bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Regulation of Phenotypic Plasticity and Canalisation in Yeast Growth
Authors: Yadav Anupama , Dhole Kaustubh , Sinha Himanshu 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThe ability of a genotype to show diverse phenotypes in different environments is called phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity helps populations to evade extinctions in novel environments, facilitates adaptation and fuels evolution. However, most studies focus on understanding the genetic basis of phenotypic regulation in specific environments. As a result, while it’s evolutionary relevance is well established, genetic mechanisms regulating phenotypic plasticity and their overlap with the environment specific regulators is not well understood.Saccharomyces cerevisiaeis highly sensitive to the environment, which acts as not just external stimulus but also as signalling cue for this unicellular, sessile organism. We used a previously published dataset of a biparental yeast population grown in 34 diverse environments and mapped genetic loci regulating variation in phenotypic plasticity, plasticity QTL, and compared them with environment-specific QTL. Plasticity QTL is one whose one allele exhibits high plasticity whereas the other shows a relatively canalised behaviour. We mapped phenotypic plasticity using two parameters – environmental variance, an environmental order-independent parameter and reaction norm (slope), an environmental order-dependent parameter. Our results show a partial overlap between pleiotropic QTL and plasticity QTL such that while some plasticity QTL are also pleiotropic, others have a significant effect on phenotypic plasticity without being significant in any environment independently. Furthermore, while some plasticity QTL are revealed only in specific environmental orders, we identify large effect plasticity QTL, which are order-independent such that whatever the order of the environments, one allele is always plastic and the other is canalised. Finally, we show that the environments can be divided into two categories based on the phenotypic diversity of the population within them and the two categories have differential regulators of phenotypic plasticity. Our results highlight the importance of identifying genetic regulators of phenotypic plasticity to comprehensively understand the genotype-phenotype map.
Origin and phylogenetic status of the local Ashanti Dwarf pig (ADP) of Ghana based on evidence from mtDNA analysis, MC1R, and Y-chromosome haplotypes
Authors: Osei-Amponsah R. , Skinner B.M. , Adjei O.D , Bauer J , Larson G , Affara N.A , Sargent C.A 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana is an endangered pig breed with hardy and disease resistant traits. Characterisation of animal genetic resources provides relevant data for their conservation and sustainable use for food security and economic development. We investigated the origin and phylogenetic status of the local ADP of Ghana and their crosses with modern commercial breeds based on mtDNA,MC1Rand Y-chromosome sequence polymorphisms, as well as genome-wide SNP genotyping.The study involved 164 local pigs sampled from the three agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Analyses of the mitochondrial D-loop region and Y-chromosome sequences revealed both European and Asian genetic signatures, with differences between the geographical zones. Black coat colour is the most predominant within the breed, with dominant blackMC1Ralleles of both Asian and European origin contributing. European alleles for spotting are present at a low frequency in the sample set, and may account for the occurrence of spotted piglets in some APD litters. PCA analysis of SNP data revealed a strong location and breed effect on clustering of local Ghanaian pigs. On a global level, Ghanaian local pigs cluster closely with European pigs of commercial origin, such as the Large White.The presence of both European and Asian contributions, with differences between geographical zones probably reflects trading and colonial influences.. Understanding the effects of admixture on important adaptive and economic traits of the ADP and other local breeds in Africa is critical for developing sustainable conservation programmes to prevent the decline of these genetic resources.
fMRI Dependent Components Analysis Reveals Dynamic Relations Between Functional Large Scale Cortical Networks
Authors: Hertz Uri , Zoran Daniel , Weiss Yair , Amedi Amir 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOne of the major advantages of whole brain fMRI is the detection of large scale cortical networks. Dependent Components Analysis (DCA) is a novel approach designed to extract both cortical networks and their dependency structure. DCA is fundamentally different from prevalent data driven approaches, i.e. spatial ICA, in that instead of maximizing the independence of components it optimizes their dependency (in a tree graph structure, tDCA) depicting cortical areas as part of multiple cortical networks. Here tDCA was shown to reliably detect large scale functional networks in single subjects and in group analysis, by clustering non-noisy components on one branch of the tree structure. We used tDCA in three fMRI experiments in which identical auditory and visual stimuli were presented, but novelty information and task relevance were modified. tDCA components tended to include two anticorrelated networks, which were detected in two separate ICA components, or belonged in one component in seed functional connectivity. Although sensory components remained the same across experiments, other components changed as a function of the experimental conditions. These changes were either within component, where it encompassed other cortical areas, or between components, where the pattern of anticorrelated networks and their statistical dependency changed. Thus tDCA may prove to be a useful, robust tool that provides a rich description of the statistical structure underlying brain activity and its relationships to changes in experimental conditions. This tool may prove effective in detection and description of mental states, neural disorders and their dynamics.
Human resource management (HRM) and public service motivation (PSM)
Authors: Homberg Fabian , Vogel Rick 
Published: July 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the special issue on public service motivation (PSM) and human resource management (HRM). The authors analyse and review how the literatures on HRM and PSM relate to each other.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper combines two complementary studies: a bibliometric analysis of the interrelationships between the two literatures and a meta-analysis of the impact of HR practices on PSM.

Findings
– Although HRM is among the core subject categories to which the literature on PSM refers, the pre-eminence of HR topics self-reported by PSM researchers indicates large room for further transfer. Intrinsic HR practices show positive and significant effects on PSM, while no such association was found for extrinsic HR practices.

Originality/value
– The editorial is a complement to a recent bibliometric review of PSM research, focusing more particularly on the interrelationships with HRM and applying hitherto unused techniques. It is also the first meta-analysis of the association between HR practices and PSM.
Negative association of pretreatment cigarette use with smoking‐induced striatal dopamine release in smokers receiving bupropion treatment
Authors: Weinstein Aviv Malkiel , Freedman Nanette , Greif Joel , Yemini Zipi , Mishani Eyal , London Edythe , Chisin Roland , Bocher Moshe 
Published: July 2016

Background and ObjectivesIn an effort to help identify factors that maintain heavy smoking, this study tested the association of pretreatment cigarette use (cigarettes per day) with striatal dopamine release during smoking‐cessation treatment.MethodsThirteen regular smokers (≥10 cigarettes per day) were evaluated on parameters of smoking behavior, and they entered a smoking cessation treatment protocol, including bupropion administration and individual counseling for 2 months. On week 7 of treatment, 10 of the participants underwent brain scans using [11C]raclopride with positron emission tomography to assess smoking‐induced dopamine release in the caudate nucleus and putamen, inferred from changes in dopamine D2‐type receptor availability.ResultsReceptor availability, measured as binding potential referred to non‐displaceable uptake (BPND) in both striatal regions re‐demonstrated a significant decrease after smoking a cigarette; and pre‐treatment cigarette use significantly negatively correlated with smoking‐induced dopamine release in the caudate.Conclusions and SignificanceThe negative association of cigarette use with dopamine release suggests tolerance or down‐regulation of the dopamine system by chronic smoking, or a pre‐existing condition that promotes more frequent smoking. This association should be regarded as preliminary evidence that warrants verification. (Am J Addict 2016;25:486–492)
An index with improved diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease derived from the Lennard‐Jones criteria
Authors: Reinisch S. , Schweiger K. , Pablik E. , Collet‐Fenetrier B. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. , Alfaro I. , Panés J. , Moayyedi P. , Reinisch W. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundThe Lennard‐Jones criteria are considered the gold standard for diagnosing Crohn's disease (CD) and include the items granuloma, macroscopic discontinuity, transmural inflammation, fibrosis, lymphoid aggregates and discontinuous inflammation on histology. The criteria have never been subjected to a formal validation process.AimTo develop a validated and improved diagnostic index based on the items of Lennard‐Jones criteria.MethodsIncluded were 328 adult patients with long‐standing CD (median disease duration 10 years) from three centres and classified as ‘established’, ‘probable’ or ‘non‐CD’ by Lennard‐Jones criteria at time of diagnosis. Controls were patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 170). The performance of each of the six diagnostic items of Lennard‐Jones criteria was modelled by logistic regression and a new index based on stepwise backward selection and cut‐offs was developed. The diagnostic value of the new index was analysed by comparing sensitivity, specificity and accuracy vs. Lennard‐Jones criteria.ResultsBy Lennard‐Jones criteria 49% (n = 162) of CD patients would have been diagnosed as ‘non‐CD’ at time of diagnosis (sensitivity/specificity/accuracy, ‘established’ CD: 0.34/0.99/0.67; ‘probable’ CD: 0.51/0.95/0.73). A new index was derived from granuloma, fibrosis, transmural inflammation and macroscopic discontinuity, but excluded lymphoid aggregates and discontinuous inflammation on histology. Our index provided improved diagnostic accuracy for ‘established’ and ‘probable’ CD (sensitivity/specificity/accuracy, ‘established’ CD: 0.45/1/0.72; ‘probable’ CD: 0.8/0.85/0.82), including the subgroup isolated colonic CD (‘probable’ CD, new index: 0.73/0.85/0.79; Lennard‐Jones criteria: 0.43/0.95/0.69).ConclusionWe developed an index based on items of Lennard‐Jones criteria providing improved diagnostic accuracy for the differential diagnosis between CD and UC.
Randomised clinical trial: a Lactobacillus GG and micronutrient‐containing mixture is effective in reducing nosocomial infections in children, vs. placebo
Authors: Bruzzese E. , Fedele M. C. , Bruzzese D. , Viscovo S. , Giannattasio A. , Mandato C. , Siani P. , Guarino A. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundNosocomial infections are a major public health issue and preventative strategies using probiotics and micronutrients are being evaluated.AimTo investigate the efficacy of a mixture of Lactobacillus GG and micronutrients in preventing nosocomial infections in children.MethodsA randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted in hospitalised children. Children (6 months to 5 years of age) received Lactobacillus GG (6 × 109 CFU/day) together with vitamins B and C and zinc or placebo, for 15 days, starting on the first day of hospitalisation. The incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory nosocomial infections after discharge was determined by follow‐up telephone call at 7 days. After 3 months, another telephone call estimated the incidence of further infections during follow‐up.ResultsNinety children completed the follow‐up. Of 19/90 children with a nosocomial infection (20%), 4/45 children (9%) were in the treatment group and 15/45 (33%) in the placebo group (P = 0.016). Specifically, 2/45 (4%) children in the treatment group vs. 11/45 (24%) children in the placebo group (P = 0.007) presented with diarrhoea. The duration of hospitalisation was significantly shorter in the treatment group (3.9 days ± 1.7 vs. 4.9 ± 1.2; P = 0.003). At the follow‐up, a total of 11/45 (24.4%) children in the treatment group had at least one episode of infection compared to 22/45 (48.9%) in the placebo group (P = 0.016).ConclusionA mixture containing Lactobacillus GG and micronutrients may reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, supporting the hypothesis that this may represent a valid strategy to prevent nosocomial infections.
Vonoprazan prevents bleeding from endoscopic submucosal dissection‐induced gastric ulcers
Authors: Kagawa T. , Iwamuro M. , Ishikawa S. , Ishida M. , Kuraoka S. , Sasaki K. , Sakakihara I. , Izumikawa K. , Yamamoto K. , Takahashi S. , Tanaka S. , Matsuura M. , Hasui T. , Wato M. , Inaba T. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundVonoprazan, a potassium‐competitive acid blocker, is expected to improve the healing of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)‐induced gastric ulcers compared with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).AimTo compare the healing status of ESD‐induced gastric ulcers and the incidence of post‐ESD bleeding between subjects treated with vonoprazan for 5 weeks and those treated with PPIs for 8 weeks.MethodsPatients in the vonoprazan group (n = 75) were prospectively enrolled, whereas patients in the PPI group (n = 150) were selected for a 2:1 matched historical control cohort according to baseline characteristics including gastric ulcer size immediately following ESD, age, sex and status of Helicobacter pylori infection. Two controls per case of vonoprazan‐treated group were matched with a margin of 20% in terms of ulcer size and a margin of 5 years in terms of their age.ResultsAlthough a higher number of completely healed ulcers was observed in the PPI group (95/150, 63.3%) than that in the vonoprazan group (14/75, 18.7%; P < 0.001), the ulcer size reduction rates, which were 96.0 ± 6.7% in the vonoprazan group and 94.7 ± 11.6% in the PPI group, were not significantly different (P = 0.373). The post‐ESD bleeding incidence in the vonoprazan group (1/75, 1.3%) was less than that in the PPI group (15/150, 10.0%; P = 0.01). The factors affecting post‐ESD bleeding incidence were the type of acid secretion inhibitor (P = 0.016) and use of an anti‐thrombotic agent (P = 0.014).ConclusionVonoprazan significantly reduced post‐endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding compared with PPIs.
Randomised clinical study: inulin short‐chain fatty acid esters for targeted delivery of short‐chain fatty acids to the human colon
Authors: Polyviou T. , MacDougall K. , Chambers E. S. , Viardot A. , Psichas A. , Jawaid S. , Harris H. C. , Edwards C. A. , Simpson L. , Murphy K. G. , Zac‐Varghese S. E. K. , Blundell J. E. , Dhillo W. S. , Bloom S. R. , Frost G. S. , Preston T. , Tedford M. C. , Morrison D. J. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryBackgroundShort‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced through fermentation of nondigestible carbohydrates by the gut microbiota are associated with positive metabolic effects. However, well‐controlled trials are limited in humans.AimsTo develop a methodology to deliver SCFA directly to the colon, and to optimise colonic propionate delivery in humans, to determine its role in appetite regulation and food intake.MethodsInulin SCFA esters were developed and tested as site‐specific delivery vehicles for SCFA to the proximal colon. Inulin propionate esters containing 0–61 wt% (IPE‐0–IPE‐61) propionate were assessed in vitro using batch faecal fermentations. In a randomised, controlled, crossover study, with inulin as control, ad libitum food intake (kcal) was compared after 7 days on IPE‐27 or IPE‐54 (10 g/day all treatments). Propionate release was determined using 13C‐labelled IPE variants.ResultsIn vitro, IPE‐27–IPE‐54 wt% propionate resulted in a sevenfold increase in propionate production compared with inulin (P < 0.05). In vivo, IPE‐27 led to greater 13C recovery in breath CO2 than IPE‐54 (64.9 vs. 24.9%, P = 0.001). IPE‐27 also led to a reduction in energy intake during the ad libitum test meal compared with both inulin (439.5 vs. 703.9 kcal, P = 0.025) and IPE‐54 (439.5 vs. 659.3 kcal, P = 0.025), whereas IPE‐54 was not significantly different from inulin control.ConclusionsIPE‐27 significantly reduced food intake suggesting colonic propionate plays a role in appetite regulation. Inulin short‐chain fatty acid esters provide a novel tool for probing the diet–gut microbiome–host metabolism axis in humans.
Tonkin's uplands at the turn of the 20th century: Colonial military enclosure and local livelihood effects
Authors: Michaud Jean , Turner Sarah 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn colonial Southeast Asia, the process of enclosure aimed to integrate communities living in the borderlands, along with their lands and resources, into the state project. In 1891, the newly established French colonial administration in Tonkin (northern Vietnam) decided the upland region bordering China should be physically and administratively enclosed to achieve these aims. The governor general ordered the French military to administer these borderlands and to complete two surveys of local ‘tribes’ in 1897–1898 and 1903–1904 to make upland populations and their livelihoods more legible and, the administration hoped, more controllable. By examining details of these surveys, we not only obtain proof of this enclosure project but we also gain rare insight into and a snapshot of upland border livelihoods at the turn of the 20th century. The surveys reveal details regarding local cross‐border trade strategies, marketplace manoeuvres, the means by which the colonial government enforced a common currency and, despite such attempts, the enduring nature of barter. We probe how local populations reacted to the state's processes of legibility, and in particular, how upland residents adapted their trade livelihoods to the new realities of being included within the colonial state and, progressively, within the national economy.
The effect of imiquimod on taste bud calcium transients and transmitter secretion
Authors: Huang Anthony Y , Wu Sandy Y 
Published: July 2016

Background and PurposeImiquimod is an immunomodulator approved for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and has adverse side effects, including taste disturbances. Paracrine transmission, representing cell–cell communication within taste buds, has the potential to shape the final signals that taste buds transmit to the brain. Here, we tested the underlying assumption that imiquimod modifies taste transmitter secretion in taste buds of mice.Experimental ApproachTaste buds were isolated from C57BL/6J mice. The effects of imiquimod on transmitter release in taste buds were measured using calcium imaging with cellular biosensors, and examining the net effect of imiquimod on taste‐evoked ATP secretion from mouse taste buds.Key ResultsUp to 72% of presynaptic (Type III) taste cells responded to 100 μM imiquimod with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. These Ca2+ responses were inhibited by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase, and by U73122, a PLC inhibitor, suggesting that the Ca2+ mobilization elicited by imiquimod was dependent on release from internal Ca2+ stores. Moreover, combining studies of Ca2+ imaging with cellular biosensors showed that imiquimod evoked secretion of 5‐HT, which then provided negative feedback onto receptor (Type II) cells to reduce taste‐evoked ATP secretion.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur results provide evidence that there is a subset of taste cells equipped with a range of intracellular mechanisms that respond to imiquimod. The findings are also consistent with a role of imiquimod as an immune response modifier, which shapes peripheral taste responses via 5‐HT signalling.
Butein provides neuroprotective and anti‐neuroinflammatory effects through Nrf2/ARE‐dependent haem oxygenase 1 expression by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Lee Dong‐Sung , Jeong Gil‐Saeng 
Published: July 2016

Background and PurposeButein, 3,4,2′,4′‐tetrahydroxychalcone, has various pharmacological effects. However, no study has demonstrated the specific neurobiological mechanisms of the effects of butein in neuronal cells. The present study examined the role of butein as an antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory inducer of haem oxygenase 1 (HO1) in mouse hippocampal HT22, BV2 microglial and primary mouse hippocampus neurons.Experimental ApproachWe investigated the neuroprotective effects of butein on glutamate‐induced HT22 cell and primary mouse hippocampal neuron death and its anti‐neuroinflammatory effects on LPS‐induced activation of BV2 cells. We elucidated the underlying mechanisms by assessing the involvement of NF‐κB, HO1, nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Akt signalling.Key ResultsButein decreased cellular oxidative injury and the production of ROS in glutamate‐treated HT22 cells and primary mouse hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, butein suppressed LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory enzymes and mediators in BV2 microglia. Butein inhibited IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α production and mRNA expression. In addition, butein decreased NO and PGE2 production and inducible NOS and COX‐2 expression through the NF‐κB signalling pathway. Butein up‐regulated Nrf2/ARE‐mediated HO1 expression through the PI3K/Akt pathway and this was positively associated with its cytoprotective effects and anti‐neuroinflammatory actions.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur results indicate that butein effectively prevents glutamate‐induced oxidative damage and LPS‐induced activation and that the induction of HO1 by butein through the PI3K/Akt pathway and Nrf2 activation appears to play a pivotal role in its effects on neuronal cells. Our results provide evidence for the neuroprotective properties of butein.
Design, synthesis, and negative inotropic evaluation of 4‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5(4H)‐one derivatives containing triazole or piperazine moieties
Authors: Wei Zhi‐Yu , Cui Bai‐Ri , Cui Xun , Wu Yan‐Ling , Fu Yang , Liu Li‐Ping , Piao Hu‐Ri 
Published: July 2016

In this study, four novel series of 4‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5(4H)‐one derivatives containing triazole or piperazine moieties were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for negative inotropic activity by measuring the left atrium stroke volume in isolated rabbit heart preparations. Almost all of the compounds showed an ability to moderate the cardiac workload by decreasing the heart rate and contractility. Among them, 7h was found to be the most potent with a change in stroke volume of −48.22 ± 0.36% at a concentration of 3 × 10−5 mol/L (metoprolol: −9.74 ± 0.14%). The cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated using the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, the liver cancer cell line Hep3B, and the human normal hepatic cell line LO2. A preliminary study of the mechanism of action for the compound 7h on the regulation of atrial dynamics with ATP‐sensitive K+ channel and L‐type Ca2+ channel blockers glibenclamide and nifedipine was performed in the isolated perfused beating rabbit atria.