bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Hepatoprotective Effect of Selenium‐Enriched Yeast and Gum Arabic Combination on Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Chronic Liver Injury in Rats
Authors: Hamid Mohammed , Abdulrahim Yassin , Liu Dandan , Qian Gang , Khan Alamzeb , Huang Kehe 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of selenium‐enriched yeast (SY) and Gum Arabic (GA) have been reported. This study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective effect of SY and GA combination on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced chronic liver injury in rats and to explore their synergistic mechanisms of action. Forty adult male Wistar rats randomly allotted to 5 groups: (A) worked as control, (B) was administered CCl4, (C‐E) were fed daily by GA, SY, and GA+SY respectively after mixing with basal diet, following CCl4‐intoxication. GA and SY combination significantly ameliorated CCl4‐induced reduction in serum total protein with elevation in aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in addition to restoring the histopathological changes and hepatic content of hydroxyproline. GA and SY combination was also effective in reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA), consistent with an increase in total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, indicating the suppression of liver oxidative stress. Furthermore, liver inflammation was ameliorated by GA and SY combination through inhibition of nuclear factor‐kappa (NF‐κB), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), cyclooxygenase‐2(COX‐2), monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and toll‐like receptor 4(TLR‐4) over expression in the liver. Moreover, the up‐regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression by GA and SY combination enhanced the regeneration of liver tissue after CCl4‐administration. The expression of Collagen1, alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and transforming growth factor‐beta1 (TGFβ1), was obviously ameliorated by GA and SY combination, suggesting the amelioration of profibrotic response of the liver. Taken together, our current study suggests that GA and SY combination exhibit a significant hepatoprotective activity, which more efficient than GA or SY alone.Practical ApplicationChronic liver diseases are the serious health problems, which increase the morbidity and mortality in the world today. Selenium‐enriched yeast (SY) and Gum Arabic (GA) combination might be potential dietary agents could obviously ameliorate chronic liver damage, higher than GA and SY alone. They act to suppress the inflammation and inhibit the profibrotic response as well as support the liver regeneration.
Occurrence of Ochratoxins, Fumonisin B2, Aflatoxins (B1 and B2), and Other Secondary Fungal Metabolites in Dried Date Palm Fruits from Egypt: A Mini‐Survey
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed F. , Krska Rudolf , Sulyok Michael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the natural co‐occurrence of 295 fungal and bacterial metabolites in 28 samples of dried date palm fruits collected from different shops distributed in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt in 2016. Extraction and quantification of the target analytes were done using the “dilute and shoot” approach followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analysis. In total, 30 toxic fungal metabolites were detected. Among these metabolites, 4 types of ochratoxins including ochratoxin type A and B were quantified in 3 samples (11%) with a contamination range from 1.48 to 6070 μg/kg for ochratoxin A and from 0.28 to 692 μg/kg for ochratoxin B. In addition, fumonisin B2 was observed in 2 (7%) samples with contamination levels ranging from 4.99 to 16.2 μg/kg. The simultaneous detection of fumonisin B2 in the same contaminated samples with ochratoxins indicates the fungal attack by Aspergillus niger species during storage. Only 1 sample was contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (14.4 μg/kg) and B2 (2.44 μg/kg). The highest maximum concentration (90400 μg/kg) was for kojic acid that contaminated 43% of the samples. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of the natural co‐occurrence of fumonisin B2 and ochratoxin A and B in addition to a wide range of other fungal metabolites in date palm fruits.Practical ApplicationMycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by different fungi. These metabolites pose a potential risk on human health since they contaminate many food commodities. Among these, date palm fruits which are an integral part of diet in several countries. Therefore, detection of mycotoxins is a prerequisite to insure the safety of food. Here, different types of mycotoxins have been detected in levels that may have health hazard.
A remote‐controlled observatory for behavioural and ecological research: A case study on emperor penguins
Authors: Richter Sebastian , Gerum Richard C. , Schneider Werner , Fabry Ben , Le Bohec Céline , Zitterbart Daniel P. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Long‐term photographic recordings of animal populations provide unique insights into ecological and evolutionary processes. However, image acquisition at remote locations under harsh climatic conditions is highly challenging.

We present a robust, energetically self‐sufficient and remote‐controlled observatory designed to operate year‐round in the Antarctic at temperatures below −50°C and wind speeds above 150 km/h. The observatory is equipped with multiple overview cameras and a high resolution steerable camera with a telephoto lens for capturing images with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Our observatory has been in operation since 2013 to investigate an emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony at Atka Bay near the German Neumayer III research station. Data recorded by this observatory give novel biological insights in animal life cycle and demographic trends, but also in collective and individual behaviour. As an example, we present data showing how wind speed and direction influence movements of the entire colony and of individual penguins. We also estimate daily fluctuations in the total number of individuals present at the breeding site.

Our results demonstrate that remote‐controlled observation systems can bridge the gap between remote sensing, simple time‐lapse recording setups, and on‐site observations by human investigators to collect unique biological datasets of undisturbed animal populations.
A novel MLPH variant in dogs with coat colour dilution
Authors: Bauer A. , Kehl A. , Jagannathan V. , Leeb T. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryCoat colour dilution may be the result of altered melanosome transport in melanocytes. Loss‐of‐function variants in the melanophilin gene (MLPH) cause a recessively inherited form of coat colour dilution in many mammalian and avian species including the dog. MLPH corresponds to the D locus in many domestic animals, and recessive alleles at this locus are frequently denoted with d. In this study, we investigated dilute coloured Chow Chows whose coat colour could not be explained by their genotype at the previously known MLPH:c.–22G>A variant. Whole genome sequencing of such a dilute Chow Chow revealed another variant in the MLPH gene: MLPH:c.705G>C. We propose to designate the corresponding mutant alleles at these two variants d1 and d2. We performed an association study in a cohort of 15 dilute and 28 non‐dilute Chow Chows. The dilute dogs were all either compound heterozygous d1/d2 or homozygous d2/d2, whereas the non‐dilute dogs carried at least one wildtype allele D. The d2 allele did not occur in 417 dogs from diverse other breeds. However, when we genotyped a Sloughi family, in which a dilute coloured puppy had been born out of non‐dilute parents, we again observed perfect co‐segregation of the newly discovered d2 allele with coat colour dilution. Finally, we identified a blue Thai Ridgeback with the d1/d2 genotype. Thus, our data identify the MLPH:c.705G>C as a variant explaining a second canine dilution allele. Although relatively rare overall, this d2 allele is segregating in at least three dog breeds, Chow Chows, Sloughis and Thai Ridgebacks.
Treatment‐related toxicities of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced cancers: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Man Johnathan , Ritchie Georgia , Links Matthew , Lord Sally , Lee Chee Khoon 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe performed a meta‐analysis to quantify toxic death, adverse events (AEs) and treatment discontinuation due to AEs from checkpoint inhibitors (CI).MethodsWe searched for randomized trials with adequate reporting for toxicity outcomes. Pooled risk ratios were estimated for CI versus chemotherapy or different combinations of these agents.ResultsTwenty trials of five different cancers with 10 794 patients with performance status 0 or 1 were identified. Toxic deaths from CI were infrequent (0.6%). Treatment discontinuations were less frequent for programmed‐death‐1 (PD‐1) or PD‐ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) inhibitors (5.8% vs 13.3%, P < 0.001) and cytotoxic‐T‐lymphocyte‐associated‐antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) inhibitors (6.2% vs 11.4%, P = 0.002) than chemotherapy. PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors had less grade 3, 4, and 5 (G3/4/5) AEs than chemotherapy (13.8% vs 39.8%, P < 0.001) or CTLA‐4 inhibitors (13.4% vs 22.8%, P < 0.001). Combination CI had higher discontinuation (37.8% vs 11.6%, P < 0.001) and higher G3/4/5 AEs (55.3% vs 21.9%, P < 0.001) than CI monotherapy. Endocrinopathy (11.2% vs 0.9%), rash (10.1% vs 4.3%) and pneumonitis (3.1% vs 0.7%) were associated with CI, and alopecia (25.9% vs 1.0%), neutropenia (16.6% vs 0.6%) and neuropathy (7.6% vs 3.0%) with chemotherapy.ConclusionsCI inhibitors have different toxicity profiles to chemotherapy. These findings are useful for patient counselling and planning of future trials.
Research on the preparation, uniformity and stability of mixed standard substance for rapid detection of goat milk composition
Authors: Zhu Yuying , Wang Jianmin , Wang Cunfang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTaking fresh goat milk as raw material after filtering, centrifuging, hollow fiber ultrafiltration, allocating formula, value detection and preparation processing, a set of 10 goat milk mixed standard substances was prepared on the basis of one‐factor‐at‐a‐time using a uniform design method, and its accuracy, uniformity and stability were evaluated by paired t‐test and F‐test of one‐way analysis of variance. The results showed that three milk composition contents of these standard products were independent of each other, and the preparation using the quasi‐level design method, and without emulsifier was the best program. Compared with detection value by cow milk standards for calibration fast analyzer, the calibration by goat milk mixed standard was more applicable to rapid detection of goat milk composition, detection value was more accurate and the deviation showed less error. Single factor analysis of variance showed that the uniformity and stability of the mixed standard substance were better; it could be stored for 15 days at 4°C. The uniformity and stability of the in‐units and inter‐units could meet the requirements of the preparation of national standard products.
An experimental test of alternative population augmentation scenarios
Authors: Kronenberger John A. , Gerberich Jill C. , Fitzpatrick Sarah W. , Broder E. Dale , Angeloni Lisa M. , Funk W. Chris 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHuman land use is fragmenting habitats worldwide and inhibiting dispersal among previously connected populations of organisms, often leading to inbreeding depression and reduced evolutionary potential in the face of rapid environmental change. To combat this augmentation of isolated populations with immigrants is sometimes used to facilitate demographic and genetic rescue. Augmentation with immigrants that are genetically and adaptively similar to the target population effectively increases population fitness, but if immigrants are very genetically or adaptively divergent, augmentation can lead to outbreeding depression. Despite well‐cited guidelines for the best practice selection of immigrant sources, often only highly divergent populations remain, and experimental tests of these riskier augmentation scenarios are essentially nonexistent. We conducted a mesocosm experiment with Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to test the multigenerational demographic and genetic effects of augmenting 2 target populations with 3 types of divergent immigrants. We found no evidence of demographic rescue, but we did observe genetic rescue in one population. Divergent immigrant treatments tended to maintain greater genetic diversity, abundance, and hybrid fitness than controls that received immigrants from the source used to seed the mesocosms. In the second population, divergent immigrants had a slightly negative effect in one treatment, and the benefits of augmentation were less apparent overall, likely because this population started with higher genetic diversity and a lower reproductive rate that limited genetic admixture. Our results add to a growing consensus that gene flow can increase population fitness even when immigrants are more highly divergent and may help reduce uncertainty about the use of augmentation in conservation.
Assessment of mitral annulus and mitral leaflet in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with various degrees of mitral regurgitation: Real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Luo Yongjuan , Zhu Yanbo , Guan Xin , Lin Yunjia 
Published: January 2018

AimTo study the changes of mitral valve (MV) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)‐related mitral regurgitation (MR) and the relationship between MV parameters and the enlarged left atrium (LA).Materials and MethodsA total of 43 patients with NVAF were divided into two groups: (1) the MR1 group with mild MR and (2) the MR2 group with moderate‐to‐severe MR. Real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed to detect the structure of MV.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the basic characteristics among the three groups. As compared with the control group, anterolateral to posteromedial diameter of the annulus (DALPm), anterior to posterior diameter (DAP), three‐dimensional circumference (C3D), two‐dimensional area (A2D), three‐dimensional area (A3D), exposed area of the leaflets (A3DE), and NPA (nonplanar angle) were significantly increased, whereas height and ellipticity were significantly decreased in the MR1 group and MR2 group. The overall longitudinal strain of left atrium (GLS) was significantly decreased in the MR1 and MR2 groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, GLS was inversely correlated with DALPm, DAP, C3D, A2D, A3D, A3DE, and NPA, whereas positively correlated with height, ellipticity, and the leaflet tenting height in both MR1 and MR2 groups.ConclusionEven in NVAF patients with mild MR, the structure of MV was changed intensively with the expansion and deformation of the “saddle shape” structure. The deformation of MV was associated with the decreased function of LA. Our results may provide novel insight into evaluation risk factors leading to AF recurrence after ablation procedures.
Intestinal neoplasia: A review of 34 cases
Authors: Spanton J. A. , Smith L. J. , Sherlock C. E. , Fews D. , Mair T. S. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe clinicopathological features of 34 horses with a histological diagnosis of intestinal neoplasia were reviewed; these included 17 horses with lymphoma, five with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), four with adenocarcinomas, three with leiomyosarcomas, two with leiomyomas, two with squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and one with adenocarcinoma/mesothelioma. The mean age at presentation was 19 years (range 3–36 years), and 81% of cases occurred in horses aged 15 years or older. Weight loss, acute or recurrent colic, inappetence, diarrhoea, depression and pyrexia were the most common presenting clinical signs. Hyperfibrinogenaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and leukocytosis were the most common clinical pathological findings. Transabdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy were the most useful diagnostic tests. Neoplasia was identified in all regions of the intestinal tract, with the jejunum being most frequently affected. The presence of mass lesions or thickened intestinal walls on transabdominal ultrasound, coupled with other clinical findings, were suggestive of intestinal neoplasia. Where possible, complete surgical resection offered the best prognosis, but generally the prognosis was poor to hopeless.
Cytocompatibility of Biodentine and iRoot FS with human periodontal ligament cells: an in vitro study
Authors: Luo T. , Liu J. , Sun Y. , Shen Y. , Zou L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo evaluate the cytocompatibility of Biodentine and iRoot FS with human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).MethodologyHuman periodontal ligament cells were characterized by flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analysis. Human periodontal ligament cell adhesion was assessed by scanning electron microscopy at day 3; proliferation by live/dead assay at days 1, 3 and 7; and osteogenic differentiation by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity staining, ALP quantification analysis and qRT‐PCR at days 7 and 14. Data were analysed with anova and independent sample t‐tests with SPSS 21.0.ResultsBoth iRoot FS and Biodentine increased the adhesion of hPDLCs at day 3. Compared to Biodentine, iRoot FS positively increased hPDLC proliferation on days 3 (P = 0.03) and 7 (P = 0.00). Osteogenic marker ALP was observed consistently in all samples, with iRoot FS having significantly higher ALP activity at day 14 (P = 0.00). Compared with Biodentine, iRoot FS significantly increased the mRNA level of ALP, COL1 and Runx2, and OCN increased only on day 14 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsiRoot FS had a positive effect on the adhesion, proliferation and biomineralization of hPDLCs compared with Biodentine.
Microfoundations of Organizational Goals: A Review and New Directions for Future Research
Authors: Linder Stefan , Foss Nicolai J 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOrganizational goals are central in management theory, yet our understanding of their antecedents, formation and dynamics, and consequences contains many gaps, in particular concerning the microfoundations of how goals are formed and changed and through which they may affect individual and organizational performance. We distill a number of key themes in the extant literature, use the microfoundations perspective to isolate research gaps, and suggest a microfoundational framework for future research on organizational goals. Subsequently, we discuss the theories that are particularly promising with respect to furthering such research on organizational goals.
Migrant Health Policies. Actors and Levels in a Multi‐Level Perspective
Authors: Perna Roberta 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUntil recently, migrant health policies have been overlooked as a topic of policy analysis. Although interest in the issue has developed in parallel with the progressive acknowledgement of the presence of unhealthy migrants and the transformation of welfare states and policy dynamics in Europe, studies on migrant health policies have often focused on the state as a unique unit of observation while hindering the role played by other institutional and non‐institutional actors taking part in the migrant health multi‐level governance. This contribution will bridge this gap, deconstructing the various actors and levels involved in migrant health policymaking from a multi‐level perspective. By critically reviewing migrant health policy research and discussing it with the new MIPEX Health Strand, this contribution suggests a more encompassing perspective in the analysis of migrant health policies and processes, looking at the different players at stake in this multifaceted policy field.
From a marketplace of electronics to a digital entrepreneurial ecosystem (DEE): The emergence of a meta‐organization in Zhongguancun, China
Authors: Du Wenyu (Derek) , Pan Shan L. , Zhou Ning , Ouyang Taohua 
Published: January 2018

AbstractExtant studies on digital entrepreneurship have mainly focused on firm‐level characteristics and overlooked the external environment, ie, the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem (DEE). This study intends to fill that gap by exploring how a DEE emerges. We adopt the meta‐organization theory as our theoretical lens and conduct an in‐depth case study at Zhongguancun, a budding DEE often referred to as China's Silicon Valley. Case analysis reveals that the emergence of a DEE is a process of forming a meta‐organization, whereby labour is divided into 3 roles and effort is integrated via 2 processes. Our study contributes to the digital entrepreneurship literature by offering a community perspective. It also contributes to the literature on meta‐organization, which has mainly focused on the globally distributed meta‐organizations and overlooked the collocated meta‐organizations such as a DEE. Regarding practical implications, policymakers and community leaders responsible for DEE development can use our findings to develop their local DEEs.
Improving high‐power properties of PZT ceramics by external DC bias field
Authors: Bansal Anushka , Shekhani Husain N. , Majzoubi Maryam , Hennig Eberhard , Scholehwar Timo , Uchino Kenji 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper concludes that the deterioration of the mechanical quality factor Qm when operated under high power, can be recovered by externally applying positive DC bias field. Material constants for piezoelectric ceramics are generally characterized under low‐power conditions. However, high‐power properties deviate significantly from the ones measured under low‐power conditions (Qm degrades by a factor of ~2). DC Bias field helps to recover the properties of the ceramic under high‐power conditions. The DC bias field of 200 V/mm exhibits an almost equivalent “opposite” change rate to the vibration velocity of 0.1 m/s. It is also notable that the piezoelectric loss tan θ’ can be decreased most effectively under positive DC bias field (1.9% per 100 V/mm for the hard PZT and 3.1% per 100 V/mm for the soft PZT), in comparison with the elastic or dielectric losses. This report presents a comprehensive analysis on the low‐ and high‐power piezoelectric properties of hard and soft Lead Zirconate Titanates (PZT's) under externally applied DC bias field in the k31 resonance mode (transverse extensional).
Structural dependence of crystallization in glasses along the nepheline (NaAlSiO4) ‐ eucryptite (LiAlSiO4) join
Authors: Marcial José , Kabel Joey , Saleh Muad , Washton Nancy , Shaharyar Yaqoot , Goel Ashutosh , McCloy John S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLithium and sodium aluminosilicates are important glass‐forming systems for commercial glass‐ceramics, as well as being important model systems for ion transport in battery studies. In addition, uncontrolled crystallization of LiAlSiO4 (eucryptite) in high‐Li2O compositions, analogous to the more well‐known problem of NaAlSiO4 (nepheline) crystallization, can cause concerns for long‐term chemical durability in nuclear waste glasses. To study the relationships between glass structure and crystallization, nine glasses were synthesized in the LixNa1‐xAlSiO4 series, from x = 0 to x = 1. Raman spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (Li‐7, Na‐23, Al‐27, Si‐29), and X‐ray diffraction were used to study the quenched and heat‐treated glasses. It was found that different LiAlSiO4 and NaAlSiO4 crystal phases crystallize from the glass depending on the Li/Na ratio. Raman and NMR spectra of quenched glasses suggest similar structures regardless of alkali substitution. Li‐7 and Na‐23 NMR spectra of the glass‐ceramics near the endmember compositions show evidence of several differentiable sites distinct from known LixNa1‐xAlSiO4 crystalline phases, suggesting that these measurements can reveal subtle chemical environment differences in mixed‐alkali systems, similar to what has been observed for zeolites.