bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monosodium glutamate as a tool to reduce sodium in foodstuffs: Technological and safety aspects
Authors: Maluly Hellen D. B. , Arisseto‐Bragotto Adriana P. , Reyes Felix G. R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSodium chloride (NaCl) is the most commonly used ingredient to provide salty taste to foods. However, excess sodium in the bloodstream has been associated with the development of several chronic noncommunicable diseases. In order to limit sodium intake to levels considered safe, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends for adults a daily intake of not more than 5 g of NaCl (less than 2 g of sodium). One of the strategic actions recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to reduce sodium intake is reformulation of processed foods. This recommendation indicates there is an urgent need to find salt substitutes, and umami compounds have been pointed as an alternative strategy. Like salty, umami is also a basic taste and the major compound associated to umami is monosodium L‐glutamate (MSG). The available scientific data on the toxicity of MSG has been evaluated by scientific committees and regulatory agencies. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) not specified, which indicated that the substance offers no health risk when used as a food additive. The United States Food and Drug Administration and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology classified MSG as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substance. In this paper, an overview about salty and umami taste physiology, the potential applications of MSG use to reduce sodium content in specific industrialized foods and safety aspects of MSG as food additive are presented.
Designing adaptive accelerated life tests using Bayesian methods
Authors: Xiang Shihu , Yang Jun , Shen Lijuan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe traditional constant‐stress accelerated life test may encounter the problem of no or a few failures at the low stress level, if the test is stopped after a fixed period. Insufficient failures usually make it difficult to estimate reliability characteristics and to discover design deficiencies of the product. To mitigate the problem, the adaptive plan is designed based on Bayesian methods in this study. Under the constraints of test facilities, test units, time, and cost, the adaptive plan is optimized according to the criterion of minimizing the preposterior variance of the logarithm of a quantile of the lifetime distribution at the use condition. Large‐sample approximation is applied to reduce the computational burden. Genetic algorithm is adopted to determine the optimal design of the adaptive plan. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed adaptive plan.
Epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of patients with intestinal inflammatory disease
Authors: Arantes Jhelly Aparecida Valcanaia , Santos Carlos Henrique Marques dos , Delfino Breno Matos , Silva Bruno Alexandre da , Souza Rafaela Maria Maran de , Souza Thaynara Maria Maran de , Flávio Isabella Demeis , Ferreira Caroline Gil , Cruz Samuel Bellin Gomes da 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAccording to several epidemiological studies, there is a significant increase in cases of inflammatory disease in developing countries.
Objective To describe epidemiological data and clinical features of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in patients enrolled in Campo Grande, MS.
Method A retrospective descriptive study with a database analysis of patients who were enrolled and renewed their process in the Exceptional Medications Program of the Health Department from January 2008 to December 2016.
Results 423 patients participated in the study, 260 women and 163 men. Of these, 238 patients had Crohn's disease and 185 had ulcerative rectocolitis. The patients’ mean age was 46 years. The most commonly used medication for both diseases was mesalazine and 34.3% of the patients needed to switch their medication during the treatment, most of them with Crohn's disease. In Crohn's patients, the most affected segment was the colon (40.6%) and in patients with ulcerative rectocolitis the entire large intestine was involved (78.8%) was more common. Of the total number of patients, 10.8% of the women and 18.4% of the men needed to use an anti-TNF.
Conclusion Most people on treatment for IBD are female, with a mean age of 46 years and suffering from Crohn's disease. The most affected segments were the entire large intestine in URC cases and the colon in Crohn's disease cases. Mesalazine was the most used drug in both diseases. There was more drug replacement in Crohn's disease patients. In Crohn's disease, younger patients used infliximab more frequently.
Physical proximity increases persuasive effectiveness through visual imagery
Authors: Jia Yanli , Huang Yunhui , Wyer Robert S. , Shen Hao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSix experiments converged on the conclusion that consumers' physical distance from the verbal description of an event or a product can influence their beliefs in its implications. For example, participants' proximity to information about the likelihood of surviving an airline crash can influence their expectations that there would be survivors of a real‐life airplane accident, and being close to the description of a commercial product can influence beliefs that the product would be effective. These and other effects are mediated by the vividness of the mental image that participants form on the basis of the information. Consequently, the effects were attenuated when participants are under high cognitive load or when the verbal description lacks the detail necessary for forming a clear mental image. Alternative interpretations in terms of task involvement, perceptual fluency and construal levels are evaluated.
Placental apoptosis in recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Atia Tarek A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractApoptosis is an interactive and dynamic biological process involved in all phases of embryogenesis. We aimed to study the effect of placental apoptosis on recurrent miscarriage (RM). Placental tissue samples were collected from 40 women with RM (study group) and 30 women with sporadic spontaneous abortion (control group). Samples were prepared and stained immunohistochemically with markers for both the apoptotic protein (p53) and anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 antibodies. Our results showed that expression of the apoptotic (p53) protein was significantly increased in the placental tissues of the RM group (p = 0.003). By contrast, the expression of anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐2) antibodies was significantly increased in the placental tissues of the control group (p = 0.025). We concluded that placental apoptosis plays a crucial role in pregnancy continuation. However, increased p53 expression in placental tissue in early pregnancy could negatively affect pregnancy continuation.
Nutrient digestibility, hindgut metabolites and antioxidant status of dogs supplemented with pomegranate peel extract
Authors: Jose Tony , Pattanaik Ashok K. , Jadhav Sunil E. , Dutta Narayan , Sharma Shalini 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe present study assessed the effect of dietary supplementation of pomegranate peel (methanolic) extract (PPE) on the nutrient digestibility, faecal fermentative metabolites and antioxidant status of dogs. Six medium-sized dogs of mixed breeds were allocated to two groups in a replicated cross-over design and fed a basal diet with and without supplementation of PPE at 50 mg/kg body weight. Each of the experimental periods consisted of 30 d, with a 21 d washout period in between. Results indicated that PPE supplementation led to no significant changes in nutrient digestibility except a trend of improvement (P = 0·070) in crude fibre digestibility. PPE supplementation significantly (P < 0·001) influenced faecal pH, ammonia and lactate production, indicative of positive effects of PPE polyphenols. PPE supplementation further increased faecal SCFA concentration accompanied by a reduction (P < 0·01) in branched-chain fatty acids. PPE supplementation also improved (P < 0·05) indices of erythrocytic antioxidants, namely reduced glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase together with an improvement in lipid peroxidation. Overall, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with PPE at 50 mg/kg body weight had a positive impact on hindgut fermentation and antioxidant status in dogs, thereby demonstrating its potential as a gut health-promoting nutraceutical.
New speleothem data from Molinos and Ejulve caves reveal Holocene hydrological variability in northeast Iberia
Authors: Moreno Ana , Pérez-Mejías Carlos , Bartolomé Miguel , Sancho Carlos , Cacho Isabel , Stoll Heather , Delgado-Huertas Antonio , Hellstrom John , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNew speleothem records from northeastern Iberian caves provide data to explore the climatic patterns during the Holocene. We present δ13C and Mg/Ca from three speleothems from two different caves located in the Iberian Range allowing replication of the climatic signal for several millennia. Through the integration of those stalagmites covering since the Holocene onset to 2 ka, the early Holocene (11.7–8.5 ka) appears as the wettest interval. A marked change towards aridity is observed during the middle Holocene (8.5–4.8 ka) and an increase of humidity afterwards (4.8–2 ka). This three-part pattern, contrasting with other Iberian sequences, seems to be associated with the different role that seasonality has played in the response of different proxies (or records) to changes in water availability. Interpreting our speleothem records as changes in winter-spring precipitation along the Holocene allows reconciling previous data on hydrological variability from the western Mediterranean borderlands.
Transforming the Nation? The Bolivarian Education Reform in Venezuela
Authors: ABBOTT JARED A. , SOIFER HILLEL DAVID , VOM HAU MATTHIAS 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe Chávez government introduced a ‘Bolivarian’ national curriculum to promote radically different understandings of Venezuelan history and identity. We place the fate of this reform initiative within the broader study of state formation and nationalism. Scholars have long identified mass schooling as the key institution for socialising citizens and cultivating national loyalties, and many states have attempted to alter the nationalist content of schooling with these ends in mind. Venezuela constitutes an ideal case for identifying the specific conditions under which transformations of official national ideologies do and do not gain broader resonance. Using evidence derived from textbook analysis and semi-structured interviews with educational officials and teachers in Caracas, we highlight a new argument, showing that intrastate tensions between the central government and teachers, heightened by a well-established cultural machinery and by teachers’ increasing exclusion from the Chavista political coalition, explain the limited success in government efforts to implement Bolivarian nationalism through the school curriculum.
IMPLEMENTING HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS IN FINLAND: MANAGED UPTAKE OF MEDICAL METHODS
Authors: Sihvo Sinikka , Ikonen Tuija , Mäkelä Marjukka 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: The Managed Uptake of Medical Methods Program (MUMM) started 10 years ago as a joint venture of the Finnish Office for Health Technology Assessment (Finohta) and the twenty hospital districts in Finland. The aim is to offer information on the effectiveness, safety, organizational effects, and costs of new medical methods to support decisions concerning their uptake in secondary care. In this article, we discuss the successes and challenges of implementing the MUMM program.Methods: A study of awareness and use of five MUMM recommendations for various medical specialties with short-form web-based surveys to hospitals.Results: The recommendations were noticed and considered relevant. In overall assessment they received a mean rating of 8.4 (range: 4 to 10). Two thirds of the respondents thought MUMM recommendations were useful for practice, but only a third had actually used them in decision making.Conclusions: HTA-based MUMM recommendations were well received by physicians but in practice they are less used than clinical practice guidelines. Short-form electronic surveys were a useful way of gathering information about awareness and implementation. The surveys also functioned as another method of informing key physicians about the recommendations.
Intercultural Competence Development Among University Students From a Self-Regulated Learning Perspective
Authors: Strohmeier Dagmar , Gradinger Petra , Wagner Petra 
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Intercultural competence is defined as a lifelong learning task that can be developed in any intergroup situation. A self-regulated learning model is applied to better understand the intercultural learning process that is initiated during the forethought phase, monitored during the performance phase, and evaluated during the self-reflection phase. In each phase, particular psychological constructs are important to initiate, monitor, and evaluate the learning process. The empirical goals of the present study were (1) to develop a self-report questionnaire capturing the three learning phases, (2) to test the theoretical structure of the proposed intercultural learning process, and (3) to examine two theoretically meaningful learning cycles. Data were collected from 188 women and 48 men aged 18–47 years (M = 26.41, SD = 6.19). Structural equation models (SEMs) demonstrated that intercultural learning goals, intercultural self-efficacy, and intercultural intrinsic interest form the latent factor forethought phase. In line with composite models of intercultural competence, the intercultural learning goals had a three-factor structure (knowledge domain, attitude domain, communication domain). Self-monitoring, self-recording, and self-experimentation form the latent factor performance phase. Mediation analyses provided initial evidence of the existence of two distinct learning cycles: (1) The forethought phase precedes the performance phase which precedes both self-evaluation and success attribution on intercultural competence (constructs of the self-reflection phase). (2) The performance phase precedes optimizing future learning (construct of the self-reflection phase) which precedes the forethought phase indicating the emergence of a future learning action. The theoretical and practical value of the newly developed self-assessment of intercultural competence is discussed.
A Novel Role for RARα Agonists as Apolipoprotein CIII Inhibitors Identified from High Throughput Screening
Authors: Lee Sang Jun , Mahankali Madhupriya , Bitar Abdallah , Zou Huafei , Chao Elizabeth , Nguyen Hung , Gonzalez Jose , Caballero Dawna , Hull Mitch , Wang Danling , Schultz Peter G. , Shen Weijun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractElevated triglyceride (TG) levels are well-correlated with the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apolipoprotein CIII (ApoC-III) is a key regulator of plasma TG levels through regulation of lipolysis and lipid synthesis. To identify novel regulators of TG levels, we carried out a high throughput screen (HTS) using an ApoC-III homogenous time resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay. We identified several retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonists that reduced secreted ApoC-III levels in human hepatic cell lines. The RARα specific agonist AM580 inhibited secreted ApoC-III by >80% in Hep3B cells with an EC50 ~2.9 nM. In high-fat diet induced fatty-liver mice, AM580 reduced ApoC-III levels in liver as well as in plasma (~60%). In addition, AM580 treatment effectively reduced body weight, hepatic and plasma TG, and total cholesterol (TC) levels. Mechanistically, AM580 suppresses ApoC-III synthesis by downregulation of HNF4α and upregulation of SHP1 expression. Collectively, these studies suggest that an RARα specific agonist may afford a new strategy for lipid-lowering and CVD risk reduction.
Handheld Co-Axial Bioprinting: Application to in situ surgical cartilage repair
Authors: Duchi Serena , Onofrillo Carmine , O’Connell Cathal D. , Blanchard Romane , Augustine Cheryl , Quigley Anita F. , Kapsa Robert M. I. , Pivonka Peter , Wallace Gordon , Di Bella Claudia , Choong Peter F. M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is driving major innovations in the area of cartilage tissue engineering. Extrusion-based 3D bioprinting necessitates a phase change from a liquid bioink to a semi-solid crosslinked network achieved by a photo-initiated free radical polymerization reaction that is known to be cytotoxic. Therefore, the choice of the photocuring conditions has to be carefully addressed to generate a structure stiff enough to withstand the forces phisiologically applied on articular cartilage, while ensuring adequate cell survival for functional chondral repair. We recently developed a handheld 3D printer called “Biopen”. To progress towards translating this freeform biofabrication tool into clinical practice, we aimed to define the ideal bioprinting conditions that would deliver a scaffold with high cell viability and structural stiffness relevant for chondral repair. To fulfill those criteria, free radical cytotoxicity was confined by a co-axial Core/Shell separation. This system allowed the generation of Core/Shell GelMa/HAMa bioscaffolds with stiffness of 200KPa, achieved after only 10 seconds of exposure to 700 mW/cm2 of 365 nm UV-A, containing >90% viable stem cells that retained proliferative capacity. Overall, the Core/Shell handheld 3D bioprinting strategy enabled rapid generation of high modulus bioscaffolds with high cell viability, with potential for in situ surgical cartilage engineering.
Viral driven epigenetic events alter the expression of cancer-related genes in Epstein-Barr-virus naturally infected Burkitt lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Hernandez-Vargas Hector , Gruffat Henri , Cros Marie Pierre , Diederichs Audrey , Sirand Cécilia , Vargas-Ayala Romina C. , Jay Antonin , Durand Geoffroy , Le Calvez-Kelm Florence , Herceg Zdenko , Manet Evelyne , Wild Christopher P. , Tommasino Massimo , Accardi Rosita 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) was identified as the first human virus to be associated with a human malignancy, Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), a pediatric cancer endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The exact mechanism of how EBV contributes to the process of lymphomagenesis is not fully understood. Recent studies have highlighted a genetic difference between endemic (EBV+) and sporadic (EBV−) BL, with the endemic variant showing a lower somatic mutation load, which suggests the involvement of an alternative virally-driven process of transformation in the pathogenesis of endemic BL. We tested the hypothesis that a global change in DNA methylation may be induced by infection with EBV, possibly thereby accounting for the lower mutation load observed in endemic BL. Our comparative analysis of the methylation profiles of a panel of BL derived cell lines, naturally infected or not with EBV, revealed that the presence of the virus is associated with a specific pattern of DNA methylation resulting in altered expression of cellular genes with a known or potential role in lymphomagenesis. These included ID3, a gene often found to be mutated in sporadic BL. In summary this study provides evidence that EBV may contribute to the pathogenesis of BL through an epigenetic mechanism.
Bio-inspired interlocking random 3-D structures for tactile and thermal sensing
Authors: Pu Long , Saraf Rohit , Maheshwari Vivek 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHierarchical nanostructures are tailored and used routinely in nature to accomplish tasks with high performance. Their formation in nature is accomplished without the use of any patterning process. Inspired by the performance of such structures, we have combined 2-D nanosheets with 1-D nanorods for functioning as electronic skin. These structures made in high density without any patterning process can be easily assembled over large areas. They can sense pressures as low as 0.4 Pa, with a response time in milliseconds. Further, these structures can also detect temperature changes with a non-linear response in the 298–400 K range, which is similar to skins perception of thermal stimuli. We illustrate this effect by showing that the device can differentiate between two 10 µl water droplets which are at room temperature and 323 K respectively.
Taxanes and platinum derivatives impair Schwann cells via distinct mechanisms
Authors: Imai Satoshi , Koyanagi Madoka , Azimi Ziauddin , Nakazato Yui , Matsumoto Mayuna , Ogihara Takashi , Yonezawa Atsushi , Omura Tomohiro , Nakagawa Shunsaku , Wakatsuki Shuji , Araki Toshiyuki , Kaneko Shuji , Nakagawa Takayuki , Matsubara Kazuo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractImpairment of peripheral neurons by anti-cancer agents, including taxanes and platinum derivatives, has been considered to be a major cause of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), however, the precise underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we examined the direct effects of anti-cancer agents on Schwann cells. Exposure of primary cultured rat Schwann cells to paclitaxel (0.01 μM), cisplatin (1 μM), or oxaliplatin (3 μM) for 48 h induced cytotoxicity and reduced myelin basic protein expression at concentrations lower than those required to induce neurotoxicity in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Similarly, these anti-cancer drugs disrupted myelin formation in Schwann cell/DRG neuron co-cultures without affecting nerve axons. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin, but not paclitaxel, caused mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured Schwann cells. By contrast, paclitaxel led to dedifferentiation of Schwann cells into an immature state, characterized by increased expression of p75 and galectin-3. Consistent within vitrofindings, repeated injection of paclitaxel increased expression of p75 and galectin-3 in Schwann cells within the mouse sciatic nerve. These results suggest that taxanes and platinum derivatives impair Schwan cells by inducing dedifferentiation and mitochondrial dysfunction, respectively, which may be important in the development of CIPN in conjunction with their direct impairment in peripheral neurons.
Global alterations in areas of suitability for maize production from climate change and using a mechanistic species distribution model (CLIMEX)
Authors: Ramirez-Cabral Nadiezhda Y. Z. , Kumar Lalit , Shabani Farzin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAt the global level, maize is the third most important crop on the basis of harvested area. Given its importance, an assessment of the variation in regional climatic suitability under climate change is critical. CliMond 10′ data were used to model the potential current and future climate distribution of maize at the global level using the CLIMEX distribution model with climate data from two general circulation models, CSIRO-Mk3.0 and MIROC-H, assuming an A2 emissions scenario for 2050 and 2100. The change in area under future climate was analysed at continental level and for major maize-producing countries of the world. Regions between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn indicate the highest loss of climatic suitability, contrary to poleward regions that exhibit an increase of suitability. South America shows the highest loss of climatic suitability, followed by Africa and Oceania. Asia, Europe and North America exhibit an increase in climatic suitability. This study indicates that globally, large areas that are currently suitable for maize cultivation will suffer from heat and dry stresses that may constrain production. For the first time, a model was applied worldwide, allowing for a better understanding of areas that are suitable and that may remain suitable for maize.