bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis γ‐glutamylcyclotransferase affects glutathione content and root system architecture during sulfur starvation
Authors: Joshi Naveen C. , Meyer Andreas J. , Bangash Sajid A. K. , Zheng Zhi‐Liang , Leustek Thomas 
Published: October 2018

Summary

γ‐Glutamylcyclotransferase initiates glutathione degradation to component amino acids l‐glutamate, l‐cysteine and l‐glycine. The enzyme is encoded by three genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, one of which (GGCT2;1) is transcriptionally upregulated by starvation for the essential macronutrient sulfur (S). Regulation by S‐starvation suggests that GGCT2;1 mobilizes l‐cysteine from glutathione when there is insufficient sulfate for de novo l‐cysteine synthesis.

The response of wild‐type seedlings to S‐starvation was compared to ggct2;1 null mutants.

S‐starvation causes glutathione depletion in S‐starved wild‐type seedlings, but higher glutathione is maintained in the primary root tip than in other seedling tissues. Although GGCT2;1 is induced throughout seedlings, its expression is concentrated in the primary root tip where it activates the γ‐glutamyl cycle. S‐starved wild‐type plants also produce longer primary roots, and lateral root growth is suppressed. While glutathione is also rapidly depleted in ggct2;1 null seedlings, much higher glutathione is maintained in the primary root tip compared to the wild‐type. S‐starved ggct2;1 primary roots grow longer than the wild‐type, and lateral root growth is not suppressed.

These results point to a role for GGCT2;1 in S‐starvation‐response changes to root system architecture through activity of the γ‐glutamyl cycle in the primary root tip. l‐Cysteine mobilization from glutathione is not solely a function of GGCT2;1.
Beyond buzz‐pollination – departures from an adaptive plateau lead to new pollination syndromes
Authors: Dellinger Agnes S. , Chartier Marion , Fernández‐Fernández Diana , Penneys Darin S. , Alvear Marcela , Almeda Frank , Michelangeli Fabián A. , Staedler Yannick , Armbruster W. Scott , Schönenberger Jürg 
Published: October 2018

SummaryPollination syndromes describe recurring adaptation to selection imposed by distinct pollinators. We tested for pollination syndromes in Merianieae (Melastomataceae), which contain bee‐ (buzz‐), hummingbird‐, flowerpiercer‐, passerine‐, bat‐ and rodent‐pollinated species. Further, we explored trait changes correlated with the repeated shifts away from buzz‐pollination, which represents an ‘adaptive plateau’ in Melastomataceae.We used random forest analyses to identify key traits associated with the different pollinators of 19 Merianieae species and estimated the pollination syndromes of 42 more species. We employed morphospace analyses to compare the morphological diversity (disparity) among syndromes.We identified three pollination syndromes (‘buzz‐bee’, ‘mixed‐vertebrate’ and ‘passerine’), characterized by different pollen expulsion mechanisms and reward types, but not by traditional syndrome characters. Further, we found that ‘efficiency’ rather than ‘attraction’ traits were important for syndrome circumscription. Contrary to syndrome theory, our study supports the pooling of different pollinators (hummingbirds, bats, rodents and flowerpiercers) into the ‘mixed‐vertebrate’ syndrome, and we found that disparity was highest in the ‘buzz‐bee’ syndrome.We conclude that the highly adaptive buzz‐pollination system may have prevented shifts towards classical pollination syndromes, but provided the starting point for the evolution of a novel set of distinct syndromes, all having retained multifunctional stamens that provide pollen expulsion, reward and attraction.
Getting closer: vein density in C4 leaves
Authors: Kumar Dhinesh , Kellogg Elizabeth A. 
Published: October 2018

Contents

Summary
1260

I.
Introduction
1260

II.
Molecular and genetic mechanisms of C4 leaf venation
1262

III.
Conclusions and future perspectives
1266

Acknowledgements
1266

References
1266

SummaryC4 grasses are major contributors to the world's food supply. Their highly efficient method of carbon fixation is a unique adaptation that combines close vein spacing and distinct photosynthetic cell types. Despite its importance, the molecular genetic basis of C4 leaf development is still poorly understood. Here we summarize current knowledge of leaf venation and review recent progress in understanding molecular and genetic regulation of vascular patterning events in C4 plants. Evidence points to the interplay of auxin, brassinosteroids, SHORTROOT/SCARECROW and INDETERMINATE DOMAIN transcription factors. Identification and functional characterization of candidate regulators acting early in vascular development will be essential for further progress in understanding the precise regulation of these processes.
Immune components of early breastmilk: Association with maternal factors and with reported food allergy in childhood
Authors: Berdi Mikaïl , de Lauzon‐Guillain Blandine , Forhan Anne , Castelli Florence Anne , Fenaille François , Charles Marie‐Aline , Heude Barbara , Junot Christophe , Adel‐Patient Karine ,   the EDEN Mother‐Child Cohort Study Group
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundBreastmilk (BM) may participate in driving gut barrier function and immunity in the neonate. We analyzed immune and growth factor concentrations in early BM and their association with maternal/environmental characteristics and with food allergy (FA) in childhood.MethodsOne BM sample was collected in maternity from some mothers in the EDEN birth cohort (n = 2002 mother‐child dyads). A random selection was performed among available samples (subcohort, n = 272), for which all deliveries were full‐term, various maternal/environmental characteristics were recorded, and parents answered yearly the question “Has a medical doctor diagnosed a FA in your child?” (26 parent‐reported FA cases). Only samples collected between day 2 and day 6 post‐partum were considered for descriptive analysis (n = 263). Samples for all other FA cases available were added to the subcohort (46 additional cases; “casecohort” design). Fifty cytokines, antibodies, and growth factor concentrations were determined using multiplexed kits and analyzed using robust statistical procedures.ResultsBM components exhibited wide concentration ranges and global day‐to‐day variation. Different clusters of correlated factors appeared, with components from the main cluster related to maternal diet during pregnancy. Primiparity was positively associated with eleven other components, whereas other factors (eg, maternal atopy and smoking) were related to fewer components. Finally, the casecohort design highlighted a positive association between CXCL10, TNFβ, and IL‐2 concentrations and reported FA in childhood.ConclusionBeyond the unique description of early BM composition, we show that immune information transmitted to the neonate is related to various maternal factors and identified components associated with FA diagnosis in childhood.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Acute Pain Following Surgery for Cervical Myelopathy: A Novel Treatment Strategy
Authors: Lawson McLean Aaron , Kalff Rolf , Reichart Rupert 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundChronic pain syndromes caused by degenerative and postinfectious changes in the cervical spine continue to pose significant management challenges to neurosurgeons and pain practitioners. The identification of an individualized treatment plan, astute surgical technique, comprehensive and multimodal analgesia, and adequate rehabilitation processes do not necessarily result in diminished pain.Case summaryWe present the case of a patient with chronic pain treated surgically for degenerative cervical myelopathy secondary to cervical spinal stenosis. Following this surgery, the patient experienced an intractable postoperative pain syndrome that had anatomical borders, and an intensity and character that were different from the background chronic pain from which he suffered. We successfully implanted a cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) lead in the period following his stenosis surgery, which had good therapeutic effect on the postoperative‐onset pain.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of SCS having a strong positive effect on an acute exacerbation of neuropathic pain. At follow‐up 12 months later, assessment of the patient's pain diary revealed a modal pain intensity of 3/10 on the numeric rating scale over the preceding 3 months. The Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form) scores at this time were 10/40 in the pain severity domain and 18/70 in the interference with function domain, demonstrating the long‐term effectiveness of this SCS strategy.ConclusionWhile SCS has hitherto been untested as a therapy for acute‐onset pain, this report demonstrates its utility as a salvage treatment in select cases of uncontrollable postoperative pain.
Risk for Medication Nonadherence Among Medicaid Enrollees With Fibromyalgia: Development of a Validated Risk Prediction Tool
Authors: Desai Raj , Jo Ara , Marlow Nicole M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo develop and validate a risk assessment tool called the Prescription Medication Non‐Adherence Prediction Tool (Rx‐NAPT) to predict medication nonadherence in patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study using claims data from South Carolina Medicaid. Patients with fibromyalgia who were ≥18 years old and who had filled at least 1 prescription medication for pregabalin, duloxetine, or milnacipran from January 1, 2005, through June 30, 2011 were included. Medication possession ratios (MPRs) were calculated to classify patients as adherent (MPR ≥ 80%) or nonadherent (MPR < 80%). Multivariable logistic models using 100 bootstrap replications (with replacement) were used to identify factors associated with medication nonadherence, including age, gender, race, days’ supply, medication type, and fibromyalgia‐related comorbidity score. Weighted β coefficients of the predictors were used to create the Rx‐NAPT. Youden's J statistic was used to classify nonadherent patients into different levels of risk.ResultsThe study sample comprised 6,626 patients with fibromyalgia, where 4,804 (72.50%) were non‐adherent and 1,822 (27.50%) were adherent to their prescribed medication(s). Logistic regression models showed that 7 predictors (gender, age, race, fibromyalgia‐related comorbidity score, medication type, health maintenance organization coverage, emergency room visit) were statistically significant in ≥50% of the bootstrapped samples. The final model demonstrated reasonable discrimination (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.6224) and calibration (Hosmer‐Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit; P > 0.05) statistics and was validated internally (AUC = 0.6372).ConclusionPoor adherence with medication remains an important barrier to providing optimal care. Our risk prediction model provides an easy tool to help clinicians better identify patients with fibromyalgia who may not take their medications as prescribed.
The MIST Guidelines: The Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Consensus Group Guidelines for Minimally Invasive Spine Treatment
Authors: Deer Timothy R. , Grider Jay S. , Pope Jason E. , Falowski Steven , Lamer Tim J. , Calodney Aaron , Provenzano David A. , Sayed Dawood , Lee Eric , Wahezi Sayed E. , Kim Chong , Hunter Corey , Gupta Mayank , Benyamin Rasmin , Chopko Bohdan , Demesmin Didier , Diwan Sudhir , Gharibo Christopher , Kapural Leo , Kloth David , Klagges Brian D. , Harned Michael , Simopoulos Tom , McJunkin Tory , Carlson Jonathan D. , Rosenquist Richard W. , Lubenow Timothy R. , Mekhail Nagy 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundLumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can lead to compression of neural elements and manifest as low back and leg pain. LSS has traditionally been treated with a variety of conservative (pain medications, physical therapy, epidural spinal injections) and invasive (surgical decompression) options. Recently, several minimally invasive procedures have expanded the treatment options.MethodsThe Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Consensus Group convened to evaluate the peer‐reviewed literature as the basis for making minimally invasive spine treatment (MIST) recommendations. Eleven consensus points were clearly defined with evidence strength, recommendation grade, and consensus level using U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria. The Consensus Group also created a treatment algorithm. Literature searches yielded 9 studies (2 randomized controlled trials [RCTs]; 7 observational studies, 4 prospective and 3 retrospective) of minimally invasive spine treatments, and 1 RCT for spacers.ResultsThe LSS treatment choice is dependent on the degree of stenosis; spinal or anatomic level; architecture of the stenosis; severity of the symptoms; failed, past, less invasive treatments; previous fusions or other open surgical approaches; and patient comorbidities. There is Level I evidence for percutaneous image‐guided lumbar decompression as superior to lumbar epidural steroid injection, and 1 RCT supported spacer use in a noninferiority study comparing 2 spacer products currently available.ConclusionsMISTs should be used in a judicious and algorithmic fashion to treat LSS, based on the evidence of efficacy and safety in the peer‐reviewed literature. The MIST Consensus Group recommend that these procedures be used in a multimodal fashion as part of an evidence‐based decision algorithm.
Recovery of severe acute liver failure without transplantation in patients with Wilson disease
Authors: Kido Jun , Matsumoto Shirou , Sakamoto Rieko , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Inomata Yukihiro , Nakamura Kimitoshi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWilson disease (WD) is a disorder of copper metabolism that leads to liver cirrhosis. WD patients with a NWIS > 11 should receive LT; however, we encountered 2 WD patients with an NWIS > 11 who recovered from ALF without LT. The present report aimed to analyze cases of WD patients with a high NWIS who recovered from severe ALF and to discuss the clinical manifestations of the patients and the effects of treatments, including zinc (Zn) therapy, chelator therapy, PE, CHDF, and LT. We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of five patients (male, 2; female, 3) diagnosed with WD along with severe ALF. In cases 1, 2, and 3, complete recovery from ALF was noted without LT. In case 4, initial recovery from ALF was noted without LT; however, ALF worsened owing to bleeding from the esophageal varix. Thus, the patient eventually needed LT. In case 5, recovery from ALF was noted with LT. All cases, except case 2, showed ALF with maximum PELD/MELD scores ≥26 and NWISs ≥ 11, and had indications for LT. In cases of severe ALF with grade I or II encephalopathy, we recommend evaluations of the effects of Zn and chelator treatments while preparing for LT, as the condition may not improve without LT, and pediatricians or physicians can ask transplant surgeons to perform LT urgently if required.
Can obligate apomixis and more stable reproductive assurance explain the distributional successes of asexual triploids in Hieracium alpinum (Asteraceae)?
Authors: Mráz P. , Zdvořák P. , Hartmann M. , Štefánek M. , Chrtek J. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Although reproductive assurance has been suggested to be one of the most important factors shaping the differential distributional patterns between sexuals and asexuals (geographic parthenogenesis), it has only rarely been studied in natural populations of vascular plants with autonomous apomixis. Moreover, there are almost no data concerning the putative relationship between the level of apomictic versus sexual plant reproduction on one hand, and reproductive assurance on the other.

We assessed the level of sexual versus apomictic reproduction in diploid and triploid plants of Hieracium alpinum across its distributional range using flow cytometric analyses of seeds, and compared the level of potential and realized seed set, i.e. reproductive assurance, between the two cytotypes under field and greenhouse conditions.

Flow cytometric screening of embryos and endosperms of more than 4,100 seeds showed that diploids produced solely diploid progeny sexually, while triploids produced triploid progeny by obligate apomixis. Potential fruit set was much the same in diploids and triploids from the field and the greenhouse experiment. While in the pollination‐limited environment in the greenhouse apomictic triploids had considerably higher realized fruit set than sexual diploids, there was no significant difference between cytotypes under natural conditions. In addition, sexuals varied to a significantly larger extent in realized fruit set than asexuals under both natural and greenhouse conditions.

Our results indicate that triploid plants reproduce by obligate apomixis, assuring more stable and predictable fruit reproduction when compared to sexual diploids. This advantage could provide apomictic triploids with a superior colonisation ability, mirrored in a strong geographic parthenogenesis pattern observed in this species.
Seed degeneration of banana planting materials: strategies for improved farmer access to healthy seed
Authors: Jacobsen K. , Omondi B. A. , Almekinders C. , Alvarez E. , Blomme G. , Dita M. , Iskra‐Caruana M.‐L. , Ocimati W. , Tinzaara W. , Kumar P. L. , Staver C. 
Published: October 2018

Vegetatively propagated crops suffer from yield loss and reduced stand density and longevity caused by the build‐up of certain pests and pathogens between successive plantings via infected planting material. Here, six seedborne phytosanitary problems of banana are reviewed to evaluate whether a seed degeneration framework is a useful tool to identify approaches to achieve healthier planting materials. Phytoparasitic nematodes and weevils generate gradual declines in yields and in sucker health. Fusarium wilt and banana bunchy top virus cause progressive mat collapse across the field. Symptomless suckers from any mat in infested fields represent a risk of transmitting the disease to a new field. Xanthomonas and ralstonia wilts, due to incomplete systemicity, are intermediate in their threat to yield loss and frequency of transmission in suckers. Losses to banana streak virus are triggered by abiotic stress, although sucker transmission of episomal banana streak virus also contributes. A qualitative equation described here for seed degeneration covers a cycle beginning with the quality and risk factors of the planting material used to plant a new field and ends with the quality and risk factors of the suckers extracted from the field to plant a new field. This review of five planting material multiplication methods commonly used in banana contrasts their differing usefulness to address seed degeneration in the small farm context. It is proposed that initiatives to offset banana seed degeneration should integrate the role of off‐farm actors into decentralized initiatives rather than attempt to duplicate national seed certification frameworks from other true seed or vegetatively propagated crops.
Covert singing in anticipatory auditory imagery
Authors: Pruitt Tim A. , Halpern Andrea R. , Pfordresher Peter Q. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTo date, several fMRI studies reveal activation in motor planning areas during musical auditory imagery. We addressed whether such activations may give rise to peripheral motor activity, termed subvocalization or covert singing, using surface electromyography. Sensors placed on extrinsic laryngeal muscles, facial muscles, and a control site on the bicep measured muscle activity during auditory imagery that preceded singing, as well as during the completion of a visual imagery task. Greater activation was found in laryngeal and lip muscles for auditory than for visual imagery tasks, whereas no differences across tasks were found for other sensors. Furthermore, less accurate singers exhibited greater laryngeal activity during auditory imagery than did more accurate singers. This suggests that subvocalization may be used as a strategy to facilitate auditory imagery, which appears to be degraded in inaccurate singers. Taken together, these results suggest that subvocalization may play a role in anticipatory auditory imagery, and possibly as a way of supplementing motor associations with auditory imagery.
Understanding Cumulative Risk Perception from Judgments and Choices: An Application to Flood Risks
Authors: De La Maza Cristóbal , Davis Alex , Gonzalez Cleotilde , Azevedo Inês 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCatastrophic events, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis, are rare, yet the cumulative risk of each event occurring at least once over an extended time period can be substantial. In this work, we assess the perception of cumulative flood risks, how those perceptions affect the choice of insurance, and whether perceptions and choices are influenced by cumulative risk information. We find that participants' cumulative risk judgments are well represented by a bimodal distribution, with a group that severely underestimates the risk and a group that moderately overestimates it. Individuals who underestimate cumulative risks make more risk‐seeking choices compared to those who overestimate cumulative risks. Providing explicit cumulative risk information for relevant time periods, as opposed to annual probabilities, is an inexpensive and effective way to improve both the perception of cumulative risk and the choices people make to protect against that risk.
Efficacy, Action, and Support for Reducing Climate Change Risks
Authors: Bostrom Ann , Hayes Adam L. , Crosman Katherine M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA growing body of research demonstrates that believing action to reduce the risks of climate change is both possible (self‐efficacy) and effective (response efficacy) is essential to motivate and sustain risk mitigation efforts. Despite this potentially critical role of efficacy beliefs, measures and their use vary wildly in climate change risk perception and communication research, making it hard to compare and learn from efficacy studies. To address this problem and advance our understanding of efficacy beliefs, this article makes three contributions. First, we present a theoretically motivated approach to measuring climate change mitigation efficacy, in light of diverse proposed, perceived, and previously researched strategies. Second, we test this in two national survey samples (Amazon's Mechanical Turk N = 405, GfK Knowledge Panel N = 1,820), demonstrating largely coherent beliefs by level of action and discrimination between types of efficacy. Four additive efficacy scales emerge: personal self‐efficacy, personal response efficacy, government and collective self‐efficacy, and government and collective response efficacy. Third, we employ the resulting efficacy scales in mediation models to test how well efficacy beliefs predict climate change policy support, controlling for specific knowledge, risk perceptions, and ideology, and allowing for mediation by concern. Concern fully mediates the relatively strong effects of perceived risk on policy support, but only partly mediates efficacy beliefs. Stronger government and collective response efficacy beliefs and personal self‐efficacy beliefs are both directly and indirectly associated with greater support for reducing the risks of climate change, even after controlling for ideology and causal beliefs about climate change.