bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards continuous wine fining: Materials characterisation and crossflow performance testing of polymer–bentonite mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Shi Heng , Burmeister Douglas M. , Frost Andrew , Patterson Darrell A. , James Bryony 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study investigates the feasibility of using bentonite‐embedded mixed matrix membranes to perform wine fining on white wines to eliminate protein instability. Membranes made using polyethersulphone or polyvinylidene fluoride were fabricated using the wet phase inversion technique and used to filter unfined New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine in a crossflow filtration system.The morphologies of all the fabricated membranes were characteristic of asymmetric phase inversion membranes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis on the membranes suggests that the two major mechanisms of protein removal are adsorption by the embedded bentonite particles and size exclusion via the membrane morphology. Polyethersulphone membranes were found to produce wine of similar levels of protein stability (around 90% protein removal) and polyphenol content as polyvinylidene fluoride membranes of the same membrane composition and operating conditions but with as much as 80% higher flux. Stabilising wine in one filtration pass was possible with polyethersulphone membrane with 25 wt% bentonite while maintaining high flux. These promising results show that the tested process has the potential to replace the current batch‐wise fining process with continuous crossflow membrane filtration with benefits such as increased processing speed and reduced wine loss.
Chemical Stimulus‐responsive Folding and Unfolding of a Dendrimeric Assembly
Authors: Kimura Ryo , Suzuki Shuichi , Okada Keiji , Kozaki Masatoshi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA dendrimeric trimer undergoes folding and unfolding in response to a chemical stimulus. The trimer of interest contains a central dendrimer with a butadiyne‐linked zinc porphyrin dimer ((ZnP)2) core, in addition to two terminal dendrimers with zinc porphyrin (ZnP) cores. The obtained absorption spectra indicate that the unfolded form is the exclusive conformer in chloroform, while the addition of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in chloroform leads to transformation from the unfolded to the folded structure containing two DABCO units per trimer; the folded structure originates from the cross‐linking of (ZnP)2 and ZnP with DABCO. Moreover, the addition of excess DABCO promotes the generation of the unfolded structure containing four DABCO units.
Ageratum conyzoides L. inhibits 5‐alpha‐reductase gene expression in human prostate cells and reduces symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy in otherwise healthy men in a double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical study
Authors: Detering Matthew , Steels Elizabeth , Koyyalamudi Sundar Rao , Allifranchini Elena , Bocchietto Elena , Vitetta Luis 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Ageratum conyzoides in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). In this study, 109 men with medically diagnosed BPH, aged 41–76 years, were administered the investigational product, A. conyzoides extract at a dose of 250 mg/d or placebo, q.d. for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), daily urinary frequency and safety evaluations. The secondary outcome measures were testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) and cortisol levels, and prostate specific antigen (PSA), lipids, blood glucose, the Aging Male's Symptom (AMS) Score and sexual function assessed by Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning‐Self Report (DISF‐SR). The effect of A. conyzoides L extract on gene expression of 5‐alpha‐reductase in human prostate cells was also investigated to elucidate a potential mechanism of action. The clinical study, showed a significant reduction in total IPSS score (p < 0.01) and day‐ and night‐time urinary frequency (P < 0.01) over time after treatment with A. conyzoides. Steroid hormones, SHBG, PSA levels, lipids, and blood glucose remained within healthy reference range in both groups. There were no changes in AMS or DISF‐SR in either group. Gene arrays demonstrated that A. conyzoides extract was effective in reducing the expression of mRNA coding for 5‐alpha‐reductase types 2 and 1 in human prostate epithelial cells. The overall results indicate that A. conyzoides may be an effective treatment for reducing symptoms of BPH in healthy men, in part, through inhibition of 5‐alpha‐reductase enzyme activity. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(6):789–800, 2017
Proinflammatory cytokines correlate with early exercise attenuating anxiety‐like behavior after cerebral ischemia
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Jingjun , Yan Yuzhong , Zhang Pengyue , Zhang Wei , Xia Rong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveStroke may cause neuropsychiatric problems, which have negative effects on cognitive functions and behavior. Exercise plays an important role in reducing the occurrence and development of stroke, the concrete mechanism is not fully clarified. In this study, we attempted to determine whether early treadmill exercise attenuates anxiety‐like behavior by regulation of inflammation after brain ischemia.MethodWe subjected adult male rats to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min and trained rats started to run on a treadmill from postoperative day 1 to day 14. The effects of treadmill on cognitive functions, anxiety‐like behavior, and immune activation were analyzed by Morris water maze test, open field test, elevated plus maze test, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsEarly treadmill exercise significantly improved cognitive function, alleviated anxiety‐like behavior in ischemic rats model; this improvement was associated with significantly decreased activation of astrocytes and microglia cells and proinflammatory markers (platelet‐activating factor [PAF], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α], intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 [ICAM‐1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 [VCAM‐1]).ConclusionOur results indicated that early treadmill exercise attenuated anxiety‐like behavior by decreasing inflammation response, exercise conferred a great benefit of attenuating anxiety‐like behavior via anti‐inflammatory treatment may prove to be a novel neuroprotective strategy for stroke.
Ral signaling pathway in health and cancer
Authors: Moghadam Adel Rezaei , Patrad Elham , Tafsiri Elham , Peng Warner , Fangman Benjamin , Pluard Timothy J , Accurso Anthony , Salacz Michael , Shah Kushal , Ricke Brandon , Bi Danse , Kimura Kyle , Graves Leland , Najad Marzieh Khajoie , Dolatkhah Roya , Sanaat Zohreh , Yazdi Mina , Tavakolinia Naeimeh , Mazani Mohammad , Amani Mojtaba , Ghavami Saeid , Gartell Robyn , Reilly Colleen , Naima Zaid , Esfandyari Tuba , Farassati Faris 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Ral (Ras‐Like) signaling pathway plays an important role in the biology of cells. A plethora of effects is regulated by this signaling pathway and its prooncogenic effectors. Our team has demonstrated the overactivation of the RalA signaling pathway in a number of human malignancies including cancers of the liver, ovary, lung, brain, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Additionally, we have shown that the activation of RalA in cancer stem cells is higher in comparison with differentiated cancer cells. In this article, we review the role of Ral signaling in health and disease with a focus on the role of this multifunctional protein in the generation of therapies for cancer. An improved understanding of this pathway can lead to development of a novel class of anticancer therapies that functions on the basis of intervention with RalA or its downstream effectors.
Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids as Efficient Reagents for the C−O Bond Cleavage of Lignin
Authors: Thierry Marina , Majira Amel , Pégot Bruce , Cezard Laurent , Bourdreux Flavien , Clément Gilles , Perreau François , Boutet‐Mercey Stéphanie , Diter Patrick , Vo‐Thanh Giang , Lapierre Catherine , Ducrot Paul‐Henri , Magnier Emmanuel , Baumberger Stéphanie , Cottyn Betty 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe demethylation of lignin in ionic liquids (ILs) was investigated by using pure lignin model monomers and dimers together with dioxane‐isolated lignins from poplar, miscanthus, and maize. Different methylimidazolium ILs were compared and the samples were treated with two different heating processes: microwave irradiation and conventional heating in a sealed tube. The conversion yield and influence of the treatment on the lignin structure were assessed by 31P NMR spectroscopy, size‐exclusion chromatography, and thioacidolysis. The acidic methylimidazolium IL [HMIM]Br was shown to be an effective combination of solvent and reagent for the demethylation and depolymerization of lignin. The relatively mild reaction conditions, the clean work‐up, and the ability to reuse the IL makes the described procedure an attractive and new green method for the conversion of lignin to produce phenol‐rich lignin oligomers.
Large river floodplain as a natural laboratory: non‐native macroinvertebrates benefit from elevated temperatures
Authors: Paillex Amael , Castella Emmanuel , zu Ermgassen Philine , Gallardo Belinda , Aldridge David C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWater temperature is known to influence individual animal metabolism, development, and reproduction. However, in situ studies aiming to demonstrate the link between water temperature and community structure in complex ecosystems such as large river floodplains are still rare. In particular, we have little indication about how an increase in temperature affects the density of native and invasive species within a community. Large river floodplains cover a varied range of environmental conditions, are rich in species, and therefore potentially useful ecosystems to study the effect of water temperature at the community level. Moreover, as freshwater communities are increasingly impacted by global warming and biological invasions, an improved understanding of the possible interaction between these drivers would be beneficial. First, we studied during two years the thermal heterogeneity of 36 sites in a large river (Rhone) floodplain. Second, we compared the thermal regimes of sites having different levels of hydrological connectivity with the main river channel. Third, we studied the combined and separated effects of the thermal regime and the hydrological connectivity on the presence and densities of native and non‐native species of macroinvertebrates. The studied large river floodplain covered a wide range of thermal regimes, with some sites displaying a yearlong constant temperature of about 10°C, whereas others experienced thermal amplitude of over 25°C. The thermal regime was independent of the level of hydrological connectivity of the sites. The increase in hydrological connectivity had a significant and positive effect on the richness of non‐native species within sites. The thermal regime had a positive influence on the density of non‐native species but no effect on the total density of native taxa within communities. This study showed that large river floodplains possess a wide range of thermal conditions and that the increase in water temperature can have a positive influence on the presence of non‐native populations of macroinvertebrates. This study provides a first set of empirical results to establish models predicting the effect of increasing temperatures on the establishment of non‐native and native species in a complex ecosystem and underline the problem of biological invasions under climate change.
Assessment of reanalysis soil moisture products in the permafrost regions of the central of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Qin Yanhui , Wu Tonghua , Wu Xiaodong , Li Ren , Xie Changwei , Qiao Yongping , Hu Guojie , Zhu Xiaofan , Wang Weihua , Shang Wen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe long‐term and large‐scale soil moisture (SM) record is important for understanding land atmosphere interactions and their impacts on the weather, climate, and regional ecosystem. SM products are one of the parameters used in some Earth system models, but these records require evaluation before use. The water resources on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) are important to the water security of billions of people in Asia. Therefore, it is necessary to know the SM conditions on the QTP. In this study, the evaluation metrics of multilayer (0–10, 10–40, and 40–100 cm) SM in different reanalysis datasets of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts interim reanalysis (ERA‐Interim [ERA]), National Centers for Environmental Prediction Climate Forecast System and the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2), and China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS) are compared with in situ observations at 5 observation sites, which represent alpine meadow, alpine swamp meadow, alpine grassy meadow, alpine desert steppe, and alpine steppe environments during the thawing season from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013, on the QTP. The ERA SM remains constant at approximately 0.2 m3⋅m−3 at all observation sites during the entire thawing season. The CLDAS and CFSv2 SM products show similar patterns with those of the in situ SM observations during the thawing season. The CLDAS SM product performs better than the CFSv2 and ERA for all vegetation types except the alpine swamp meadow. The results indicate that the soil texture and land cover types play a more important role than the precipitation to increase the biases of the CLDAS SM product on the QTP.
6‐Hydroxydopamine induces brain vascular endothelial inflammation
Authors: Fu Qizhi , Song Runluo , Yang Zhongxi , Shan Qi , Chen Wenna 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDisruption of the blood‐brain barrier associated with endothelial dysfunction is an important hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐Hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) is a synthetic dopamine derivate often used to model PD as it results in retrograde degeneration of striatal dopaminergic (DA) terminals. Presently, the effects of 6‐OHDA on endothelial dysfunction remain unknown. Using a 6‐OHDA rodent model of PD, we found that administration of 6‐OHDA could increase the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), and E‐selectin. An in vitro study displayed that treatment with 6‐OHDA increased the release of these molecules in human brain microvascular endothelial cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Correspondingly, 6‐OHDA significantly increased attachment of THP‐1 monocytes to brain endothelial cells. In addition, real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results indicated that 6‐OHDA elevated the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Furthermore, 6‐OHDA treatment increased the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as well as the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide. Importantly, 6‐OHDA elevated the transcriptional activity of NF‐кB by increasing the phosphorylation, degradation, and subsequent nuclear translocation of p65. Mechanistically, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor was found to mediate 6‐OHDA‐induced endothelial dysfunction. Our findings suggest that 6‐OHDA‐induced endothelial inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(11):887–895, 2017
Comparison of the Efficiency of Ultrasound‐Guided Injections of the Rhomboid Major and Trapezius Muscles in Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Double‐blind Study
Authors: Metin Ökmen Burcu , Ökmen Korgün , Altan Lale 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound (US)‐guided injections of the rhomboid major (deep) and trapezius (superficial) muscles on pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.MethodsIn this prospective randomized controlled double‐blind study, 65 patients with a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome were randomized into 2 groups. In group 1 (n = 33), US‐guided rhomboid major muscle injection was performed, and in group 2 (n = 32), US‐guided trapezius muscle injection was performed. The patients were assessed by a visual analog scale for pain, the Pressure Pain Threshold, the Neck Pain and Disability Scale, and Short Form 12. Data were obtained before treatment (week 0), the second week after treatment, and the fourth week after treatment.ResultsIn both groups, significant improvements were observed for all parameters at both weeks 2 and 4 compared to pretreatment values (P < .05). A comparison of the groups showed significantly superior results in group 1 for all parameters at week 2 (P < .05) and for all parameters but the Physical Component Scale of Short Form 12 at week 4 (P < .05).ConclusionsWe think that US‐guided deep injection of the rhomboid major muscle was more effective than superficial injection of the trapezius muscle for pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
Cultivation ofOpuntia ficus‐indicaunder different soil management practices: A possible sustainable agricultural system to promote soil carbon sequestration and increase soil microbial biomass and activity
Authors: Bautista‐Cruz Angélica , Leyva‐Pablo Tania , de León‐González Fernando , Zornoza Raúl , Martínez‐Gallegos Verónica , Fuentes‐Ponce Mariela , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Luis 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMonitoring of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, SOC pools, and enzymes involved in SOC degradation and mineralization is needed to elucidate the impact of conversion from forest to agriculture on SOC and properties, and how and which crop system and management practices can contribute to C sequestration, thus climate change mitigation. This study compared the impact of forest conversion to maize (Zea maysL.) and cactus (Opuntia ficus‐indica[L.] Mill.) fields with different farming management on SOC content and pools (recalcitrant, labile, and extractable), soil microbial biomass carbon, and enzyme activities involved in the soil C cycle. For this purpose, a site under strong land use changes in Central Mexico with high demographic density was selected. Forest conversion to maize fields decreased the original SOC and the C recalcitrance index (RI). However, land use change from forest to cactus systems maintained SOC content, C RI, and arylesterase activity near the values observed in the original forest. Cactus systems promoted higher soil extractable organic carbon content, related to increases in microbial biomass and β‐glucosidase activity. Additionally, cactus cultivation can maintain SOC and a C RI at a similar level to the forest soil, which contributes to sustainability of the agroecosystem and climate change mitigation. Therefore, it could comprise a promising viable option for sustainable crop production systems under temperate subhumid conditions, in turn promoting socioeconomic development and rural growth.
Family members' satisfaction with care and decision‐making in intensive care units and post‐stay follow‐up needs—a cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Frivold Gro , Slettebø Åshild , Heyland Daren K , Dale Bjørg 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore family members' satisfaction with care and decision‐making during the intensive care units stay and their follow‐up needs after the patient's discharge or death.DesignA cross‐sectional survey study was conducted.MethodsFamily members of patients recently treated in an ICU were participating. The questionnaire contented of background variables, the instrument Family Satisfaction in ICU (FS‐ICU 24) and questions about follow‐up needs. Descriptive and non‐parametric statistics and a multiple linear regression were used in the analysis.ResultsA total of 123 (47%) relatives returned the questionnaire. Satisfaction with care was higher scored than satisfaction with decision‐making. Follow‐ up needs after the ICU stay was reported by 19 (17%) of the participants. Gender and length of the ICU stay were shown as factors identified to predict follow‐up needs.
Adolescents and young adults with brain tumors in the context of molecular advances in neuro‐oncology
Authors: Zapotocky Michal , Ramaswamy Vijay , Lassaletta Alvaro , Bouffet Eric 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAdolescents and young adults (AYA) comprise a specific group of oncology patients with a distinct biological and epidemiological spectrum of central nervous system neoplasms. It has been well documented that they differ clinically, especially in relation to prognosis and chemotherapy tolerance; however, the underlying reasons for this are unclear. Recent advances in the genomics of both childhood and adult brain tumors have provided new explanations and insights into the previously described age‐dependent heterogeneity. Herein, we summarize the current state of the AYA population in neuro‐oncology, specifically how biological advances can help personalize therapy for this unique group of patients.
OPUS‐CSF: A C‐atom‐based scoring function for ranking protein structural models
Authors: Xu Gang , Ma Tianqi , Zang Tianwu , Wang Qinghua , Ma Jianpeng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe report a C‐atom‐based scoring function, named OPUS‐CSF, for ranking protein structural models. Rather than using traditional Boltzmann formula, we built a scoring function (CSF score) based on the native distributions (derived from the entire PDB) of coordinate components of mainchain C (carbonyl) atoms on selected residues of peptide segments of 5, 7, 9, and 11 residues in length. In testing OPUS‐CSF on decoy recognition, it maximally recognized 257 native structures out of 278 targets in 11 commonly used decoy sets, significantly outperforming other popular all‐atom empirical potentials. The average correlation coefficient with TM‐score was also comparable with those of other potentials. OPUS‐CSF is a highly coarse‐grained scoring function, which only requires input of partial mainchain information, and very fast. Thus, it is suitable for applications at early stage of structural building.
Protein contact prediction by integrating deep multiple sequence alignments, coevolution and machine learning
Authors: Adhikari Badri , Hou Jie , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this study, we report the evaluation of the residue‐residue contacts predicted by our three different methods in the CASP12 experiment, focusing on studying the impact of multiple sequence alignment, residue coevolution, and machine learning on contact prediction. The first method (MULTICOM‐NOVEL) uses only traditional features (sequence profile, secondary structure, and solvent accessibility) with deep learning to predict contacts and serves as a baseline. The second method (MULTICOM‐CONSTRUCT) uses our new alignment algorithm to generate deep multiple sequence alignment to derive coevolution‐based features, which are integrated by a neural network method to predict contacts. The third method (MULTICOM‐CLUSTER) is a consensus combination of the predictions of the first two methods. We evaluated our methods on 94 CASP12 domains. On a subset of 38 free‐modeling domains, our methods achieved an average precision of up to 41.7% for top L/5 long‐range contact predictions. The comparison of the three methods shows that the quality and effective depth of multiple sequence alignments, coevolution‐based features, and machine learning integration of coevolution‐based features and traditional features drive the quality of predicted protein contacts. On the full CASP12 dataset, the coevolution‐based features alone can improve the average precision from 28.4% to 41.6%, and the machine learning integration of all the features further raises the precision to 56.3%, when top L/5 predicted long‐range contacts are evaluated. And the correlation between the precision of contact prediction and the logarithm of the number of effective sequences in alignments is 0.66.