bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crop quality control and testing.
Authors: Morgan Lynette 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Quality of horticultural produce and products implies suitability for a particular purpose, or the degree to which certain set standards are met. Aspects of produce quality may encompass sensory properties (appearance, texture, taste and aroma), nutritive values, chemical constituents, mechanical properties, functional properties and defects (Abbott, 1999). Fruit and vegetable production, being part of a larger biological system, is prone to a high degree of variability as factors such as climate, soils, crop management, and genetics all play a role in quality determination. Quality standards and testing methods have been developed for most commercial crops to help ensure consumers receive produce of a suitable standard. These quality standards can range from basic grading for removal of damaged produce and for size, shape, weight and overall appearance, to analytical testing for compositional factors such as acidity, volatiles, dry matter, starch and sugars, toxins, vitamins and minerals, and others. With increasing competition globally within the horticultural industry, and consumers growing interest in high quality, nutritious produce, compositional testing has become more widespread, both at a grower and postharvest level. While appearance is still vitally important in marketing and for consumer appeal at the point of sale, focus on other aspects of fruit and vegetable quality is becoming more prominent. These include not only organoleptic qualities of flavour and aroma, but also nutritional factors such as vitamin and minerals, fibre content and levels of phytoactive compounds such as antioxidants. Compositional quality also encompasses food safety and shelf life concerns such as the presence of nitrates in leafy greens, microbial contamination and naturally occurring toxins, with implications for human health and food-borne illness occurrence.
AAV-mediated AP-1 decoy oligonucleotide expression inhibits aortic elastolysis in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome
Authors: Remes Anca , Arif Rawa , Franz Maximilian , Jungmann Andreas , Zaradzki Marcin , Puehler Thomas , Heckmann Markus B , Frey Norbert , Karck Matthias , Kallenbach Klaus , Hecker Markus , Müller Oliver J , Wagner Andreas H 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Marfan syndrome is one of the most common inherited disorders of connective tissue caused by fibrillin-1 mutations, characterized by enhanced transcription factor AP-1 DNA binding activity and subsequently abnormally increased expression and activity of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs). We aimed to establish a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based strategy for long-term expression of an AP-1 neutralizing RNA hairpin (hp) decoy oligonucleotide (dON) in the aorta to prevent aortic elastolysis in a murine model of Marfan syndrome.

Methods and results
Using fibrillin-1 hypomorphic mice (mgR/mgR), aortic grafts from young (9 weeks old) donor mgR/mgR mice were transduced ex vivo with AAV vectors and implanted as infrarenal aortic interposition grafts in mgR/mgR mice. Grafts were explanted after 30 days. For in vitro studies, isolated primary aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mgR/mgR mice were used. Elastica-van-Giesson staining visualized elastolysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed using dihydroethidine staining. RNA F.I.S.H. verified AP-1 hp dON generation in the ex vivo transduced aortic tissue. MMP expression and activity were assessed by western blotting and immunoprecipitation combined with zymography.
Transduction resulted in stable therapeutic dON expression in endothelial and SMCs. MMP expression and activity, ROS formation as well as expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were significantly reduced. Monocyte graft infiltration declined and the integrity of the elastin architecture was maintained. RNAseq analysis confirmed the beneficial effect of AP-1 neutralization on the pro-inflammatory environment in SMCs.

Conclusion
This novel approach protects from deterioration of aortic stability by sustained delivery of nucleic acids-based therapeutics and further elucidated how to interfere with the mechanism of elastolysis.
Successful percutaneous treatment of a catastrophic left internal mammary artery graft avulsion occurring 4 weeks post-coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a case report
Authors: Tehrani Shana , Rathore Sudhir 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Avulsion of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft near the anastomosis to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) artery post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication which can result in sudden ischaemia, haemodynamic compromise and life-threatening bleeding into the pericardium.

Case summary
We report a case of a spontaneous LIMA graft avulsion at the site of the anastomosis to the LAD artery, which occurred 4 weeks post-conventional CABG surgery and resulted in anterior myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac tamponade and cardiogenic shock. This life-threatening event was treated by deploying a covered stent in the LAD artery and by coiling the dehisced LIMA graft.

Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the first report of late LIMA graft avulsion that has been uniquely and successfully treated by percutaneous coronary intervention.
The cardiovascular effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Cirne Filipe , Aghel Nazanin , Petropoulos Jo-Anne , Klotz Laurence , Lenihan Daniel J , Saad Fred , Pinthus Jehonathan , Leong Darryl P 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to determine whether gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists (an emerging class of drugs to suppress testosterone synthesis in the treatment of prostate cancer) cause less adverse cardiovascular events than the more commonly use GnRH agonists.

Methods and results
We conducted a systematic review to identify all randomized, controlled trials in which a GnRH antagonist was compared with a GnRH agonist in men with prostate cancer. We identified 10 eligible studies including two different GnRH antagonists, degarelix (n = 1681) and relugolix (n = 734), which were compared with the GnRH agonists, leuprolide (n = 714) and goserelin (n = 600). The pooled risk ratios (95% confidence intervals) among GnRH antagonist recipients for adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality were 0.57 (0.39–0.81); 0.49 (0.25–0.96); and 0.48 (0.28–0.83), respectively. Important limitations of the included trials were their short duration of follow-up, unblinded study design and (in most of the studies) the identification of adverse cardiovascular events through safety reporting mechanisms rather than as a pre-specified outcome. There was no evidence of heterogeneity of findings among the studies.

Conclusions
There is consistent but methodologically limited data to suggest that GnRH antagonists—a relatively new class of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer—cause significantly less cardiovascular adverse effects than the more frequently used GnRH agonists.
Motivational interviewing in a nurse-led outpatient clinic to support lifestyle behaviour change after admission to a stroke unit: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brouwer-Goossensen Dorien , Scheele Maaike , van Genugten Lenneke , Lingsma Hester F , Dippel Diederik W J , Koudstaal Peter J , den Hertog Heleen M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Modification of health behaviour is an important part of stroke risk management. However, the majority of people with cardiovascular disease fail to sustain lifestyle modification in the long term. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing to encourage lifestyle behaviour changes after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor ischaemic stroke.

Methods and results
We performed a randomized controlled open-label phase II trial with blinded endpoint assessment. The intervention consisted of three 15-minute visits in 3 months by a motivational interviewing trained nurse practitioner. Patients in the control group received standard consultation after 1 and 3 months by a nurse practitioner. Primary outcome was lifestyle behaviour change, defined as smoking cessation and/or increased physical activity (30 min/day) and/or healthy diet improvement (5 points at the Food Frequency Questionnaire) at 6 months. We adjusted for age and sex with multivariable logistic regression. Between January 2014 and February 2016, we included 136 patients (of whom 68 were assigned to the intervention group). Twenty-five of 55 patients in the intervention group (45%) and 27 of 61 patients in the control group (44%) had changed their lifestyle at 6 months. We found no effect of motivational interviewing on lifestyle behaviour change after 6 months (aOR 0.99; 95% confidence interval: 0.44–2.26).

Conclusion
Our results do not support the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in supporting lifestyle behaviour change after TIA or ischaemic stroke. However, the overall lifestyle behaviour change was high and might be explained by the role of specialized nurses in both groups.
Is Oxford Nanopore sequencing ready for analyzing complex microbiomes?
Authors: Kerkhof Lee J 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
This minireview will discuss the improvements in Oxford Nanopore (Oxford; sequencing technology that make the MinION a viable platform for microbial ecology studies. Specific issues being addressed are the increase in sequence accuracy from 65 to 96.5% during the last 5 years, the ability to obtain a quantifiable/predictive signal from the MinION with respect to target molecule abundance, simple-to-use GUI-based pathways for data analysis and the modest additional equipment needs for sequencing in the field. Coupling these recent improvements with the low capital costs for equipment and the reasonable per sample cost makes MinION sequencing an attractive option for virtually any laboratory.
Coevolution of the major histocompatibility complex and the t-complex in the mouse. I. Generation and maintenance of high complementarity associations.
Authors: Uyenoyama M K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A quantitative model is developed to explore the effects of prezygotic and postzygotic incompatibility on the origin and maintenance of associations between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the t-complex in the mouse. Incompatibility is represented by a reduction in the rate of conception or gestation of offspring derived from sperm bearing MHC antigens in common with the mother. Incompatibility encourages the evolution of associations from a state of complete independence between the two complexes by promoting the invasion of all novel antigens, including those that exhibit associations with the t-complex. Incompatibility can modify the relative numbers of antigens associated with each haplotype by actively promoting the exclusion or invasion of recombinants that bear formerly +-specific or t-specific antigens on the alternative haplotype. The results of the analysis indicate that the state of complete independence between the MHC and the t-complex is not preserved over evolutionary time in the presence of incompatibility. Further, the expression of incompatibility maintains fully associated states that include a single antigen associated with the t-haplotype and up to three to five antigens associated with the +-haplotype within a single population.
Coevolution of the major histocompatibility complex and the t-complex in the mouse. II. Modification of response to sharing of histocompatibility antigens.
Authors: Uyenoyama M K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Selective pressures imposed by high complementarity associations between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the t-complex on a locus that modifies the expression of prezygotic and postzygotic incompatibility are investigated through the analysis of a quantitative model. Sharing of MHC antigens between mates or between mother and offspring elicits weak inhibition of conception or gestation. In the presence of high complementarity associations between the MHC and the t-complex, weak incompatibility depresses the mean fitness of the population. Nevertheless, natural selection favors the enhancement of the expression of incompatibility if the number of antigens associated with the +-haplotype exceeds the number associated with the t-haplotype by a sufficient margin. Under absolute linkage between the modifier locus and the t-complex, the number associated with the +-haplotype need only be greater than the number associated with the t-haplotype. In the absence of linkage, a twofold difference is sufficient to ensure the initial increase of modifier alleles that intensify the expression of incompatibility.
Evolutionarily stable mutation rate in a periodically changing environment.
Authors: Ishii K , Matsuda H , Iwasa Y , Sasaki A 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Evolution of mutation rate controlled by a neutral modifier is studied for a locus with two alleles under temporally fluctuating selection pressure. A general formula is derived to calculate the evolutionarily stable mutation rate mu(ess) in an infinitely large haploid population, and following results are obtained. (I) For any fluctuation, periodic or random: (1) if the recombination rate r per generation between the modifier and the main locus is 0, mu(ess) is the same as the optimal mutation rate mu(op) which maximizes the long-term geometric average of population fitness; and (2) for any r, if the strength s of selection per generation is very large, mu(ess) is equal to the reciprocal of the average number T of generations (duration time) during which one allele is persistently favored than the other. (II) For a periodic fluctuation in the limit of small s and r, mu(ess)T is a function of sT and rT with properties: (1) for a given sT, mu(ess)T decreases with increasing rT; (2) for sT &lt;/= 1, mu(ess)T is almost independent of sT, and depends on rT as mu(ess)T & 1.6 for rT &lt; 1 and mu(ess)T & 6/rT for rT &gt; 1; and (3) for sT &gt;/= 1, and for a given rT, mu(ess)T decreases with increasing sT to a certain minimum less than 1, and then increases to 1 asymptotically in the limit of large sT. (III) For a fluctuation consisting of multiple Fourier components (i.e., sine wave components), the component with the longest period is the most effective in determining mu(ess) (low pass filter effect). (IV) When the cost c of preventing mutation is positive, the modifier is nonneutral, and mu(ess) becomes larger than in the case of neutral modifier under the same selection pressure acting at the main locus. The value of c which makes mu(ess) equal to mu(op) of the neutral modifier case is calculated. It is argued that this value gives a critical cost such that, so long as the actual cost exceeds this value, the evolution rate at the main locus must be smaller than its mutation rate mu(ess).
Molecular characterization of the Aspergillus nidulans yA locus.
Authors: O'Hara E B , Timberlake W E 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We investigated the molecular organization of the region of Aspergillus nidulans chromosome I containing yA, a gene encoding the developmentally regulated enzyme conidial laccase. DNA fragments were identified that complemented the yA2 mutation and were shown to correspond to yA by genetic mapping and gene disruption experiments. The molecular map of the region was oriented to the genetic map by testing DNA fragments for their ability to complement a mutation in the tightly linked adE gene. The yA gene codes for a 2200 nucleotide mRNA that is present at low levels in vegetative cells and mature conidia, but accumulates to high levels in sporulating cultures. yA mRNA appears shortly after differentiation of sporogenous phialide cells. It accumulates in two developmentally abnormal mutant strains that produce phialides but is absent from two mutant strains that do not produce phialides. Thus, yA transcription is probably restricted to phialides. This result is discussed in relationship to the physiological roles played by phialides in spore differentiation.
Organelle gene diversity under migration, mutation, and drift: equilibrium expectations, approach to equilibrium, effects of heteroplasmic cells, and comparison to nuclear genes.
Authors: Birky C W , Fuerst P , Maruyama T 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We developed stochastic population genetic theory for mitochondrial and chloroplast genes, using an infinite alleles model appropriate for molecular genetic data. We considered the effects of mutation, random drift, and migration in a finite island model on selectively neutral alleles. Recurrence equations were obtained for the expectation of gene diversities within zygotes, within colonies, and between colonies. The variables are number and sizes of colonies, migration rates, sex ratios, degree of paternal transmission, number of germ line cell divisions, effective number of segregating organelle genomes, and mutation rate. Computer solutions of the recurrence equations were used to study the approach to equilibrium. Gene diversities equilibrate slowly, while GST, used to measure population subdivision, equilibrates rapidly. Approximate equilibrium equations for gene diversities and GST can be obtained by substituting Neo and me, simple functions of the numbers of breeding or migrating males and females and of the degree of paternal transmission, for the effective numbers of genes and migration rates in the corresponding equations for nuclear genes. The approximate equations are not valid when the diversity within individuals is large compared to that between individuals, as is often true for the D-loop of animal mtDNA. We used the exact equations to verify that organelle genes often show more subdivision than nuclear genes; however, we also identified the range of breeding and migrating sex ratios for which population subdivision is greater for nuclear genes. Finally, we show that gene diversities are higher for nuclei than for organelles over a larger range of sex ratios in a subdivided population than in a panmictic population.
Co-localization to chromosome bands 99E1-3 of the Drosophila melanogaster myosin light chain-2 gene and a haplo-insufficient locus that affects flight behavior.
Authors: Warmke J W , Kreuz A J , Falkenthal S 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Using overlapping synthetic deficiencies, we find that a haplo-insufficient locus affecting flight behavior and the myosin light chain-2 gene co-map to the Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosome interval 99D9-E1 to 99E2-3. From screening over 9000 EMS-treated chromosomes, we obtained alleles of two complementation groups that map to this same interval. One of these complementation groups lfm(3)99Eb, exhibits dominant flightless behavior; thus, flightless behavior of the deficiency is in all likelihood due to hemizygosity of this single locus. Rescue of flightless behavior by a duplication indicates that the single allele, E38, of the Ifm(3)99Eb complementation group is a hypomorph. Based upon its map position and a reduction in concentration of myosin light chain-2 mRNA in heterozygotes, we propose that Ifm(3)Eb(E38) is a mutant allele of the myosin light chain-2 gene. Our genetic analysis also resulted in the identification of four dominant flightless alleles of an unlinked locus, l(3)nc99Eb, that exhibits dominant lethal synergism with Ifm(3)99Eb.
A comprehensive genetic map of murine chromosome 11 reveals extensive linkage conservation between mouse and human.
Authors: Buchberg A M , Brownell E , Nagata S , Jenkins N A , Copeland N G 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Interspecific backcross animals from a cross between C57BL/6J and Mus spretus mice were used to generate a comprehensive linkage map of mouse chromosome 11. The relative map positions of genes previously assigned to mouse chromosome 11 by somatic cell hybrid or genetic backcross analysis were determined (Erbb, Rel, 11-3, Csfgm, Trp53-1, Evi-2, Erba, Erbb-2, Csfg, Myhs, Cola-1, Myla, Hox-2 and Pkca). We also analyzed genes that we suspected would map to chromosome 11 by virtue of their location in human chromosomes and the known linkage homologies that exist between murine chromosome 11 and human chromosomes (Mpo, Ngfr, Pdgfr and Fms). Two of the latter genes, Mpo and Ngfr, mapped to mouse chromosome 11. Both genes also mapped to human chromosome 17, extending the degree of linkage conservation observed between human chromosome 17 and mouse chromosome 11. Pdgfr and Fms, which are closely linked to II-3 and Csfgm in humans on chromosome 5, mapped to mouse chromosome 18 rather than mouse chromosome 11, thereby defining yet another conserved linkage group between human and mouse chromosomes. The mouse chromosome 11 linkage map generated in these studies substantially extends the framework for identifying homologous genes in the mouse that are involved in human disease, for elucidating the genes responsible for several mouse mutations, and for gaining insights into chromosome evolution and genome organization.
Multivariate mutation-selection balance with constrained pleiotropic effects.
Authors: Wagner G P 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A multivariate quantitative genetic model is analyzed that is based on the assumption that the genetic variation at a locus j primarily influences an underlying physiological variable yj, while influence on the genotypic values is determined by a kind of "developmental function" which is not changed by mutations at this locus. Assuming additivity among loci the developmental function becomes a linear transformation of the underlying variables y onto the genotypic values x, x = By. In this way the pleiotropic effects become constrained by the structure of the B-matrix. The equilibrium variance under mutation-stabilizing selection balance in infinite and finite populations is derived by using the house of cards approximation. The results are compared to the predictions given by M. Turelli in 1985 for pleiotropic two-character models. It is shown that the B-matrix model gives the same results as Turelli's five-allele model, suggesting that the crucial factor determining the equilibrium variance in multivariate models with pleiotropy is the assumption about constraints on the pleiotropic effects, and not the number of alleles as proposed by Turelli. Finally it is shown that under Gaussian stabilizing selection the structure of the B-matrix has effectively no influence on the mean equilibrium fitness of an infinite population. Hence the B-matrix and consequently to some extent also the structure of the genetic correlation matrix is an almost neutral character. The consequences for the evolution of genetic covariance matrices are discussed.
The yeast RAD50 gene encodes a predicted 153-kD protein containing a purine nucleotide-binding domain and two large heptad-repeat regions.
Authors: Alani E , Subbiah S , Kleckner N 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The RAD50 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required for chromosome synapsis and recombination during meiosis and for repair of DNA damage during vegetative growth. The precise role of the RAD50 gene product in these processes is not known. Most rad50 mutant phenotypes can be explained by the proposal that the RAD50 gene product is involved in the search for homology between interacting DNA molecules or chromosomes, but there is no direct evidence for this model. We present here the nucleotide sequence of the RAD50 locus and an analysis of the predicted 153-kD RAD50 protein. The amino terminal region of the predicted protein contains residues suggestive of a purine nucleotide binding domain, most likely for adenine. The remaining 1170 amino acids consist of two 250 amino acid segments of heptad repeat sequence separated by 320 amino acids, plus a short hydrophobic carboxy-terminal tail. Heptad repeats occur in proteins such as myosin and intermediate filaments that form alpha-helical coiled coils. One of the two heptad regions in RAD50 shows similarity to the S-2 domain of rabbit myosin beyond that expected for two random coiled coil proteins.