bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of increased adult longevity in Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for adaptation to larval crowding
Authors: Shenoi V. N. , Ali S. Z. , Prasad N. G. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn holometabolous animals such as Drosophila melanogaster, larval crowding can affect a wide range of larval and adult traits. Adults emerging from high larval density cultures have smaller body size and increased mean life span compared to flies emerging from low larval density cultures. Therefore, adaptation to larval crowding could potentially affect adult longevity as a correlated response. We addressed this issue by studying a set of large, outbred populations of D. melanogaster, experimentally evolved for adaptation to larval crowding for 83 generations. We assayed longevity of adult flies from both selected (MCUs) and control populations (MBs) after growing them at different larval densities. We found that MCUs have evolved increased mean longevity compared to MBs at all larval densities. The interaction between selection regime and larval density was not significant, indicating that the density dependence of mean longevity had not evolved in the MCU populations. The increase in longevity in MCUs can be partially attributed to their lower rates of ageing. It is also noteworthy that reaction norm of dry body weight, a trait probably under direct selection in our populations, has indeed evolved in MCU populations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the evolution of adult longevity as a correlated response of adaptation to larval crowding.
Comparison of Contrast Ratio, Translucency Parameter, and Flexural Strength of Traditional and “Augmented Translucency” Zirconia for CEREC CAD/CAM System
Authors: Vichi Alessandro , Sedda Maurizio , Fabian Fonzar Riccardo , Carrabba Michele , Ferrari Marco 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPurposeTetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) can be used via CAD/CAM technique as metal replacement for fixed partial dentures. However, its intense white color and high opacity may represent an aesthetic limit. New TZPs with a claimed higher degree of translucency were recently marketed. The aim of the study was to investigate contrast ratio (CR), translucency parameter (TP), flexural strength (σ), Weibull characteristic strength (σ0), and Weibull modulus (m) of three “traditional” (IPS e.max Zir‐CAD, inCoris ZI, VITA In‐Ceram YZ) and two “increased translucency” (inCoris TZI, VITA In‐Ceram YZ HT) Y‐TZPs.MethodsFor flexural strength, ISO 6872:2008 was followed. Bars (N = 40) were cut from pre‐sintered blocks. Dense‐sintering, finishing, and polishing were performed in order to obtain specimens of 15 × 4 × 1.2 mm. Samples were tested with three‐point bending setup in a universal testing machine. For CR and TP, specimens (N = 10) were cut perpendicularly to the long axis from pre‐sintered blocks. After the dense‐sintering, specimens were finished and polished in order to obtain tiles of 12 × 15 × 1 mm. CR and TP were measured with a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere.ResultsNo significant difference was found regarding flexural strength. A significant difference was found both for CR and TP among tested groups. VITA In‐Ceram YZ HT and inCoris TZI showed the higher translucency. The difference was not statistically significant when compared with VITA In‐Ceram YZ, and statistically significant when compared with IPS e.max Zir‐CAD and inCoris ZI.ConclusionThe new “augmented translucency” TZPs showed higher translucency and similar flexural strength than “traditional” TZPs.Clinical SignificanceMonolithic zirconia use is partially restricted due to the zirconia low translucency. The new “augmented translucency” zirconia showed a modest but perceptible increase in translucency and a similar flexural resistance, thus increasing the clinically suitable thickness range with optimized aesthetic and resistance. (J Esthet RestorDent 28:S32–S39, 2016)
A 96‐week randomized trial of switching to entecavir in patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine therapy
Authors: Ahn Sang Hoon , Heo Jeong , Park Jun Yong , Woo Hyun Young , Lee Heon Ju , Tak Won Young , Um Soon Ho , Yoon Ki Tae , Park Soo Young , Kim Chang Wook , Kim Hyung Hoi , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Cho Mong 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackground and Aim:There are limited data assessing whether patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine but remain hepatitis B “e” antigen‐positive should be switched to a more potent antiviral with a high genetic barrier to resistance or continue with lamivudine. We compared the safety and efficacy of switching with entecavir versus continuing lamivudine.Methods:This was a Phase IV, randomized, open‐label, prospective study in a tertiary care setting. Seventy‐three chronic hepatitis B patients who achieved virological suppression on lamivudine (serum hepatitis B virus DNA < 60 International Unit (IU)/mL) were enrolled. Entecavir or lamivudine were administered orally for up to 96 weeks. Virologic and serologic responses were measured throughout the study.Results:A significantly higher proportion of patients in the entecavir group achieved hepatitis B virus DNA < 60 IU/mL at Weeks 48 (100% [38/38] vs 62.8% [22/35]; P < 0.001) and 96 (97.4% [37/38] vs 57.1% [20/35]; P<0.001). A greater number of patients had virologic breakthrough (Week 96 cumulative incidence 42.9% vs 2.6%; P<0.001) and genotypic lamivudine resistance (28.6% [10/35] vs 0% [0/38]; P<0.001) in the lamivudine group. No serious adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were reported.Conclusions:Even after achieving virological suppression on lamivudine therapy, the risk of emergent lamivudine resistance increases over time. Switching to entecavir resulted in a maintained virologic response and superior serologic responses versus continued lamivudine therapy. This study supports a rationale for switching to entecavir in chronic hepatitis B patients with virological suppression on lamivudine.
Fluid‐induced breakdown of monazite in medium‐grade metasedimentary rocks of the Pontremoli basement (Northern Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Lo Pò D. , Braga R. , Massonne H.‐J. , Molli G. , Montanini A. , Theye T. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe last (decompression) stages of the metamorphic evolution can modify monazite microstructure and composition, making it difficult to link monazite dates with pressure and temperature conditions. Monazite and its breakdown products under fluid‐present conditions were studied in micaschist recovered from the cuttings of the Pontremoli1 well, Tuscany. Coronitic microstructures around monazite consist of concentric zones of apatite + Th‐silicate, allanite and epidote. The chemistry and microstructure of the monazite grains, which preserve a wide range of chemical dates ranging from Upper Carboniferous to Tertiary times, suggest that this mineral underwent a fluid‐mediated coupled dissolution–reprecipitation and crystallization processes. Consideration of the chemical zoning (major and selected trace elements) in garnet, its inclusion mineralogy (including xenotime), monazite breakdown products and phase diagram modelling allow the reaction history among accessory minerals to be linked with the reconstructed P–T evolution. The partial dissolution and replacement by rare earth element‐accessory minerals (apatite–allanite–epidote) occurred during a fluid‐present decompression at 510 ± 35 °C. These conditions represent the last stage of a metamorphic history consisting of a thermal metamorphic peak at 575 °C and 7 kbar, followed by the peak pressure stage occurring at 520 °C and 8 kbar. An anticlockwise P–T path or two clockwise P–T loops can fit the above P–T constraints. The former path may be related to a context of late Variscan strike‐slip‐dominated exhumation with minor Tertiary (Alpine‐related) reworking and fluid infiltration, while the latter requires an Oligocene–Miocene fluid‐present tectono‐metamorphic overprint on the Variscan paragenesis.
Detection and spatial characterization of minicolumnarity in the human cerebral cortex
Authors: RAFATI A.H. , SAFAVIMANESH F. , DORPH‐PETERSEN K.‐A. , RASMUSSEN J.G. , MØLLER J. , NYENGAARD J.R. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundSpatial characterization of vertical organization of neurons in human cerebral cortex, cortical columnarity or minicolumns, and its possible association with various psychiatric and neurological diseases has been investigated for many years.New methodIn this study, we obtained 3D coordinates of disector sampled cells from layer III of Brodmann area 4 of the human cerebral cortex using light microscopy and 140‐μm‐thick glycolmethacrylate sections. A new analytical tool called cylindrical K‐function was applied for spatial point pattern analysis of 3D datasets to see whether there is a spatially organized columnar structure. In order to demonstrate the behaviour of the cylindrical K‐function, the result from brain tissues was compared with two models: A homogeneous Poisson process exhibiting complete spatial randomness, and a Poisson line cluster point process. The latter is a point process model in 3D space, which exhibits spatial structure of points similar to minicolumns.ResultsThe data show in three out of four samples nonrandom patterns in the 3D neuronal positions with the direction of minicolumns perpendicular to the pial surface of the brain – without a priori assuming the existence of minicolumns.Comparison with existing methodsStudies on columnarity are difficult and have mainly been based on two‐dimensional images analysis of thin sections of the cerebral cortex with the a priori assumption that minicolumns existed.ConclusionsA clear difference from complete spatial randomness in the data could be detected with the new tool, the cylindrical K‐function, although classical functional summary statistics are less useful in this connection.
Open‐label study of faldaprevir plus peginterferon and ribavirin in hepatitis C virus genotype 1‐infected patients who failed placebo plus peginterferon and ribavirin
Authors: Foster G. R. , Ferenci P. , Asselah T. , Mantry P. , Dufour J.‐F. , Bourlière M. , Forton D. , Maevskaya M. , Wright D. , Yoshida E. M. , García‐Samaniego J. , Oliveira C. , Wright M. , Warner N. , Sha N. , Quinson A.‐M. , Stern J. O. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryFaldaprevir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor, was evaluated in HCV genotype 1‐infected patients who failed peginterferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) treatment during one of three prior faldaprevir trials. Patients who received placebo plus PegIFN/RBV and had virological failure during a prior trial were enrolled and treated in two cohorts: prior relapsers (n = 43) and prior nonresponders (null responders, partial responders and patients with breakthrough; n = 75). Both cohorts received faldaprevir 240 mg once daily plus PegIFN/RBV for 24 weeks. Prior relapsers with early treatment success (ETS; HCV RNA <25 IU/mL detectable or undetectable at week 4 and <25 IU/mL undetectable at week 8) stopped treatment at week 24. Others received PegIFN/RBV through week 48. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virological response (HCV RNA <25 IU/mL undetectable) 12 weeks post treatment (SVR12). More prior nonresponders than prior relapsers had baseline HCV RNA ≥800 000 IU/mL (80% vs 58%) and a non‐CC IL28B genotype (91% vs 70%). Rates of SVR12 (95% CI) were 95.3% (89.1, 100.0) among prior relapsers and 54.7% (43.4, 65.9) among prior nonresponders; corresponding ETS rates were 97.7% and 65.3%. Adverse events led to faldaprevir discontinuations in 3% of patients. The most common Division of AIDS Grade ≥2 adverse events were anaemia (13%), nausea (10%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (9%). In conclusion, faldaprevir plus PegIFN/RBV achieved clinically meaningful SVR12 rates in patients who failed PegIFN/RBV in a prior trial, with response rates higher among prior relapsers than among prior nonresponders. The adverse event profile was consistent with the known safety profile of faldaprevir.
Long‐term Intrinsic Rhythm Evaluation in Dogs with Atrioventricular Block
Authors: Santilli R.A. , Porteiro Vázquez D.M. , Vezzosi T. , Perego M. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundAtrioventricular block (AVB) is a conduction abnormality along the atrioventricular node that, depending on etiology, may lead to different outcomes.ObjectivesTo evaluate variations of intrinsic rhythm (IR) in dogs that underwent pacemaker implantation (PMI).AnimalsMedical records of 92 dogs affected by 3rd degree atrioventricular block (3AVB), advanced 2nd degreeAVB(2AVB), paroxysmal 3AVB, 2:1 2AVB, or 3AVBwith atrial fibrillation (AF) were retrospectively reviewed.MethodThe patientIRwas documented with telemetry on the day of 1 – (95%CI, 1–2), 33 – (95%CI, 28–35), 105 – (95%CI, 98–156), and 275 days (95%CI, 221–380) afterPMI. According toAVBgrade at different examinations,AVBwas defined as progressed, regressed, or unchanged.ResultsIn 48 dogs, 3AVBremained unchanged, whereas in 7 it regressed. Eight cases of 2AVBprogressed, 3 regressed and 2 remained unchanged. Eight cases of paroxysmal 3AVBprogressed and 3 remained unchanged. Four dogs affected by 2:1 2AVBprogressed, 2 regressed, and 1 remained unchanged. All cases with 3AVBwithAFremained unchanged. Regression occurred within 30 days afterPMI, whereas progression was documented at any time. Variations inIRwere associated with type ofAVB(P< .03) and time of follow‐up (P< .0001).Conclusions and clinical importanceThe degree ofAVBassessed at the time ofPMIshould not be considered definitive because more than one‐third of the cases in this study either progressed or regressed. Additional studies would be necessary to elucidate possible causes for transientAVBin dogs.
Narrative Texts and Issues in Medical Humanities
Authors: van den Berg Sara 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMedical Humanities began in the late 1970s as an attempt to supplement the emphasis on technology and science in medical education with renewed attention to the role of personal care. Today, more than 80% of all medical schools offer courses in Medical Humanities. Most of these courses emphasize fiction and nonfiction by physicians and patients that depict the experience of disease and care. This essay surveys foundational works in the field as well as relevant recent narratives of physicians, patients, caregivers, and families. The agenda of Medical Humanities is to explore how these interrelated and competing narratives can improve health care. Narrative is regarded as a necessary tool in medical practice, supplementing other components of evidence‐based medicine. The field has begun to be theorized by physicians who use narrative to describe how physicians and patients think and feel and how they reflect on their experience. Texts described in this essay address major issues in medicine, including multicultural medicine, access to care, death and dying, pain, empathy, medical mistakes, and physician impairment.
A cyst nematode effector binds to diverse plant proteins, increases nematode susceptibility and affects root morphology
Authors: Pogorelko Gennady , Juvale Parijat S. , Rutter William B. , Hewezi Tarek , Hussey Richard , Davis Eric L. , Mitchum Melissa G. , Baum Thomas J. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryCyst nematodes are plant‐parasitic roundworms that are of significance in many cropping systems around the world. Cyst nematode infection is facilitated by effector proteins secreted from the nematode into the plant host. The cDNAs of the 25A01‐like effector family are novel sequences that were isolated from the oesophageal gland cells of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). To aid functional characterization, we identified an orthologous member of this protein family (Hs25A01) from the closely related sugar beet cyst nematode H. schachtii, which infects Arabidopsis. Constitutive expression of the Hs25A01 CDS in Arabidopsis plants caused a small increase in root length, accompanied by up to a 22% increase in susceptibility to H. schachtii. A plant‐expressed RNA interference (RNAi) construct targeting Hs25A01 transcripts in invading nematodes significantly reduced host susceptibility to H. schachtii. These data document that Hs25A01 has physiological functions in planta and a role in cyst nematode parasitism. In vivo and in vitro binding assays confirmed the specific interactions of Hs25A01 with an Arabidopsis F‐box‐containing protein, a chalcone synthase and the translation initiation factor eIF‐2 β subunit (eIF‐2bs), making these proteins probable candidates for involvement in the observed changes in plant growth and parasitism. A role of eIF‐2bs in the mediation of Hs25A01 virulence function is further supported by the observation that two independent eIF‐2bs Arabidopsis knock‐out lines were significantly more susceptible to H. schachtii.
A curious case of resistance to a new encounter pathogen: myrtle rust in Australia
Authors: Tobias Peri A. , Guest David I. , Külheim Carsten , Hsieh Ji‐Fan , Park Robert F. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryResistance genes (Rgenes) in plants mediate a highly specific response to microbial pathogens, often culminating in localized cell death. Such resistance is generally pathogen race specific and believed to be the result of evolutionary selection pressure. Where a host and pathogen do not share an evolutionary history, specific resistance is expected to be absent or rare.Puccinia psidii, the causal agent of myrtle rust, was recently introduced to Australia, a continent rich in myrtaceous taxa. Responses within species to this new pathogen range from full susceptibility to resistance. Using the myrtle rust case study, we examine models to account for the presence of resistance to new encounter pathogens, such as the retention of ancientRgenes through prolonged ‘trench warfare’, pairing of resistance gene products and the guarding of host integrity.
Skp1, a component of E3 ubiquitin ligase, is necessary for growth, sporulation, development and pathogenicity in rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Manjrekar Johannes , Chattoo Bharat B. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryUbiqitination is an important process in eukaryotic cells involving E3 ubiquitin ligase, which co‐ordinates with cell cycle proteins and controls various cell functions. Skp1 (S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 1) is a core component of the SCF (Skp1‐Cullin 1‐F‐box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex necessary for protein degradation by the 26S proteasomal pathway. The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has a single MoSKP1(MGG_04978) required for viability. Skp1 has multiple functions; however, its roles in growth, sporulation and appressorial development are not understood. MoSKP1 complements Skp1 function in the fission yeast temperature‐sensitive mutant skp1 A7, restoring the normal length of yeast cells at restrictive temperature. The MoSkp1 protein in M. oryzae is present in spores and germ tubes, and is abundantly expressed in appressoria. Various RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense transformants of MoSKP1 in B157 show reduced sporulation, defective spore morphology, lesser septation and diffuse nuclei. Further, they show elongated germ tubes and are unable to form appressoria. Transformants arrested in G1/S stage during initial spore germination show a similar phenotype to wild‐type spores treated with hydroxyurea (HU). Reduced MoSkp1 transcript and protein levels in knockdown transformants result in atypical germ tube development. MoSkp1 interacts with the putative F‐box protein (MGG_06351) revealing the ability to form protein complexes. Our investigation of the role of MoSKP1 suggests that a decrease in MoSkp1 manifests in decreased total protein ubiquitination and, consequently, defective cell cycle and appressorial development. Thus, MoSKP1 plays important roles in growth, sporulation, appressorial development and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.
Comparison of gene activation by two TAL effectors from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis reveals candidate host susceptibility genes in cassava
Authors: Cohn Megan , Morbitzer Robert , Lahaye Thomas , Staskawicz Brian J. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryXanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) employs transcription activator‐like (TAL) effectors to promote bacterial growth and symptom formation during infection of cassava. TAL effectors are secreted via the bacterial type III secretion system into plant cells, where they are directed to the nucleus, bind DNA in plant promoters and activate the expression of downstream genes. The DNA‐binding activity of TAL effectors is carried out by a central domain which contains a series of repeat variable diresidues (RVDs) that dictate the sequence of bound nucleotides. TAL14Xam668 promotes virulence in Xam strain Xam668 and has been shown to activate multiple cassava genes. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to identify the full target repertoire of TAL14Xam668 in cassava, which includes over 50 genes. A subset of highly up‐regulated genes was tested for activation by TAL14CIO151 from Xam strain CIO151. Although TAL14CIO151 and TAL14Xam668 differ by only a single RVD, they display differential activation of gene targets. TAL14CIO151 complements the TAL14Xam668 mutant defect, implying that shared target genes are important for TAL14Xam668‐mediated disease susceptibility. Complementation with closely related TAL effectors is a novel approach to the narrowing down of biologically relevant susceptibility genes of TAL effectors with multiple targets. This study provides an example of how TAL effector target activation by two strains within a single species of Xanthomonas can be dramatically affected by a small change in RVD–nucleotide affinity at a single site, and reflects the parameters of RVD–nucleotide interaction determined using designer TAL effectors in transient systems.
Protein composition of 6K2‐induced membrane structures formed during Potato virus A infection
Authors: Lõhmus Andres , Varjosalo Markku , Mäkinen Kristiina 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe definition of the precise molecular composition of membranous replication compartments is a key to understanding the mechanisms of virus multiplication. Here, we set out to investigate the protein composition of the potyviral replication complexes. We purified the potyviral 6K2 protein‐induced membranous structures from Potato virus A (PVA)‐infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. For this purpose, the 6K2 protein, which is the main inducer of potyviral membrane rearrangements, was expressed in fusion with an N‐terminal Twin‐Strep‐tag and Cerulean fluorescent protein (SC6K) from the infectious PVA cDNA. A non‐tagged Cerulean‐6K2 (C6K) virus and the SC6K protein alone in the absence of infection were used as controls. A purification scheme exploiting discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation followed by Strep‐tag‐based affinity chromatography was developed. Both (+)‐ and (–)‐strand PVA RNA and viral protein VPg were co‐purified specifically with the affinity tagged PVA‐SC6K. The purified samples, which contained individual vesicles and membrane clusters, were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. Data analysis revealed that many of the detected viral and host proteins were either significantly enriched or fully specifically present in PVA‐SC6K samples when compared with the controls. Eight of eleven potyviral proteins were identified with high confidence from the purified membrane structures formed during PVA infection. Ribosomal proteins were identified from the 6K2‐induced membranes only in the presence of a replicating virus, reinforcing the tight coupling between replication and translation. A substantial number of proteins associating with chloroplasts and several host proteins previously linked with potyvirus replication complexes were co‐purified with PVA‐derived SC6K, supporting the conclusion that the host proteins identified in this study may have relevance in PVA replication.