bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tonic phase of a generalized convulsive seizure is an independent predictor of postictal generalized EEG suppression
Authors: Tao James X. , Yung Iris , Lee Anthony , Rose Sandra , Jacobsen John , Ebersole John S. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeTo determine the incidence, duration, risk factors for, and clinical correlates of postictal generalized electroencephalography (EEG) suppression (PGES), and to further delineate the significance of PGES in the pathogenesis of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the video‐EEG studies of 109 consecutive patients with 151 generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) during video‐EEG monitoring. We determined the incidence, duration, and clinical correlates of PGES. We also investigated whether factors such as age, sex, seizure type, total seizure duration, and duration of tonic and clonic phases influenced PGES.Key FindingsPGES was observed in 64 (58.7%) of 109 patients and in 98 (64.9%) of 151 GCS. Average duration of PGES was 42.4 ± 19.1 s. Statistical analysis showed that patients with PGES had no difference in age, gender, total seizure duration, total convulsive duration, clonic phase, seizure type, and seizure termination, as compared to those without PGES. However, tonic phase was significantly prolonged in patients with PGES than in those without PGES (p = 0.00086). A 1 s increase in tonic phase duration was associated with a 0.06 increase in log odds of PGES (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.00055). Clinically, 95.3% patients were unresponsive or immobile during PGES, whereas only 26.7% patients without PGES were unresponsive or immobile immediately after seizure termination.SignificancePGES is a common EEG pattern of GCS. Tonic phase of GCS is an independent predictor of PGES, which is well correlated with postictal unresponsiveness or immobile, and may play a significant role in the mechanism of SUDEP.
Soil carbon changes under Miscanthus driven by C4 accumulation and C3 decompostion – toward a default sequestration function
Authors: Poeplau Christopher , Don Axel 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBioenergy has to meet increasing sustainability criteria in the EU putting conventional bioenergy crops under pressure. Alternatively, perennial bioenergy crops, such as Miscanthus, show higher greenhouse gas savings with similarly high energy yields. In addition, Miscanthus plantations may sequester additional soil organic carbon (SOC) to mitigate climate change. As the land‐use change in cropland to Miscanthus involves a C3‐C4 vegetation change (VC), it is possible to determine the dynamic of Miscanthus‐derived SOC (C4 carbon) and of the old SOC (C3 carbon) by the isotopic ratio of 13C to 12C. We sampled six croplands and adjacent Miscanthus plantations exceeding the age of 10 years across Europe. We found a mean C4 carbon sequestration rate of 0.78 ± 0.19 Mg ha−1 yr−1, which increased with mean annual temperature. At three of six sites, we found a significant increase in C3 carbon due to the application of organic fertilizers or difference in baseline SOC, which we define as non‐VC‐induced SOC changes. The Rothamsted Carbon Model was used to disentangle the decomposition of old C3 carbon and the non‐VC‐induced C3 carbon changes. Subsequently, this method was applied to eight more sites from the literature, resulting in a climate‐dependent VC‐induced SOC sequestration rate (0.40 ± 0.20 Mg ha−1 yr−1), as a step toward a default SOC change function for Miscanthus plantations on former croplands in Europe. Furthermore, we conducted a SOC fractionation to assess qualitative SOC changes and the incorporation of C4 carbon into the soil. Sixteen years after Miscanthus establishment, 68% of the particulate organic matter (POM) was Miscanthus‐derived in 0–10 cm depth. POM was thus the fastest cycling SOC fraction with a C4 carbon accumulation rate of 0.33 ± 0.05 Mg ha−1 yr−1. Miscanthus‐derived SOC also entered the NaOCl‐resistant fraction, comprising 12% in 0–10 cm, which indicates that this fraction was not an inert SOC pool.
Mineral soil carbon fluxes in forests and implications for carbon balance assessments
Authors: Buchholz Thomas , Friedland Andrew J. , Hornig Claire E. , Keeton William S. , Zanchi Giuliana , Nunery Jared 
Published: January 2013

AbstractForest carbon cycles play an important role in efforts to understand and mitigate climate change. Large amounts of carbon (C) are stored in deep mineral forest soils, but are often not considered in accounting for globalCfluxes because mineral soilCis commonly thought to be relatively stable. We exploreCfluxes associated with forest management practices by examining existing data on forestCfluxes in the northeasternUS. Our findings demonstrate that mineral soilCcan play an important role inCemissions, especially when considering intensive forest management practices. Such practices are known to cause a high abovegroundCflux to the atmosphere, but there is evidence that they can also promote comparably high and long‐term belowgroundCfluxes. If these additional fluxes are widespread in forests, recommendations for increased reliance on forest biomass may need to be reevaluated. Furthermore, existing protocols for the monitoring of forestCoften ignore mineral soilCdue to lack of data. ForestCanalyses will be incomplete until this problem is resolved.
Nitrogen fertilization to optimize the greenhouse gas balance of hemp crops grown for biomass
Authors: Finnan John , Burke Brendan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNitrogen trials were carried out on hemp crops grown in Ireland over a 3 year period to identify nitrogen fertilization strategies which optimize the greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy balances of hemp crops grown for biomass. Nitrogen rates up to 150 kg N ha−1 were used in the study. Yield increased with nitrogen rate up to 120 kg N ha−1 for early (Ferimon), mid (Felina 32) and late maturing (Futura 75) varieties. Variety had a significant effect on yield with yields increasing with maturation date. In 2 years of the study, certain application rates of nitrogen were applied either at sowing, at emergence, after emergence or split between these dates to determine if nitrogen rates could be reduced by delaying or splitting the applications. The application of nitrogen at times later than sowing or in splits during the early part of the growing season had no significant effect on biomass yield compared with the practice of applying nitrogen at the time of sowing. Late applications of nitrogen reduced leaf chlorophyll content and height early in the growing season. Later in the growing season, there was no difference in height between treatments although the highest concentrations of chlorophyll were found in the leaves of the late application treatment. Nitrogen rate and the timing of nitrogen application had no effect on plant density. Biomass yield, net energy and net GHG mitigation increased up to an application rate of 120 kg N ha−1, this result was independent of soil type or soil nitrogen level. Net GHG and energy balance of hemp crops grown for biomass are optimized if late maturing varieties are used for biomass production and a nitrogen rate of 120 kg ha−1 is applied at sowing.
Do the elevational limits of deciduous tree species match their thermal latitudinal limits?
Authors: Randin Christophe F. , Paulsen Jens , Vitasse Yann , Kollas Chris , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Körner Christian 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimWe compared the upper limits of 18 deciduous tree species with respect to elevation in Switzerland and latitude in Europe. We hypothesized that species would exhibit the same relative positions along elevation and latitude, which can be expected if species have reached their thermal cold limit along both gradients.LocationEurope and Switzerland.MethodsWe developed a method to identify a least biased estimate of the elevational and latitudinal cold temperature limits of species and for comparing the relative rank positions with respect to these two limits. We applied an algorithm to calculate the elevation of the potential tree line for each point in the gridded landscape of Europe and Switzerland. For each occurrence of each species, the elevation was extracted from digital elevation models. The vertical distance between the elevation of the potential regional climatic tree line and the uppermost species occurrences was calculated and used for comparisons between elevation and latitude.ResultsWe found a strong relationship between the thermal latitudinal and elevational distances of species’ cold limits to the potential tree line, with only marginally significantly different rank positions (P = 0.057) detected along elevational and latitudinal gradients. A first group of nine species showed very similar thermal distances to the potential tree lines along elevation and latitude. Among these species, eight showed a significant decrease in their elevational limit towards high latitudes across mountainous regions of Europe. A second group of seven species occupied a climatic niche closer to the tree line at the edge of their latitudinal range, and only two species did not fill their thermal niche.Main conclusionsOur study provides support for the common concept of a species range–environment equilibrium. Notably, we did not detect a stronger deviation for the filling of thermal niches at latitudinal limits compared with elevational limits, although the former involves a species covering a much greater geographic distance.
Large‐scale geographic patterns of diversity and community structure of pelagic crustacean zooplankton in Canadian lakes
Authors: Pinel‐Alloul Bernadette , André Adrien , Legendre Pierre , Cardille Jeffrey A. , Patalas Kasimierz , Salki Alex 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimWe tested the energy and metabolic theories for explaining diversity patterns of crustacean zooplankton in Canadian lakes, and evaluated the influence of regional and local environments on community structure.LocationThe 1665 studied lakes are distributed across Canada in 47 ecoprovinces.MethodsOur database included the occurrence of 83 pelagic crustacean species. The regional species richness in each ecoprovince was estimated using the average local species richness per lake and the first‐order jackknife diversity index. Using a principal component plot and forward selection in a multiple regression we identified the most important predictors of regional species richness estimates. We tested the predictions of the species richness‐energy hypothesis using climatic variables at regional scale, and of the metabolic theory using the inverse of air temperature. To evaluate the influence of regional and local environmental drivers, we carried out a redundancy analysis between crustacean species occurrences and regional climate and lake environmental factors on a subset of 458 lakes.ResultsEstimates of pelagic crustacean species richness in Canadian ecoprovinces varied from 3 to 10 species per lake (average local species richness) or 8 to 52 species per ecoprovince (Jackknife diversity index). Our study fully supports the species richness‐energy hypothesis and partially the metabolic theory. Mean daily global solar radiation was the most important regional predictor, explaining 51% of the variation in the regional species richness among ecoprovinces. Together, regional climate and local lake environment accounted for 31% of the total variation in community structure. Regional‐scale energy variables accounted for 24% of the total explained variation, whereas local‐scale lake conditions had less influence (2%).Main conclusionsThe richness‐energy theory explains diversity patterns of freshwater crustacean zooplankton in Canadian ecoprovinces. Solar radiation is the best predictor explaining regional species richness in ecoprovinces and community structure of pelagic crustaceans in Canadian lakes.
Mechanisms underlying global temperature‐related patterns in leaf longevity
Authors: Kikuzawa Kihachiro , Onoda Yusuke , Wright Ian J. , Reich Peter B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimAt a global scale, the relationship of leaf longevity (LL) to mean annual temperature (MAT) is positive for deciduous species but negative for evergreen species. The aim of this paper is to understand the mechanisms underlying these contrasting patterns of leaf longevity, from a cost–benefit perspective.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe tested our hypothesis that contrasting LL–MAT relationships in evergreen and deciduous species result from differing adaptations to variation in the length of the annual favourable period. We defined f as the portion of the year when monthly temperature and water availability were favourable. We examined whether the contrasting LL patterns with MAT can be also seen with f. Next, we calculated the optimal LL that maximizes carbon gain per unit time across a range of f.ResultsThe contrasting LL patterns across MAT were also found across f. Our optimization model successfully reproduced the contrasting LL patterns across f for the evergreen (LL longer than 1 year) and deciduous plants. The model shows that longer LL is required to maximize carbon gain for evergreen plants in shorter f, while LL of deciduous plants decreases with decreasing f. Without any a priori trait association, the model reproduced the well‐known LL–leaf mass per area (LMA) relationship. The model also reproduced observed shifts in LL–LMA relationships across MAT or f. Evergreen leaves in long f need greater LMA to maintain LL than those in shorter f.Main conclusionsObserved contrasting LL–MAT patterns in deciduous and evergreen species can be reproduced via the simple rule of maximizing carbon gain across different lengths of favourable periods. Our model provides a mechanistic explanation for the empirical global patterns of several key leaf traits and their relationships.
High Proportion of Granzyme B+ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Contributes to Epithelial Apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori‐Associated Lymphocytic Gastritis
Authors: Han Song‐Hee , Joo Mee , Kim Kyoung‐Mee 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection has been linked to the development of lymphocytic gastritis (LG) characterized by ≥25 intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) per 100 epithelial cells. We hypothesize that the changes in the subpopulation and/or cytotoxicity of IELs leading to epithelial cell apoptosis may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori‐associated LG.Materials and MethodsWe examined IEL subpopulations and the expression of cytotoxic molecules by IELs in biopsy specimens from 36 patients with H. pylori‐associated LG by immunostainings for CD3, CD4, CD8, T‐cell‐restricted intracellular antigen‐1 (TIA‐1), and granzyme B (GrB) and compared the results with those obtained from 49 patients with H. pylori‐associated gastritis (HPG). To investigate whether the IEL‐mediated cytotoxicity is related to the increase of epithelial apoptosis, we performed a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay using ApopTag detection kit.ResultsBetween LG and HPG groups, significant differences in the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, TIA‐1+ or GrB+ IELs, and ApopTag indices were found. Among the CD3+ IELs, the proportion of CD8+ IELs or TIA‐1+ IELs did not differ between two groups. The LG group showed a selective increase in GrB‐positive, phenotypically activated IELs, which was paralleled by an increase in ApopTag indices. In contrast, the HPG group showed more heterogeneous IEL subpopulations with more CD4+ IELs and less GrB+ IELs compared with the LG group, and we did not find any significant variable contributing to the epithelial apoptosis in the HPG group.ConclusionsThis study shows that in addition to the numerical increase in the IELs, there are significant changes in the subpopulations and cytotoxicity of IELs between HPG and H. pylori‐associated LG. In particular, enhanced GrB‐associated cytotoxicity of the IELs in H. pylori‐associated LG contributes to an increase in epithelial apoptosis.
Characterisation of malolactic conversion by Oenococcus oeni to reduce the acidity of apple juice
Authors: Gao Jingfei , Vasantha Rupasinghe H.P. , Pitts Nancy L. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe high concentration of malic acid is responsible for the acidity and sourness in apple juice. Bio‐conversion of malic acid to lactic acid through malolactic conversion (MC) in apple juice using Oenococcus oeni was investigated. When apple juice was inoculated with O. oeni (1 × 106 CFU mL−1), over 90% of malic acid was converted into lactic acid within 96 h at room temperature. When pH of apple juice was adjusted to 4.1 prior to inoculation, MC was completed within 60 h. MC was enhanced at a higher temperature (30°C) when compared with room temperature. The rate of MC was directly proportional to the number of bacteria added and MC was completed within 24 h at 1 × 109 CFU mL−1 initial cell density. MC occurred equally under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The sensory analysis of partial MC‐applied juice when compared against control revealed potential for use of MC for manufacture of low‐acid apple juice.
Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of phenolic extracts from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruit
Authors: Delva Lemâne , Goodrich‐Schneider Renée 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe antioxidant activity and antimicrobial property of phenolic extracts from acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) fruit were assessed. The contribution of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds in the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts was also evaluated. The extracts showed high total phenolic values and possessed high antioxidant activity as expressed by 2,2′‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays (ORAC). The ascorbic acid content ranged from 405 to 1744 mg/100 g of fruit on a fresh weight basis. The antioxidant capacity of the phenolic fractions was in the following order: anthocyanins<phenolic acids<flavonoids. The phenolic fractions contributed 7.1–36.5% of the antioxidant activity expressed by ORAC, whereas the contribution of ascorbic accounted for 18–39% of the total activity. Selected extracts from the flavonoids fraction showed some activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
Comparative study on antioxidant activity of four varieties of Flammulina velutipes with different colour
Authors: Zhang Zuofa , Jin Qunli , Lv Guoying , Fan Lijun , Pan Huijuan , Fan Leifa 
Published: January 2013

SummaryFlammulina velutipes is one of the most popular edible mushrooms consumed all around the world. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of four varieties of F. velutipes with different colour (snowy white, off‐white, yellow, snuff colour) in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and metal chelating activity. The total phenols, phenolic acid and l‐ergothioneine contents in the four varieties of F. velutipes were also determined. Extracts from yellow F. velutipes demonstrated better antioxidant activities in DPPH, hydroxyl radical and metal chelating activity and extracts from snowy white F. velutipes showed higher activity in reducing power. However, snuff colour F. velutipes exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity in all the tested assays. The antioxidant activities may be attributed to the higher phenolic acid and l‐ergothioneine contents as a linear relation was observed between the two components and the antioxidant parameters.
Evaluation of mungbean protein isolates at various levels as a substrate for microbial transglutaminase and water binding agent in pork myofibrillar protein gels
Authors: Lee Hong C. , Chin Koo B. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of mungbean protein isolate (MPI) on the potential possibility of water binding agent and as a substrate for the microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) in myofibrillar protein. Cooking loss (CL,%), gel strength (GS, gf), sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were measured. The addition of MPI reduced CL, indicating that it has a water binding capacity during cooking. The major protein band (53 kDa) of MPI appeared when MPI was mixed with MP, but it disappeared when MTGase was incorporated. MPI treatment changed the endothermic peaks as compared with those of CTL. MTGase (1%) mediated pork MP increased CL and GS (P < 0.05), and reduced peak temperatures with vanishing of endothermic intensity at 1st and 3rd peaks, suggesting the structural changes of protein gelation. In microstructures, MTGase treatment showed a finely stranded structure in MP gels, while MPI showed a conglomerated surface in MTGase‐mediated MP gels. These results indicated that MPI appears to be a water binding agent during cooking and function as a substrate for MTGase in MP gelation.
Soybean oil‐chitosan emulsion affects internal quality and shelf‐life of eggs stored at 25 and 4 °C
Authors: Wardy Wisdom , Torrico Damir D. , Herrera Corredor José A. , No Hong Kyoon , Zhang Xiumei , Xu Zhimin , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon 
Published: January 2013

SummaryEffects of soybean oil (SO), chitosan solution (CH) and their emulsions (SO:CH = 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60 ratios) as coatings on internal quality of eggs stored at 25 and 4 °C, respectively, for 7 and 20 weeks, were evaluated. Eggs coated with SO and SO:CH emulsions maintained grade AA and/or A quality up to 7 weeks at 25 °C and 20 weeks at 4 °C, while noncoated eggs changed from AA to B grade after 2 weeks at 25 °C. Compared with noncoated eggs, shelf‐life of eggs stored at 25 °C was extended for 5 weeks by all SO:CH emulsions. Weight loss of eggs coated with SO:CH emulsions was <3% after 7 weeks at 25 °C and <5% after 20 weeks at 4 °C. SO:CH emulsion is alternatively an effective coating with possible shorter drying times for reducing weight loss and preserving the internal quality of eggs.
Factors influencing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome in men with azoospermia
Authors: Abdel Raheem Amr , Rushwan Nagla , Garaffa Giulio , Zacharakis Evangelos , Doshi Alpesh , Heath Carleen , Serhal Paul , Harper Joyce C. , Christopher Nim A. , Ralph David 
Published: January 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
The management of patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and some cases of obstructive azoospermia involves testicular sperm extraction (TESE or micro‐dissection TESE) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Several studies have investigated the effect of the male age, the cause of azoospermia, testicular histopathology, the type of sperm used, and the use of pentoxyphilline, on the ICSI cycle outcome in men with azoospermia.
The present study showed that none of these factors influenced the ICSI outcome in men with azoospermia, thus once sperm is found in an azoospermic male, no other male factor seems to influence the ICSI outcome. To our knowledge this is the first study to comment on the outcome of ICSI in men with NOA based on testicular histopathology.
Objectives
To access the effect of: male age, the cause of azoospermia (obstructive azoospermia vs non‐obstructive azoospermia [NOA]), testicular histopathology, the type of sperm used (fresh vs frozen‐thawed), and the use of pentoxyphilline on the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle outcome in men with azoospermia.
To our knowledge this is the first study to comment on the outcome of ICSI in men with NOA based on testicular histopathology.
Patients and Methods
A retrospective analysis of 137 testicular sperm extraction‐ICSI cycles performed between 2001–2010, involving 103 men with azoospermia, with 26 couples having repeat cycles.
Results
Analysis of the results did not show any statistically significant differences in the fertilization, embryo cleavage, clinical pregnancy, live birth and miscarriage rates in relation to the male age, cuase of azoospermia, testicular histopathology, type of sperm used and the use of pentoxyphilline.
Conclusion
Once sperm is found in a man with azoospermia, no other male factor seems to influence the ICSI outcome.