bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of productivity and its temporal stability in a tropical tree diversity experiment
Authors: Schnabel Florian , Schwarz Julia A. , Dănescu Adrian , Fichtner Andreas , Nock Charles A. , Bauhus Jürgen , Potvin Catherine 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that mixed‐species forests can provide multiple ecosystem services at a higher level than their monospecific counterparts. However, most studies concerning tree diversity and ecosystem functioning relationships use data from forest inventories (under noncontrolled conditions) or from very young plantation experiments. Here, we investigated temporal dynamics of diversity–productivity relationships and diversity–stability relationships in the oldest tropical tree diversity experiment. Sardinilla was established in Panama in 2001, with 22 plots that form a gradient in native tree species richness of one‐, two‐, three‐ and five‐species communities. Using annual data describing tree diameters and heights, we calculated basal area increment as the proxy of tree productivity. We combined tree neighbourhood‐ and community‐level analyses and tested the effects of both species diversity and structural diversity on productivity and its temporal stability. General patterns were consistent across both scales indicating that tree–tree interactions in neighbourhoods drive observed diversity effects. From 2006 to 2016, mean overyielding (higher productivity in mixtures than in monocultures) was 25%–30% in two‐ and three‐species mixtures and 50% in five‐species stands. Tree neighbourhood diversity enhanced community productivity but the effect of species diversity was stronger and increased over time, whereas the effect of structural diversity declined. Temporal stability of community productivity increased with species diversity via two principle mechanisms: asynchronous responses of species to environmental variability and overyielding. Overyielding in mixtures was highest during a strong El Niño‐related drought. Overall, positive diversity–productivity and diversity–stability relationships predominated, with the highest productivity and stability at the highest levels of diversity. These results provide new insights into mixing effects in diverse, tropical plantations and highlight the importance of analyses of temporal dynamics for our understanding of the complex relationships between diversity, productivity and stability. Under climate change, mixed‐species forests may provide both high levels and high stability of production.
Review: Helicobacter pylori in pediatrics
Authors: Mišak Zrinjka , Hojsak Iva , Homan Matjaž 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDespite a decrease in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, it still poses a significant health burden worldwide. This review summarizes important pediatric studies on H pylori published from April 2018 to March 2019. Epidemiologic studies have reported different prevalences in different parts of the world and have mainly confirmed traditional risk factors. Several studies on pathophysiology attempted to identify risk markers in childhood for gastric cancer development later in life. One of the most interesting studies evaluated the relationship between eosinophilic esophagitis and H pylori infection; however, an inverse relationship was not confirmed. The high resistance of H pylori and, consequently, low eradication rates, is still a major concern and susceptibility testing before treatment has again been highlighted. Potassium‐competitive acid blockers are promising new acid‐suppressant drugs but their role in H pylori eradication schemes is still to be determined.
Influence of oil droplet size on the oxidative stability of the free and encapsulated fractions of freeze‐dried microencapsulated sunflower oil
Authors: Holgado Francisca , Márquez‐Ruiz Gloria , Victoria Ruiz‐Méndez María , Velasco Joaquín 
Published: September 2019

SummaryThe effect of oil droplet size (ODS) on the oxidative stability (OS) of dried microencapsulated oils has been scarcely studied, and results are contradictory. A few studies have shown increased OS when the ODS was reduced and this was attributed to a decrease in the surface oil content (SOC). Yet, in such studies, only the total oil fraction was evaluated. In the present work, the free (FO) and encapsulated oil (EO) fractions of freeze‐dried microencapsulated sunflower oil were analysed to study the effect of changes in the ODS by using different homogenisation pressure (15 or 70 MPa) in the emulsification step. The OS of both the free and encapsulated fractions increased when the ODS was significantly reduced in two samples with different encapsulation matrix, namely caseinate/lactose and maltodextrin/sucrose/gelatine. A reduction in the SOC would explain the increased stability of the FO, but not that of the EO. An additional protective role of the interfacial film could have been involved. In conclusion, if the encapsulation matrix and the interfacial region are effective as oxygen barriers, a reduction in the ODS of the parent emulsion by an increase in the homogenisation pressure will result in capsules more stable against lipid oxidation.
Fundamental and applied aspects of catechins from different sources: a review
Authors: Pedro Alessandra Cristina , Maciel Giselle Maria , Rampazzo Ribeiro Valéria , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro 
Published: September 2019

SummaryCatechins belong to the group of flavonoids. Numerous studies show that consuming foods rich in catechins such as vegetables, fruits and especially teas may decrease the risk of developing various diseases. Therefore, we present in this compilation a critical and detailed analysis of the works published in the last 6 years and a guide for the reader with the main analytical techniques of quantification, in vitro and in vivo biological activities, the mechanisms of action in the organism and the bioaccessibility in treating the gastrointestinal effects of catechins from different matrices. The information presented in this review is important for a broad understanding of benefits that catechins can bring to human health and can be taken as an example for the study of new matrices, new effects and possible forms of application, such as dietary supplements or functional food ingredients for health promotion and the reduced risk for developing diseases.
Influence of ammonia and lysine supplementation on yeast growth and fermentation with respect to gluten‐free type brewing using unmalted sorghum grain
Authors: Dlamini Bhekisisa C. , Taylor John R. N. , Buys Elna M. 
Published: September 2019

SummaryBecause gluten‐free type brewing with unmalted sorghum does not provide adequate nitrogen for complete fermentation, wort supplementation with ammonia (as diammonium phosphate, DAP) or lysine on yeast performance was investigated. By Phenotype Microarray, under aerobic conditions, greater yeast growth was indicated with DAP than lysine both as a single source and combined with sorghum wort amino acids. With sorghum fermentation, both DAP and lysine improved maltose and maltotriose uptake. However, DAP supplementation also maintained yeast numbers (24.0–21.3 × 106 cells mL−1), whereas there was a decline with lysine supplementation. Lysine supplementation also resulted in adverse effects on yeast cell morphology. Neither DAP nor lysine supplementation resulted in evident genetic change to the yeast, but the change in substrate from barley malt wort to unmalted sorghum wort slightly altered the yeast genetically. Therefore, ammonia as DAP has potential as a nitrogen supplement for improving yeast fermentation performance in sorghum gluten‐free brewing.
Sampling‐based Randomised Designs for Causal Inference under the Potential Outcomes Framework
Authors: Branson Zach , Dasgupta Tirthankar 
Published: September 2019

SummaryWe establish the inferential properties of the mean‐difference estimator for the average treatment effect in randomised experiments where each unit in a population is randomised to one of two treatments and then units within treatment groups are randomly sampled. The properties of this estimator are well understood in the experimental design scenario where first units are randomly sampled and then treatment is randomly assigned but not for the aforementioned scenario where the sampling and treatment assignment stages are reversed. We find that the inferential properties of the mean‐difference estimator under this experimental design scenario are identical to those under the more common sample‐first‐randomise‐second design. This finding will bring some clarifications about sampling‐based randomised designs for causal inference, particularly for settings where there is a finite super‐population. Finally, we explore to what extent pre‐treatment measurements can be used to improve upon the mean‐difference estimator for this randomise‐first‐sample‐second design. Unfortunately, we find that pre‐treatment measurements are often unhelpful in improving the precision of average treatment effect estimators under this design, unless a large number of pre‐treatment measurements that are highly associative with the post‐treatment measurements can be obtained. We confirm these results using a simulation study based on a real experiment in nanomaterials.
A field‐deployable insulated isothermal RT‐PCR assay for identification of influenza A (H7N9) shows good performance in the laboratory
Authors: Inui Ken , Nguyen Tung , Tseng Hsin‐Jou , Tsai ChuanFu Mark , Tsai Yun‐Long , Chung Simon , Padungtod Pawin , Zhu Huachen , Guan Yi , Kalpravidh Wantanee , Claes Filip 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundAvian influenza A (H7N9) remains circulating in China. For countries at risk of introduction of H7N9, such as Vietnam, early detection of H7N9 virus is essential for the early containment of the virus. Insulated isothermal reverse transcriptase PCR (iiRT‐PCR) is a portable PCR system that can be deployed under field conditions to identify pathogens at the sampling site. Applying PCR at the sampling site will greatly reduce the time to obtain a diagnostic result which allows the veterinary authority to take immediate action to contain disease spreading.ObjectiveTo determine analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the portable iiRT‐PCR for H7N9 virus detection.MethodsA panel of 59 virus isolates, including H7N9, avian influenza viruses of subtype H1 to H13, swine and human influenza viruses, Newcastle disease virus, and infectious bursal disease virus, were tested by H7 and N9 iiRT‐PCR reagents, using probes and primers specific to H7 or N9, in comparison with laboratory‐based real‐time RT‐PCR assays to determine analytical sensitivity and specificity. Fifty oropharyngeal samples from experimentally infected chicken and ducks with H7N9 and 50 non‐infected control swabs were tested by the H7 iiRT‐PCR to determine diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.ResultsThe H7 and N9 iiRT‐PCR reagents yielded comparable levels of analytical sensitivity and specificity with real‐time RT‐PCR for the detection of H7N9 virus. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of H7 iiRT‐PCR were 98% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionThe observed high sensitivity and specificity of iiRT‐PCR for H7N9 detection show its potential for early detection of H7N9 in risk‐based surveillance.
Can Hearing Aids Delay Time to Diagnosis of Dementia, Depression, or Falls in Older Adults?
Authors: Mahmoudi Elham , Basu Tanima , Langa Kenneth , McKee Michael M. , Zazove Philip , Alexander Neil , Kamdar Neil 
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVETo examine the association between hearing aids (HAs) and time to diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) or dementia, anxiety or depression, and injurious falls among adults, aged 66 years and older, within 3 years of hearing loss (HL) diagnosis.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTINGWe used 2008 to 2016 national longitudinal claims data (based on office visit, inpatient, or outpatient healthcare encounters) from a large private payer. We used Kaplan‐Meier curves to examine unadjusted disease‐free survival and crude and adjusted Cox regression models to examine associations between HAs and time to diagnosis of three age‐related/HL‐associated conditions within 3 years of HL diagnosis. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, census divisions, and prior diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes.PARTICIPANTSThe participants included 114 862 adults, aged 66 years and older, diagnosed with HL.MEASUREMENTDiagnosis of (1) AD or dementia; (2) depression or anxiety; and (3) injurious falls.INTERVENTIONUse of HAs.RESULTSLarge sex and racial/ethnic differences exist in HA use. Approximately 11.3% of women vs 13.3% of men used HAs (95% confidence interval [CI] difference = −0.024 to −0.016). Approximately 13.6% of whites (95% CI = 0.13‐0.14) vs 9.8% of blacks (95% CI = 0.09‐0.11) and 6.5% of Hispanics (95% CI = 0.06‐0.07) used HAs. The risk‐adjusted hazard ratios of being diagnosed with AD/dementia, anxiety/depression, and injurious falls within 3 years after HL diagnosis, for those who used HAs vs those who did not, were 0.82 (95% CI = 0.76‐0.89), 0.89 (95% CI = 0.86‐0.93), and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.80‐0.95), respectively.CONCLUSIONSUse of HAs is associated with delayed diagnosis of AD, dementia, depression, anxiety, and injurious falls among older adults with HL. Although we have shown an association between use of HAs and reduced risk of physical and mental decline, randomized trials are needed to determine whether, and to what extent, the relationship is causal. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2362–2369, 2019
Use of sonic waves in bubble formation, microhardness and fluoride release of a high‐viscosity glass‐ionomer cement
Authors: Hironaka Nallu Gomes Lima , Trizzi Juliana Quintino , Yoshida Natália Miwa , Cury Jaime Aparecido , Tabchoury Cinthia Pereira Machado , Botelho Juliana Nunes , Pini Nubia Inocencya Pavesi , Pascotto Renata Corrêa 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimHigh‐viscosity glass‐ionomer cements (HV‐GIC) are indicated for restorations but their viscosity favors the inclusion of bubbles within it. This study aimed to evaluate the use of ultrasonic and sonic waves in bubble formation, microhardness and fluoride release in a HV‐GIC, also considering a different powder:liquid ratio (P/L).MethodsTwenty‐four molars with occlusal cavities were divided into four groups (N = 6): CG, HV‐GIC with manual insertion; UG, application of ultrasonic waves; SG, application of sonic waves; and FG, HV‐GIC fluid (1:2 P/L) with manual insertion. After 24 hours, bubbles and microhardness (50 g/5 s) were measured. Fluoride release (N = 10) was evaluated in CG, SG and UG after cariogenic challenge for 11 days. Microhardness, total area and number of bubbles, and fluoride release were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test. The average size of bubbles was analyzed by Kruskal‐Wallis test (α = 5%).ResultsFG presented the lowest value of microhardness and higher average size for bubbles (P < .05). Differences concerning total number, total area occupied by bubbles and fluoride release were not found (P > .05).ConclusionThe use of sonic and ultrasonic waves had no influence on bubble formation, microhardness and fluoride release of a HV‐GIC. Changing the P/L is not recommended.
The transcription factor GATA10 regulates fertility conversion of a two‐line hybrid tms5 mutant rice via the modulation of UbL40 expression
Authors: Jin Jing , Gui Songtao , Li Qian , Wang Ying , Zhang Hongyuan , Zhu Zhixuan , Chen Hao , Sun Yueyang , Zou Yu , Huang Xingguo , Ding Yi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe thermosensitive genic male sterile 5 (tms5) mutation causes thermosensitive genic male sterility in rice (Oryza sativa) through loss of RNase ZS1 function, which influences ubiquitin fusion ribosomal protein L40 (UbL40) messenger RNA levels during male development. Here, we used ATAC‐seq, combined with analysis of H3K9ac and H3K4me2, to identify changes in accessible chromatin during fertility conversion of the two‐line hybrid rice Wuxiang S (WXS) derived from a mutant tms5 allele. Furthermore, RNA‐seq and bioinformatic analyses identified specific transcription factors (TFs) in differentially accessible chromatin regions. Among these TFs, only GATA10 targeted UbL40. Osgata10 knockout mutations, which resulted in low expression of UbL40 and a tendency toward male fertility, confirmed that GATA10 regulated fertility conversion via the modulation of UbL40. Meanwhile, GATA10 acted as a mediator for interactions with ERF65, which revealed that transcriptional regulation is a complex process involving multiple complexes of TFs, namely TF modules. It appears that the ERF141/MADS7/MADS50/MYB modules affect metabolic processes that control anther and pollen development, especially cell wall formation. Our analysis revealed that these modules directly or indirectly affect metabolic pathway‐related genes to coordinate plant growth with proper anther development, and furthermore, that GATA10 regulates fertility conversion via the modulation of UbL40 expression.
Do blood groups play a role in etiology of rosacea?
Authors: Ozturk Murat , An Isa 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of rosacea is not fully understood. The innate immune system is impaired in patients with rosacea. This leads to abnormal inflammatory cytokine release. It has been proposed that the molecular mechanism for the role of the ABO antigenic system in human diseases may arise from its relationship with the von Willebrand factor and several pro‐inflammatory and adhesion molecules. To our knowledge, the relationship between ABO‐Rh groups and rosacea has not been investigated previously.Materials and MethodsOne hundred and fourteen patients with rosacea and 258 healthy individuals who had blood group record were included in this study. The results were analyzed statistically.ResultsIn terms of ABO blood groups, 54 (47.4%) patients had A, 14 (12.3%) patients had B, 7 (6.1%) patients had AB, and 39 (34.2%) patients had O blood groups in the patient group. In the control group, 109 (42.2%) individuals had A, 45 (17.5%) individuals had B, 29 (11.2%) individuals had AB, and 75 (29.1%) individuals had O blood group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P > .05). In terms of Rh groups, 103 (90.4%) patients were Rh (+) and 11 (9.6%) patients were Rh (−). In the control group, 220 (85.3%) individuals were Rh (+) and 38 (14.7%) were Rh (‐). There was no significant difference between the groups (P > .05).ConclusionWe did not find a relationship between blood groups and rosacea. But, we think this is an interesting hypothesis. To clarify this possible relationship, comprehensive and further studies are needed in different races and geographic regions.
Effects of aqueous alteration on primordial noble gases and presolar SiC in the carbonaceous chondrite Tagish Lake
Authors: Riebe M. E. I. , Busemann H. , Alexander C. M. O'D. , Nittler L. R. , Herd C. D. K. , Maden C. , Wang J. , Wieler R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEffects of aqueous alteration on primordial noble gas carriers were investigated by analyzing noble gases and determining presolar SiC abundances in insoluble organic matter (IOM) from four Tagish Lake meteorite (C2‐ung.) samples that experienced different degrees of aqueous alteration. The samples contained a mixture of primordial noble gases from phase Q and presolar nanodiamonds (HL, P3), SiC (Ne‐E[H]), and graphite (Ne‐E[L]). The second most altered sample (11i) had a ~2–3 times higher Ne‐E concentration than the other samples. The presolar SiC abundances in the samples were determined from NanoSIMS ion images and 11i had a SiC abundance twice that of the other samples. The heterogeneous distribution of SiC grains could be inherited from heterogeneous accretion or parent body alteration could have redistributed SiC grains. Closed system step etching (CSSE) was used to study noble gases in HNO3‐susceptible phases in the most and least altered samples. All Ne‐E carried by presolar SiC grains in the most altered sample was released during CSSE, while only a fraction of the Ne‐E was released from the least altered sample. This increased susceptibility to HNO3 likely represents a step toward degassing. Presolar graphite appears to have been partially degassed during aqueous alteration. Differences in the 4He/36Ar and 20Ne/36Ar ratios in gases released during CSSE could be due to gas release from presolar nanodiamonds, with more He and Ne being released in the more aqueously altered sample. Aqueous alteration changes the properties of presolar grains so that they react similar to phase Q in the laboratory, thereby altering the perceived composition of Q.
Different as night and day: Behavioural and life history responses to varied photoperiods in Daphnia magna
Authors: Gust Kurt A. , Kennedy Alan J. , Laird Jennifer G. , Wilbanks Mitchell S. , Barker Natalie D. , Guan Xin , Melby Nicolas L. , Burgoon Lyle D. , Kjelland Michael E. , Swannack Todd M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNearly all animal species have utilized photoperiod to cue seasonal behaviours and life history traits. We investigated photoperiod responses in keystone species, Daphnia magna, to identify molecular processes underlying ecologically important behaviours and traits using functional transcriptomic analyses. Daphnia magna were photoperiod‐entrained immediately posthatch to a standard control photoperiod of 16 light/ 8 dark hours (16L:8D) relative to shorter (4L:20D, 8L:16D, 12L:12L) and longer (20L:4D) day length photoperiods. Short‐day photoperiods induced significantly increased light‐avoidance behaviours relative to controls. Correspondingly, significant differential transcript expression for genes involved in glutamate signalling was observed, a critical signalling pathway in arthropod light‐avoidance behaviour. Additionally, period circadian protein and proteins coding F‐box/LRR‐repeat domains were differentially expressed which are recognized to establish circadian rhythms in arthropods. Indicators of metabolic rate increased in short‐day photoperiods which corresponded with broadscale changes in transcriptional expression across system‐level energy metabolism pathways. The most striking observations included significantly decreased neonate production at the shortest day length photoperiod (4L:20D) and significantly increased male production across short‐day and equinox photoperiods (4L:20D, 8L:16D and 12L:12D). Transcriptional expression consistent with putative mechanisms of male production was observed including photoperiod‐dependent expression of transformer‐2 sex‐determining protein and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) which control splice variant expression for genes like transformer. Finally, increased transcriptional expression of glutamate has also been shown to induce male production in Daphnia pulex via photoperiod‐sensitive mechanisms. Overall, photoperiod entrainment affected molecular pathways that underpin critical behavioural and life history traits in D. magna providing fundamental insights into biological responses to this primary environmental cue.