bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Açaí Edible Films Formulated with Thyme Essential Oil and Apple Skin Polyphenols
Authors: Espitia Paula J. P. , Avena‐Bustillos Roberto J. , Du Wen‐Xian , Chiou Bor‐Sen , Williams Tina G. , Wood Delilah , McHugh Tara H. , Soares Nilda F. F. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThyme essential oil (TEO) and apple skin polyphenols (ASP) are natural compounds considered as generally recognized as safe by FDA, with biological effects against bacteria and fungi. This work aimed to evaluate physical and antimicrobial properties of açaí edible films formulated with TEO and ASP at 3% and 6% (w/w) individually or combined at 3% (w/w) each. Physical properties studied include mechanical resistance, water vapor permeability (WVP), color, and thermal resistance. Antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes was determined using the overlay diffusion test. Addition of ASP resulted in improved mechanical properties. TEO at 6% (w/w) resulted in increased elongation. ASP films had significant higher WVP than control film. ASP films were lighter and had more red color than other films. Incorporation of ASP resulted in improved film thermal stability, whereas TEO caused rapid thermal decomposition. Presence of clusters was observed on the surface of films. Addition of ASP resulted in a smother surface, whereas addition of TEO led to the formation of crater‐like pits on the film surface. Açaí edible film incorporated with 6% (w/w) TEO presented the highest antimicrobial activity. However, both antimicrobials are necessary in the açaí films in order to obtain edible films with suitable physical‐mechanical properties. The results of the present study showed that TEO and ASP can be used to prepare açaí edible films with adequate physical‐mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity for food applications by direct contact.Practical ApplicationDeveloped açaí edible films presented antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes and good physical‐mechanical properties, showing the potential use of açaí edible films in food preservation.
Antiviral Effects of Persimmon Extract on Human Norovirus and Its Surrogate, Bacteriophage MS2
Authors: Kamimoto Maki , Nakai Yoshiaki , Tsuji Toru , Shimamoto Toshi , Shimamoto Tadashi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractHuman noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of gastroenteritis and foodborne illnesses worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of persimmon extract (PE) on NoV GII.4 and bacteriophage MS2. We also examined the relationship between the tannin content of PE and its antiviral effects to identify the active ingredient in PE. Different persimmon tannin (PT) solutions were prepared by mixing PE with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin. The antiviral efficacy of these solutions against NoV was evaluated by quantifying the amount of residual noroviral genome using a quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) assay. The antiviral efficacy of PE against MS2 was examined with an infectivity assay (plaque assay). Solutions containing ≥0.11 mg/mL PT reduced the noroviral genome by more than 70.0% and the infectivity of MS2 by more than 2.5 log PFU/mL. However, the effects of PT on both viruses decreased markedly at a concentration of 0.08 mg/mL and solutions containing negligible PT had no antiviral activity. These results suggest that the PT component of PE inactivates NoV and MS2. Our results indicate that PE is a nontoxic antiviral agent effective against enteric viruses.Practical ApplicationPersimmon extract showed antiviral effects against NoV and bacteriophage MS2. Persimmon extract is suitable for use as an antiviral agent.
Genomic Resources Notes accepted 1 February 2014 – 31 March 2014
Authors:   Genomic Resources Development Consortium, Chen Hongjian , Lin Gonghua , Ma Junying , Su Jianping , Wang Zuyun , Whiting Michael F. , Zhang Tongzuo , Zhao Fang 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis article documents the public availability of transcriptome sequence data and assembled, annotated unigenes for the marmot flea, Oropsylla silantiewi.1
Environmental metabarcodes for insects: in silicoPCR reveals potential for taxonomic bias
Authors: Clarke Laurence J. , Soubrier Julien , Weyrich Laura S. , Cooper Alan 
Published: April 2014

AbstractStudies of insect assemblages are suited to the simultaneous DNA‐based identification of multiple taxa known as metabarcoding. To obtain accurate estimates of diversity, metabarcoding markers ideally possess appropriate taxonomic coverage to avoid PCR‐amplification bias, as well as sufficient sequence divergence to resolve species. We used in silico PCR to compare the taxonomic coverage and resolution of newly designed insect metabarcodes (targeting 16S) with that of existing markers [16S and cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI)] and then compared their efficiency in vitro. Existing metabarcoding primers amplified in silico <75% of insect species with complete mitochondrial genomes available, whereas new primers targeting 16S provided >90% coverage. Furthermore, metabarcodes targeting COI appeared to introduce taxonomic PCR‐amplification bias, typically amplifying a greater percentage of Lepidoptera and Diptera species, while failing to amplify certain orders in silico. To test whether bias predicted in silico was observed in vitro, we created an artificial DNA blend containing equal amounts of DNA from 14 species, representing 11 insect orders and one arachnid. We PCR‐amplified the blend using five primer sets, targeting either COI or 16S, with high‐throughput amplicon sequencing yielding more than 6 million reads. In vitro results typically corresponded to in silico PCR predictions, with newly designed 16S primers detecting 11 insect taxa present, thus providing equivalent or better taxonomic coverage than COI metabarcodes. Our results demonstrate that in silico PCR is a useful tool for predicting taxonomic bias in mixed template PCR and that researchers should be wary of potential bias when selecting metabarcoding markers.
Proximate and ultimate drivers of small‐mammal recolonization after fire: microhabitat conditions, rainfall and species traits
Authors: Plavsic M. J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFire is a vital agent of disturbance in African savanna systems, but the relative roles of microhabitat conditions, rainfall and species traits in faunal recolonization need clarification. In order to understand the proximate and ultimate drivers of recolonization after fire, small mammals and microhabitat vegetation were sampled in replicated burned and control sampling areas before and after randomly applied fire in a semi‐arid tropical savanna in southern Africa. Vegetation was reduced by fire but had recovered well by the end of the first rainy season. A total of 6851 small‐mammal captures were made during 18 816 trap nights. Four of the five study species were positively associated with increasing vegetation cover and exhibited strong microhabitat associations. Fire caused a complete turnover of individuals (due to a combination of dispersal and mortality). As predicted using life‐history traits, in the first year post‐fire, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, Mastomys spp. and Mus indutus were fire positive/fire neutral at a population level, while Steatomys pratensis and Dendromus mesomelas were fire negative/fire neutral. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that each species responds to specific structural elements at the microhabitat level, has a suite of life‐history traits that influence their microhabitat associations/response to fire and recolonizes after fire as relevant microhabitat elements recover. The hypothesis that rainfall stimulates microhabitat recovery and thus is a major determinant of the recovery of small‐mammal populations after fire was also supported. Given the importance of rainfall, climate change could pose significant conservation challenges in the long term. Continued research on life‐history attributes and fire response could result in a useful management tool in the short term.
How effective is self‐weighing in the setting of a lifestyle intervention to reduce gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention?
Authors: Harrison Cheryce L. , Teede Helena J. , Lombard Catherine B. 
Published: April 2014

Self‐weighing is important for weight management in general populations; however its role in optimising gestational weight gain is less clear. Our randomised trial in early pregnancy found regular self‐weighing when combined with a self‐management intervention, optimised weight gain at 28 weeks gestation (5.66 ± 2.6 kg vs 7.03 ± 3.56 kg, P = 0.02) and reduced postpartum weight retention (−0.57 ± 3.94 kg vs 1.48 ± 5.49 kg, P < 0.05) compared with control participants. Results highlight the importance of self‐monitoring strategies during pregnancy.
Concluding results from the first phase of the Zurich Unexpected Difficult Airway course based on exercise of technical skills
Authors: Biro P. , Grande B. , Kind S. L. , Spahn D. R. , Theusinger O. M. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryWe analysed the results of the first phase of the Zurich Unexpected Difficult Airway course. Two hundred and twenty‐eight staff members performed a total of 2712 standardised airway rescue procedures with four airway devices: SensaScope™, LMA Fastrach™, Laryngeal Tube and needle cricothyrodotomy. Four consecutive attempts were performed using each device. We analysed the success rate and the time needed for successful completion for each attempt and device. The success rates and mean (SD) completion times for all participants were 96.2% and 30.2 (15.3) s for the SensaScope, 88.1% and 40.4 (17.2) s for the LMA Fastrach, 99.0% and 12.1 (10.6) s for the Laryngeal Tube and 99.0% and 12.3 (6.1) s for needle cricothyroidotomy. The learning curves resulting from the four consecutive attempts with each device showed a clear pattern of improvement. This institutional airway training course represents a promising method to improve the capability of practitioners to cope with unexpected difficult airway situations.
Cardiac biomarkers in the prediction of risk in the non‐cardiac surgery setting
Authors: Biccard B. M. , Devereaux P. J. , Rodseth R. N. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryB‐Type natriuretic peptides and troponin measurements have potential in predicting risk in patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery. Using the American Heart Association framework for the evaluation of novel biomarkers, we review the current evidence supporting the peri‐operative use of these two biomarkers. In patients having major non‐cardiac surgery who are risk stratified using clinical risk scores, the measurement of natriuretic peptides and troponin, both before and after surgery, significantly improves risk stratification. However, only pre‐ and postoperative natriuretic peptide measurement and postoperative troponin measurement have shown clinical utility. It is now important for trials to be conducted to determine whether integrating pre‐ and postoperative natriuretic peptide and postoperative troponin measurement into clinical practice is able to improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery.
The Natural History of Multifocal Atrial Rhythms in Elderly Outpatients: Insights from the “Ikaria Study”
Authors: Lazaros George , Chrysohoou Christina , Oikonomou Evaggelos , Tsiachris Dimitrios , Mazaris Savvas , Venieri Erifili , Zisimos Kostas , Zaromytidou Marina , Kariori Maria , Kioufis Stamatis , Pitsavos Christos , Stefanadis Christodoulos 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundMultifocal atrial tachycardias confer an adverse prognosis in hospitalized patients. We assessed the prognostic impact of multifocal atrial rhythms (MARs—either chaotic atrial rhythm or multifocal atrial tachycardia/bradycardia) in very elderly outpatients.MethodsOne hundred ten subjects aged 60–74 years, 112 aged 75–89 years, and 61 over 90 years old, were enrolled and prospectively evaluated. Several demographic and clinical characteristic were recorded in all individuals.ResultsA high prevalence of MARs was detected in the study population (namely, 6%), which in subjects >90 years was even higher (15%). Individuals with MARs were older, more often female and less active. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of MARs were age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.13, P = 0.01) and female sex (OR = 4.77, 95% CI: 1.23–18.48, P = 0.02). The mortality rate during the follow‐up period was 8.4% without differences between age groups (P = 0.209). In particular, mortality rate was 6% in individuals with MARs and 9% in those without (P = 0.72). Mortality was associated with age (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, P = 0.005) and history of cardiovascular disease at baseline (OR 4.57, 95% CI: 1.87–11.2 P = 0.001).ConclusionsContrary to hospitalized individuals with multifocal atrial tachycardias, MARs were not associated with increased mortality in elderly outpatients in this study.
Systematic review: the use of thiopurines or anti‐TNF in post‐operative Crohn's disease maintenance – progress and prospects
Authors: Jones G. R. , Kennedy N. A. , Lees C. W. , Arnott I. D. , Satsangi J. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundPost‐operative recurrence of Crohn's disease is an important management challenge, with 2‐year recurrence rates defined by clinical, endoscopic and radiological parameters of up to 77%, 64% and 49%. Clinical and severe endoscopic recurrence vary widely in controlled trials from 13% to 36% and 22% to 56% with thiopurine treatment or 0% and 9% with infliximab treatment respectively at 1 year.AimsTo provide a review of the evidence for thiopurine or anti‐TNF use in post‐operative Crohn's disease, and to assess the ability to identify those patients at highest risk of recurrent disease.MethodsA literature search was undertaken using Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify studies using search terms ‘thiopurine’, ‘azathioprine’, ‘mercaptopurine’, ‘Infliximab’, ‘adalimumab’, ‘Anti‐TNF‘, ‘Crohn's disease’, ‘post‐operative’ and ‘recurrence’.ResultsTrials to examine this important area have proved difficult to execute, with recruitment and retention of patients posing major challenges to randomised clinical trials. There have been four RCTs of 433 patients of thiopurine therapy (with three meta‐analyses of these data), and one of anti‐TNF therapy involving 24 patients. Overall the efficacy data for thiopurine use in this setting are inconclusive, and other than smoking, there are no consistent predictors of post‐operative relapse.ConclusionsAt present, evidence for routine use of thiopurine treatment in post‐operative Crohn's disease is heterogeneous and unconvincing. Stratification by risk of relapse emerges as a key challenge in post‐operative management that needs to be addressed, using clinical parameters and emerging biomarkers. The evidence for prophylactic anti‐TNF use is limited though promising, with its routine use guided by early assessment of relapse.
Comparison of scoring systems and outcome of patients admitted to a liver intensive care unit of a tertiary referral centre with severe variceal bleeding
Authors: Al‐Freah M. A. B. , Gera A. , Martini S. , McPhail M. J. W. , Devlin J. , Harrison P. M. , Shawcross D. , Abeles R. D. , Taylor N. J. , Auzinger G. , Bernal W. , Heneghan M. A. , Wendon J. A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundAcute variceal haemorrhage (AVH) is associated with significant mortality.AimsTo determine outcome and factors associated with hospital mortality (HM) in patients with AVH admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare outcomes of patients requiring transfer to a tertiary ICU (transfer group, TG) to a local in‐patient group (LG).MethodsA retrospective study of all adult patients (N = 177) admitted to ICU with AVH from 2000–2008 was performed.ResultsMedian age was 48 years (16–80). Male represented 58%. Median MELD score was 16 (6–39), SOFA score was 8 (6–11). HM was higher in patients who had severe liver disease or critical illness measured by MELD, SOFA, APACHE II scores and number of failed organs (NFO), P < 0.05. Patients with day‐1 lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L had increased HM (P < 0.001). MELD score performed as well as APACHE II, SOFA and NFO (P < 0.001) in predicting HM (AUROC = 0.84, 0.81, 0.79 and 0.82, respectively P > 0.05 for pair wise comparisons). Re‐bleeding was associated with increased HM (56.9% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.002). The TG (n = 124) had less severe liver disease and critical illness and consequently had lower HM than local patients (32% vs. 57%, P = 0.002). TG patients with ≥2 endoscopies prior to transfer had increased 6‐week mortality (P = 0.03). Time from bleeding to transfer ≥3 days was associated with re‐bleeding (OR = 2.290, P = 0.043).ConclusionsMELD score was comparable to ICU prognostic models in predicting mortality. Blood lactate was also predictive of hospital mortality. Delays in referrals and repeated endoscopy were associated with increased re‐bleeding and mortality in this group.
The incidence of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands is levelling off
Authors: Masclee G. M. C. , Coloma P. M. , de Wilde M. , Kuipers E. J. , Sturkenboom M. C. J. M. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryBackgroundBarrett's oesophagus (BO) is a risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Several studies report increasing incidences of BO with substantial variation.AimTo determine age‐ and sex‐stratified incidence rates (IR) of BO and OAC.MethodsCohort study using two primary care databases in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands (NL) (2000–2012). BO and OAC cases were identified using disease‐specific READ codes (UK) and free‐text search with manual validation (NL). Age‐ and sex‐specific incidence rates (IRs) were calculated for both BO and OAC.ResultsFrom the study population of 6 885 420 subjects in the UK, we identified 12 312 incident BO and 40 (0.3%) subsequent incident OAC cases. There were 1383 incident BO, and subsequent 5 (0.4%) incident OAC cases among the 1 487 191 subjects in the NL. The IR of BO increased linearly with age: 15.6/100 000 PYs (UK) and 23.7/100 000 PYs (NL) for patients aged 40–44 years, increasing to 85.6/100 000 PYs (UK) and 87.0/100 000 PYs (NL) for 70–74 years. In both the UK and the NL, IR of BO was 2–4 times higher in males than females across all age groups. With respect to calendar time, the IR of BO increased by 35% (UK) and 41% (NL) from 2000 to 2003, after which IRs remained stable until 2012.ConclusionsThe incidence rates of BO in the UK and the NL increased until 2003, but levelled off thereafter. Around 0.3% of patients with BO developed OAC at least 1 year after BO diagnosis. These findings may help tailor endoscopic surveillance strategies among patients with BO.
Plant species richness and composition under different disturbance regimes in marginal grasslands of a Japanese terraced paddy field landscape
Authors: Koyanagi Tomoyo F. , Yamada Susumu , Yonezawa Ken‐ichi , Kitagawa Yoshiko , Ichikawa Kaoru 
Published: April 2014

AbstractQuestionHow are the patterns of species richness and composition in marginal semi‐natural grassland habitats maintained by different disturbance regimes characterized by location and agricultural management practice?LocationA terraced paddy field landscape in southeastern Niigata Prefecture, Japan (37°06′N, 138°49′E).MethodsWe recorded species occurrence within five 1 m × 1 m quadrats at each survey site from four different habitat types: paddy levees (Levee); slopes between paddies and farm roads (i.e. entrance slopes of paddy fields; Slope_Road); slopes between paddies (Slope_Paddy); and slopes between paddies and adjacent woodlands (Slope_Woodland). We compared species composition among the habitat types using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). We then classified plant functional groups (PFG) based on four response traits: growth form, life span, plant height and flowering season, and compared richness patterns of PFG among the habitat types using analysis of covariance.ResultsThe estimated total richness was over 220 species in Slope_Paddy, Slope_Woodland, and Slope_Road, including more than 35 grassland species in each habitat type. Species composition at Levee habitat was significantly different from that at the other three habitat types as revealed by the NMDS axis 1 scores. The NMDS axis 2 scores for Levee and Slope_Road habitats were significantly different from those for Slope_Paddy and Slope_Woodland habitats. Species richness patterns along with the ten PFGs investigated in this study were also significantly different among the habitat types. Levee and Slope_Road habitats were characterized by a number of annual species, whereas tall perennial forbs, especially pteridophytes, characterized Slope_Paddy and Slope_Woodland habitats.ConclusionsWhile some species occurred in all four habitats, habitat specialists characterized by specific PFG responded to different disturbance regimes in each habitat type. The four types of marginal semi‐natural grassland play different roles as habitats for a variety of herbaceous species, including typical semi‐natural grassland species. These habitats make up the complex landscape mosaics of terraced paddy fields and contribute to the overall biodiversity of these landscapes at the regional scale.
Effect of a toggle switch mutation in TM6 of the human adenosine A3 receptor on Gi protein‐dependent signalling and Gi‐independent receptor internalization
Authors: Stoddart Leigh A , Kellam Barrie , Briddon Stephen J , Hill Stephen J 
Published: April 2014

Background and PurposeThe highly conserved tryptophan (W6.48) in transmembrane domain 6 of GPCRs has been shown to play a central role in forming an active conformation in response to agonist binding. We set out to characterize the effect of this mutation on the efficacy of two agonists at multiple signalling pathways downstream of the adenosine A3 receptor.Experimental ApproachResidue W6.48 in the human adenosine A3 receptor fused to yellow fluorescent protein was mutated to phenylalanine and expressed in CHO‐K1 cells containing a cAMP response element reporter gene. The effects on agonist‐mediated receptor internalization were monitored by automated confocal microscopy and image analysis. Further experiments were carried out to investigate agonist‐mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, inhibition of [3H]‐cAMP accumulation and β‐arrestin2 binding.Key ResultsNECA was able to stimulate agonist‐mediated internalization of the W6.48F mutant receptor, while the agonist HEMADO was inactive. Investigation of other downstream signalling pathways indicated that G‐protein coupling was impaired for both agonists tested. Mutation of W6.48F therefore resulted in differential effects on agonist efficacy, and introduced signalling pathway bias for HEMADO at the adenosine A3 receptor.Conclusions and ImplicationsInvestigation of the pharmacology of the W6.48F mutant of the adenosine A3 receptor confirms that this region is important in forming the active conformation of the receptor for stimulating a number of different signalling pathways and that mutations in this residue can lead to changes in agonist efficacy and signalling bias.