bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis THADA homologue modulates TOR activity and cold acclimation
Authors: Dong Y. , Teleman A. A. , Jedmowski C. , Wirtz M. , Hell R. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Low temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that affect global survival of humans and animals and equally importantly the distribution of plants and crop productivity. Survival of metazoan cells under cold stress requires regulation of the sensor‐kinase Target Of Rapamycin (TOR). TOR controls growth of eukaryotic cells by adjusting anabolic and catabolic metabolism. Previous studies identified the Thyroid Adenoma Associated (THADA) gene as the major effect locus by positive selection in the evolution of modern human adapted to cold. Here we investigate the role of THADA in TOR signaling and cold acclimation of plants.

We applied BLAST searches and homology modeling to identify the AtTHADA (AT3G55160) in Arabidopsis thaliana as the highly probable orthologue protein. Reverse genetics approaches were combined with immunological detection of TOR activity and metabolite profiling to address the role of the TOR and THADA for growth regulation and cold acclimation.

Depletion of the AtTHADA gene caused complete or partial loss of full‐length mRNA, respectively, and significant retardation of growth under non‐stressed conditions. Furthermore, depletion of AtTHADA caused hypersensitivity towards low‐temperatures. Atthada displayed a lowered energy charge. This went along with decreased TOR activity, which offers a molecular explanation for the slow growth phenotype of Atthada. Finally, we used TOR RNAi lines to identify the de‐regulation of TOR activity as one determinant for sensitivity towards low‐temperatures.

Taken together our results provide evidence for a conserved function of THADA in cold acclimation of eukaryotes and suggest that cold acclimation in plants requires regulation of TOR.
Inhibition of adventitious root development in apple rootstocks by cytokinin is based on its suppression of adventitious root primordia formation
Authors: Mao Jiangping , Zhang Dong , Meng Yuan , Li Ke , Wang Hui , Han Mingyu 
Published: August 2018

Cytokinin (CK) inhibits adventitious root (AR) formation in stem cuttings. Little is known, however, about the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect. In this study, 2 mg l−1 of exogenous 6‐benzyl adenine (6‐BA) was administered to 3 and 7‐day‐old apple rootstocks ‘M.26’ cuttings (3 and 7 days 6‐BA) by transferring them from a rooting medium containing indole‐3‐butanoic acid to the medium containing 6‐BA. Anatomical and morphological observations revealed that the exogenous application of 6‐BA inhibited primordia formation in the 3 days 6‐BA but not the 7 days 6‐BA group. The concentration of auxin (IAA), the ratios of IAA/CK and IAA/abscisic acid were lower in 3 days 6‐BA than in 7 days 6‐BA. Expression analysis of genes known to be associated with AR formation was also analyzed. In the 3 days 6‐BA group, high level of CK inhibited the synthesis and transport of auxin, as a result, low endogenous auxin level suppressed the auxin signaling pathway genes, as were other AR development and cell cycle related genes; all of which had an inhibitory impact on AR primordium formation. On the contrary, low CK level in the 7 days 6‐BA, reduced the inhibitory impact on auxin levels, leading to an upregulated expression of genes known to promote AR primordia formation. Collectively, our data indicated that 3–7 days is the time period in which AR primordia formation occurs in cuttings of ‘M.26’ and that the inhibition of AR development by CK is due to the suppression of AR primordia development over 3–7 days period after culturing in rooting medium.
Disorders of sex development in cats with different complements of sex chromosomes
Authors: Szczerbal Izabela , Krzeminska Paulina , Dzimira Stanislaw , Tamminen Tuire Maria , Saari Seppo , Nizanski Wojciech , Gogulski Maciej , Nowacka‐Woszuk Joanna , Switonski Marek 
Published: August 2018

ContentsThe genetic background of disorders of sex development (DSDs) in cats is poorly understood, due to a relatively low number of such studies in this species. Here we present three new DSD cases with different complements of sex chromosomes. The first, an Oriental Shorthair cat with a rudimentary penis, abdominal atrophic testicles and lack of uterus appeared to be a freemartin, since leucocyte chimerism XX/XY and a lack of Y‐linked genes (SRY and ZFY) were observed in DNA isolated from hair follicles. XXY trisomy was identified in the second case, a tortoiseshell Devon Rex male cat with atrophic scrotal testicles and a normal penis. Finally, a European Shorthair cat with atrophic testicles in a bifid scrotum, rudimentary penis and a lack of uterus had XY complement, including Y chromosome of normal size and morphology. Also presence of eight Y‐linked genes, detected by PCR, was confirmed. Due to the low testosterone level in this last patient, we searched for a causative mutation in two candidate genes (HSD3B2 and HSD17B3) involved in the metabolism of this steroid hormone. Altogether, five polymorphic sites in HSD3B2 and two in HSD17B3 were found, but none of them showed associations with DSD phenotype. We thus excluded a possibility that the causative mutation is present in these genes. In conclusion, we confirmed that analysis of the sex chromosome complement is a crucial step in diagnosis of DSDs. However, extensive molecular studies of the genes involved in sex development are needed to elucidate the causes of DSDs in cats with normal complements of sex chromosomes.
Determination of the gestational age through ultrasound measurements of some uterine and foetal parameters in Bulgarian local goats
Authors: Karadaev Manol , Fasulkov Ivan , Yotov Stanimir , Atanasova Stefka , Vasilev Nasko 
Published: August 2018

ContentsThe aim of the current study was to determine the gestational age in goats through the measurement of some foetal and uterine structures. Twenty‐four pregnant Bulgarian local goats were submitted to ultrasound foetometry by transrectal and transabdominal approaches. Ultrasound measurement of studied parameters was done at 7‐day intervals during the first trimester of gestation (days 21–49) and at 14‐day intervals between gestation days 49 and 133. Associations of foetometry data with foetal age were investigated by linear (y = a + bx), quadratic (y = ax2 + bx + c) and exponential (y = axn) equations. According to the results, some biometric parameters (uterine lumen diameter, crown‐rump length, trunk diameter, biparietal diameter, foetal aortic diameter) exhibited a stronger correlation to gestational age (R2 ≥ 0.90) and lower standard error of the estimate (SEE ≤ 8) as compared to foetal eye orbit diameter, and outer and inner placentome diameters (R2 ≤ 0.90; SEE ≥ 8). Each of these biometric parameters could be measured in different periods of gestation, thus allowing for monitoring and determination of foetal age at almost all stages of pregnancy.
Cervical transposition test using Hegar dilator at oestrus as a tool to select ewes for transcervical embryo collection
Authors: Santos Juliana Dantas Rodrigues , Arashiro Eduardo Kenji Nunes , Balaro Mário Felipe Alvarez , Souza‐Fabjan Joanna Maria Gonçalves , Pinto Pedro Henrique Nicolau , de Souza Clara Vieira , Leite Ceci Ribeiro , Fonseca Jeferson Ferreira da , Brandão Felipe Zandonadi 
Published: August 2018

ContentsThis study evaluated the cervical transposition method as a tool to select ewes for embryo collection by transcervical route. Adult Santa Inês ewes (n = 50) received Day 0 protocol for superovulation treatments. The cervix transposition test was performed both at oestrus and at the embryo collection time. The latter was preceded by hormonal cervical dilation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 85.7%, 66.6%, 85.7%, 66.6% and 80.0%, respectively. The kappa index yielded a moderate score (κ = 0.52). In conclusion, the high sensitivity and accuracy indicate that the cervical transposition test is a screening option to select ewes for embryo collection by transcervical route.
Homogenization‐resistant spermatids in testicular tissue stored under suboptimal conditions—Effect of time and temperature
Authors: Persson Sara , Stålheim Caroline 
Published: August 2018

ContentsReproductive assessments on wild animals are often hampered due to practical problems during sample collection. For example, the time between death and tissue collection as well as sample storage conditions will affect the quality of the tissue. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of less optimal, field‐like conditions, that is different temperatures and variable storage time, on the quantification of homogenization‐resistant spermatids in testicular tissue, using the bull as a model. One bull testis was kept in +5°C for 216 hr, from which (n = 68) samples were taken at different time points for storage in −20°C or +21°C. Some samples were frozen, thawed and then refrozen. The tissue was homogenized, and the number of spermatids was quantified manually with a counter chamber. Compared to the samples taken at 0 hr, the number of spermatids was unchanged until 120 hr storage in +5°C and in frozen samples from the same time‐point. After 72‐hr storage in room temperature, there was a marked drop in the number of spermatids. Refreezing of samples resulted in a markedly lower number of spermatids. Frozen samples did not have significantly decreased numbers of spermatids compared to refrigerated samples. In conclusion, different storage conditions do not seem to affect the spermatids resistance to homogenization until day 3, but if kept in cool conditions it is possible to use samples up until 5 days of storage. The method is a good choice for suboptimal sampling conditions.
Investigation of Eph‐ephrin A1 in the regulation of embryo implantation in sows
Authors: Fu Yanfeng , Li Lan , Fang Xiaomin , Li Bixia , Zhao Weimin , Zhou Lisheng , Ren Shouwen 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEph A1 and ephrin A1 (Eph‐ephrin A1) is a key receptor–ligand pair of Eph‐ephrin system, which plays important roles in the migration and adhesion of cells, tissue morphogenesis and vasculogenesis in mammals. In order to investigate the regulation of Eph‐ephrin A1 during porcine embryo implantation, the expressions of mRNA and protein of Eph‐ephrin A1 were detected in different reproductive tissues from twelve sows during embryo implantation period on pregnancy day 13, 18 and 24, respectively. Functions of Eph‐ephrin A1 on the migration and adhesion of porcine endometrial epithelial cells were analysed by RNA interference (RNAi), transwell migration assays and MTT assays. Results showed that mRNA levels of Eph‐ephrin A1 were highly expressed in endometrial attachment site when compared to other reproductive tissues (p < 0.05) and were peaked on pregnancy day 18 during embryo implantation (p < 0.05). Protein levels of Eph‐ephrin A1 were highly expressed in endometrial attachment site and were peaked on pregnancy day 18 (p < 0.05). Eph‐ephrin A1 proteins were located in endometrial luminal epithelium, stroma of attachment site and inter‐attachment site during embryo implantation, and the protein levels were higher during implantation compared to pre‐implantation or post‐implantation. Furthermore, silencing ephrin A1 gene significantly reduced the migration and adhesion capacity of porcine endometrial epithelial cells. These findings suggest that the Eph‐ephrin A1 protein likely targets endometrial attachment site to enhance the migration and adhesion of porcine endometrial epithelial cells around pregnancy day 18 during pregnancy in sows.
Relationship of cysteine‐rich secretory protein‐3 gene and protein with semen quality in stallions
Authors: Restrepo Giovanni , Rojano Benjamín , Usuga Alexandra 
Published: August 2018

ContentsCysteine‐rich secretory protein‐3 (CRISP‐3) and some of its nonsynonymous polymorphism have been related to the fertility and freezability of stallion semen; however, the role of the CRISP‐3 gene and its seminal plasma protein in the raw semen quality is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of CRISP‐3 with semen quality in stallions. DNA was obtained from blood samples of 100 stallions, from which 30 stallions were randomly selected to obtain 60 ejaculates. Through PCR amplification and sequencing, the variation of four nonsynonymous SNPs from CRISP‐3 was identified and haplotypes were derived. Semen quality was assessed through the total motility (MOT), sperm vitality (SV), normal morphology (NM), functional integrity of membrane (MI) and a seminal quality index (SQi). CRISP‐3 protein content of seminal plasma (SP) was determined by ELISA. The effect of the genotype, the haplotype and the concentration of the CRISP‐3 protein on the seminal quality were evaluated through generalized linear models and linear regression analyses. Homozygous genotypes for SNP1, SNP2 and SNP3 and the heterozygous genotype for SNP4 showed a positive effect on seminal quality. Different haplotypes with positive effect on MOT, SV, NM, MI and SQi were identified. The allelic substitution analysis resulted in positive regression coefficients for MOT (SNP2) and MI (SNP2 and SNP3). A high level of CRISP‐3 resulted in a higher MOT and SQi. It is concluded that the quality of stallion semen is influenced by the genotype of CRISP‐3 and the concentration of CRISP‐3 protein in SP.
Projecting UK Mortality by Using Bayesian Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Hilton Jason , Dodd Erengul , Forster Jonathan J. , Smith Peter W. F. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryForecasts of mortality provide vital information about future populations, with implications for pension and healthcare policy as well as for decisions made by private companies about life insurance and annuity pricing. The paper presents a Bayesian approach to the forecasting of mortality that jointly estimates a generalized additive model (GAM) for mortality for the majority of the age range and a parametric model for older ages where the data are sparser. The GAM allows smooth components to be estimated for age, cohort and age-specific improvement rates, together with a non-smoothed period effect. Forecasts for the UK are produced by using data from the human mortality database spanning the period 1961–2013. A metric that approximates predictive accuracy is used to estimate weights for the ‘stacking’ of forecasts from models with different points of transition between the GAM and parametric elements. Mortality for males and females is estimated separately at first, but a joint model allows the asymptotic limit of mortality at old ages to be shared between sexes and furthermore provides for forecasts accounting for correlations in period innovations.
Excessive mortality and loss to follow‐up among HIV‐infected children in Guinea‐Bissau, West Africa: a retrospective follow‐up study
Authors: Steiniche Ditte , Jespersen Sanne , Medina Candida , Sanha Fatima Corona , Wejse Christian , Hønge Bo Langhoff ,   the Bissau HIV Cohort Study Group
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo estimate the magnitude of mortality and loss to follow‐up and describe predictors of mortality among HIV‐infected children in Guinea‐Bissau.MethodsRetrospective follow‐up study among HIV‐infected children under 15 years of age at the largest HIV‐clinic in Guinea‐Bissau from 2006–2016. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of mortality.ResultsOf 525 children were included in the analysis: 371 (70.7%) with HIV‐1, 17 (3.2%) with HIV‐2, 25 (4.8%) with HIV‐1/2, and 112 (21.3%) with HIV of unknown type. At diagnosis, the median age was 3.5 years, 44.7% met the WHO criteria for severe immunodeficiency by age based on CD4 cell count, and 59.4% were underweight. The median follow‐up time was 6 months. Despite the availability of antiretroviral treatment, the mortality rate was 10.4 deaths per 100 person‐years of follow‐up. Within the first year of follow‐up, 11.0% died, 3.1% were transferred and 38.8% were lost to follow‐up, leaving 47.1% in follow‐up. Severe immunodeficiency (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.22–5.21) and underweight (aHR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.40–7.02) were independent predictors of mortality.ConclusionsThis study reveals a high rate of early mortality and loss to follow‐up among HIV‐infected children in Guinea‐Bissau. Initiatives to improve patient retention are urgently needed.
Losartan ointment relieves hypertrophic scars and keloid: A pilot study
Authors: Hedayatyanfard Keshvad , Ziai Seyed Ali , Niazi Feizollah , Habibi Iman , Habibi Behnam , Moravvej Hamideh 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTKeloid and hypertrophic scars are two types of fibrosis caused by extracellular matrix overexpression, and angiotensin II via AT1 receptor is known to play a key role in stimulation of fibrosis. A pilot placebo controlled single blind study was carried out on patients with hypertrophic scars and keloids. A total of 37 adult volunteers were randomly assigned into losartan 5% or placebo treatment groups. The treatment was performed twice a day for three months and a 6‐month follow‐up. The treatment was evaluated using Vancouver scar scale method. Totally, 30 participants were analyzed (Losartan ointment n = 20; placebo ointment n = 10; seven placebo volunteers left the study because they thought the treatment was not effective for them). In the losartan group, VSS scores dropped significantly (p < 0.01) both in keloid and hypertrophic scar patients. Vascularity and pliability were significantly reduced by losartan treatment (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that losartan potassium ointment (5%) can alleviate the keloid and hypertrophic scar.
A scoping review on the prevalence of Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli in wild animal species
Authors: Espinosa Laura , Gray Aimée , Duffy Geraldine , Fanning Séamus , McMahon Barry J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractZoonotic pathogens constitute the major source (60.3%) of emerging infectious diseases. Previous studies have investigated the prevalence of Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) among wild animal species, but comprehensive data are needed to assess the role that these animals have in the transmission of STEC infections to the human population via faecal contamination of the environment, agri‐food or water chain. Due to the nature of these microorganisms in which this human–animal–environment interface plays a relevant role on the disease's dynamics, a “One Health” approach is needed to prevent and control the worldwide spread. The aim of this study was to review the published research on the prevalence of STEC in wildlife. The search was performed using several online databases consisting of three blocks of specific search terms covering pathogen, type of study and population. Two reviewers applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to screening and eligibility phases. Two hundred and twenty‐five abstracts were screened for relevance, and 72 were included for data analysis. Most studies (77.8%) investigated the prevalence of STEC in ruminants and urban birds. Their role in transmitting the pathogen to humans, other animals and the agri‐food chain is potentiated by the peculiar biological characteristics in ruminants and improved adaptation of urban birds to urban environments. The popularity of convenience and voluntary response sampling may be due to the lack of human‐made boundaries on the wild animal species’ habitat and having some samples from hunted‐harvested animals. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on STEC prevalence in wild animal species from studies conducted across the globe. We recommend that future research includes and compares samples from varying origins (i.e., human, animal, environment and food) and applies a “One Health” approach to the emerging challenges that STEC poses to public health.
The impact of environmental noise on animal communication: pattern formation in a class of deterministic and stochastic hyperbolic models for self-organised biological aggregations
Authors: Eftimie Raluca 
Published: August 2018

The collective movement of animalsoccurs as a result of communicationВ between the members of the community. However, inter-individual communication can be aected by the stochasticity of the environment, leading toВ changes in the perception of neighbours and subsequent changes inВ individualВ behaviour, which then in uence the overall behaviour of the animal aggregations. To investigate the eect of noise on the overall behaviour of animalВ aggregations, we consider a class of nonlocal stochastic and deterministic hyperbolic models for the collective movement of animals. We show numericallyВ that strong noise does not seem to in uence the spatio-temporal pattern (i.e.,В travelling aggregations) observed when all neighbours are perceived with the same intensity (i.e., the environment is homogeneous). However, when neighbours ahead/behind are perceived dierently by a reference individual, noiseВ can lead to the destruction of the spatio-temporal pattern. Moreover, weВ show that the increase in noise can lead to dierent transitions between different spatio-temporal patterns, and these transitions are relatively similarВ to the transitions between patterns when we perturb deterministically someВ parameters.
Microbiology and biofilm of corneal sutures
Authors: Adler Eldad , Miller Darlene , Rock Oded , Spierer Oriel , Forster Richard 
Published: August 2018

AimTo investigate the relationships between corneal suture bacteriology, biofilm and the clinical setting using culture studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).MethodsThis is a prospective, observational study of patients with a history of penetrating keratoplasty presenting to a tertiary cornea clinic for routine or symptoms-related corneal suture removal. We documented for each patient the suture clinical setting (quiescent, exposed and keratitis-related), retention time, antimicrobial therapy, bacterial growth on culture studies, and bacterial presence and biofilm coverage on SEM.ResultsThere were significantly different culture positivity rates between the quiescent (8%), exposed (12%) and keratitis-related (60%) suture groups (p=0.039). As expected, keratitis-related sutures had the longest retention time compared with quiescent and exposed ones (p=0.02). The biofilm coverage score was higher for sutures from the keratitis-related and exposed groups, although this trend was not statistically significant (p=0.90). Higher biofilm scores were seen in samples that also yielded a positive culture result (p=0.36) and in samples with bacterial presence on SEM images (p=0.16 and p=0.73). Both of these were important trends but not statistically significant.ConclusionsEvidence for active bacterial and biofilm presence on corneal sutures was found. Corneal sutures should be considered for removal sooner, before becoming exposed and/or keratitis-related. Traditional culture studies and SEM imaging are helpful in investigating biofilm and its clinical importance. More studies of the spectrum of bacterial growth on embedded biomedical devices such as corneal sutures are needed.