bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthetic multispecies microbial communities reveals shifts in secondary metabolism and facilitates cryptic natural product discovery
Authors: Shi Yutong , Pan Chengqian , Wang Kuiwu , Chen Xuegang , Wu Xiaodan , Chen Chen‐Tung Arthur , Wu Bin 
Published: July 2017

SummaryChemically mediated interactions have been hypothesized to be essential for ecosystem functioning as co‐occurring organisms can influence the performance of each other by metabolic means. Here, we present a co‐culture device that allows co‐culturing of microorganisms that are physically separated but can exchange chemical signals and metabolites. This setup was adopted to perform investigations on the secondary metabolisms of both a fungal–bacterial community and an actinomycetic–actinomycetic community. This study employed a metabolomics approach integrating LC‐MS profiling, multivariate data analysis and molecular networking techniques. LC‐MS measurements revealed a pronounced influence of such chemical communication on the metabolic profiles of synthetic co‐culture communities with a group of molecules being induced or upregulated in co‐cultures. A novel antibiotic exhibiting antibiotic properties against Klebsiella pneumoniae was unveiled in the fungal–bacterial community. Besides, a further survey of the fungal–bacterial cross‐talk indicated that the production of co‐culture‐induced diphenyl ethers by fungi might result from the fungal response against the secretion of surfactins by bacteria in the cross‐talk. This study demonstrated that the presented co‐culture device and the metabolomic routine would facilitate the investigation on chemically mediated interactions in nature as well as cryptic natural products discovery.
Changes in the physicochemical, microstructural and rheological properties of traditional Kope cheese during ripening
Authors: Hasanzadeh Asieh , Raftani Amiri Zeynab , Aminifar Mehrnaz 
Published: July 2017

The effect of ripening time on the microstructural, physicochemical and rheological characteristics of traditional Kope cheese ripened in clay pots was investigated. The moisture content, pH and total nitrogen (TN)/dry matter (DM) of the cheese decreased, and DM, fat in DM and water‐soluble nitrogen/TN increased during this period. Storage and loss moduli increased, while loss tangent decreased; as a result, the elasticity characteristics were greater than the viscous characteristics of the samples. Microstructure images showed that the size of pores and casein network density increased significantly during ripening and, after 90 days, the structure of many pores became very similar to each other.
Bacteremia Prediction Model for Community‐acquired Pneumonia: External Validation in a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Kim Byunghyun , Choi Jungho , Kim Kyuseok , Jang Sujin , Shin Tae Gun , Kim Won Young , Kim Jung‐Youn , Park Yoo Seok , Kim Soo Hyun , Lee Hui Jai , Shin Jonghwan , You Je Sung , Kim Kyung Su , Chung Sung Phil 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveMany studies have described constructing a prediction model for bacteremia in community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), but these studies were not validated in external heterogeneous groups. The objective of this study was to test the generalizability of a previous bacteremia prediction model for CAP by external validation.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort analysis was performed in eight tertiary urban hospital emergency departments (EDs). We reviewed adult patients who were hospitalized after presentation to the ED with CAP. We categorized the enrolled patients into three groups according to the bacteremia prediction model score and calculated the number of patients with or without a blood culture–positive result. We performed a multivariable analysis to identify significant predictors for bacteremia.ResultsAmong the enrolled 2,001 patients, 1,592 (79.6%), 371 (18.5%), and 38 (1.9%) were stratified to a low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk group, respectively, and this proportion was similar with previous study. Each group had a bacteremia‐positive rate as follows: 1.2% for the low‐risk group, 7.2% for the moderate‐risk group, and 31.5% for the high‐risk group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the bacteremia model in the external validation cohort was 0.81, and there was no significant difference with that of the previous internal validation cohort (p = 0.246). Assuming that blood cultures were not performed in the low‐risk patients, the sensitivity and specificity of this model were 0.68 and 0.81, respectively. Additionally, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 9.54 and 98.87%, respectively. A platelet count less than 130 × 109 cells/L, albumin less than 3.3 mg/dL, and C‐reactive protein greater than 17 mg/dL were identified as significant predictors with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.70 and 0.83, respectively.ConclusionThe bacteremia prediction model was well validated in the general population and could help physicians make the decision to reduce the number of blood cultures in patients with CAP.
The effects of climate change on a mega‐diverse country: predicted shifts in mammalian species richness and turnover in continental Ecuador
Authors: Iturralde‐Pólit Paula , Dangles Olivier , Burneo Santiago F. , Meynard Christine N. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEcuador has some of the greatest biodiversity in the world, sheltering global biodiversity hotspots in lowland and mountain regions. Climate change will likely have a major effect on these regions, but the consequences for faunal diversity and conservation remain unclear. To address this issue, we used an ensemble of eight species distribution models to predict future shifts and identify areas of high changes in species richness and species turnover for 201 mammals. We projected the distributions using two different climate change scenarios at the 2050 horizon and contrasted two extreme dispersal scenarios (no dispersal vs. full dispersal). Our results showed extended distributional shifts all over the country. For most groups, our results predicted that the current diversity of mammals in Ecuador would decrease significantly under all climate change scenarios and dispersal assumptions. The Northern Andes and the Amazonian region would remain diversity hotspots but with a significant decrease in the number of species. All predictions, including the most conservative scenarios in terms of dispersal and climate change, predicted major changes in the distribution of mammalian species diversity in Ecuador. Primates might be the most severely affected because they would have fewer suitable areas, compared with other mammals. Our work emphasizes the need for sound conservation strategies in Ecuador to mitigate the effects of climate change
Curved microstructures promote osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells via the RhoA/ROCK pathway
Authors: Zhang Qi , Lin Shiyu , Zhang Tao , Tian Taoran , Ma Quanquan , Xie Xueping , Xue Changyue , Lin Yunfeng , Zhu Bofeng , Cai Xiaoxiao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectivesCells in the osteon reside in a curved space, accordingly, the curvature of the microenvironment is an important geometric feature in bone formation. However, it is not clear how curved microstructures affect cellular behaviour in bone tissue.Materials and methodsRat primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on wavy microgrooves were exposed to PDMS substrates with various curvatures to investigate alterations in cellular morphology and osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, the expression levels of RhoA and its effectors were examined by immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR to determine the mechanisms of curvature‐dependent osteogenic differentiation.ResultsWavy microgrooves caused dramatic nuclear distortion and cytoskeletal remodelling. We detected a noticeable increase in the expression of osteogenic‐related genes in BMSCs in wavy microgroove groups, and the maximum expression was observed in the high curvature group. Moreover, immunofluorescent staining and quantitative RT‐PCR results for RhoA and its effectors showed that the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway is associated with curvature‐dependent osteogenic differentiation.ConclusionsOur results illustrated that curved microstructures could promote BMSC differentiation to the osteogenic lineage, and the osteogenic effects of higher curvature are more obvious. Wavy microstructures could also influence the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Accordingly, curved microstructures may be useful in bone tissue engineering.
Walnut consumption increases activation of the insula to highly desirable food cues: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over fMRI study
Authors: Farr Olivia M. , Tuccinardi Dario , Upadhyay Jagriti , Oussaada Sabrina M. , Mantzoros Christos S. 
Published: July 2017

AimsThe use of walnuts is recommended for obesity and type 2 diabetes, although the mechanisms through which walnuts may improve appetite control and/or glycaemic control remain largely unknown.Materials and MethodsTo determine whether short‐term walnut consumption could alter the neural control of appetite using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we performed a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, cross‐over trial of 10 patients who received, while living in the controlled environment of a clinical research center, either walnuts or placebo (using a validated smoothie delivery system) for 5 days each, separated by a wash‐out period of 1 month.ResultsWalnut consumption decreased feelings of hunger and appetite, assessed using visual analog scales, and increased activation of the right insula to highly desirable food cues.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that walnut consumption may increase salience and cognitive control processing of highly desirable food cues, leading to the beneficial metabolic effects observed.
Impact of Shareholder Proposals on the Functioning of the Market for Corporate Control
Authors: El‐Khatib Rwan , Fogel Kathy , Jandik Tomas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFirms receiving shareholder proposals are 16% more likely to become a target of acquisition. Such companies earn approximately 7.2% lower acquisition returns compared to gains for targets with no proposals. Higher acquisition likelihood and lower target returns are primarily associated with proposals drawing a larger proportion of favorable votes, larger voter turnout, as well as with proposals submitted shortly before takeover announcements, and motivated by the removal of antitakeover provisions. Our findings suggest that shareholder proposals can assist bidders in the identification of targets or signal the willingness of target shareholders to accept bids with lower premiums.
Unconditional Tests of Linear Asset Pricing Models with Time‐Varying Betas
Authors: Zhou Ji , Paseka Alex 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn conditional affine factor models, estimated risk prices should satisfy certain unconditional constraints. Specifically, a cross‐sectional estimate of the unconditional slope associated with a risk factor should equal the average price of risk of the factor. The estimated slope associated with the product of a risk factor and an instrument should be equal to the covariance of the factor risk premium with the instrument. We show that the constraints only apply to the conditional models with time‐varying betas. We identify an unconditional constraint on unconditional betas for time‐varying beta models and incorporate it into model tests. We show that imposing this unconditional constraint changes estimates of unconditional betas and risk prices significantly.
The Role of U.S. Market on International Risk‐Return Tradeoff Relations
Authors: Sun Licheng , Meng Liang , Najand Mohammad 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe study the intertemporal risk‐return tradeoff relations based on returns from 18 international markets. We find striking new empirical evidence that the inclusion of U.S. market returns significantly changes the estimated risk‐return tradeoff relations in international markets from mostly negative to predominantly positive. Our results are consistent with the lead‐lag effect between U.S. and international markets in the sense of Rapach, Strauss and Zhou.
Microbial functional diversity covaries with permafrost thaw‐induced environmental heterogeneity in tundra soil
Authors: Yuan Mengting M. , Zhang Jin , Xue Kai , Wu Liyou , Deng Ye , Deng Jie , Hale Lauren , Zhou Xishu , He Zhili , Yang Yunfeng , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. , Penton Christopher R. , Cole James R. , Tiedje James M. , Luo Yiqi , Zhou Jizhong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPermafrost soil in high latitude tundra is one of the largest terrestrial carbon (C) stocks and is highly sensitive to climate warming. Understanding microbial responses to warming‐induced environmental changes is critical to evaluating their influences on soil biogeochemical cycles. In this study, a functional gene array (i.e., geochip 4.2) was used to analyze the functional capacities of soil microbial communities collected from a naturally degrading permafrost region in Central Alaska. Varied thaw history was reported to be the main driver of soil and plant differences across a gradient of minimally, moderately, and extensively thawed sites. Compared with the minimally thawed site, the number of detected functional gene probes across the 15–65 cm depth profile at the moderately and extensively thawed sites decreased by 25% and 5%, while the community functional gene β‐diversity increased by 34% and 45%, respectively, revealing decreased functional gene richness but increased community heterogeneity along the thaw progression. Particularly, the moderately thawed site contained microbial communities with the highest abundances of many genes involved in prokaryotic C degradation, ammonification, and nitrification processes, but lower abundances of fungal C decomposition and anaerobic‐related genes. Significant correlations were observed between functional gene abundance and vascular plant primary productivity, suggesting that plant growth and species composition could be co‐evolving traits together with microbial community composition. Altogether, this study reveals the complex responses of microbial functional potentials to thaw‐related soil and plant changes and provides information on potential microbially mediated biogeochemical cycles in tundra ecosystems.
Soil nitrogen dynamics in switchgrass seeded to a marginal cropland in South Dakota
Authors: Lai Liming , Oh Hong Chang , Kumar Sandeep , Osborne Shannon L. , Lehman R. Michael , Owens Vance N. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe potential ecological impacts of switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.), as a biofuel feedstock, have been assessed under different environmental conditions. However, limited information is available in understanding the integrated analysis of nitrogen (N) dynamics including soil nitrate (), nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, andleaching under switchgrass land management. The specific objective was to explore N dynamics for 2009 through 2015 in switchgrass seeded to a marginally yielding cropland based on treatments of N fertilization rate (N rate; low, 0; medium, 56; high, 112 kg N ha−1) and landscape position (shoulder, backslope, and footslope). Our findings indicated that N rate impacted soil(0–5 cm depth) and surface N2O fluxes but did not impactleaching during the observed years. Medium N (56 kg N ha−1) was the optimal rate for increasing biomass yield with reduced environmental problems. Landscape position impacted the N dynamics. At the footslope position, soil, soilleaching, and N2O fluxes were higher than the other landscape positions. Soil N2O fluxes andleaching had downward trends over the observed years. Growing switchgrass on marginally yielding croplands can store soil N, reduce N losses via leaching, and mitigate N2O emissions from soils to the atmosphere over the years. Switchgrass seeded on marginally yielding croplands can be beneficial in reducing N losses and can be grown as a sustainable bioenergy crop on these marginal lands.
Effect of the drying process on the compressive strength and cell proliferation of hydroxyapatite‐derived scaffolds
Authors: Martínez‐Vázquez Francisco , Pajares Antonia , Miranda Pedro 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe compressive strength and MC3T3 cell proliferation response of robocast hydroxyapatite‐derived scaffolds was evaluated for samples fabricated by conventional and freeze‐drying methods followed by sintering at 1100 or 1300°C. Both the sintering temperature and, especially, the drying method affected significantly the size and morphology of the residual microporosity within the robocast scaffold's struts. The freeze‐drying method generated a persistent large (1‐10 μm) microporosity of dendritic morphology that was found to improve the biological response of hydroxyapatite‐derived scaffolds. Conversely, conventional drying enhances the compressive strength of the structures. Strength was also increased at the higher sintering temperature, although at the expense of a poorer cell proliferation behavior. The results of this study suggest that the use of a freeze drying process after printing by robocasting provides a very appropriate method for enhancing the biological performance and reliability of bioceramic robocast scaffolds without severely reducing their compressive strength. And, thus, shows promise as an effective method to optimize the performance of robocast scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.
Austerity, new public management and missed nursing care in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Willis Eileen , Carryer Jenny , Harvey Clare , Pearson Maria , Henderson Julie 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimsTo outline the way the culture of austerity arising from the Global Financial Crisis has been used by Australian and New Zealand governments to maintain and extend healthcare budget cuts, through new public management strategies leading to missed nursing care.BackgroundTen years on the cost of the Global Financial Crisis continues to be borne by tax payers and those employed by the welfare state, yet analysis shows clearly that it was caused by a failure to adequately regulate markets, particularly the banks and multinational corporations. In health care, one of the impacts is increased workload for nurses leading to missed care.Design/MethodsRegistered Nurses and midwives (n = 7,302) completed the MISSCARE surveys between 2012 ‐ 2015, in four Australian states and New Zealand providing quantitative and qualitative responses. The qualitative comments were analysed using a template analysis approach based on key features of New Public Management.FindingsSixty‐two qualitative responses identified measures in place directly linked to austerity and new public management strategies that impacted on the quality of patient care and nursing work, as well as contributing to missed care.ConclusionOpportunities for resistance may lie outside public and private health organizations in civil society, in the nurse union movements and other health and nursing professional associations.
Resilience as a moderator of the indirect effects of conflict and workload on job outcomes among nurses
Authors: Lanz Julie Jean , Bruk‐Lee Valentina 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimTo examine the relative effects of interpersonal conflict and workload on job outcomes (turnover intentions, burnout, injuries) and examine if resilience moderates the indirect effects of conflict and workload on job outcomes via job‐related negative effect.BackgroundThere is interest in understanding resilience in the nursing profession. Placing resilience in the context of the Emotion‐Centred Model of Occupational Stress (Spector,) is a novel approach to understanding how resilience ameliorates the negative effects of workplace stressors.DesignThis study used a two‐wave survey design to collect data from 97 nurses across medical units.MethodsNurses working in the US were recruited in June 2014 using Qualtrics Panels, an online survey platform service that secures participants for research. Nurses were contacted via email at two time points, two weeks apart and provided a link to an online survey.SPSSv. 23 andPROCESSv2.15 were used to analyse regressions and moderated mediation.Results/FindingsInterpersonal conflict predicted turnover intentions and burnout; workload predicted injuries. Job‐related negative affect mediated the relationships between stressors and job outcomes except for the direct effect of workload on injuries. Low resilience increased the magnitude of the indirect effects of conflict on job outcomes.ConclusionJob characteristics like workload predicted unique variability in self‐reported physical injuries. Conflict at work, a social stressor, predicted well‐being and job attitudes. Highly resilient nurses bounced back after experiencing conflict in the workplace. Resilience should be explored for its potential as a method to reduce the negative effects of social stressors.
Activation of autophagy is involved in the protective effect of 17β‐oestradiol on endotoxaemia‐induced multiple organ dysfunction in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Chung Ming‐Tzeung , Lee Yen‐Mei , Shen Hsin‐Hsueh , Cheng Pao‐Yun , Huang Yu‐Chen , Lin Yu‐Ju , Huang Yu‐Yang , Lam Kwok‐Keung 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOestrogens have been reported to attenuate acute inflammation in sepsis. In this study, the effects of long‐term oestrogen replacement with 17β‐oestradiol (E2) on endotoxaemia‐induced circulatory dysfunction and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome were evaluated in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. E2 (50 μg/kg, s.c., 3 times/week) was administered for 8 weeks, followed by the induction of endotoxaemia by intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 30 mg/kg/4 hrs). Oestrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy for 9 weeks augmented the LPS‐induced damage, including endotoxic shock, myocardial contractile dysfunction, renal dysfunction and rhabdomyolysis. Cardiac levels of NF‐κB p65, iNOS and oxidized glutathione, free radical production in skeletal muscles, myoglobin deposition in renal tubules, and plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 were more pronounced in the Ovx + LPS group than in the Sham + LPS group. Long‐term treatment of E2 prevented this amplified damage in Ovx rats. Six hours after LPS initiation, activation of the autophagic process, demonstrated by increases in Atg12 and LC3B‐II/LC3B‐I ratios, and induction of haem oxygenase (HO)‐1 and heat‐shock protein (HSP) 70 protein expression in myocardium were increased significantly in the Ovx + E2 + LPS group. These results suggest that activation of autophagy and induction of HO‐1 and HSP70 contribute to the protective effect of long‐term E2 replacement on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in endotoxaemia.