bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of doubled haploid production in durum and common wheat through wheat × maize hybridization
Authors: Niu Zhixia , Jiang Aixiang , Abu Hammad Wesam , Oladzadabbasabadi Atena , Xu Steven S. , Mergoum Mohamed , Elias Elias M.
Published: February 2014

Production of doubled haploids (DHs) is an important methodology to speed the process of breeding and development of mapping populations in crops. The procedure for DH production includes two major steps: haploid induction and chromosome doubling. In recent years, wide hybridization between wheat and maize has become a main approach for haploid production in wheat. In this method, the maize chromosomes are completely eliminated during the early development of the hybrid seeds after wheat spikes were pollinated with maize pollen. Numerous wheat cultivars and mapping populations have been developed using wheat–maize hybridization. In this study, we review the procedures of DH production of durum and common wheat via wide hybridization with maize, the factors which affect the efficiency of DH production, and the mechanism of selective elimination of the maize genome during the early development of the hybrid embryos. We also report a highly efficient protocol for DH production in durum and common wheat, which was established based on the optimal conditions for each of the factors that affect the efficiency of DH production.
Current research on chronic active Epstein–Barr virus infection in Japan
Authors: Fujiwara Shigeyoshi , Kimura Hiroshi , Imadome Ken‐ichi , Arai Ayako , Kodama Eiichi , Morio Tomohiro , Shimizu Norio , Wakiguchi Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is usually asymptomatic and persists lifelong. Although EBV‐infected B cells have the potential for unlimited proliferation, they are effectively removed by the virus‐specific cytotoxic T cells, and EBV‐associated lymphoproliferative disease develops only in immunocompromised hosts. Rarely, however, individuals without apparent immunodeficiency develop chronic EBV infection with persistent infectious mononucleosis‐like symptoms. These patients have high EBV‐DNA load in the peripheral blood and systemic clonal expansion of EBV‐infected T cells or natural killer (NK) cells. Their prognosis is poor with life‐threatening complications including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, organ failure, and malignant lymphomas. The term “chronic active EBV infection” (CAEBV) is now generally used for this disease. The geographical distribution of CAEBV is markedly uneven and most cases have been reported from Japan and other East Asian countries. Here we summarize the current understanding of CAEBV and describe the recent progress of CAEBV research in Japan.
Auditory pattern recognition and steering in the cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus
Authors: CROS EMILIE , HEDWIG BERTHOLD
Published: February 2014

Male crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus (Le Guillou) produce a complex species‐specific calling song with phrases combining groups of single pulses (chirps) and groups of double‐pulses (trills) to attract females, which fly or walk towards singing males. In open‐loop trackball experiments, phonotactic steering responses to normal calling song phrases consisting of chirps and trills are strongest, suggesting that both components are necessary for maximal attractiveness. Sequences of just chirps or trills are less effective in eliciting phonotactic walking and steering. Split‐song paradigms are used to analyze the steering behaviour underlying orientation in more detail. The females' phonotactic steering reflects the alternating acoustic pattern of the split‐song paradigm. Analysis with high temporal resolution demonstrate, that even when the calling song is presented only from one side, the steering velocity and lateral deviation towards the song is modulated by steering events to single‐sound pulses. Therefore, pattern recognition, which integrates the structure of the song, appears not to be directly involved in the rapid steering response. This organization of phonotactic behaviour with a parallel processing of pattern recognition and steering is similar to other cricket species and may allow T. oceanicus females to steer transiently towards distorted song patterns as they occur in natural habitats.
Nutritional status and the foraging behaviour of Bactrocera tryoni with particular reference to protein bait spray
Authors: BALAGAWI SOLOMON , JACKSON KEVIN , UL HAQ IHSAN , HOOD‐NOWOTNY REBECCA , RESCH CHRISTIAN , CLARKE ANTHONY R.
Published: February 2014

Poisoned protein baits comprise a recognized method for controlling tephritid fruit flies in the form of a ‘lure‐and‐kill’ technique. However, little is known about how a fly's internal protein and carbohydrate levels (i.e. nutritional status) might influence the efficacy of this control. In the present study, the relationships between the internal levels of protein (as measured by total body nitrogen) and carbohydrate (as measured by total body carbon) of the fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are investigated, as well as its foraging behaviours in response to protein, fruit and cue‐lure (a male‐specific attractant) baits. Small cage behavioural experiments are conducted using flies from cultures of different nutritional status and wild flies sampled from the field during the fruiting cycle of a guava crop. For female flies, increasing total body nitrogen is correlated with decreased protein foraging and increased oviposition activity; increasing total body carbon levels generate the same behavioural changes except that the oviposition response is not significant. For males, there are no significant correlations between changes in total body nitrogen and total body carbon and protein or cue‐lure foraging. For wild flies from the guava orchard, almost all of them are sexually mature when entering the crop and, over the entire season, total body nitrogen and total body carbon levels are such that protein hunger is unlikely for most flies. The results infer strongly that the requirements of wild, sexually mature flies for protein are minimal and that flies can readily gain sufficient nutrients from wild sources for their physiological needs. The results offer a mechanistic explanation for the poor response of male and mature female fruit flies to protein bait spray.
Indirect cues in selecting a hunting site in a sit‐and‐wait predator
Authors: DEFRIZE JĆRĆMY , LLANDRES ANA L. , CASAS JĆRÔME
Published: February 2014

Sit‐and‐wait predators use relatively simple rules for their decisions to choose and leave a patch, such as using the direct presence of prey to select a hunting site. However, the direct presence of prey can only be used when there is a highly visited patch in the proximity of the predator. Therefore, it is plausible that sit‐and‐wait predators also exploit indirect cues of prey presence and, consequently, use associative learning to select a hunting site. The present study tests for the role of associative learning in a sit‐and‐wait predator species for which the ecology is well understood:Misumena vatiaClerck crab spiders. An ecologically relevant scenario is used by selecting flower colour as the conditioned stimulus and prey presence as the unconditioned stimulus. The results provide no evidence thatM. vatiacrab spiders use the association between flower colour and food presence for selecting a hunting site. After a training phase of being exposed to a colourful artificial flower highly visited by bees, spiders select a hunting site independently of its colour during the testing phase. Investigations of similar scope and ecological relevance are required with other sit‐and‐wait predators to identify the conditions promoting the use of associative learning for foraging site selection when animals face an unpredictable food supply.
Histopathological aspects of mango resistance to the infection process of Ceratocystis fimbriata
Authors: Araujo L. , Silva Bispo W. M. , Cacique I. S. , Cruz M. F. A. , Rodrigues F. A.
Published: February 2014

Mango wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, is one of the most important diseases affecting mango yields in Brazil. Information regarding the infection process of C. fimbriata in the stem tissues of mango from different cultivars and the basis of host resistance to the pathogen is rare in the literature. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate how infection by two isolates of C. fimbriata can be affected by mango cultivar‐specific mechanisms of resistance. Disease progress on the inoculated stem tissues of the mango cultivars was evaluated and stem sections were obtained from the site of inoculation and prepared for histopathological observations using light microscopy. The factors mango cultivars and C. fimbriata isolates and their interaction were significant for all measures of disease development. Plants from the cultivars Espada, Haden and Palmer inoculated with isolates of C. fimbriata were more susceptible, whereas plants from the cultivars Tommy and Ubá were moderately resistant and resistant, respectively. Histopathologically, fungal isolates apparently massively colonized the stem tissues of plants from the susceptible cultivars Espada, Haden and Palmer, starting from the collenchyma and moving in the direction of the cortical parenchyma, xylem vessels and pith parenchyma. By contrast, on stem tissues of plants from the resistant cultivars Tommy Atkins and Ubá, most of the cells reacted to C. fimbriata infection by accumulating amorphous material. The results from the present study strongly indicated the importance of phenolic compounds for mango cultivar resistance against infection by Brazilian C. fimbriata isolates.
Phylogenetic relationships and population structure of Ralstonia solanacearum isolated from diverse origins in Taiwan
Authors: Lin C.‐H. , Tsai K.‐C. , Prior P. , Wang J.‐F.
Published: February 2014

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a destructive disease for many crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and genetic structure of an R. solanacearum population from diverse origins in Taiwan. All 58 tested isolates belonged to phylotype I, except the two biovar 2 isolates from potato. These belonged to phylotype IIB sequevar 1 and were identical to known potato brown rot strains, which were probably introduced. Phylotype I isolates were grouped into 10 sequevars. Sequevar 15 was predominant (34 out of 56 isolates). Its distribution covered the whole island and it was largely associated with solanaceous crops such as tomato, and with tomato field soil. A total of 14 haplotypes were identified based on a partial endoglucanase gene sequence. Parsimony network analysis revealed that haplotype A was the oldest haplotype in the local population. It encompassed all but one of the sequevar 15 isolates. Large variation in virulence on tomato was observed among the 58 isolates, and seven pathotypes were identified. Significant genetic differentiation was detected among pathotypes. Moreover, genetic differentiation was detected between biovar 3 and biovar 4 subgroups and between the strains associated with solanaceous and non‐solanaceous species, but none was detected between strains from different geographic origins. The results suggest that the phylotype I population in Taiwan is homogeneous, while mutation and local adaptation to specific ecological niches keep shaping the population.
Twelve‐week physical and leisure activity programme improved cognitive function in community‐dwelling elderly subjects: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kamegaya Tadahiko , Araki Yumi , Kigure Hanami ,   Long‐Term‐Care Prevention Team of Maebashi City, Yamaguchi Haruyasu
Published: February 2014

Background

Japan is one of the most rapidly ageing societies in the world. A number of municipalities have started services for the prevention of cognitive decline for community‐dwelling elderly individuals, but the effectiveness of these services is currently insufficient. Our study explored the efficacy of a comprehensive intervention programme consisting of physical and leisure activities to prevent cognitive decline in community‐dwelling elderly subjects.

Method

We administered a 12‐week intervention programme consisting of physical and leisure activities aimed at enhancing participants' motivation to participate and support one another by providing a pleasant atmosphere, empathetic communication, praise, and errorless support. This programme for the prevention of cognitive decline was conducted as a service by the city of Maebashi. All participants underwent the Five‐Cog test, which evaluated the cognitive domains of attention, memory, visuospatial function, language, and reasoning. Executive function was evaluated by the Wechsler Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Yamaguchi Kanji‐Symbol Substitution Test. Subjective health status, level of social support, functional capacity, subjective quality of life, and depressive symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire. Grip strength test, timed up‐and‐go test, 5‐m maximum walking times test, and functional reach test were performed to evaluate physical function. Fifty‐two participants were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 26) and control (n = 26) groups. Twenty‐six participants, aged between 65–87 years, received intervention once a week at a community centre. The programme was conducted by health‐care professionals, with the help of senior citizen volunteers.

Results

The intervention group (n = 19) showed significant improvement on the analogy task of the Five‐Cog test (F1,38 = 4.242, P = 0.046) and improved quality of life (F1,38 = 4.773, P = 0.035) as compared to the control group (n = 24).

Conclusion

A community‐based 12‐week intervention programme that aimed to enhance motivation to participate in activities resulted in improvements in some aspects of cognitive function and quality of life. Senior citizens who volunteered in the present intervention enabled the smooth implementation of the programme and alleviated the burden on professional staff.
Lowered performance in working memory and attentional sub‐processes are most prominent in multi‐domain amnestic mild cognitive impairment subtypes
Authors: Klekociuk Shannon Z. , Summers Mathew J.
Published: February 2014

Background

Research suggests that working memory and attention deficits may be present in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the functional status of these domains within revised MCI subtypes remains unclear, particularly because previous studies have examined these cognitive domains with the same tests that were used to classify MCI subtypes. The aim of this study was to examine working memory and attention function in MCI subtypes on a battery of neuropsychological tests that were distinct from those used to classify MCI subtypes

Methods

A total of 122 adults aged 60–90 years were classified at baseline as amnestic MCI, non‐amnestic MCI, and multi‐domain amnestic (a‐MCI+). The attentional and working memory capacity of participants was examined using a battery of tests distinct from those used to classify MCI at screening.

Results

The a‐MCI+ group demonstrated the poorest performance on all working memory tasks and specific sub‐processes of attention. The non‐amnestic MCI group had lowered performance on visual span and complex sustained attention only. There was no evidence of either attentional or working memory impairment in the amnestic MCI participants.

Conclusion

When MCI cohorts are assessed on measures distinct from those used at classification, a‐MCI+ subjects had the most compromised working memory and attention function. These results support previous findings that suggest a‐MCI+ more closely resembles early stage Alzheimer's disease and those with a‐MCI+ may be at increased rate of future cognitive decline compared to those with other MCI subtypes.
Coping strategies: A prospective study of patterns, stability, and relationships with psychological distress
Authors: Nielsen Morten B. , Knardahl Stein
Published: February 2014

The aims of this article are: (1) to explore patterns (clusters) of coping strategies; (2) to examine the stability of individual coping strategies and patterns of coping over time; and (3) to establish long term associations between coping and psychological distress. Coping strategies were assessed with the Brief Cope questionnaire, whereas psychological distress was measured with the ten‐item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, in a two‐year prospective sample comprising 3,738 employees. Based on TwoStep cluster analysis of the Brief Cope, three different coping patterns were identified: low coping, engagement coping, and disengagement coping. Analyses of long‐term stability indicated malleable properties for the individual coping strategies as well as the three clusters. Disengagement coping strategies in the form of self‐blame and self‐distraction were most strongly associated with distress at follow‐up, whereas baseline distress was related to increased use of these strategies two years later. Coping patterns at baseline had no main effects on later levels of distress, but levels of distress at baseline predicted subsequent use of engagement and disengagement coping patterns. The finding that specific coping strategies are malleable suggests that it is possible to modify and develop dysfunctional strategies. The associations between disengagement coping strategies and distress indicate that this kind of coping is especially problematic with regard to mental health problems. A main contribution of this study is that it establishes cluster analytic techniques as beneficial in the assessment of coping.
Comparing EMG amplitude patterns of responses during dynamic exercise: Polynomial vs log‐transformed regression
Authors: Blaesser R. J. , Couls L. M. , Lee C. F. , Zuniga J. M. , Malek M. H.
Published: February 2014

The purposes of this study were to determine if (a) the log‐transformed model can be applied to dynamic exercise and (b) the slope and y‐intercept terms can provide additional information above and beyond the polynomial regression analyses. Eleven physically active individuals performed incremental cycle ergometry on a single occasion. Electromyographic electrodes were placed on the three superficial quadriceps muscles to record muscle activation during the exercise test. The patterns of responses for electromyographic amplitude vs power output were analyzed with polynomial and log‐transformed regression models. The results of the polynomial regression for the composite data indicated that the best‐fit model for the vastus lateralis muscle was linear (R2 = 0.648, P < 0.0001), whereas the best‐fit model for the rectus femoris (R2 = 0.346, P = 0.013) and vastus medialis (R2 = 0.764, P = 0.020) muscles was quadratic. One‐way repeated measures analyses indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) across the three superficial quadriceps muscles for the slope and y‐intercept terms. These findings suggest that the log‐transformed model may be a more versatile statistical approach to examining neuromuscular responses during dynamic exercise.
Optimization of the use of skin expanders
Authors: Pamplona D. C. , Weber H. I. , Leta F. R.
Published: February 2014

Background

Skin expansion is a physiological process that is defined as the ability of the human skin to increase its superficial area in response to stress or to a given deformation. Skin expanders are silicon bags that are implanted underneath the skin. Because the skin presents creep or relaxation, the resulting stress decreases after a time due to the imposed deformation. Skin expansions are used to reconstruct burned areas and breasts after a mastectomy or to hide scars.

Purpose

The question that constantly arises during skin expansion is whether it creates a sufficient amount of skin or, in other words, whether the achieved expansion is sufficient to resurface the defect. These questions are answered with information about how much new tissue is required to achieve the reconstruction in a given context and calculating the required tissue (surface area) in relationship with the volume infiltrated.

Method

Surface formulas for round and rectangular, and finite elements method for crescent skin expanders are used to calculate the relation between infiltrated volume and surface area. Those results were corrected or validated by an experimental work using 3D scanners to calculate the relation between surface area and internal volumes for the three types of expanders in question.

Results

The research provides information to determine the type, number, and volume of skin expanders necessary to obtain an extra amount of skin to repair a specific medical condition and to determine the amount of skin obtained even in cases when the expansion does not come to term.

Symbols

, Correcting factor, which corrects the mathematical formulas using the experimental results, for i skin expander; i, geometry of the expander, round (c), rectangular (r), or crescent (cresc/cr); Sd, surface of the defect; Sds, surface area of the donor site; , surface area obtained using a mathematical calculation for the i skin expander; , surface area obtained experimentally for the i skin expander; , corrected surface area obtained using a mathematical calculation for the i skin expander corrected by the correcting factor; extra flap of skin obtained by expansion for the i skin expander; , internal volume infiltrated in the i skin expander; , nominal internal volume of the i skin expander.
Reflectance confocal microscopy as a non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease
Authors: Kurzeja M. , Czuwara J. , Rakowska A. , Sicińska J. , Maj M. , Nasierowska‐Guttmejer A. , Rudnicka L. , Olszewska M.
Published: February 2014

Background/purpose

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive method for high‐resolution,in vivoimaging of the epidermis and upper dermis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of RCM as a non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease (familial benign chronic pemphigus).

Methods

Four patients with Hailey–Hailey disease were examined byRCM. Subsequently, punch biopsies were taken to compareRCMimages with corresponding histopathologic findings.

Results

OnRCMimages, the most sticking feature was acantholysis at the level of the granular and spinous layer, resembling a ‘dilapidated brick wall’. We suggest the term ‘dilapidated brick wallRCMsign’ to describe this feature and to distinguish from the corresponding histopathology finding. OtherRCMfeatures included: epidermal disarray, intraepidermal clefts, inflammatory cells in the epidermis and in the superficial dermis. TheseRCMabnormalities correlated with analogous histopathology findings.

Conclusion

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a promising non‐invasive diagnostic tool for Hailey–Hailey disease. The method may also be considered useful for choosing the best site for biopsy, which may aid pathology evaluation and spare time needed to establish the diagnosis.
Warm temperature stimulus suppresses the perception of skin wetness during initial contact with a wet surface
Authors: Filingeri D. , Redortier B. , Hodder S. , Havenith G.
Published: February 2014

Background/purpose

In the absence of humidity receptors in human skin, the perception of skin wetness is considered a somatosensory experience resulting from the integration of temperature (particularly cold) and mechanical inputs. However, limited data are available on the role of the temperature sense.

Methods

Wet and dry stimuli at 4°C and 8°C above local skin temperature were applied on the back of seven participants (age 21 ± 2 years) while skin temperature and conductance, thermal and wetness perceptions were recorded.

Results

Resting local skin temperature was always increased by the application of the stimuli (+0.5–+1.4°C). No effect of stimulus wetness was found on wetness perceptions (P > 0.05). The threshold (point ‘−2 slightly wet’ on the wetness scale) to identify a clearly perceived wetness was never reached during any stimulations and participants did not perceive that some of the stimuli were wet. Overall, warm temperature stimuli suppressed the perception of skin wetness.

Conclusion

We conclude that it is not the contact of the skin with moisture per se, but rather the integration of particular sensory inputs (amongst which coldness seems dominant) which drives the perception of skin wetness during the initial contact with a wet surface.
Evaluation of the response to treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Başaran Y. K. , Gürel M. S. , Erdemir A. T. , Turan E. , Yurt N. , Bağci I. S.
Published: February 2014

Background/objective

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive, objective imaging technique that provides in vivo, high‐resolution skin imaging. We sought to assess epidermal and dermal changes associated with the psoriasis and its treatment with RCM before the treatment and at weeks 4 and 8 of the treatment.

Material and methods

This is an investigator‐blinded, internal‐controlled, follow‐up study. A total of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis were included in the study. The RCM evaluation criteria were defined on the basis of the histopathological diagnostic criteria for psoriasis. The clinical severity of the psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI).

Results

The RCM findings which were correlated with the PASI can be used to follow up the patient's response to treatment have been identified as follows: the acanthosis, the number of spongiotic sites, the number of regular/irregular honeycomb‐like sites, the number of epidermal inflammatory cells, the number of focal microabscesses, the total epidermal thickness, the number of nonedge dermal papillae, the length of the papillary dermis, the number of dermal inflammatory cells, and the vascularization in the papillary dermis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This is the first study with a large group of patients to perform a noninvasive assessment with RCM of the response of psoriasis to different treatments: phototherapy, systemic and topical treatment. Micrometric and morphometric changes occurring in the psoriatic tissue during the 8‐week treatment period were identified by in vivo RCM in a noninvasive manner. RCM is capable of monitoring of treatment response in psoriasis.
In‐situ remediation of contaminated farmland by horizontal transfer of degradative plasmids among rhizosphere bacteria
Authors: Wang Y. , Jiang Q. , Zhou C. , Chen B. , Zhao W. , Song J. , Fang R. , Chen J. , Xiao M.
Published: February 2014

Horizontal transfer of catabolic genes for pollutant degradation among rhizobacteria plays an important role in environmental bioremediation, but lacks support from field trial data. To address this problem, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain TP13 was inoculated into the soils of a phenol‐contaminated farmland on which tomato seedlings were growing in April 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Results consistently showed that introduction of TP13 strain significantly reduced phenol content and increased plant biomass after 20 days, compared with controls. Strain TP13 was able to colonize the plant rhizosphere and the number of rhizosphere bacteria which were grown on phenol and contained the plasmids containing the gene encoding for catechol 2, 3‐dioxygenase (C23O) increased gradually in the later stages of the experiment. The increase in magnitude of the plasmid‐containing rhizosphere bacteria correlated well with plant biomass, while the number of plasmid‐containing rhizosphere bacteria and phenol content was strongly negatively correlated. Furthermore, six strains (T1‐T6) of rhizosphere bacteria were isolated and found to possess large plasmids containing identical C23O genes and similar HindIII restriction patterns. Sequence alignment showed that the C23O genes from strains T1‐T6 contained almost identical sequences and the sequence of the C23O of strain T1 was the same as that of strain TP13. These data indicated that the plasmids were transferred from strain TP13 to these rhizosphere bacteria and that horizontal gene transfer stimulated phenol degradation and plant growth in the contaminated farmland. This is an important finding for in situ remediation of contaminated farmland.
Unders and Overs: Using a Dice Game to Illustrate Basic Probability Concepts
Authors: McPherson Sandra Hanson
Published: February 2014

In this paper, the dice game Unders and Overs is described and presented as an active learning exercise to introduce basic probability concepts. The implementation of the exercise is outlined and the resulting presentation of various probability concepts are described.
On teaching about the coefficient of variation in introductory statistics courses
Authors: Trafimow David
Published: February 2014

The standard deviation is related to the mean by virtue of the coefficient of variation. Teachers of statistics courses can make use of that fact to make the standard deviation more comprehensible for statistics students.
Detecting and Analyzing Mobility Hotspots using Surface Networks
Authors: Hu Yujie , Miller Harvey J. , Li Xiang
Published: February 2014

Capabilities for collecting and storing data on mobile objects have increased dramatically over the past few decades. A persistent difficulty is summarizing large collections of mobile objects. This article develops methods for extracting and analyzinghotspotsor locations with relatively high levels of mobility activity. We use kernel density estimation (KDE) to convert a large collection of mobile objects into a smooth, continuous surface. We then develop a topological algorithm to extract critical geometric features of the surface; these includecritical points(peaks, pits and passes) andcritical lines(ridgelines and course‐lines). We connect the peaks and corresponding ridgelines to produce a surface network that summarizes the topological structure of the surface. We apply graph theoretic indices to analytically characterize the surface and its changes over time. To illustrate our approach, we apply the techniques to taxi cab data collected in Shanghai,China. We find increases in the complexity of the hotspot spatial distribution during normal activity hours in the late morning, afternoon and evening and a spike in the connectivity of the hotspot spatial distribution in the morning as taxis concentrate on servicing travel to work. These results match with scientific and anecdotal knowledge about human activity patterns in the study area.
CLE6 expression recovers gibberellin deficiency to promote shoot growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bidadi Haniyeh , Matsuoka Keita , Sage‐Ono Kimiyo , Fukushima Jun , Pitaksaringkarn Weerasak , Asahina Masashi , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Sawa Shinichiro , Fukuda Hiroo , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Ono Michiyuki , Satoh Shinobu
Published: February 2014

Small peptides act as local signals during plant development, but few studies have examined their interaction with phytohormone signaling. Here, we show that application of gibberellin (GA) to Arabidopsis shoots induces substantial accumulation of transcripts encoded by CLE6, a member of the CLAVATA/ESR‐RELATED (CLE) gene family, in the root stele, followed by promotion of organ growth by CLE6 in GA‐deficient plants. The long‐distance effect of GA4 was demonstrated by the observation that its application to the shoot apex of the GA‐deficient mutant ga3ox1/ga3ox2 rescued the short–root phenotype. Microarray analysis was used to identify root‐expressed genes that respond to systemic application of GA, and CLE6 was selected for further analysis. CLE6 was highly expressed in roots at the young seedling stage, and CLE6 promoter activity was strong in hypocotyls and roots, especially in root stele cells at branch points. Application of CLE6 peptide had no obvious effect on the growth and development of GA‐deficient mutant plants. Nonetheless, the fact that ectopic over‐expression of CLE6 in the GA‐deficient mutant promoted root growth and branching, petiole elongation, bolting rate and stem length showed that CLE6 expression partially compensates for the GA deficiency. Reciprocal grafting of GA‐deficient mutant plants to 35S::CLE6 transformants complemented the shoot phenotype associated with GA deficiency, demonstrating the systemic effect of CLE6 from root to shoot. These data suggest that root‐expressed CLE6 is systemically involved in shoot growth under GA action in Arabidopsis.
The CryoCapsule: Simplifying Correlative Light to Electron Microscopy
Authors: Heiligenstein Xavier , Heiligenstein Jérôme , Delevoye Cédric , Hurbain Ilse , Bardin Sabine , Paul‐Gilloteaux Perrine , Sengmanivong Lucie , Régnier Gilles , Salamero Jean , Antony Claude , Raposo Graca
Published: February 2014

Correlating complementary multiple scale images of the same object is a straightforward means to decipher biological processes. Light microscopy and electron microscopy are the most commonly used imaging techniques, yet despite their complementarity, the experimental procedures available to correlate them are technically complex. We designed and manufactured a new device adapted to many biological specimens, the CryoCapsule, that simplifies the multiple sample preparation steps, which at present separate live cell fluorescence imaging from contextual high‐resolution electron microscopy, thus opening new strategies for full correlative light to electron microscopy. We tested the biological application of this highly optimized tool on three different specimens: the in vitro Xenopus laevis mitotic spindle, melanoma cells over‐expressing YFP‐langerin sequestered in organized membranous subcellular organelles and a pigmented melanocytic cell in which the endosomal system was labeled with internalized fluorescent transferrin.
An update on mortality and morbidity in patients with very low postoperative hemoglobin levels who decline blood transfusion (CME)
Authors: Shander Aryeh , Javidroozi Mazyar , Naqvi Sajjad , Aregbeyen Oshuare , Çaylan Mustafa , Demir Selma , Juhl Anna
Published: February 2014

Background

Severely anemic patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option provide highly valuable information on risks of anemia and alternative management strategies.

Study Design and Methods

This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients at least 18 years old who could not be transfused, had surgery at a patient blood management center between 2003 and 2012, and had at least one hemoglobin (Hb) measurement of not more than 8 g/dL during the postoperative period. The primary outcome measure was mortality, occurring anytime in the period after the surgery until discharge or 30th day after the surgery, whichever was sooner. Postoperative morbidities included the occurrence of any of sepsis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, deep wound infection, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia.

Results

A total of 293 patients (including 288 who self‐identified as “Jehovah's Witness”) were eligible and enrolled. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 61.5 ± 16.9 years and 74.1% were female. Overall mortality rate was 8.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5%‐11.3%). Unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of death per each 1 g/dL decrease in the nadir postoperative Hb was 2.04 (95% CI, 1.52‐2.74); OR of death after adjustment for other significant factors (urgency, American Society of Anesthesiology score, and age) was 1.82 (95% CI, 1.27‐2.59).

Conclusion

Our study confirms the previously reported low risk of mortality in upper nadir Hb ranges of 7 to 8 g/dL and much higher risk in lower ranges, albeit the number of patients reaching extremely low Hb levels were lower than previous report, possibly suggestive of improved management strategy of these patients.
Efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange for treatment of stiff‐person syndrome
Authors: Pagano Monica B. , Murinson Beth B. , Tobian Aaron A.R. , King Karen E.
Published: February 2014

Background

The efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in stiff‐person syndrome (SPS) is unclear.

Study Design and Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with SPS who underwent TPE and a systematic literature review were conducted.

Results

Nine patients with the presumptive diagnosis of SPS who underwent TPE were identified. The mean age was 55 years (range, 34‐72 years) and 78% (n = 7) were female. Anti‐GAD65 was present in 89% (n = 8) of the patients (range, 1.9‐40,000 U/mL), and 33% (n = 3) had a history of diabetes. Forty‐four percent (n = 4) of patients had previously received immunosuppressive medication and 67% (n = 6) received intravenous immune globulin. The main indication for TPE was worsening of symptoms despite treatment with first‐line therapy. Seventy‐eight percent of the patients (n = 7) had five TPE procedures. Seventy‐eight percent (n = 7) of patients demonstrated at least minimal clinical improvement and 56% (n = 5) had a significant response. Most of the patients who demonstrated a significant response to treatment improved and their symptoms stabilized. Two patients (22%) developed adverse events, including catheter‐associated infection and transient hypotension. Eighteen publications were found from the literature review, which resulted in a total of 26 patients diagnosed with SPS. Forty‐two percent (n = 11) of patients had a significant symptomatic improvement after TPE treatment, and two patients (8%) developed adverse events.

Conclusion

TPE may benefit patients with SPS who are not responsive to first‐line therapy, and it is well tolerated.
The risk of blood transfusion–associated Chikungunya fever during the 2009 epidemic in Songkhla Province, Thailand
Authors: Appassakij Hatsadee , Promwong Charuporn , Rujirojindakul Pairaya , Wutthanarungsan Rochana , Silpapojakul Khachornsakdi
Published: February 2014

Background

Asymptomatic Chikungunya fever (CHIKF)‐viremic blood donors could be a potential threat of spreading the disease unwittingly through contaminated blood transfusions. The relatively low prevalence of Chikungunya virus antibodies in the population and the records of more than 9000 suspected CHIKF cases raised concern about the potential transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic. This study assessed the potential transfusion risk for CHIKF and the implementation of blood safety measures to mitigate this risk.

Study Design and Methods

A probabilistic model using key variables obtained from local information was used to estimate the weekly risk of transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic. In addition, other blood safety measure–based strategies involving screening for donors at risk, donor tracing, and a 7‐day quarantine of blood components at risk were implemented at the time of the epidemic.

Results

The risk of viremic donations per 100,000 ranged from 38.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5‐39.8) to 52.3 (95% CI, 50.4‐54.2). The potential risk of transfusion‐associated CHIKF per 100,000 was estimated to be 1 in 2429 (0.04%; 95% CI, 1 in 6681 [0.02%]‐1 in 1572 [0.06%]) to 1 in 1781 (0.06%; 95% CI, 1 in 3817 [0.03%]‐1 in 1214 (0.08%]) donations. Among 26,722 donations, 11 (95% CI, 4‐17) to 15 (95% CI, 7‐22) donations were predicted to associate with transfusion risk. The implementation of blood safety measure–based strategies for this epidemic period suggested to deter 11 blood donations of transfusion risk.

Conclusion

The interventions for blood safety measures applied in this study had mitigated the potential transfusion‐associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic.
The hemostatic activity of cryopreserved platelets is mediated by phosphatidylserine‐expressing platelets and platelet microparticles
Authors: Johnson Lacey , Coorey Craig P. , Marks Denese C.
Published: February 2014

Background

Cryopreservation of platelets (PLTs) at −80°C with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can extend the shelf life from 5 days to 2 years. Cryopreserved PLTs are reported to have a greater in vivo hemostatic effect than liquid‐stored PLTs. As such, the aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms responsible for the hemostatic potential of cryopreserved PLTs and the contribution of the reconstitution solution to this activity.

Study Design and Methods

DMSO (5% final concentration) was added to buffy coat–derived PLTs, followed by prefreeze removal of DMSO and storage at −80°C. Cryopreserved PLTs (n = 8 per group) were thawed at 37°C, reconstituted with either 1 unit of thawed frozen plasma or PLT additive solution (PAS‐G). In vitro assays were performed before freezing and after thawing to assess the hemostatic activity of PLTs.

Results

Cryopreserved PLTs expressed high levels of phosphatidylserine and contained significantly more phosphatidylserine‐positive PLT microparticles than liquid‐stored PLTs. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the time to clot formation and clot strength, as measured by thromboelastography. The supernatant from cryopreserved PLTs was sufficient to reduce the phosphatidylserine‐dependent clotting time and increase the thrombin generation potential. Overall, plasma‐reconstituted cryopreserved PLTs were more procoagulant than those reconstituted in PAS‐G.

Conclusion

PLT cryopreservation results in the generation of phosphatidylserine‐expressing PLT microparticles which contribute to the hemostatic activity. Understanding the hemostatic activity of these components may assist in extending the use of these specialized components beyond military applications.
Harvesting autologous stem cells from a patient with red blood cell abnormalities of β‐thalassemia intermedia
Authors: Sanford Kimberly , Roseff Susan D. , Anderson Jennifer , Chung Harold M. , McPherson Richard A.
Published: February 2014

Background

Autologous stem cell transplants in patients with hemoglobinopathies are limited. Previous reports used granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) for mobilization of stem cells; there are no reported cases undergoing plerixafor mobilization. We report such a patient, providing guidance for peripheral blood stem cells collection when aberrant red blood cells (RBCs) disrupt normal separation.

Study Design and Methods

A patient with β‐thalassemia intermedia and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin presented for peripheral blood stem cell collection for autologous transplant for myeloma. He underwent splenectomy for anemia secondary to hemoglobinopathy and chemotherapy, ceasingRBCtransfusions. The patient was mobilized using plerixafor after collection withG‐CSFfailed.

Results

Collections were performed using an apheresis system, processing 24 Ldaily. Peripheral blood and apheresis productCD34 determinations were performed daily. OnDay 1, the product yield was 0.04 × 106CD34 cells/kg, less than expected based on white blood cell count andCD34‐positive cells. Peripheral blood smear showed nucleatedRBCs andRBCmorphologic abnormalities. Changes in instrument variables were made after consultation withTerumoBCTto adjust for variable distribution of mononuclear and stem cells during centrifugation. Collecting stem cells at a deeper location and centrifuging faster improved collection, and a cumulative total of 4.40 × 106CD34 cells/kg was achieved after four collections. The patient underwent tandem autologous transplantation and engrafted within 12 to 13 days of each transplant.

Conclusions

Adjustments in apheresis variables allowed successful collection of peripheral blood stem cells from a patient withRBCanomalies of β‐thalassemia that interfered with standard stem cell harvesting.
Canine demodicosis: the relationship between response to treatment of generalised disease and markers for inflammation and oxidative status
Authors: Martínez‐Subiela Silvia , Bernal Luis J. , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Garcia‐Martinez Juan D. , Tecles Fernando , Cerón Jose J.
Published: February 2014

Background

Determination of acute phase proteins and markers of oxidative status may be of value for evaluating the severity of disease and the response to treatment. In canine demodicosis, there is no information available regarding the use of such analytes to discriminate between localized and generalized demodicosis or to monitor the response to treatment.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aim was to measure analytes related to inflammation and oxidative stress in dogs with localized or generalized demodicosis. In cases of generalized demodicosis, the intention was to study these analytes before and after a period of treatment.

Animals

Serum was obtained from three groups: Group 1, healthy dogs; Group 2, dogs with localized demodicosis; and Group 3, dogs with generalized demodicosis.

Methods

Animals from Groups 1 and 2 were sampled at the point of diagnosis. Dogs in Group 3 were treated with oral ivermectin 1% at 0.6 mg/kg once daily, and samples were collected at the point of diagnosis and after 30 days of treatment. C‐Reactive protein, haptoglobin, albumin, butyrylcholinesterase, paraoxonase‐1 and total antioxidant capacity were measured.

Results

Dogs with generalized demodicosis had significantly higher concentrations of C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin and lower butyrylcholinesterase activity than dogs in Groups 1 and 2. Dogs in Group 3 also had lower paraoxonase‐1 than those in Group 2, The analytes tended to normalize during treatment.

Conclusions and clinical importance

There was an evident acute phase response and changes in selected oxidative state analytes in generalized demodicosis that do not occur in the localized form. These changes could be used for monitoring the response to treatment.
Crop–weed competition rather than temperature limits the population establishment of two annual C4 weeds at the edge of their northern range
Authors: Hyvönen T , Ramula S
Published: February 2014

Climate change is predicted to affect range expansion of harmful C4 weeds into the boreal region, given that they are able to successfully colonise both C3 and C4 crops. We studied the impact of a 3°C elevation in temperature on the establishment and maintenance of populations of two annual C4 weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus and Echinochloa crus‐galli) with and without a competing C3 (barley) or C4 (maize) crop. Data obtained from field and glasshouse experiments were modelled using a periodic matrix population model. Competition of a weed with a crop appeared to be a more important factor for limiting the maintenance of weed populations than elevation in temperature, as neither of the weed species was able to maintain populations in competition with crops. Even an increase in the frequency of warm years did not result in viable weed populations establishing. However, A. retroflexus was able to form persistent populations in competition with maize when released from competition every fifth year. Simulations parameterised from glasshouse data predicted that both weed species would persist without competition in the current climate, whereas simulations parameterised from field data suggested only A. retroflexus to be able to persist. These results demonstrate that competition affects the range expansion of arable weed species more than elevation in temperature, necessitating the inclusion of crop–weed interactions in models of range shifts as a consequence of climate change.