bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid detection of ochratoxin A on membrane by dot immunogold filtration assay
Authors: Chen Weifeng , Jin Yucui , Liu Aiping , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Fusheng 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDOchratoxin A (OTA), a widely distributed mycotoxin produced by certain species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, has been identified as a carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, nephrotoxic and immunotoxic toxin. To reduce the risk of OTA contamination, a rapid, inexpensive, suitable and on‐site assay for its detection is required.RESULTSIn this study a dot immunogold filtration assay (DIGFA) of OTA on high‐flow nitrocellulose membrane was developed. Firstly colloidal gold was synthesized and colloidal gold–polyclonal antibody (PcAb) conjugates against OTA were prepared at the optimal colloidal gold‐labeled pH value and package amount. Then the colloidal gold–PcAb conjugates were used to develop the OTA DIGFA. The results demonstrated a visual detection limit of approximately 10 ng mL−1 OTA. In addition, this method had no cross‐reaction with zearalenone, aflatoxin B1 or citrinin.CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that the developed DIGFA could be applied for the actual detection of samples without complicated steps. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of astaxanthin on the aging rat brain: gender‐related differences in modulating inflammation
Authors: Balietti Marta , Giannubilo Stefano R , Giorgetti Belinda , Solazzi Moreno , Turi Angelo , Casoli Tiziana , Ciavattini Andrea , Fattorettia Patrizia 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDAstaxanthin (Ax) is a ketocarotenoid of the xanthophyll family with activities such as antioxidation, preservation of the integrity of cell membranes and protection of the redox state and functional integrity of mitochondria. The aim of this study was to investigate potential gender‐related differences in the effect of Ax on the aging rat brain.RESULTSIn females, interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) was significantly lower in treated rats in both cerebral areas, and in the cerebellum, treated animals also had significantly higher IL10. In males, no differences were found in the cerebellum, but in the hippocampus, IL1β and IL10 were significantly higher in treated rats.CONCLUSIONThese are the first results to show gender‐related differences in the effect of Ax on the aging brain, emphasizing the necessity to carefully analyze female and male peculiarities when the anti‐aging potentialities of this ketocarotenoid are evaluated. The observations lead to the hypothesis that Ax exerts different anti‐inflammatory effects in female and male brains. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Affinity purification of aprotinin from bovine lung
Authors: Xin Yu , Liu Lanhua , Chen Beizhan , Zhang Ling , Tong Yanjun 
Published: February 2015

An affinity protocol for the purification of aprotinin from bovine lung was developed. To simulate the structure of sucrose octasulfate, a natural specific probe for aprotinin, the affinity ligand was composed of an acidic head and a hydrophobic stick, and was then linked with Sepharose. The sorbent was then subjected to adsorption analysis with pure aprotinin. The purification process consisted of one step of affinity chromatography and another step of ultrafiltration. Then purified aprotinin was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, trypsin inhibitor activity, gel‐filtration, and thin‐layer chromatography analysis. As calculated, the theoretical maximum adsorption (Qmax) of the affinity sorbent was 25 476.0 ± 184.8 kallikrein inactivator unit/g wet gel; the dissociation constant of the complex “immobilized ligand‐aprotinin” (Kd) was 4.6 ± 0.1 kallikrein inactivator unit/mL. After the affinity separation of bovine lung aprotinin, reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and gel‐filtration chromatography revealed that the protein was a single polypeptide, and the purities were ∼ 97 and 100%, respectively; the purified peptide was also confirmed with aprotinin standard by gel‐filtration chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography. After the whole purification process, protein, and bioactivity recoveries were 2.2 and 92.6%, respectively; and the specific activity was up to 15 907.1 ± 10.2 kallikrein inactivator unit/mg.
Magnetic nanoporous carbon as an adsorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters in environmental water and aloe juice samples
Authors: Liu Li , Hao Yunhui , Ren Yiqian , Wang Chun , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Zhi 
Published: February 2015

In this work, magnetic nanoporous carbon with high surface area and ordered structure was synthesized using cheap commercial silica gel as template and sucrose as the carbon source. The prepared magnetic nanoporous carbon was firstly used as an adsorbent for the extraction of phthalate esters, including diethyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, and di‐n‐propyl‐phthalate, from lake water and aloe juice samples. Several parameters that could affect the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection of the method (S/N = 3) was 0.10 ng/mL for water sample and 0.20 ng/mL for aloe juice sample. The linearity was observed over the concentration range of 0.50–150.0 and 1.0–200.0 ng/mL for water and aloe juice samples, respectively. The results showed that the magnetic nanoporous carbon has a high adsorptive capability toward the target phthalate esters in water and aloe juice samples.
Comparative Assessment of Goods and Services Provided by Grazing Regulation and Reforestation in Degraded Mediterranean Rangelands
Authors: Papanastasis Vasilios P. , Bautista Susana , Chouvardas Dimitrios , Mantzanas Konstantinos , Papadimitriou Maria , Mayor Angeles G. , Koukioumi Polina , Papaioannou Athanasios , Vallejo Ramon V. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSeveral management actions are applied to restore ecosystem services in degraded Mediterranean rangelands, which range from adjusting the grazing pressure to the removal of grazers and pine plantations. Four such actions were assessed inQuercus cocciferaL. shrublands in northern Greece: (i) moderate grazing by goats and sheep; (ii) no grazing; (iii) no grazing plus pine (Pinus pinasterAiton) plantation in forest gaps (gap reforestation); and (iv) no grazing plus full reforestation of shrubland areas, also withP. pinaster. In addition, heavy grazing was also assessed to serve as a control action. We comparatively assessed the impact of these actions on key provisioning, regulating and supporting ecosystem services by using ground‐based indicators. Depending on the ecosystem service considered, the management actions were ranked differently. However, the overall provision of services was particularly favoured under moderate and no grazing management options, with moderate grazing outranking any other action in provisioning services and the no grazing action presenting the most balanced provision of services. Pine reforestations largely contributed to water and soil conservation and C sequestration but had a negative impact on plant diversity when implemented at the expense of removing natural vegetation in the area. Heavy grazing had the lowest provision of ecosystem services. It is concluded that degraded rangelands can be restored by moderating the grazing pressure rather than completely banning livestock grazing or converting them into pine plantations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term Human Impacts on the Coast of La Graciosa, Canary Islands
Authors: Santana Cordero Aarón , Monteiro Quintana María Luisa , Hernández Calvento Luis , Pérez‐Chacón Espino Emma , García Romero Leví 
Published: February 2015

AbstractGlobal change is affecting coastal areas and leading them to degradation. This is severe in sand dunes and sand plains, because they are very fragile ecosystems. The objective of this paper is to characterize the relationship between the historical land uses and the aeolian sedimentary dynamics in an arid coastal system, the island of La Graciosa (Canary Islands) since the second half of the 18th century. The methodology is based on the interpretation of historical documents, aerial photographs and oral testimonies to characterize the changes in the island, in terms of both land use and aeolian geomorphology. The results suggest the existence of six stages during which the intensity of human pressure on the environment changed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diet‐induced obesity causes metabolic impairment independent of alterations in gut barrier integrity
Authors: Kless Caroline , Müller Veronika Maria , Schüppel Valentina Luise , Lichtenegger Martina , Rychlik Michael , Daniel Hannelore , Klingenspor Martin , Haller Dirk 
Published: February 2015

ScopeThe causal relationship between diet‐induced obesity and metabolic disorders is not clear yet. One hypothesis is whether the obese state or high‐fat diet per se affects intestinal barrier function provoking metabolic comorbidities.Methods and resultsIn three independent experiments with AKR/J, SWR/J, or BL/6J mice, we addressed the impact of genetic background, excess body fat storage, duration of high‐fat feeding, and quality/quantity of dietary fat on glucose tolerance and gut barrier integrity in vivo and ex vivo. Impaired glucose tolerance in diet‐induced obese BL/6J and AKR/J mice was not accompanied by an altered intestinal barrier function. Enforced dietary challenge by prolonged feeding and increasing fat quantity in BL/6J mice still failed to aggravate metabolic and intestinal deterioration. Despite a low‐grade inflammatory status in adipose tissue, barrier function of BL/6J mice fed lard high‐fat diet revealed no evidence for a diet‐induced loss in barrier integrity.ConclusionNone of our results provided any evidence that gut barrier function is a subject to dietary regulation and obesity per se seems not to cause gut barrier impairment.
Properties of the tibialis anterior muscle after treatment with laser therapy and natural latex protein following sciatic nerve crush
Authors: Muniz Kenia Lemos , Dias Fernando José , Coutinho‐Netto Joaquim , Calzzani Ricardo Alexandre Junqueira , Iyomasa Mamie Mizusaki , Sousa Luiz Gustavo De , Santos Thais Tedeschi Dos , Teles Vanessa De Oliveira , Watanabe II‐Sei , Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli , Issa João Paulo Mardegan 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In this study we evaluated the characteristics of the tibialis anterior muscle after sciatic nerve crush and treatment with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) or the protein from natural latex (P1).Methods: We studied the following 6 groups of male Wistar rats: control (CG); exposed nerve (EG); injured nerve (IG); injured nerve with LLLT (LG); injured nerve with P1 (PG); and injured nerve with P1 and LLLT (LPG).Results: After 4 weeks, muscle morphology showed improvement in the treated groups; after 8 weeks, the treated groups resembled controls, especially the PG. Morphometry revealed muscle fiber atrophy after nerve injury, with time‐dependent recovery. Histochemical analysis revealed increased intermediate fiber area. The PG was more similar to controls with NADH staining, whereas the LPG more closely resembled controls with SDH staining.Conclusion: Treatment using only P1 proved most efficient, revealing a negative interaction between P1 and LLLT.Muscle Nerve52: 869–875, 2015
Impact of light soaking and thermal annealing on amorphous silicon thin film performance
Authors: Pierro M. , Bucci F. , Cornaro C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractNowadays, there is a wide debate in literature related to the silicon thin films seasonal performance. Amorphous modules seem to react positively to the temperature, while the temperature parameters indicate a negative thermal response. Periodic fluctuations of nominal power due to light soaking and thermal annealing effects are observed. On the other hand, the module temperature reached in some open rack plants seems too low to activate annealing power regeneration process so that the seasonal performance trend may depend mainly on other effects such as spectral or irradiance. In the following paper, a model that allows to calculate the impact of all the phenomena that affect the photovoltaic performance is used. The light soaking and thermal annealing contributions are measured from outdoor data using two different methods. Both methods lead to similar results, and the model is able to reproduce the seasonal performance with an acceptable level of reliability on the day, hour, minute time scale. An analysis of each effect contribution to the seasonal performance is also provided. Thus, main open questions related to a‐Si thin films performance such as positive reaction to temperature and seasonal fluctuations are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life‐threatening, giant pneumatoceles in the course of surfactant protein C deficiency
Authors: Sismanlar Tugba , Aslan Ayse Tana , Griese Matthias 
Published: February 2015

SummaryChronic interstitial lung diseases are rare in childhood and can present with a wide spectrum of histological abnormalities and radiological‐clinical phenotypes. A 17‐month‐old female infant with malnutrition, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, and failure to thrive since 3 months of age was diagnosed as surfactant protein C deficiency. Diffuse, giant, and life‐threatening pneumatoceles developed during the course. They were treated with empiric drug treatment and oxygen support, and resolved rapidly. Substantial clinical and radiological improvement was observed 1 year after treatment initiation. Large‐giant pneumatoceles can develop in the course of surfactant protein C deficiency and may be associated with biopsy. They can resolve with medical treatment. If available, genetic testing should be attempted as a first step for diagnosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:E25–E28. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular architecture of novel potentially bioactive (co)oligoesters containing pesticide moieties established by electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry
Authors: Kwiecień Iwona , Bałakier Tomasz , Jurczak Janusz , Kowalczuk Marek , Adamus Grażyna 
Published: February 2015

RationalePesticides are commonly used in agriculture to ensure high crop yield; however, because of their low resistance to environmental conditions, a large amount of pesticides does not reach target pests and becomes an environmental pollutant. One of the ways to reduce these drawbacks is synthesis of polymeric systems, which allows for controlled release of pesticides for a prolonged period of time. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of novel potentially bioactive (co)oligoesters with bioactive moieties (selected from pesticides) which are covalently linked along an oligoester backbone.MethodsThe delivery systems of pesticides were prepared via anionic ring‐opening polymerization of β‐substituted β‐lactones containing bioactive moieties as a pendant group selected from pesticides and their copolymerization with β‐butyrolactone in the presence of carboxylates as initiators. Electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn) supported by 1H NMR were applied in order to establish the structure, at a molecular level, of the new biodegradable oligomeric release system of selected pesticides.ResultsBased on ESI‐MSn analyses, the structures of the resulting (co)oligoesters were established at the molecular level. The ESI‐MS/MS allowed to confirm the structures of end groups and to determine the composition of individual (co)oligoester molecules which contained one, two or three bioactive molecules per (co)oligomer. Additionally, it was shown that fragmentation of selected ions of potentially bioactive (co)oligoesters proceeded via random breakage of ester bonds along the oligomer chain and ester bonds of the bioactive pendant group.ConclusionsAn analytical method for detailed structural characterization at the molecular level of potentially bioactive (co)oligoesters has been developed. These results are important in the analysis of designed biodegradable polymeric controlled‐release systems of pesticides with potential agricultural applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Objects exhibit body model like shape distortions
Authors: Saulton Aurelie , Dodds Trevor J. , Bülthoff Heinrich H. , de la Rosa Stephan 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Accurate knowledge about size and shape of the body derived from somatosensation is important to locate one’s own body in space. The internal representation of these body metrics (body model) has been assessed by contrasting the distortions of participants’ body estimates across two types of tasks (localization task vs. template matching task). Here, we examined to which extent this contrast is linked to the human body. We compared participants’ shape estimates of their own hand and non-corporeal objects (rake, post-it pad, CD-box) between a localization task and a template matching task. While most items were perceived accurately in the visual template matching task, they appeared to be distorted in the localization task. All items’ distortions were characterized by larger length underestimation compared to width. This pattern of distortion was maintained across orientation for the rake item only, suggesting that the biases measured on the rake were bound to an item-centric reference frame. This was previously assumed to be the case only for the hand. Although similar results can be found between non-corporeal items and the hand, the hand appears significantly more distorted than other items in the localization task. Therefore, we conclude that the magnitude of the distortions measured in the localization task is specific to the hand. Our results are in line with the idea that the localization task for the hand measures contributions of both an implicit body model that is not utilized in landmark localization with objects and other factors that are common to objects and the hand.
The use of block counts, mark‐resight and distance sampling to estimate population size of a mountain‐dwelling ungulate
Authors: Corlatti Luca , Fattorini Lorenzo , Nelli Luca 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPopulation size estimates represent indispensable tools for many research programs and for conservation or management issues. Mountain ungulates in open areas are often surveyed through ground counts that normally underestimate population size. While the use of sample counts is desirable, few studies have compared different probabilistic approaches to estimate population size in thistaxon. We compared the size estimates of a male population of Alpine chamois using mark‐resight and line transect sampling methods, while block counts were used to obtain the minimum number of males alive in the study area. Surveys were conducted within the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy), in August–September 2013, using block counts along purposely selected trails and vantage points, mark‐resight over 5 consecutive resightings from vantage points and trails, and line transect sampling along 12 transects repeated 8 times. Block counts yielded a minimum number of males alive in the population ofn= 72 individuals. This value was greater than the upper bound of the 95 % confidence interval achieved using line transect sampling {n= 54, CV = 14 % [95 % CI (40, 71)]} while mark‐resight yielded a more realistic result ofn= 93 individuals {CV = 18 % [95 % CI (63, 137)]}. Our results suggest that line transect sampling performed poorly in the Alpine environment, leading to underestimates of population size, likely due to violations of some assumptions imposed by the rugged nature of the terrain. The mark‐resight yielded lower precision, possibly due to the limited number of marked individuals and resighting occasions, but it provided robustness and accurate estimates as marks were evenly distributed among animals.
Oleogels from Glycerol‐Based Lyotropic Liquid Crystals: Phase Diagrams and Structural Characterization
Authors: Cegla‐Nemirovsky Yael , Aserin Abraham , Garti Nissim 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn the course of our studies on structured reverse lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) as oleogels, a system was designed with the desired physical and rheology properties for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. The aqueous phase was partially replaced by glycerol to minimize bacteriological problems and obtain specific rheology characteristics. The constructed phase diagrams are based on ternary mixtures of glycerol monooleate (GMO), decane, water, and glycerol. The main lyotropic mesophase obtained in this study was reverse hexagonal derived from dilution line 8:2 (72 wt% GMO and 18 wt% decane) and 10 wt% water; or water:glycerol (wt ratios 3:1 and 1:1) mixture. It was found that heat‐cool fluctuation caused formation of new pseudo‐equilibrium structures with mesomorphic transformations to more fluid and less ordered mesostructures. Replacing up to 50 wt% of the water by glycerol significantly increases the gel phase region in the phase diagram, meaning more structural compositional options. The structural parameters were determined using cross‐polarized light microscopy (CPLM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Rheological measurements revealed viscoelastic properties of lyotropic liquid crystals with a decrease in the elasticity (G′), plasticity (G″), and complex viscosity (η*), as a function of increasing the glycerol content.
Posting strategically: The consumer as an online media planner
Authors: Chen Yu‐Jen , Kirmani Amna 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHow do consumers choose to post their brand reviews online? Whereas prior research examines what people say online, we investigate where consumers post their brand‐related consumption experience on an online discussion forum. Using the framework of the Persuasion Knowledge Model, we suggest that consumers act as intuitive media planners to assess the extent to which they can reach their specific goals when targeting online audiences. Specifically, we examine the effects of posters' motives, message valence, and audience similarity on posting behavior. We propose and find that persuasion‐motivated consumers focus on whether the message is effective in generating interest and emotion from the audience; therefore, they are more likely to post positive messages on a brand‐general forum, such as a product forum, and negative messages on a brand‐specific forum. In contrast, affiliation‐motivated posters primarily focus on audience similarity, preferring to post on a forum where they perceive the audience as similar to them. Three experiments show the different posting patterns under the two motives and demonstrate the mediating role of message effectiveness under a persuasion motive.