bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nutrition‐gut microbiome‐physiology axis and allergic diseases
Authors: McKenzie Craig , Tan Jian , Macia Laurence , Mackay Charles R. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryDietary and bacterial metabolites influence immune responses. This raises the question whether the increased incidence of allergies, asthma, some autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, and others might relate to intake of unhealthy foods, and the decreased intake of dietary fiber. In recent years, new knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underpinning a ‘diet‐gut microbiota‐physiology axis’ has emerged to substantiate this idea. Fiber is fermented to short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly acetate, butyrate, and propionate. These metabolites bind ‘metabolite‐sensing’ G‐protein‐coupled receptors such as GPR43, GPR41, and GPR109A. These receptors play fundamental roles in the promotion of gut homeostasis and the regulation of inflammatory responses. For instance, these receptors and their metabolites influence Treg biology, epithelial integrity, gut homeostasis, DC biology, and IgA antibody responses. The SCFAs also influence gene transcription in many cells and tissues, through their inhibition of histone deacetylase expression or function. Contained in this mix is the gut microbiome, as commensal bacteria in the gut have the necessary enzymes to digest dietary fiber to SCFAs, and dysbiosis in the gut may affect the production of SCFAs and their distribution to tissues throughout the body. SCFAs can epigenetically modify DNA, and so may be one mechanism to account for diseases with a ‘developmental origin’, whereby in utero or post‐natal exposure to environmental factors (such as nutrition of the mother) may account for disease later in life. If the nutrition‐gut microbiome‐physiology axis does underpin at least some of the Western lifestyle influence on asthma and allergies, then there is tremendous scope to correct this with healthy foodstuffs, probiotics, and prebiotics.
The role of hospice in the transition from hospital to home for technology‐dependent children—A qualitative study
Authors: Price Jayne , McCloskey Sharon , Brazil Kevin 
Published: June 2017

Aims and objectivesTo report parent and professional perspectives of step‐down care in assisting the transition from hospital to home, within one children's hospice in a constituent country of the United Kingdom.BackgroundIn recent years, increasing numbers of children‐dependent on long term assisted ventilation have been noted. Meeting the complex physical, emotional and social needs of the child and family is challenging. Many of these children spend extended periods in hospital even when medically stable.DesignThis was a qualitative study using an inductive, semantic analytic approach within a realist epistemology.MethodsData collection was carried out in 2013. Interviews took place with parents (n = 5) and focus groups with professionals (n = 26) who had experience of step‐down care.ResultsMultiple benefits of step‐down in the hospice were clear. Both sets of accounts suggested that for children and families life was “on hold” in hospital. Hospice was considered a home‐like environment where the child and family could “live again”. Parents reflected that, in hospice they were “living, not existing” while professionals highlighted hospice as nurturing and empowering the whole family, promoting the child's development while safely meeting their clinical needs.Conclusions and relevance to clinical practiceThe study highlights a number of crucial benefits to the child and family both in the immediate and longer terms. The collective perspectives therefore endorse hospice as a potential viable choice for these children and their families during the always difficult, usually protracted transition from hospital to home.
Synergistic effect of melatonin and ghrelin in preventing cisplatin‐induced ovarian damage via regulation of FOXO3a phosphorylation and binding to the p27Kip1 promoter in primordial follicles
Authors: Jang Hoon , Na Younghwa , Hong Kwonho , Lee Sangho , Moon Sohyeon , Cho Minha , Park Miseon , Lee Ok‐Hee , Chang Eun Mi , Lee Dong Ryul , Ko Jung Jae , Lee Woo Sik , Choi Youngsok 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPremature ovarian failure during chemotherapy is a serious problem for young women with cancer. To preserve the fertility of these patients, approaches to prevent chemotherapy‐induced ovarian failure are needed. In a previous study, we reported that melatonin treatment prevents the depletion of the dormant follicle pool via repression of the simultaneous activation of dormant primordial follicles by cisplatin. However, melatonin's protective effect was only partial and thus insufficient. In this study, we found that the hormone ghrelin enhances the protective effect of melatonin against cisplatin‐induced ovarian failure in mouse model. Co‐administration of melatonin and ghrelin more effectively prevented cisplatin‐induced follicle disruption. Simultaneous treatment with melatonin and ghrelin almost restored the number of primordial follicles and the corpus luteum in cisplatin‐treated ovaries, compared with single administration. We found melatonin and ghrelin receptors on the cell membrane of premature oocytes of primordial follicles. In addition, melatonin and ghrelin co‐administration inhibited the cisplatin‐induced phosphorylation of PTEN and FOXO3a that induces cytoplasmic translocation of FOXO3a. Inhibition of FOXO3a phosphorylation by melatonin and ghrelin increased the binding affinity of FOXO3a for the p27Kip1 promoter in primordial follicles. Co‐administration of melatonin and ghrelin in cisplatin‐treated ovaries restored the expression of p27Kip1, which is critical for retention of the dormant status of primordial follicles. In conclusion, these findings suggest that melatonin and ghrelin co‐administration is suitable for use as a fertoprotective adjuvant therapy during cisplatin chemotherapy in young female cancer patients.
The future of Stardust science
Authors: Westphal A. J. , Bridges J. C. , Brownlee D. E. , Butterworth A. L. , De Gregorio B. T. , Dominguez G. , Flynn G. J. , Gainsforth Z. , Ishii H. A. , Joswiak D. , Nittler L. R. , Ogliore R. C. , Palma R. , Pepin R. O. , Stephan T. , Zolensky M. E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent observations indicate that >99% of the small bodies in the solar system reside in its outer reaches—in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. Kuiper Belt bodies are probably the best‐preserved representatives of the icy planetesimals that dominated the bulk of the solid mass in the early solar system. They likely contain preserved materials inherited from the protosolar cloud, held in cryogenic storage since the formation of the solar system. Despite their importance, they are relatively underrepresented in our extraterrestrial sample collections by many orders of magnitude (~1013 by mass) as compared with the asteroids, represented by meteorites, which are composed of materials that have generally been strongly altered by thermal and aqueous processes. We have only begun to scratch the surface in understanding Kuiper Belt objects, but it is already clear that the very limited samples of them that we have in our laboratories hold the promise of dramatically expanding our understanding of the formation of the solar system. Stardust returned the first samples from a known small solar system body, the Jupiter‐family comet 81P/Wild 2, and, in a separate collector, the first solid samples from the local interstellar medium. The first decade of Stardust research resulted in more than 142 peer‐reviewed publications, including 15 papers in Science. Analyses of these amazing samples continue to yield unexpected discoveries and to raise new questions about the history of the early solar system. We identify nine high‐priority scientific objectives for future Stardust analyses that address important unsolved problems in planetary science.
Sex matters in massive parallel sequencing: Evidence for biases in genetic parameter estimation and investigation of sex determination systems
Authors: Benestan Laura , Moore Jean‐Sébastien , Sutherland Ben J. G. , Le Luyer Jérémy , Maaroufi Halim , Rougeux Clément , Normandeau Eric , Rycroft Nathan , Atema Jelle , Harris Les N. , Tallman Ross F. , Greenwood Spencer J. , Clark Fraser K. , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUsing massively parallel sequencing data from two species with different life history traits, American lobster (Homarus americanus) and Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus), we highlight how an unbalanced sex ratio in the samples and a few sex‐linked markers may lead to false interpretations of population structure and thus to potentially erroneous management recommendations. Here, multivariate analyses revealed two genetic clusters separating samples by sex instead of by expected spatial variation: inshore and offshore locations in lobster, or east and west locations in Arctic Char. To further investigate this, we created several subsamples artificially varying the sex ratio in the inshore/offshore and east/west groups and then demonstrated that significant genetic differentiation could be observed despite panmixia in lobster, and that FST values were overestimated in Arctic Char. This pattern was due to 12 and 94 sex‐linked markers driving differentiation for lobster and Arctic Char, respectively. Removing sex‐linked markers led to nonsignificant genetic structure in lobster and a more accurate estimation of FST in Arctic Char. The locations of these markers and putative identities of genes containing or nearby the markers were determined using available transcriptomic and genomic data, and this provided new information related to sex determination in both species. Given that only 9.6% of all marine/diadromous population genomic studies to date have reported sex information, we urge researchers to collect and consider individual sex information. Sex information is therefore relevant for avoiding unexpected biases due to sex‐linked markers as well as for improving our knowledge of sex determination systems in nonmodel species.
Modelling economic structures from a qualitative input–output perspective: Greece in 2005 and 2010
Authors: Aroche Reyes Fidel , García Muñiz Ana Salomé 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSectors in economic systems are interdependent because they trade goods that consuming sectors use as inputs; the relative values of those supply and demand links define economic structures. Industries play different roles depending on the relative number of connections they maintain with one another and on whether those links are preferably demands or supplies. On this regards, we extend a stochastic social structural model into the economic context. Further, we apply it to recent Greek data, analysing the role of different technological intensity sectors. We show that our results help to explain some structural features of this economy.
Tight control of sulfur assimilation: an adaptive mechanism for a plant from a severely phosphorus‐impoverished habitat
Authors: Prodhan M. Asaduzzaman , Jost Ricarda , Watanabe Mutsumi , Hoefgen Rainer , Lambers Hans , Finnegan Patrick M. 
Published: June 2017

Summary

Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) has evolved in extremely phosphorus (P)‐impoverished habitats. Unlike species that evolved in P‐richer environments, it tightly controls its nitrogen (N) acquisition, matching its low protein concentration, and thus limiting its P requirement for ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Protein is a major sink for sulfur (S), but the link between low protein concentrations and S metabolism in H. prostrata is unknown, although this is pivotal for understanding this species’ supreme adaptation to P‐impoverished soils.

Plants were grown at different sulfate supplies for 5 wk and used for nutrient and metabolite analyses.

Total S content in H. prostrata was unchanged with increasing S supply, in sharp contrast with species that typically evolved in environments where P is not a major limiting nutrient. Unlike H. prostrata, other plants typically store excess available sulfate in vacuoles. Like other species, S‐starved H. prostrata accumulated arginine, lysine and O‐acetylserine, indicating S deficiency.

Hakea prostrata tightly controls its S acquisition to match its low protein concentration and low demand for rRNA, and thus P, the largest organic P pool in leaves. We conclude that the tight control of S acquisition, like that of N, helps H. prostrata to survive in P‐impoverished environments.
The roles of B vitamins in phytoplankton nutrition: new perspectives and prospects
Authors: Helliwell Katherine E. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryB vitamins play essential roles in central metabolism. These organic water‐soluble molecules act as, or as part of, coenzymes within the cell. Unlike land plants, many eukaryotic algae are auxotrophic for certain B vitamins. Recent progress in algal genetic resources and environmental chemistry have promoted a renewal of interest in the role of vitamins in governing phytoplankton dynamics, and illuminated amazing versatility in phytoplankton vitamin metabolism. Accumulating evidence demonstrates metabolic complexity in the production and bioavailability of different vitamin forms, coupled with specialized acquisition strategies to salvage and remodel vitamin precursors. Here, I describe recent advances and discuss how they redefine our view of the way in which vitamins are cycled in aquatic ecosystems and their importance in structuring phytoplankton communities.ContentsSummary62I.Introduction62II.Comparative genomics: filling in the blanks63III.The emergence of vitamin auxotrophy63IV.Beyond the genome: metabolic complexity in algal vitamin acquisition strategies66V.Rethinking vitamin cycling in phytoplankton communities66VI.Conclusions67Acknowledgements67References67
Suspension depletion approach for exemption of infected Solanum jasminoides cells from pospiviroids
Authors: Digel I. , Wehlitz V. , Kayser P. , Figiel‐Lange A. , Bassam R. , von Rundstedt F. 
Published: June 2017

Despite numerous studies, viroid elimination from infected plants remains a very challenging task. This study introduces for the first time a novel ‘suspension depletion’ approach for exemption of Solanum jasminoides plants from viroids. The proposed method implies initial establishment of suspension cultures of the infected plant cells. The suspended cells were then physically treated (mild thermotherapy, 33 °C), which presumably delayed the replication of the viroid. The viroid concentration in the treated biomass was monitored weekly using pospiviroid‐specific PCR. After 10–12 weeks of continuous treatment, a sufficient decrease in viroid concentration was observed such that the infection became undetectable by PCR. The treated single cells then gave rise to microcolonies on a solid culture medium and the obtained viroid‐negative clones were further promoted to regenerate into viroid‐free plants. Three years of accumulated experimental data suggests feasibility, broad applicability, and good efficacy of the proposed approach.
Chemical agents transported by xylem mass flow propagate variation potentials
Authors: Evans Matthew J. , Morris Richard J. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryLong‐distance signalling is important for coordinating plant responses to the environment. Variation potentials (VPs) are a type of long‐distance electrical signal that are generated in plants in response to wounding or flaming. Unlike self‐propagating action potentials, VPs can be measured beyond regions of dead or chemically treated tissue that block signal generation, suggesting a different mode of propagation. Two alternative propagation mechanisms have been proposed: movement of a chemical agent and a pressure wave through the vasculature. Variants of these two signalling mechanisms have been suggested. Here, we use simple models of the underlying physical processes to evaluate and compare these predictions against independent data. Our models suggest that chemical diffusion and pressure waves are unlikely to capture existing data with parameters that are known from other sources. The previously discarded hypothesis of mass flow in the xylem transporting a chemical agent, however, is able to reproduce experimental propagation speeds for VPs. We therefore suggest that chemical agents transported by mass flow within the xylem are more likely than a pressure wave or chemical diffusion as a VP propagation mechanism. Understanding this mode of long‐distance signalling within plants is important for unravelling how plants coordinate physiological responses via cell‐to‐cell communication.
The effect of World Blood Donor Day on digital information seeking and donor recruitment
Authors: Kranenburg Floris J. , Kreuger Aukje L. , Arbous M. Sesmu , Laeijendecker Daphne , van Kraaij Marian G.J. 
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is to raise awareness for the importance of blood donation. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of WBDD on digital information seeking and donor recruitment.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSGoogle Trends data were used to quantify seeking behavior on “blood donation” and “blood donor.” Differences in relative search volume (RSV) between the 3 weeks surrounding WBDD and the rest of the year were calculated. Second, mean differences in RSV were compared to assess the additional effect of hosting using translated search terms. Third, we compared the period around WBDD with the control period regarding page views of the Sanquin website and Facebook likes and number of newly registered donors in 2016.RESULTSThe mean RSV for “blood donation” in the period of interest was 78.6, compared to 72.1 in the control period (difference, 6.5; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2‐11.8). For “blood donor” this was 78.9 compared to 65.9 (difference, 12.9; 95% CI, 8.1‐17.8). We found no additional effect of hosting. In the period of interest, the website of Sanquin was visited 6862 times a day and 4293 times in the control period (difference, 2569; 95% CI, 1687‐3451). In June 2016, 54.6% (95% CI, 53.0‐56.2) more new donors were registered compared to the control period.CONCLUSIONAn international campaign like WBDD raises the awareness of blood donation and is effective in convincing people to register as blood donors.
Physiological Profile of an Uphill Time Trial in Elite Cyclists
Authors: Peinado Ana B. , Romero-Parra Nuria , Rojo-Tirado Miguel A. , Cupeiro Rocío , Butragueño Javier , Castro Eliane A. , Calderón Francisco J. , Benito Pedro J. 
Published: June 2017

Context: While a number of studies have researched road-cycling performance, few have attempted to investigate the physiological response in field conditions. Purpose: To describe the physiological and performance profile of an uphill time trial (TT) frequently used in cycling competitions. Methods: Fourteen elite road cyclists (mean ± SD age 25 ± 6 y, height 174 ± 4.2 cm, body mass 64.4 ± 6.1 kg, fat mass 7.48% ± 2.82%) performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion to determine maximal parameters. They then completed a field-based uphill TT in a 9.2-km first-category mountain pass with a 7.1% slope. Oxygen uptake (VO2), power output, heart rate (HR), lactate concentration, and perceived-exertion variables were measured throughout the field-based test. Results: During the uphill TT, mean power output and velocity were 302 ± 7 W (4.2 ± 0.1 W/kg) and 18.7 ± 1.6 km/h, respectively. Mean VO2 and HR were 61.6 ± 2.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1 and 178 ± 2 beats/min, respectively. Values were significantly affected by the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and final kilometers (P < .05). Lactate concentration and perceived exertion were 10.87 ± 1.12 mmol/L and 19.1 ± 0.1, respectively, at the end of the test, being significantly different from baseline measures. Conclusion: The studied uphill TT is performed at 90% of maximum HR and VO2 and 70% of maximum power output. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study assessing cardiorespiratory parameters combined with measures of performance, perceived exertion, and biochemical variables during a field-based uphill TT in elite cyclists.
Peers without fears? Barriers to effective communication among primary care physicians and oncologists about diagnostic delays in cancer
Authors: Lipitz-Snyderman Allison , Kale Minal , Robbins Laura , Pfister David , Fortier Elizabeth , Pocus Valerie , Chimonas Susan , Weingart Saul N 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveRelatively little attention has been devoted to the role of communication between physicians as a mechanism for individual and organisational learning about diagnostic delays. This study’s objective was to elicit physicians’ perceptions about and experiences with communication among physicians regarding diagnostic delays in cancer.Design, setting, participantsQualitative analysis based on seven focus groups. Fifty-one physicians affiliated with three New York-based academic medical centres participated, with six to nine subjects per group. We used content analysis to identify commonalities among primary care physicians and specialists (ie, medical and surgical oncologists).Primary outcome measurePerceptions and experiences with physician-to-physician communication about delays in cancer diagnosis.ResultsOur analysis identified five major themes: openness to communication, benefits of communication, fears about giving and receiving feedback, infrastructure barriers to communication and overcoming barriers to communication. Subjects valued communication about cancer diagnostic delays, but they had many concerns and fears about providing and receiving feedback in practice. Subjects expressed reluctance to communicate if there was insufficient information to attribute responsibility, if it would have no direct benefit or if it would jeopardise their existing relationships. They supported sensitive approaches to conveying information, as they feared eliciting or being subject to feelings of incompetence or shame. Subjects also cited organisational barriers. They offered suggestions that might facilitate communication about delays.ConclusionsAddressing the barriers to communication among physicians about diagnostic delays is needed to promote a culture of learning across specialties and institutions. Supporting open and honest discussions about diagnostic delays may help build safer health systems.