bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful treatment of plantar warts using topical Zijinding, a traditional Chinese medicine preparation: A case series
Authors: Zhao Ying , Sridhar Siddharth , Guo Lina , Lau Susanna K. P. , Xu Yingchun , Woo Patrick C. Y. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionPlantar warts are associated with high transmissibility and morbidity. Among the available therapeutic options, none is uniformly effective or virucidal. Salicylic acid is the first‐line therapy but approximately one‐third of lesions could not resolve and become recalcitrant despite repeated treatment. Cryotherapy is widely accessible with low cost but may be complicated by pain, blister formation, hemorrhage, infection, excessive granulation tissue formation, and hyper‐/hypo‐pigmentation. Hence, alternative treatment modalities are essential.MethodsThree patients with debilitating plantar warts refractory or intolerant to cryotherapy were treated with a course of Zijinding (a traditional Chinese medicine preparation) paste prepared with white vinegar.ResultsAll three patients showed excellent clinical response with Zijinding application with evolution of lesions to scabs and subsequently healthy skin within 1.5 to 5 months of treatment. Treatment was well tolerated and had no significant side effects with excellent compliance recorded for all three patients. There was no relapse for at least 10 months after stopping the treatment.ConclusionTopical Zijinding could be a promising alternative modality for the treatment of plantar warts. Further clinical trials on the comparison of Zijinding and other treatment modalities of plantar warts are warranted. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanism of action of Zijinding and to isolate the active ingredient.
IL‐6 induces haptoglobin expression through activating STAT3 in human head and neck cancer
Authors: Li Szu‐Chin , Lee Ching‐Chih , Hsu Chin‐Mu , Huang Hsien‐Bin , Su Yu‐Chieh 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveHaptoglobin (Hp) is an acute‐phase protein secreted by the liver; its concentration increases rapidly during infection, inflammation, and tumor formation. It has been reported that the level of Hp α alleles is altered in the serum of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the cellular level of Hp is strongly associated with the recurrence rate of HNSCC in patients. In the present study, the regulated mechanism of Hp expression was explored.Materials and MethodsWe first identified the genetic polymorphism of Hp by PCR. The expression of Hp isoforms was determined through Western Blotting analysis. With the JAK specific inhibitors, the clear regulation mechanism was explored.ResultsWe observed that Hp exhibited variant polymorphisms in different cells. We found that interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) induced the expressions of Hp α2 in FaDu cells, and Hp α1 in SCC4 cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylated level of STAT3 was elevated with IL‐6 treatment. Janus‐associated kinase 2 (JAK‐2) inhibitor, WP1066, reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3 after IL‐6 induction, leading to the downregulation of Hp expression.ConclusionsThe expression of Hp was increased via IL‐6 induction through the activation of the transcription factor STAT3 in HNSCC cells.
Biocontrol of Ascochyta blight by Azospirillum sp. depending on the degree of resistance of chickpea genotypes
Authors: Parmasi Zahra , Tahmasebi Zahra , Zare Mohammad Javad , Nourollahi Khoshnood , Kanouni Homayoun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThroughout arable land that was devoted to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. (Family: Leguminosae) production, Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) L. (Order: Sphaeriales; Family: Mycosphaerellaceae) is a widespread disease that would lead to significant loss of chickpea yield. This study's purpose was to explain the responses of a resistant chickpea cultivar (ICC 12004) and a susceptible cultivar (Bivanij) in terms of disease resistance, disease symptoms appearance and expression pattern of two defence‐related genes (DEF0442 and Snakin2) after the Azospirillum brasilense seeds inoculation. In this research, the Snakin2 gene expression was affected by Azospirillum inoculation. The gene expression has been enhanced in plants inoculated with Azospirillum in both cultivars in comparison with non‐inoculated plants, but this change in ICC 12004 and Bivanij were significant and non‐significant, respectively. Although, Azospirillum would up regulate the DEF0422 gene expression in ICC 12004, but it would down regulate the expression of this gene in Bivanij. A. brasilense inoculation decreased the A. rabiei disease severity, regardless of the chickpea cultivar. Bivanij still could be classified as susceptible, even if treated with A. brasilense.
Drivers of subtropical forest dynamics: The role of functional traits, forest structure and soil variables
Authors: Bordin Kauane M. , Müller Sandra C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractQuestionHow do biotic forest conditions, in terms of plant functional traits and tree basal area, and soil variables influence old‐growth forest dynamics?LocationA subtropical old‐growth forest in Southern Brazil.MethodsForest inventories were conducted in 1999 and 2017, in 24 permanent plots of 500 m2. All trees with a circumference at breast height of ≥ 30 cm were measured, identified to the species level, and tagged. We fitted linear models to evaluate the effect of the biotic variables of initial forest communities (tree basal area, trait community‐weighted mean [CWM] and both species and functional diversity metrics) and of soil variables on forest dynamics. These models included biomass dynamics (annual rate of biomass increment and mortality) and demographic rates (recruitment and mortality rates). Furthermore, linear models were used to evaluate the effect of tree survival, recruitment and mortality and biomass increment on the net biomass change.ResultsWe observed a positive effect of species diversity and a negative effect of CWM leaf phosphorus content on the biomass increment. Biomass loss was positively related to basal area and negatively related to the CWM of leaf nitrogen content. Overall, net biomass change was negatively influenced by biomass loss due to mortality. Recruitment rates were negatively affected by soil potassium content and were positively affected by soil pH and functional evenness of the community. Mortality rates were positively predicted by soil clay content and negatively predicted by species diversity.ConclusionsCommunity functional traits, basal area and soil variables predicted growth, mortality and recruitment dynamics of this subtropical old‐growth forest. This work provides important information about the biomass and demographic dynamics of subtropical forests, showing that initial community characteristics influence the gain and loss of biomass and individuals over a period of almost two decades.
Association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of new‐onset atrial fibrillation in healthy adults
Authors: Roh Jae‐Hyung , Lee Jae‐Hwan , Lee Hanbyul , Yoon Yong‐Hoon , Kim Minsu , Kim Yong‐Giun , Park Gyung‐Min , Park Jae‐Hyeong , Seong In‐Whan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsPrevious studies demonstrated conflicting results regarding the association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The statistical power was not sufficient because of modest sample sizes of these studies. We analysed a large population‐based cohort to evaluate the association between NAFLD and AF.MethodsWe evaluated 334 280 healthy individuals without comorbidities who underwent National Health check‐ups in South Korea from 2009 to 2014. NAFLD was defined by a surrogate marker, the fatty liver index (FLI). The association between FLI and AF incidence was analysed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 5.3 years, 1415 subjects (0.4%) were newly diagnosed with AF. Subjects were categorized into quartile groups according to FLI (range: Q1, 0‐4.9; Q2, 5.0‐12.5; Q3, 12.6‐31.0; Q4, >31.0). The cumulative incidence of AF was significantly higher in subjects with higher FLIs than in those with lower FLIs (Q1, 167 [0.2%]; Q2, 281 [0.3%]; Q3, 470 [0.6%]; Q4, 497 [0.6%]; P < .001). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) indicated that a higher FLI was independently associated with an increased risk for AF (HR between Q4 and Q1, 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11‐1.63; P = .002). After further adjustment for the interim events (diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and myocardial infarction), this association remained statistically significant (HR between Q4 and Q1, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.19‐2.03; P = .001).ConclusionsNAFLD, assessed by FLI, was independently associated with increased risk for AF in healthy Korean population. Moreover, NAFLD itself predisposes to AF independently of the interim events.
An evaluation of nebulised amphotericin B deoxycholate (Fungizone®) for treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in the UK National Aspergillosis Centre
Authors: Otu Akaninyene A. , Langridge Philip , Denning David W. 
Published: September 2019

SummaryAntifungal treatment options for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) are largely limited to itraconazole based on the outcome of randomised controlled trials. It is unclear if nebulised amphotericin B deoxycholate (Fungizone®) is a viable therapeutic option. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of nebulised Fungizone® in the long‐term treatment of various forms of pulmonary aspergillosis. We assessed the records of 177 patients with various forms of pulmonary aspergillosis attending the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester who had received Fungizone®. Patients first received a challenge test with nebulised Fungizone® in hospital with spirometry pre/post‐Fungizone® and nebulised salbutamol given pre‐Fungizone®. Tolerability and changes in Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus IgG and total IgE were evaluated. Sixty‐six per cent (117/177) were able to tolerate the test dose of Fungizone® and in all cases, the reason for discontinuation of the first test dose was worsening breathlessness. Twenty six (21%) stopped therapy within 4‐6 weeks, and the commonest reason cited for discontinuation of therapy was increased breathlessness, hoarseness and cough. Eighteen (10.2%) patients continued the Fungizone® for >3 months of which 5 (27.8%) recorded an improvement in total IgE, Aspergillus‐specific IgE and Aspergillus IgG. Eleven had ABPA, four had SAFS, two had Aspergillus bronchitis and one had Aspergillus sensitisation with cavitating nodules. Among these 18 patients, sputum fungal culture results went from positive to negative in five patients, became positive in one patient, remained positive in three patients, and remained negative in seven patients. Nebulised Fungizone® appears to be a poorly tolerated treatment for pulmonary Aspergillosis with high dropout rates. There appears to be both clinical and serological benefits following sustained treatment with nebulised Fungizone® in some patients.
Arginine methylation is required for remodelling pre‐mRNA splicing and induction of autophagy in rice blast fungus
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Wu Liye , Wu Hang , Zhang Xixi , Mei Jie , Zhou Xueping , Wang Guo‐Liang , Liu Wende 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) regulate many physiological processes, including autophagy. However, the direct roles of the various PRMTs during autophagosome formation remain unclear. Here, we characterised the function of MoHMT1 in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae.

Knockout of MoHMT1 results in inhibited growth and a decreased ability to cause disease lesions on rice seedlings. MoHMT1 catalyses the di‐methylation of arginine 247, 251, 261 and 271 residues of MoSNP1, a U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) component, likely in a manner dependent on direct interaction. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that alternative splicing of pre‐mRNAs of 558 genes, including the autophagy‐related (ATG) gene MoATG4, was altered in MoHMT1 deletion mutants, compared with wild‐type strains under normal growth conditions.

During light exposure or nitrogen starvation, MoHMT1 localises to autophagosomes and MoHMT1 mutants display defects in autophagy induction. Under nitrogen starvation, six additional MoATG genes were identified with retained introns in their mRNA transcripts, corresponding with a significant reduction in transcripts of intron‐spliced isoforms in the MoHMT1 mutant strain.

Our study shows that arginine methylation plays an essential role in accurate pre‐mRNA splicing necessary for a range of developmental processes, including autophagosome formation.
Are stomata in ferns and allies sluggish? Stomatal responses to CO2, humidity and light and their scaling with size and density
Authors: Kübarsepp Liisa , Laanisto Lauri , Niinemets Ülo , Talts Eero , Tosens Tiina 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Fast stomatal reactions enable plants to successfully cope with a constantly changing environment yet there is an ongoing debate on the stomatal regulation mechanisms in basal plant groups.

We measured stomatal morphological parameters in 29 fern and allied species from temperate to tropical biomes and two outgroup angiosperm species. Stomatal dynamic responses to environmental drivers were measured in 16 ferns and the two angiosperms using a gas‐exchange system. Principal components analyses were used to further reveal the structure–function relationships in stomata.

We show a > 10‐fold variation for stomatal opening delays and 20‐fold variation for stomatal closing delays in ferns. Across species, stomatal responses to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were the fastest, while light and [CO2] responses were slower. In most cases the outgroup species’ reaction speeds to changes in environmental variables were similar to those of ferns.

Correlations between stomatal response rate and size were apparent for stomatal opening in light and low [CO2] while not evident for closing reactions and changes in VPD. No correlations between stomatal density and response speed were observed. Together, this study demonstrates different mechanisms controlling stomatal reactions in ferns at different environmental stimuli, which should be considered in future studies relating stomatal morphology and function.
Complicating nursing's views on religion and politics in healthcare
Authors: Reimer‐Kirkham Sheryl 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNursing, with its socially embedded theory and practice, inevitably operates in the realm of power and politics. One of these political sites is that of religion, which to varying degrees continues to shape beliefs about health and illness, the delivery of healthcare services and the nurse–patient encounter. In this paper, I attempt to complicate nursing's views on religion and politics in healthcare, with the intent of thinking critically and philosophically about questions that arise at the intersection of religion, politics and nursing/healthcare. These questions include the following:What is the domain of religion and politics? How (non)religious are the contemporary societies in which nurses practice? What are the variations and implications of secularism? How is religion entangled with other intersecting social relations of power? How does a political reading of religion and politics matter to the concerns of nursing?
Genome sequencing of the Australian wild diploid species Gossypium australe highlights disease resistance and delayed gland morphogenesis
Authors: Cai Yingfan , Cai Xiaoyan , Wang Qinglian , Wang Ping , Zhang Yu , Cai Chaowei , Xu Yanchao , Wang Kunbo , Zhou Zhongli , Wang Chenxiao , Geng Shuaipeng , Li Bo , Dong Qi , Hou Yuqing , Wang Heng , Ai Peng , Liu Zhen , Yi Feifei , Sun Minshan , An Guoyong , Cheng Jieru , Zhang Yuanyuan , Shi Qian , Xie Yuanhui , Shi Xinying , Chang Ying , Huang Feifei , Chen Yun , Hong Shimiao , Mi Lingyu , Sun Quan , Zhang Lin , Zhou Baoliang , Peng Renhai , Zhang Xiao , Liu Fang 
Published: September 2019

SummaryThe diploid wild cotton species Gossypium australe possesses excellent traits including resistance to disease and delayed gland morphogenesis, and has been successfully used for distant breeding programmes to incorporate disease resistance traits into domesticated cotton. Here, we sequenced the G. australe genome by integrating PacBio, Illumina short read, BioNano (DLS) and Hi‐C technologies, and acquired a high‐quality reference genome with a contig N50 of 1.83 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 143.60 Mb. We found that 73.5% of the G. australe genome is composed of various repeat sequences, differing from those of G. arboreum (85.39%), G. hirsutum (69.86%) and G. barbadense (69.83%). The G. australe genome showed closer collinear relationships with the genome of G. arboreum than G. raimondii and has undergone less extensive genome reorganization than the G. arboreum genome. Selection signature and transcriptomics analyses implicated multiple genes in disease resistance responses, including GauCCD7 and GauCBP1, and experiments revealed induction of both genes by Verticillium dahliae and by the plant hormones strigolactone (GR24), salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Experiments using a Verticillium‐resistant domesticated G. barbadense cultivar confirmed that knockdown of the homologues of these genes caused a significant reduction in resistance against Verticillium dahliae. Moreover, knockdown of a newly identified gland‐associated gene GauGRAS1 caused a glandless phenotype in partial tissues using G. australe. The G. australe genome represents a valuable resource for cotton research and distant relative breeding as well as for understanding the evolutionary history of crop genomes.
Endophytic Beauveria bassiana activates expression of defence genes in grapevine and prevents infections by grapevine downy mildew Plasmopara viticola
Authors: Rondot Y. , Reineke A. 
Published: September 2019

Fungal entomopathogens like Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) are known as antagonists of insects with multiple functional and ecological roles, and have attracted increased attention as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management programmes. For some crop plants, it has been proven that endophytic B. bassiana, besides its entomopathogenic habit, can provide protection against plant pathogens or limit their damaging effects. However, for grapevine, limited knowledge is available on the influence of endophytic B. bassiana on fungal pathogens and about the mechanisms underlying putative protection effects. This study assessed the protective potential of endophytic B. bassiana against grapevine downy mildew Plasmopara viticola in greenhouse experiments. Three and seven days after a B. bassiana treatment, potted grapevine plants were inoculated with P. viticola and the evolving disease severity was assessed. Disease severity was significantly reduced in B. bassiana‐treated plants compared to control plants, depending on the age of leaves. Furthermore, a microarray and an RT‐qPCR analysis were performed to work out fundamental aspects of genes involved in the interaction between grapevine and B. bassiana. The results indicate an up‐regulation of diverse defence‐related genes in grapevine as a response to endophytic establishment of B. bassiana. Thus, endophytic establishment of an entomopathogenic fungus such as B. bassiana in grapevine plants would represent an alternative and sustainable plant protection strategy, with the potential for reducing pesticide applications in viticulture.
Early evolution of Cupedidae revealed by a mid‐Cretaceous reticulated beetle from Myanmar (Coleoptera: Archostemata)
Authors: Li Yan‐Da , Liu Zhen‐Hua , Jarzembowski Edmund A. , Yin Zi‐Wei , Huang Di‐Ying , Cai Chen‐Yang 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCupedidae, the most species‐rich family of the archaic suborder Archostemata, were abundant, diverse and widespread in the Mesozoic, yet little is known about the early evolution and biogeography. This stems, in part, from a lack of exceptionally preserved fossils from the Mesozoic and of formal phylogenetic study of both extant and extinct taxa. Here we describe and illustrate a new fossil from mid‐Cretaceous Burmese amber, and provide a phylogeny combining both fossils and all known extant genera of Archostemata. A dataset of 43 ingroup taxa and four outgroup taxa based on 110 morphological characters was analysed under parsimony. The results indicate that Priacma LeConte and Paracupes Kolbe, as well as the Cretaceous genera Barbaticupes Jarzembowski et al. and Mallecupes Jarzembowski et al., together form a sister clade to the rest of Cupedidae. Priacma megapuncta sp.n. is attributed to the relict North American Priacma by the presence of distinct subtruncate elytral apices, lateral elytral margins with two rows of sharp teeth, and peculiar fixing epipleural folds near the elytral apices. Our discovery of the first fossil species of Priacma in Burmese amber reveals the antiquity and wider distribution of the genus in the late Mesozoic.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:313565C2‐4F42‐48BD‐8720‐F379DE202868.
Reclustering the cluster flies (Diptera: Oestroidea, Polleniidae)
Authors: Cerretti Pierfilippo , Stireman John O. , Badano Davide , Gisondi Silvia , Rognes Knut , Giudice Giuseppe Lo , Pape Thomas 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA phylogenetic analysis of selected oestroid taxa based on 66 morphological traits and sequences from three nuclear protein‐coding genes (CAD, MAC, MCS) resolved the composition and phylogenetic position of the former subfamily Polleniinae of the Calliphoridae – here resurrected at family rank as Polleniidae Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 stat. rev. Six species are transferred from the family Rhinophoridae to the Polleniidae: the Palaearctic genus Alvamaja Rognes, along with its single species Alvamaja chlorometallica Rognes, and five Afrotropical species comprising the carinata‐group formerly in the genus Phyto Robineau‐Desvoidy but here assigned to genus Morinia Robineau‐Desvoidy, i.e. M. carinata (Pape, 1987) comb.n., M. lactineala (Pape, 1997) comb.n., M. longirostris (Crosskey, 1977) comb.n., M. royi (Pape, 1997) comb.n. and M. stuckenbergi (Crosskey, 1977) comb.n. The Polleniidae are monophyletic and, in agreement with most recent phylogenetic reconstructions, sister to the Tachinidae. The female of A. chlorometallica and a new species of Morinia of the carinata‐group (Morinia tsitsikamma sp.n. from South Africa) are described.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:25B0C220‐DEE4‐4B0C‐88EA‐35FDE298EBC5.