayer than LbcWT. Furthermore, pre‐exposure of Caco‐2 cells to LbcInlAB significantly reduced L. monocytogenes‐induced cell cytotoxicity and epithelial barrier dysfunction. These results suggest that InlAB‐expressing L. casei could be a potential practical approach for prevention of listeriosis.
Phenotypical and functional heterogeneity of neural stem cells in the aged hippocampus
Authors: Martín‐Suárez Soraya , Valero Jorge , Muro‐García Teresa , Encinas Juan Manuel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAdult neurogenesis persists in the hippocampus of most mammal species during postnatal and adult life, including humans, although it declines markedly with age. The mechanisms driving the age‐dependent decline of hippocampal neurogenesis are yet not fully understood. The progressive loss of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a main factor, but the true neurogenic output depends initially on the actual number of activated NSCs in each given time point. Because the fraction of activated NSCs remains constant relative to the total population, the real number of activated NSCs declines in parallel to the total NSC pool. We investigated aging‐associated changes in NSCs and found that there are at least two distinct populations of NSCs. An alpha type, which maintains the classic type‐1 radial morphology and accounts for most of the overall NSC mitotic activity; and an omega type characterized by increased reactive‐like morphological complexity and much lower probability of division even under a pro‐activation challenge. Finally, our results suggest that alpha‐type NSCs are able to transform into omega‐type cells overtime and that this phenotypic and functional change might be facilitated by the chronic inflammation associated with aging.