bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of an evolutionarily conserved drought-responsive sugarcane gene enhances salinity and drought resilience
Authors: Begcy Kevin , Mariano Eduardo D , Lembke Carolina G , Zingaretti Sonia Marli , Souza Glaucia M , Araújo Pedro , Menossi Marcelo 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background and Aims
Improving drought adaptation is more pressing for crops such as sugarcane, rice, wheat and maize, given the high dependence of these crops on irrigation. One option for enhancing adaptation to water limitation in plants is by transgenic approaches. An increasing number of genes that are associated with mechanisms used by plants to cope with water scarcity have been discovered. Genes encoding proteins with unknown functions comprise a relevant fraction of the genes that are modulated by drought. We characterized a gene in response to environmental stresses to gain insight into the unknown fraction of the sugarcane genome. Scdr2 (Sugarcane drought-responsive 2) encodes a small protein and shares highly conserved sequences within monocots, dicots, algae and fungi.

Methods
Plants overexpressing the Scdr2 sugarcane gene were examined in response to salinity and drought. Measurements of the gas exchange parameters, germination rate, water content, dry mass and oxidative damage were performed. Seeds as well as juvenile plants were used to explore the resilience level of the transgenic plants when compared with wild-type plants.

Key Results
Overexpression of Scdr2 enhanced germination rates in tobacco seeds under drought and salinity conditions. Juvenile transgenic plants overexpressing Scdr2 and subjected to drought and salinity stresses showed higher photosynthesis levels, internal CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance, reduced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the leaves, no penalty for photosystem II and faster recovery after submission to both stress conditions. Respiration was not strongly affected by both stresses in the Scdr2 transgenic plants, whereas wild-type plants exhibited increased respiration rates.

Conclusions
Scdr2 is involved in the response mechanism to abiotic stresses. Higher levels of Scdr2 enhanced resilience to salinity and drought, and this protection correlated with reduced oxidative damage. Scdr2 confers, at the physiological level, advantages to climate limitations. Therefore, Scdr2 is a potential target for improving sugarcane resilience to abiotic stress.
A tale of two tracts: history, current advances, and future directions of research on sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts†
Authors: Zhao Fei , Yao Humphrey Hung-Chang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAlfred Jost's work in the 1940s laid the foundation of the current paradigm of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts, which contends that testicular hormones drive the male patterning of reproductive tract system whereas the female phenotype arises by default. Once established, the sex-specific reproductive tracts undergo morphogenesis, giving rise to anatomically and functionally distinct tubular organs along the rostral–caudal axis. Impairment of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts by genetic alteration and environmental exposure are the main causes of disorders of sex development, and infertility at adulthood. This review covers past and present work on sexual differentiation and morphogenesis of reproductive tracts, associated human disorders, and emerging technologies that have made impacts or could radically expand our knowledge in this field.
Altered Brain Structure in Infants with Turner Syndrome
Authors: Davenport M L , Cornea E , Xia K , Crowley J J , Halvorsen M W , Goldman B D , Reinhartsen D , DeRamus M , Pretzel R , Styner M , Gilmore J H , Hooper S R , Knickmeyer R C 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTurner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder affecting approximately 1:2000 live-born females. It results from partial or complete X monosomy and is associated with a range of clinical issues including a unique cognitive profile and increased risk for certain behavioral problems. Structural neuroimaging studies in adolescents, adults, and older children with TS have revealed altered neuroanatomy but are unable to identify when in development differences arise. In addition, older children and adults have often been exposed to years of growth hormone and/or exogenous estrogen therapy with potential implications for neurodevelopment. The study presented here is the first to test whether brain structure is altered in infants with TS. Twenty-six infants with TS received high-resolution structural MRI scans of the brain at 1 year of age and were compared to 47 typically developing female and 39 typically developing male infants. Results indicate that the typical neuroanatomical profile seen in older individuals with TS, characterized by decreased gray matter volumes in premotor, somatosensory, and parietal-occipital cortex, is already present at 1 year of age, suggesting a stable phenotype with origins in the prenatal or early postnatal period.
A simulation study of trend detection methods for integrated ecosystem assessment
Authors: Hardison Sean , Perretti Charles T , DePiper Geret S , Beet Andrew 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The identification of trends in ecosystem indicators has become a core component of ecosystem approaches to resource management, although oftentimes assumptions of statistical models are not properly accounted for in the reporting process. To explore the limitations of trend analysis of short times series, we applied three common methods of trend detection, including a generalized least squares model selection approach, the Mann–Kendall test, and Mann–Kendall test with trend-free pre-whitening to simulated time series of varying trend and autocorrelation strengths. Our results suggest that the ability to detect trends in time series is hampered by the influence of autocorrelated residuals in short series lengths. While it is known that tests designed to account for autocorrelation will approach nominal rejection rates as series lengths increase, the results of this study indicate biased rejection rates in the presence of even weak autocorrelation for series lengths often encountered in indicators developed for ecosystem-level reporting (N = 10, 20, 30). This work has broad implications for ecosystem-level reporting, where indicator time series are often limited in length, maintain a variety of error structures, and are typically assessed using a single statistical method applied uniformly across all time series.
Is stereotactic radiotherapy equivalent to metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary oligometastases?
Authors: Li Shuangjiang , Nie Shihong , Li Zhiping , Che Guowei 
Published: May 2019

Summary
A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was equivalent to metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary oligometastases arising from solid tumours. Altogether, 1612 papers were found using the reported search, of which 5 cohort studies derived from 4 patient populations represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. All 5 studies demonstrated no significant difference in post-treatment overall survival, disease-free survival or local control between SBRT and metastasectomy for pulmonary oligometastases. One of the 5 studies showed a significantly decreased rate of severe complications among the patients treated with SBRT. The other papers reported higher rates of complications in the SBRT groups, invariably due to radiation, but with uncertain clinical significance. The evidence strength of these findings may be largely attenuated due to the small sample size, heterogeneity of SBRT protocols and incomparable follow-up periods between the 2 treatment groups. The selection criteria for the choice of treatment were not stated. We conclude, based on limited evidence, that SBRT has equivalent outcomes to metastasectomy in the treatment of patients with pulmonary oligometastases.
Differences in the expression of SPI-1 genes pathogenicity and epidemiology between the emerging Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis and the model Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Aviv Gili , Cornelius Antje , Davidovich Maya , Cohen Helit , Suwandi Abdulhadi , Galeev Alibek , Steck Natalie , Azriel Shalhevet , Rokney Assaf , Valinsky Lea , Rahav Galia , Grassl Guntram A , Gal-Mor Ohad 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundSalmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) is one of the ubiquitous serovars of the bacterial pathogen S. enterica and recently has been emerging in many countries worldwide. Nonetheless, not much is known about its epidemiology, host adaptation, and virulence.MethodsEpidemiological and molecular approaches were used together with tissue-culture and mouse models to conduct phenotypic comparison with the model S. enterica serovar Typhimurium.ResultsWe show that S. Infantis is more frequently associated with infections in infants <2 years old and prone to cause significantly less invasive infections than serovar Typhimurium. Moreover, although S. Infantis adheres better to host cells and highly colonizes mouse intestines soon after infection, it is significantly less invasive and induces much lower inflammation and disease in vivo than S. Typhimurium. These differences were associated with lower expression of Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) 1 genes in S. Infantis than in S. Typhimurium.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate previously unknown differences in the epidemiology, virulence pathway expression, and pathogenicity between two highly abundant Salmonella serovars and suggest that native variation in the expression of the SPI-1 regulon is likely to contribute to epidemiological and virulence variation between genetically similar nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Reactivation Evaluated by Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction and Its Association With Dynamics of CD134-Positive T Cells After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Nakayama Hitomi , Yamazaki Rie , Kato Jun , Koda Yuya , Sakurai Masatoshi , Abe Ryohei , Watanuki Shintaro , Sumiya Chieko , Shiroshita Kohei , Fujita Shinya , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Okamoto Shinichiro , Mori Takehiko 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundHuman herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) causes life-threatening central nervous system disorders after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Recent studies implicated CD134 as a specific receptor of HHV-6B and demonstrated that its expression levels in CD4-positive T cells after allo-HSCT could be related to the reactivation of HHV-6. We prospectively evaluated the relationship between HHV-6 reactivation and CD134+ T cells in the recipients of allo-HSCT.MethodsHHV-6 viral load in plasma was quantitatively measured weekly after allo-HSCT by digital polymerase chain reaction in 34 patients. The ratio of CD134 in CD4+ T cells (CD134/CD4 ratio) was serially measured by flow cytometry before and after transplantation.ResultsHHV-6 reactivation was detected in 23 patients (68%). The CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was significantly higher in patients with HHV-6 reactivation than in those without (median, 3.8% vs 1.5%, P < .01). In multivariate analysis, a higher CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was significantly associated with the incidence of HHV-6 reactivation (odds ratio, 10.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.3–85.1], P = .03).ConclusionsA higher CD134/CD4 ratio before conditioning was associated with a higher risk of HHV-6 reactivation, suggesting that the rate may be a promising marker for predicting HHV-6 reactivation after allo-HSCT.
Human Papillomavirus Viral Load and Transmission in Young, Recently Formed Heterosexual Couples
Authors: Wissing Michel D , Louvanto Karolina , Comète Emilie , Burchell Ann N , El-Zein Mariam , Rodrigues Allita , Tellier Pierre-Paul , Coutlée François , Franco Eduardo L 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe studied the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) viral load (VL) and HPV concordance.MethodsThe HITCH cohort study included young, heterosexual, recently formed, sexually active couples. Questionnaires and genital samples were collected at 0 and 4 months. Samples were tested for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR; Linear Array). VLs of HPV6/11/16/18/31/42/51 were quantified using type-specific real-time PCR. Correlations between VL and type-specific HPV prevalence and incidence were evaluated using multilevel, mixed-effects linear/logistic regression models.Results We included 492 couples. VLs were higher in penile than vaginal samples. VL at subsequent visits correlated significantly within men (r, 0.373), within women (r, 0.193), and within couples (r range: 0.303–0.328). Men with high VL had more type-specific persistent HPV infections (odds ratio [OR], 4.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.0–10.5]). High VL in men was associated with prevalent (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 2.5–11.2]) and incident (OR, 6.7 [95% CI, 1.5–30.7]) type-specific HPV infections in their partner. Women’s VL was associated with type-specific HPV prevalence in their partner at the same (OR, 5.9) and subsequent (OR, 4.7) visit.ConclusionsPersistent HPV infections have limited VL fluctuations. VL between sex partners are correlated and seem predictive of transmission episodes.
Zika Virus Causes Acute Infection and Inflammation in the Ovary of Mice Without Apparent Defects in Fertility
Authors: Caine Elizabeth A , Scheaffer Suzanne M , Broughton Darcy E , Salazar Vanessa , Govero Jennifer , Poddar Subhajit , Osula Augustine , Halabi Jacques , Skaznik-Wikiel Malgorzata E , Diamond Michael S , Moley Kelle H 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Zika virus (ZIKV) has become a global concern because infection of pregnant mothers was linked to congenital birth defects. Zika virus is unique from other flaviviruses, because it is transmitted vertically and sexually in addition to by mosquito vectors. Prior studies in mice, nonhuman primates, and humans have shown that ZIKV targets the testis in males, resulting in persistent infection and oligospermia. However, its effects on the corresponding female gonads have not been evaluated.

Methods
In this study, we assessed the effects of ZIKV on the ovary in nonpregnant mice.

Results
During the acute phase, ZIKV productively infected the ovary causing accumulation of CD4+ and virus-specific CD8+ T cells. T cells protected against ZIKV infection in the ovary, as higher viral burden was measured in CD8−/− and TCRβδ−/− mice. Increased cell death and tissue inflammation in the ovary was observed during the acute phase of infection, but this normalized over time.

Conclusions
In contrast to that observed with males, minimal persistence and no long-term consequences of ZIKV infection on ovarian follicular reserve or fertility were demonstrated in this model. Thus, although ZIKV replicates in cells of the ovary and causes acute oophoritis, there is rapid resolution and no long-term effects on fertility, at least in mice.
Aligning Epistemology and Writing: A Literary Analysis of Qualitative Research
Authors: Mahé Anne-Laure 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article examines writing as the last link in the epistemology-theory-methodology alignment. Although political scientists dedicate a great deal of their time to writing, conversations on this topic remain scarce within international relations and political science overall. Notably absent are analyses of the actual writing choices scholars make and what these mean for the knowledge they produce. This article uses the tools of literary analysis to take a closer look at the mechanics of three published academic articles in the fields of international relations and comparative politics. It focuses on how qualitative interviews are written, demonstrates how authors can conceal or reveal the dialogical dimension, and examines how they deal with the conundrum of the representation of research participants. This kind of reflexive analysis reveals the epistemological foundations of a given research article and can be used to identify instances of misrepresentation and misalignment. As such, it is an important tool for the improvement of academic writing.
Prepartum fatty acid supplementation in sheep. IV. Effect of calcium salts with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the maternal and finishing diet on lamb liver and adipose tissue during the lamb finishing period1
Authors: Coleman Danielle N , Carranza Martin Ana C , Jin Yukun , Lee Kichoon , Relling Alejandro E 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation to ewes during late gestation on finishing lamb liver and adipose tissue fatty acid (FA) profile and gene expression. Lambs born from ewes supplemented with Ca salts of EPA + DHA, or palm FA distillate (PFAD) high in palmitic and oleic acid at 0.39% DM during the last 50 d of gestation were used. Lambs were weaned at 61 d of age and adapted to a high concentrate diet for 1.5 mo. After adaptation, 74 lambs (28 pens) were blocked by sex and BW and used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments using the factors of dam supplementation (DS) and lamb supplementation (LS) of Ca salts of EPA + DHA or PFAD at 1.48% DM. Lambs were slaughtered after 42 d and liver and adipose tissue collected for FA and gene expression analysis. Liver concentrations of EPA and DHA were greater (P < 0.01) with LS of EPA + DHA vs. PFAD during the finishing period. In adipose tissue, a lamb × dam interaction was observed for EPA (P = 0.02) and DHA (P = 0.04); LS of EPA + DHA increased EPA and DHA, but the increase was greatest in lambs born from ewes supplemented with PFAD. No lamb × dam treatment interactions were observed for gene expression in liver tissue (P > 0.10). Hepatic mRNA abundance of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL; P = 0.01) was greater in lambs born from EPA + DHA ewes vs. lambs from PFAD ewes. mRNA expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (P < 0.01), fatty acid synthase (P = 0.01), Δ5-desaturase (P < 0.01), and Δ6-desaturase (P < 0.01) were decreased in liver of EPA + DHA lambs. A significant lamb × dam diet interaction was observed for elongation of very long chain fatty acid 2 in adipose tissue (P = 0.01); lambs supplemented with the same FA as their dams had lower expression. Expression of HSL tended (P = 0.08) to be decreased in adipose of EPA + DHA lambs born from EPA + DHA ewes. The changes in mRNA expression suggest that lipogenesis decreased, and lipolysis increased in lamb liver with EPA + DHA vs. PFAD supplementation during the finishing period. In adipose tissue, changes suggest that lipogenesis decreased in lambs born from EPA + DHA supplemented dams and supplemented with EPA + DHA during the finishing period. In addition, these results suggest an interaction between supplementation of FA to dams during late gestation on lamb response of adipose tissue, but not liver, to FA supplementation during the finishing period.
Family Networks and Distributive Politics
Authors: Fafchamps Marcel , Labonne Julien 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe study the distribution of public services by local politicians when political support spreads through social networks. We sketch a model showing that incumbents target goods and services to individuals who would lead to the largest aggregate loss of support if they stopped supporting the incumbent. Those individuals have high betweenness centrality. Using data on 3.6 million households from the Philippines, we show that households with high betweenness centrality receive a greater number of public services from their local government. This result is robust to the inclusion of controls for program eligibility, detailed measure of family wealth and elite status, family ties with politicians, and other measures of centrality.
Basel and the IASB: Accountability Interdependencies and Consequences for Prudential Regulation
Authors: Riepe Jan 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT
Accountability is a key concern for international standard setters. If transnational actors set standards instead of national democratic authorities, then the standard setters might suffer from ‘apparent’ deficits in their democratic accountability and oversight. Consequently, most international standard setters rely on different processes to enhance their accountability and transparency to mitigate concerns about their own standards. Ensuring accountability is already a major challenge for a single or homogenous set of rules or standards. So how can a supranational body design legitimate rules that rest on the standards of another very different supranational standard setter? This study examines the accountability and transparency concerns from the interaction of supranational standard setters that have different objectives. Therefore, I investigate the processes of prudential regulation based on the capital adequacy standard of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision that relies on the financial accounting standards set by the International Accounting Standards Board. The results show flaws with respect to accountability in the regulatory process that involves another standard setter and how the prudential regulator reacts to these flaws to ensure a higher degree of accountability in its banking regulation.
Inherited Institutions: Cooperation in the Light of Democratic Legitimacy
Authors: Langenbach Pascal , Tausch Franziska 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe experimentally investigate whether the procedural history of a sanctioning institution affects cooperation in a social dilemma. Subjects inherit the institutional setting from a previous generation of subjects who either decided on the implementation of the institution democratically by majority vote or were exogenously assigned a setting. In order to isolate the impact of the voting procedure, no information about the cooperation history is provided. In line with existing empirical evidence, we observe that in the starting generation cooperation is higher (lower) with a democratically chosen (rejected) institution, as compared to the corresponding, randomly imposed setting. In the second generation, we find no positive effect of the democratic procedural history on cooperation when the institution is implemented. Yet, the vote-based rejection of the institution leads to (marginally) less cooperation in the second generation.