bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation of an Antibacterial Substance from Mahonia fortunei and its Biological Activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Yuan Gaoqing , Chen Yuanyuan , Li Fangjing , Zhou Rongjin , Li Qiqin , Lin Wei , Huang Lihong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to isolate the antibacterial substance from Mahonia fortunei and determine its antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc). Bacterial leaf streak of rice, caused by Xoc, is an important rice disease and difficult to control. During a screening of antibacterial plants against plant pathogenic bacteria at an early stage, the extract from M. fortunei was found to have a strong inhibitory effect on Xoc. In this study, the chemical components of M. fortunei stems were extracted using methanol solvent, the antibacterial substance was isolated and purified by liquid–liquid partition and silica gel column chromatography and its structure was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. The effect and mode of action of the antibacterial substance on bacterial leaf streak of rice were also detected under greenhouse conditions. Two compounds were identified, berberine and jatrorrhizine, which had a strong inhibitory effect on Xoc. The antibacterial activity of berberine was stronger, with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.9008 mg/l. At the concentration of 0.5 g/l, its control efficacy on bacterial leaf streak of rice was more than 84%. Additionally, berberine could be absorbed by rice leaves and be translocated up and down in the rice plant, and the effective period was long, but its capability of lateral translocation inside the blade was poor.
Effects of Rain‐shelter Cultivation on the Temporal Dynamics of Grape Downy Mildew Epidemics
Authors: Yu Shuyi , Liu Changyuan , Liang Chunhao , Zang Chaoqun , Liu Li , Wang Hui , Guan Tianshu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGrape downy mildew (GDM), which is caused by Plasmopara viticola (Berk et Curt.) Burl. & de Toni, is the most destructive grapevine disease in the world. In this study, we chose three cultivars that differ in their resistance to GDM and compared the effects of rain‐shelter cultivation and open‐field cultivation methods on GDM epidemics (2012–2015). The temporal dynamics of GDM were examined over a 4‐year period the results indicated that the disease index fit an S‐shaped curve, and further analysis revealed that a logistic model best fit the disease development and derived epidemic periods. Rain‐shelter cultivation significantly delayed the epidemic onset by 30 days, reduced the epidemic phase by 4 days, and decreased the final disease index by 50% as compared to open‐field cultivation. The logistic and decline phases were shortened significantly by 7 and 21 days under rain‐shelter conditions, respectively. Moreover, the rain‐shelter cultivation technique effectively decreased the highest apparent infection rate and standard area under the disease progression curve values associated with reduced disease severity. The above results demonstrate that rain‐shelter cultivation significantly affects temporal dynamics parameters of GDM. Meteorological factors had significant effects on the GDM epidemic in that the apparent infection rate was significantly positively correlated with mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and leaf wetness duration before the first week of the experiment.
Highway and Road Probabilistic Safety Assessment Based on Bayesian Network Models
Authors: Grande Zacarías , Castillo Enrique , Mora Elena , Lo Hong K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA Bayesian network model is developed, in which all the items or safety related elements encountered when traveling along a highway or road, such as terrain, infrastructure, light signals, speed limit signs, intersections, roundabouts, curves, tunnels, viaducts, and any other safety relevant elements are reproduced. Since human error is the main cause of accidents, special attention is given to modeling the driver behavior variables (driver's tiredness and attention) and to how they evolve with time or travel length. The sets of conditional probabilities of variables given their parents, which permit to quantify the Bayesian network joint probability, are obtained and written as closed formulas, which allow us to identify the particular contribution of each variable to safety and facilitate the computer implementation of the proposed method. In particular, the probabilities of incidents affecting safety are calculated so that a probabilistic safety assessment of the road can be done and its most critical elements can be identified and sorted by importance. This permits the improvement of road safety making adequate corrections to save time and money in the maintenance program by concentrating on the most critical elements and effective investments. Some real examples of a Spanish highway and a conventional road are provided to illustrate the proposed methodology and show its advantages and performance.
The Snf1‐activating kinase Sak1 is a key regulator of metabolic adaptation and in vivo fitness of Candida albicans
Authors: Ramírez‐Zavala Bernardo , Mottola Austin , Haubenreißer Julia , Schneider Sabrina , Allert Stefanie , Brunke Sascha , Ohlsen Knut , Hube Bernhard , Morschhäuser Joachim 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe metabolic flexibility of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans is important for colonisation and infection of different host niches. Complex regulatory networks, in which protein kinases play central roles, link metabolism and other virulence‐associated traits, such as filamentous growth and stress resistance, and thereby control commensalism and pathogenicity. By screening a protein kinase deletion mutant library that was generated in the present work using an improved SAT1 flipper cassette, we found that the previously uncharacterised kinase Sak1 is a key upstream activator of the protein kinase Snf1, a highly conserved regulator of nutrient stress responses that is essential for viability in C. albicans. The sak1Δ mutants failed to grow on many alternative carbon sources and were hypersensitive to cell wall/membrane stress. These phenotypes were mirrored in mutants lacking other subunits of the SNF1 complex and partially compensated by a hyperactive form of Snf1. Transcriptional profiling of sak1Δ mutants showed that Sak1 ensures basal expression of glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis genes even in glucose‐rich media and thereby contributes to the metabolic plasticity of C. albicans. In a mouse model of gastrointestinal colonisation, sak1Δ mutants were rapidly outcompeted by wild‐type cells, demonstrating that Sak1 is essential for the in vivo fitness of C. albicans.
Fractal analysis provides new insights into the complexity of marine mammal behavior: A review, two methods, their application to diving and surfacing patterns, and their relevance to marine mammal welfare assessment
Authors: Seuront Laurent , Cribb Nardi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFractals have been applied to describe the complexity of behavioral displays in a range of organisms. Recent work suggests that they may represent a promising tool in the quantification of subtle behavioral responses in marine mammals under chronic exposure to disturbance. This paper aims at introducing the still seldom used fractals to the broader community of marine mammal scientists. We first briefly rehearse some of the fundamental principles behind fractal theory and review the previous uses of fractals in marine mammal science. We subsequently introduce two methods that may be used to assess the complexity of marine mammal diving patterns, and we apply them to the temporal dynamics of the diving patterns of killer whales in the presence and absence of sea kayaks, the sequential behavior of harbor and gray seals in environments with distinct levels of anthropogenic influence, and southern right whales with and without calves. We discuss the ecological relevance of identifying fractal properties in marine mammal behavior, and the potential strength of the fractal behavioral parameters in comparison to more standard behavioral metrics. We finally briefly address the relevance fractal methods may have for the design and implementation of management and conservation strategies.
Epidemiology, species distribution, clinical characteristics and mortality of candidaemia in a tertiary care university hospital in Turkey, 2007‐2014
Authors: Yeşilkaya Ayşegül , Azap Özlem , Aydın Mehtap , Akçil Ok Mehtap 
Published: March 2017

SummaryCandidaemia still continues to be a serious medical concern and the epidemiology of candidaemia varies according to geographical areas. We aim to determine the incidence, local epidemiology, Candida species distribution and crude mortality rates of candidaemia. We retrospectively evaluated candidaemia episodes in between January 2007 and August 2014. We compared demographic, clinical, microbiological findings and mortality rates of episodes caused by Candida albicans and non‐albicans Candida species. Overall the candidaemia incidences were 1.23 episodes/1000 admissions. A significant negative slope among candidaemia episodes and years was determined. Overall C. albicans (54.6%) was the most common species followed by Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis respectively. Preinfection hospital stay and length of hospital stay were statistically longer in patients with non‐albicans Candida candidaemia than in patients with C. albicans candidaemia. The source of candidaemia was unknown in 52.5% of all episodes. Central venous catheters among non‐albicans Candida candidaemia episodes and urinary system among C. albicans candidaemia episodes were common source of candidaemia compared to each other. Previous antifungal therapy preceding candidaemia and concomitant bacteraemia were significantly associated with non‐albicans Candida candidaemia. Continuous local surveillance will preserve its pivotal importance in formulating empirical antifungal therapy and improving management of candidaemia.
Infective capacity of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in a human astrocytoma cell line
Authors: Olave M. C. , Vargas‐Zambrano J. C. , Celis A. M. , Castañeda E. , González J. M. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryPathogenesis of cryptococcosis in the central nervous system (CNS) is a topic of ongoing research, including the mechanisms by which this fungus invades and infects the brain. Astrocytes, the most common CNS cells, play a fundamental role in the local immune response. Astrocytes might participate in cryptococcosis either as a host or by responding to fungal antigens. To determine the infectivity of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and Cryptococcus gattii in a human astrocytoma cell line and the induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. A glioblastoma cell line was infected with C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii blastoconidia labelled with FUN‐1 fluorescent stain. The percentage of infection and expression of HLA class I and II molecules were determined by flow cytometry. The interactions between the fungi and cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy. There was no difference between C. neoformans var. grubii and C. gattii in the percentage infection, but C. neoformans var. grubii induced higher expression of HLA class II than C. gattii. More blastoconidia were recovered from C. neoformans‐infected cells than from C. gattii infected cells. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii may have different virulence mechanisms that allow its survival in human glia‐derived cells.
The MTP1 promoters from Arabidopsis halleri reveal cis‐regulating elements for the evolution of metal tolerance
Authors: Fasani Elisa , DalCorso Giovanni , Varotto Claudio , Li Mingai , Visioli Giovanna , Mattarozzi Monica , Furini Antonella 
Published: March 2017

Summary

In the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri, the zinc (Zn) vacuolar transporter MTP1 is a key component of hypertolerance. Because protein sequences and functions are highly conserved between A. halleri and Arabidopsis thaliana, Zn tolerance in A. halleri may reflect the constitutively higher MTP1 expression compared with A. thaliana, based on copy number expansion and different cis regulation.

Three MTP1 promoters were characterized in A. halleri ecotype I16. The comparison with the A. thaliana MTP1 promoter revealed different expression profiles correlated with specific cis‐acting regulatory elements.

The MTP1 5′ untranslated region, highly conserved among A. thaliana, Arabidopsis lyrata and A. halleri, contains a dimer of MYB‐binding motifs in the A. halleri promoters absent in the A. thaliana and A. lyrata sequences. Site‐directed mutagenesis of these motifs revealed their role for expression in trichomes. A. thaliana mtp1 transgenic lines expressing AtMTP1 controlled by the native A. halleri promoter were more Zn‐tolerant than lines carrying mutations on MYB‐binding motifs. Differences in Zn tolerance were associated with different distribution of Zn among plant organs and in trichomes.

The different cis‐acting elements in the MTP1 promoters of A. halleri, particularly the MYB‐binding sites, are probably involved in the evolution of Zn tolerance.
Measuring the depth of the caudal epidural space to prevent dural sac puncture during caudal block in children
Authors: Lee Hyun Jeong , Min Ji Young , Kim Hyun Il , Byon Hyo‐Jin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundCaudal blocks are performed through the sacral hiatus in order to provide pain control in children undergoing lower abdominal surgery. During the block, it is important to avoid advancing the needle beyond the sacrococcygeal ligament too much to prevent unintended dural puncture. This study used demographic data to establish simple guidelines for predicting a safe needle depth in the caudal epidural space in children.MethodsA total of 141 children under 12 years old who had undergone lumbar‐sacral magnetic resonance imaging were included. The T2 sagittal image that provided the best view of the sacrococcygeal membrane and the dural sac was chosen. We used Picture Achieving and Communication System (Centricity® PACS, GE Healthcare Co.) to measure the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and the dural sac, the length of the sacrococcygeal ligament, and the maximum depth of the caudal space.ResultsThere were strong correlations between age, weight, height, and BSA, and the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and dural sac, as well as the length of the sacrococcygeal ligament. Based on these findings, a simple formula to calculate the distance between the sacrococcygeal ligament and dural sac was developed: 25 × BSA (mm).ConclusionThis simple formula can accurately calculate the safe depth of the caudal epidural space to prevent unintended dural puncture during caudal block in children. However, further clinical studies based on this formula are needed to substantiate its utility.
Characterization of a set of common wheat–Hordeum chilense chromosome 7Hch introgression lines and its potential use in research on grain quality traits
Authors: Mattera M. Gabriela , Cabrera Adoracion 
Published: March 2017

AbstractChromosome 7Hch from Hordeum chilense has potential for improving seed carotenoid content in wheat as it carries a Phytoene synthase 1 (Psy1) gene, which has a major role in this trait. Structural changes in chromosome 7Hch were obtained in common wheat background by crossing the wheat disomic substitution line 7Hch(7D) with a disomic addition line carrying chromosome 2Cc from Aegilops cylindrica in common wheat cv. ‘Chinese Spring’. Rearranged 7Hch chromosomes were cytologically characterized by FISH. A set of 24 molecular markers and the Psy1 gene were used to identify the H. chilense chromosome segments involved in the introgressions. Six structural rearrangements of chromosome 7Hch were identified. They included three homozygous wheat–H. chilense centromeric translocations, one involving the 7HchS arm (T‐7HchS·A/B) and two involving the 7HchL arm (T1‐7HchL·A/B and T2‐7HchL·A/B). In addition, one 7HchS arm deletion, one 7HchL·7HchL isochromosome and one 7HchS telosome were obtained in hemizygous condition. These genetic stocks will be useful for studying the effect of chromosome 7Hch on wheat flour colour.
Molecular interaction between PHO2 and GIGANTEA reveals a new crosstalk between flowering time and phosphate homeostasis in Oryza sativa
Authors: Li Shuai , Ying Yinghui , Secco David , Wang Chuang , Narsai Reena , Whelan James , Shou Huixia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPlants are often confronted to nutrient limiting conditions, such as inorganic phosphate (Pi) deficiency, resulting in a reduction in growth and yield. PHO2, encoding a ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzyme, is a central component of the Pi‐starvation response signalling pathway. A yeast‐two‐hybrid screen using Oryza sativa (rice) PHO2 as bait, revealed an interaction between OsPHO2 and OsGIGANTEA, a key regulator of flowering time, which was confirmed using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Characterization of rice Osgi and Ospho2 mutants revealed that they displayed several similar phenotypic features supporting a physiological role for this interaction. Reduced growth, leaf tip necrosis, delayed flowering and over‐accumulation of Pi in leaves compared to wild type were shared features of Osgi and Ospho2 plants. Pi analysis of individual leaves demonstrated that Osgi, similar to Ospho2 mutants, were impaired in Pi remobilization from old to young leaves, albeit to a lesser extent. Transcriptome analyses revealed more than 55% of the genes differentially expressed in Osgi plants overlapped with the set of differentially expressed genes in Ospho2 plants. The interaction between OsPHO2 and OsGI links high‐level regulators of Pi homeostasis and development in rice.
Haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation without irradiation or busulfan after reduced‐intensity conditioning for KMT2A(MLL)‐rearranged infant B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Report of two cases
Authors: Yoshimi Ai , Kato Keisuke , Hosaka Sho , Suzuki Ryoko , Fukushima Hiroko , Nakao Tomohei , Kobayashi Chie , Fukushima Takashi , Koike Kazutoshi , Sumazaki Ryo , Tsuchida Masahiro 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe present two infants with KMT2A(MLL)‐gene‐R‐associated BCP‐ALL, who received HLA haploidentical PBSCT after RIC. The patients developed ALL at age 6 months and 3 months, respectively. Case 1 underwent PBSCT at the second CR with detectable KMT2A‐AFF1(MLL‐AF4) fusion gene transcript at 11 months of age, and Case 2 at the first CR without KMT2A‐MLLT1(MLL‐ENL) fusion gene transcript at 8 months of age. Both patients received G‐CSF‐mobilized unmanipulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from their HLA haploidentical mothers after administration of FLU, MEL, and ATG. Tacrolimus, methotrexate, and mPSL were administered as prophylaxis against GVHD. Engraftment was rapidly obtained with complete chimerism in both patients. Acute adverse events included acute GVHD in Case 1 and bacterial sepsis in Case 2. At last clinical check at age 5 years and 4 years, respectively, both patients were recurrence‐free and attained normal growth and development. We conclude that PBSCT from an HLA haploidentical mother with non‐TBI and non‐BU regimen seems feasible and efficacious, offering favorable life quality for infants.
Reward processing in gain versus loss context: An ERP study
Authors: Zheng Ya , Li Qi , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Qi , Shen Huijuan , Gao Qianhui , Zhou Shiyu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPrevious research has shown that consummatory ERP components are sensitive to contextual valence. The present study investigated the contextual valence effect across anticipatory and consummatory phases by requiring participants to play a simple gambling task during a gain context and a loss context. During the anticipatory phase, the cue‐P3 was more positive in the gain context compared to the loss context, whereas the stimulus‐preceding negativity (SPN) was comparable across the two contexts. With respect to the consummatory phase, the feedback‐related negativity (FRN) in response to the zero‐value outcome was more negative in the gain versus loss context, whereas the feedback P3 (fb‐P3) in response to the zero‐value outcome was insensitive to contextual valence. These findings suggest that contextual valence effect occurs at a relative early stage of both the reward anticipation and consumption. Moreover, across the gain and loss contexts, the SPN was selectively correlated with the FRN, whereas the cue‐P3 was selectively associated with the fb‐P3, pointing to a close association between the anticipatory and consummatory phases in reward dynamics.
Toll‐like receptor and related cytokine mRNA expression in bovine corpora lutea during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy
Authors: Gadsby JE , Tyson Nipper AM , Faircloth HA , D'Annibale‐Tolhurst M , Chang J , Farin PW , Sheldon IM , Poole DH 
Published: March 2017

ContentsImproving our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the corpus luteum (CL) and its role in regulating the reproductive cycle should lead to improvements in the sustainability of today's global animal industry. The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine organ composed of a heterogeneous mixture steroidogenic, endothelial and immune cells, and it is becoming clear that immune mechanisms play a key role in CL regulation especially in luteolysis. Toll‐like receptors (TLR) mediate innate immune mechanisms via the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, especially within various tissues, although the role of TLR within CL remains unknown. Thus, the objectives of this study were to characterize TLR mRNA expression in the CL during the oestrous cycle and in pregnancy (day 30–50), and to examine the role of TLR signalling in luteal cells. Corpora lutea were collected at various stages of the cycle and pregnancy and analysed for TLR and cytokine mRNA expression. In addition, luteal cells were cultured with the TLR4 ligand (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) for 24 h to evaluate the role of TLR4 in regulating luteal function. Toll‐like receptors 1, 2, 4, 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interferon gamma (IFN‐G), and interleukin (IL)‐12, mRNA expressions were greatest in regressing CL compared with earlier stages (p < .05), whereas no change was observed for IL‐6 mRNA expression. Cytokine mRNA expression in cultured luteal cells was not altered by LPS. Based on these data, one or more of the TLRs found within the CL may play a role in luteolysis, perhaps via pro‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.