bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria, mutations and sex: a new hypothesis for the evolution of sex based on mitochondrial mutational erosion
Authors: Havird Justin C. , Hall Matthew D. , Dowling Damian K. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThe evolution of sex in eukaryotes represents a paradox, given the “two-fold” fitness cost it incurs. We hypothesize that the mutational dynamics of the mitochondrial genome would have favoured the evolution of sexual reproduction. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) exhibits a high mutation rate across most eukaryote taxa, and several lines of evidence suggest this high rate is an ancestral character. This seems inexplicable given mtDNA-encoded genes underlie the expression of life’s most salient functions, including energy conversion. We propose that negative metabolic effects linked to mitochondrial mutation accumulation would have invoked selection for sexual recombination between divergent host nuclear genomes in early eukaryote lineages. This would provide a mechanism by which recombinant host genotypes could be rapidly shuffled and screened for the presence of compensatory modifiers that offset mtDNA-induced harm. Under this hypothesis, recombination provides the genetic variation necessary for compensatory nuclear coadaptation to keep pace with mitochondrial mutation accumulation.
Two-Dimensional Mapping of 3D Data from Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Fan Anthony , Cassidy Justin , Carthew Richard W. , Hilgenfeldt Sascha 
Published: May 2015

AbstractConfocal microscopy has been experimentally proven for decades to provide high-quality images for biological research. Its unique property of blocking out-of-focus light enables 3D rendering from planar stacks and visualization of internal features. However, visualizing 3D data on a flat display is not intuitive, and would lead to occasional distortion. In this study, a novel, easy-to-implement, and computationally fast solution is provided to reconstruct a confocal stack to true 3D data and subsequently map the information correctly with size and shape consistency to a 2D space for visualization and image analysis purposes.
Replacement of bovine milk with vegetable milk: Effects on the survival of probiotics and rheological and physicochemical properties of frozen fermented dessert
Authors: Aboulfazli Fatemeh , Baba Ahmad Salihin , Misran Misni 
Published: May 2015

In this study, frozen fermented desserts containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (La‐05; L) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bb‐12; B), were made from bovine (W), soya (S), coconut (C) and composite (i.e. combinations of coconut or bovine milks with soya milk) milks. The changes in frozen dessert eating qualities and the survival of added microbes were evaluated. The highest viscosity and melting resistance, and the lowest total sensory scores, were found in the products made using soya milk. After 90‐day storage at −20 °C, the highest survival percentage of La‐05 was found in the products made using coconut milk (CL); and for Bb‐12, it was found in the products made using soya milk, coconut milk and a 25:75 blend of soya milk and coconut milk respectively ( samples SB, CB and SC3B) SB, SCB and CB samples.
Isolation and characterisation of a Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus mutant with low H+‐ATPase activity
Authors: Dan Tong , Chen Yongfu , Chen Xia , Sun Chunling , Wang Xueni , Wang Junguo , Zhang Heping 
Published: May 2015

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus is an acid‐tolerant species used in yoghurt production and considered important in postacidification reductions in palatability of yoghurt during storage. In this study, a variant (ND06‐2) of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ND06 was selected using neomycin sulphate. ND06‐2 exhibited sensitivity to acids and lower H+‐ATPase activity compared with ND06. High‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to demonstrate that the capacity of ND06‐2 to produce lactic acid was significantly lower than for ND06 during fermentation or storage. These results suggest that the L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus variant could be used in yoghurt starters and have a lower tendency to cause postacidification.
Direct determination of lactulose in heat‐treated milk using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and partial least squares regression
Authors: Pappas Christos S , Sakkas Lambros , Moschopoulou Ekaterini , Moatsou Golfo 
Published: May 2015

The aim of this work was the direct determination of lactulose (LCT) concentration in freeze‐dried heat‐treated milks using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) without any chemical pretreatment of the milk. The ‘actual’ lactulose concentrations estimated by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were correlated with the spectral region 1286–754 cm−1 of DRIFTS spectra in the second‐derivative form of the milk samples using partial least squares (PLS) regression. A linear relationship was established between the ‘actual’ and the concentrations recalculated using the built model. The proposed DRIFTS method is simple, rapid and low cost.
Soil application ofBeauveria bassianaGHA against apple sawfly,Hoplocampa testudinea(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae): Field mortality and fungal persistence
Authors: Świergiel Weronika , Meyling Nicolai V. , Porcel Mario , Rämert Birgitta 
Published: May 2015

AbstractLow impact alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudineaKlug) are scarce encumbering pest management in organic apple orchards. We investigated the soil persistence and field efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungusBeauveria bassiana(Balsamo) Vuillemin (BotaniGard) against apple sawfly under common organic orchard practices. We also assessed the efficacy ofB. bassianaGHA andMetarhizium brunneumPetch (indigenous strain) against sawfly in the laboratory. Larvae treated with either fungus in the laboratory died faster than control larvae and displayed 49.4%–68.4% mycosis. In the field,B. bassianadensity remained high in the week after application, during larval descent to the soil. Fungal density decreased to 25% at 49 d after application and to 0.4% after 55 weeks. Molecular markers revealed that the majority of fungal isolates recovered comprised the appliedB. bassianastrain GHA. Larvae pupating in soil cages in the orchard for 49 d displayed 17% mycosis. The high efficacy under laboratory conditions was not seen in the field.B. bassianaapplication resulted in densities above the upper natural background level during the growing season, but reversion to background levels occurred within a year. It remains to be investigated whether this has a detrimental effect on nontarget organisms. Additional work is needed to bridge the knowledge gap between laboratory and field efficacy in orchards.
obitools: a unix‐inspired software package for DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Boyer Frédéric , Mercier Céline , Bonin Aurélie , Le Bras Yvan , Taberlet Pierre , Coissac Eric 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDNA metabarcoding offers new perspectives in biodiversity research. This recently developed approach to ecosystem study relies heavily on the use of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and thus calls upon the ability to deal with huge sequence data sets. The obitools package satisfies this requirement thanks to a set of programs specifically designed for analysing NGS data in a DNA metabarcoding context. Their capacity to filter and edit sequences while taking into account taxonomic annotation helps to set up tailor‐made analysis pipelines for a broad range of DNA metabarcoding applications, including biodiversity surveys or diet analyses. The obitools package is distributed as an open source software available on the following website: http://metabarcoding.org/obitools. A Galaxy wrapper is available on the GenOuest core facility toolshed: http://toolshed.genouest.org.
Parallel tagged amplicon sequencing of relatively long PCR products using the Illumina HiSeq platform and transcriptome assembly
Authors: Feng Yan‐Jie , Liu Qing‐Feng , Chen Meng‐Yun , Liang Dan , Zhang Peng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn phylogenetics and population genetics, a large number of loci are often needed to accurately resolve species relationships. Normally, loci are enriched by PCR and sequenced by Sanger sequencing, which is expensive when the number of amplicons is large. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) techniques are increasingly used for parallel amplicon sequencing, which reduces sequencing costs tremendously, but has not reduced preparation costs very much. Moreover, for most current NGS methods, amplicons need to be purified and quantified before sequencing and their lengths are also restricted (normally <700 bp). Here, we describe an approach to sequence pooled amplicons of any length using the Illumina platform. Using this method, amplicons are pooled at equal volume rather than at equal concentration, thus eliminating the laborious purification and quantification steps. We then shear the pooled amplicons, repair the ends, add sample identifying linkers and pool multiple samples prior to Illumina library preparation. Data are then assembled using the transcriptome assembly program trinity, which is optimized to deal with templates of highly varying quantities. We demonstrated the utility of our approach by recovering 93.5% of the target amplicons (size up to 1650 bp) in full length for a 16 taxa × 101 loci project, using ~2.0 GB of Illumina HiSeq paired‐end 90‐bp data. Overall, we validate a rapid, cost‐effective and scalable approach to sequence a large number of targeted loci from a large number of samples that is particularly suitable for both phylogenetics and population genetics studies that require a modest scale of data.
Delayed Enrichment for c‐kit and Inducing Cardiac Differentiation Attenuated Protective Effects of BMSCs’ Transplantation in Pig Model of Acute Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Zhang Guang‐Wei , Gu Tian‐Xiang , Guan Xiao‐Yu , Sun Xue‐Jun , Jiang Da‐Qing , Tang Rui , Qi Xun , Li Xue‐Yuan 
Published: May 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the effects of immature cardiomyocytes differentiated from c‐kit+ bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) against acute myocardial infarction (AMI).MethodsMiniswine passage 8 BMSCs were enriched for c‐kit and induced by 5 μM 5‐azacytidine (AZA) for 14 days, and a second enrichment for the dihydropyridine receptor subunit α2δ1 was performed (enriched BMSCs). Thereafter, enriched BMSCs were analyzed by determining cardiac differentiation, secretion function, and the effects of these secreted factors on cardiac stem cells (CSCs). Miniswine with AMI were divided into control, primary BMSCs’ (PB), and enriched BMSCs’ (EB) groups. Autologous BMSCs were intramyocardially injected into the ischemic regions in PB and EB groups. The following indices were evaluated at different time points, including paracrine of implanted BMSCs, histological and morphological analysis, myocardial perfusion, and cardiac function.ResultsAs shown by in vitro study, enrichment + AZA significantly promoted BMSCs to express cardiac‐specific markers and format action potential, but down‐regulated the expression of VEGF and bFGF, consequently attenuated BMSCs‐inducing CSCs proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The in vivo experiments revealed similar results like the in vitro 6 weeks postoperatively. And in EB group, there were decreased angiogenesis and myocardial perfusion, attenuated resident CSCs‐mediated myocardial regeneration, and consequently impaired cardiac function compared with PB group.ConclusionsThis pretreatment promoted BMSCs to differentiate into myocardiocytes both in vitro and in vivo, but impaired their paracrine function and effects on resident CSCs, suggesting that inducing cardiac differentiation alone may not improve protective effects of BMSCs transplantation on AMI.
Levosimendan Improves Hemodynamic Status in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Left Ventricular Dysfunction: An Interventional Study
Authors: García‐González Martín J. , Jorge‐Pérez Pablo , Jiménez‐Sosa Alejandro , Acea Antonio Barragán , Lacalzada Almeida Juan B. , Ferrer Hita Julio J. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryAimsTo study the hemodynamic effect of levosimendan administration in acute heart failure patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).MethodsHemodynamic response to 24 h intravenous levosimendan infusion (0.1 μg/kg/min without a loading dose) in patients with severe AS (aortic valve area ≤1 cm2, time‐velocity integral between left ventricular out‐flow tract and aortic valve <0.25), reduced LVEF (≤40%), and a depressed cardiac index (CI) <2.2 L/min/m2 was determined in a sequential group of nine patients aged 76 ± 10 years (5 men).ResultsBaseline mean ejection fraction was 33 ± 0.7%; mean aortic valve area was 0.37 ±0.11 cm2/m2; peak and mean gradients of 63.6 ± 20.53 and 36.7 ± 12.62 mmHg, respectively; and mean CI was 1.65 ± 0.20 L/min/m2. At 6 and 12 h of levosimendan therapy, mean CI had increased to 2.00 ± 0.41 L/min/m2 (P = 0.02) and 2.17 ± 0.40 L/min/m2 (P = 0.01), respectively. At 24 h, mean CI had increased further to 2.37 ± 0.49 L/min/m2 (P = 0.01). A significant beneficial effect was also observed in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary artery mean pressure, central venous pressure, systemic vascular resistances, pulmonary vascular resistances, stroke volume index, left ventricular stroke work index. NTproBNP levels decreased at 24 h of levosimendan treatment. Levosimendan infusion was also well tolerated. Five patients subsequently underwent aortic valve surgery replacement. One died (of postoperative multiorgan failure). At 30 days, overall survival was 75%.ConclusionsLevosimendan administration improves hemodynamic parameters in critically ill patients with severe AS and reduced LVEF. In our study, it provides a safe and effective bridge to aortic‐valve replacement or oral vasodilator therapy in surgical contraindicated patients. A controlled study is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Prevention of hospital‐acquired hyponatraemia: individualised fluid therapy
Authors: Lunøe M. , Overgaard‐Steensen C. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundLarge amounts of fluids are daily prescribed to hospitalised patients across different medical specialities. Unfortunately, inappropriate fluid administration commonly causes iatrogenic hyponatraemia with associated increase in morbidity and mortality.Methods/resultsFundamental for prevention of hospital‐acquired hyponatraemia is an understanding of what determines plasma sodium concentration (P‐[Na+]) in the individual patient. P‐[Na+] is determined by balances of water and cations according to Edelman. This paper discusses the mechanisms influencing water and cation balances. In the hospitalised patient, non‐osmotic antidiuretic hormone secretion is frequent and results in a reduced renal electrolyte‐free water clearance (EFWC). This condition puts the patient at risk of hyponatraemia upon infusion of fluids that are hypotonic such as 5% glucose, Darrow‐glucose, NaKglucose and 0.45% NaCl in 5% glucose. It is suggested that individualised fluid therapy includes the following: Firstly, bolus therapy with Ringer‐acetate/Ringer‐lactate/0.9% NaCl in the hypovolaemic patient to minimise the risk of fluid under‐/overload. Secondly, P‐[Na+] should be monitored together with the balances influencing P‐[Na+]. This may include EFWC in patients at additional risk of hyponatraemia. In patients with potentially reduced intracranial compliance (e.g. meningitis, intracranial bleeding, cerebral contusion and brain oedema), even a small decrease in P‐[Na+] induced by slightly hypotonic fluids like Ringer‐acetate/Ringer‐lactate can increase the intracranial pressure dramatically. Consequently, 0.9 % NaCl is recommended as first‐line fluid for such patients.ConclusionsThe occurrence of hospital‐acquired hyponatraemia may be reduced by prescribing fluids, type and amount, with the same dedication as shown for other drugs.
The estimated ex ante economic impact of Bt cowpea in Niger, Benin and Northern Nigeria
Authors: Gbègbèlègbè S. D. , Lowenberg‐DeBoer J. , Adeoti R. , Lusk J. , Coulibaly O. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractGenetically modified (GM) crops could increase economic growth and enhance living standards in Africa, but political issues have slowed the use of biotechnology. This is the first study that assesses the potential impact of GM crops in Africa while considering the preferences of producers and consumers towards GMOs as well as the income and price risks they face. The study uses a choice experiment to estimate the ex ante economic impact of a novel technology, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea, on producers and consumers in Benin, Niger and northern Nigeria. The experiment involves the simulation of a market transaction similar to those in open air markets in West Africa. During the market simulation, respondents are informed about the advantages and disadvantages, including health risks, of Bt cowpea. The results from the study suggest that cowpea growers and consumers in Benin and northern Nigeria prefer Bt to conventional cowpea for health safety reasons. The results estimate that social welfare in Benin, Niger and northern Nigeria would increase by at least US$11.82 per capita annually with Bt cowpea, if seed sectors are operating smoothly. With inefficiencies in seed sectors and the potential for cowpea acreage increase, the estimated social welfare increase in the region would be about US$1.26 per capita annually.
Are we overestimating the negative impact of higher food prices? Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Minot Nicholas , Dewina Reno 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMost studies of the welfare impact of higher food prices adopt Deaton's approach, based on the first‐order effect of prices changes using income and expenditure survey data. This paper explores the impact of higher maize and food prices in Ghana and considers the sensitivity of results to changes in several assumptions. If second‐order effects are included, incorporating household response to price changes, the welfare impact of food price increases is more positive, but only modestly so. However, if we assume that marketing margins are constant in real terms rather than proportional to prices, the welfare impact is substantially more positive. These findings highlight the need for more research on the behavior of marketing margins under volatile prices.
Determination of gas flow through airway exchange catheters: measured and calculated values and dependence on pressure and entrainment
Authors: YanHong R. , Ihra G. C. , Gore C. 
Published: May 2015

SummarySerious complications have been described during oxygenation of patients with airway exchange catheters, due to catheter malpositioning, accidentally applied high airway pressures or high delivered volumes. In this in‐vitro study, we analysed gas flow through various airway exchange catheters and described its dependence on driving pressure and entrainment. We applied driving pressures between 0.5 and 2.5 bar and observed maximal flow rates of 3.6 l.s−1. Measured gas flow values differed significantly from values calculated according to the Hagen–Poiseuille equation. Although flow restriction in ventilators and small‐bore connectors will limit gas flow, large gas volumes may be unintentionally applied via the airway exchange catheters, leading to serious complications.
Antibody response to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in vaccinated, serologically infected and unaffected pregnant women and their newborns
Authors: Helmig Rikke B. , Maimburg Rikke D. , Erikstrup Christian , Nielsen Henriette S. , Petersen Olav B. , Nielsen Lars P. , Hvidman Lone , Veirum Jens E. , Henriksen Tine B. , Storgaard Merete 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the serological response in pregnant Danish women immunized during the 2009 pandemic by serologic infection or by vaccination with influenza A(H1N1) Pandemrix® and describe levels of passively acquired maternal antibody in their offspring.DesignObservational cohort study.SettingDepartment of Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark, October to December 2009.PopulationPregnant women and their offspringMethodsSerological analysis of antibodies to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 by hemagglutination inhibition assay in 197 women and their offspring. Blood samples were collected consecutively at delivery from the mother and the umbilical cord. In a subgroup of 124 of the 197 women, an additional blood sample from gestational weeks 9–12 was available for analysis.Main outcome measuresSeroconversion, geometric mean titer, geometric mean‐fold rise and protective antibodies.Results33 of the 124 subgroup women (27%) seroconverted during pregnancy, 79% after vaccination and 17% after serologic infection (p < 0.001). The geometric mean titer after delivery in non‐vaccinated, non‐serologically infected women was 17.1 (95%CI 15.7–18.6). The geometric mean titer increased significantly after serologic infection with H1N1 [76.5 (95%CI 51.3–113.9), p < 0.001] and after vaccination [589.6 (95%CI 339.3–1024.7), p < 0.001]. The geometric mean‐fold rise (mother at delivery/mother early pregnancy) was significantly higher after vaccination [2.23 (1.93–2.54)] than after serologic infection [1.73 (1.59–1.87), p = 0.013]. In newborns of vaccinated mothers, 89.5% had protective antibody levels compared with 15.8% in newborns of serologically infected mothers (p < 0.001).ConclusionsInfluenza vaccination during pregnancy confers passive immunity to the newborn.
Exposure–effect relationship of mycophenolic acid and prednisolone in adult patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Abd Rahman Azrin N. , Tett Susan E. , Abdul Gafor Halim A. , McWhinney Brett C. , Staatz Christine E. 
Published: May 2015

AimsThe aim was to examine relationships between total and unbound mycophenolic acid (MPA) and prednisolone exposure and clinical outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis.MethodsSix blood samples were drawn pre‐ and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h post‐dose and total and unbound MPA and prednisolone pre‐dose (C0), maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) were determined using non‐compartmental analysis in 25 patients. The analyses evaluated drug exposures in relation to treatment response since starting MPA and drug‐related adverse events.ResultsDose‐normalized AUC varied 10‐, 8‐, 7‐ and 19‐fold for total MPA, unbound MPA, total prednisolone and unbound prednisolone, respectively. Median values (95% CI) of total MPA AUC(0,8 h) (21.5 [15.0, 42.0] vs. 11.2 [4.8, 30.0] mg l–1 h, P= 0.048) and Cmax (11.9 [6.7, 26.3] vs. 6.1 [1.6, 9.2] mg l–1, P = 0.016) were significantly higher in responders than non‐responders. Anaemia was significantly associated with higher total (37.8 [14.1, 77.5] vs. 18.5 [11.7, 32.7] mg l–1 h, P = 0.038) and unbound MPA AUC(0,12 h) (751 [214, 830] vs. 227 [151, 389] mg l–1 h, P = 0.004). Unbound prednisolone AUC(0,24 h) was significantly higher in patients with Cushingoid appearance (unbound: 1372 [1242, 1774] vs. 846 [528, 1049] nmol l–1 h, P = 0.019) than in those without. Poorer treatment response was observed in patients with lowest tertile exposure to both total MPA and prednisolone as compared with patients with middle and higher tertile exposure (17% vs. 74%, P = 0.023).ConclusionsThis study suggests a potential role for therapeutic drug monitoring in individualizing immunosuppressant therapy in patients with lupus nephritis.