bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventing childhood obesity in Latin America: an agenda for regional research and strategic partnerships
Authors: Caballero B. , Vorkoper S. , Anand N. , Rivera J. A. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in Latin America poses a major public health challenge to the region. In response, many countries are implementing obesity prevention programmes aimed at modifying known risk factors. However, the limited scientific evidence inhibits the development and implementation of novel, effective interventions across the region. To address these gaps, the NIH Fogarty International Center convened a workshop of researchers, policymakers, programme implementers and public health advocates who are actively engaged in the region to prevent childhood obesity. Major aims of the meeting were to define the current status of childhood obesity, identify the scientific gaps in our understanding of the epidemic, point out the barriers and opportunities for research and outline a plan for capacity building in the region in the area of childhood obesity. This series of articles reflects the key outcome of the meeting and offers an analysis of the knowledge translation needed for evidence‐based policy initiatives, a review of the research agenda and an evaluation of research capacity in the region. The goal of the papers is to inform the development of multidisciplinary and multisector research collaborations, which are essential to the implementation of successful childhood obesity prevention strategies in the region.
Research capacity for childhood obesity prevention in Latin America: an area for growth
Authors: Parra Diana C. , Vorkoper Susan , Kohl Harold W. , Caballero Benjamin , Batis Carolina , Jauregui Alejandra , Mason Jessica , Pratt Michael 
Published: July 2017

SummaryBackgroundThe rise of childhood obesity in Latin America calls for research capacity to understand, monitor and implement strategies, policies and programmes to address it.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to assess current research capacity in Latin America related to childhood obesity, nutrition and physical activity.MethodsWe conducted a search of peer‐reviewed articles on childhood obesity in Latin America with at least one Latin American author from 2010 to May 2015. We coded 484 published articles for author affiliation, study subjects' nationality, research topic and study design and extracted a series of networks per research topic, study design and collaborating country for each of the countries.ResultsObesity is the most frequently explored topic. Nutrition and obesity are somewhat better developed compared with physical activity and sedentary behaviour. There are numerous observational and cross‐sectional studies, indicating either a lack of capacity required for more complex research or the extent of the problem and associated factors is still unknown. The low number of intervention studies and the near absence of policy articles suggest a void in research capacity.ConclusionFor childhood obesity, there is a clear need to build research capacity that documents the current state of the problem and design evidence‐based prevention and intervention efforts.
Connecting salt stress signalling pathways with salinity‐induced changes in mitochondrial metabolic processes inC3 plants
Authors: Che‐Othman M. Hafiz , Millar A. Harvey , Taylor Nicolas L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSalinity exerts a severe detrimental effect on crop yields globally. Growth of plants in saline soils results in physiological stress, which disrupts the essential biochemical processes of respiration, photosynthesis, and transpiration. Understanding the molecular responses of plants exposed to salinity stress can inform future strategies to reduce agricultural losses due to salinity; however, it is imperative that signalling and functional response processes are connected to tailor these strategies. Previous research has revealed the important role that plant mitochondria play in the salinity response of plants. Review of this literature shows that 2 biochemical processes required for respiratory function are affected under salinity stress: the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the transport of metabolites across the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, the mechanisms by which components of these processes are affected or react to salinity stress are still far from understood. Here, we examine recent findings on the signal transduction pathways that lead to adaptive responses of plants to salinity and discuss how they can be involved in and be affected by modulation of the machinery of energy metabolism with attention to the role of the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and mitochondrial membrane transporters in this process.
Involvement of Arabidopsis glutaredoxin S14 in the maintenance of chlorophyll content
Authors: Rey Pascal , Becuwe Noëlle , Tourrette Sébastien , Rouhier Nicolas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPlant class‐II glutaredoxins (GRXs) are oxidoreductases carrying a CGFS active site signature and are able to bind iron–sulfur clusters in vitro. In order to explore the physiological functions of the 2 plastidial class‐II isoforms, GRXS14 and GRXS16, we generated knockdown and overexpression Arabidopsis thaliana lines and characterized their phenotypes using physiological and biochemical approaches. Plants deficient in one GRX did not display any growth defect, whereas the growth of plants lacking both was slowed. Plants overexpressing GRXS14 exhibited reduced chlorophyll content in control, high‐light, and high‐salt conditions. However, when exposed to prolonged darkness, plants lacking GRXS14 showed accelerated chlorophyll loss compared to wild‐type and overexpression lines. We observed that the GRXS14 abundance and the proportion of reduced form were modified in wild type upon darkness and high salt. The dark treatment also resulted in decreased abundance of proteins involved in the maturation of iron–sulfur proteins. We propose that the phenotype of GRXS14‐modified lines results from its participation in the control of chlorophyll content in relation with light and osmotic conditions, possibly through a dual action in regulating the redox status of biosynthetic enzymes and contributing to the biogenesis of iron–sulfur clusters, which are essential cofactors in chlorophyll metabolism.
Sexes in gynodioecious Geranium sylvaticum do not differ in their isotopic signature or photosynthetic capacity
Authors: Varga S. , Kytöviita M.‐M. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

In gynodioecious plants, females are expected to produce more or better seeds than hermaphrodites in order to be maintained within the same population. Even though rarely measured, higher seed production can be achieved through differences in physiology.

In this work, we measured sexual dimorphism in several physiological traits in the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, WUE and isotopic signatures were measured in plants growing in two habitats differing in light availability.

Females have been reported to produce more seeds than hermaphrodites. However, we did not observe any significant difference in seed output between the sexes in these experimental populations. Similarly, the sexes did not differ in any physiological trait measured. Seed production was strongly limited by light availability. Likewise, differences between plants growing in full light versus low light were detected in most physiological parameters measured.

Our results show that the sexes in G. sylvaticum do not show any evidence of sexual dimorphism in physiology, which concurred with a lack of sexual differences in seed output.
Antioxidants protect proteins' anchorage to the bilayer by improving plasma membrane integrity of ram spermatozoa during liquid preservation in a soya lecithin‐based diluent
Authors: Paul RK , Kumar D , Naqvi SMK 
Published: July 2017

ContentsAntioxidants are known to prevent the reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated peroxidative damage to the membrane lipids during hypothermic storage of mammalian spermatozoa. We hypothesized here that ROS also affect the lipid–protein interactions, thereby diminishing the membrane's integrity and proteins' anchorage to the bilayer. Antioxidants prevent these damages by scavenging the ROS. Ejaculates from Patanwadi rams were pooled after subjective evaluation and centrifuged using Percoll®. Sperm pellet was resuspended in soya lecithin–Tris–fructose diluent (400 × 106 cells/ml) containing either antioxidants (100 IU/ml catalase + 10 mM reduced glutathione) or no antioxidant. Aliquots were chilled to 5°C in a cabinet and stored in a refrigerator at 3–5°C for 72 hr. Sperm motility, viability, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hypo‐osmotic swelling test (HOST) were performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hr. Sperm proteins extracted with 0.5% Triton X‐100 were resolved by SDS‐PAGE and quantified using Quantity One software (Bio‐Rad, USA). The rapid motility, linearity and straight‐line velocity (VSL) were found significantly (p < .05) higher in the antioxidant‐treated group compared to the control at 48 hr of storage. Sperm viability was found comparable between the groups. Higher HOST response and lower LPO were found in the antioxidant‐treated sample compared to the control both at 48 and at 72 hr. Overall, the proteins P1 (106.09 kDa), P2 (87.00 kDa) and P4 (51.14 kDa) were lower (p < .05) in the sperm extract of antioxidant‐treated group compared to the control. The content of P4 (51.14 kDa) in sperm extract was found to increase (p < .05) earlier (48 vs. 72 hr) in the control group compared to the antioxidant‐treated group. Altogether, the results suggested that antioxidants reduced LPO in spermatozoa, resulting in higher sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and protection of proteins' anchorage to the plasma membrane at 48 and 72 hr of storage.
Disparate peroxisome‐related defects in Arabidopsis pex6 and pex26 mutants link peroxisomal retrotranslocation and oil body utilization
Authors: Gonzalez Kim L. , Fleming Wendell A. , Kao Yun‐Ting , Wright Zachary J. , Venkova Savina V. , Ventura Meredith J. , Bartel Bonnie 
Published: July 2017

SummaryCatabolism of fatty acids stored in oil bodies is essential for seed germination and seedling development in Arabidopsis. This fatty acid breakdown occurs in peroxisomes, organelles that sequester oxidative reactions. Import of peroxisomal enzymes is facilitated by peroxins including PEX5, a receptor that delivers cargo proteins from the cytosol to the peroxisomal matrix. After cargo delivery, a complex of the PEX1 and PEX6 ATPases and the PEX26 tail‐anchored membrane protein removes ubiquitinated PEX5 from the peroxisomal membrane. We identified Arabidopsis pex6 and pex26 mutants by screening for inefficient seedling β‐oxidation phenotypes. The mutants displayed distinct defects in growth, response to a peroxisomally metabolized auxin precursor, and peroxisomal protein import. The low PEX5 levels in these mutants were increased by treatment with a proteasome inhibitor or by combining pex26 with peroxisome‐associated ubiquitination machinery mutants, suggesting that ubiquitinated PEX5 is degraded by the proteasome when the function of PEX6 or PEX26 is reduced. Combining pex26 with mutations that increase PEX5 levels either worsened or improved pex26 physiological and molecular defects, depending on the introduced lesion. Moreover, elevating PEX5 levels via a 35S:PEX5 transgene exacerbated pex26 defects and ameliorated the defects of only a subset of pex6 alleles, implying that decreased PEX5 is not the sole molecular deficiency in these mutants. We found peroxisomes clustered around persisting oil bodies in pex6 and pex26 seedlings, suggesting a role for peroxisomal retrotranslocation machinery in oil body utilization. The disparate phenotypes of these pex alleles may reflect unanticipated functions of the peroxisomal ATPase complex.
The Process of Materials Selection for Pipeline Systems Optimization for Life Cycles
Authors: Narayanaswamy Ram 
Published: July 2017

The selection of pipeline materials requires consideration of design, construction, operations, maintenance, threats, hazards, risks, safety and economics. Codes and standards provide mandatory and optional requirements and guidelines for the selection of materials. Experience and industry practice help to develop and implement requirements beyond mandatory and code minima, and to augment the achievement of safety and realization of the value of pipeline assets. Both codes and experience get updated over time. When selecting and using materials for pipeline systems, it becomes important to meet with code essentials, while simultaneously recognizing the recommendations of design engineers, materials specialists, manufacturers, installers and operators.
There is a wide gamut of materials that can be considered for pipeline systems. These include metallic and non-metallic materials. While steels are still used as the workhorse material in the industry, several non-metallic materials are gaining prominence. These include thermoset materials, for example, reinforced plastics, and thermoplastic materials, such as high-density polyethylene.
In addition to pipe, there have been significant developments in other pipeline component materials, such as for valves, fittings, flanges, gaskets, seals, adhesives, bolts and nuts. Considerable advancements have also taken place in the realm of joining and repair methods, for metallic and non-metallic materials. Many of these materials and methodologies are of a proprietary nature, with limits on how much information is divulged by the manufacturers and producers, and what is subject to information that is shared based on confidentialities. Proprietary materials, especially non-metallic products, and some corrosion resistant alloys, are generally not extensively addressed in codes and standards, especially in comparison with steel-based materials that are of the commodity type. Some internationally recognized specifications and standards address the requirements for the qualification of pipeline components, including pipe, fittings, flanges and valves, based on non-metallic materials. Other internationally recognized standards and specifications address the requirements for apparently commodity type materials and materials that are considered to be generally corrosion resistant and relatively long lasting, however, can be susceptible to failure when subjected to specific threats.
This paper provides an overview of the process of selection of pipeline materials addressing the above considerations and gives an outline for the implementation of such a process. It describes ways in which a balanced approach to the use of codes and standards that are necessary for regulatory and mandatory compliance, and the application of the benefits of proprietary materials that are available for commercial purposes can be achieved. Thereby, the optimization of asset life cycle and augmentation of safety and reliability during pipeline operations can be enabled.
Pressurfect™ CNG-Advanced Material Grade for High Pressure CNG Fuel Line Applications
Authors: Pandit Vikram 
Published: July 2017

In line with the government of India’s philosophy of going green to reduce emission levels in cities there is a thrust to increase the gas distribution network. With an increase in CNG vehicles, comes the safety of the people and we need to ensure that Safety is not comprised at any level.
To follow the Safety aspect, CNG is an excellent alternate fuel which can be used to minimize risks and increase life of the vehicles. Since this gas is used at very high pressures (in the range of 230–250 bar) and under severe conditions, special tubing must be used for the transportation to gas stations and in the vehicles. Therefore, the tubing should be able to not only withstand high pressure of the gas within but also the corrosion issues arising due to the extreme conditions the tubes within.
Sandvik did an extensive study of the conditions and came up with a material which is specifically developed for this high pressure application. The high pressure line is of Stainless Steel 316L but this material comes with certain modifications for this particular requirement. In this tubing the C content is lowered to 0.025% for better corrosion resistance, Ni is min 13% along with Mo min 2.5% this makes sure that the material not only has sufficient passivation properties but the strength also to withstand that kind of a pressure. Alongside a special production route also has been developed for the manufacturing of these tubing. This ensures Safety for the people throughout the life of the vehicle.
Multicenter Evaluation of Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Ceftolozane-Tazobactam Inhibitory Activity against Meropenem-Nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Blood, Respiratory Tract, and Wounds
Authors: Grupper Mordechai , Sutherland Christina , Nicolau David P. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

The recent escalation of occurrences of carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
has been recognized globally and threatens to erode the widespread clinical utility of the carbapenem class of compounds for this prevalent health care-associated pathogen. Here, we compared the
in vitro
inhibitory activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam against 290 meropenem-nonsusceptible
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
nonduplicate clinical isolates from 34 U.S. hospitals using reference broth microdilution methods. Ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam were active, with ceftolozane-tazobactam having significantly higher inhibitory activity than ceftazidime-avibactam. The heightened inhibitory activity of ceftolozane-tazobactam was sustained when the site of origin (respiratory, blood, or wound) and nonsusceptibility to other β-lactam antimicrobials was considered. An extensive genotypic search for enzymatically driven β-lactam resistance mechanisms revealed the exclusive presence of the VIM metallo-β-lactamase among only 4% of the subset of isolates nonsusceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, or both. These findings suggest an important role for both ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam against carbapenem-nonsusceptible
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Further
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies are needed to better define the clinical utility of these novel therapies against the increasingly prevalent threat of multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
.
Benzoxazoles, Phthalazinones, and Arylurea-Based Compounds with IMP Dehydrogenase-Independent Antibacterial Activity against Francisella tularensis
Authors: Gorla Suresh Kumar , Zhang Yan , Rabideau Meaghan M. , Qin Aiping , Chacko Shibin , House Amanda L. , Johnson Corey R. , Mandapati Kavitha , Bernstein Hannah M. , McKenney Elizabeth S. , Boshoff Helena , Zhang Minjia , Glomski Ian J. , Goldberg Joanna B. , Cuny Gregory D. , Mann Barbara J. , Hedstrom Lizbeth 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Francisella tularensis
is the causative agent of tularemia and a potential biowarfare agent. The virulence of
F. tularensis
is decreased by deletion of
guaB
, the gene encoding IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH), suggesting that this enzyme is a target for antibacterial design. Here we report that
F. tularensis
growth is blocked by inhibitors of bacterial IMPDHs. Seventeen compounds from two different frameworks, designated the D and Q series, display antibacterial activities with MICs of <1 μM. These compounds are also active against intracellular infections. Surprisingly, antibacterial activity does not correlate with IMPDH inhibition. In addition, the presence of guanine does not affect the antibacterial activity of most compounds, nor does the deletion of
guaB
. These observations suggest that antibacterial activity derives from inhibition of another target(s). Moreover, D compounds display antibacterial activity only against
F. tularensis
, suggesting the presence of a unique target or uptake mechanism. A Δ
guaB
mutant resistant to compound D73 contained a missense mutation (Gly45Cys) in
nuoB
, which encodes a subunit of bacterial complex I. Overexpression of the
nuoB
mutant conferred resistance to D73 in both wild-type and Δ
guaB
strains. This strain was not resistant to Q compounds, suggesting that a different off-target mechanism operates for these compounds. Several Q compounds are also effective against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, in which a second target has also been implicated, in addition to IMPDH. The fortuitous presence of multiple targets with overlapping structure-activity relationships presents an intriguing opportunity for the development of robust antibiotics that may avoid the emergence of resistance.
Inherent Oxidative Stress in the Lewis Rat Is Associated with Resistance to Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Witola William H. , Kim Chi Yong , Zhang Xuejin 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe course ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in rats closely resembles that in humans. However, compared to the Brown Norway (BN) rat, the Lewis (LEW) rat is extremely resistant toT. gondiiinfection. Thus, we performed RNA sequencing analysis of the LEW rat versus the BN rat, with or withoutT. gondiiinfection, in order to unravel molecular factors directing robust and rapid earlyT. gondii-killing mechanisms in the LEW rat. We found that compared to the uninfected BN rat, the uninfected LEW rat has inherently higher transcript levels of cytochrome enzymes (Cyp2d3, Cyp2d5, and Cybrd1, which catalyze generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS]), with concomitant higher levels of ROS. Interestingly, despite having higher levels of ROS, the LEW rat had lower transcript levels for antioxidant enzymes (lactoperoxidase, microsomal glutathioneS-transferase 2 and 3, glutathioneS-transferase peroxidase kappa 1, and glutathione peroxidase) than the BN rat, suggesting that the LEW rat maintains cellular oxidative stress that it tolerates. Corroboratively, we found that scavenging of superoxide anion by Mn(III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) decreased the refractoriness of LEW rat peritoneal cells toT. gondiiinfection, resulting in proliferation of parasites in LEW rat peritoneal cells which, in turn, led to augmented cell death in the infected cells. Together, our results indicate that the LEW rat maintains inherent cellular oxidative stress that contributes to resistance to invadingT. gondii, and they thus unveil new avenues for developing therapeutic agents targeting induction of host cell oxidative stress as a mechanism for killingT. gondii.