bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of dung on inter‐ and intraspecific competition of temperate grassland seeds
Authors: Milotić Tanja , Hoffmann Maurice 
Published: April 2017

AbstractQuestionsIn temperate grasslands, seeds of numerous dry‐fruited plant species are dispersed via ingestion and subsequent defecation by grazing animals. Depending on the herbivore species and season, dung pats may contain a large assemblage of conspecific or heterospecific seeds competing for space, light and nutrients in the space‐limited environment of an individual dung pat. In an environment rich in nutrients, such as herbivore dung, the outcome of inter‐ and intraspecific competition might differ from situations where nutrients are limiting. Additionally, dung pats being small and spatially isolated habitats with very specific conditions may also impact competitive interactions. Besides the plant–soil interactions on competition known from literature, the specific quality and structure of dung pats might provoke more complex interactions between different seed densities and species combinations.MethodsWe conducted a greenhouse competition experiment using three common perennial grassland species. Agrostis stolonifera, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens were used in two‐species combinations with different proportions of each species and in monocultures. Seeds were sown in three seed densities (50, 150 and 250 seeds) and the effects of cattle and horse dung on establishment, growth and flowering were tested.ResultsInteractions, most probably attributable to interspecific competition, differed between species mixtures. Seeds sown in polycultures generally emerged sooner, but the resulting seedlings had lower relative growth rates compared with seeds sown in monocultures. Increased biomass was measured for each species when growing in polycultures while evidence for intraspecific competition was found in monocultures. T. pratense developed relatively more flowers when plants were growing in polycultures compared with monocultures. Few effects of seed densities were found, although higher seed densities led to lower establishment success in both monocultures and polycultures. Adding dung generally increased the time needed to emerge, relative growth rates and flowering, but decreased establishment success in monocultures.ConclusionsBoth seed density and the presence of dung shape the post‐dispersal fate of seeds. While high seed densities imply a cost due to lower germinability, the nutritive environment of dung acts as compensation, resulting in faster growth and an increased investment in reproductive tissues.
Transcriptomics of cereal–Fusarium graminearum interactions: what we have learned so far
Authors: Kazan Kemal , Gardiner Donald M. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe ascomycete fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum causes the globally important Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease on cereal hosts, such as wheat and barley. In addition to reducing grain yield, infection by this pathogen causes major quality losses. In particular, the contamination of food and feed with the F. graminearum trichothecene toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) can have many adverse short‐ and long‐term effects on human and animal health. During the last decade, the interaction between F. graminearum and both cereal and model hosts has been extensively studied through transcriptomic analyses. In this review, we present an overview of how such analyses have advanced our understanding of this economically important plant–microbe interaction. From a host point of view, the transcriptomes of FHB‐resistant and FHB‐susceptible cereal genotypes, including near‐isogenic lines (NILs) that differ by the presence or absence of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), have been studied to understand the mechanisms of disease resistance afforded by such QTLs. Transcriptomic analyses employed to dissect host responses to DON have facilitated the identification of the genes involved in toxin detoxification and disease resistance. From the pathogen point of view, the transcriptome of F. graminearum during pathogenic vs. saprophytic growth, or when infecting different cereal hosts or different tissues of the same host, have been studied. In addition, comparative transcriptomic analyses of F. graminearum knock‐out mutants with altered virulence have provided new insights into pathogenicity‐related processes. The F. graminearum transcriptomic data generated over the years are now being exploited to build a systems level understanding of the biology of this pathogen, with an ultimate aim of developing effective and sustainable disease prevention strategies.
Permethrin and malathion LD90 values for Culex quinquefasciatus vary with topical application site
Authors: ALDRIDGE R. L. , KAUFMAN P. E. , BLOOMQUIST J. R. , GEZAN S. A. , LINTHICUM K. J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrior research in multiple insect species has demonstrated that insecticide‐induced mortality varies according to the body region exposed on the insect. This variation has been demonstrated in Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), but has not been quantified using dose–response curves. Applications of technical permethrin or malathion to one of three body regions on Cx. quinquefasciatus resulted in dose–response curves that were not equivalent to one another. The generated LD90 values and curves for each body region were compared with previously reported LD values for analogous sites in several mosquito species, specifically the mesothorax. Based on the present results, the permethrin and malathion LD50 and LD90 concentrations required for droplets impinging on the abdomen and mesothorax of Cx. quinquefasciatus when applied through ground‐based spray systems utilized by mosquito control programmes were calculated.
The Good, the Bad, and the Transitivity of Better Than*
Authors: Nebel Jacob M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe Rachels–Temkin spectrum arguments against the transitivity of better than involve good or bad experiences, lives, or outcomes that vary along multiple dimensions—e.g., duration and intensity of pleasure or pain. This paper presents variations on these arguments involving combinations of good and bad experiences, which have even more radical implications than the violation of transitivity. These variations force opponents of transitivity to conclude that something good is worse than something that isn't good, on pain of rejecting the good altogether. That is impossible, so we must reject the spectrum arguments.
Risk Factors Associated with Pain on Chronic Intermittent Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brkovic Tonci , Burilovic Eliana , Puljak Livia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the study was to define risk factors related to pain in adult end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on chronic intermittent hemodialysis (HD) by developing a systematic review of published data.MethodsThe search was conducted from MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Manuscripts in all languages were considered. Two authors performed each step independently, and all disagreements were resolved after discussion with the third author. Quality of studies was analyzed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist and Cochrane risk of bias tool.ResultsA total of 67 studies with 7,818 participants were included (median number of participants = 60). Most of the studies reported common factors such as age, gender, body mass index, race/ethnicity, marital status, duration of HD treatment since initiation of HD, different comorbidities, and biochemical parameters. Other studies reported more specific factors such as type, regimen or place of hemodialysis, type of dialyzer, dialysis phase, type of dialyzer membrane, administration site, type of preparation, and dose of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA). The studies indicate that these factors may contribute to increased pain in general and also promote development of different pain modalities of various locations and causes in HD patients (eg, pain in general, pain related to arteriovenous access, headache, musculoskeletal pain, ESA application pain).DiscussionMultiple factors for various types of pain in very heterogeneous populations and heterogeneous settings were analyzed in the literature. The results turned out to be inconsistent between the studies. Future large‐scale studies are required, taking into the account limitations of the current evidence base.
The surprising upsides of worry
Authors: Sweeny Kate , Dooley Michael D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWorry is an aversive emotional experience that arises alongside repetitive unpleasant thoughts about the future. In this paper, we argue that although extreme levels of worry are associated with depressed mood, poor physical health, and even mental illness, worry has an upside. We focus on two empirically supported benefits of worry: its motivational benefits and its benefit as an emotional buffer. Regarding motivation, worry illuminates the importance of taking action to prevent an undesirable outcome and keeps the situation at the front of one's mind to ensure that appropriate action is taken. It also triggers efforts to mitigate the consequences of bad news, motivates productive behavior that in turn reduces worry, and enhances the effectiveness of goal‐directed action by prompting people to focus on obstacles that might derail best‐laid plans. Worry can also serve as an emotional buffer by providing a desirable contrast to subsequent affective reactions, particularly for people who are prone to high levels of worry.
The Effect of Nitrate Supplementation on Cycling Performance in the Heat in Well-Trained Cyclists
Authors: McQuillan Joseph A. , Casadio Julia R. , Dulson Deborah K. , Laursen Paul B. , Kilding Andrew E. 
Published: April 2017

Purpose: To determine the effect of consumption on measures of perception, thermoregulation, and cycling performance in hot conditions. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 8 well-trained cyclists (mean ± SD age 25 ± 8 y, peak 64 ± 5 mL · kg−1 · min−1) performed 2 separate trials in hot (35°C, 60% relative humidity) environments, having ingested either 140 mL -rich beetroot juice ∼8 mmol (NIT) or placebo (PLA) daily for 3 d with a 7-d washout period separating trials. Trials consisted of 2 × 10-min bouts at 40% and 60% peak power output (PPO) to determine physiological and perceptual responses to the heat, followed by a 4-km cycling time trial. Results: Basal [nitrite] was substantially elevated in NIT (2.70 ± 0.98 µM) vs PLA (1.10 ± 0.61 µM), resulting in a most likely (ES = 1.58 ± 0.93) increase after 3 d. There was a very likely trivial increase in rectal temperature in NIT at 40% (PLA 37.4°C ± 0.2°C vs NIT 37.5°C ± 0.3°C, 0.1°C ± 0.2°C) and 60% (PLA 37.8°C ± 0.2°C vs NIT 37.9°C ± 0.3°C, 0.1°C ± 0.2°C) PPO. Cycling performance was similar between trials (PLA 336 ± 45 W vs NIT 337 ± 50 W, CV ± 95%CL; 0.2% ± 2.5%). Outcomes for heart rate and perceptual measures were unclear across the majority of time points. Conclusions: Three days of supplementation resulted in small increases in rectal temperature during low- to moderate-intensity exercise, but this did not appear to influence 4-km cycling time-trial performance in hot climates.
The Acute Effects of Breaking Up Seated Office Work With Standing or Light-Intensity Walking on Interstitial Glucose Concentration: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Brocklebank Laura A. , Andrews Rob C. , Page Angie , Falconer Catherine L. , Leary Sam , Cooper Ashley 
Published: April 2017

Background:The aim of this randomized, 3-period, 3-treatment crossover trial was to examine the acute effects of regularly breaking up seated office work with short bouts of standing or light-intensity walking on postprandial interstitial glucose concentration.Methods:Seventeen middle-aged office workers performed 3 5-hour trial conditions at their workplace in a random order: 1) uninterrupted sitting, 2) sitting interrupted by 2 minutes of standing every 20 minutes, and 3) sitting interrupted by 2 minutes of light-intensity walking every 20 minutes. Participants consumed 2 standardized test drinks at the start of each trial condition and an iPro2 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) recorded average interstitial glucose concentration every 5 minutes for the duration of the study.Results:The 5-hour interstitial glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was 55.5% lower after sitting interrupted by light-intensity walking compared with after uninterrupted sitting (95% CI, –104.2% to –6.8%). There was also a suggestion of a beneficial effect of regular standing breaks, particularly in overweight men, although they were not as effective as the walking breaks (mean difference [95% CI], –29.6% [–73.9% to 14.7%]).Conclusions:Regularly breaking up prolonged sitting lowers postprandial glycemia in middle-aged adults without metabolic impairment.
Comparison of EUCAST and CLSI Reference Microdilution MICs of Eight Antifungal Compounds for Candida auris and Associated Tentative Epidemiological Cutoff Values
Authors: Arendrup M. C. , Prakash Anupam , Meletiadis Joseph , Sharma Cheshta , Chowdhary Anuradha 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Candida auris
is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast. So far, all but two susceptibility testing studies have examined ≤50 isolates, mostly with the CLSI method. We investigated CLSI and EUCAST MICs for 123
C. auris
isolates and eight antifungals and evaluated various methods for epidemiological cutoff (ECOFF) determinations. MICs (in milligrams per liter) were determined using CLSI method M27-A3, and the EUCAST E.Def 7.3. ANOVA analysis of variance with Bonferroni's multiple-comparison test and Pearson analysis were used on log
2
MICs (significance at
P
values of <0.05). The percent agreement (within ±0 to ±2 2-fold dilutions) between the methods was calculated. ECOFFs were determined visually, statistically (using the ECOFF Finder program and MicDat1.23 software with 95% to 99% endpoints), and via the derivatization method (dECOFFs). The CLSI and EUCAST MIC distributions were wide, with several peaks for all compounds except amphotericin B, suggesting possible acquired resistance. Modal MIC, geometric MIC, MIC
50
, and MIC
90
values were ≤1 2-fold dilutions apart, and no significant differences were found. The quantitative agreement was best for amphotericin B (80%/97% within ±1/±2 dilutions) and lowest for isavuconazole and anidulafungin (58%/76% to 75% within ±1/±2 dilutions). We found that 90.2%/100% of the isolates were amphotericin B susceptible based on CLSI/EUCAST methods, respectively (i.e., with MICs of ≤1 mg/liter), and 100%/97.6% were fluconazole nonsusceptible by CLSI/EUCAST (MICs > 2). The ECOFFs (in milligrams per liter) were similar across the three different methods for itraconazole (ranges for CLSI/EUCAST, 0.25 to 0.5/0.5 to 1), posaconazole (0.125/0.125 to 0.25), amphotericin B (0.25 to 0.5/1 to 2), micafungin (0.25 to 0.5), and anidulafungin (0.25 to 0.5/0.25 to 1). In contrast, the estimated ECOFFs were dependent on the method applied for voriconazole (1 to 32) and isavuconazole (0.125 to 4). CLSI and EUCAST MICs were remarkably similar and confirmed uniform fluconazole resistance and variable acquired resistance to the other agents.
A Genome-Wide Search for Ionizing-Radiation-Responsive Elements in Deinococcus radiodurans Reveals a Regulatory Role for the DNA Gyrase Subunit A Gene's 5′ Untranslated Region in the Radiation and Desiccation Response
Authors: Villa Jordan K. , Amador Paul , Janovsky Justin , Bhuyan Arijit , Saldanha Roland , Lamkin Thomas J. , Contreras Lydia M. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Tight regulation of gene expression is important for the survival of
Deinococcus radiodurans
, a model bacterium of extreme stress resistance. Few studies have examined the use of regulatory RNAs as a possible contributing mechanism to ionizing radiation (IR) resistance, despite their proffered efficient and dynamic gene expression regulation under IR stress. This work presents a transcriptome-based approach for the identification of stress-responsive regulatory 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) elements in
D. radiodurans
R1 that can be broadly applied to other bacteria. Using this platform and an
in vivo
fluorescence screen, we uncovered the presence of a radiation-responsive regulatory motif in the 5′ UTR of the DNA gyrase subunit A gene. Additional screens under H
2
O
2
-induced oxidative stress revealed the specificity of the response of this element to IR stress. Further examination of the sequence revealed a regulatory motif of the radiation and desiccation response (RDR) in the 5′ UTR that is necessary for the recovery of
D. radiodurans
from high doses of IR. Furthermore, we suggest that it is the preservation of predicted RNA structure, in addition to DNA sequence consensus of the motif, that permits this important regulatory ability.

IMPORTANCE
Deinococcus radiodurans
is an extremely stress-resistant bacterium capable of tolerating up to 3,000 times more ionizing radiation than human cells. As an integral part of the stress response mechanism of this organism, we suspect that it maintains stringent control of gene expression. However, understanding of its regulatory pathways remains incomplete to date. Untranslated RNA elements have been demonstrated to play crucial roles in gene regulation throughout bacteria. In this work, we focus on searching for and characterizing responsive RNA elements under radiation stress and propose that multiple levels of gene regulation work simultaneously to enable this organism to efficiently recover from exposure to ionizing radiation. The model we propose serves as a generic template to investigate similar mechanisms of gene regulation under stress that have likely evolved in other bacterial species.
The Global Transcription Factor Lrp Is both Essential for and Inhibitory to Xenorhabdus nematophila Insecticidal Activity
Authors: Casanova-Torres Ángel M. , Shokal Upasana , Morag Neta , Eleftherianos Ioannis , Goodrich-Blair Heidi 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

In the entomopathogenic bacterium
Xenorhabdus nematophila
, cell-to-cell variation in the abundance of the Lrp transcription factor leads to virulence modulation; low Lrp levels are associated with a virulent phenotype and suppression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in
Manduca sexta
insects, while cells that lack
lrp
or express high Lrp levels are virulence attenuated and elicit AMP expression. To better understand the basis of these phenotypes, we examined
X. nematophila
strains expressing fixed Lrp levels. Unlike the
lrp
-null mutant, the high-
lrp
strain is fully virulent in
Drosophila melanogaster
, suggesting that these two strains have distinct underlying causes of virulence attenuation in
M. sexta
. Indeed, the
lrp
-null mutant was defective in cytotoxicity against
M. sexta
hemocytes relative to that in the high-
lrp
and low-
lrp
strains. Further, supernatant derived from the
lrp
-null mutant but not from the high-
lrp
strain was defective in inhibiting weight gain when fed to 1st instar
M. sexta
. These data suggest that contributors to the
lrp
-null mutant virulence attenuation phenotype are the lack of Lrp-dependent cytotoxic and extracellular oral growth inhibitory activities, which may be particularly important for virulence in
D. melanogaster
. In contrast, the high-Lrp strain was sensitive to the antimicrobial peptide cecropin, had a transient survival defect in
M. sexta
, and had reduced extracellular levels of insecticidal activity, measured by injection of supernatant into 4th instar
M. sexta
. Thus, high-
lrp
strain virulence attenuation may be explained by its hypersensitivity to
M. sexta
host immunity and its inability to secrete one or more insecticidal factors.

IMPORTANCE
Adaptation of a bacterial pathogen to host environments can be achieved through the coordinated regulation of virulence factors that can optimize success under prevailing conditions. In the insect pathogen
Xenorhabdus nematophila
, the global transcription factor Lrp is necessary for virulence when injected into
Manduca sexta
or
Drosophila melanogaster
insect hosts. However, high levels of Lrp, either naturally occurring or artificially induced, cause attenuation of
X. nematophila
virulence in
M. sexta
but not
D. melanogaster
. Here, we present evidence suggesting that the underlying cause of high-Lrp-dependent virulence attenuation in
M. sexta
is hypersensitivity to host immune responses and decreased insecticidal activity and that high-Lrp virulence phenotypes are insect host specific. This knowledge suggests that
X. nematophila
faces varied challenges depending on the type of insect host it infects and that its success in these environments depends on Lrp-dependent control of a multifactorial virulence repertoire.
The Conjugative Relaxase TrwC Promotes Integration of Foreign DNA in the Human Genome
Authors: González-Prieto Coral , Gabriel Richard , Dehio Christoph , Schmidt Manfred , Llosa Matxalen 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal DNA transfer. The relaxase TrwC of the conjugative plasmid R388 cleaves one strand of the transferred DNA at the
oriT
gene, covalently attaches to it, and leads the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) into the recipient cell. In addition, TrwC catalyzes site-specific integration of the transferred DNA into its target sequence present in the genome of the recipient bacterium. Here, we report the analysis of the efficiency and specificity of the integrase activity of TrwC in human cells, using the type IV secretion system of the human pathogen
Bartonella henselae
to introduce relaxase-DNA complexes. Compared to Mob relaxase from plasmid pBGR1, we found that TrwC mediated a 10-fold increase in the rate of plasmid DNA transfer to human cells and a 100-fold increase in the rate of chromosomal integration of the transferred DNA. We used linear amplification-mediated PCR and plasmid rescue to characterize the integration pattern in the human genome. DNA sequence analysis revealed mostly reconstituted
oriT
sequences, indicating that TrwC is active and recircularizes transferred DNA in human cells. One TrwC-mediated site-specific integration event was detected, proving that TrwC is capable of mediating site-specific integration in the human genome, albeit with very low efficiency compared to the rate of random integration. Our results suggest that TrwC may stabilize the plasmid DNA molecules in the nucleus of the human cell, probably by recircularization of the transferred DNA strand. This stabilization would increase the opportunities for integration of the DNA by the host machinery.

IMPORTANCE
Different biotechnological applications, including gene therapy strategies, require permanent modification of target cells. Long-term expression is achieved either by extrachromosomal persistence or by integration of the introduced DNA. Here, we studied the utility of conjugative relaxase TrwC, a bacterial protein with site-specific integrase activity in bacteria, as an integrase in human cells. Although it is not efficient as a site-specific integrase, we found that TrwC is active in human cells and promotes random integration of the transferred DNA in the human genome, probably acting as a DNA chaperone until it is integrated by host mechanisms. TrwC-DNA complexes can be delivered to human cells through a type IV secretion system involved in pathogenesis. Thus, TrwC could be used
in vivo
to transfer the DNA of interest into the appropriate cell and promote its integration. If used in combination with a site-specific nuclease, it could lead to site-specific integration of the incoming DNA by homologous recombination.