bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental filtering and phylogenetic clustering correlate with the distribution patterns of cryptic protist species
Authors: Singer David , Kosakyan Anush , Seppey Christophe V. W. , Pillonel Amandine , Fernández Leonardo D. , Fontaneto Diego , Mitchell Edward A. D. , Lara Enrique 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe community composition of any group of organisms should theoretically be determined by a combination of assembly processes including resource partitioning, competition, environmental filtering, and phylogenetic legacy. Environmental DNA studies have revealed a huge diversity of protists in all environments, raising questions about the ecological significance of such diversity and the degree to which they obey to the same rules as macroscopic organisms. The fast‐growing cultivable protist species on which hypotheses are usually experimentally tested represent only a minority of the protist diversity. Addressing these questions for the lesser known majority can only be inferred through observational studies. We conducted an environmental DNA survey of the genus Nebela, a group of closely related testate (shelled) amoeba species, in different habitats within Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands. Identification based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene, allowed species‐level resolution as well as phylogenetic reconstruction. Community composition varied strongly across habitats and associated environmental gradients. Species showed little overlap in their realized niche, suggesting resource partitioning, and a strong influence of environmental filtering driving community composition. Furthermore, phylogenetic clustering was observed in the most nitrogen‐poor samples, supporting phylogenetic inheritance of adaptations in the group of N. guttata. This study showed that the studied free‐living unicellular eukaryotes follow to community assembly rules similar to those known to determine plant and animal communities; the same may be true for much of the huge functional and taxonomic diversity of protists.
Community divergence and convergence along experimental gradients of stress and disturbance
Authors: Li Yuanzhi , Shipley Bill 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe created 24 mesocosms containing mixtures of herbaceous species arranged along experimentally maintained gradients of stress (external abiotic constraints limiting biomass production) and disturbance (events causing partial or total live biomass destruction) in order to determine the degree to which community assembly is deterministic or historically contingent during succession. In this 7‐yr experiment, we found taxonomic divergence and functional convergence during the last 3 yr. Although communities became more functionally dissimilar as the difference in the level of stress increased, they were equally taxonomically different irrespective of the amount of difference between them in terms of stress and disturbance. In addition, comparing communities experiencing the same conditions, taxonomic community structure was more dissimilar as the levels of stress and disturbance decreased. Therefore, community assembly was largely deterministic from a functional perspective but more historically contingent from a taxonomic perspective, and the relative importance of taxonomic historical contingency decreased as the levels of stress and disturbance frequency increased.
Evaluation of Olive Pomace in the Production of Novel Broilers With Enhanced In Vitro Antithrombotic Properties
Authors: Nasopoulou Constantina , Lytoudi Konstantina , Zabetakis Ioannis 
Published: January 2018

Several attempts have been made not only to improve nutritional value of broilers but also to attenuate dependence on raw materials such as corn in compounded broilers feed. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of diets enriched with olive pomace (OP) on Ross 308 broilers growth performance, sensory characteristics, and nutritional value in terms of cardioprotection. Broilers are fed four experimental diets containing 0% OP (control group), 2.5% OP (group A), 5.0% OP (group B), and 7.5% OP (group C). The obtained broiler meat samples are evaluated for their lipid and phenol content and their in vitro antithrombotic properties according to biological assay in human platelets. Groups B and C exhibited significantly increased (P < 0.05) growth rate compared to the ones of control group. Additionally group B exhibited significantly more potent (P < 0.05) in vitro antithrombotic properties (EC50 = 10.5 ± 0.92) compared to the ones of control group (EC50 = 420 ± 21.3). Grilled broiler meat of group B is found to have acceptable sensory properties. The overall conclusion of this paper is the potential use of OP in compounded broilers feed in the production of functional broilers meat.Practical applications: The objective of this research is to assess the use of olive industry by‐products as functional feed ingredients. For this purpose, broilers were fed experimental diets containing olive pomace (OP). Our results suggest that OP can be used in broiler feed to produce functional broilers meat with increased in vitro antithrombotic properties. These scientific data could have considerable practical value toward the valorization of OP and increasing the sustainable production of functional broiler meat and therefore the overall food security.Valorization of olive industry by‐products (A) in the farming of Ross 308 broilers (B) and the cardioprotective properties of the functional broilers as means of reduced platelet aggregation in humans (C).
Residual Olive Paste as a Source of Phenolic Compounds and Triterpenic Acids
Authors: Medina Eduardo , Romero Concepción , Brenes Manuel 
Published: January 2018

The two‐phase centrifugation system of olive oil extraction produces huge amounts of olive pomace called alperujo that could be a good source of bioactive substances. However, alperujo is currently stored in open air ponds before it is dried and submitted for extraction of the residual oil. The aim of this work is to study the evolution of phenolic and triterpenic acids in alperujo during its storage and extraction processes on an industrial scale. Alperujo is stored in large open air ponds, dried and the residual oil is extracted with hexane over a course of a year for two consecutive olive seasons.The storage of alperujo did not cause great changes in the content of these substances in the paste although the pomace olive oil is enriched in triterpenic compounds, mainly oleanolic acid. By contrast, the drying and extraction steps gives rise to a great reduction in the concentration of phenolic compounds. Likewise, triterpenic acids are very stable during the extraction process, and an enrichment of them is detected in the extracted alperujo that can reach up to 7–8 g kg−1 in these substances, particularly maslinic acid.Practical Applications: There are many studies, methods, and patents to extract bioactive substances from olive by‐products, particularly from the fresh olive pomace called alperujo. However, this study is the first to explore the stored and extracted alperujo as a good source of phenolic and triterpenic substances. Specifically, triterpenic acids were very stable during the storage and drying steps and extracted alperujo was highly enriched in them. This research will contribute to the valorization of olive by‐products.Extracted alperujo is a very good source of triterpenic acids.
Electrochemical Sensing of Cancer‐related Global and Locus‐specific DNA Methylation Events
Authors: Campuzano Susana , Pingarrón José M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSpecific DNA methylation changes, both genome‐wide and at specific gene loci in tissues and in biological fluids, have great potential as biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic stratification of cancer. Although current classical methods are effective in studying DNA methylation patterns, they exhibit relatively low sensitivity and high false positive rates and require expensive instruments and complicated and time‐consuming protocols. Here, we review basic information about relevance of DNA methylation in cancer, limitations of the conventional methodologies and promising features offered by electrochemical sensors to allow the determinations of methylated biomarkers in a straightforward, simple, sensitive, fast, portable and cost‐effective way through highlighting selected examples described so far for sensing of cancer‐related DNA methylation biomarkers. Major technical and biological challenges to be solved are also pointed out.
Asymmetric hillslope erosion following wildfire in Fourmile Canyon, Colorado
Authors: Abrahams Edward R. , Kaste James M. , Ouimet William , Dethier David P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInfrequent, high‐magnitude events cause a disproportionate amount of sediment transport on steep hillslopes, but few quantitative data are available that capture these processes. Here we study the influence of wildfire and hillslope aspect on soil erosion in Fourmile Canyon, Colorado. This region experienced the Fourmile Fire of 2010, strong summer convective storms in 2011 and 2012, and extreme flooding in September 2013. We sampled soils shortly after these events and use fallout radionuclides to trace erosion on polar‐ and equatorial‐facing burned slopes and on a polar‐facing unburned slope. Because these radionuclides are concentrated in the upper decimeter of soil, soil inventories are sensitive to erosion by surface runoff. The polar‐facing burned slope had significantly lower cesium‐137 (137Cs) and lead‐210 (210Pb) inventories (p < 0.05) than either the polar‐facing unburned slope or equatorial‐facing burned slope. Local slope magnitude does not appear to control the erosional response to wildfire, as relatively gently sloping (~20%) polar‐facing positions were severely eroded in the most intensively burned area. Field evidence and soil profile analyses indicate up to 4 cm of local soil erosion on the polar‐facing burned slope, but radionuclide mass balance indicates that much of this was trapped nearby. Using a 137Cs‐based erosion model, we find that the burned polar‐facing slope had a net mean sediment loss of 2 mm (~1 kg m−2) over a one to three year period, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than longer‐term erosion rates reported for this region. In this part of the Colorado Front Range, strong hillslope asymmetry controls soil moisture and vegetation; polar‐facing slopes support significantly denser pine and fir stands, which fuels more intense wildfires. We conclude that polar‐facing slopes experience the most severe surface erosion following wildfires in this region, indicating that landscape‐scale aridity can control the geomorphic response of hillslopes to wildfires. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomorphodynamics of alternate bars in a channelized, regulated river: An integrated historical and modelling analysis
Authors: Serlet Alyssa J. , Gurnell Angela M. , Zolezzi Guido , Wharton Geraldene , Belleudy Philippe , Jourdain Camille 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe development of alternate bars in channelized rivers can be explained theoretically as an instability of the riverbed when the active channel width to depth ratio exceeds a threshold. However, the development of a vegetation cover on the alternate bars of some channelized rivers and its interactions with bar morphology have not been investigated in detail.Our study focused on the co‐evolution of alternate bars and vegetation along a 33 km reach of the Isère River, France. We analysed historical information to investigate the development of alternate bars and their colonization by vegetation within a straightened, embanked river subject to flow regulation, sediment mining, and vegetation management. Over an 80 year period, bar density decreased, bar length increased, and bar mobility slowed. Vegetation encroachment across bar surfaces accompanied these temporal changes and, once established, vegetation cover persisted, shifting the overall system from an unvegetated to a vegetated dynamic equilibrium state.The unvegetated morphodynamics of the impressively regular sequence of alternate bars that developed in the Isère following channelization is consistent with previous theoretical morphodynamic work. However, the apparent triggering dynamics of vegetation colonization needs to be investigated, based on complex biophysical instability processes. If instability related to vegetation colonization is confirmed, further work needs to focus on the relevance of initial conditions for this instability, and on related feedback effects such as how the morphodynamics of bare‐sediment alternate bars may have affected vegetation development and, in turn, how vegetation has created a new dynamic equilibrium state. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shared and distinct alterations of white matter tracts in remitted and nonremitted patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Jing‐Ying , Liu Chih‐Min , Hwang Tzung‐Jeng , Chen Yu‐Jen , Hsu Yung‐Chin , Hwu Hai‐Gwo , Lin Yi‐Tin , Hsieh Ming‐Hsien , Liu Chen‐Chung , Chien Yi‐Ling , Tseng Wen‐Yih Isaac 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPatients with schizophrenia do not usually achieve remission state even after adequate antipsychotics treatment. Previous studies found significant difference in white matter integrity between patients with good outcomes and those with poor outcomes, but difference is still unclear at individual tract level. This study aimed to use a systematic approach to identify the tracts that were associated with remission state in patients with schizophrenia. We evaluated 91 patients with schizophrenia (remitted, 50; nonremitted, 41) and 50 healthy controls through diffusion spectrum imaging. White matter tract integrity was assessed through an automatic tract‐specific analysis method to determine the mean generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA) values of the 76 white matter tract bundles in each participant. Analysis of covariance among the 3 groups revealed 12 tracts that were significantly different in GFA values. Post‐hoc analysis showed that compared with the healthy controls, the nonremission group had reduced integrity in all 12 tracts, whereas the remission group had reduced integrity in only 4 tracts. Comparison between the remission and nonremission groups revealed 4 tracts with significant difference (i.e., the right fornix, bilateral uncinate fasciculi, and callosal fibers connecting the temporal poles) even after adjusting age, sex, education year, illness duration, and medication dose. Furthermore, all the 4 tracts were correlated with negative symptoms scores of the positive and negative syndrome scale. In conclusion, our study identified the tracts that were associated with remission state of schizophrenia. These tracts might be a potential prognostic marker for the symptomatic remission in patients with schizophrenia.
Drip irrigation enhances shallow groundwater contribution to crop water consumption in an arid area
Authors: Wang Xingwang , Huo Zailin , Guan Huade , Guo Ping , Qu Zhongyi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractShallow groundwater plays a key role in agro‐hydrological processes of arid areas. Groundwater often supplies a necessary part of the water requirement of crops and surrounding native vegetation, such as groundwater‐dependent ecosystems. However, the impact of water‐saving irrigation on cropland water balance, such as the contribution of shallow groundwater to field evapotranspiration, requires further investigation. Increased understanding of quantitative evaluation of field‐scale water productivity under different irrigation methods aids policy and decision‐making. In this study, high‐resolution water table depth and soil water content in field maize were monitored under conditions of flood irrigation (FI) and drip irrigation (DI), respectively. Groundwater evapotranspiration (ETg) was estimated by the combination of the water table fluctuation method and an empirical groundwater–soil–atmosphere continuum model. The results indicate that daily ETg at different growth stages varies under the two irrigation methods. Between two consecutive irrigation events of the FI site, daily ETg rate increases from zero to greater than that of the DI site. Maize under DI steadily consumes more groundwater than FI, accounting for 16.4% and 14.5% of ETa, respectively. Overall, FI recharges groundwater, whereas DI extracts water from shallow groundwater. The yield under DI increases compared with that under FI, with less ETa (526 mm) compared with FI (578 mm), and irrigation water productivity improves from 3.51 kg m−3 (FI) to 4.58 kg m−3 (DI) through reducing deep drainage and soil evaporation by DI. These results highlight the critical role of irrigation method and groundwater on crop water consumption and productivity. This study provides important information to aid the development of agricultural irrigation schemes in arid areas with shallow groundwater.
EARLY PARENTING SUPPORT AND INFORMATION: A CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Morawska Alina , Weston Kate , Bowd Courtney 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe transition to parenthood is a period of both joy and challenge for most parents. There is a recognized need to support parents during this period, yet existing interventions have shown limited evidence of efficacy. This study takes a consumer‐focused approach to examine the needs and preferences of parents both prenatally (n = 77) and postnatally (n = 123) for parenting support. The study used a cross‐sectional design with a purpose‐built online survey. Parents were recruited via online forums, Facebook and parenting blogs, childcare centers, and playgroups. In general, all parents were satisfied with their current levels of both formal and informal support, and about one fourth of parents had accessed a parenting intervention. Parents expressed a moderate level of interest in additional parenting information, and parents expecting their first baby indicated preferences for information about basic baby care needs whereas postnatally, parents expressed more interest in topics around self‐care and behavior management. The implications for developing interventions and engaging families are discussed.
Relationship between mortality and rice cadmium concentration in inhabitants of the polluted Jinzu River basin, Toyama, Japan: A 26 year follow‐up
Authors: Nogawa Kazuhiro , Suwazono Yasushi , Nishijo Muneko , Sakurai Masaru , Ishizaki Masao , Morikawa Yuko , Watanabe Yuuka , Kido Teruhiko , Nakagawa Hideaki 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mortality and rice cadmium (Cd) concentration in inhabitants of a polluted area in Japan. The target subjects were inhabitants of the Jinzu River basin who participated in health examinations for screening of renal dysfunction from 1979 to 1984. The mean rice Cd concentration in each hamlet was used as an index of the Cd exposure. We conducted a 26 year follow‐up survey in 3281 inhabitants (1544 men and 1737 women) whose data regarding the rice Cd concentration were available. Mortality risk ratios for all and specific causes were estimated after adjustments for age at baseline, smoking status and history of hypertension using a Cox hazard model or Fine and Gray competing risks regression model. The mortality risk ratios of rice Cd concentration (+0.1 ppm) for all causes in women were significantly increased (risk ratio: 1.04). Furthermore, the relative risks of rice Cd concentration for kidney and urinary tract disease, renal diseases, renal failure and toxic effects of cadmium were significantly increased in both sexes. These findings indicated that increased rice Cd concentration decreased the prognosis for life over a long‐term observation in women. This result provides important information for determining the worldwide standard for allowable rice Cd concentration.
Optimization of cell growth on palmitoyl‐hyaluronan knitted scaffolds developed for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Sogorkova Jana , Zapotocky Vojtech , Cepa Martin , Stepankova Veronika , Vagnerova Hana , Batova Jana , Pospisilova Martina , Betak Jiri , Nesporova Kristina , Hermannova Martina , Daro Dorothée , Duffy Garry , Velebny Vladimir 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPolysaccharides meet several criteria for a suitable biomaterial for tissue engineering, which include biocompatibility and ability to support the delivery and growth of cells. Nevertheless, most of these polysaccharides, for example dextran, alginate, and glycosaminoglycans, are highly soluble in aqueous solutions. Hyaluronic acid hydrophobized by palmitic acid and processed to the form of wet‐spun fibers and the warp‐knitted textile scaffold is water non‐soluble, but biodegradable material, which could be used for the tissue engineering purpose. However, its surface quality does not allow cell attachment. To enhance the biocompatibility the surface of palmitoyl‐hyaluronan was roughened by freeze drying and treated by different cell adhesive proteins (fibronectin, fibrinogen, laminin, methacrylated gelatin and collagen IV). Except for collagen IV, these proteins covered the fibers uniformly for an extended period of time and supported the adhesion and cultivation of dermal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. Interestingly, adipose stem cells cultivated on the fibronectin‐modified scaffold secreted increasing amount of HGF, SDF‐1, and VEGF, three key growth factors involved in cardiac regeneration. These results suggested that palmitoyl‐hyaluronan scaffold may be a promising material for various applications in tissue regeneration, including cardiac tissue repair. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1488–1499, 2018.
Carboxylated graphene oxide promoted axonal guidance growth by activating Netrin‐1/deleted in colorectal cancer signaling in rat primary cultured cortical neurons
Authors: Liu Meili , Jia Zhengtai , Xiao Xiongfu , Zhang Zhifa , Li Ping , Zhou Gang , Fan Yubo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNanomaterials of graphene and its derivatives have been widely applied in recent years, but whose impacts on the neuronal guidance growth are still not reported. In the present study, graphene oxide (GO) and carboxylated graphene oxide (GO‐COOH) were used to investigate the potential effects on axonal guidance growth in the primary cultured cortical neurons. In addition, we characterized the structure and chemical composition of synthesized GO and GO‐COOH using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscope assays and Raman analysis. GO is not neurotoxic and not conductive in a soluble form. However, GO‐COOH has higher solubility and conductivity. Cell viability was assessed using CCK‐8 assays and fluorescein diacetate after GO and GO‐COOH treatment (0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 50, and 100 µg/mL). There are significant increases of cell viability and axonal growth after GO (2 and 4 μg/mL) and GO‐COOH treatment (2 and 4 μg/mL). We further investigated the molecular mechanism of axonal guidance growth after GO and GO‐COOH (2 and 4 μg/mL) application. Additionally, GO and GO‐COOH up‐regulated expression of Netrin‐1 and its receptor, deleted in colorectal cancer by immunofluorescence assays and western blots assay. Our study demonstrated that GO‐COOH activated Cdc42 and Rac1 and dramatically decreased RhoA. Thus, GO‐COOH (2 µg/mL) is much better to be nanocarriers than GO for axonal guidance and growth in this study. GO‐COOH may be used to facilitate guidance for regenerating neurons in the future. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1500–1510, 2018.