bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin E supplementation is associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein only in higher dosages and combined with other antioxidants: The Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 study
Authors: Schwab Sigrid , Zierer Astrid , Schneider Andrea , Heier Margit , Koenig Wolfgang , Kastenmüller Gabi , Waldenberger Melanie , Peters Annette , Thorand Barbara 
Published: April 2015

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between intake of five common antioxidative nutrients from supplements and medications (vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids, Se, and Zn) and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the general population. For this purpose, a total of 2924 participants of the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 study (2006–8) were investigated cross-sectionally. Intake of dietary supplements and medication during the last 7 d was recorded in a personal interview, when participants were asked to show product packages of ingested preparations. Linear regression models were calculated; first, the exposure to regular nutrient intake was treated with a binary response (yes/no); then regularly ingested amounts were divided into quartiles to examine dose–response relationships. Effect of singlev.combined supplementation of antioxidants was assessed through the inclusion of interaction terms into the models. Regular intake of any of the five investigated antioxidantsper sewas not associated with hs-CRP levels. However, dose–response analyses revealed that participants who regularly ingested more than 78 mg vitamin E/d, which corresponds to the upper quartile, had 22 % lower hs-CRP levels (95 % CI 0·63, 0·97) compared to those of persons who were not exposed to any vitamin E supplementation. Stratified analyses showed that this association was found only in persons who took vitamin E in combination with other antioxidants. The combined supplementation of vitamin E with other antioxidants could thus be a promising strategy for the prevention of inflammation-related diseases in the general population, if further studies could confirm that the proposed association is causal.
Areas of potential suitability and survival ofDendroctonus valensin china under extreme climate warming scenario
Authors: He S.Y. , Ge X.Z. , Wang T. , Wen J.B. , Zong S.X. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe areas in China with climates suitable for the potential distribution of the pest species red turpentine beetle (RTB)Dendroctonus valensLeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) were predicted by CLIMEX based on historical climate data and future climate data with warming estimated. The model used a historical climate data set (1971–2000) and a simulated climate data set (2010–2039) provided by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change (TYN SC 2.0). Based on the historical climate data, a wide area was available in China with a suitable climate for the beetle in which every province might contain suitable habitats for this pest, particularly all of the southern provinces. The northern limit of the distribution of the beetle was predicted to reach Yakeshi and Elunchun in Inner Mongolia, and the western boundary would reach to Keerkezi in Xinjiang Province. Based on a global-warming scenario, the area with a potential climate suited to RTB in the next 30 years (2010–2039) may extend further to the northeast. The northern limit of the distribution could reach most parts of south Heilongjiang Province, whereas the western limit would remain unchanged. Combined with the tendency for RTB to spread, the variation in suitable habitats within the scenario of extreme climate warming and the multiple geographical elements of China led us to assume that, within the next 30 years, RTB would spread towards the northeast, northwest, and central regions of China and could be a potentially serious problem for the forests of China.
Antibiosis and tolerance but not antixenosis to the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are essential mechanisms of resistance in a wheat cultivar
Authors: Cao H.-H. , Pan M.-Z. , Liu H.-R. , Wang S.-H. , Liu T.-X. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractContinuous ingestion of the phloem sap of plants by aphids can remove a significant amount of photoassimilates. Based on our earlier works, we hypothesized that due to the reduced aphid feeding time caused by antibiosis, wheat plants may achieve growth tolerance to aphids. We tested this hypothesis using three wheat cultivars, XY22 (Xiaoyan22), AK58 (Bainongaikang58) and XN979 (Xinong979) and the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae. In the choice test, S. avenae did not show any preference among the three wheat cultivars. However, S. avenae had a lower body weight and a lower intrinsic rate of increase when feeding on XY22 than on AK58 and XN979. The electrical penetration graph results indicated that S. avenae had significantly shorter mean and total phloem ingestion periods on XY22 than on AK58 or XN979. The aphids required a similar time to reach the phloem sap on the three wheat cultivars, but required more time to establish sustained phloem ingestion on XY22. These results suggest that the resistance factors of XY22 may be phloem based. Moreover, XY22 suffered less biomass loss in response to aphid infestation compared with XN979, suggesting that XY22 also had a better growth tolerance to S. avenae than XN979. Wheat resistance level to S. avenae was partially correlated with plant photosynthetic rates, and peroxidase activities. These results confirmed that the limitation in aphid feeding from plant phloem in wheat cultivar XY22 was related to antibiosis but not antixenosis, which caused XY22 tolerance to S. avenae.
A NewPablik: Abdul Halim Sharar, volunteerism, and the Anjuman-e Dar-us-Salam in late nineteenth-century India
Authors: PERKINS C. RYAN 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn the second half of the nineteenth century an increasing number of Indians entered the world of volunteerism and public activism. One such individual was the prolific Urdu writer Abdul Halim Sharar (1860–1926), who served as the secretary for a short-lived voluntary association, the Anjuman-e Dar-us-Salam, during the late 1880s in Lucknow, India. Using readers’ letters as printed in Sharar's widely circulating monthly periodical,Dil Gudāz, this article seeks to understand the reasons behind the increasing role of volunteerism as part and parcel of a modernsharīfMuslim identity in the post-1857 period. Having adopted the role of a community activist, Sharar began using his periodical, soon after its inception, to mobilize and recruit his readers to participate in what he described as a passionate movement sweeping through the ‘Islami pablik’. Both rhetorical and descriptive, such an idea provided hope for a divided and struggling community to overcome the divisions that were central to their many challenges in a post-1857 world. Through the study of the vicissitudes and challenges faced by Sharar and his fellow activists, this article underscores the ways in which public activism and volunteerism simultaneously represented the possibility for Muslims to use their own resources to bring about real social and political change, and also reminded them of their shortcomings and the limits of an informal activism. This article seeks to show that ultimately, even such ‘failed’ and ephemeral attempts were foundational for more effective mass mobilization efforts in the following decades and into the twentieth century.
Fields and the Intelligibility of Contact Action
Authors: Sherry David 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article concerns arguments for the impossibility of contact action and, subsequently, the use of force fields to render intelligible apparent cases of contact action. I argue that instead of unraveling the mystery of contact action, fields only deepen the mystery. Further, I show that there is a confusion underlying arguments for the impossibility of contact and present an analysis of contact, based upon Körner's treatment of empirical continuity, which restores intelligibility to apparent cases of contact action.
Adaptation and Validation of the Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) in a Sample of Male Drug Users
Authors: Vallejo-Medina Pablo , Sierra Juan Carlos 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to adapt and validate the Sexual Assertiveness Scale (SAS) in a sample of male drug users. A sample of 326 male drug users and 322 non-clinical males was selected by cluster sampling and convenience sampling, respectively. Results showed that the scale had good psychometric properties and adequate internal consistency reliability (Initiation = .66, Refusal = .74 and STD-P = .79). An evaluation of the invariance showed strong factor equivalence between both samples. A high and moderate effect of Differential Item Functioning was only found in items 1 and 14 (∆R2 Nagelkerke = .076 and .037, respectively). We strongly recommend not using item 1 if the goal is to compare the scores of both groups, otherwise the comparison will be biased. Correlations obtained between the CSFQ-14 and the safe sex ratio and the SAS subscales were significant (CI = 95%) and indicated good concurrent validity. Scores of male drug users were similar to those of non-clinical males. Therefore, the adaptation of the SAS to drug users provides enough guarantees for reliable and valid use in both clinical practice and research, although care should be taken with item 1.
Selective organ preservation with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Hafeez S , Horwich A , Omar O , Mohammed K , Thompson A , Kumar P , Khoo V , Van As N , Eeles R , Dearnaley D , Huddart R 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background:
Radiotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) aims to offer organ preservation without oncological compromise. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy provides survival advantage; response may guide patient selection for bladder preservation and identify those most likely to have favourable result with radiotherapy.

Methods:
Ninety-four successive patients with T2-T4aN0M0 bladder cancer treated between January 2000 and June 2011 were analysed at the Royal Marsden Hospital. Patients received platinum-based chemotherapy following transurethral resection of bladder tumour; repeat cystoscopy (±biopsy) was performed to guide subsequent management. Responders were treated with radiotherapy. Poor responders were recommended radical cystectomy. Progression-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method; univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results:
Response assessment was performed in 89 patients. Seventy-eight (88%) demonstrated response; 53 (60%) achieved complete response (CR); 74 responders had radiotherapy; 4 opted for cystectomy. Eleven (12%) demonstrated poor response, 10 received cystectomy. Median survival for CR was 90 months (95% CI 64.7, 115.9) compared with 16 months (95% CI 5.4, 27.4; P<0.001) poor responders. On multivariate analysis, only response was associated with significantly improved PFS, OS and DSS. After a median follow-up of 39 months (range 4–127 months), 14 patients (16%) required salvage cystectomy (8 for non-muscle invasive disease, 5 for invasive recurrence, 1 for radiotherapy related toxicity). In all, 82% had an intact bladder at last follow-up after radiotherapy; 67% had an intact bladder at last follow-up or death. Our study is limited by its retrospective nature.

Conclusions:
Response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is a favourable prognostic indicator and can be used to select patients for radiotherapy allowing bladder preservation in >80% of the selected patients.
Physiological adaptations to weight loss and factors favouring weight regain
Authors: Greenway F L 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObesity is a major global health problem and predisposes individuals to several comorbidities that can affect life expectancy. Interventions based on lifestyle modification (for example, improved diet and exercise) are integral components in the management of obesity. However, although weight loss can be achieved through dietary restriction and/or increased physical activity, over the long term many individuals regain weight. The aim of this article is to review the research into the processes and mechanisms that underpin weight regain after weight loss and comment on future strategies to address them. Maintenance of body weight is regulated by the interaction of a number of processes, encompassing homoeostatic, environmental and behavioural factors. In homoeostatic regulation, the hypothalamus has a central role in integrating signals regarding food intake, energy balance and body weight, while an ‘obesogenic’ environment and behavioural patterns exert effects on the amount and type of food intake and physical activity. The roles of other environmental factors are also now being considered, including sleep debt and iatrogenic effects of medications, many of which warrant further investigation. Unfortunately, physiological adaptations to weight loss favour weight regain. These changes include perturbations in the levels of circulating appetite-related hormones and energy homoeostasis, in addition to alterations in nutrient metabolism and subjective appetite. To maintain weight loss, individuals must adhere to behaviours that counteract physiological adaptations and other factors favouring weight regain. It is difficult to overcome physiology with behaviour. Weight loss medications and surgery change the physiology of body weight regulation and are the best chance for long-term success. An increased understanding of the physiology of weight loss and regain will underpin the development of future strategies to support overweight and obese individuals in their efforts to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Erratum: Genomic potential for nitrogen assimilation in uncultivated members of Prochlorococcus from an anoxic marine zone
Authors: Astorga-Eló Marcia , Ramírez-Flandes Salvador , DeLong Edward F , Ulloa Osvaldo 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Correction to: The ISME Journal advance online publication 20 February 2015; doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.21 After the publication of this paper, an error was noticed in the sentences ‘Phylogenetic analysis using the 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region revealed that the AMZ-associated Prochlorococcus assemblages are mainly composed of two novel LL ecotypes (termed LL-V and LL-VI), which correspond to basal groups linking Prochlorococcus with marine Synechococcus (Lavin et al.
A STIM2 splice variant negatively regulates store-operated calcium entry
Authors: Miederer Anna-Maria , Alansary Dalia , Schwär Gertrud , Lee Po-Hsien , Jung Martin , Helms Volkhard , Niemeyer Barbara A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCellular homeostasis relies upon precise regulation of Ca2+ concentration. Stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins regulate store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) by sensing Ca2+ concentration in the ER and forming oligomers to trigger Ca2+ entry through plasma membrane-localized Orai1 channels. Here we characterize a STIM2 splice variant, STIM2.1, which retains an additional exon within the region encoding the channel-activating domain. Expression of STIM2.1 is ubiquitous but its abundance relative to the more common STIM2.2 variant is dependent upon cell type and highest in naive T cells. STIM2.1 knockdown increases SOCE in naive CD4+ T cells, whereas knockdown of STIM2.2 decreases SOCE. Conversely, overexpression of STIM2.1, but not STIM2.2, decreases SOCE, indicating its inhibitory role. STIM2.1 interaction with Orai1 is impaired and prevents Orai1 activation, but STIM2.1 shows increased affinity towards calmodulin. Our results imply STIM2.1 as an additional player tuning Orai1 activation in vivo.
Supramolecular-jack-like guest in ultramicroporous crystal for exceptional thermal expansion behaviour
Authors: Zhou Hao-Long , Zhang Yue-Biao , Zhang Jie-Peng , Chen Xiao-Ming 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe dynamic behaviours of host frameworks and guest molecules have received much attention for their great relevance with smart materials, but little has been developed to control or understand the host–guest interplay. Here we show that the confined guest can utilize not only molecular static effects but also bulk dynamic properties to control the host dynamics. By virtue of the three-dimensional hinge-like framework and quasi-discrete ultramicropores, a flexible porous coordination polymer exhibits not only drastic guest-modulation effect of the thermal expansion magnitude (up to 422 × 10−6 K−1) and even the anisotropy but also records positive/negative thermal expansion coefficients of +482/−218 × 10−6 K−1. Moreover, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrate that the jack-like motion of the guest supramolecular dimers, being analogous to the anisotropic thermal expansion of bulk van der Waals solids, is crucial for changing the flexibility mode and thermal expansion behaviour of the crystal.
Deciphering the Venomic Transcriptome of Killer-Wasp Vespa velutina
Authors: Liu Zhirui , Chen Shuanggang , Zhou You , Xie Cuihong , Zhu Bifeng , Zhu Huming , Liu Shupeng , Wang Wei , Chen Hongzhuan , Ji Yonghua 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWasp stings have been arising to be a severe public health problem in China in recent years. However, molecular information about lethal or toxic factors in wasp venom is extremely lacking. In this study, we used two pyrosequencing platforms to analyze the transcriptome of Vespa velutina, the most common wasp species native in China. Besides the substantial amount of transcripts encoding for allergens usually regarded as the major lethal factor of wasp sting, a greater abundance of hemostasis-impairing toxins and neurotoxins in the venom of V. velutina were identified, implying that toxic reactions and allergic effects are envenoming strategy for the dangerous outcomes. The pattern of differentially expressed genes before and after venom extraction clearly indicates that the manifestation of V. velutina stings depends on subtle regulations in the metabolic pathway required for toxin recruitment. This comparative analysis offers timely clues for developing clinical treatments for wasp envenoming in China and around the world.
Structural basis for cooperative oxygen binding and bracelet-assisted assembly of Lumbricus terrestris hemoglobin
Authors: Chen Wei-Ting , Chen Yu-Chuen , Liou Horng-Huei , Chao Chih-Yu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe iron-containing hemoglobins (Hbs) are essential proteins to serve as oxygen transporters in the blood. Among various kinds of Hbs, the earthworm Hbs are the champions in carrying oxygen due to not only their large size but also the unusually high cooperativity of ligand binding. However, the cooperative oxygen binding mechanisms are still mostly unknown. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Lumbricus terrestris Hb in its native, oxygenated state at 9.1 Å resolution, showing remarkable differences from the carbon monoxide-binding X-ray structure. Our structural analysis first indicates that the cooperative ligand binding of L. terrestris Hb requires tertiary and quaternary transitions in the heme pocket and a global subunit movement facilitated by intra-ring and inter-ring contacts. Moreover, the additional sinusoidal bracelet provides the confirmation for the long-standing debate about the additional electron densities absent in the X-ray crystal structure.
Aerosol-spray diverse mesoporous metal oxides from metal nitrates
Authors: Kuai Long , Wang Junxin , Ming Tian , Fang Caihong , Sun Zhenhua , Geng Baoyou , Wang Jianfang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTransition metal oxides are widely used in solar cells, batteries, transistors, memories, transparent conductive electrodes, photocatalysts, gas sensors, supercapacitors and smart windows. In many of these applications, large surface areas and pore volumes can enhance molecular adsorption, facilitate ion transfer and increase interfacial areas; the formation of complex oxides (mixed, doped, multimetallic oxides and oxide-based hybrids) can alter electronic band structures, modify/enhance charge carrier concentrations/separation and introduce desired functionalities. A general synthetic approach to diverse mesoporous metal oxides is therefore very attractive. Here we describe a powerful aerosol-spray method for synthesizing various mesoporous metal oxides from low-cost nitrate salts. During spray, thermal heating of precursor droplets drives solvent evaporation and induces surfactant-directed formation of mesostructures, nitrate decomposition and oxide cross-linking. Thirteen types of monometallic oxides and four groups of complex ones are successfully produced, with mesoporous iron oxide microspheres demonstrated for photocatalytic oxygen evolution and gas sensing with superior performances.
Dynamic Distribution of the Gut Microbiota and the Relationship with Apparent Crude Fiber Digestibility and Growth Stages in Pigs
Authors: Niu Qing , Li Pinghua , Hao Shuaishuai , Zhang Yeqiu , Kim Sung Woo , Li Huizhi , Ma Xiang , Gao Shuo , He Lichun , Wu WangJun , Huang Xuegen , Hua Jindi , Zhou Bo , Huang Ruihua 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe gut microbiota plays an important role in nutrient digestibility in animals. To examine changes in the pig gut microbiota across growth stages and its effects on nutrient digestion, the gut microbiota population in pigs at 28 days (before weaning) and 60, 90 and 150 days of age was assessed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The apparent digestibility of crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was also assessed in these pigs. A total of 19,875 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified from all samples. Both bacterial abundance and diversity increased with age. A total of 22 phyla and 249 genera were identified from all fecal samples; Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla in all samples. With increasing age, the proportion of TM7 and Tenericutes increased, whereas the proportion of Lentisphaerae and Synergistetes decreased. The abundance of 36 genera varied with age and the apparent digestibility of CF increased with age. Three phyla, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and TM7 and 11 genera, including Anaeroplasma, Campylobacter and Clostridium, were correlated with apparent CF digestibility.
Ballistic bipolar junctions in chemically gated graphene ribbons
Authors: Baringhaus Jens , Stöhr Alexander , Forti Stiven , Starke Ulrich , Tegenkamp Christoph 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe realization of ballistic graphene pn-junctions is an essential task in order to study Klein tunneling phenomena. Here we show that intercalation of Ge under the buffer layer of pre-structured SiC-samples succeeds to make truly nano-scaled pn-junctions. By means of local tunneling spectroscopy the junction width is found to be as narrow as 5 nm which is a hundred times smaller compared to electrically gated structures. The ballistic transmission across the junction is directly proven by systematic transport measurements with a 4-tip STM. Various npn- and pnp-junctions are studied with respect to the barrier length. The pn-junctions are shown to act as polarizer and analyzer with the second junction becoming transparent in case of a fully ballistic barrier. This can be attributed to the almost full suppression of electron transmission through the junction away from normal incidence.