bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency and maintenance of unreduced gametes in natural plant populations: associations with reproductive mode, life history and genome size
Authors: Kreiner Julia M. , Kron Paul , Husband Brian C. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Fertilization involving unreduced (2n) gametes is considered the dominant mechanism of polyploid formation in angiosperms; however, our knowledge of the prevalence of and evolutionary mechanisms maintaining 2n gametes in natural populations is limited. We hypothesize that 2n gametes are deleterious consequences of meiotic errors maintained by mutation–selection balance and should increase in species with relaxed opportunities for selection on sexual processes (asexuality), reduced efficacy of selection (asexuality, selfing) and increased genome instability (high chromosome number).

We used flow cytometry to estimate male 2n gamete production in 60 populations from 24 species of Brassicaceae. We quantified variation in 2n gamete production within and among species, and examined associations with life history, reproductive mode, genome size and chromosomal number while accounting for phylogeny.

Most individuals produced < 2% 2n male gametes, whereas a small number had > 5% (up to 85%) production. Variation in 2n gamete production was significant among species and related to reproductive system; asexual species produced significantly more 2n gametes than mixed‐mating and outcrossing species.

Our results, unique in their multi‐species perspective, are consistent with 2n gametes being deleterious but maintained when opportunities for selection are limited. Rare individuals with elevated 2n gamete production may be key contributors to polyploid formation.
Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles accurately predict history of coexistence, diet breadth, and feeding mode of herbivores
Authors: Danner Holger , Desurmont Gaylord A. , Cristescu Simona M. , van Dam Nicole M. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) serve as specific cues to higher trophic levels. Novel, exotic herbivores entering native foodwebs may disrupt the infochemical network as a result of changes in HIPV profiles.

Here, we analysed HIPV blends of native Brassica rapa plants infested with one of 10 herbivore species with different coexistence histories, diet breadths and feeding modes. Partial least squares (PLS) models were fitted to assess whether HIPV blends emitted by Dutch B. rapa differ between native and exotic herbivores, between specialists and generalists, and between piercing–sucking and chewing herbivores. These models were used to predict the status of two additional herbivores.

We found that HIPV blends predicted the evolutionary history, diet breadth and feeding mode of the herbivore with an accuracy of 80% or higher. Based on the HIPVs, the PLS models reliably predicted that Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera exigua are perceived as exotic, leaf‐chewing generalists by Dutch B. rapa plants.

These results indicate that there are consistent and predictable differences in HIPV blends depending on global herbivore characteristics, including coexistence history. Consequently, native organisms may be able to rapidly adapt to potentially disruptive effects of exotic herbivores on the infochemical network.
An operon for production of bioactive gibberellin A4 phytohormone with wide distribution in the bacterial rice leaf streak pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Nagel Raimund , Turrini Paula C. G. , Nett Ryan S. , Leach Jan E. , Verdier Valérie , Van Sluys Marie‐Anne , Peters Reuben J. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Phytopathogens have developed elaborate mechanisms to attenuate the defense response of their host plants, including convergent evolution of complex pathways for production of the GA phytohormones, which were actually first isolated from the rice fungal pathogen Gibberella fujikuroi. The rice bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) has been demonstrated to contain a biosynthetic operon with cyclases capable of producing the universal GA precursor ent‐kaurene. Genetic (knock‐out) studies indicate that the derived diterpenoid serves as a virulence factor for this rice leaf streak pathogen, serving to reduce the jasmonic acid‐mediated defense response.

Here the functions of the remaining genes in the Xoc operon are elucidated and the distribution of the operon in X. oryzae is investigated in over 100 isolates.

The Xoc operon leads to production of the bioactive GA4, an additional step beyond production of the penultimate precursor GA9 mediated by the homologous operons recently characterized from rhizobia. Moreover, this GA biosynthetic operon was found to be widespread in Xoc (> 90%), but absent in the other major X. oryzae pathovar.

These results indicate selective pressure for production of GA4 in the distinct lifestyle of Xoc, and the importance of GA to both fungal and bacterial pathogens of rice.
Identification of the QTL underlying the vitamin E content of soybean seeds
Authors: Liu Huancheng , Cao Guanglu , Han Yingpeng , Jiang Zhenfeng , Zhao Hongwei , Li Wenbin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractVitamin E (VE) is an important antioxidant supplement for human health. Soybean seed extracts are the main source of VE supplements. Therefore, increasing the VE content of soybean seeds is important issue in breeding programmes. To detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with VE in soybean seeds, 238 F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were created by crossing a high VE cultivar, ‘Beifeng 9’, with a low VE cultivar, ‘Freeborn’. A genetic map was constructed using 218 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Composite interval mapping analysis detected 66 QTLs for contents of individual and total VE, 21 for α‐tocopherol, seventeen for γ‐tocopherol, thirteen for δ‐tocopherol and fifteen for total VE. The QTLs were located on chromosomes 9, 10, 15, 18 and 19. Phenotypic variance underlain by each QTL ranged from 2.4% to 32.6%. Two major QTLs (BARCSOYSSR_10_1140–BARCSOYSSR_10_1188 and BARCSOYSSR_15_0855 to BARCSOYSSR_15_0887) associated with α‐Toc, γ‐Toc, δ‐Toc and total VE contents were mapped on chromosomes 10 and 15. They explained 12.0% and 32.6% of phenotypic variance for α‐Toc; 5.5% and 13.0% for γ‐Toc; 6.6% and 23.6% for δ‐Toc; and 19.6% and 21.8% for total VE. QTL intervals BARCSOYSSR_15_0790–BARCSOYSSR_15_0855 (Qα15_1, Qγ15_1), BARCSOYSSR_15_1113–BARCSOYSSR_15_1159 (Qα15_3, Qδ15_2, QTVE15_4) and BARCSOYSSR_15_1159–BARCSOYSSR_15_1190 (Qα15_4, Qγ15_5, QTVE15_5) were associated with α‐Toc and explained 22.2%, 23.8% and 24.4% of the phenotypic variation in multiple environments. BARCSOYSSR_09_1098–BARCSOYSSR_09_1128 (QTVE9_1) and BARCSOYSSR_15_0887–BARCSOYSSR_15_0935 (QTVE15_2, Qγ15_3) associated with total VE content explained 21.8% and 16.4% of the phenotypic variation in two environments. These QTLs allow for marker‐assisted selection for cultivars with high VE contents.
Use of Phototherapy in Children
Authors: Eustace Karen , Dolman Sophie , Alsharqi Ali , Sharpe Graham , Parslew Richard 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundPhototherapy is a well‐recognized treatment in adults and children. Previous articles have reported success in treating recalcitrant skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and vitiligo in children.MethodsThis was a retrospective review over an 18‐month period from June 2012 to December 2013 of all children receiving phototherapy in a tertiary pediatric dermatology center.ResultsSeventy‐five patients 3 to 17 years of age (mean 10.6 years; 35 male, 40 female) were included. Forty‐eight (64%) patients had AD and 21 (28%) had psoriasis. Seventy received narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) treatment and five received hand and foot psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment. All patients with AD were treated with NBUVB and four (8.3%) were also treated with hand PUVA. After phototherapy, 76% had documented clear to almost clear skin. At the 12‐month follow‐up, 52% of the patients with AD remained clear. All 21 patients with psoriasis underwent NBUVB phototherapy. The clearance rate after phototherapy was 86%. At the 12‐month follow‐up, 43% of the patients with psoriasis remained clear.ConclusionPhototherapy can reduce disease burden in individuals with severe AD and psoriasis and should be considered as a second‐line therapy if standard topical regimens are unsuccessful.
Reproductive biology of the native forage grass Trichloris crinita (Poaceae, Chloridoideae)
Authors: Kozub P. C. , Barboza K. , Galdeano F. , Quarin C. L. , Cavagnaro J. B. , Cavagnaro P. F. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Trichloris crinita is a perennial forage grass species native to arid regions of the American continent. Due to its extensive area of distribution, good forage quality and resistance to drought and grazing, this species is widely utilised as forage and for revegetation purposes in environments with low water availability. Despite its importance, genetic improvement of T. crinita has been very limited, partly as consequence of the lack of knowledge on its mode of reproduction.

In the present work, we studied the reproductive biology of T. crinita by means of embryological analyses, flow cytometric seed screen (FCSS), self‐compatibility tests and progeny testing with morphological and molecular markers.

Cytological analyses revealed embryo sacs with eight nuclei and of Polygonum type for all T. crinita accessions analysed. FCSS histograms exhibited two clear peaks corresponding to 2C and 3C DNA content, indicating embryo sacs of sexual origin. Controlled pollination experiments designed to evaluate seed set (%) demonstrated that T. crinita is self‐compatible, whereas results from morphological and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker analysis of progeny revealed lack of outcrossing.

Together, these results indicate that T. crinita reproduces sexually. It is a self‐compatible and autogamous species. It is expected that these data will have a positive impact in the genetics and breeding of this species, and therefore contribute to its proper utilisation in arid regions.
Selection on intra‐individual variation in stigma–anther distance in the tropical tree Ipomoea wolcottiana (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Arceo‐Gómez G. , Vargas C. F. , Parra‐Tabla V. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

It is well known that animals can exert strong selective pressures on plant traits. However, studies on the evolutionary consequences of plant–animal interactions have mainly focused on understanding how these interactions shape trait means, while overlooking its potential direct effect on the variability among structures within a plant (e.g. flowers and fruits). The degree of within‐plant variability can have strong fitness effects but few studies have evaluated its role as a potential target of selection.

Here we reanalysed data on Ipomoea wolcottiana stigma–anther distance to test alternate mechanisms driving selection on the mean as well as on intra‐individual variance in 2 years. We found strong negative selection acting on intra‐individual variation but not on mean stigma–anther distance, suggesting independent direct selection on the latter.

Our result suggests that intra‐individual variance has the potential to be an important target of selection in nature, and that ignoring it could lead to the wrong characterisation of the selection regime.

We highlight the need for future studies to consider patterns of selection on the mean as well as on intra‐individual variance if we want to understand the full extent of plant–animal interactions as an evolutionary force in nature.
Speaking one more language in early life has only minor effects on cognition in Taiwanese with low education level: the Taishan Project
Authors: Liu Yi‐Chien , Liu Yen‐Ying , Yip Ping‐Keung , Meguro Mitsue , Meguro Kenichi 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundIncreasing evidence shows that bilingualism or multilingualism may have beneficial effects on preventing dementia. We performed a cross‐sectional, community‐based study in Taiwan. Some elders (older than 70 years) in Taiwan can speak Japanese because of the formal Japanese education they received before World War II, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. After the war, Mandarin Chinese was adopted as the official language of Taiwan. We assessed whether constantly using three languages had an effect on dementia prevalence and cognitive function.MethodsWe defined multilingualism as the ability to fluently speak Taiwanese (T), Japanese (J), and Mandarin Chinese (C) in daily life. We evaluated the Mini‐Mental State Examination and AD8 questionnaire results of 514 community‐dwelling people older than 70 years in Taishan, Taiwan.ResultsSeventy‐three of the subjects (14.2%) were multilingual (T, J, C) and 441 (85.8%) were bilingual (T, C). No difference was noted in dementia prevalence between multilingual (6.8%) and bilingual (7.4%) populations, but multilinguals were older than bilinguals (mean age: 79.9 vs 77.3 years). Multilinguals had higher Mini‐Mental State Examination scores than bilinguals (mean: 24.6 vs. 22.7). However, after the subjects were stratified into low and high education level groups, the Mini‐Mental State Examination difference was found to be significant in only the low education level group.ConclusionsDementia prevalence did not significantly differ between the multilingual (T, J, C) and bilingual (T, C) groups. However, given that the average age of the multilingual group was approximately 2 years older than that of the bilingual group, there may have been minor effects in the multilingual group.
A Model of Smuggling and Trafficking of Illegal Immigrants with a Host Country Policy
Authors: Kar Saibal , Beladi Hamid 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis paper deals with illegal immigration via two distinct activities—smuggling and trafficking of workers. A destination–source model determines economic pay‐offs and a standard labor market policy works as a deterrent. Tax paid by legal unskilled workers at the destination is determined endogenously and it finances inland monitoring against illegal immigration, holding the border patrol at a given level. The tax also finances unemployment benefit to legal workers at the destination. The number of immigrant smugglers and traffickers is also determined endogenously along with employer penalty and market wage for illegal immigrants. Higher unemployment benefits may reduce illegal wages, raise traffickers’ rent and reduce flow of illegal immigrants from the source countries.
Effects of biochar, urea and their co‐application on nitrogen mineralization in soil and growth of Chinese cabbage
Authors: Baiga R. , Rajashekhar Rao B. K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractExperiments were conducted to study the effect of soil applications of kunai grass (Imperata cylindrica) biochar (0 and 10 t/ha) and laboratory grade urea (0, 200 and 500 kg N/ha) and their co‐application on nitrogen (N) mineralization in an acid soil. The results of an incubation study showed that the biochar only treatment and co‐application with urea at 200 kg N/ha could impede transformation of urea to ammonium‐N (NH4+‐N). Soil application of biochar together with urea at 500 kg N/ha produced the highest nitrate‐N (NO3−‐N) and mineral N concentrations in the soil over 90 days. Co‐application of urea N with biochar improved soil N mineralization parameters such as mineralization potential (NA) and coefficient of mineralization rate (k) compared to biochar alone. In a parallel study performed under greenhouse conditions, Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapaL. ssp.chinensisL.) showed significantly greater (P < 0.05) marketable fresh weight, dry matter production and N uptake in soil receiving urea N at 500 kg/ha or co‐application of biochar with urea N compared to the control. Application of biochar only or urea only at 200 kg N/ha did not offer any short‐term agronomic advantages. The N use efficiency of the crop remained unaffected by the fertilizer regimes. Applications of biochar only at 10 t/ha did not offer benefits in this tropical acid soil unless co‐applied with sufficient urea N.
Phosphatidylethanolamine is progressively exposed in RBCs during storage
Authors: Larson M. C. , Karafin M. S. , Hillery C. A. , Hogg N. 
Published: January 2017

SUMMARYBackgroundIt is well established that as a blood unit ages, fewer of the unit's red blood cells (RBCs) remain in circulation post‐transfusion. The mechanism for clearance is not well defined. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a phospholipid that is primarily found on the inner leaflet of healthy cells, and is an important ligand for phagocytosis of dead cells when exposed.ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to measure the change in PE exposure in donor RBCs over increasing storage ages using the novel PE‐specific probe, duramycin.MethodsFive adsol (AS‐1) preserved RBC units were sampled weekly for 6 weeks and were labelled with duramycin. The percentage of PE exposed on red cells in each sample was determined using flow cytometry. Surface phosphatidylserine (PS) was evaluated for comparison.ResultsWe found that RBCs in AS‐preserved donor units increasingly exposed PE, from less than 1% in freshly processed RBCs, to nearly 20% at 42 days of storage and correlated with increased relative vesiculation or microparticle concentration and release of cell‐free haemoglobin. By comparison, only 5% of cells exposed PS at 42 days.ConclusionWe conclude that exposure of PE in the RBC outer membrane was higher than that of PS during 42 days of storage and correlated significantly with increased vesiculation and release of haemoglobin.
Chinese Migrants and their Impact on Homeland Development
Authors: Wei Yingqi , Liu Xiaohui , Lu Jiangyong , Yang Jingjing 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis paper aims to systematically examine the impact of Chinese migrants on the economic activities of indigenous Chinese firms from two dimensions: foreign direct investment (FDI) by ethnic Chinese (ECI) and returnees. Using a unique data set for firms in Zhongguancun Science Park, Beijing, we carry out an in‐depth empirical study on the effects of ECI and returnees on indigenous Chinese firms’ productivity, exports and R&D in comparison with the effects of non‐ethnic Chinese FDI. The findings have important policy implications.
Intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement in histological assessment of canine soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Yap F. W. , Rasotto R. , Priestnall S. L. , Parsons K. J. , Stewart J. 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundThe diagnosis of canine soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is based on histological assessment. Assessment of criteria such as, degree of differentiation, necrosis score and mitotic score, gives rise to a final tumour grade, which is important in the recommendation of treatment and prognosis of patients.Materials and MethodsPreviously diagnosed cases of STS were independently assessed by three board‐certified veterinary pathologists. Participating pathologists were blinded to the original results. For the intra‐observer study, the cases were assessed by a single pathologist six months apart and slides were randomized between readings. For the inter‐observer study, the whole case series was assessed by a single pathologist before being passed onto the next pathologist. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Fleiss's Kappa (ƙ) for the intra‐ (single observer) and inter‐observer agreement.ResultsStrong agreement was observed for the intra‐observer assessment in necrosis score, mitotic score, total score and tumour grading (ICC between 0.78 to 0.91). The intra‐observer agreement for differentiation score was rated perfect (ICC 1.00). The agreement between pathologists for the diagnosis and grading of canine STS was moderate (ƙ = 0.60 and 0.43 respectively).ConclusionHistological assessment of canine STS had high reproducibility by an individual pathologist. The agreement of diagnosis and grading of canine STS was moderate between pathologists. Future studies are required to investigate further assessment criteria to improve the specificity of STS diagnosis and the accuracy of the STS grading in dogs.
The cutaneous ecosystem: the roles of the skin microbiome in health and its association with inflammatory skin conditions in humans and animals
Authors: Rodrigues Hoffmann Aline 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundInhabiting a sterile world is no longer an acceptable or desirable concept. Recent studies developed in the microbiome field have unveiled complex microbial populations inhabiting the skin, digestive, respiratory and reproductive tracts. Microbiome studies have opened new venues to explore the human and animal second genome, its functions and its importance in maintaining health.Skin microbiome in healthThe composition of the skin microbiome varies across different body sites and across individuals, being influenced by different host habits, including for instance age, sex, diet, hygiene and lifestyle. Exposure to a diverse skin microbiome is now considered to be a key component in immune regulation, and imbalances in these microbial populations are being associated with human and animal skin inflammatory disorders.Skin microbiome in inflammatory skin conditionsWe have learned that in several skin conditions, there is a significant alteration in the diversity and composition of the microbiota colonizing the skin. For instance, in human and animal patients with atopic dermatitis, dysbiosis of the skin microbiota results in lower diversity of microbial populations. Whether these altered microbial populations are the cause or the effect of inflammatory skin conditions seen in humans and animals are still under investigation, but there is no doubt that the microbiome has an important role in maintaining skin health.SummaryThis review focuses on the most current studies describing the skin microbiome in humans and animals, its role in modulating the immune system, and its association with human and animal skin diseases.
Total skin electron therapy as treatment for epitheliotropic lymphoma in a dog
Authors: Santoro Domenico , Kubicek Lyndsay , Lu Bo , Craft William , Conway Julia 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundMycosis fungoides (MF) is an uncommon cutaneous neoplasm in dogs. Treatment options are limited. Total skin electron therapy (TSET) has been suggested as a possible therapy for canineMF.ObjectiveTo describe the use ofTSETas palliative treatment forMFin a dog.ResultsAn adult dog, previously diagnosed with nonepidermolytic ichthyosis, was presented with generalized erythroderma, alopecia and erosions. Histopathology revealed a densely cellular, well‐demarcated, unencapsulated infiltrate extending from the epidermis to the mid‐dermis compatible withMF. The infiltrate exhibited epitheliotropism multifocally for the epidermis, infundibula and adnexa. Due to a lack of response to chemotherapy,TSETwas elected. Six megavoltage electrons were delivered using a 21EXVarian linear accelerator. A dose of 6 Gy was delivered to the skin surface and a 100 cm skin to surface distance was used for dog setup. The treatment time for the cranial half treatment was 3 h. The treatment was divided in two sessions (cranial and caudal halves of the body) 15 days apart. Clinical and histopathological complete remission was achieved and the dog was kept in remission with no additional treatments for 19 months before relapse and development of Sézary syndrome.Conclusion and clinical significanceTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case reporting the use ofTSETfor medically refractory canineMFwith post treatment follow‐up. This case suggests that the use ofTSETmay be an effective palliative treatment for canineMF.