bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of hypo‐osmotic stress on the regenerative capacity of the invasive polychaete Marenzelleria viridis from its native range
Authors: David Andrew A. , Williams Jason D. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe euryhaline polychaete Marenzelleria viridis is a notorious invader of the Baltic region and while many studies have focused on the effects of osmotic stress on larval development of the species, few have assessed its effect on adult specimens. This study investigated the effects of low salinity on the physiology of M. viridis by using its regenerative capacity as a proxy for physiologic performance. Specimens were collected in spring 2015 on sandy flats in Hempstead Bay (Long Island, New York), a site that falls within its native range. Worms were ablated between the 14th and 20th chaetigers and cultured at five different salinity treatments (24psu, 15psu, 10psu, 5psu and 0psu) that reflected the broad salinity regimes of its distributional range. Data for anterior regeneration were analysed and presented. Morphogenesis during anterior regeneration was characterized by the formation of a blastema from which the major anatomic structures emerged. All specimens cultured at 5–24psu successfully completed regeneration whereas 75% of specimens cultured at 0psu died and the survivors were unable to proceed beyond the blastema stage. Salinity did not have an effect on regeneration time (14.5–15.1 days) but did have an effect on the percentage of chaetigers regenerated (lowest – 77% at 5psu, highest – 97.5% at 15‰). The post‐regeneration phase was characterized by variability in pigmentation patterns in the regenerated anterior structures, which appear to be independent of salinity treatments. In conclusion, adult M. viridis appears to exhibit high tolerance to low salinity environments, which may have been inherited from its larval stages. In addition, the different pigmentation patterns observed in regenerated structures may allude to the variability of this feature in spionids.
The impact of tropical forest logging and oil palm agriculture on the soil microbiome
Authors: Tripathi Binu M. , Edwards David P. , Mendes Lucas William , Kim Mincheol , Dong Ke , Kim Hyoki , Adams Jonathan M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSelective logging and forest conversion to oil palm agriculture are rapidly altering tropical forests. However, functional responses of the soil microbiome to these land‐use changes are poorly understood. Using 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we compared composition and functional attributes of soil biota between unlogged, once‐logged and twice‐logged rainforest, and areas converted to oil palm plantations in Sabah, Borneo. Although there was no significant effect of logging history, we found a significant difference between the taxonomic and functional composition of both primary and logged forests and oil palm. Oil palm had greater abundances of genes associated with DNA, RNA, protein metabolism and other core metabolic functions, but conversely, lower abundance of genes associated with secondary metabolism and cell–cell interactions, indicating less importance of antagonism or mutualism in the more oligotrophic oil palm environment. Overall, these results show a striking difference in taxonomic composition and functional gene diversity of soil microorganisms between oil palm and forest, but no significant difference between primary forest and forest areas with differing logging history. This reinforces the view that logged forest retains most features and functions of the original soil community. However, networks based on strong correlations between taxonomy and functions showed that network complexity is unexpectedly increased due to both logging and oil palm agriculture, which suggests a pervasive effect of both land‐use changes on the interaction of soil microbes.
Vital and dispensable roles of Plasmodium multidrug resistance transporters during blood‐ and mosquito‐stage development
Authors: Rijpma Sanna R. , van der Velden Maarten , Annoura Takeshi , Matz Joachim M. , Kenthirapalan Sanketha , Kooij Taco W. A. , Matuschewski Kai , van Gemert Geert‐Jan , van de Vegte‐Bolmer Marga , Siebelink‐Stoter Rianne , Graumans Wouter , Ramesar Jai , Klop Onny , Russel Frans G. M. , Sauerwein Robert W. , Janse Chris J. , Franke‐Fayard Blandine M. , Koenderink Jan B. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryMultidrug resistance (MDR) proteins belong to the B subfamily of the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters, which export a wide range of compounds including pharmaceuticals. In this study, we used reverse genetics to study the role of all seven Plasmodium MDR proteins during the life cycle of malaria parasites. Four P. berghei genes (encoding MDR1, 4, 6 and 7) were refractory to deletion, indicating a vital role during blood stage multiplication and validating them as potential targets for antimalarial drugs. Mutants lacking expression of MDR2, MDR3 and MDR5 were generated in both P. berghei and P. falciparum, indicating a dispensable role for blood stage development. Whereas P. berghei mutants lacking MDR3 and MDR5 had a reduced blood stage multiplication in vivo, blood stage growth of P. falciparum mutants in vitro was not significantly different. Oocyst maturation and sporozoite formation in Plasmodium mutants lacking MDR2 or MDR5 was reduced. Sporozoites of these P. berghei mutants were capable of infecting mice and life cycle completion, indicating the absence of vital roles during liver stage development. Our results demonstrate vital and dispensable roles of MDR proteins during blood stages and an important function in sporogony for MDR2 and MDR5 in both Plasmodium species.
Conditional gene deletion with DiCre demonstrates an essential role for CRK3 in Leishmania mexicana cell cycle regulation
Authors: Duncan Samuel M. , Myburgh Elmarie , Philipon Cintia , Brown Elaine , Meissner Markus , Brewer James , Mottram Jeremy C. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryLeishmania mexicana has a large family of cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) that reflect the complex interplay between cell cycle and life cycle progression. Evidence from previous studies indicated that Cdc2‐related kinase 3 (CRK3) in complex with the cyclin CYC6 is a functional homologue of the major cell cycle regulator CDK1, yet definitive genetic evidence for an essential role in parasite proliferation is lacking. To address this, we have implemented an inducible gene deletion system based on a dimerised Cre recombinase (diCre) to target CRK3 and elucidate its role in the cell cycle of L. mexicana. Induction of diCre activity in promastigotes with rapamycin resulted in efficient deletion of floxed CRK3, resulting in G2/M growth arrest. Co‐expression of a CRK3 transgene during rapamycin‐induced deletion of CRK3 resulted in complementation of growth, whereas expression of an active site CRK3T178E mutant did not, showing that protein kinase activity is crucial for CRK3 function. Inducible deletion of CRK3 in stationary phase promastigotes resulted in attenuated growth in mice, thereby confirming CRK3 as a useful therapeutic target and diCre as a valuable new tool for analyzing essential genes in Leishmania.
Genetic alteration of UDP‐rhamnose metabolism in Botrytis cinerea leads to the accumulation of UDP‐KDG that adversely affects development and pathogenicity
Authors: Ma Liang , Salas Omar , Bowler Kyle , Oren‐Young Liat , Bar‐Peled Maor , Sharon Amir 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBotrytis cinerea is a model plant‐pathogenic fungus that causes grey mould and rot diseases in a wide range of agriculturally important crops. A previous study has identified two enzymes and corresponding genes (bcdh, bcer) that are involved in the biochemical transformation of uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glucose, the major fungal wall nucleotide sugar precursor, to UDP‐rhamnose. We report here that deletion of bcdh, the first biosynthetic gene in the metabolic pathway, or of bcer, the second gene in the pathway, abolishes the production of rhamnose‐containing glycans in these mutant strains. Deletion of bcdh or double deletion of both bcdh and bcer has no apparent effect on fungal development or pathogenicity. Interestingly, deletion of the bcer gene alone adversely affects fungal development, giving rise to altered hyphal growth and morphology, as well as reduced sporulation, sclerotia production and virulence. Treatments with wall stressors suggest the alteration of cell wall integrity. Analysis of nucleotide sugars reveals the accumulation of the UDP‐rhamnose pathway intermediate UDP‐4‐keto‐6‐deoxy‐glucose (UDP‐KDG) in hyphae of the Δbcer strain. UDP‐KDG could not be detected in hyphae of the wild‐type strain, indicating fast conversion to UDP‐rhamnose by the BcEr enzyme. The correlation between high UDP‐KDG and modified cell wall and developmental defects raises the possibility that high levels of UDP‐KDG result in deleterious effects on cell wall composition, and hence on virulence. This is the first report demonstrating that the accumulation of a minor nucleotide sugar intermediate has such a profound and adverse effect on a fungus. The ability to identify molecules that inhibit Er (also known as NRS/ER) enzymes or mimic UDP‐KDG may lead to the development of new antifungal drugs.
Effects of the spatial repellent metofluthrin on landing rates of outdoor biting anophelines in Cambodia, Southeast Asia
Authors: CHARLWOOD J. D. , NENHEP S. , PROTOPOPOFF N. , SOVANNAROTH S. , MORGAN J. C. , HEMINGWAY J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe emergence of artemisinin‐resistant malaria in Southeast Asia is a major problem. The fact that many people become infected with malaria when they are outside has prompted the development of ‘spatial’ rather than topical repellents. The respective effects of one or four slow‐release emanators of metofluthrin, a pyrethroid, were tested in Pailin, Pursat and Koh Kong, Cambodia. Numbers of mosquitoes counted in outdoor landing catches when one or four emanators were suspended close to the collector were compared with control collections. In Pailin, the effects of emanators on catches in Furvela tent traps and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps suspended underneath houses were also investigated. Rate ratios were used to determine differences. A total of 29 255 mosquitoes were collected over 2934 h of landing collections, 87 nights of tent trapping and 81 nights of light trap capture. In Pailin, landing rates were reduced by 48% by a single emanator and by 67% by four emanators (P < 0.001). Similar reductions were observed in the number of mosquitoes collected in tent traps and the number of anophelines only collected in light traps. Results were similar in Pursat, but, for unknown reasons, those in Koh Kong showed no difference between control and metofluthrin collections (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that although the product can produce a significant effect, it requires further improvement.
Development of a high‐resolution melting analysis assay for rapid and high‐throughput identification of clinically important dermatophyte species
Authors: Didehdar M. , Khansarinejad B. , Amirrajab N. , Shokohi T. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryAccurate identification of dermatophyte species is important both for epidemiological studies and for implementing antifungal treatment strategies. Although nucleic acid amplification‐based assays have several advantages over conventional mycological methods, a major disadvantage is their high cost. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and accurate real‐time PCR‐based high‐resolution melting (HRM) assay for differentiation of the most common dermatophyte species. The oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify highly conserved regions of the dermatophyte ribosomal DNA. Analysis of a panel containing potentially interfering fungi demonstrated no cross reactivity with the assay. To evaluate the performance characteristics of the method, a total of 250 clinical isolates were tested in comparison with the long‐established PCR‐RFLP method and the results were reassessed using DNA sequencing, as the reference standard method. The assay is able to type dermatophytes using normalised melting peak, difference plot analysis or electrophoresis on agarose gel methods. The results showed that, in comparison to PCR‐RFLP, the developed HRM assay was able to differentiate at least 10 common dermatophytes species with a higher speed, throughput and accuracy. These results indicate that the HRM assay will be a useful sensitive, high throughput and cost‐effective method for differentiating the most common dermatophyte species
Body mass index, fat free mass, uric acid, and renal function as blood pressure levels determinants in young adults
Authors: Sidoti Antonino , Nigrelli Santi , Rosati Alberto , Bigazzi Roberto , Caprioli Raffaele , Fanelli Roberto , Acconcia Pasqualina , Borracelli Donella , Biagioli Marina , Angelini Daniela , Parrini Manuela , Tonelli Luigi , Tosi Pierluigi , Manzoni Diego 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimWe assessed some major determinants of blood pressure (BP) in young adulthood to plan a lifestyle changes policyMethodsA cross sectional survey was held, involving 2373 high school people (age 18–21), measuring BP, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WCirc), fat free mass (FFM); alcohol and smoking habits were evaluated by a questionnaire. In a subset of this population (n = 60) uric acid (UA), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were also evaluated.ResultsSmoking and not alcohol was correlated to systolic blood pressure (SBP) through quartiles (31.7%, 39.1%, 46.5%, 45.5%).Systolic BP was significantly correlated with FFM in the whole population (r = 0.51) as well as in SBP quartiles (r = 0.243, 0.138, 0.118, 0.204). FFM‐SBP cluster analysis gave two centroids corresponding to sexes; females n = 998; coordinates (116.4 mmHg, 38.9 kg) and males n = 1068; coordinates (131.3 mmHg, 56.7 kg).In the n = 60 substudy a multiple linear regression model (multiple R = 0.741) with SBP as dependent variable and UA, FFM, BMI, eGFR as explicative ones, only UA (β coefficent = 0.363, partial r = 0.240, P < 0.01) was the determinant of BP particularly in men. Moreover in the same group we found an inverse relationship between eGFR (albeit always in the normal range) and UA, as well as for women (r = −0.54, P < 0.01) and men (r = −0.43, P < 0.01) analyzed separately.ConclusionsA significant correlation exists between BP and FFM; UA has proven to be the most important SBP determinant. At variance with paediatric age UA was negatively correlated with renal function. Dietary intervention on UA and alcohol habits in young adults seems advisable to prevent hypertension.
Optimal allocation of leaf epidermal area for gas exchange
Authors: de Boer Hugo J. , Price Charles A. , Wagner‐Cremer Friederike , Dekker Stefan C. , Franks Peter J. , Veneklaas Erik J. 
Published: March 2016

Summary

A long‐standing research focus in phytology has been to understand how plants allocate leaf epidermal space to stomata in order to achieve an economic balance between the plant's carbon needs and water use. Here, we present a quantitative theoretical framework to predict allometric relationships between morphological stomatal traits in relation to leaf gas exchange and the required allocation of epidermal area to stomata.

Our theoretical framework was derived from first principles of diffusion and geometry based on the hypothesis that selection for higher anatomical maximum stomatal conductance (gsmax) involves a trade‐off to minimize the fraction of the epidermis that is allocated to stomata. Predicted allometric relationships between stomatal traits were tested with a comprehensive compilation of published and unpublished data on 1057 species from all major clades.

In support of our theoretical framework, stomatal traits of this phylogenetically diverse sample reflect spatially optimal allometry that minimizes investment in the allocation of epidermal area when plants evolve towards higher gsmax.

Our results specifically highlight that the stomatal morphology of angiosperms evolved along spatially optimal allometric relationships. We propose that the resulting wide range of viable stomatal trait combinations equips angiosperms with developmental and evolutionary flexibility in leaf gas exchange unrivalled by gymnosperms and pteridophytes.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of screen time behaviour among North American indigenous populations
Authors: Foulds H. J. A. , Rodgers C. D. , Duncan V. , Ferguson L. J. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryScreen time (computer, television, video game and smartphone/tablet activity) is associated with increased obesity and other health risks. This systematic review evaluates screen time among North American Indigenous populations and compares it with that of North American Europeans. Electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched, and citations cross‐referenced. Included articles reported screen time among First Nations/American Indians, Métis, Inuit/Alaskan Natives or Native Hawaiians. From 788 citations evaluated, 40 identified articles report television, video game, computer and/or overall screen time. Overall screen time was 3.65 ± 1.26 h day−1 (n = 2,242, 8 articles) among Indigenous children/youth and 3.61 ± 2.95 h day−1 (n = 155, 1 article) among adults. Among children/youth, 66.0% (n = 11 256, 9 articles) reported less than 2 h day−1 of television screen time, while only 52.8% (n = 2,458, 1 article) of adults reported this volume. Screen time was generally greater among male population, youth, First Nations/American Indians and overweight/obese individuals. Indigenous children/youth reported greater overall screen time than North American Europeans (4.81 ± 2.84 h day−1, n = 1,182 vs. 3.40 ± 2.81 h day−1, n = 2,785; 3 articles; p < 0.0001). Screen time is common among North American Indigenous populations. Further research evaluating interventions to reduce screen time and chronic disease risks is required. © 2016 World Obesity
HPV prevalence and p16INKa overexpression in non‐smoking non‐drinking oral cavity cancer patients
Authors: Dediol E , Sabol I , Virag M , Grce M , Muller D , Manojlović S 
Published: March 2016

ObjectiveOur aim was to compare HPV and p16INK4a (p16) expression and their influence on survival and prognosis in oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OCSCC), between non‐smokers and non‐drinkers (NSND) and smokers and drinkers (SD).Subjects and MethodsPatients with OCSCC treated with surgery from 2000 to 2010 were included in the study. Patients who did not smoke at all or smoked less than 10 pack per years and did not drink alcohol on a daily basis were considered the NSND group. An equal number of SD were the control group. HPV presence was determined from paraffin‐embedded blocks investigated by PCR analysis. p16 expression was evaluated with immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe NSND group were mostly younger or older female patients with tongue or gingival cancers. p16 expression was significantly more frequent in NSND patients (27% vs 10%). Patients with stronger p16 expression had significantly worse survival, especially for tongue cancers (P = 0.026). In Cox multivariate analysis, both HPV and p16 expression carried a negative prognosis for NSND patients (P = 0.0351 and P = 0.0260).ConclusionsNSND are a specific population of OCSCC patients. In contrast to oropharyngeal cancer, HPV and p16 expression in OCSCC are negative predictive factors, especially in NSND patients.
Unveiling biases in soft‐tissue phosphatization: extensive preservation of musculature in the Cretaceous (Cenomanian) polychaete Rollinschaeta myoplena (Annelida: Amphinomidae)
Authors: Wilson Paul , Parry Luke A. , Vinther Jakob , Edgecombe Gregory D. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe process of soft‐tissue phosphatization (the replication of labile tissues by calcium phosphate) is responsible for many instances of high‐resolution soft tissue preservation, often revealing anatomical insights into the animals that so preserved. However, while much work has gone into exploring key issues such as biases and micro‐controls, phosphatization remains poorly understood as a taphonomic process. Here, using camera lucida, plain‐light microscopy and SEM imagery, we address this issue by describing the taphonomy and fidelity of the musculature of Rollinschaeta myoplena Parry et al., a phosphatized annelid from the Cretaceous Konservat‐Lagerstätten of Hakel and Hjoula, Lebanon, with an unprecedented quantity of three‐dimensional soft‐tissue preservation. Analysis highlights two strong, previously recognized biases affecting the process of phosphatization: (1) a taxonomic bias restricted to R. myoplena that triggers unusually extensive phosphatization; and (2) a tissue bias whereby longitudinal and parapodial musculature show markedly higher fidelity in comparison to the musculature of the intestine and body wall circular muscles. Potential explanations for these biases include internal phosphate‐enrichment by relative muscle density, the relative rate of decay and the physiology of musculature. Incongruence between experimental decay series for polychaetes and the prevalence of labile tissue preservation over recalcitrant tissues in R. myoplena exposes the limits of decay experiments for understanding exceptional preservation.
Test–retest Reliability in Reporting the Pain Induced by a Pain Provocation Test: Further Validation of a Novel Approach for Pain Drawing Acquisition and Analysis
Authors: Leoni Diego , Falla Deborah , Heitz Carolin , Capra Gianpiero , Clijsen Ron , Egloff Michele , Cescon Corrado , Baeyens Jean‐Pierre , Barbero Marco 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundPain drawings (PD) are frequently used in research to illustrate the pain response to pain provocation tests. However, there is a lack of data on the reliability in defining the extent and location of pain. We investigated the test–retest reliability in reporting an acute painful sensation induced by a pain provocation test using a novel approach for PD acquisition and analysis in healthy volunteers.MethodsForty healthy volunteers participated. Each participant underwent 2 upper limb neurodynamic tests 1 (ULNT1), once to the point of pain onset (PO) and once until the point of submaximal pain (SP). After each ULNT1, participants completed 2 consecutive PD with an interval of 1 minute. Custom software was used to quantify the pain extent and analyze the pain overlap. The test–retest reliability of pain extent was examined using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC 2,1) and Bland–Altman plots. Pain location reliability was examined using the Jaccard similarity coefficient (JSC).ResultsThe ICC values for PO and SP were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95–0.98), respectively. The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement (± 1.96 SD) in the Bland–Altman plots were 14 pixels (−1080;1110) for PO, and 145 (−1610;1900) for SP. The median JSCs (Q1;Q3) were 0.73 (0.64;0.80) for PO and 0.76 (0.65;0.79) for SP.ConclusionsPain drawings is a reliable instrument to investigate pain extent and pain location in healthy individuals experiencing an acute painful sensation induced by a pain provocation test.