bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dietary sorbitol and mannitol: food content and distinct absorption patterns between healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Yao C. K. , Tan H.‐L. , van Langenberg D. R. , Barrett J. S. , Rose R. , Liels K. , Gibson P. R. , Muir J. G. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundSorbitol and mannitol are naturally‐occurring polyol isomers. Although poor absorption and induction of gastrointestinal symptoms by sorbitol are known, the properties of mannitol are poorly described. We aimed to expand data on food composition of these polyols, and to compare their absorptive capacities and symptom induction in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy individuals.MethodsFood samples were analysed for sorbitol and mannitol content. The degree of absorption measured by breath hydrogen production and gastrointestinal symptoms (visual analogue scales) was evaluated in a randomised, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study in 21 healthy and 20 IBS subjects after challenges with 10 g of sorbitol, mannitol or glucose.ResultsCertain fruits and sugar‐free gum contained sorbitol, whereas mannitol content was higher in certain vegetables. Similar proportions of patients with IBS (40%) and healthy subjects (33%) completely absorbed sorbitol, although more so with IBS absorbed mannitol (80% versus 43%; P = 0.02). Breath hydrogen production was similar in both groups after lactulose but was reduced in patients with IBS after both polyols. No difference in mean (SEM) hydrogen production was found in healthy controls after sorbitol [area‐under‐the‐curve: 2766 (591) ppm 4 h–1] or mannitol [2062 (468) ppm 4 h–1] but, in patients with IBS, this was greater after sorbitol [1136 (204) ppm 4 h–1] than mannitol [404 (154) ppm 4 h–1; P = 0.002]. Overall gastrointestinal symptoms increased significantly after both polyols in patients with IBS only, although they were independent of malabsorption of either of the polyols.ConclusionsIncreased and discordant absorption of mannitol and sorbitol occurs in patients with IBS compared to that in healthy controls. Polyols induced gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS independently of their absorptive patterns, suggesting that the dietary restriction of polyols may be efficacious.
MYB56 Encoding a R2R3 MYB Transcription Factor Regulates Seed Size in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhang Yanjie , Liang Wanqi , Shi Jianxin , Xu Jie , Zhang Dabing 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPlant seed size is tightly regulated by the development of seed coat, embryo, and endosperm; however, currently, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we revealed a regulatory role of an R2R3 MYB transcription factor MYB56 in controlling seed size specifically in Arabidopsis thaliana L. Loss‐of‐function or knock‐down of MYB56 yielded smaller seeds as compared with the wild type. Conversely, overexpression of MYB56 produced larger seeds. Further observation using semi‐thin sections showed that myb56 developed smaller contracted endothelial cells and reduced cell number in the outer integument layer of the seed coat during the seed development; by contrast, MYB56 overexpressing lines had expanded endothelial cells and increased cell number in the outer integument layer of the seed coat, suggesting the essential role of MYB56 in regulating seed development. In addition, reciprocal cross‐analysis showed that MYB56 affected the seed development maternally. MYB56 was shown to be dominantly expressed in developing seeds, consistently with its function in seed development. Moreover, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that MYB56 regulates the expression of genes involved in cell wall metabolism such as cell division and expansion. Altogether, our results demonstrated that MYB56 represents an unknown pathway for positively controlling the seed size.
Using the Optimality Index–US to Teach Midwifery Students to Recognize and Implement Evidence‐Based Practices That Promote Optimal Outcomes in Perinatal Health
Authors: van Olphen Fehr Juliana 
Published: August 2013

IntroductionPerinatal optimality means achieving maximal perinatal outcomes with minimal interventions considering women's past and present histories. The Optimality Index–US (OI‐US) is a research tool designed to measure potential associations between evidence‐based perinatal care processes and outcomes in aggregate groups of women against an optimal standard. This article describes how the Shenandoah University Nurse‐Midwifery Program uses the OI‐US to teach students to recognize evidence‐based care, reflect on the influences that care processes may have on outcomes, and consider the value of measuring the relationship between interventions and outcomes. Case studies and individual presentations apply the optimality concept by illustrating different care processes, identifying evidence‐based care, and evaluating management through the optimality lens.MethodsA pilot study was performed in which a 10‐question interview was administered to 9 midwifery students before graduation. Two research questions were addressed: “Is the OI‐US an effective teaching tool?” and “How can the program improve this strategy?” Narrative analysis was used to interpret students’ understandings of the tool, how it affected their clinical learning, and its potential to use in future practices.ResultsFour themes were identified: 1) students felt the OI‐US gave them a foundation to assess their management and the confidence to plan future management, 2) students used the OI‐US as a teaching tool to help women prevent nonoptimal events from occurring, 3) students thought the OI‐US would be feasible to use in their future practices, and 4) lack of accessibility to a printed version of the tool while providing care was an obstacle for efficient use. Students suggested increasing the tool's accessibility and using it in other learning activities.DiscussionThe use of the OI‐US should be explored further to teach evidence‐based care, to generate reflection concerning potential associations between perinatal care processes and outcomes, and to challenge students to question non‐evidence‐based practices.
Recasting Enterprise Strategy: Towards Stakeholder Research That Matters to General Managers
Authors: Crilly Donal 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAs well as specifying functional, business unit, and corporate levels of strategy, early strategy scholars delineated enterprise level strategy as the uppermost level of strategy. Enterprise strategy articulates how the firm engages with actors in its economic, social, and political environment to ensure long‐term corporate performance. As a growing body of evidence shows, heterogeneity in how firms identify, and engage with, their stakeholders can explain why some firms outperform their peers. However, my literature survey of more than three decades of published research reveals that enterprise strategy has stayed firmly in the shadows behind business and corporate strategy. Furthermore, many theories of firm–stakeholder relationships are normative (i.e. explain how firms should act) and do not inform strategy effectively. In this paper, I argue why enterprise strategy research is required as a cohesive body of work that connects with research in business and corporate strategy. I finish by proposing three research domains – strategic goals, organization design, and organization boundaries – that hold the potential to link stakeholder issues with mainstream concerns in strategy research and, thus, to revive a coherent research programme in enterprise level strategy.
Effect of dietary supplementation with an ethanolic extract of propolis on broiler intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activity
Authors: Eyng C. , Murakami A. E. , Duarte C. R. A. , Santos T. C. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of an ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, weight of gastrointestinal organs, intestinal morphometry and digestive enzyme activity. 1020 male broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomised experimental design to six treatments (EEP supplement levels of 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm) and five replications, and 34 birds per experimental unit. The experimental diets were administered from 1 to 21 days of age, and the birds were subsequently provided a ration based on corn and soybean meal. EEP supplementation from 1 to 7 days negatively affected (p < 0.05) the weight gain and feed intake. The proventriculus weight at 7 days exhibited a quadratic response (p < 0.05), which predicted a lower weight at a dose of 2865 ppm of the EEP. For the duodenum at 21 days of age, the response pattern (p < 0.05) predicted that birds that were fed 2943 and 3047 ppm of the EEP would exhibit an improved crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio respectively. The villus height, crypt depth and villus‐to‐crypt ratio in the jejunum and the ileum were not affected (p > 0.05). With increased EEP doses, the duodenal sucrase activity linearly decreased at 7 days of age and linearly increased in the jejunum at 21 days of age (p < 0.05), while pancreatic enzyme activity was unaffected (p > 0.05). Although the carcass and cut yields did not improve, the percentage of abdominal fat decreased (p < 0.05). The supplementation of the broiler pre‐starter diet with 1000–5000 ppm of the EEP impaired performance at this stage, most likely due to the decreased sucrase activity. However, the EEP supplementation from 3000 ppm improved intestinal morphophysiology at 21 days of age and did not affect the performance or carcass yield at 42 days of age.
Representativeness of tree diversity in the modern pollen rain of Andean montane forests
Authors: Jantz Nele , Homeier Jürgen , Behling Hermann 
Published: August 2013

AbstractQuestionsTo assess the relationship between modern pollen rain and Andean montane forest vegetation for diversity, and provide a basis for interpretations of palaeoecological data in the northern Andes, we asked: (1) can the reduction of plant and pollen data to family level preserve information about diversity in both data sets; (2) how precisely do tree pollen and spore types represent richness patterns along an altitudinal gradient on tropical mountains; and (3) how similar are tree pollen and spore family richness in relationship to tree family richness?LocationTropical montane rain forests, Podocarpus National Park in the Andes of South Ecuador (3°S, 79°W, 1000–3000 m a.s.l.).MethodsWe analysed tree diversity and species composition in three different rain forest types: Premontane (PMF), lower montane (LMF) and upper montane (UMF). We investigated modern pollen rain using pollen traps. After testing the reliability of a taxonomic surrogacy on the plant data, we compared abundance and representation, as well as diversity of the two data sets at family level. This was done using rarefaction and Sørensen indices.ResultsThe correlation between tree species and families was high (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). Sample rarefaction on tree pollen and plant family data revealed highest pollen diversity on sites of the UMF, but highest tree diversity on LMF and PMF sites. The Sørensen indices indicate down‐drift of pollen from higher altitudes in PMF and LMF and up‐drift in UMF. Between 1% and 50% of pollen taxa of each sample originate from outside the plot.ConclusionsTaxonomic surrogacy at family level is a good tool for comparing presence–absence patterns of plant and pollen data in tropical regions with high tree diversity. On a family basis, pollen presence–absence data represent the corresponding tree vegetation data, but uncertainties increase with decreasing altitude. The higher diversity in pollen data of the UMF, but slightly lower diversity in the LMF and PMF, can at least partly be explained by wind patterns, local abundance of shrubs and herbs and differences in evenness.
Towards a unified paradigm for sequence‐based identification of fungi
Authors: Kõljalg Urmas , Nilsson R. Henrik , Abarenkov Kessy , Tedersoo Leho , Taylor Andy F. S. , Bahram Mohammad , Bates Scott T. , Bruns Thomas D. , Bengtsson‐Palme Johan , Callaghan Tony M. , Douglas Brian , Drenkhan Tiia , Eberhardt Ursula , Dueñas Margarita , Grebenc Tine , Griffith Gareth W. , Hartmann Martin , Kirk Paul M. , Kohout Petr , Larsson Ellen , Lindahl Björn D. , Lücking Robert , Martín María P. , Matheny P. Brandon , Nguyen Nhu H. , Niskanen Tuula , Oja Jane , Peay Kabir G. , Peintner Ursula , Peterson Marko , Põldmaa Kadri , Saag Lauri , Saar Irja , Schüßler Arthur , Scott James A. , Senés Carolina , Smith Matthew E. , Suija Ave , Taylor D. Lee , Telleria M. Teresa , Weiss Michael , Larsson Karl‐Henrik 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is the formal fungal barcode and in most cases the marker of choice for the exploration of fungal diversity in environmental samples. Two problems are particularly acute in the pursuit of satisfactory taxonomic assignment of newly generated ITS sequences: (i) the lack of an inclusive, reliable public reference data set and (ii) the lack of means to refer to fungal species, for which no Latin name is available in a standardized stable way. Here, we report on progress in these regards through further development of the UNITE database (http://unite.ut.ee) for molecular identification of fungi. All fungal species represented by at least two ITS sequences in the international nucleotide sequence databases are now given a unique, stable name of the accession number type (e.g. Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus|GU586904|SH133781.05FU), and their taxonomic and ecological annotations were corrected as far as possible through a distributed, third‐party annotation effort. We introduce the term ‘species hypothesis’ (SH) for the taxa discovered in clustering on different similarity thresholds (97–99%). An automatically or manually designated sequence is chosen to represent each such SH. These reference sequences are released (http://unite.ut.ee/repository.php) for use by the scientific community in, for example, local sequence similarity searches and in the QIIME pipeline. The system and the data will be updated automatically as the number of public fungal ITS sequences grows. We invite everybody in the position to improve the annotation or metadata associated with their particular fungal lineages of expertise to do so through the new Web‐based sequence management system in UNITE.
Migration and dispersal may drive to high genetic variation and significant genetic mixing: the case of two agriculturally important, continental hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria scripta)
Authors: Raymond Lucie , Plantegenest Manuel , Vialatte Aude 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPopulation structure of pests and beneficial species is an important issue when designing management strategies to optimize ecosystem services. In this study, we investigated for the first time the population structure at a continental scale of two migratory species of hoverflies providing both pest regulation and pollination services [Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria scripta (Diptera: Syrphidae)]. To achieve this objective, we used two sets of 12 species‐specific microsatellite markers on a large‐scale sampling from all over Europe. Our findings showed a high level of genetic mixing resulting in a lack of genetic differentiation at a continental scale and a great genetic diversity in the two species. All the pairwise FST values between European localities were less 0.05 in the two species. These low values reflect a large‐scale genetic mixing probably caused by the existence of frequent migratory movements in the two species. Mantel tests revealed isolation‐by‐distance pattern on the East–West axis, but not on the North–South axis. This isolation‐by‐distance pattern confirms the existence of North–South migratory movements in both directions and suggests an important step by step dispersal. Population features shown by this study are common in invasive species and pests, but are not often observed in beneficial species. They reflect great colonization abilities and a high adaptive potential when dealing with a changing environment. Our results highlight the two studied species as particularly interesting beneficial insects for pollination and pest predation in the current context of global change.
An exotic invader drives the evolution of plant traits that determine mycorrhizal fungal diversity in a native competitor
Authors: Lankau Richard A. , Nodurft Rachel N. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe symbiosis between land plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is one of the most widespread and ancient mutualisms on the planet. However, relatively little is known about the evolution of these symbiotic plant–fungal interactions in natural communities. In this study, we investigated the symbiotic AMF communities of populations of the native plant species Pilea pumila (Urticaceae) with varying histories of coexistence with a nonmycorrhizal invasive species, Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae), known to affect mycorrhizal communities. We found that native populations of P. pumila with a long history of coexistence with the invasive species developed more diverse symbiotic AMF communities. This effect was strongest when A. petiolata plants were actively growing with the natives, and in soils with the longest history of A. petiolata growth. These results suggest that despite the ancient and widespread nature of the plant–AMF symbiosis, the plant traits responsible for symbiotic preferences can, nevertheless, evolve rapidly in response to environmental changes.
International Competition and Distributive Class Conflict in an Open Economy Kaleckian Model
Authors: Sasaki Hiroaki , Sonoda Ryunosuke , Fujita Shinya 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis paper constructs an open economy Kaleckian model in which international competition affects the bargaining process between firms and workers, and investigates the effects of such bargaining on the macroeconomy. We show that the effects of a change in the bargaining power on aggregate demand depends not only on the demand regimes but also on which agents bears more of the burden arising from the international price competition. Moreover, if the real exchange rate has a small impact on the trade balance, the economy is stable, whereas if it has a larger impact on the trade balance, the economy is unstable.
A conserved ClpP‐like protease involved in spore outgrowth in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Traag Bjorn A. , Pugliese Antonia , Setlow Barbara , Setlow Peter , Losick Richard 
Published: August 2013

SummaryGermination and outgrowth of endospores of the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis involves the degradation and conversion to free amino acids of abundant proteins located in the spore core known as small acid‐soluble proteins (SASP). This degradation is mediated primarily by the germination protease Gpr. Here we show that YmfB, a distant homologue of ClpP serine proteases that is highly conserved among endospore‐forming bacteria, contributes to SASP degradation but that its function is normally masked by Gpr. Spores from a ymfB gpr double mutant were more delayed in spore outgrowth and more impaired in SASP degradation than were spores from a gpr single mutant. The activity of YmfB relied on three putative active‐site residues as well as on the product of a small gene ylzJ located immediately downstream of, and overlapping with, ymfB. We propose that YmfB is an orphan ClpP protease that is dedicated to the degradation of a specialized family of small protein substrates.
Construction of a genomewide RNAi mutant library in rice
Authors: Wang Lei , Zheng Jie , Luo Yanzhong , Xu Tao , Zhang Qiuxue , Zhang Lan , Xu Miaoyun , Wan Jianmin , Wang Ming‐Bo , Zhang Chunyi , Fan Yunliu 
Published: August 2013

SummaryLong hairpin RNA (hpRNA) transgenes are a powerful tool for gene function studies in plants, but a genomewide RNAi mutant library using hpRNA transgenes has not been reported for plants. Here, we report the construction of a hpRNA library for the genomewide identification of gene function in rice using an improved rolling circle amplification‐mediated hpRNA (RMHR) method. Transformation of rice with the library resulted in thousands of transgenic lines containing hpRNAs targeting genes of various function. The target mRNA was down‐regulated in the hpRNA lines, and this was correlated with the accumulation of siRNAs corresponding to the double‐stranded arms of the hpRNA. Multiple members of a gene family were simultaneously silenced by hpRNAs derived from a single member, but the degree of such cross‐silencing depended on the level of sequence homology between the members as well as the abundance of matching siRNAs. The silencing of key genes tended to cause a severe phenotype, but these transgenic lines usually survived in the field long enough for phenotypic and molecular analyses to be conducted. Deep sequencing analysis of small RNAs showed that the hpRNA‐derived siRNAs were characteristic of Argonaute‐binding small RNAs. Our results indicate that RNAi mutant library is a high‐efficient approach for genomewide gene identification in plants.
Structure of the receptacular nectary and circadian metabolism of starch in the ant‐guarded plant Ipomoea cairica (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Paiva E. A. S. , Martins L. C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractNectaries occur widely in Convolvulaceae. These structures remain little studied despite their possible importance in plant–animal interactions. In this paper, we sought to describe the structure and ultrastructure of the receptacular nectaries (RNs) of Ipomoea cairica, together with the dynamics of nectar secretion. Samples of floral buds, flowers at anthesis and immature fruits were collected, fixed and processed using routine methods for light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Circadian starch dynamics were determined through starch measurements on nectary sections. The secretion samples were subjected to thin layer chromatography. RNs of I. cairica were cryptic, having patches of nectar‐secreting trichomes, subglandular parenchyma cells and thick‐walled cells delimiting the nectary aperture. The glandular trichomes were peltate type and had typical ultrastructural features related to nectar secretion. The nectar is composed of sucrose, fructose and glucose. Nectar secretion was observed in young floral buds and continued as the flower developed, lasting until the fruit matured. The starch content of the subglandular tissue showed circadian variation, increasing during the day and decreasing at night. The plastids were distinct in different portions of the nectary. The continuous day–night secretory pattern of the RNs of I. cairica is associated with pre‐nectar source circadian changes in which the starch acts as a buffer, ensuring uninterrupted nectar secretion. This circadian variation may be present in other extrafloral nectaries and be responsible for full daytime secretion. We conclude that sampling time is relevant in ultrastructural studies of dynamic extranuptial nectaries that undergo various changes throughout the day.