bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional C‐TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) plant hormone domains evolved de novo in the plant parasite Rotylenchulus reniformis
Authors: Eves‐Van Den Akker Sebastian , Lilley Catherine J. , Yusup Hazijah B. , Jones John T. , Urwin Peter E. 
Published: March 2016

SummarySedentary plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPNs) induce and maintain an intimate relationship with their host, stimulating cells adjacent to root vascular tissue to re‐differentiate into unique and metabolically active ‘feeding sites’. The interaction between PPNs and their host is mediated by nematode effectors. We describe the discovery of a large and diverse family of effector genes, encoding C‐TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE (CEP) plant hormone mimics (RrCEPs), in the syncytia‐forming plant parasite Rotylenchulus reniformis. The particular attributes of RrCEPs distinguish them from all other CEPs, regardless of origin. Together with the distant phylogenetic relationship of R. reniformis to the only other CEP‐encoding nematode genus identified to date (Meloidogyne), this suggests that CEPs probably evolved de novo in R. reniformis. We have characterized the first member of this large gene family (RrCEP1), demonstrating its significant up‐regulation during the plant–nematode interaction and expression in the effector‐producing pharyngeal gland cell. All internal CEP domains of multi‐domain RrCEPs are followed by di‐basic residues, suggesting a mechanism for cleavage. A synthetic peptide corresponding to RrCEP1 domain 1 is biologically active and capable of up‐regulating plant nitrate transporter (AtNRT2.1) expression, whilst simultaneously reducing primary root elongation. When a non‐CEP‐containing, syncytia‐forming PPN species (Heterodera schachtii) infects Arabidopsis in a CEP‐rich environment, a smaller feeding site is produced. We hypothesize that CEPs of R. reniformis represent a two‐fold adaptation to sustained biotrophy in this species: (i) increasing host nitrate uptake, whilst (ii) limiting the size of the syncytial feeding site produced.
Metabolic engineering of folate and its precursors in Mexican common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Ramírez Rivera Naty G. , García‐Salinas Carolina , Aragão Francisco J.L. , Díaz de la Garza Rocío Isabel 
Published: March 2016

SummaryFolate (vitamin B9) deficiency causes several health problems globally. However, folate biofortification of major staple crops is one alternative that can be used to improve vitamin intakes in populations at risk. We increased the folate levels in common bean by engineering the pteridine branch required for their biosynthesis. GTP cyclohydrolase I from Arabidopsis (AtGchI) was stably introduced into three common bean Pinto cultivars by particle bombardment. Seed‐specific overexpression of AtGCHI caused significant increases of up to 150‐fold in biosynthetic pteridines in the transformed lines. The pteridine boost enhanced folate levels in raw desiccated seeds by up to threefold (325 μg in a 100 g portion), which would represent 81% of the adult recommended daily allowance. Unexpectedly, the engineering also triggered a general increase in PABA levels, the other folate precursor. This was not observed in previous engineering studies and was probably caused by a feedforward mechanism that remains to be elucidated. Results from this work also show that common bean grains accumulate considerable amounts of oxidized pteridines that might represent products of folate degradation in desiccating seeds. Our study uncovers a probable different regulation of folate homoeostasis in these legume grains than that observed in other engineering works. Legumes are good sources of folates, and this work shows that they can be engineered to accumulate even greater amounts of folate that, when consumed, can improve folate status. Biofortification of common bean with folates and other micronutrients represents a promising strategy to improve the nutritional status of populations around the world.
The knock‐down of the expression of MdMLO19 reduces susceptibility to powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) in apple (Malus domestica)
Authors: Pessina Stefano , Angeli Dario , Martens Stefan , Visser Richard G.F. , Bai Yuling , Salamini Francesco , Velasco Riccardo , Schouten Henk J. , Malnoy Mickael 
Published: March 2016

SummaryVarieties resistant to powdery mildew (PM; caused by Podosphaera leucotricha) are a major component of sustainable apple production. Resistance can be achieved by knocking‐out susceptibility S‐genes to be singled out among members of the MLO (Mildew Locus O) gene family. Candidates are MLO S‐genes of phylogenetic clade V up‐regulated upon PM inoculation, such as MdMLO11 and 19 (clade V) and MdMLO18 (clade VII). We report the knock‐down through RNA interference of MdMLO11 and 19, as well as the complementation of resistance with MdMLO18 in the Arabidopsis thaliana triple mlo mutant Atmlo2/6/12. The knock‐down of MdMLO19 reduced PM disease severity by 75%, whereas the knock‐down of MdMLO11, alone or in combination with MdMLO19, did not result in any reduction or additional reduction of susceptibility compared with MdMLO19 alone. The test in A. thaliana excluded a role for MdMLO18 in PM susceptibility. Cell wall appositions (papillae) were present in both PM‐resistant and PM‐susceptible plants, but were larger in resistant lines. No obvious negative phenotype was observed in plants with mlo genes knocked down. Apparently, MdMLO19 plays the pivotal role in apple PM susceptibility and its knock‐down induces a very significant level of resistance.
Oosorption in the stink bug Plautia stali: role of Juvenile hormone in the induction of oosorption
Authors: Kotaki Toyomi , Kaihara Kanako , Ando Yumi , Misaki Kumi , Shinada Tetsuro 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo clarify the role of Juvenile hormone (JH) in the induction of oosorption in females of the stink bug Plautia stali Scott (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), the effects of extirpation and implantation of the corpus cardiac‐corpus allatum complex (CC‐CA) are examined in fed and starved adults, respectively. Removal of CC‐CA induces oosorption in fed females, whereas CC‐CA implantation stimulates ovary development in starved females. Transection of the nervous connections between the brain and CC‐CA also exerts a stimulatory effect on ovary development. Uptake of yolk protein by the oocytes, assessed in terms of incorporation of a fluorescence dye, occurs on the day after food deprivation but ceases within 1 day after allatectomy. When females are deprived of food, beginning on day 3 of adult life, and treated with JH III skipped bisepoxide (JHSB3) on the same day, their ovaries develop in a dose‐dependent fashion. Approximately half of the starved females that received JHSB3 application on day 5 undergo oosorption in the terminal oocytes. This indicates that the critical starvation period for oosorption induction is approximately 2 days, and the earlier half of this period may reflect the time required for the brain to detect poor nutritional condition. During the latter half, in response to food deprivation, the brain inhibits JH biosynthesis by the corpus allatum through nervous connections, resulting in a low JH titre, which in turn induces oosorption.
Regression Models on Riemannian Symmetric Spaces
Authors: Cornea Emil , Zhu Hongtu , Kim Peter , Ibrahim Joseph G. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe paper develops a general regression framework for the analysis of manifold-valued response in a Riemannian symmetric space (RSS) and its association with multiple covariates of interest, such as age or gender, in Euclidean space. Such RSS-valued data arise frequently in medical imaging, surface modelling and computer vision, among many other fields. We develop an intrinsic regression model solely based on an intrinsic conditional moment assumption, avoiding specifying any parametric distribution in RSS. We propose various link functions to map from the Euclidean space of multiple covariates to the RSS of responses. We develop a two-stage procedure to calculate the parameter estimates and determine their asymptotic distributions. We construct the Wald and geodesic test statistics to test hypotheses of unknown parameters. We systematically investigate the geometric invariant property of these estimates and test statistics. Simulation studies and a real data analysis are used to evaluate the finite sample properties of our methods.
Optimal Screening and Discovery of Sparse Signals with Applications to Multistage High Throughput Studies
Authors: Tony Cai T. , Sun Wenguang 
Published: March 2016

SummaryA common feature in large-scale scientific studies is that signals are sparse and it is desirable to narrow down significantly the focus to a much smaller subset in a sequential manner. We consider two related data screening problems: one is to find the smallest subset such that it virtually contains all signals and another is to find the largest subset such that it essentially contains only signals. These screening problems are closely connected to but distinct from the more conventional signal detection or multiple-testing problems. We develop phase transition diagrams to characterize the fundamental limits in simultaneous inference and derive data-driven screening procedures which control the error rates with near optimality properties. Applications in the context of multistage high throughput studies are discussed.
Incremental cost of implementing residual insecticide treatment with delthametrine on top of intensive routineAedes aegypticontrol
Authors: Baly Alberto , Gonzalez Karelia , Cabrera Pedro , Popa Julio C. , Toledo Maria E. , Hernandez Claudia , Montada Domingo , Vanlerberghe Veerle , Van der Stuyft Patrick 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveInformation on the cost of implementing residual insecticide treatment (RIT) forAedescontrol is scarce. We evaluated the incremental cost on top of intensive conventional routine activities of theAedescontrol programme (ACP) in the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.MethodsWe conducted the cost analysis study in 2011–2012, from the perspective of theACP. Data sources were bookkeeping records, activity registers of the ProvincialACPCentre and the accounts of anRITimplementation study in 21 clusters of on average four house blocks comprising 5180 premises.ResultsThe annual cost of the routineACPactivities was 19.66US$ per household.RITapplications in rounds at 4‐month intervals covering, on average, 97.2% and using 8.5 g of delthametrine annually per household, cost 3.06US$ per household per year. Delthametrine comprised 66.5% of this cost; the additional cost for deployingRITcomprised 15.6% of the totalACProutine cost and 27% of the cost related to routine adult stageAedescontrol.ConclusionsThe incremental cost of implementingRITis high. It should be weighed against the incremental effect on the burden caused by the array of pathogens transmitted byAedes. The cost could be reduced if the insecticide became cheaper, by limiting the number of yearly applications or by targeting transmission hot spots.
Evaluating facility‐based antiretroviral therapy programme effectiveness: a pilot study comparing viral load suppression and retention rates
Authors: Duber Herbert C. , Roberts D. Allen , Ikilezi Gloria , Fullman Nancy , Gasasira Anne , Gakidou Emmanuela , Haakenstad Annie , J. Levine Aubrey , Achan Jane 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectivesIncreased demand for antiretroviral therapy (ART) services combined with plateaued levels of development assistance for HIV/AIDS requires that national ART programmes monitor programme effectiveness. In this pilot study, we compared commonly utilised performance metrics of 12‐ and 24‐month retention with rates of viral load (VL) suppression at 15 health facilities in Uganda.MethodsRetrospective chart review from which 12‐ and 24‐month retention rates were estimated, and parallel HIV RNA VL testing on consecutive adult patients who presented to clinics and had been on ART for a minimum of six months. Rates of VL suppression were then calculated at each facility and compared to retention rates to assess the correlation between performance metrics. Multilevel logistic regression models predicting VL suppression and 12‐ and 24‐month retention were constructed to estimate facility effects.ResultsWe collected VL samples from 2961 patients and found that 88% had a VL ≤1000 copies/ml. Facility rates of VL suppression varied between 77% and 96%. When controlling for patient mix, a significant variation in facility performance persisted. Retention rates at 12 and 24 months were 91% and 79%, respectively, with a comparable facility‐level variation. However, neither 12‐month (ρ = 0.16) nor 24‐month (ρ = −0.19) retention rates were correlated with facility rates of VL suppression.ConclusionsRetaining patients in care and suppressing VL are both critical outcomes. Given the lack of correlation noted in this study, the utilisation of VL monitoring may be necessary to truly assess the effectiveness of health facilities delivering ART services.
Anti‐Mur as the most likely cause of mild hemolytic disease of the newborn
Authors: Bakhtary Sara , Gikas Anastasia , Glader Bertil , Andrews Jennifer 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUNDAlthough rare in the United States, anti‐Mur is relatively common in Southeast Asia and has been reported to have clinical significance in Chinese and Taiwanese populations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe infant was full term and the second child of a Chinese mother and Vietnamese father, presenting with jaundice. He was clinically diagnosed with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia.RESULTSThe direct antiglobulin test indicated that the infant's red blood cells were coated only with anti‐IgG. Anti‐Mur was identified in the maternal serum and the neonate's plasma. The father was found to be positive for the Mur antigen. The cause of the infant's hemolytic anemia was determined to be most likely anti‐Mur.CONCLUSIONSince anti‐Mur is implicated in causing hemolytic disease of the newborn, it is important to recognize this antibody more commonly found in Asian patients in the United States as the Mur+ phenotype has a higher prevalence in this population.
Discriminating complement‐mediated acute transfusion reaction for type O+ red blood cells transfused into a B+ recipient with the complement hemolysis using human erythrocytes (CHUHE) assay
Authors: Cunnion Kenji M. , Hair Pamela S. , Krishna Neel K. , Whitley Pamela H. , Goldberg Corinne L. , Fadeyi Emmanuel A. , Maes Lanne Y. 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUNDA patient with B+ sickle cell disease received 3 units of red blood cells (RBCs) from two O+ donors and developed fever and hypotension after the first unit, consistent with an acute transfusion reaction (ATR). Anti‐B titers in plasma from each O+ donor were markedly elevated and nondiscriminatory. In order to evaluate the potential for the transfused units to produce complement‐mediated hemolysis of B+ RBCs, hemolytic complement testing was performed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSPlasma from each donor was diluted in veronal buffer and incubated with B+ RBCs, and free hemoglobin was measured by spectrophotometer in the complement hemolysis using human erythrocytes (CHUHE) assay. Peptide inhibitor of complement C1 (PIC1) was used to confirm antibody‐initiated complement pathway activation.RESULTSA 96‐fold difference (p = 0.014) in hemolysis was measured between plasma samples from the two O+ donors using the CHUHE assay. The extremely high degree of hemolysis produced by the one plasma was inhibited by PIC1 in a dose‐dependent manner.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that hemolytic complement testing with the CHUHE assay can be used to assess the risk of antibody‐initiated, complement‐mediated hemolysis from a transfusion beyond what can be achieved with antibody titers alone.
Maternal Leisure-time Physical Activity and Risk of Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Kahn Mira , Robien Kim , DiPietro Loretta 
Published: March 2016

Background:Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant death and the role of maternal physical activity on this risk remains unclear. This systematic review examined low, moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and the outcome of preterm birth.Methods:Key words related to preterm birth and physical activity were used to search relevant databases (Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Sports Discuss and Scopus). Studies were excluded if they did not measure physical activity as an exposure in pregnant women, did not provide information on gestational age at delivery, and were not published in English. All study designs and sample sizes were considered.Results:The search generated 1472 studies. There were 27 studies included in this review of which 23 received high quality reporting scores. Eleven studies reported a lower risk of preterm birth for women who performed LTPA during pregnancy, while 14 studies reported null findings. Only 2 studies detected a significantly higher risk of preterm birth with LTPA during pregnancy.ConclusionThis review of literature up to 2014 provides additional evidence to support the assertion that healthy pregnant women can engage in low, moderate, and even some vigorous levels of LTPA without risk for preterm birth.
Analysis of Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in an Urban Slum Setting in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Haregu Tilahun Nigatu , Khayeka-Wandabwa Christopher , Ngomi Nicholas , Oti Samuel , Egondi Thaddaeus , Kyobutungi Catherine 
Published: March 2016

Background:Insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior are key risk factors for the emergence of noncommunicable diseases in the sub-Saharan African setting. Given the limited evidence base, research is required to understand the trends.Objectives:This study describes the patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior in a large sample of urban slum residents in Nairobi, Kenya.Methods:We used data collected from 5190 study participants as part of cardiovascular disease risk assessment. Data were collected about work-, transport-, and recreation-related physical activity as well as sitting and sleeping time. Using time spent on each type of physical activity and respective metabolic equivalents (METs), patterns of physical activity and associated factors were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression.Results:Nearly 50% of the study population was involved in work-related physical activities, whereas only 6.3% was involved in recreation-related physical activities. Involvement in physical activities decreased with age, and 17.4% had <600 MET-minutes per week. Higher sitting time was associated with insufficient physical activity. There were substantial gender differences in the time spent for physical activity.Conclusions:Given the positive relationship between insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior, complementary interventions that improve physical activity and at the same time reduce sitting time are needed.
Structural housing elements associated with home injuries in children
Authors: Shields Wendy , McDonald Eileen , Frattaroli Shannon , Bishai David , Ma Xia , Gielen Andrea 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveTo quantify unintentional injuries associated with housing elements among children less than 18 years old treated in US hospital emergency departments.MethodsThe National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) coding manual was reviewed, and all product codes that identified products permanently affixed to a home (housing elements) were identified. A query of the 2008 NEISS data for children under 18 determined the numbers of cases by severity code for each identified housing element. Housing elements were then tabulated by the number of cases for each severity code. The top 10 cases by severity code, (1) hospitalised or (2) treated in emergency departments, were included in a case review. Ten per cent of all cases or a minimum of 100 cases were randomly selected for review for each of the identified housing elements to assess if the case description could inform prevention efforts.ResultsTwelve housing elements (bathtub, cabinet, carpet, ceiling/wall, counter, door, fence, floor, nail, porch, stairs and window) were identified as the leading causes of injuries resulting in hospitalisations or emergency department visits. A list of potential interventions was generated based on the review of the case histories. Suggested changes for NEISS coding are also offered to enhance future prevention research.ConclusionsNEISS is a valuable tool to identify home injury risks and inform design decisions for housing elements. Improved understanding of housing elements associated with injuries has the potential to enhance home inspection forms. However, interpretation of NEISS results is limited by lack of clarity about how the housing element was involved in the injury event.
Gastric Motility Dysfunction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Assessed by Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy
Authors: El-Maghraby Tarek AF , Shalby Neveen M , Al-Tawdy Mohammed H , Salem Seyam S 
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal tract symptoms are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially constipation and/or fecal incontinence. AIMS: To assess gastric emptying in patients with MS to detect the severity of autonomic disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, and to find the relationship between lower bowel disturbances and the rate of gastric emptying.METHODS: Forty-nine patients with definite MS and 20 control subjects were included in the study. All patients underwent full neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord. The labelled meal for gastric emptying scintigraphy consisted of cooked eggs mixed with 3 mCi of technetium-99m colloid, and was followed by serial images at 15 min intervals for 2 h.RESULTS: Five studies were excluded due to technical artifacts. Twenty-one patients (47.7%) demonstrated slow emptying, 15 (34.1%) demonstrated normal and eight (18.2%) demonstrated fast clearance curves. The mean half-time of gastric emptying in MS patients was 96.6±22.4 min and the controls showed a mean half-time of 41.3±18.7 min ( P<0.05). The half-time was longer in patients with constipation; nevertheless, it showed no significant difference compared with patients without constipation (P=0.197). Moreover, although half-time was shorter in patients with fecal incontinence, there was not a significant difference compared with those without fecal incontinence (P=0.654).CONCLUSIONS: The gastric emptying rate is slow in MS patients. As for lower bowel disturbances, the gastric emptying rate was obviously affected in patients complaining of constipation and fecal incontinence, although statistical significance was not reached.