bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary yeast cell wall on faecal bacteria and fermentation products in adult cats
Authors: Santos J. P. F. , Aquino A. A. , Glória M. B. A. , Avila‐Campos M. J. , Oba P. M. , Santos K. de M. , Vendramini T. H. A. , Carciofi A. C. , Junior A. R. , Brunetto M. A. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThis study evaluated the effects of increasing concentrations of spray‐dried yeast cell wall (YCW) in diets for healthy adult cats on apparent nutrient digestibility and on bacterial composition and fermentation products in the stool. Fourteen cats with an average weight of 4.40 ± 1.05 kg and an average age of 6.2 ± 0.54 years were used and assigned to treatments in an unbalanced randomized block design (by experimental period) with two blocks and three or four cats per diet in each block. Treatments included: control (0% YCW), 0.2% YCW, 0.4% YCW and 0.6% YCW, totalling seven animals per experimental diet. We found that YCW did not affect body weight, nutrient and food intake, faecal production, faecal score, faecal pH or urine output (p > .05). Regarding faecal bacteria, we observed a linear reduction in Clostridium perfringens, a quadratic reduction in Escherichia coli, and linear increases in Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. (p < .05) with the inclusion of YCW. Regarding the faecal short‐chain fatty acid profile, butyrate, valerate, total biogenic amines, putrescine, cadaverine and histamine increased linearly (p < .05) with the inclusion of YCW. It was concluded that in healthy adult cats, consumption of YCW modulates the faecal bacterial populations, with an increased presence of beneficial bacteria and a reduction in some potentially pathogenic bacteria. It was concluded that YCW modulated the levels of fermentation products. There was an increase in fermentation products coming from carbohydrate metabolism, an important effect that can potentially benefit the intestinal health of cats. The consumption of YCW also increased the fermentation of nitrogen compounds, which have not yet been defined as deleterious or beneficial. The fermentability of carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds may be associated. Therefore, YCW may cause rapid fermentation of both classes of compounds by enhancing the fermentability of one class.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenous gentamicin in healthy young‐adult compared to aged alpacas
Authors: Gestrich A. , Bedenice D. , Ceresia M. , Zaghloul I. 
Published: May 2018

The study objective was to evaluate the effects of age on aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in eight young‐adult (<4 years) and eight aged (≥14 years) healthy alpacas, receiving a single 6.6 mg/kg intravenous gentamicin injection. Heparinized plasma samples were obtained at designated time points following drug administration and frozen at −80°C until assayed by a validated immunoassay (QMS®). Compartmental and noncompartmental analyses of gentamicin plasma concentrations versus time were performed using WinNonlin (v6.4) software. Baseline physical and hematological parameters were not significantly different between young and old animals with the exception of sex. Data were best fitted to a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model. The peak drug concentration at 30 min after dosing (23.8 ± 2.1 vs. 26.1 ± 2 μg/ml,p = .043) and area under the curve (70.4 ± 10.5 vs. 90.4 ± 17.6 μg hr/ml,p = .015) were significantly lower in young‐adult compared to aged alpacas. Accordingly, young alpacas had a significantly greater systemic clearance than older animals (95.5 ± 14.4 and 75.6 ± 16.1 ml hr−1kg−1;p = .018), respectively). In conclusion, a single 6.6 mg/kg intravenous gentamicin injection achieves target blood concentrations of >10 times theMICof gentamicin‐susceptible pathogens withMIClevels ≤2 μg/ml, in both young‐adult and geriatric alpacas. However, the observed reduction in gentamicin clearance in aged alpacas may increase their risk for gentamicin‐related adverse drug reactions.
The pharmacokinetics of cytarabine administered subcutaneously, combined with prednisone, in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology
Authors: Pastina B. , Early P. J. , Bergman R. L. , Nettifee J. , Maller A. , Bray K. Y. , Waldron R. J. , Castel A. M. , Munana K. R. , Papich M. G. , Messenger K. M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of cytarabine (CA) after subcutaneous (SC) administration to dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE). Twelve dogs received a single SC dose of CA at 50 mg/m2 as part of treatment of MUE. A sparse sampling technique was used to collect four blood samples from each dog from 0 to 360 min after administration. All dogs were concurrently receiving prednisone (0.5–2 mg kg−1day−1). Plasma CA concentrations were measured by HPLC, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling (NLME). Plasma drug concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 2.8 μg/ml. The population estimate (CV%) for elimination half‐life and Tmax of cytarabine in dogs was 1.09 (21.93) hr and 0.55 (51.03) hr, respectively. The volume of distribution per fraction absorbed was 976.31 (10.85%) ml/kg. Mean plasma concentration of CA for all dogs was above 1.0 μg/ml at the 30‐, 60‐, 90‐, and 120‐min time points. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of CA in dogs with MUE after a single 50 mg/m2 SC injection in dogs was similar to what has been previously reported in healthy beagles; there was moderate variability in the population estimates in this clinical population of dogs.
Water source partitioning among plant functional types in a semi‐arid dune ecosystem
Authors: Antunes Cristina , Díaz‐Barradas Mari Cruz , Zunzunegui Maria , Vieira Simone , Máguas Cristina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQuestion(s)The aim of this work was to characterize the main water sources used by the woody plant community of a semi‐arid coastal dune ecosystem. We ask: Do the seasonal water sources used by plants differ between functional types? Does the seasonal drought promote shifts towards deeper soil layers in all plants? Does greater use of deep soil water enables the maintenance of a more favorable plant water status? Do water‐sources‐use strategies mirror overall drought strategies?LocationSemi‐arid coastal dune system in Doñana Biological Reserve, southwest Spain.MethodsWe analyzed the oxygen isotope composition of xylem water of fourteen coexisting woody species and compared it to water sources (soil water at different depths, rain and groundwater), both in spring and dry summer. Bayesian isotope mixing models were used to estimate the proportion of each water source used by plants. We tested the influence of different (categorical) traits on plants’ water‐source‐use. We evaluated the relationships between the use of deep soil water and ecophysiological parameters related to water economy (leaf δ13C and reflectance water‐index).ResultsA greater similarity between species was found in periods of higher water availability (spring). Contrastingly, during the dry period the traits considered showed a significant effect on the water sources used and a high inter‐specific differentiation was observed. Accordingly, species clustered in five water‐use functional groups, exploring water from shallower to deeper soil layers. Greater use of deep soil layers in the dry season was linked to a better seasonal maintenance of plant water status.ConclusionsCoexisting plant functional types segregated along a spectrum of water‐source‐use under extremely dry conditions, evidencing great soil water partitioning. Relevant seasonal water‐use shifts towards deeper soil layers were observed, but not in all species. Furthermore, we confirmed that the water‐source‐use behavior accompanied broader strategies of drought resistance.
Environmental filters shaping angiosperm tree assembly along climatic and geographic gradients
Authors: Kubota Yasuhiro , Kusumoto Buntarou , Shiono Takayuki , Ulrich Werner 
Published: May 2018

AbstractQuestionGlobal‐scale forest censuses provide an opportunity to understand diversification processes in woody plant communities. Based on the climatic or geographic filtering hypotheses associated with tropical niche conservatism and dispersal limitation, we analysed phylogenetic community structures across a wide range of biomes and evaluated to what extent region‐specific processes have influenced large‐scale diversity patterns of tree species communities across latitude or continent.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe generated a data set of species abundances for 21,379 angiosperm woody plants in 843 plots worldwide. We calculated net relatedness index (NRI) for each plot, based on a single global species pool and regional species pools, and phylogenetic β‐diversity (PBD) between plots. Then, we explored the correlations of NRI with climatic and geographic variables, and clarified phylogenetic dissimilarity along geographic and climatic differences. We also compared these patterns for South America, Africa, the Indo‐Pacific, Australia, the Nearctic, Western Palearctic and Eastern Palearctic.ResultsNRI based on a global‐scale species pool was negatively associated with precipitation and positively associated with Quaternary temperature change. PBD was positively associated with geographic distance and precipitation difference between plots across tropical and extratropical biomes. Moreover, phylogenetic dissimilarity was smaller in extratropical regions than in regions including the tropics, although temperate forests of the Eastern Palearctic showed a greater dissimilarity within extratropical regions.ConclusionsOur findings support predictions of the climatic and geographic filtering hypotheses. Climatic filtering (climatic harshness and paleoclimatic change) relative to tropical niche conservatism played a role in sorting species from the global species pool and shaped the large‐scale diversity patterns, such as the latitudinal gradient observed across continents. Geographic filtering associated with dispersal limitation substantially contributed to regional divergence of tropical/extratropical biomes among continents. Old, long‐standing geographic barriers and recent climatic events differently influenced evolutionary diversification of angiosperm tree communities in tropical and extratropical biomes.
Constant conflict between Gypsy LTR retrotransposons and CHH methylation within a stress‐adapted mangrove genome
Authors: Wang Yushuai , Liang Weiqi , Tang Tian 
Published: May 2018

Summary

The evolutionary dynamics of the conflict between transposable elements (TEs) and their host genome remain elusive. This conflict will be intense in stress‐adapted plants as stress can often reactivate TEs. Mangroves reduce TE load convergently in their adaptation to intertidal environments and thus provide a unique opportunity to address the host–TE conflict and its interaction with stress adaptation.

Using the mangrove Rhizophora apiculata as a model, we investigated methylation and short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting patterns in relation to the abundance and age of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. We also examined the distance of LTR retrotransposons to genes, the impact on neighboring gene expression and population frequencies.

We found differential accumulation amongst classes of LTR retrotransposons despite high overall methylation levels. This can be attributed to 24‐nucleotide siRNA‐mediated CHH methylation preferentially targeting Gypsy elements, particularly in their LTR regions. Old Gypsy elements possess unusually abundant siRNAs which show cross‐mapping to young copies. Gypsy elements appear to be closer to genes and under stronger purifying selection than other classes.

Our results suggest a continuous host–TE battle masked by the TE load reduction in R. apiculata. This conflict may enable mangroves, such as R. apiculata, to maintain genetic diversity and thus evolutionary potential during stress adaptation.
Shaping memory consolidation via targeted memory reactivation during sleep
Authors: Cellini Nicola , Capuozzo Alessandra 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecent studies have shown that the reactivation of specific memories during sleep can be modulated using external stimulation. Specifically, it has been reported that matching a sensory stimulus (e.g., odor or sound cue) with target information (e.g., pairs of words, pictures, and motor sequences) during wakefulness, and then presenting the cue alone during sleep, facilitates memory of the target information. Thus, presenting learned cues while asleep may reactivate related declarative, procedural, and emotional material, and facilitate the neurophysiological processes underpinning memory consolidation in humans. This paradigm, which has been named targeted memory reactivation, has been successfully used to improve visuospatial and verbal memories, strengthen motor skills, modify implicit social biases, and enhance fear extinction. However, these studies also show that results depend on the type of memory investigated, the task employed, the sensory cue used, and the specific sleep stage of stimulation. Here, we present a review of how memory consolidation may be shaped using noninvasive sensory stimulation during sleep.
Pathways and mechanisms linking dietary components to cardiometabolic disease: thinking beyond calories
Authors: Stanhope K. L. , Goran M. I. , Bosy‐Westphal A. , King J. C. , Schmidt L. A. , Schwarz J.‐M. , Stice E. , Sylvetsky A. C. , Turnbaugh P. J. , Bray G. A. , Gardner C. D. , Havel P. J. , Malik V. , Mason A. E. , Ravussin E. , Rosenbaum M. , Welsh J. A. , Allister‐Price C. , Sigala D. M. , Greenwood M. R. C. , Astrup A. , Krauss R. M. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryCalories from any food have the potential to increase risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease because all calories can directly contribute to positive energy balance and fat gain. However, various dietary components or patterns may promote obesity and cardiometabolic disease by additional mechanisms that are not mediated solely by caloric content. Researchers explored this topic at the 2017 CrossFit Foundation Academic Conference ‘Diet and Cardiometabolic Health – Beyond Calories’, and this paper summarizes the presentations and follow‐up discussions. Regarding the health effects of dietary fat, sugar and non‐nutritive sweeteners, it is concluded that food‐specific saturated fatty acids and sugar‐sweetened beverages promote cardiometabolic diseases by mechanisms that are additional to their contribution of calories to positive energy balance and that aspartame does not promote weight gain. The challenges involved in conducting and interpreting clinical nutritional research, which preclude more extensive conclusions, are detailed. Emerging research is presented exploring the possibility that responses to certain dietary components/patterns are influenced by the metabolic status, developmental period or genotype of the individual; by the responsiveness of brain regions associated with reward to food cues; or by the microbiome. More research regarding these potential ‘beyond calories’ mechanisms may lead to new strategies for attenuating the obesity crisis.
Changes in gene expression during germination reveal pea genotypes with either “quiescence” or “escape” mechanisms of waterlogging tolerance
Authors: Zaman Md Shahin Uz , Malik Al Imran , Erskine William , Kaur Parwinder 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWaterlogging causes germination failure in pea (Pisum sativum L.). Three genotypes (BARI Motorshuti‐3, Natore local‐2 [NL‐2], and Kaspa) contrasting in ability to germinate in waterlogged soil were exposed to different durations of waterlogging. Whole genome RNAseq was employed to capture differentially expressing genes. The ability to germinate in waterlogged soil was associated with testa colour and testa membrane integrity as confirmed by electrical conductivity measurements. Genotypes Kaspa and NL‐2 displayed different mechanisms of tolerance. In Kaspa, an energy conserving strategy was indicated by a strong upregulation of tyrosine protein kinsase and down regulation of linoleate 9S‐lipoxygenase 5, a fat metabolism gene. In contrast, a faster energy utilization strategy was suggested in NL‐2 by the marked upregulation of a subtilase family protein and peroxisomal adenine nucleotide carrier 2, a fat metabolizing gene. Waterlogging susceptibility in germinating seeds of genotype BARI Motorshuti‐3 was linked to upregulation of a kunitz‐type trypsin/protease inhibitor that blocks protein metabolism and may lead to excessive lipid metabolism and the membrane leakage associated with waterlogging damage. Pathway analyses based on gene ontologies showed seed storage protein metabolism as upregulated in tolerant genotypes and downregulated in the sensitive genotype. Understanding the tolerance mechanism provides a platform to breed for adaptation to waterlogging stress at germination in pea.
Overexpression of the TaSHN1 transcription factor in bread wheat leads to leaf surface modifications, improved drought tolerance, and no yield penalty under controlled growth conditions
Authors: Bi Huihui , Shi Jianxin , Kovalchuk Nataliya , Luang Sukanya , Bazanova Natalia , Chirkova Larissa , Zhang Dabing , Shavrukov Yuri , Stepanenko Anton , Tricker Penny , Langridge Peter , Hrmova Maria , Lopato Sergiy , Borisjuk Nikolai 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTranscription factors regulate multiple networks, mediating the responses of organisms to stresses, including drought. Here, we investigated the role of the wheat transcription factor TaSHN1 in crop growth and drought tolerance. TaSHN1, isolated from bread wheat, was characterized for molecular interactions and functionality. The overexpression of TaSHN1 in wheat was followed by the evaluation of T2 and T3 transgenic lines for drought tolerance, growth, and yield components. Leaf surface changes were analysed by light microscopy, SEM, TEM, and GC‐MS/GC‐FID. TaSHN1 behaves as a transcriptional activator in a yeast transactivation assay and binds stress‐related DNA cis‐elements, determinants of which were revealed using 3D molecular modelling. The overexpression of TaSHN1 in transgenic wheat did not result in a yield penalty under the controlled plant growth conditions of a glasshouse. Transgenic lines had significantly lower stomatal density and leaf water loss and exhibited improved recovery after severe drought, compared with control plants. The comparative analysis of cuticular waxes revealed an increased accumulation of alkanes in leaves of transgenic lines. Our data demonstrate that TaSHN1 may operate as a positive modulator of drought stress tolerance. Positive attributes could be mediated through an enhanced accumulation of alkanes and reduced stomatal density.
Individualized breathlessness interventions may improve outcomes in patients with advanced COPD
Authors: Qian Mary Y.Y. , Politis John , Thompson Michelle , Wong Darren , Le Brian , Irving Louis , Smallwood Natasha 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground and objectiveMany patients with advanced COPD experience refractory breathlessness and individualized breathlessness interventions may improve management of this complex symptom. The aims of this study were to develop, implement and assess the efficacy of a breathlessness intervention for patients with COPD and refractory breathlessness and to evaluate patient acceptability.MethodsAn individualized breathlessness plan, information leaflets, breathlessness education and a hand‐held fan were offered to consecutive patients with severe COPD and refractory breathlessness attending a tertiary integrated respiratory and palliative care service. Validated dyspnoea, quality of life and anxiety/depression questionnaires were administered at baseline and after 6 weeks, with change in dyspnoea scores being the primary outcome measure. A subset of patients participated in a structured telephone interview to qualitatively assess the intervention.ResultsTwenty‐six patients with severe COPD (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 38%) were included, with a mean age of 74 years. Mean modified Medical Research Council Breathlessness Scale score was 3.5. Anxiety and depression were common, being present in 38% and 35% of participants. At 6 weeks, there was a clinically significant improvement in breathlessness severity as measured by the Numerical Rating Scale. The subset of patients with anxiety/depression also saw significant improvement in all domains of the Self‐Administered Standardized Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ‐SAS). Patients reported that the intervention was highly useful and acceptable.ConclusionThis feasibility study of individualized breathlessness interventions in patients with severe COPD and refractory breathlessness is the first to demonstrate a clinically significant reduction in dyspnoea scores, with high levels of patient acceptability.
High‐throughput detection and screening of plants modified by gene editing using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Peng Cheng , Wang Hua , Xu Xiaoli , Wang Xiaofu , Chen Xiaoyun , Wei Wei , Lai Yongmin , Liu Guoquan , Godwin Ian Douglas , Li Jieqin , Zhang Ling , Xu Junfeng 
Published: May 2018

SummaryGene editing techniques are becoming powerful tools for modifying target genes in organisms. Although several methods have been developed to detect gene‐edited organisms, these techniques are time and labour intensive. Meanwhile, few studies have investigated high‐throughput detection and screening strategies for plants modified by gene editing. In this study, we developed a simple, sensitive and high‐throughput quantitative real‐time (qPCR)‐based method. The qPCR‐based method exploits two differently labelled probes that are placed within one amplicon at the gene editing target site to simultaneously detect the wild‐type and a gene‐edited mutant. We showed that the qPCR‐based method can accurately distinguish CRISPR/Cas9‐induced mutants from the wild‐type in several different plant species, such as Oryza sativa, Arabidopsis thaliana, Sorghum bicolor, and Zea mays. Moreover, the method can subsequently determine the mutation type by direct sequencing of the qPCR products of mutations due to gene editing. The qPCR‐based method is also sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between heterozygous and homozygous mutations in T0 transgenic plants. In a 384‐well plate format, the method enabled the simultaneous analysis of up to 128 samples in three replicates without handling the post‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Thus, we propose that our method is an ideal choice for screening plants modified by gene editing from many candidates in T0 transgenic plants, which will be widely used in the area of plant gene editing.