bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation in hospitalized patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Targher Giovanni , Mantovani Alessandro , Pichiri Isabella , Rigolon Riccardo , Dauriz Marco , Zoppini Giacomo , Morani Giovanni , Vassanelli Corrado , Bonora Enzo 
Published: April 2013

NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and AF (atrial fibrillation) are two pathological conditions that are highly prevalent in developed countries and share multiple risk factors. The relationship between NAFLD and AF in Type 2 diabetes is currently unknown. We studied a hospital-based sample of 702 patients with Type 2 diabetes discharged from our Division of Endocrinology during 2007–2011. The diagnosis of AF was confirmed in affected participants on the basis of ECGs and medical history by experienced cardiologists. NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other liver diseases. Of the 702 hospitalized patients included in the study, 514 (73.2%) of them had NAFLD and 85 (12.1%) had persistent or permanent AF. NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of prevalent AF {OR (odds ratio), 3.04 [95% CI (confidence interval), 1.54–6.02]; P&lt;0.001}. Adjustments for age, sex, systolic BP (blood pressure), HbA1c, (glycated haemoglobin), estimated GFR (glomerular filtration rate), total cholesterol, electrocardiographic LVH (left ventricular hypertrophy), COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and prior history of HF (heart failure), VHD (valvular heart disease) or hyperthyroidism did not attenuate the association between NAFLD and AF [adjusted OR, 5.88 (95% CI, 2.72–12.7); P&lt;0.001]. In conclusion, our results show that ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD is strongly associated with an increased prevalence of persistent or permanent AF in patients with Type 2 diabetes, independently of several clinical risk factors for AF. The potential impact of NAFLD on AF deserves particular attention, especially with respect to the implications for screening and surveillance strategies in the growing number of patients with NAFLD.
THE INFLUENCES OF AMOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF IRRIGATION DURING THE HOT AND DRY SEASON ON EMERGENCE AND SURVIVAL OF SOME DESERT WINTER ANNUAL PLANTS IN THE NEGEV DESERT
Authors: Gutterman Yitzchak , Evenari Michael 
Published: April 2013

In a flat loess area in the Negev Desert of Israel, different amounts and distribution of irrigation were given to 48 squares of 0.25 m2 on 1 and 30 August, 1977. At this time evaporation rates were high and the range of temperatures near the soil surface between irrigation and seedling emergence was 15–53 °C. Of the species appearing in winter in the Negev, only 22 emerged, and only 3 appeared in substantial numbers.
Seedlings of species that emerge during winter after about 10 mm of rain did not emerge after the first irrigation in squares receiving 60 mm of water, a few emerged after 90 and 120 mm, and only 57 after 150 mm. After the second irrigation, when evaporation rates and temperatures were lower, in the same squares, 154,334,534, and763 seedlings emerged after receiving90,120,150, and 200 mm, respectively. The highest number of seedlings emerged, but the lowest percentage survived, when the water was divided into equal daily irrigations during the first 9 days.
As the daily water amounts decreased, the number of emerging seedlings also decreased, but the % survival increased. As the daily number of irrigations of 30 or 10 mm increased, the number of emerged seedlings and the % survival increased. However, there were significant differences among the species that emerged.
The amounts and distribution of water evaporation rates and temperatures were found to be the important germination regulators in those plants which also inhabit regions receiving summer rains.
ATTEMPTS TO OVERCOME THE BARRIER OF INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN CUCUMIS MELO AND C. METULIFERUS
Authors: Beharav Alexander , Cohen Yigal 
Published: April 2013

The crossability ofCucumis meloandC. metuliferuswas studied in order to find ways to effect the cross between the two species. In cross-pollination withinC. melo, the pollen tubes entered the ovarian cavity within 24 h, and fertilization occurred within 48 h. Pollen germinated well after cross-pollination between the species, but pollen tubes grew slowly.C. metuliferuspollen tubes were arrested in the stigma or the upper style ofC. meloflowers.The influence of 100-, 150-, and 200-krad gamma radiation on in vitro germination, pollen tube growth ofC. meloandC. metuliferus, and on in vivo fertilization ofC. melowas studied. Pollen ofC. metuliferusappeared to be much less sensitive to gamma rays than that ofC. melo.Higher radiation doses were found to reduce fruit set ofC. melo.Irradiation of pollen ofC. meloalways resulted in “pseudo-fertilization”.We attempted to overcome the prefertilization crossing barrier betweenC. meloandC. metuliferusby using techniques of bud pollination, benzyladenine (BA) treatment, and irradiated mentor pollen. Ten lines ofC. meloand 6 accessions ofC. metuliferuswere used as female and male parents, respectively. The techniques of BA and bud pollination were ineffective. Numerous fruits with few embryos were obtained on some of theC. melolines after using the irradiated mentor pollen technique. Embryos, which were isolated at the age of 20–25 days and cultured on medium consisting of 1/3 Murashige and Skoog medium, were observed to provide normal development. All nine surviving plants were similar to the maternal parent and were not interspecific hybrids.
TRADITIONAL SELECTIVE HARVESTING EFFECTS ON OCCURRENCE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH OF GUNDELIA TOURNFORTII IN ISRAEL GRASSLANDS
Authors: Kaplan Didi , Pevzner Dror , Galilee Moshe , Gutman Mario 
Published: April 2013

Gundelia tournfortiiis a perennial herb with a rosette and thickened root, growing in grasslands. In the Middle East, its leaf bases are used as a vegetable. Harvesting is by clipping the rosette at its base, and stripping the leaves from the leaf bases. In the last 20 years clipping and gathering has become more widespread, and a commercial trade has developed.The aim of this study was to discover whether, as a result of the rise in demand, the density and distribution potential of this edible plant are liable to come under threat.The percentage of flowering plants in the non-harvested areas was found to be significantly higher than that in the harvested areas. As a result the Nature Reserves Authority has adopted our recommendation to regard this plant as a protected species.
THE PREDICTION OF PHENOLOGICAL STAGES IN FOUR NAMAQUALAND EPHEMERAL SPECIES USING THERMAL UNIT INDICES
Authors: Steyn H.M. , van Rooyen N. , van Rooyen M.W. , Theron G.K. 
Published: April 2013

Flowering time of ephemeral plant species in Namaqualand (South Africa) generally ranges from mid-July through September, depending on the timing of the first substantial winter rains. The precise timing of the flowering of species is determined by the individual's life history and the integrated effects of a complex of environmental factors. Phenological and climatic data were recorded and used to determine the number of thermal units required by four Namaqualand ephemeral species to reach a certain phenological stage.
Twenty-three thermal unit indices were used to calculate the number of thermal units needed to reach a specific phenological stage. The index combining cold units from sowing until flower initiation, with Growing Degree Days (heat units) from flower initiation until anthesis flowering or display/peak flowering, gave the most accurate predictive values.
Flowering time of Namaqualand ephemerals can therefore be predicted at the beginning of the growing season after the first substantial rainfall, and refinements made throughout the season by the use of actual temperature data.
INHIBITION OF POLYAMINE BIOSYNTHESIS BY L-CANAVANINE AND ITS EFFECT ON MERISTEMATIC ACTIVITY, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT OF ZEA MAYS ROOTS
Authors: Schwartz Martha , Altman Arie , Cohen Yael , Arzee Tova 
Published: April 2013

The effects of L-canavanine, a structural analogue of L-arginine and a competitive inhibitor of arginine decarboxylase, were studied in corn (Zea mays L.) on primary root elongation and lateral root differentiation, meristematic activity, and on polyamine content and biosynthesis.
Incubation of seedlings in 10−3 M L-canavanine for 3 h inhibited both elongation of the primary root and differentiation of lateral root primordia. A marked decrease in cell division and DNA synthesis, along with an inhibition of the activation of the primary root quiescent center, was clearly evident in L-canavanine-treated roots. Putrescine content in subapical segments of the primary root decreased significantly during the first 24 h, while spermidine content increased at 48–72 h, coinciding with lateral root emergence and elongation. A 3 h incubation with 103 M L-canavanine completely inhibited the increase in spermidine content, thus modifying the ratio of putrescine to spermidine tissue concentrations. The activity of arginine decarboxylase, and less significantly that of ornithine decarboxylase, increased steadily during the 72 h period of lateral root differentiation and elongation. Activation of both enzymes was inhibited by L-canavanine. Addition of L-arginine at 10−3 M partially relieved the inhibitory effects of L-canavanine on primary root elongation, lateral root differentiation, activation of the quiescent center, changes in polyamine content, and the activity of arginine and ornithine decarboxylases.
These and previous data suggest that root development and meristematic activity in Zea mays are associated, perhaps causally, with changes in biosynthesis and content of polyamines.
INTERACTION BETWEEN SILICON AND ALUMINUM IN TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. (CV. CELTIC)
Authors: Cocker Kay M. , Hodson Martin J. , Evans David E. , Sangster Allan G. 
Published: April 2013

Seedlings ofTriticum aestivumL. (cv. Celtic) were suspended in plastic tubs containing 500 μmol L−1Ca(NO3)2and 31 μmol L−1KC1 as background solution. A1C13(0 and 100 μmol L−1) and Na2SiO3.5H2O (0 and 2000 μmol; L−1) were added to this basal nutrient medium, and solution pH was set at 4.2 or 4.6. Tubs were aerated and supplied with a continuous flow of pH-adjusted test solution. Plants were grown for 4 d in a growth cabinet at 25 °C with a 16 h photoperiod. At pH 4.2 and 4.6 root length of the seedlings was inhibited at 100 μmol L−1Al. An amelioration of Al-induced toxicity symptoms was observed in the 100 μmol L−1A1/2000 μmol L−1Si treatment at pH 4.6, but not at pH 4.2. Both the shoot (S) and root (R) dry weight of seedlings treated with 100 μmol L−1Al were reduced when compared with controls. Treatment with Al increased S:R ratios, and this effect was ameliorated by Si, but only at pH 4.6.Al content of roots treated with 100 μmol L−1Al or 100 μmol L−1Al/2000 μmol L−1Si increased significantly when compared with controls. More Al accumulated in the roots of seedlings of the 100 μmol L−1Al/2000 μmol L−1Si treatment than in the 100 μmol L−1treatment. Al treatment reduced root and shoot K concentrations under both pH regimes, and Si did not ameliorate this effect. Al treatment had little effect on seedling Ca levels.Three treatments were selected for a microanalytical investigation of the basal third of the root, and the zone 3.5 mm behind the root tip: 2800 μmol L−1Si; 75 μmol Al; and a combination of the two. When plants were grown in 2800 μmol L−1Si the major silica deposition sites in the roots were the endodermal walls. In the 75 μmol L−1Al treatment, Al was mainly located in the epidermal and hypodermal walls. Al treatment caused a leakage of phosphorus into these cell walls. When both 2800 μmol L−1and 75 μmol L−1Al were present in the nutrient solution, only Si was deposited in the endodermal walls, while both elements were present in the epidermal walls. Leakage of phosphorus appeared to be prevented in the presence of Si.
EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AND ORANGE JUICE ON GROWTH OF CALLUS FROM FRUIT TISSUES OF WASHINGTON NAVEL ORANGE
Authors: Amo-Marco Juan B. 
Published: April 2013

The effect of the plant growth regulators kinetin, gibberellic acid (GA3), and 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), either alone or in combination with orange juice, on the in vitro growth of mesocarp and endocarp explants from 90–120 day-old Washington Navel Citrus sinensis orange fruits has been determined.
Both fruit tissues formed callus. From endocarp 100% callus was formed in all cultures, even without growth regulators in the culture medium, while callus growth was lower from mesocarp. The addition of orange juice at a final concentration of 15% (v/v) to the basal medium without growth regulators increased the callus growth, specially that derived from endocarp. However, the high stimulant effect of orange juice observed on callus growth was markedly dependent on the addition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, maximum callus growth from endocarp or mesocarp tissues being obtained with orange juice 15% (v/v) and 10 μM 2,4-D.
INFLUENCE OF FIRE ON PLANT REGENERATION IN A STIPA TENACISSIMA L. COMMUNITY IN THE SIERRA LARGA MOUNTAIN RANGE (SE SPAIN)
Authors: Jose Martínez-Sánchez Juan , Herranz Jose Maria , Guerra Juan , Trabaud Louis 
Published: April 2013

The range of communities dominated byStipa tenacissimaextends from Ukraine to North Africa. They contain several endemic species in Spain. The post-fire response of a community ofS. tenacissimain semiarid SE Spain was studied by following the dynamics of the floristic richness and plant cover during the first four years. The importance ofS. tenacissimawas noticed during recolonization of these zones, where, three years after a fire, the high degree of cover was similar to that of unburned areas.The prolonged drought during the study period was the probable cause of difficulties in recolonization of the burned area by the three obligate seeder species (Pinus halepensis, Rosmarinus officinalis, andCistus clusii) which were widespread in the unburned community.Juniperus phoeniceadid not sprout after the fire, and four years later no seedlings were encountered in the burned area. According to the results, the endemic plants living in theS. tenacissimacommunity were not negatively affected by fire; the twelve endemic species found in this community were all capable of responding to the fire either through new shoots or by reproduction through seeds.
THE INFLUENCES OF DEPRESSIONS MADE BY IBEX ON THE ANNUAL VEGETATION ALONG CLIFFS OF THE ZIN VALLEY IN THE NEGEV DESERT HIGHLANDS, ISRAEL
Authors: Gutterman Yitzchak 
Published: April 2013

On the slopes leading to the edges of the cliffs of the Zin Valley, the Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) create thousands of depressions in the soil of slopes sheltered from strong winds, which they use as temporary beds at night. During the year the ibex groups alter in size and change their sleeping area according to the wind direction. These depressions measure from 60 to 105 × 80 to 140cm and are 6.5–10cm deep. In an area of 15 × 3m about 33 diggings were found and up to 70 diggings in an area 30 × 5m. Along 300m of the cliff about 345 diggings were counted. The depressions that the ibex abandon remain for several years and become special microhabitats for annual plants.Runoff water, following a long and intensive rainfall, carries seeds that accumulate in these depressions, including mucilaginous seeds that may float on the runoff water. Annual plants later emerge in higher species and plant numbers than on similar sized areas upslope from the depressions. Plant species with wind- and rain-dispersed seeds were observed in greater numbers in these depressions which have similar influences on the annual plant vegetation as the porcupine diggings in the Negev highlands.
SALT/WATER RELATIONSHIPS IN MANGROVES
Authors: Hanagata Nobutaka , Takemura Taro , Karube Isao , Dubinsky Zvy 
Published: April 2013

Mangroves form extensive, unique communities in tropical coastal areas and tidal lowlands, dominating 60–75% of tropical shorelines. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the mechanisms underlying the most striking feature of these plants—their unique ability to obtain water from the surrounding sea. Mangroves are thought to accomplish this by rejecting potentially harmful salts. Some species actively excrete those salts leaking into the plant by means of specialized salt glands in their leaves. Mangroves are rooted in anaerobic soils, a condition giving rise to the spectacular aerial roots, such as pneumatophores and stilt roots, characteristic of mangroves, that provide oxygen to submerged tissues.We shall also discuss recent studies that have focused on physiological issues in mangroves, such as oscillatory behavior of their stomata, the structure and function of salt glands, and the compatible solutes in their leaves, which balance the osmotic pressure of the seawater. Salinity effects on their germination, distribution, CO2assimilation, respiration, and the functioning of some of their enzymes have also been examined.Finally, we shall draw attention to open questions related to the salt and water regime of mangroves and the underlying mechanisms responsible for their remarkable success in a hostile environment.
Attributable Burden of Hospital-OnsetClostridium difficileInfection: A Propensity Score Matching Study
Authors: Tabak Ying P. , Zilberberg Marya D. , Johannes Richard S. , Sun Xiaowu , McDonald L. Clifford 
Published: April 2013

Objective.To determine the attributable in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and cost of hospital-onsetClostridium difficileinfection (HO-CDI).Design.Propensity score matching.Setting.Six Pennsylvania hospitals (2 academic centers, 1 community teaching facility, and 3 community nonteaching facilities) contributing data to a clinical research database.Patients.Adult inpatients between 2007 and 2008.Methods.We defined HO-CDI in adult inpatients as a positiveC. difficiletoxin assay result from a specimen collected more than 48 hours after admission and more than 8 weeks following any previous positive result. We developed an HO-CDI propensity model and matched cases with noncases by propensity score at a 1 : 3 ratio. We further restricted matching within the same hospital, within the same principal disease group, and within a similar length of lead time from admission to onset of HO-CDI.Results.Among 77,257 discharges, 282 HO-CDI cases were identified. The propensity score-matched rate was 90%. Compared with matched noncases, HO-CDI patients had higher mortality (11.8% vs 7.3%;P<.05), longer LOS (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 12 [9–21] vs 11 [8–17] days;P< .01), and higher cost (median [IQR], $20,804 [$ll,059-$38,429] vs $16,634 [$9,413–$30,319];P< .01). The attributable effect of HO-CDI was 4.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2%–8.7%;P<.05) for mortality, 2.3 days (95% CI, 0.9–3.8;P<.01) for LOS, and $6,117 (95% CI, $1,659–$10,574;P<.01) for cost.Conclusions.Patients with HO-CDI incur additional attributable mortality, LOS, and cost burden compared with patients with similar primary clinical condition, exposure risk, lead time of hospitalization, and baseline characteristics.
Network-guided sparse regression modeling for detection of gene-by-gene interactions
Authors: Lu Chen , Latourelle Jeanne , O’Connor George T. , Dupuis Josée , Kolaczyk Eric D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMotivation: Genetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies to date explain only a small fraction of total heritability. Gene-by-gene interaction is one important potential source of unexplained total heritability. We propose a novel approach to detect such interactions that uses penalized regression and sparse estimation principles, and incorporates outside biological knowledge through a network-based penalty.Results: We tested our new method on simulated and real data. Simulation showed that with reasonable outside biological knowledge, our method performs noticeably better than stage-wise strategies (i.e. selecting main effects first, and interactions second, from those main effects selected) in finding true interactions, especially when the marginal strength of main effects is weak. We applied our method to Framingham Heart Study data on total plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations and found a number of interactions among different classes of human leukocyte antigen genes that may interact to influence the risk of developing IgE dysregulation and allergy.Availability: The proposed method is implemented in R and available at http://math.bu.edu/people/kolaczyk/software.html.Contact: chenlu@bu.eduSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A powerful and efficient set test for genetic markers that handles confounders
Authors: Listgarten Jennifer , Lippert Christoph , Kang Eun Yong , Xiang Jing , Kadie Carl M. , Heckerman David 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Motivation: Approaches for testing sets of variants, such as a set of rare or common variants within a gene or pathway, for association with complex traits are important. In particular, set tests allow for aggregation of weak signal within a set, can capture interplay among variants and reduce the burden of multiple hypothesis testing. Until now, these approaches did not address confounding by family relatedness and population structure, a problem that is becoming more important as larger datasets are used to increase power.
Results: We introduce a new approach for set tests that handles confounders. Our model is based on the linear mixed model and uses two random effects—one to capture the set association signal and one to capture confounders. We also introduce a computational speedup for two random-effects models that makes this approach feasible even for extremely large cohorts. Using this model with both the likelihood ratio test and score test, we find that the former yields more power while controlling type I error. Application of our approach to richly structured Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 data demonstrates that our method successfully corrects for population structure and family relatedness, whereas application of our method to a 15 000 individual Crohn’s disease case–control cohort demonstrates that it additionally recovers genes not recoverable by univariate analysis.
Availability: A Python-based library implementing our approach is available at http://mscompbio.codeplex.com.
Contact: jennl@microsoft.com or lippert@microsoft.com or heckerma@microsoft.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Preparation, characterisation and selected functional properties of hydrolysed sodium caseinate–maltodextrin conjugate
Authors: Regan Jonathan O' , Mulvihill Daniel M 
Published: April 2013

Sodium caseinate was hydrolysed to a limited, moderate or extensive degree. The hydrolysates were conjugated with maltodextrin by a Maillard‐type reaction by dry‐heat treatment at 60 °C and 79% relative humidity for 2 or 4 days. Conjugates were characterised by SDS–PAGE and gel permeation chromatography. In comparison with the hydrolysates themselves, the conjugated hydrolysates had improved solubility, particularly around the isoelectric pH of the protein. The emulsifying properties of these conjugates were assessed in oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsions; on emulsion formation, each conjugate‐stabilised emulsion had lower mean fat globule size than the corresponding hydrolysate‐stabilised emulsion. After storage for 7 days under accelerated shelf life testing conditions, the limited and moderate hydrolysate conjugate–stabilised emulsions had improved storage stability compared with hydrolysate‐stabilised emulsions; however, further research is required to optimise the hydrolysate fraction prior to conjugation for the production of novel low molecular weight emulsifiers.