bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect on total microbial load and community composition with two vs six‐week topical Cadexomer Iodine for treating chronic biofilm infections in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Malone Matthew , Schwarzer Saskia , Radzieta Michael , Jeffries Thomas , Walsh Annie , Dickson Hugh G. , Micali Grace , Jensen Slade O. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study compares two vs six weeks of topical antimicrobial therapy with Cadexomer Iodine in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) complicated by chronic biofilm infections. Patients with non‐healing DFUs with suspected chronic biofilm infections were eligible for enrolment. Patients were randomised to receive either two or six weeks of treatment with topical Cadexomer Iodine. Tissue biopsies from the ulcers were obtained pre‐and‐post treatment and underwent DNA sequencing and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the total microbial load, community composition, and diversity of bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed biofilm in all 18 ulcers with suspected chronic biofilm infections. Cadexomer Iodine resulted in 14 of 18 (78%) samples achieving a mean 0.5 log10 reduction in microbial load. Regardless of treatment duration, there was no statistical difference in the reduction of total microbial loads. No difference in the rate of wound healing in the two groups was seen at 6 weeks. Cadexomer Iodine reduces the total microbial load in DFUs with chronic biofilm infections and affects microbial community composition and diversity. All ulcers in both groups showed an initial reduction in wound size with application of Cadexomer Iodine, which might reflect its effect on biofilms.
Pheochromocytoma: Positive predictive values of mildly elevated urinary fractionated metanephrines in a large cohort of community‐dwelling patients
Authors: Hirsch Dania , Grossman Alon , Nadler Varda , Alboim Sandra , Tsvetov Gloria 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe diagnostic utility of different thresholds of elevated urinary fractionated metanephrine (UFM) for pheochromocytoma‐paraganglioma (PPGL) was evaluated in 10 164 community‐dwelling subjects (2012‐2017). Levels were ≥1.5× the upper normal limit (UNL) in 276 subjects (2.7%) and ≥2×UNL in 138 (1.4%). PPGL was subsequently diagnosed in 59 (mean age 51.9 ± 14.3, 64% female); 58 (98.3%) with UFM ≥ 2×UNL. Positive predictive values (PPV) were 42% for UFM ≥ 2×UNL, 55% for UFM ≥ 2.5×UNL, and 69% for UFM ≥ 3×UNL. The main reason for PPGL screening (52.5%) was adrenal incidentaloma. Mean (median) metanephrine/normetanephrine levels were 6.7 ± 9×UNL (3 × UNL) and 6.1 ± 8.9×UNL (2.5 × UNL). Six patients (10.2%) had an extra‐adrenal tumor (one malignant paraganglioma); one had bilateral pheochromocytoma. Only one patient presented with the “classic triad” (headache, palpitations, sweating). In conclusion, after excluding obvious reasons for false‐positive results, thorough diagnostic assessment for PPGL is justified in all subjects with UFM ≥ ×2UNL. The PPV of milder UFM elevations is very low.
Molecular Detection, Multilocus Genotyping, and Population Genetics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Pigs in Southeastern China
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wu Ran , Ji Ting , Cui Lin‐Lin , Cao Hao‐Xuan , Li Dongfang , Li Junqiang , Zhang Longxian , Huang Cuiqin , Zhou Dong‐Hui 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEnterocytozoon bieneusi is an important opportunistic pathogen widely distributed in humans and animals that causes diarrhea or fatal diarrhea in immunocompromised hosts. To examine the infection status and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in pigs, 725 fecal samples were collected from pigs in six areas of Fujian Province. The E. bieneusi genotypes were identified based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene by nested PCR, and its population genetics were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The results showed that the infection rate of E. bieneusi was 24.4% (177/725), and 11 known genotypes (EbpC, EbpA, CHN‐RR2, KIN‐1, CHG7, CHS5, CM11, CHG23, G, PigEBITS, and D) and 2 novel genotypes (FJF and FJS) were identified. All the genotypes were found to be clustered into zoonotic Group 1. Moreover, 52 positive samples were successfully amplified at minisatellite and microsatellite loci and formed 48 distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs). Further population structure analyses showed strong genetic linkage disequilibrium (LD) and several recombination events (Rm), indicating that E. bieneusi has a clonal population structure. This study is the first to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in Fujian Province and could provide baseline data to control E. bieneusi infection in pigs and humans and deepen our understanding of the zoonotic risk of E. bieneusi and its distribution in China.
Optical, mechanical, and moisture sorption properties of whey protein edible films
Authors: Galus Sabina , Lenart Andrzej 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe impact of protein and glycerol concentration on the optical, mechanical, and moisture sorption properties of whey protein isolate edible films was determined. The increasing of protein concentration leads to decreasing opacity and moisture adsorption of films but improving its tensile strength and elongation at break. Color parameters for all films remain constant and were not dependent on the film composition. Films with increasing glycerol concentration showed weakened mechanical resistance and higher moisture adsorption rates. Moisture sorption isotherms data were well described by GAB, Peleg, and Lewicki equations. These findings can be used to better design applications of whey protein films containing plasticizers, in order to optimize film formulation in a rational manner considering their practical use as protective coatings or edible packaging.Practical applicationsThe increased interest in the development of edible films for food packaging applications has been raised to minimize the use of synthetic petroleum‐based polymers. Moisture sensitivity of films showed the capacity of such materials to modify their physical properties which are influenced by different relative humidity or temperature conditions. The results presented in this study, concerning optical, mechanical, and sorption properties of whey protein‐based edible films, would provide the scientific basis for developing functional protein films and their application for food products including nuts, seeds, fruits, or vegetables.
Assessing support needs in children with intellectual disability and motor impairments: measurement invariance and group differences
Authors: Aguayo V. , Verdugo M. A. , Arias V. B. , Guillen V. M. , Amor A. M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis study assessed the equivalence of the measurement of support needs between children with intellectual disability (ID) and children with intellectual and motor disabilities (IMD) and compared both groups in the different domains of support.MethodThe Supports Intensity Scale‐Children's Version was used to assess the support needs of 713 children with ID and 286 children with IMD, mainly associated with cerebral palsy.ResultsThe results supported measurement invariance between the group of ID and IMD, which allowed to conduct comparison between them. Children with IMD scored higher on support needs than did children without IMD, suggesting that children with IMD needed more support than their peers without motor impairments. Furthermore, the ID levels interacted with motor impairments: at the highest levels of ID, groups tended to be similar in support needs, with high scores and low variability. The greatest differences were found in the domains of Home and Community activities.ConclusionsThis study points to the across‐condition of the construct of support needs in populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, additional mobility impairments should be considered during the evaluation and planning of systems of support. In this regard, the Supports Intensity Scale‐Children's Version might have limitations when discriminating between samples with high support needs.
Comparison of meperidine, tramadol and fentanyl for post‐spinal shivering prevention during cesarean delivery: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jayaraj Ashokkumar , Balachander Hemavathi , Kuppusamy Suresh K. , Arusamy Sivakumar , Rai Yeshith , Siddiqui Naveed 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo assess the effects of intravenously administered meperidine, fentanyl and tramadol in reducing the incidence, onset time and severity of the shivering response in parturients during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction and sedation scores.MethodsAfter Ethics board approval and informed written consent, 350 parturients (ASA physical status I or II), between 20 and 40 years of age, undergoing emergency or elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were recruited. Parturients were then randomly allocated to seven study groups: normal saline (control), low‐dose meperidine (0.5 mg/kg), high‐dose meperidine (0.75 mg/kg), low‐dose fentanyl (0.5 mcg/kg), high‐dose fentanyl (0.75 mcg/kg), low‐dose tramadol (0.5 mg/kg) and high‐dose tramadol (0.75 mg/kg). The incidence, onset time and severity of shivering, along with patient satisfaction and sedation scores were measured.ResultsAll study drugs showed significant reduction in incidence, onset time and severity of shivering and greater satisfaction scores compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Within each drug class, no significant differences in shivering were found between the high‐dose and low‐dose groups. Among study drugs, low‐dose tramadol was superior due to shivering prevention and significantly reduced sedation.ConclusionIntravenously administered meperidine, fentanyl and tramadol reduce shivering incidence, onset time and severity in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery following spinal anesthesia. Importantly, low‐dose intravenous tramadol (0.5 mg/kg) allowed shivering prevention and low sedation scores, thereby offering greater parturient satisfaction and better maternal–newborn bonding.
Serum level of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and obesity among early pregnant women
Authors: Mahmoud Sally Z. , Saad Alfarazdeg A. , Mohieldein Abdelmarouf H. , Nasr Abubakr M. , Adam Ishag 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo assess serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D level in obese pregnant Sudanese women in early pregnancy.MethodsA match case–control study was conducted in Saad Abualila Hospital (Khartoum, Sudan). The cases were obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) women. Controls were women with normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) matched for age, parity and gestational age. The 25(OH)D level was measured using ELISA.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups in their age, parity or gestational age. There was no significant difference in the median (interquartile) level of the serum (25(OH)D between obese pregnant women and normal weight pregnant women (3.05 [11.100–15.937] ng/ml vs 13.05 [10.950–17.362] ng/ml, P = 0.237). There was no significant correlation between BMI and 25(OH)D level (r = −0.133, P = 0.149).ConclusionThere was no significant difference in the 25(OH)D level between the obese pregnant women and normal weight pregnant women in this study.
Development of a high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for identifying common adulterant content in saffron (Crocus sativus L.)
Authors: Kong Weijun , An Huijing , Zhang Ji , Sun Lan , Nan Yao , Song Aili , Zhou Lidong 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to develop an efficient and reliable method for estimating common adulterants in saffron by detecting their characteristic components to warrant its efficacy and regular use as a highly valuable medicinal herb.

Methods
A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to estimate the common adulterants in saffron from corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower through the simultaneous determination of specific constituents including allantoin, chlorogenic acid (ChA) and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA). Peak identification of each target compound was confirmed from product ions obtained using multiple reaction monitoring triggered enhanced product ions mass chromatogram. Method validation in terms of linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and stability was systematically performed according to official guidelines.

Key findings
Satisfactory separation of the three components was achieved on a C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) with methanol–acetonitrile–ammonium acetate (3.0 mm) as the mobile phase at gradient elution. The identification of these specific constituents was accomplished using the multiple reaction monitoring mode in combination with enhanced product ion supplementary confirmation. The established method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and recovery, which were found satisfactory for sensitive detection of the three target compounds.

Conclusions
By detecting the specific constituents allantoin, ChA and HSYA in one run, the adulterants of corn stigma, chrysanthemum and safflower can be effectively identified and estimated in saffron. This is the first report on developing a simple, sensitive and operational method for the identification and estimation of common adulterants of saffron, that was forwarded for broaden application.
Inbreeding in natural mammal populations: historical perspectives and future challenges
Authors: Hasselgren Malin , Norén Karin 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The awareness of inbreeding as a potentially harmful process dates several centuries back in time, and occurred early in various religions, cultures, and societies. However, it was not until the 18th Century that the phenomenon was first investigated systematically through breeding experiments in domestic animals and plants. Investigations were followed by the establishment of the theoretical framework in the 19th Century by Darwin, Mendel and other pioneering evolutionary biologists.

Throughout the development of this field, from breeding experiments and discoveries of the mechanism of inheritance, via heterozygosity‐fitness correlations, construction of pedigrees for natural populations, emergence of the conservation genetics field, to present‐day whole genome sequencing of extinct species, mammals have played a crucial role as model organisms and flagship species.

In this review, we present a chronological overview of the theoretical development and empirical data on inbreeding in mammals, from the 18th Century to the present day. Furthermore, in relation to the current analytical capacity, we identify gaps in the knowledge and future challenges in the study of inbreeding and inbreeding depression in mammals.
Gene flow and genetic drift in urban environments
Authors: Miles Lindsay S. , Rivkin L. Ruth , Johnson Marc T. J. , Munshi‐South Jason , Verrelli Brian C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEvidence is growing that human modification of landscapes has dramatically altered evolutionary processes. In urban population genetic studies, urbanization is typically predicted to act as a barrier that isolates populations of species, leading to increased genetic drift within populations and reduced gene flow between populations. However, urbanization may also facilitate dispersal among populations, leading to higher genetic diversity within, and lower differentiation between, urban populations. We reviewed the literature on nonadaptive urban evolution to evaluate the support for each of these urban fragmentation and facilitation models. In a review of the literature with supporting quantitative analyses of 167 published urban population genetics studies, we found a weak signature of reduced within‐population genetic diversity and no evidence of consistently increased between‐population genetic differentiation associated with urbanization. In addition, we found that urban landscape features act as barriers or conduits to gene flow, depending on the species and city in question. Thus, we speculate that dispersal ability of species and environmental heterogeneity between cities contributes to the variation exhibited in our results. However, >90% of published studies reviewed here showed an association of urbanization with genetic drift or gene flow, highlighting the strong impact of urbanization on nonadaptive evolution. It is clear that species biology and city heterogeneity obscure patterns of genetic drift and gene flow in a quantitative analysis. Thus, we suggest that future research makes comparisons of multiple cities and nonurban habitats, and takes into consideration species' natural history, environmental variation, spatial modelling and marker selection.
Maize phenylalanine ammonia‐lyases contribute to resistance to Sugarcane mosaic virus infection, most likely through positive regulation of salicylic acid accumulation
Authors: Yuan Wen , Jiang Tong , Du Kaitong , Chen Hui , Cao Yanyong , Xie Jipeng , Li Mengfei , Carr John P. , Wu Boming , Fan Zaifeng , Zhou Tao 
Published: September 2019

SummarySugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is a pathogen of worldwide importance that causes dwarf mosaic disease on maize (Zea mays). Until now, few maize genes/proteins have been shown to be involved in resistance to SCMV. In this study, we characterized the role of maize phenylalanine ammonia‐lyases (ZmPALs) in accumulation of the defence signal salicylic acid (SA) and in resistance to virus infection. SCMV infection significantly increased SA accumulation and expression of SA‐responsive pathogenesis‐related protein genes (PRs). Interestingly, exogenous SA treatment decreased SCMV accumulation and enhanced resistance. Both reverse transcription‐coupled quantitative PCR and RNA‐Seq data confirmed that expression levels of at least four ZmPAL genes were significantly up‐regulated upon SCMV infection. Knockdown of ZmPAL expression led to enhanced SCMV infection symptom severity and virus multiplication, and simultaneously resulted in decreased SA accumulation and PR gene expression. Intriguingly, application of exogenous SA to SCMV‐infected ZmPAL‐silenced maize plants decreased SCMV accumulation, showing that ZmPALs are required for SA‐mediated resistance to SCMV infection. In addition, lignin measurements and metabolomic analysis showed that ZmPALs are also involved in SCMV‐induced lignin accumulation and synthesis of other secondary metabolites via the phenylpropanoid pathway. In summary, our results indicate that ZmPALs are required for SA accumulation in maize and are involved in resistance to virus infection by limiting virus accumulation and moderating symptom severity.
Activation of the ambusher tick Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) exposed to different stimuli
Authors: Zeringóta V. , de Oliveira Filho J. G. , Borges L. M. F. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate the behaviour of larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus exposed to different stimuli. A Y‐olfactometer was positioned vertically and R. microplus larvae were exposed to environmental air, CO2 alone, N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide (DEET) alone, and CO2 combined with the repellents DEET and (E)‐2‐octenal. Tests were also conducted with the olfactometer positioned horizontally; in this case, however, only CO2 was tested. In all tests conducted with the Y‐olfactometer positioned vertically, CO2 activated R. microplus larvae even in the presence of DEET and (E)‐2‐octenal, although activation was lower when these repellents were used. In the absence of CO2, larval behaviour against DEET was similar to that of the larvae in the control group. In the tests performed with the olfactometer positioned horizontally, the larvae had no significant response to the presence of CO2. The larvae were not attracted to or repelled by any compound tested in either the vertical or horizontal position of the olfactometer. The lack of horizontal displacement, attraction or repellence may have been a result of the ambush behaviour of this tick species. However, when larvae were exposed to stimuli and the olfactometer was positioned vertically, the interference of attractant and repellent stimuli in larval behaviour was assessed.
Antagonistic action of TILLERS ABSENT1 and FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER2 regulates stem cell maintenance during axillary meristem development in rice
Authors: Tanaka Wakana , Hirano Hiro‐Yuki 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Shoot branches are formed from the axillary meristem and their formation is a key process in plant development. Although our understanding of the mechanisms underlying stem cell maintenance in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) is progressing, our knowledge of these mechanisms during the process of axillary meristem development is insufficient.

To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying axillary meristem development in rice (Oryza sativa), we undertook a molecular genetic analysis focusing on TILLERS ABSENT1 (TAB1) and FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER2 (FON2), respective orthologs of the WUSCHEL and CLAVATA3 genes involved in SAM maintenance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).

We revealed that stem cells were established at an early stage of axillary meristem development in the wild‐type, but were not maintained in tab1. By contrast, the stem cell region and TAB1 expression domain were expanded in fon2, and FON2 overexpression inhibited axillary meristem formation.

These results indicate that TAB1 is required to maintain stem cells during axillary meristem development, whereas FON2 negatively regulates stem cell fate by restricting TAB1 expression. Thus, the genetic pathway regulating SAM maintenance in Arabidopsis seems to have been recruited to play a specific role within a narrow developmental window – namely, axillary meristem establishment – in rice.
Reproductive phenology as a dimension of the phenotypic space in 139 plant species from the Mediterranean
Authors: Segrestin Jules , Navas Marie‐Laure , Garnier Eric 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Phenology, the study of seasonal timing of events in nature, plays a key role in the matching between organisms and their environment. Yet, it has been poorly integrated in trait‐based descriptions of the plant phenotype. Here, we focus on three phases of reproductive phenology – time of flowering, time of seed dispersal and duration of seed maturation – to test how these traits relate to other recognized dimensions of plant functioning.

Traits describing reproductive phenology, together with reproductive plant height, seed mass, area of a leaf, and traits involved in leaf economics, were compiled for 139 species growing under Mediterranean climate conditions.

Across all species, flowering time was positively related to reproductive height, while the duration of seed maturation was related to leaf economics. Relationships differed among growth forms, however: flowering time and reproductive height were related both in annuals and in herbaceous perennials, whereas the duration of seed maturation was related to seed mass only in annuals; no correlations were found for woody species.

Phenology relates to other dimensions of plant functioning in a complex manner, suggesting that it should be considered as an independent dimension in the context of plant strategies.