bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spirulina supplementation in a mouse model of diet-induced liver fibrosis reduced the pro-inflammatory response of splenocytes
Authors: Pham Tho X. , Lee Yoojin , Bae Minkyung , Hu Siqi , Kang Hyunju , Kim Mi-Bo , Park Young-Ki , Lee Ji-Young 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTreatment of liver fibrosis is very limited as there is currently no effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Spirulina platensis (SP) is a blue-green alga that is widely supplemented in healthy foods. The objective of this study was to determine whether SP supplementation can prevent obesity-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a low-fat or a high-fat (HF)/high-sucrose/high-cholesterol diet or an HF diet supplemented with 2·5 % SP (w/w) (HF/SP) for 16 or 20 weeks. There were no significant differences in body weight, activity, energy expenditure, serum lipids or glucose tolerance between mice on HF and HF/SP diets. However, plasma alanine aminotransferase level was significantly reduced by SP at 16 weeks. Expression of fibrotic markers and trichrome stains showed no differences between HF and HF/SP. Splenocytes isolated from HF/SP fed mice had lower inflammatory gene expression and cytokine secretion compared with splenocytes from HF-fed mice. SP supplementation did not attenuate HF-induced liver fibrosis. However, the expression and secretion of inflammatory genes in splenocytes were significantly reduced by SP supplementation, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of SP in vivo. Although SP did not show appreciable effect on the prevention of liver fibrosis in this mouse model, it may be beneficial for other inflammatory conditions.
Social relationships, neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk: findings from a multi-racial US urban community
Authors: LeBrón Alana M. W. , Schulz Amy J. , Mentz Graciela B. , Israel Barbara A. , Stokes Carmen A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPrior research has established associations between neighbourhood poverty and cumulative biological risk (CBR). CBR is conceptualized as indicative of the effects of stress on biological functioning, and is linked with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies suggest that supportive social relationships may be health protective, and may erode under conditions of poverty. This study examines whether social relationships are inversely associated with CBR and whether associations between neighbourhood poverty and CBR are mediated through social relationships. Data were from a stratified probability sample community survey (n=919) of residents of Detroit, Michigan, USA (2002–2003) and from the 2000 US Census. The outcome variable, CBR, included anthropometric and clinical measures. Independent variables included four indicators of social relationships: social support, neighbourhood satisfaction, social cohesion and neighbourhood participation. Multilevel models were used to test both research questions, with neighbourhood poverty and social relationships included at the block group level, and social relationships also included at the individual level, to disentangle individual from neighbourhood effects. Findings suggest some associations between social relationships and CBR after accounting for neighbourhood poverty and individual characteristics. In models that accounted for all indicators of social relationships, individual-level social support was associated with greater CBR (β=0.12, p=0.04), while neighbourhood-level social support was marginally significantly protective of CBR (within-neighbourhood: β=−0.36, p=0.06; between-neighbourhood: β=−0.24, p=0.06). In contrast, individual-level neighbourhood satisfaction was protective of CBR (β=−0.10, p=0.02), with no within-neighbourhood (β=0.06, p=0.54) or between-neighbourhood association (β=−0.04, p=0.38). Results indicate no significant association between either social cohesion or neighbourhood participation and CBR. Associations between neighbourhood poverty and CBR were not mediated by social relationships. These findings suggest that neighbourhood-level social support and individual-level neighbourhood satisfaction may be health protective and that neighbourhood poverty, social support and neighbourhood satisfaction are associated with CBR through independent pathways.
The impact of cinnarizine and griseofulvin on juvenile and adult stages of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Sarhan R.M. , Thabet H.S. , Nazeer J.T. , William S. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Schistosomiasis affects millions globally. There is no vaccine, and treatment depends entirely on praziquantel (PZQ). Field isolates exhibit reduced susceptibility to PZQ, and resistance has been experimentally induced, suggesting that reliance on a single treatment is particularly dangerous. The present study investigated the value of cinnarizine and griseofulvin against Schistosoma mansoni through their in vitro effects on adult worms and oviposition as well as in vivo evaluation in early and late infection, compared to PZQ, in a preliminary experimental model. In vitro, both cinnarizine and griseofulvin showed uncoupling, sluggish worm movement and complete absence of ova at 100 μg/ml. In early infection, cinnarizine showed a significant reduction in the number of porto-mesenteric couples compared to the griseofulvin and control groups, a finding similar to PZQ. Remarkably, cinnarizine significantly exceeded PZQ and griseofulvin in reducing the total worm burden. In late infection, cinnarizine and griseofulvin showed results similar to PZQ by significantly reducing the numbers of hepatic and porto-mesenteric couples and total worm burden compared to controls. Cinnarizine performed better than griseofulvin by reducing hepatic and intestinal ovum counts, and it led to complete disappearance of the first two immature stages. The current work suggests the possibility of using cinnarizine and griseofulvin, mainly in late S. mansoni infection, especially cinnarizine, which showed similar results to PZQ and surpassed it in early infection. Further studies are required to elucidate their exact mechanisms of action and particularly their synergistic effect with PZQ.
New breeding site and records of king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) on King George Island (South Shetlands, Western Antarctic)
Authors: Gryz Piotr , Gerlée Alina , Korczak-Abshire Małgorzata 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is a pelagic species that breeds on sub-Antarctic islands relatively close to the Antarctic polar front. After a significant decline at the beginning of the twentieth century because of widespread exploitation by sealers, the species’ numbers are currently increasing, with observed local fluctuations. There has also been an increase in the number of sightings in the Antarctic, and recorded breeding attempts in this area. Here we present the history of observations of king penguins from 1977 to 2017 in two Antarctic Specially Protected Areas: ASPA No. 128 Western Shore of Admiralty Bay, and No. 151 Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands (Western Antarctic). Additionally, we report on a new breeding site at Lions Rump, the third known breeding site for this species in the South Shetland Islands. Together with observations from other parts of the archipelago, the information in this study supports earlier suggestions of a southerly expansion of this species and of attempts to colonise the Antarctic Peninsula region.
Transcatheter left atrial decompression in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: bridging to cardiac transplantation or recovery
Authors: Bauer Anna , Khalil Markus , Schmidt Dorle , Recla Sabine , Bauer Jürgen , Esmaeili Anoosh , Penford Gemma , Akintuerk Hakan , Schranz Dietmar 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundLeft atrial congestion results from backward failure in dilated cardiomyopathy. We aimed to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous atrioseptostomy to create a restrictive atrial septum defect in management of dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods and resultsFrom June 2009 to December 2016, 27 interventions comprised left atria decompressions in 22 dilated cardiomyopathy patients; 9 females; age: 24 days to 36.9 years; weight: 3–50 kg; NYHA-/Ross class IV (n=16). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 21.5±9.7% and brain natriuretic peptide was 2291±1992 pg/ml. Dilated cardiomyopathy was classified as chronic (n=9); acute (n=1) myocarditis; idiopathic (n=5); left ventricular non-compaction (n=4); mitochondriopathy, pacemaker induced, and arrhythmogenic (n=3). Atrioseptostomy was concomitantly performed with myocardial biopsies 6.5 days (±11.7) after admission (n=11). Trans-septal puncture was used in 18 patients; foramen ovale dilatation was done in four patients. Mean balloon size was 11 mm (range 7–14 mm); total procedure time was 133±38 minutes. No procedural complications were observed. Mean left atrial pressure decreased from 15.8±6.8 to 12.2±4.8 mmHg (p=0.005), left/right atrial pressure gradient from 9.6±5.6 to 5±3.5 mmHg; brain natriuretic peptide (n=18) decreased from 1968±1606 to 830±1083 pg/ml (p=0.01). One patient unsuitable for heart transplantation died at home despite additionally performed pulmonary artery banding and three further left atrial decompressions; five patients were bridged to transplantation, two died afterwards. Functional recovery occurred in the remaining 14 patients and in six after additional pulmonary artery banding. No patient required assist device.ConclusionsPercutaneous left atrial decompression is an age-independent, effective palliation treating patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Naturally occurring rare sugars are free radical scavengers and can ameliorate endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Mooradian Arshag D. , Haas Michael J. , Onstead-Haas Luisa , Tani Yuma , Iida Tetsuo , Tokuda Masaaki 
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Because of potential use of naturally occurring rare sugars as sweeteners, their effect on superoxide (SO), hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was examined in human coronary artery endothelial cells. SO generation was measured using the superoxide-reactive probe 2-methyl-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-A]pyrazin-3-one hydrochloride chemiluminescence. Phycoerythrin fluorescence based assay was used to monitor scavenging activity of sugars in the presence of hydroxyl or peroxyl radical generators [CuSO4 and azobis (2 amidinopropane) hydrochloride respectively]. Measurements were made in relative light units (RLU). ER stress was measured with an ER stress-sensitive secreted alkaline phosphatase (SAP) assay and by Western blot analysis of the expression and phosphorylation of key proteins in the unfolded protein response, namely CHOP47, eIF2α and JNK1. D-Glucose (27.5 mM) increased SO generation (5536 ± 283 vs. 2963 ± 205 RLU in controls; p < 0.0007) and decreased SAP secretion (73411 ± 3971 vs. 101749 ± 7652 RLU in controls; p < 0.005) indicating ER stress. Treatment of cells with 5.5 or 27.5 mM of D-allulose, D-allose, D-sorbose and D-tagatose reduced SO generation (all p < 0.05). This could not be attributed to inhibition of cellular uptake of dextrose by the rare sugars tested. In a cell free system, all four rare sugars had significantly more SO, hydroxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activity compared to dextrose (all p < 0.01). Treatment of cells with rare sugars reduced ER stress. However, unlike other three rare sugars, D-sorbose did not inhibit tunicamycin-induced eIF2α phosphorylation. Naturally occurring rare sugars are free radical scavengers and can reduce ER stress.
Atmospheric Circulation Response to Anomalous Siberian Forcing in October 2016 and its Long‐Range Predictability
Authors: Tyrrell Nicholas L. , Karpechko Alexey Yu. , Uotila Petteri , Vihma Timo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe warm Arctic‐cold continent pattern was of record strength in October 2016, providing the opportunity to test its proposed influence on large‐scale atmospheric circulation. We find a record weak polar stratospheric vortex and negative North Atlantic Oscillation in November–December 2016 and link them to increased planetary wave generation associated with cold Siberian anomalies followed by troposphere‐stratosphere dynamical coupling. At the same time the warm Arctic anomalies, in particular those over the Barents‐Kara Seas, do not appear to play an important role in forcing the atmospheric circulation. Long‐range forecasts initialized on 1 October 2016 reproduced both the weak polar vortex and negative North Atlantic Oscillation, as well as their link with the Siberian temperatures. Our results support the stratospheric pathway for atmospheric circulation forcing associated with Siberian surface anomalies and uncover a source of skill for subseasonal forecasts from October to December.
Hemispheric Asymmetry of the Premidnight Aurora Associated With the Dawn‐Dusk Component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field
Authors: Liou K. , Mitchell E. J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIt has been known for decades that the nightside aurora in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) tends to be brighter when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) measured at Earth has a dawnward (negative y) component compared to a duskward (positive y) component. This asymmetric response to the polarity of IMF By has been explained by an interhemispheric current flowing out of the NH due to a nonuniform “penetration” of IMF By onto the magnetotail. If such a hypothesis is correct, it should predict a brighter aurora in the nightside Southern Hemisphere (SH) for positive IMF By than negative IMF By. Here we investigate this hypothesis using Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Energetics and Dynamics/Global Ultraviolet Imager data. The present study not only reproduces the result previously found in NH but also shows an opposite change to its Northern Hemispheric counterpart in SH in response to the different IMF By polarity. When comparing north to south, for negative IMF By, the premidnight auroral energy flux is greater in NH than that in SH. The result becomes opposite for positive IMF By. This result is consistent with the hypothesis of the existence of an interhemispheric field‐aligned current.
A Theory of Effective Microbial Substrate Affinity Parameters in Variably Saturated Soils and an Example Application to Aerobic Soil Heterotrophic Respiration
Authors: Tang Jinyun , Riley William J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAffinity parameters are essential for substrate kinetics‐based modeling of soil biogeochemistry. These parameters were originally defined for well‐mixed aqueous solutions to represent enzyme substrate binding. For variably saturated soils, they are often calibrated and highly uncertain. Here we develop a predictive theory of effective substrate affinity parameters to account for other processes that affect microbial substrate acquisition, so that the substrate kinetics for well‐mixed aqueous solutions can be similarly applied to variably saturated soils. The theory is based on an analytical approximation of how diffusive substrates are intercepted by soil microbial cells and integrates microbial characteristics, microsite structure, and soil physical properties. The predicted effective substrate affinity thus closely integrates the physical substrate limitation in soils with the intrinsic substrate affinity parameter. The theory predicts that, as moisture changes, the effective diffusive substrate delivery rates vary by orders of magnitude, resulting in highly variable effective affinity parameters for substrates like oxygen, methane, and nonvolatile solutes. As an example, we apply the theory with three substrate kinetics to aerobic soil incubations. Our models accurately reproduced observations of 32 soil incubations in four soil classes, demonstrating that the soil moisture versus respiration relationship varies with maximum respiration rate, soil texture, soil carbon content, and microbial biomass. This example suggests that the traditional use of a single static multiplicative function to parameterize how soil respiration depends on moisture is inappropriate. Because of its capability to integrate microbial traits and soil physical properties, our theory will help develop more robust soil biogeochemistry models.
The Power of Environmental Observatories for Advancing Multidisciplinary Research, Outreach, and Decision Support: The Case of the Minnesota River Basin
Authors: Gran K. B. , Dolph C. , Baker A. , Bevis M. , Cho S. J. , Czuba J. A. , Dalzell B. , Danesh‐Yazdi M. , Hansen A. T. , Kelly S. , Lang Z. , Schwenk J. , Belmont P. , Finlay J. C. , Kumar P. , Rabotyagov S. , Roehrig G. , Wilcock P. , Foufoula‐Georgiou E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObservatory‐scale data collection efforts allow unprecedented opportunities for integrative, multidisciplinary investigations in large, complex watersheds, which can affect management decisions and policy. Through the National Science Foundation‐funded REACH (REsilience under Accelerated CHange) project, in collaboration with the Intensively Managed Landscapes‐Critical Zone Observatory, we have collected a series of multidisciplinary data sets throughout the Minnesota River Basin in south‐central Minnesota, USA, a 43,400‐km2 tributary to the Upper Mississippi River. Postglacial incision within the Minnesota River valley created an erosional landscape highly responsive to hydrologic change, allowing for transdisciplinary research into the complex cascade of environmental changes that occur due to hydrology and land use alterations from intensive agricultural management and climate change. Data sets collected include water chemistry and biogeochemical data, geochemical fingerprinting of major sediment sources, high‐resolution monitoring of river bluff erosion, and repeat channel cross‐sectional and bathymetry data following major floods. The data collection efforts led to development of a series of integrative reduced complexity models that provide deeper insight into how water, sediment, and nutrients route and transform through a large channel network and respond to change. These models represent the culmination of efforts to integrate interdisciplinary data sets and science to gain new insights into watershed‐scale processes in order to advance management and decision making. The purpose of this paper is to present a synthesis of the data sets and models, disseminate them to the community for further research, and identify mechanisms used to expand the temporal and spatial extent of short‐term observatory‐scale data collection efforts.
Interactions in self-assembled microbial communities saturate with diversity
Authors: Yu Xiaoqian , Polz Martin F , Alm Eric J 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
How the diversity of organisms competing for or sharing resources influences community function is an important question in ecology but has rarely been explored in natural microbial communities. These generally contain large numbers of species making it difficult to disentangle how the effects of different interactions scale with diversity. Here, we show that changing diversity affects measures of community function in relatively simple communities but that increasing richness beyond a threshold has little detectable effect. We generated self-assembled communities with a wide range of diversity by growth of cells from serially diluted seawater on brown algal leachate. We subsequently isolated the most abundant taxa from these communities via dilution-to-extinction in order to compare productivity functions of the entire community to those of individual taxa. To parse the effect of different types of organismal interactions, we defined relative total function (RTF) as an index for positive or negative effects of diversity on community function. Our analysis identified three overall regimes with increasing diversity. At low richness (&lt;12 taxa), positive and negative effects of interactions were both weak, while at moderate richness (12–26 taxa), community resource uptake increased but the carbon use efficiency decreased. Finally, beyond 26 taxa, the effect of interactions on community function saturated and further diversity increases did not affect community function. Although more diverse communities had overall greater access to resources, on average individual taxa within these communities had lower resource availability and reduced carbon use efficiency. Our results thus suggest competition and complementation simultaneously increase with diversity but both saturate at a threshold.
Carbon nitride photocatalyzes regioselective aminium radical addition to the carbonyl bond and yields N-fused pyrroles
Authors: Kurpil Bogdan , Otte Katharina , Mishchenko Artem , Lamagni Paolo , Lipiński Wojciech , Lock Nina , Antonietti Markus , Savateev Aleksandr 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAddition of N-centered radicals to C=C bonds or insertion into C–H bonds is well represented in the literature. These reactions have a tremendous significance, because they afford polyfunctionalized organic molecules. Despite the tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) moiety widely occurring in natural biologically active compounds, N-unsubstituted THIQs as a source of N-centered radicals are not studied. Herein, we report a photocatalytic reaction between tetrahydroisoquinoline and chalcones that gives N-fused pyrroles—1,3-disubstituted-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines (DHPIQ). The mechanism includes at least two photocatalytic events in one pot: (1) C–N bond formation; (2) C–C bond formation. In this process potassium poly(heptazine imide) is used as a visible light active heterogeneous and recyclable photocatalyst. Fifteen N-fused pyrroles are reported with 65–90% isolated yield. DHPIQs are characterized by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, while the fluorescence quantum efficiency of fluorinated DHPIQs reaches 24%.
Societal decisions about climate mitigation will have dramatic impacts on eutrophication in the 21st century
Authors: Sinha E. , Michalak A. M. , Calvin K. V. , Lawrence P. J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExcessive nitrogen runoff leads to degraded water quality, harming human and ecosystem health. We examine the impact of changes in land use and land management for six combinations of socioeconomic pathways and climate outcomes, and find that societal choices will substantially impact riverine total nitrogen loading (+54% to −7%) for the continental United States by the end of the century. Regional impacts will be even larger. Increased loading is possible for both high emission and low emission pathways, due to increased food and biofuel demand, respectively. Some pathways, however, suggest that limiting climate change and eutrophication can be achieved concurrently. Precipitation changes will further exacerbate loading, resulting in a net increase of 1 to 68%. Globally, increases in cropland area and agricultural intensification will likely impact vast portions of Asia. Societal and climate trends must therefore both be considered in designing strategies for managing inland and coastal water quality.