bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 induces cardiac fibrosis by mediating mammalian target of rapamycin activity
Authors: Sun Shuya , Hu Yuehuai , Zheng Qiyao , Guo Zhen , Sun Duanping , Chen Shaorui , Zhang Yiqiang , Liu Peiqing , Lu Jing , Jiang Jianmin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCardiac fibrosis is involved in nearly all forms of heart diseases and is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins by cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). We and others have reported the possibility of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), the founding subtype of the PARPs enzyme family, as a novel therapeutic target of heart diseases. The cardiac fibrotic induction of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is mainly due to collagen expression, Smad3‐ and p53/JNK‐mediated apoptosis. However, the possible link between PARP1 and mTOR in the progression of cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, PARP1 protein expression, and the activity of mTOR and its three target substrates (p70 ribosomal S6 Kinase 1, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E­‐binding protein 1, and UNC­51­like kinase 1) were augmented; meanwhile, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) content was significantly reduced in the process of cardiac fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. Sprague‐Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with 3‐aminobenzamide (3AB) (20 mg/kg/d; a well‐established PARP1 inhibitor) or rapamycin (Rapa; 1 mg/kg/d; used for mTOR inhibition) 7 days after abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) surgery for 6 weeks. Pretreatment of 3AB or Rapa both relieved AAC‐caused cardiac fibrosis and heart dysfunction. Overexpression of PARP1 with adenovirus carrying PARP1 gene specifically transduced into the hearts via intramyocardial multipoint injection caused similar myocardial damage. In CFs, preincubation with PARP1 or mTOR inhibitors all blocked TGF‐β1 induced cardiac fibrosis. PARP1 overexpression evoked cardiac fibrosis, which could be antagonized by mTOR inhibitors or NAD supplementation in CFs. These results provide novel and compelling evidence that PARP1 exacerbated cardiac fibrosis, which was partially attributed to NAD‐dependent activation of mTOR.
Decreased levels of serum exosomal miR‐638 predict poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shi Min , Jiang Ye , Yang Lu , Yan Shushan , Wang Yu‐Gang , Lu Xiao‐Jie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCurrently available studies have implicated that exosome‐delivered microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in human cancer. However, the association of serum exosomal miR‐638 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. We aim to investigate the expression of exosomal miR‐638 in serum of HCC patients and its prognostic role in this deadly disease. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the survival of patients histologically diagnosed with HCC. Reduced levels of exosomal miR‐638 in serum samples from patients with HCC were identified by real‐time PCR. Negative association of serum exosomal miR‐638 with tumor size, vascular infiltration, and TNM stage was observed in HCC patients. Besides, the proliferation of Huh7 and SMCC7721 HCC cells were significantly inhibited when miR‐638 was over‐expressed in these cells. In addition, HCC patients with lower levels of serum exosomal miR‐638 had poor overall survival than those with higher levels of exosomal miR‐638 in serum. Our study strongly suggests that serum exosome‐delivered miR‐638 may serve as a novel circulating biomarker for HCC. Downregulation of miR‐638 predicts poor prognosis for patients with HCC.
Orientations of graphs with uncountable chromatic number
Authors: Soukup Dániel T. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMotivated by an old conjecture of P. Erdős and V. Neumann‐Lara, our aim is to investigate digraphs with uncountable dichromatic number and orientations of undirected graphs with uncountable chromatic number. A graph has uncountablechromatic numberif its vertices cannot be covered by countably many independent sets, and a digraph has uncountabledichromatic numberif its vertices cannot be covered by countably many acyclic sets. We prove that, consistently, there are digraphs with uncountable dichromatic number and arbitrarily large digirth; this is in surprising contrast with the undirected case: any graph with uncountable chromatic number contains a 4‐cycle. Next, we prove that several well‐known graphs (uncountable complete graphs, certain comparability graphs, and shift graphs) admit orientations with uncountable dichromatic number in ZFC. However, we show that the statement “every graphGof size and chromatic number ω1has an orientationDwith uncountable dichromatic number” is independent of ZFC. We end the article with several open problems.
Trends of precipitation characteristics in the Czech Republic over 1961–2012, their spatial patterns and links to temperature and the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Beranová Romana , Kyselý Jan 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTDaily precipitation data from 162 stations in the Czech Republic over 1961–2012 are used to examine changes in seasonal precipitation indices, their spatial patterns and links to temperature and atmospheric circulation. The results show a divide between the western and eastern parts of the country as to trends in most precipitation characteristics in both winter and summer. Increases were more pronounced in the west, where Atlantic influences are stronger. In the eastern region, where continental and Mediterranean influences become more important, the trends are often inconclusive. Aggregated over the country as a whole, positive trends of mean precipitation as well as indices of precipitation intensity and extremes dominate in both winter and summer, and the mean precipitation trends are significant at a much larger percentage of stations than previously reported for 1961–2005. Spring is the only season with prevailing negative trends in mean precipitation and the number of wet days. The trends are least conclusive and close to zero in autumn. The trends differ for cold days (below the seasonal 25th percentile of daily maximum temperature) and warm days (above the seasonal 75th percentile). In contrast to overall winter trends, negative trends of mean precipitation, seasonal maxima and number of wet days prevail on cold days in winter. In summer, by far the most pronounced positive trends occur during warm days, when most precipitation comes from convective storms. Longitudinal dependency was found for most indices in winter and for mean precipitation and the number of wet days in summer. The different influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on precipitation in the western and eastern parts of the Czech Republic together with positive (negative) trend of the North Atlantic Oscillation index in winter (summer) may contribute to the longitudinal dependency of the precipitation trends.
Impact of food processing and simulated gastrointestinal digestion on gliadin immunoreactivity in rolls
Authors: Brzozowski Bartosz 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe enzymatic modification of wheat proteins during dough fermentation and its digestion as supported by peptidases of microbiological origin can result in the degradation of important peptides in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. However, baking bread and the high temperature associated with this could change the physicochemical and immunological properties of proteins. Thermal changes in the spatial structure of proteins and their hydrolysis can lead to a masking or degrading of immunoreactive peptides.RESULTSThe addition of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), comprising peptidases isolated from Lactobacillus acidophilus 5e2 (LA) or transglutaminase (TG) in the course of fermentation, decreases its immunoreactivity by 83.9%, 51.9% and 18.5%, respectively. An analysis of the fractional composition of gliadins revealed that γ‐ and ω‐gliadins are the proteins most susceptible to enzymatic modification. Hydrolysis of wheat storage proteins with PEP and LA reduces the content of αβ‐, γ‐ and ω‐gliadins by 13.7%, 60.2% and 41.9% for PEP and by 22.1%, 43.5% and 36.9% for LA, respectively. Cross‐linking of proteins with TG or their hydrolysis by PEP and LA peptidases during the process of forming wheat dough, followed by digesting bread samples with PEP and LA peptidases, decreases the immunoreactivity of bread hydrolysates from 2.4% to 0.02%. The content of peptide detected in polypeptide sequences is 263.4 ± 3.3, 30.9 ± 1.5 and 7.9 ± 0.4 mg kg–1 in samples of hydrolysates of bread digested with PEP, as produced from dough modified by TG, PEP and LA, respectively.CONCLUSIONEnzymatic pre‐modification of proteins during the process of dough fermentation decreases their immunoreactive potential, such that fewer peptides recognised by R5 antibodies are released during the digestion process from the bread matrix. Immunoreactive peptides are degraded more effectively when digestive enzymes are supported by the addition of PEP. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Extra virgin olive oil aroma release after interaction with human saliva from individuals with different body mass index
Authors: Genovese Alessandro , Rispoli Tiziana , Sacchi Raffaele 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe interindividual variability observed in saliva characteristics raises the question of its relationship with variability in fat sensory perception, particularly in aroma compounds. In the present study, which aimed to measure aroma release from different individuals, eleven key aroma compounds of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) were monitored and quantified in dynamic headspace after an in vitro interaction between EVOO and human saliva. Therefore, 60 individuals were studied from those who were normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) and obese (O).RESULTSOW and O demonstrate a higher release of C6 compounds compared to NW. By contrast, NW have a higher release of C5 compounds. Pentanal and hexanal also increased after saliva interaction in a refined olive oil that is free from volatiles. Among the saliva samples with a higher release in NW individuals, only pentanal was different. However, the low levels of these lipid oxidation end‐products do not appear to be very important with respect to increasing odorous fat sensitivity.CONCLUSIONThe results obtained in the present study demonstrate the important role of saliva in the aroma release of EVOO, indicating that humans can perceive it differently in relation to their body mass index. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of micro‐solid‐phase extraction for the on‐site extraction of heterocyclic aromatic amines in seawater
Authors: Basheer Chanbasha 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAn efficient on‐site extraction technique to determine carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines in seawater has been reported. A micro‐solid‐phase extraction device placed inside a portable battery‐operated pump was used for the on‐site extraction of seawater samples. Before on‐site applications, parameters that influence the extraction efficiency (extraction time, type of sorbent materials, suitable desorption solvent, desorption time, and sample volume) were investigated and optimized in the laboratory. The developed method was then used for the on‐site sampling of heterocyclic aromatic amines determination in seawater samples close to distillation plant. Once the on‐site extraction completed, the small extraction device with the analytes was brought back to the laboratory for analysis using high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Based on the optimized conditions, the calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.05–20 μg/L with correlation coefficients up to 0.996. The limits of detection were 0.004–0.026 μg/L, and the reproducibility values were between 1.3 and 7.5%. To evaluate the extraction efficiency, a comparison was made with conventional solid‐phase extraction and it was applied to various fortified real seawater samples. The average relative recoveries obtained from the spiked seawater samples varied in the range 79.9–95.2%.
Tree roosts of northern long‐eared bats following white‐nose syndrome
Authors: Thalken Marissa M. , Lacki Michael J. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTSpring emergence and summer maternity seasons are critical to long‐term survival of cave‐hibernating bats inhabiting geographic regions affected by white‐nose syndrome (WNS). White‐nose syndrome reached cave‐hibernating populations of bats in Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP), Kentucky, USA, in 2013, with significant declines in several species of bats that hibernate in MCNP during winter 2014–2015, including the northern long‐eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). To assess behavior and roost selection of individuals surviving to spring emergence and the summer maternity season, we radio‐tracked 26 northern long‐eared bats captured at various locations with differing habitat conditions in MCNP during 2015 and 2016. We tracked bats daily to identify roosting sites and patterns in use of roosts, describe habitat conditions associated with roosting sites, and quantify variation in size of colonies occupying roost trees. The average number of bats emerging from roost trees (3.58 ± 0.57 [SE]) was low compared with estimates for the species in studies completed pre‐WNS. Adult female bats selected trees within 6 roost areas with no overlap in use of roost areas between non‐reproductive females in spring and pregnant and lactating females in summer. Variation in roost tree and surrounding forest characteristics occurred across sex and reproductive condition classes, with males and pregnant and lactating females roosting at higher landscape positions than non‐reproductive females. Comparisons of roosting habitat models demonstrated the torpor model (decay class, stem diameter, canopy cover) to be parsimonious, regardless of sex and reproductive condition class, suggesting importance for choosing roost trees that facilitate use of daytime torpor. Such a strategy would promote energy savings and be consistent with behaviors anticipated for bats vulnerable to WNS effects during winter hibernation because these bats are potentially compromised in health and physiologic condition upon emergence from hibernation in spring. We encourage land managers responsible for roost trees of northern long‐eared bats to consider seasonal and landscape‐level variation in roosting habitat needs of these bats. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Acetylation of Glycerol over Highly Stable and Active Sulfated Alumina Catalyst: Reaction Mechanism, Kinetic Modeling and Estimation of Kinetic Parameters
Authors: Pankajakshan Arun , Pudi Satyanarayana Murty , Biswas Prakash 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTThe Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) kinetic model was developed for acetylation of glycerol over highly stable and active 2 M SO42−/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst. The apparent reaction rate constants were determined by numerically solving the differential rate equations using ode23 tool in MATLAB coupled with the genetic algorithm optimization technique. The estimated rate constants were used to obtain the activation energy and pre‐exponential factor by using the Arrhenius equation. The estimated activation energy for direct acetylation of glycerol to monoacetylglycerol and diacetylglycerol was 7.2 kJ mol−1, for acetylation of monoacetylglycerol to diacetylglycerol was 37.1 kJ mol−1, and for acetylation of diacetylglycerol to triacetylglycerol was 26.6 kJ mol−1, respectively.
Gullies, a critical link in landscape soil loss: A case study in the subhumid highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Zegeye Assefa D. , Langendoen Eddy J. , Guzman Christian D. , Dagnew Dessalegn C. , Amare Selamawit D. , Tilahun Seifu A. , Steenhuis Tammo S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLand use changes in many landscapes result in gully formation, carving up agricultural land and playing a large role in filling up downstream reservoirs by connecting uplands with rivers. This includes the Ethiopian highlands. Our objective is to begin investigating the interaction of upland and gully erosion and to quantify the portion of eroded sediment originating from a gully to prioritize erosion control practices. For this purpose, a 5‐m deep valley bottom gully of the 13‐ha catchment in the Debre Mawi watershed in the subhumid Ethiopian highland near Lake Tana was selected. The upstream and downstream gully discharge and sediment concentrations were measured over a 2‐year period. The results show that the sediment concentration at the outlet was about 10 times greater than at the inlet. The sediment budget calculation showed that about over 90% of the sediment at the outlet originated from within the gully. Hysteresis analysis of the sediment concentration discharge relationship showed that sediment supply from the upland was limited, but sediment was always available to be eroded and transported in the gully because of bank failures and headcut retreat. Thus, to reduce sediment loads in rivers and consequent adverse downstream impacts, designing cost‐effective measures to treat gullies should be a priority in the subhumid Ethiopian highlands.
Potential characterization of yeasts isolated from Kazak artisanal cheese to produce flavoring compounds
Authors: Zheng Xiaoji , Li Kaixiong , Shi Xuewei , Ni Yongqing , Li Baokun , Zhuge Bin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCheese is a typical handcrafted fermented food in Kazak minority from the Uighur Autonomy Region in China and Central Asia. Among the microbial community that is responsible for Kazak cheese fermentation, yeasts play important role in flavor formation during ripening. To develop ripening cultures, we isolated 123 yeasts from 25 cheese products in Kazak, and identified 87 isolates by the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene sequence. Pichia kudriavzevii was the dominant yeast in Kazak cheese, followed by Kluyveromyces marxianus and Kluyveromyces lactis. Of these, the ability to exhibit enzyme of dominant isolates and contribution to the typical flavor of cheeses was assessed. Enzyme producing yeast strains were inoculated in Hazak cheese‐like medium and volatile compounds were identified by head space solid phase micro extraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Pichia kudriavzevii N‐X displayed the strongest extracellular proteolytic and activity on skim milk agar and produced a range of aroma compounds (ethanol, ethyl acetate, 3‐methylbutanol, and acetic acid) for Kazak cheese flavor, could be explored as ripening cultures in commercial production of Kazak cheeses.
Rating scales for cognition in Huntington's disease: Critique and recommendations
Authors: Mestre Tiago A. , Bachoud‐Lévi Anne‐Catherine , Marinus Johan , Stout Julie C. , Paulsen Jane S. , Como Peter , Duff Kevin , Sampaio Cristina , Goetz Christopher G. , Cubo Esther , Stebbins Glenn T. , Martinez‐Martin Pablo ,   the Members of the MDS Committee on Rating Scales Development
Published: December 2017

AbstractCognitive impairment is one of the main features of Huntington's disease and is present across the disease spectrum. As part of the International Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Society‐sponsored project to review all clinical rating scales used in Huntington's disease, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify cognitive scales used in Huntington's disease and make recommendations for their use. A total of 17 cognitive scales were identified and evaluated. None of the scales met criteria for a “recommended” status. For assessing severity of cognitive dysfunction, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was “recommended with caveats.” The UHDRS Cognitive Assessment, the UHDRS‐For Advanced Patients cognitive section, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, the Mini‐Mental State Examination, and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status were “suggested” for evaluating severity of cognitive impairment. The MoCA was “suggested” as a screening tool for cognitive impairment. The major challenge in the assessment of cognition in Huntington's disease is the lack of a formal definition of dementia and/or mild cognitive impairment in this disease. The committee concluded that there is a need to further validate currently available cognitive scales in Huntington's disease, but that it is premature to recommend the development of new scales. Recently developed Huntington's disease‐specific scales, such as the Huntington's Disease‐Cognitive Assessment Battery, hold promise but require the completion of more comprehensive clinimetric development. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Prevalence of and indications for antipsychotic use in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bower James H. , Grossardt Brandon R. , Rocca Walter A. , Savica Rodolfo 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTBackground: The prevalence of patients with PD taking antipsychotics is unknown.Objective: To measure the prevalence of patients with PD taking antipsychotics.Methods: We used the medical records‐linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to study the use of antipsychotic medication in all persons with Parkinson disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota on 1 January 2006.Results: There were 296 patients with PD in Olmsted County on 1 January 2006. The overall prevalence of antipsychotic use was 9.8% (29 of 296); 95.5% (28 of 29) of the patients had dementia when initiating antipsychotics. The most frequent indication (71.4%; 20 of 28) was psychosis or behavior threatening to the patient or others.Conclusions: The prevalence of antipsychotic use in patients with PD is lower than expected from previously reported cumulative incidences. Dementia is highly prevalent in those starting antipsychotics. Most of the patients on antipsychotics had a reasonable risk‐benefit ratio for taking them. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of camicinal in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Marrinan Sarah L. , Otiker Tal , Vasist Lakshmi S. , Gibson Rachel A. , Sarai Bhopinder K. , Barton Matthew E. , Richards Duncan B. , Hellström Per M. , Nyholm Dag , Dukes George E. , Burn David J. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTBackground: Delayed gastric emptying may impair l‐dopa absorption, contributing to motor fluctuations. We evaluated the effect of camicinal (GSK962040), a gastroprokinetic, on the absorption of l‐dopa and symptoms of PD.Methods: Phase II, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Participants were randomized to receive camicinal 50 mg once‐daily (n = 38) or placebo (n = 20) for 7 to 9 days.Results: l‐dopa exposure was similar with coadministration of camicinal compared to placebo. Median time to maximum l‐dopa concentration was reduced, indicating more rapid absorption of l‐dopa. Camicinal resulted in significant reduction in OFF time (–2.31 hours; 95% confidence interval: –3.71, –0.90), significant increase in ON time (+1.88 hours; 95% confidence interval: 0.28, 3.48) per day, and significant decrease in mean total MDS‐UPDRS score (–12.5; 95% confidence interval: –19.67, ‐5.29). Camicinal treatment was generally well tolerated.Conclusions: PD symptom improvement with camicinal occurred in parallel with more rapid absorption of l‐dopa. This study provides evidence of an improvement of the motor response to l‐dopa in people with PD treated with camicinal 50 mg once‐daily compared with placebo, which will require further evaluation. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.