bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytosterols in banana (Musa spp.) flower inhibit α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase hydrolysations and glycation reaction
Authors: Sheng Zhanwu , Dai Haofu , Pan Siyi , Ai Binling , Zheng Lili , Zheng Xiaoyan , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Xu Zhimin 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThree phytosterols were isolated from Musa spp. flowers for evaluating their capabilities in inhibiting glucosidase and amylase activities and glycation of protein and sugar. The three phytosterols were identified as β‐sitosterol (PS1), 31‐norcyclolaudenone (PS2) and (24R)‐4α, 14α, 4‐trimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐8, 25(27)‐dien‐3β‐ol (PS3). IC50 values (the concentration of inhibiting 50% of enzyme activity) of PS1, PS2 and PS3 against α‐glucosidase were 283.67, 11.33 and 43.10 μg mL−1, respectively. For inhibition of α‐amylase, the IC50 values of PS1, PS2 and PS3 were 52.55, 76.25 and 532.02 μg mL−1, respectively. PS1 was an uncompetitive inhibitor against α‐amylase with Km at 5.51 μg mL−1, while PS2 and PS3 exhibited a mixed‐type inhibition with Km at 52.36 and 2.49 μg mL−1, respectively. PS1 and PS2 also significantly inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in a BSA–fructose model. The results suggest that banana flower could possess the capability in prevention of the diseases associated with abnormal blood sugar and AGEs levels, such as diabetes.
Immigrants, Cultural Differences, and Trade Costs
Authors: Tadesse Bedassa , White Roger 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe examine the effects of immigrants and cross‐societal cultural differences on bilateral trade costs using two alternative measures of cultural differences (i.e. cultural distance and genetic distance). We find that bilateral trade costs generally increase with a rise in the cultural distance between trading partners but fall with a rise in the stock of immigrants. This implies that immigrants counter bilateral trade costs that are associated with greater cultural differences. Our observation is relevant from both migration and trade policy perspectives as it provides further evidence that immigrants serve as conduits for bridging cultural differences, facilitate international transactions, and enhance global economic integration.
Validation study associating glutaminase promoter variations with hepatic encephalopathy in East Asian populations
Authors: Ahn Jem Ma , Kim Chang Ha , Um Soon Ho , Kim Kyung Mee , Kim Tae Hyung , Yim Sun Young , Choi Hyuk Soon , Kim Eun Sun , Keum Bora , Seo Yeon Seok , Yim Hyung Joon , Jeen Yoon Tae , Lee Hong Sik , Chun Hoon Jai , Kim Chang Duck , Ryu Ho Sang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackground and AimIn a recent study, microsatellite variations (GCA tandem repeats) in the promoter region of the (kidney‐type) glutaminase gene were associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in Spanish patients with cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to validate the relation between microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region and the development of overt HE in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study of 154 cirrhotic patients who underwent a glutaminase microsatellite study without previous overt HE history at baseline. The primary end point was the first episode of overt HE. The microsatellite length was categorized into three groups based on its repeated number, with a cutoff value of 14; 65 (42.2%), 70 (45.5%), and 19 (12.3%) patients had the short‐short, short‐long, and long‐long alleles, respectively.ResultsOver a median 3.5 years of follow‐up (range = 0.1–4.4), overt HE developed in 28 patients (18.2%). The 3‐year cumulative incidence of overt HE was 18.4%. Multivariate Cox model indicated that past hepatocellular carcinoma history, alcoholic etiology for cirrhosis, higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores and their deterioration, and serum ammonium levels were independently associated with HE development. However, microsatellite length was not associated with the development of overt HE.ConclusionsIn Korean patients with cirrhosis, microsatellite variations in the glutaminase promoter region were not associated with development of overt HE. Thus, additional studies are needed to identify other genetic factors related to glutaminase activity in Asians with overt HE.
Gene regulation and genetics in neurochemistry, past to future
Authors: Barger Steven W. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAsk any neuroscientist to name the most profound discoveries in the field in the past 60 years, and at or near the top of the list will be a phenomenon or technique related to genes and their expression. Indeed, our understanding of genetics and gene regulation has ushered in whole new systems of knowledge and new empirical approaches, many of which could not have even been imagined prior to the molecular biology boon of recent decades. Neurochemistry, in the classic sense, intersects with these concepts in the manifestation of neuropeptides, obviously dependent upon the central dogma (the established rules by whichDNAsequence is eventually converted into protein primary structure) not only for their conformation but also for their levels and locales of expression. But, expanding these considerations to non‐peptide neurotransmitters illustrates how gene regulatory events impact neurochemistry in a much broader sense, extending beyond the neurochemicals that translate electrical signals into chemical ones in the synapse, to also include every aspect of neural development, structure, function, and pathology. From the beginning, the mutability – yet relative stability – of genes and their expression patterns were recognized as potential substrates for some of the most intriguing phenomena in neurobiology – those instances of plasticity required for learning and memory. Near‐heretical speculation was offered in the idea that perhaps the very sequence of the genome was altered to encode memories. A fascinating component of the intervening progress includes evidence that the central dogma is not nearly as rigid and consistent as we once thought. And this mutability extends to the potential to manipulate that code for both experimental and clinical purposes.imageAstonishing progress has been made in the molecular biology of neurochemistry during the 60 years since this journal debuted. Many of the gains in conceptual understanding have been driven by methodological progress, from automated high‐throughput sequencing instruments to recombinant‐DNA vectors that can convey color‐coded genetic modifications in the chromosomes of live adult animals. This review covers the highlights of these advances, both theoretical and technological, along with a brief window into the promising science ahead.This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.
Benzoic acid beneficially affects growth performance of weaned pigs which was associated with changes in gut bacterial populations, morphology indices and growth factor gene expression
Authors: Chen J. L. , Zheng P. , Zhang C. , Yu B. , He J. , Yu J. , Luo J. Q. , Mao X. B. , Huang Z. Q. , Chen D. W. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of benzoic acid (BA) on growth performance, intestinal development and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. Ninety weaned pigs were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a basal diet (CON), the basal diet supplemented with 2000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1) and 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). At the end of days 14 and 42, six pigs per treatment were randomly selected to collect plasma and intestinal samples. Results showed that BA supplementation not only improved final body weight, daily growth and feed conversion ratio from days 15 to 42 and days 1 to 42, but also decreased the activity of plasma diamine oxidase (day 42) and the pH values of jejunal contents (day 14) (p < 0.05). Ileal Bacillus populations (day 14) were increased by BA, while Escherichia coli counts in the ileum and caecum (day 42) were decreased (p < 0.05). Higher Lactobacillus counts occurred in the ileum (day 14, 42) of BA1‐fed piglets as compared to CON and BA2‐fed piglets (p < 0.05). In addition, BA supplementation increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (day 14, 42) and decreased the crypt depth (day 14) (p < 0.05). Growth‐stimulating factors (insulin‐like growth factor‐1, day 42; insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor, day 14, 42) and tight junction protein (occludin, day 14, 42; zonula occludens‐1, day 42)‐related gene mRNA levels were upregulated in the jejunum of piglets fed BA diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BA has beneficial effects on intestinal development and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs, which can partly explain why growth performance of pigs was improved by dietary BA supplementation.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width, Hematology, and Serum Biochemistry in Dogs with Echocardiographically Estimated Precapillary and Postcapillary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Mazzotta E. , Guglielmini C. , Menciotti G. , Contiero B. , BaronToaldo M. , Berlanda M. , Poser H. 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundRed blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measurement of anisocytosis. RDW has prognostic value in humans with different cardiovascular and systemic disorders, but few studies have investigated this biomarker in dogs.ObjectivesTo compare the RDW in dogs with precapillary and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) and a control population of dogs and to correlate RDW with demographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables.AnimalsOne hundred and twenty‐seven client‐owned dogs including 19 healthy dogs, 82 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (50 dogs without PH and 32 dogs with postcapillary PH), and 26 dogs with precapillary PH.MethodsProspective study. Dogs were allocated to groups according to clinical and echocardiographic evaluation. RDW and selected laboratory and echocardiographic variables were compared among dog groups. Associations between RDW and demographic, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis.ResultsMedian RDW in dogs with precapillary PH (13.8%, interquartile range 13.2–14.9%) and postcapillary PH (13.7, 13.2–14.7%) was significantly increased compared to healthy dogs (13.3, 12.3–13.7%; P < .05 for both comparisons), but only dogs with severe PH had significantly increased RDW compared to dogs without PH (P < .05). Peak tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient was significantly associated with increased RDW (rho = 0.263, P = .007). Serum urea concentration, hematocrit, age, and white blood cell number were significantly associated with RDW in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceUnderlying pathophysiologic processes associated with PH instead of severity of PH are likely responsible for increased RDW in dogs with PH.
Retinal vascular imaging technology to monitor disease severity and complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review
Authors: Kee Ae Ra , Wong Tien Yin , Li Ling‐Jun 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectiveType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a major disease affecting a large number of young patients. In the recent years, retinal vascular imaging has provided an objective assessment of vascular health in patients with T1DM. Our study aimed to review the current literature on retinal vascular parameters in young patients with T1DM in order to understand the following: (i) How retinal vessels are affected in T1DM (ii) How such vascular changes can be predictive of future diabetic microvascular complicationsMethodsWe performed a systematic review and extracted relevant data from 17 articles.ResultsWe found significant correlations between retinal vessel changes and diabetes‐related risk factors (eg, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity), diabetes‐related features (eg, diabetes duration and glycemic control), and diabetes‐related microvascular complications (eg, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy).ConclusionOur findings suggest that retinal microvasculature is associated with both disease severity and complications in young patients with T1DM.
Dual‐function small regulatory RNAs in bacteria
Authors: Gimpel Matthias , Brantl Sabine 
Published: October 2016

SummaryDual‐function sRNAs are a subgroup of small regulatory RNAs that act on the one hand as base‐pairing sRNAs to inhibit or activate target gene expression and on the other hand as peptide‐encoding mRNAs that function either in the same or in another metabolic pathway. Here, we review and compare the five currently known and intensively characterized dual‐function sRNAs with regard to their two functions, their biological role, their evolutionary conservation and their requirements for RNA chaperones. Furthermore, we summarize the data available on five potential dual‐function sRNAs, whose base‐pairing function is well established whereas the role of their encoded peptides has not yet been elucidated. In addition, we provide three examples for RNAs with more than one function that do not fall into the above‐mentioned category. With the application of RNAseq, peptidomics and transcriptomics it can be expected that the number of dual‐function sRNAs will considerably increase within the next years, thus enhancing our knowledge on the regulatory potential of these RNAs.
Effects of varying dietary content of fermentable short‐chain carbohydrates on symptoms, fecal microenvironment, and cytokine profiles in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Hustoft T. N. , Hausken T. , Ystad S. O. , Valeur J. , Brokstad K. , Hatlebakk J. G. , Lied G. A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundA diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is increasingly recommended for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aimed to investigate the effects of a blinded low‐FODMAP vs high‐fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS) diet on symptoms, immune activation, gut microbiota composition, and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs).MethodsTwenty patients with diarrhea‐predominant or mixed IBS were instructed to follow a low‐FODMAP diet (LFD) throughout a 9‐week study period. After 3 weeks, they were randomized and double‐blindly assigned to receive a supplement of either FOS (FODMAP) or maltodextrin (placebo) for the next 10 days, followed by a 3‐week washout period before crossover. Irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system (IBS‐SSS) was used to evaluate symptoms. Cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐6, IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were analyzed in blood samples, and gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA) and SCFAs were analyzed in fecal samples.Key ResultsIrritable bowel syndrome symptoms consistently improved after 3 weeks of LFD, and significantly more participants reported symptom relief in response to placebo (80%) than FOS (30%). Serum levels of proinflammatory IL‐6 and IL‐8, as well as levels of fecal bacteria (Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), total SCFAs, and n‐butyric acid, decreased significantly on the LFD as compared to baseline. Ten days of FOS supplementation increased the level of these bacteria, whereas levels of cytokines and SCFAs remained unchanged.Conclusions and InferencesOur findings support the efficacy of a LFD in alleviating IBS symptoms, and show changes in inflammatory cytokines, microbiota profile, and SCFAs, which may have consequences for gut health.
Quantifying the volcanic emissions which triggered Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a and their effect on ocean acidification
Authors: Bauer Kohen W. , Zeebe Richard E. , Wortmann Ulrich G. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (Early Aptian) is thought to be causally related to the eruption of the Ontong Java Plateau large igneous province. This study uses osmium isotope records to quantify the magnitude of the respective CO2 emissions up to the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a, and model the associated changes in carbonate saturation state (Ω), atmospheric pCO2, carbon isotope ratios and the carbonate compensation depth with a carbon cycle model. These model results suggest that volcanism associated with the rapid negative 187/188 osmium ratios observed during the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (Selli Event) increased the planetary CO2 degassing flux at least six‐fold, causing a negative δ13C excursion of ca 1·5‰ in the dissolved surface ocean inorganic carbon pool. This is consistent with previously published δ13C data. Volcanic degassing of this magnitude would also suppress the aragonite saturation state of surface water to near under‐saturated values (Ω ca 1·1 to 0·9), shoal the carbonate compensation depth by 1500 m and increase the atmospheric pCO2 by 3000 p.p.m., before increased weathering and anoxia would counter the pCO2 increase.
Health problems in former elite female football players: Prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Prien A. , Prinz B. , Dvořák J. , Junge A. 
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of health problems and associated risk factors in former elite female football players. A cross‐sectional research design was employed, using an online questionnaire on personal characteristics and health complaints during/after the career. One hundred fifty‐two (response rate: 62.0%) former first German league players answered the survey. Around 70% described their current health as good or very good. Over half (57.9%) reported knee problems during the last 4 weeks while exercising and a third (33.6%) during normal daily activities. The second most common location for complaints was the head (53.3%). Almost one quarter (23.7%) of players suffered from osteoarthritis (OA). Regression analysis showed that OA in knee/ankle and physical complaints (PC) in knee/ankle/head were significantly predicted by number and severity of previous injuries (P < 0.05). Further, increases in age, training volume, and level of play were associated with an increased likelihood of presenting with OA (P < 0.05), but not PC. In conclusion, a football career may lead to specific long‐term health problems in elite female players. Prevention strategies should focus on knee, ankle, and head injuries. Future studies are needed to clinically assess the prevalence rates of OA and possible neurocognitive changes.
Discovery of rice essential genes by characterizing a CRISPR‐edited mutation of closely related rice MAP kinase genes
Authors: Minkenberg Bastian , Xie Kabin , Yang Yinong 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThe clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 nuclease (Cas9) system depends on a guide RNA (gRNA) to specify its target. By efficiently co‐expressing multiple gRNAs that target different genomic sites, the polycistronic tRNA‐gRNA gene (PTG) strategy enables multiplex gene editing in the family of closely related mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MPK) genes in Oryza sativa (rice). In this study, we identified MPK1 and MPK6 (Arabidopsis AtMPK6 and AtMPK4 orthologs, respectively) as essential genes for rice development by finding the preservation of MPK functional alleles and normal phenotypes in CRISPR‐edited mutants. The true knock‐out mutants of MPK1 were severely dwarfed and sterile, and homozygous mpk1 seeds from heterozygous parents were defective in embryo development. By contrast, heterozygous mpk6 mutant plants completely failed to produce homozygous mpk6 seeds. In addition, the functional importance of specific MPK features could be evaluated by characterizing CRISPR‐induced allelic variation in the conserved kinase domain of MPK6. By simultaneously targeting between two and eight genomic sites in the closely related MPK genes, we demonstrated 45–86% frequency of biallelic mutations and the successful creation of single, double and quadruple gene mutants. Indels and fragment deletion were both stably inherited to the next generations, and transgene‐free mutants of rice MPK genes were readily obtained via genetic segregation, thereby eliminating any positional effects of transgene insertions. Taken together, our study reveals the essentiality of MPK1 and MPK6 in rice development, and enables the functional discovery of previously inaccessible genes or domains with phenotypes masked by lethality or redundancy.
Structural, electronic and optical properties of the Zn0.5V0.5S in three phases
Authors: Yin Zhu-Hua , Zhang Jian-Min 
Published: October 2016

The structural, electronic and optical properties of the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are studied by the spin-polarized first-principles calculation. The [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are metals in tetragonal structures, while the [Formula: see text] in trigonal structure is half-metal with 100% spin polarization. The [Formula: see text] has the biggest static dielectric constant [Formula: see text] and static refractive index [Formula: see text], which may be ascribed to the highest crystal symmetry. The maximum absorption peaks of the [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are located about 44 eV in the ultraviolet region, indicating these materials have good prospect for optoelectronic materials in the ultraviolet range.
Trois passages difficiles liés à la gnose chez Plotin
Authors: Ferroni Lorenzo 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
This work examines three difficult Plotinian passages, i.e. 33 (2.9) 13.25-33, 33 (2.9) 9.80 and 30 (3.8) 9.29-32. In the first passage, a correct grammatical analysis of the text clarifies the sense of the philosophical argumentation; in the second passage, it is necessary to change the text established by Henry and Schwyzer and choose the reading of a different manuscript; in the third passage, it seems inevitable to modify by conjecture the text of the medieval manuscripts.
A Linear Decomposition of the Southern Ocean Thermohaline Structure
Authors: Pauthenet Etienne , Roquet Fabien , Madec Gurvan , Nerini David 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe thermohaline structure of the Southern Ocean is deeply influenced by the presence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), where water masses of the World Ocean are advected, transformed, and redistributed to the other basins. It remains a challenge to describe and visualize the complex 3D pattern of this circulation and its associated tracer distribution. Here, a simple framework is presented to analyze the Southern Ocean thermohaline structure. A functional principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to temperature θ and salinity S profiles to determine the main spatial patterns of their variations. Using the Southern Ocean State Estimate (SOSE), this study determines the vertical modes describing the Southern Ocean thermohaline structure between 5 and 2000 m. The first two modes explain 92% of the combined θ–S variance, thus providing a surprisingly good approximation of the thermohaline properties in the Southern Ocean. The first mode (72% of total variance) accurately describes the north–south property gradients. The second mode (20%) mostly describes salinity at 500 m in the region of Antarctic Intermediate Water formation. These two modes present circumpolar patterns that can be closely related with standard frontal definitions. By projecting any given hydrographic profile onto the SOSE-based modes, it is possible to determine its position relative to the fronts. The projection is successfully applied on the hydrographic profiles of the WOCE SR3 section. The Southern Ocean thermohaline decomposition provides an objective way to define water mass boundaries and their spatial variability and has useful application for comparing model output with observations.