bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperleptinemia Exacerbates High‐Fat Diet‐Mediated Atrial Fibrosis and Fibrillation
Authors: FUKUI AKIRA , IKEBE‐EBATA YUKI , KONDO HIDEKAZU , SAITO SHOTARO , AOKI KOHEI , FUKUNAGA NAOYA , SHINOHARA TETSUJI , MASAKI TAKAYUKI , TESHIMA YASUSHI , TAKAHASHI NAOHIKO 
Published: March 2017

Hyperleptinemia and Atrial FibrillationBackgroundObesity including metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although hyperleptinemia is usually a characteristic of obese subjects, the relationship with atrial fibrosis and AF is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced hyperleptinemia exacerbates atrial fibrosis and AF.Methods and ResultsEight‐week‐old male C57BL/6 (WT) and leptin‐deficient ob/ob (Ob) mice were treated with a normal‐fat diet (NFD) or 60% HFD. After 8 weeks, transesophageal burst pacing and electrophysiological study using isolated perfused hearts were performed and left atrial (LA) tissues were collected for histological analysis, hydroxyproline assay, and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. HFD treatment increased body weight in both WT and Ob mice compared with NFD (both P < 0.01). In WT‐HFD mice, hyperleptinemia was observed as expected. While transesophageal burst pacing invariably induced AF (8/8, 100%) in WT‐HFD mice, AF was induced less frequently (1/8, 12.5%) in Ob‐HFD mice (P < 0.01). In isolated perfused hearts, the interatrial conduction time was prolonged in WT‐HFD mice, but not in Ob‐HFD mice (P < 0.05). Masson's trichrome staining and the hydroxyproline assay revealed interstitial LA fibrosis in WT‐HFD mice, which was not observed in Ob‐HFD mice (P < 0.05). Upregulation of collagen1, collagen3, α‐smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 mRNA levels was noted in WT‐HFD mice LA, but attenuated in Ob‐HFD mice LA.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that hyperleptinemia exacerbates HFD‐mediated atrial fibrosis and AF. Inhibition of leptin signaling may become a novel therapeutic target to prevent obesity‐related AF.
Prediction of temperature distribution in a horizontal high pressure food processing vessel and its impact on process uniformity
Authors: Salvi Deepti , Khurana Meenakshi , Karwe Mukund V. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe temperature distributions in HPP vessels should be of particular concern for pressure assisted thermal sterilization (PATS) processes because in PATS temperature plays a major role in microbial inactivation. Numerical simulations were carried out to predict thermal transport in a horizontal HPP vessel with and without insulation. The results showed that the temperature of water added to compensate for the compression of water in the pressure vessel and the addition of insulation on the inner surface of vessel had significant impact on the temperature distribution and on the predicted inactivation of Clostridium botulinum spores. It was concluded that adding insulation to the vessel lead to higher temperature levels but more non‐uniform temperature distribution as compared with without insulation. It was also observed that the water added to compensate for compression did not impact the flow pattern in the vessel significantly due to low inlet velocity but the temperature of added water had a significant impact on the temperature and Clostridium botulinum spore inactivation distributions. The temperature distribution was close to uniform when the temperature of the inlet water was the same as the initial temperature for the process.Practical applicationsThe results obtained from this research will be useful in the evaluation of process performance in terms of process validation and process filing with regulatory agencies to develop guidelines for producing high pressure processed foods using PATS, which are safe to consume. The results will also be important for food processors and equipment manufacturers to understand the effects of non‐uniform thermal treatment on foods processed using PATS.
Combined effect of aerosolized malic acid and UV‐C for the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh‐cut lettuce
Authors: Seong Ji‐Yeong , Kwon Ki‐Hyun , Oh Se‐Wook 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of aerosolized malic acid and ultraviolet light (UV‐C) for inhibiting the growth of foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes, on fresh‐cut lettuce. The antimicrobial effects of aerosolized 2% malic acid and UV‐C, alone or in combination, were tested. Ten grams of lettuce were inoculated with three strains of each pathogens and treated with aerosolized malic acid for 20 min and UV‐C for 30 min. After each treatment, lettuce was stored at 5 °C for 15 days. Sequential treatment (aerosolized malic acid after UV‐C) was the most effective for reducing E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes and resulted in reduction of 2.89, 1.38, and 2.95 log10 CFU/g after treatment and 3.15, 3.00, and 4.58 log10 CFU/g after 15 days, respectively. These results suggested that combined treatment with aerosolized malic acid after UV‐C can be a useful intervention method for improving the microbial safety of fresh‐cut produce.Practical applications

The experiment suggested new method on the inactivation of foodborne pathogens on lettuce.
Treatment with aerosolized 2% malic acid after UV‐C was the most effective method to inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens in this study.
This method will be helpful for fresh‐cut lettuce producers to manage the safety and quality of lettuce.
Combined SNPs and miRNAs technologies for beef traceability
Authors: Wu Qiayu , Zhou Guanghong , Yang Sasa , Xu Xinglian , Li Chunbao 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe independent and highly heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been shown suitable for meat traceability. The microRNAs (miRNAs) that were differently expressed among regions could be used for meat origin traceability. In the present study, ten SNPs from 148 Chinese beef cattle were screened by HRM. The results showed that these SNPs were all suitable for beef traceability with the probability error rate of .308‰. These cattle could not be clustered into different regions based on the SNP genotyping, which indicated that the SNPs assay was suitable for individual traceability. High throughput sequencing revealed that 16 miRNAs were up‐regulated expression and 18 miRNAs were down‐regulated expression in JL group (eastern part) compared to XJ group (western part). RT‐PCR confirmed that bta‐miR‐2284ab and bta‐miR‐486 were differently expressed in Jilin and Xinjiang samples. Thus, the two miRNAs could be used as biomarkers for origin traceability.Practical applicationsTo solve meat safety problems, meat traceability is extremely important. SNPs‐based technology can trace animal individuals and miRNAs‐based technology can do origin traceability. Once suitable primers could be designed for a sufficient number of SNP loci, these primers could be loaded on an array, and then traceability could be realized by HRM. We identified the miRNAs that were differently expressed among regions and beef origin traceability could be realized by analyzing them using RT‐PCR. All the detection methods are rapidly and cost‐effectively. A combination of SNPs‐ and miRNAs‐based technologies can implement traceability management of beef cattle.
Intergranular diffusion rates from the analysis of garnet surfaces: Implications for metamorphic equilibration
Authors: Dempster Tim J. , Symon Shona , Chung Peter 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTNovel approaches to garnet analysis have been used to assess rates of intergranular diffusion between different matrix phases and garnet porphyroblasts in a regionally metamorphosed staurolite‐mica‐schist from the Barrovian‐type area in Scotland. X‐ray maps and chemical traverses of planar porphyroblast surfaces reveal chemical heterogeneity of the garnet grain boundary linked to the nature of the adjacent matrix phase. The garnet preserves evidence of low temperature retrograde exchange with matrix minerals and diffusion profiles documenting cation movement along the garnet boundaries. Garnet–quartz and garnet–plagioclase boundaries preserve evidence of sluggish Mg, Mn and Fe diffusion at comparable rates to volume diffusion in garnet, whereas diffusion along garnet–biotite interfaces is much more effective. Evidence of particularly slow Al transport, probably coupled to Fe3+ exchange, is locally preserved on garnet surfaces adjacent to Fe‐oxide phases. The Ca distribution on the garnet surface shows the most complex behaviour, with long‐wavelength heterogeneities apparently unrelated to the matrix grain boundaries. This implies that the Ca content of garnet is controlled by local availability and is thought likely to reflect disequilibrium established during garnet growth. Geochemical anomalies on the garnet surfaces are also linked to the location of triple junctions between the porphyroblasts and the matrix phases, and imply enhanced transport along these channels. The slow rates of intergranular diffusion and the characteristics of different boundary types may explain many features associated with the prograde growth of garnet porphyroblasts. Thus, minerals such as quartz, Fe‐oxides and plagioclase whose boundaries with garnet are characterized by slow intergranular diffusion rates appear to be preferentially trapped as inclusions within porphyroblasts. As such grain boundary diffusion rates may be a significant kinetic impediment to metamorphic equilibrium and garnet may struggle to maintain chemical and textural equilibrium during growth in pelites.
A quantitative structural and morphometric analysis of the Purkinje network and the Purkinje–myocardial junctions in pig hearts
Authors: Garcia‐Bustos V. , Sebastian R. , Izquierdo M. , Molina P. , Chorro F. J. , Ruiz‐Sauri A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe morpho‐functional properties of the distal section of the cardiac Purkinje network (PN) and the Purkinje–myocardial junctions (PMJs) are fundamental to understanding the sequence of electrical activation in the heart. The overall structure of the system has already been described, and several computational models have been developed to gain insight into its involvement in cardiac arrhythmias or its interaction with implantable devices, such as pacemakers. However, anatomical descriptions of the PN in the literature have not enabled enough improvements in the accuracy of anatomical‐based electrophysiological simulations of the PN in 3D hearts models. In this work, we study the global distribution and morphological properties of the PN, with special emphasis on the cellular and architectural characterization of its intramural branching structure, mesh‐like sub‐endocardial network, and the PMJs in adult pig hearts by both histopathological and morphometric evaluation. We have defined three main patterns of PMJ: contact through cell bodies, contact through cell prolongations either thick or piliform, and contact through transitional cells. Moreover, from hundreds of micrographs, we quantified the density of PMJs and provided data for the basal/medial/apical regions, anterior/posterior/septal/lateral regions and myocardial/sub‐endocardial distribution. Morphometric variables, such as Purkinje cell density and thickness of the bundles, were also analyzed. After combining the results of these parameters, a different septoanterior distribution in the Purkinje cell density was observed towards the cardiac apex, which is associated with a progressive thinning of the conduction bundles and the posterolateral ascension of intramyocardial terminal scattered fibers. The study of the PMJs revealed a decreasing trend towards the base that may anatomically explain the early apical activation. The anterolateral region contains the greatest number of contacts, followed by the anterior and septal regions. This supports the hypothesis that thin distal Purkinje bundles create a junction‐rich network that may be responsible for the quick apical depolarization. The PN then ascends laterally and spreads through the anterior and medial walls up to the base. We have established the first morphometric study of the Purkinje system, and provided quantitative and objective data that facilitate its incorporation into the development of models beyond gross and variable pathological descriptions, and which, after further studies, could be useful in the characterization of pathological processes or therapeutic procedures.
Distribution of the characteristics of barbs and barbules on barn owl wing feathers
Authors: Weger Matthias , Wagner Hermann 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOwls are known for the development of a silent flight. One conspicuous specialization of owl wings that has been implied in noise reduction and that has been demonstrated to change the aerodynamic behavior of the wing is a soft dorsal wing surface. The soft surface is a result of changes in the shape of feather barbs and barbules in owls compared with other bird species. We hypothesized that as the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing change along its chordwise and spanwise direction, so may the shape of the barbs and barbules. Therefore, we examined in detail the shapes of the barbs and barbules in chordwise and spanwise directions. The results showed changes in the shapes of barbs and barbules at the anterior and distal parts of the wing, but not at more posterior parts. The increased density of hook radiates at the distalmost wing position could serve to stiffen that vane part that is subject to the highest forces. The change of pennulum length in the anterior part of the wing and the uniformity further back could mean that a soft surface may be especially important in regions where flow separation may occur.
Rosuvastatin promotes benefits on induced periodontitis in hypertensive rats
Authors: Messora M. R. , Apolinário Vieira G. H. , Vanderlei J. M. T. M. M. , Mariguela V. C. , Fernandes P. G. , Palioto D. B. , Scombatti de Souza S. L. , Novaes A. B. , Furlaneto F. , Taba M. 
Published: March 2017

Background and ObjectiveThe potential benefits of statins in modulating periodontal disease is supported by in vitro and clinical studies showing statins can induce a lower expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin (ST) on ligature‐induced periodontitis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Material and MethodsFifty‐four adult male rats were divided into three groups: SHR‐C, SHR‐L and SHR‐L‐ST (C, control; L, ligature groups). In the SHR‐L‐ST group, animals were treated with daily 2 mg/kg ST administration. In L groups, a ligature remained around mandibular first molars for 10 d. Each group was divided for killing at 10 or 21 d postoperatively. Microtomographic and histometric analyses were performed. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase assay and gene expression of 84 proinflammatory mediators by polymerase chain reaction array.ResultsThe SHR‐L‐ST group showed reduced bone loss and attachment loss in comparison with the SHR‐L group at both 10 and 21 d postoperatively (p < 0.05). ST decreased the amount of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive cells compared with the SHR‐L group at both 10 and 21 d (p < 0.05). The SHR‐L‐ST group presented 14 genes differentially expressed when compared with SHR‐L group, featuring a downregulated gene profile at 10 d.ConclusionStatin therapy may promote a protective effect against alveolar bone and connective tissue attachment losses attributable to periodontitis in hypertensive rats through inflammatory gene profile modulation.
Vitamin D‐binding protein expression in healthy tooth and periodontium: an experimental study both in monkeys in vivo and in humans in vitro
Authors: Li W. , Zhu W. , Hou J. , Meng H. 
Published: March 2017

Background and ObjectiveVitamin D‐binding protein (DBP) is a highly expressed plasma protein with many important functions, including transport of vitamin D metabolites, sequestration of actin, control of bone metabolism and modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Previous results of our study indicated an association between DBP and periodontitis. We hypothesized that periodontium might be another source of DBP in gingival crevicular fluid other than serum.Material and MethodsDBP expression was examined in dental and periodontal tissues of monkeys by immunohistochemistry, and in primary cells isolated from human dental and periodontal tissues by reverse transcription plus the polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry.ResultsDBP was constitutively expressed and widely distributed in dental and periodontal tissues of primates. Their immunoreaction was evident in gingival epithelium, particularly in junctional epithelium, and in mineralizing areas of the dental pulp, periodontal ligament and bone marrow. Correspondingly, mRNA and protein expression were detected in primary human gingival epithelial cells, dental pulp cells and periodontal ligament cells.ConclusionDBP is highly expressed and widely distributed in dental and periodontal tissues, which may take an active part in local host defense and hard tissue metabolism.
From substrate specificity to promiscuity: hybrid ABC transporters for osmoprotectants
Authors: Teichmann Laura , Chen Chiliang , Hoffmann Tamara , Smits Sander H.J. , Schmitt Lutz , Bremer Erhard 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe ABC‐transporters OpuB and OpuC fromBacillus subtilisfunction as osmoprotectant import systems. Their structural genes have most likely evolved through a duplication event but the two transporters are remarkably different in their substrate profile. OpuB possesses narrow substrate specificity, while OpuC is promiscuous. We assessed the functionality of hybrids between these two ABC‐transporters by reciprocally exchanging the coding regions for the OpuBC and OpuCC substrate‐binding proteins between the correspondingopuBandopuCoperons. Substantiating the critical role of the binding protein in setting the substrate specificity of ABC transporters, OpuB::OpuCC turned into a promiscuous system, while OpuC::OpuBC now exhibited narrow substrate specificity. Both hybrid transporters possessed a high affinity for their substrates but the transport capacity of the OpuB::OpuCC system was moderate due to the synthesis of only low amounts of the xenogenetic OpuCC protein. Suppressor mutations causing single amino acid substitutions in the GbsR repressor controlling the choline to glycine betaine biosynthesis pathway greatly improved OpuB::OpuCC‐mediated compatible solute import through transcriptional up‐regulation of the hybridopuB::opuCCoperon. Collectively, we demonstrate for the first time that one can synthetically switch the substrate specificity of a given ABC transporter by combining its core components with a xenogenetic ligand‐binding protein.
The Jewish diaspora and Israel: belonging at distance?
Authors: Dieckhoff Alain 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe involvement of diasporas in the advent of modern nationalism is not a new phenomenon: already in the 19th century some diasporas wanted to ‘normalise’ their national existence by building a state of their own. However, with the growing globalisation trend in the 199'0s , especially in the areas of transportation and communication, Benedict Anderson put forward the idea of long‐distance nationalism (LDN), as a new way of linking diasporas and the national project and thus creating a more intense sense of belonging. LDN has been characterised by him as having two main features: its unaccountability which allows for intense political radicalism, and its instrumental function for strengthening ethnic identity in the diaspora and thus a sense of belonging. I will test those hypotheses in the case of the archetypal Jewish diaspora.
Dreaming as a critical discourse of national belonging: China Dream, American Dream and world dream
Authors: Callahan William A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article explores the normative politics of national belonging through an analysis of the ‘China Dream’ and the ‘American Dream’. It traces how politicians and public intellectuals employ such slogans to highlight how national dreams emerge in times of crisis and involve a combination of aspirations and anxieties. It compares parallel rhetorical strategies – ‘patriotic worrying’ in China and the American Jeremiad in the US – to examine how belonging to these two nations involves a nostalgic longing for the past as a model for the future. Debates about the meaning of these national dreams highlight the tension between freedom and equality in the US, between the individual and the collective in China, and between longing for the true nation, and belonging in the actual nation for both countries. It concludes that while this quest for redemption through past models limits opportunities for critical discourse in China, the American Dream still contains much ‘promise’. The China Dream and the American Dream thus are, at the same time, 1) familiar expressions of nationalism and national belonging, and 2) ongoing self/Other coherence‐producing performances that help us to question received notions of nationalism and national belonging.
Pharyngeal stimulus‐induced reflexes are impaired in infants with perinatal asphyxia: Does maturation modify?
Authors: Jensen P. S. , Gulati I. K. , Shubert T. R. , Sitaram S. , Sivalingam M. , Hasenstab K. A. , El‐Mahdy M. A. , Jadcherla S. R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundDevelopment of pharyngo‐esophageal protective reflexes among infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is unclear. Our aim was to distinguish these reflexes from controls and examine the maturational changes in HIE infants.MethodsWe evaluated 14 HIE infants (seven males) at 41.4±0.6 (HIE Time‐1) and 46.5±0.6 (HIE Time‐2) weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Seven controls (three males) were evaluated at 43.5±1.3 weeks PMA. Graded pharyngeal stimulation with liquids (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 mL in triplicate) concurrent with high‐resolution manometry was used to analyze sensory‐motor components of pharyngeal reflexive swallowing (PRS), upper esophageal sphincter (UES), contractile reflex (PUCR), and esophageal body characteristics. Linear mixed and generalized estimating equation models were used for comparison among groups.Key ResultsCompared to controls, HIE infants (Time‐1 and Time‐2) exhibited decreased number of pharyngeal peaks and latency to terminal swallow. HIE Time‐1 infants showed increased UES resting tone and distal latency, compared to controls and HIE Time‐2. Contractile vigor was increasingly abnormal during maturation, compared to healthy controls. Threshold volumes and frequency distribution of primary responses (PRS: PUCR: None) were not significant among all groups.Conclusions & InferencesCompared to controls, HIE infants display significant hypertonicity of skeletal muscle components, impairment of pharyngeal provocation‐induced reflexes and smooth muscle contractile vigor, reflecting poor propagation with maturation. These mechanisms may be responsible for inadequate clearance of secretions, ascending refluxate, and oropharyngeal bolus in HIE infants.
Subjective from the start: A critique of transformative criticism
Authors: Milliken Aimee 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectivity has been traditionally established as an aim of science; however, its feasibility and desirability have been repeatedly called into question. In this article, I provide a brief overview of the historical context surrounding the concept of objectivity in science. I then examine Helen Longino's theory of transformative criticism as an example of an attempt to secure scientific objectivity through the social nature of the scientific process. Possible objections to this critique are discussed, and ultimately, I argue that her account falls short in securing scientific objectivity. I briefly discuss objectivity and its relationship to human sciences such as nursing. I conclude by arguing that achieving complete objectivity in science is neither possible nor desirable.