bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary fat and insulin resistance: a connection through leptin and PPARγ activation
Authors: Al-Jada Doaa Nader , Ahmad Mousa Numan 
Published: August 2018

Insulin resistance refers to reduced insulin action in peripheral tissues and impaired suppression of endogenous glucose production, a state which is critical for maintaining normal glucose homeostasis. Insulin resistance is partly explained by genetic factors and is strongly influenced by the individual's habitual lifestyle. Investigating factors that may influence the development of insulin resistance and their mechanisms of action is of huge importance; one such factor is the dietary fat. Both quantitative and qualitative terms of dietary fat have been known to play an important role in the development of insulin resistance, though the mechanism underlying this effect is not fully understood. In this regard, the classical view has been that dietary fat quality mainly affects cell membrane fatty acid composition and consequently the membrane function. Recently, the relationship between dietary fat and insulin resistance has entered an advanced level by the discovery that different fatty acids can regulate gene expression, transcriptional activity and adipocytokines secretion. In essence, this provides new mechanisms by which fatty acids exert their cellular effects. The present review critically assesses the effect of dietary fat quality on the development of insulin resistance in relation to the adipocytokine, leptin and the activation of the transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). It is evident that fat quality influences the development of insulin resistance and has more important role than quantity. Leptin and PPARγ prove to be potential candidates linking dietary fat with insulin resistance. However, the exact role or mechanism of action of various types of dietary fat in the development of insulin resistance is still uncertain. Further well-controlled studies in humans are needed to be able to establish better evidence-based dietary fat recommendations for diabetes prevention and its clinical management. Keywords: dietary fat, insulin resistance, diabetes, PPARγ activation, leptin.
Drought stress affects bioactive compounds in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) relevant to non-communicable diseases
Authors: Wegener Christina B. , Jurgens Hans-Ulrich , Jansen Gisela 
Published: August 2018

Background: Potatoes react very sensitive to drought during growth, and appropriate plant stress responses may affect metabolites associated with the health quality of tubers.Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of drought stress (DS) on soluble sugars, starch, crude protein, minerals, free amino acids (AAs) and fatty acids (FAs).Design: The experiment was carried out on three potato genotypes during two years with four replications. The plants were grown in pots, in a glasshouse with optimal water supply and under drought stress conditions. After harvest, the tubers of these two variants were analyzed for bioactive compounds relevant to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Results: Apart from genotypic differences in most parameters, the results revealed that the DS caused a decline in glucose and fructose (P < 0.05, all) in both years, whereas sucrose was increased, especially in the second year with severe stress (P < 0.01). Starch was significantly reduced by moderate stress in the first year (P < 0.01), but less affected in the second year. Crude proteins and total amounts of free amino acids (AAs) were clearly enhanced by the stress in both years (P < 0.05, all), similarly as the minerals magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) (P < 0.05, all), whereas calcium (Ca) declined (P < 0.05). The portion of α-linolenic acid (ALA) on total lipids was elevated in the stress variants (P < 0.01), while oleic acid (OLA), its precursor decreased significantly (P < 0.05), but only in the first year. In the second year, ALA was in general higher and not further induced by the stress. Also OLA was less affected in that year, similarly as all other FAs in both years. Interestingly, Myo-inositol (MI) and lipid acyl hydrolases (LAH) associated with modulation in cell membrane lipids raised by the drought stress in each year (P < 0.01, all). In the second year, MI and LAH data of the drought stressed tubers correlated significantly (r = 0.90, P < 0.01) indicating their joined action within plant stress responses.Conclusions: The biochemical changes induced by DS are not alarming with regard to NCDs. Decline in glucose, fructose and starch, and increase in crude proteins, free AAs, ALA, MI and minerals like Mg, K and P, on the other side, is profitable for the health benefits of tubers. However, a better quality is associated with a decrease in tuber yield.Keywords: potato, drought stress, bioactive compounds, chronic diseases
In vitro investigation of orange fleshed sweet potato prebiotic potential and its implication on human gut health
Authors: Muchiri Mary , McCartney Anne L. 
Published: August 2018

Background: Some food ingredients (prebiotics) have been shown to promote a healthy gut by selectively stimulating growth/activity of beneficial gastrointestinal microbes and metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA) while inhibiting pathogens. Orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam; OFSP) root tuber is a starchy tropical crop and highly nutritious in terms of pro-vitamin A (beta carotene), dietary fibre, and natural sugars, with negligible amount of fats and cholesterol. Purpose of study: The aim of the study was to investigate using simulated human gut system whether OFSP may have prebiotic activity derived from their fibre, resistant starch, and/or the sugars.Methodology: In vitro pH controlled stirred batch culture fermentation system was used to compare the effect on human gut microbiota of four substrates: two varieties of OFSP (SPK 004 and Tainung), FOS and sucrose known for positive prebiotic and non-selective change respectively. The system was inoculated with faecal slurry from six different human healthy donors from different ethical backgrounds, age, and the effectual change recorded over 24 hours by monitoring bacterial counts (total bacteria, Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium) using qPCR molecular technique and SCFA profiles by gas chromatography.Results: The total bacteria count increased by (0.92-1.7 log10) and Bacteroides genus (1.03-1.8 log10) throughout the experimental period but with no significant differences (p<0.05) between the four substrates. However, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the beneficial Bifidobacterium (1.66-2.66 log10) between the 2 varieties of OFSP and the two controls (FOS and sucrose). The levels of SCFA increased, with acetate as the predominant acid and lactic acid being the least. The OFSP purees elicited high butyric acid levels, which were comparable to those of positive control FOS.Conclusions: The study demonstrated that OFSP purees may have prebiotic potential that can positively modulate gut microbiota by promoting growth of beneficial bacteria, bifidobacterium genus, and stimulating production of SCFA especially butyric acid which is the favourable in human gut health. However, further research using more probiotic and pathogenic microbes in addition to in vivo clinical studies and compositional analysis of OFSP is needed to confirm prebiotic activity. Key words: Orange fleshed sweet potato, prebiotic, human gut microbiota
Quantitative analysis of sugar ingredients in beverages and food crops by an effective method combining naphthimidazole derivatization and 1H-NMR spectrometry
Authors: Chen Yi-Ting , Hung Wei-Ting , Wang Shwu-Huey , Fang Jim-Min , Yang Wei-Bin 
Published: August 2018

Background: Though carbohydrates are needed for health, excessive uptake of sugar may induce obesity, decayed teeth, and chronic diseases. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration has recently proposed to regulate common sugars, a list that includes glucose, galactose, fructose, lactose, maltose, and sucrose in beverages and dietary foods. Accordingly, rapid and effective methods are needed for the quantitative analysis of sugar ingredients in beverages and foods.Objective: To establish a convenient method of quantifying sugar ingredients in beverages and foods by using one-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy via a simple treatment with naphthimidazole (NAIM) labeling kit.Methods: The sample of beverages or the hydrolysate of food crops were treated with an NAIM labeling kit that contains 2,3-naphthalenediamine and iodine in acetic acid solution. After the complete conversion of the reducing sugars to sugar-NAIM derivatives, the mixture solution was subjected to rotary evaporation under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in D2O solution with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as an internal standard for the 1H-NMR spectrometric analysis. Results: An aldose existing in two anomeric isomers is completely converted to the corresponding NAIM derivative that shows a single characteristic vinyl proton at a distinct position to facilitate the quantitative analysis by NMR spectrometry. Even 10 μmol of common sugar ingredients in 50 μL of beverage or in the hydrolysate prepared from 1 mg of food crop can be quantified.Conclusions: The results suggest that a simple treatment of beverage with the NAIM labeling kit provides a convenient method for the quantification of sugar ingredients by 1H-NMR spectrometry. This method combining NAIM derivatization and 1H-NMR analysis is also useful for the profiling and fingerprinting of food crops.Keywords: sugar, beverage, food crop, naphthimidazole, 1H-NMR spectrometry, quantitative analysis
Suppressive activity of enzymatically-educed soy protein hydrolysates on degranulation in IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells
Authors: Ashaolu Tolulope Joshua , Yupanqui Chutha Takahashi 
Published: August 2018

Background: Soy protein isolate (SPI) is increasingly used in foods because it is a high quality non-dairy protein with excellent functional properties. However, soy allergy is one of the world’s major eight food allergies. Objective: To investigate the anti-allergic activity of soy protein hydrolysates (SPHs) produced with alcalase and pepsin proteases.Methods: SPI was enzymatically hydrolysed using the proteases, while evaluating the reaction conditions which include E/S (enzyme to substrate ratio) of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% (250 u/mg and 5 u/g of pepsin and alcalase respectively); and hydrolysis time (0 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h, 4h and 8h). Afterwards, rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL)-2H3 cells activated by the IgE-antigen complex were used to assess mast cell degranulation inhibitory activity of the SPHs by the release of β-hexosaminidase. RBL-2H3 cells were sensitized with monoclonal anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) specific IgE and challenged with the antigen DNP-bovine serum albumin in the presence or absence of SPHs.Results: It was observed that 0.1 mg/mL concentration of the 0.5% E/S SPHs prepared in the first 4h significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited β-hexosaminidase release in an IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells compared to those produced at other time intervals, E/S, and concentrations.Conclusion: This is the first report of its kind that shows the ability of SPHs to suppress degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells. Consequently, SPHs have good prospects to be used as potential sources of low cost hypo or anti-allergic protein.Keywords: Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Hydrolysates, RBL-2H3 Cells, β-Hexosaminidase, Anti-allergy
Importance of Balance-Gait Disorder as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Impairment, Dementia and Related Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Lichter David Gordon , Benedict Ralph Holmes Boring , Hershey Linda Ann 
Published: August 2018

Background: In Parkinson’s disease (PD), postural instability-gait disorder (PIGD) has been associated with more rapid cognitive decline, dementia, and greater non-motor symptom (NMS) burden. Objective: To assess the importance of balance-gait disorder, relative to and in combination with other clinical measures, as a risk factor for cognitive impairment, dementia and NMS burden in PD. Methods: 164 PD subjects were evaluated in a retrospective cross-sectional study using the MDS-UPDRS scale, MMSE and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Using univariate comparisons followed by multiple stepwise regression, we identified factors most closely associated with NMS burden and concurrent dementia. Nominal logistic regression and linear discriminant analysis was used to compute receiver operating characteristic curves and to measure sensitivity and specificity of predictors of dementia. Results: Dementia was more frequent in those with the PIGD phenotype ( χ2 = 11.49, p = 0.003). The MDS-UPDRS balance-gait measure, excluding freezing of gait, was the single best predictor not only of concurrent cognitive impairment and dementia (F = 37.16, p < 0.001) but also of NMS burden, predicting 29% of the MDS-UPDRS total non-motor experiences of daily living score (F = 67.14, p < 0.0001). This measure, together with combined severity of hallucinations/psychosis, daytime sleepiness and urinary problems, a closely correlated symptom cluster (r = 0.63 p < 0.0001), accurately classified 84% of patients with dementia. Conclusions: In PD, balance-gait impairment is closely associated with dementia and NMS burden, particularly the linked symptoms of cognitive impairment, psychosis, daytime sleepiness and urinary dysfunction. This phenotype characterizes patients likely to require closer surveillance and more comprehensive care. Confirmation of these findings in prospective longitudinal studies might help refine predictive algorithms designed to identify PD patients more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.
Basal Forebrain Volume, but Not Hippocampal Volume, Is a Predictor of Global Cognitive Decline in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease Treated With Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Teipel Stefan J. , Cavedo Enrica , Hampel Harald , Grothe Michel J. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI)
Published: August 2018

Background: Predicting the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for treatment selection and patient counseling. Structural MRI markers such as hippocampus or basal forebrain volumes might represent useful instruments for the prediction of cognitive decline. The primary objective was to determine the predictive value of hippocampus and basal forebrain volumes for global and domain specific cognitive decline in AD dementia during cholinergic treatment.Methods: We used MRI and cognitive data from 124 patients with the clinical diagnosis of AD dementia, derived from the ADNI-1 cohort, who were on standard of care cholinesterase inhibitor treatment during a follow-up period between 0.4 and 3.1 years. We used linear mixed effects models with cognitive function as outcome to assess the main effects as well as two-way interactions between baseline volumes and time controlling for age, sex, and total intracranial volume. This model accounts for individual variation in follow-up times.Results: Basal forebrain volume, but not hippocampus volume, was a significant predictor of rates of global cognitive decline. Larger volumes were associated with smaller rates of cognitive decline. Left hippocampus volume had a modest association with rates of episodic memory decline. Baseline performance in global cognition and memory was significantly associated with hippocampus and basal forebrain volumes; in addition, basal forebrain volume was associated with baseline performance in executive function.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that in AD dementia patients, basal forebrain volume may be a useful marker to predict subsequent cognitive decline during cholinergic treatment.
The Large-scale Interstellar Medium of SS 433/W50 Revisited
Authors: Su Yang , Zhou Xin , Yang Ji , Chen Yang , Chen Xuepeng , Zhang Shaobo 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
With new high-resolution CO and H i data, we revisited the large-scale interstellar medium (ISM) environment toward the SS 433/W50 system. We find that two interesting molecular cloud (MC) concentrations, G39.315−1.155 and G40.331−4.302, are well aligned along the precession cone of SS 433 within a smaller opening angle of ∼±7°. The kinematic features of the two MCs at ∼73–84 km s−1, as well as those of the corresponding atomic-gas counterparts, are consistent with the kinematic characteristics of SS 433. That is, the receding gas from SS 433 jet is probably responsible for the redshifted feature of G39.315−1.155 near the Galactic plane, and the approaching one may power the blueshifted gas of G40.331−4.302 toward the observer. Moreover, the H i emission at V
LSR ∼ 70–90 km s−1 displays the morphological resemblance with the radio nebula W50. We suggest that the V
LSR = 77 ± 5 km s−1 gas is physically associated with SS 433/W50, leading to a near kinematic distance of 4.9 ± 0.4 kpc for the system. The observed gas features, which are located outside the current radio boundaries of W50, are probably the fossil record of jet–ISM interactions at ∼105 years ago. The energetic jets of the unique microquasar have profound effects on its ISM environment, which may facilitate the formation of molecular gas on the timescale of ≲0.1 Myr for the ram pressure of ∼2 × 106 K cm−3.
Observations of Two Successive EUV Waves and Their Mode Conversion
Authors: Chandra Ramesh , Chen P. F. , Joshi Reetika , Joshi Bhuwan , Schmieder Brigitte 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
In this paper, we present the observations of two successive fast-mode extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave events observed on 2016 July 23. Both fast-mode waves were observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instrument on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite, with a traveling speed of ≈675 and 640 km s−1, respectively. These two wave events were associated with two filament eruptions and two GOES M-class solar flares from the NOAA active region 12565, which was located near the western limb. The EUV waves mainly move toward the south direction. We observed the interaction of the EUV waves with a helmet streamer further away to the south. When either or one of the EUV waves penetrates into the helmet streamer, a slowly propagating wave with a traveling speed of ≈150 km s−1 is observed along the streamer. We suggest that the slowly moving waves are slow-mode waves, and interpret this phenomenon as the magnetohydrodynamic wave-mode conversion from the fast mode to the slow mode. Furthermore, we observed several stationary fronts to the north and south of the source region.
Abundances of Ordinary Chondrites in Thermally Evolving Planetesimals
Authors: Wakita Shigeru , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Nozawa Takaya 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Chondrites are some of the most primitive objects in the solar system, and they maintain a record of the degree of thermal metamorphism experienced in their parent bodies. This thermal history can be classified by the petrologic type. We investigate the thermal evolution of planetesimals to account for the current abundances (known as the fall statistics) of petrologic types 3–6 of ordinary chondrites. We carry out a number of numerical calculations in which formation times and sizes of planetesimals are taken as parameters. We find that planetesimals that form within 2.0 Myr after the formation of Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) can contain all petrologic types of ordinary chondrites. Our results also indicate that plausible scenarios of planetesimal formation, which are consistent with the fall statistics, are that planetesimals with radii larger than 60 km start to form around 2.0 Myr after CAIs and/or that ones with radii less than 50 km should be formed within 1.5 Myr after CAIs. Thus, thermal modeling of planetesimals is important for revealing the occurrence and amount of metamorphosed chondrites and for providing invaluable insights into planetesimal formation.
Leptonic and Hadronic Modeling of Fermi-LAT Hard Spectrum Quasars and Predictions for High-energy Polarization
Authors: Paliya Vaidehi S. , Zhang Haocheng , Böttcher Markus , Ajello M. , Domínguez A. , Joshi M. , Hartmann D. , Stalin C. S. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
We present the results of a study of the time-averaged spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of eight flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) present in the second catalog of high energy sources detected beyond 50 GeV by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (2FHL). Both leptonic and hadronic scenarios are adopted to explain the multiwavelength SEDs and we find them to be marginally consistent with the 2FHL spectra above 50 GeV. We derive the expected degree of X-ray and γ-ray polarizations both for the average and elevated activity states and note that (i) a hadronic radiative model consistently predicts a higher degree of high energy polarization compared to leptonic ones and (ii) the X-ray polarization degree is higher than the γ-ray polarization in the leptonic scenario, but similar to the γ-ray polarization if the observed radiation is powered by hadronic processes. From the leptonic modeling, the location of the γ-ray emitting region is found to be at the outer edge of the broad line region (BLR) and is consistent with the γγ opacity estimates for the γ-ray absorption by the BLR. We conclude that a majority of the FSRQs could be detected by the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array, though future high energy polarimeters will be able to detect them only during elevated activity states, which could provide supportive evidence for the hadronic origin of the X-ray and γ-ray emission.
Why Are Some Gamma-Ray Bursts Hosted by Oxygen-rich Galaxies?
Authors: Hashimoto Tetsuya , Chaudhary Ravi , Ohta Kouji , Goto Tomotsugu , Hammer Francois , Kong Albert K. H. , Nomoto Ken’ichi , Mao Jirong 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Theoretically long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are expected to happen in low-metallicity environments, because in a single massive star scenario, low iron abundance prevents loss of angular momentum through stellar wind, resulting in ultra-relativistic jets and the burst. In this sense, not just a simple metallicity measurement but also low iron abundance ([Fe/H] ≲ −1.0) is essentially important. Observationally, however, oxygen abundance has been measured more often due to stronger emission. In terms of oxygen abundance, some GRBs have been reported to be hosted by high-metallicity star-forming galaxies, in tension with theoretical predictions. Here we compare iron and oxygen abundances for the first time for GRB host galaxies (GRB 980425 and 080517) based on the emission-line diagnostics. The estimated total iron abundances, including iron in both gas and dust, are well below the solar value. The total iron abundances can be explained by the typical value of theoretical predictions ([Fe/H] ≲ −1.0), despite high oxygen abundance in one of them. According to our iron abundance measurements, the single massive star scenario still survives even if the oxygen abundance of the host is very high, such as the solar value. Relying only on oxygen abundance could mislead us on the origin of the GRBs. The measured oxygen-to-iron ratios, [O/Fe], can be comparable to the highest values among the iron-measured galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Possible theoretical explanations of such high [O/Fe] include the young age of the hosts, top-heavy initial mass function, and fallback mechanism of the iron element in supernova explosions.