bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Properties of a High Protein Beverage Stabilized with Oat‐β‐Glucan
Authors: Vasquez‐Orejarena Eva , Simons Christopher T. , Litchfield John H. , Alvarez Valente B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of oat flour and milk protein on the functional properties and sensory acceptability of shelf stable high protein dairy beverages containing at least 0.75 g of oat‐β‐glucan per serving size. Formulations adjusted to levels of 1.50% to 2.30% oat flour and 2.50% to 4.00% milk protein isolate (MPI) were thermal processed in a rotary retort. The finished product exhibited good suspension stability (>80%). The increase of oat and MPI contents lead to nectar‐like beverages (51 to 100 mPas). However, oat flour was the component showing the highest effect on the viscosity coefficient values of the beverages. Sensory evaluation indicated that formulations with less than 1.9% oat flour and 2.5% MPI (thin liquid, <50 mPas) were the most accepted. Mouthfeel (perceived thickness), sweetness and aftertaste had the most influence on overall liking of the beverages.Practical ApplicationOverall, this study comprises the development of a functional food product. Supplementation of beverages with fiber from oats is an innovative approach to stabilize high protein beverages. Ready to drink protein beverage formulations use gums to stabilize the product and provide a desirable mouthfeel. The levels of oat‐β‐glucan used in the beverage increased the thickness and meet the requirement of the FDA approved health claim for reduction of the cardiovascular disease risk (21 CFR 101.81).
Using an injection port helps improve metabolic control and compliance to a strict basal‐bolus regimen in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Maltoni Giulio , Zioutas Maximiliano , Zucchini Stefano , Pession Andrea 
Published: March 2018

Highlights

The use of an indwelling catheter may help achieve good metabolic control, reducing fear, pain, and discomfort related to insulin administration
Using an indwelling catheter may help achieve good metabolic control and prevent long‐term micro‐ and macrovascular complications in subjects with type 1 diabetes, maintaining adherence to multiple daily insulin treatment.
Using an indwelling catheter may the a first step in training for insulin pump therapy.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Review of clinico‐radiological features and mimics
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Dearaugo Stephanie , Infeld Bernard , O'Sullivan Richard , Gerraty Richard P 
Published: March 2018

SummaryCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an important cause of lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly, but has other clinico‐radiological manifestations. In the last two decades, certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, namely gradient‐recalled echo imaging and the newer and more sensitive susceptibility‐weighted imaging, have been utilised to detect susceptibility‐sensitive lesions such as cerebral microbleeds and cortical superficial siderosis. These can be utilised sensitively and specifically by the Modified Boston Criteria to make a diagnosis of CAA without the need for ‘gold‐standard’ histopathology from biopsy. However, recently, other promising MRI biomarkers of CAA have been described which may further increase precision of radiological diagnosis, namely chronic white matter ischaemia, cerebral microinfarcts and lobar lacunes, cortical atrophy, and increased dilated perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale. However, the radiological manifestations of CAA, as well as their clinical correlates, may have other aetiologies and mimics. It is important for the radiologist to be aware of these clinico‐radiological features and mimics to accurately diagnose CAA. This is increasingly important in a patient demographic that has a high prevalence for use of antiplatelet and antithrombotic medications for other comorbidities which inherently carries an increased risk of ICH in patients with CAA.
dinoref: A curated dinoflagellate (Dinophyceae) reference database for the 18S rRNA gene
Authors: Mordret Solenn , Piredda Roberta , Vaulot Daniel , Montresor Marina , Kooistra Wiebe H. C. F. , Sarno Diana 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDinoflagellates are a heterogeneous group of protists present in all aquatic ecosystems where they occupy various ecological niches. They play a major role as primary producers, but many species are mixotrophic or heterotrophic. Environmental metabarcoding based on high‐throughput sequencing is increasingly applied to assess diversity and abundance of planktonic organisms, and reference databases are definitely needed to taxonomically assign the huge number of sequences. We provide an updated 18S rRNA reference database of dinoflagellates: dinoref. Sequences were downloaded from genbank and filtered based on stringent quality criteria. All sequences were taxonomically curated, classified taking into account classical morphotaxonomic studies and molecular phylogenies, and linked to a series of metadata. dinoref includes 1,671 sequences representing 149 genera and 422 species. The taxonomic assignation of 468 sequences was revised. The largest number of sequences belongs to Gonyaulacales and Suessiales that include toxic and symbiotic species. dinoref provides an opportunity to test the level of taxonomic resolution of different 18S barcode markers based on a large number of sequences and species. As an example, when only the V4 region is considered, 374 of the 422 species included in dinoref can still be unambiguously identified. Clustering the V4 sequences at 98% similarity, a threshold that is commonly applied in metabarcoding studies, resulted in a considerable underestimation of species diversity.
Investigating the possible mechanisms involved in adenosine preconditioning‐induced cardioprotection in rats
Authors: Singh Lovedeep , Virdi Jasleen K. , Maslov Leonid N. , Singh Nirmal , Jaggi Amteshwar S. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundAdenosine is a breakdown product of adenosine triphosphate and plays an important role in pharmacological preconditioning. The cardioprotective effects of adenosine preconditioning are well established. However, the possible mechanisms need to be explored.AimThis study was aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms involved in adenosine preconditioning‐induced cardioprotection in rats.MethodsRat heart was isolated and perfused on Langendorff apparatus. Global ischemia for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 120 minutes was employed to produce myocardial injury. Myocardial injury was assessed by measuring myocardial infarct size, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) in the coronary effluent and hemodynamic parameters including left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), dp/dtmax, and dp/dtmin. Serum nitrite levels were measured as an index of nitric oxide release in blood.ResultsAdenosine (4 mg/kg) preconditioning significantly decreased ischemia‐reperfusion‐induced increase in LDH, CK release, infarct size, improved LVDP, dp/dtmax and dp/dtmin, and increased serum nitrite levels. Pretreatment with L‐NAME, a specific NOS inhibitor, (5 mg/kg) and montelukast, leukotriene receptor antagonist, (10 mg/kg) significantly abrogated the cardioprotective effect of adenosine preconditioning. However, seratrodast, thromboxane A2 antagonist, (15 mg/kg) had no effect on adenosine‐induced cardioprotection. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) preconditioning also produced cardioprotective effects. However, caffeine (20 mg/kg) (adenosine receptor blocker) and seratrodast (15 mg/kg) had no effect on SNP‐induced cardioprotection. Administration of montelukast abrogated the cardioprotective effects of SNP preconditioning‐induced cardioprotection.ConclusionAdenosine preconditioning may increase the release of nitric oxide, which in turn may increase the release of cysteinyl leukotrienes to confer cardioprotection.
tRophicPosition, anrpackage for the Bayesian estimation of trophic position from consumer stable isotope ratios
Authors: Quezada‐Romegialli Claudio , Jackson Andrew L. , Hayden Brian , Kahilainen Kimmo K. , Lopes Christelle , Harrod Chris 
Published: March 2018

AbstractStable isotope analysis provides a powerful tool to identify the energy sources which fuel consumers, to understand trophic interactions and to infer consumer trophic position (TP), an important concept that describes the ecological role of consumers in food webs. However, current methods for estimating TP using stable isotopes are limited and do not fulfil the complete potential of the isotopic approach. For instance, researchers typically use point estimates for key parameters including trophic discrimination factors and isotopic baselines, and do not explicitly include variance associated with these parameters when calculating TP.We present “tRophicPosition,” anrpackage incorporating a Bayesian model for the calculation of consumer TP at the population level using stable isotopes, with one or two baselines. It combines Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations through JAGS and statistical and graphical analyses using R. We model consumer and baseline observations using relevant statistical distributions, allowing them to be treated as random variables. The calculation of TP—a random parameter—for one baseline follows standard equations linking15N enrichment per trophic level and the trophic position of the baseline (e.g. a primary producer or primary consumer). In the case of two baselines, a simple mixing model incorporating δ13C allows for the differentiation between two distinct sources of nitrogen, thus including heterogeneity derived from alternatives sources of δ15N.Methods currently implemented in “tRophicPosition” include loading, plotting and summarizing stable isotope data either from multiple sites and/or communities or a local assemblage; loading trophic discrimination factors from an internal database or generating them; defining and initializing a Bayesian model of TP; sampling posterior parameters; analysing, comparing and plotting posterior estimates of TP and other parameters; and calculating a parametric (non‐Bayesian) TP estimate. Additionally, full documentation including examples, multiple vignettes and code are available for download.
Involvement of serum‐derived exosomes of elderly patients with bone loss in failure of bone remodeling via alteration of exosomal bone‐related proteins
Authors: Xie Yong , Gao Yanpan , Zhang Licheng , Chen Yanyu , Ge Wei , Tang Peifu 
Published: March 2018

SummaryExosomes are secreted into the blood by various types of cells. These extracellular vesicles are involved in the contribution of exosomal proteins to osteoblastic or osteoclastic regulatory networks during the failure of bone remodeling, which results in age‐related bone loss. However, the molecular changes in serum‐derived exosomes (SDEs) from aged patients with low bone density and their functions in bone remodeling remain to be fully elucidated. We present a quantitative proteomics analysis of exosomes purified from the serum of the elderly patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia and normal volunteers; these data are available via Proteome Xchange with the identifier PXD006463. Overall, 1,371 proteins were identified with an overlap of 1,160 Gene IDs among the ExoCarta proteins. Bioinformatics analysis and in vitro studies suggested that protein changes in SDEs of osteoporosis patients are not only involved in suppressing the integrin‐mediated mechanosensation and activation of osteoblastic cells, but also trigger the differentiation and resorption of osteoclasts. In contrast, the main changes in SDEs of osteopenia patients facilitated both activation of osteoclasts and formation of new bone mass, which could result in a compensatory elevation in bone remodeling. While the SDEs from aged normal volunteers might play a protective role in bone health through facilitating adhesion of bone cells and suppressing aging‐associated oxidative stress. This information will be helpful in elucidating the pathophysiological functions of SDEs and aid in the development of senile osteoporosis diagnostics and therapeutics.
Dissecting stock price momentum using financial statement analysis
Authors: Ahmed Anwer S. , Safdar Irfan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe literature on stock price momentum documents that past price performance predicts future price performance (over the next 3–12 months). We argue that past price performance can be driven either by fundamentals or by non‐fundamental reasons and financial statement analysis (FSA) can help distinguish between these drivers of past returns. We find that price momentum reverses where fundamentals are inconsistent with past price performance, allowing us to develop an investment strategy that outperforms a pure momentum strategy over 80 percent of the time. Overall, we document robust evidence on the usefulness of FSA for enhancing momentum strategies.
Natural cause mortality in persons with serious mental illness
Authors: Dickerson F. , Origoni A. , Schroeder J. , Adamos M. , Katsafanas E. , Khushalani S. , Savage C. L. G. , Schweinfurth L. A. B. , Stallings C. , Sweeney K. , Yolken R. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo identify the determinants of natural cause mortality in a cohort of individuals with serious mental illness assessed prospectively.MethodPersons with schizophrenia (n = 789) and bipolar disorder (n = 498), mean age of 38 (s.d. 12.6) years, underwent an in‐person clinical assessment. They also had a blood sample drawn from which infectious disease markers were measured. Mortality was subsequently determined utilizing data from the National Death Index following a period of up to 16.9 years.ResultsA total of 6.8% (87 of 1287) of persons died of natural causes. Mortality was predicted in a multivariate model by baseline cigarette smoking (RR = 6.29, 95% CI 1.41, 3.72, P = 0.00076); divorced or widowed status (RR = 1.90, CI 1.21, 2.99); reduced cognitive score (RR = 0.73, CI 0.61, 0.87); receipt of antidepressant medication (RR = 1.74, CI 1.12, 2.71); elevated levels of antibodies to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) (RR = 1.29, CI 1.01, 1.66); and a genitourinary (RR = 1.82, CI 1.16, 2.86), respiratory (RR = 1.82, CI 1.16, 2.86), or cardiac (RR = 2.09, CI 1.33, 3.29) condition. There was an additive effect of smoking and both a cardiac and a respiratory condition but not elevated EBV antibody levels.ConclusionSmoking is a modifiable behaviour which is associated with mortality in this population.
What predicts the richness of seeder and resprouter species in fire‐prone Cape fynbos: Rainfall reliability or vegetation density?
Authors: Cowling Richard M. , Gallien Laure , Richardson David M. , Ojeda Fernando 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn ecosystems subject to regular canopy fires, woody species have evolved two general strategies of post‐fire regeneration. Seeder species are killed by fire and populations regenerate solely by post‐fire recruitment from a seed bank. Resprouter species survive fire and regenerate by vegetative regrowth from protected organs. Interestingly, the abundance of these strategies varies along environmental gradients and across regions. Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain this spatial variation: the gap dependence and the environmental‐variability hypotheses. The gap‐dependence model predicts that seeders are favoured in sparse vegetation (vegetation gaps allowing effective post‐fire recruitment of seedlings), while resprouters are favoured in densely vegetated sites (seedlings being outcompeted by the rapid crown regrowth of resprouters). The environmental‐variability model predicts that seeders would prevail in reliable rainfall areas, whereas resprouters would be favoured in areas under highly variable rainfall that are prone to severe dry events (leading to high post‐fire seedling mortality). We tested these two models using distribution data, captured at the scale of quarter‐degree cells, for seeder and resprouter species of two speciose shrub genera (Aspalathus and Erica) common in fire‐prone fynbos ecosystems of the mediterranean‐climate part of the Cape Floristic Region. Contrary to the predictions of the gap‐dependence model, species number of both resprouters and seeders increased with values of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (a widely used surrogate for vegetation density), with a more marked increase for seeders. The predictions of the environmental‐variability hypothesis, by contrast, were not refuted by this study. Seeder and resprouter species of both genera showed highest richness in environments with high rainfall reliability. However, with decreasing reliability, seeder numbers dropped more quickly than those of resprouters. We conclude that the environmental‐variability model is better able to explain the abundance of woody seeder and resprouter species in Southern Hemisphere fire‐prone shrublands (fynbos and kwongan) than the gap‐dependence model.
A rapid, precise and low‐cost method to quantify silicon for the determination of food intake and utilisation for insect herbivores
Authors: Clissold Fiona J , Clark Ximonie , Savage Tom , Simpson Stephen J 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDetermining intake and subsequent digestion and absorption of nutrients is fundamental for understanding host plant quality for insect herbivores. This typically involves considerable time spent weighing leaf material, with various associated sources of error and inaccuracy. Biomarker techniques based on silicon (Si) for estimating food intake and utilisation are well described, but rarely used, because there is no standard technique to either extract or quantify Si, there is a lack of congruence regarding the efficacy of existing techniques, and these techniques rely on large sample sizes, slow and laborious procedures, highly hazardous chemicals and/or expensive specialized equipment. To determine Si in milligram plant and faecal samples, we adapted the molybdenum blue assay to a microplate technique. This assay determines silicon (Si in 2% NaOH) over the range 0.3–1.5 μg Si/0.18 mL (1.7–8.3 μg/mL) and was able to detect changes of 1.0 × 10−9 g Si. Four of the most commonly used digestion techniques were compared, and we found that a technique based on the autoclave‐induced digestion method allowed the rapid and precise extraction and determination of silicon found in concentrations greater than 0.001% from ca. 2.5 mg of dry ground leaf material, a level of precision that far exceeds the 0.1–10% that silicon typically contributes to dry leaf matter. Using silicon as a biomarker reduced the weighing effort involved in traditional gravimetry by up to 95% and improved the precision (±SE) of estimates of food utilisation. Both the extraction and quantification steps require relatively inexpensive equipment that is available in most laboratories, uses micromasses of plant material and chemicals and is amenable to automation and high‐throughput processing.
Role of income in intergenerational co‐residence: Evidence from selected African and Asian countries
Authors: Aziz Nusrate , Hossain Belayet , Emran Masum 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveThe study investigates the macroeconomic determinants of co‐residing arrangement between generations in selected developing countries with a focus on examining the effect of changing income level of the working generation.MethodsA reduced form model is specified for co‐residence between the older generation and altruistic working generation. The fixed‐ and random‐effects models are applied in two waves of data for 22 countries.ResultsEstimated results indicate that the income of the altruistic working generation has a negative effect on co‐residence, suggesting that if the income of the working generation increases, co‐residence decreases. This decrease is greater for older men compared with their female counterparts. Life expectancy, literacy and culture also have significant influences on co‐residence.ConclusionCo‐residence is expected to fall in developing countries with economic growth over time. Consequently, a higher proportion of older citizens will be vulnerable in the future. Hence, governments of developing countries will face increasing pressure from their older people to provide appropriate planning and strategy to face this challenge.
Optimal robust parameter designs with qualitative and quantitative factors
Authors: Yang Po , Hu Jingjing 
Published: March 2018

SummaryRobust parameter design is an effective methodology for reducing variance and improving the quality of a product and a process. Recent work has mainly concentrated on two‐level robust parameter designs. We consider general robust parameter designs with factors having two or more or mixed levels these levels being either qualitative or quantitative. We propose a methodology and develop a generalised minimum aberration optimality criterion for selecting optimal robust parameter designs. A catalogue of 18‐run optimal designs is constructed and tabulated.
Magnetic resonance imaging of vaginal support structure before and after Vecchietti procedure in women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome
Authors: Huebner Markus , DeLancey John O.L. , Reisenauer Christl , Brucker Sara Y. , Preibsch Heike , Fleischer Sabrina , Schoeller Dorit , Stefanescu Diana , Rall Katharina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionIt is unclear how pelvic floor supporting structures might be affected by the absence of the vagina. It was the aim of this prospective study to analyze the magnetic resonance imaging morphology of pelvic support prior and after a Vecchietti procedure in women suffering Mullerian agenesis (Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome).Material and methods26 women with a diagnosis of Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome associated vaginal agenesis were recruited prospectively prior to the laparoscopic creation of a neovagina according to the Vecchietti procedure. The primary outcome measure was the magnetic resonance imaging morphology of supporting structures. Secondary outcome measures were anatomical and functional vaginal length. Follow up was conducted six months after surgery.ResultsTwenty‐six women were analyzed. Mean age was 19.8 ± 4.4 years (±SD) and mean body mass index was 23.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2 (±SD). All were Caucasian. Supporting structures consistent with cardinal and uterosacral ligaments were visible on magnetic resonance imaging in all cases (100%). There were no levator ani defects. The vaginal apex could be visualized postoperatively in 12 women (46.2%) reaching up to Level I. The vagina was visible in both Level II and III with normal relations to the pelvic walls in all cases. On gynecological examination, vaginal length was 8.8 ± 2.1 cm (mean ± SD) anatomically and 10.2 ± 2.2 cm (mean ± SD) functionally.ConclusionsThe preoperative presence of pelvic support structures into which the vagina is lengthened by the surgery likely explains the uncommon occurrence of vaginal prolapse in women who had the Vecchietti procedure.