bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient genome editing of wild strawberry genes, vector development and validation
Authors: Zhou Junhui , Wang Guoming , Liu Zhongchi 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–Cas9 system is an effective genome editing tool for plant and animal genomes. However, there are still few reports on the successful application of CRISPR–Cas9 to horticultural plants, especially with regard to germ‐line transmission of targeted mutations. Here, we report high‐efficiency genome editing in the wild strawberry Fragaria vesca and its successful application to mutate the auxin biosynthesis gene TAA1 and auxin response factor 8 (ARF8). In our CRISPR system, the Arabidopsis U6 promoter AtU6‐26 and the wild strawberry U6 promoter FveU6‐2 were each used to drive the expression of sgRNA, and both promoters were shown to lead to high‐efficiency genome editing in strawberry. To test germ‐line transmission of the edited mutations and new mutations induced in the next generation, the progeny of the primary (T0) transgenic plants carrying the CRISPR construct was analysed. New mutations were detected in the progeny plants at a high efficiency, including large deletions between the two PAM sites. Further, T1 plants harbouring arf8 homozygous knockout mutations grew considerably faster than wild‐type plants. The results indicate that our CRISPR vectors can be used to edit the wild strawberry genome at a high efficiency and that both sgRNA design and appropriate U6 promoters contribute to the success of genomic editing. Our results open up exciting opportunities for engineering strawberry and related horticultural crops to improve traits of economic importance.
OsPK2 encodes a plastidic pyruvate kinase involved in rice endosperm starch synthesis, compound granule formation and grain filling
Authors: Cai Yicong , Li Sanfeng , Jiao Guiai , Sheng Zhonghua , Wu Yawen , Shao Gaoneng , Xie Lihong , Peng Cheng , Xu Junfeng , Tang Shaoqing , Wei Xiangjin , Hu Peisong 
Published: March 2018

SummaryStarch is the main form of energy storage in higher plants. Although several enzymes and regulators of starch biosynthesis have been defined, the complete molecular machinery remains largely unknown. Screening for irregularities in endosperm formation in rice represents valuable prospect for studying starch synthesis pathway. Here, we identified a novel rice white‐core endosperm and defective grain filling mutant, ospk2, which displays significantly lower grain weight, decreased starch content and alteration of starch physicochemical properties when compared to wild‐type grains. The normal starch compound granules were drastically reduced and more single granules filled the endosperm cells of ospk2. Meanwhile, the germination rate of ospk2 seeds after 1‐year storage was observably reduced compared with wild‐type. Map‐based cloning of OsPK2 indicated that it encodes a pyruvate kinase (PK, ATP: pyruvate 2‐O‐phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40), which catalyses an irreversible step of glycolysis. OsPK2 has a constitutive expression in rice and its protein localizes in chloroplasts. Enzyme assay showed that the protein product from expressed OsPK2 and the crude protein extracted from tissues of wild‐type exhibits strong PK activity; however, the mutant presented reduced protein activity. OsPK2 (PKpα1) and three other putative rice plastidic isozymes, PKpα2, PKpβ1 and PKpβ2, can interact to form heteromer. Moreover, the mutation leads to multiple metabolic disorders. Altogether, these results denote new insights into the role of OsPK2 in plant seed development, especially in starch synthesis, compound granules formation and grain filling, which would be useful for genetic improvement of high yield and rice grain quality.
Human placental PPAR‐γ and SOX‐2 expression in serologically proved toxoplasmosis
Authors: Hasby Saad M. , El‐Anwar N. , Lotfy S. , Fouda M. , Hasby E. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryTo explore PPAR‐γ and SOX‐2 transcription factors expression in placenta according to maternal anti‐Toxoplasma gondii serological profile during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. The study included 240 placentas, grouped according to IgM and IgG serostatus and then subgrouped according to pregnancy outcome that varied between miscarriages, premature labour, stillbirth and giving birth to CNS anomaly or apparently healthy neonates. Samples were H&E stained and histopathologically scored blindly. PPAR‐γ expression was measured by ELISA, while SOX‐2‐positive nuclei were stained immunohistochemically to be calculated by ImageJ. The mean pathological score was significantly higher in IgM+ve and IgG rising than IgG‐ve and persistent low groups. Former groups showed significantly higher PPAR‐γ (mean = 258.63, 227.11). However, PPAR‐γ was higher in apparently healthy neonate subgroups. SOX‐2 was significantly lower in IgM+ve and IgG rising groups (mean = 12.87, 43.13) and associated with obvious fibrosis. SOX‐2 lowest count was in CNS anomaly subgroup. PPAR‐γ and SOX‐2 changes may give clues of how Toxoplasma induces pathogenesis during vertical transmission. Triggering PPAR‐γ expression may be a tool to downregulate the inflammatory response and establish a metabolically permissive cellular environment for Toxoplasma persistence. Low SOX‐2 is suspected to disturb placental mesenchymal stem cells pluripotency and neuroectoderm development.
Differential effect of drought regimes on the seedling performance of six floodplain grassland species
Authors: Ludewig K. , Hanke J.M. , Wuthe B. , Otte A. , Mosner E. , Eckstein R.L. , Donath T.W. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

The performance of seedlings is crucial for the survival and persistence of plant populations. Although drought frequently occurs in floodplains and can cause seedling mortality, studies on the effects of drought on seedlings of floodplain grasslands are scarce. We tested the hypotheses that drought reduces aboveground biomass, total biomass, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA), and increases root biomass and root‐mass fraction (RMF) and that seedlings from species of wet floodplain grasslands are more affected by drought than species of dry grasslands.

In a greenhouse study, we exposed seedlings of three confamilial pairs of species (Pimpinella saxifraga, Selinum carvifolia, Veronica teucrium, Veronica maritima, Sanguisorba minor, Sanguisorba officinalis) to increasing drought treatments. Within each plant family, one species is characteristic of wet and one of dry floodplain grasslands, confamilial in order to avoid phylogenetic bias of the results.

In accordance with our hypotheses, drought conditions reduced aboveground biomass, total biomass, plant height, number of leaves and leaf area. Contrary to our hypotheses, drought conditions increased SLA and decreased root biomass and RMF of seedlings. Beyond the effects of the families, the results were species‐specific (V. maritima being the most sensitive species) and habitat‐specific. Species indicative of wet floodplain grasslands appear to be more sensitive to drought than species indicative of dry grasslands.

Because of species‐ and habitat‐specific responses to reduced water availability, future drought periods due to climate change may severely affect some species from dry and wet habitats, while others may be unaffected.
Thesium linophyllon parasitizes and suppresses expansive Calamagrostis epigejos
Authors: Somodi I. , Vadkerti Á. , Těšitel J. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Root‐hemiparasitic interaction between the dominant grass Calamagrostis epigejos and the hemiparasite Thesium linophyllon was studied to assess the potential of the parasite to regulate dominance of the grass, which is expanding into species‐rich steppe grasslands.

First, we aimed to identify physiological links between the two species as a principal indicator of the parasitic relationship. Second, we analysed the dynamics of the two species in the vegetation of a steppe grassland at the foot of the Bükk Mountains, Hungary, where their joint presence is recorded in a long‐term permanent plot monitoring dataset to detect patterns associated with the parasitic ecological interaction.

Numerous well‐developed functional haustoria of Th. linophyllon were identified on the root systems of C. epigejos. The joint dynamics of C. epigejos and Th. linophyllon displayed clear signs of the parasitic interaction: (1) the dynamics of Th. linophyllon frequency was positively associated with the initial cover of C. epigejos; (2) maximum recorded cover values of the two species were strongly positively correlated; and (3) the extent of C. epigejos decrease in the vegetation was significantly positively associated with maximum Th. linophyllon cover recorded throughout the monitoring period.

We demonstrate that C. epigejos can be parasitized by Th. linophyllon, which restricts abundance of the grass. Th. linophyllon thus has potential to act as a native biological control of C. epigejos in steppe grasslands.
The adherence and colonization of microorganisms in fish gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Li Xuemei , Ringø Einar , Hoseinifar Seyed Hossein , Lauzon Hélene L. , Birkbeck Harry , Yang Deguo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEggs, gills, skin and intestinal tracts of fish harbour bacterial communities that are thought to impact fish health through their interaction with the tissues. In particular, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract possesses numerous microbes and is considered an infection route. During the infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, mucosal adhesion is a critical early phase and plays an important role in fish development. This review focused on knowledge regarding the adherence and colonization of microorganisms in fish GI tract mucus, including various methods such as in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo, host specificity, lactic acid bacteria nonfish origin using the adherence of pathogenic bacteria, gnotobiotic approaches and molecular methods. However, probiotics might not be possible to truly colonize the digestive tract of fish. The term ‘temporal colonization’ might be a better phrase to use when discussing probiotic persistence and presence within the mucosal layer. Recent and promising results in this field were presented based on new perspectives and future research directions of the adherence and colonization of microorganisms in fish GI tracts.
Methylation pattern variation between goats and rats during the onset of puberty
Authors: Yang C , Ye J , Liu Y , Ding J , Liu H , Gao X , Li X , Zhang Y , Zhou J , Zhang X , Huang W , Fang F , Ling Y 
Published: March 2018

ContentsPuberty is initiated by increased pulsatile gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) release from the hypothalamus. Epigenetic repression is thought to play a crucial role in the initiation of puberty, although the existence of analogous changes in methylation patterns across species is unclear. We analysed mRNA expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and methyl‐binding proteins (MBPs) in goats and rats by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). DNA methylation profiles of hypothalamic were determined at the pre‐pubertal and pubertal stages by bisulphite sequencing. In this study, expression of DNMTs and MBPs mRNA showed different patterns in goats and rats. Global methylation variation was low in goats and rats, and the profile remained stable during puberty. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed the involvement of 62 pathways in puberty in goats and rats including reproduction, type I diabetes mellitus and GnRH signalling pathways and found that Edn3, PTPRN2 and GRID1 showed different methylation patterns during puberty in goats and rats and similar variation patterns for Edn3 and PTPRN2 were showed. These indicated that Edn3 and PTPRN2 would play a role in the timing of puberty. This study provides evidence of the epigenetic control of puberty.
Pulmonary infarction secondary to pulmonary embolism: An evolving paradigm
Authors: Islam Marjan , Filopei Jason , Frank Matthew , Ramesh Navitha , Verzosa Stacey , Ehrlich Madeline , Bondarsky Eric , Miller Albert , Steiger David 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBackground and objectivePulmonary infarction (PI) from pulmonary embolism (PE) remains an entity of unclear aetiology. PI has been thought to occur in elderly patients with cardiopulmonary disease. We hypothesize younger patients without cardiopulmonary comorbidities are at highest risk. Our study aims to characterize PI clinically and radiographically, determine associated risk factors and determine their clinical significance.MethodsWe conducted a single‐centre retrospective review of 367 consecutive patients with PE. Clinical and radiographic data were compared between patients with and without PI using chi‐square and F‐tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for PI.ResultsPI occurred in 62 of 367 patients with acute PE (16.9%). Patients with PI were significantly younger (48 ± 20.3 vs 59.6 ± 17.2 years, P < 0.01), with lower pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) scores (73.7 ± 38.1 vs 91.9 ± 37.5 years, P < 0.01) and endorsed chest pain with significantly higher frequency (65% vs 39%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in other clinical symptoms, hospital length of stay or mortality between groups. Presence of radiographic cardiopulmonary disease was significantly lower in patients with PI (emphysema: 5% vs 22%, P = <0.01; aortic atherosclerosis: 23% vs 43%, P = <0.01). In multivariate analysis, age ≤33 (OR 3.5 CI: 1.37–8.95, P < 0.01), chest pain (OR 2.15 CI: 1.15–4.00, P = 0.02) and pleural effusion (OR 2.18 CI: 1.08–4.41, P = 0.03) increased PI risk and presence of emphysema decreased risk (OR 0.21 CI: 0.06–0.70, P = 0.01).ConclusionYounger patients without cardiopulmonary comorbidities are at highest risk of PI. Chest pain and pleural effusion significantly increased risk of PI while presence of radiographic emphysema reduced risk.
Psychometric properties of the suffering assessment questionnaire in adults with chronic diseases or life‐threatening illness
Authors: Encarnação Paula , Oliveira Clara C. , Martins Teresa 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundSuffering has been considered by many authors to be a difficult concept to assess and measure, as it is subjective and unique. However, to guide the diagnosis and decision‐making of healthcare professionals, it is important to develop an instrument that differentiates the different suffering dimensions, namely, intra‐ and interpersonal suffering, awareness of suffering and spiritual suffering.AimThe aim of this study was thus to design and validate an instrument for the assessment of the dimensions of suffering in adult patients with chronic diseases or life‐threatening illnesses.MethodA methodological study was developed. The data were collected from two self‐help organisations and a palliative care unit. The theoretical model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The study sample consisted of 251 patients with chronic diseases or life‐threatening illnesses. The Sense of Coherence Scale, the Spiritual Assessment Scale and the Suffering Assessment Questionnaire in Adults with Chronic Diseases or Life‐Threatening Illness (SAQ) were applied to each participant and were later returned for analysis.ResultsAn SAQ version with 12 items showed adequate psychometric characteristics of validity and internal consistency after being adapted to a four‐dimensional structure that assesses the four dimensions of suffering.ConclusionThe results of confirmatory analysis indicated a good model fit that suggested that the advocated theoretical model is plausible.
The politics of erased migrations: Expanding a relational, intersectional sociology of Latinx gender and migration
Authors: García Rocío R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSociologists of gender and Latina/o migration and Chicana feminist scholars in Chicana/o Studies have made extensive interventions in the academic project of recovering the experiences of women in migration studies across disciplines. I consider these contributions and advocate for an interdisciplinary research agenda that continues expanding relational scholarship by developing the concept of the politics of erased migrations, an analytical tool to theorize why and how the embodied experiences of Latinas are marginalized and misrepresented in academic research. Latinas experience various physical and symbolic migrations—across and within national borders, social and political contexts, identities, academic disciplines, methodologies, and social movements. Yet Latina feminist experiences, knowledge, and political movement largely remain at the margins of these borders. Through a review of prominent research on gender and migration centered on heteronormativity, reproduction, and the nation‐state, I demonstrate the possibilities of the politics of erased migration as a theoretical intervention in expanding a relational, intersectional sociology of Latinx gender and migration. This paper carries implications for shifting the field of Latinx gender and migration from a focus on current oppressive conditions to one that also imagines new avenues for social justice and alternative social worlds.
Lay theories of willpower
Authors: Francis Zoë , Job Veronika 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSome people believe that willpower relies on a limited resource and that performing cognitive work (such as using self‐control) results in mental fatigue. Others believe that willpower is nonlimited and that performing cognitive work instead prepares and energizes them for more. These differing lay theories of willpower determine whether or not one's self‐control performance actually does decrease or increase after use, with only limited willpower theorists showing a decrease (the ego depletion effect). Due to the self‐control requirements of everyday life, willpower theories also predict outcomes across domains of academics, health, goal progress, interpersonal relationships, and well‐being. Generally, limited willpower theorists' belief in their limited capacity results in poorer outcomes, particularly during times of high demand. By understanding how willpower theories form and function, interventions that encourage nonlimited willpower theories may be created to improve people's performance and well‐being.
Calcium in drinking water: effect on iron stores in Danish blood donors—results from the Danish Blood Donor Study
Authors: Rigas Andreas S. , Ejsing Benedikte H. , Sørensen Erik , Pedersen Ole B. , Hjalgrim Henrik , Erikstrup Christian , Ullum Henrik 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDStudies confirm that calcium inhibits iron absorption. Danish tap water comes from groundwater, which contains varying amounts of calcium depending on the subsoil. We investigated the association of calcium in drinking water with iron levels in Danish blood donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe used data on Danish blood donors including dietary and lifestyle habits, blood donation history, and physiologic characteristics including measures of ferritin levels along with information on area of residence from The Danish Blood Donor Study. Data on calcium levels in groundwater (“water hardness”) were obtained through the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. We performed multiple linear and logistic regression analyses to evaluate the effect of water hardness on ferritin levels and risk of having iron deficiency (defined as ferritin levels <15 ng/mL), stratified by sex.RESULTSThere was a significant negative association between water hardness and ferritin levels in both men and women. Risk of iron deficiency was correspondingly increased in both men (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14‐2.12) and women (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.40) with increasing water hardness. In analyses restricted to individuals who received supplemental iron tablets no significant association between groundwater hardness and ferritin levels was observed.CONCLUSIONSAs measured by ferritin levels, residential drinking water calcium content is associated with blood donors‐ iron levels and risk of iron deficiency. However, effect sizes are small.
Reproducibility, stability, and biological variability of thrombin generation using calibrated automated thrombography in healthy dogs
Authors: Cuq Benoît , Blois Shauna L. , Wood R. Darren , Monteith Gabrielle , Abrams‐Ogg Anthony C. , Bédard Christian , Wood Geoffrey A. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThrombin plays a central role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Calibrated automated thrombography (CAT), a thrombin generation assay, may be a useful test for hemostatic disorders in dogs.ObjectivesTo describe CAT results in a group of healthy dogs, and assess preanalytical variables and biological variability.AnimalsForty healthy dogs were enrolled.MethodsLag time (Lag), time to peak (ttpeak), peak thrombin generation (peak), and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were measured. Direct jugular venipuncture and winged‐needle catheter‐assisted saphenous venipuncture were used to collect samples from each dog, and results were compared between methods. Sample stability at −80°C was assessed over 12 months in a subset of samples. Biological variability of CAT was assessed via nested ANOVA using samples obtained weekly from a subset of 9 dogs for 4 consecutive weeks.ResultsSamples for CAT were stable at −80°C over 12 months of storage. Samples collected via winged‐needle catheter venipuncture showed poor repeatability compared to direct venipuncture samples; there was also poor agreement between the 2 sampling methods. Intra‐individual variability of CAT parameters was below 25%; inter‐individual variability ranged from 36.9% to 78.5%.ConclusionsMeasurement of thrombin generation using CAT appears to be repeatable in healthy dogs, and samples are stable for at least 12 months when stored at −80°C. Direct venipuncture sampling is recommended for CAT. Low indices of individuality suggest that subject‐based reference intervals are more suitable when interpreting CAT results.
Kingella kingae Surface Polysaccharides Promote Resistance to Human Serum and Virulence in a Juvenile Rat Model
Authors: Muñoz Vanessa L. , Porsch Eric A. , St. Geme Joseph W. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTKingella kingaeis a Gram-negative coccobacillus that is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of invasive disease in young children. The pathogenesis ofK. kingaedisease begins with colonization of the oropharynx, followed by invasion of the bloodstream, survival in the intravascular space, and dissemination to distant sites. Recent studies have revealed thatK. kingaeproduces a number of surface factors that may contribute to the pathogenic process, including a polysaccharide capsule and an exopolysaccharide. In this study, we observed thatK. kingaewas highly resistant to the bactericidal effects of human serum complement. Using mutant strains deficient in expression of capsule, exopolysaccharide, or both in assays with human serum, we found that elimination of both capsule and exopolysaccharide was required for efficient binding of IgG, IgM, C4b, and C3b to the bacterial surface and for complement-mediated killing. Abrogation of the classical complement pathway using EGTA-treated human serum restored survival to wild-type levels by the mutant lacking both capsule and exopolysaccharide, demonstrating that capsule and exopolysaccharide promote resistance to the classical complement pathway. Consistent with these results, loss of both capsule and exopolysaccharide eliminated invasive disease in juvenile rats with an intact complement system but not in rats lacking complement. Based on these observations, we conclude that the capsule and the exopolysaccharide have important redundant roles in promoting survival ofK. kingaein human serum. Each of these surface factors is sufficient by itself to fully prevent serum opsonin deposition and complement-mediated killing ofK. kingae, ultimately facilitating intravascular survival and promotingK. kingaeinvasive disease.