bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complex interactions in legume/cereal intercropping system: role of root exudates in root-to-root communication
Authors: Jiao Yinshan , Wang Entao , Chen Wenfeng , Smith Donald L. 
Published: January 2017

Dear Editor,Legume/cereal intercropping systems have been regarded as the practical application of basic ecological principles such as diversity, competition and facilitation. In a recent PNAS paper, Li et al. (1) describe the novel finding that maize exudates promote faba bean nodulation and nitrogen fixation by upregulating genes involved in (iso)flavonoids synthesis (chalcone–flavanone isomerase) within faba bean, resulting in production of more genistein, a legume-to-rhizobia signal during establishment of the faba bean N2–fixing symbiosis. Although we salute the authors’ methodological efforts, there is another mechanism that could be responsible for the effect of corn root exudates on faba been nitrogen fixation observed in this article (1). The authors may misunderstand their data and the signalling role of maize exudates, thus got a defective model for the root interactions between faba bean and maize.
The emetic activity of staphylococcal enterotoxins, SEK, SEL, SEM, SEN and SEO in a small emetic animal model, the house musk shrew
Authors: Ono Hisaya K. , Hirose Shouhei , Naito Ikunori , Sato'o Yusuke , Asano Krisana , Hu Dong‐Liang , Omoe Katsuhiko , Nakane Akio 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTStaphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) produced by Staphylococcus aureus are the most recognizable causative agents of emetic food poisoning in humans. New types of SEs and SE‐like (SEl) toxins have been reported. Several epidemiological investigations have shown that the SEs and SEl genes, particularly, SEK, SEL, SEM, SEN and SEO genes, are frequently detected in strains isolated from patients with food poisoning. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the emetic activity of recently identified SEs using a small emetic animal model, the house musk shrew. The emetic activity of these SEs in house musk shrews was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration and emetic responses, including the number of shrews that vomited, emetic frequency and latency of vomiting were documented. It was found that SEs induce emetic responses in these animals. This is the first time to demonstrate that SEK, SEL, SEM, SEN and SEO possess emetic activity in the house musk shrew.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica isolated from broiler chickens, pigs and meat products in Thailand–Cambodia border provinces
Authors: Trongjit Suthathip , Angkititrakul Sunpetch , Tuttle R. Emerson , Poungseree Jiratchaya , Padungtod Pawin , Chuanchuen Rungtip 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to examine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Salmonella isolates from broiler chickens, pigs and their associated meat products in the Thailand–Cambodia border provinces. A total of 941 samples were collected from pigs and broiler chickens at slaughter houses and from carcasses at local fresh markets in Sa Kaeo, Thailand (n = 554) and Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia (n = 387) in 2014 and 2015. From these samples, 345 Salmonella isolates were collected from Sa Keao (n = 145; 23%) and Banteay Meanchey (n = 200; 47%) and assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility, class 1 integrons and extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) genes. Serovars Typhimurium (29%) and Rissen (29%) were the most common serotypes found in Thai and Cambodian isolates, respectively. Multidrug resistance was detected in 34% and 52% of isolates from Sa Keao and Banteay Meanchey, respectively. The majority of the Thai isolates were resistant to ampicillin (72.4%), whereas most Cambodian isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole (71%). Eleven isolates from Sa Keao and 44 from Banteay Meanchey carried class 1 integrons comprising resistance gene cassettes. The most common gene cassette array was dfrA12‐aadA2 (61.1%). Six isolates were ESBL producers. The β‐lactamase genes found included blaTEM‐1, blaCTX‐M‐55 and blaCMY‐2. Some of these class 1 integrons and ESBL genes were located on conjugative plasmid. In conclusion, multidrug‐resistant Salmonella are common in pigs, chickens and their products in the Thailand–Cambodia border provinces. Our findings indicate that class 1 integrons play a role in spread of AMR in the strains in this study.
Pharmacokinetics of the antimicrobial drug Sulfanilamide is altered in a preclinical model of vascular calcification
Authors: Brandoni Anabel , Torres Adriana Mónica 
Published: January 2017

SummaryIn vascular smooth muscle, calcium overload is linked to advancing age. The pharmacokinetics of Sulfanilamide (SA), a compound with antibacterial properties, was evaluated in a preclinical model of vascular calcification. SA was used since it is useful to study possible modifications in the renal and hepatic management of drugs. Vascular calcification was induced by administration of a single high dose of vitamin D3 to rats (treated group) 10 days before the experiments. A parallel control group was processed. The decrease of renal blood flow due to calcification of the renal arteries explains, at least in part, the decrease in the renal clearance of SA observed in treated rats. The liver metabolic function increased in treated rats as demonstrated by increases in plasma appearance rate of acetylated‐Sulfanilamide (ASA), hepatic ASA content and hepatic N‐acetyltransferase activity. The decrease in renal excretion of SA was not completely compensated by the hepatic metabolism increase, since the elimination rate of SA from the central compartment (K1‐0) decreased in the treated group. In summary, in this experimental model with sustained arterial calcinosis induced by a single high dose of vitamin D3 10 days before the experiments, the pharmacokinetics of an aminobenzenesulfonamide is modified, at least in part, by the increase in the activity of hepatic N‐acetyltransferase and the decrease in renal blood flow. This study emphasizes the importance of considering the presence of vascular calcification when a drug dose scheme is performed, in order to optimize pharmacotherapeutic results.
Haplotyping RAD loci: an efficient method to filter paralogs and account for physical linkage
Authors: Willis Stuart C. , Hollenbeck Christopher M. , Puritz Jonathan B. , Gold John R. , Portnoy David S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing of reduced‐representation genomic libraries provides a powerful methodology for genotyping thousands of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among individuals of nonmodel species. Utilizing genotype data in the absence of a reference genome, however, presents a number of challenges. One major challenge is the trade‐off between splitting alleles at a single locus into separate clusters (loci), creating inflated homozygosity, and lumping multiple loci into a single contig (locus), creating artefacts and inflated heterozygosity. This issue has been addressed primarily through the use of similarity cut‐offs in sequence clustering. Here, two commonly employed, postclustering filtering methods (read depth and excess heterozygosity) used to identify incorrectly assembled loci are compared with haplotyping, another postclustering filtering approach. Simulated and empirical data sets were used to demonstrate that each of the three methods separately identified incorrectly assembled loci; more optimal results were achieved when the three methods were applied in combination. The results confirmed that including incorrectly assembled loci in population‐genetic data sets inflates estimates of heterozygosity and deflates estimates of population divergence. Additionally, at low levels of population divergence, physical linkage between SNPs within a locus created artificial clustering in analyses that assume markers are independent. Haplotyping SNPs within a locus effectively neutralized the physical linkage issue without having to thin data to a single SNP per locus. We introduce a Perl script that haplotypes polymorphisms, using data from single or paired‐end reads, and identifies potentially problematic loci.
Intraspecific variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism, and a test of Rensch's rule in bats
Authors: Ulian Carina M. V. , Rossi Marcelo N. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe magnitude and direction of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) may vary considerably within and among taxa, and the primary causes of such variation have not been thoroughly elucidated. For example, the effect of abiotic factors is frequently attributed to explain intra‐ and interspecific variation in SSD. Rensch's rule, which states that males vary more in size than females when body size increases, has rarely been tested in bats. Therefore, whether bats follow Rensch's rule remains unclear, particularly when females are larger than males. We investigated whether four bat species presented SSD, as well as whether their body sizes varied within each sex across localities, testing the hypothesis that intraspecific SSD varies substantially depending of sampling localities. We finally examined whether bats followed Rensch's rule by simultaneously using intraspecific and interspecific approaches. Although SSD was not observed for most bat species within each locality, the females of three of the four captured species exhibited differences in body size between particular localities. Usually the females varied more in size than did males across localities, mostly exhibiting a female‐biased SSD. Significant differences in SSD were observed (i.e. mean values of the sexual dimorphism index), even though Rensch's rule was not followed.
Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the pharmacokinetics and transplacental transfer of nifedipine in hypertensive pregnant women
Authors: Filgueira Gabriela Campos de Oliveira , Filgueira Osmany Alberto Silva , Carvalho Daniela Miarelli , Marques Maria Paula , Moisés Elaine Christine Dantas , Duarte Geraldo , Lanchote Vera Lucia , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho 
Published: January 2017

AimsDiabetes mellitus can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4, an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of nifedipine, used for the treatment of hypertension in pregnant women. We aimed to assess the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the pharmacokinetics, placental transfer and distribution of nifedipine in amniotic fluid in hypertensive pregnant women.MethodsThe study was conducted in 12 hypertensive pregnant women [control group (CG)] and 10 hypertensive pregnant women with T2DM taking slow‐release nifedipine (20 mg, 12/12 h). On the 34th week of gestation, serial blood samples were collected (0–12 h) after administration of the medication. At delivery, samples of maternal and fetal blood and amniotic fluid were collected for determination of nifedipine distribution in these compartments.ResultsThe median pharmacokinetic parameters of CG were: peak plasma concentration (Cmax) 26.41 ng ml−1, time to reach Cmax (tmax) 1.79 h, area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve from 0–12 h (AUC0–12) 235.99 ng.h ml−1, half‐life (t½) 4.34 h, volume of distribution divided by bioavailability (Vd/F) 560.96 l, and ClT/F 84.77 l h−1. The parameters for T2DM group were: Cmax 23.52 ng ml−1, tmax 1.48 h, AUC0–12 202.23 ng.h ml−1, t½ 5.00 h, Vd/F 609.40 l, and apparent total clearance (ClT/F) 98.94 l h−1. The ratios of plasma concentrations of nifedipine in the umbilical vein, intervillous space and amniotic fluid to those in the maternal vein for CG and T2DM were 0.53 and 0.44, 0.78 and 0.87, respectively, with an amniotic fluid/maternal plasma ratio of 0.05 for both groups. The ratios of plasma concentrations in the umbilical artery to those in the umbilical vein were 0.82 for CG and 0.88 for T2DM.ConclusionsThere was no influence of T2DM on the pharmacokinetics or placental transfer of nifedipine in hypertensive women with controlled diabetes.
Breast tumor stroma: A driving force in the development of resistance to therapies
Authors: Majidinia Maryam , Yousefi Bahman 
Published: January 2017

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer‐related death in women worldwide. In spite of huge advancements in early detection and ever‐increasing knowledge of breast cancer biology, approximately 30% of patients with early‐stage breast cancer experience disease recurrence. Most patients are chemosensitive and cancer free immediately after the treatment. About 50% to 70% of breast cancer patients, however, will relapse within 1 year. Such a relapse is usually concomitant with adenocarcinoma cells acquiring a chemoresistant phenotype. Both de novo and acquired chemoresistance are poorly understood and present a major burden in the treatment of breast cancer. Although, previously, chemoresistance was largely linked to genetic alterations within the cancer cells, recent investigations are indicating that chemoresistance can also be associated with the tumor microenvironment. Nowadays, it is widely believed that tumor microenvironment is a key player in tumor progression and response to treatment. In this study, we will review the interactions of breast tumor cells with their microenvironment, present the latest research on the resistance mediated by the stromal component in breast cancer, and discuss the potential therapeutic strategies that can be exploited to treat breast cancers by targeting tumor microenvironment.
Development and testing of a medline search filter for identifying patient and public involvement in health research
Authors: Rogers Morwenna , Bethel Alison , Boddy Kate 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundResearch involving the public as partners often proves difficult to locate due to the variations in terms used to describe public involvement, and inability of medical databases to index this concept effectively.ObjectiveTo design a search filter to identify literature where patient and public involvement (PPI) was used in health research.MethodsA reference standard of 172 PPI papers was formed. The references were divided into a development set and a test set. Search terms were identified from common words, phrases and synonyms in the development set. These terms were combined as a search strategy for medline via OvidSP, which was then tested for sensitivity against the test set. The resultant search filter was then assessed for sensitivity, specificity and precision using a previously published systematic review.ResultsThe search filter was found to be highly sensitive 98.5% in initial testing. When tested against results generated by a ‘real‐life’ systematic review, the filter had a specificity of 81%. However, sensitivity dropped to 58%. Adjustments to the population group of terms increased the sensitivity to 73%.ConclusionThe PPI filter designed for medline via OvidSP could aid information specialists and researchers trying to find literature specific to PPI.
Knowledge into action – supporting the implementation of evidence into practice in Scotland
Authors: Davies Sandra , Herbert Paul , Wales Ann , Ritchie Karen , Wilson Suzanne , Dobie Laura , Thain Annette 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe knowledge into action model for NHS Scotland provides a framework for librarians and health care staff to support getting evidence into practice. Central to this model is the development of a network of knowledge brokers to facilitate identification, use, creation and sharing of knowledge.ObjectiveTo translate the concepts described in the model into tangible activities with the intention of supporting better use of evidence in health care and subsequently improving patient outcomes.MethodsFour areas of activity were addressed by small working groups comprising knowledge services staff in local and national boards. The areas of activity were as follows: defining existing and required capabilities and developing learning opportunities for the knowledge broker network; establishing national search and summarising services; developing actionable knowledge tools; and supporting person‐to‐person knowledge sharing.ConclusionThis work presents the development of practical tools and support to translate a conceptual model for getting knowledge into action into a series of activities and outputs to support better use of evidence in health care and subsequently improved patient outcomes.
Negotiating concepts of evidence‐based practice in the provision of good service for nursing and allied health professionals
Authors: McTavish Jill 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe principles of evidence‐based medicine have been critiqued by the ‘caring’ professions, such as nursing and social work, and evidence‐informed medicine has been proposed as a more client‐centred, integrative approach to practice. The purpose of this study was to explore how Canadian health science librarians who serve nurses and allied health professionals define good service and how they negotiate evidence‐based principles in their searching strategies.MethodTwenty‐two librarians completed a 30 minute, semi‐structured phone interview about strategies for providing good service and supporting evidence‐based services. Participants were also asked to respond to three challenging search scenarios. Analysis of results used grounded theory methods.ResultsParticipants’ definitions of good service and strategies for supporting evidence‐based practice involved discussions about types of services provided, aspects of the librarian providing the service and aspects of the information provided during the service. Analysis of search scenarios revealed four justifications librarians rely upon when providing evidence that is in opposition to what their patron hopes to receive (evidentiary, ethical, practice‐based and boundaries of the profession).ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that health science librarians are both constrained and enabled by the principles of evidence‐based medicine and especially by understandings of ‘best evidence’.
Characteristics and trends in global tea research: a Science Citation Index Expanded‐based analysis
Authors: Wambu Enos Wamalwa , Fu Hui‐Zhen , Ho Yuh‐Shan 
Published: January 2017

SummaryA bibliometric approach to assess trends in global tea research using literature in the Science Citation Index Expanded database from 1991 to 2014 has been conducted. Articles were analysed by scientific output and research performances of countries and institutions. The distribution of keywords in the articles’ titles, author‐supplied keywords and KeyWords Plus as well as citation and publication trends of tea‐related articles was used to evaluate the research trends. The research output devoted to tea science increased greatly after the year 2002 indicating a paradigm shift that demonstrated that researchers became increasingly keen on biochemical relevance of active compounds in tea in mitigating emergent health challenges over classical tea research.
Anti‐inflammatory properties of high pressure‐assisted extracts of Grifola frondosa in lipopolysaccharide‐activated RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Wu Sz‐Jie , Chen Ying‐Wei , Wang Chung‐Yi , Shyu Yuan‐Tay 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the in vitro anti‐inflammatory properties of the shake extract (SE) and the high pressure‐assisted extract (PE) of the mycelia of Grifola frondosa in a lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model. The content of total polysaccharides and β‐glucans of PE at 600 MPa (PE‐600) was 41.2 and 6.2 mg g−1 dry weight, respectively, which were significantly higher than SE extracts. The results showed that treatment with 500 μg mL−1 of PE by 600 MPa (PE‐600) did not reduce RAW 264.7 cell viability but did significantly inhibit the production of LPS‐induced NO, PGE2 and intracellular ROS. The PE‐600 inhibited the activation of NF‐kB and then reduced the production of LPS‐induced TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β in a dose‐dependent manner. Thus, the PE could be used as an alternative extraction method for improving the extraction efficacy of G. frondosa and serve as an alternative source of anti‐inflammatory agents.
Preparing mental health professionals for new directions in mental health practice: Evaluating the sensory approaches e‐learning training package
Authors: Meredith Pamela , Yeates Harriet , Greaves Amanda , Taylor Michelle , Slattery Maddy , Charters Michelle , Hill Melissa 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe application of sensory modulation approaches in mental health settings is growing in recognition internationally. However, a number of barriers have been identified as limiting the implementation of the approach, including workplace culture and a lack of accessible and effective sensory approaches training. The aim of this project was to investigate the efficacy of providing this training through a custom‐designed e‐learning package. Participants in the present study were predominately nurses and occupational therapists working in mental health settings in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected from 121 participants using an online survey. Significant improvements were found between pre‐ and post‐training in participants’ real and perceived levels of knowledge, their perceived levels of confidence, and their attitudes towards using sensory modulation approaches in mental health settings. The findings of the study suggest that the custom‐designed sensory approaches e‐learning package is an effective, accessible, acceptable, and usable method to train health professionals in sensory modulation approaches. As this study is the first to analyse the efficacy of an e‐learning sensory approaches package, the results are considered preliminary, and further investigation is required.
Stepping‐stones across space and time: repeated radiation of Pacific flightless broad‐nosed weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Rhyncogonus)
Authors: Claridge Elin M. , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Brewer Michael S. , Roderick George K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAimWe examine spatial and temporal patterns of diversification among flightless weevils in the genus Rhyncogonus (Curculionidae: Entiminae), with respect to their passive mode of dispersal by rafting or upon birds and the geological context of Pacific island archipelagos.LocationArchipelagos and islands of the Pacific Ocean, especially the South Pacific and Hawaii.MethodsNuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data were used in Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis for all available species within the genus Rhyncogonus, plus representatives of other tribes in the subfamily Entiminae. Bayesian inference with molecular and geological calibration points was also used to estimate the age of major lineages of Rhyncogonus and infer the history of colonization.ResultsThe genus Rhyncogonus has colonized all major archipelagos in the central Pacific, with multiple species occurring within nearly all archipelagos. The common ancestors of the genus were present in the central Pacific at least 15 Ma, probably first inhabiting islands now under water. Subsequent colonization and diversification across Oceania shows a pattern that is remarkably consistent with the geology of the region: the weevils, which likely disperse either by rafting on vegetation or on migratory birds, reached each island not long after its appearance.Main conclusionsThough flightless, weevils in the genus Rhyncogonus have been remarkably effective at colonizing islands of the Pacific and appear to have colonized more remote islands via a series of less remote archipelagos. Although such a process of dispersal has been predicted, this study provides the first clear demonstration of the role of stepping‐stones in the diversification of a lineage with passive dispersal.