bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dopamine patchwork of the rat nucleus accumbens core
Authors: Shu Zhan , Taylor I. Mitch , Michael Adrian C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe dopamine (DA) terminal field in the rat dorsal striatum is organized as a patchwork of domains that show distinct DA kinetics. The rate and short‐term plasticity of evoked DA release, the rate of DA clearance and the actions of several dopaminergic drugs are all domain‐dependent. The patchwork arises in part from local variations in the basal extracellular concentration of DA, which establishes an autoinhibitory tone in slow but not fast domains. The present study addressed the hypothesis that a domain patchwork might also exist in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), a DA terminal field that is deeply involved in reward processing and the mechanisms underlying substance abuse. DA recordings in the NAcc by fast‐scan voltammetry during electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle confirmed that the NAcc contains a patchwork of fast and slow domains showing significantly different rates of evoked DA release and DA clearance. Moreover, the NAcc domains are substantially different from those in the dorsal striatum. There were no signs in the NAcc of short‐term plasticity of DA release during multiple consecutive stimuli, and no signs of a domain‐dependent autoinhibitory tone. Thus, the NAcc domains are distinct from each other and from the domains of the dorsal striatum.
Female Annual Killifish Austrolebias reicherti (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae) Attend to Male Chemical Cues
Authors: Passos Carlos , Reyes Federico , Tassino Bettina , Rosenthal Gil G. , González Andrés 
Published: August 2013

AbstractChemical communication is an important mediator of social interactions in fish, including mate recognition, mate choice and intrasexual competition. We used a simultaneous‐choice design to test the response of adult females of the annual killifish, Austrolebias reicherti, towards male‐conditioned water, both crude and fractionated into its polar and non‐polar components. Females preferred male‐conditioned water when tested both against control water and female‐conditioned water. The polar and non‐polar fractions of the male‐conditioned water were not significantly attractive, although a tendency was observed towards the non‐polar fraction. Our study shows that annual fish respond to the chemical cues of potential mates. The chemical channel is likely to be particularly important in the muddy ephemeral ponds in which they occur.
The effect of insertional suspensory branch desmitis on racing performance in juvenile Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Plevin S. , McLellan J. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryReasons for performing the studyLimited information exists regarding the prognosis for juvenile racehorses sustaining injury to the suspensory ligament branch insertion (JISBI).ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of JISBI on racing performance; and to assess whether the severity of JISBI is prognostically important.Study designRetrospective cohort study.MethodsRecords were reviewed for 896 juvenile Thoroughbreds in training, to identify horses with JISBI limited to one branch (cases). The ability of cases to start a race was compared to their cohorts. Race records of maternal siblings were compared to cases.ResultsThe prevalence of JISBI for this population was 9.5%. Cohorts were 3.2 times more likely to start as a 2‐year‐old and 3.6 times more likely to start as a 3‐year‐old compared to horses with JISBI. Of 58 cases that were compared to maternal siblings, the total earnings per start (EPS), 2‐ and 3‐year‐old EPS were all reduced (P<0.01). Cases raced a mean of 3.8 times compared to 7.4 races for controls over the study period and were 113.2 days older by the time of first start (P<0.01). ‘Speed figures’ and EPS were, however, similar between cases that had raced and controls. Cases with a moderate–severe lesion (≥ Grade 2) were at significantly greater risk of reinjury than mild cases (P<0.05).ConclusionsJISBI causes decreased racing ability as a 2‐year‐old. Mild cases perform similarly to controls by their 3‐year‐old season, but more severe cases demonstrate reduced ability as a 3‐year‐old, with an increased likelihood of reinjury. Although the wastage was higher in case horses with JISBI, individual cases that make it to a race have similar earnings per start as their controls.
Biogenesis of yeast Mia40 – uncoupling folding from import and atypical recognition features
Authors: Chatzi Afroditi , Sideris Dionisia P. , Katrakili Nitsa , Pozidis Charalampos , Tokatlidis Kostas 
Published: August 2013

The discovery of the mitochondrial intermembrane space assembly (MIA) pathway was followed by studies that focused mainly on the typical small substrates of this disulfide relay system and the interactions between its two central partners: the oxidoreductase Mia40 and the FAD‐protein Erv1. Recent studies have revealed that more complex proteins utilize this pathway, including Mia40 itself. In the present study, we dissect the Mia40 biogenesis in distinct stages, supporting a kinetically coordinated sequence of events, starting with (a) import and insertion through the Tim23 translocon, followed by (b) folding of the core of imported Mia40 assisted by the endogenous Mia40 and (c) final interaction with Erv1. The interaction with endogenous Mia40 and the subsequent interaction with Erv1 represent kinetically distinguishable steps that rely on completely different determinants. Interaction with Mia40 proceeds very early (within 30 s) and is characterized by no Cys‐specificity, an increased tolerance to mutations of the hydrophobic substrate‐binding cleft and no apparent dependence on glutathione as a proofreading mechanism. All of these features illustrate a very atypical behaviour for the Mia40 precursor compared to other substrates of the MIA pathway. By contrast, interaction with Erv1 occurs after 5 min of import and relies on a more stringent specificity.
Environmental effects on biofilm bacterial communities: a comparison of natural and anthropogenic factors in New Zealand streams
Authors: Washington Vidya J. , Lear Gavin , Neale Martin W. , Lewis Gillian D. 
Published: August 2013

Summary

We investigated the resident bacterial communities within the biofilm of 252 streams in New Zealand with the aim of assessing the community variation associated with natural and anthropogenic‐influenced environmental characteristics. This work is part of a larger project investigating the use of bacterial communities as biological indicators, and here we assess how predictable the variation in bacterial community is in response to environmental influences.

Samples of epilithic biofilm were collected in the Austral Summer of 2010, and bacterial communities were characterised using the DNA‐fingerprinting technique automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA).

Multivariate analysis of the ARISA data revealed that geographical location (region) was a better predictor of bacterial community structure than land use.

Our finding that taxon richness varied with geographical location, decreasing along a north to south (increasing latitude) gradient, and that land use had no significant effect on taxon richness suggests that bacterial communities have great potential to act as biological indicators of stream health. In particular, the maintenance of taxon richness at impacted sites is a key advantage since the local extinction of many traditional indicator organisms, such as fish or macroinvertebrates, often precludes their further use.

Our conceptual model of bacterial community structure proposes that stream biofilm communities are comprised of four broad groups of bacteria: ubiquitous bacteria (found at all sites), region‐specific bacteria (those representative of geographical areas), natural‐state bacteria (those associated with unmodified systems) and impact‐related bacteria (those associated with human activities). The proportion of these four groups at a particular sample site would provide the basis of a novel bacterial community index of stream health.
A manipulative study of macroinvertebrate grazers in Hong Kong streams: do snails compete with insects?
Authors: Yeung Alex C. Y. , Dudgeon David 
Published: August 2013

Summary

Sulcospira hainanensis (Pachychilidae) is the most abundant snail in Hong Kong streams. It constitutes about 1% of total benthic macroinvertebrate abundance but, because of its relatively large size, can comprise over one‐third of standing biomass. This snail may have the potential to depress periphytic algae and thereby compete for food with insect grazers.

Possible competitive interactions were investigated by manipulating snail densities in 4 streams under different shading conditions (2 shaded, 2 unshaded). Since previous work in Hong Kong streams indicated that algal standing stocks were depleted by wet‐season spates, manipulations were carried out during both the wet and dry seasons to investigate the extent of variability in interaction intensity.

Insect colonisation on artificial substrata (tiles) was compared between treatments where wire mesh barriers limited snail access, and under control conditions of natural snail densities. The exclusion treatment reduced snail densities by about 30–50% relative to controls during both seasons. Algal densities were lower during the wet season in two streams, probably reflecting spate‐induced disturbance, but snail densities remained relatively stable throughout the study.

Strong effects of S. hainanensis on algae and insects were observed during the dry season, with higher algal biomass and insect densities (especially mayflies) in snail‐exclusion treatments. Differences between treatments during the wet season were generally minor. Snails depressed algae more severely in shaded streams, but this did not result in greater increases in insect abundance in snail‐exclusion treatments.

Evidently snails did exert competitive effects on insects, but spate‐induced disturbance during the wet season appeared to override this biotic interaction, in agreement with predictions of the harsh‐benign hypothesis. Competition intensity was unaffected by shading conditions, perhaps because other environmental factors moderated interaction intensity in shaded streams.
Synthesis of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticle‐Based Docetaxel Delivery System and its In Vitro Anticancer Activity
Authors: Yang Chao , Han Lina , Ma Fei , Zhou Lin , Zhou Jiahong , Wei Shaohua , Huang Guiqin , Shen Jian , Li Fuyou 
Published: August 2013

A new docetaxel (DTX) delivery system has been prepared based on calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) and obtained DTX‐adsorbed CaP NPs. The DTX‐adsorbed CaP NPs were nearly spherical with mean diameter about 200 nm and a negative zeta potential of −18.8 ± 0.5 mV. They can be well dispersed and stable in water for a long time. In addition, the DTX‐adsorbed CaP NPs showed higher cytotoxicity in human nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines than that of DTX at the same experimental conditions. Thus, it could be concluded that CaP NPs can be a promising DTX delivery vehicle in NSCLC chemotherapy.
Hibiscus sabdariffaL. confesctionery gels,in vitrodigestion, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds quantification: a nutraceutical application
Authors: Villanueva‐Carvajal Adriana , Dominguez‐Lopez Aurelio , Bernal‐Martínez Luz Raquel , Díaz‐Bandera Daniel 
Published: August 2013

SummaryDehydratedHibiscus sabdariffa(Roselle) is usually used as the raw material of popular beverages, where the exhausted calyx, still rich in polyphenols and fibre, is discarded. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the possibility of adding Roselle's whole calyx to a confectionery product elaborated with gelatin, quantifying the concentration of released polyphenols (Folin–Ciocalteu) during anin vitrodigestion and the expression of antioxidant activity [Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) andN,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (DMPD)] during this process. Results show that hardness and elongation ofRoselle‐gelatin gums respond to a quadratic model where single components and binary mixtures show significant contributions to hardness and elongation behaviour respectively. Ten grams ofRoselle‐gelatin gum express a higher antioxidant activity (FRAP) than 250 mL of the infusion prepared by a traditionally procedure. A significant proportion of the radical scavenging (DMPD) activity could have been lost during the elaboration process of the gums, and although more studies should be done, a hypothesis explaining this effect is included.
Influence of hot‐air treatment, superatmospheric O2 and elevated CO2 on bioactive compounds and storage properties of fresh‐cut pomegranate arils
Authors: Maghoumi Mahshad , Mostofi Younes , Zamani Zabihollah , Talaie Alireza , Boojar Masoud , Gómez Perla A. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe impact of heat treatment using hot air (HT 45 °C and 55 °C for 1 h) and two active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions of high oxygen atmosphere (HOA: 80 kPa O2, 20 kPa N2) and high CO2 atmosphere (HCA: 20 kPa CO2, 80 kPa N2), individually or combined, on the antioxidant capacity, polyphenols, vitamin C content, total anthocyanins, polyphenoloxydase (PPO) activity and shelf life of fresh‐cut (FC) pomegranate arils stored for 14 days at 4 °C was studied. The results indicate that HT 45 °C along with HOA inhibited PPO activity and prevented loss of antioxidant capacity, vitamin C and phenolic compounds in arils, in comparison with control and HT 55 °C. All treatments reduced the accumulation of anthocyanins, but HCA‐treated arils lost more anthocyanins besides having worse a* colour parameter values. No significant differences in titrable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids (TSS) were observed between treatments. The combination of HOA and HT 45 °C enhanced the benefits of applying each treatment separately and could be useful to improve and extend postharvest life of pomegranate FC arils.
Effect of postharvest storage conditions on the colour and freshness parameters of raw honey
Authors: Visquert Mario , Vargas Maria , Escriche Isabel 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe influence of temperature (25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and storage time (up to 62 or 104 days) on colour; hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) content; and diastase index (ID) of citrus, rosemary, eucalyptus, polyfloral and honeydew honey was evaluated. Decreases in luminosity, whiteness index, hue and chroma with the increase in temperature and storage time were observed to different extents depending on the botanical origin of the honey. At all temperatures, the highest values of chromatic parameters throughout the whole period of storage corresponded to citrus honey. Honeydew honey showed the lowest values and the fewest colour differences. Principal component analysis explained 89% of the variations. PC1 (73%) separated honey types at lower temperatures in terms of colour parameters. PC2 (16%) described variations in HMF and ID in relation to storage conditions. Honey type had a much greater influence on HMF, ID and colour than storage conditions. The evaluated postharvest treatments did not alter the characteristic colour of each type of honey as long as the commercial requirements for freshness parameters were met.
Efficiency of the FT‐IR ATR spectrometry for the prediction of the physicochemical characteristics of Melipona subnitida honey and study of the temperature's effect on those properties
Authors: de Almeida‐Muradian Ligia Bicudo , Stramm Klaus Martin , Estevinho Leticia M. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe efficiency of ATR FT‐IR spectrometry was compared with recommended methodologies for physicochemical parameters of eighteen samples of Melipona subnitida honey. Significant differences were found between the values obtained using those techniques for hydroxymethylfurfural, ash and electrical conductivity. The results for the other parameters did not differ significantly, suggesting that this rapid and nondestructive methodology may predict parameters usually used to assess honeys’ quality. The effects of different storage conditions (room temperature, fridge and freezer) on the quality parameters of the product stored during 12 months were studied. Darkening of the honey was observed, particularly in the fridge and freezer. However, the changes occurring in the honey kept on the fridge were not statistically different from those occurring in the product kept on the freezer, except for free acidity. The results obtained for the honey stored at room temperature, best way to preserve, differed significantly from those obtained for the honey kept under the other conditions.
Extraction, identification and enzymatic synthesis of acylated derivatives of anthocyanins from jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) fruits
Authors: de Castro Vanessa Cristina , da Silva Paulo Henrique Alves , de Oliveira Eduardo Basílio , Desobry Stéphane , Humeau Catherine 
Published: August 2013

SummaryPolyphenols were extracted from the skin of jabuticaba fruits (Myrciaria cauliflora). Their total concentration and in vitro antioxidant activity were analysed by the DPPH and ABTS methods. The corresponding results (dry basis) were 1290 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)∙(100 g)−1, 98% of DPPH radical inhibition and 120 μm TEAC∙g−1 (ABTS method). All these values are at least as higher as average values reported in the literature for other fruits. A more specific analysis of the fractions of phenolic compounds was also performed by HPLC‐MS. Ellagic acid, quercetin, rutin, delphinidin‐3‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside were the main compounds detected; the latter two were the most abundant. The crude extract was subjected to enzymatic acylation assays in order to synthesise new esters with new potential techno‐functionalities. Palmitic acid was used as acyl donor and lipase B of Candida antactica (CALB) as biocatalyst. HPLC‐MS evidenced the formation of palmitic monoesters in connection with the delphinidin‐3‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside fractions.
Characterisation of black cumin, pomegranate and flaxseed meals as sources of phenolic acids
Authors: Krimer Malešević Vera , Vaštag Žužana , Popović Ljiljana , Popović Senka , Peričin‐Starčevič Ivana 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe article focuses on the extraction of ten phenolic acids from black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seed meals. The extracts have been fractionated as free, esterified and insoluble‐bound phenolic compounds and quantitatively determined by HPLC–PDA. The analysed meals can be utilised for obtaining valuable phenolic acids. However, the distribution of phenolic compounds varies depending on the meal source. The insoluble‐bound fraction has been the richest for the black cumin meal, both qualitatively and quantitatively, containing all ten analysed phenolics. In the pomegranate meal, the main phenolic has been gallic acid, accounting for nearly 48% in free form. The esterified form of the flaxseed meal has been abundant with ferulic (1025.44 ± 3.99 mg kg−1 dry weight), caffeic and p‐coumaric acids. The total amount of phenolic acids would be underestimated if only free fractions would be taken into account, while neglecting esterified (for the pomegranate and flax meals) and insoluble‐bound fractions (for the black cumin and pomegranate meals).
Problem-based learning: an exploration of student opinions on its educational role in one UK pharmacy undergraduate curriculum
Authors: Wright David , Wickham Jane , Sach Tracey 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectiveProblem-based learning (PBL) was introduced into the first 3 years of the undergraduate degree course at the University of East Anglia (UEA) to both enhance the student learning experience and to enable it to meet external course accreditation criteria. Evidence to support both of these assertions is required. The objective was to determine student opinions on the value of PBL and the PBL learning process at one UK school of pharmacy.MethodUtilising the professional accreditation criteria for UK schools of pharmacy a questionnaire was devised and piloted before being given to all UEA undergraduate pharmacy students for self-completion. The most appropriate method of dissemination was determined from a student-led focus group.Key findingsA total of 201/329 (61.1%) students responded. The majority of students agreed that PBL improved their team working (83.1%), oral communication (89.1%) and problem-solving skills (61.7%). Additionally PBL improved students’ ability to identify and address ethical dilemmas (74.5%) as well as enhancing their ability to manage their own learning (67.6%). Male students and those with a stated preference for team working were found to prefer PBL.ConclusionStudents generally believe that PBL develops a number of key skills and consequently inclusion of PBL alongside traditional teaching methods enables the school to meet a number of degree accreditation criteria. Male students, those who enjoyed team working and working with their current group were more positive about PBL. Further work is required to improve the experience for all students.
Evaluating cross‐national variations in the extent and nature of informal employment in theEuropeanUnion
Authors: Williams Colin C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis article evaluates critically the contrasting explanations for the cross‐national variations in the prevalence and nature of informal employment, which variously view such work as more prevalent in poorer, under‐developed economies; driven by high taxes, corruption and state interference that lead workers to exit formal employment; or driven by inadequate state intervention leading to the exclusion of workers from formal employment and state welfare provision. By analysing cross‐national variations across the European Union in the size of informal employment using indirect measurement methods and in its varying character using evidence from a 2007 Eurobarometer survey, it was found that wealthier, less corrupt and more equal economies with higher levels of labour market intervention, social protection and redistribution via social transfers have lower levels of informal employment, much of which is conducted to exit formal employment. The paper concludes by exploring the theoretical and policy implications.