bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bionomics of livestock‐associated Culicoides (biting midge) bluetongue virus vectors under laboratory conditions
Authors: BARCELÓ C. , MIRANDA M. A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFemales of several species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) can transmit arboviruses of veterinary importance, for example bluetongue virus. The basic bionomics of the major bluetongue virus vector species remains unknown. This study reports on the bionomics of livestock‐associated vector Culicoides species under laboratory conditions. Insects were collected from the field from spring to autumn 2014 on a cattle farm in Spain. Eggs obtained from gravid females were maintained for larval rearing and pupal development. Culicoides imicola Kieffer took the longest time to oviposit; the highest number of eggs was laid by Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer (148.7 ± 73.8 eggs). Field‐collected gravid C. imicola and Obsoletus complex females showed the longest lifespans. The longest lifecycle, generally more than 40 days, was recorded for Culicoides cataneii Clastrier. Culicoides paolae Boorman and C. circumscriptus seemed to be the most suitable for laboratory rearing in view of their high oviposition rates, short lifecycles, long adult lifespans and female‐biased sex ratios. Vector species such as Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) appeared difficult to maintain in colonies in the laboratory. This research contributes to knowledge of the basic bionomic parameters of vector and non‐vector Culicoides species, highlighting the complexities involved in the establishment of sustainable laboratory colonies of field‐collected Culicoides species.
Ensemble gene function prediction database reveals genes important for complex I formation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hansen Bjoern Oest , Meyer Etienne H. , Ferrari Camilla , Vaid Neha , Movahedi Sara , Vandepoele Klaas , Nikoloski Zoran , Mutwil Marek 
Published: December 2017

Summary

Recent advances in gene function prediction rely on ensemble approaches that integrate results from multiple inference methods to produce superior predictions. Yet, these developments remain largely unexplored in plants.

We have explored and compared two methods to integrate 10 gene co‐function networks for Arabidopsis thaliana and demonstrate how the integration of these networks produces more accurate gene function predictions for a larger fraction of genes with unknown function.

These predictions were used to identify genes involved in mitochondrial complex I formation, and for five of them, we confirmed the predictions experimentally. The ensemble predictions are provided as a user‐friendly online database, EnsembleNet.

The methods presented here demonstrate that ensemble gene function prediction is a powerful method to boost prediction performance, whereas the EnsembleNet database provides a cutting‐edge community tool to guide experimentalists.
The iron‐regulated transporter 1 plays an essential role in uptake, translocation and grain‐loading of manganese, but not iron, in barley
Authors: Long Lizhi , Persson Daniel P. , Duan Fengying , Jørgensen Kirsten , Yuan Lixing , Schjoerring Jan K. , Pedas Pai R. 
Published: December 2017

Summary

Transporters involved in manganese (Mn) uptake and intracellular Mn homeostasis in Arabidopsis and rice are well characterized, while much less is known for barley, which is particularly prone to Mn deficiency. In this study we have investigated the role of the iron‐regulated transporter 1 (IRT1) for Mn uptake and translocation in barley plants.

We employed an RNAi approach to reduce HvIRT1 expression to 5% of the wild‐type level. This enabled characterization of the functional role of HvIRT1 by use of advanced imaging and phenotyping techniques applied to plants growing in hydroponics or soils with different Mn availability.

Our results highlight the importance of HvIRT1 for the transport of Mn across the root endodermis into the stele. In the hvirt1‐RNAi lines, a chlorotic phenotype with reduced shoot Mn concentration and impaired photosynthetic functionality was observed, especially under conditions with low Mn availability. We also document that HvIRT1 controlled the Mn distribution within the barley grain. Surprisingly, unlike other IRT1 orthologues, HvIRT1 played no significant role in iron uptake.

We conclude that the barley IRT1 orthologue has a novel function with respect to ensuring sufficient shoot Mn concentrations. The preference of IRT1 for Mn instead of Fe is discussed in an evolutionary context.
A prospective cohort study assessing the appearance of retrieved aesthetic orthodontic archwires
Authors: Collier S. , Pandis N. , Johal A. , Qureshi U. , Sharma P. K. , Fleming P. S. 
Published: December 2017

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the appearance of three esthetic nickel titanium (NiTi) wires after 6 weeks of intra‐oral cycling and to determine the association between objective and subjective measures of esthetics.Setting and Sample PopulationA prospective cohort study was undertaken involving participants undergoing upper fixed orthodontic appliance treatment with ceramic brackets.Materials and MethodsFifty participants were assigned to one of three groups of NiTi esthetic wires (American Orthodontics Ever White™, Forestadent Biocosmetic™ and GAC High Aesthetic™), with wires retrieved after 6 weeks in situ. Participants completed a bespoke questionnaire exploring perceptions of wire esthetics. Objective measurement of coating loss was undertaken using a custom arch wire jig.ResultsAmerican Orthodontics Ever White™ had the greatest mean coating loss (50.7%) followed by Forestadent Biocosmetic™ (6%), with GAC High Aesthetic TM undergoing minimal loss (0.07%) (P < .001). The majority of coating loss with the American Orthodontics Ever White™ wires arose in the anterior region while Forestadent Biocosmetic™ wires and GAC High Aesthetic™ wires exhibited coating loss posteriorly (P < .001). These findings were reflected in the subjective assessment with a negative correlation found between coating loss and final Visual Analogue Scale scores (P < .001).ConclusionsConsiderable esthetic variation between arch wires following 6 weeks of intraoral cycling was identified in this prospective cohort study. Intraoral cycling has a negative impact on participant perception of arch wire esthetics, and objective and subjective assessment of wire esthetics appears to be consistent.
Imaging‐based predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Routh Jared M. , Joseph Lee , Marthaler Brodie R. , Bhave Prashant D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundCardiac conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation are major complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We aimed to investigate whether the relationship between prosthetic valve size and cardiac‐gated computed tomography (CT)‐based aortic root complex measurements can aid in recognizing patients at risk for PPM implantation post‐TAVR.MethodsWe included 83 of 114 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with the Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irving, CA, USA) at our institution. We excluded patients with preexisting PPM, patients who required conversion to an open surgical procedure, and patients without CT data. We assessed the significance of various potential predictors of PPM placement post‐TAVR.ResultsFollowing TAVR, eight patients (9.6%) required PPM. Prosthetic valve to sinus of Valsalva (SOV) index was significantly higher in those patients requiring a PPM post‐TAVR (84.1 ± 9.3 vs 76.8 ± 7.1, P = 0.009).ConclusionsThe prosthetic valve size to diameter of SOV index was identified as a novel predictor of PPM implantation after TAVR.
Cerebrovascular blood pressure autoregulation monitoring and postoperative transient ischemic attack in pediatric moyamoya vasculopathy
Authors: Lee Jennifer K. , Williams Monica , Reyes Michael , Ahn Edward S. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundChildren with moyamoya vasculopathy are at high risk of perioperative cerebral ischemia or hyperperfusion. Maintaining blood pressure within the range of functional cerebrovascular blood pressure autoregulation might reduce the risk of perioperative neurologic injury.AimsWe tested whether blood pressure autoregulation is associated with postoperative transient ischemic attack in a study of patients with pediatric moyamoya vasculopathy.MethodsWe conducted an observational study of 15 pediatric patients undergoing surgical revascularization with pial synangiosis. Nine patients had bilateral moyamoya and 6 had unilateral moyamoya. We measured autoregulatory vasoreactivity intraoperatively and during the first postoperative night with the hemoglobin volume index, a value derived from near‐infrared spectroscopy. We also identified the optimal mean arterial blood pressure at which autoregulation was most robust in each patient.ResultsOf the 15 children monitored, 3 with bilateral moyamoya and one with unilateral moyamoya experienced a transient ischemic attack. Poorer autoregulation during surgery was associated with postoperative transient ischemic attack among those with bilateral vasculopathy (P = .048, difference in hemoglobin volume index medians: 0.023, 95% confidence interval: 0.003‐0.071). This relationship was not observed with postoperative autoregulation. The optimal mean arterial blood pressure was identifiable during surgery in all monitored patients, varied among patients, and often differed between the intraoperative and postoperative periods.ConclusionDysfunctional intraoperative autoregulation may increase the risk of TIA in patients with pediatric moyamoya vasculopathy. The blood pressure range that supports autoregulation appears to vary among patients. Using autoregulation monitoring to guide individualized blood pressure goals should be studied as a potential method to reduce perioperative neurologic morbidity in pediatric patients with moyamoya.
Homoeologous exchange is a major cause of gene presence/absence variation in the amphidiploid Brassica napus
Authors: Hurgobin Bhavna , Golicz Agnieszka A. , Bayer Philipp E. , Chan Chon‐Kit Kenneth , Tirnaz Soodeh , Dolatabadian Aria , Schiessl Sarah V. , Samans Birgit , Montenegro Juan D. , Parkin Isobel A. P. , Pires J. Chris , Chalhoub Boulos , King Graham J. , Snowdon Rod , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David 
Published: December 2017

SummaryHomoeologous exchanges (HEs) have been shown to generate novel gene combinations and phenotypes in a range of polyploid species. Gene presence/absence variation (PAV) is also a major contributor to genetic diversity. In this study, we show that there is an association between these two events, particularly in recent Brassica napus synthetic accessions, and that these represent a novel source of genetic diversity, which can be captured for the improvement of this important crop species. By assembling the pangenome of B. napus, we show that 38% of the genes display PAV behaviour, with some of these variable genes predicted to be involved in important agronomic traits including flowering time, disease resistance, acyl lipid metabolism and glucosinolate metabolism. This study is a first and provides a detailed characterization of the association between HEs and PAVs in B. napus at the pangenome level.
Excellent response to ustekinumab in a 9‐year‐old girl with severe psoriasis
Authors: González‐Barreto Reina M. , Rochet Nicole M. , Nevares‐Pomales Oscar W. , Colón‐Fontanez Francisco 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe report the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with severe plaque psoriasis refractory to multiple topical and systemic therapies. Physical examination revealed extensive, erythematous plaques with overlying thick scales that covered more than 80% of her body surface area, which included the face, scalp, trunk, and limbs. Because of the severity of the disease and lack of treatment response to other systemic therapies, she was treated with ustekinumab. Three weeks after ustekinumab was initiated, her psoriatic lesions fully cleared.
Prevalence and characteristics of human parechovirus and enterovirus infection in febrile infants
Authors: Sano Kentaro , Hamada Hiromichi , Hirose Shoko , Sugiura Kenta , Harada Satoko , Koizumi Mai , Hara Mayumi , Nishijima Haruna , Taira Masakatsu , Ogura Atsushi , Ogawa Tomoko , Takanashi Jun‐ichi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundHuman parechovirus (HPeV) and human non‐polio enterovirus (EV) are important causes of fever without source (FWS) in young infants. Their prevalence and clinical characteristics are largely unknown in Asian countries. This study was conducted to elucidate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of HPeV and EV infection in febrile young infants in Japan.MethodsDuring February 2010–August 2015, we obtained 53 stool, 44 throat swab, and 20 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 56 infants (<3 months) with FWS at a single hospital. To each sample, we applied reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction for HPeV and EV. We compared the clinical characteristics of HPeV and EV patients.ResultsHPeV was detected in 11 and EV in 17 patients. HPeV was detected during July–September. HPeV patients, compared with EV patients, had lower age (32 vs 47 days; P = n.s.), higher prevalence of exclusive breast‐feeding (81.8 vs 29.4%; P = 0.024), and lower prevalence of sick contacts (36.4 vs 88.2%; P = 0.010). More HPeV than EV patients met the systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (90.9 vs 52.9%; P = 0.049). In the HPeV group, leukopenia, thrombopenia, and elevated deviation enzyme were observed, although the prevalence of abnormal cerebrospinal fluid was significantly lower than in the EV group. HPeV patients had longer hospital stay (7 vs 5 days; P = 0.025).ConclusionHPeV and EV are important causal viruses of FWS. Characteristic clinical pictures exist in these virus infections, but further research is needed to accumulate more cases to produce a comprehensive picture of these virus infections.
Investigating snowpack volumes and icing dynamics in the moraine of an Arctic catchment using UAV photogrammetry
Authors: Bernard Éric , Friedt J. M. , Tolle F. , Griselin M. , Marlin Ch. , Prokop A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMethods for assessing the contribution of the proglacial moraine into the water budget of an Arctic glacier are investigated. High spatial resolution elevation models at different seasons are needed to estimate the volume of ice and snow accumulated during winter in this part of the catchment basin and released into rivers during the melting season. Lidar currently provides the highest resolution for the generation of digital elevation models (DEMs). This paper considers the complementary use of a commercial off‐the‐shelf DJI Phantom 3 Professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for acquiring aerial photography, combined with structure‐from‐motion (SfM) analysis, for DEM computation. DEM differences between datasets acquired in April (maximum snow accumulation) and September (minimum snow cover) yield a volume difference attributed either to snow cover or icing formation. Repeated measurements over a short period highlight the processes of snow‐cover storage in the moraine and melting dynamics.
God save the queen, god save us all? Monarchies and institutional quality
Authors: Garmann Sebastian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractUntil the beginning of the 20th century, monarchy was the predominant constitutional form and is still in place today in many countries. However, although a voluminous body of research is concerned with the consequences of constitutions for human development and institutional quality, research on the consequences of monarchy is almost non‐existent. This paper explores the effects of monarchy on economic institutional quality and provides evidence that monarchies are associated with significantly better institutions. Robustness checks indicate that this result cannot be explained through alternative channels such as monarchies being on average richer or smaller.
Cultural Policy, Governance and Urban Diversity: Resident Perspectives from Birmingham, UK
Authors: Warren Saskia , Jones Phil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWithin a paradigm of culture‐led urban competition, discourse and debate has focused on attracting the mobile creative class, diverting attention on cultural resources for lesser privileged groups, both established and new. Policy agendas behind culture and the arts at the neighbourhood level are quietly shifting however, with increasing emphasis on social cohesion and integration. This paper investigates for the first time how co‐producing cultural activities can be used to stimulate more distributed and discursive strategies of decision‐making at the neighbourhood‐level. Bringing together debates on cultural policy, urban governance, and diversity this paper makes two key points: (i) geographical discourse on cultural and arts needs to reflect more upon gender, faith, ethnicity and race; (ii) dialogue enabled by focus groups can generate new participatory strategies for pluralising cultural governance in multi‐cultural and disinvested neighbourhoods.
The pseudogenes of barley
Authors: Prade Verena M. , Gundlach Heidrun , Twardziok Sven , Chapman Brett , Tan Cong , Langridge Peter , Schulman Alan H. , Stein Nils , Waugh Robbie , Zhang Guoping , Platzer Matthias , Li Chengdao , Spannagl Manuel , Mayer Klaus F. X. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryPseudogenes have a reputation of being ‘evolutionary relics’ or ‘junk DNA’. While they are well characterized in mammals, studies in more complex plant genomes have so far been hampered by the absence of reference genome sequences. Barley is one of the economically most important cereals and has a genome size of 5.1 Gb. With the first high‐quality genome reference assembly available for a Triticeae crop, we conducted a whole‐genome assessment of pseudogenes on the barley genome. We identified, characterized and classified 89 440 gene fragments and pseudogenes scattered along the chromosomes, with occasional hotspots and higher densities at the chromosome ends. Full‐length pseudogenes (11 015) have preferentially retained their exon–intron structure. Retrotransposition of processed mRNAs only plays a marginal role in their creation. However, the distribution of retroposed pseudogenes reflects the Rabl configuration of barley chromosomes and thus hints at founding mechanisms. While parent genes related to the defense‐response were found to be under‐represented in cultivated barley, we detected several defense‐related pseudogenes in wild barley accessions. The percentage of transcriptionally active pseudogenes is 7.2%, and these may potentially adopt new regulatory roles.The barley genome is rich in pseudogenes and small gene fragments mainly located towards chromosome tips or as tandemly repeated units. Our results indicate non‐random duplication and pseudogenization preferences and improve our understanding of the dynamics of gene birth and death in large plant genomes and the mechanisms that lead to evolutionary innovations.
The role of water in plant–microbe interactions
Authors: Aung Kyaw , Jiang Yanjuan , He Sheng Yang 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThroughout their life plants are associated with various microorganisms, including commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms. Pathogens are genetically adapted to aggressively colonize and proliferate in host plants to cause disease. However, disease outbreaks occur only under permissive environmental conditions. The interplay between host, pathogen and environment is famously known as the ‘disease triangle’. Among the environmental factors, rainfall events, which often create a period of high atmospheric humidity, have repeatedly been shown to promote disease outbreaks in plants, suggesting that the availability of water is crucial for pathogenesis. During pathogen infection, water‐soaking spots are frequently observed on infected leaves as an early symptom of disease. Recent studies have shown that pathogenic bacteria dedicate specialized virulence proteins to create an aqueous habitat inside the leaf apoplast under high humidity. Water availability in the apoplastic environment, and probably other associated changes, can determine the success of potentially pathogenic microbes. These new findings reinforce the notion that the fight over water may be a major battleground between plants and pathogens. In this article, we will discuss the role of water availability in host–microbe interactions, with a focus on plant–bacterial interactions.
Where at home do exporters produce and export?
Authors: Hirose Kyoko , Yoshida Yushi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractForeign growth can induce changes in production structures across domestic regions through international trade. With a two‐country model with the explicit incorporation of two regions in the home country, we show that effects of foreign growth on exports and production to be possibly asymmetric among home regions. This foreign‐growth effect is especially prominent in Asia with China emerging as the largest trading country. We empirically test our theoretical hypothesis with the data set of Japanese regions. We find evidence that the growth of Asian countries leads to a change in the regional structure of exports and production in Japan. With respect to an adjacent Asian country, the growth of a foreign country exerts opposite effects on production among Japanese regions.
Radiographic features of congenital segmental dilation of the intestine in a german shepherd dog
Authors: Johnson Laura , Simone Kristina , Cullen John , Talley Ashley , Cohen Eli B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA 10‐week‐old spayed female German Shepherd Dog was presented for acute vomiting and diarrhea. There was no reported foreign body or toxin ingestion. Radiographs showed a severely (∼11 × 7 cm), focally distended right abdominal intestinal segment containing gas and soft tissue material. Other small intestinal segments were segmentally gas distended. Celiotomy identified a ∼9 cm focally dilated segment at the jejunoileal junction with no aborad luminal obstruction. Resection and anastomosis of the dilation was performed. Histopathology showed mild mucosal inflammation, but otherwise normal wall layering and autonomic ganglia. Radiographic and histopathologic findings were consistent with congenital segmental dilation of the intestine.