bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food web de‐synchronization in England's largest lake: an assessment based on multiple phenological metrics
Authors: Thackeray Stephen J. , Henrys Peter A. , Feuchtmayr Heidrun , Jones Ian D. , Maberly Stephen C. , Winfield Ian J. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPhenological changes have been observed globally for marine, freshwater and terrestrial species, and are an important element of the global biological ‘fingerprint’ of climate change. Differences in rates of change could desynchronize seasonal species interactions within a food web, threatening ecosystem functioning. Quantification of this risk is hampered by the rarity of long‐term data for multiple interacting species from the same ecosystem and by the diversity of possible phenological metrics, which vary in their ecological relevance to food web interactions. We compare phenological change for phytoplankton (chlorophyll a), zooplankton (Daphnia) and fish (perch, Perca fluviatilis) in two basins of Windermere over 40 years and determine whether change has differed among trophic levels, while explicitly accounting for among‐metric differences in rates of change. Though rates of change differed markedly among the nine metrics used, seasonal events shifted earlier for all metrics and trophic levels: zooplankton advanced most, and fish least, rapidly. Evidence of altered synchrony was found in both lake basins, when combining information from all phenological metrics. However, comparisons based on single metrics did not consistently detect this signal. A multimetric approach showed that across trophic levels, earlier phenological events have been associated with increasing water temperature. However, for phytoplankton and zooplankton, phenological change was also associated with changes in resource availability. Lower silicate, and higher phosphorus, concentrations were associated with earlier phytoplankton growth, and earlier phytoplankton growth was associated with earlier zooplankton growth. The developing trophic mismatch detected between the dominant fish species in Windermere and important zooplankton food resources may ultimately affect fish survival and portend significant impacts upon ecosystem functioning. We advocate that future studies on phenological synchrony combine data from multiple phenological metrics, to increase confidence in assessments of change and likely ecological consequences.
Responses of CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes between atmosphere and forest soil to changes in multiple environmental conditions
Authors: Yan Junhua , Zhang Wei , Wang Keya , Qin Fen , Wang Wantong , Dai Huitang , Li Peixue 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTo investigate the effects of multiple environmental conditions on greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O, CH4) fluxes, we transferred three soil monoliths from Masson pine forest (PF) or coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest (MF) at Jigongshan to corresponding forest type at Dinghushan. Greenhouse gas fluxes at the in situ (Jigongshan), transported and ambient (Dinghushan) soil monoliths were measured using static chambers. When the transported soil monoliths experienced the external environmental factors (temperature, precipitation and nitrogen deposition) at Dinghushan, its annual soil CO2 emissions were 54% in PF and 60% in MF higher than those from the respective in situ treatment. Annual soil N2O emissions were 45% in PF and 44% in MF higher than those from the respective in situ treatment. There were no significant differences in annual soil CO2 or N2O emissions between the transported and ambient treatments. However, annual CH4 uptake by the transported soil monoliths in PF or MF was not significantly different from that at the respective in situ treatment, and was significantly lower than that at the respective ambient treatment. Therefore, external environmental factors were the major drivers of soil CO2 and N2O emissions, while soil was the dominant controller of soil CH4 uptake. We further tested the results by developing simple empirical models using the observed fluxes of CO2 and N2O from the in situ treatment and found that the empirical models can explain about 90% for CO2 and 40% for N2O of the observed variations at the transported treatment. Results from this study suggest that the different responses of soil CO2, N2O, CH4 fluxes to changes in multiple environmental conditions need to be considered in global change study.
Competition of Leymus chinensis and Bromus inermis in response to gap size and neighbouring root exclusion
Authors: Liu G. X. , Zhang Y. J. , Hovstad K. A. , Mao P. S. , Han J. G. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA two‐year small‐plot field experiment was carried out to investigate the competitive relationship between seedlings of two important forage grasses, Leymus chinensis and Bromus inermis, under three levels of gap size (distance between seedlings and their neighbours) of 10, 20 and 40 cm in diameter, with neighbouring roots present or absent. Seeds of the two species were sown into artificially created gaps, in either monoculture or mixtures at equal rates. Results indicated that gap size had significant effects on seedling emergence, seedling survival and the growth performance of the two species, grown alone or in a mixture. Excluding the roots of neighbouring plants enhanced all the measured attributes and had significant effects on both the number of inflorescences and the biomass of B. inermis and on the biomass of L. chinensis. The performance of the two species differed significantly, both alone and in mixtures, with B. inermis outperforming L. chinensis consistently. The number of inflorescences of B. inermis was 2·6‐fold higher than L. chinensis when grown in a mixture, and L. chinensis displayed a large and significant reduction in biomass when grown in a mixture with B. inermis (5·7 g plot−1) as compared with a monoculture (25·9 g plot−1). The relative yield (RY) for B. inermis exceeded 0·5, but for L. chinensis, it was below 0·5 in all treatments, and aggressivity (A) in all treatments was above 0. In addition, the relative competition intensity (RCI) of B. inermis was less than that of L. chinensis in all treatments, both separately and when averaged across treatments. We conclude that B. inermis is a superior competitor to L. chinensis in gaps, whereas the performance of L. chinensis was greatly suppressed in mixtures. This indicated that under similar conditions, B. inermis outcompetes L. chinensis during early growth stages. The results have practical implications for the restoration and revegetation of grasslands in northern China.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Associates with a Mucosal Downregulation of Ghrelin, Negative Regulator of Th1‐Cell Responses
Authors: Paoluzi Omero Alessandro , Del Vecchio Blanco Giovanna , Caruso Roberta , Monteleone Ivan , Caprioli Flavio , Tesauro Manfredi , Turriziani Mario , Monteleone Giovanni , Pallone Francesco 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori (Hp)‐related gastritis is characterized by a predominant T helper (Th)1/Th17 cell immunity. Ghrelin (GR) has immunoregulatory properties and inhibits experimental Th cell‐dependent pathology.AimsTo evaluate whether Hp infection associates with changes in GR expression and whether GR negatively regulates Th1/Th17 cytokines during Hp infection.MethodsGR expression was evaluated by real‐time PCR in gastric biopsies taken from Hp‐infected and Hp‐uninfected patients and in gastric biopsies of Hp‐negative subjects cultured with or without H. pylori culture supernatant. To examine whether GR regulates Hp‐induced cytokine production, H. pylori‐infected gastric biopsies were stimulated with GR, and interleukin (IL)‐12, interferon (IFN)‐γ and IL‐4 transcripts were evaluated by real‐time PCR. IL‐12 and IFN‐γ were also analyzed in lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) extracted from Hp‐infected gastric biopsies and cultured with GR.ResultsGR RNA transcripts were reduced in biopsies from Hp‐infected patients. Treatment of Hp‐negative gastric biopsies with Hp culture supernatant reduced GR RNA expression. GR dose‐dependently inhibited RNA expression of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ but not IL‐4 in ex vivo cultures of mucosal explants and in cultures of gastric LPMCs from Hp‐positive patients.ConclusionsGR is downregulated in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori‐infected patients. Such a defect could contribute to sustain the ongoing Th1‐cell response.
The Gastrin Receptor Antagonist Netazepide (YF476) Prevents Oxyntic Mucosal Inflammation Induced by Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Sørdal Øystein , Waldum Helge , Nordrum Ivar S. , Boyce Malcolm , Bergh Kåre , Munkvold Bjørn , Qvigstad Gunnar 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveLong‐term Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis leading to hypergastrinemia and predisposes to gastric cancer. Our aim was to assess the role of gastrin in oxyntic mucosal inflammation in H. pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils by means of the gastrin receptor antagonist netazepide (YF476).DesignWe studied 60 gerbils for 18 months and left five animals uninfected (control group), inoculated 55 with H. pylori, and treated 28 of the infected animals with netazepide (Hp+YF476 group). Twenty‐seven infected animals were given no treatment (Hp group). We measured plasma gastrin and intraluminal pH. H. pylori detection and histologic evaluations of the stomach were carried out.ResultsAll 55 inoculated animals were H. pylori positive at termination. Eighteen animals in the Hp group had gastritis. There was a threefold increase in mucosal thickness in the Hp group compared to the Hp+YF476 group, and a threefold increase in oxyntic neuroendocrine cells in the Hp group compared to the Hp+YF476 group (p < .05). All animals in the Hp+YF476 group had macro‐ and microscopically normal findings in the stomach. Plasma gastrin was higher in the Hp group than in the control group (172 ± 16 pmol/L vs 124 ± 5 pmol/L, p < .05) and highest in the Hp+YF476 group (530 ± 36 pmol/L). Intraluminal pH was higher in the Hp group than in the Hp+YF476 group (2.51 vs 2.30, p < .05).ConclusionThe gastrin antagonist netazepide prevents H. pylori‐induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils. Thus, gastrin has a key role in the inflammatory reaction of the gastric mucosa to H. pylori infection in this species.
Fibre type‐specific satellite cell content in two models of muscle disease
Authors: Bankolé Landry‐Cyrille , Feasson Léonard , Ponsot Elodie , Kadi Fawzi 
Published: July 2013

AimsMuscle satellite cells (SCs) are responsible for the regenerative events following muscle fibre injury. This study aimed to improve our understanding of SC behaviour in two models of muscle disorder with different pathological mechanisms and onset of disease.Methods and resultsPax7+SC content was assessed in types I and II fibres of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD; n = 9; age 13 ± 2 years), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM; n = 9; age 52 ± 12 years) and in controls (n = 5; age 26 ± 5 years). Pax7+SCs number in type I and II fibres was higher (P < 0.05) in DMD and in PM/DM compared to controls. Type I fibres were associated with a higher number of Pax7+SCs compared to type II fibres only in DMD; Pax7+SCs number in type I fibres was about threefold higher in DMD compared to PM/DM (P < 0.05). In DMD, Pax7+SC content in small regenerating fibres (0.09 ± 0.09 SCs/fibre) was similar to that in fibres from healthy skeletal muscle. The proportion of activated SCs (Ki‐67+SCs) was fivefold lower in DMD (0.4 ± 0.4%) compared to PM/DM (2.8 ± 2%). Pax7+ cells located outside the basal lamina were observed in DMD muscles only.ConclusionThe capacity to generate new SCs is increased even in severely impaired muscles and a fibre type‐specific enhancement of SC occurs in type I muscle fibres in DMD.
Significance of p53‐binding protein 1 (53BP1) expression in thyroid papillary microcarcinoma: association with BRAFV600E mutation status
Authors: Mussazhanova Zhanna , Matsuda Katsuya , Naruke Yuki , Mitsutake Norisato , Stanojevic Boban , Rougounovitch Tatiana , Saenko Vladimir , Suzuki Keiji , Nishihara Eijyun , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Ito Masahiro , Nakashima Masahiro 
Published: July 2013

AimsIn a previous report, we proposed that analysis of 53BP1 expression by immunofluorescence could be a useful tool in estimating the level of genomic instability (GIN), as well as the malignant potential, of thyroid tumours. In an attempt to clarify the value of 53BP1 expression as a new molecular marker for the aggressiveness of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (PMC), we assessed the association between the type of 53BP1 expression and clinicopathological features such as tumour size, extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis and BRAFV600E mutation of PMC.Methods and resultsA total of 36 surgically resected thyroid tumours, including 13 PMC and 23 conventional papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), were available for this study. Analysis using immunofluorescence revealed that the incidence of an abnormal or high DNA damage response (DDR) type of 53BP1 expression was significantly higher in PTC than PMC. BRAFV600E mutation was not associated significantly with tumour aggressiveness in either PMC or PTC cases. Abnormal/high DDR type of 53BP1 expression was associated closely with both BRAFV600E mutation and papillary and/or trabecular architecture of PMC.ConclusionsAbnormal/high DDR type of 53BP1 expression might be associated with GIN and papillary/trabecular morphology at an early stage of PTC carcinogenesis through BRAFV600E mutation.
Oral health assessment in the San Blas and Santa Ana populations of Nicaragua
Authors: Gianopoulos V , Pizanis C , Murray‐Krezan C , Gonzalez E , Aboytes D , Gonzales N 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to assess the oral health of a population in rural Nicaragua.MethodsA total of 241 individuals were recruited from areas around San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua. A demographic questionnaire assessing income, access to oral health care, means of transportation and presence of dental/health insurance was collected for each patient. Oral screenings were also conducted to assess for evidence of untreated decayed teeth, restorations, missing/extracted teeth and presence/absence of periodontal disease.ResultsThe majority of residents in San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua, have little income if any, no medical or dental insurance of any kind and no means of transportation. There was a very high prevalence of untreated decayed teeth among the population studied where 51.1% of our sample had three or more dental caries. Children aged fewer than 20 years had five times the prevalence of dental decay than those in the United States. No statistically significant difference was found in untreated decayed teeth by age or gender. A smaller percentage (25.2%) of all patients had restorations with a statistically significant difference found between genders (P < 0.0001). There was also a relationship between gender and number of missing/extracted teeth (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in amount of untreated decayed teeth among those who reported having been seen by a dentist within the previous one‐to‐three, greater than 3 years or never at all.ConclusionAmong a population of individuals from San Blas and Santa Ana, Nicaragua, there are major socio‐economic barriers present, and a significant burden of oral pathology is evident.
Optimization Study of C/SiC Threaded Joints
Authors: Li Guangde , Zhang Changrui , Hu Haifeng , Zhang Yudi 
Published: July 2013

The influences of fiber preform structure and thread engagement length on the mechanical properties of Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) threaded joints were studied. The results show that stacking 3K carbon fiber cloth followed by stitching is a good preform for preparing a C/SiC nut because of its high bearing ability. Stacking 1K carbon fiber cloth followed by stitching is a preferred preform to prepare a C/SiC bolt, and its minimum thread engagement length resulting in bolt rupture instead of thread spalling failure is 4 mm, which is obviously smaller than those of other bolts.
A conceptual framework for analyzing consumers' food label preferences: An exploratory study of sustainability labels in France, Quebec, Spain and the US
Authors: Zepeda Lydia , Sirieix Lucie , Pizarro Ana , Corderre François , Rodier Francine 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn a qualitative study of 375 consumers in France, Quebec, Spain and the US, respondents are asked to choose between pairs of actual food labels and to describe the reason(s) for their choice. The food labels included sustainability labels (eco‐labels, Fair Trade, origin) as well as product attribute (e.g. quality, kosher) and health/nutrition labels. Respondents' reasons were coded in the original language using the same coding system across all four nations to examine their preferences for label message, design and source. We also examined the role of consumers' values, beliefs and experiences on their label choices. The coding system was drawn from a review of theoretical and empirical literature and provides a conceptual framework we call the Label Consumer Interaction model for evaluating consumers' food label preferences. Although this is case study, the results point to substantial differences across nations in terms of preferred labels, as well as the rationale for their choice in terms of attributes of the labels and consumer characteristics.
Spray drying of red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruit juices: physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the powder
Authors: Lee Kar‐Hing , Wu Ta‐Yeong , Siow Lee‐Fong 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThis study aims to investigate physical stability and antioxidant properties of spray‐dried red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruit powder upon storage at various relative humidity (RH). Inlet air temperatures of 120 °C (red dragon fruit) and 110 °C (white dragon fruit) as well as maltodextrin concentration of 30% (w/v) were selected as the spray drying conditions as powder was obtained at these minimum conditions. The powder was ranging from 3 to 7 μm in particle size with spherical morphology. The powder had lower antioxidant content and antioxidant activities compared with the control before spray drying. Storage of powder at 43%, 54% or 75% RH at 25 °C for 25 days resulted in structural changes correlating to the depression of glass transition temperatures (Tg) to below storage temperature. At 33% RH, no visible structural changes were observed. Antioxidant properties of the powder remained unchanged after 25 days' storage at the studied RHs.
Stress relaxation behaviour of high acyl gellan gels
Authors: Chen Qing , Li Maoming , Yuan Yan , Han Xiaoxiang 
Published: July 2013

SummaryStress relaxation behaviour of high acyl gellan gels has been investigated, and data were fitted successfully by a seven elements empirical model and a four term modified Maxwell model with three fixed relaxation times (20, 200 and 2000 s). In addition, the effect of testing parameters on stress relaxation characteristics and the relationship between those characteristics and intrinsic gel properties were studied. High acyl gellan gels were tested in stress relaxation with different cross‐head speeds (0.1–10 mm s−1) to applied strains (3–30%). The results showed that the cross‐head speed had little effect on stress relaxation behaviour of gels. With increasing the applied strain, the initial stress and the equilibrium stress increased. The equilibrium stresses from relaxation measurement were positively related to the hardness fromTPAtests (R2 = 0.991). Relaxation appeared to be associated with the shifting of cross‐links in the gel matrix.
Effects of pasteurisation and storage on quality characteristics of table olives preserved in olive oil
Authors: Lanza Barbara , Di Serio Maria G. , Giansante Lucia , Di Loreto Giuseppina , Russi Francesca , Di Giacinto Luciana 
Published: July 2013

SummaryTwo types of products obtained from the processing of Olea europaea cv ‘Taggiasca’ were monitored: pitted olives and olive paste preserved in monovarietal extra‐virgin olive oil of the same variety. The aim of this study was to follow the trends in the main physico‐chemical and sensory parameters related to the quality of these table olives and their covering oils, for simulation of the shelf‐life conditions. From all of the analyses carried out, it can be concluded that the optimum time of storage of these two products packaged in glass jars at room temperature (between 18 and 25 °C) and under artificial light and away from heat sources is approximately 9 months. After 9 months of storage, the covering oils were greatly affected by the contact with the broken fruit, which was accompanied by reductions in their antioxidant content due to the thermal treatment. The oxidative effects seen through physico‐chemical analyses are in agreement with the organoleptic analysis.
Differential responses of migratory locusts to systemic RNA interference via double‐stranded RNA injection and feeding
Authors: Luo Y. , Wang X. , Wang X. , Yu D. , Chen B. , Kang L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, is one of the most destructive agricultural pests and has been widely used as a model system for insect physiology, neurobiology and behavioural research. In the present study, we investigated the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) using two delivery methods for double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, namely, injection and feeding, to develop a potential new pest control strategy. Our results showed that locusts have a sensitive and systemic response to the injection of dsRNAs in a dose‐dependent manner, but do not respond to the feeding of dsRNAs. Further experiments suggested that the ineffectiveness of dsRNA feeding was attributable to the rapid degradation of dsRNA, which was probably induced by nuclease enzymes in the locust midgut. Moreover, we identified almost all the homologous genes involved in the endocytosis‐mediated dsRNA uptake from the locust genome, which provided possible clues regarding the dsRNA uptake mechanisms from the intestine to the midgut epithelium. These findings reveal the differential response models of fourth instar locust nymphs to dsRNA delivery methods, contribute to the current understanding of insect RNAi mechanisms and provide important information for the further application of RNAi as a genetic tool and pest control strategy.
In vitro three‐dimensional development of mouse molar tooth germs in a rotary cell culture system
Authors: Sun Liang , Yang Chao , Ge Yaneng , Yu Mei , Chen Guoqing , Guo Weihua , Tian Weidong 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveIn vitro tooth germ cultivation is an effective method to explore the mechanism of odontogenesis. The three‐dimensional rotary cell culture system (RCCS) is typically used to culture simulated organs such as cartilage, skin, and bone. In this study, we established an in vitro tooth germ culture model using RCCS to investigate whether RCCS could provide an appropriate environment for tooth germ development in vitro.MethodsMandibular first molar tooth germs from 1‐day post‐natal mice were cultured in RCCS for 3, 6, and 9 days. Tooth germ development was monitored via histology (hematoxylin & eosin staining), stereoscopic microscopy, and quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR).ResultsTooth germs cultured in RCCS maintained their typical spatial shape. Blood vessels were maintained on the dental follicle surface surrounding the crown. After cultivation, thick layers of dentin and enamel were secreted. Compared with tooth germs grown in jaw, the tooth germs grown in RCCS exhibited no significant difference in DMP1 or FGF10 expression at all time points.ConclusionsUse of RCCS enhanced the development of tooth germs and allowed the tooth germs to maintain their spatial morphology. These results indicate that RCCS may be an effective culture system to investigate the mechanism of tooth development.