bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mary Shepherd on the role of proofs in our knowledge of first principles
Authors: Folescu M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the role of reason in Shepherd's account of acquiring knowledge of the external world via first principles. Reason is important, but does not have afoundationalrole. Certain principles enable us to draw the required inferences for acquiring knowledge of the external world. These principles are basic, foundational and, more importantly, self‐evident and thus justified in other ways than by demonstration. Justificatory demonstrations of these principles are neither required, nor possible. By drawing on textual and contextual evidence, I will show that Shepherd should have said that we know the first principles of any science, in general, and that “everything which begins to exist must have a cause”, in particular, via intuition, not via reason. Reasoning about such principles can help their self‐evidence shine through in certain cases; their justification, and our being justified in believing them, does not come from this reasoning, however.
Chromosome number is key to longevity of polyploid lineages
Authors: Bowers John E. , Paterson Andrew H. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryPolyploidy is ubiquitous and often recursive in plant lineages, most frequently resulting in extinction but occasionally associated with great evolutionary success. However, instead of chromosome numbers exponentially increasing due to recurrent polyploidy, most angiosperm species have fewer than 14 chromosome pairs. Following genome duplication, diploidisation can render one copy of essential genes nonfunctional without fitness cost. In isolated subpopulations, alternate (homoeologous) gene copies can be lost, creating incompatibilities that reduce fitness of hybrids between subpopulations, constraining exchange of favourable genetic changes and reducing species fitness. When multiple sets of incompatible genes are genetically linked, their deleterious effects are not independent. The effective number of independently acting sets of incompatible loci in hybrids is limited by chromosome number and recombination. Therefore, species with many chromosomes are subject to a higher fitness penalty during diploidisation. Karyotypic changes, especially fusions, that reduce gene flow are normally fitness disadvantages, but during the diploidisation process, can increase fitness by reducing mixing of differentially diploidised alleles. Fitness penalties caused by diploidisation favour accelerated karyotypic change, with each change increasing barriers to gene flow, contributing to speciation. Lower chromosome numbers and increased chromosome fusions confer advantages to surviving the diploidisation process following polyploid formation, by independent mechanisms.
Feasibility and repeatability of ocular biometry measured with Lenstar LS 900 in a large group of children and adolescents
Authors: Rauscher Franziska G , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Michael Ralph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of Lenstar LS 900 biometry measurements in a paediatric population.MethodsChildren were examined as part of the LIFE Child Study (Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases), a population‐based study in Leipzig, Germany. Altogether, 1917 children, aged from 3.5 to 17.5 years, were assessed with the Haag Streit Lenstar LS 900. Three consecutive measurements of the right eye were analysed for axial length, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, aqueous depth, lens thickness and flat and steep corneal radii. The number of successful measurements and repeatability were evaluated for each parameter and three age bands (3.5 to 6.5 years, 6.5 to 10.5 years and 10.5 to 17.5 years).ResultsBest measurement feasibility was found for axial length and central corneal thickness (91% to 100%), followed by flat and steep corneal radii (86% to 100%), anterior chamber and aqueous depth (76% to 92%) and lens thickness (50% to 81%), with higher numbers for older children. Repeatability values (in mm) were: axial length 0.025 to 0.035; central corneal thickness 0.003 to 0.027; aqueous depth 0.024 to 0.058; anterior chamber 0.024 to 0.054; lens thickness 0.034 to 0.067. An overall trend showed better repeatability for older children, especially for central corneal thickness, aqueous depth and lens thickness.ConclusionsFor ocular biometry in the paediatric population, axial length, central corneal thickness, flat and steep corneal radii can be measured very reliably even in children from 4 years old onward using the Lenstar LS 900. Lens thickness can be quantified in a limited number of younger children. Repeatability was high for all variables investigated. Repeatability improved with age, reaching adult values in the adolescent age band. Established repeatability limits can be applied in future studies as a quality parameter.
Crystalline lens transmittance spectra and pupil sizes as factors affecting light‐induced melatonin suppression in children and adults
Authors: Eto Taisuke , Ohashi Michihiro , Nagata Kotaro , Shin Nakyeong , Motomura Yuki , Higuchi Shigekazu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the contributions of ocular crystalline lens transmittance spectra and pupil size on age‐related differences in the magnitude of light‐induced melatonin suppression at night. The first aim was to demonstrate that spectral lens transmittance in children can be measured in vivo with a Purkinje image‐based system. The second aim was to test the hypothesis that the magnitude of melatonin suppression in children is enhanced by larger pupils and higher lens transmittance of short wavelengths.MethodsFourteen healthy children and 14 healthy adults participated in this study. The experiment was conducted for two nights in our laboratory. On the first night, the participants spent time under dim light conditions (<10 lux) until one hour after their habitual bedtime (BT+1.0). On the second night, the participants spent time under dim light conditions until 30 min before their habitual bedtime (BT‐0.5). They were then exposed to LED light for 90 min up to BT+1.0. Individual pupil sizes were measured between BT and BT+1.0 for both conditions. Lens transmittance spectra were measured in vivo using the Purkinje image‐based system during the daytime. Non‐visual photoreception was calculated from lens transmittance and pupil size. This was taken as an index of the influence of age‐related ocular changes on the non‐visual photopigment melanopsin.ResultsMeasured lens transmittance in children was found to be higher than for adults, especially in the short wavelength region (p < 0.001). Pupil size in children was significantly larger than that of adults under both dim (p = 0.003) and light (p < 0.001) conditions. Children’s non‐visual photoreception was 1.48 times greater than that of adults, which was very similar to the finding that melatonin suppression was 1.52 times greater in children (n = 9) than adults (n = 9).ConclusionsOur Purkinje image‐based system can measure children’s lens transmittance spectra in vivo. Lens transmittance and pupil size may contribute to differences in melatonin suppression between primary school children and middle‐aged adults.
CRISPR/Cas9‐based discovery of maize transcription factors regulating male sterility and their functional conservation in plants
Authors: Jiang Yilin , An Xueli , Li Ziwen , Yan Tingwei , Zhu Taotao , Xie Ke , Liu Shuangshuang , Hou Quancan , Zhao Lina , Wu Suowei , Liu Xinze , Zhang Shaowei , He Wei , Li Fan , Li Jinping , Wan Xiangyuan 
Published: March 2021

SummaryIdentifying genic male‐sterility (GMS) genes and elucidating their roles are important to unveil plant male reproduction and promote their application in crop breeding. However, compared with Arabidopsis and rice, relatively fewer maize GMS genes have been discovered and little is known about their regulatory pathways underlying anther and pollen development. Here, by sequencing and analysing anther transcriptomes at 11 developmental stages in maize B73, Zheng58 and M6007 inbred lines, 1100 transcription factor (TF) genes were identified to be stably differentially expressed among different developmental stages. Among them, 14 maize TF genes (9 types belonging to five TF families) were selected and performed CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene mutagenesis, and then, 12 genes in eight types, including ZmbHLH51, ZmbHLH122, ZmTGA9‐1/‐2/‐3, ZmTGA10, ZmMYB84, ZmMYB33‐1/‐2, ZmPHD11 and ZmLBD10/27, were identified as maize new GMS genes by using DNA sequencing, phenotypic and cytological analyses. Notably, ZmTGA9‐1/‐2/‐3 triple‐gene mutants and ZmMYB33‐1/‐2 double‐gene mutants displayed complete male sterility, but their double‐ or single‐gene mutants showed male fertility. Similarly, ZmLBD10/27 double‐gene mutant displayed partial male sterility with 32.18% of aborted pollen grains. In addition, ZmbHLH51 was transcriptionally activated by ZmbHLH122 and their proteins were physically interacted. Molecular markers co‐segregating with these GMS mutations were developed to facilitate their application in maize breeding. Finally, all 14‐type maize GMS TF genes identified here and reported previously were compared on functional conservation and diversification among maize, rice and Arabidopsis. These findings enrich GMS gene and mutant resources for deeply understanding the regulatory network underlying male fertility and for creating male‐sterility lines in maize.
De novo collapsing glomerulopathy in a pediatric kidney transplant recipient with COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Levenson Emma , Shepherd Tara N. , Aviles Diego , Craver Randall , Ehlayel Abdulla , Love Gordon L. , Simms K'Joy , Straatmann Caroline , Ashoor Isa F. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe negative impact of COVID‐19 on adults with underlying chronic kidney disease, including kidney transplant recipients, has been well documented. Children have a less severe presentation and better prognosis compared to adults. However, little is known regarding the spectrum of COVID‐19 infection in children and adolescents with underlying autoimmune disorders necessitating solid organ transplant and long‐term immunosuppressive therapy. Case Report. An adolescent male developed end‐stage kidney disease secondary to microscopic polyangiitis requiring a living‐donor kidney transplant. Six years later, he developed antibody‐mediated rejection of his kidney transplant. During his rejection treatment course, he contracted SARS‐CoV‐2 and developed new‐onset nephrotic syndrome with severe acute kidney injury. Kidney transplant biopsy revealed de novo collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis on a background of chronic active antibody mediated rejection. Immunostaining for SARS‐CoV‐2 on the biopsy specimen demonstrated positive staining of the proximal tubular epithelium consistent with intra‐renal viral infection. Pulse corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and temporary reduction of anti‐metabolite therapy resulted in successful recovery with return of graft function back to pre‐infection baseline. This case highlights the clinical conundrum of treating kidney transplant recipients with active rejection in the midst of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Pediatric kidney transplant recipients can develop severe COVID‐19‐related kidney complications. Judicious immunosuppression modulation is necessary to balance infection and rejection risk.
Kidney transplantation in children in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Sinada Nisreen Seed Ahmed , Naicker Elaene , Tinarwo Partson , Bhimma Rajendra 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundCKF is an overwhelming illness, especially in children. Kidney transplantation is considered the definitive management of CKF. It has substantial benefits, including increased patient survival, improved skeletal growth, social adjustment, neuropsychological development, and better quality of life compared to chronic dialysis.MethodsThis is a retrospective, clinical, observational study in 13 children ≤16 years old who underwent kidney transplantation at IALCH in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, from May 2015 to December 2019.ResultsOver 4 years and 7 months, 13 kidney transplants were performed; 7 (53.8%) were males, and 6 (46.2%) were females. Eleven (84.6%) were Black African and 2 (15.4%) Indian children. The mean age ± (SD) of transplantation was 10.1 ± 2.8 years (range 5.8–15.8). Eight (61.5%) children were from a rural setting. The mean ± (SD) duration of follow‐up was 29.5 ± 15.9 months. All kidney transplants done were from live related donors; 8 (61.5%) were parents of the recipients. None were pre‐emptive transplants. Graft loss occurred in 2 (15.4%) children with 100% patient survival. Two (15.4%) children developed acute rejection.ConclusionsThe commissioning of transplant services in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, has improved access to this modality of treatment, particularly in our Black African patients. The significant limitations we experienced were a shortage of cadaveric donors and resource limitations with no dedicated transplant unit for pediatric patients together with staffing constraints. Enhancing patient and healthcare personal education will hopefully overcome cultural and religious barriers to organ donation.
Perioperative fatal pulmonary embolism in a pediatric liver transplant recipient
Authors: Jamil Omar , Fung John , Kelly Dympna , Azzam Ruba 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPatients with cirrhotic liver disease are in a state of fluctuating hemostatic balance. Hepatic synthetic dysfunction is commonly complicated by coagulation disorders that constitute an important parameter of most prognostic scores. The dominant feature of this dysfunction is bleeding tendencies, but cirrhotic patients may also exhibit inappropriate clotting and pro‐coagulation placing them at risk for thromboembolism. We present a case of perioperative fatal pulmonary embolism in an 8‐year‐old patient with biliary cirrhosis secondary to drug‐induced vanishing bile duct syndrome undergoing a deceased donor liver transplant. The massive pulmonary embolism occurred intra‐operatively after reperfusion of the donor liver. Despite the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the postoperative course was complicated by bleeding and the patient expired. This unique case highlights the need for venous thromboembolism prevention by screening and prophylaxis prior to liver transplant in at least a subpopulation of pediatric patients. While the risk of thrombosis postoperatively in pediatrics patients is well known, the preoperative risk is less frequently described and deserves attention and practice changing action.
Effects of temperature, age and stage on testis development in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Hiroyoshi Satoshi , Mitsunaga Takayuki , Reddy Gadi V. P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn Lepidoptera, it is known that larval and pupal testes enlarge in volume and then decrease in size over various phases of the pupal stage. After adult emergence, testis shrinkage continues. In the present study, the effects of temperature, age and stage on testis development were investigated in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Laboratory experiments indicated that in the adult stage, testis shrank markedly with age and with increasing temperatures, when males were reared at 15, 20, 25 or 30 °C during the larval and pupal stages and then transferred to other temperatures. When kept at 15, 20, 25 or 30 °C throughout their entire life (larva, pupa and adult), the higher the temperature, the smaller the testis volume at any given adult age, indicating that larval and/or pupal rearing temperatures also affected testis development. Field experiments carried out in Tokyo showed that testis volume in wild adult males of diamondback moth was quite varied, suggesting that this population had both young and old males at each survey time. The lower the larval and pupal rearing temperature, the larger the adult, as measured by forewing length. Since larger adults tended to have larger testis at adult emergence, adult testis volume should be compensated based on the forewing length. Mating reduced the testis size. Our results suggest that adult age of diamondback moths in wild populations can be estimated roughly from the data on testis volume, temperature and forewing length.
Interconnection of iron and osmotic stress signalling in plants: is FIT a regulatory hub to cross‐connect abscisic acid responses?
Authors: Kanwar P. , Baby D. , Bauer P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOsmotic stresses, such as salinity and drought, have deleterious effects on uptake and translocation of essential mineral nutrients. Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient that regulates many processes in plants. Plants have adopted various molecular and physiological strategies for Fe acquisition from soil and transport to and within plants. Dynamic Fe signalling in plants tightly regulates Fe uptake and homeostasis. In this way, Fe nutrition is adjusted to growth and stress conditions, and Fe deficiency‐regulated transcription factors, such as FER‐LIKE IRON DEFICIENCY‐INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (FIT), act as regulatory hubs in these responses. Here, we review and analyse expression of the various components of the Fe signalling during osmotic stresses. We discuss common players in the Fe and osmotic stress signalling. Furthermore, this review focuses on exploring a novel and exciting direct connection of regulatory mechanisms of Fe intake and acquisition with ABA‐mediated environmental stress cues, like salt/drought. We propose a model that discuss how environmental stress affects Fe uptake and acquisition and vice versa at molecular–physiological levels in plants.
When rice gets the chills: comparative transcriptome profiling at germination shows WRKY transcription factor responses
Authors: Viana V. E. , Carlos da Maia L. , Busanello C. , Pegoraro C. , Costa de Oliveira A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Rice is vital for food security. Due to its tropical origin, rice suffers from cold temperatures that affect its entire life cycle. Key genes have been identified involved in cold tolerance. WRKYs are generally downstream of the MAPK cascade and can act together with VQ proteins to regulate stress‐responsive genes.

Chilling treatment was applied at germination to two rice genotypes (tolerant and sensitive). Shoots at S3 stage were collected for RNA‐seq to identify OsWRKY, OsMAPKs and OsVQs expression. Relationships among MAPKs, WRKYs and VQs were predicted through correlation analysis. OsWRKY transcriptional regulation was predicted by in silico analysis of cis‐regulatory elements.

A total of 39 OsWRKYs were differentially expressed. OsWRKY21, OsWRK24 and OsWRKY69 are potential positive regulators, while OsWRKY10, OsWRK47, OsWRKY62, OsWRKY72 and OsWRKY77 are potential negative regulators, of chilling tolerance. 12 OsMAPKs were differentially expressed. OsMAPKs were downregulated and negatively correlated with the upregulated OsWRKYs in the tolerant genotype. 19 OsVQs were differentially expressed, three and six OsVQs were positively correlated with OsWRKYs in the tolerant and sensitive genotypes, respectively. Seven differentially expressed OsWRKYs have cold‐responsive elements in their promoters and five upregulated OsWRKYs in the tolerant genotype contained the W‐box motif.

Chilling causes changes in OsWRKY, OsMAPK and OsVQ gene expression at germination. OsWRKYs may not act downstream of the MAPK cascade to coordinate chilling tolerance, but OsWRKYs may act with VQs to regulate chilling tolerance. Candidate OsWRKYs are correlated and have a W‐box in the promoter, suggesting an auto‐regulation mechanism.
The effects of vibrotactile masking on heartbeat detection: Evidence that somatosensory mechanoreceptors transduce heartbeat sensations
Authors: Knapp‐Kline Kelley , Ring Christopher , Emmerich David , Brener Jasper 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe ability to detect heartbeat sensations is the most common basis for inferring individual differences in sensitivity to the interoceptive stimuli generated by the visceral activity. While the sensory sources of heartbeat sensations have yet to be identified, there is a growing consensus that visceral sensation, in general, is supported not only by the interoceptive system but also by the somatosensory system, and even by exteroception. The current experiment sought evidence on this issue by exploring the effects of masking the functions of somatosensory Pacinian and non‐Pacinian mechanoreceptors on the ability to detect heartbeat sensations. Twelve verified heartbeat detectors completed a multi‐session experiment in which they judged heartbeat‐tone and light‐tone simultaneity under two vibrotactile masking conditions involving the stimulation of the sternum: (a) using 250 Hz vibrotactile stimuli to mask the Pacinian channel, and (b) using 6 Hz vibrotactile stimuli to mask the non‐Pacinian channel. A no‐vibration control condition in which no masking stimuli were presented was also implemented. Presentation of both the 250 Hz and the 6 Hz masking stimuli impaired the ability to judge the simultaneity of heartbeats and tones but did not influence the ability to judge the simultaneity of stimuli presented to different exteroceptive modalities (lights and tones). Our findings reinforce the view that the somatosensory system is involved in cardioception and support the conclusion that both Pacinian and non‐Pacinian somatosensory mechanoreceptors are implicated in heartbeat detection.
Functional immune reconstitution early after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation: A comparison of pre‐ and post‐transplantation cytokine responses in stimulated whole blood
Authors: Gjærde Lars Klingen , Brooks Patrick Terrence , Andersen Niels Smedegaard , Friis Lone Smidstrup , Kornblit Brian , Petersen Søren Lykke , Schjødt Ida , Nielsen Susanne Dam , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Sengeløv Henrik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe aimed to use a novel standardized whole‐blood stimulation system to evaluate differences in the functional immune reconstitution in patients early after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Between April and September 2018, 30 patients undergoing HCT had whole blood samples collected around day −21 (day 0 being the day of haematopoietic cell infusion) and day +28. Whole blood was transferred to TruCulture assays comprising prefilled incubation tubes with cell culture medium and a standardized stimulus. We used a panel of four stimuli (lipopolysaccharide, resiquimod, heat‐killed Candida albicans and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid) and a blank, designed to evaluate the function of critical extra‐ and intracellular immunological signalling pathways. For each stimulus, the cytokine response was assessed by the concentration of interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐12p40, IL‐10, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p40, IL‐17A and tumour necrosis factor‐α using a multiplex Luminex assay. Pre‐HCT cytokine responses were globally decreased across several different stimuli. Despite patients receiving immunosuppressive prophylaxis at the time, post‐HCT cytokine responses were higher and less intercorrelated than pre‐HCT responses, also after adjusting for differences in the leukocyte differential counts. For the resiquimod and heat‐killed Candida albicans stimuli, we identified a cluster of patients in whom post‐HCT responses were lower than average across several cytokines, indicating a possible functional immune deficiency. Our findings suggest that the standardized whole blood stimulation system can be used to reveal heterogeneity in the in vitro cytokine responses to various stimuli after HCT. Larger studies are needed to address if the functional immune reconstitution after HCT can predict the risk of infections.