bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of packaging on consumers’ quality perception of carrots
Authors: Nørgaard Olesen Sebastian , Giacalone Davide 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present research was to investigate the influence of packaging design on consumers' perception of quality of fresh carrots. We adopted a conjoint analytic approach in which 251 Danish consumers rated the perceived quality and value (expected price) of nine packaging images, obtained by systematically varying packaging type (plastic bag, plastic box, cardboard paper) and label color (blue, brown, grey). The results revealed that the main attribute influencing the perceptions of the consumer was packaging type. Specifically, the box packages (both plastic and cardboard) were associated to carrots of significantly higher perceived value and quality compared to the plastic bag packages. Furthermore, the study identified the most important aspects consumers attend to when purchasing carrots. A transparent packaging, allowing consumers to inspect the produce, was mentioned as the most important aspect. Being organic and local were identified as the second and third most important, respectively.Practical applicationsPackaging is an important extrinsic product attribute that can influence consumer perceptions of fresh produce. The results have implications for retailers and producers with respect to the choice of packaging and label design. Specifically, consumers associated box packages to higher quality produce, suggesting that carrots in this type of package may command higher price and/or be preferred to bagged alternatives at a similar price point. The study further indicated the importance of using a transparent packaging that clearly allow consumers to inspect the produce, and also suggest that “organic” and “local” are important drivers of purchase for this product category.
Identification of phytoplasmas from Neoaliturus haematoceps associated with sesame phyllody disease in southwestern Turkey
Authors: Özdemir Zahide 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPhytoplasmas were detected based on nested PCR of the F2nR2 region of the 16S rDNA from Neoaliturus haematoceps (Mulsant and Rey) (Family: Cicadellidae). A total of 65 insect samples collected from sesame fields in Antalya, Turkey, during 2012–2014 were tested for phytoplasma detection. Phytoplasmas detected in fifteen samples showed an amplicon approximately 1250 bp in size using the universal primers of P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2. Identification of the phytoplasmas by sequence analysis revealed three different 16S rDNA phytoplasma groups: the peanut witches’‐broom, group II; clover proliferation, group VI; and pigeon pea witches’‐broom, group IX. The molecular characterization of subgroups was determined by sequence analysis and PCR‐RFLP using the restriction enzymes RsaI and TaqI. Restriction profiles of the subgroups were also confirmed using the iPhyclassifier program. BLAST and PCR‐RFLP analyses classified the subgroups as II‐D, VI‐A and IX‐C. This is the first report of molecular detection of three 16S rDNA subgroups of phytoplasmas, II‐D, VI‐A and IX‐C, from N. haematoceps in Turkey. This study also supports earlier studies of sesame phyllody phytoplasmas by N. haematoceps.
Performance, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of dairy calves fed starter mixtures supplemented with herbal plants, essential oils or monensin
Authors: Akbarian‐Tefaghi M. , Ghasemi E. , Khorvash M. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis study evaluated the supplementation effects of three herbal plants (thyme [THY], eucalyptus [EUC] and celery [CEL]), a commercial phytogenic additive ‎containing essential oils (PFA‐EO, Digestarom® P.E.P.) and monensin (MON) in calf starter on performance, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites during pre‐ (days 3–55) and post‐weaning (days 56–70). Sixty‐six Holstein dairy calves (3 days of age, 41.2 ± 3 kg of BW) were allocated to one of six starters supplemented with: (i) no additives (CON), (ii) MON (30 mg/kg), (iii) THY (23 g/kg), (iv) CEL (23 g/kg), (v) EUC (23 g/kg) and (vi) PFA‐EO (3 g/kg). All the calves were offered starters ad libitum plus 6 L of whole milk daily. Starter intake tended to be the highest in calves fed PFA‐EO and THY; intermediate in calves fed CON, MON and EUC; and the lowest in those fed CEL. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) remained unaffected by dietary treatments during the pre‐weaning. During the post‐weaning period, ADG and FE ‎were greatest in calves fed EUC followed by those fed CON, MON, PFA‐EO and THY, and then in those fed CEL. No differences were observed among the treatments in skeletal growth, faecal score, rumen pH or ammonia‐N concentration. Compared to calves fed CON and MON, those fed the herbal plants or PFA‐EO tended to recorded higher molar proportions of acetate and butyrate, and the acetate: propionate ratio. Blood malondialdehyde level did not differ among treatments, but calves on CON had the highest glucose concentration, and those fed PFA‐EO recorded the highest value for β‐hydroxyl butyrate on day 70. In conclusion, the results indicate that the three herbs and PFA‐EO are capable of modulating some of the rumen fermentation parameters and blood metabolites as well as eucalyptus could potentially be a better alternative to monensin for improving post‐weaning performance.
Increased oestradiol in hepatitis E virus‐infected pregnant women promotes viral replication
Authors: Yang C. , Yu W. , Bi Y. , Long F. , Li Y. , Wei D. , Hao X. , Situ J. , Zhao Y. , Huang F. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryHepatitis E virus (HEV) infection causes subclinical diseases, leading to high mortality (>25%) in pregnant women. HEV replication is aggressively escalated in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. Oestrogen plays an important role in pregnancy. However, the pathogenesis of HEV in pregnant women or immunosuppressive pregnant women (such as HIV‐infected or organ‐transplanted pregnant women) remains unclear. We investigated the role of oestradiol in HEV infection in a cell culture system. HEV‐infected pregnant women had significantly higher oestradiol levels compared with uninfected individuals. HEV infection was significantly increased in cells treated with analogues of oestradiol, diethylstilbestrol (DES) or 17β‐oestradiol in a dose‐dependent way. However, tamoxifen, an antagonist oestrogen, inhibited HEV replication. HEV infection inhibits oestrogen receptor (ER‐α) expression. Immunofluorescence and co‐immunoprecipitation assays indicated that ER‐α interacted with the helicase of HEV ORF1 indirectly. More importantly, HEV infection was exacerbated in immunosuppressive cells treated with an inhibitor of PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signal pathway (LY296004) and supplemented with pregnant women serum with high oestradiol simultaneously. These results strongly suggest that pregnant women with high oestradiol and/or immunosuppression will be vulnerable to HEV infection.
Regional pattern of microgliosis in sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease in relation to phenotypic variants and disease progression
Authors: Franceschini A. , Strammiello R. , Capellari S. , Giese A. , Parchi P. 
Published: January 2018

AimsThe aim of this study was to describe the regional profiles of microglial activation in sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD) subtypes and analyse the influence of prion strain, disease duration and codon 129 genotype.MethodsWe studied the amount/severity and distribution of activated microglia, protease‐resistant prion protein (PrPSc) spongiform change, and astrogliosis in eight regions of 57 brains, representative of the entire spectrum of sCJD subtypes.ResultsIn each individual subtype, the regional extent and distribution of microgliosis significantly correlated with PrPSc deposition and spongiform change, leading to subtype‐specific ‘lesion profiles’. However, large differences in the ratio between PrPSc load or the score of spongiform change and microglial activation were seen among disease subtypes. Most significantly, atypical sCJD subtypes such as VV1 and MM2T showed a degree of microglial activation comparable to other disease variants despite the relatively low PrPSc deposition and the less severe spongiform change. Moreover, the mean microglial total load was significantly higher in subtype MM1 than in MM2C, whereas the opposite was true for the PrPSc and spongiform change total loads. Finally, some sCJD subtypes showed distinctive regional cerebellar profiles of microgliosis characterized by a high granular/molecular layer ratio (MV2K) and/or a predominant involvement of white matter (MVK and MM2T).ConclusionsMicroglial activation is an early event in sCJD pathogenesis and is strongly influenced by prion strain, PRNP codon 129 genotype and disease duration. Microglial lesion profiling, by highlighting strain‐specific properties of prions, contributes to prion strain characterization and classification of human prion diseases, and represents a valid support to molecular and histopathologic typing.
Carbon allocation to major metabolites in illuminated leaves is not just proportional to photosynthesis when gaseous conditions (CO2 and O2) vary
Authors: Abadie Cyril , Bathellier Camille , Tcherkez Guillaume 
Published: January 2018

Summary

In gas‐exchange experiments, manipulating CO2 and O2 is commonly used to change the balance between carboxylation and oxygenation. Downstream metabolism (utilization of photosynthetic and photorespiratory products) may also be affected by gaseous conditions but this is not well documented.

Here, we took advantage of sunflower as a model species, which accumulates chlorogenate in addition to sugars and amino acids (glutamate, alanine, glycine and serine). We performed isotopic labelling with 13CO2 under different CO2/O2 conditions, and determined 13C contents to compute 13C‐allocation patterns and build‐up rates.

The 13C content in major metabolites was not found to be a constant proportion of net fixed carbon but, rather, changed dramatically with CO2 and O2. Alanine typically accumulated at low O2 (hypoxic response) while photorespiratory intermediates accumulated under ambient conditions and at high photorespiration, glycerate accumulation exceeding serine and glycine build‐up. Chlorogenate synthesis was relatively more important under normal conditions and at high CO2 and its synthesis was driven by phosphoenolpyruvate de novo synthesis.

These findings demonstrate that carbon allocation to metabolites other than photosynthetic end products is affected by gaseous conditions and therefore the photosynthetic yield of net nitrogen assimilation varies, being minimal at high CO2 and maximal at high O2.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of left ventricular endocardial pacing in advanced heart failure: Clinically efficacious but at what cost?
Authors: Graham Adam J. , Providenica Rui , Honarbakhsh Shohreh , Srinivasan Neil , Sawhney Vinit , Hunter Ross , Lambiase Pier 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionCardiac resynchronization using a left ventricular (LV) epicardial lead placed in the coronary sinus is now routinely used in the management of heart failure patients. LV endocardial pacing is an alternative when this is not feasible, with outcomes data sparse.ObjectiveTo review the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of endocardial LV pacing via meta‐analysis.MethodsEMBASE, MEDLINE, and COCHRANE databases with the search term “endocardial biventricular pacing” or “endocardial cardiac resynchronization” or “left ventricular endocardial” or “endocardial left ventricular.” Comparisons of pre‐and post‐QRS width, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification was performed, and mean differences (and respective 95% confidence interval [CI]) applied as a measurement of treatment effect.ResultsFifteen studies, including 362 patients, were selected. During a mean follow‐up of 40 ± 24.5 months, death occurred in 72 patients (11 per 100 patient‐years). Significant improvements in LVEF (mean difference 7.9%, 95% CI 5–10%, P < 0.0001; I2 = 73%), QRS width (mean difference: –41% 95% –75 to –7%; P < 0.0001; I2 = 94%), and NYHA class (mean difference: –1.06, 95% CI –1.2 to –0.9, P < 0.0001; I2 = 60%), (all P < 0.0001) occurred. Stroke rate was 3.3–4.2 per 100 patient‐years, which is higher than equivalent heart failure trial populations and recent meta‐analysis that included small case series.ConclusionLV endocardial lead implantation is a potentially efficacious alternative to CS lead placement, but preliminary data suggest a potentially higher risk of stroke during follow‐up when compared to the expected incidence of stroke in similar cohorts of patients.
Haplotype‐based genotyping‐by‐sequencing in oat genome research
Authors: Bekele Wubishet A. , Wight Charlene P. , Chao Shiaoman , Howarth Catherine J. , Tinker Nicholas A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryIn a de novo genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) analysis of short, 64‐base tag‐level haplotypes in 4657 accessions of cultivated oat, we discovered 164741 tag‐level (TL) genetic variants containing 241224 SNPs. From this, the marker density of an oat consensus map was increased by the addition of more than 70000 loci. The mapped TL genotypes of a 635‐line diversity panel were used to infer chromosome‐level (CL) haplotype maps. These maps revealed differences in the number and size of haplotype blocks, as well as differences in haplotype diversity between chromosomes and subsets of the diversity panel. We then explored potential benefits of SNP vs. TL vs. CL GBS variants for mapping, high‐resolution genome analysis and genomic selection in oats. A combined genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of heading date from multiple locations using both TL haplotypes and individual SNP markers identified 184 significant associations. A comparative GWAS using TL haplotypes, CL haplotype blocks and their combinations demonstrated the superiority of using TL haplotype markers. Using a principal component‐based genome‐wide scan, genomic regions containing signatures of selection were identified. These regions may contain genes that are responsible for the local adaptation of oats to Northern American conditions. Genomic selection for heading date using TL haplotypes or SNP markers gave comparable and promising prediction accuracies of up to r = 0.74. Genomic selection carried out in an independent calibration and test population for heading date gave promising prediction accuracies that ranged between r = 0.42 and 0.67. In conclusion, TL haplotype GBS‐derived markers facilitate genome analysis and genomic selection in oat.
Growing through trade in intermediate goods: the role of foreign growth and domestic tariffs
Authors: Álvarez‐Albelo Carmen D. , Manresa Antonio , Pigem‐Vigo Mònica 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe show that pure Ricardian trade can account for the empirical evidence that domestic growth is more affected by foreign growth than by trade openness. To do this, we develop a two‐country model involving a backward economy that exchanges intermediate goods with a faster growing country. We obtain three main results regarding growth and welfare of the backward economy: (i) the growth‐enhancing comparative advantage is facilitated by faster foreign growth; (ii) the growth rate may be negatively affected or unaffected by a domestic tariff, while it is always positively impacted by foreign growth; and (iii) a domestic tariff could be welfare‐improving.
Integrative taxonomy of the neotropical genus Omalonyx (Elasmognatha: Succineidae)
Authors: Vidigal Teofânia H. D. A. , Coscarelli Daniel , Paixão Hugo , Bernardes Samuel , Montresor Lângia C. , Pepato Almir R. 
Published: January 2018

The genus Omalonyx d'Orbigny, 1837, includes neotropical semi‐aquatic succineid slugs and comprises six recognized species to date. Field surveys across continental South America recovered five of the six recognized species. According to the morphological characters traditionally included in Omalonyx descriptions, the specimens were tentatively identified as O. matheroni, O. pattersonae, O. convexus, O. geayi and O. unguis. Employing sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) alone or combined with the nuclear second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) in discovery methods of species delimitation (GMYC and STACEY) led to species delimitation hypotheses that, except for unambiguously supporting O. convexus, have no correspondence to morphologically based assignments. To choose the delimitation model that best fit our data, the hypotheses recovered by GMYC, STACEY and morphology and created by merging species recovered by those methods had their marginal likelihood estimated and compared using the Bayes factors. The best‐supported hypothesis distinguished two species besides O. convexus: one widespread over most of South America and the other restricted to Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Furthermore, the pattern of genetic structuring supports pathways connecting the Amazonian and Atlantic forests. This pattern is similar to that observed in terrestrial taxa (e.g., forest‐dwelling small mammals) and is different from the pattern for fully aquatic taxa.
History of CRISPR-Cas from Encounter with a Mysterious Repeated Sequence to Genome Editing Technology
Authors: Ishino Yoshizumi , Krupovic Mart , Forterre Patrick 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas systems are well-known acquired immunity systems that are widespread in archaea and bacteria. The RNA-guided nucleases from CRISPR-Cas systems are currently regarded as the most reliable tools for genome editing and engineering. The first hint of their existence came in 1987, when an unusual repetitive DNA sequence, which subsequently was defined as a CRISPR, was discovered in the
Escherichia coli
genome during an analysis of genes involved in phosphate metabolism. Similar sequence patterns were then reported in a range of other bacteria as well as in halophilic archaea, suggesting an important role for such evolutionarily conserved clusters of repeated sequences. A critical step toward functional characterization of the CRISPR-Cas systems was the recognition of a link between CRISPRs and the associated Cas proteins, which were initially hypothesized to be involved in DNA repair in hyperthermophilic archaea. Comparative genomics, structural biology, and advanced biochemistry could then work hand in hand, not only culminating in the explosion of genome editing tools based on CRISPR-Cas9 and other class II CRISPR-Cas systems but also providing insights into the origin and evolution of this system from mobile genetic elements denoted casposons. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the discovery of CRISPR, this minireview briefly discusses the fascinating history of CRISPR-Cas systems, from the original observation of an enigmatic sequence in
E. coli
to genome editing in humans.
Absence epilepsy beyond adolescence: an outcome analysis after 45 years of follow-up
Authors: Holtkamp Martin , Janz Dieter , Kirschbaum Andrea , Kowski Alexander B , Vorderwülbecke Bernd J 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesDepending on patient age at onset, absence epilepsy is subdivided into childhood and juvenile forms. Absence seizures can occur several times per day (pyknoleptic course) or less frequently than daily (non-pyknoleptic course). Seizures typically terminate before adulthood, but a quarter of patients need ongoing treatment beyond adolescence. Little is known about their long-term seizure and psychosocial outcome.MethodsFiles of 135 outpatients with absence epilepsy (76 females; 123 had additional generalised tonic–clonic seizures) were retrospectively analysed after a median follow-up of 45.4 years (IQR: 31.9–56.2). Eighty-two subjects completed an additional interview. Patients were dichotomised according to age at epilepsy onset (childhood: n=82; juvenile: n=53) and course of absence seizures (pyknoleptic: n=80; non-pyknoleptic: n=55).ResultsAmong all patients, 53% achieved 5-year terminal seizure remission, 16% without antiepileptic medication. Median age at last seizure was lower in patients with childhood onset of absence epilepsy (37.7 years) versus juvenile onset (44.4 years; P≤0.01). However, rates and duration of terminal seizure remission were similar. Pyknoleptic versus non-pyknoleptic course of absence seizures made no difference for long-term seizure outcome. Multivariate analysis identified only higher age at investigation to be associated with terminal 5-year seizure remission. Regarding aspects of psychosocial outcome, there were no significant differences between the respective subgroups.ConclusionsThese data indicate that if absence epilepsy persists beyond adolescence, long-term seizure and psychosocial outcome do not differ between childhood and juvenile onset or between pyknoleptic and non-pyknoleptic course of absence epilepsy. However, higher patient age increases the chance of terminal seizure remission.
Predicting the presence of macrovascular causes in non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage: the DIAGRAM prediction score
Authors: Hilkens Nina A , van Asch Charlotte J J , Werring David J , Wilson Duncan , Rinkel Gabriël J E , Algra Ale , Velthuis Birgitta K , de Kort Gérard A P , Witkamp Theo D , van Nieuwenhuizen Koen M , de Leeuw Frank-Erik , Schonewille Wouter J , de Kort Paul L M , Dippel Diederik W J , Raaymakers Theodora W M , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Wermer Marieke J H , Kerkhoff Henk , Jellema Korné , Bronner Irene M , Remmers Michel J M , Bienfait Henri Paul , Witjes Ron J G M , Jäger H Rolf , Greving Jacoba P , Klijn Catharina J M 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveA substantial part of non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhages (ICH) arises from a macrovascular cause, but there is little guidance on selection of patients for additional diagnostic work-up. We aimed to develop and externally validate a model for predicting the probability of a macrovascular cause in patients with non-traumatic ICH.MethodsThe DIagnostic AngioGRAphy to find vascular Malformations (DIAGRAM) study (n=298; 69 macrovascular cause; 23%) is a prospective, multicentre study assessing yield and accuracy of CT angiography (CTA), MRI/ magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and intra-arterial catheter angiography in diagnosing macrovascular causes in patients with non-traumatic ICH. We considered prespecified patient and ICH characteristics in multivariable logistic regression analyses as predictors for a macrovascular cause. We combined independent predictors in a model, which we validated in an external cohort of 173 patients with ICH (78 macrovascular cause, 45%).ResultsIndependent predictors were younger age, lobar or posterior fossa (vs deep) location of ICH, and absence of small vessel disease (SVD). A model that combined these predictors showed good performance in the development data (c-statistic 0.83; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.88) and moderate performance in external validation (c-statistic 0.66; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.74). When CTA results were added, the c-statistic was excellent (0.91; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.94) and good after external validation (0.88; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94). Predicted probabilities varied from 1% in patients aged 51–70 years with deep ICH and SVD, to more than 50% in patients aged 18–50 years with lobar or posterior fossa ICH without SVD.ConclusionThe DIAGRAM scores help to predict the probability of a macrovascular cause in patients with non-traumatic ICH based on age, ICH location, SVD and CTA.