bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic and transdermal melatonin administration prevents neuropathology in response to perinatal asphyxia in newborn lambs
Authors: Aridas James D. S. , Yawno Tamara , Sutherland Amy E. , Nitsos Ilias , Ditchfield Michael , Wong Flora Y. , Hunt Rod W. , Fahey Michael C. , Malhotra Atul , Wallace Euan M. , Jenkin Graham , Miller Suzanne L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPerinatal asphyxia remains a principal cause of infant mortality and long‐term neurological morbidity, particularly in low‐resource countries. No neuroprotective interventions are currently available. Melatonin (MLT), a potent antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic agent, offers promise as an intravenous (IV) or transdermal therapy to protect the brain. We aimed to determine the effect of melatonin (IVor transdermal patch) on neuropathology in a lamb model of perinatal asphyxia. Asphyxia was induced in newborn lambs via umbilical cord occlusion at birth. Animals were randomly allocated to melatonin commencing 30 minutes after birth (60 mg in 24 hours;IVor transdermal patch). Brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was undertaken at 12 and 72 hours. Animals (control n = 9; control+MLTn = 6; asphyxia n = 16; asphyxia+MLT[IVn = 14; patch n = 4]) were euthanised at 72 hours, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brains were collected for analysis. Asphyxia resulted in severe acidosis (pH6.9 ± 0.0; lactate 9 ± 2 mmol/L) and altered determinants of encephalopathy.MRSlactate:N‐acetyl aspartate ratio was 2.5‐fold higher in asphyxia lambs compared with controls at 12 hours and 3‐fold higher at 72 hours (P < .05). Melatonin prevented this rise (3.5‐fold reduced vs asphyxia;P = .02). Asphyxia significantly increased brain white and grey matter apoptotic cell death (activated caspase‐3), lipid peroxidation (4HNE) and neuroinflammation (IBA‐1). These changes were significantly mitigated by bothIVand patch melatonin. Systemic or transdermal neonatal melatonin administration significantly reduces the neuropathology and encephalopathy signs associated with perinatal asphyxia. A simple melatonin patch, administered soon after birth, may improve outcome in infants affected by asphyxia, especially in low‐resource settings.
EMERGING DISCOURSE INCUBATOR: Cross‐Sector Relations in Global Supply Chains: A Social Capital Perspective
Authors: Johnson Jonathan L. , Dooley Kevin J. , Hyatt David G. , Hutson Andrew M. 
Published: February 2018

Virtually unheard of 30 years ago, collaborations involving environmental NGOs and businesses are now common and are increasingly being used to address sustainability issues in supply chains. We argue that a supply chain perspective is instrumental for collaborative NGOs in helping them to understand environmental impacts, interorganizational dynamics, and optimal collaborative partners and tactics. We apply a framework that integrates three predominant social capital theories to cross‐sector partnerships to explain how three dimensions of social capital, individually and in interaction, may create strategic value for NGOs who seek to improve the environmental performance of companies through collaboration. Finally, we survey the nature of the progress that has (and has not) been made through cross‐sector partnerships and offer suggestions for how social capital may be deployed to accelerate change.
Functional characterization of collaterals in the human gingiva by laser speckle contrast imaging
Authors: Fazekas Réka , Molnár Eszter , Lohinai Zsolt , Dinya Elek , Tóth Zsuzsanna , Windisch Péter , Vág János 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe rate of blood flow between the various areas of the gingiva in resting position and under challenge is unknown. In this study, the LSCI method was used to map spatial and temporal changes in gingival blood flow after transient compression.MethodsHorizontal, vertical, and papilla base compressions were applied on the attached gingiva in 21 healthy patients (13 women, 8 men). LSCI was used to determine dynamic changes in regional blood flow during a five‐second occlusion interval and subsequent reperfusion for twenty minutes.ResultsResting blood flow in the attached gingiva apical to the papillae was higher as compared to that in the midbuccal area of the teeth. During short‐term horizontal compression, ischemia was greater coronal than apical to the occlusion line. Postocclusive hyperemia was observed not only in the regions affected by ischemia but encompassed a wider area. Hyperemic response was more pronounced and prolonged in male than in female patients.ConclusionsBlood flow in the attached gingiva shows spatial differences. Our findings corroborate the apicocoronal orientation of blood circulation. Periodontal and papillary collaterals may have little role in the blood supply of the adjacent attached gingiva under physiological conditions.
Conserved residues are critical for Haloferax volcanii archaeosortase catalytic activity: Implications for convergent evolution of the catalytic mechanisms of non‐homologous sortases from archaea and bacteria
Authors: Abdul Halim Mohd Farid , Rodriguez Ronald , Stoltzfus Jonathan D. , Duggin Iain G. , Pohlschroder Mechthild 
Published: February 2018

SummaryProper protein anchoring is key to the biogenesis of prokaryotic cell surfaces, dynamic, resilient structures that play crucial roles in various cell processes. A novel surface protein anchoring mechanism in Haloferax volcanii depends upon the peptidase archaeosortase A (ArtA) processing C‐termini of substrates containing C‐terminal tripartite structures and anchoring mature substrates to the cell membrane via intercalation of lipid‐modified C‐terminal amino acid residues. While this membrane protein lacks clear homology to soluble sortase transpeptidases of Gram‐positive bacteria, which also process C‐termini of substrates whose C‐terminal tripartite structures resemble those of ArtA substrates, archaeosortases do contain conserved cysteine, arginine and arginine/histidine/asparagine residues, reminiscent of His‐Cys‐Arg residues of sortase catalytic sites. The study presented here shows that ArtAWT‐GFP expressed in trans complements ΔartA growth and motility phenotypes, while alanine substitution mutants, Cys173 (C173A), Arg214 (R214A) or Arg253 (R253A), and the serine substitution mutant for Cys173 (C173S), fail to complement these phenotypes. Consistent with sortase active site replacement mutants, ArtAC173A‐GFP, ArtAC173S‐GFP and ArtAR214A‐GFP cannot process substrates, while replacement of the third residue, ArtAR253A‐GFP retains some processing activity. These findings support the view that similarities between certain aspects of the structures and functions of the sortases and archaeosortases are the result of convergent evolution.
Comparing Explicit Exemplar‐Based and Rule‐Based Corrective Feedback: Introducing Analogy‐Based Corrective Feedback
Authors: THOMAS KAVITA E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study introduces an approach to providing corrective feedback to L2 learners termed analogy‐based corrective feedback that is motivated by analogical learning theories and syntactic alignment in dialogue. Learners are presented with a structurally similar synonymous version of their output where the erroneous form is corrected, and they must decode the analogy‐based feedback to understand the correction. A quasi‐experimental classroom‐based study was conducted with upper secondary Swedish EFL learners (N = 49) to investigate the effectiveness of corrective feedback varying in mode (inductive exemplar‐based or deductive rule‐based) on English subject–verb agreement. Explicit correction, metalinguistic, and analogy‐based corrective feedback, all explicitly providing evidence of error and including reformulation prompts, were assessed by timed and untimed grammaticality judgment and sentence completion tasks in a between‐groups pretest, posttest, delayed posttest design with a control group. Results indicate significant delayed gains for all feedback types on the untimed grammaticality judgment task for ungrammatical items. No clear advantage was seen for rule‐based or exemplar‐based CF. Descriptive statistics indicate different trends over successive testing times, where analogy‐based feedback often led to lowest performance on the immediate posttest but showed improvement on the delayed posttest, unlike the other two CF types.
CgPDR1 gain‐of‐function mutations lead to azole‐resistance and increased adhesion in clinical Candida glabrata strains
Authors: Ni Qi , Wang Chen , Tian Yuan , Dong Danfeng , Jiang Cen , Mao Enqiang , Peng Yibing 
Published: February 2018

SummaryRecently, Candida glabrata has emerged as a health‐threatening pathogen and the rising resistance to antifungal agent in C. glabrata often leads to clinical treatment failure. To investigate the evolution of drug resistance and adherence ability in four paired clinical isolates collected before and after antifungal treatment. Sequence analysis, gene disruption, drug‐susceptibility, adhesion tests and real‐time quantitative PCR were performed. The azole‐susceptible strains acquired azole resistance after antifungal therapy. Four gain‐of‐function (GOF) mutations in CgPDR1 were revealed by sequence analysis, namely G1099D, G346D, L344S and P927S, the last being reported for the first time. CDR1, CDR2 and SNQ2 efflux pump gene expression levels were elevated in strains harbouring GOF mutations in CgPDR1, resulting in decreased azole susceptibility. CgPDR1 alleles with distinct GOF mutations displayed different expression profiles for the drug‐related genes. CgPDR1GOF mutations led to increased efflux pumps expression levels in a strain background independent way. Hyperactive Pdr1G1099D and Pdr1P927S displayed strain background‐dependent increased adherence to host cells via upregulation of EPA1 transcription. Interestingly, the drug transporter gene expression levels did not always correspond with that of the adhesin EPA1 gene. GOF mutations in CgPDR1 conferred drug resistance and increased adherence in the clinical strains, possibly endowing C. glabrata with increased viability and pathogenicity.
Evaluation of the new AspID polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Aspergillus species: A pilot study
Authors: Prattes Juergen , Hoenigl Martin , Zinke Stefanie E.‐M. , Heldt Sven , Eigl Susanne , Johnson Gemma L. , Bustin Stephen , Stelzl Evelyn , Kessler Harald H. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe newly developed AspID PCR assay for detection of Aspergillus spp. was evaluated with an interlaboratory quality control programme panel and human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples. With the quality control programme, 8 out of 9 panel members were correctly identified. With the clinical study, 36 BALF samples that had been obtained from 18 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and 18 without IPA were investigated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio for the AspID assay were 94.1% (95% CI 73.3‐99.9), 76.5% (95% CI 50.1‐93.2), 4 (95% CI 1.7‐9.5) and 0.1 (95% CI 0.01‐0.5) respectively.
Photochemical inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum by different compoundings of curcumin
Authors: Brasch Jochen , Beck‐Jendroschek Vera , Mahn Viktoria 
Published: February 2018

SummaryRecently, we had shown that conidia‐derived growth of many dermatophytes can be inhibited by curcumin plus exposure to visible light. This method of photo inactivation should be developed further aiming for an option to stop mycelial growth in superficial tinea. Wells of microtitre plates were inoculated with either mycelial or conidial elements collected from 5 strains of Trichophyton rubrum. Then either micellar curcumin or curcumin dissolved with DMSO was added and after 20 min the wells were filled up with Sabouraud broth. Thereafter the assays were irradiated once with visible light (wave length 420 nm, 20 J/cm2) and fungal growth was monitored photometrically. Identical effects were measured with conidia and mycelial elements of all 5 T. rubrum strains. Curcumin dissolved with DMSO plus irradiation had a marked dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on fungal growth that was almost complete with 5.0 mg/L (P < .01) over a period of 9 days. In contrast, the same procedure with micellar curcumin had no inhibitory effect on growth obtained from conidia or mycelial elements. Mycelial elements of T. rubrum and its conidia are equally sensitive to photochemical inactivation with curcumin and the galenic compounding of curcumin is essential to achieve this photochemical effect.
A cytochrome P450 CYP71 enzyme expressed in Sorghum bicolor root hair cells participates in the biosynthesis of the benzoquinone allelochemical sorgoleone
Authors: Pan Zhiqiang , Baerson Scott R. , Wang Mei , Bajsa‐Hirschel Joanna , Rimando Agnes M. , Wang Xiaoqiang , Nanayakkara N. P. Dhammika , Noonan Brice P. , Fromm Michael E. , Dayan Franck E. , Khan Ikhlas A. , Duke Stephen O. 
Published: February 2018

Summary

Sorgoleone, a major component of the hydrophobic root exudates of Sorghum spp., is probably responsible for many of the allelopathic properties attributed to members of this genus. Much of the biosynthetic pathway for this compound has been elucidated, with the exception of the enzyme responsible for the catalysis of the addition of two hydroxyl groups to the resorcinol ring.

A library prepared from isolated Sorghum bicolor root hair cells was first mined for P450‐like sequences, which were then analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) to identify those preferentially expressed in root hairs. Full‐length open reading frames for each candidate were generated, and then analyzed biochemically using both a yeast expression system and transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated repression in transgenic S. bicolor was used to confirm the roles of these candidates in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone in planta.

A P450 enzyme, designated CYP71AM1, was found to be capable of catalyzing the formation of dihydrosorgoleone using 5‐pentadecatrienyl resorcinol‐3‐methyl ether as substrate, as determined by gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). RNAi‐mediated repression of CYP71AM1 in S. bicolor resulted in decreased sorgoleone contents in multiple independent transformant events.

Our results strongly suggest that CYP71AM1 participates in the biosynthetic pathway of the allelochemical sorgoleone.
Chemical priming of immunity without costs to plant growth
Authors: Buswell Will , Schwarzenbacher Roland E. , Luna Estrella , Sellwood Matthew , Chen Beining , Flors Victor , Pétriacq Pierre , Ton Jurriaan 
Published: February 2018

Summary

β‐Aminobutyric acid (BABA) induces broad‐spectrum disease resistance, but also represses plant growth, which has limited its exploitation in crop protection. BABA perception relies on binding to the aspartyl‐tRNA synthetase (AspRS) IBI1, which primes the enzyme for secondary defense activity. This study aimed to identify structural BABA analogues that induce resistance without stunting plant growth.

Using site‐directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that the (l)‐aspartic acid‐binding domain of IBI1 is critical for BABA perception. Based on interaction models of this domain, we screened a small library of structural BABA analogues for growth repression and induced resistance against biotrophic Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa).

A range of resistance‐inducing compounds were identified, of which (R)‐β‐homoserine (RBH) was the most effective. Surprisingly, RBH acted through different pathways than BABA. RBH‐induced resistance (RBH‐IR) against Hpa functioned independently of salicylic acid, partially relied on camalexin, and was associated with augmented cell wall defense. RBH‐IR against necrotrophic Plectosphaerella cucumerina acted via priming of ethylene and jasmonic acid defenses. RBH‐IR was also effective in tomato against Botrytis cinerea. Metabolic profiling revealed that RBH, unlike BABA, does not majorly affect plant metabolism.

RBH primes distinct defense pathways against biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens without stunting plant growth, signifying strong potential for exploitation in crop protection.
Core cis‐element variation confers subgenome‐biased expression of a transcription factor that functions in cotton fiber elongation
Authors: Zhao Bo , Cao Jun‐Feng , Hu Guan‐Jing , Chen Zhi‐Wen , Wang Lu‐Yao , Shangguan Xiao‐Xia , Wang Ling‐Jian , Mao Ying‐Bo , Zhang Tian‐Zhen , Wendel Jonathan F. , Chen Xiao‐Ya 
Published: February 2018

Summary

Cotton cultivars have evolved to produce extensive, long, seed‐born fibers important for the textile industry, but we know little about the molecular mechanism underlying spinnable fiber formation. Here, we report how PACLOBUTRAZOL RESISTANCE 1 (PRE1) in cotton, which encodes a basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is a target gene of spinnable fiber evolution.

Differential expression of homoeologous genes in polyploids is thought to be important to plant adaptation and novel phenotypes. PRE1 expression is specific to cotton fiber cells, upregulated during their rapid elongation stage and A‐homoeologous biased in allotetraploid cultivars. Transgenic studies demonstrated that PRE1 is a positive regulator of fiber elongation.

We determined that the natural variation of the canonical TATA‐box, a regulatory element commonly found in many eukaryotic core promoters, is necessary for subgenome‐biased PRE1 expression, representing a mechanism underlying the selection of homoeologous genes.

Thus, variations in the promoter of the cell elongation regulator gene PRE1 have contributed to spinnable fiber formation in cotton. Overexpression of GhPRE1 in transgenic cotton yields longer fibers with improved quality parameters, indicating that this bHLH gene is useful for improving cotton fiber quality.
Flight reconstruction of two European enantiornithines (Aves, Pygostylia) and the achievement of bounding flight in Early Cretaceous birds
Authors: Serrano Francisco J. , Chiappe Luis M. , Palmqvist Paul , Figueirido Borja , Marugán‐Lobón Jesús , Sanz José L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntermittent flight through flap‐gliding (alternating flapping phases and gliding phases with spread wings) or bounding (flapping and ballistic phases with wings folded against the body) are strategies to optimize aerial efficiency which are commonly used among small birds today. The broad morphological disparity of Mesozoic birds suggests that a range of aerial strategies could have evolved early in avian evolution. Based on biomechanics and aerodynamic theory, this study reconstructs the flight modes of two small enantiornithines from the Lower Cretaceous fossil site of Las Hoyas (Spain): Concornis lacustris and Eoalulavis hoyasi. Our results show that the short length of their wings in relation to their body masses were suitable for flying through strict flapping and intermittent bounds, but not through facultative glides. Aerodynamic models indicate that the power margins of these birds were sufficient to sustain bounding flight. Our results thus suggest that C. lacustris and E. hoyasi would have increased aerial efficiency through bounding flight, just as many small passerines and woodpeckers do today. Intermittent bounding appears to have evolved early in the evolutionary history of birds, at least 126 million years ago.
A novel aphid resistance locus in cowpea identified by combining SSR and SNP markers
Authors: Kusi Francis , Padi Francis K. , Obeng‐Ofori Daniel , Asante Stephen K. , Agyare Richard Y. , Sugri Issah , Timko Michael P. , Koebner Robert , Huynh Bao‐Lam , Santos Jansen R. P. , Close Timothy J. , Roberts Philip A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe utility of combining simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker genotyping was determined for genetically mapping a novel aphid (Aphis craccivora) resistance locus in cowpea breeding line SARC 1‐57‐2 and for introgressing the resistance into elite cultivars by marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC). The locus was tagged with codominant SSR marker CP 171F/172R with a recombination fraction of 5.91% in an F2 population from ‘Apagbaala’ x SARC 1‐57‐2. A SNP‐genotyped biparental recombinant inbred line population was genotyped for CP 171F/172R, which was mapped to position 11.5 cM on linkage group (LG) 10 (physical position 30.514 Mb on chromosome Vu10). Using CP 171F/172R for foreground selection and a KASP‐SNP‐based marker panel for background selection in MABC, the resistance from SARC 1‐57‐2 was introduced into elite susceptible cultivar ‘Zaayura’. Five BC4F3 lines of improved ‘Zaayura’ that were isogenic except for the resistance locus region had phenotypes similar to SARC 1‐57‐2. This study identified a novel aphid resistance locus and demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating SSR and SNP markers for trait mapping and marker‐assisted breeding.
Innovation in values based public health nursing student selection: A qualitative evaluation of candidate and selection panel member perspectives
Authors: McGraw Caroline , Abbott Stephen , Brook Judy 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesValues based recruitment emerges from the premise that a high degree of value congruence, or the extent to which an individual's values are similar to those of the health organization in which they work, leads to organizational effectiveness. The aim of this evaluation was to explore how candidates and selection panel members experienced and perceived innovative methods of values based public health nursing student selection.Design and SampleThe evaluation was framed by a qualitative exploratory design involving semi‐structured interviews and a group exercise. Data were thematically analyzed. Eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with selection panel members. Twenty‐two successful candidates took part in a group exercise.InterventionThe use of photo elicitation interviews and situational judgment questions in the context of selection to a university‐run public health nursing educational program was explored.ResultsWhile candidates were ambivalent about the use of photo elicitation interviews, with some misunderstanding the task, selection panel members saw the benefits for improving candidate expression and reducing gaming and deception. Situational interview questions were endorsed by candidates and selection panel members due to their fidelity to real‐life problems and the ability of panel members to discern value congruence from candidates’ responses.ConclusionsBoth techniques offered innovative solutions to candidate selection for entry to the public health nursing education program.