bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot cohort study on the potential role of TCF7L2 rs7903146 on ischemic heart disease among non‐diabetic kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Quaglia Marco , Musetti Claudio , Merlotti Guido , Genazzani Armando A. , Cargnin Sarah , Cena Tiziana , Cantaluppi Vincenzo , Terrazzino Salvatore 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundTCF7L2 rs7903146 C>T polymorphism is associated with diabetes in the general population but its independent impact on cardiovascular disease is debated. On this basis, we investigated its association with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in a single‐center cohort of non‐diabetic kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).MethodsPatients with pretransplant diabetes were excluded and patients who developed post‐transplant diabetes were censored at time of diagnosis.Resultsrs7903146 C>T polymorphism appeared to modulate the risk of MACE: 5‐year prevalence was 0.8% in CC patients, 7.2% in CT patients and 9.7% in TT patients (P<.001). TCF7L2 rs7903146 was an independent predictor of MACE in a multivariate Cox regression model (for each T allele, HR: 2.99, 95%CI: 1.62‐5.52, P<.001), together with history of cardiac ischemic events (HR: 8.69, 95%CI: 3.57‐21.16, P<.001), DGF (HR: 2.42, 95%CI: 0.98‐5.95, P=.056) and HLA‐mismatches (for each mismatch: HR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.00‐2.43, P=.053). Introduction of rs7903146 C>T polymorphism into a model based on these clinical variables significantly increased predictive power for MACE (P=.003).ConclusionsTCF7L2 rs7903146 T allele may be strongly and independently associated with MACE in non‐diabetic KTRs.These findings suggest the possibility of employing this SNP to more accurately stratify cardiological risk in KTRs.
University Students' Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Comparative Analysis of Hong Kong and Guangzhou
Authors: Bickenbach Frank , Dohse Dirk , Liu Wan‐Hsin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBased on original survey data, this paper analyses and compares the role of personal traits and networks in determining entrepreneurial intentions of students in Hong Kong and in Guangzhou. The two cities are culturally closely related but differ strongly with respect to their labor market conditions and the maturity of their legal and business environments. We find that the determinants of students' entrepreneurial intentions differ substantially between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, with the findings for Hong Kong showing much similarity with previous findings for Western economies. This suggests that differences in labor market prospects and in the maturity of their legal and business environments might be more important than cultural (dis‐)similarities in identifying key factors forming students' entrepreneurial intentions.
Analysis of Impact of Urbanization on Environmental Quality in China
Authors: Wei Houkai , Zhang Yan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAs a developing country with great regional disparities, China's rapid urbanization has had important impacts on environmental quality. In this study, the drivers‐mechanisms‐effects (DME) model is built, which shows how element agglomeration, scale growth, knowledge accumulation and industry evolution drive the environmental system to change during the urbanization process. An econometric regression model using provincial panel data is further constructed to empirically analyze the impacts of urbanization on environmental quality. It is shown that during the process of urbanization in China, element agglomeration and knowledge accumulation help to improve environmental quality but with weak positive effect, while growing urban scale and industrial structure have obvious negative effects on environmental quality. The “inverted‐U shape” (up first and then down) change in the environmental quality during China's urbanization process is obvious. It is critical that China concentrates on the transformations of both city development paths and urbanization models to reduce resource and environmental costs as much as possible.
Age–area scaling of extinction debt within isolated terrestrial vertebrate assemblages
Authors: Hugueny Bernard 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA new model of delayed species loss (extinction debt) within isolated communities is applied to a large data set of terrestrial vertebrate assemblages (n = 188) occupying habitat fragments or islands varying greatly in size and age. The model encapsulates previous approaches based on diversity‐dependent (DD) extinction rates while allowing for a more flexible treatment of temporal dynamics. Three important results emerge. First, species loss rate slows down with the age of the isolate, a strong and general pattern largely unnoticed so far. Secondly, while being good candidates in the light of previous works, DD models fail to account for this pattern, a result that necessitates a search for other mechanisms. Thirdly, a simple diversity‐independent model based on area (converted into population size) and age explains 97% of the variability in species loss rate and appears to be a promising predictive tool to handle extinction debt following habitat loss.
Natural enemies of the invasive mealybug Phenacoccus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): first report of some parasitoids in Italy
Authors: Suma P. , Longo S. 
Published: March 2017

The bougainvillea mealybug, Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was first detected in Sicily in 2002 at high population levels on Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (Nyctaginaceae). In 2016, during a recent monitoring activity, natural enemies of this pest were detected for the first time. This report represents the first identification of P. peruvianus parasitoids in Italy and some information on the recovered entomophagous species is provided.
How important are terrestrial organic carbon inputs for secondary production in freshwater ecosystems?
Authors: Brett Michael T. , Bunn Stuart E. , Chandra Sudeep , Galloway Aaron W. E. , Guo Fen , Kainz Martin J. , Kankaala Paula , Lau Danny C. P. , Moulton Timothy P. , Power Mary E. , Rasmussen Joseph B. , Taipale Sami J. , Thorp James H. , Wehr John D. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Many freshwater systems receive substantial inputs of terrestrial organic matter. Terrestrially derived dissolved organic carbon (t‐DOC) inputs can modify light availability, the spatial distribution of primary production, heat, and oxygen in aquatic systems, as well as inorganic nutrient bioavailability. It is also well‐established that some terrestrial inputs (such as invertebrates and fruits) provide high‐quality food resources for consumers in some systems.

In small to moderate‐sized streams, leaf litter inputs average approximately three times greater than the autochthonous production. Conversely, in oligo/mesotrophic lakes algal production is typically five times greater than the available flux of allochthonous basal resources.

Terrestrial particulate organic carbon (t‐POC) inputs to lakes and rivers are comprised of 80%–90% biochemically recalcitrant lignocellulose, which is highly resistant to enzymatic breakdown by animal consumers. Further, t‐POC and heterotrophic bacteria lack essential biochemical compounds that are critical for rapid growth and reproduction in aquatic invertebrates and fishes. Several studies have directly shown that these resources have very low food quality for herbivorous zooplankton and benthic invertebrates.

Much of the nitrogen assimilated by stream consumers is probably of algal origin, even in systems where there appears to be a significant terrestrial carbon contribution. Amino acid stable isotope analyses for large river food webs indicate that most upper trophic level essential amino acids are derived from algae. Similarly, profiles of essential fatty acids in consumers show a strong dependence on the algal food resources.

Primary production to respiration ratios are not a meaningful index to assess consumer allochthony because respiration represents an oxidised carbon flux that cannot be utilised by animal consumers. Rather, the relative importance of allochthonous subsidies for upper trophic level production should be addressed by considering the rates at which terrestrial and autochthonous resources are consumed and the growth efficiency supported by this food.

Ultimately, the biochemical composition of a particular basal resource, and not just its quantity or origin, determines how readily this material is incorporated into upper trophic level consumers. Because of its highly favourable biochemical composition and greater availability, we conclude that microalgal production supports most animal production in freshwater ecosystems.
Thyroid function in end stage renal disease and effects of frequent hemodialysis
Authors: Lo Joan C. , Beck Gerald J. , Kaysen George A. , Chan Christopher T. , Kliger Alan S. , Rocco Michael V. , Li Minwei , Chertow Glenn M. ,   for the FHN Study
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroduction: End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with perturbations in thyroid hormone concentrations and an increased prevalence of hypothyroidism. Few studies have examined the effects of hemodialysis dose or frequency on endogenous thyroid function.Methods: Within the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) trials, we examined the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with ESRD. Among those with endogenous thyroid function (without overt hyper/hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone supplementation), we examined the association of thyroid hormone concentration with multiple parameters of self‐reported health status, and physical and cognitive performance, and the effects of hemodialysis frequency on serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free tri‐iodothyronine (FT3) levels. Conventional thrice‐weekly hemodialysis was compared to in‐center (6 d/wk) hemodialysis (Daily Trial) and Nocturnal (6 nights/wk) home hemodialysis (Nocturnal Trial) over 12 months.Findings: Among 226 FHN Trial participants, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 11% based on thyroid hormone treatment and/or serum TSH ≥8 mIU/mL. Among the remaining 195 participants (147 Daily, 48 Nocturnal) with endogenous thyroid function, TSH concentrations were modestly (directly) correlated with age (r = 0.16, P = 0.03) but not dialysis vintage. Circulating thyroid hormone levels were not associated with parameters of health status or physical and cognitive performance. Furthermore, frequent in‐center and nocturnal hemodialysis did not significantly change (baseline to month 12) TSH, FT4, or FT3 concentrations in patients with endogenous thyroid function.Discussion: Among patients receiving hemodialysis without overt hyper/hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone treatment, thyroid indices were not associated with multiple measures of health status and were not significantly altered with increased dialysis frequency.
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with reduced prevalence of colonic diverticular disease
Authors: Bartels Lars Erik , Jepsen Peter , Tøttrup Anders , Vilstrup Hendrik , Dahlerup Jens Frederik 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundColonic diverticular disease is a common disorder with increasing incidence in Western societies. The intestinal microbiome may be among etiological factors. Helicobacter pylori may protect against some intestinal diseases, and incidence of H. pylori is decreasing in Western societies. Thus, we aimed to determine whether H. pylori is associated to decreased prevalence of registered colonic diverticular disease.Materials and MethodsIn a historical cohort study, patients were enrolled from primary health care centers after urea breath test for H. pylori and then followed for a median of 6 years. The patient's diagnostic codes and country of birth were acquired from nationwide Danish administrative registries. We used logistic regression to compare prevalence and Cox regression to compare incidence of diverticular disease between H. pylori‐positive and H. pylori‐negative patients, adjusting for confounding variables.ResultsPatients infected with H. pylori had lower prevalence of colonic diverticular disease (0.87% vs 1.14%, OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.50‐0.78). This phenomenon was observed whether we studied all registered diagnoses or only cases registered as primary diagnoses at discharge. After urea breath test, we observed no statistical difference in incidence rates of diverticular disease.ConclusionH. pylori is associated with reduced prevalence of colonic diverticular disease. The inverse association was absent after the urea breath test. Thus, we speculate that H. pylori may provide protection from colonic diverticular disease. Alternatively, H. pylori is a marker for other factors affecting disease development.
Macroporous mullite materials prepared by novel shaping strategies based on starch thermogelation for thermal insulation
Authors: Talou Mariano , Miranzo Pilar , Camerucci María Andrea 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA rigorous microstructural analysis of porous mullite materials developed using novel shaping strategies based on the starch consolidation casting, and their thermal properties in relation to the processing and starch type were accomplished in view of their use as thermal insulators. In order to characterize the size and morphology of pore, basic size and 2D shape factors, and global 3D stereological parameters were determined using microscopy techniques. Results indicated that the porosity volume, pore connectivity degree, and mean free path were the determining factors of the lowest heat transfer by conduction registered in materials prepared with cassava starch. This material is the best candidate to be used in thermal insulation.
Phase formation and spectral evolution of (Sr,Ba)2Si(O,N)4:Eu2+ phosphors
Authors: Park Jaehan , Jung Woohyun , Kim Young Jin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSr2‐xBaxSi(O,N)4:Eu2+ (SBxSON:Eu2+) oxynitridosilicate phosphors were prepared via incorporation of N3−, Eu2+, and Ba2+ ions into Sr2SiO4 (SSO) lattices. X‐ray diffraction patterns of the prepared powders revealed that SBxSON:Eu2+ was a solid‐solution form of SSO. An increase in x values caused a phase transition and an expansion of the unit cell. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of SBxSON:Eu2+ were broad, covering the ultraviolet range to the visible range. Corresponding PL emission spectra strongly depended on the excitation wavelengths and consisted of two emission bands, one in the green‐blue region (A‐band) and the other in the red region (B‐band), which were assigned to Eu(I) and Eu(II), respectively. The B‐band resulted from a dramatic red‐shift of the green emission band assigned to Eu(II) of SSO:Eu2+, revealing that the nitridation process preferentially affected the Eu(II) sites. This behavior was explained by crystal field splitting, the fluorescence decay time, and thermal quenching. The Ba2+ substitution caused evolution of the PL spectra, and its effects on the spectra were discussed under consideration of ionic size and covalence.
Isolation of infectious microalga Prototheca wickerhamii from a carp (Cyprinus carpio) – a first confirmed case report of protothecosis in a fish
Authors: Jagielski T , Dyląg M , Roesler U , Murugaiyan J 
Published: March 2017

AbstractProtothecosis is a rare infection caused by environmentally ubiquitous achlorophyllic microalgae of the genus Prototheca. Here, we describe a first case of protothecosis in a carp (Cyprinus carpio), which is at the same time the first case of protothecosis in a fish, confirmed by phenotype‐ and molecular‐based methods, including PCR sequencing of the rDNA cluster and protein profiling using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry.
Improvement of liver stiffness in patients with hepatitis C virus infection who received direct‐acting antiviral therapy and achieved sustained virological response
Authors: Tada Toshifumi , Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Mizuno Kazuyuki , Sone Yasuhiro , Kataoka Saki , Hashinokuchi Shinichi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackground and AimThere is insufficient research on whether direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy can improve liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). We evaluated sequential changes in liver stiffness using shear wave elastography in patients with HCV who received DAA therapy.MethodsA total of 210 patients with HCV who received daclatasvir and asunaprevir therapy and achieved sustained virological response (SVR) were analyzed. Liver stiffness, as evaluated by shear wave elastography, and laboratory data were assessed before treatment (baseline), at end of treatment (EOT), and at 24 weeks after EOT (SVR24).ResultsAlanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) decreased over time, and there were significant differences between baseline and EOT and between EOT and SVR24. Although platelet counts did not significantly differ between baseline and EOT, they increased significantly from EOT to SVR24. The median (interquartile range) liver stiffness values at baseline, EOT, and SVR24 were 10.2 (7.7–14.7), 8.8 (7.1–12.1), and 7.6 (6.3–10.3) kPa, respectively (P < 0.001, baseline vs EOT; P < 0.001, EOT vs SVR24). Additionally, in patients with ALT ≤ 30 (indicating low necroinflammatory activity in the liver) and Fibrosis‐4 index > 2.0 (n = 75), the liver stiffness values at baseline, EOT, and SVR24 were 9.6 (7.7–15.2), 9.2 (7.3–12.1), and 7.7 (6.3–10.1) kPa, respectively (P < 0.001, baseline vs EOT; P < 0.001, EOT vs SVR24).ConclusionThese results suggest that early improvement of liver stiffness starts during the administration of DAAs in patients who achieve SVR, and this effect is particularly pronounced in patients with progressive liver fibrosis.
Energy and protein requirements for growth of Holstein × Gyr heifers
Authors: Silva F. A. S. , Valadares Filho S. C. , Rennó L. N. , Zanetti D. , Costa e Silva L. F. , Godoi L. A. , Vieira J. M. P. , Menezes A. C. B. , Pucetti P. , Rotta P. P. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThere is little information regarding the nutritional requirements for dairy heifers, leading the majority of nutrient requirement systems to consider dairy heifers to be similar to beef heifers. Therefore, we evaluated the muscle protein metabolism and physical and chemical body composition of growing Holstein × Gyr heifers and estimated the energy and protein requirements. We performed a comparative slaughter experiment with 20 Holstein × Gyr heifers at an initial body weight of 218 ± 36.5 kg and an average age of 12 ± 1.0 months. Four heifers were designated as the reference group, and the 16 remaining heifers were fed ad libitum. The 16 heifers were distributed using a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two roughages (corn silage or sugarcane) and two concentrate levels (30 or 50%) for 112 days. Greater (p < 0.05) values for fractional rates of muscle protein synthesis, degradation and accretion were observed for heifers that were fed 50% concentrate. The following equations were obtained to estimate the net energy for gain (NEg) and net protein for gain (NPg): NEg (Mcal/day) = 0.0685 × EBW0.75 × EBWG1.095 and NPg (g/day) = 203.8 × EBWG − 14.80 × RE, respectively, in which EBW is the empty body weight, EBWG is the empty body weight gain and RE is the retained energy. We concluded that increased rates of protein turnover are achieved when a greater quality diet is provided. In the future, these results can be used to calculate the nutritional requirements for growth of Holstein × Gyr heifers after equation validation rather than using the recommendations provided by other systems, which use values developed from beef heifers, to determine the nutritional requirements of dairy cattle.
Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) fuels the tricarboxylic acid cycle and de novo lipid biosynthesis during Bacillus anthracis sporulation
Authors: Sadykov Marat R. , Ahn Jong‐Sam , Widhelm Todd J. , Eckrich Valerie M. , Endres Jennifer L. , Driks Adam , Rutkowski Gregory E. , Wingerd Kevin L. , Bayles Kenneth W. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryNumerous bacteria accumulate poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as an intracellular reservoir of carbon and energy in response to imbalanced nutritional conditions. In Bacillus spp., where PHB biosynthesis precedes the formation of the dormant cell type called the spore (sporulation), the direct link between PHB accumulation and efficiency of sporulation was observed in multiple studies. Although the idea of PHB as an intracellular carbon and energy source fueling sporulation was proposed several decades ago, the mechanisms underlying PHB contribution to sporulation have not been defined. Here, we demonstrate that PHB deficiency impairs Bacillus anthracis sporulation through diminishing the energy status of the cells and by reducing carbon flux into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and de novo lipid biosynthesis. Consequently, this metabolic imbalance decreased biosynthesis of the critical components required for spore integrity and resistance, such as dipicolinic acid (DPA) and the spore's inner membrane. Supplementation of the PHB deficient mutant with exogenous fatty acids overcame these sporulation defects, highlighting the importance of the TCA cycle and lipid biosynthesis during sporulation. Combined, the results of this work reveal the molecular mechanisms of PHB contribution to B. anthracis sporulation and provide valuable insight into the metabolic requirements for this developmental process in Bacillus species.
Psychological stress‐induced colonic barrier dysfunction: Role of immune‐mediated mechanisms
Authors: Hattay P. , Prusator D. K. , Tran L. , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld B. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundEvidence suggests that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) exhibit increases in gut permeability and alterations in tight junction (TJ) protein expression. Although psychological stress worsens IBS symptoms, the mechanisms by which stress enhances gut permeability and affects TJ protein expression remain to be determined. Here, we test the hypothesis that chronic intermittent psychological stress activates the release of proinflammatory cytokines to alter TJ proteins and promotes increased gut permeability.MethodsMale Fischer‐344 rats were subjected to 1 hour of water avoidance stress (WAS) or SHAM stress per day for 7 days. Following the stress protocol, colonic permeability was measured via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and macromolecular flux of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In tissue isolated from rats exposed to the WAS or SHAM stress, TJ proteins claudin‐2, junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) and zonula occluden‐1 (ZO‐1) were measured via Western blotting, histological appearance of the colonic segments was assessed via hematoxylin and eosin staining, and an inflammatory cytokine panel was quantified via quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.Key ResultsRepetitive daily exposure to WAS decreased the TEER, increased the macromolecular flux of HRP, and altered the expression of claudin‐2, JAM‐A and ZO‐1 proteins within colonic tissue compared to SHAM controls. In the absence of a histologically defined inflammation, the cytokine profiles of WAS‐treated animals revealed an increase in interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Subsequent analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TNF‐α and expression of TJ protein claudin‐2.Conclusions & InferencesOur findings suggest that chronic stress increases colonic permeability via sub‐inflammatory cytokine‐mediated remodeling of TJ protein expression.