bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher order aberrations and axial elongation in combined 0.01% atropine with orthokeratology for myopia control
Authors: Vincent Stephen J , Tan Qi , Ng Alex L K , Cheng George P M , Woo Victor C P , Cho Pauline
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To compare the changes in higher order aberrations (HOA’s) for photopic and mesopic pupil diameters in children undergoing orthokeratology treatment (OK) or combined 0.01% atropine with orthokeratology treatment (AOK), and their association with axial elongation.

Methods

Children aged 6 to <11 years with 1.00–4.00 D of myopia were randomly assigned to each treatment group. Photopic and mesopic pupil diameters were quantified using automated pupillometry and HOA’s were measured with a Hartmann‐Shack aberrometer and Badal system to control for accommodation. HOA’s were rescaled to photopic and mesopic pupil diameters and fitted with a 6th order Zernike polynomial expansion. Axial length was measured using an optical biometer under cycloplegia.

Results

Baseline and six‐month data from 25 AOK and 28 OK participants were analysed. At the six‐month visit, pupil diameter was larger in the AOK group under photopic conditions (3.70 ± 0.42 vs 3.12 ± 0.33 mm, p < 0.001), along with a range of HOA metrics [3rd to 6th order and higher order root mean square error values (HO RMS), all p ≤ 0.003] and individual Zernike terms (primary spherical aberration, and oblique quadrafoil, both p ≤ 0.03). Axial elongation was greater in the OK treatment group (0.05 ± 0.08 vs −0.01 ± 0.12 mm, p = 0.02). In the AOK group, axial elongation was correlated with the increase in photopic pupil diameter (r = −0.45, p = 0.02) and with several HOA metrics; however, these associations were not observed in the OK group.

Conclusion

AOK treatment resulted in increased photopic pupil size and HOA’s, and significantly less axial elongation over a six‐month period compared to OK treatment alone. The improved myopia control observed with combination 0.01% atropine and orthokeratology may be a result of an enhanced optical effect due to a larger photopic pupil size.
Mediation of JA signalling in glandular trichomes by the woolly/SlMYC1 regulatory module improves pest resistance in tomato
Authors: Hua Bing , Chang Jiang , Wu Minliang , Xu Zhijing , Zhang Fanyu , Yang Meina , Xu Huimin , Wang Ling‐Jian , Chen Xiao‐Ya , Wu Shuang
Published: September 2020

Almost all plants form trichomes, which protect them against insect herbivores by forming a physical barrier and releasing chemical repellents. Glandular trichomes produce a variety of specialized defensive metabolites, including volatile terpenes. Previous studies have shown that the defence hormone jasmonic acid (JA) affects trichome development and induces terpene synthases (TPSs) but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we characterized a loss‐of‐function allele of the HD‐ZIP IV transcription factor woolly (wo) and analysed its role in mediating JA signalling in tomato. We showed that knockout of wo led to extensive trichome defects, including structural and functional changes in type VI glandular trichomes, and a dramatic reduction in terpene levels. We further found that wo directly binds to TPS gene promoters to recruit SlMYC1, a JA signalling modulator, and that together these transcription factors promote terpene biosynthesis in tomato trichomes. The wo/SlMYC1 regulatory module is inhibited by SlJAZ2 through a competitive binding mechanism, resulting in a fine‐tuned JA response in tomato trichomes. Enhanced expression of SlMYC1 substantially increased terpene levels and improved tomato resistance to spider mites. Interestingly, we also found that SlMYC1 plays an additional role in glandular cell division and expansion in type VI trichomes, independent of JA. Together, our results reveal a novel, JA‐mediated regulatory mechanism that promotes insect resistance in tomato.
Effect of a Bacillus subtilis strain on flax protection against Fusarium oxysporum and its impact on the root and stem cell walls
Authors: Planchon Aline , Durambur Gaëlle , Besnier Jean‐Baptiste , Plasson Carole , Gügi Bruno , Bernard Sophie , Mérieau Annabelle , Trouvé Jean‐Paul , Dubois Caroline , Laval Karine , Driouich Azeddine , Mollet Jean‐Claude , Gattin Richard
Published: September 2020

In Normandy, flax is a plant of important economic interest because of its fibres. Fusarium oxysporum, a telluric fungus, is responsible for the major losses in crop yield and fibre quality. Several methods are currently used to limit the use of phytochemicals on crops. One of them is the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) occurring naturally in the rhizosphere. PGPR are known to act as local antagonists to soil‐borne pathogens and to enhance plant resistance by eliciting the induced systemic resistance (ISR). In this study, we first investigated the cell wall modifications occurring in roots and stems after inoculation with the fungus in two flax varieties. First, we showed that both varieties displayed different cell wall organization and that rapid modifications occurred in roots and stems after inoculation. Then, we demonstrated the efficiency of a Bacillus subtilis strain to limit Fusarium wilt on both varieties with a better efficiency for one of them. Finally, thermo‐gravimetry was used to highlight that B. subtilis induced modifications of the stem properties, supporting a reinforcement of the cell walls. Our findings suggest that the efficiency and the mode of action of the PGPR B. subtilis is likely to be flax variety dependent.
Different strategies of Cd tolerance and accumulation in Arabidopsis halleri and Arabidopsis arenosa
Authors: Szopiński Michał , Sitko Krzysztof , Rusinowski Szymon , Zieleźnik‐Rusinowska Paulina , Corso Massimiliano , Rostański Adam , Rojek‐Jelonek Magdalena , Verbruggen Nathalie , Małkowski Eugeniusz
Published: September 2020

Pseudometallophytes are commonly used to study the evolution of metal tolerance and accumulation traits in plants. Within the Arabidopsis genus, the adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metalliferous soils has been widely studied, which is not the case for the closely related species Arabidopsis arenosa. We performed an in‐depth physiological comparison between the A. halleri and A. arenosa populations from the same polluted site, together with the geographically close non‐metallicolous (NM) populations of both species. The ionomes, growth, photosynthetic parameters and pigment content were characterized in the plants that were growing on their native site and in a hydroponic culture under Cd treatments. In situ, the metallicolous (M) populations of both species hyperaccumulated Cd and Zn. The NM population of A. halleri hyperaccumulated Cd and Zn while the NM A. arenosa did not. In the hydroponic experiments, the NM populations of both species accumulated more Cd in their shoots than the M populations. Our research suggests that the two Arabidopsis species evolved different strategies of adaptation to extreme metallic environments that involve fine regulation of metal homeostasis, adjustment of the photosynthetic apparatus and accumulation of flavonols and anthocyanins.
Response of Cucurbita spp. to tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus inoculation and identification of a dominant source of resistance in Cucurbita moschata
Authors: Romero‐Masegosa Jonathan , Martínez Cecilia , Aguado Encarnación , García Alicia , Cebrián Gustavo , Iglesias‐Moya Jessica , Paris Harry S. , Jamilena Manuel
Published: September 2020

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus is an emerging whitefly‐borne species of begomovirus in Mediterranean regions that poses a severe threat to cucurbit crops of the genus Cucurbita. Until now, only two sources of resistance have been identified in Cucurbita spp., these being PI604506 (cv. Large Cheese) and PI381814 (Indian landrace), both of C. moschata. The resistance of cv. Large Cheese is conferred by a single recessive gene located on chromosome 8. The objective of the present investigation was to screen for tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) resistance among 105 accessions drawn from five species of Cucurbita and, if high resistance was found in any of them, determine the mode of inheritance. Screening was conducted using whitefly‐mediated inoculation on all 105 accessions. The accessions showing some resistance were further screened by mechanical inoculation as well as by quantitative PCR‐based diagnostics. The results showed that, overall, the accessions of C. pepo and C. maxima were the most susceptible, those of C. argyrosperma and C. ecuadorensis intermediate, and those of C. moschata most resistant to ToLCNDV. Only one accession of C. moschata, BSUAL‐252, originating from Japan, was highly resistant to ToLCNDV, showing no symptoms after either method of inoculation, and absence of virus accumulation. Upon crossing BSUAL‐252 with a susceptible accession of C. moschata, BSUAL‐265, the resistance was observed to be conferred by a single dominant gene. This gene is not linked to the genomic region on chromosome 8 where the locus of the previously identified recessive gene for ToLCNDV resistance resides.
Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Phytophthora infestans populations on Java, Indonesia
Authors: Dangi Sandesh , Wharton Phillip , Ambarwati Alberta D. , Santoso Tri Joko , Kusmana  , Sulastrini Ineu , Medendorp John , Hokanson Karen , Douches David
Published: September 2020

Phytophthora infestans is endemic to Indonesia and can infect potato crops at any stage in the growing season. Little is known about P. infestans populations in Indonesia. The objectives of this study were first to identify the genotypes causing late blight in the main potato‐growing regions on Java in Indonesia, and secondly to examine genotypic diversity in the P. infestans populations in those regions. Samples were collected on FTA cards (n = 140) or in tubers (n = 6) from 15 locations in nine regencies over four years (2016–2019). Microsatellite analysis revealed that late blight outbreaks in these regencies were caused by EU_2_A1 and other genotypes that are unique to Indonesia. Eighty percent of the samples that amplified with CAPS markers were the A1 mating type. Cultures of six isolates were determined to be the A1 mating type based on the pairing test, and of these, two isolates were intermediate and four were sensitive to metalaxyl‐M (mefenoxam). The mode of reproduction of the P. infestans population on Java, Indonesia, was found to be clonal. However, as the sample size in this study was small, more isolates need to be tested to confirm this. Microsatellite analysis revealed that 90% of Indonesian samples had trisomic loci. A high number of multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were found in all nine regencies (131 MLGs out of 146 samples). Results indicate that there is ongoing polyploidization in these populations due to a high mutation rate and no selection pressure from the susceptible potato hosts that are being grown in Indonesia.
Presidential Power and Withdrawing from Foreign Entanglements: Koreanization in the 1970s
Authors: Setzekorn Eric
Published: September 2020

In the 1970s, the Nixon and Carter administrations attempted to withdraw American forces from South Korea. A policy of troop reductions continued throughout the decade, and although some U.S. troops were withdrawn from South Korea, tens of thousands remained at the end of the 1970s. Although the policy goals were largely symmetrical, the rate of withdrawal differed sharply, with Richard M. Nixon pulling out nearly 10 times as many troops as Jimmy Carter. This article argues that bureaucratic actors, including senior military officers, were responsible for the divergent results of the Korean withdrawal programs.
Communicating the economic value of customer ownership in insurance: A qualitative analysis of annual reports
Authors: Talonen Antti , Talonen Harri , Stenvall Jari , Jussila Iiro
Published: September 2020

Its distinctive ownership base leads to a customer‐owned mutual insurer representing a mission and purpose of existence that are very different from those of an investor‐owned insurer. While the owner value of the latter can be defined in terms of return on invested capital, in mutuals, the attention is shifted toward benefits and value for customers. Despite this major difference, scholars know little about mutual insurers' value‐creating processes. To begin filling this knowledge gap, the article explores and identifies how managers of mutual insurance companies understand and communicate the economic value of ownership to their customer–owners and other stakeholders. It reports on thematic analysis of annual reports of 18 mutuals, based in seven countries (England, Finland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States), on the basis of which the authors offer a tentative framework for enhancing scholars' and practitioners' understanding of how the economic value of ownership is understood in a customer‐owned mutual insurance company.
Behçet disease (BD) and BD‐like clinical phenotypes: NF‐κB pathway in mucosal ulcerating diseases
Authors: Perazzio Sandro F. , Allenspach Eric J. , Eklund Kari K. , Varjosalo Markku , Shinohara Michi M. , Torgerson Troy R. , Seppänen Mikko R. J.
Published: September 2020

Behçet's disease (BD) is a heterogeneous multi‐organ disorder in search of a unified pathophysiological theory and classification. The disease frequently has overlapping features resembling other disease clusters, such as vasculitides, spondyloarthritides and thrombophilias with similar genetic risk variants, namelyHLA‐B*51,ERAP1,IL‐10,IL‐23R. Many of the BD manifestations, such as unprovoked recurrent episodes of inflammation and increased expression of IL‐1, IL‐6 and TNFα, overlap with those of the hereditary monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes, positioning BD at the crossroads between autoimmune and autoinflammatory syndromes. BD‐like disease associates with various inborn errors of immunity, including familial Mediterranean fever, conditions related to dysregulated NF‐κB activation (egTNFAIP3,NFKB1,OTULIN,RELA,IKBKG) and either constitutional trisomy 8 or acquired trisomy 8 in myelodysplastic syndromes. We review here the recent advances in the immunopathology of BD, BD‐like diseases and the NF‐κB pathway suggesting new elements in the elusive BD etiopathogenesis.
Securing Racial Borders: A Comparative Study of Settler‐Racial Ideology and State Border Violence
Authors: Chubin Fae , Ramirez Manuel A.
Published: September 2020

The Palestinian “Great March of Return” in 2018, marked by the Israeli government’s brutal attacks on Palestinians who were demonstrating at the Gaza border, nearly coincided with the Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” policy in which the unauthorized border crossing of Latinx immigrants came under an ever severe attack. This article offers a comparative content analysis of the “border security” discourses of the two settler‐colonial states of the United States and Israel by examining American and Israeli government officials’ public comments on state violence at borders. We place our study within a settler‐colonial framework to provide a historically grounded analysis of the U.S. and Israel’s racial ideologies and the colorblind rhetoric of “border security.” Through a content analysis of the speeches, interviews, social media posts, and press releases of American and Israeli government officials, we identified a settler‐racial ideology shared by the two states comprised of three distinct and overlapping frames: (1) obscuring settler colonialism, (2) vilification of those constructed as non‐native, and (3) glorification of the state. By bridging theories of settler colonialism and structural racism, we demonstrate that a settler‐racial ideology is central to maintaining the ongoing systems of border violence within settler‐colonial states.
Cisnormative Empathy: A Critical Examination of Love, Support, and Compassion for Transgender People by their Loved Ones
Authors: Kelley Andrea D.
Published: September 2020

Supportive family members appear to be an important source of compassion and allyship for their transgender loved ones, and yet there is little research on the family members themselves. With growing recognition, researchers are increasingly focusing on these perspectives, yet there remains a dearth of literature that incorporates the perspectives of people with transgender parents. In this paper, I use 20 in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews to assess the empathetic self‐constructions of participants as they describe their love and support for their transgender parent, while examining potential dangers of support that is underpinned by traditional norms related to gender, sexuality, and family. I introducecisnormative empathyto identify this phenomenon, acknowledging the importance of empathy as a precursor to support and acceptance, while exploring how empathetic self‐constructions combined with actions underpinned by cisnormativity may be counterproductive to the needs of transgender loved ones and the transgender community as a whole. I suggest that additional supports for transgender people’s loved ones are needed to help explore complicated emotions while also challenging cisnormative ideologies.
Addressing loneliness and social isolation amongst elderly people through local co‐production in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Kohei , Dollery Brian E. , Kortt Michael A.
Published: September 2020

In common with many other societies with ageing populations, loneliness and social isolation have become a significant problem in contemporary Japan. The financial burden associated with an ageing population, together with ongoing fiscal austerity, has severely constrained the ability of local authorities to address the problem. As a result, policymakers have sought cost‐effective methods of tackling the problem, including local co‐production with community groups. In this article, we consider the impact of loneliness and social isolation on wellbeing and then examine two illustrative case studies of local co‐production programs aimed at tackling social isolation amongst older adults in Japan.
BdWRKY38 is required for the incompatible interaction of Brachypodium distachyon with the necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Kouzai Yusuke , Shimizu Minami , Inoue Komaki , Uehara‐Yamaguchi Yukiko , Takahagi Kotaro , Nakayama Risa , Matsuura Takakazu , Mori Izumi C. , Hirayama Takashi , Abdelsalam Sobhy S. H. , Noutoshi Yoshiteru , Mochida Keiichi
Published: September 2020

Rhizoctonia solani is a soil‐borne necrotrophic fungus that causes sheath blight in grasses. The basal resistance of compatible interactions between R. solani and rice is known to be modulated by some WRKY transcription factors (TFs). However, genes and defense responses involved in incompatible interaction with R. solani remain unexplored, because no such interactions are known in any host plants. Recently, we demonstrated that Bd3‐1, an accession of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon, is resistant to R. solani and, upon inoculation with the fungus, undergoes rapid induction of genes responsive to the phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) that encode the WRKY TFs BdWRKY38 and BdWRKY44. Here, we show that endogenous SA and these WRKY TFs positively regulate this accession‐specific R. solani resistance. In contrast to a susceptible accession (Bd21), the infection process in the resistant accessions Bd3‐1 and Tek‐3 was suppressed at early stages before the development of fungal biomass and infection machinery. A comparative transcriptome analysis during pathogen infection revealed that putative WRKY‐dependent defense genes were induced faster in the resistant accessions than in Bd21. A gene regulatory network (GRN) analysis based on the transcriptome dataset demonstrated that BdWRKY38 was a GRN hub connected to many target genes specifically in resistant accessions, whereas BdWRKY44 was shared in the GRNs of all three accessions. Moreover, overexpression of BdWRKY38 increased R. solani resistance in Bd21. Our findings demonstrate that these resistant accessions can activate an incompatible host response to R. solani, and BdWRKY38 regulates this response by mediating SA signaling.
Targeted mutation of barley (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan synthases reveals complex relationships between the storage and cell wall polysaccharide content
Authors: Garcia‐Gimenez Guillermo , Barakate Abdellah , Smith Pauline , Stephens Jennifer , Khor Shi F. , Doblin Monika S. , Hao Pengfei , Bacic Antony , Fincher Geoffrey B. , Burton Rachel A. , Waugh Robbie , Tucker Matthew R. , Houston Kelly
Published: September 2020

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L) grain is comparatively rich in (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan, a source of fermentable dietary fibre that protects against various human health conditions. However, low grain (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan content is preferred for brewing and distilling. We took a reverse genetics approach, using CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mutations in members of the Cellulose synthase‐like (Csl) gene superfamily that encode known (HvCslF6 and HvCslH1) and putative (HvCslF3 and HvCslF9) (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan synthases. Resultant mutations ranged from single amino acid (aa) substitutions to frameshift mutations causing premature stop codons, and led to specific differences in grain morphology, composition and (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan content. (1,3;1,4)‐β‐Glucan was absent in the grain of cslf6 knockout lines, whereas cslf9 knockout lines had similar (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan content to wild‐type (WT). However, cslf9 mutants showed changes in the abundance of other cell‐wall‐related monosaccharides compared with WT. Thousand grain weight (TGW), grain length, width and surface area were altered in cslf6 knockouts, and to a lesser extent TGW in cslf9 knockouts. cslf3 and cslh1 mutants had no effect on grain (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan content. Our data indicate that multiple members of the CslF/H family fulfil important functions during grain development but, with the exception of HvCslF6, do not impact the abundance of (1,3;1,4)‐β‐glucan in mature grain.
Rice plants respond to ammonium stress by adopting a helical root growth pattern
Authors: Jia Letian , Xie Yuanming , Wang Zhen , Luo Long , Zhang Chi , Pélissier Pierre‐Mathieu , Parizot Boris , Qi Weicong , Zhang Jing , Hu Zhubing , Motte Hans , Luo Le , Xu Guohua , Beeckman Tom , Xuan Wei
Published: September 2020

High levels of ammonium nutrition reduce plant growth and different plant species have developed distinct strategies to maximize ammonium acquisition while alleviating ammonium toxicity through modulating root growth. To date, the mechanisms underlying plant tolerance or sensitivity towards ammonium remain unclear. Rice (Oryza sativa) uses ammonium as its main N source. Here we show that ammonium supply restricts rice root elongation and induces a helical growth pattern, which is attributed to root acidification resulting from ammonium uptake. Ammonium‐induced low pH triggers the asymmetric distribution of auxin in rice root tips through changes in auxin signaling, thereby inducing a helical growth response. Blocking auxin signaling completely inhibited this root response. In contrast, this root response is not activated in ammonium‐treated Arabidopsis. Acidification of Arabidopsis roots leads to the protonation of indole‐3‐acetic acid and dampening of the intracellular auxin signaling levels that are required for maintaining root growth. Our study suggests a different mode of action by ammonium on the root pattern and auxin response machinery in rice versus Arabidopsis, and the rice‐specific helical root response towards ammonium is an expression of the ability of rice to moderate auxin signaling and root growth to utilize ammonium while confronting acidic stress.
COLD REGULATED 27 and 28 are targets of CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 and negatively affect phytochrome B signalling
Authors: Kahle Nikolai , Sheerin David J. , Fischbach Patrick , Koch Leonie‐Alexa , Schwenk Philipp , Lambert Dorothee , Rodriguez Ryan , Kerner Konstantin , Hoecker Ute , Zurbriggen Matias D. , Hiltbrunner Andreas
Published: September 2020

Phytochromes are red/far‐red light receptors in plants involved in the regulation of growth and development. Phytochromes can sense the light environment and contribute to measuring day length; thereby, they allow plants to respond and adapt to changes in the ambient environment. Two well‐characterized signalling pathways act downstream of phytochromes and link light perception to the regulation of gene expression. The CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1/SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA‐105 (COP1/SPA) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and the PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs) are key components of these pathways and repress light responses in the dark. In light‐grown seedlings, phytochromes inhibit COP1/SPA and PIF activity and thereby promote light signalling. In a yeast‐two‐hybrid screen for proteins binding to light‐activated phytochromes, we identified COLD‐REGULATED GENE 27 (COR27). COR27 and its homologue COR28 bind to phyA and phyB, the two primary phytochromes in seed plants. COR27 and COR28 have been described previously with regard to a function in the regulation of freezing tolerance, flowering and the circadian clock. Here, we show that COR27 and COR28 repress early seedling development in blue, far‐red and in particular red light. COR27 and COR28 contain a conserved Val‐Pro (VP)‐peptide motif, which mediates binding to the COP1/SPA complex. COR27 and COR28 are targeted for degradation by COP1/SPA and mutant versions with a VP to AA amino acid substitution in the VP‐peptide motif are stabilized. Overall, our data suggest that COR27 and COR28 accumulate in light but act as negative regulators of light signalling during early seedling development, thereby preventing an exaggerated response to light.
Leaflet initiation and blade expansion are separable in compound leaf development
Authors: Du Fei , Mo Yajin , Israeli Alon , Wang Qingqing , Yifhar Tamar , Ori Naomi , Jiao Yuling
Published: September 2020

Compound leaves are composed of multiple separate blade units termed leaflets. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) compound leaves, auxin promotes both leaflet initiation and blade expansion. However, it is unclear how these two developmental processes interact. With highly variable complexity, tomato compound leaves provide an ideal system to address this question. In this study, we obtained and analyzed mutants of the WUSCHEL‐RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) family gene SlLAM1 from tomato, whose orthologs in tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) and other species are indispensable for blade expansion. We show that SlLAM1 is expressed in the middle and marginal domains of leaves, and is required for blade expansion in leaflets. We demonstrate that sllam1 mutants cause a delay of leaflet initiation and slightly alter the arrangement of first‐order leaflets, whereas the overall leaflet number is comparable to that of wild‐type leaves. Analysis of the genetic interactions between SlLAM1 and key auxin signaling components revealed an epistatic effect of SlLAM1 in determining the final leaf form. Finally, we show that SlLAM1 is also required for floral organ growth and affects the fertility of gametophytes. Our data suggest that SlLAM1 promotes blade expansion in multiple leaf types, and leaflet initiation can be largely uncoupled from blade expansion during compound leaf morphogenesis.
FERONIA mediates root nutating growth
Authors: Li En , Wang Guangda , Zhang Yu‐Ling , Kong Zhaosheng , Li Sha
Published: September 2020

Root nutation indicates the behavior that roots grow in a waving and skewing way due to unequal growth rates on different sides. Although a few developmental and environmental factors have been reported, genetic pathways mediating this process are obscure. We report here that the Arabidopsis CrRLK1L family member FERONIA (FER) is critical for root nutation. Functional loss of FER resulted in enhanced root waviness on tilted plates or roots forming anti‐clockwise coils on horizontal plates. Suppressing polar auxin transport, either by pharmacological treatment or by introducing mutations at PIN‐FORMED2 (PIN2) or AUXIN RESISTANT1 (AUX1), suppressed the asymmetric root growth (ARG) in fer‐4, a null mutant of FER, indicating that FER suppression of ARG depends on polar auxin transport. We further showed by pharmacological treatments that dynamic microtubule organization and Ca2+ signaling are both critical for FER‐mediated ARG. Results presented here demonstrate a key role of FER in mediating root nutating growth, through PIN2‐ and AUX1‐mediated auxin transport, through dynamic microtubule organization, and through Ca2+ signaling.
Parallel evolution of apetalous lineages within the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae): outward expansion of AGAMOUS1, rather than disruption of APETALA3‐3
Authors: Duan Xiaoshan , Zhao Caiyao , Jiang Yongchao , Zhang Rui , Shan Hongyan , Kong Hongzhi
Published: September 2020

Complete loss of petals, or becoming apetalous, has occurred independently in many flowering plant lineages. However, the mechanisms underlying the parallel evolution of naturally occurring apetalous lineages remain largely unclear. Here, by sampling representatives of all nine apetalous genera/tribes of the family Ranunculaceae and conducting detailed morphological, expression, molecular evolutionary and functional studies, we investigate the mechanisms underlying parallel petal losses. We found that while non‐expression/downregulation of the petal identity gene APETALA3‐3 (AP3‐3) is tightly associated with complete petal losses, disruptions of the AP3‐3 orthologs were unlikely to be the real causes for the parallel evolution of apetalous lineages. We also found that, compared with their close petalous relatives, naturally occurring apetalous taxa usually bear slightly larger numbers of stamens, whereas the number of sepals remains largely unchanged, suggestive of petal‐to‐stamen rather than petal‐to‐sepal transformations. In addition, in the recently originated apetalous genus Enemion, the petal‐to‐stamen transformations have likely been caused by the mutations that led to the elevation and outward expansion of the expression of the C‐function gene, AGAMOUS1 (AG1). Our results not only provide a general picture of parallel petal losses within the Ranunculaceae but also help understand the mechanisms underlying the independent originations of other apetalous lineages.
How have red blood transfusion practices changed in critically ill patients? A comparison of the ICON and ABC studies conducted 13 years apart
Authors: Cavalcante dos Santos Elaine , Bakos Péter , Vincent Jean‐Louis
Published: September 2020

Background

Optimal transfusion practice remains a matter of ongoing debate despite several large clinical studies.

Study Design and Methods

Databases from two observational studies—the Anemia and Blood Transfusion in Critically ill patients (ABC) conducted in 1999 and The Intensive Care Over Nations (ICON) audit conducted in 2012—were compared to evaluate changes in transfusion practice and outcomes over a 13‐year period.

Results

A total of 3534 patients from the ABC study and 4125 from the ICON study were included in this analysis. ICON patients were more severely ill, with higher APACHE II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores on admission than ABC patients; however, ICU mortality rates were similar (13.5% vs 13.8%, P = .745). The ICU transfusion rate was significantly lower in the ICON study (24% vs 37%, P < .001). APACHE II and SOFA scores were significantly higher in transfused patients in the ICON study than those in the ABC study (APACHE II: 22.0 ± 8.1 vs 16.5 ± 7.9, P < .001; SOFA: 8.4 ± 4.0 vs 6.6 ± 3.7, P < .001), but mortality rates were similar. Twenty‐eight day mortality rates for patients who received more than 4 RBC units were lower in the ICON study (33.6% vs 44.8%, P = .006).

Conclusion

The transfusion rate in ICU patients decreased during the 13‐year period, despite patients being more severely ill in the more recent study; ICU mortality rates remained relatively stable. In patients who received more than 4 units of blood, the mortality rate was significantly lower in the more recent database.
Successful management of sirolimus toxicity in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient using automated red blood cell exchange
Authors: Nizzi Frank , Rees Melissa , Salzberg Dana , Ngwube Alexander
Published: September 2020

Background

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive agent used in organ rejection prophylaxis in solid‐organ transplantation, graft‐vs‐host disease prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and as an immune modulator for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and vascular malformations. Sirolimus has a narrow therapeutic index with potential severe side effects, including hypertension, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity.

Case Report

We report a case of a 19‐year‐old woman with severe sickle cell disease who underwent a matched unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, whose course was complicated by sirolimus toxicity. This case was challenging because sirolimus has no specific antidote, is largely bound to red blood cells (RBCs), has a high distribution volume, and cannot be removed by dialysis or plasmapheresis.

Result

Due to the concern for toxicity, we looked into possibilities for rapid sirolimus clearance using automated RBC exchange. The treatment was effective in decreasing blood sirolimus levels within the therapeutic ranges.

Conclusion

The use of RBC exchange is potentially safe and effective in the management of a case of sirolimus toxicity.
A comparison between leukocyte reduced low titer whole blood vs non‐leukocyte reduced low titer whole blood for massive transfusion activation
Authors: Fadeyi Emmanuel A. , Saha Amit K. , Naal Tawfeq , Martin Harrison , Fenu Elena , Simmons Julie H. , Jones Mary Rose , Pomper Gregory J.
Published: September 2020

Background

Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of survivable death in trauma patients and recent literature has focused on resuscitation strategies including transfusing low‐titer group O whole blood (LTOWB). Debate remains regarding whether leukocyte reduced (LR) whole blood is of clinical benefit or detriment to patients requiring massive transfusion. This study compares survival outcomes between LR‐LTOWB and non‐LR LTOWB.

Study Design and Methods

The objective of this prospective, observational study was to detect any difference in 24‐hour survival between patients receiving LR‐LTOWB and non‐LR LTOWB during their massive transfusion activation. Secondary objectives were to report any difference in ICU LOS, ventilation days, in‐hospital survival, and hospital LOS. Data collected included patient sex, age, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS), cause of death, and number of LTOWB transfused.

Results

A total of 167 patients received 271 LTOWB transfusions. There were 97 patients that received 168 units of LR‐LTOWB while 70 patients received 103 units of non‐LR LTOWB. The two study groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, ISS, TRISS, and the number of LTOWB transfused. The use of LR LTOWB during the initial massive transfusion activation in traumatically injured patients was not associated with increased 24‐hour survival compared to when using non‐LR LTOWB. No transfusion associated adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

The administration of either LR or non‐LR LTOWB was not associated with >24 hours survival in patients presenting with massive hemorrhage. The high cost and the rapid decline in platelet count of LR whole blood may be a consideration.
Comparison of two rebound tonometers in healthy horses
Authors: Mustikka Minna P. , Pietilä Elina M. , Mykkänen Anna K. , Grönthal Thomas S. C.
Published: September 2020

Objective

To obtain a reference range for evaluation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses using Tonovet Plus®, to compare the IOP readings obtained with Tonovet®and Tonovet Plus®, and to evaluate the repeatability of readings.

Animals studied and Procedures

Intraocular pressure of 30 client‐owned horses (60 eyes) with no signs of illness or ocular disease was evaluated using Tonovet®and Tonovet Plus®rebound tonometers. Horses’ mean age was 10.7 (range 6‐17) years. Triplicate measurements were performed without using sedatives or local anesthetics, with minimal restraint.

Results

Calculated reference intervals (the CLSI robust method) were 14.4‐27.2 mmHg for Tonovet®and 16.0‐26.1 mmHg for Tonovet Plus®. Mean values (± standard deviation, SD [± coefficient of variation, CV]) obtained with Tonovet Plus®(21.6 ± 2.45 mmHg [11.3%]) were on average 0.6 mmHg higher than with Tonovet®(21.0 ± 3.14 mmHg [15.0%]), and a negligible statistical difference between the devices was found using the paired sample t test (P = .049). The correlation coefficient for the averaged triplicate measurements was 0.73. The average CV was 4.6% and 4.4% for Tonovet®and Tonovet Plus®, respectively.

Conclusions

The repeatability of measurements was very good with both devices. The readings between the two devices differed statistically significantly, but the correlation was considered good and the variation was numerically small, and thus, the difference was considered clinically irrelevant. When monitoring disease process or treatment response in an individual patient, repeated readings are best performed using a similar device to avoid false interpretation of results.
Skeletal muscle ferritin abundance is tightly related to plasma ferritin concentration in adults with obesity
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J. , Foug Katherine L. , Gioscia‐Ryan Rachel A. , Ludzki Alison C. , Ahn Cheehoon , Schleh Michael W. , Gillen Jenna B. , Chenevert Thomas L. , Horowitz Jeffrey F.
Published: September 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Obesity is associated with complex perturbations to iron homeostasis: is plasma ferritin concentration (a biomarker of whole‐body iron stores) related to the abundance of ferritin (the key tissue iron storage protein) in skeletal muscle in adults with obesity?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Plasma ferritin concentration was tightly correlated with the abundance of ferritin in skeletal muscle, and this relationship persisted when accounting for sex, age, body mass index and plasma C‐reactive protein concentration. Our findings suggest that skeletal muscle may be an important iron store.

Obesity is associated with complex perturbations to whole‐body and tissue iron homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests a potentially important influence of iron storage in skeletal muscle on whole‐body iron homeostasis, but this association is not clearly resolved. The primary aim of this study was to assess the relationship between whole‐body and skeletal muscle iron stores by measuring the abundance of the key iron storage (ferritin) and import (transferrin receptor) proteins in skeletal muscle, as well as markers of whole‐body iron homeostasis in men (n = 19) and women (n = 43) with obesity. Plasma ferritin concentration (a marker of whole‐body iron stores) was highly correlated with muscle ferritin abundance (r = 0.77, P = 2 × 10−13) and negatively associated with muscle transferrin receptor abundance (r = −0.76, P = 1 × 10−12). These relationships persisted when accounting for sex, age, BMI and plasma C‐reactive protein concentration. In parallel with higher whole‐body iron stores in our male versus female participants, men had 2.2‐fold higher muscle ferritin abundance (P = 1 × 10−4) compared with women. In accordance with lower muscle iron storage, women had 2.7‐fold higher transferrin receptor abundance (P = 7 × 10−10) compared with men. We conclude that muscle iron storage and import proteins are tightly and independently related to plasma ferritin concentration in adults with obesity, suggesting that skeletal muscle may be an underappreciated iron store.
Use of Ultrasound as an alternative diagnostic method for the detection of Meralgia Paresthetica
Authors: Yildizgoren Mustafa Turgut
Published: September 2020

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An Overlooked Cause of Posterior Knee Pain: Ultrasound Imaging and Guided Injection for Proximal Lateral Gastrocnemius Tendon Sprain
Authors: Chang Ke-Vin , Wu Wei-Ting , Özçakar Levent
Published: September 2020

Proximal lateral gastrocnemius tendon injury is an overlooked cause of posterior knee pain. As the proximal gastrocnemius tendon attaches on the distal femur; its pain is more deeply located and can also be aggravated by flexion of the affected knee. In the present report, sonopalpation showed that the painful tendon appeared to have lost its fibrillary pattern and become thickened and hypoechoic as well. Under the diagnosis of proximal gastrocnemius tendon sprain, the ultrasound guided dextrose injection was performed and the pain was totally relieved.
Sonography of Encapsulated Fat Necrosis with Histologic Correlation
Authors: Jfri Abdulhadi , Najera Laura , Alfageme Fernando
Published: September 2020

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Ultrasound Lumbar Spine Clinical Training Phantom: Which is the Best Embedding Medium?
Authors: Al Lawati Zainab M.R. , Varsou Ourania
Published: September 2020

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Ultrasound registry in Rheumatology: a first step into a foreseeable future
Authors: Madruga Dias João , Iagnocco Annamaria
Published: September 2020

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Education in Ultrasonography – when to start and when to stop
Authors: Sirli Roxana , Sporea Ioan
Published: September 2020

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Conjunctival melanoma treatment outcomes in 288 patients: a multicentre international data-sharing study
Authors: Jain Puneet , Finger Paul T , Fili Maria , Damato Bertil , Coupland Sarah E , Heimann Heinrich , Kenawy Nihal , J Brouwer Niels , Marinkovic Marina , Van Duinen Sjoerd G , Caujolle Jean Pierre , Maschi Celia , Seregard Stefan , Pelayes David , Folgar Martin , Yousef Yacoub A , Krema Hatem , Gallie Brenda , Calle-Vasquez Alberto
Published: September 2020

Background

To relate conjunctival melanoma characteristics to local control.

Methods

Retrospective, registry-based interventional study with data gathered from 10 ophthalmic oncology centres from 9 countries on 4 continents. Conjunctival melanoma patients diagnosed between January 2001 and December 2013 were enrolled in the study. Primary treatments included local excision, excision with cryotherapy and exenteration. Adjuvant treatments included topical chemotherapy, brachytherapy, proton and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Cumulative 5-year and 10-year Kaplan-Meier local recurrence rates were related to clinical and pathological T-categories of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system.

Results

288 patients had a mean initial age of 59.7±16.8 years. Clinical T-categories (cT) were cT1 (n=218,75.7%), cT2 (n=34, 11.8%), cT3 (n=15, 5.2%), cTx (n=21,7.3%) with no cT4. Primary treatment included local excision (n=161/288, 55.9%) followed by excision biopsy with cryotherapy (n=108/288, 37.5%) and exenteration (n=5/288, 1.7%). Adjuvant therapies included topical mitomycin (n=107/288, 37.1%), plaque-brachytherapy (n=55/288, 19.1%), proton-beam (n=36/288, 13.5%), topical interferon (n=20/288, 6.9%) and EBRT (n=15/288, 5.2%). Secondary exenteration was performed (n=11/283, 3.9%). Local recurrence was noted in 19.1% (median=3.6 years). Cumulative local recurrence was 5.4% (3.2–8.9%), 19.3% (14.4–25.5%) and 36.9% (26.5–49.9%) at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. cT3 and cT2 tumors were twice as likely to recur than cT1 tumours, but only cT3 had statistically significantly greater risk of local recurrence than T1 (p=0.013). Factors such as tumour ulceration, plica or caruncle involvement and tumour thickness were not significantly associated with an increased risk of local recurrence.

Conclusion

This multicentre international study showed that eighth edition of AJCC tumour staging was related to the risk of local recurrence of conjunctival melanoma after treatment. The 10-year cumulative local recurrence remains high despite current management.
Glaucoma conversion of the contralateral eye in unilateral normal-tension glaucoma patients: a 5-year follow-up study
Authors: Kim Jin-Soo , Choi Hyuk Jin , Park Ki Ho
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims

To investigate clinical characteristics and risk factors for glaucoma conversion of the contralateral eye in unilateral normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on a total of 76 subjects who had been diagnosed with unilateral NTG at the baseline and followed up for more than 5 years. Glaucoma conversion in the contralateral eye was defined as increased thinning of neuro-retinal rim, development of retinal nerve fibre layer defect and/or development of glaucomatous visual field defect.

Results

During the mean follow-up period of 7.3±2.4 years, 21 of 76 (27.6%) subjects were confirmed to have developed glaucoma in the non-glaucomatous contralateral eye. The 5-year rate of glaucoma conversion in contralateral eyes was 19.7%. The maximum width of β-zone parapapillary atrophy (MWβPPA)-disc diameter (DD) ratio at the baseline and the presence rate of disc haemorrhage during follow-up period were significantly greater in the contralateral eyes of the conversion group than in those of the non-conversion group (p=0.011, <0.001, respectively). A multivariate Cox-proportional hazard model revealed intraocular pressure (IOP) over 17 mm Hg (HR 5.05, p=0.031), central corneal thickness (CCT) under 491 μm (HR 4.25, p=0.025) and MWβPPA-DD ratio over 0.32 (HR 6.25, p=0.003) in contralateral eye at the baseline as the independent risk factors for glaucoma conversion.

Conclusions

Among unilateral NTG patients, those with low CCT and high MWβPPA-DD ratio as well as high IOP in the contralateral eye are more likely to develop glaucoma in that eye during long-term follow-up.
Long-term natural history of highly myopic eyes with a dome-shaped macula with or without untreated serous retinal detachment: a 4-year follow-up study
Authors: Viola Francesco , Leone Gaia , Garoli Elena , Mainetti Claudia , Galli Davide , Invernizzi Alessandro
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term functional and morphological changes occurring in myopic eyes with a dome-shaped macula (DSM), with or without untreated serous retinal detachment (SRD).

Methods

This prospective, single-centre study enrolled consecutive cases of highly myopic patients with DSM with or without a SRD. Patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations, optical coherence tomography, axial length measurements and autofluorescence. Follow-up visits were performed with a maximum interval of 6 months for 4 years. Eyes with choroidal neovascularisation were excluded.

Results

Twenty-six eyes from 18 patients (mean age 61.2) were included. At baseline, 13 eyes had SRD and 13 did not. The DSMs were either horizontal (69%) or round (31%). There were no significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between eyes with and without SRD during the 48-month follow-up period. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline BCVA was the only parameter among those analysed (age and SRD height) to have a significant effect on the final BCVA (p<0.0001). SRD fluctuated overtime and SRD height was significantly influenced by choroidal thickness (p=0.002). The scleral bulge thickness had no effect on SRD thickness.

Conclusions

BCVA remained clinically stable over 4 years without treatment despite the fluctuations and persistence of the SRDs.