bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual target strategy: combining distinct non‐dopaminergic treatments reduces neuronal cell loss and synergistically modulates l‐DOPA‐induced rotational behavior in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fuzzati‐Armentero Marie‐Therese , Cerri Silvia , Levandis Giovanna , Ambrosi Giulia , Montepeloso Elena , Antoninetti Gianfilippo , Blandini Fabio , Baqi Younis , Müller Christa E. , Volpini Rosaria , Costa Giulia , Simola Nicola , Pinna Annalisa
Published: May 2015

The glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 (mGluR5) and the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) represent major non‐dopaminergic therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease (PD) to improve motor symptoms and slow down/revert disease progression. The 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model of PD was used to determine/compare the neuroprotective and behavioral impacts of single and combined administration of one mGluR5 antagonist, 2‐methyl‐6‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), and two A2AR antagonists, (E)‐phosphoric acid mono‐[3‐[8‐[2‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)vinyl]‐7‐methyl‐2,6‐dioxo‐1‐prop‐2‐ynyl‐1,2,6,7‐tetrahydropurin‐3‐yl]propyl] (MSX‐3) and 8‐ethoxy‐9‐ethyladenine (ANR 94). Chronic treatment with MPEP or MSX‐3 alone, but not with ANR 94, reduced the toxin‐induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Combining MSX‐3 and MPEP further improved the neuroprotective effect of either antagonists. At the behavioral level, ANR 94 and MSX‐3 given alone significantly potentiated l‐DOPA‐induced turning behavior. Combination of either A2AR antagonists with MPEP synergistically increased L‐DOPA‐induced turning. This effect was dose‐dependent and required subthreshold drug concentration, which per se had no motor stimulating effect. Our findings suggest that co‐treatment with A2AR and mGluR5 antagonists provides better therapeutic benefits than those produced by either drug alone. Our study sheds some light on the efficacy and advantages of combined non‐dopaminergic PD treatment using low drug concentration and establishes the basis for in‐depth studies to identify optimal doses at which these drugs reach highest efficacy.

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Combined treatment with low concentrations of known adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) antagonists results in a therapeutic benefit and provides better results than those produced by either drug given alone, both in terms of motor performance and neuroprotection. Future trials should involve careful optimization of drug combinations and concentrations that may avoid the emergence of debilitating side effects and slow‐down/revert disease progression.
Dyrk1A phosphorylates parkin at Ser‐131 and negatively regulates its ubiquitin E3 ligase activity
Authors: Im Eunju , Chung Kwang Chul
Published: May 2015

Mutations of parkin are associated with the occurrence of autosomal recessive familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkin acts an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which ubiquitinates target proteins and subsequently regulates either their steady‐state levels through the ubiquitin–proteasome system or biochemical properties. In this study, we identify a novel regulatory mechanism of parkin by searching for new regulatory factors. After screening human fetal brain using a yeast two hybrid assay, we found dual‐specificity tyrosine‐(Y)‐phosphorylation‐regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1A) as a novel binding partner of parkin. We also observed that parkin interacts and co‐localizes with Dyrk1A in mammalian cells. In addition, Dyrk1A directly phosphorylated parkin at Ser‐131, causing the inhibition of its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Moreover, Dyrk1A‐mediated phosphorylation reduced the binding affinity of parkin to its ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme and substrate, which could be the underlying inhibitory mechanism of parkin activity. Furthermore, Dyrk1A‐mediated phosphorylation inhibited the neuroprotective action of parkin against 6‐hydroxydopamine toxicity in dopaminergic SH‐SY5Y cells. These findings suggest that Dyrk1A acts as a novel functional modulator of parkin. Parkin phosphorylation by Dyrk1A suppresses its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of PD under PD‐inducing pathological conditions.

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Mutations of parkin are linked to autosomal recessive forms of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). According to its functional relevance in abnormal protein aggregation and neuronal cell death, a number of post‐translational modifications regulate the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of parkin. Here we propose a novel inhibitory mechanism of parkin E3 ubiquitin ligase through dual‐specificity tyrosine‐phosphorylation‐regulated kinase 1A (Dyrk1A)‐mediated phosphorylation as well as its neuroprotective action against 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA)‐induced cell death. The present work suggests that parkin phosphorylation by Dyrk1A may affect the pathogenesis of PD under PD‐inducing pathological conditions.
Dextran sulfate sodium inhibits amyloid‐β oligomer binding to cellular prion protein
Authors: Aimi Takahiro , Suzuki Koichiro , Hoshino Tatsuya , Mizushima Tohru
Published: May 2015

Amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ), especially its oligomeric form, is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To this end, the binding of Aβ oligomer to cellular prion protein (PrPC) plays an important role in synaptic dysfunction in a mouse model of AD. Here, we have screened for compounds that inhibit Aβ oligomer binding to PrPC from medicines already used clinically (Mizushima Approved Medicine Library 1), and identified dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) as a candidate. In a cell‐free assay, DSS inhibited Aβ oligomer binding to PrPC but not to ephrin receptor B2, another endogenous receptor for Aβ oligomers, suggesting that the drug's action is specific to the binding of Aβ oligomer to PrPC. Dextran on the other hand did not affect this binding. DSS also suppressed Aβ oligomer binding to cells expressing PrPC but not to control cells. Furthermore, while incubation of mouse hippocampal slices with Aβ oligomers inhibited the induction of long‐term potentiation, simultaneous treatment with DSS restored the long‐term potentiation. As DSS has already been approved for use in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, and its safety in humans has been confirmed, we propose further analysis of this drug as a candidate for AD treatment.

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Amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) oligomer‐binding to cellular prion protein (PrPC) is important in synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found here that dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) inhibits Aβ oligomer binding to PrPC. Simultaneous treatment of hippocampal slices with DSS restored long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the presence of Aβ oligomers. Since DSS has already been approved for clinical use, we propose this drug is a candidate drug for AD treatment.
Market Making Contracts, Firm Value, and the IPO Decision
Authors: BESSEMBINDER HENDRIK , HAO JIA , ZHENG KUNCHENG
Published: May 2015

We examine the effects of secondary market liquidity on firm value and the IPO decision. Competitive aftermarket liquidity provision is associated with reduced welfare and a discounted secondary market price that can dissuade IPOs. The competitive market fails in particular for firms or at times when uncertainty regarding fundamental value and asymmetric information are large in combination. In these cases, firm value and welfare are improved by a contract where the firm engages a designated market maker to enhance liquidity. Such contracts represent a market solution to a market imperfection, particularly for small, growth firms.
Impact of Genetic Relatedness and Emotional Closeness on Intergenerational Relations
Authors: Danielsbacka Mirkka , Tanskanen Antti O. , Rotkirch Anna
Published: May 2015

Both emotional closeness and genetic relatedness are known to influence helping behavior between family generations, yet few studies have explored them together. The authors investigated the associations between (a) parenthood and perceived emotional closeness toward own parents and parents‐in‐law and (b) emotional closeness and receiving child care from grandparents across and within lineage lines. The data include information on the 8 dyads of possible parent–grandparent relations from a nationally representative survey of young adults in Finland (born 1962–1990, sample N = 1,216). The results show that parenthood was associated with women's emotional closeness to their own mothers and men's emotional closeness to their parents‐in‐law. Maternal grandmothers provided the most grandchild care. After controlling for emotional closeness, the difference in child care provision between one's own mother and one's mother‐in‐law disappeared for women but was accentuated in men. Thus, emotional closeness shapes intergenerational relations differently for kin and in‐laws.
A New Paradigm for Individual Subject Language Mapping: Movie‐Watching fMRI
Authors: Tie Yanmei , Rigolo Laura , Ozdemir Ovalioglu Aysegul , Olubiyi Olutayo , Doolin Kelly L. , Mukundan Srinivasan , Golby Alexandra J.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Functional MRI (fMRI) based on language tasks has been used in presurgical language mapping in patients with lesions in or near putative language areas. However, if patients have difficulty performing the tasks due to neurological deficits, it leads to unreliable or noninterpretable results. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using a movie‐watching fMRI for language mapping.

METHODS

A 7‐minute movie clip with contrasting speech and nonspeech segments was shown to 22 right‐handed healthy subjects. Based on all subjects’ language functional regions‐of‐interest, 6 language response areas were defined, within which a language response model (LRM) was derived by extracting the main temporal activation profile. Using a leave‐one‐out procedure, individuals’ language areas were identified as the areas that expressed highly correlated temporal responses with the LRM derived from an independent group of subjects.

RESULTS

Compared with an antonym generation task‐based fMRI, the movie‐watching fMRI generated language maps with more localized activations in the left frontal language area, larger activations in the left temporoparietal language area, and significant activations in their right‐hemisphere homologues. Results of 2 brain tumor patients’ movie‐watching fMRI using the LRM derived from the healthy subjects indicated its ability to map putative language areas; while their task‐based fMRI maps were less robust and noisier.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that it is feasible to use this novel “task‐free” paradigm as a complementary tool for fMRI language mapping when patients cannot perform the tasks. Its deployment in more neurosurgical patients and validation against gold‐standard techniques need further investigation.
Corruption in Committees: An Experimental Study of Information Aggregation through Voting
Authors: MORTON REBECCA B. , TYRAN JEAN‐ROBERT
Published: May 2015

We investigate experimentally the effects of corrupt experts on information aggregation in committees. We find that nonexperts are significantly less likely to delegate through abstention when there is a probability that experts are corrupt. Such decreased abstention, when the probability of corrupt experts is low, actually increases information efficiency in committee decision‐making. However, if the probability of corrupt experts is large, the effect is not sufficient to offset the mechanical effect of decreased information efficiency due to corrupt experts. Our results demonstrate that the norm of “letting the expert decide” in committee voting is influenced by the probability of corrupt experts, and that influence can have, to a limited extent, a positive effect on information efficiency.
Increased fat and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in sow gestation diet has no effect on gene expression in progeny during the first 7 days of life
Authors: de Greeff A. , Bikker P. , Smit‐Heinsbroek A. , Bruininx E. , Zwolschen H. , Fijten H. , Zetteler P. , Vastenhouw S. , Smits M. , Rebel J.
Published: May 2015

The ‘developmental origins of health and disease’ hypothesis proposes not only that we are what we eat, but also that we could be what our parents ate. Here, we aimed to improve health and performance of young piglets via maternal diets based on the hypothesis that maternal nutritional interventions change metabolic programming in piglets, reflected by differential gene expression early in life. Therefore, sows were fed either a regular diet, based on barley, wheat and wheat by‐products, sugar beet pulp, palm oil and oilseed meal, or a high‐fat (HF) diet consisting of the regular diet supplemented with an additional amount of 3.5% soybean oil and 1% fish oil at the expense of palm oil and wheat. Performance results, physiological parameters and gene expression in liver of piglets and blood of piglets and sows at day 7 after farrowing from both diet groups were compared. The HF diet tended to enhance growth rate of the offspring in the first week of life. No significant differences in gene expression in liver tissue and blood could be detected between the two groups, neither with whole‐genome microarray analysis, nor with gene specific qPCR analysis. In this study, the feeding of a high‐fat diet with increased amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) to gestating sows under practical farm settings did not induce significant changes in gene expression in sows and offspring.
Manipulation of nitrogen levels and mode of cultivation are viable methods to improve the lipid, fatty acids, phytochemical content, and bioactivities in Chlorella minutissima
Authors: Aremu Adeyemi O. , Neményi Miklós , Stirk Wendy A. , Ördög Vince , van Staden Johannes
Published: May 2015

The effect of nitrogen (N: low = 2% N or moderate = 10% N) levels and cultivation (photoautotrophic or mixotrophic) modes on the biochemicals in Chlorella minutissima was evaluated using a mass culture system. Moderate N and mixotrophic cultures had higher biomass, protein, carbohydrate content and photosynthetic pigments than the low N and photoautotrophic treatments. In contrast, lipid and fatty acid content of the low N and photoautotrophic treatments were higher than in the moderate N and mixotrophic cultures. More phytochemicals were accumulated in moderate N and mixotrophic cultures which corresponded to better antioxidant capacity in the extracts. The most potent (0.7 mg · mL−1) acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was displayed by moderate N and mixotrophic treatment. Approximately 60% of the extracts exhibited a noteworthy antimicrobial activity regardless of the N levels and cultivation modes. Thus, moderate N level enhanced the phytochemicals and biological activities of C. minutissima cultured under a mixotrophic system.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Postpartum Australian Women
Authors: Khajehei Marjan , Doherty Maryanne , Tilley P.J. Matt , Sauer Kay
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent and reportedly has adverse impacts on quality of life. Although it is prevalent after childbirth, women rarely seek advice or treatment from health care professionals.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of Australian women during the first year after childbirth.

Methods

Postpartum women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A multidimensional online questionnaire was designed for this study. This questionnaire included a background section, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Responses from 325 women were analyzed.

Results

Almost two-thirds of women (64.3%) reported that they had experienced sexual dysfunction during the first year after childbirth, and almost three-quarters reported they experienced sexual dissatisfaction (70.5 %). The most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction reported by the affected women were sexual desire disorder (81.2%), orgasmic problems (53.5%), and sexual arousal disorder (52.3%). The following were significant risk factors for sexual dysfunction: fortnightly or less frequent sexual activity, not being the initiator of sexual activity with a partner, late resumption of postnatal sexual activity (at 9 or more weeks), the first 5 months after childbirth, primiparity, depression, and relationship dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

Sexual satisfaction is important for maintaining quality of life for postpartum women. Health care providers and postpartum women need to be encouraged to include sexual problems in their discussions.
Are Primary and Secondary Provoked Vestibulodynia Two Different Entities? A Comparison of Pain, Psychosocial, and Sexual Characteristics
Authors: Aerts Leen , Bergeron Sophie , Corsini-Munt Serena , Steben Marc , Pâquet Myriam
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is suspected to be the most frequent cause of vulvodynia in premenopausal women. Based on the onset of PVD relative to the start of sexual experience, PVD can be divided into primary (PVD1) and secondary PVD (PVD2). Studies comparing these PVD subgroups are inconclusive as to whether differences exist in sexual and psychosocial functioning.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the pain, sexual and psychosocial functioning of a large clinical and community-based sample of premenopausal women with PVD1 and PVD2.

Methods

A total of 269 women (n = 94 PVD1; n = 175 PVD2) completed measures on sociodemographics, pain, sexual, and psychosocial functioning.

Main Outcome Measures

Dependent variables were the 0–10 pain numerical rating scale, McGill–Melzack Pain Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index, Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Trait Subscale, Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Questionnaire, Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness, Experiences in Close Relationships Scale—Revised, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale-Revised.

Results

At first sexual relationship, women with PVD2 were significantly younger than women with PVD1 (P < 0.01). The average relationship duration was significantly longer in women with PVD2 compared with women with PVD1 (P < 0.01). Although women with PVD1 described a significantly longer duration of pain compared with women with PVD2 (P < 0.01), no significant subtype differences were found in pain intensity during intercourse. When controlling for the sociodemographics mentioned earlier, no significant differences were found in sexual, psychological, and relational functioning between the PVD subgroups. Nevertheless, on average, both groups were in the clinical range of sexual dysfunction and reported impaired psychological functioning.

Conclusions

The findings show that there are no significant differences in the sexual and psychosocial profiles of women with PVD1 and PVD2. Results suggest that similar psychosocial and sex therapy interventions should be offered to both subgroups of PVD.
Mechanical Properties of Tomatoes Subjected to an Induced Compression during Storage
Authors: de Oliveira Gabriel Henrique Horta , Corrêa Paulo Cesar , Botelho Fernando Mendes , de Oliveira Ana Paula Lelis Rodrigues
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this work was to evaluate texture alterations due to compression load on tomatoes stored at 15 and 25C, which simulates transport in type “K” wooden boxes. The following mechanical properties were analyzed during storage: firmness, proportional deformity modulus, energy to deform the product, penetration force of the tomato skin and the energy required for penetration. Structural alterations were noticed solely by a puncture test. The mechanical property values significantly decreased during storage. The weight loss varied significantly among control and treatment tomatoes during storage, and the tomatoes stored at 25C obtained higher weight loss values. These results will aid in generating logistic procedures to prevent mechanical damage to tomatoes when they are transported in wooden boxes, thus increasing producer profitability. Furthermore, if damage to tomatoes does occur, professionals will be able to predict the shelf life of the tomatoes.

Practical Applications

Results of this manuscript may aid and alert developers of packages to prevent quality loss due to compression loads throughout transport and/or storage. Furthermore, in order to analyze quickly the quality of tomatoes, puncture test can be used, in which its parameters were obtained. The manuscript states clearly that refrigeration is not efficient in order to prevent quality loss if the tomato fruits are submitted to compression loads. Thus, prior to storage temperature, compression of tomatoes stacked on top of one another must be avoided in order to maintain quality and increase shelf life of this product.
Treating cancer with infection: a review on bacterial cancer therapy
Authors: Wong S. , Slavcev R.A.
Published: May 2015

There is an increasing need for new cancer therapies. The antitumour effect of bacterial infection has been well observed and practiced throughout history. Bacteria are well-suited to serve as anticancer agents due to their intrinsic mobility, cell toxicity, immunogenicity, and preferential accumulation within the anoxic tumour environment. Furthermore, advances in biotechnology and molecular techniques have made it easier than ever to engineer bacteria as both therapeutic agents themselves and as therapeutic vectors. Here, we review bacteriolytic therapy and immunotherapy strategies, and examine the development of bacteria as vehicles for cell- and tissue-targeted delivery of genetic cancer therapeutics.
Red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio in assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lee Hye Won , Kang Wonseok , Kim Beom Kyung , Kim Seung Up , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Park Young Nyun , Han Kwang Hyub
Published: May 2015

Background & Aims

Precise assessment of liver fibrosis is necessary in patients with chronic liver disease. We investigated the performance of red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods

A total of 482 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent liver biopsy between October 2005 and May 2014 were recruited. Liver stiffness was measured using transient elastography. FIB‐4 score, red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio and the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index were also assessed.

Results

A total of 271 (56.2%) patients were males. The median age was 44 years. F1, F2, F3 and F4 fibrosis stages were identified in 68 (14.1%), 137 (28.4%), 64 (13.3%) and 213 (44.2%) of the patients respectively. The mean red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio increased with liver fibrosis severity: F1, 0.065; F2, 0.077; F3, 0.097 and F4, 0.121 (P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio for predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2) was 0.747. This result was inferior to transient elastography (0.866, P = 0.004), but comparable to FIB‐4 (0.782, P = 0.427) and aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (0.716, P = 0.507). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio for predicting cirrhosis (F4) was 0.811, which was inferior to liver stiffness (0.915, P < 0.001), but comparable to FIB‐4 (0.804, P = 0.805) and superior to aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (0.680, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The accuracy of red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio was acceptable for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. When transient elastography is not available, red cell volume distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio assessment is a simple method that can be used to reduce the need for liver biopsy.
Mycorrhizal diversity, seed germination and long‐term changes in population size across nine populations of the terrestrial orchidNeottia ovata
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , Waud Michael , Merckx Vincent S. F. T. , Lievens Bart , Brys Rein
Published: May 2015

In plant species that rely on mycorrhizal symbioses for germination and seedling establishment, seedling recruitment and temporal changes in abundance can be expected to depend on fungal community composition and local environmental conditions. However, disentangling the precise factors that determine recruitment success in species that critically rely on mycorrhizal fungi represents a major challenge. In this study, we used seed germination experiments, 454 amplicon pyrosequencing and assessment of soil conditions to investigate the factors driving changes in local abundance in 28 populations of the orchidNeottia ovata. Comparison of population sizes measured in 2003 and 2013 showed that nearly 60% of the studied populations had declined in size (average growth rate across all populations: −0.01). Investigation of the mycorrhizal fungi in both the roots and soil revealed a total of 68 species of putatively mycorrhizal fungi, 21 of which occurred exclusively in roots, 25 that occurred solely in soil and 22 that were observed in both the soil and roots. Seed germination was limited and significantly and positively related to soil moisture content and soilpH, but not to fungal community composition. Large populations or populations with high population growth rates showed significantly higher germination than small populations or populations declining in size, but no significant relationships were found between population size or growth and mycorrhizal diversity. Overall, these results indicate that temporal changes in abundance were related to the ability of seeds to germinate, but at the same time they provided limited evidence that variation in fungal communities played an important role in determining population dynamics.
Three‐phase succession of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria to reach a stable ecosystem within 7 days of natural bamboo shoot fermentation as revealed by different molecular approaches
Authors: Romi Wahengbam , Ahmed Giasuddin , Jeyaram Kumaraswamy
Published: May 2015

Microbial community structure and population dynamics during spontaneous bamboo shoot fermentation for production of ‘soidon’ (indigenous fermented food) in North‐east India were studied using cultivation‐dependent and cultivation‐independent molecular approaches. Cultivation‐dependent analyses (PCR‐amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and rRNA gene sequencing) and cultivation‐independent analyses (PCR‐DGGE, qPCR and Illumina amplicon sequencing) were conducted on the time series samples collected from three independent indigenous soidon fermentation batches. The current findings revealed three‐phase succession of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria to attain a stable ecosystem within 7 days natural fermentation of bamboo shoots. Weissella spp. (Weissella cibaria, uncultured Weissella ghanensis) and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris predominated the early phase (1–2 days) which was joined by Leuconostoc citreum during the mid‐phase (3 days), while Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum emerged and became dominant in the late phase (5–7 days) with concurrent disappearance of W. cibaria and L. lactis subsp. cremoris. Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and uncultured Lactobacillus acetotolerans were predominantly present throughout the fermentation with no visible dynamics. The above identified dominant bacterial species along with their dynamics can be effectively utilized for designing a starter culture for industrialization of soidon production. Our results showed that a more realistic view on the microbial ecology of soidon fermentation could be obtained by cultivation‐dependent studies complemented with cultivation‐independent molecular approaches. Moreover, the critical issues to be considered for reducing methodological biases while studying the microbial ecology of traditional food fermentation were also highlighted with this soidon fermentation model.
Tomato plant cell death induced by inhibition of HSP90 is alleviated by Tomato yellow leaf curl virus infection
Authors: Moshe Adi , Gorovits Rena , Liu Yule , Czosnek Henryk
Published: May 2015

To ensure a successful long‐term infection cycle, begomoviruses must restrain their destructive effect on host cells and prevent drastic plant responses, at least in the early stages of infection. The monopartite begomovirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) does not induce a hypersensitive response and cell death on whitefly‐mediated infection of virus‐susceptible tomato plants until diseased tomatoes become senescent. The way in which begomoviruses evade plant defences and interfere with cell death pathways is still poorly understood. We show that the chaperone HSP90 (heat shock protein 90) and its co‐chaperone SGT1 (suppressor of the G2 allele of Skp1) are involved in the establishment of TYLCV infection. Inactivation of HSP90, as well as silencing of the Hsp90 and Sgt1 genes, leads to the accumulation of damaged ubiquitinated proteins and to a cell death phenotype. These effects are relieved under TYLCV infection. HSP90‐dependent inactivation of 26S proteasome degradation and the transcriptional activation of the heat shock transcription factors HsfA2 and HsfB1 and of the downstream genes Hsp17 and Apx1/2 are suppressed in TYLCV‐infected tomatoes. Following suppression of the plant stress response, TYLCV can replicate and accumulate in a permissive environment.
Surface polysaccharides and quorum sensing are involved in the attachment and survival ofXanthomonas albilineanson sugarcane leaves
Authors: Mensi Imene , Daugrois Jean‐Heinrich , Pieretti Isabelle , Gargani Daniel , Fleites Laura A. , Noell Julie , Bonnot Francois , Gabriel Dean W. , Rott Philippe
Published: May 2015

Xanthomonas albilineans, the causal agent of sugarcane leaf scald, is a bacterial plant pathogen that is mainly spread by infected cuttings and contaminated harvesting tools. However, some strains of this pathogen are known to be spread by aerial means and are able to colonize the phyllosphere of sugarcane before entering the host plant and causing disease. The objective of this study was to identify the molecular factors involved in the survival or growth ofX. albilineanson sugarcane leaves. We developed a bioassay to test for the attachment ofX. albilineanson sugarcane leaves using tissue‐cultured plantlets grownin vitro. Six mutants of strainXaFL07‐1 affected in surface polysaccharide production completely lost their capacity to survive on the sugarcane leaf surface. These mutants produced more biofilmin vitroand accumulated more cellular poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate than the wild‐type strain. A mutant affected in the production of small molecules (including potential biosurfactants) synthesized by non‐ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) attached to the sugarcane leaves as well as the wild‐type strain. Surprisingly, the attachment of bacteria on sugarcane leaves varied among mutants of therpfgene cluster involved in bacterial quorum sensing. Therefore, quorum sensing may affect polysaccharide production, or both polysaccharides and quorum sensing may be involved in the survival or growth ofX. albilineanson sugarcane leaves.
Changes to the lateral geniculate nucleus in Alzheimer's disease but not dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Erskine Daniel , Taylor John Paul , Firbank Michael J. , Patterson Lina , Onofrj Marco , O'Brien John T. , McKeith Ian G. , Attems Johannes , Thomas Alan J. , Morris Chris M. , Khundakar Ahmad Adam
Published: May 2015

Aims

Complex visual hallucinations occur in 70% of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) cases and significantly affect patient well‐being. Visuo‐cortical and retinal abnormalities have been recorded in DLB and may play a role in visual hallucinations. The present study aimed to investigate the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a visual relay centre between the retina and visual cortex, to see if changes to this structure underlie visual hallucinations in DLB.

Methods

Fifty‐one [17 probable DLB, 19 control and 15 probable Alzheimer's disease (AD)] cases were recruited for a functional magnetic resonance imaging study, in which patients' response to a flashing checkerboard stimulus was detected and measured in the LGN, before comparison across experimental groups. Additionally, post mortem LGN tissue was acquired for a cross‐sectional study using 20 (six DLB, seven control and seven AD) cases and analysed using stereology. α‐Synuclein, phosphorylated tau and amyloid‐β pathology was also assessed in all cases.

Results

DLB cases did not significantly differ from controls on neuroimaging, morphometry or pathology. However, a significant increase in amyloid‐β pathology, a reduction in number of parvocellular neurones and magnocellular gliosis was found in AD cases compared with control and DLB cases.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the early visual system is relatively spared in DLB, which implies that upstream visual structures may be largely responsible for the generation of hallucinatory percepts. The significance of the degeneration of the LGN in AD cases is uncertain.
Effect of active vitamin D on cardiovascular outcomes in predialysis chronic kidney diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Xiao‐Hua , Feng Li , Yang Zhen‐Hua , Liao Yun‐Hua
Published: May 2015

Aim

Vitamin D deficient patients present an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We conducted this systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of active vitamin D analogue on cardiovascular outcomes in predialysis chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and article reference lists were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared active vitamin D analogues with placebo or no treatment for patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease. A meta‐analysis was conducted using the standard methods consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviewer Manager Software, ver. 5.2, was used.

Results

Seven RCTs (five studies with paricalcitol and two studies with calcitriol, 731 patients) were included. Compared with control groups, active vitamin D reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13–0.59), induced an increase in those with proteinuria reduction (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.34–2.71), but did not alter left ventricular mass index and systolic function (MD, 0.42 g/m2.7; 95% CI, −0.23–1.07 g/m2.7, P = 0.21 for left ventricular mass index and MD, −0.33; 95% CI, −0.74–0.07, P = 0.1 for left ventricular ejection fraction). Neither systolic blood pressure nor diastolic blood pressure was reduced by active vitamin D (MD, 0.3 mmHg; 95% CI, −4.95–5.56 mmHg; MD, −0.24 mmHg; 95% CI: −6.21–5.72 mmHg, respectively). Increased probability of hypercalcaemia after paricalcitol therapy was found (RR, 7.85; 95% CI, 2.92–21.10).

Conclusion

Active vitamin D reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events and induced a reduction in proteinuria, but its long‐term effect on cardiac structure and function needed further confirmation. Increased probability of hypercalcaemia after paricalcitol therapy was found.
Prey responses to fine‐scale variation in predation risk from combined predators
Authors: Hoverman Jason T. , Relyea Rick A.
Published: May 2015

While it is well documented that organisms can express phenotypic plasticity in response to single gradients of environmental variation, our understanding of how organisms integrate information along multiple environmental gradients is limited in many systems. Using the freshwater snailHelisoma trivolvisand two common predators (water bugsBelostoma flumineumand crayfishOrconectes rusticus), we explored how prey integrate information along multiple predation risk gradients (i.e. caged predators fed increasing amounts of prey biomass) that induce opposing phenotypes. When exposed to single predators fed increasing amounts of prey biomass, we detected threshold responses; intermediate amounts of consumed biomass induced phenotypic responses, but higher amounts induced little additional induction. This suggests that additional increases in predator‐induced traits with greater predator risk offer minimal increases in fitness or that a limit in the response magnitude was reached. Additionally, the response thresholds were contingent on the predator and focal trait. For shell width, responses were generally detected at a lower amount of consumed biomass by water bugs compared to crayfish. Within the crayfish treatments, we found that the shell thickness response threshold was lower than the shell width response threshold. When we combined gradients of consumed biomass from both predators, we found that the magnitude of response to one predator was often reduced when the other predator was present. Interestingly, these effects were often detected at consumed biomass levels that were lower than the threshold concentration necessary to elicit a response in the single‐predator treatments. Moreover, our combined predator treatments revealed that snails shifted from discrete responses to more continuous (i.e. graded) responses. Together, our results reveal that organisms experiencing multiple environmental gradients can integrate this information to make phenotypic decisions and demonstrate the novel result that an exposure to multiple species of predators can lower the response threshold of prey.
Streptococcus gordoniiDL1 adhesin SspB V‐region mediates coaggregation via receptor polysaccharide of Actinomyces oris T14V
Authors: Back C.R. , Douglas S.K. , Emerson J.E. , Nobbs A.H. , Jenkinson H.F.
Published: May 2015

Streptococcus gordonii SspA and SspB proteins, members of the antigen I/II (AgI/II) family of Streptococcus adhesins, mediate adherence to cysteine‐rich scavenger glycoprotein gp340 and cells of other oral microbial species. In this article we investigated further the mechanism of coaggregation between S. gordonii DL1 and Actinomyces oris T14V. Previous mutational analysis of S. gordonii suggested that SspB was necessary for coaggregation with A. oris T14V. We have confirmed this by showing that Lactococcus lactis surrogate host cells expressing SspB coaggregated with A. oris T14V and PK606 cells, while L. lactis cells expressing SspA did not. Coaggregation occurred independently of expression of A. oris type 1 (FimP) or type 2 (FimA) fimbriae. Polysaccharide was prepared from cells of A. oris T14V and found to contain 1,4‐, 4,6‐ and 3,4‐linked glucose, 1,4‐linked mannose, and 2,4‐linked galactose residues. When immobilized onto plastic wells this polysaccharide supported binding of L. lactis expressing SspB, but not binding of L. lactis expressing other AgI/II family proteins. Purified recombinant NAVP region of SspB, comprising amino acid (aa) residues 41–847, bound A. oris polysaccharide but the C‐domain (932–1470 aa residues) did not. A site‐directed deletion of 29 aa residues (Δ691–718) close to the predicted binding cleft within the SspB V‐region ablated binding of the NAVP region to polysaccharide. These results infer that the V‐region head of SspB recognizes an actinomyces polysaccharide ligand, so further characterizing a lectin‐like coaggregation mechanism occurring between two important primary colonizers.
Functional profiling in Streptococcus mutans: construction and examination of a genomic collection of gene deletion mutants
Authors: Quivey R.G. , Grayhack E.J. , Faustoferri R.C. , Hubbard C.J. , Baldeck J.D. , Wolf A.S. , MacGilvray M.E. , Rosalen P.L. , Scott‐Anne K. , Santiago B. , Gopal S. , Payne J. , Marquis R.E.
Published: May 2015

A collection of tagged deletion mutant strains was created in Streptococcus mutans UA159 to facilitate investigation of the aciduric capability of this oral pathogen. Gene‐specific barcoded deletions were attempted in 1432 open reading frames (representing 73% of the genome), and resulted in the isolation of 1112 strains (56% coverage) carrying deletions in distinct non‐essential genes. As S. mutans virulence is predicated upon the ability of the organism to survive an acidic pH environment, form biofilms on tooth surfaces, and out‐compete other oral microflora, we assayed individual mutant strains for the relative fitness of the deletion strain, compared with the parent strain, under acidic and oxidative stress conditions, as well as for their ability to form biofilms in glucose‐ or sucrose‐containing medium. Our studies revealed a total of 51 deletion strains with defects in both aciduricity and biofilm formation. We have also identified 49 strains whose gene deletion confers sensitivity to oxidative damage and deficiencies in biofilm formation. We demonstrate the ability to examine competitive fitness of mutant organisms using the barcode tags incorporated into each deletion strain to examine the representation of a particular strain in a population. Co‐cultures of deletion strains were grown either in vitro in a chemostat to steady‐state values of pH 7 and pH 5 or in vivo in an animal model for oral infection. Taken together, these data represent a mechanism for assessing the virulence capacity of this pathogenic microorganism and a resource for identifying future targets for drug intervention to promote healthy oral microflora.
Neurologic outcome of urea cycle disorder liver transplant recipients may be predicted by pretransplant neurological imaging
Authors: Bolton Scott M. , Campbell Kathleen M. , Kukreja Marcia , Kohli Rohit
Published: May 2015

Liver transplantation treats the hepatic affectation of UCDs; however, irreversible neurologic damage pretransplant is difficult to assess providing transplant teams with ethical dilemmas for liver transplantation. The purpose of our study was to determine whether pretransplant neuroimaging can predict developmental outcomes post‐liver‐transplant in children with UCDs. Methods: Patients undergoing liver transplantation for UCDs at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between 2002 and 2012 were identified. Neurologic assessments prior to and after transplantation were categorized into mild, moderate, or severe disability. Neuroimaging data were categorized into mild, moderate, or severe by a single pediatric neuroradiologist. Results: Fifteen patients were identified of whom eight had neuroimaging prior to transplantation. Of the eight patients that had neuroimaging, four were categorized as severe, one moderate, and three no‐to‐mild delay. All four patients whose imaging was severe were found to have moderate‐to‐severe neurologic delay. Of the three patients with no‐to‐mild changes on neuroimaging two of three were found to have no‐to‐mild delay on developmental assessments after transplantation. Conclusion: Neuroimaging may be a helpful tool in determining developmental prognosis and outcomes post‐liver‐transplantation for UCDs. Further studies maybe needed to validate our preliminary findings.
Improving Potato virus Y strain nomenclature: lessons from comparing isolates obtained over a 73‐year period
Authors: Kehoe M. A. , Jones R. A. C.
Published: May 2015

Biological and whole genome properties were compared between eight historical European (1943–1984) and five Australian (2003–2012) Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates. Based on eliciting hypersensitivity genes Nc, Ny or Nz, the former belonged to biological strain groups PVYC (CT, CRM1), PVYO (CRN, KE, RS) or PVYZ (CM2, CRM2, DS). The latter were inoculated to differential and other potato cultivars, tobacco and tomato. Two belonged to PVYO (BL, DEL3), one to PVYZ (ATL1), and one (KIP1) to suggested strain group (PVYD) which elicited putative hypersensitivity gene Nd. Tomato isolate CN1 (and unsequenced CN2), which were poorly adapted to infect potato, were not grouped. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of samples containing all isolates except CN2, yielded 13 complete sequences of 9592–9700 nucleotides (nt), and one partial sequence of 9002 nt, none being recombinants. Comparing the former with 60 other PVY complete genomes, found one (CRM2) in phylogenetic subgroup YO, eight in YO5 (CM2, CRN, DS, KE, RS, ATL1, BL, DEL3), three in YC2 (CRM1, CT, KIP1) and one in YC1 (CN1). Thus, biologically defined PVYO (5) and PVYZ (4) isolates were within phylogenetic subgroups YO or YO5, biological PVYC isolates (2) within YC2, biological PVYD isolate KIP1 in YC2 and tomato isolate CN1 in YC1. NGS identified KIP1 and partial sequence KIP from mixed infection. KIP was in YO5. Grouping of four PVYZ isolates within phylogenetic PVYO, and the PVYD isolate within phylogenetic PVYC, reveals disagreement between current biological and phylogenetic PVY nomenclature systems. Using Latinized numerals for phylogenetic group names resolved this.
The Ruthven manuscript of Gavin Douglas's Eneados and a new manuscript witness of Julius Caesar Scaliger's Epidorpides
Authors: Wingfield Emily
Published: May 2015

This article takes as its focus a set of Latin verses (copied in a late sixteenth‐ or early seventeenth‐century Scots hand) on fol. 1v of the so‐called Ruthven manuscript (Edinburgh, University Library, MS Dc.1.43) of Gavin Douglas's Eneados. These were not recorded in the seminal Scottish Text Society edition of the poem by Coldwell and have not, to the best of my knowledge, been previously discussed elsewhere. They can, however, now be identified as extracts from Books 3 (‘mane accinge’) and 2 (‘humiles nobilitat virtus’ and ‘te cura nunc’) of Julius Caesar Scaliger's Epidorpides (first published posthumously in 1573 in Geneva as De sapientia et beatitudine libri octo, quos Epidorpides inscripsit and again in 1574 as part of Poemata in duos partes divisa (Heidelberg)). In this article, I transcribe and identify the verses, document those connections between the elder and younger Scaliger and three Scottish writers (Buchanan, Melville and Rollock) that might account for the appearance of the verses in the Ruthven manuscript, and consider what correspondences one might draw between the three extracts from Scaliger's Epidorpides on fol. 1v of the Ruthven manuscript and the subsequent translation of Virgil's Aeneid by Gavin Douglas.
On Shock Reflection–Diffraction in a van der Waals Gas
Authors: Gupta  Neelam , Sharma  V. D.
Published: May 2015

The problem of a weak shock, reflected and diffracted by a wedge, is studied for the two‐dimensional compressible Euler system. Some recent developments are overviewed and a perspective is presented within the context of a real gas, modeled by the van der Waals equation of state. The regular reflection configuration and the detachment criterion are studied in the light of real gas effects. Some basic features of the phenomenon and the nature of the self‐similar flow pattern are explored using asymptotic expansions. The analysis presented here predicts several inviscid flow properties of the real gases undergoing shock reflection–diffraction phenomenon.
Prevalence of auditory hallucinations in Norwegian adolescents: Results from a population‐based study
Authors: Kompus Kristiina , Løberg Else‐Marie , Posserud Maj‐Britt , Lundervold Astri Johansen
Published: May 2015

Knowing the prevalence and characteristics of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in adolescents is important for estimations of need for mental health care and assessment of psychosis risk. In this report we assess the prevalence of AVH in a population‐based sample of 16–19 years old Norwegian adolescents (n = 9,646, 46.4% male) using two items assessing AVH (from the extended Launay‐Slade Hallucination Scale). The prevalence of hearing a voice speaking thoughts aloud was 10.6%. The prevalence of being troubled by voices was 5.3%, showing that negative emotionality about AVH is less frequent than the experience of hearing voices. Female respondents had slightly increased risk for being troubled by voices than males (odds ratio = 1.3), while age did not modulate prevalence. This AVH prevalence is in line with earlier reports in smaller samples of adolescents and indicates that AVH are not uncommon in this period of life. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the value of AVH in predicting psychiatric disorder.