bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managed aquifer recharge via infiltration ditches in short rotation afforested areas
Authors: Mastrocicco M. , Colombani N. , Salemi E. , Boz B. , Gumiero B. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractManaged aquifer recharge design and operation must incorporate the expected long‐term performance from a water quantity perspective to sustainably mitigate hydrologic impacts of groundwater overexploitation. Gravity‐driven infiltration ditches in forested areas are one of many managed aquifer recharge schemes that could augment the available water resources. Research on the longevity of these structures is sparse, leading to concerns about their long‐term capability to sustain elevated infiltration capacity. In the present study, an infiltration system consisting of a regular grid of eight ditches divided into four sequential plots within a short rotation forested area [area of infiltration (AFI)] was monitored from its inception to determine its hydrologic performance over time and its possible export to similar areas of the Brenta megafan (Northern Italy). During the monitored period, the AFI was not significantly affected by clogging because the suspended solids carried by the Brenta River water diversion were extremely low. The main source of clogging was the fallen foliage during the autumn, easily managed via ordinary maintenance. The AFI displayed an almost constant performance to infiltrate the diverted water over the first 3 years of operation, with a total amount of infiltrated water of approximately 0.8 Mm3 ha−1 year−1. The best tracer to reconstruct the downward water movement through this highly permeable vadose zone was temperature, while the groundwater table fluctuation could not be confidently used to infer the effective infiltration, because of its large seasonal variability. The good results suggest promoting this technique in other areas of the Brenta megafan that suffer from groundwater resources depletion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do statins reduce the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with heart failure? A pooled individual‐level reanalysis of CORONA and GISSI‐HF
Authors: Feinstein Matthew J. , Jhund Pardeep , Kang Joseph , Ning Hongyan , Maggioni Aldo , Wikstrand John , Kjekshus John , Tavazzi Luigi , McMurray John , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M. 
Published: February 2015

AimsCurrent guidelines do not explicitly recommend statin use in heart failure (HF). Relatively low numbers of atherothrombotic events among HF patients, in the context of their elevated competing risks for non‐atherothrombotic causes of death, may have prevented previous analyses of clinical trials from detecting a benefit for statins. We pooled data from two landmark trials of HF patients not on statin therapy randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily vs. placebo, CORONA and GISSI‐HF, in order to improve our power to detect statistically significant differences in atherothrombotic events. We also accounted for competing risks from other causes of death.Methods and resultsWe used competing risks analyses to evaluate atherothrombotic events in the context of death from other cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular causes. We also performed traditional Cox survival analyses of the same data with the intention that these statistical approaches would be complementary. CORONA participants (n = 5011, median follow‐up 32.8 months) were older and sicker than GISSI‐HF participants (n = 4574, median follow‐up 46.9 months) by design. Rosuvastatin decreased risk for myocardial infarction (MI) among CORONA and GISSI‐HF participants with ischaemic aetiology of HF (hazard ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.66–0.99, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between rosuvastatin and placebo in risks for stroke or death from other causes.ConclusionThis individual‐level reanalysis of two landmark trials demonstrates a small but statistically significant decreased risk for MI among patients with ischaemic HF randomized to rosuvastatin vs. placebo. Rosuvastatin appears to be effective in preventing MI in ischaemic HF patients not already on statins.
Critical role of IL‐33 receptor ST2 in experimental cerebral malaria development
Authors: Palomo Jennifer , Reverchon Flora , Piotet Julie , Besnard Anne‐Gaelle , Couturier‐Maillard Aurélie , Maillet Isabelle , Tefit Maurel , Erard François , Mazier Dominique , Ryffel Bernhard , Quesniaux Valérie F. J. 
Published: February 2015

Cerebral malaria, a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, can be modeled in murine Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection. PbA‐induced experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) is CD8+ T‐cell mediated, and influenced by TH1/TH2 balance. Here, we show that IL‐33 expression is increased in brain undergoing ECM and we address the role of the IL‐33/ST2 pathway in ECM development. ST2‐deficient mice were resistant to PbA‐induced neuropathology. They survived >20 days with no ECM neurological sign and a preserved cerebral microcirculation, while WT mice succumbed within 10 days with ECM, brain vascular leakage, distinct microvascular pathology obstruction, and hemorrhages. Parasitemia and brain parasite load were similar in ST2‐deficient and WT mice. Protection was accompanied by reduced brain sequestration of activated CD4+ T cells and perforin+ CD8+ T cells. While IFN‐γ and T‐cell‐attracting chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 were not affected in the absence of functional ST2 pathway, the local expression of ICAM‐1, CXCR3, and LT‐α, crucial for ECM development, was strongly reduced, and this may explain the diminished pathogenic T‐cell recruitment and resistance to ECM. Therefore, IL‐33 is induced in PbA sporozoite infection, and the pathogenic T‐cell responses with local microvascular pathology are dependent on IL‐33/ST2 signaling, identifying IL‐33 as a new actor in ECM development.
Analyzing the antibacterial effects of food ingredients: model experiments with allicin and garlic extracts on biofilm formation and viability of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Wu Xueqing , Santos Regiane R. , Fink‐Gremmels Johanna 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTo demonstrate different effects of garlic extracts and their main antibiotic substance allicin, as a template for investigations on the antibacterial activity of food ingredients. Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and the isogenic biofilm‐forming strain ATCC 35984 were used to compare the activity of allicin against planktonic bacteria and bacterial biofilms. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) for pure allicin were identical and reached at a concentration of 12.5 μg/mL. MBICs for standardized garlic extracts were significantly lower, with 1.56 and 0.78 μg/mL allicin for garlic water and ethanol extract, respectively. Biofilm density was impaired significantly at a concentration of 0.78 μg/mL allicin. Viability staining followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed, however, a 100% bactericidal effect on biofilm‐embedded bacteria at a concentration of 3.13 μg/mL allicin. qRT‐PCR analysis provided no convincing evidence for specific effects of allicin on biofilm‐associated genes. Extracts of fresh garlic are more potent inhibitors of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms than pure allicin, but allicin exerts a unique bactericidal effect on biofilm‐embedded bacteria. The current experimental protocol has proven to be a valid approach to characterize the antimicrobial activity of traditional food ingredients.
Effects of combined traditional processing methods on the nutritional quality of beans
Authors: Nakitto Aisha M. , Muyonga John H. , Nakimbugwe Dorothy 
Published: February 2015

AbstractConsumption of dry beans is limited by long cooking times thus high fuel requirement. The bioavailability of nutrients in beans is also limited due to presence of antinutrients such as phytates and tannins. Little research has been done on combined processing methods for production of nutritious fast cooking bean flour and the effect of combined treatments on nutritional quality of beans has not previously determined. The aim of this study was to reduce cooking time and enhance the nutritional value of dry beans. Specifically to: develop protocols for production of fast cooking bean flours and assess the effect of processing on the nutritional characteristics of the flours. Dry beans (K131 variety) were soaked for 12 h; sprouted for 48 h; dehulled and steamed for 25 and 15 min for whole and dehulled beans respectively or roasted at 170°C for 45 and 15 min for whole and dehulled beans respectively. Dehulling eliminated phytates and tannins and increased protein digestibility. In vitro protein digestibility and mineral (iron and zinc) extractability were negatively correlated with tannin and phytate content. Total available carbohydrates were highest in moist heat‐treated bean flours. Overall, combined processing of beans improved the nutritional quality of dry beans and the resulting precooked flours need less cooking time compared to whole dry beans.
Water balance, nutrient and carbon export from a heath forest catchment in central Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Zanchi Fabrício B. , Waterloo Maarten J. , Tapia Andrés Peralta , Alvarado Barrientos Maria S. , Bolson Marcos A. , Luizão Flávio J. , Manzi Antônio O. , Dolman Albertus J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractCarbon storage values in the Amazon basin have been studied through different approaches in the last decades in order to clarify whether the rainforest ecosystem is likely to act as a sink or source for carbon in the near future. This water balance, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient export study were carried out in a micro‐scale heath forest (Campina) catchment in central Amazonia, Brazil. For a 1‐year study period (18 March 2007 until 19 March 2008), rainfall amounted to 3054 mm; of which, 1532 mm was evaporated by the forest (4.1 mm day−1). Rainfall interception loss amounted to 15.6% of gross rainfall. Surface runoff amounted to 485 mm, whereas another 1071 mm was discharged as regional groundwater outflow. Accumulated DOC exports in surface runoff amounted to 15.3 g m−2 year−1, whereas the total carbon exported was 55.9 g m−2. This is much higher than that observed for a nearby tall rainforest catchment in central Amazonia (DOC export < 20 g m−2). As Campina heath forest areas cover a significant proportion of the Amazon Basin, these differences in ecosystem hydrological carbon exports should be taken into account in future studies assessing the carbon budget for the Amazon Basin. Macro‐nutrient exports were low, but those of calcium and potassium were higher than those observed for tall rainforest in the Amazon, which may be caused by a lower retention capacity of the heath forest ecosystem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response of flow regimes to deforestation and reforestation in a rain‐dominated large watershed of subtropical China
Authors: Liu Wenfei , Wei Xiaohua , Fan Houbao , Guo Xiaomin , Liu Yuanqiu , Zhang Mingfang , Li Qiang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFlow regime refers to five elements of streamflow including flow magnitude, frequency, timing, duration and change rate. In spite of wide recognition of its critical significance in aquatic functions and ecosystem integrity, its responses to forest or land use change are rarely and quantitatively assessed. This paper used the Meijiang watershed (6983.2 km2), situated in the upper reach of the Poyang Lake basin, as an example to first demonstrate how flow regimes were altered by deforestation and then show if the altered flow regimes were possibly recovered by consequent reforestation. Two breakpoints (year 1968 and year 1985) with significant annual streamflow changes were detected, and they were then used to define three distinct periods including the reference or control period (1957 to 1967), deforestation (1968 to 1984) and reforestation (1985–2006). The paired year approach was then applied to quantitatively analyse the responses of flow regimes to forest cover changes. Both high flows (daily flows ≧ Q5%) and low flows (daily flows ≦ Q95%) were assessed. For high flows, the deforestation significantly increased the averaged magnitudes by 10.4%, increased the return periods (5–10 year) by 23.4%, advanced the averaged timings by 10.7 h and extended the averaged durations over the thresholds by 4 days. In contrast, reforestation delayed the averaged timings by 10.5 h, reduced the averaged duration by 5 days and decreased the averaged magnitude by 17.9%. Regarding low flows, the deforestation decreased the flow magnitudes by 30.1% with 30.5 day advancing in the average timings. To our surprise, however, low flows were not significantly changed by reforestation. All above results clearly demonstrate that flow regimes of both high and low flows were significantly altered by deforestation, and recovery of those alterations through reforestation may take much longer time than expected probably because of severe soil erosion and resultant loss of soil infiltration capacity after deforestation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatio‐temporal controls of snowmelt and runoff generation during rain‐on‐snow events in a mid‐latitude mountain catchment
Authors: Garvelmann Jakob , Pohl Stefan , Weiler Markus 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA network of 30 standalone snow monitoring stations was used to investigate the snow cover distribution, snowmelt dynamics, and runoff generation during two rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events in a 40 km2 montane catchment in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany. A multiple linear regression analysis using elevation, aspect, and land cover as predictors for the snow water equivalent (SWE) distribution within the catchment was applied on an hourly basis for two significant ROS flood events that occurred in December 2012. The available snowmelt water, liquid precipitation, as well as the total retention storage of the snow cover were considered in order to estimate the amount of water potentially available for the runoff generation. The study provides a spatially and temporally distributed picture of how the two observed ROS floods developed in the catchment. It became evident that the retention capacity of the snow cover is a crucial mechanism during ROS. It took several hours before water was released from the snowpack during the first ROS event, while retention storage was exceeded within 1 h from the start of the second event. Elevation was the most important terrain feature. South‐facing terrain contributed more water for runoff than north‐facing slopes, and only slightly more runoff was generated at open compared to forested areas. The results highlight the importance of snowmelt together with liquid precipitation for the generation of flood runoff during ROS and the large temporal and spatial variability of the relevant processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐dose dobutamine stress steady‐state free precession (SSFP) cine MRI at 3T with patient adaptive local radiofrequency (RF) shimming using dual‐source RF transmission
Authors: Berger Alexander , Schnackenburg Bernhard , Schneeweis Christopher , Kelle Sebastian , Klein Christoph , Kouwenhoven Marc , Fleck Eckart , Gebker Rolf 
Published: February 2015

PurposeTo prospectively assess the feasibility, image quality, and diagnostic accuracy of high‐dose dobutamine stress magnetic resonance imaging (DSMR) using steady‐state free precession (SSFP) cine imaging at 3T applying a dual‐source radiofrequency (RF) excitation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system with parallel transmission and patient adaptive local RF shimming.Materials and MethodsDSMR using SSFP cine imaging was performed in 44 patients at 3T scheduled for a clinically indicated coronary angiography. The effect of conventional versus dual‐source RF transmission was assessed regarding homogeneity of the B1 field, contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNRs) at rest, image quality, and diagnostic accuracy of DSMR using long and short axis.ResultsThe mean percentage of the intended flip angle within the heart increased from 88 ± 9.1% with single‐source to 103 ± 5.6% (P < 0.001) dual‐source RF transmission. CNR increased for dual‐source particularly at the apex (63.4 ± 24.2 vs. 36.5 ± 16.5, P < 0.001) but also at the base of the left ventricle (LV) (50.1 ± 14.8 vs. 39.3 ± 15.8, P < 0.001). Image quality of dual‐source was higher both at rest (2.8 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.7, P < 0.001) and stress (2.5 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 1.0, P < 0.001). The number of segments with severe artifacts or nondiagnostic image quality at stress was lower with dual‐source RF transmission (8% vs. 27%, P < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of DSMR in coronary territories using dual‐source RF transmission was significantly higher (77% vs. 65%, P = 0.04).ConclusionPatient adaptive local RF shimming using dual‐source RF transmission provided significantly improved image quality and higher diagnostic accuracy of SSFP during DSMR at 3T compared to conventional RF transmission. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:746–753.
Grape skin extracts from winemaking by‐products as a source of trapping agents for reactive carbonyl species
Authors: Sri Harsha Pedapati SC , Mesias Marta , Lavelli Vera , Morales Francisco J 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDClinical evidence supports the relationship between carbonyl stress and type II diabetes and its related pathologies. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the major dicarbonyl compound involved in carbonyl stress. Efforts are therefore being made to find dietary compounds from natural sources that could exert an MGO trapping response.RESULTSThe in vitro MGO trapping capacity of six red and seven white grape skin extracts (GSE) obtained from winemaking by‐products was investigated. Methanolic GSE exhibited a promising MGO trapping capacity that was higher in red GSE (IC50 2.8 mg mL−1) when compared with white GSE (IC50 3.2 mg mL−1). The trapping ability for red GSE correlated significantly with total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. However, no correlations were observed for white GSE, which suggests that other compounds were involved in the trapping activity.CONCLUSIONGSE may be considered a natural source of carbonyl stress inhibitors, thus opening up its possible utilization as a nutraceutical ingredient. Further investigations are required to understand the mechanism involved in the carbonyl trapping ability of red and white grape skin samples and their relationship with glycation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Berry ripening, pre‐processing and thermal treatments affect the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) juice
Authors: Genova Giuseppe , Tosetti Roberta , Tonutti Pietro 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDGrape juice is an important dietary source of health‐promoting antioxidant molecules. Different factors may affect juice composition and nutraceutical properties. The effects of some of these factors (harvest time, pre‐processing ethylene treatment of grapes and juice thermal pasteurization) were here evaluated, considering in particular the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity.RESULTSGrapes (Vitis vinifera L., red‐skinned variety Sangiovese) were collected twice in relation to the technological harvest (TH) and 12 days before TH (early harvest, EH) and treated with gaseous ethylene (1000 ppm) or air for 48 h. Fresh and pasteurized (78 °C for 30 min) juices were produced using a water bath. Three‐way analysis of variance showed that the harvest date had the strongest impact on total polyphenols, hydroxycinnamates, flavonols, and especially on total flavonoids. Pre‐processing ethylene treatment significantly increased the proanthocyanidin, anthocyanin and flavan‐3‐ol content in the juices. Pasteurization induced a significant increase in anthocyanin concentration. Antioxidant capacity was enhanced by ethylene treatment and pasteurization in juices from both TH and EH grapes.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that an appropriate management of grape harvesting date, postharvest and processing may lead to an improvement in nutraceutical quality of juices. Further research is needed to study the effect of the investigated factors on juice organoleptic properties. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification and molecular characterization of 48 kDa calcium binding protein as calreticulin from finger millet (Eleusine coracana) using peptide mass fingerprinting and transcript profiling
Authors: Singh Manoj , Metwal Mamta , Kumar Vandana A , Kumar Anil 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDAttempts were made to identify and characterize the calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) in grain filling stages of finger millet using proteomics, bioinformatics and molecular approaches.RESULTSA distinctly observed blue color band of 48 kDa stained by Stains‐all was eluted and analyzed as calreticulin (CRT) using nano liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nano LC‐MS). Based on the top hits of peptide mass fingerprinting results, conserved primers were designed for isolation of the CRT gene from finger millet using calreticulin sequences of different cereals. The deduced nucleotide sequence analysis of 600 bp amplicon showed up to 91% similarity with CRT gene(s) of rice and other plant species and designated as EcCRT1. Transcript profiling of EcCRT1 showed different levels of relative expression at different stages of developing spikes. The higher expression of EcCRT1 transcripts and protein were observed in later stages of developing spikes which might be due to greater translational synthesis of EcCRT1 protein during seed maturation in finger millet.CONCLUSIONSPreferentially higher synthesis of this CaBP during later stages of grain filling may be responsible for the sequestration of calcium in endoplasmic reticulum of finger millet grains. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Environmental Factors Governing Soil Water Repellency Dynamics in a Pinus Pinaster Plantation in NW Spain
Authors: Benito Rueda Elena , Rodríguez‐Alleres María , Varela Teijeiro Eufemia 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSoil water repellency (SWR) is a dynamic property that changes throughout the year. The objective of this work was to identify the environmental factors governing the temporal patterns in SWR in a pine plantation in northwest Spain with a view of predicting its occurrence and persistence. For this purpose, 24 samples were collected from the soil surface (0–5 cm) at 25 different times over a 1‐year period and analysed for SWR by using water drop penetration time test and soil moisture measurements. Temporal variations in SWR exhibited a well‐defined seasonal pattern. The soil surface was largely wettable from late autumn to early spring and extremely water repellent during summer and early autumn. Repellency persistence was rather variable during spring. There was highly significant correlation between SWR and soil moisture content. The moisture range defining the presence or absence of repellency under field conditions was 22–57%. There were also significant correlations with the target variables (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation and water balance during variably long antecedent periods), with coefficients that increased with increasing length of the antecedent period considered. The moisture content of soil at the time of sampling and the average maximum temperature for the 28 days before sampling are the best predictors of occurrence of SWR and its persistence in different seasons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.