bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Hydration of Grains: A Critical Review from Description of Phenomena to Process Improvements
Authors: Miano Alberto Claudio , Augusto Pedro Esteves Duarte 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHydration is a crucial step during grain processing. It is performed prior to many other processes, such as germination, cooking, extraction, malting and fermentation. The number of publications on this topic studying the description of the mechanisms involved and recent technologies for processing enhancement has increased recently. However, due to the complexity of the hydration process, there are still many aspects that are little understood. For that reason, this review provides not only an overview of recent developments in this field, but also a critical discussion of publications from the last 2 decades, as well as suggestions for future innovative studies. This review discusses the importance of hydration in the grain industries, the pathway for water entry into the various grains, the mass transfer and fluid flow mechanisms in the process, the behavior of the hydration kinetics, the mathematical modelling, the technologies used to accelerate the process and other necessary requirements that must be performed to complement and complete our knowledge of this process.
Developing and Testing a Soil Property Database for Forensic Applications in Southern California
Authors: Menchaca Patricia R. , Graham Robert C. , Younglove Theodore 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe research sought to develop and test a forensic database of surface soil variability within previously mapped geologic and soil units in southern California. This type of database could be used to link suspects to crime scenes or determine source locations of soil sample evidence. Variability was evaluated using (i) color, (ii) magnetic susceptibility, and (iii) particle‐size distribution. Soil properties were analyzed for their ability to discriminate source areas using stepwise discriminant analysis. The percent correct predictions for geologic unit groups ranged from 30% to 100%. A blind study experiment matched four of the 18 samples to their unit of origin with the first choice by stepwise discriminant analysis, and eight were matched as second and third choices. The probability of selecting the appropriate unit of origin increased by 54% over random chance and eliminated as much as 99% of the field area as a potential search location.
Early developmental exposure to inorganic mercury does not alter affiliative behavior of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)
Authors: CHEN Yue , LEWIS Robert , CURTIS J. Thomas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMercury chloride exposure through drinking water in adult male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) has been shown to alter their social behavior. Here, we examined the potential disruption of adult social behavior in prairie voles that were exposed to 60 ppm mercury during early development. We used a cross‐fostering approach to test the effects of mercury exposure: (1) from conception until birth; (ii) from birth until weaning; and (iii) from conception until weaning, on adult affiliative behavior. Untreated and mercury‐treated voles were given the option of remaining in an empty cage or affiliating with a same‐sex conspecific in a 3‐h choice test. We found that early developmental mercury exposure had little if any effect on the reproductive success of breeder pairs or on affiliative behavior by either sex when subjects were tested as adults. These results suggest that, at least in the context of the behavior tested, the effects of early developmental exposure to mercury do not permanently alter adult prairie vole affiliative behavior, or do so in a way that is too subtle to be detected using the current testing paradigm.
Adjusting to climate: Acclimation, adaptation and developmental plasticity in physiological traits of a tropical rainforest lizard
Authors: LLEWELYN John , MACDONALD Stewart L. , MORITZ Craig , MARTINS Felipe , HATCHER Amberlee , PHILLIPS Ben L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe impact of climate change may be felt most keenly by tropical ectotherms. In these taxa, it is argued, thermal specialization means a given shift in temperature will have a larger effect on fitness. For species with limited dispersal ability, the impact of climate change depends on the capacity for their climate‐relevant traits to shift. Such shifts can occur through genetic adaptation, various forms of plasticity, or a combination of these processes. Here we assess the extent and causes of shifts in 7 physiological traits in a tropical lizard, the rainforest sunskink (Lampropholis coggeri). Two populations were sampled that differ from each other in both climate and physiological traits. We compared trait values in each animal soon after field collection versus following acclimation to laboratory conditions. We also compared trait values between populations in: (i) recently field‐collected animals; (ii) the same animals following laboratory acclimation; and (iii) the laboratory‐reared offspring of these animals. Our results reveal high trait lability, driven primarily by acclimation and local adaptation. By contrast, developmental plasticity, resulting from incubation temperature, had little to no effect on most traits. These results suggest that, while specialized, tropical ectotherms may be capable of rapid shifts in climate‐relevant traits.
Protein profile in Aspergillus nidulans recombinant strains overproducing heterologous enzymes
Authors: Zubieta Mariane Paludetti , Contesini Fabiano Jares , Rubio Marcelo Ventura , Gonçalves Any Elisa de Souza Schmidt , Gerhardt Jaqueline Aline , Prade Rolf Alexander , Damasio André Ricardo de Lima 
Published: January 2018

SummaryFilamentous fungi are robust cell factories and have been used for the production of large quantities of industrially relevant enzymes. However, the production levels of heterologous proteins still need to be improved. Therefore, this article aimed to investigate the global proteome profiling of Aspergillus nidulans recombinant strains in order to understand the bottlenecks of heterologous enzymes production. About 250, 441 and 424 intracellular proteins were identified in the control strain Anid_pEXPYR and in the recombinant strains Anid_AbfA and Anid_Cbhl respectively. In this context, the most enriched processes in recombinant strains were energy pathway, amino acid metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, translation, endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress, and repression under secretion stress (RESS). The global protein profile of the recombinant strains Anid_AbfA and Anid_Cbhl was similar, although the latter strain secreted more recombinant enzyme than the former. These findings provide insights into the bottlenecks involved in the secretion of recombinant proteins in A. nidulans, as well as in regard to the rational manipulation of target genes for engineering fungal strains as microbial cell factories.
Anti‐fibrotic effects of pirfenidone by interference with the hedgehog signalling pathway in patients with systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Xiao Hua , Zhang Guang‐feng , Liao Xiang‐ping , Li Xiao‐jie , Zhang Jian , Lin Haobo , Chen Zhe , Zhang Xiao 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo determine whether pirfenidone attenuates lung fibrosis by interfering with the hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway in patients with systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung disease (SSc‐ILD).MethodsTwenty‐five SSc‐ILD patients (20 first visit, five who underwent pirfenidone treatment for 6 months) and 10 healthy controls were recruited. Lung tissues were obtained by open‐chest surgery, and primary lung fibroblasts were isolated, cultured and stimulated with pirfenidone. The levels of the proteins glioma‐associated oncogene 1 (GLI1), suppressor of fused (Sufu), α‐smooth muscle actin, and fibronectin in lung tissues or fibroblasts were determined by Western blotting. The messenger RNA levels of GLI1, glioma‐associated oncogene 2, protein patched homolog 1, and Sufu in lung tissues or fibroblasts were determined by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, the levels of phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinasep‐3β (pGSK‐3β), phosphorylation SMAD2 (pSMAD2), and phosphorylation c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (pJNK) in fibroblasts were determined by Western blotting.ResultsHh pathway activation was increased in the lung tissue of SSc‐ILD patients and was decreased by pirfenidone, Sufu was upregulated in lung fibroblasts isolated from SSc‐ILD patients after pirfenidone challenge, and pirfenidone inhibited the phosphorylation of GSK‐3β signalling.ConclusionPirfenidone has anti‐fibrotic effects in SSc‐ILD patients by interfering with both the Hh signalling pathway and the GSK‐3β signalling pathway via the regulation of Sufu expression. These results might promote its use in other Hh driven lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and especially the interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue diseases.
The mitochondrial ATP synthase is a shared drug target for aging and dementia
Authors: Goldberg Joshua , Currais Antonio , Prior Marguerite , Fischer Wolfgang , Chiruta Chandramouli , Ratliff Eric , Daugherty Daniel , Dargusch Richard , Finley Kim , Esparza‐Moltó Pau B. , Cuezva José M. , Maher Pamela , Petrascheck Michael , Schubert David 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAging is a major driving force underlying dementia, such as that caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the idea of targeting aging as a therapeutic strategy is not new, it remains unclear how closely aging and age‐associated diseases are coupled at the molecular level. Here, we discover a novel molecular link between aging and dementia through the identification of the molecular target for the AD drug candidate J147. J147 was developed using a series of phenotypic screening assays mimicking disease toxicities associated with the aging brain. We have previously demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of J147 in several mouse models of AD. Here, we identify the mitochondrial α‐F1‐ATP synthase (ATP5A) as a target for J147. By targeting ATP synthase, J147 causes an increase in intracellular calcium leading to sustained calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase β (CAMKK2)‐dependent activation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway, a canonical longevity mechanism. Accordingly, modulation of mitochondrial processes by J147 prevents age‐associated drift of the hippocampal transcriptome and plasma metabolome in mice and extends lifespan in drosophila. Our results link aging and age‐associated dementia through ATP synthase, a molecular drug target that can potentially be exploited for the suppression of both. These findings demonstrate that novel screens for new AD drug candidates identify compounds that act on established aging pathways, suggesting an unexpectedly close molecular relationship between the two.
Association Between Paternal Alcohol Consumption Before Conception and Anogenital Distance of Offspring
Authors: Xia Ruilan , Jin Longmei , Li Dekun , Liang Hong , Yang Fen , Chen Jianping , Yuan Wei , Miao Maohua 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThere are limited studies on the effects of paternal alcohol consumption, before conception, on the reproductive development of offspring. Anogenital distance (AGD), the distance from the center of the anus to the genitals, is a sensitive biomarker of reproductive hormone abnormalities during the critical developmental window. The relationship between paternal alcohol consumption and AGD of human offspring has not been studied yet.MethodsThis cohort study included 1,292 pregnant women recruited in Shanghai. An in‐person interview was conducted to collect information on demographic characteristics of couples, and husbands’ lifestyles, including drinking habits. AGD (boys, AGD‐AP [anus‐penis], AGD‐AS [anus‐scrotum]; girls, AGD‐AC [anus‐clitoris], AGD‐AF [anus‐fourchette]) measurements were performed at birth, and at 6 and 12 months of age. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between paternal alcohol consumption before conception, and the AGDs of offspring.ResultsData included AGD measurements of infants at birth (N = 980), at 6 months (N = 592, 60.4%), and at 12 months (N = 543, 55.4%). Boys in the paternal alcohol‐exposed group had shorter AGDs, irrespective of the areas measured (AGD‐AP and AGD‐AS) and time of measurements, than those in the unexposed group. However, only the differences in AGD‐AP at birth and AGD‐AS at 6 months were statistically significant. For girls, the associations were similar at birth; however, the AGD‐AC and AGD‐AF were longer in the paternal alcohol‐exposed group than the unexposed group at 12 months.ConclusionsOur findings provide first, but preliminary evidence, that paternal alcohol consumption within 3 months before conception may be associated with shorter AGD in the offspring, especially in boys, which indicates that paternal alcohol drinking may have an adverse effect on their reproductive development. Further studies should be conducted to validate these results.
Subgroup analysis of East Asian patients in REGARD: A phase III trial of ramucirumab and best supportive care for advanced gastric cancer
Authors: Chung Hyun Cheol , Kok Victor C. , Cheng Rebecca , Hsu Yanzhi , Orlando Mauro , Fuchs Charles , Cho Jae Yong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimWe describe a subgroup analysis assessing the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab monotherapy in East Asian (EA) patients from the REGARD trial.MethodsPatients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with progressive disease were randomized 2:1 to receive ramucirumab (8 mg/kg) plus best supportive care (BSC) or placebo plus BSC every 2 weeks. Post hoc subset analyses were performed on the EA and non‐EA intention‐to‐treat populations.ResultsOf 355 intention‐to‐treat patients, 26 patients from EA were randomized to ramucirumab (n = 18) or placebo (n = 8). Median overall survival was 6.5 months in the ramucirumab arm and 4.8 months in the placebo arm (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27–1.82) for EA patients, and 5.2 months in the ramucirumab arm and 3.8 months in the placebo arm (HR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60–1.02) for non‐EA patients. The rate of disease control was numerically higher in ramucirumab patients versus placebo; 61% versus 38% respectively for EA patients, and 48% versus 22% for non‐EA patients. The incidence of grade ≥3 treatment emergent adverse events was higher in the ramucirumab arm compared to placebo (39% vs 13%).ConclusionDespite limitations, this subgroup analysis suggests that ramucirumab monotherapy improves efficacy outcomes with a tolerable safety profile in EA patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer.
Risk of febrile neutropenia and early treatment cessation in men receiving standard and dose‐reduced 3‐weekly docetaxel for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hamid Anis A. , Willson Kaspar , Vincent Andrew D. , Tamjid Babak , Lee Margaret , Bergin Alice , Gan Chun , Campbell Ainsley , Stewart Josephine , Pezaro Carmel , Tran Ben , Weickhardt Andrew J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundDocetaxel is an effective therapy for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC); however, many patients experience febrile neutropenia (FN) and cease treatment early due to toxicity. It is not known whether lower dose (LD) q3‐weekly docetaxel impacts toxicity or efficacy.MethodsMulticenter retrospective study included 166 patients with mCRPC who received q3‐weekly docetaxel between 2010 and 2015. Demographic, disease, chemotherapy (standard dose, SD60 mg/m2 vs LD60 mg/m2) and toxicity data were collected. Univariable and multivariable logistic and competing risk regression models evaluated docetaxel‐dose association with FN and early treatment cessation (ETC) due to toxicity. Associations between dose and efficacy end points were also evaluated. Analyses were repeated employing inverse propensity score weights.ResultsPatients who received LD docetaxel (28.9%) were older with poorer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status. Fifteen percent of patients experienced FN, with a nonsignificant trend to lower incidence in the LD group (multiple adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.42; P = 0.21). Neither baseline patient nor prior treatment factors were predictive of FN. ETC due to toxicity occurred in 35%, with risk associated with increasing age, comorbidity count and poorer ECOG. There was no difference between LD and SD with respect to ETC due to toxicity, in unweighted and weighted analyses (LD vs SD, multivariable weighted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.47; P = 0.08). LD was associated with reduced prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response (50% vs 66.1%, multivariable weighted HR = 0.54; P = 0.03) and overall survival (median 7.9 vs 13.8 months, multivariable weighted HR = 2.19; P < 0.0001).ConclusionsLD docetaxel for mCRPC did not mitigate the risk of FN or ETC due to toxicity. Dose reduction may result in poorer PSA response and survival.
Circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, nasopharyngeal airway metabolome, and bronchiolitis severity
Authors: Hasegawa K. , Stewart C. J. , Celedón J. C. , Mansbach J. M. , Tierney C. , Camargo C. A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLow circulating 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels are a risk factor for acute respiratory infection (eg, bronchiolitis) in children. However, little is known about the relation of circulating 25OHD with the many downstream functional molecules in target organs—such as the airway—and with clinical outcomes. In this prospective multicenter study of infants (age <1 year) hospitalized with bronchiolitis, we measured serum 25OHD levels and profiled the metabolome of 144 nasopharyngeal airway samples. Among 254 metabolites identified, we defined a set of 20 metabolites that are related to lower serum 25OHD and higher vitamin D‐binding protein levels. Of these metabolites, 9 metabolites were associated with a significantly higher risk of positive pressure ventilation use. These metabolites were glycerophosphocholines esterified with proinflammatory fatty acids (palmitate, arachidonate, linoleate, and stearate), sphingomyelins, alpha‐hydroxyisovalerate, 2‐hydroxybutyrate, and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)lactate (all FDR<0.05). Based on the multicenter data, vitamin D‐related airway metabolites were associated with risks of bronchiolitis severity.
Factors increasing the risk for a severe reaction in anaphylaxis: An analysis of data from The European Anaphylaxis Registry
Authors: Worm M. , Francuzik W. , Renaudin J.‐M. , Bilo M. B. , Cardona V. , Scherer Hofmeier K. , Köhli A. , Bauer A. , Christoff G. , Cichocka‐Jarosz E. , Hawranek T. , Hourihane J. O.’B. , Lange L. , Mahler V. , Muraro A. , Papadopoulos N. G. , Pföhler C. , Poziomkowska‐Gęsicka I. , Ruëff F. , Spindler T. , Treudler R. , Fernandez‐Rivas M. , Dölle S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPreventive measures to decrease the frequency and intensity of anaphylactic events are essential to provide optimal care for allergic patients. Aggravating factors may trigger or increase the severity of anaphylaxis and therefore need to be recognized and avoided.ObjectiveTo identify and prioritize factors associated with an increased risk of developing severe anaphylaxis.MethodsData from the Anaphylaxis Registry (122 centers in 11 European countries) were used in logistic regression models considering existing severity grading systems, elicitors, and symptoms to identify the relative risk of factors on the severity of anaphylaxis.ResultsWe identified higher age and concomitant mastocytosis (OR: 3.1, CI: 2.6‐3.7) as the most important predictors for an increased risk of severe anaphylaxis. Vigorous physical exercise (OR: 1.5, CI: 1.3‐1.7), male sex (OR: 1.2, CI: 1.1‐1.3), and psychological burden (OR: 1.4, CI: 1.2‐1.6) were more often associated with severe reactions. Additionally, intake of beta‐blockers (OR: 1.9, CI: 1.5‐2.2) and ACE‐I (OR: 1.28, CI: 1.05, 1.51) in temporal proximity to allergen exposition was identified as an important factor in logistic regression analysis.ConclusionOur data suggest it may be possible to identify patients who require intensified preventive measures due to their relatively higher risk for severe anaphylaxis by considering endogenous and exogenous factors.
Early‐life gut microbiome and egg allergy
Authors: Fazlollahi M. , Chun Y. , Grishin A. , Wood R. A. , Burks A. W. , Dawson P. , Jones S. M. , Leung D. Y. M. , Sampson H. A. , Sicherer S. H. , Bunyavanich S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundGut microbiota may play a role in egg allergy. We sought to examine the association between early‐life gut microbiota and egg allergy.MethodsWe studied 141 children with egg allergy and controls from the multicenter Consortium of Food Allergy Research study. At enrollment (age 3 to 16 months), fecal samples were collected, and clinical evaluation, egg‐specific IgE measurement, and egg skin prick test were performed. Gut microbiome was profiled by 16S rRNA sequencing. Analyses for the primary outcome of egg allergy at enrollment, and the secondary outcomes of egg sensitization at enrollment and resolution of egg allergy by age 8 years, were performed using Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology, Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States, and Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles.ResultsCompared to controls, increased alpha diversity and distinct taxa (PERMANOVA P = 5.0 × 10−4) characterized the early‐life gut microbiome of children with egg allergy. Genera from the Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcaceae, and Leuconostocaceae families were differentially abundant in children with egg allergy. Predicted metagenome functional analyses showed differential purine metabolism by the gut microbiota of egg‐allergic subjects (Kruskal‐Wallis Padj = 0.021). Greater gut microbiome diversity and genera from Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were associated with egg sensitization (PERMANOVA P = 5.0 × 10−4). Among those with egg allergy, there was no association between early‐life gut microbiota and egg allergy resolution by age 8 years.ConclusionThe distinct early‐life gut microbiota in egg‐allergic and egg‐sensitized children identified by our study may point to targets for preventive or therapeutic intervention.
Consensus document on dog and cat allergy
Authors: Dávila I. , Domínguez‐Ortega J. , Navarro‐Pulido A. , Alonso A. , Antolín‐Amerigo D. , González‐Mancebo E. , Martín‐García C. , Núñez‐Acevedo B. , Prior N. , Reche M. , Rosado A. , Ruiz‐Hornillos J. , Sánchez M. C. , Torrecillas M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe prevalence of sensitization to dogs and cats varies by country, exposure time and predisposition to atopy. It is estimated that 26% of European adults coming to the clinic for suspected allergy to inhalant allergens are sensitized to cats and 27% to dogs. This document is intended to be a useful tool for clinicians involved in the management of people with dog or cat allergy. It was prepared from a consensus process based on the RAND/UCLA method. Following a literature review, it proposes various recommendations concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, grounded in evidence and clinical experience. The diagnosis of dog and cat allergy is based on a medical history and physical examination that are consistent with each other and is confirmed with positive results on specific IgE skin tests. Sometimes, especially in polysensitized patients, molecular diagnosis is strongly recommended. Although the most advisable measure would be to avoid the animal, this is often impossible and associated with a major emotional impact. Furthermore, indirect exposure to allergens occurs in environments in which animals are not present. Immunotherapy is emerging as a potential solution to this problem, although further supporting studies are needed.