bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined GWAS and eQTL analysis uncovers a genetic regulatory network orchestrating the initiation of secondary cell wall development in cotton
Authors: Li Zhonghua , Wang Pengcheng , You Chunyuan , Yu Jiwen , Zhang Xiangnan , Yan Feilin , Ye Zhengxiu , Shen Chao , Li Baoqi , Guo Kai , Liu Nian , Thyssen Gregory N. , Fang David D. , Lindsey Keith , Zhang Xianlong , Wang Maojun , Tu Lili 
Published: February 2020

Summary

The cotton fibre serves as a valuable experimental system to study cell wall synthesis in plants, but our understanding of the genetic regulation of this process during fibre development remains limited.

We performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and identified 28 genetic loci associated with fibre quality in allotetraploid cotton. To investigate the regulatory roles of these loci, we sequenced fibre transcriptomes of 251 cotton accessions and identified 15 330 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL).

Analysis of local eQTL and GWAS data prioritised 13 likely causal genes for differential fibre quality in a transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS). Characterisation of distal eQTL revealed unequal genetic regulation patterns between two subgenomes, highlighted by an eQTL hotspot (Hot216) that established a genome‐wide genetic network regulating the expression of 962 genes. The primary regulatory role of Hot216, and specifically the gene encoding a KIP‐related protein, was found to be the transcriptional regulation of genes responsible for cell wall synthesis, which contributes to fibre length by modulating the developmental transition from rapid cell elongation to secondary cell wall synthesis.

This study uncovered the genetic regulation of fibre‐cell development and revealed the molecular basis of the temporal modulation of secondary cell wall synthesis during plant cell elongation.
Hot drought reduces the effects of elevated CO2 on tree water‐use efficiency and carbon metabolism
Authors: Birami Benjamin , Nägele Thomas , Gattmann Marielle , Preisler Yakir , Gast Andreas , Arneth Almut , Ruehr Nadine K. 
Published: February 2020

Summary

Trees are increasingly exposed to hot droughts due to CO2‐induced climate change. However, the direct role of [CO2] in altering tree physiological responses to drought and heat stress remains ambiguous.

Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) trees were grown from seed under ambient (421 ppm) or elevated (867 ppm) [CO2]. The 1.5‐yr‐old trees, either well watered or drought treated for 1 month, were transferred to separate gas‐exchange chambers and the temperature gradually increased from 25°C to 40°C over a 10 d period. Continuous whole‐tree shoot and root gas‐exchange measurements were supplemented by primary metabolite analysis.

Elevated [CO2] reduced tree water loss, reflected in lower stomatal conductance, resulting in a higher water‐use efficiency throughout amplifying heat stress. Net carbon uptake declined strongly, driven by increases in respiration peaking earlier in the well‐watered (31–32°C) than drought (33–34°C) treatments unaffected by growth [CO2]. Further, drought altered the primary metabolome, whereas the metabolic response to [CO2] was subtle and mainly reflected in enhanced root protein stability.

The impact of elevated [CO2] on tree stress responses was modest and largely vanished with progressing heat and drought. We therefore conclude that increases in atmospheric [CO2] cannot counterbalance the impacts of hot drought extremes in Aleppo pine.
Gut microbiota‐derived metabolite trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) potentially increases the risk of obesity in adults: An exploratory systematic review and dose‐response meta‐ analysis
Authors: Dehghan Parvin , Farhangi Mahdieh Abbasalizad , Nikniaz Leila , Nikniaz Zeinab , Asghari‐Jafarabadi Mohammad 
Published: February 2020

SummaryIt has been suggested that trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is associated with increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. However, it is not known whether increased TMAO concentrations is associated with obesity. In the current study, we summarized the evidence related to the association of circulating TMAO with the risk of obesity measurements, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) in a two‐class and dose‐response meta‐analysis of observational studies. A systematic search carried out in PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and ProQuest through September 30, 2019 resulted in 12 eligible studies which were included in the current meta‐synthesis. In these studies, BMI was reported but there were no reports of WC or WHR. Meta‐analysis of two‐class variables and dose‐response meta‐analysis of continuous variables were performed. Subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were also performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. There was a dose‐response association between circulating TMAO concentration and increased BMI in studies involving healthy individuals (P nonlinearity = .007), while no evidence of departure from linearity was observed according to study design or among patients with CVD. Results showed the highest category of TMAO was associated with 0.56 kg/m2 increase in BMI (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.563; CI, 0.026‐1.100; P = .04). The results of the current meta‐analysis revealed a positive association between circulating TMAO and obesity as presented by increased BMI. Moreover, a dose‐dependent association between circulating TMAO and obesity was also identified in apparently healthy individuals. This is the first meta‐analysis to reveal positive dose‐dependent associations between circulating TMAO concentration and obesity.
Policy design and public support for carbon tax: Evidence from a 2018 US national online survey experiment
Authors: Dolšak Nives , Adolph Christopher , Prakash Aseem 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPublic support for policy instruments is influenced by perceptions of how benefits and costs are distributed across various groups. We examine different carbon tax designs outlining different ways to distribute tax revenues. Using a national online sample of 1,606 US respondents, we examine support for a $20/ton carbon tax that is: (1) revenue neutral: revenue is returned to citizens via tax cuts; (2) compensation‐focused: revenue is directed to helping actors disproportionately hurt by the tax; (3) mitigation‐focused: revenue funds projects reducing carbon emissions; and (4) adaptation‐focused: revenue is directed to enhancing community resilience to extreme weather events. We find devoting revenue to mitigation raises overall support for carbon tax by 6.3 per cent versus the control (54.9 per cent) where no information on spending is provided. Other frames raise support in specific subgroups only. Revenue neutrality raises support among lower‐income households (+6.6 per cent) and political independents (+9.4 per cent), while compensation increases support among lower‐income repondents (+6.1 per cent).
Antihistamines: ABC for the pediatricians
Authors: Parisi Giuseppe Fabio , Licari Amelia , Papale Maria , Manti Sara , Salpietro Carmelo , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Leonardi Salvatore 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAntihistamines are currently one of the most commonly administered drugs in children. They are used to treat symptoms that depend on histamine release, namely allergic diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, and anaphylaxis. It is possible to distinguish first‐ and second‐generation antihistamines. Pharmacological effects and therapeutic indications are similar, but second‐generation antihistamines have fewer adverse effects because they are more selective for peripheral H1 receptors. Although they have been on the market for several years, there are still many adverse effects linked to the antihistamine safety profile, especially in the first years of life. Thus, many antihistamines are prescribed off‐label, especially in children younger than 2 years of age, which is the age‐group where most of the data on drug safety are lacking and many antihistamines are not recommended. This article aims to provide a practical update on the use of antihistamines in children.
Vitamin D in pediatric health and disease
Authors: Peroni Diego G. , Trambusti Irene , Di Cicco Maria Elisa , Nuzzi Giulia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeveral scientific societies established that vitamin D (VD), in its metabolized form 25(OH)D, levels higher than 20 ng/mL are sufficient to ensure optimal bone health, while 25(OH)D levels higher than 30 ng/mL are needed to favor VD extraskeletal actions. However, it has been estimated that approximately 30% of children and 60% of adults worldwide are VD deficient and insufficient, respectively. This is the reason why it is important to provide a practical approach to VD supplementation for infants, children, and adolescents. It is the pediatrician's role to evaluate the modifiable lifestyle risk factors for deficiency, particularly a reduced sun exposure, following an evidence‐based approach, and to suggest VD supplementation only when there is a rational reason to support its use.
Recurrent respiratory infections between immunity and atopy
Authors: Cuppari Caterina , Colavita Laura , Miraglia Del Giudice Michele , Chimenz Roberto , Salpietro Carmelo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRecurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) are frequent in children and are characterized by more than 6 airway infections in 1 year or more than 1 upper airway infection per month in the period between September and April or more than 3 lower airway infections in 1 year. Often pediatric RRIs are related to predisposing factors, such as reduced airway size, poor tussive reflex, and immaturity of the immune system. RRIs due to immature immune system are a transient condition, with spontaneous resolution in the school age. However, some RRIs are expression of more complex diseases. Red flags are the onset of symptoms in the first year of life, the involvement of other systems, unusual pathogens, slowing of growth, severe infections of the lower airways, and recurrence of the infection site. To help the pediatrician in the RRI differential diagnosis, we have created a roadmap based on scientific literature data and clinical practice that identifies 6 macro areas: immunodeficiencies, simple minimal genetic immunodeficiency, atopy, obesity, nutritional deficiencies, autoinflammatory diseases, and complex diseases.
Severe asthma: When to resort to biological agents
Authors: Tenero Laura , Rossignoli Sara , Piacentini Giorgio 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAsthmatic children usually reach good control of symptoms with a low‐medium dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), but approximately 5% has severe asthma. In this group of patients, when the diagnosis of severe asthma is confirmed, biologic agents have to be considered when there is no control of the symptoms despite conventional treatment with controllers according to guidelines. At present, the only biologic agent available in clinical practice for severe asthma treatment in children (6‐18 years) is omalizumab. Mepolizumab has been recently approved by EMA for pediatric use. Reslizumab is a monoclonal antibody anti–IL‐5 that has been approved for severe eosinophilic asthma treatment only in patients >12 years. Because of their action on specific molecular targets of the asthma pathophysiology, biologic agents are very promising therapeutic options for severe asthmatic patients based on individual endotypes.
Rotavirus vaccines in clinical development: Current pipeline and state‐of‐the‐art
Authors: Sartorio Marco Ugo Andrea , Folgori Laura , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Mameli Chiara 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRotavirus (RV) disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, especially in children under 5 years of age. The introduction of the two oral rotavirus vaccines Rotarix® and RotaTeq® has shown significant reductions in RV‐related mortality, severe RV disease, and hospitalizations. However, some barriers, including a reduced efficacy in low‐income countries, safety issues regarding the intussusception risk, age restrictions on vaccine use, the live‐attenuated nature itself, and the substantial vaccine costs, currently restrict the full potential of RV disease prevention. Therefore, research is now focusing on the implementation of new oral vaccines and the development of parenteral vaccines to overcome these limits. This review provides an overview of the new rotavirus vaccines in clinical development and the ongoing clinical trials on new RV vaccines in the pediatric age.
Severe asthma in children: Current goals and unmet needs
Authors: Licari Amelia , Manti Sara , Chiappini Elena , Ciprandi Giorgio , Marseglia Gian Luigi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSevere asthma in children is considered a complex and heterogeneous disease. A multidisciplinary assessment is required to correctly identify and manage these children because they potentially need close monitoring and additional treatment with advanced targeted therapies. Recent research efforts focused on the identification of epidemiologic, clinical, and functional characteristics of the disease in the pediatric age. Novel findings on the molecular mechanisms underlying severe asthma have led to the recognition of different endotypes and related biomarkers able to predict the response to advanced biologic therapies. Progress in our knowledge of severe asthma has occurred with the introduction of biologic therapies. Future goals in asthma care include the identification of the links between phenotypes and endotypes, as well as the identification of novel predictive biomarkers. They will help to select candidates for innovative biologic therapies and ultimately improve outcomes in children with severe asthma.
What is the role of putrescine accumulated under potassium deficiency?
Authors: Cui Jing , Pottosin Igor , Lamade Emmanuelle , Tcherkez Guillaume 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBiomarker metabolites are of increasing interest in crops since they open avenues for precision agriculture, whereby nutritional needs and stresses can be monitored optimally. Putrescine has the potential to be a useful biomarker to reveal potassium (K+) deficiency. In fact, although this diamine has also been observed to increase during other stresses such as drought, cold or heavy metals, respective changes are comparably low. Due to its multifaceted biochemical properties, several roles for putrescine under K+ deficiency have been suggested, such as cation balance, antioxidant, reactive oxygen species mediated signalling, osmolyte or pH regulator. However, the specific association of putrescine build‐up with low K+ availability in plants remains poorly understood, and possible regulatory roles must be consistent with putrescine concentration found in plant tissues. We hypothesize that the massive increase of putrescine upon K+ starvation plays an adaptive role. A distinction of putrescine function from that of other polyamines (spermine, spermidine) may be based either on its specificity or (which is probably more relevant under K+ deficiency) on a very high attainable concentration of putrescine, which far exceeds those for spermidine and spermine. putrescine and its catabolites appear to possess a strong potential in controlling cellular K+ and Ca2+, and mitochondria and chloroplasts bioenergetics under K+ stress.
Advances and uncertainties in compliance measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol in the European Union
Authors: Movilla Pateiro Laura 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe Nagoya Protocol developed the legal regime for the access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization that were already enshrined in the Convention on Biological Diversity, and introduced binding rules on compliance. With its Regulation 511/2014 adopted in 2014, the European Union (EU) – the second most important geographical area in the global biotechnology market – has developed and sought to harmonize the compliance and monitoring measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol in the EU territory. This article presents and assesses the progress made in this recent EU legal field, including the challenges in the form of several uncertainties that still lie ahead.
Work Conditions, Social Incorporations, and Foodborne Diseases Risk: Reflections About the (Non)Compliance of Food Safety Practices
Authors: de Freitas Rayane Stephanie Gomes , da Cunha Diogo Thimoteo , Stedefeldt Elke 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe number of foodborne diseases has increased in all continents, and efforts must be made to control this urgent and expressive public health problem. This article aims to present and discuss situations related to the compliance and noncompliance of food safety practices (FSPs) in light of Bourdieu's social theory. This qualitative study was conducted in commercial restaurants in two cities in São Paulo, Brazil. Participant observation was used in the restaurants, and notes referring to the kitchen workers and their bosses’ work processes were registered in field journals. Thematic type content analysis was used to determine the meaning cores of field journals. It was found that aspects inherent to convenience and haste at work, deficient infrastructure, lack of employees, negative boss examples, exposure to noise, and body pain experienced by workers can contribute to noncompliance of FSPs and consolidate in the habitus and practical sense some dispositions that can increase the risk of foodborne diseases. This study highlights the necessity of creating environments that address food safety, which means being able to perform a service properly.
If You Build It Nearby and Keep the Price Low, Will They Come? Large‐Scale Evidence on the Relative Roles of Access and Quality in Use of Healthcare in Low‐and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Wilson Nicholas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHealth policy reform often emphasises improving access to healthcare. Recent studies highlight the role healthcare quality plays in determining which health providers individuals use and health outcomes. Yet, there is little standardised large‐scale evidence on the importance of quality of care relative to access in determining healthcare use. This paper examines the relative roles of access and quality in whether individuals seek healthcare and how these vary with socioeconomic status in a sample of over 250,000 national household survey respondents from low‐ and middle‐income countries. My results suggest that quality is as large a barrier as access. Among quality barriers, drug availability is as large a barrier as provider availability. Analyses of the barriers‐socioeconomic status gradients indicate that the quality‐SES gradient is much less steep than the access‐SES gradient, highlighting that increasing incomes may not be sufficient to address quality barriers and that supply‐side interventions may be necessary.
Evaluation of Prevention Efforts and Risk Factors Among Veteran Suicide Decedents Who Died by Firearm
Authors: Ammerman Brooke A. , Reger Mark A. 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveVeterans die by suicide at a higher rate than the U.S. population, and veterans more frequently use a firearm as the suicide method. Consequently, firearm accessibility and storage represent important prevention considerations. This project aimed to explore the implementation of suicide prevention efforts among veterans who went on to die by suicide, with and without the use of a firearm, and to identify factors that differentiated veteran suicide decedents to help inform suicide prevention efforts.MethodsData from the Veteran Health Administration Behavior Health Autopsy Program was analyzed for 97 veteran suicide decedents.ResultsResults demonstrated that veterans who used a firearm for suicide were less likely to have engaged in suicide prevention efforts overall and were less likely to have received lethal means safety counseling / safety planning. Veterans who died by firearm had lower levels of notable risk factors (e.g., prior suicide attempt, no‐shows for appointments), however were more likely to have a documented unsecured firearm in their home.ConclusionThese findings support the benefit of broadening the reach of suicide prevention efforts, especially for high‐risk veterans with access to firearms.
Automated classification of demographics from face images: A tutorial and validation
Authors: Jaeger Bastian , Sleegers Willem W. A. , Evans Anthony M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractExamining disparities in social outcomes as a function of gender, age, or race has a long tradition in psychology and other social sciences. With an increasing availability of large naturalistic data sets, researchers are afforded the opportunity to study the effects of demographic characteristics with real‐world data and high statistical power. However, since traditional studies rely on human raters to asses demographic characteristics, limits in participant pools can hinder researchers from analyzing large data sets. Automated procedures offer a new solution to the classification of face images. Here, we present a tutorial on how to use two face classification algorithms, Face++ and Kairos. We also test and compare their accuracy under varying conditions and provide practical recommendations for their use. Drawing on two face databases (n = 2,805 images), we find that classification accuracy is (a) relatively high, with Kairos generally outperforming Face++ (b) similar for standardized and more variable images, and (c) dependent on target demographics. For example, accuracy was lower for Hispanic and Asian (vs. Black and White) targets. In sum, we propose that automated face classification can be a useful tool for researchers interested in studying the effects of demographic characteristics in large naturalistic data sets.
Effects of storage time prolongation on in vivo and in vitro characteristics of 4°C–stored platelets
Authors: Stolla Moritz , Bailey S. Lawrence , Fang Lydia , Fitzpatrick Lynda , Gettinger Irena , Pellham Esther , Christoffel Todd 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDCold (4°C)‐stored platelets are currently under investigation for transfusion in bleeding patients. It is currently unknown how long cold‐stored platelets can be stored for clinical applications.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSTwenty three subjects were recruited. Twenty‐one subjects were available for in vivo assessment and received indium‐111 radiolabeled, cold‐stored platelets. We investigated 5‐ (n = 5), 10‐ (n = 6), 15‐ (n = 5), and 20‐day–stored (n = 5) platelets and obtained samples for in vitro testing at baseline and after the designated storage time. Twenty three units were available for in vitro testing. Five‐ and 7‐day (n = 5 each), room temperature (RT)‐stored platelets served as the current clinical standard control.RESULTSIn vivo, we found a continuous decline in platelet recovery from 5 to 20 days. Platelet survival reached a low nadir after 10 days of storage. Ex vivo, we observed the maximum platelet αIIbβ3 integrin response to collagen at 5 days of cold storage, and we saw a continuous decline thereafter. However, platelet integrin activation and mitochondrial membrane integrity were better preserved after 20 days at 4°C, compared to 5 days at RT. Platelet metabolic parameters suggest comparable results between 20‐day cold‐stored platelets and 5‐ or 7‐day RT‐stored platelets.CONCLUSIONIn summary, we performed the first studies with extended, cold‐stored, apheresis platelets in plasma for up to 20 days with a fresh comparator. Storing cold‐stored platelets up to 20 days yields better results in vitro, but further studies in actively bleeding patients are needed to determine the best compromise between hemostatic efficacy and storage prolongation.