bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sporulation potential, symptom expression and detection of Phytophthora ramorum on larch needles and other foliar hosts
Authors: Harris A. R. , Webber J. F. 
Published: April 2016

Phytophthora ramorum has caused extensive dieback and mortality of commercially grown Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in many parts of the UK, as infected foliage generates spores that then cause bark lesions and girdling cankers on trees. Following inoculation, individual needles of Japanese, European (L. decidua) and hybrid (L. × eurolepis) larch infected with P. ramorum can produce thousands of sporangia. Mean numbers of sporangia ranged from 806 to 1778 per cm2 (hybrid larch and Japanese larch, respectively), surpassing mean sporulation levels on foliar hosts previously associated with P. ramorum outbreaks in Britain, namely Rhododendron ponticum, Castanea sativa and Vaccinium myrtillus. Sporulation on larch even exceeded that of California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), which drives the sudden oak death epidemic in California. Inoculation of foliage selected at different times of year revealed that foliage age significantly affected sporulation levels, but this varied with host species. However, symptom development and sporulation were often not correlated. Symptoms on larch were frequently insignificant or even absent at certain times of year, with sometimes the only evidence of infection being the emergence of sporangia from needles, without any sign of discolouration or necrosis. Plating infected but symptomless needles onto Phytophthora selective medium also often failed to yield the pathogen. Symptomless infection of larch needles apparently occurs, but is only detectable with microscopy. More generally, it is suggested that diagnosis of Phytophthora infection in conifers is often underestimated due to isolation difficulties and delayed symptom expression.
Telehealth to improve asthma control in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zairina Elida , Abramson Michael J. , McDonald Christine F. , Li Jonathan , Dharmasiri Thanuja , Stewart Kay , Walker Susan P. , Paul Eldho , George Johnson 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackground and objectivePoorly controlled asthma during pregnancy is hazardous for both mother and foetus. Better asthma control may be achieved if patients are involved in regular self‐monitoring of symptoms and self‐management according to a written asthma action plan. Telehealth applications to optimize asthma management and outcomes in pregnant women have not yet been evaluated. This study evaluated the efficacy of a telehealth programme supported by a handheld respiratory device in improving asthma control during pregnancy.MethodsPregnant women with asthma (n = 72) from two antenatal clinics in Melbourne, Australia, were randomized to one of two groups: (i) intervention—involving a telehealth programme (management of asthma with supportive telehealth of respiratory function in pregnancy (MASTERY©)) supported by a handheld respiratory device and an Android smart phone application (Breathe‐easy©) and written asthma action plan or (ii) control—usual care. The primary outcome was change in asthma control at 3 and 6 months (prenatal). Secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life and lung function, and perinatal/neonatal outcomes.ResultsAt baseline, participants' mean (± standard deviation) age was 31.4 ± 4.5 years and gestational age 16.7 ± 3.1 weeks. At 6 months, the MASTERY group had better asthma control (P = 0.02) and asthma‐related quality of life (P = 0.002) compared with usual care. There were no significant differences between groups in lung function, unscheduled health‐care visits, days off work/study, oral corticosteroid use, or perinatal outcomes. Differences between groups were not significant at 3 months.ConclusionTelehealth interventions supporting self‐management are feasible and could potentially improve asthma control and asthma‐related quality of life during pregnancy.
Real‐time variable‐rate herbicide application for weed control in carrots
Authors: Dammer K‐H 
Published: April 2016

SummaryA camera sensor for precision weed control in arable fields has been developed at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering. For herbicide spraying in carrots, the sensor was positioned at the front three‐point linkage of a tractor and was operated between carrot rows. In field trials in 2 years, real‐time (online) technology in which sensing and spraying were performed in one step was evaluated in comparison with a conventional uniform spraying application. The spray volume was linearly adjusted to the camera‐detected weed coverage level from a minimum of 200 L ha−1if no weeds were present to a maximum of 400 L ha−1. The herbicide savings were 30% in 2007 and 34%, 43% and 36% for each of three applications in 2010. There were no significant differences between the camera‐based and conventional spraying approaches with regard to yield parameters, total carrot weight and weight of marketable carrots. Regarding the weed control efficiency of the camera‐based spraying procedure in the 2010 experiment, no trend was observed between the weed coverage and the application rate of the previous spraying.
Biochemical and Structural Characterizations of Two Dictyostelium Cellobiohydrolases from the Amoebozoa Kingdom Reveal a High Level of Conservation between Distant Phylogenetic Trees of Life
Authors: Hobdey Sarah E. , Knott Brandon C. , Haddad Momeni Majid , Taylor Larry E. , Borisova Anna S. , Podkaminer Kara K. , VanderWall Todd A. , Himmel Michael E. , Decker Stephen R. , Beckham Gregg T. , Ståhlberg Jerry 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTGlycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7) cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) are enzymes commonly employed in plant cell wall degradation across eukaryotic kingdoms of life, as they provide significant hydrolytic potential in cellulose turnover. To date, many fungal GH7 CBHs have been examined, yet many questions regarding structure-activity relationships in these important natural and commercial enzymes remain. Here, we present the crystal structures and a biochemical analysis of two GH7 CBHs from social amoeba:Dictyostelium discoideumCel7A (DdiCel7A) andDictyostelium purpureumCel7A (DpuCel7A).DdiCel7A andDpuCel7A natively consist of a catalytic domain and do not exhibit a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The structures ofDdiCel7A andDpuCel7A, resolved to 2.1 Å and 2.7 Å, respectively, are homologous to those of other GH7 CBHs with an enclosed active-site tunnel. Two primary differences between theDictyosteliumCBHs and the archetypal model GH7 CBH,Trichoderma reeseiCel7A (TreCel7A), occur near the hydrolytic active site and the product-binding sites. To compare the activities of these enzymes with the activity ofTreCel7A, the family 1TreCel7A CBM and linker were added to the C terminus of each of theDictyosteliumenzymes, creatingDdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBM, which were recombinantly expressed inT. reesei.DdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBMhydrolyzed Avicel, pretreated corn stover, and phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose as efficiently asTreCel7A when hydrolysis was compared at their temperature optima. TheKiof cellobiose was significantly higher forDdiCel7ACBMandDpuCel7ACBMthan forTreCel7A: 205, 130, and 29 μM, respectively. Taken together, the present study highlights the remarkable degree of conservation of the activity of these key natural and industrial enzymes across quite distant phylogenetic trees of life.IMPORTANCEGH7 CBHs are among the most important cellulolytic enzymes both in nature and for emerging industrial applications for cellulose breakdown. Understanding the diversity of these key industrial enzymes is critical to engineering them for higher levels of activity and greater stability. The present work demonstrates that two GH7 CBHs from social amoeba are surprisingly quite similar in structure and activity to the canonical GH7 CBH from the model biomass-degrading fungusT. reeseiwhen tested under equivalent conditions (with added CBM-linker domains) on an industrially relevant substrate.
Mycoplasma agalactiae Secretion of β-(1→6)-Glucan, a Rare Polysaccharide in Prokaryotes, Is Governed by High-Frequency Phase Variation
Authors: Gaurivaud P. , Baranowski E. , Pau-Roblot C. , Sagné E. , Citti C. , Tardy F. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasmas are minimal, wall-less bacteria but have retained the ability to secrete complex carbohydrate polymers that constitute a glycocalyx. In members of the
Mycoplasma mycoides
cluster, which are important ruminant pathogens, the glycocalyx includes both cell-attached and cell-free polysaccharides. This report explores the potential secretion of polysaccharides by
M. agalactiae
, another ruminant pathogen that belongs to a distant phylogenetic group. Comparative genomic analyses showed that
M. agalactiae
possesses all the genes required for polysaccharide secretion. Notably, a putative synthase gene (
gsmA
) was identified, by
in silico
reconstruction of the biosynthetic pathway, that could be involved in both polymerization and export of the carbohydrate polymers.
M. agalactiae
polysaccharides were then purified
in vitro
and found to be mainly cell attached, with a linear β-(1→6)-glucopyranose structure [β-(1→6)-glucan]. Secretion of β-(1→6)-glucan was further shown to rely on the presence of a functional
gsmA
gene, whose expression is subjected to high-frequency phase variation. This event is governed by the spontaneous intraclonal variation in length of a poly(G) tract located in the
gsmA
coding sequence and was shown to occur in most of the
M. agalactiae
clinical isolates tested in this study.
M. agalactiae
susceptibility to serum-killing activity appeared to be dictated by ON/OFF switching of β-(1→6)-glucan secretion, suggesting a role of this phenomenon in survival of the pathogen when it invades the host bloodstream. Finally, β-(1→6)-glucan secretion was not restricted to
M. agalactiae
but was detected also in
M. mycoides
subsp.
capri
PG3
T
, another pathogen of small ruminants.

IMPORTANCE
Many if not all bacteria are able to secrete polysaccharides, either attached to the cell surface or exported unbound into the extracellular environment. Both types of polysaccharides can play a role in bacterium-host interactions. Mycoplasmas are no exception despite their poor overall metabolic capacity. We showed here that
M. agalactiae
secretes a capsular β-(1→6)-glucopyranose thanks to a specific glycosyltransferase with synthase activity. This secretion is governed by high-frequency ON/OFF phase variation that might be crucial in mycoplasma host dissemination, as cell-attached β-(1→6)-glucopyranose increases serum-killing susceptibility. Our results provide functional genetic data about mycoplasmal glycosyltransferases with dual functions, i.e., assembly and export of the sugar polymers across the cell membrane. Furthermore, we demonstrated that nonprotein epitopes can be subjected to surface antigenic variation in mycoplasmas. Finally, the present report contributes to unravel the role of secreted polysaccharides in the virulence and pathogenicity of these peculiar bacteria.
Models for Integrating Medical Acupuncture into Practice: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Physicians— Experiences
Authors: Crumley Ellen T 
Published: April 2016

Background Internationally, physicians are integrating medical acupuncture into their practice. Although there are some informative surveys and reviews, there are few international, exploratory studies detailing how physicians have accommodated medical acupuncture (eg, by modifying schedules, space and processes). Objective To examine how physicians integrate medical acupuncture into their practice. Methods Semi-structured interviews and participant observations of physicians practising medical acupuncture were conducted using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analysed in NVivo and themes were developed. Despite variation, three principal models were developed to summarise the different ways that physicians integrated medical acupuncture into their practice, using the core concept of ‘helping’. Quotes were used to illustrate each model and its corresponding themes. Results There were 25 participants from 11 countries: 21 agreed to be interviewed and four engaged in participant observations. Seventy-two per cent were general practitioners. The three models were: (1) appointments (44%); (2) clinics (44%); and (3) full-time practice (24%). Some physicians held both appointments and regular clinics (models 1 and 2). Most full-time physicians initially tried appointments and/or clinics. Some physicians charged to offset administration costs or compensate for their time. Discussion Despite variation within each category, the three models encapsulated how physicians described their integration of medical acupuncture. Physicians varied in how often they administered medical acupuncture and the amount of time they spent with patients. Although 24% of physicians surveyed administered medical acupuncture full-time, most practised it part-time. Each individual physician incorporated medical acupuncture in the way that worked best for their practice.
Molecular genetic analysis of patients with sporadic and X-linked infantile nystagmus
Authors: Zhao Hui , Huang Xiu-Feng , Zheng Zhi-Li , Deng Wen-Li , Lei Xin-Lan , Xing Dong-Jun , Ye Liang , Xu Su-Zhong , Chen Jie , Zhang Fang , Yu Xin-Ping , Jin Zi-Bing 
Published: April 2016

ObjectivesInfantile nystagmus (IN) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterised by involuntary rhythmic oscillations of the eyes accompanied by different degrees of vision impairment. Two genes have been identified as mainly causing IN:FRMD7andGPR143. The aim of our study was to identify the genetic basis of both sporadic IN and X-linked IN.DesignProspective analysis.PatientsTwenty Chinese patients, including 15 sporadic IN cases and 5 from X-linked IN families, were recruited and underwent molecular genetic analysis. We first performed PCR-based DNA sequencing of the entire coding region and the splice junctions of theFRMD7andGPR143genes in participants. Mutational analysis and co-segregation confirmation were then performed.SettingAll clinical examinations and genetic experiments were performed in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University.ResultsTwo mutations in theFRMD7gene, including one novel nonsense mutation (c.1090C>T, p.Q364X) and one reported missense mutation (c.781C>G, p.R261G), were identified in two of the five (40%) X-linked IN families. However, none of putative mutations were identified inFRMD7orGPR143in any of the sporadic cases.ConclusionsThe results suggest that mutations inFRMD7appeared to be the major genetic cause of X-linked IN, but not of sporadic IN. Our findings provide further insights intoFRMD7mutations, which could be helpful for future genetic diagnosis and genetic counselling of Chinese patients with nystagmus.
IL6 Blockade Reprograms the Lung Tumor Microenvironment to Limit the Development and Progression of K-ras–Mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Caetano Mauricio S. , Zhang Huiyuan , Cumpian Amber M. , Gong Lei , Unver Nese , Ostrin Edwin J. , Daliri Soudabeh , Chang Seon Hee , Ochoa Cesar E. , Hanash Samir , Behrens Carmen , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Sternberg Cinthya , Kadara Humam , Ferreira Carlos Gil , Watowich Stephanie S. , Moghaddam Seyed Javad 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Activating mutations of K-ras are the most common oncogenic alterations found in lung cancer. Unfortunately, attempts to target K-ras–mutant lung tumors have thus far failed, clearly indicating the need for new approaches in patients with this molecular profile. We have previously shown NF-κB activation, release of IL6, and activation of its responsive transcription factor STAT3 in K-ras–mutant lung tumors, which was further amplified by the tumor-enhancing effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-type airway inflammation. These findings suggest an essential role for this inflammatory pathway in K-ras–mutant lung tumorigenesis and its enhancement by COPD. Therefore, here we blocked IL6 using a monoclonal anti-IL6 antibody in a K-ras–mutant mouse model of lung cancer in the absence or presence of COPD-type airway inflammation. IL6 blockade significantly inhibited lung cancer promotion, tumor cell–intrinsic STAT3 activation, tumor cell proliferation, and angiogenesis markers. Moreover, IL6 inhibition reduced expression of protumor type 2 molecules (arginase 1, Fizz 1, Mgl, and IDO), number of M2-type macrophages and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and protumor T-regulatory/Th17 cell responses. This was accompanied by increased expression of antitumor type 1 molecule (Nos2), and antitumor Th1/CD8 T-cell responses. Our study demonstrates that IL6 blockade not only has direct intrinsic inhibitory effect on tumor cells, but also reeducates the lung microenvironment toward an antitumor phenotype by altering the relative proportion between protumor and antitumor immune cells. This information introduces IL6 as a potential druggable target for prevention and treatment of K-ras–mutant lung tumors. Cancer Res; 76(11); 3189–99. ©2016 AACR.
Proteomic Profiling Identifies PTK2/FAK as a Driver of Radioresistance in HPV-negative Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Skinner Heath D. , Giri Uma , Yang Liang , Woo Sang Hyeok , Story Michael D. , Pickering Curtis R. , Byers Lauren A. , Williams Michelle D. , El-Naggar Adel , Wang Jing , Diao Lixia , Shen Li , Fan You Hong , Molkentine David P. , Beadle Beth M. , Meyn Raymond E. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Heymach John V. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPurpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly treated with radiotherapy, and local failure after treatment remains the major cause of disease-related mortality. To date, human papillomavirus (HPV) is the only known clinically validated, targetable biomarkers of response to radiation in HNSCC.Experimental Design: We performed proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of targetable biomarkers of radioresistance in HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro, and tested whether pharmacologic blockade of candidate biomarkers sensitized cells to radiotherapy. Candidate biomarkers were then investigated in several independent cohorts of patients with HNSCC.Results: Increased expression of several targets was associated with radioresistance, including FGFR, ERK1, EGFR, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), also known as PTK2. Chemical inhibition of PTK2/FAK, but not FGFR, led to significant radiosensitization with increased G2–M arrest and potentiated DNA damage. PTK2/FAK overexpression was associated with gene amplification in HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines and clinical tumors. In two independent cohorts of patients with locally advanced HPV-negative HNSCC, PTK2/FAK amplification was highly associated with poorer disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.012 and 0.034). PTK2/FAK mRNA expression was also associated with worse DFS (P = 0.03). Moreover, both PTK2/FAK mRNA (P = 0.021) and copy number (P = 0.063) were associated with DFS in the Head and Neck Cancer subgroup of The Cancer Genome Atlas.Conclusions: Proteomic analysis identified PTK2/FAK overexpression is a biomarker of radioresistance in locally advanced HNSCC, and PTK2/FAK inhibition radiosensitized HNSCC cells. Combinations of PTK2/FAK inhibition with radiotherapy merit further evaluation as a therapeutic strategy for improving local control in HPV-negative HNSCC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(18); 4643–50. ©2016 AACR.
Challenges to Healthy Eating Practices
Authors: Lee Loretta T. , Willig Amanda L. , Agne April A. , Locher Julie L. , Cherrington Andrea L. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore current dietary practices and perceived barriers to healthy eating in non-Hispanic black men with type 2 diabetes. Methods Four 90-minute focus groups held in September and October 2011 were led by a trained moderator with a written guide to facilitate discussion on dietary practices and barriers to healthy eating. Participants were recruited from the diabetes database at a public safety-net health system in Jefferson County, Alabama. Two-independent reviewers performed content analysis to identify major themes using a combined deductive and inductive approach. Results There were 34 male participants aged 18 years and older. Mean years living with diabetes was 9.6 ± 5.9. Sixty-two percent of participants perceived themselves to be in fair or poor health. Participants’ self-reported eating practices did not always relate to hunger. Internal cues to eat included habit and response to emotions, and external cues to eat included media messaging, medication regimens, and work schedules. Men identified multiple barriers to healthy eating including hard-to-break habits, limited resources and availability of food at home and in neighborhood grocery stores, and perceived poor communication with health care professionals. Conclusion Non-Hispanic black men acknowledged the importance of healthy eating as part of diabetes self-management but reported various internal and external challenges that present barriers to healthy eating. Tailored strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating among non-Hispanic black men should be developed and tested for their impact on diabetes self-management.
Case report: Epicranial pain after radiotherapy for skull base meningioma – the first symptomatic epicrania fugax?
Authors: Fernández-Matarrubia Marta , Gutiérrez-Viedma Álvaro , Cuadrado María-Luz 
Published: April 2016

Background To date, no symptomatic forms of epicrania fugax (EF) have been reported. Here, we describe the first EF-type pain to be probably caused by an underlying disorder. Case report A 77-year-old woman started suffering from left V1–V2 trigeminal neuralgia at 72 years of age. Neurologic examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left middle sphenoid wing meningioma compressing the left trigeminal nerve medially. After trying several neuromodulators, she received stereotactic radiotherapy. One month later, the episodes of facial pain were significantly diminished, but she started feeling brief electric paroxysms across her left hemicranium that were clinically identical to those of backwards EF. Serial MRI showed persistence of the meningioma without changes. Conclusion Although the pathogenesis of EF remains uncertain, this case is consistent with a symptomatic origin in the trigeminal root/pathway. The onset of the EF-like pain could have been caused by the compressive effect of the tumour or, most likely, by the radiation.