bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auxotrophy and intrapopulation complementary in the ‘interactome’ of a cultivated freshwater model community
Authors: Garcia Sarahi L. , Buck Moritz , McMahon Katherine D. , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Eiler Alexander , Warnecke Falk
Published: July 2015

Microorganisms are usually studied either in highly complex natural communities or in isolation as monoclonal model populations that we manage to grow in the laboratory. Here, we uncover the biology of some of the most common and yet‐uncultured bacteria in freshwater environments using a mixed culture from Lake Grosse Fuchskuhle. From a single shotgun metagenome of a freshwater mixed culture of low complexity, we recovered four high‐quality metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) for metabolic reconstruction. This analysis revealed the metabolic interconnectedness and niche partitioning of these naturally dominant bacteria. In particular, vitamin‐ and amino acid biosynthetic pathways were distributed unequally with a member of Crenarchaeota most likely being the sole producer of vitamin B12 in the mixed culture. Using coverage‐based partitioning of the genes recovered from a single MAG intrapopulation metabolic complementarity was revealed pointing to ‘social’ interactions for the common good of populations dominating freshwater plankton. As such, our MAGs highlight the power of mixed cultures to extract naturally occurring ‘interactomes’ and to overcome our inability to isolate and grow the microbes dominating in nature.
A coiled coil switch mediates cold sensing by the thermosensory protein DesK
Authors: Saita Emilio , Abriata Luciano A. , Tsai Yi Ting , Trajtenberg Felipe , Lemmin Thomas , Buschiazzo Alejandro , Dal Peraro Matteo , de Mendoza Diego , Albanesi Daniela
Published: July 2015

The thermosensor histidine kinase DesK from Bacillus subtilis senses changes in membrane fluidity initiating an adaptive response. Structural changes in DesK have been implicated in transmembrane signaling, but direct evidence is still lacking. On the basis of structure‐guided mutagenesis, we now propose a mechanism of DesK‐mediated signal sensing and transduction. The data indicate that stabilization/destabilization of a 2‐helix coiled coil, which connects the transmembrane sensory domain of DesK to its cytosolic catalytic region, is crucial to control its signaling state. Computational modeling and simulations reveal couplings between protein, water and membrane mechanics. We propose that membrane thickening is the main driving force for signal sensing and that it acts by inducing helix stretching and rotation prompting an asymmetric kinase‐competent state. Overall, the known structural changes of the sensor kinase, as well as further dynamic rearrangements that we now predict, consistently link structure determinants to activity modulation.
A LysR‐family transcriptional regulator required for virulence in Brucella abortus is highly conserved among the α‐proteobacteria
Authors: Sheehan Lauren M. , Budnick James A. , Blanchard Catlyn , Dunman Paul M. , Caswell Clayton C.
Published: July 2015

Small RNAs are principal elements of bacterial gene regulation and physiology. Two small RNAs in Brucella abortus, AbcR1 and AbcR2, are required for wild‐type virulence. Examination of the abcR loci revealed the presence of a gene encoding a LysR‐type transcriptional regulator flanking abcR2 on chromosome 1. Deletion of this lysR gene (bab1_1517) resulted in the complete loss of abcR2 expression while no difference in abcR1 expression was observed. The B. abortus bab1_1517 mutant strain was significantly attenuated in macrophages and mice, and bab1_1517 was subsequently named vtlR for virulence‐associated transcriptional LysR‐family regulator. Microarray analysis revealed three additional genes encoding small hypothetical proteins also under the control of VtlR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that VtlR binds directly to the promoter regions of abcR2 and the three hypothetical protein‐encoding genes, and DNase I footprint analysis identified the specific nucleotide sequence in these promoters that VtlR binds to and drives gene expression. Strikingly, orthologs of VtlR are encoded in a wide range of host‐associated α‐proteobacteria, and it is likely that the VtlR genetic system represents a common regulatory circuit critical for host–bacterium interactions.
Vibrio cholerae phosphatases required for the utilization of nucleotides and extracellular DNA as phosphate sources
Authors: McDonough EmilyKate , Kamp Heather , Camilli Andrew
Published: July 2015

Phosphate is essential for life, being used in many core processes such as signal transduction and synthesis of nucleic acids. The waterborne agent of cholera, Vibrio cholerae, encounters phosphate limitation in both the aquatic environment and human intestinal tract. This bacterium can utilize extracellular DNA (eDNA) as a phosphate source, a phenotype dependent on secreted endo‐ and exonucleases. However, no transporter of nucleotides has been identified in V. cholerae, suggesting that in order for the organism to utilize the DNA as a phosphate source, it must first separate the phosphate and nucleoside groups before transporting phosphate into the cell. In this study, we investigated the factors required for assimilation of phosphate from eDNA. We identified PhoX, and the previously unknown proteins UshA and CpdB as the major phosphatases that allow phosphate acquisition from eDNA and nucleotides. We demonstrated separable but partially overlapping roles for the three phosphatases and showed that the activity of PhoX and CpdB is induced by phosphate limitation. Thus, this study provides mechanistic insight into how V. cholerae can acquire phosphate from extracellular DNA, which is likely to be an important phosphate source in the environment and during infection.
Identification of I‐7 expands the repertoire of genes for resistance to Fusarium wilt in tomato to three resistance gene classes
Authors: Gonzalez‐Cendales Yvonne , Catanzariti Ann‐Maree , Baker Barbara , Mcgrath Des J. , Jones David A.
Published: July 2015

The tomato I‐3 and I‐7 genes confer resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) race 3 and were introgressed into the cultivated tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, from the wild relative Solanum pennellii. I‐3 has been identified previously on chromosome 7 and encodes an S‐receptor‐like kinase, but little is known about I‐7. Molecular markers have been developed for the marker‐assisted breeding of I‐3, but none are available for I‐7. We used an RNA‐seq and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis approach to map I‐7 to a small introgression of S. pennellii DNA (c. 210 kb) on chromosome 8, and identified I‐7 as a gene encoding a leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like protein (LRR‐RLP), thereby expanding the repertoire of resistance protein classes conferring resistance to Fol. Using an eds1 mutant of tomato, we showed that I‐7, like many other LRR‐RLPs conferring pathogen resistance in tomato, is EDS1 (Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1) dependent. Using transgenic tomato plants carrying only the I‐7 gene for Fol resistance, we found that I‐7 also confers resistance to Fol races 1 and 2. Given that Fol race 1 carries Avr1, resistance to Fol race 1 indicates that I‐7‐mediated resistance, unlike I‐2‐ or I‐3‐mediated resistance, is not suppressed by Avr1. This suggests that Avr1 is not a general suppressor of Fol resistance in tomato, leading us to hypothesize that Avr1 may be acting against an EDS1‐independent pathway for resistance activation. The identification of I‐7 has allowed us to develop molecular markers for marker‐assisted breeding of both genes currently known to confer Fol race 3 resistance (I‐3 and I‐7). Given that I‐7‐mediated resistance is not suppressed by Avr1, I‐7 may be a useful addition to I‐3 in the tomato breeder's toolbox.
Rotation of male genitalia in various species of phlebotomine sandfly
Authors: VOTÝPKA J. , PAVLASOVA M. , VOLFOVA V. , VOLF P.
Published: July 2015

Phlebotomine sandflies, vectors of Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites that affect millions of people worldwide, breed in terrestrial biotopes. As immature stages are rarely accessible, the detection of their natural breeding sites is primarily based on findings of juvenile males with unrotated external genitalia. In males, permanent 180° rotation on the longitudinal body axis occurs soon after eclosion; however, no study has as yet addressed this aspect in detail. The present study describes the timing and duration of the rotation of male external genitalia in eight highly medically important sandfly species belonging to the genera Sergentomyia, Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus (all: Diptera: Psychodidae), kept under controlled laboratory conditions. The average duration of rotation was species‐specific and varied from 12 h in Sergentomyia schwetzi to 33 h in Phlebotomus sergenti. Significant differences in rotation times were found among species, even between two closely related species of the subgenus Larroussius, Phlebotomus orientalis and Phlebotomus tobbi. The rotation of genitalia in all three studied genera was randomly oriented and similar numbers of clockwise and counter‐clockwise events were observed. The study also addresses the effects of some external factors. In all species studied, rotation was not affected by the time of day of eclosion. Similarly, no differences in total rotation time were found between Phlebotomus papatasi males maintained at 25 and 20 °C, respectively. The present findings will assist in the search for natural breeding sites and in studies aimed at elucidating strategies for integrated sandfly and leishmaniasis control.
Wiring a plant: genetic networks for phloem formation in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: Rodriguez‐Villalon Antia
Published: July 2015

In plants, phloem conduits form a specialized vascular network mediating the exchange of nutrients and signaling molecules between distantly separated organs. To become effective transport elements, protophloem cells undergo a rather unique, differentiation program that involves nucleus degradation, organelle rearrangement and cell wall thickening. Yet, protophloem sieve elements remain alive because their essential metabolic functions are supported by their neighboring companion cells. In spite of the importance of the phloem, the molecular mechanisms orchestrating protophloem specification and differentiation remain still poorly understood. In this review, I provide a summary of recent discoveries regarding morphogenetic events that determine phloem formation, and also a discussion of the systemic effects on root architecture derived from impaired protophloem differentiation programs.

Contents

Summary
45

I.
Introduction
45

II.
Root phloem formation in Arabidopsis thaliana
46

III.
Genetic regulatory networks controlling phloem specification
46

IV.
Molecular mechanisms regulating phloem differentiation
47

V.
Systemic effects of protophloem differentiation in root architecture
48

VI.
Future perspectives
48

Acknowledgements
49

References
49
Standards for plant synthetic biology: a common syntax for exchange of DNA parts
Authors: Patron Nicola J. , Orzaez Diego , Marillonnet Sylvestre , Warzecha Heribert , Matthewman Colette , Youles Mark , Raitskin Oleg , Leveau Aymeric , Farré Gemma , Rogers Christian , Smith Alison , Hibberd Julian , Webb Alex A. R. , Locke James , Schornack Sebastian , Ajioka Jim , Baulcombe David C. , Zipfel Cyril , Kamoun Sophien , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Kuhn Hannah , Robatzek Silke , Van Esse H. Peter , Sanders Dale , Oldroyd Giles , Martin Cathie , Field Rob , O'Connor Sarah , Fox Samantha , Wulff Brande , Miller Ben , Breakspear Andy , Radhakrishnan Guru , Delaux Pierre‐Marc , Loqué Dominique , Granell Antonio , Tissier Alain , Shih Patrick , Brutnell Thomas P. , Quick W. Paul , Rischer Heiko , Fraser Paul D. , Aharoni Asaph , Raines Christine , South Paul F. , Ané Jean‐Michel , Hamberger Björn R. , Langdale Jane , Stougaard Jens , Bouwmeester Harro , Udvardi Michael , Murray James A. H. , Ntoukakis Vardis , Schäfer Patrick , Denby Katherine , Edwards Keith J. , Osbourn Anne , Haseloff Jim
Published: July 2015

Inventors in the field of mechanical and electronic engineering can access multitudes of components and, thanks to standardization, parts from different manufacturers can be used in combination with each other. The introduction of BioBrick standards for the assembly of characterized DNA sequences was a landmark in microbial engineering, shaping the field of synthetic biology. Here, we describe a standard for Type IIS restriction endonuclease‐mediated assembly, defining a common syntax of 12 fusion sites to enable the facile assembly of eukaryotic transcriptional units. This standard has been developed and agreed by representatives and leaders of the international plant science and synthetic biology communities, including inventors, developers and adopters of Type IIS cloning methods. Our vision is of an extensive catalogue of standardized, characterized DNA parts that will accelerate plant bioengineering.
A community genetics perspective: opportunities for the coming decade
Authors: Crutsinger Gregory M.
Published: July 2015

Community genetics was originally proposed as a novel approach to identifying links between genes and ecosystems, and merging ecological and evolutional perspectives. The dozen years since the birth of community genetics have seen many empirical studies and common garden experiments, as well as the rise of eco‐evolutionary dynamics research and a general shift in ecology to incorporate intraspecific variation. So what have we learned from community genetics? Can individual genes affect entire ecosystems? Are there interesting questions left to be answered, or has community genetics run its course? This perspective makes a series of key points about the general patterns that have emerged and calls attention to gaps in our understanding to be addressed in the coming years.

Contents

Summary
65

I.
Introduction
65

II.
Plant genotype effects are common, especially on herbivores
66

III.
From prey to predators, genetic effects cascade up the food chain
66

IV.
Genetic effects rain down from the canopy to soil
66

V.
The dampening of the extended phenotype
66

VI.
From genetic to species, diversity begets diversity
67

VII.
It's the traits that matter … but which ones?
68

VIII.
There are many, many genes for ecosystems
68

IX.
From the community‐genetic caterpillar to the eco‐evolutionary butterfly
68

X.
Conclusions and future directions
68

Acknowledgements
69

References
69
Toluidine blue aids in detection of dysplasia and carcinoma in suspicious oral lesions
Authors: Chainani‐Wu N , Madden E , Cox D , Sroussi H , Epstein J , Silverman S
Published: July 2015

Objectives

Accurate clinical identification of ‘higher‐risk’ oral premalignant lesions or ‘higher‐risk’ areas within lesions is important. Assessment methods that predict their presence have great utility.

Subjects and Methods

A cross‐sectional, observational study enrolled a consecutive sample of consenting patients diagnosed with oral leukoplakia, erythroleukoplakia, or erythroplakia. Medical history, visual oral examination, ViziLite® examination, toluidine blue staining (TBlue®), and finally a biopsy were completed in a single clinic visit. Seventy‐seven of 100 examined lesions in 43 patients were biopsied. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were computed for visual examination, ViziLite®, and TBlue® using biopsy results as the gold standard.

Results

The sensitivity of TBlue® in detecting high‐risk lesions (carcinoma in situ or carcinoma) was 94 (71–100, P < 0.0003) and specificity 45 (32–58, P < 0.53), while for carcinoma, sensitivity was 100 (54–100, P < 0.032) and specificity 39 (28–52, P < 0.097). The results of ViziLite® testing either by itself or in combination with the information from toluidine blue testing revealed low sensitivity for the detection of high‐risk lesions.

Conclusions

Clinical examination of leukoplakia, erythroplakia, or erythroleukoplakia lesions combined with toluidine blue staining may aid in the identification of severe dysplasia (carcinoma in situ) or carcinoma. This may help in determining whether, when, and where (the site within a lesion) a biopsy should be taken.
The role of host phenology in determining the incidence of an insect sexually transmitted infection
Authors: Pastok Daria , Hoare Mary‐Jo , Ryder Jon J. , Boots Mike , Knell Rob J. , Atkinson David , Hurst Gregory D. D.
Published: July 2015

Changes in the timing of life history events within the year alter the degree to which the activity patterns of different species coincide, making the dynamics of interspecific interactions sensitive to the phenology of the interacting parties. For parasites, the availability of suitable hosts to infect represents a crucial determinant of dynamics, and changes in the host (and parasite) phenology may thus alter disease epidemiology and the conditions for disease maintenance. We tested the hypothesis that the incidence of a sexually transmitted mite infection, Coccipolipus hippodamiae, in Adalia bipunctata ladybird beetles in Sweden was determined by host phenology, namely presence/absence of sexual contact between cohorts of the host. We observed that the pattern of mite presence/absence across Swedish A. bipunctata populations was highly reproducible between years, implying a persistent biological/ecological basis underlying the incidence. Further, ladybirds from populations where the mite was absent were able to acquire mites during copulation, develop a mite infection, and transmit infection onward, indicating an ecological (rather than biological) driver of mite incidence. Observations of ladybird phenology in natural populations provided evidence of sexual contact between overwintered and new cohort adults in populations where the mite was present. In contrast, new cohort ladybirds in the two northern Swedish populations where the mite was not present had not had sexual contact with the overwintered generation, creating a ‘hard stop’ to mite transmission. We conclude that variation in host phenology may be an important driver of the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by determining the presence/absence of sexual contact between generations. More generally, we hypothesize that sensitivity to variation in host phenology will be highest for parasites like STIs that infect one host species, one host life stage and are directly transmitted on contact between host individuals.
Environmental and genetic interactions reveal FLOWERING LOCUSC as a modulator of the natural variation for the plasticity of flowering in Arabidopsis
Authors: Méndez‐Vigo Belén , Savic Marija , Ausín Israel , Ramiro Mercedes , Martín Beatriz , Picó F. Xavier , Alonso‐Blanco Carlos
Published: July 2015

The timing of flowering initiation depends strongly on the environment, a property termed as the plasticity of flowering. Such plasticity determines the adaptive potential of plants because it provides phenotypic buffer against environmental changes, and its natural variation contributes to evolutionary adaptation. We addressed the genetic mechanisms of the natural variation for this plasticity in Arabidopsis thaliana by analysing a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from Don‐0 and Ler accessions collected from distinct climates. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in four environmental conditions differing in photoperiod, vernalization treatment and ambient temperature detected the folllowing: (i) FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) as a large effect QTL affecting flowering time differentially in all environments; (ii) numerous QTL displaying smaller effects specifically in some conditions; and (iii) significant genetic interactions between FLC and other loci. Hence, the variation for the plasticity of flowering is determined by a combination of environmentally sensitive and specific QTL, and epistasis. Analysis of FLC from Don identified a new and more active allele likely caused by a cis‐regulatory deletion covering the non‐coding RNA COLDAIR. Further characterization of four FLC natural alleles showed different environmental and genetic interactions. Thus, FLC appears as a major modulator of the natural variation for the plasticity of flowering to multiple environmental factors.
Neonatal Staphylococcus lugdunensis urinary tract infection
Authors: Hayakawa Itaru , Hataya Hiroshi , Yamanouchi Hanako , Sakakibara Hiroshi , Terakawa Toshiro
Published: July 2015

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a known pathogen of infective endocarditis, but not of urinary tract infection. We report a previously healthy neonate without congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract who developed urinary tract infection due to Staphylococcus lugdunensis, illustrating that Staphylococcus lugdunensis can cause urinary tract infection even in those with no urinary tract complications.
Extramedullary hematopoiesis of the liver in a child with sickle cell disease: A rare complication
Authors: Barrier Angela , Willy Simo , Slone Jeremy S.
Published: July 2015

We present the case of a 7‐year‐old Cameroonian girl with sickle cell disease (SCD) who presented with progressive abdominal distension, fever, severe anemia, respiratory distress, and fatigue. Abdominal ultrasound showed a 15.3 cm × 11.5 cm × 15.5 cm solid echogenic mass within the left lobe of the liver. Fine‐needle aspiration showed features of extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). Despite transfusions, antibiotics, and initiation of hydroxyurea the patient died of respiratory failure during the hospital stay. There is a paucity of information on EMH in the pediatric sickle cell population, especially from resource‐limited settings such as western Africa. EMH, however, is a known complication of SCD and should be considered in patients presenting with mass lesions in the setting of chronic anemia. With limited therapeutic interventions for EMH, including radiation and hydroxyurea, the emphasis should be on improving overall treatment of patients with chronic and untreated hemolytic anemia, especially in low‐income countries.
Elevated pretransplant pulmonary vascular resistance index does not predict mortality after isolated orthotopic heart transplantation in children: A retrospective analysis of the UNOS database
Authors: Chiu Peter , Schaffer Justin M. , Sheikh Ahmad Y. , Ha Richard , Reinhartz Olaf , Mainwaring Richard , Reitz Bruce A.
Published: July 2015

OHT is the definitive therapy in end‐stage heart failure. Elevated PVRI is considered a relative contraindication to isolated OHT; this assumption is re‐evaluated using data from the UNOS database. A retrospective review of de‐identified data from the UNOS dataset was performed. There were 1943 pediatric OHT recipients between 10/87 and 12/11 with sufficient data for analysis. Cox regression was performed to examine the effect of baseline characteristics on post‐transplant survival. Patients were propensity matched, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed comparing cohorts of patients using thresholds of 6 and 9 WU × m2. PVRI was not a significant predictor of post‐transplant outcomes in either univariate or multivariate Cox regression. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no difference in survival between both unmatched and propensity‐matched OHT recipients. In conclusion, elevated PVRI was not associated with post‐transplant mortality in pediatric OHT recipients. A prospective study assessing the current use of PVRI ≥6 as a threshold to contraindicate isolated OHT should be undertaken. Removing this potentially unnecessary restriction on transplant candidacy may make this life‐saving therapy available to a greater number of patients.
Leishmania donovani infection drives the priming of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells during Plasmodium falciparum co‐infections
Authors: van den Bogaart E. , de Bes H. M. , Balraadjsing P. P. S. , Mens P. F. , Adams E. R. , Grobusch M. P. , van Die I. , Schallig H. D. F. H.
Published: July 2015

Functional impairment of dendritic cells (DCs) is part of a survival strategy evolved by Leishmania and Plasmodium parasites to evade host immune responses. Here, the effects of co‐exposing human monocyte‐derived DCs to Leishmania donovani promastigotes and Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes were investigated. Co‐stimulation resulted in a dual, dose‐dependent effect on DC differentiation which ranged from semi‐mature cells, secreting low interleukin(‐12p70 levels to a complete lack of phenotypic maturation in the presence of high parasite amounts. The effect was mainly triggered by the Leishmania parasites, as illustrated by their ability to induce semi‐mature, interleukin‐10‐producing DCs, that poorly responded to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Conversely, P. falciparum blood‐stage forms failed to activate DCs and only slightly interfered with lipopolysaccharide effects. Stimulation with high L. donovani concentrations triggered phosphatidylserine translocation, whose onset presented after initiating the maturation impairment process. When added in combination, the two parasites could co‐localize in the same DCs, confirming that the leading effects of Leishmania over Plasmodium may not be due to mutual exclusion. Altogether, these results suggest that in the presence of visceral leishmaniasis–malaria co‐infections, Leishmania‐driven effects may overrule the more silent response elicited by P. falciparum, shaping host immunity towards a regulatory pattern and possibly delaying disease resolution.
The potential role of microRNA‐31 expression in early colorectal cancer
Authors: Tateishi Yoko , Okudela Koji , Mitsui Hideaki , Umeda Shigeaki , Suzuki Takehisa , Kojima Yoko , Watanabe Kazuteru , Kawano Naomi , Endo Itaru , Ohashi Kenichi
Published: July 2015

The expression of microRNA‐31 (miR‐31) has been implicated in the progression of some human malignancies including colorectal cancer. However, the clinical significance of the expression of miR‐31 in submucosally invasive (T1) colorectal cancer remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to delineate the relationship between clinicopathological features and the oncogenic modulator miR‐31 in submucosally invasive colorectal cancer. We investigated the expression of miR‐31 in 50 submucosally invasive colorectal cancer specimens, along with the corresponding non‐tumoral mucosa specimens, using a real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The relationships between miR‐31 expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics were assessed. The miR‐31 host gene locus was investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization. qRT‐PCR revealed that the expression of miR‐31 was higher in colorectal cancer tissue than in non‐tumoral tissue (P = 0.0002). The up‐regulated expression of miR‐31 may play an oncogenic role in the early stage of carcinogenesis in colorectal cancers.
Direct penetration of Rhizopus stolonifer into stone fruits causing rhizopus rot
Authors: Baggio J. S. , Gonçalves F. P. , Lourenço S. A. , Tanaka F. A. O. , Pascholati S. F. , Amorim L.
Published: July 2015

Rhizopus rot, caused by Rhizopus stolonifer, is a major postharvest disease of stone fruits. The disease is related to the occurrence of mechanical and physical damage; however, observations at a Brazilian wholesale market suggest that direct penetration can occur. Therefore, the penetration mechanisms of R. stolonifer in stone fruits were evaluated. To identify the production of enzymes that help with direct penetration by the pathogen, esterase activity, both in mycelial discs and in spore suspensions of the fungus in water and in modified Van Etten nutrient solution, was measured. Assays were also conducted to evaluate the growth of R. stolonifer on glucose or cutin as a sole carbon source. The pathogen grew on both media, and higher esterase activity was observed in the cutin medium. Wounded and unwounded peaches and nectarines were inoculated with R. stolonifer spore suspensions in water or in modified Van Etten nutrient solution. Wounded fruit inoculated with either of the R. stolonifer spore suspensions developed rhizopus rot, whereas unwounded fruit developed the rot only in the presence of spores in the modified Van Etten nutrient solution. Scanning electron and light microscopic examination showed the fungus can directly penetrate the nectarine cuticle. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate, a serine hydrolase inhibitor, prevented rot development in peaches. The results provide valuable evidence for the ability of R. stolonifer to directly penetrate unwounded stone fruits, probably due to the production of esterase enzymes.
The pupillary response discriminates between subjective and objective familiarity and novelty
Authors: Kafkas Alexandros , Montaldi Daniela
Published: July 2015

The pupil response discriminates between old and new stimuli, with old stimuli characterized by larger pupil dilation patterns than new stimuli. We sought to explore the cause of the pupil old/new effect and discount the effect of targetness, effort, recollection retrieval, and complexity of the recognition decision. Two experiments are reported in which the pupil response and the eye fixation patterns were measured, while participants identified novel and familiar object stimuli, in two separate tasks, emphasizing either novelty or familiarity detection. In Experiment 1, familiarity and novelty decisions were taken using a rating scale, while in Experiment 2 a simpler yes/no decision was used. In both experiments, we found that detection of target familiar stimuli resulted in greater pupil dilation than the detection of target novel stimuli, while the duration of the first fixation discriminated between familiar and novel stimuli as early as within 320 ms after stimulus onset. Importantly, the pupil response distinguished between the objective (during an earlier temporal component) and the subjective (during a later temporal component) status of the stimulus for misses and false alarms. In the light of previous findings, we suggest that the pupil and fixation old/new effects reflect the distinct neural and cognitive mechanisms involved in the familiarity and novelty decisions. The findings also have important implications for the use of pupil dilation and eye movement patterns to explore explicit and implicit memory processes.
Interactive effects of social adversity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia activity on reactive and proactive aggression
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gao Yu
Published: July 2015

Abnormal parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)‐related cardiac activity has been linked to aggression. However, little is known about how it interacts with psychosocial adversity in predisposing to reactive‐proactive aggression. In the current study, 84 male and female college students self‐reported reactive and proactive aggression, and were assessed for respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure of PNS‐related cardiac activity, during rest and when they contemplated an emotion‐evoking decision‐making task. Regression analyses showed that (a) resting RSA was positively linked to reactive aggression in conditions of high social adversity, and (b) RSA reactivity was positively associated with reactive but negatively associated with proactive aggression, in conditions of low social adversity. Main effects were not found for psychophysiological functioning or psychosocial adversity, suggesting the importance of their interaction. Findings support a biosocial basis for aggression and add additional support for the distinctions between reactive and proactive aggression.
The restoration of tropical seed dispersal networks
Authors: Ribeiro da Silva Fernanda , Montoya Daniel , Furtado Rafael , Memmott Jane , Pizo Marco A. , Rodrigues Ricardo R.
Published: July 2015

Human activities have led to the loss of habitats and biodiversity in the Atlantic Rain Forest in Brazil. Ecological restoration aims to rebuild this biome and should include not only the reinstatement of species but also the reestablishment of complex ecological interactions and the ecological functions that they provide. One such function is seed dispersal, which is provided by the interactions between animal frugivores and plants. We studied seed dispersal networks in 3 different tropical forest sites restored 15, 25, and 57 years ago; temporal scales rarely observed in restoration studies. We investigated changes in network structure (nestedness, modularity, and network specialization) in these communities over restoration time. Although network size and the number of interactions increased with time since restoration, the networks were composed of generalist birds, and the large frugivores remained absent. Contrary to our expectations though, species richness was highest in the 25‐year‐old site, maybe due to the higher number of species used in the planting. Nestedness values were low in all 3 networks, but the highest nestedness was observed in the intermediate‐aged site. However, the oldest network was significantly modular and showed higher complementary specialization. These results suggest that 57 years after restoration, the complexity of mutualistic interactions in seed dispersal networks has increased, this enhancing ecosystem function in the Atlantic forest.
TGFB1 Functional Gene Polymorphisms (C‐509T and T869C) in the Maternal Susceptibility to Pre‐eclampsia in South Indian Women
Authors: Deepthi Goske , Chaithri Ponnaluri Kamakshi , Latha Prasanna , Usha Rani Vital , Rahman Police Fazul , Jahan Parveen
Published: July 2015

Pre‐eclampsia (PE), a pregnancy‐specific vascular disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, is hypothesized to be the result of inadequate placental angiogenesis with attendant systemic inflammation. The pleiotropic cytokine, Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), is considered to be a key candidate gene in the molecular pathogenesis of PE by virtue of its ability to not only regulate angiogenesis and apoptosis of target cells, but also by acting as a master controller of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and production of the anti‐inflammatory peripheral regulatory T cells (FOXP3+ Tregs). Based on this presumption, we screened a total of 469 pregnant women from South India that include 239 patients with PE and 230 healthy controls for the two functional polymorphisms of TGFB1 gene (C‐509T and T869C). The genotype frequencies of these two polymorphisms differed significantly between the PE and control groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.002, for the TGFB1 C‐509T and T869C polymorphisms, respectively). Under the over‐dominant model, the CT genotype of the TGFB1 C509T polymorphism showed a high protective effect (P = 3e‐04), while the TT genotype of the same variant appeared to be the predisposing genotype (P = 0.003). The T‐T and C‐C haplotypes were found to be the risk haplotypes blocks towards PE (OR = 4.72; P = 0.031, OR = 5.39; P = 0.03), respectively. Strong linkage disequilibrium was seen between the two polymorphisms. Our investigations revealed a significant influence of TGFB1 C‐509T and T869C polymorphisms on the PE risk in South Indian women. The study represents one of the first of its kind from the Indian subcontinent.
State‐led talent return migration programme and the doubly neglected ‘Malaysian diaspora’: Whose diaspora, what citizenship, whose development?
Authors: Koh Sin Yee
Published: July 2015

This paper questions the assumptions of ‘diaspora’, ‘citizenship’ and ‘development’ underlying diaspora strategies targeting a specific pool of overseasMalaysian ‘talent’ migrants.Iexamine theMalaysian state's discursive attempts to construct a carefully contained economic ‘diaspora'—the ‘Malaysian diaspora'—through its talent return migration programme. In this process, there is a portion of the ‘Malaysian diaspora’, especially non‐bumiputeras(sons of soil), who are doubly neglected and excluded: first, from access to full and equal citizenship (which arguably contributed to their emigration in the first place); and second, from eligibility and recognition to participate in Malaysia's talent return migration programme. However, recent political activism calling for electoral reform and overseas voting rights challenges state‐constructed visions of the ‘diaspora’ and their expected roles in advancing ‘development’. This paper concludes by highlighting questions raised by theMalaysian case, linking these explicitly to how diaspora strategies—as they have been conceived, practised and contested—challenge the broader Migration and Development paradigm.
Making of high‐tech Hyderabad: Mapping neoliberal networks and splintering effects
Authors: Das Diganta
Published: July 2015

Over the past few decades, cities and city regions have become the core of the global economy. Regional governments are increasingly drafting city development policies and implementing them through various visioning documents with the aim of making cities more global, networked and competitive. Welfarist governments especially in the global South are becoming increasingly entrepreneurial, and in the process poor citizens are getting pushed to the margins, evicted from their land and relocated to city fringes. Hyderabad in India provides an interesting illustration of neoliberal development trends in which poor local farmers are forced off their land to make way for a ‘world‐class’ knowledge enclave, popularly known as Cyberabad. This paper examines the policies and processes by which the regional government has sought to brand Hyderabad as a world‐class information technology destination and to restructure and reimagine it as a key node in a network of ‘globally connected cities’ of the world. It also considers the making of Cyberabad in terms of splintering urbanism, which is often understood as a defining feature of contemporary neoliberal urban processes.
Phosphorus availability and farm structural factors: examining scarcity and oversupply in north‐east Germany
Authors: Theobald T. F. H. , Daedlow K. , Kern J.
Published: July 2015

Assessing factors influencing phosphorus (P) availability in soils is important in preventing its overexploitation and excessive application in agricultural systems. Despite high historical P applications in the federal state of Brandenburg (Germany), county data on soil test P (STP) reveal considerable disparities in soil available P. In addition, negative soil balances as a result of small mineral P and manure inputs have been observed, raising questions about the factors leading to this situation. Our work focused on identifying possible causes operating at the farm management level by conducting a letter survey in two administrative districts of Brandenburg, the counties Barnim and Uckermark, linking farm management factors (ownership type, farm size, land tenure, animal husbandry with or without grassland and its intensity, presence of a biogas plant and organic production) to farmers’ self‐indicated levels of STP. Small‐ to medium‐sized individual farms tended to have (very) high STP, while large partnership farms and companies/cooperatives were sensitive to factors resulting in low STP. Farms with low shares of land ownership, the presence of grassland, extensive cattle farming and stockless organic farming had lower STP. On the other hand, biogas plants, partly in combination with intensive livestock (cattle) farming, were associated with larger STP. It was concluded that more care should be devoted to the design of agricultural policies and that further (inter‐ and transdisciplinary) research on this topic is needed.
Evaluation of a potassium removal filter on irradiated red cells stored in SAGM
Authors: Morrison A. , McMillan L. , Campbell J. D. M. , Petrik J.
Published: July 2015

Background and objectives

Irradiation of red cell concentrates RCCs) can lead to well‐documented elevated extracellular potassium concentrations. Transfusion of these products has the potential, if given as a massive/rapid transfusion, to lead to transient hyperkalemia. A potassium absorption filter (PAF) has recently been developed and has been proven to effectively remove excess K+. However, data are lacking on the red cell quality parameters over storage after irradiation.

Methods

Thirty RCCs were pooled and split into 3 groups of 10. All RCCs were irradiated on day 14 and filtered on day 28 (group 1 control), day 15 (group 2) or day 17 (group 3). Pre‐irradiation, pre‐ and post‐filtration and day 28 samples were taken for each study. Standard red cell quality parameters were measured over storage at the above time points.

Results

Losses for haemoglobin, haematocrit and volume were minimal after filtration with all units containing >40 g Hgb unit−1. Statistically, significant differences were observed for K+ and Na+ levels in groups filtered at either 24 or 72 h post‐irradiation, and this was observed directly after filtration and remained by day 28. Filtration had no significant impact on any other parameters measured.

Conclusions

PAF effectively removed supernatant potassium (93%) from all RCC units. Early removal of K+ at either day 15 or 17 on RCCs subsequently stored to day 28 had no measurable effect on red cell quality, suggesting this may be a useful device to ensure further safety for at‐risk immunocompromised patient groups requiring irradiated RCCs.
Transfused older stored red blood cells improve the clinical course and outcome in a canine lethal hemorrhage and reperfusion model
Authors: Solomon Steven B. , Cortés‐Puch Irene , Sun Junfeng , Remy Kenneth E. , Wang Dong , Feng Jing , Khan Sameena S. , Sinchar Derek , Kim‐Shapiro Daniel B. , Klein Harvey G. , Natanson Charles
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

In canine models, transfused older stored red blood cells (RBCs) hemolyze in vivo resulting in significantly increased intravascular cell‐free hemoglobin (CFH) and non–transferrin‐bound iron (NTBI). During canine bacterial pneumonia with septic shock, but not in controls, older stored RBCs were associated with significantly increased lung injury and mortality. It is unknown if in shock without infection transfusion of older RBCs will result in similar adverse effects.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Two‐year‐old purpose‐bred beagles (n = 12) were transfused similar quantities of either older (42‐day) or fresher (7‐day) stored universal donor canine RBCs 2.5 hours after undergoing controlled hemorrhage (55 mL/kg).

RESULTS

With older transfused RBCs, CFH (p < 0.0001) and NTBI (p = 0.004) levels increased, but lung injury (p = 0.01) and C‐reactive protein levels (p = 0.002) declined and there was a trend toward lower mortality (18% vs. 50%). All three deaths after transfused fresher RBCs resulted from hepatic fractures. Lowered exogenous norepinephrine requirements (p < 0.05) and cardiac outputs (p < 0.05) after older transfused RBCs were associated with increased CFH levels that have known vasoconstrictive nitric oxide scavenging capability.

CONCLUSIONS

In hemorrhagic shock, older RBCs altered resuscitation physiology but did not worsen clinical outcomes. Elevated CFH may lower norepinephrine requirements and cardiac outputs ameliorating reperfusion injuries. With hemorrhagic shock, NTBI levels persist in contrast to the increased clearance, lung injury, and mortality in the previously reported infection model. These preclinical data suggest that whereas iron derived from older RBCs promotes bacterial growth, worsening septic shock mortality during infection, release of CFH and NTBI during hemorrhagic shock is not necessarily harmful.
Intermittent bacteremia detected in an asymptomatic apheresis platelet donor with repeat positive culture for Escherichia coli: a case report
Authors: Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra , Alport Ted , Goldman Mindy
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Bacterial culture of platelet concentrates (PCs) has been implemented to reduce the risk of infectious transfusion events. Most positive cultures are for skin flora or environmental organisms with no underlying pathology associated in the donor. Less frequently, enteric organisms have been isolated from PCs indicating asymptomatic donor bacteremia. We report a case of a donor with repeat positive culture for Escherichia coli.

CASE REPORT

A 62‐year‐old single apheresis platelet (PLT) donor who passed all routine screening procedures had two intermittent positive BacT/ALERT cultures with E. coli. On both occasions, transfusion was prevented with the contaminated units. The donor denied any symptoms suggestive of infection and was referred to his family physician for evaluation. A barium enema revealed multiple colonic diverticula, although the donor has remained asymptomatic. Based on his history of repeat‐positive cultures with the same enteric organism, the donor has been permanently deferred.

DISCUSSION

PLT screening for bacterial contamination has been an effective measure to reduce the incidence of septic transfusion reactions. Important is the capture of Gram‐negative bacteria, which can be involved in septic shock due to the production of endotoxins. In addition to the safety benefit to PLT recipients, PLT culture is valuable for blood donors. The recurrence of positive cultures with the same organism allows the identification of subclinical illnesses and, if appropriate, deferral from blood donation.

CONCLUSION

This asymptomatic donor has intermittent bacteremia likely related to diverticular disease. Isolation of E. coli twice prompted further investigation and donor deferral.
Double red blood cell donors with increased ferritin levels: a descriptive study
Authors: Delage Gilles , Grégoire Yves , Lebrun André
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

One of the measures proposed to mitigate iron loss in blood donors is monitoring of their ferritin levels. Occasionally, high ferritin levels are found in monitored donors. We report the results of the clinical and laboratory investigation of 80 double red blood cell (DRBC) donors with high ferritin levels.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All DRBC donors’ ferritin levels were measured during each visit for a donation. Donors with high ferritin levels who agreed to participate underwent a clinical and laboratory evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 165 of 2757 DRBC donors had at least one high ferritin level. Five were already known to suffer from hemochromatosis. A full investigation was available for 80 other donors. A total of 61 of 80 donors had normalized their ferritin level at the time of their laboratory evaluation. Only 16 donors had high serum iron levels, of whom four had increased saturation index. Genetic analysis gave the following results: C282Y homozygous, two; H63D homozygous, six; C282Y/HC3D double heterozygote, six; C282Y heterozygote, six; H63D heterozygote, 19; and no mutations, 39. None of the other laboratory investigations contributed data explaining the high ferritin levels observed.

CONCLUSION

In most donors with high ferritin levels, the phenomenon was transient, with normal ferritin levels found in follow‐up. Less than 10% of these donors had evidence of iron overload. Only eight were homozygous for mutations associated with hemochromatosis. An extensive laboratory investigation by the treating physician should only be recommended in donors with persistently high ferritin levels.