bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

SUMMARYRhizoctonia 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

SUMMARYBarley (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

SUMMARYHigh 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

SUMMARYPhytochromes 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

SUMMARYCompound 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

SUMMARYRoot 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

SUMMARYComplete 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

AbstractBackgroundOptimal transfusion practice remains a matter of ongoing debate despite several large clinical studies.Study Design and MethodsDatabases 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.ResultsA 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).ConclusionThe 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

AbstractBackgroundSirolimus 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 ReportWe 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.ResultDue 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.ConclusionThe 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

AbstractBackgroundHemorrhagic 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 MethodsThe 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionsThe 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

AbstractObjectiveTo 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 ProceduresIntraocular 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.ResultsCalculated 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.ConclusionsThe 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.

AbstractObesity 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.