bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging roles of bioactive peptides on brain health promotion
Authors: Katayama Shigeru , Nakamura Soichiro 
Published: December 2018

SummaryCognitive dysfunction is a major debilitating age‐related disorder. Natural dietary bioactive compounds with potential neuroprotective and brain health benefits, including the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia, have received increasing attention. Because cognitive decline is thought to result from dysfunctional synaptic plasticity, the induction of neuroprotective proteins, including neurotrophic factors, protein chaperones, and antioxidant enzymes, by dietary bioactive compounds may help prevent age‐related cognitive decline. Phytochemicals and bioactive peptides have been demonstrated to have a preventive effect on cognitive decline in different animal models and in human studies. This review focuses on the in vivo effects of bioactive peptides on brain function and the expression of neuroprotective factors.
Not all gifts are good: The potential practical costs of motivated gifts
Authors: Aknin Lara B. , Wiwad Dylan , Girme Yuthika U. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPeople rely on support from others to accomplish mundane and momentous tasks. When asking for assistance, is it beneficial to incentivize a helper by offering amotivated gift(i.e., a gift with the hope of getting support in return)? Six studies (N > 2,500) examine the frequency and potential costs of motivated gifts. In Study 1, a third of Americans indicated that they had given a motivated gift at least once, while nearly two‐thirds believed they had received one. In Studies 2a–d, most participants who imagined receiving a motivated gift before a favor request reported lower willingness to help and anticipated satisfaction from helping than participants who imagined simply being asked for a favor. Finally, Study 3 replicates these findings with actual help provided among friends in a laboratory setting. Findings suggest that motivated gifts are relatively common but may sometimes undermine the assistance that people hope to receive.
Chalcone flavokawain A attenuates TGF‐β1‐induced fibrotic pathology via inhibition of ROS/Smad3 signaling pathways and induction of Nrf2/ARE‐mediated antioxidant genes in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Hseu You‐Cheng , Yang Ting‐Yu , Li Mei‐Ling , Rajendran Peramaiyan , Mathew Dony Chacko , Tsai Chia‐Hsuan , Lin Ruei‐Wan , Lee Chuan‐Chen , Yang Hsin‐Ling 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTGF‐β1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular fibrotic diseases. Chalcones are reportedly cancer chemo‐preventive food components that are rich in fruits and vegetables. In this study, flavokawain A (FKA, 2‐30 μM), a naturally occurring chalcone in kava extracts, was evaluated for its anti‐fibrotic and antioxidant properties in TGF‐β1‐stimulated vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells, as well as its underlying molecular mechanism of action. Immunofluorescence data showed down‐regulated F‐actin expression with FKA treatment in TGF‐β1‐stimulated A7r5 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that FKA treatment suppressed the expression of α‐SMA and fibronectin proteins under TGF‐β1 stimulation. Findings from wound‐healing and invasion experiments showed that FKA inhibits TGF‐β1‐mediated migration and invasion. Western blotting demonstrated that treatment with FKA down‐regulated MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 and up‐regulated TIMP‐1 expression. Further evidence showed that FKA decreased TGF‐β1‐mediated phosphorylation and the transcriptional activity of Smad3. TGF‐β1‐induced excessive ROS production was remarkably reversed by FKA treatment in A7r5 cells, and inhibition by FKA or N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) substantially diminished TGF‐β1‐induced p‐Smad3 activation and wound‐healing migration. Interestingly, FKA‐mediated antioxidant properties were associated with increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and elevated antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity. Activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling was accompanied by the induction of HO‐1, NQO‐1 and γ‐GCLC genes in FKA‐treated A7r5 cells. Notably, silencing of Nrf2 (siRNA transfection) significantly diminished the FKA‐mediated antioxidant effects, indicating that FKA may inhibit TGF‐β1‐induced fibrosis through suppressing ROS generation in A7r5 cells. Our results suggested that anti‐fibrotic and antioxidant activities of the chalcone flavokawain A may contribute to the development of food‐based chemo‐preventive drugs for fibrotic diseases.
Identification of potential prognostic TF‐associated lncRNAs for predicting survival in ovarian cancer
Authors: Guo Qiuyan , He Yanan , Sun Liyuan , Kong Congcong , Cheng Yan , Wang Peng , Zhang Guangmei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe pathophysiology of ovarian cancer (OV) is complex and depends on multiple biological processes and pathways. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes and helping personalize treatment of OV. A long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA)‐based risk score model was constructed to infer the prognostic efficacy of transcription factors (TFs) based on the OV dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The risk score model was further validated in other independent cohorts from Gene Expression Omnibus. Time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the survival prediction performance in comparison with other clinical and molecular variables. Our results revealed that the top‐ranked TF‐associating lncRNAs were significantly associated with overall survival, progression‐free survival and disease‐free survival. Stratification analysis according to clinical variables indicated the prognostic independence of POLR2A‐associating lncRNAs. In comparison, the signature of POLR2A‐associating lncRNAs was more sensitive and specific than existing clinical and molecular signatures. Functional and experimental analysis suggested that POLR2A‐associating lncRNAs may be involved in known biological processes and pathways of OV. Our findings revealed that the lncRNA‐based risk score model can provide helpful information on OV prognosis stratification and discovery of therapeutic biomarkers.
Trajectories of Interracial Heterosexual Couples: A Longitudinal Analysis of Relationship Quality and Separation
Authors: Brown Cameron C. , Williams Zenova , Durtschi Jared A. 
Published: December 2018

Minimal research has examined interracial couples’ relationship satisfaction and dissolution patterns over time. Using dyadic data across 8 years, we examined potential differences in relationship quality trajectories through latent growth curve modeling with 1,336 couples as well as differential risks for relationship dissolution through logistic regression between same‐race and interracial relationships using a different subset of 2,370 couples. Results indicated that women in interracial relationships were significantly lower in initial relationship quality than women in same‐race relationships. Further, interracial couples of Black‐Hispanic partnerings were twice as likely to separate across 8 years than same‐race couples. These results suggest that despite interracial relationships not substantively differing from same‐race couples in trajectories of relationship quality, specific Black‐Hispanic interracial couples are at a higher risk of eventual separation.
Dermapen in the treatment of wrinkles in cigarette smokers and skin aging effectively
Authors: Amer Mohamed , Farag Fawzeya , Amer Amin , ElKot Riham , Mahmoud Rana 
Published: December 2018

SummarySkin aging is a complex biological process that arises from two basic processes: intrinsic aging (influenced by genetics factors, cellular metabolism, hormone, and metabolic processes) and extrinsic aging caused by chronic light exposure, pollution, ionizing radiation, chemicals, toxins (Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2008;8:393). Intrinsic aging called also chronological aging is observed in sun‐protected skin of elderly persons. Microneedling, as the term indicates, means the use of needles or “microneedles” to achieve a therapeutic effect. The technique of microneedling was innovated by Fernandes. Safe treatment for facial wrinkles due to both (aging and smoking) and Dermapen is an effective and all skin types with the advantage of being an inexpensive office maneuver and relatively risk‐free procedure, avoiding significant downtime depigmentation or complication.
Relationships among general health, job satisfaction, work engagement and job features in nurses working in a public hospital: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: González‐Gancedo Jacob , Fernández‐Martínez Elena , Rodríguez‐Borrego María Aurora 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAim and objectiveTo describe relations among health, job satisfaction, work engagement and job features in Spanish nurses working in a public hospital.BackgroundIt has been established that nursing staff health affects the quality of their work and is associated with job satisfaction, work engagement and different job features. Understanding the relationships among these variables could provide useful information to improve staff performance and prevent work‐related illnesses.DesignA descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational and comparative study was performed between January–April 2016. This research adheres to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline.MethodsA total of 926 nurses were requested to complete an online questionnaire. Nurses on sick leave or in period of unpaid leave during data collection were excluded. The final study population reached 392 nurses. The online survey was fully completed by 373 nurses. General health, job satisfaction and work engagement were measured. Tools used were as follows: sociodemographic questions, the General Health Questionnaire, the Overall Job Satisfaction Scale and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.ResultsSignificant correlations among general health, job satisfaction and work engagement were found. Specifically, general health levels were negatively correlated with job satisfaction and work engagement subscales. Job features with influence on these constructs were the type of shift, type of contract, type of service, salary, type of continuous formation and having a specialty/profile.ConclusionsOur results indicate that job‐related features affect job satisfaction, general health and work engagement. The organisation should make interventions over these features to increase job satisfaction and work engagement levels, since they are relevant for nursing staff health and patient security.Relevance to clinical practiceThe analysis of the relationships among general health, job satisfaction, work engagement and job features in nurses could offer a basis to design preventive programmes to improve staff performance and prevent work‐related illnesses.
Tetrasomy 18p: The challenges of noninvasive prenatal testing and combined test
Authors: Tolva Gianluca , Silipigni Rosamaria , Quarenghi Aida , Vergani Patrizia , Guerneri Silvana , Milani Donatella 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCirculating cell‐free DNA, having no procedural risk of miscarriage, is the most suitable sample for a noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Here we report on a boy, who came to our attention for hypotonia and psychomotor delay when he was 16 months old. During the pregnancy his mother performed a NIPT that resulted compatible with the presence of trisomy 18. A confirmatory invasive procedure has been proposed, but not performed, because the family preferred to follow a conservative line. A series of ultrasound excluded the presence of any major malformations. Genetic tests, performed after birth, revealed the presence of a tetrasomy 18p with an extra isochromosome 18p. Our report wants to underline the importance of an invasive procedure and consequent cytogenetic analysis in case of NIPT results indicating autosomal trisomies because under it may hide the presence of other structural chromosomal anomalies. These conditions are normally not visible at prenatal ultrasound or using combined test (CT) and the only identifiable not invasive sign could be the results of high risk at NIPT.
Atmospheric shock waves after impacts of cosmic bodies up to 1000 m in diameter
Authors: Artemieva N. , Shuvalov V. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe results of numerical modeling of meteoroids' interaction with Earth's atmosphere are presented. We model the entry in two dimensions and then interpolate the results into a 3‐D model to calculate interaction of shock waves with the surface. Maximum shock pressures, wind speeds, and areas subjected to substantial overpressure are calculated for oblique impacts of asteroids and comets. We show that vertical impacts produce a smaller damage zone on the surface than oblique ones. Damage caused by shock waves covers an order of magnitude larger area than any other hazardous effects. The function of energy release in the atmosphere, which is traditionally used in meteoritics, has a limited application if cosmic bodies are larger than tens of meters in diameter: at each time moment energy is smoothed along a substantial length of the trajectory; both emitted radiation (routinely used for calibration of semi‐analytical models) and shock wave amplitude are complex functions of temperature–density distributions in atmosphere.
Quantitative multi‐locus metabarcoding and waggle dance interpretation reveal honey bee spring foraging patterns in Midwest agroecosystems
Authors: Richardson Rodney T. , Curtis Hailey R. , Matcham Emma G. , Lin Chia‐Hua , Suresh Sreelakshmi , Sponsler Douglas B. , Hearon Luke E. , Johnson Reed M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe explored the pollen foraging behaviour of honey bee colonies situated in the corn and soybean dominated agroecosystems of central Ohio over a month‐long period using both pollen metabarcoding and waggle dance inference of spatial foraging patterns. For molecular pollen analysis, we developed simple and cost‐effective laboratory and bioinformatics methods. Targeting four plant barcode loci (ITS2, rbcL, trnL and trnH), we implemented metabarcoding library preparation and dual‐indexing protocols designed to minimize amplification biases and index mistagging events. We constructed comprehensive, curated reference databases for hierarchical taxonomic classification of metabarcoding data and used these databases to train the metaxa2 DNA sequence classifier. Comparisons between morphological and molecular palynology provide strong support for the quantitative potential of multi‐locus metabarcoding. Results revealed consistent foraging habits between locations and show clear trends in the phenological progression of honey bee spring foraging in these agricultural areas. Our data suggest that three key taxa, woody Rosaceae such as pome fruits and hawthorns, Salix, and Trifolium provided the majority of pollen nutrition during the study. Spatially, these foraging patterns were associated with a significant preference for forests and tree lines relative to herbaceous land cover and nonflowering crop fields.
Enkephalinase inhibitors, potential therapeutics for the future treatment of diarrhea predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Szymaszkiewicz Agata , Storr Martin , Fichna Jakub , Zielinska Marta 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe endogenous opioid system (EOS) is considered being a crucial element involved in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as it regulates gastrointestinal (GI) homeostasis through modulation of motility and water and ion secretion/absorption. Along with opioid receptors (ORs), the following components of EOS can be distinguished: 1. endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs), namely enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins and dynorphins, and 2. peptidases, which regulate the metabolism (synthesis and degradation) of EOPs. Enkephalins, which are δ‐opioid receptors agonists, induce significant effects in the GI tract as they act as potent pro‐absorptive neurotransmitters. The action of enkephalins and other EOPs is limited, since EOPs are easily and rapidly inactivated by a natural metalloendopeptidase (enkephalinase/neprilysin) and aminopeptidase N. Studies show that the activity of EOPs can be enhanced by inhibition of these enzymes. In this review, we discuss the antidiarrheal and antinociceptive potential of enkephalinase inhibitors. Furthermore, our review is to answer the question whether enkephalinase inhibitors may be helpful in the future treatment of diarrhea predominant functional GI disorders.
The role of lip thickness in upper lip response to sagittal change of incisor position
Authors: Alkadhi Ruba M. , Finkelman Matthew D. , Trotman Carroll Ann , Kanavakis Georgios 
Published: December 2018

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the association between upper lip thickness and the amount of upper lip repositioning upon retraction of maxillary incisors.Setting and Sample PopulationPre‐ and post‐treatment lateral cephalograms of 101 patients were reviewed. All subjects were treated with fixed orthodontic appliances including extraction of two maxillary premolars. Only subjects without change in lip thickness between pre‐ and post‐treatment cephalograms were included.Material and MethodsDigital software measurements for lip thickness, pre‐ and post‐treatment upper lip position were performed. Appropriate regression models were developed to explore the correlation between maxillary incisor retraction and lip retraction when controlling for lip thickness and other confounding factors. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 for all analyses.ResultsA significant correlation was found between change in maxillary incisor position following premolars extraction and change in upper lip position (r = 0.95, P < 0.001). The average ratio between maxillary incisor retraction and upper lip repositioning was 1.43:1. Upper lip thickness was not significantly associated with this ratio (r = 0.003, P > 0.05).ConclusionAlthough there is a highly significant correlation between maxillary incisor retraction and upper lip repositioning, lip thickness is not significantly associated with the amount of repositioning.
Discovery of genomic regions and candidate genes controlling shelling percentage using QTL‐seq approach in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Luo Huaiyong , Pandey Manish K. , Khan Aamir W. , Guo Jianbin , Wu Bei , Cai Yan , Huang Li , Zhou Xiaojing , Chen Yuning , Chen Weigang , Liu Nian , Lei Yong , Liao Boshou , Varshney Rajeev K. , Jiang Huifang 
Published: December 2018

SummaryCultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important grain legume providing high‐quality cooking oil, rich proteins and other nutrients. Shelling percentage (SP) is the 2nd most important agronomic trait after pod yield and this trait significantly affects the economic value of peanut in the market. Deployment of diagnostic markers through genomics‐assisted breeding (GAB) can accelerate the process of developing improved varieties with enhanced SP. In this context, we deployed the QTL‐seq approach to identify genomic regions and candidate genes controlling SP in a recombinant inbred line population (Yuanza 9102 × Xuzhou 68‐4). Four libraries (two parents and two extreme bulks) were constructed and sequenced, generating 456.89–790.32 million reads and achieving 91.85%–93.18% genome coverage and 14.04–21.37 mean read depth. Comprehensive analysis of two sets of data (Yuanza 9102/two bulks and Xuzhou 68‐4/two bulks) using the QTL‐seq pipeline resulted in discovery of two overlapped genomic regions (2.75 Mb on A09 and 1.1 Mb on B02). Nine candidate genes affected by 10 SNPs with non‐synonymous effects or in UTRs were identified in these regions for SP. Cost‐effective KASP (Kompetitive Allele‐Specific PCR) markers were developed for one SNP from A09 and three SNPs from B02 chromosome. Genotyping of the mapping population with these newly developed KASP markers confirmed the major control and stable expressions of these genomic regions across five environments. The identified candidate genomic regions and genes for SP further provide opportunity for gene cloning and deployment of diagnostic markers in molecular breeding for achieving high SP in improved varieties.
Exporting, demand for skills and skill mismatch: Evidence from employers' hiring practices
Authors: Brenčič Vera , Pahor Marko 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe exploit information from a classification of occupations to identify separately formal qualification requirements linked to a job and formal qualifications of a worker who filled the job for the universe of firms in Slovenia. We find that exporters were more likely to hire over‐qualified workers than they did prior to becoming exporters even though they did not change the qualification requirements of their vacancies. Firms were more likely to demand other skills (leadership, knowledge of foreign languages) once they began to export. These findings suggest that skill upgrading by exporters reflects differences in terms of skill demand as well as the way workers match to jobs. This distinction is blurred in existing studies on skill upgrading by exporters because these studies rely solely on the information about the qualifications of hired workers. Our findings are consistent with a framework in which firms become more productive and offer higher wages once they start to export, workers' qualifications and firms' productivity are complementary inputs, and search is costly.
Staphylococcal Plasmids, Transposable and Integrative Elements
Authors: Firth Neville , Jensen Slade O. , Kwong Stephen M. , Skurray Ronald A. , Ramsay Joshua P. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACT

Strains of
Staphylococcus aureus
, and to a lesser extent other staphylococcal species, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. An important factor in the notoriety of these organisms stems from their frequent resistance to many antimicrobial agents used for chemotherapy. This review catalogues the variety of mobile genetic elements that have been identified in staphylococci, with a primary focus on those associated with the recruitment and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. These include plasmids, transposable elements such as insertion sequences and transposons, and integrative elements including ICE and SCC elements. In concert, these diverse entities facilitate the intra- and inter-cellular gene mobility that enables horizontal genetic exchange, and have also been found to play additional roles in modulating gene expression and genome rearrangement.
Nonconventional Therapeutics against
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Grunenwald Caroline M. , Bennett Monique R. , Skaar Eric P. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is one of the most important human pathogens that is responsible for a variety of diseases ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to endocarditis and sepsis. In recent decades, the treatment of staphylococcal infections has become increasingly difficult as the prevalence of multi-drug resistant strains continues to rise. With increasing mortality rates and medical costs associated with drug resistant strains, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic options. Many innovative strategies for alternative drug development are being pursued, including disruption of biofilms, inhibition of virulence factor production, bacteriophage-derived antimicrobials, anti-staphylococcal vaccines, and light-based therapies. While many compounds and methods still need further study to determine their feasibility, some are quickly approaching clinical application and may be available in the near future.