bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome‐wide association analyses of plant growth traits during the stem elongation phase in wheat
Authors: Guo Zifeng , Liu Guozheng , Röder Marion S. , Reif Jochen C. , Ganal Martin W. , Schnurbusch Thorsten 
Published: May 2018

SummaryOne of the primary objectives of wheat breeding was to increase grain yield. Floral abortion during the stem elongation phase (SEP) leads to a loss of more than 50% of the grain number potential. In this study, we quantified 75 plant growth‐associated traits at seven stages during the SEP and mapped 15 696 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in 210 accessions of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Our genomewide association study identified trait‐associated SNPs that are shared among various stages of the SEP, as well as SNPs that are shared between plant growth traits and grain yield in the field. The genomic selection analysis shows variation among the prediction abilities of various traits and stages. Furthermore, we found that the allelic variants of Ppd‐D1 (chromosome 2D) and Rht‐D1 (chromosome 4D) loci affect some plant growth traits (e.g. leaf area and spike length). These results have identified a narrow time window within the SEP in which plant growth traits can be manipulated to alter grain yield. This suggests that there may be multiple ways to regulate plant growth during the SEP, to ultimately influence grain number in wheat.
Genotyping genome‐edited mutations in plants using CRISPR ribonucleoprotein complexes
Authors: Liang Zhen , Chen Kunling , Yan Yan , Zhang Yi , Gao Caixia 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDespite the great achievements in genome editing, accurately detecting mutations induced by sequence‐specific nucleases is still a challenge in plants, especially in polyploidy plants. An efficient detection method is particularly vital when the mutation frequency is low or when a large population needs to be screened. Here, we applied purified CRISPR ribonucleoprotein complexes to cleave PCR products for genome‐edited mutation detection in hexaploid wheat and diploid rice. We show that this mutation detection method is more sensitive than Sanger sequencing and more applicable than PCR/RE method without the requirement for restriction enzyme site. We also demonstrate that this detection method is especially useful for genome editing in wheat, because target sites are often surrounded by single nucleotide polymorphisms. Using this screening method, we were also able to detect foreign DNA‐free tagw2 mutations induced by purified TALEN protein. Finally, we show that partial base editing mutations can also be detected using high‐fidelity SpCas9 variants or FnCpf1. The PCR/RNP method is low‐cost and widely applicable for rapid detection of genome‐edited mutation in plants.
Specialized properties of the triceps surae muscle‐tendon unit in professional ballet dancers
Authors: Moltubakk M. M. , Magulas M. M. , Villars F. O. , Seynnes O. R. , Bojsen‐Møller J. 
Published: May 2018

This study compared professional ballet dancers (n = 10) to nonstretching controls (n = 10) with the purpose of comparing muscle and tendon morphology, mechanical, neural, and functional properties of the triceps surae and their role for ankle joint flexibility. Torque‐angle and torque‐velocity data were obtained during passive and active conditions by use of isokinetic dynamometry, while tissue morphology and mechanical properties were evaluated by ultrasonography. Dancers displayed longer gastrocnemius medialis fascicles (55 ± 5 vs 47 ± 6 mm) and a longer (207 ± 33 vs 167 ± 10 mm) and more compliant (230 ± 87 vs 364 ± 106 N/mm) Achilles tendon compared to controls. Greater passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (40 ± 7 vs 17 ± 9°) was seen in dancers, resulting from greater fascicle strain and greater elongation of the muscle. Peak electromyographic (EMG) activity recorded during passive stretching was lower in dancers, and at common joint angles, dancers displayed lower EMG amplitude and lower passive joint stiffness. No differences between groups were seen in maximal isometric plantar flexor torque, isokinetic peak torque, angle of peak torque, or work. In conclusion, the greater ankle joint flexibility of professional dancers seems attributed to multiple differences in morphological and mechanical properties of muscle and tendinous tissues, and to factors related to neural activation.
Analysis and comparison of different methods used to extract isoclinic and isochromatic parameters. Application to the determination of the residual stresses inside crystal silicon wafers
Authors: Jagailloux F. , Valle V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe present work focuses on an experimental analysis of different photoelastic extraction methods. An adapted test rig designed in order to evaluate several extraction methods, which come from the literature and 2 new proposed methods. Their comparisons point out dissimilar behaviours between them in an experimental environment. However, some specific cases require the use of most appropriate techniques to minimise the defects influence. Therefore, a specific application of the photoelasticity is presented to illustrate the meaning of the technique used. It mainly focuses on the determination of the residual stresses and their orientation inside photovoltaic crystal silicon wafers.
Heterodimeric O‐methyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of noscapine in opium poppy
Authors: Park Myung R. , Chen Xue , Lang Dean E. , Ng Kenneth K.S. , Facchini Peter J. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryNoscapine biosynthesis in opium poppy involves three characterized O‐methyltransferases (OMTs) and a fourth responsible for the 4ʹ‐methoxyl on the phthalide isoquinoline scaffold. The first three enzymes are homodimers, whereas the latter is a heterodimer encoded by two linked genes (OMT2 and OMT3). Neither OMT2 nor OMT3 form stable homodimers, but yield a substrate‐specific heterodimer when their genes are co‐expressed in Escherichia coli. The only substrate, 4ʹ‐O‐desmethyl‐3‐O‐acetylpapaveroxine, is a seco‐berbine pathway intermediate that undergoes ester hydrolysis subsequent to 4ʹ‐O‐methylation leading to the formation of narcotine hemiacetal. In the absence of 4ʹ‐O‐methylation, a parallel pathway yields narcotoline hemiacetal. Dehydrogenation produces noscapine and narcotoline from the corresponding hemiacetals. Phthalide isoquinoline intermediates with a 4ʹ‐hydroxyl (i.e. narcotoline and narcotoline hemiacetal), or the corresponding 1‐hydroxyl on protoberberine intermediates, were not accepted. Norcoclaurine 6OMT, which shares 81% amino acid sequence identity with OMT3, also formed a functionally similar heterodimer with OMT2. Suppression of OMT2 transcript levels in opium poppy increased narcotoline accumulation, whereas reduced OMT3 transcript abundance caused no detectable change in the alkaloid phenotype. Opium poppy chemotype Marianne accumulates high levels of narcotoline and showed no detectable OMT2:OMT3 activity. Compared with the active subunit from the Bea's Choice chemotype, Marianne OMT2 exhibited a single S122Y mutation in the dimerization domain that precluded heterodimer formation based on homology models. Both subunits contributed to the formation of the substrate‐binding domain, although site‐directed mutagenesis revealed OMT2 as the active subunit. The occurrence of physiologically relevant OMT heterodimers increases the catalytic diversity of enzymes derived from a smaller number of gene products.
Navigating the water trilemma: a strategic assessment of long‐term national water resource management options for Great Britain
Authors: Ives Matthew C. , Simpson Mike , Hall Jim W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPotential increases in water demand, alongside uncertainties in water availability due to climate change, mean that Britain's water supply system could become increasingly stressed over the coming decades. Along with the need for secure water supplies, we must ensure that the supply is affordable and that sufficient water is available to safeguard the natural environment. Meeting these three separate goals of security, affordability and sustainability, with their inevitable trade‐offs, can be termed the ‘water trilemma’. In this novel approach we simulate projections of river flows under population and climate change by using an aggregated national water resource model to test potential policies to manage demand and investments in water supply infrastructure in order to assess Britain's ability to meet its needs into the future. The results indicate that a balanced approach which allows for some inter‐basin water transfers while also engaging local solutions, including water re‐use, combined with scalable actions for demand management and leakage reduction, will best enable Britain to navigate this water trilemma.
Exposure of Staphylococcus aureus to Targocil Blocks Translocation of the Major Autolysin Atl across the Membrane, Resulting in a Significant Decrease in Autolysis
Authors: Tiwari Kiran B. , Gatto Craig , Walker Suzanne , Wilkinson Brian J. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

Peptidoglycan (PG) and wall teichoic acid (WTA) are the major staphylococcal cell wall components, and WTA biosynthesis has recently been explored for drug development. Targocil is a novel agent that targets the TarG subunit of the WTA translocase (TarGH) that transports WTA across the membrane to the wall. Previously we showed that targocil treatment of a methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
strain led to a rapid shut down of cellular autolysis. Targocil II, which targets the TarH subunit of TarGH, also resulted in a drastic decrease in autolysis. Here, we address the mechanism of targocil-mediated decreased autolysis. The mechanism is WTA dependent since targocil treatment decreased autolysis in methicillin-resistant strains but not in a WTA-deficient mutant. Similar to cellular autolysis, autolysin-retaining crude cell walls isolated from targocil-treated cells had vastly decreased autolytic activity compared to those from untreated cells. Purified cell walls from control and targocil-treated cells, which lack autolytic activity, were similarly susceptible to lysozyme and lysostaphin and had similar O-acetyl contents, indicating that targocil treatment did not grossly alter PG structure and chemistry. Purified cell walls from targocil-treated cells were highly susceptible to autolysin extracts, supporting the notion that targocil treatment led to decreased autolysin in the crude cell walls. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the decrease in autolysis in the targocil-exposed cells was not due to transcriptional repression of the autolysin genes
atl
,
lytM
,
lytN
, and
sle1
. Zymographic analysis of peptidoglycan hydrolase profiles showed a deficiency of cell surface autolysins in targocil-treated cells but higher activity in cell membrane fractions. Here, we propose that the untranslocated WTA molecules in the targocil-exposed cells sequester Atl at the membrane, resulting in significantly decreased autolysis.
Burden of physical, psychological and social ill-health during and after pregnancy among women in India, Pakistan, Kenya and Malawi
Authors: McCauley Mary , Madaj Barbara , White Sarah A , Dickinson Fiona , Bar-Zev Sarah , Aminu Mamuda , Godia Pamela , Mittal Pratima , Zafar Shamsa , van den Broek Nynke 
Published: May 2018

IntroductionFor every woman who dies during pregnancy and childbirth, many more suffer ill-health, the burden of which is highest in low-resource settings. We sought to assess the extent and types of maternal morbidity.MethodsDescriptive observational cross-sectional study at primary-level and secondary-level healthcare facilities in India, Pakistan, Kenya and Malawi to assess physical, psychological and social morbidity during and after pregnancy. Sociodemographic factors, education, socioeconomic status (SES), quality of life, satisfaction with health, reported symptoms, clinical examination and laboratory investigations were assessed. Relationships between morbidity and maternal characteristics were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results11 454 women were assessed in India (2099), Malawi (2923), Kenya (3145), and Pakistan (3287). Almost 3 out of 4 women had ≥1 symptoms (73.5%), abnormalities on clinical examination (71.3%) or laboratory investigation (73.5%). In total, 36% of women had infectious morbidity of which 9.0% had an identified infectious disease (HIV, malaria, syphilis, chest infection or tuberculosis) and an additional 32.5% had signs of early infection. HIV-positive status was highest in Malawi (14.5%) as was malaria (10.4%). Overall, 47.9% of women were anaemic, 11.5% had other medical or obstetric conditions, 25.1% reported psychological morbidity and 36.6% reported social morbidity (domestic violence and/or substance misuse). Infectious morbidity was highest in Malawi (56.5%) and Kenya (40.4%), psychological and social morbidity was highest in Pakistan (47.3%, 60.2%). Maternal morbidity was not limited to a core at-risk group; only 1.2% had all four morbidities. The likelihood of medical or obstetric, psychological or social morbidity decreased with increased education; adjusted OR (95% CI) for each additional level of education ranged from 0.79 (0.75 to 0.83) for psychological morbidity to 0.91 (0.87 to 0.95) for infectious morbidity. Each additional level of SES was associated with increased psychological morbidity (OR 1.15 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.21)) and social morbidity (OR 1.05 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.10)), but there was no difference regarding medical or obstetric morbidity. However, for each morbidity association was heterogeneous between countries.ConclusionWomen suffer significant ill-health which is still largely unrecognised. Current antenatal and postnatal care packages require adaptation if they are to meet the identified health needs of women.
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Chen Xiaomei , Wang Sheng , Yang Ming , Li Li 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveWe evaluated current evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effectiveness of chemical peeling for treating acne vulgaris.MethodsStandard Cochrane methodological procedures were used. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE via OvidSP through April 2017. Reviewers independently assessed eligibility, risk of bias and extracted data.ResultsTwelve RCTs (387 participants) were included. Effectiveness was not significantly different: trichloroacetic acid versus salicylic acid (SA) (percentage of total improvement: risk ratio (RR) 0.89; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.10), glycolic acid (GA) versus amino fruit acid (the reduction of inflammatory lesions: mean difference (MD), 0.20; 95% CI −3.03 to 3.43), SA versus pyruvic acid (excellent or good improvement: RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.69), GA versus SA (good or fair improvement: RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.85 to 1.18), GA versus Jessner’s solution (JS) (self-reported improvements: RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.44 to 2.26), and lipohydroxy acid versus SA (reduction of non-inflammatory lesions: 55.6%vs48.5%, p=0.878). Combined SA and mandelic acid peeling was superior to GA peeling (percentage of improvement in total acne score: 85.3%vs68.5%, p<0.001). GA peeling was superior to placebo (excellent or good improvement: RR 2.30; 95% CI 1.40 to 3.77). SA peeling may be superior to JS peeling for comedones (reduction of comedones: 53.4%vs26.3%, p=0.001) but less effective than phototherapy for pustules (number of pustules: MD −7.00; 95% CI −10.84 to −3.16).LimitationsThe methodological quality of the included RCTs was very low to moderate. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the significant clinical heterogeneity across studies.ConclusionCommonly used chemical peels appear to be similarly effective for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris and well tolerated. However, based on current limited evidence, a robust conclusion cannot be drawn regarding any definitive superiority or equality among the currently used chemical peels. Well-designed RCTs are needed to identify optimal regimens.
Efficacy of bilevel positive airway pressure and continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Guan Lili , Wu Weiliang , Huo Yating , Li Xiaoying , Guo Bingpeng , Yang Yuqiong , Xu Jiawen , Jiang Fangfang , Zhou Luqian , Chen Rongchang 
Published: May 2018

IntroductionObesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a major respiratory complication caused by severe obesity, being associated with significant morbidity, negative impacts on quality of life and reduced survival if not treated appropriately. Positive airway pressure therapy is the first-line treatment for OHS although the optimal modality remains unclear. The goal of this study is to identify the efficacy of home bilevel positive airway pressure therapy by comparison to continuous positive airway pressure therapy and determine the best strategy for patients with OHS.Methods and analysisThis study will be conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 statement. We will search the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL. Ongoing studies will be identified through the ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal. Grey literature will be recognised through Google Scholar and other search engines. Only randomised controlled trials meeting the eligibility criteria will be included. The risk of bias of the included studies will be evaluated through the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. RevMan V.5.3.5 software will be used for data analysis. The Q statistic and I2index will be used for investigating heterogeneity, and subgroup analysis or sensitivity analysis will be used to explore the source of heterogeneity. In addition, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to inspect the quality of evidence.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required because this study contains no primary data collected from humans. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017078369.
Cratonic basins and the Wilson cycle: a perspective from the Parnaíba Basin, Brazil
Authors: Daly M. C. , Tozer B. , Watts A. B. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Cratonic basins appear to occupy a specific place in the Wilson cycle, initiating after continental collision and supercontinent development, but before rifting and continental break-up. They do not result directly from the horizontal plate motions characteristic of the Wilson cycle, but from localized, long-lived subsidence. Covering
c.
10% of the Earth's continental crust, most of the preserved cratonic basins developed in the Early Paleozoic after the formation of Gondwana and Laurentia. Recent investigation of the Parnaíba cratonic basin of Brazil has shown that this basin, and potentially cratonic basins in general, are characterized by six features: (1) formation on thickened lithosphere (>150 km); (2) a pronounced basal unconformity; (3) a sub-circular outline and large area of 0.5 × 10
5
to 2 × 10
6
km
2
; (4) long-lived (100–300 myr) quasi-exponential tectonic subsidence of shallow marine and terrestrial sediments; (5) no major extensional strain features, such as rifts, crustal or lithospheric thinning or Moho elevation; and (6) dense, high velocity and conductive lower crust and upper mantle. These characteristics indicate basin initiation and development by purely vertical subsidence of the lithosphere, either thermally or mechanically driven. Thermal subsidence may be related to orogenic thickening, radiogenic heating and erosion associated with supercontinent assembly, whereas mechanical subsidence may be a result of the emplacement in the lower crust or upper mantle of a dense igneous body related to plume activity during the lifetime of a supercontinent.
The role of palaeorelief in the control of Permian facies distribution over the Mid North Sea High, UK Continental Shelf
Authors: Mulholland Philip , Esestime Paolo , Rodriguez Karyna , John Hargreaves Phillip 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The Mid North Sea High (MNSH) consists of a ridge of Paleozoic strata located in the centre of the North Sea between 55° N and 56° N. In 2010, interest in the Permian of the MNSH was revived by the discovery in Quadrant 44 of the Cygnus gas field. This study focuses on the Zechstein carbonates of the MNSH and uses play concepts that draw an analogy with the Zechstein oil and gas fields discovered in Denmark and Poland, and also with the Wissey gas field in Quadrant 53.
New 2D seismic establishes the presence of a significant Zechstein reef that blocks the southern entrance of the Jenyon Gap onto the MNSH. Seismic data show that the reef developed in stages and its presence can be inferred from the occurrence of isolated lagoons within the centre of the build-up. The barrier reef's existence explains both the presence of the rare hygroscopic mineral tachyhydrite in the centre of the MNSH and also the observed isopach difference in the Zechstein cycles over the MNSH, as the barrier restricted marine-water ingress onto the MNSH and allowed the creation of a ‘crystal-starved basin’, the evaporitic equivalent of a sediment-starved basin.
Acoustic televiewer amplitude data for porosity estimation with application to porewater conversion
Authors: Kennel J. R. , Parker B. L. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The ability to detect and quantify rock matrix porosity is explored using acoustic televiewer images and dolostone rock core samples. In particular, an empirical relationship between the acoustic televiewer amplitude response and core-derived total porosity is developed. The performance of the acoustic televiewer amplitude relationship was compared to neutron and gamma-gamma logs, which are traditional nuclear wireline tools commonly used for estimating porosity in dolostones. Acoustic televiewer amplitude results are consistent with the gamma-gamma (density) and neutron (porosity) logs, provide increased vertical resolution, do not require downhole radioactive sources and also provide oriented fracture information. Sample specific porosity and bulk density values from the calibrated acoustic televiewer datasets are then used to improve porewater concentration estimates from rock concentrations.