bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generation, Fractionation, and Characterization of Iron‐Chelating Protein Hydrolysate from Palm Kernel Cake Proteins
Authors: Zarei Mohammad , Ghanbari Rahele , Tajabadi Naser , Abdul‐Hamid Azizah , Bakar Fatimah Abu , Saari Nazamid 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPalm kernel cake protein was hydrolyzed with different proteases namely papain, bromelain, subtilisin, flavourzyme, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pepsin to generate different protein hydrolysates. Peptide content and iron‐chelating activity of each hydrolysate were evaluated using O‐phthaldialdehyde‐based spectrophotometric method and ferrozine‐based colorimetric assay, respectively. The results revealed a positive correlation between peptide contents and iron‐chelating activities of the protein hydrolysates. Protein hydrolysate generated by papain exhibited the highest peptide content of 10.5 mM and highest iron‐chelating activity of 64.8% compared with the other hydrolysates. Profiling of the papain‐generated hydrolysate by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography fractionation indicated a direct association between peptide content and iron‐chelating activity in most of the fractions. Further fractionation using isoelectric focusing also revealed that protein hydrolysate with basic and neutral isoelectric point (pI) had the highest iron‐chelating activity, although a few fractions in the acidic range also exhibited good metal chelating potential. After identification and synthesis of papain‐generated peptides, GGIF and YLLLK showed among the highest iron‐chelating activities of 56% and 53%, whereas their IC50 were 1.4 and 0.2 μM, respectively.
Current Workforce Characteristics and Burnout in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Authors: Gorelick Marc H. , Schremmer Robert , Ruch‐Ross Holly , Radabaugh Carrie , Selbst Steven 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesChanges in health care delivery and graduate medical education have important consequences for the workforce in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM). This study compared career preparation and potential attrition of the PEM workforce with the prior assessment from 1998.MethodsAn e‐mail survey was sent to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on EM and to non‐AAP members board certified in PEM. Information on demographics, practice characteristics and professional activities, career preparation, future plans, and burnout (using two validated screening questions) was analyzed using standard descriptive statistics.ResultsOf 2,120 surveys mailed, 895 responses were received (40.8% response). Over half (53.7%) of respondents were female, compared with 44% in 1998. The majority (62.9%) practiced in the emergency department (ED) of a free‐standing children's hospital. The distribution of professional activities was similar to that reported in 1998, with the majority of time (60%) spent in direct patient care. Half indicated involvement in research, and almost half had dedicated time for other activities, including emergency medical services (7.3%), disaster (6.9%), child abuse (5.0%), transport (3.6%), toxicology (2.3% of respondents), and other (13.6%); additionally, 21.3% had dedicated time for quality/safety. Respondents were highly satisfied (95.6%) with fellowship preparation for clinical care, but less satisfied with preparation for research (49.2%) and administration (38.7%). However, satisfaction with nonclinical training was higher for those within 10 years of medical school graduation. Forty‐six percent plan to change clinical activity in the next 5 years, including reducing hours, changing shifts, or retiring. Overall, 11.9% of all respondents, including 20.1% of women and 2.6% of men (p < 0.001), report currently working part time. Large majorities endorsed feeling burned out at work (88.5%) or more callous toward people as a result of work (67.5%) at least monthly, with one in five reporting such feelings at least weekly.ConclusionsWhile satisfaction with fellowship preparation for professional activities in PEM is improving, gaps remain in training in nonclinical skills. Symptoms of burnout are prevalent, and there is likely to be substantial attrition of PEM providers in the near future.
Are trees of intermediate density more facilitative? Canopy effects of four East African legume trees
Authors: Linstädter Anja , Bora Zinabu , Tolera Adugna , Angassa Ayana 
Published: December 2015

AbstractQuestionsDo East African legume trees differ in their canopy effects? Have species with intermediate canopy density more pronounced facilitative effects on understorey primary production, community composition and diversity? How are canopy effects related to species' encroachment status, and modulated by a local aridity gradient?LocationUpland and lowland environments of the Borana rangelands, an arid thornbush savanna in southern Ethiopia.MethodsWe harnessed pastoralists' local ecological knowledge to rank the encroachment status of six legume tree species previously known as Acacia, and correlated this rank to a dendrometric proxy of canopy density. Vegetation relevés (1 m²) were placed in sub‐canopy and adjacent inter‐canopy habitats of four legume tree species that differed in canopy density and encroachment status (Vachellia bussei, V. drepanolobium, V. seyal, V. tortilis). Using mixed‐effects ANOVA, we evaluated effects of tree species and habitat (sub‐canopy or inter‐canopy) on total, forb and grass biomass, and on species diversity, comparing results for lowland and upland sites. Effects on floristic composition were assessed via PERMANOVA and NMDS.ResultsSpecies' encroachment status and canopy density were negatively correlated. Most pronounced facilitative effects (more frequent and larger differences between sub‐canopy and inter‐canopy habitats) were found for a species with intermediate canopy density (V. bussei). Diversity in its understorey vegetation increased up to 32% (total biomass: 29%, forb biomass: 40%). In contrast, the species with the most open canopy (V. drepanolobium; also the most encroaching species) never exerted significant facilitative effects. In contrast to expectations, canopy effects were more frequent in (climatically less arid) upland environments, probably due to a redistribution of water within the landscape. Large differences in facilitative effects across tree individuals indicate that a high intraspecific variability of canopy traits and/or small‐scale differences in abiotic site conditions have partly overridden species‐specific differences in canopy architecture.ConclusionOur study provides new insights on why encroaching legume tree species may decrease herbaceous production: they tend to have more open canopies, with small facilitative effects on sub‐canopy herbaceous production. We thus recommend promoting an open savanna with the tree layer dominated by species with a high facilitative potential to maintain forage provision and species diversity.
National Parks in Northern Sweden as Refuges for Illegal Killing of Large Carnivores
Authors: Rauset Geir Rune , Andrén Henrik , Swenson Jon E. , Samelius Gustaf , Segerström Peter , Zedrosser Andreas , Persson Jens 
Published: December 2015

AbstractLarge protected areas are often considered to be as important as population size in reducing extinction risk for large carnivores. However, the effectiveness of protected areas for large carnivore survival has rarely been tested where surrounding areas also provide suitable habitats. Using individual‐based long‐term data, we here show that three species of large carnivores all suffered higher risk of illegal killing inside three large national parks than in surrounding unprotected areas in northern Sweden. We suggest that this illegal killing is the result of low enforcement and public presence in these remote parks, which results in a low probability for poachers to be discovered. Our results demonstrate that size of protected areas alone may be a poor predictor of their conservation value for large carnivores. We warn against passive national park management and advocate considering the ecological and socioeconomic context present inside as well as outside protected areas.
Effectiveness of systematic training in the application of narrow‐band imaging international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) classification for optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps: Experience from a single center in China
Authors: Sikong Yinhe , Lin Xiangchun , Liu Kuiliang , Wu Jing , Lin Wu , Wei Nan , Jiang Guojun , Tai Weiping , Su Hui , Liu Hong , Meng Mingming 
Published: December 2015

Background and AimTo evaluate the effectiveness of systematic training in the application of narrow‐band imaging (NBI) International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) classification for the prediction of the histology of colorectal polyps.MethodsThis is a single‐center study. In total, 260 still images of colorectal polyps from 225 patients were included. Two series of 130 images obtained using NBI and white light without magnification were distributed to 10 endoscopists—five highly experienced endoscopists (HEE group) and five less experienced endoscopists (LEE group)—for assessment using the NICE classification, before and after systematic training.ResultsBefore systematic training, accuracy in both groups was 79.54% and specificity was relatively poor (HEE: 62.46%, LEE: 69.23%, P = 0.297). After systematic training, specificity significantly improved (HEE: 96.61%, LEE: 97.54%, P = 0.000 and P = 0.013, respectively). Accuracy also significantly increased to 94.93% and 96.46% in the HEE and LEE groups, respectively. Sensitivity and negative predictive value did not significantly improve in the post‐test; however, both were high in both the pre‐ and post‐test. The κ‐values in both groups were excellent (HEE: 0.93, LEE: 0.91). Among the components of the NICE classification, surface pattern yielded the highest performance, whereas color yielded the lowest.ConclusionSystematic, feedback‐based, training programs can help achieve high accuracy and good interobserver agreement in the application of the NICE classification for the prediction of the histology of colorectal polyps by endoscopists with different levels of experience.
Lidocaine response rate in aEEG‐confirmed neonatal seizures: Retrospective study of 413 full‐term and preterm infants
Authors: Weeke Lauren C. , Toet Mona C. , van Rooij Linda G. M. , Groenendaal Floris , Boylan Geraldine B. , Pressler Ronit M. , Hellström‐Westas Lena , van den Broek Marcel P. H. , de Vries Linda S. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the seizure response rate to lidocaine in a large cohort of infants who received lidocaine as second‐ or third‐line antiepileptic drug (AED) for neonatal seizures.MethodsFull‐term (n = 319) and preterm (n = 94) infants, who received lidocaine for neonatal seizures confirmed on amplitude‐integrated EEG (aEEG), were studied retrospectively (January 1992–December 2012). Based on aEEG findings, the response was defined as good (>4 h no seizures, no need for rescue medication); intermediate (0–2 h no seizures, but rescue medication needed after 2–4 h); or no clear response (rescue medication needed <2 h).ResultsLidocaine had a good or intermediate effect in 71.4%. The response rate was significantly lower in preterm (55.3%) than in full‐term infants (76.1%, p < 0.001). In full‐term infants the response to lidocaine was significantly better than midazolam as second‐line AED (21.4% vs. 12.7%, p = 0.049), and there was a trend for a higher response rate as third‐line AED (67.6% vs. 57%, p = 0.086). Both lidocaine and midazolam had a higher response rate as third‐line AED than as second‐line AED (p < 0.001). Factors associated with a good response to lidocaine were the following: higher gestational age, longer time between start of first seizure and administration of lidocaine, lidocaine as third‐line AED, use of new lidocaine regimens, diagnosis of stroke, use of digital aEEG, and hypothermia. Multivariable analysis of seizure response to lidocaine included lidocaine as second‐ or third‐line AED and seizure etiology.SignificanceSeizure response to lidocaine was seen in ~70%. The response rate was influenced by gestational age, underlying etiology, and timing of administration. Lidocaine had a significantly higher response rate than midazolam as second‐line AED, and there was a trend for a higher response rate as third‐line AED. Both lidocaine and midazolam had a higher response rate as third‐line compared to second‐line AED, which could be due to a pharmacologic synergistic mechanism between the two drugs.
Gross nitrous oxide production drives net nitrous oxide fluxes across a salt marsh landscape
Authors: Yang Wendy H. , Silver Whendee L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSea level rise will change inundation regimes in salt marshes, altering redox dynamics that control nitrification – a potential source of the potent greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) – and denitrification, a major nitrogen (N) loss pathway in coastal ecosystems and both a source and sink of N2O. Measurements of net N2O fluxes alone yield little insight into the different effects of redox conditions on N2O production and consumption. We used in situ measurements of gross N2O fluxes across a salt marsh elevation gradient to determine how soil N2O emissions in coastal ecosystems may respond to future sea level rise. Soil redox declined as marsh elevation decreased, with lower soil nitrate and higher ferrous iron in the low marsh compared to the mid and high marshes (P < 0.001 for both). In addition, soil oxygen concentrations were lower in the low and mid‐marshes relative to the high marsh (P < 0.001). Net N2O fluxes differed significantly among marsh zones (P = 0.009), averaging 9.8 ± 5.4 μg N m−2 h−1, −2.2 ± 0.9 μg N m−2 h−1, and 0.67 ± 0.57 μg N m−2 h−1 in the low, mid, and high marshes, respectively. Both net N2O release and uptake were observed in the low and high marshes, but the mid‐marsh was consistently a net N2O sink. Gross N2O production was highest in the low marsh and lowest in the mid‐marsh (P = 0.02), whereas gross N2O consumption did not differ among marsh zones. Thus, variability in gross N2O production rates drove the differences in net N2O flux among marsh zones. Our results suggest that future studies should focus on elucidating controls on the processes producing, rather than consuming, N2O in salt marshes to improve our predictions of changes in net N2O fluxes caused by future sea level rise.
Nitrogen availability increases in a tundra ecosystem during five years of experimental permafrost thaw
Authors: Salmon Verity G. , Soucy Patrick , Mauritz Marguerite , Celis Gerardo , Natali Susan M. , Mack Michelle C. , Schuur Edward A. G. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPerennially frozen soil in high latitude ecosystems (permafrost) currently stores 1330–1580 Pg of carbon (C). As these ecosystems warm, the thaw and decomposition of permafrost is expected to release large amounts of C to the atmosphere. Fortunately, losses from the permafrost C pool will be partially offset by increased plant productivity. The degree to which plants are able to sequester C, however, will be determined by changing nitrogen (N) availability in these thawing soil profiles. N availability currently limits plant productivity in tundra ecosystems but plant access to N is expected improve as decomposition increases in speed and extends to deeper soil horizons. To evaluate the relationship between permafrost thaw and N availability, we monitored N cycling during 5 years of experimentally induced permafrost thaw at the Carbon in Permafrost Experimental Heating Research (CiPEHR) project. Inorganic N availability increased significantly in response to deeper thaw and greater soil moisture induced by Soil warming. This treatment also prompted a 23% increase in aboveground biomass and a 49% increase in foliar N pools. The sedge Eriophorum vaginatum responded most strongly to warming: this species explained 91% of the change in aboveground biomass during the 5 year period. Air warming had little impact when applied alone, but when applied in combination with Soil warming, growing season soil inorganic N availability was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate that there is a strong positive relationship between the depth of permafrost thaw and N availability in tundra ecosystems but that this relationship can be diminished by interactions between increased thaw, warmer air temperatures, and higher levels of soil moisture. Within 5 years of permafrost thaw, plants actively incorporate newly available N into biomass but C storage in live vascular plant biomass is unlikely to be greater than losses from deep soil C pools.
Spatial yield estimates of fast‐growing willow plantations for energy based on climatic variables in northern Europe
Authors: Mola‐Yudego Blas , Rahlf Johannes , Astrup Rasmus , Dimitriou Ioannis 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSpatially accurate and reliable estimates from fast‐growing plantations are a key factor for planning energy supply. This study aimed to estimate the yield of biomass from short rotation willow plantations in northern Europe. The data were based on harvesting records from 1790 commercial plantations in Sweden, grouped into three ad hoc categories: low, middle and high performance. The predictors included climatic variables, allowing the spatial extrapolation to nearby countries. The modeling and spatialization of the estimates used boosted regression trees, a method based on machine learning. The average RMSE for the final models selected was 0.33, 0.39 and 1.91 (corresponding to R2 = 0.77, 0.88 and 0.45), for the low, medium and high performance categories, respectively. The models were then applied to obtain 1×1 km yield estimates in the rest of Sweden, as well as for Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. The results demonstrated a large regional variation. For the first rotation under high performance conditions, the country averages were as follows: >7 odt ha−1 yr−1 in the Baltic coast of Germany, >6 odt ha−1 yr−1 in Denmark, >5 odt ha−1 yr−1 in the Baltic coast of Poland and between 4–5 odt ha−1 yr−1 in the rest. The results of this approach indicate that they can provide faster and more accurate predictions than previous modeling approaches and can offer interesting possibilities in the field of yield modeling.
Association between periodontitis and mortality in stages 3–5 chronic kidney disease: NHANES III and linked mortality study
Authors: Sharma Praveen , Dietrich Thomas , Ferro Charles J. , Cockwell Paul , Chapple Iain L.C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIntroductionPeriodontitis may add to the systemic inflammatory burden in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), thereby contributing to an increased mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the association between periodontitis and mortality rate (all‐cause and cardiovascular disease‐related) in individuals with stage 3–5 CKD, hitherto referred to as “CKD”.MethodsSurvival analysis was carried out using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and linked mortality data. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to assess the association between periodontitis and mortality, in individuals with CKD. This association was compared with the association between mortality and traditional risk factors in CKD mortality (diabetes, hypertension and smoking).ResultsOf the 13,784 participants eligible for analysis in NHANES III, 861 (6%) had CKD. The median follow‐up for this cohort was 14.3 years. Adjusting for confounders, the 10‐year all‐cause mortality rate for individuals with CKD increased from 32% (95% CI: 29–35%) to 41% (36–47%) with the addition of periodontitis. For diabetes, the 10‐year all‐cause mortality rate increased to 43% (38–49%).ConclusionThere is a strong, association between periodontitis and increased mortality in individuals with CKD. Sources of chronic systemic inflammation (including periodontitis) may be important contributors to mortality in patients with CKD.
Supplemental lipoic acid relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by decreasing intestinal permeability in rats
Authors: Fan P. , Tan Y. , Jin K. , Lin C. , Xia S. , Han B. , Zhang F. , Wu L. , Ma X. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryLipoic acid (LA) is a naturally existing substance which widely distributed in the cellular membranes and cytosol of animal cells. Its intracellular functions include quenching of free radicals and repairing oxidized proteins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LA on post‐weaning diarrhoea using a rat model. Sixty weaned rats were fed either a basal diet or a LA‐supplemented diet, or a zinc oxide (ZnO)‐supplemented diet as a positive control. Rats in the LA and ZnO groups had better performance and reduced incidence of diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Both LA and ZnO treatments enhanced intestinal homeostatic and architecture, significantly decreased urinary lactulose to mannitol ratios (p < 0.05) and increased the expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens protein‐1 (ZO‐1) (p < 0.05). LA significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced glutathione while decreasing the levels of oxidative glutathione and malondialdehyde in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an in vitro study indicated that supplementation with LA in IEC‐6 intestinal epithelial cells significantly enhanced the expression of OCLN and ZO‐1 under hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that LA relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by reducing intestinal permeability and improving antioxidant indices.
Cooperation between two periplasmic copper chaperones is required for full activity of the cbb3‐type cytochrome c oxidase and copper homeostasis in Rhodobacter capsulatus
Authors: Trasnea Petru‐Iulian , Utz Marcel , Khalfaoui‐Hassani Bahia , Lagies Simon , Daldal Fevzi , Koch Hans‐Georg 
Published: December 2015

SummaryCopper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient that functions as a cofactor in several important enzymes, such as respiratory heme‐copper oxygen reductases. Yet, Cu is also toxic and therefore cells engage a highly coordinated Cu uptake and delivery system to prevent the accumulation of toxic Cu concentrations. In this study, we analyzed Cu delivery to the cbb3‐type cytochrome c oxidase (cbb3‐Cox) of Rhodobacter capsulatus. We identified the PCuAC‐like periplasmic chaperone PccA and analyzed its contribution to cbb3‐Cox assembly. Our data demonstrate that PccA is a Cu‐binding protein with a preference for Cu(I), which is required for efficient cbb3‐Cox assembly, in particular, at low Cu concentrations. By using in vivo and in vitro cross‐linking, we show that PccA forms a complex with the Sco1‐homologue SenC. This complex is stabilized in the absence of the cbb3‐Cox‐specific assembly factors CcoGHIS. In cells lacking SenC, the cytoplasmic Cu content is significantly increased, but the simultaneous absence of PccA prevents this Cu accumulation. These data demonstrate that the interplay between PccA and SenC not only is required for Cu delivery during cbb3‐Cox assembly but also regulates Cu homeostasis in R. capsulatus.