bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What do we know about biological nitrogen fixation in insects? Evidence and implications for the insect and the ecosystem
Authors: Bar‐Shmuel Nitsan , Behar Adi , Segoli Michal 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMany insects feed on a low‐nitrogen diet, and the origin of their nitrogen supply is poorly understood. It has been hypothesized that some insects rely on nitrogen‐fixing bacteria (diazotrophs) to supplement their diets. Nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs has been extensively studied and convincingly demonstrated in termites, while evidence for the occurrence and role of nitrogen fixation in the diet of other insects is less conclusive. Here, we summarize the methods to detect nitrogen fixation in insects and review the available evidence for its occurrence (focusing on insects other than termites). We distinguish between three aspects of nitrogen fixation investigations: (i) detecting the presence of potential diazotrophs; (ii) detecting the activity of the nitrogen‐fixing enzyme; and (iii) detecting the assimilation of fixed nitrogen into the insect tissues. We show that although evidence from investigations of the first aspect reveals ample opportunities for interactions with potential diazotrophs in a variety of insects, demonstrations of actual biological nitrogen fixation and the assimilation of fixed nitrogen are restricted to very few insect groups, including wood‐feeding beetles, fruit flies, leafcutter ants, and a wood wasp. We then discuss potential implications for the insect's fitness and for the ecosystem as a whole. We suggest that combining these multiple approaches is crucial for the study of nitrogen fixation in insects, and argue that further demonstrations are desperately needed in order to determine the relative importance of diazotrophs for insect diet and fitness, as well as to evaluate their overall impact on the ecosystem.
Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity and Subacute Toxicity of a Quercus crassifolia Polyphenolic Bark Extract for its Potential Use in Functional Foods
Authors: Valencia‐Avilés Eréndira , Martínez‐Flores Héctor‐Eduardo , García‐Pérez Manuel , Meléndez‐Herrera Esperanza , García‐Pérez Martha‐Estrella 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOak wood is used in barrels for wine aging. During aging, polyphenols are transferred from the barrels to the liquid. Although the bioactivity of oak polyphenols in wines has been extensively studied, no investigation exists on their toxicological properties, which limits their use as functional safe ingredients for other products. In this work, the chemical composition of a polyphenolic extract of Quercus crassifolia bark (QCBe) was studied by GC‐MS. Its antibacterial properties on probiotic and pathogenic bacteria and its subacute‐oral toxicity were determined as a way to understand the potential impact from its addition to fermented food as a functional ingredient. QCBe shows a selective inhibition of Escherichia coli compared with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophylus. According to the toxicity evaluation, the subacute no‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level was achieved at 11 mg/kg bw/day, whereas the subacute lowest‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level for kidney damage was at 33 mg/kg bw/day. These results suggest that, given the fact an adverse effect was observed after subacute administration of this extract, further longer term toxicological studies are needed to provide sufficient safety evidence for its use in humans.Practical ApplicationMexico's yogurt market is growing which creates opportunities for the development of some yogurt products as functional foods. As a first step to evaluate its potential use in yogurt formulation, the antibacterial effect of a Quercus crassifolia polyphenolic extract (QCBe) on probiotic bacteria and its subacute‐oral toxicity in rats were studied. A low inhibition on probiotic bacteria growth was observed after QCBe addition to Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophylus cultures. Exposure to QCBe for a subacute duration resulted in renal injury in rats at dosages greater than or equal to 33 mg/kg/bw/day. This adverse effect indicates the importance of performing further long‐term toxicological assessments prior to the addition of QCBe to a food like yogurt, which is regularly eaten by consumers.
Composition, Antivirulence Activity, and Active Property Distribution of the Fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz
Authors: Li Kun , Han Xianwei , Li Ruzhuo , Xu Zhongren , Pan Taowen , Liu Jing , Li Bin , Wang Shouyu , Diao Yunpeng , Liu Xinguang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz., or Tibet Olive, is widely used as a food supplement in China. It possesses some natural antimicrobial properties; however, its chemical composition and antivirulence effects have not been identified. In this work, 29 compounds were identified from the peel of T. chebula fruit by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Both the extract of T. chebula and its phenolic acid, corilagin, showed antivirulent activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Specifically, they inhibited biofilm formation. The half maximal inhibitory concentration was 0.13 and 3.18 µg/mL for the extract and corilagin, respectively, whereas for α‐hemolysin secretion, the respective concentrations were 30 and 10 µg/mL. Its mechanism of action may be due to reducing the transcription of genes related to quorum sensing. These genes included staphylococcal accessory regulator A, intercellular adhesion accessory gene regulator A, and RNAIII. These findings provide evidence that this food supplement could be an effective antivirulent with corilagin as its active ingredient.Practical ApplicationCorilagin from the fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. may be used as an antibacterial for its antivirulent activity against Staphylococcus aureus
Comparison of Furans Formation and Volatile Aldehydes Profiles of Four Different Vegetable Oils During Thermal Oxidation
Authors: Wang Yangling , Zhu Mengting , Mei Jiang , Luo Shuhan , Leng Tuo , Chen Yi , Nie Shaoping , Xie Mingyong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe evolution of volatile aldehydes and the conversion of oxygenated ityβ‐unsaturated aldehydes (OαβUAs) into furans were compared in four vegetable oils (soybean oil, olive oil [OVO], peanut oil [PO], and perilla oil [PAO]) thermally oxidized at temperatures of 150, 180, and 210 °C for 10 hr/day over a 3‐day period. Results showed that 2 alkyl furans and 23 volatile aldehydes including 4 toxic OdβUAs were detected by GC‐MS. The original fatty acid compositions of the oils played a key role in the type and concentration of those volatile compounds. 4‐Hydroxy‐2‐hexenal (HHE) and ethyl furan were only detected in PAO with a high content of linolenic acid, while the greatest level of pentyl furan was detected in PO with abundant linoleic acid. Greater amounts of 4‐hydroxy‐(E)‐2‐nonenal (HNE) and 4‐oxo‐(E)‐2‐nonenal (ONE) were formed in the OVO with abundant oleic acid. The close relativity of HHE and ethyl furan was also demonstrated. With principal component analysis, these vegetable oils could be discriminated based on their fatty acids and volatile compounds. The loading plot confirmed that HHE and ethyl furan were derived from the linolenic acid oxidation and degradation.Practical ApplicationThe chemometric results showed that the formation of the volatile components during heating in different vegetable oils has close correlation with the original fatty acids composition of vegetable oils. Our research has also confirmed the presence of toxic OɑβUAs in oils after heating. Considering that they are proven to generate lots of degenerative diseases, further studies are needed to establish the risk level of using certain oils in frying and seek effective methods to inhibit their formation.
Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria‐Fermented Soymilk on Isoflavone Metabolites and Short‐Chain Fatty Acids Excretion and Their Modulating Effects on Gut Microbiota
Authors: Dai Shuhong , Pan Mingfang , El‐Nezami Hani S. , Wan Jennifer M.F. , Wang M.F. , Habimana Olivier , Lee Jetty C.Y. , Louie Jimmy C.Y. , Shah Nagendra P. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractLactobacillus rhamnosus strain ASCC 1520 with high soy isoflavone transformation ability was used to ferment soymilk and added to the diet of mice. The impact of L. rhamnosus fermentation on soy isoflavone metabolites and intestinal bacterial community, in conjunction with fecal enzyme activity and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) excretion was evaluated. Antibiotics intervention resulted in a decrease in fecal enzyme activities and SCFA. Although long‐term intake of soymilk or L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk did not affect the fecal β‐glucuronidase and β‐galactosidase activities, it improved the β‐glucosidase activity when antibiotics were concomitantly administered. Soymilk or fermented soymilk administration increased the isoflavone metabolites (O‐DMA and equol) excreted in urine. Antibiotics decreased the daidzein excretion and its metabolites but showed little effect on glycitein and genistein excretion. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) of the 16s rRNA gene sequencing data found a remarkable shift in gut microbiota after soymilk administration and antibiotics treatment. Matastats test of the relative abundance of bacterial taxa revealed Odoribacter (Bacteroidales family), Lactobacillus (Lactobacillales order), and Alistipes (Rikenellaceae family) were enriched in soymilk while bacterial taxa from Bacteroides and Lactobacillus were enriched in L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk. Furthermore, there was less decrease in bacterial taxa with fermented soymilk group even when antibiotics were concomitantly administered. Overall, this study revealed that the gut microbiota of a healthy host is enough for the whole isoflavone metabolism under normal conditions. Feeding mice with L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk improved fecal enzyme activity and kept the balance of the gut mirobiota when antibiotics were used.Practical ApplicationFeeding mice with L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk improved fecal enzyme activity and kept the balance of the gut mirobiota when antibiotics were used.
Age‐associated outcomes after survived out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest and subsequent target temperature management
Authors: Pätz Toni , Stelzig Katharina , Pfeifer Rüdiger , Pittl Undine , Thiele Holger , Busch Hans-Jörg , Reinhard Iris , Wolfrum Sebastian 
Published: June 2019

BackgroundThe registry of the German Society of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine was founded to analyze outcome of modern post‐resuscitation care.MethodsA total of 902 patients were analyzed in this retrospective, multicenter, and population‐based observational trial on individuals suffering from out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest. All patients had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and received TTM after admitted to an intensive care unit. Outcome was focused on age and analyzed by creating 4 subgroups (<65, 65‐74, 75‐84, ≥85 years). Twenty‐eight day and 180‐day survival and a favorable neurological outcome according to the Cerebral Performance Category scale were evaluated as clinical endpoints.ResultsAt 28‐day and 180‐day follow‐up, 44.8% and 53.4% of all patients had died, respectively. The evaluation of survival rate by age category revealed a higher mortality, but not an unfavorable neurological prognosis with increasing age. In multiple stepwise regressions, age, time to ROSC, bystander resuscitation, and cardiac cause of cardiac arrest were associated with increased chance of 180‐day survival and, in addition, bystander resuscitation, time of hypoxia, and a defibrillation performed by emergency medical service were associated with a favorable neurological outcome at 180‐day follow‐up.ConclusionIncreasing age was associated with a higher mortality, but not with an unfavorable neurological outcome. The majority of survivors had a favorable neurologic outcome 6 months after cardiac arrest.
Embryonic Ethanol Exposure Affects the Early Development, Migration, and Location of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons in Zebrafish
Authors: Collier Adam D. , Halkina Viktoriya , Min Soe S. , Roberts Mia Y. , Campbell Samantha D. , Camidge Kaylin , Leibowitz Sarah F. 
Published: June 2019

BackgroundEmbryonic ethanol (EtOH) exposure is known to increase alcohol drinking later in life and have long‐term effects on neurochemical systems in the brain. With zebrafish having marked advantages for elucidating neural mechanisms underlying brain disorders, we recently tested and showed in these fish, similar to rodents, that low‐dose embryonic EtOH stimulates voluntary consumption of EtOH while increasing expression of hypocretin/orexin (hcrt) neurons, a neuropeptide that promotes consummatory and reward‐related behaviors. The goal of the present study was to characterize how embryonic EtOH affects early development of the hcrt system and produces persistent changes at older ages that may contribute to this increase in EtOH consumption.MethodsWe utilized live imaging and Imaris software to investigate how low‐dose embryonic EtOH (0.5%), administered from 22 to 24 hours postfertilization, affects specific properties of hcrt neurons in hcrt:EGFP transgenic zebrafish at different ages.ResultsTime‐lapse imaging from 24 to 28 hpf showed that embryonic EtOH increased the number of hcrt neurons, reduced the speed, straightness, and displacement of their migratory paths, and altered their direction early in development. At older ages up to 6 dpf, the embryonic EtOH‐induced increase in hcrt neurons was persistent, and the neurons became more widely dispersed. These effects of embryonic EtOH were found to be asymmetric, occurring predominantly on the left side of the brain, and at 6 dpf, they resulted in marked changes in the anatomical location of the hcrt neurons, with some detected outside their normal position in the anterior hypothalamus again primarily on the left side.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that low‐dose embryonic EtOH has diverse, persistent, and asymmetric effects on the early development of hypothalamic hcrt neurons, which lead to abnormalities in their ultimate location that may contribute to behavioral disturbances, including an increase in EtOH consumption.
Association of antinuclear antibody with clinical outcome of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zeng MeiFang , Wen Ping , Duan JinLiang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractProblemSeveral recent studies have investigated the relationship between antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcomes. This meta‐analysis evaluated the effect of ANA on clinical outcome for patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.Method of studyA systemic survey of the literature was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases, through January 2019. Evaluated outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate (MR) and implantation rate (IR). Relative risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used for dichotomous data. Meta‐analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3 software.ResultsEleven eligible studies were found. For IVF/ICSI cycles, compared with an ANA(−) group, infertile patients with ANA(+) had significantly reduced incidence of CPR (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.56‐0.79; I2 = 60%) and IR (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49‐0.76; I2 = 75%), and had a higher MR (RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.40‐2.36; I2 = 48%).ConclusionThis study suggested that ANA might cause poor pregnancy outcomes for infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.
Elevated visceral fat area is associated with adverse postoperative outcome of radical colectomy for colon adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Zhai Ting‐Shuai , Kang Yuan , Ren Wen‐Hao , Liu Qi , Liu Chao , Mao Wei‐Zheng 
Published: June 2019

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of visceral obesity quantified by preoperative computed tomography on short‐term postoperative outcomes compared with body mass index (BMI) in stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma patients.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 107 patients treated with radical colectomy for stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma were classified as obese or non‐obese by computed tomography‐based measures or BMI (obese: BMI ≥28 kg/m2, visceral fat area (VFA) to subcutaneous fat area ratio (V/S) ≥0.4, and VFA ≥100 cm2). Clinical variables, operation time, estimated blood loss, pathologic stage, histologic grade, postoperative complications, postoperative stay and hospitalization expenses were compared.ResultsObese patients by VFA were more likely to have higher postoperative complication rate (32.9 versus 11.8%, P = 0.021), have longer operation time (184.6 ± 49.5 versus 163.1 ± 44.1 min, P = 0.033), postoperative stay (15.21 ± 7.59 versus 12.29 ± 5.40 days, P = 0.047) and cost more ($10 758.7 ± 3271.7 versus $9232.0 ± 2994.6, P = 0.023) than non‐obese.ConclusionVisceral obesity graded by VFA is associated with increased postoperative morbidity, operation time, postoperative stay and hospitalization expenses for colon adenocarcinoma patients and may be superior to BMI or V/S for the prediction of colon surgery.
A focus on riociguat in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Toxvig Anne Kathrine , Wehland Markus , Grimm Daniela , Infanger Manfred , Krüger Marcus 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCurrent treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) targets three signalling pathways: the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, the endothelin pathway and the prostacyclin pathway. Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, acting via the NO pathway in a new way: unlike other common drugs targeting this pathway (eg tadalafil and sildenafil), riociguat acts independently of endogenous NO. This MiniReview focuses on PAH treatment with riociguat and on its advantages and disadvantages compared with other drugs targeting the NO pathway. In the PATENT‐1 trial (NCT00810693), riociguat improved significantly the 6‐minute walking distance in patients suffering from PAH, with a mean difference (MD) of 36 m compared with a placebo group. The results are comparable to those found for its competitors tadalafil (MD of 33 m) and sildenafil (MD of 50 m) in the PHIRST‐1 trial (NCT00125918) and the SUPER‐1 trial (NCT00644605). No obvious advantages were found regarding pharmacokinetic features and adverse events. In the RESPITE study (NCT02007629), patients with PAH with insufficient response to treatment with tadalafil or sildenafil were switched to riociguat. These results indicate that riociguat might be superior regarding efficacy to PDE‐5 inhibitors in a patient group, where endogenous NO production might be insufficient. This finding was further examined in the REPLACE study (NCT02891850). Moreover, riociguat has shown promising anti‐proliferative, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrotic effects in animal models. Further investigations are needed to determine whether this applies also to human beings. Taken together, riociguat induces vasodilation of the pulmonary arteries and leads to an improvement in the ability to carry out physical activity.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment is useful in an elderly Australian population with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma receiving rituximab‐chemotherapy combinations
Authors: Ong Doen Ming , Ashby Michael , Grigg Andrew , Gard Grace , Ng Zi Y. , Huang Huayi (Ellen) , Chong Yee Shuen , Cheah Chan Yoon , Devitt Bianca , Chong Geoffrey , Loh Zoe , Mo Allison , Hawkes Eliza A. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryElderly patients may be heterogeneous in their abilities to tolerate immunochemotherapy‐associated toxicities. We describe the morbidity of rituximab‐chemotherapy combinations among 205 newly‐diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients aged ≥60 years from 3 tertiary hospitals between 2009 and 2016, and explore the utility of retrospectively‐assigned baseline Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in predicting these toxicities. Seventy‐three percent (146/201) experienced grade ≥3 toxicities, 81% (163/201) needed admission, 52% (107/205) had ≥2 unplanned admissions, 82/201 (41%) required dose reductions (DR) subsequent to Cycle 1, 39/166 (23%) had chemotherapy delays and 26/198 (13%) ceased therapy early. CGA was associated with pre‐emptive baseline DR and perhaps because of this, did not predict grade ≥3 toxicities, ≥2 unplanned admissions or subsequent DR. Three‐year overall survival (OS) of CGA‐fit, CGA‐unfit and CGA‐frail patients was 82%, 60% and 53%, respectively. Three‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) of CGA‐fit, CGA‐unfit and CGA‐frail patients was 66%, 58% and 46%, respectively. OS of CGA‐fit patients was not statistically different from CGA‐unfit patients, but was superior to CGA‐frail patients (hazard ratio 2·892, 95% confidence interval 1·275–6·559, P = 0·011). PFS differences were not statistically significant. Baseline DR and early therapy cessation were associated with inferior OS and PFS independent of CGA. Prospective studies are needed to confirm if CGA‐adapted treatment strategies minimize morbidity and improves survival.
Inclusivity of past collective trauma and its implications for current intractable conflict: The mediating role of moral lessons
Authors: Rosler Nimrod , Branscombe Nyla R. 
Published: June 2019

How are perceptions of past collective trauma related to moral lessons derived, and how are those in turn associated with conflict‐related policy preferences of those presently involved in intractable conflict? We hypothesized that inclusive conceptions of past trauma will be positively associated with moral obligations and negatively with moral entitlement, and that moral obligations will be positively associated with humanitarian policies and negatively with militaristic policies, while moral entitlement will be positively associated with militaristic policies and negatively with humanitarian policies. In a cross‐sectional study with a representative sample of Jewish Israelis (N = 504), moral obligations mediated the association between higher inclusivity of past collective trauma and humanitarian policy support, while moral entitlement mediated between lower inclusivity and increased militant policy support. Inclusive perceptions of past trauma and its moral lessons may play a critical role in advancing conflict resolution in intractable conflicts settings unrelated to the initial trauma.