bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photocatalytic Treatment of Desalination Concentrate Using Optical Fibers Coated With Nanostructured Thin Films: Impact of Water Chemistry and Seasonal Climate Variations
Authors: Lin Lu , Wang Huiyao , Luo Hongmei , Xu Pei 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTreatment of desalination concentrate can reduce concentrate volume for disposal, increase water recovery and convert waste to resource. However, concentrate treatment is costly and energy intensive due to high concentrations of salt and recalcitrant organic matter in concentrate. Photocatalytic oxidation provides a novel energy neutral technology for concentrate treatment by degrading organic contaminants. Polymer‐assisted hydrothermal deposition method was used to synthesize innovative pure and Fe‐doped TiO2 mixed‐phase nanocomposite thin films on side‐glowing optical fibers (SOFs). The properties of the photocatalysts‐coated SOF were characterized by surface morphology, nanostructure, crystallite size and phase and zeta potential. Photodegradation efficiency and durability of the photocatalysts treating different types of desalination concentrate was studied under natural sunlight. Synthetic solutions and reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates from brackish water and municipal wastewater desalination facilities were tested to elucidate the impact of water chemistry, operating conditions and seasonal climate variations (solar irradiation intensity and temperature) on photocatalytic efficiency. High ionic strength and divalent electrolyte ions in RO concentrate accelerated photocatalytic process, whereas the presence of carbonate species and organic matter hindered photodegradation. Outdoor testing of immobilized continuous‐flow photoreactors suggested that the catalyst‐coated SOFs can utilize a wide spectrum of natural sunlight and achieved durable photocatalytic performance.
Delayed dehiscence of the pericarp: role in germination and retention of viability of seeds of two cold desert annual Brassicaceae species
Authors: Lu J. J. , Tan D. Y. , Baskin C. C. , Baskin J. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractConsiderable variation occurs in post‐maturity timing of dehiscence in fruits of Brassicaceae species, and several studies have shown that the pericarp plays an important role in seed germination and retention of viability in species with indehiscent fruits. However, little is known about the significance to seed biology of delay in pericarp dehiscence for <1 year in the field. Thus, we determined the role of the pericarps of Leptaleum filifolium and Neotorularia korolkovii, which open in <1 year after fruit maturity and dispersal, in seed germination and retention of seed viability. We compared dormancy‐break via after‐ripening in the laboratory and germination phenology and retention of seed viability in intact siliques and isolated seeds buried in an experimental garden. Seeds of both species have Type 6 non‐deep physiological dormancy, which is enhanced by the pericarp. Seeds of both species after‐ripened during summer 2013, and some of them germinated in autumn and some in the following spring in watered and non‐watered soil. Germination percentages of seeds in siliques increased in soil in spring 2014, after the pericarps had opened. Most isolated seeds of L. filifolium and N. korolkovii had germinated or were dead by spring 2014 and summer 2015, respectively, whereas 60% of the seeds of both species in the (opened) pericarps were viable after 24 months. Thus, although the pericarp opened 9–10 months after burial, its presence had a significant effect on seed dormancy, germination phenology and retention of viability of seeds of L. filifolium and N. korolkovii.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Spermatozoa of Fertile Stallions
Authors: Orsztynowicz M , Pawlak P , Podstawski Z , Nizanski W , Partyka A , Gotowiecka M , Kosiniak‐Kamysz K , Lechniak D 
Published: April 2016

ContentsPredicting male fertility on non‐invasive sperm traits is of big importance to human and animal reproduction strategies. Combining the wide range of parameters monitored by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) with some molecular traits (e.g. mtDNA content) may help to identify markers of the male fertility. The aim of this study was to characterize variation in the mtDNA copy number in equine sperm and to investigate whether mtDNA content is correlated with quality traits of stallion spermatozoa and the age of the male. Ejaculates collected from 53 fertile stallions were divided into four age groups (3–5, 6–10, 11–14 and >15 years) and were subjected to a complex investigation including conventional analysis, CASA, flow cytometry and mtDNA content (real‐time PCR). The mean (±SD) number of mtDNA copies equalled 14 ± 9 and varied from 3 to 64. Considering the great number of sperm parameters monitored in this study, only few of them were correlated with the mtDNA content: ejaculate volume (a positive correlation), the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH; a negative correlation) and the high mitochondrial activity index (a negative correlation). The stallion age was not correlated with the mtDNA copy number. This study provides the first set of data on mtDNA content in equine sperm and confirms phenomena previously described for humans and dog on associations between sperm mtDNA content and selected motility parameters monitored by the CASA. Basing our study on spermatozoa from fertile stallions could however limit the extent of detected associations.
Evidence for high temperature and 18O‐enriched fluids in the Arab‐D of the Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Swart Peter K. , Cantrell Dave L. , Arienzo Monica M. , Murray Sean T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUsing the clumped isotope method, the temperature of dolomite and calcite formation and the oxygen isotopic composition (δ18Ow) of the diagenetic fluids have been determined in a core taken from the Arab‐D of the Ghawar field, the largest oil reservoir in the world. These analyses show that while the dolomites and limestones throughout the major zones of the reservoir recrystallized at temperatures between ca 80°C and 100°C, the carbonates near the top of the reservoir formed at significantly lower temperatures (20 to 30°C). Although the δ18O values of the diagenetic fluids show large variations ranging from ca <0‰ to ca +8‰, the variations exhibit consistent downhole changes, with the highest values being associated with the portion of the reservoir with the highest permeability and porosity. Within the limestones, dolomites and dolomites associated with the zone of high permeability, there are statistically significant different trends between the δ18Ow values and recrystallization temperature. These relationships have different intercepts suggesting that fluids with varying δ18Ow values were involved in the formation of dolomite and limestone compared to the formation of dolomite associated with the zone of high permeability. These new data obtained using the clumped isotope technique show how dolomitization and recrystallization by deep‐seated brines with elevated δ18Ow values influence the δ18O values of carbonates, possibly leading to erroneous interpretations unless temperatures can be adequately constrained.
Injuries in Swedish floorball: a cost analysis
Authors: Tranaeus U. , Heintz E. , Johnson U. , Forssblad M. , Werner S. 
Published: April 2016

The epidemiology of sport injuries is well documented. However, the costs are rarely discussed. Previous studies have presented such costs in specific sports or localization. No study has investigated the costs related to injuries in elite floorball. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate cost of injuries in Swedish elite floorball players. During 1 year, 346 floorball players were prospectively followed. All time‐loss injures were recorded. The injured players were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their costs tied to the injury. Mean costs were calculated by multiplying the total resource use with the collected unit costs and dividing these total costs with the number of injuries as well as players. The results showed that the average cost per injury increased with the level of severity and ranged from 332 to 2358 Euros. The mild and moderate overuse injuries were costlier than the corresponding traumatic injuries. However, the severe traumatic injuries were associated with higher costs than overuse injuries. Knee injuries were the costliest. Our results indicate that there are costs to be saved, if floorball injuries can be avoided. They should be of interest to decision makers deciding whether to invest in preventive interventions.
Multiple pulmonary embolisms in a male marathon athlete: Is intense endurance exercise a real thrombogenic risk?
Authors: Sanz de la Garza M. , Lopez A. , Sitges M. 
Published: April 2016

Intense endurance exercise could be associated with multiple thrombogenic risk factors, including dehydration, hemoconcentration, inflammation, and injuries. Despite an increasing number of reported cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in athletes that is raising awareness in the medical community, the prevalence is not well established and evidenced‐based guidelines for management of this clinical scenario are lacking. We present an episode of unprovoked DVT and multiple pulmonary embolisms with severe right ventricular dysfunction in a male runner. We highlight the challenge of diagnosing DVT and pulmonary embolism in athletes due to frequently atypical symptomatology and the emergent need for longitudinal studies to evaluate their thrombogenic risk and develop specific guidelines in this field.
Factorial validity and measurement invariance of the Perceived Susceptibility to Sport Injury scale
Authors: Gnacinski S. L. , Arvinen‐Barrow M. , Brewer B. W. , Meyer B. B. 
Published: April 2016

The Perceived Susceptibility to Sport Injury (PSSI) scale is a measure that has recently surfaced in the sport injury literature. The factor structure of the PSSI scale has not been subjected to a rigorous factor analysis; thus, the factorial validity of the measure in athlete populations is unknown. To establish the validity of the PSSI scale in sports medicine research, the purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure and measurement invariance across gender of the PSSI scale. Male and female intercollegiate athletes (N = 217) completed the PSSI scale during the off‐season. The factor structure was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) procedures and maximum likelihood estimation. The measurement invariance analysis was conducted via comparisons of fit indices within a series of hierarchically constrained models. Results of the CFA yielded a very good fit of the measurement model: χ2 (2) = 4.535, P = 0.104; RMSEA = 0.076; SRMR = 0.018; CFI = 0.995; NNFI = 0.985. Results of the measurement invariance analysis demonstrated strict invariance across gender, and no significant latent mean differences emerged between men and women. Study results support the factorial validity of the PSSI scale for use in future sports medicine research.
Physical activity, heart rate variability–based stress and recovery, and subjective stress during a 9‐month study period
Authors: Föhr T. , Tolvanen A. , Myllymäki T. , Järvelä‐Reijonen E. , Peuhkuri K. , Rantala S. , Kolehmainen M. , Korpela R. , Lappalainen R. , Ermes M. , Puttonen S. , Rusko H. , Kujala U.M. 
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and objective heart rate variability (HRV)‐based stress and recovery with subjective stress in a longitudinal setting. Working‐age participants (n = 221; 185 women, 36 men) were overweight (body mass index, 25.3–40.1 kg/m2) and psychologically distressed (≥3/12 points on the General Health Questionnaire). Objective stress and recovery were based on HRV recordings over 1–3 work days. Subjective stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale and PA level with a questionnaire. Data were collected at three time points: baseline, 10 weeks post intervention, and at the 36‐week follow‐up. We adopted a latent growth model to investigate the initial level and change in PA, objective stress and recovery, and subjective stress at the three measurement time points. The results showed that initial levels of PA (P < 0.001) and objective stress (P = 0.001) and recovery (P < 0.01) were associated with the change in subjective stress. The results persisted after adjustment for intervention group. The present results suggest that high PA and objectively assessed low stress and good recovery have positive effects on changes in subjective stress in the long‐term.
Dietary nitrate enhances arterial oxygen saturation after dynamic apnea
Authors: Patrician A. , Schagatay E. 
Published: April 2016

Breath‐hold divers train to minimize their oxygen consumption to improve their apneic performance. Dietary nitrate has been shown to reduce the oxygen cost in a variety of situations, and our aim was to study its effect on arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) after dynamic apnea (DYN) performance. Fourteen healthy male apnea divers (aged 33 ± 11 years) received either 70 mL of concentrated nitrate‐rich beetroot juice (BR) or placebo (PL) on different days. At 2.5 h after ingesting the juice, they were asked to perform 2 × 75 m DYN dives in a pool with 4.5‐min recovery between dives. Each dive started after 2‐min countdown and without any warm‐up apneas, hyperventilation, or lung packing. SaO2 and heart rate were measured via pulse oximetry for 90 s before and after each dive. Mean SaO2 nadir values after the dives were 83.4 ± 10.8% with BR and 78.3 ± 11.0% with PL (P < 0.05). At 20‐s post‐dive, mean SaO2 was 86.3 ± 10.6% with BR and 79.4 ± 10.2% with PL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BR juice was found to elevate SaO2 after 75‐m DYN. These results suggest an oxygen conserving effect of dietary nitrate supplementation, which likely has a positive effect on maximal apnea performance.
Live high, train low – influence on resting and post‐exercise hepcidin levels
Authors: Govus A. D. , Peeling P. , Abbiss C. R. , Lawler N. G. , Swinkels D. W. , Laarakkers C. M. , Thompson K. G. , Peiffer J. J. , Gore C. J. , Garvican‐Lewis L. A. 
Published: April 2016

The post‐exercise hepcidin response during prolonged (>2 weeks) hypoxic exposure is not well understood. We compared plasma hepcidin levels 3 h after exercise [6 × 1000 m at 90% of maximal aerobic running velocity (vVO2max)] performed in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (3000 m simulate altitude) 1 week before, and during 14 days of normobaric hypoxia [196.2 ± 25.6 h (median: 200.8 h; range: 154.3–234.8 h) at 3000 m simulated altitude] in 10 well‐trained distance runners (six males, four females). Venous blood was also analyzed for hepcidin after 2 days of normobaric hypoxia. Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was measured via CO rebreathing 1 week before and after 14 days of hypoxia. Hepcidin was suppressed after 2 (Cohen's d = −2.3, 95% confidence interval: [−2.9, −1.6]) and 14 days of normobaric hypoxia (d = −1.6 [−2.6, −0.6]). Hepcidin increased from baseline, 3 h post‐exercise in normoxia (d = 0.8 [0.2, 1.3]) and hypoxia (d = 0.6 [0.3, 1.0]), both before and after exposure (normoxia: d = 0.7 [0.3, 1.2]; hypoxia: d = 1.3 [0.4, 2.3]). In conclusion, 2 weeks of normobaric hypoxia suppressed resting hepcidin levels, but did not alter the post‐exercise response in either normoxia or hypoxia, compared with the pre‐exposure response.
A potential role for cytomegalovirus in a facial ulcer in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Ezzatzadegan Jahromi S. , Lotfi Z. , Torabi‐Nezhad S. , Aslani F.S. , Pourabbas B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCytomegalovirus infection (CMV) is a well‐known consequence of immunosuppression and one of the expected pathogens in recipients of solid organs such as renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Infection by CMV in immunocompromised settings can be life‐threatening since many organs are involved and affected. Skin involvement has been rarely reported. In this report, we present a highly immunosuppressed RTR with CMV infection manifested as ulcerative skin lesions on the face, along with allograft dysfunction diagnosed by biopsy of the skin and the renal allograft, in addition to the presence of viral DNA in the tissue and antigenemia, which resolved following antiviral treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of facial skin involvement induced by CMV in an RTR. This report emphasizes the value of early biopsy in RTRs with skin lesions and highlights CMV infection as a possible etiology.
Ganciclovir‐resistant cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplant recipients: a single‐center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Young P.G. , Rubin J. , Angarone M. , Flaherty J. , Penugonda S. , Stosor V. , Ison M.G. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundGanciclovir‐resistant cytomegalovirus (GCV‐R CMV) is an emerging challenge among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The literature suggests that about 1% of abdominal transplant recipients develop GCV‐R CMV infection. The epidemiology and outcome of GCV‐R CMV in SOT recipients who have received alemtuzumab induction is not well described.MethodsAfter Institutional Review Board approval, a single‐center, retrospective review of 2148 abdominal SOT recipients between January 2006 and July 2011 at our institution (n = 2148) was conducted to identify patients with proven or empirically treated GCV‐R CMV. Descriptive statistics on collected demographics, clinical course, and therapeutic outcomes were performed.ResultsOf 116 SOT recipient treated for CMV, 14 patients (12.1% of cases; 0.65% of all SOT patients) had proven or suspected GCV‐R CMV. Eight (50%) developed GCV‐R CMV while receiving valganciclovir (valGCV) prophylaxis. The remainder developed late‐onset disease, after having completed an average 212 days (range 83–353) of prophylaxis. Resistance was clinically suspected an average of 103 days (range 10–455) after CMV infection was initially identified; 10 patients had confirmed genotypic resistance. Foscarnet therapy was associated with resolution of CMV in 13.ConclusionSuboptimal dosing of valGCV is associated with development of GCV‐R CMV. Our observed rate of GCV‐R CMV in alemtuzumab‐induced patients is similar to rates seen to historical data for other induction agents.
Removal from liver transplantation list of a hepatitis C virus‐HIV co‐infected patient after successful treatment with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir
Authors: Llaneras J. , Castells L. , Santos B. , Crespo M. , Puig T. , Esteban J.I. , Esteban R. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe present a human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patient with severe decompensated hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) who received a 24‐week course of interferon/ribavirin‐free antiviral treatment with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir on a compassionate basis. Rapid viral suppression was associated with progressive improvement of his liver function tests. The patient achieved a sustained virological response and concomitant clinical improvement, which prompted removal from the LT list 12 weeks after the end of treatment.
Leishmaniasis in Turkey: first clinical isolation of Leishmania major from 18 autochthonous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in four geographical regions
Authors: Özbilgin Ahmet , Çulha Gülnaz , Uzun Soner , Harman Mehmet , Topal Suhan Günaştı , Okudan Fulya , Zeyrek Fadile , Gündüz Cumhur , Östan İpek , Karakuş Mehmet , Töz Seray , Kurt Özgür , Akyar Işın , Erat Ayşegül , Güngör Dilek , Kayabaşı Çağla , Çavuş İbrahim , Bastien Patrick , Pratlong Francine , Kocagöz Tanıl , Özbel Yusuf 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo report isolation of Leishmania major strains obtained from 18 Turkish autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients infected with L. major between 2011 and 2014.MethodsInitial diagnosis relied on microscopy and culture in enriched medium, prepared by adding specific amounts of liver extract, protein and lipid sources to NNN medium. Promastigotes were then transferred to RPMI medium including 10% of foetal calf serum for mass culture. Species‐specific real‐time PCR targeting ITS1 region of Leishmania spp. was performed using both lesion aspiration samples and cultured promastigotes. Two of 18 isolates were identified by isoenzyme analysis in the Leishmaniasis Reference Center in Montpellier, France. Each isolate was inoculated into the footpads of six mice to observe the pathogenicity of L. major. Developing lesions were observed, and the thickening of footpads was measured weekly.ResultsMelting curve analyses of 18 isolates showed a peak concordant with L. major, and two of them were confirmed by isoenzyme analyses as L. major zymodeme MON103. In the mouse model, acute lesions seen on day 21 were accepted as an indication of heavy infection. Severe impairments were observed on all mouse footpads over 3 weeks, which even progressed to extremity amputation.ConclusionCutaneous leishmaniasis‐causing L. major was recently identified in Adana province in southern Turkey, with PCR. Our study shows that such CL cases are not limited to Adana but currently present from western to Southeastern Anatolia, and along the Mediterranean coast. The role of small mammals, the main reservoirs of L. major in Anatolia, needs to be elucidated, as do the underlying factors that cause severe clinical manifestations in L. major infections in Turkey, contrary to the infections in neighbouring countries.
An essential role of caffeoyl shikimate esterase in monolignol biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Ha Chan Man , Escamilla‐Trevino Luis , Yarce Juan Carlos Serrani , Kim Hoon , Ralph John , Chen Fang , Dixon Richard A. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryBiochemical and genetic analyses have previously identified caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) as an enzyme in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana, although the generality of this finding has been questioned. Here we show the presence of CSE genes and associated enzyme activity in barrel medic (Medicago truncatula, dicot, Leguminosae), poplar (Populus deltoides, dicot, Salicaceae), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, monocot, Poaceae). Loss of function of CSE in transposon insertion lines of M. truncatula results in severe dwarfing, altered development, reduction in lignin content, and preferential accumulation of hydroxyphenyl units in lignin, indicating that the CSE enzyme is critical for normal lignification in this species. However, the model grass Brachypodium distachyon and corn (Zea mays) do not possess orthologs of the currently characterized CSE genes, and crude protein extracts from stems of these species exhibit only a weak esterase activity with caffeoyl shikimate. Our results suggest that the reaction catalyzed by CSE may not be essential for lignification in all plant species.