bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of the honeybee and trait similarity on the effect of a non‐native plant on pollination and network rewiring
Authors: Montero‐Castaño Ana , Vilà Montserrat 
Published: July 2016

SummaryIntroduced entomophilous non‐native plants usually become well integrated into the diet of generalist pollinators. This integration can affect the entire recipient plant–pollinator network. Effects vary from facilitative to competitive, and understanding the factors that govern such variability is one of the fundamental goals in invasion ecology. Species traits determine the linking patterns between plant and pollinator species. Therefore, trait similarity among plants or among pollinators might modulate how they affect each other.We conducted a flower removal experiment to investigate the effects of the non‐native entomophilous legumeHedysarum coronariumon the pollination patterns of a Mediterranean shrubland plant–pollinator network. Specifically, we explored whether effects were influenced by similarity with the resident plant species in flower morphology (papilionate vs. non‐papilionate), and whether effects on the pollinator community were influenced by similarity in functional group with its main visitor species (bees vs. non‐bees). In addition, we explored whetherHedysarumhad an effect on the identity of interactions. For this purpose, we calculated the interaction rewiring, that is the number of plant–pollinator interactions that were gained or lost after invasion.Hedysarumwas well integrated into the diet of 15 generalist pollinators having the honeybee as its main visitor species. Such integration did not affect visitation rates, normalized degree (i.e. proportion of pollinators they are visited by) nor niche overlap (i.e. proportion of plant species they share pollinators with) of plants, irrespective of their flower morphology. Only the proportion of honeybee visits to resident plants decreased with invasion. On the other hand,Hedysarumreduced visitation rates and niche overlap of pollinators, mainly those of bee species. Finally, we observed that changes in the foraging behaviour of the honeybee were positively associated with the interaction rewiring involving the rest (92 taxa) of pollinators.In conclusion, pollinators show a plastic use of floral resources, responding to the presence of non‐native plants. When the non‐native attracts highly competitive pollinators such as the honeybee, plasticity is especially significant in pollinators that are functionally close to that competitive pollinator. The result is an interaction rewiring, probably due to pollinators avoiding competition with the honeybee. Though this plasticity might not quantitatively affect the pollination of plants, consequences on their reproduction and the functioning of the network can derive from the interaction rewiring.ALay Summaryis available for this article.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome following burns is mediated by brain natriuretic peptide/natriuretic peptide A receptor‐induced shock factor 1 signaling pathway
Authors: Xu Yang‐Cheng , Luo Cheng‐Qun , Li Xiong 
Published: July 2016

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine whether systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in burn patients is mediated by the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)/natriuretic peptide A receptor (NPRA)‐induced heat shock factor 1 (HSF‐1) signalling pathway. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) that were isolated from patients with burn injuries and SIRS mouse models and a RAW264.7 cell line were treated with normal serum or serum obtained from animals with burn injuries. In parallel, small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against BNP or NPRA were transfected in both cell types. Western blotting (WB) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect protein expression and inflammatory factor levels, respectively. We found that interleukin (IL)‐12, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and BNP levels were increased and IL‐10 levels were decreased in the plasma and MNCs in vivo in the animal model of SIRS. Additionally, NPRA was upregulated, whereas HSF‐1 was downregulated in monocytes in vivo. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with burn serum or BNP induced IL‐12, TNF‐α, and CRP secretion as well as HSF‐1 expression. Finally, silencing BNP with shRNA interrupted the effect of burn serum on RAW264.7 cells, and silencing NPRA blocked burn serum‐ and BNP‐mediated changes in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that the interaction of NPRA with BNP secreted from circulatory MNCs as well as mononuclear macrophages leads to inflammation via HSF‐1 during SIRS development following serious burn injury.
Plant defense against leaf herbivory based on metal accumulation: examples from a tropical high altitude ecosystem
Authors: Ribeiro Sérvio P. , Londe Vinícius , Bueno Amauri P. , Barbosa Juliana S. , Corrêa Tatiana L. , Soeltl Tatiana , Maia Márcia , Pinto Victor D. , de França Dueli Grazieli , de Sousa Hildeberto Caldas , Kozovits Alessandra R. , Nalini Hermínio A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSpecies that evolved in high‐altitude grasslands, where soils are dystrophic and metal rich, developed adaptations for these extreme conditions, such as metal accumulation and sclerophyllous leaves, and these adaptations may secondarily affect insect herbivory activity. The present study investigates the hypothesis that costs related to accumulation of certain metals may be evolutionarily compensated for by decreasing leaf herbivory in some plant species from rupestrian fields. Studies were conducted in different locations at the Ferriferous Quadrangle, a metal‐rich region in south‐east Brazil, with four species adapted to high‐altitude grasslands: Eremanthus erythropappus, Eremanthus incanus, Lychnophora ericoides and Byrsonima variabilis. Sample design varied according to population sizes and spatial distribution of individuals. We found that concentrations of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) significantly reduced the herbivory in the leaves of E. erythroppapus and E. incanus, whereas aluminum (Al) reduced herbivory in L. ericoides, and Mn affected negatively the herbivory in B. variabilis. These results support the hypothesis that metal‐accumulating plants, as a response to the harsh environment in which they evolved, are protected against foliar damage caused by insect herbivores in rupestrian fields.
Pineapple Waste Extract for Preventing Oxidation in Model Food Systems
Authors: Segovia Gómez Francisco , Almajano Pablos María Pilar 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPineapple (Ananas comosus) is consumed in the form of chunks (canned), cubes, fruit salad, and also in juices, concentrates, and jams. In the processes to produce these products, the waste generated represents a high percentage of the total fruit. Some studies have shown that residues of certain fruits, such as pineapple, have the same antioxidant activity as the fruit pulp. So although these residues are discarded, they could be used as an alternative source of polyphenols, as natural antioxidants. This study is focused on the antioxidant activity of wastes obtained in the production of pineapple products and their application. The polyphenols’ scavenging activity was determined by the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assay. The antioxidant potential was determined in emulsions (o/w) and in muffins, where the primary oxidation products (by peroxide value, PV) and the secondary oxidation products (by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were analyzed. In addition the muffins were analyzed by means of a triangular sensory test. The PV method showed that pineapple waste extracts caused a reduction in oxidation products of 59% in emulsions and 91% in the muffins. The reduction in TBARs values for emulsions were 27% and for muffins were 51%. The triangular sensory test showed that the samples containing the extract were not distinguished from the control (α = 0.05).
Study on the Influence of Tea Extract on Probiotics in Skim Milk: From Probiotics Propagation to Metabolite
Authors: Li Sha , Gong Guangyu , Ma Chengjie , Liu Zhenmin , Cai Jie 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn this study, the influence of tea extract (TE) on the growth of probiotics in skim milk was examined. Lactobacillus plantarum ST‐III, Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb02, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were used in this study. The introduction of TE in milk significantly stimulated the propagation and acidification of L. rhamnosus GG and L. acidophilus NCFM. The antioxidant capacities and the total free amino acid contents of all fermented milk products were enhanced by the addition of TE; however, there were different antioxidant properties and free amino acid contents of fermented milk samples fermented by different bacteria. With a 9% (w/w) level, the fermentation with L. rhamnosus GG and L. acidophilus NCFM showed larger numbers of viable cells and faster acidifying rates, as well as excellent antioxidant capacity and abundant free amino acids. The stimulative effects of TE on probiotics can be considered for industrial purposes and has practical implications for commercial applications.
Stability and Oil Migration of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions Emulsified by Phase‐Separating Biopolymer Mixtures
Authors: Yang Nan , Mao Peng , Lv Ruihe , Zhang Ke , Fang Yapeng , Nishinari Katsuyoshi , Phillips Glyn O. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions with varying concentration of oil phase, medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT), were prepared using phase‐separating gum arabic (GA)/sugar beet pectin (SBP) mixture as an emulsifier. Stability of the emulsions including emulsion phase separation, droplet size change, and oil migration were investigated by means of visual observation, droplet size analysis, oil partition analysis, backscattering of light, and interfacial tension measurement. It was found that in the emulsions prepared with 4.0% GA/1.0% SBP, when the concentration of MCT was greater than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation was not observed and the emulsions were stable with droplet size unchanged during storage. This result proves the emulsification ability of phase‐separating biopolymer mixtures and their potential usage as emulsifiers to prepare O/W emulsion. However, when the concentration of MCT was equal or less than 2.0%, emulsion phase separation occurred after preparation resulting in an upper SBP‐rich phase and a lower GA‐rich phase. The droplet size increased in the upper phase whereas decreased slightly in the lower phase with time, compared to the freshly prepared emulsions. During storage, the oil droplets exhibited a complex migration process: first moving to the SBP‐rich phase, then to the GA‐rich phase and finally gathering at the interface between the two phases. The mechanisms of the emulsion stability and oil migration in the phase‐separated emulsions were discussed.
Outcome of self‐expandable metallic stent deployment in patients with malignant gastroduodenal outlet obstruction and Niti‐S and WallFlex comparison: a multicenter retrospective clinical study
Authors: Kato Hironari , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Matsumoto Kazuya , Moriyama Ichiro , Kamada Hideki , Tsutsumi Koichiro , Goto Daisuke , Fukuba Nobuhiko , Kato Kiyohito , Sonoyama Hiroki , Isomoto Hajime , Okada Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesSeveral studies report on the outcomes of self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) deployment for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). However, data was mostly based on the analysis of single‐center studies including only a small number of patients. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes after the deployment of SEMS in patients with malignant GOO and to compare the clinical outcomes of two metallic stents with different designs.MethodsAltogether 125 consecutive patients from five institutions were included. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to technical success, clinical success, stent patency period, survival period and complications. A comparison of clinical outcomes between Niti‐S pyloric/duodenal and WallFlex duodenal stents was also undertaken.ResultsRates for clinical and technical success were 100% and 92.0%, respectively. The median stent patency and survival periods were 72.0 days (range 3–775 days) and 75.0 days (range 3–775 days), respectively. The rate of overall adverse events was 28.8%. The rate of stent dysfunction was 16.8%, and that of adverse events, except stent dysfunction was 12.0%. Massive bleeding occurred in two patients as a late complication. The clinical success rate for Niti‐S stent was significantly higher than that for WallFlex stent (96.2% vs 84.8%, P = 0.023).ConclusionsWe successfully deployed a SEMS in malignant GOO. The selection of a SEMS with a lower axial force may be important for patients to resume the oral food intake. Additionally, consideration must be given to the appropriate management of fatal bleeding as a late complication.
Efficacy and safety of cTACE versus DEB‐TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zou Jing Huai , Zhang Lan , Ren Zheng Gang , Ye Sheng Long 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveConflicting results of the efficacy and safety of conventional transarterial chemo‐embolization (cTACE) vs drug‐eluting bead (DEB)‐TACE have been reported. This meta‐analysis aimed to update and re‐evaluate the efficacy and safety of cTACE compared with those of DEB‐TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsLiterature search was performed by two investigators independently in PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE to screen studies published from January 1990 to March 2015. Studies of parallel group designs comparing cTACE and DEB‐TACE for HCC were reviewed. Complete response, partial response, objective response, disease control, overall survival and survival time were collected to evaluate the efficacy of each therapy.ResultsDEB‐TACE increased the complete response rate [odds ratio (OR) 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.89], overall survival rate (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.98) and survival time [weighted mean difference (WMD) 6.65, 95% CI 6.15–7.14) with less common adverse events (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41–0.84). However, DEB‐TACE had a similar partial response rate (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.67–1.49), objective response rate (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94–1.56), disease control rate (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.81–1.58) and serious adverse events (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.50–1.49) compared with cTACE.ConclusionsDEB‐TACE has a higher complete response rate and a higher overall survival rate in patients with HCC than cTACE; however, the results should be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, DEB‐TACE is safer and has less common adverse events than cTACE.
Domestic dog exposure at birth reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Thorsteinsdottir S. , Thyssen J. P. , Stokholm J. , Vissing N. H. , Waage J. , Bisgaard H. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundWhile the etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is complex and poorly understood, neonatal exposures are important for disease occurrence. However, the effect of dog exposure on the risk of atopic dermatitis is unresolved.ObjectiveWe investigated whether domestic dog exposure affected the risk of atopic dermatitis in children during the first 3 years of life.MethodsCopenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) are ongoing prospective clinical birth cohort studies. Data from 411 children born to mothers with asthma (COPSAC2000) and 700 unselected children (COPSAC2010) were analyzed following the same protocols at the same research site. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed prospectively according to the Hanifin–Rajka criteria. Parental history of asthma, eczema, or rhinitis was defined by self‐reported physician diagnosis. In the COPSAC2000, maternal specific serum IgE against eight inhalant allergens was sampled after the children's birth and at pregnancy week 24 in the COPSAC2010 cohort. Associations between dog exposure and atopic dermatitis were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard regression models and adjusted for lifestyle confounders.ResultsIn the COPSAC2000 and COPSAC2010 cohorts, the risk of atopic dermatitis was significantly lower in children with domestic dog exposure (adjustedHR = 0.46 [0.25–0.87], P = 0.02; and adjustedHR = 0.58 [0.36–0.93], P = 0.03, respectively). The risk of atopic dermatitis decreased in a dose‐dependent manner with increasing number of dogs (adjustedHR = 0.58 [0.38–0.89], P = 0.01) in the COPSAC2010. The protective effect was restricted to children born to mothers with atopic disease in the unselected COPSAC2010 cohort (adjustedHR = 0.39 [0.19–0.82], P = 0.01), as no effect was observed in children born to mothers without atopic disease (adjustedHR = 0.92 [0.49–1.73], P = 0.79). Paternal atopic status did not affect the risk of atopic dermatitis. We found no significant interaction between the CD14 T/T genotype and domestic dog exposure in either cohort (COPSAC2000, P = 0.36; and COPSAC2010 cohort, P = 0.42).ConclusionNeonatal domestic dog exposure was associated with a strongly reduced risk of atopic dermatitis in two independent birth cohorts and in a dose‐dependent manner. While the mechanisms involved are unclear, our findings raise the question of whether in utero exposures may affect the risk of atopic dermatitis and emphasize the importance of the early environment for disease trajectory.
Sieve Estimation of Cox Models with Latent Structures
Authors: Cao Yongxiu , Huang Jian , Liu Yanyan , Zhao Xingqiu 
Published: July 2016

SummaryThis article considers sieve estimation in the Cox model with an unknown regression structure based on right-censored data. We propose a semiparametric pursuit method to simultaneously identify and estimate linear and nonparametric covariate effects based on B-spline expansions through a penalized group selection method with concave penalties. We show that the estimators of the linear effects and the nonparametric component are consistent. Furthermore, we establish the asymptotic normality of the estimator of the linear effects. To compute the proposed estimators, we develop a modified blockwise majorization descent algorithm that is efficient and easy to implement. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in finite sample situations. We also use the primary biliary cirrhosis data to illustrate its application.
Adapting the Bayley Scales of infant and toddler development in Ethiopia: evaluation of reliability and validity
Authors: Hanlon C. , Medhin G. , Worku B. , Tomlinson M. , Alem A. , Dewey M. , Prince M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThere is a need for valid and reliable observational measures of early child development in low‐income and middle‐income country settings.MethodsThe aims of the study were to adapt the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Bayley III) for a rural Ethiopian setting and evaluate reliability and validity. The study was carried out between January 2008 and January 2009 in the Butajira demographic surveillance site, south central Ethiopia. The Bayley III was adapted to be socioculturally appropriate for a rural Ethiopian context. Nurses and high school graduates were trained in administration of the measure for 10 days. Inter‐rater reliability was evaluated (n = 60). Content, construct and convergent validity was then examined on a population‐based cohort of children at the ages of 30 (n = 440) and 42 months (n = 456). Mokken scale analysis was used to determine the scalability of items in unidimensional, hierarchical sub‐scales. The mean score was compared by age of child and by stunting status (less than −2 z scores below the standard height‐for‐age).ResultsThe intra‐class correlations between raters were above 0.90 for all sub‐scales of the child development measure. Some scale items were not contextually relevant and showed poor scalability. However, the majority of items scaled onto the existing sub‐scales of the international measure to form adequate‐to‐strong hierarchical scales with good internal consistency (Cronbach's α above 0.70 except for gross motor and expressive language sub‐scales). Item‐scale coefficients were good. The mean score of all sub‐scales was significantly higher in the older group of children (33.02 higher total score; P < 0.001) and in the children who were stunted (total Bayley score 2.58 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 5.10) points lower at 30 months and 3.87 (1.94 to 5.81) points lower at 42 months.ConclusionsAn adapted version of an international, observational measure of child development was found to be reliable, valid and feasible in a rural Ethiopian setting.
Evaluation of dental therapists undertaking dental examinations in a school setting in Scotland
Authors: O'Keefe Emma J. , McMahon Alex D. , Jones Colwyn M. , Curnow Morag M. , Macpherson Lorna M. D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo measure agreement between dental therapists and the Scottish gold‐standard dentist undertaking National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP) examinations.MethodsA study of interexaminer agreement between 19 dental therapists and the national gold‐standard dentist was carried out. Pre‐calibration training used the caries diagnostic criteria and examination techniques agreed by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD). Twenty‐three 5‐year‐old children (Primary 1) and 17 11‐year‐old children (Primary 7) children were examined. Agreement was assessed using kappa statistics on d3mft and D3MFTfor P1 and P7 children, sensitivity and specificity values, and kappa statistics on d3t/D3T and ft/FT. Calibration data on P1 and P7 children from 2009–2012 involving dentists as examiners were used for comparison. Economic evaluation was undertaken using a cost minimization analysis approach.ResultsThe mean kappa score was 0.84 (SD0.07) ranging from 0.69 to 0.94. All dental therapists scored good or very good agreement with the gold‐standard dentist. This compares with historicNDIPcalibration data with dentists, against the same gold‐standard dentist, where the mean kappa value was 0.68 (SD0.22) with a range of 0.35‐1.00. The mean sensitivity score was 0.98 (SD0.04) (range 0.88‐1.0) and mean specificity score was 0.90 (SD0.06) (range 0.78‐0.96). Health economic analysis estimated that salary costs would be 33.6% lower if dental therapists were substituted for dentists in the year 2013, with an estimated saving of approximately £103 646 per annum on the national budget.ConclusionWe conclude that dental therapists show a high level of interexaminer agreement, and with the appropriate annual training and calibration, they could undertake dental examinations as part of theNDIPprogramme.