bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel chemically modified curcumin reduces inflammation‐mediated connective tissue breakdown in a rat model of diabetes: periodontal and systemic effects
Authors: Elburki M. S. , Moore D. D. , Terezakis N. G. , Zhang Y. , Lee H.‐M. , Johnson F. , Golub L. M. 
Published: April 2016

Background and ObjectivePeriodontal disease is the most common chronic inflammatory disease known to mankind (and the major cause of tooth loss in the adult population) and has also been linked to various systemic diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus. Based on the literature linking periodontal disease with diabetes in a “bidirectional manner”, the objectives of the current study were to determine: (i) the effect of a model of periodontitis, complicated by diabetes, on mechanisms of tissue breakdown including bone loss; and (ii) the response of the combination of this local and systemic phenotype to a novel pleiotropic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, chemically modified curcumin (CMC) 2.24.Material and MethodsDiabetes was induced in adult male rats by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (nondiabetic rats served as controls), and Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) was repeatedly injected into the gingiva to induce periodontitis. CMC 2.24 was administered by oral gavage (30 mg/kg) daily; untreated diabetic rats received vehicle alone. After 3 wk of treatment, the rats were killed, and gingiva, jaws, tibia and skin were collected. The maxillary jaws and tibia were dissected and radiographed. The gingival tissues of each experimental group (n = 6 rats/group) were pooled, extracted, partially purified and, together with individual skin samples, analyzed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 by gelatin zymography; MMP‐8 was analyzed in gingival and skin tissue extracts, and in serum, by western blotting. The levels of three bone‐resorptive cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α], were measured in gingival tissue extracts and serum by ELISA.ResultsSystemic administration of CMC 2.24 to diabetic rats with endotoxin‐induced periodontitis significantly inhibited alveolar bone loss and attenuated the severity of local and systemic inflammation. Moreover, this novel tri‐ketonic phenylaminocarbonyl curcumin (CMC 2.24) appeared to reduce the pathologically excessive levels of inducible MMPs to near‐normal levels, but appeared to have no significant effect on the constitutive MMPs required for physiologic connective tissue turnover. In addition to the beneficial effects on periodontal disease, induced both locally and systemically, CMC 2.24 also favorably affected extra‐oral connective tissues, skin and skeletal bone.ConclusionThis study supports our hypothesis that CMC 2.24 is a potential therapeutic pleiotropic MMP inhibitor, with both intracellular and extracellular effects, which reduces local and systemic inflammation and prevents hyperglycemia‐ and bacteria‐induced connective tissue destruction.
Identification of the Chemical Composition of Meat Products Based on their Rheological Properties
Authors: Myhan Ryszard , Markowski Marek , Daszkiewicz Tomasz , Korpusik Adam , Zapotoczny Piotr 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe study was performed to examine whether the chemical composition of processed meats can be identified based on their rheological properties. The analyzed material comprised ten types of pork and poultry cold cuts supplied by renowned manufacturers and available throughout Poland. The rheological properties of cold cuts were derived using a nonlinear rheological model and correlated with the results of proximate chemical analysis. An analysis of processed meats did not show correlations between variations in their rheological properties and proximate chemical composition versus production date. However, the results of proximate chemical and rheological analyses supported the identification of the evaluated products. Both methods produced similar results only when the type of product or raw materials were known. The rheological properties of the analyzed processed meat products supported the identification of their protein, ash and dry matter content, but could not be used to estimate their collagen and fat content with satisfactory precision.Practical ApplicationsThe manuscript presents an attempt to develop a mathematical model describing the rheological properties of the analyzed material, including the elastic modulus, consistency index, flow index and flow limit, which are not dependent on the stress relaxation tests used to establish those values. We also described an approach to the identification of protein, ash and dry matter content of sausages based on rheological data, and correlations between rheological/mechanical measurements and the chemical composition of meat products. The indirect method for identifying the proximate chemical composition of processed meat products based on their rheological properties poses an alternative to laborious and time‐consuming analytical techniques, and it can be used to design a simple measuring device. The proposed methodological approach can have important implications for both industrial practice and research.
Rheological Properties of Collagen Matter Predicted Using an Extrusion Rheometer
Authors: Skočilas Jan , Žitný Rudolf , Štancl Jaromír , Dostál Martin , Landfeld Aleš , Houška Milan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis article reports on measurements of the rheological properties of slightly compressible collagen liquid (from 6.6 to 8.0% mass fraction of native bovine collagen in water) using a capillary rheometer. The extrusion rheometer is equipped with an annular slit between a circular tube and a central pin. The sample of collagen to be tested is pushed by a piston from a container to the annular measuring section. A manually adjusted hydraulic drive enables the piston velocity and the corresponding shear rate to be varied continuously within the range from 50 to 3000 s−1. Strain gages installed in the outer cylinder monitor the axial pressure profile. It is therefore possible to identify not only the basic nonelastic shear flow characteristics (Herschel Bulkley and Power law model parameters), but also the first normal difference evaluated from the exit pressure. The results of experiments carried out at room temperature show rather broad variability of the parameters.Practical ApplicationsThe rheological properties of native collagenous materials are of primary importance in the design of extrusion processes, for example, extrusion of sausage casings (a description of the flow behavior not only inside the screw extruders, but also while the extruded tubes are being blown) and similar technologies (injection molding, film blowing, rolling, and so forth). Knowledge of the rheological properties of native collagenous vascular grafts is important for an indirect assessment of irradiation effects and the effects of additives on a collagenous matrix (crosslinking). Native collagenous materials are rather “awkward” from the point of view of rheometry. For example, rotational rheometers are limited to a linear oscillation regime (due to discharge of the samples and shear banding), and the application of capillary rheometers is complicated by the inhomogeneity of native collagen (presence of bubbles). The proposed rheometer takes into account the compressibility of the tested samples, and enables an evaluation not only of the shear properties but also of the elastic properties within the range of deformation rates corresponding to the production lines.
Obesity paradox in advanced liver disease: obesity is associated with lower mortality in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Karagozian Raffi , Bhardwaj Gaurav , Wakefield Dorothy B. , Baffy Gyorgy 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsTo investigate how obesity impacts inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS) and costs in patients with cirrhosis. Obesity is a growing epidemic associated with multiple co‐morbidities, increased morbidity, and a significant economic burden on healthcare. Despite the overall harmful impact of obesity, the ‘obesity paradox’ has been described as decreased mortality among obese vs non‐obese patients in various chronic medical conditions.MethodsAnalysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 2012, which contains data from 44 states and 4378 hospitals. Data from all cases with primary, secondary or tertiary discharge diagnosis of cirrhosis identified by International Classification of Diseases‐9 code 571.2, 571.5 571.6 were included. Primary outcomes included inpatient mortality, LOS, and hospital charges. Obesity as a predictor of mortality was defined by a predetermined obesity co‐morbidity variable.ResultsA total of 32,605 patients were included. Crude mortality was lower for obese cirrhotic patients (2.7% vs 3.5%, P = 0.02) than for non‐obese cirrhotic patients. In contrast, median LOS was longer (4 vs 3 days, P < 0.001) and median hospital charges were higher for obese cirrhotic patients ($26 803 vs $23 447, P < 0.001) In multivariate logistic regression, obesity was associated with a lower risk of inpatient mortality (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.55–0.95, P = 0.02).ConclusionsIn the acute care setting, obese patients with cirrhosis have lower mortality than non‐obese patients with cirrhosis, longer hospitalizations and higher healthcare cost, providing new evidence for the obesity paradox in cirrhosis. Obese cirrhotic patients are more likely to have enhanced nutritional reserve which may play a role in survival during acute illness.
Reefs at the edge: coral community structure around Rapa, southernmost French Polynesia
Authors: Adjeroud Mehdi , Wallace Carden C. , Bosserelle Pauline , Payri Claude , Menou Jean‐Louis , Pichon Michel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRapa (27°36′ S, 144°20′ W) is a small (~40 km2) volcanic island isolated in the Southern Austral Archipelago, where direct anthropogenic stressors are extremely limited. Here, we present the results of the first quantitative survey of coral community structure across habitats and depths around the island. Despite its geographical isolation in the depauperate South Central Pacific, its small size and unfavourable environmental conditions (competition with macroalgae, low sea surface temperatures, reduced reef accretion), the diversity of scleractinian corals at Rapa is particularly high (112 species from 32 genera, including 37 species of Acropora) in comparison to other French Polynesian islands and subtropical Pacific locations. Our results indicate that the abundance (>100 colonies per 10 m2 recorded at nine of the 17 sampling stations) and cover (>40% at four stations) of corals are relatively high for a marginal reef location. Strong spatial heterogeneity was found, with high variation in diversity, abundance, cover and community composition among stations. Variation in community composition was related to habitat types, with distinct assemblages among fringing reefs within bays, reef formations at bay entrances, and those on the submerged platform surrounding the island. On the platform, a depth gradient was detected, with generic richness, abundance and cover generally greater at deeper stations (18–20 m depth) compared with medium‐depth (10–12 m) and shallow (1–3 m) stations. A gradient was also recorded along bays, with increasing coral diversity and abundance from the bay heads to the bay entrances. The coral community at Rapa was characterized by the presence of several taxa not found in other French Polynesian archipelagos and the rarity of others that are common and abundant in the Society and the Tuamotu islands. Another distinctive feature of reef communities at Rapa is the high cover and dominance of macroalgae, particularly in the shallower parts of the surrounding platform, which probably explains the lower densities of coral colonies recorded there. These characteristics of the diversity and biogeographical composition of coral assemblages at Rapa provide considerable ecological grounds for its conservation.
Pressure and judgement within a dichotomous landscape of infant feeding: a grounded theory study to explore why breastfeeding women do not access peer support provision
Authors: Hunt Louise , Thomson Gill 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLack of support is reported as a key reason for early breastfeeding cessation. While breastfeeding peer support (BPS) is a recommended intervention to increase breastfeeding rates, a number of studies identify that engagement with BPS is problematic. Due to paucity of research in this area, this study explores why breastfeeding women do not access BPS in South‐West England. Utilising a constructionist grounded theory approach, 33 participants (women (n = 13), health professionals (n = 6) and peer supporters (n = 14)) participated in a semi‐structured interview (n = 22) or focus group (n = 11). Analysis involved open coding, constant comparisons and focussed coding.One core category and three main themes explicating non‐access were identified. The core category concerns women's experiences of pressure and judgement around their feeding decisions within a dichotomous landscape of infant feeding language and support. Theme one, ‘place and space of support’, describes the contrast between perceived pressure to breastfeed and a lack of adequate and appropriate support. Theme two, ‘one way or no way’, outlines the rules‐based approach to breastfeeding adopted by some health professionals and how women avoided BPS due to anticipating a similar approach. Theme three, ‘it must be me’, concerns how lack of embodied insights could lead to ‘breastfeeding failure’ identities. A background of dichotomised language, pressure and moral judgement, combined with the organisation of post‐natal care and the model of breastfeeding adopted by health professionals, may inhibit women's access to BPS. A socio‐cultural model of breastfeeding support providing clear messages regarding the value and purpose of BPS should be adopted.
Glacial refugia, recolonization patterns and diversification forces in Alpine‐endemic Megabunus harvestmen
Authors: Wachter Gregor A. , Papadopoulou Anna , Muster Christoph , Arthofer Wolfgang , Knowles L. Lacey , Steiner Florian M. , Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe Pleistocene climatic fluctuations had a huge impact on all life forms, and various hypotheses regarding the survival of organisms during glacial periods have been postulated. In the European Alps, evidence has been found in support of refugia outside the ice shield (massifs de refuge) acting as sources for postglacial recolonization of inner‐Alpine areas. In contrast, evidence for survival on nunataks, ice‐free areas above the glacier, remains scarce. Here, we combine multivariate genetic analyses with ecological niche models (ENMs) through multiple timescales to elucidate the history of Alpine Megabunus harvestmen throughout the ice ages, a genus that comprises eight high‐altitude endemics. ENMs suggest two types of refugia throughout the last glacial maximum, inner‐Alpine survival on nunataks for four species and peripheral refugia for further four species. In some geographic regions, the patterns of genetic variation are consistent with long‐distance dispersal out of massifs de refuge, repeatedly coupled with geographic parthenogenesis. In other regions, long‐term persistence in nunataks may dominate the patterns of genetic divergence. Overall, our results suggest that glacial cycles contributed to allopatric diversification in Alpine Megabunus, both within and at the margins of the ice shield. These findings exemplify the power of ENM projections coupled with genetic analyses to identify hypotheses about the position and the number of glacial refugia and thus to evaluate the role of Pleistocene glaciations in driving species‐specific responses of recolonization or persistence that may have contributed to observed patterns of biodiversity.
Conservation of sex chromosomes in lacertid lizards
Authors: Rovatsos Michail , Vukić Jasna , Altmanová Marie , Johnson Pokorná Martina , Moravec Jiří , Kratochvíl Lukáš 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSex chromosomes are believed to be stable in endotherms, but young and evolutionary unstable in most ectothermic vertebrates. Within lacertids, the widely radiated lizard group, sex chromosomes have been reported to vary in morphology and heterochromatinization, which may suggest turnovers during the evolution of the group. We compared the partial gene content of the Z‐specific part of sex chromosomes across major lineages of lacertids and discovered a strong evolutionary stability of sex chromosomes. We can conclude that the common ancestor of lacertids, living around 70 million years ago (Mya), already had the same highly differentiated sex chromosomes. Molecular data demonstrating an evolutionary conservation of sex chromosomes have also been documented for iguanas and caenophidian snakes. It seems that differences in the evolutionary conservation of sex chromosomes in vertebrates do not reflect the distinction between endotherms and ectotherms, but rather between amniotes and anamniotes, or generally, the differences in the life history of particular lineages.
Escape from the cryptic species trap: lichen evolution on both sides of a cyanobacterial acquisition event
Authors: Schneider Kevin , Resl Philipp , Spribille Toby 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLarge, architecturally complex lichen symbioses arose only a few times in evolution, increasing thallus size by orders of magnitude over those from which they evolved. The innovations that enabled symbiotic assemblages to acquire and maintain large sizes are unknown. We mapped morphometric data against an eight‐locus fungal phylogeny across one of the best‐sampled thallus size transition events, the origins of the Placopsis lichen symbiosis, and used a phylogenetic comparative framework to explore the role of nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria in size differences. Thallus thickness increased by >150% and fruiting body core volume increased ninefold on average after acquisition of cyanobacteria. Volume of cyanobacteria‐containing structures (cephalodia), once acquired, correlates with thallus thickness in both phylogenetic generalized least squares and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed‐effects analyses. Our results suggest that the availability of nitrogen is an important factor in the formation of large thalli. Cyanobacterial symbiosis appears to have enabled lichens to overcome size constraints in oligotrophic environments such as acidic, rain‐washed rock surfaces. In the case of the Placopsis fungal symbiont, this has led to an adaptive radiation of more than 60 recognized species from related crustose members of the genus Trapelia. Our data suggest that precyanobacterial symbiotic lineages were constrained to forming a narrow range of phenotypes, so‐called cryptic species, leading systematists until now to recognize only six of the 13 species clusters we identified in Trapelia.
Adaptation to low temperatures in the wild tomato species Solanum chilense
Authors: Nosenko Tetyana , Böndel Katharina B. , Kumpfmüller Gabriele , Stephan Wolfgang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMolecular adaptation to abiotic stresses in plants is a complex process based mainly on the modifications of gene transcriptional activity and the alteration of protein–protein interactions. We used a combination of population genetic, comparative transcriptomic and plant physiology approaches to investigate the mechanisms of adaptation to low temperatures in Solanum chilense populations distributed along Andean altitudinal gradients. We found that plants from all populations have high chilling tolerance, which does not correlate with temperatures in their native habitats. In contrast, tolerance to freezing shows a significant association with altitude and temperature variables. We also observed the differences in expression patterns of cold‐response genes between plants from high‐ and low‐altitude populations. These results suggest that genetic adaptations to low temperatures evolved in high‐altitude populations of S. chilense. At the transcriptional level, these adaptations may include high levels of constitutive expression of the genes encoding ICE1, the key transcription factor of the cold signalling pathway, and chloroplast ω‐3 fatty acid desaturase FAD7. At the sequence level, a signature of selection associated with the adaptation to high altitudes was detected at the C‐terminal part of ICE1 encoding the ACT regulatory domain.
What influences the worldwide genetic structure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)?
Authors: Alexander Alana , Steel Debbie , Hoekzema Kendra , Mesnick Sarah L. , Engelhaupt Daniel , Kerr Iain , Payne Roger , Baker C. Scott 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe interplay of natural selection and genetic drift, influenced by geographic isolation, mating systems and population size, determines patterns of genetic diversity within species. The sperm whale provides an interesting example of a long‐lived species with few geographic barriers to dispersal. Worldwide mtDNA diversity is relatively low, but highly structured among geographic regions and social groups, attributed to female philopatry. However, it is unclear whether this female philopatry is due to geographic regions or social groups, or how this might vary on a worldwide scale. To answer these questions, we combined mtDNA information for 1091 previously published samples with 542 newly obtained DNA profiles (394‐bp mtDNA, sex, 13 microsatellites) including the previously unsampled Indian Ocean, and social group information for 541 individuals. We found low mtDNA diversity (π = 0.430%) reflecting an expansion event <80 000 years bp, but strong differentiation by ocean, among regions within some oceans, and among social groups. In comparison, microsatellite differentiation was low at all levels, presumably due to male‐mediated gene flow. A hierarchical amova showed that regions were important for explaining mtDNA variance in the Indian Ocean, but not Pacific, with social group sampling in the Atlantic too limited to include in analyses. Social groups were important in partitioning mtDNA and microsatellite variance within both oceans. Therefore, both geographic philopatry and social philopatry influence genetic structure in the sperm whale, but their relative importance differs by sex and ocean, reflecting breeding behaviour, geographic features and perhaps a more recent origin of sperm whales in the Pacific. By investigating the interplay of evolutionary forces operating at different temporal and geographic scales, we show that sperm whales are perhaps a unique example of a worldwide population expansion followed by rapid assortment due to female social organization.