bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D and/or calcium deficient diets may differentially affect muscle fiber neuromuscular junction innervation
Authors: Gifondorwa David J. , Thompson Tyran D. , Wiley June , Culver Alexander E. , Shetler Pamela K. , Rocha Guilherme V. , Ma Yanfei L. , Krishnan Venkatesh , Bryant Henry U. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: There is evidence that supports a role for Vitamin D (Vit. D) in muscle. The exact mechanism by which Vit. D deficiency impairs muscle strength and function is not clear. Methods: Three‐week‐old mice were fed diets with varied combinations of Vit. D and Ca2+ deficiency. Behavioral testing, genomic and protein analysis, and muscle histology were performed with a focus on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) ‐related genes. Results: Vit. D and Ca2+ deficient mice performed more poorly on given behavioral tasks than animals with Vit. D deficiency alone. Genomic and protein analysis of the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles revealed changes in several Vit. D metabolic, NMJ‐related, and protein chaperoning and refolding genes. Conclusions: These data suggest that detrimental effects of a Vit. D deficient or a Vit. D and Ca2+ deficient diet may be a result of differential alterations in the structure and function of the NMJ and a lack of a sustained stress response in muscles. Muscle Nerve 54: 1120–1132, 2016
Efficacy of oral corticosteroids in the treatment of acute wheezing episodes in asthmatic preschoolers: Systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Beckhaus Andrea A. , Forno Erick 
Published: April 2016

SummaryRationaleSystemic corticosteroids (SCS) are used for treat preschoolers with acute asthma or wheezing exacerbations, with conflicting results.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of oral corticosteroids (OCS) compared to placebo in preschoolers presenting with acute asthma/wheezing exacerbations.MethodsFive electronic databases were searched for all placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trials of OCS in children <6 years of age presenting with recurrent wheezing/asthma exacerbations of any severity. Primary outcomes were hospitalizations, unscheduled emergency department (ED) visits in following month, need of additional OCS courses, and length of stay (ED or hospital).ResultsEleven studies met inclusion criteria (n = 1,733); four were conducted on an outpatient basis, five in inpatients, and two in the ED. Significant heterogeneity was found when pooling all studies, and thus analysis was stratified by trial setting. Among the outpatient studies, children who received OCS had a higher hospitalization rate (RR: 2.15 [95%CI = 1.08–4.29], I2 = 0%) compared to those to received placebo. Among the ED studies, children who received OCS had a lower risk of hospitalization (RR: 0.58 [0.37–0.92], I2 = 0%). Among the inpatient studies, children who received OCS needed fewer additional OCS courses than those on placebo (RR: 0.57 [0.40–0.81], I2 = 0%).ConclusionsTreatment with OCS in the ED or hospital may be beneficial in toddlers and preschoolers with frequent asthma/wheezing exacerbations. However, more studies are needed before OCS can be broadly recommended for this age group. Future trials should be carefully designed to avoid bias and according to our findings regarding administration setting. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:868–876. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corrosion resistances of passive films on low‐Cr steel and carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solution
Authors: Liu Ming , Cheng Xuequn , Zhao Gucheng , Li Xiaogang , Pan Yue 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe passive ranges of carbon steel rebar and 3Cr steel rebar in saturated Ca(OH)2‐simulated concrete pore solution with pH 12.6 were determined by means of cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Chronopotentiometry was used to obtain steady‐state conditions for the formation of passive films on rebar samples at different anodic potentials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer curves were employed to compare the formed passive films at different potentials. Additionally, cyclic polarization curves were used to compare the corrosion resistances of formed passive films on the two rebars in saturated Ca(OH)2‐simulated concrete pore solution with different concentration of Cl−. The results show that the passive ranges of the two rebars are all between −0.15 and +0.6 V, and more stable passive films can be formed on both rebars at the anodic potential of +0.3 V. In the absence of Cl−, the stability and corrosion resistance of the passive film formed on the 3Cr rebar are better than those of CS rebar. The passive film of 3Cr steel has the relatively better pitting corrosion resistance than carbon steel in saturated Ca(OH)2‐simulated concrete pore solution that contains different concentration of Cl−. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sex differences in neurotensin and substance P following nicotine self‐administration in rats
Authors: Pittenger Steven T. , Swalve Natashia , Chou Shinnyi , Smith Misty D. , Hoonakker Amanda J. , Pudiak Cindy M. , Fleckenstein Annette E. , Hanson Glen R. , Bevins Rick A. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTInvestigator‐administered nicotine alters neurotensin and substance P levels in Sprague‐Dawley rats. This finding suggested a role of the dopamine‐related endogenous neuropeptides in nicotine addiction. We sought to extend this observation by determining the responses of neurotensin and substance P systems (assessed using radioimmunoassay) in male and female rats following nicotine self‐administration (SA). Male and female Sprague‐Dawley were trained to self‐administer nicotine, or receive saline infusions yoked to a nicotine‐administering rat during daily sessions (1‐h; 21 days). Brains were extracted 3 h after the last SA session. Nicotine SA increased tissue levels of neurotensin in the males in the anterior and posterior caudate, globus pallidus, frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core and shell, and ventral tegmental area. Nicotine SA also increased tissue levels of neurotensin in the females in the anterior caudate, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens core and shell, but not in the posterior caudate, frontal cortex, or ventral tegmental area. There were fewer sex differences observed in the substance P systems. Nicotine SA increased tissue levels of substance P in both the males and females in the posterior caudate, globus pallidus, frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens shell, and ventral tegmental area. A sex difference was observed in the nucleus accumbens core, where nicotine SA increased tissue levels of substance P in the males, yet decreased levels in the females. The regulation of neuropeptides following nicotine SA may play a role in the susceptibility to nicotine dependence in females and males.Synapse 70:336–346, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Hydrogen Bonding of μ‐Hydroxo‐μ‐peroxo‐bis[bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III)] Squarate
Authors: Köferstein Roberto , Robl Christian 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBlack‐brown needle‐shaped single crystals of [Co2(en)4(O2)(OH)][C4O4]1.5·4H2O (en = ethylenediamine) were prepared in aqueous solution at room temperature [space group P$\bar{1}$ (no.2) with a = 800.20(8), b = 1225.48(7), c = 1403.84(9) pm, α = 100.282(5), β = 94.515(7), and γ = 95.596(6)°]. The Co3+ cations [Co(1), Co(2)] are coordinated in an octahedral manner by four nitrogen atoms stemming from the ethylenediamine molecules and two oxygen atoms each from a hydroxo group and a peroxo group, respectively. Both Co3+ coordination polyhedra are connected by a common corner and by the peroxo group leading to the dinuclear [(en)2Co(O2)(OH)Co(en)2]3+ cation. The squarate dianions, not bonded to Co3+, and the [(en)2Co(O2)(OH)Co(en)2]3+ cations are linked by hydrogen bonds forming a three‐dimensional supramolecular network containing water molecules. Magnetic measurements revealed a diamagnetic behavior indicating a low‐spin electron configuration of Co3+. The UV/Vis spectra show two LMCT bands [π*(O22–) → dσ*(Co3+)] at 274 and 368 nm and the d–d transition (1A1g → 1T1g) at 542 nm. Thermoanalytical investigations in air show that the compound is stable up to 120 °C. Subsequent decomposition processes to cobalt oxide are finished at 460 °C.
Vapour-bubble nucleation and dynamics in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Narezo Guzman Daniela , Frączek Tomasz , Reetz Christopher , Sun Chao , Lohse Detlef , Ahlers Guenter 
Published: April 2016

Vapour bubbles nucleating at micro-cavities etched into the silicon bottom plate of a cylindrical Rayleigh–Bénard sample (diameter $D=8.8$ cm, aspect ratio ${\it\Gamma}\equiv D/L\simeq 1.00$ where $L$ is the sample height) were visualized from the top and from the side. A triangular array of cylindrical micro-cavities (with a diameter of $30~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$ and a depth of $100~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$) covered a circular centred area (diameter of 2.5 cm) of the bottom plate. Heat was applied to the sample only over this central area while cooling was over the entire top-plate area. Bubble sizes and frequencies of departure from the bottom plate are reported for a range of bottom-plate superheats $T_{b}-T_{on}$ ($T_{b}$ is the bottom-plate temperature, $T_{on}$ is the onset temperature of bubble nucleation) from 3 to 12 K for three different cavity separations. The difference $T_{b}-T_{t}\simeq 16$ K between $T_{b}$ and the top plate temperature $T_{t}$ was kept fixed while the mean temperature $T_{m}=(T_{b}+T_{t})/2$ was varied, leading to a small range of the Rayleigh number $Ra$ from $1.4\times 10^{10}$ to $2.0\times 10^{10}$. The time between bubble departures from a given cavity decreased exponentially with increasing superheat and was independent of cavity separation. The contribution of the bubble latent heat to the total enhancement of heat transferred due to bubble nucleation was found to increase with superheat, reaching up to 25 %. The bubbly flow was examined in greater detail for a superheat of 10 K and $Ra\simeq 1.9\times 10^{10}$. The condensation and/or dissolution rates of departed bubbles revealed two regimes: the initial rate was influenced by steep thermal gradients across the thermal boundary layer near the plate and was two orders of magnitude larger than the final condensation and/or dissolution rate that prevailed once the rising bubbles were in the colder bulk flow of nearly uniform temperature. The dynamics of thermal plumes was studied qualitatively in the presence and absence of nucleating bubbles. It was found that bubbles enhanced the plume velocity by a factor of four or so and drove a large-scale circulation (LSC). Nonetheless, even in the presence of bubbles the plumes and LSC had a characteristic velocity which was smaller by a factor of five or so than the bubble-rise velocity in the bulk. In the absence of bubbles there was strongly turbulent convection but no LSC, and plumes on average rose vertically.
ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS ESTIMATION OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILL. FOR FORAGE CROP IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT BY USING NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS
Authors: REIS CARLOS MANUEL GASPAR , GAZARINI LUIZ CARLOS , FONSECA TERESA FIDALGO , RIBEIRO MARIA MARGARIDA 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYIn marginal lands Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) could be used as an alternative fruit and forage crop. The plant vigour and the biomass production were evaluated in Portuguese germplasm (15 individuals from 16 ecotypes) by non-destructive methods, 2 years following planting in a marginal soil and dryland conditions. Two Italian cultivars (Gialla and Bianca) were included in the study for comparison purposes. The biomass production and the plant vigour were estimated by measuring the cladodes number and area, and the fresh (FW) and dry weight (DW) per plant. We selected linear models by using the biometric data from 60 cladodes to predict the cladode area, the FW and the DW per plant. Among ecotypes, significant differences were found in the studied biomass-related parameters and several homogeneous groups were established. Four Portuguese ecotypes had higher biomass production than the others, 3.20 Mg ha−1 on average, a value not significantly different to the improved ‘Gialla’ cultivar, which averaged 3.87 Mg ha−1. Those ecotypes could be used to start a breeding program and to deploy material for animal feeding and fruit production.
The Beginnings of Ḥibbat Ẓion: A Different Perspective
Authors: Goldstein Yossi 
Published: April 2016

In the spring of 1881, Jewish communities within the Pale of Settlement in Russia and Romania witnessed the creation of the Jewish nationalist groups, regional associations, and other core organizations that would subsequently evolve into the movement that came to be known as Ḥovevei Ẓion (lovers of Zion), or Ḥibbat Ẓion.Although anti-Semitism played an important role in stimulating the emergence of Ḥibbat Ẓion, the movement's establishment must be understood as having been shaped by two concurrent processes. One was the conclusion of Jewish emancipation in central and western Europe, which brought central figures in the national movement, such as Leon Pinsker, to the decisive conclusion that the Jews could only be truly emancipated in an independent Jewish state. The second stemmed from the poor socioeconomic conditions faced by Jews of the time, particularly in eastern Europe. The demographic growth experienced by the Jews of eastern Europe, which reached a high point during the last few decades of the nineteenth century, required a dramatic socioeconomic solution that was nowhere to be found. Proponents of the Jewish nationalist movement argued that the establishment of a Jewish state would also help relieve the Jews' social and economic plight.
Stimulating annuity markets
Authors: HEIJDRA BEN J. , MIERAU JOCHEN O. , TRIMBORN TIMO 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe study the short-, medium-, and long-run implications of stimulating annuity markets in a dynamic general-equilibrium overlapping-generations model. We find that beneficial partial-equilibrium effects of stimulating annuity markets are counteracted by negative general-equilibrium repercussions. Balancing the positive partial-equilibrium and negative general-equilibrium forces we show that there exists an intermediate level of annuitization such that the lifetime utility of steady-state agents is maximized. Studying the transition to this optimal degree of annuitization shows that currently middle-aged individuals stand to gain most from the stimulation of annuity markets. Complementing our main analysis, we highlight the centrality of the interplay between human-capital accumulation and annuity market policy.
Characterization and genetic potential of African pearl millet named landraces conserved at the ICRISAT genebank
Authors: Upadhyaya H. D. , Reddy K. N. , Irshad Ahmed M. , Ramachandran Senthil , Kumar Vinod , Singh Sube 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe world collection of pearl millet at ICRISAT genebank includes 19,696 landraces. Passport and characterization data of 2,929 accessions belonging to 89 named landraces originating in 15 countries of Africa was used to study the adoption pattern and genetic potential. Out of 89 named landraces under study, 71 were grown in one country, 11 in two countries, six in three countries and one in four countries. Latitude and prevailing climate at collection sites were found as the important determinants of cultivation pattern of landraces. A hierarchical cluster analysis using 12 agronomic traits resulted in five clusters. Cluster 1 for late flowering, short height in rainy season, high tillering and thin panicles; cluster 2 for early flowering; cluster 3 for stout panicles in both the seasons and larger seeds and cluster 5 for longer panicles in both seasons, were found as promising sources. IP 8957, IP 8958, IP 8964 of Iniadi landrace for short height, downy mildew and rust resistance and high seed iron and zinc contents; IP 17521 of Gnali (106.9 ppm) and IP 11523 of Idiyouwe (106.5 ppm) for high seed iron content; IP 17518 of Gnali (79.1 ppm) and IP 11535 of Iniadi (78.4 ppm) for high seed zinc content were the important sources. All accessions of Raa for high seed protein content (>15%) and those of Enele for drought tolerance, were found to be promising sources. Further evaluation of promising sources identified in this study is needed for enhanced utilization of germplasm in pearl millet improvement.
Novel piperazine core compound induces death in human liver cancer cells: possible pharmacological properties
Authors: Samie Nima , Muniandy Sekaran , Kanthimathi M. S. , Haerian Batoul Sadat , Raja Azudin Raja Elina 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe current study evaluates the cytotoxic mechanism of a novel piperazine derivate designated as PCC against human liver cancer cells. In this context, human liver cancer cell lines, SNU-475 and 243, human monocyte/macrophage cell line, CRL-9855, and human B lymphocyte cell line, CCL-156, were used to determine the IC50 of PCC using the standard MTT assay. PCC displayed a strong suppressive effect on SNU-475 and SNU-423 cells with an IC50 value of 6.98 ± 0.11 μg/ml and 7.76 ± 0.45 μg/ml respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Significant dipping in the mitochondrial membrane potential and elevation in the released of cytochrome c from the mitochondria indicated the induction of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway by PCC. Activation of this pathway was further evidenced by significant activation of caspase 3/7 and 9. PCC was also shown to activate the extrinsic pathways of apoptosis via activation of caspase-8 which is linked to the suppression of NF-ƙB translocation to the nucleus. Cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase was confirmed by flow cytometry and up-regulation of glutathione reductase expression was quantified by qPCR. This study suggests that PCC is a simultaneous inducer of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis in liver cancer cell lines.
Detection of colorectal dysplasia using fluorescently labelled lectins
Authors: Kuo Joe Chin-Hun , Ibrahim Ashraf E. K. , Dawson Sarah , Parashar Deepak , Howat William J. , Guttula Kiran , Miller Richard , Fearnhead Nicola S. , Winton Douglas J. , Neves André A. , Brindle Kevin M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractColorectal cancer screening using conventional colonoscopy lacks molecular information and can miss dysplastic lesions. We tested here the ability of fluorescently labelled lectins to distinguish dysplasia from normal tissue when sprayed on to the luminal surface epithelium of freshly resected colon tissue from the Apcmin mouse and when applied to fixed human colorectal tissue sections. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) showed significantly decreased binding to adenomas in the mouse tissue and in sections of human colon from 47 patients. Changes in WGA binding to the human surface epithelium allowed regions containing normal epithelium (NE) or hyperplastic polyps (HP) to be distinguished from regions containing low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or carcinoma (C), with 81% sensitivity, 87% specificity and 93% positive predictive value (PPV). Helix pomatia agglutinin (HGA) distinguished epithelial regions containing NE from regions containing HP, LGD, HGD or C, with 89% sensitivity, 87% specificity and 97% PPV. The decreased binding of WGA and HPA to the luminal surface epithelium in human dysplasia suggests that these lectins may enable more sensitive detection of disease in the clinic using fluorescence colonoscopy.
Mapping polyclonal antibody responses to bacterial infection using next generation phage display
Authors: Naqid Ibrahim A. , Owen Jonathan P. , Maddison Ben C. , Spiliotopoulos Anastasios , Emes Richard D. , Warry Andrew , Tchórzewska Monika A. , Martelli Francesca , Gosling Rebecca J. , Davies Robert H. , La Ragione Roberto M. , Gough Kevin C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMapping polyclonal antibody responses to infectious diseases to identify individual epitopes has the potential to underpin the development of novel serological assays and vaccines. Here, phage-peptide library panning coupled with screening using next generation sequencing was used to map antibody responses to bacterial infections. In the first instance, pigs experimentally infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was investigated. IgG samples from twelve infected pigs were probed in parallel and phage binding compared to that with equivalent IgG from pre-infected animals. Seventy-seven peptide mimotopes were enriched specifically against sera from multiple infected animals. Twenty-seven of these peptides were tested in ELISA and twenty-two were highly discriminatory for sera taken from pigs post-infection (P < 0.05) indicating that these peptides are mimicking epitopes from the bacteria. In order to further test this methodology, it was applied to differentiate antibody responses in poultry to infections with distinct serovars of Salmonella enterica. Twenty-seven peptides were identified as being enriched specifically against IgY from multiple animals infected with S. Enteritidis compared to those infected with S. Hadar. Nine of fifteen peptides tested in ELISA were highly discriminatory for IgY following S. Enteritidis infection (p < 0.05) compared to infections with S. Hadar or S. Typhimurium.
Genome-wide identification, structural analysis and new insights into late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) gene family formation pattern in Brassica napus
Authors: Liang Yu , Xiong Ziyi , Zheng Jianxiao , Xu Dongyang , Zhu Zeyang , Xiang Jun , Gan Jianping , Raboanatahiry Nadia , Yin Yongtai , Li Maoteng 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLate embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are a diverse and large group of polypeptides that play important roles in desiccation and freezing tolerance in plants. The LEA family has been systematically characterized in some plants but notBrassica napus. In this study, 108BnLEAgenes were identified in theB. napusgenome and classified into eight families based on their conserved domains. Protein sequence alignments revealed an abundance of alanine, lysine and glutamic acid residues in BnLEA proteins. TheBnLEAgene structure has few introns (<3) and they are distributed unevenly across all 19 chromosomes inB. napus, occurring as gene clusters in chromosomes A9, C2, C4 and C5. More than two-thirds of theBnLEAgenes are associated with segmental duplication. Synteny analysis revealed that mostLEAgenes are conserved, although gene losses or gains were also identified. These results suggest that segmental duplication and whole-genome duplication played a major role in the expansion of theBnLEAgene family. Expression profiles analysis indicated that expression of mostBnLEAs was increased in leaves and late stage seeds. This study presents a comprehensive overview of theLEAgene family inB. napusand provides new insights into the formation of this family.