bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physician approval for pregnancy in patients with SLE showing only serological activity: A vignette survey study
Authors: Isojima Sakiko , Yajima Nobuyuki , Yanai Ryo , Miura Yoko , Fukuma Shingo , Kaneko Kayoko , Fujio Keishi , Oku Kenji , Matsushita Masakazu , Miyamae Takako , Wada Takashi , Tanaka Yoshiya , Kaneko Yuko , Nakajima Ayako , Murashima Atsuko
Published: September 2022

Background: The EULAR recommendation requires that the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus before pregnancy be stable because pregnancy complications and disease flares increase if pregnancy occurs while systemic lupus erythematosus activity is high. However, some patients have ongoing serological activity even after treatment. Herein, we aimed to investigate how physicians make decisions on the acceptability of pregnancy when patients with systemic lupus erythematosus only have serological activity.
Methods: A questionnaire was administered online to physicians from December 2020 to January 2021. It included the characteristics of physicians, facilities, and the allowance for pregnancies for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using vignette scenarios.
Results: The questionnaire was distributed to 4,946 physicians, and 9.4% of physicians responded. The median age of respondents was 46 (range: 38–54) years, and 85% were rheumatologists. Pregnancy allowance was significantly affected by duration of the stable period, and mild or high serological activity, respectively (duration: proportion difference, 11.8 percentage points [p.p.]; p < 0.001; mild: proportion difference, -25.8 p.p; p < 0.001; high: -65.6 p.p.; p < 0.001). Even though patients had a high level of serological activity, 20.5% of physicians allowed pregnancy if there were no clinical symptoms for six months.
Conclusions: Serological activity had a significant effect on physician judgment on the acceptability of pregnancy. Conversely, some physicians allowed patients who only had serological activity to become pregnant. Further observational studies are required to clarify the prognosis of such patients.
The genetic and evolution characterization of the gut microbiota in pigs
Authors: Zhang Shuhong , Zhang Huan , Zhang Cheng , Wang Guan , Shi Chuanxing , Li Zhiqiang , Gao Fengyi , Cui Yanyan , Li Ming , Yang Guangli
Published: September 2022

Intestinal microbiota plays significant roles in the physiology and functioning of their host organisms. However, there is limited knowledge of the evolution and genetic of microbiota-host relationships from wild ancestors to modern domesticated species. In this study, the 16S rRNA gene V3 -V4 was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing in the intestinal contents of different pig breeds which were then compared. This identified 18 323 amplicon sequence variants, of which the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla and Bifidobacterium and Allobaculum genera were most prevalent in wild pigs (WP). In contrast, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes predominated in Chinese Shanxi Black pigs (CSB), while Firmicutes were the most prevalent phylum in Large White pigs (LW) and Iberian pigs (IB), followed by Bacteroidetes in IB and Proteobacteria in LW. At the genus level, Shigella and Lactobacillus were most prevalent in CSB and LW, while Actinobacillus and Sarcina predominated in IB. Differential gene expression together with phylogenetic and functional analyses indicated significant differences in the relative abundance of microbial taxa between different pig breeds. Although many microbial taxa were common to both wild and domestic pigs, significant diversification was observed in bacterial genes that may influence host phenotypic traits. Overall, these findings suggested that both the composition and functional of the microbiota were closely associated with the domestication and resultant genetic and evolutionary changes in the host. The members of the microbial communities were vertically transmitted in pigs, with evidence of co-evolution of both the hosts and their intestinal microbial communities. These results enhance our understanding and appreciation of the complex interactions between intestinal microbes and hosts and highlight the importance of applying this knowledge in agricultural and microbiological research.
Characterization and release modelling of fish gelatin/succinic anhydride starch nanocomposite films containing Stureja Khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil
Authors: Dakhili Samira , Yekta Reza , Mohammadi Abdorreza , karimian-Khosroshahi Nader , Hosseini Seyede Marzieh , Shojaee-Aliabadi Saeedeh
Published: September 2022

Fish gelatin (FG) and succinic anhydride starch (OSAS) composite films loaded with 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt% bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and Stureja Khuzestanica Jamzad essential oil (SKEO) were achieved successfully and their physicochemical and release properties were investigated. The results revealed that by enhancing the BNC concentration until 4 wt% the water solubility and water vapor permeability of samples increased significantly (p < 0.05) due to the hydrophilicity of BNC. Moreover, incorporation of BNC improved the tensile strength from 3.81 in control film to 7.03 in film containing 4 wt% BNC which was also confirmed with FE-SEM, FTIR and XRD. FE-SEM approved the reduction of small cracks within the structure of film samples with the incorporation of both BNC and films became more homogeneous. Study the release profile of SKEO in 4 and 37 ̊ C from nanocomposite films revealed that incorporating 4 wt% BNC had the most controlling effect on release of SKEO and the dominant release mechanism was the Fickian diffusion. This research demonstrated the FG/OSAS nanocomposite films containing SKEO would be a suitable candidate for active food packaging.
Training old dogs to do new tricks: A general multi-pronged activation approach for natural product discovery in Actinomycetes
Authors: Tay Dillon , Tan Lee Ling , Heng Elena , Zulkarnain Nadiah , Ching Kuan Chieh , Wibowo Mario , Chin Elaine , Tan Zann , Leong Chung Yan , Ng Veronica , Yang Lay Kien , Seow Deborah , Koduru Lokanand , Kanagasundaram Yoganathan , Ng Siew Bee , Lim Yee Hwee , Wong Fong Tian
Published: September 2022

Natural products are a family of diverse compounds with multiple impactful applications, especially in therapeutics. Recent advances in genomics and bioinformatics have also hinted at vast untapped chemical potential within Nature. However, despite the many strategies available for activation and upregulation of natural product biosyntheses in native and heterologous microbial strains, there is yet to be a generalizable and efficient approach for interrogating diverse native strain collections. Here, we describe and demonstrate a flexible and robust one-step integrase-mediated genetic- and cultivation-based approach to perturb and activate antibiotics production in a set of 54 actinobacterial strains. Our multi-pronged strategy significantly increases accessible metabolite space by two-fold, resulting in the discovery of the first example of Gram-negative bioactivity in new tetramic acid analogs. We envision these results to serve as the first step toward a more streamlined, accelerated, and scalable strategy to unlock the full potential of Nature’s chemical repertoire.
Using radiomics to predict microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma based on multi-sequence gadoxetate disodium–enhanced MRI combined with clinical parameters
Authors: Wang Qinghua , Tan Yongming , Yang Hongan , Zhang Jingrun , Lei Xiong , Liu Meng , He Laichang
Published: September 2022

Objectives:
A radiomics machine learning model based on multimodal liver imaging and clinical data was established, and the application value of this model in the preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was analyzed.
Methods:
The preoperative liver MRI data and clinical information of 130 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2020 to September 2021 were retrospectively studied. According to the patients’ MVI status, they were divided into an MVI-positive group (MVI+) and an MVI-negative group (MVI-). The preoperative clinical parameters were taken as the clinical features, and the radiomics features were extracted from seven sequences of Gadoxetate disodium–enhanced MRI to construct the R-score. At the same time, the apparent imaging features of HCC were evaluated by radiologists. After LASSO screening, each group of features was used to build a single-factor or multifactor machine learning model, including four models: random forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Support vector machine with rbf kernel function(rbf-SVM), and logistic regression (LR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves of the test cohort were used to evaluate the performance of various models, and finally, the best model was selected.
Results:
Alpha-fetoprotein concentration, peritumor enhancement, maximum tumor diameter, smooth tumor margins, tumor growth pattern, presence of intratumor hemorrhage, and RVI were independent predictors of MVI. Among the seven single-sequence models and one multi-sequence fusion model, the multi-sequence fusion model performed best (test cohort AUC: 0.913, 95% CI: 0.822-1.000). The performance of the four final models constructed after the R-score was combined with clinical parameters and apparent imaging features was as follows: RF (test cohort AUC: 0.935, 95% CI: 0.845-1.000, Brier score: 0.040), SVM (test cohort AUC: 0.939, 95% CI: 0.872-1.000, Brier score: 0.053), LR (test cohort AUC: 0.915, 95% CI: 0.815-1.000, Brier score: 0.062), and XGB (test cohort AUC: 0.921, 95% CI: 0.839-1.000, Brier score: 0.056).
Conclusions:
The multiparameter machine learning model has great performance in the preoperative prediction of MVI of HCC patients, which has certain auxiliary value for evaluating the prognosis of the disease and selecting a treatment plan.
Genetic risk of osteoarthritis operates during human fetal development
Authors: Rice Sarah , Brumwell Abby , Falk Julia , Kehayova Yulia , Casement John , Parker Eleanor , Hofer Ines , Shepherd Colin , Loughlin John
Published: September 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a polygenic disease of older people resulting in the breakdown of cartilage within articular joints. Although a leading cause of disability, there are no disease-modifying therapies. Evidence is emerging to support the origins of OA in skeletogenesis. Whilst methylation QTLs (mQTLs) co-localizing with OA GWAS signals have been identified in aged human cartilage and used to identify effector genes and variants, such analyses have never been conducted during human development. Here, for the first time, we have investigated the developmental origins of OA genetic risk at seven well-characterized OA risk loci, comprising 39 OA-mQTL CpGs, in human fetal limb (FL) and cartilage (FC) tissues using a range of molecular genetic techniques. We compared our results to aged cartilage samples (AC) and identified significant OA-mQTLs at 14 CpGs and 29 CpGs in FL and FC tissues, respectively. Differential methylation was observed at 26 sites between fetal and aged cartilage, with the majority becoming actively hypermethylated in old age. Notably, 6/9 OA effector genes showed allelic expression imbalances during fetal development. Finally, we conducted ATAC-sequencing in cartilage from the developing and aged hip and knee to identify accessible chromatin regions, and found enrichment for transcription factor-binding motifs including SOX9 and FOS/JUN. For the first time, we have demonstrated the activity of OA-mQTLs and expression imbalance of OA effector genes during skeletogenesis. We show striking differences in the spatiotemporal function of these loci, contributing to our understanding of OA etiology, with implications for the timing and strategy of pharmacological interventions.
Nano-selenium and nano-curcumin preparation, characterization and its effect on broiler chickens to produce lean meat
Authors: S SHWETHA H , M Narayana Swamy , B SRINIVAS R , naik Jaya , P KALMATH G , V MALATHI , P Veena M , Rajendran Duraisamy
Published: September 2022

The present study aimed to evaluate the dietary influence of nano-selenium and nano-curcumin on lipid profile, immune status and growth performance in Ven-Cobb broiler chickens. A total of 360 broiler chicks were divided into four groups and each group comprised 90 chicks. Chickens kept in group I was fed with a broiler basal diet and it served as the control group. While chickens kept in groups II, III and IV were fed with nano-Se (0.3 mg/kg diet), nano-curcumin (200 mg/kg diet) and combination (0.15 + 100 mg/kg diet) of both, respectively. Immune status of the birds was determined by measuring serum antibody titre against Newcastle Disease and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and lipid profile also estimated on days 21st, 28th, 35th and 42nd.Significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Ab titre against IBD and relative weights of spleen and thymus were recorded in Group II, III and IV compared to the control group. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower serum cholesterol levels were observed in Group III and IV compared to Group I. Significant (p < 0.05) improvement in body weight and feed conversion ratio were recorded in Group II and IV compared to Group I on sixth week. It is concluded that supplementation of Nano-Selenium at 0.15 mg/kg diet and nano-curcumin at 100 mg/kg diet in broiler chicken feed improves the production performance and exerts a hypo-lipidemic effect.
The evolution and international spread of extensively drug resistant Shigella sonnei
Authors: Mason Lewis , Greig David , Cowley Lauren , Partridge Sally , Martinez Elena , Blackwell Grace , Chong Charlotte , De Silva Malaka , Bengtsson Rebecca , Draper Jenny , Ginn Andrew , Sandaradura Indy , Sim Eby , Iredell Jonathan , Sintchenko Vitali , Ingle Danielle , Howden Benjamin , Lefevre Sophie , Njamkepo Elisabeth , Weill François-Xavier , Ceyssens Pieter-Jan , Jenkins Claire , Baker Kate
Published: September 2022

Shigella sonnei causes shigellosis, a severe gastrointestinal illness that is sexually transmissible among men who have sex with men (MSM). Multidrug resistance in S. sonnei is common and can include resistance to the World Health Organisation recommended treatment options, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin. Recently, an MSM-associated outbreak of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing, extensively drug resistant S. sonnei was reported in the United Kingdom. Here, we aimed to identify the genetic basis, natural history, and international dissemination of the outbreak strain. Our genomic epidemiological analyses of 3,304 isolates from the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, France, and the United States of America revealed an internationally connected outbreak with a common, low fitness-cost resistance plasmid, previously observed in travel associated sublineages of S. flexneri. Our results highlight the persistent threat of horizontally transmitted antimicrobial resistance and the value of continuing to work towards early and open international sharing of genomic surveillance data.
Hexavalent chromium tolerant fungal species identified from urban vegetable farm and effluent waste in Addis Ababa & Rift valley, Ethiopia
Authors: Gizaw Birhanu , Alemu Tesfaye , Ebsa Girma
Published: September 2022

Hexavalent chromium is resistant to degradation and sever toxic substance to environment and community health. Physico chemical treatment methods are demanding high cost, used large quantities of chemicals & energy, release large amount of secondary toxic degradants. Mycoremediation is an eco-friendly alternative treatment method. The main objective of this research is to isolate and characterize chrome (VI) tolerant yeast from farm soil & industry effluent for mycoremedation role. The screening and isolation of yeast was carried out on potato dextrose agar media. Solid agar and broth assay test for yeast tolerance on hexavalent chromium at different concentration, temperature and pH was evaluated. Yeast species was identified biochemically using Biolog Microstation depending on carbon utilization and chemical sensitivity test. The result revealed that 11 yeast species was identified from effluent waste and farm soil based on their probability >75% and similarity index >0.5 as well as their hexavalent chromium tolerance ability up to 2500ppm. These are Yarrowia lipolytica (100%,0.7) Cryptococcus luteolus(100%,0.64), Rhodotorula aurantiaca A (100%,0.62), Ustilago maydis (100%,0.58) Trichosporon beigelii B (100%,0.51),Cryptococcus terreus A (100%,0.62), Zygosaccharomyces bailii (98%,0.65), Nadsoniafulvenscens (90%,0.62), Schizoblastosporon starkeyi henricii (89%,0.56), Endomycopsis vivi (84%,0.62), Rhodotorula pustula (Sim 0.59). Two yeast species Yarrowia lipolytica and Nadsonia fulvenscens show the highest mean Optical density (OD) measure (0.953+0.43), (0.96+0.400) respectively at pH4 &25OC. Cr (VI)-tolerance ability of these yeast strains used after further HPLC analysis& molecular characterization in the development of chromium-bioremediation technologies provide an alternative method for chromium sequestration.
The downstream PPARγ target LRRC1 participates in early-stage adipocytic differentiation
Authors: Wang Xinping , Liu Jianyun , Wang Ting , Ma Baicheng , Wu Ping , Xu Xiaoyuan , Xiong Jianjun
Published: September 2022

LRRC1 is a regulator of cellular polarity that is expressed at high levels in a range of tumor tissue types. Here, we conducted an analysis of the previously unexplored role of LRRC1 as a component of the adipogenic differentiation network. During the early-stage (days 3–7) adipocytic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), LRRC1 was found to be upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the expression of LRRC1 was found to be controlled by PPARγ, which is a key transcriptional regulator of adipogenesis. Inhibiting LRRC1 expression reduced the adipogenic potential of hMSCs, with a concomitant reduction in the expression of three adipogenesis-associated proteins (SCD, LIPE, FASN). Together, these data offer new insight into the functional importance of LRRC1 both in general and in the context of adipocytic differentiation.
The right uncinate fasciculus supports verbal short-term memory in aphasia
Authors: Olivé Guillem , Peñaloza Claudia , Vaquero Lucía , Laine Matti , Martin Nadine , Rodriguez-Fornells Antoni
Published: September 2022

Verbal short-term memory (STM) deficits are associated with language processing impairments in people with aphasia. Importantly, the integrity of STM can predict word learning ability and anomia therapy gains in aphasia. While the recruitment of perilesional and contralesional homologous brain regions has been proposed as a possible mechanism for aphasia recovery, little is known about the white-matter pathways that support verbal STM in post-stroke aphasia. Here, we investigated the relationships between the language-related white matter tracts and verbal STM ability in aphasia. Nineteen participants with post-stroke chronic aphasia completed a subset of verbal STM subtests of the TALSA battery including nonword repetition (phonological STM), pointing span (lexical-semantic STM without language output) and repetition span tasks (lexical-semantic STM with language output). Using a manual deterministic tractography approach, we investigated the micro- and macrostructural properties of the structural language network. Finally, we assessed the relationships between individually extracted tract values and verbal STM scores. We found significant correlations between volume measures of the right Uncinate Fasciculus and all three verbal STM scores. We also found significant associations between verbal STM scores and the left long segment of the Arcuate, the left Uncinate and the right Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculi, although these did not survive FDR corrections. These findings suggest that the integrity of the right UF is associated with phonological and lexical-semantic verbal STM ability in aphasia and highlight the potential compensatory role of right-sided ventral white matter language tracts in supporting verbal STM after aphasia-inducing left hemisphere insult.
Evaluating the benefit of early patient and public involvement for product development and testing with small companies
Authors: Hinton Elanor C , Fenwick Cameron , Hall Martin , Bell Michael , Hamilton-Shield Julian P , Gibson Andrew
Published: September 2022

Background There is growing understanding of the benefits of patient and public involvement (PPI), and its subsequent evaluation, in research. An online version of the CUBE PPI evaluation framework has been developed. This study sought to use the CUBE to evaluate the value of early PPI with two small healthcare companies during product development. Methods Contributors were recruited online and had lived experience of either Type 1 diabetes or obesity. Two one-hour sessions were run with a company developing a smartphone application to manage diabetes (DEE-EM): one with young people (YP; n = 5) and one with parents (n = 7). Two one-hour sessions were run with a company developing a novel weight-loss product, both with adults (n = 7 in each session). Sessions were facilitated by an independent University researcher and attended by company representatives, who presented their product. One facilitator led the evaluation of the session by giving a demonstration of the CUBE (prior to sending the link out on email) and asking simple questions in the YP session. Results YP rated the session with DEE-EM highly; contributors felt listened to and made suggestions for the company to make improvements. A high proportion of contributors completed the CUBE (80.5% DEE-EM; 93% OMP). Responses were positive to all four CUBE dimensions (in italics). Contributors to all sessions felt there were diverse ways tocontributeto the sessions, and that they had a strongvoiceto add to the discussion. A good balance was achieved regarding whose concerns (public or company) led theagenda, and contributors felt that both companies would makechangesbased on the discussion. The supportive attitude by both companies resulted in most contributors feeling comfortable participating in PPI sessions with industry, whilst recognising the profit-making aspect of their work. Conclusions We have shown that PPI with small healthcare companies is both feasible and worthwhile. The CUBE framework successfully facilitated the evaluation of the interaction between experts of different knowledge spaces. We have set out recommendations for future projects, including considerations of who should be involved in the sessions and the level of implicit endorsement of the product that participation implies.
White Matter Hyperintensities and Cortical Atrophy are associated with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Neurodegenerative and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Authors: Ozzoude Miracle , Varriano Brenda , Beaton Derek , Ramirez Joel , Adamo Sabrina , Holmes Melissa F. , Scott Christopher J.M. , Gao Fuqiang , Sunderland Kelly M. , McLaughlin Paula , Goubran Maged , Kwan Donna , Roberts Angela , Bartha Robert , Symons Sean , Tan Brian , Swartz Richard H. , Abrahao Agessandro , Saposnik Gustavo , Masellis Mario , Lang Anthony E. , Marras Connie , Zinman Lorne , Shoesmith Christen , Borrie Michael , Fischer Corinne E. , Frank Andrew , Freedman Morris , Montero-Odasso Manuel , Kumar Sanjeev , Pasternak Stephen , Strother Stephen C. , Pollock Bruce G. , Rajji Tarek K. , Seitz Dallas , Tang-Wai David F. , Turnbull John , Dowlatshahi Dar , Hassan Ayman , Casaubon Leanne , Mandzia Jennifer , Sahlas Demetrios , Breen David P. , Grimes David , Jog Mandar , Steeves Thomas D.L. , Arnott Stephen R. , Black Sandra E. , Finger Elizabeth , Rabin Jennifer , Investigators ONDRI , Tartaglia Maria Carmela
Published: September 2022

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are a core feature of most neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. White matter hyperintensities and brain atrophy have been implicated in NPS. We aimed to investigate the relative contribution of white matter hyperintensities and cortical atrophy to NPS in participants across neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.
Methods: 513 participants with one of these conditions, i.e. Alzheimer’s Disease/Mild Cognitive Impairment, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, or Cerebrovascular Disease were included in the study. NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory – Questionnaire and grouped into hyperactivity, psychotic, affective, and apathy subsyndromes. White matter hyperintensities were quantified using a semi-automatic segmentation technique and FreeSurfer cortical thickness was used to measure regional grey matter atrophy.
Results: Although NPS were frequent across the five disease groups, participants with Frontotemporal Dementia had the highest frequency of hyperactivity, apathy, and affective subsyndromes compared to other groups, whilst psychotic subsyndrome was high in both Frontotemporal Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. Results from univariate and multivariate results showed that various predictors were associated with neuropsychiatric subsyndromes, especially cortical thickness in the inferior frontal, cingulate, and insula regions, sex(female), global cognition, and basal ganglia-thalamus white matter hyperintensities.
Conclusions: In participants with neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases, our results suggest that increased cortical atrophy and white matter hyperintensities burden in several cortical-subcortical structures may contribute to the development of NPS. Further studies investigating the mechanisms that determine the progression of NPS in various neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases are needed.
Apple Production Techniques In Europe A Possible Solution to Current Labor Problems
Authors: Rollins H. A. , Williams G. R.
Published: September 2022

Today, mechanical harvesting has become a reality with some crops, but only a goal with most. In the production of apples it is becoming increasingly apparent that the physical labor required to harvest the crop must be reduced if apples are to remain a competitive commodity.
Chemically Induced Male Sterility in Onion (Allium cepa)
Authors: Cohan S. M. , Weigle J. L.
Published: September 2022

Male sterility, of a cytoplasmic-generic nature, has been utilized in die production of commercial onion hybrids for a number of years. This procedure requires the time-consuming technique of introduction of male sterility control factors into inbreds before testing and the added cost of maintainer lines for production of male sterile inbreds. Chemical induction of male sterility would circumvent both of these requirements.
A Photomicrographic Study of Lily Pollen Germination
Authors: Dickinson David B.
Published: September 2022

This report describes a rapid and convenient photomicrographic method to observe pollen germination. The method was developed in connection with studies of biochemical changes during germination. It was important to know the time of pollen tube initiation and approximate rate of pollen tube growth. The technique was used to study germination of lily pollen (Lilium longiflorum, cultivar Ace) in sucrose.
An Improved Technique for Maintaining Detached Leaves
Authors: Lagerstedt H. B. , Halliwell Robert S. , Langston Ruble
Published: September 2022

An improved technique for maintaining excised leaves for extended periods of time has been developed. The method facilitates handling of excised leaves, requires minimal care, eliminates crowding, shading, and greatly extends the longevity of the leaf as compared to other methods of maintaining detached leaves. The technique has proved useful in senescence studies as well as pathological studies such as local lesion assays following virus inoculation.
Observations of Horticultural Training in Europe and The United States
Authors: Batcheller O. A.
Published: September 2022

Europeans are training a great many horticulturists at all levels of instruction, and from the best of these they are producing excellent scientists who also have practical backgrounds. In the United States, the emphasis is on training scientists who very frequently have little understanding of practical horticulture.
Effects of Gibberellin Spray on Storage Quality of Kaki1,2
Authors: Kitagawa Hirotoshi , Sugiura Akira , Sugiyama Misako
Published: September 2022

Gibberellic acid at 50, 100, and 200 ppm sprayed on leaves of bearing Kaki shoots 3 clays before harvest greatly increased the storage life of fruit. In Hiratanenashi cultivar, GA sprayed fruits had more than double the storage life of unsprayed fruits. Sprayed fruits also remained firm on the tree, so period of harvest could be extended. Sprayed trees showed delay in defoliation. No injurious effects of the spray were observed.
Effect of Growth - Regulating Substances on the Ripening and Shelf - Life of Tomatoes1,2
Authors: Abdel-Kader Adel S. , Morris Leonard L. , Maxie E. C.
Published: September 2022

Growth-regulating substances have been used extensively on horticultural crops to increase fruit set and prevent fruit drop. Several investigators have observed that preharvest application of growth regulators such as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid may affect fruit maturity and ripening (Stewart, 4). This raised the question about the effects of the postharvest treatment of fruits with grbwth regulators.
An Association Between Late Summer Growth Rate and Fall Frost Injury in Red Raspberries
Authors: van Adrichem M.C J.
Published: September 2022

An association has been found between late summer growth rate and the extent of fall frost injury in red raspberries. Although frost injury during the winter is quite common in Central British Columbia, the occurrence of it during the fall is rare.
Overhead Sprinkler System for Environmental Control and Pesticide Application in Pear Orchards
Authors: Lombard Porter B. , Westigard P. H. , Carpenter Dunbar
Published: September 2022

Overhead sprinkler systems are not new to orchard management but have been used almost exclusively for irrigation. However, economic considerations would encourage a modification of this one-purpose system into multi-purpose usage. Potentially, with the correct physical arrangements of pumps, pipes, risers, and nozzles it would be possible not only to irrigate, but to have frost protection and summer environmental and pest control as well. The present paper examines the latter two uses of an overhead sprinkler system and the effects of the system on the pear tree.
An Automatic Pot-Plant Irrigation Controller1
Authors: White John W. , Shaw Mark D.
Published: September 2022

An instrument that actuates an irrigation system in response to a weight loss from a pot-soil-plant system, is described. The instrument utilizes the principle that the pot-soil-plant system can act as an integrator of all factors influencing water uptake and loss. The instrument is essentially a scale which continuously weighs the pot-soil-plant system placed upon it. Provisions are included in the design to compensate for gains in weight as the plant grows.
A Novel Azalea
Authors: Pryor R. L.
Published: September 2022

The azalea has been used for many years for landscaping and for forcing. Both deciduous and evergreen types have been used for landscaping. The persistent-leaved types are used for forcing in the greenhouse and sold as pot plants. There are at least two kinds of persistent-leaved azaleas; one with all green leaves such as the Kurume azaleas, and the other with various degrees of white mottling in the leaves such as is found in the Belgian Indicas. These plants vary a great deal in this respect. Figure 1 shows a seedling plant witji variegated leaves, varying from mottling on the left side to all white on the right side. This plant would not be considered for introduction as a cultivar, although it is unusual. The all white portion would soon burn or turn brown in the sun and be unattractive. Because there are thousands of cultivars of azaleas it is difficult to obtain something different and good enough to warrant introduction as a new cultivar.
The Initiation of Flower Buds in Forsytbia ovata and Indigofera potanini1
Authors: Carpenter Edwin D. , Watson Donald P.
Published: September 2022

Although extensive studies of floral initiation and development have been reported for a large number of plants, floral initiation data is lacking for plants in the families Leguminosae and Oleaceae.
A Review of Plastic Greenhouses: The Problems, Progress, and Possibilities
Authors: Cotter D. J. , Chaplin C. E.
Published: September 2022

Over two centuries ago Jonathan Swift wrote “necessity is the mother of invention.” Because the late Professor Emery Myers Emmert could not afford an expensive glass greenhouse, he invented the plastic greenhouse in 1948. It was covered with 4’ × 4’ wooden frames with supporting form wire (spaced every 6 inches) on which cellophane film was attached. These frames were nailed on the rafters of narrow wooden structures and lapped similarly to greenhouse glass. Remarkable as it now seems, he grew commercial crops of lettuce, tomatoes, and bedding plants in these houses for several years before the era of polyethylene.
Increased Yield in the Olive with Putrescine Treatment
Authors: Rugini Eddo , Mencuccini Massimo
Published: September 2022

Aqueous solutions of putrescine and putrescine dichloride were sprayed on flowers and fruit of self-incompatible olive (Olea europaea L.) ‘Leccino’ and Tendolino’. Both diamine formulas increased fruit-set and yield when applied on flowers before anthesis (‘Pendolino’) and at full bloom (‘Leccino’), but they slightly decreased fresh fruit weight. Putrescine dichloride was more effective than putrescine base, stimulating fruit-set with 5 × 10 –2 m solution compared to 5 × 10–1 m to 1 m of putrescine base.
Translocation of Water within Root Systems of Pecan, Grape, and Tomato
Authors: Taylor R. M. , Fenn L. B.
Published: September 2022

Water was translocated from pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch ‘Burkett’], grape (Vitis vinifera L. ‘Thompson Seedless’) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mell. ‘Ace’) roots growing in a moist soil medium, across stem or crown tissue into roots growing in a dry soil medium, and was exuded during periods of high transpiration. Those portions of pecan and grape roots in a dry soil medium (wilting point) were maintained in an absorptive condition for 30 days, whereas tomato roots were injured.
Comparison of Conventional and Mulching Mowers for Kentucky Bluegrass Maintenance
Authors: Haley J. E. , Wehner D. J. , Fermanian T. W. , Turgeon A. J.
Published: September 2022

The effects on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf quality of mowing with either a mulching mower or a conventional rotary mower, having clippings re moved or returned, were determined. Turf that received 0, 150, or 300 kg N ha–1 yr–1 was mowed at 5 cm either biweekly, weekly, or twice weekly. Turf quality, weed encroachment, and thatch buildup were monitored. Highest quality was found where turf was mowed twice weekly with a conventional rotary mower with clippings returned and received 300 kg N ha–1 yr–1. Quality ratings for turf mowed with the mulching mower were equal to or significantly lower than ratings for turf mowed with a conventional rotary mower with clippings returned on 13 of the 17 rating dates. Thatch buildup and weed encroachment responded to N level, with more thatch and fewer weeds at the highest N level.
Bud Applications of BA Induces Branching of a Nonbranching Poinsettia
Authors: Semeniuk Peter , Griesbach R. J.
Published: September 2022

Bud applications of 6-benzylamino purine (BA) suspended in lanolin at concentrations of 1, 5, 25, and 50 mg/ml effectively induced either the initiation of bud growth or the development of lateral branches in nonpinched, nonbranching ‘Ruff and Reddy’ poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Wild ex. Klotz). No lateral branches developed on nonpinched controls. Application of 25 and 50 mg/ml of BA promoted additional axillary bud activity in untreated axillary buds above treated ones. This loss of apical dominance in upper untreated buds indicates that BA was transported. Bud applications of 150 μg/ml t-cinnamic acid (tCA) alone or in combination with BA had no effect on promoting bud activity.
Forcing of Field Grown Rhubarb with Gibberellic Acid
Authors: Hemphill Delbert D.
Published: September 2022

Injection of gibberellic acid (GA3) into crowns of field grown rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stimulated early petiole growth and increased total and marketable yields. The GA3 treatment was most effective in late January and February, less effective in early March, and ineffective in June. Growth was stimulated by injection of 2.5 to 40 mg GA3/crown, with 10 to 20 mg sufficient for optimal growth. Spray applications of GA3 to soil-free buds and application through a trickle irrigation system did not increase rhubarb yield or earliness. Costs for the GA3 injection treatment are very favorable compared to indoor forcing or to field forcing with clear polyethylene mulch.
‘La Festival’ Peach
Authors: Boudreaux J. E. , Johnson C. E. , Hawthorne P. L. , Young W. A. , Cunningham R. L. , Lartigue M. G. , Raiford T. J. , Peterson F. J. , Wilson P. W.
Published: September 2022

‘La Festival’ peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] was released to provide a yellow flesh cultivar with a good quality fruit requiring 400 to 500 hr chilling. ‘La Festival’ produces a heavy crop of medium to large freestone fruit that ripen about 25 June, or about 20 days before ‘Elberta’ in southern Louisinna
‘Vivant’ Grape
Authors: Fisher K. H. , Bradt O. A.
Published: September 2022

Grape breeding was initiated at the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario in 1913 (3). The objectives of the program were to provide wine and table grapes adapted to southern Ontario climatic conditions. ‘Vivant’ (Fig. 1) was released by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario to help fill the need for hybrid grape cultivars with vinifera-like character for the active white wine market. This is the 8th cultivar to be released from this program.
Seed-propagated Amphidiploid Dendrobium Cultivars
Authors: Blanpied G. David
Published: September 2022

Dendrobium orchids have become an important florist crop in Hawaii. The long, gracefully arching sprays (racemes) with numerous attractive individual flowers have a variety of uses. The sprays can be utilized in bud vases or combined effectively with other flowers in arrangements, while indvidual flowers can be used in corsages, wedding bouquets, and leis. The sprays are long lasting and are easy to pack and ship to distant markets.
Photons, Flux, and Some Light on Philology
Authors: Holmes M. G. , Klein W. H. , Sager J. C.
Published: September 2022

Many articles have appeared in recent years recommending or defining terminology and units for measuring radiation energy in experiments with plants. A large group of these publications (1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 22, 23) present the units and nomenclature which have been agreed upon, and promoted by, the American Society of Agronomists (ASA), the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), and the USDA North Central Regional Growth Chamber Use Committee (NCR-101). The most recent addition to this series has just been published in HortScience (10). The authors advocate adoption of their guidelines by researchers, reviewers, and editors on a worldwide basis. However, there is still both international and interdisciplinary disagreement on the terminology, and to a lesser extent, the units used for radiation measurements in the plant sciences. In many instances, these disagreements have been reduced to para-semantic arguments. On the other hand, there are many discrepancies in the literature which are due to inaccurate etymology, thereby leading to the potential danger that the grammatical roots of the nomenclature will be altered artificially. The purpose of this communication is to indicate these discrepancies before incorrect terminology becomes widely accepted.
Individual Seal-packaging of Fruit and Vegetables in Plastic Film—A New Postharvest Technique
Authors: Ben-Yehoshua Shimshon
Published: September 2022

Individual seal-packaging has been developed in the last decade as a new technique for postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables. This technique, mainly used with citrus fruit, may extend shelf life, reduce shrinkage, weight loss, the occurrence of various blemishes, and refrigeration costs. Individual seal-packaging helps in securing the beneficial aspects of a water-saturated atmosphere (WSA) and in mitigating its disadvantages. If the sealed fruit is not pretreated against decay, however, it may develop decay faster and have a higher percentage of stem-end rot than nonsealed fruit. The choice of films has been extended, but polyethylene of various densities is the main one used. These films offer an attractive appearance and characteristics, adapted to the needs of both the fruit as well as the machines which have been developed to seal individual fruit automatically. So far, this technique has been tested commercially in Israel, Australia, Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, Italy and Spain, and experiments are under way in other locations.
Gel-incorporated Glyphosate for Perennial Weed Control
Authors: Ahrens W. H. , Pill W. G.
Published: September 2022

Herbicidal efficacy of 0%, 1%, 4%, 7%, and 10% Roundup incorporated in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starch-grafted polymer (SGP) gels was evaluated after topical application (2 ml gel/plant) to leaves of Canada thistle, field bindweed, and Japanese honeysuckle. Increasing Roundup concentration caused a quadratic injury rating response in Canada thistle, with 7% Roundup giving maximal injury. Complete shoot necrosis and minimal regrowth of field bindweed resulted from 4%, 7%, or 10% Roundup. Injury ratings in Japanese honeysuckle increased linearly with increasing Roundup concentration, although no concentration gave complete control with one application. After a 2nd application, complete shoot necrosis occurred in only 50% of the plants treated with 10% Roundup. Although efficacy of gel-incorporated Roundup was not appreciably affected by gel type, SGP shelf life at room temperature was superior to that of CMC.
Translocation of Glyphosate in Strawberry Stolons
Authors: Leather Gerald R. , Frank J. Ray
Published: September 2022

Field growing nonfruiting strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. ‘Midway’) were treated with (methyl-14C) glyphosate (N-(phosphono-methyl)glycine] applied to the leaves of runner plants rapidly developing at the nodes of stolons. Seven days after application, 14C was distributed throughout the stolon and untreated new runner plants. The greatest accumulation of 14C was found in the stolon and in the runner plants distal to the application site. When the distal runner plant was treated, most of the 14C was recovered from the application site. Depending upon the treatment, from 2.9% to 11.5% of the recovered 14C activity was located in the mother plant.
Effect of GA4+7 + BA Tank-mixed with Fungicides on ‘Delicious’ Apples
Authors: Mullinix Mark K. , Hibbard Aubrey D. , Hemphill Delbert D.
Published: September 2022

The effects at 2 different rates of the gibberellins A4 and A7 plus 6-beneyladenine (GA4+7 + BA) on the length/diameter (L/D) ratios of both standard- and spur-type ‘Delicious’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.), when combined with bloomperiod fungicides applied at different stages of blossom development, were evaluated. The effectiveness of GA4+7 + BA was not reduced by combining it with selected fungicides. GA4+7 + BA at twice the suggested rate usually resulted in increased fruit L/D ratios. Full-bloom applications were most effective for fruit elongation of spurtype strains, whereas full-pink applications were most effective for standard-type strains.
Susceptibility of ‘Marsh’ Grapefruit to Chilling Injury is not Related to Endogenous Calcium Levels in Flavedo Tissue
Authors: Purvis A. C.
Published: September 2022

‘Marsh’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) harvested from the exterior canopy positions pitted more severely during storage at 5°C than did fruit harvested from the interior canopy of the same tree. The flavedo tissue of interior and exterior canopy fruit had similar calcium contents. Severity of pitting within a single lot of fruit also was not significantly correlated (r = - 0.24 ns) to the calcium content of the peel. Thus, the variation in susceptibility of grapefruit to chilling injury does not appear to be related to endogenous calcium content of the flavedo tissue.
Chemical Control of Vegetative Growth in Citrus Trees by Paclobutrazol
Authors: Aron Yair , Monselise S. P. , Goren R. , Costo J.
Published: September 2022

Paclobutrazol (PP333) [(2RS,3RS)-l-(4-chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(l,2,4-triazol-l-yl-)pentan-3-ol] sprays applied to ‘Minneola’ tangelo trees, at 500 or 1000 ppm, before the onset of summer flush, markedly reduced total growth, number of shoots, and internode length. Soil treatments (0.4 and 0.8 g per square meter) had only a small effect, probably because of the short time from application to flush inception. Sprays of Morphactin (an auxin transport inhibitor), at 250 and 500 ppm did not reduce growth, but rather enhanced it by increasing the number of emerging shoots. The spring flush of the same trees also showed effects of paclobutrazol soil treatments, whereas other treatments were not different from control. Paclobutrazol sprays on comparable ‘Minneola’ trees just before the spring flush also reduced this growth. Paclobutrazol may become a tool for the control of vegetative growth of mature citrus trees.
Cross-pollination in ‘Gordal Sevillana’ Olives
Authors: Fernández-Escobar R. , Gómez-Valledor G.
Published: September 2022

Cross-pollination with ‘Manzanillo’, ‘Lechin de Sevilla’, and ‘Picudo’ increased initial fruit set in ‘Gordal Sevillana’ (synonymous ‘Sevillano’) but did not affect final set under favorable conditions for fertilization. However, the results suggest that under other conditions, cross-pollination with ‘Picudo’ can increase yield. Crop quality was improved with cross-pollination, as there was a reduction in shotberries.
Ancymidol Rates and Application Timing Influence Asparagus Transplant Growth
Authors: Adler Paul R. , Dufault Robert J. , Waters Luther
Published: September 2022

Single applications of ancymidol at 0.03, 0.12, 0.50, or 1.0 mg/plant were soil applied to asparagus seedlings (Asparagus officinalis L.) 3.5, 5.5, or 7.5 weeks after seeding. Increasing ancymidol rates from 0.03 to 1.0 mg/plant decreased bud number, fern dry weight, but not shoot number at all application times. When ancymidol was applied at 1.0 mg/plant at 3.5 weeks it reduced fleshy root production, but in plants treated at 5.5 to 7.5 weeks, it did not reduce fleshy root production. Increasing ancymidol rates from 0.03 to 1.0 mg/plant reduced the crown dry weight of plants 5.5 weeks and younger. Ancymidol from 0.03 to 1.0 mg/plant applied to 3.5-week-old plants increased the partitioning of dry matter into fern rather than crowns, but delaying application to 7.5 weeks after seeding reversed this relationship suggesting increased carbohydrate storage. Application of ancymidol from 0.03 to 1.0 mg/plant to plants 5.5-weeks-old or younger was considered detrimental to plant growth. Ancymidol at 0.50 mg/plant or less applied to 7.5-week-old plants enhanced the production of a stocky, compact transplant. Chemicals used. Ancymidol: α-cycloprophyl-α-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol.
Refrigerated Storage Influence on Sweet Potato Transplant Viability and Root Yield
Authors: Hammett Larry K.
Published: September 2022

‘Jewel’ sweet potato transplants were held in refrigerated storage at 4.4°, 8.9°, 13.3°, 17.8°, or 26.7°C for 7 or 14 days before planting. Some treatments received a fungicide dip before storage. Maximum plant survivability and root yield were obtained from transplants held for 7 days at 13° to 18°. Ambient storage (26.7°) greatly reduced transplant survivability. Fungicide treatment had no influence on plant stand.